Five Dead, Five Rescued as Boat Capsizes in Lagos

About five persons drowned wednesday, while five others were rescued when a 20-passenger boat capsized mid-way from Ebute Terminal, along the Lagos – Ikorodu Expressway.

The boat was said to have capsized by the Ferry Terminal, Ipakodo, Ebute, as the passengers were heading from CMS to Ikorodu.

As at press time, rescue operations were still ongoing as only 10 persons- the dead and the rescued, were accounted for.

THISDAY gathered that the bodies of the dead persons were brought to the jetty at Ipakodo located in outskirts of Lagos for onward movement to the nearest morgue.

Confirming the incident, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Adesina Tiamiyu, said the agency received the distress call late in the evening.

“The agency received the distress call and on arrival at the incident scene, it was observed that a 20 capacity passenger boat belonging to Blue Sea capsized mid-sea enroute Ikorodu from Lagos Island. Investigation carried out by the LRT revealed that the immediate cause of the boat mishap was unknown at time of report.

“Unfortunately five persons (four adult females and one adult male) were confirmed dead as a result of the incident and their bodies were deposited at the morgue at Ikorodu General Hospital. Meanwhile, five persons – four females and one male were rescued alive.

“The exercise was carried out by the combined efforts of LASEMA, Lagos State Waterways Agency (LASWA), and the Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS). Figures of other rescued victims cannot be ascertained as they were brought to the jetty with various passing boat. Recovery efforts still on-going at time of this report,” Tiamiyu explained

ThisDay

Apapa: FG must revive Ports in other states, oil pipelines to save Lagos from gridlock - Ambode

...Calls for redistribution of tank farms to outer borders
…Approves employment of 1000 teachers
...Holds 12th Town Hall Meeting in Ibeju Lekki

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday tasked the Federal Government to do everything within its powers to revive existing Ports in other States of the federation so as to bring about permanent solution to the perennial traffic congestion in Apapa axis of the State.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Third Quarter Town Hall Meeting, the 12th in the Series, held at the Community Primary School, Iberekodo in Ibeju Lekki Local Government, said the recent chaos witnessed in the area was beyond traffic issues, saying that concerted efforts must be made to revamp moribund ports.

According to him,  beyond getting other ports up and running,  the issue of tankers queuing up to lift petroleum products from Tank Farms in Apapa was also a major issue causing gridlock and damaging road infrastructure in the area,  which according to him was inimical to the economic growth of not just the State,  but Nigeria in general.

"It would be very unfair to Lagosians if I don't talk about issues relating to traffic management and integrated transport management most especially what we have witnessed in the last one week in Apapa, but again I would like to tell Lagosians that every stakeholder that is ‎relevant to resolving the Apapa crisis, we have gone to work and you can see that there is a major improvement.

"But again, this issue has become perennial and in the last six years, it's always been there, it comes and goes, but the challenge is to be able to find a permanent solution and in that reason Mr. President had directed the Vice President to come and see what the situation is and to actually give us a permanent solution. We are grateful Mr. President, we believe strongly that every layer of government should collaborate to be able to resolve this Apapa crisis.

"But we all must know that Apapa crisis is more than traffic issues. That is where all States depend on for revenue through Customs because the revenue is shared at FAAC. If anything goes wrong in the Port, whatever they get from Federal Allocation Account Committee (FAAC) could reduce,” Governor Ambode said.

Stressing that the Apapa congestion was a national issue that required urgent attention, the Governor also noted that oil pipelines should be revived to discourage the trend of thousands of trucks coming from other parts of the country to lift petroleum products from Apapa.

"It is bad that we still use truck to lift petroleum products from Apapa to other parts of the country. As it is now, other ports in Nigeria must begin to work immediately to decongest gridlock in Lagos.‎ Whatever has led to continual use of trucks to lift fuel, which is, vandalism of pipeline should be addressed immediately.

"We believe that this will allow the roads to become free.  We don't need to continuously use tax payers’ money to build road that were destroyed by tankers.  We call on the Minister of Petroleum and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to work towards reviving the pipelines," he said.

The Governor also expressed concern about the approval for the development of tank farms in Ijegun area of Lagos, saying that as much as the State supports redistribution of tank farms, such should be located in areas that are not populated.

"We don't need tank farms within Lagos metropolis anymore. There are 68 tank farms in Apapa alone. That is a serious danger waiting to happen. Beyond Apapa, they have approved tank farms in Ijegun axis and that is where we have huge population.

"We need to redistribute tank farm establishment to outer borders and other parts. This is what we believe should be done at this moment to free Lagos roads," he said.

Speaking on the efforts of his administration to develop the economy of the State, Governor Ambode said his administration has continued to keep faith with its mandate to ensure that the future of Lagos remains on a sound pedestal.

He said the Town Hall meeting, which had moved round the three senatorial districts in the State from its first edition held in October 6, 2015 has continued to provide the Government with first hand information on the needs of the people and how best to solve them.

"Our promise from the very beginning was that we are going to give you a government of inclusion and it's very clear that we are on track. When we look at our scorecard, which is to keep Lagos on a trajectory of growth and development, we are on that track.

"We are happy to be here. We are everywhere meeting the needs of our people, asking them what the issues are and wanting to respond positively to those issues. Yes, we are not perfect, we would try our best but our people know that we are doing things that would create prosperity for their future," Governor Ambode said.

Besides, the Governor said that his administration was not oblivious of the fact that the Eastern and Western axis of the State were pivotal to the future prosperity of Lagos.

Giving an insight on the next plan of action for the Ibeju Lekki axis,  Governor Ambode also said the construction of the Epe Airport and reconstruction of the Coastal Road were very much on course, adding that the dualization of the Eleko Junction to the T-Junction would commence in January 2019, while the 27 network of roads in Ojokoro, Ayinke House, among others would be completed before the next quarter.

The Governor, while thanking traditional rulers, community heads and residents of Ibeju Lekki for their unflinching support towards the advancement of the multibillion dollar projects ongoing in the Lekki Free Trade Zone assured that all issues relating to compensation would be resolved before the end of the week.

Governor Ambode also announced the commencement of recruitment of 1,000 teachers in the State, adding that more would be recruited as the need arises.
 
