Passengers robbed mid-air on South African Airways flight

Two passengers on board a South African Airways (SAA) flight were reportedly robbed while they slept.

The flight was bound for Hong Kong. It took off from Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday.

According to TimesLive, the passengers were robbed of cash and jewellery mid-air.

The newspaper said the items – stowed in the overhead compartments – appeared on some seats in the cabin after the police boarded the aircraft to search it following complaints.

Tlali Tlali, spokesman of SAA, said the two passengers complained to the cabin crew when they found out their items were missing.

The spokesman said nothing was found on the suspects the passengers thought stole their things.

“Two passengers approached our crew complaining that they had lost their valuables,” said Tlali.

“One of the complainants was able to point out a few passengers who had behaved in a suspicious manner in the cabin and who were seen opening some overhead compartments while other passengers were sleeping.

“The rest of the passengers disembarked and suspects identified were ordered to remain in the aircraft and were searched by the police in Hong Kong.

“Nothing was found [on] them during the search.”

Tlali added that the SAA would not hesitate to impose a ban on any passengers who were reported to have breached its conditions of carriage. - TheCable

Wema Bank staff sent to prison for stealing employer’s N30m

A 37-year old staff of Wema Bank Plc, Headquarters in Lagos, Tunde Oso has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court for allegedly manipulating the account of the bank to steal the sum of N30 million.

A police source alleged that the Division Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Lion Building Division, Lagos Island, Lagos directed his men led by Gboyega Oyeniyi to arrest the accused following a complaint by the management of Wema Bank Plc.

Oso, attached to the Internal Control Department of the bank and a resident of Ogudu area of Lagos was charged before the Igbosere Magistrate Court, on a two-count charge of felony to wit, stealing.

Police Counsel, Rosemary Ehimegbe informed the court in charge No N/35/2018 that the accused committed the offences between 17 August, 2017 and 28 September, 2018 at Wema Bank Headquarters at 54, Marina, Lagos Island, Lagos.

Ehimegbe told the court that the accused used his position as a staff of the bank attached to the Internal Control Department to fraudulently withdrew the sum of N30 million from the account of his employer and converted if to his use.

She added that the management of the bank uncovered the fraud when it audited its account books.

Ehimegbe said the offences committed were punishable under Sections 406 and 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges in the open court and Magistrate M.O. Osibanjo granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Osibanjo adjourned the case till 24 October, 2018 for mention and ordered that the defendant be kept at the Ikoyi Prison, Lagos till he perfected his bail conditions. - PM News

Bucknor-Akerele calls APC mafia organisation, takes swipe at Tinubu

A former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, has described the outcome of the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos as ‘absolutely disgraceful’ and said it shows that the party is more like a mafia organisation.

Bucknor-Akerele stated this in an interview with Channels Television on Thursday.

According to her, the fact that an incumbent Governor could not emerge as the party’s candidate in the primary because of the idea that “one man must be served”, showed that the APC was no longer a political party.

“I think it is absolutely disgraceful, what has happened in the APC because it would seem that the whole idea in the APC is that everyone should be serving one man and if you’re not ready to serve that one man, then you are out, so to speak.

“It’s not a political party; it’s more like a mafia organisation,” Bucknor-Akerele said.

When asked how her relationship was with former Lagos State governor and National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, considering that she worked closely with him and was deputy governor under him from 1999 to 2002, she responded by saying, “Well, I was never ‘very close’ to him.

“Yes, we were together in the Senate, we fought for the restoration of June 12 and I was his deputy but certainly if the way he treated me when I was his deputy is the way you treat someone who is very close to you, then I’m sorry, I think it leaves much to be desired.” - Daily Post

MEGA CITY ! Tinubu reps primaries: Hoodlums chase away voters with guns, machetes

Violence and pandemonium broke out in parts of Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State during the primary election into the House of Representative, Abuja on Thursday morning.

Hoodlums stormed polling units across the constituency to unleash mayhem on would be voters, chasing them out of the voting area with machetes and guns.

A former House of Representatives member, Dayo Bush Alebiosu and the incumbent, Rotimi Agunsoye are the two contenders in the primary election for House of Reps.