Taking questions from residents, Governor Ambode said his administration would go back to the drawing board and respond accordingly to issues raised, appealing to residents to be patient as the Government would continue to deliver more life changing projects to make life more comfortable for the people.

A physically challenged resident and graduate of Computer Studies, Micheal Ogunyemi who said he had been jobless for five years could not hold back his joy as the Governor directed the Civil Service Commission to grant him immediate employment from August 1, while relevant agencies were directed to address various issues raised by residents.

SIEGE AT SARAKI’S RESIDENCE STAGE-MANAGED, SAYS JIMOH MOSHOOD

Jimoh Moshood, spokesman of the Nigeria police force, says the siege at the residence of Senate President Bukola Saraki was “stage-managed for public sentiments”.

Speaking on a Channels TV programme on Wednesday, Moshood said the force had no hand in the incident.
In the early hours of Tuesday, some police vehicles and officers were seen stationed at the entrance of the senate president’s residence in Abuja.

Footage which emerged online also suggested that the officers were trying to block his convoy from leaving the area, although Saraki later made it to the national assembly.

The incident generated widespread criticisms of the force, with some Nigerians describing it as a “clampdown on the nation’s democracy”.
But speaking on the programme, Moshood said there was no official command for a deployment of police officers to the senate president’s house.

“We have the responsibility to protect him so we can’t block him. If we were expecting him at 8am, why should we block him?” he said.

He said over 140 security personnel of the police are attached to the national assembly “and about 40 are attached to the senate president, including other units”.
“So what happened yesterday was not a blockade by the security personnel from the force. The personnel seen in the footage are those attached (to) the convoy of the senate president and to his residence. Those you see are those attached to him,” Moshood said.

“The IGP has directed an investigation into the incident. The ADC has been invited, he should be with the principal all the time. So if he is not aware of the whereabouts, we want to know why. Why should we go and block an empty house?

“The video footage was circulated in the media to embarrass us. These are leaders of the legislature who we have the responsibility to protect. So we should allow the investigation to be completed before we give you the outcome of investigation.”
Saraki is being investigated for his alleged connection with suspects arrested over the Offa bank robbery incident in Kwara.

-Cable

Egunjobi donates 3-month salaries to orphanage

  

Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, was today at Bab-es-Salam Orphanage to celebrate his birthday with orphans during which he pledged the donation of his three-month salaries to the home.

  

The celebration coincided with Egunjobi’s 365 days in office as he was sworn in as the council’s chairman last year’s July 25, on his birthday.

Speaking during his visit, the Chairman, who was accompanied by the Council’s Vice-Chairman, Prince Abiodun Ogunji, Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Gbenga Abiola, Councilors, Supervisors, management and selected staff, said it was not in his character to celebrate his birthday, adding that this time around he let sound reason prevailed.

The Council boss explained that after he was left with no choice, he took the decision to celebrate in the orphanage with orphans advising the privileged to support the needy in kind and cash as enjoined by the holy books.

“I had never celebrated my birthday before until today because I don’t see it as important. Today, have come to celebrate with you and come along with a widow’s mite: some food stuffs and beverages.

“I also bring you good tidings, my next three-month salaries will be donated to this orphanage for your care,” Egunjobi told his hosts at the orphanage.

He promised to rededicate himself to the service of Agege community saying, " I was born and bred in Agege and i will give my best to ensure that under my watch Agege's stock rise."

Lagos residents lament as robbers kill two in reprisal

Residents and traders on Okoya Street in the Ajegunle area of Lagos State have lamented the robbery attack that allegedly led to the death of two guards and the burglary of many shops.

The attack, which reportedly happened around 2am on Tuesday, was said to have been a reprisal by the robbers against a vigilance group contracted to guard the community.


PUNCH Metro had reported on May 8, 2018, that a salesman, identified as Obinna, was allegedly killed by a police stray bullet during a street fight involving some youths and hoodlums who invaded Okoya Street.

The hoodlums, reportedly identified as Cemetery Boys, had allegedly been robbing and terrorising residents.

Our correspondent learnt that in a bid to curb the attacks by the hoodlums, the vigilance group had engaged them for about three days.

A member of the vigilance group, Kamoru Lateef, alleged that the Tuesday robbers were Cemetery Boys, adding that they were led by one Kaka.

Lateef also said the hoodlums, who were armed with guns and other weapons allegedly killed two guards, identified as Jesse Onanuba and Isa.

He said, “The Cemetery Boys killed two members of our group. They shot Isa and Jesse Onanuba. When they killed Jesse, they cut his two hands and private parts. They shot Isa in the chest.

“Before this attack, the Cemetery Boys had robbed a resident of Okoya of his mobile phone. After he reported to us, two members of our group went on a peace meeting to retrieve the phone.

“They stabbed the peacemakers with daggers and we reported the matter to the Layeni Police Station.

“It was after this incident that they attacked us. I saw them burgled some shops and stole goods and other property. Some residents and vigilance group members came out to protect the community, but we never knew they had guns. It was too late when the boys knew that they had guns; and that was how Isa and Jesse were killed.”

Our correspondent gathered that the family of the deceased had yet to locate the corpses of their sons.

The eldest brother of late Jesse, Christian Chukwunedu, said he did not know how to break the news of his brother’s death to his parents.

“The police have not made any arrest; they have refused to provide the remains of my brother; I want the government to investigate this incident because I want justice for my brother.”

READ ALSO: We’re merging with 15 parties, says Agbakoba-led NIM

A 35-year-old bar owner, Ejiro Omoniyi, said she lost N400,000 to the hoodlums.”

The state police spokesman, CSP Chike Oti, said, “There is neither record of murder at Layeni nor any other police station in the Ajegunle area. If there is any such case, we encourage residents to report to the police so that proper investigation can be done.”

I wish you best in future undertakings, Buhari tells defecting APC members

Oluwakemi Abimbola

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday wished all the lawmakers, who defected from the All Progressives Congress to other parties, in “best in their future undertakings.”

On his Twitter handle, President Buhari reacted to the defections that were the order of the day at the National Assembly.


In his tweets, the president said; “I wish all of our party members who today defected, the very best in their future undertakings. The APC has done its best to stop the defections, and I must commend the party leadership for working tirelessly to unite the party and position it for future victory.”