The mayhem occurred majorly at Ward F in Ikosi-Isheri where political thugs said to be loyal to Hon. Bayo Oshinowo, popularly known as ‘Pepper’ scared voters by displaying dangerous weapons before chasing them away from the polling points.

Oshinowo is contesting the Lagos East Senatorial ticket with Senator Gbenga Ashafa, but reports have it that he has been disqualified from participating in the elections by the screening committee from Abuja, leaving only the incumbent in the race.

It was, however, disturbing to most of the voters present who saw his supporters with Hausa thugs from Mile 12 disrupting the exercise with dangerous weapons, people had to scamper to safety to avoid been caught in the violence.

It was also reported that the election which was initially scheduled for a particular place had to be taken to another place on Ekiti Street, said to be the stronghold of one of the contestants for the House of Reps, Agunsoye.

One of the voters named Monsuru Adebiyi who spoke to our reporter lamented how fully-loaded buses, about 17 of them, brought thugs who were majorly from the northern extraction to the particular ward, disallowing anyone who displayed their sign to go in and vote.

Adebiyi said, “We were told that Pepper has been disqualified, but we were alarmed to see how thugs here are shouting his name telling anyone who cared to listen that it’s either him (Pepper) or nobody. In fact the thugs at a point over-powered the security agents on ground.”

Our correspondent gathered that same scenario played out in a particular voting area in Anthony and Agboyi Ketu where one of the voters was macheted before security agents were brought in to rescue him from being hacked to death.

There has also been general report of no accreditation and voting in most of the polling centres across the constituency. - PM News

Tinubu APC Primary: Suspected thugs machete Ex-chairmanship aspirant

A former Chairmanship aspirant in Kosofe Local Government area, Hon Ibrahim Mustapha, narrowly escaped death on Thursday when suspected political thugs attacked him at Anthony Village with machete. He is currently on admission at a private hospital, Life Fountain Hospital, Anthony, Lagos.

Mustapha was allegedly attacked by political thugs suspected to be working for the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos on Food Security, Ganiu Okanlawon and a member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Bayo Oshinowo, and matcheted him severally on the head.

Eyewitnesses informed said that the assailants, numbering between two and five, swooped on him and allegedly inflicted deep machete cuts on his head and other parts of his body. Some of his supporters who were with him also sustained various degrees of injuries.

It was gathered that the attack on Mustapha occurred at Adebayo Mokuolu Street, Anthony Village, in Kosofe Local Govt. Area of the state.

It was learnt that Mustapha, who was also a former Councillor in Kosofe LG, Lagos, was initially rushed to two nearby hospital and was rejected before he was taken in at the Life Fountain hospital. The victim was reportedly stitched at several places on the head.

The political thugs led by one Akeem Oshijinrin and Dayo Lawal, were allegedly given coverage by the Area Commander of the Area H Command, Ogudu and his men, who were present at the scene of incident.

Our correspondent learnt that the suspected thugs chased Mustapha to a place where he could no longer escape and macheted him severally. It took the intervention of passers-by who carried his lifeless body to the hospital.

It was also alleged that the Area Commander who was on ground to provide security to APC for the primary election provided shield for the thugs who eventually escaped.

It was gathered that while Mustapha was being attended to, some of the thugs came back to finish their undone business. It was at this point that one of them named ‘Nokia’ was caught while trying to escape on okada. He eventually escaped but he left his bag which contained machetes and local guns.

It will be recalled that violence and pandemonium broke out in parts of Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State during the primary election into the House of Representative on Thursday morning.

Hoodlums stormed polling units across the constituency to unleash mayhem on would be voters, chasing them out of the voting area with machetes and guns.

A former House of Representatives member, Dayo Bush Alebiosu and the incumbent, Rotimi Agunsoye are the two contenders in the primary election for House of Reps.

The mayhem occurred majorly at Ward F in Ikosi-Isheri where political thugs said to be loyal to Hon. Bayo Oshinowo, popularly known as ‘Pepper’ scared voters by displaying dangerous weapons before chasing them away from the polling points.

Oshinowo is contesting the Lagos East Senatorial ticket with Senator Gbenga Ashafa, but reports have it that he has been disqualified from participating in the elections by the screening committee from Abuja, leaving only the incumbent in the race.

It was, however, disturbing to most of the voters present who saw his supporters with Hausa thugs from Mile 12 disrupting the exercise with dangerous weapons, people had to scamper to safety to avoid been caught in the violence.

It was also reported that the election which was initially scheduled for a particular place had to be taken to another place on Ekiti Street, said to be the stronghold of one of the contestants for the House of Reps, Agunsoye.

One of the voters named Monsuru Adebiyi who spoke to our reporter lamented how fully-loaded buses, about 17 of them, brought thugs who were majorly from the northern extraction to the particular ward, disallowing anyone who displayed their sign to go in and vote.

Adebiyi said, “We were told that Pepper has been disqualified, but we were alarmed to see how thugs here are shouting his name telling anyone who cared to listen that it’s either him (Pepper) or nobody. In fact the thugs at a point over-powered the security agents on ground.”

Our correspondent gathered that same scenario played out in a particular voting area in Anthony and Agboyi Ketu where one of the voters was macheted before security agents were brought in to rescue him from being hacked to death.

There has also been general report of no accreditation and voting in most of the polling centres across the constituency. -PM News

Flooding: NEMA declares 12 worst affected states

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has declared 12 states along the River Niger and Benue as worst affected by flood disaster this year, while other states are being monitored.

The Director General of NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja made the disclosure when his agency hosted the monthly meeting of the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (NEMA).

He said casualty have been recorded in several Nigerian states following heavy rains that caused the Rivers Niger and Benue to overflow.

The worst affected states are Benue, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Adamawa, Kwara, Kebbi and Taraba.

He said proactive intervention measures instituted prior to the occurrence of the flood have prevented the situation from aggravating to the point of the 2012 disaster.

He added that even the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria has commended the proactive measure of his agency.

Maihaja said:”Though concerns have been expressed over a possible repeat of the 2012 flood disaster in some states when the River Niger overflowed its banks, displacing many residents, this year we are able to manage it.

“When the agency received the forecast of high rainfalls and likelihood of the heavy flooding, immediately mobilized the stakeholders in preparing ahead with all necessary resources for preventive interventions.

“This mitigated against the worsening of the situation as most of the communities at risks were evacuated to safer higher locations ahead of the rising water level from the rivers.

“With presidential directive, the agency also declared national disasters in the initial six worst affected states and immediately created Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) with officers deployed to coordinate the interventions.

“The situation was also being monitored with daily updates compared with the water level of the 2012 flood.

“We have sustained campaign advising residents on the flood plains to immediately relocate to the upland areas or to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps established to mitigate the disaster

“It is obvious that we may have always seen the worst of the situation and we are grateful to the Federal Government and development partners, particularly the United Nations systems in Nigeria for their supports and encouragement.” - Daily Post

Patrick Obahiagbon clinches APC senatorial ticket

Patrick Obahiagbon, former house of representatives member, has emerged candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Edo south senatorial district.

He was declared winner of the primary election held on Thursday in Benin, the state capital.

In a tweet on Thursday after the election, Obahiagbon thanked the people of the district.

He tweeted, “The deciders remains the people. Thank you Edo South.”

The primary election held at other senatorial district of the state witnessed the return of Ehiozuwa Agbonayima, a house of representative member representing Ikpoba-Okha and Egor federal constituency as candidates.

In 2014, Obahiagbon, a former chief of staff to Adams Oshiomole, then governor of the state, lost the senatorial ticket to Samson Osagie, a former minority whip of the house of representatives.

Obahiagbon is known for his ambiguous use of words. - TheCable

Kachikwu speaks on Nigeria ending fuel importation in 2019

The Minster of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe kachukwu, has said that it would be sad if the nation’s refineries are not functional by the end of 2019.

According to him, the present administration was committed to ensuring that the importation of petroleum products was curtailed.

Kachukwu stated this on Thursday in Ibigwe-Ohaji in Ohaji\Egbema council area of Imo during the ground-breaking for construction of the 5,000 BPD Modular Refinery by Walter Smith petro-chemical limited.

The project is being partnered by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB)

He said that the Buhari administration was committed to ensuring that the nation’s refineries became functional by the end of 2019.

“It would be sad if by the end of 2019 we are still importing fuel from abroad.