Other tweets read: “I am confident that no harm or injury will be done by these defections, to the APC and its aspirations. I urge party faithful to not despair, but to instead see this as something that happens in seasons like this, on the eve of elections.



As the saying goes, all politics is local. We understand that some of the Distinguished and Honourable lawmakers have issues in/with their home states, especially on zoning which bars some of them from seeking another term in their constituencies.

Let me also note that none of the defecting federal lawmakers has any specific grievances against me or the government I lead; neither do I harbour any ill-feeling towards any of them. I fully respect their freedom to choose what party to associate with.

I am using this opportunity to restate my total commitment to the values of democracy, as well as my total willingness to work with ALL members of the National Assembly, irrespective of their political party, for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians.”

Punch

COMMUNITY POLICING, STRONG INTELLIGENCE WAY TO SOLVE NIGERIA’S SECURITY CHALLENGES – AMBODE

…Says Nigeria Stands To Benefit From Lagos Model Of Fighting Crime

…Delivers Lecture At Institute For Security Studies In Abuja

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday said the fight against crime and all forms of criminality in Nigeria can only be better enhanced if concerted efforts are geared toward embracing community policing to complement the police and other law enforcement agencies.



The Governor also said in view of the critical national security issues confronting the country at the point in time, paramount importance must now be attached to strong intelligence gathering even over and above the provision of physical security apparatuses, to rescue Nigeria from the myriad of security challenges. 



Governor Ambode, who said this while addressing participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course II of the Institute for Security Studies, Abuja, noted that the security issues the country was grappling with such as international terrorism and insecure borders, local terrorism including lone wolf terrorists, proliferation of small arms into big cities, cyber warfare, drug trafficking, human trafficking and the regular misdemeanors among and other petty crimes, all pointed to the need for strong intelligence gathering framework to be put in place to nip potential crime in the bud.



According to him, if policy makers such as the participants at the course who were drawn from 21 security and government agencies could not understand such security issues from the point of first-rate intelligence, then it would difficult for effective policies to be made and implemented to combat them.   



“In the pursuit of the primus inter pares of all governance challenges, we have identified that the gathering and utilisation of intelligence is of paramount importance, even ahead of the provision of physical security apparatuses.



“As is well known, I am a huge proponent of community policing. Indeed, I strongly believe that the fight against crime and all forms of criminality would be better enhanced if efforts are geared towards embracing community policing to complement the police and other law enforcement agencies,” the Governor said, adding that it was for such reason that his administration established the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corp Agency (LNSC) to enhance intelligence gathering in the communities.



The Governor, who specifically spoke on the theme: “Cultural Values, National Security and Challenges of Contemporary Governance: Perspective from Lagos State Experience,” said being the melting pot of diverse cultures, as well as major economic hub as the fifth largest economy in Africa with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $131billion, Lagos had been able to appropriate its cultural values, especially the multi-ethnic and cosmopolitan nature, to confront its security and governance challenges, adding that the country stand to gain from the model which the State had adopted in fighting crime and administering governance.



Recalling security challenges faced by his administration at the initial stage especially kidnapping, the Governor said in fighting the menace, the government garnered the support of the security agencies to set up military bases and security operations that resulted in the rescue of kidnap victims  and arrest of kidnap kingpins, while further steps were taken on intelligence gathering, community partnership and huge investment in security, such that today, the State was now one of the safest cities in Africa.



Besides, the Governor listed core cultural values which are essential to ensure security and development to include truth, justice, hard work and character, which according to him, have been effectively deployed in Lagos State in the creation of agencies such as LNSC, the Security Trust Fund under the Public-private partnership model to enhance transparency, among others.



“In Lagos State, we are resolved to continue to review and revise our policies with the aim of maintaining, at every point in time, a sustainable security framework that will stand the test of time and enable every stakeholder in Lagos to participate. So far, we have been encouraged by the massive contributions of many corporate organizations to the Security Trust Fund and by the participation of our communities in the work of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps,” he said.



He said though a lot had been achieved, but that the State Government was nonetheless not oblivious of the fact that more needed to be done, assuring that his administration would continue to prioritise the security of the people.



Going forward with regards to preserving the culture of the people with focus on security, the Governor said from the home front, parents should now attach importance to their culture, saying the State Government had already led the way in placing paramount importance on the continuous learning of indigenous languages.

According to him, “Many parents are not training their kids to know and understand the realities of life and cultural values. Parents should go back to the teaching and promotion of our core cultural values. The abandonment of these cultural values has led many children to take to drugs and bad vices with the attendant challenges to national security.



“Beyond the efforts to sustain and, as the case may be, to resuscitate cultural values as a veritable means for ensuring cohesiveness in the society and promoting security, I also advocate a collective vigilance mentality whereby all stakeholders in security management have properly defined roles and relationships to stay ahead of all forms of violent crimes such as terrorism, cyber and transnational organised crimes while utilizing processed intelligence made possible as a result of our cultural values,” Governor Ambode said.



In his opening remarks, Director of the Institute, Matthew Seiyfa commended Governor Ambode for the various projects and initiatives implemented to make life better for the people, saying the projects have also contributed immensely to enhance security. 



He also commended the initiative of the Security Trust Fund, saying the fact that many States have now copied it from Lagos attests to its vitality and effectiveness in security management.



“Since 2015 when Governor Ambode took hold on the reigns of office as the Executive Governor, he has not only continued but revitalized this visionary path. He (The Governor) has sought to consolidate and deepen the status of Lagos as a mega city and a hub for regional transportation, tourism, entertainment, finance, industry, among others.



“The Governor’s projects have not only been world class in standard and quality but also inclusive,” Seiyfa said.

APC sleeping on a bicycle, Nigerians tell Buhari’s aide

AgegePulse Magazine



Nigerians have responded to a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, telling him that the ruling All Progressives Congress was pretending that all was well when, in fact, it has been “sleeping on a bicycle.”

Trouble started when Ahmad claimed in a (badly worded) tweet that APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, said that he was now more focused on building a solid party that would not be a vehicle for politicians to acquire political office for personal gain.

Ahmad had tweeted:

APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole after meeting with President@MBuhari this afternoon says after defecting some members of the National Assembly he is now more focused on building a solid party which is not just a vehicle for acquiring political office or personal gain.

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) July 24, 2018

The tweet elicited varied responses from his Twitter followers:

See people sleeping on a bicycle.

Keep decieving yourselves.

— Comrade (@iAGB4REAL) July 24, 2018

Bross park well! There is fire on the mountain

— Uneku Emmanuel (@Gracedman1978) July 24, 2018

Hmmmm, APC just scattered like pack of cards. Leadership that is neither open nor Democratic

— Innocent Nkire (@Innocent_Nkire) July 24, 2018

Build Wetin, I dey laugh, Apc is finished

— Owati Mutiu Wande (@Owatiyusuf) July 24, 2018

APC doesn’t have anything to offer, you deceived the entire country with change mantra, now the system is even worst than the way you met it.

Just go 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃 🏃

— George Tamunokubie (@georgeikubie) July 24, 2018

A vehicle with petrol engine but currently on diesel…. Is that one a vehicle?

BREAKING: 32 APC lawmakers defect to PDP, four to ADC

John Ameh, Abuja

In a sudden twist of fate, the ruling All Progressives Congress has had 32 of its members in the House of Representatives defecting to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday.

Four other lawmakers also defected to the African Democratic Congress.

Thirty-two members of the APC in the House of Representatives had defected to the PDP in what is turning out to be a macabre political dance.

Four others in the APC from Oyo State also defected to the ADC, bringing the total number of defection to 36.

The Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, has just made the announcement, throwing the PDP camp into jubilation.

However, the APC still remains in the majority.

Details later…
Punch

Senate shut down as security agencies lay siege on presiding officers homes

Security agents on Tuesday, barricaded the residences of the presiding officers of the Senate.

Our correspondent learnt that security operatives besieged the Maitama, Abuja residence of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki as early as 7am and blocked his convoy as he was set to honour the police invitation at the force headquarters.

Simultaneously, a combined team of Police, DSS, and EFCC also stormed the Apo Legislative Quarters of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who is expected to preside at the Senate in the absence of Saraki.

The Special Adviser (media) to the deputy senate president, Uche Anichukwu, confirmed the development in a chat with our correspondent.
He said, “The Operatives from the DSS, EFCC and some policemen in their scores have barricaded the residence of Senator Ekweremadu at his Apo legislative quarters.
“He is preparing to preside over the Senate in the absence of the Senate President who has been invited by the police.”

An aide of the Senate President who refused to be quoted said, “The siege is still on as of 8:30am when I got there and I can not even confirm the whereabouts of my boss at the moment.


“The implication of both actions is that the Senate will not sit today if the two presiding officers were still deprived of their freedom of movement or arrested before plenary which starts at 9am.”

Punch

I’m paid N10,000 per kill, says 20-year-old sniper for Eiye confraternity

Mariam Abiola, a 20-year-old self-confessed sniper for Eiye confraternity, says she is paid N10,000 for each person she kills.

Abiola, who was paraded by the Lagos state police command on Monday, said she has killed four persons since joined the cult group after fleeing her parent’s home in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

She told reporters that she wears she wears a white gown to shield her gun, and a white hijab whenever she is sent out an assignment.

Abiola said: “I ran away from my house in Lafenwa, Abeokuta to Lagos to look for work. I met Sodiq when I got to Lagos. He took me to his house at Ilasamaja and initiated me into Eiye cult group.

“He took me to an herbalist, who gave me a black substance to eat. He told me that their work was about killing people. He gave me a gun and taught me how to shoot. I learnt how to shoot by shooting on the wall.

“I shot on the wall three times before I learnt how to shoot. Brother Sodiq gave three of us guns and pictures of persons to kill. He trained three of us. Two boys and myself.

“I have killed four persons. Each time that I want to go for the killing, I usually wear a white gown and a white head scarf (Hijab). Brother Sodiq usually showed us the target’s house.

“We go to the house at night. The two boys will scale the fence and open the gate for me. We go straight to the apartment and shoot at the target at close range. None of our targets survived. I killed one guy at Fadeyi area of Lagos, another one at Hassan in Ilasa, one at Aje.

“Each time we killed someone, brother Sodiq would pay me N10,000 but he would pay the others N20,000 each. I do not feel bad after killing anyone because I see it as a job I paid to do.”

The police also paraded Dorcas Adilewa, a 19-year-old girl who allegedly faked her kidnap to defraud her father.

Copied.

Oyedepo To Buhari, Resign, Get Out Of Office

Jesusegun Alagbe

The founder and presiding bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, aka Winners’ Chapel, David Oyedepo, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign over persistent Fulani militant herdsmen killings.

In a YouTube video posted by the church’s official page, the cleric made this call on Sunday at its headquarters in Ota, Ogun State.

With this development, Oyedepo has joined other notable clerics – including the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; and a former Archbishop of the Catholic Church in Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie – who have asked Buhari to quit his position over failure to secure the lives of Nigerians.

The cleric told his congregation that although he was not partisan, he would not be alive and not talk about the massacre of Nigerians, especially in the Middle Belt, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Speaking on the theme, “Enough is enough,” he said, “When I was talking in 2015, people were saying my own was too much, now everybody can see what’s happening. What has moved forward in anybody’s life? You don’t know it’s war. Why are they attacking the Christian communities? Why has nobody been arrested? I can tell you this, the authorities and the powers that be are behind them.

“I will never be partisan; Jesus got me out of it in 1984. But I will not be alive to see innocent people massacred.

“We must wake up and push this evil back. Not one of those so-called herdsmen – they are jihadists – has been brought to book till date. Herdsmen don’t shoot; they have been here all along. They are just taking cover under the herdsmen to assault innocent citizens. They wake up in the night and slice innocent children to pieces. Yet, you have a government in place. What!

“The most honourable thing for any non-performing leader to do is to resign. The most honourable thing is to resign. That’s my own for Mr President. Resign! Get out of office! Even our Islamic friends in the North are calling on him (Buhari) to resign. Because that’s the noblest thing to do. Or are we going to look at one system destroy a whole nation?”