“So, we are committed in repairing the refineries; by that we can at least process about 500,000 barrels of crude per day.

“The policy of this administration is `go back to refining about 20 per cent of our crude which will move to 50 per cent in the next five years’”, he said.

The Minister, who commended management of Walter Smith for partnering the NCDMB to realize the project said that he was hopeful that in 18 months the modular refinery would be inaugurated.

Also, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr Kesiye Wabote, said the Board invested US $10 million to catalyze the development of the Modular refinery and took 30 per cent equity in the project.

He added that the NCDMB would divest when the modular refinery was fully developed and operational.

Wabote pointed out that NCDMB was promoting the Walter Smith Modular refinery as part of its capacity development mandate .

He said that the investment was also in line with the Nigeria Content 10- year strategic plan. - Daily Post 

NNPC reports $416m from June crude sales

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it realised $416.07 million from crude oil and gas export in June, a figure that is 35.78% higher than July sales.

These details were contained in the June 2018 edition of the corporation’s monthly financial and operations report.

NNPC said crude oil export sales contributed $274.95 million, 66% of the dollar transactions while gas sales amounted to $141.12 million.

According to the 35th edition of NNPC’s report, 744 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd) was delivered to gas-fired power plants to generate 2,970MW.

“During the period under review, Production from Joint Ventures (JVs), Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) contributed about 69.35 per cent, 21.77 per cent and 8.88 per cent respectively, to the total national gas production,” a statement by Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC’s group general manager, group public affairs division read.

“The gas flare rate was 10.33 per cent for the month under review, that is, 721.83mmscfd, compared with the average gas flare rate of 10.4per cent, that is, 813.37mmscfd for June 2017 to June 2018.”

The corporation said it supplied 1,194.93million litres of petrol into the country through direct-sale-direct-purchase agreements as against the 1,096.45million litres supplied in May.

In total, 205.73 million litres of petrol, diesel and kerosene was produced by domestic refineries compared to the 161.91 million litres produced in May. - TheCable

Kim Kardashian’s ex-bodyguard sued for $6.1m over Paris robbery

Kim Kardashian’s former bodyguard has been hit with a $6 million lawsuit by American International Group (AIG) over the Paris robbery incident involving the reality TV star.

AIG was the insurance company that paid Kardashian for the stolen jewelry she lost at gunpoint.

The company has sued the bodyguard for the same amount it paid the reality TV star after the much-publicised robbery.

According to CNN, the lawsuit was filed against Pascal Duvier, the bodyguard in question, and his company Protect Security.

In the court documents, AIG is said to have alleged that Duvier’s company “negligently, carelessly, and/or recklessly performed their protection, security, monitoring, inspection, and/or surveying of” the KUWTK star.

The bodyguard was accused of leaving Kardashian alone in her room and not dealing with several security breaches.

The lawsuit said he failed to fix a “missing or broken lock”, a malfunctioning intercom and did not take measures against the lack of a closed-circuit television in the building.

Duvier is the CEO and chairman of Protect Security. He has several celebrities on his clientele list.

The reality television star was robbed at gunpoint by masked men wearing police armbands during Paris Fashion Week in October 2016.

Kardashian, who is married to rapper/fashion designer Kanye West, lost $10 million in cash and jewelry during the robbery.

The robbers were said to have handcuffed the building’s concierge and forced him to lead them to Kardashian’s apartment.

In January 2017, DNA traces found on the scene of the robbery led to the arrest of 16 people. - TheCable

Nigeria Customs intercepts military hardware, bulletproof cars

The Nigeria Customs Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ has intercepted a bus carrying two big sacks containing military uniforms and boots along the Ijebu-Ode expressway.

The white Hiace bus which belongs to Chimezie Motors Nigeria Limited with registration number JJT 905 XB, was intercepted on Wednesday.

“This is national security. Though they are not much but the damage that will be done will be much, that is why we seized them,” Mohammed Aliyu, the unit boss, told journalists in Lagos Thursday.

Aliyu disclosed that his unit also seized 22 cars, including nine bulletproof cars.

He said the cars worth about N1.2 billion, were intercepted inside a bush in Idiroko axis of Ogun State while others were kept in hidden warehouses in Lagos.