Oyedepo also warned Nigerians against the ceding of land to the Fulani herdsmen for ranching, as proposed by the Federal Government.

He said, “I’m going to say this and I’m not going to be tired. This (Nigeria) will never be a Fulani republic. That is not our terms of agreement. It will remain a secular nation till Jesus returns. It’s not just (about) land, it’s (about) heritage.

“Forever, I stand on the fact that no government has the authority to collect land from those who own it and transfer it to another person because on the other side (presumably the north), it never happens"

Punch

BRT vehicle kills woman in Lagos

Oluwatobi Akindele

A yet-to-be-identified woman has been knocked down by a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Vehicle at the Palmgrove end of Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

The incident, which occurred on Monday around 9.30am, was said to have led to the death of the yet-to-be-identified woman.

PUNCH Metrogathered that the woman was trying to cross from Palmgrove side to the other side of the road when the incident occurred.

A source said, “She first got into the BRT lane before crossing the rest of the highway; but an oncoming BRT bus knocked her down and she died on the spot.”

The Chief Security Officer of Primero Nigeria Limited, the manager of the Lagos BRT vehicles, Cletus Okodolor, said the firm was searching for the family of the deceased.

He said, “There was no mobile phone on her to get in touch with her family and we have not been able to identify her.

“We are hoping that if her family don’t get to see her by the end of the day, they will report to the police.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, said the case was reported to the Ilupeju Police Station and investigation into the matter was underway.

“The driver bolted immediately after the accident, but we will get him,” he added.

Punch

Lagos announces date for screening test into public schools

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Government has announced that the screening test for students seeking transfer to public secondary schools will hold on Monday, 27th August, 2018.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Adebunmi Adekanye who made this known recently, said that interested applicants should obtain a clearance slip from the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary's Office for the school of choice in other to make the process a lot easier.

In her words, “Applicants should contact the District of choice for clearance before payment. Forms can be obtained and returned to the office of the Tutor- General/Permanent Secretary of the Education District of the applicant's choice for a non-refundable fee of Five Thousand Naira (N5,000), payable at any Skye Bank Branch - Account No: 4030010449, Agency Code: 4280000 and Sort Code: 32534/4040043”.
She stated that the payment and collection of forms will commence on Friday, 20th July, 2018 while submission will close on Friday, 17th August, 2018.

"Applicants for transfer into J.S.S 2 class are to attach 2nd and 3rd term promotion examination results of J.S.S 1 class and those seeking transfer into S.S1 will attach their Basic Education Certificate Examination (B.E.C.E) Number", she added.

The Permanent Secretary requested all applicants to attach evidence of three years tax payment of their parent or guardian, photocopy of LASRRA Identity Card and receipt for the application form to the submitted forms.

Adekanye revealed that Screening Test will be conducted in the Six Education Districts on Monday, 27th August, 2018 by9:00 am prompt, stating that parents of successful applicants will be notified through text messages sent to the phone number supplied by them.

She, however, noted that since admission is subject to vacancy in the proposed school, applicants are advised to seek clearance at the District Office of their preferred school before paying for the transfer form.

The Permanent Secretary also enjoined students and parents to note that there won’t be transfer into Model Colleges/Upgraded Schools, JSS.3 & SS.2 classes, Inter-State or International Schools.

Talks of offers from Buhari or APC unfortunate, Saraki says

President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has debunked speculations of offers being made to him by the Presidency and All Progressives Congress to keep him in the party.

He said that though there had had been discussions on some national issues, talks of offers to him by APC leadership or President Muhammadu Buhari was not only untrue but unfortunate.

The media had reported that the Presidency and APC National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, had made overtures to influential leaders of Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC), which had stalled their planned mass defection from the party.

The  reports had said that Buhari, his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo; and four APC governors allegedly met on Thursday with Saraki, to discuss the grievances of R-APC and some other members.

Oshiomhole was also said to have met one-on-one with Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and governors of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal and Samuel Ortom of Benue states.
Oshiomhole was also reported to have met with former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwakwaso; and APC caucus in the National Assembly, with a view to dousing the defection threat.

But in a statement on Monday in Abuja by Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Saraki said was myopic for anybody to talk about certain offers being made to an individual.
He said that the future of the country and its democracy were at stake, and not the issue of give-and-take.
Saraki said, “I saw some reports talking about promise of money or oil block and nomination tickets.
“Those viewing the ongoing development in that context are simply reducing a major national issue involving many key actors to that of personal benefits and preferences.

I believe at this point (that) it is important for me to make some clarifications, end speculations and make my position clear.
“It is important for Nigerians to know that the discussions that I and many others of like minds are having with the Presidency and leadership of APC is not about me and what I want.

“It involves the future of our country and her democracy. It is about making things better for our people.
“Though there are many speculations being peddled in the media, let it be known that these discussions are not about me.

“Our focus should now be about Nigeria. The major issue on the table for discussion is how to strengthen our democracy, rebuild our economy and stop the spate of insecurity.

“It is also to improve the conditions of living of our people and generally chart a course for the development of this great country.”

(NAN)

Apapa gridlock: Lagos suspends approval for development of tank farms

…Issues 30-day ultimatum to tank farms without adequate loading bay
…DPR to ensure compliance by owners of tank farms
…As Joint Security Task Force extend work by one month to restore sanity

AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Government on Monday announced the suspension of approval for development of tank farms in Apapa as part of its renewed effort to restore sanity completely as well as fashion out immediate and long term solution along the Oshodi-Apapa corridor and prevent a repeat of the chaos caused by containerized trucks and tankers parked on the road.

Rising from a closed door meeting with stakeholders in the maritime and transport sectors, including Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Shippers Council, Tank Farm Owners, Department of Petroleum Resources, Security Agencies and Clearing and Forwarding Agents, held at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja and chaired by State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the State Government also resolved to accelerate and complete work on the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Trailer Park in Orile within the next one month.

The State’s Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Ladi Lawanson who briefed Government House Correspondents on the resolutions reached after the meeting which lasted for over three hours and said all stakeholders had resolved to work together to bring back sanity on the Apapa axis and would therefore not hesitate to sanction recalcitrant operators who flout the resolutions going forward.

Lawanson, who was joined at the briefing by the Managing Director of NPA, Mrs. Hadiza Bala-Usman, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello and other stakeholders, said that a Security Task Force has been constituted by the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government and would work continuously for 30 days to bring sanity to the roads, while shipping companies sanctioned for non compliance on utilisation of holding bays in the ports have been extended by five days.

He said that to also cushion the effect on the traffic experienced by motorists in the area, the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing would immediately commence palliative measures on bad portions on access roads.

“The Department of Petroleum Resource (DPR) is to ensure that Tank Farm owners comply with holding bay requirements, while trailers not called upon and found trampling will be impounded and sanctioned in Lagos.

“With immediate effect, Lagos State Government suspends the approval of Tank Farms and the Government is going to accelerate the completion of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Trailer Park and it should be ready within a month,” Lawanson said.
The State Government also directed that all truck and tanker owners must be duly registered and well regulated by their unions, adding that the unions would be held accountable for their adherence to extant rules and regulations.

“The Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) in collaboration with the Lagos State Government will going forward license trailer parks whereby only trucks housed in those designated parks will be granted access. Furthermore, tank farms without adequate loading bays within the next 30 days will be sanctioned. 

“These resolutions were arrived at and agreed by all parties and all parties have resolved to jointly implement these resolutions and the effects will be seen by Nigerians very shortly,” the Commissioner said.

Prior to the meeting, it would be recalled that  the State Government had last week set up a Joint Task Force involving security agencies and stakeholders in the maritime sector to remove all containerized trucks and tankers parked along the Apapa axis.

Tagged 'Operation Restore Sanity On Lagos Roads,' the Task Force involving 2,271 personnel drawn from the Police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Nigerian Military including Army, Air Force and the Navy moved into the area on Friday in an operation that lasted for over 72 hours to open up the service lane in the axis to ease traffic.

Osun permanent secretary’s son hangs self over downturn

Femi Makinde, Osogbo

Tolulope Kolawole, the first  son of the late Permanent Secretary, Bureau of General Services, Office of the Governor of Osun State, Mrs Olufunke  Kolawole, has committed suicide.

It was gathered that the young man ended his life because he could no longer make ends meet.

Residents of the Halleluya Estate in Osogbo, where he lived, told our correspondent on Sunday that the news went round the area on Thursday that 32-year-old  Tolulope hung himself.

His mother, Olufunke  Kolawole, was abducted on her way to Abuja on an official assignment and eventually killed in Kogi State last year.

Her son, Tolulope, who left a wife behind, was said to have complained bitterly about the downward in the farm he was managing.

A resident of the area, who identified himself as Remi Taiwo, told our correspondent that the deceased had a friend in Ibadan, Oyo State, who he confided in that he was finding things very tough and that his wife had complained bitterly about it.

He said, “The friend, whose name I can’t recall, was said to have been very helpful with monetary support and had warned him against taking any negative step to finding a solution to his challenge.”

A police source also confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the telephone, saying the case was reported at the Dada Estate Police Station, before it was transferred to the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo.

The source said, “The young man was said to have lamented the lull in the business bequeathed to him by his late mum.

He was said to be constantly complaining to one of his friends in Ibadan, Oyo State, and that one kept encouraging him and offering him financial support.

“But he decided to hang himself when he could no longer bear it.

He was said to have put a rope round his neck and was standing on a chair,  but had not kicked the chair away before somebody arrived at the scene.

“ The person was said to have pleaded with him and had ran to call residents, but the deceased was said to be found dangling before help could come.”

The police source said some members of the family of the deceased went to the police and told them what they knew about the incident.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun State, Mrs Folasade Odoro, could not be reached and she had yet to reply the text message sent to her about the case.

Lagos community in shock as 27-year-old son kills mother over N20,000 pocket money

 The suspect Emmanuel Eghaghe was said to have travelled from Benin to Lagos to demand for the money from the victim

- He got violent and smashed her head into the wall when she said she did not have that much money to give him

- Lagos police spokesperson Chike Oti confirmed the incident and said the police were searching for the suspect

It was a tale of tears in Ajangbadi area of Lagos state on Friday, July 6 after a 27-year-old man identified as Emmanuel Eghaghe beat his mother to death for allegedly refusing to give him N20,000 pocket money.

The Punch reports that Emmanuel had reportedly visited his 61-year-old mother Helen at her shop on Jinadu Street, Ajangbadi and demanded for sum as pocket money.

He however turned violent when the elderly woman said she could not afford the amount.

Reports said he slammed her head on the wall while struggling to get the money by force and on seeing blood gushing out of her head, Emmanuel fled the scene.

Naij.com

SARS men torture musician for allegedly being yahoo boy

Deji Lambo

An artiste, Richie Sunday, aka Dollamachine, has accused some operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of unlawfully arresting and torturing him.

Sunday said he was arrested around 12pm on Thursday, July 19, 2018, in the Iyana-Oworo area of Lagos State.

He added that the policemen said he was a yahoo boy(Internet fraudster).

PUNCH Metro learnt that the 26-year-old was on his way to a supermarket to buy some drinks before the SARS operatives accosted him, telling him to enter a commercial bus.

The musician also said when he requested for the identity of the officer that initially stopped him, he and other members of his team allegedly pounced on him using the butts of their guns and sticks to beat him up, injuring him in the process.

Sunday said he was not told what he did and was never given the chance to explain, adding that when he could no longer bear the pain and realised that his life was at stake, he got into the bus.

He said, “It happened on Thursday around 12pm at Iyana-Oworo. I have a studio there; but an event was going on so I could not drive out when I needed to get a bottle of cold drink and table water. While I was on my way, one man who was armed and putting on a T-shirt accosted and told me to follow him.

“I asked who he was because I wanted to be sure that he was a policeman. But all of a sudden, the officers started beating me; they used the butts of their guns, and sticks to hit me and eventually forced me to enter inside a commercial bus.

“They refused to identify themselves and did not give me a chance to explain who I was. At first, I was taken to the Iyana-Oworo Police Station, but later, they took me to Charlie Boy Police Station. I did not write any statement, but they wrote a statement for me which I refused to sign.“

They accused me of being a yahoo boy and took my mobile phone; but in the process of checking my phone, they checked my profile and got to know that I was a musician.