“This is the second time I will be briefing the press since I was here. The first time, I told you how we seized contraband goods worth N1.5 billion within 2 weeks in office.

“Now, we have seized 22 cars which nine are bulletproof worth about N9.27million while other non-bulletproof worth N2.4 million.”

He said his officers intercepted 11,000 bags of 50 kilogrammes rice barely one month after it seized 3,000 bags.

“We seize bags of rice on daily basis. If you wait a bit, you will see my officers bring in seized bags of rice. Most times. They come in convoy and immediately they see our officers, some will escape while others arrested.”

Other seizures made include 25 litres of vegetable oil and 245 parcels of India hemp worth N19 million.

“We don’t have any arrested suspects. They ran away. If you are in the bush, they always come in twos-they and passenger”, he said.

“Immediately you flag them, they will know they are in danger. They will abandon the vehicle and run away. That is why we did not (make) any arrest.” - Daily Post

Number of out-of-school children rose to 13.2 million in three years

A rise in the number of internally displaced children and a corresponding increase in birth rates have led to a surge in the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

The number of out-of-school children rose from 10.5 million in 2015 to 13.2 million in 2018, a Demographic Health Survey (DHS) conducted by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Nigerian government revealed.

Hammid Bobboyi, executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), made this known at a pre-conference briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

The briefing was held ahead of the Northern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Conference on Out-of-School Children, which is billed to hold on October 10 and 11.

Bobboyi, who was represented by Bello Kaigara, director of social mobilisation, UBEC, said the activity of Boko Haram is a key factor that led to the increase.

He said the increase has hampered socio-economic growth in the country, since the children affected do not benefit from educational programmes put in place for them.

“If you add the number of children that have been displaced and the increasing number of birth, you find out that our source in DHS conducted by UNICEF published in 2015 reveals the number of out of school children increased to 13.2 million,” he said.

“Over the last few years, Nigeria has been besieged by Boko Haram and lots of children have been put out of school.

“This is equally affecting the implementation of some education treaties that Nigeria is a signatory to.”

Also speaking at the briefing, Terry Durnnia, education chief, at UNICEF said 45 percent of out-of-school children in West Africa are Nigerians.

“The number of out of school children calls for serious concern. Nigeria should take on the challenge of reducing out of school children,” he said.

“UNICEF will only lead and support the process of reducing out of school children.

“Low budgetary allocation to education is a bane to the sector at all levels.”

In July, Azuka Menkiti, UNICEF education specialist, said 50 percent of pupils in the north do not further their education.

She said a study conducted by the organisation revealed that most of the school-aged girls who fell under that category were either married off or forced into child labour. - TheCable

Southgate signs new four-year deal to stay on as England manager

Gareth Southgate has signed a new four-year contract to stay as England manager through to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

His assistant, Steve Holland, has also agreed a new deal as reward for England reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia last summer and the improvement in the nation’s fortunes.

Southgate’s contract includes a significant pay increase, taking his salary to around £3million a year. His previous deal ran to 2020 but included an option to extend for two years should England qualify for the Euros that year. That has been removed.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the national team through the next two major tournaments,” Southgate said.

“The job remains an incredible privilege and a true honour. Experiencing at first-hand how the nation united behind the team this summer was something special and it will be great to see how far this young squad can go in the years to come.

“I must acknowledge the hard work and commitment of my staff and the players over the last two years. I have learned a great deal from them and their passion and professionalism in representing England has been an inspiration to my own work. In particular, Steve Holland who I am pleased to be continuing to work alongside through to 2022.”

Martin Glenn, the chief executive of the Football Association, said: “Securing Gareth on a longer-term contract was always a priority for us. He has performed remarkably well and has given everyone the belief that England can compete on the world stage again.

“He is also a tremendous ambassador for our organisation, our development teams and the wider work of the FA, although his focus is rightly solely on helping the elite team. We wish him all the best for the rest of the Uefa Nations League and the Uefa Euro 2020 qualifying next year, which of course brings with it the exciting prospect of final-round matches at Wembley.”

The contract was signed prior to Southgate announcing the England squad for the forthcoming Nations League double-header away to Croatia and Spain. - The Telegraph