“They did not find any incriminating item on my phone, but they had already beaten me black and blue. All I got was, ‘sorry, it will not happen again.’

“I was held up for about four hours before they set me free.”

The Akwa-Ibom indigene, who said he was still nursing the injuries he sustained from the encounter, added that he was traumatised and had been deprived his fundamental right as a Nigerian citizen.

He also called on the government to reform the police to make it more responsible, adding that corrupt officials are denting the image of the force.

Sunday said, “I am still traumatised; I lost N15,400 and some jewellery. As I speak with you, I am in pain. When you called me, someone was applying some local medication on my legs where I sustained injuries. I feel I have been denied my right to walk freely as a Nigerian. I cannot move around freely anymore, except when people are with me because I am scared.

“I want the government to focus attention on these SARS men because a lot of people are going through this same ordeal in their hands. A lot of youths are being accused for what they know nothing about. I just want the government to focus on fishing out these corrupt officials and reform the Nigeria Police Force.”

The state Police Public Relation Officer, CSP Chike Oti, confirmed the incident, adding that the officers involved were not SARS operatives.

He said, “The boy was not picked up by SARS. He was picked up by the Anti-Cultism Squad of the command that acted on credible information that cultists were having initiation ceremony around the particular location.

“The officers stormed the location to arrest a large number of cultists and he was picked up because he was at the location.

“He, however, gave a satisfactory account that he was a musician to the officers and was released with no bail condition. It is surprising for him to start saying that he was maltreated.

“Artistes who are in the twilight of their careers should not use the name of the police to launch themselves back to stardom.”

Punch

JAMB remits N7.8bn to FG from 2018 UTME

Olaleye Aluko, Abuja

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board said on Sunday that it had remitted N7.8bn revenue it generated from the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination to the coffers of the Federal Government.

JAMB said the remittance was its projection for 2018, noting that the Federal Government, however, returned about N2bn to the board to use for capital projects, since no money had been given for such.

JAMB Head of Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, stated this in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday, adding that after the government’s allocation for the board’s projects, it was still left with N5.6bn.

Benjamin said, “JAMB has returned N7.8bn to the Federal Government. By way of the law, what we returned was N7.8bn, but the government gave us over N2bn to use for capital projects. So, the balance with them is N5.6bn.

“Revenue is still coming in for the board. Every day, there are activities and transactions on our portals. So, money comes in every day. Yes, we made projections for 2018, and what we returned was part of the projections we made about our expected revenue from January to December.”

On the 2018 admission process, Benjamin said the board had held a policy meeting with the higher institutions to commence the Post-UTME and the offer of admission.

“After the policy meeting, what we are doing now is to conduct admission and we are urging the institutions to refresh their pages and download the changes that candidates have made so that they can give them room for the Post-UTME.

“We have made the Central Admissions Processing System better than what we had before. Institutions have started their post-UTME immediately after the policy meeting. Some schools have started offering admission to students,” Benjamin said.

Punch

Breaking Super for WAPA Agege LGA loses Mom

Supervisor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA Agege LGA, Chief Mrs. Bola Britto loses Mother.

The story was confirmed today from her social media handle post  "My mother gave up the ghost,she has  gone to rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 I pray that God will forgive all your sins and grant unto you eternal rest in Jesus name..........

RIP maami,abiamo lojo gbogbo*iya Anu,sun re,sun re,sun reeee"

I was paid N200,000 to take suicide bombers to target locations—Mustapher

21-year-old Adam Mustapher, a native of Maiduguri told Vanguard that he joined the sect in 2009 when Mohammed Yusuf, its founder was alive, but he didn’t take part in the fight at the beginning, because he was too young. But he said he became attracted to the group in 2014 when he realized people were making money from the group’s activities.

He also confessed that his job as a member since 2014 was to take young girls being used for suicide bombings to their target locations and he normally earned N200,000 for each operation; “I attended only an Islamic school and I didn’t complete my education.   I am a taxi driver and I have been in the business in the last four years.   I joined the Boko Haram Sect in the year 2009 when the founder Mohammed Yusuf was still alive.

I used to pray with the sect in their mosque but I didn’t join in the fight from the beginning, I went underground. But I rejoined the group four years ago when one Ibrahim, a member of the group approached me with the idea of buying stolen cows and other livestock from the group, which I would sell in Maiduguri.

I made so much money from the business, but that my friend Ibrahim was later killed during an encounter with some soldiers. I bought a vehicle with the money I made and the group then gave me a new assignment which was for me to always convey suicide bombers, who were mainly young girls, from the Sambisa forest, with their suicide vests to their target locations.

The person   who normally took the girls from   Sambisa forest to Muma Garage in Maiduguri, where I would pick them up, was one Abu, who has also been arrested.  Sometimes I got instruction from Sambisa forest on where the suicide bombers would attack and where there was none I would take them to any area where I felt the casualty figure would be very high.

But my targets were usually densely populated areas and before I received the girls from Abu, I normally drove round the town to find areas that were populated.

I took the suicide bombers to several places such as Post Office area of Maiduguri, where they carried out attacks, I also took them twice to Baga Road, Monday market, 33 Army barracks, and several other places where so many people lost their lives during the attack.  I was usually paid N200,000 after each successful mission.

My last mission was on the 10th  of May 2018 in an operation we carried out at 33, Army Barracks in Maiduguri.     In one of my operations on Baga Road, one of my younger brothers was killed during the suicide bomb attacks, I felt very bad about the incident and I wanted to quit but I couldn’t because the money they promised me was tempting.   But I regret everything I have done now. I don’t know how the police learnt about me, I was in my house when they came and arrested me.”

I supplied food items, sold diamonds for   Boko Haram—Mala

One of the group’s logistic suppliers, 48-year-old Ibrahim Mala, a native of Goza local Government area of Borno State, said as a security man at a petrol station, he earned just N5,000 monthly which made him to join the group.  “ I am a member of Boko Haram and I am one of the group’s logistic suppliers.

I met the group through one Arramma, who brought one Abu to me and they asked me to buy some stolen rams and goats from them. I bought the livestock for N22,000 and then they told me that they were members of the Boko Haram.

They then requested me to be their supplier.   Sometimes they brought money to me from the Sambia forest to help them buy food items and other things they would need and after buying the items, I would keep them in my house and call them on the phone to come and pick up the items.

They would then come at night to carry the items.   They usually paid me the sum of N100,000 on each trip. But in the month March they brought some diamonds for me to sell for them and they also linked me to one Alhaji Talba Gonie, who resided at Zageri Ward, on Baga Road, who they said knew how to sell the diamonds.

After selling the diamonds, Alahjai Talba Gonie would hand over the money to me and the sect members would instruct me on what they needed me to buy for them with some of the money after which they would come and pick them and the balance of their money. I sold the diamonds for them on five occasions and they rewarded me handsomely, but I don’t know where they got the diamonds from. I bought a land with the money I made from my dealings with the group.

But I am regretting my actions because I was once a Boko Haram victim as they killed my uncle and his son, when they attacked my village in 2014 but the money they offered to pay me if I became their supplier was so tempting. Even my wife wasn’t happy that I joined the group but there was nothing she could do about it”, he lamented.

Why I passed information on troops movement to Boko Baram — Civilian JTF member

Mohammed Bashiri, 34-year-old member of the civilian JTF, which was set up to work against the Boko Haram sect, said he opted to work for the sect, because he was not earning any money as a Civilian JTF but the sect was ready to pay him for information he passed across to them.

According to him,  “I was part of the group that formed civilian JTF in 2012, and I also joined the military in fighting against the sect, but the government was not paying me then and I was forced to join Boko Haram.   It was one Adam who lured me into the group and I became his informant.

I used my position as a civilian JTF to pass information to him and whenever he wanted to take supplies to Boko Haram in Sambisa forest, he would need me to give him information about movement of military men.

He used to pay me N10,000 on each information I gave to him and he promised that the group would soon reward me handsomely.

How we abducted Chibok girls in 2014 — Boko Haram commanders

 
•We were not doing it for Islam
•Money offered to us by the sect too tempting
•We got N200,000 to convey suicide bombers to locations
•Shekau’s camp was deep inside Sambisa forest

By Ifeanyi Okolie

Following the recent arrest of 22 members and commanders of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team, IRT, Led by DCP Abba Kyari shocking revelations have emerged on the murderous activities of the sect.

Cross section of the suspects
It was gathered that three commanders of the Civilian Joint Task Force, an outfit created by the Borno State Government, to assist the Nigeria Military in trailing and arresting members of the sect, were among those arrested by the IRT, for giving out operational information of the military   to members of the sect.

Eight other suspects also confessed during interrogations that they were part of the group that carried out the April 2014, kidnap of over 200 schoolgirls from a government secondary school, in Chibok area of Borno State.

When Vanguard interviewed the suspects, some of the commanders, foot soldiers and informants narrated their roles and the various tasks executed for the group.

Attack on Chibok

Maita Alhaji Modu alias Abu, a  20-year-old Boko Haram commander, Though he said he has not gone to School and not sure of his real age, Native of Bama Local Government of Borno State, who was a farmer and had no formal education confessed that he took an active part in the 2014 kidnap of Chibok schoolgirls and he was equally responsible for moving young girls who were used for suicide bombings  from Sambisa Forest into Maiduguri Town.

He said as  a commander, he had been fighting for the sect since 2011 and assisted the group in taking over several towns, villages. He said he also participated in ambush attacks across the Northeastern states of Nigeria and some parts of Niger, Chad and Cameroon.   He disclosed that the leadership of the group usually paid each fighter the sum of N30,000 after each attack.

Narrating how the group carried out the April 2014 Chibok school girls attack, he said; “one of our commanders, who received direct orders from our leader, Abubakar Shekau,   Bana Chungori, called out over 100 of us and we all assembled at the   Sambisa Forest.

He told us that our leader, Shekau had ordered that we should all go to Chibok Local Government and kidnap some school girls at the school. We couldn’t ask questions, because it was a direct order from Shekau and we all mounted our trucks.

We had five big military trucks, three Toyota Hilux vans and two Isuzu pickup trucks. We left Sambisa Forest around 5pm that evening and arrived the school around 10pm.

We surrounded the school when we arrived and when we were certain that there would be no resistance, Chungori gave orders that we should all go in and we found the girls running in fear. We kidnapped many of them and took them away in our trucks.

When we got to the entrance of the Sambisa Forest, Chungori asked all the foot soldiers and other lower commanders including me to leave the truck because he was to take the girls to Shekau, whose camp was deep inside the forest.

I didn’t see the girls again because I was not close to Shekau, but I was paid the sum of N30,000 on the day of the kidnapping and I was also given the sum of N60,000 after a set of ransom was paid for the release of the girls.”

•One of the commanders of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnappers- Abu
We targeted densely populated areas —Abu

Abu also said; “sometime in December 2014, two of our top commanders; Bakura and Ibrahim, ordered me to take two girls with suicide vests to Maiduguri town and supervise them until they had detonated their bombs.

But each time I got to Maiduguri, I would not go into the Metropolis with them and I would leave them at the outskirt of the town and before you knew it they would have detonated their bombs. The first one they did was at Muna garage and the second was at Dalori which was also on the outskirt of Maiduguri town.

A member of the group, Adam, who had a taxi in Maiduguri, then called our commander and told him that the suicide bombers I had been bringing in had been unable to enter into the town where they were large crowds of people and since he was a taxi driver, he could always help us locate densely populated areas where people could be killed in larger numbers, if only my commanders would pay him.

They agreed on N200,000 per mission and each time I took the girls from Sambisa forest, I would   take them to Adam, who would then take the girls into Maiduguri metropolis and after each successful attack, I was the person who used to take his money to him.   My commanders used to pay me between N60,000 to N70, 000 after each operation. I wasn’t doing this because of my Islamic faith, I was just doing this because of the money.” he stated.

It was hard for my parents to accept I’m a lesbian –Dewy, Charly Boy’s daughter

It came as a rude shock to Nigerians when Charly Boy’s daughter, Dewy Oputa, revealed on social media that she is a lesbian.

She made this known on Instagram during the week by sharing photos and a video of herself and her girlfriend. While speaking with Sunday Scoop, Dewy said she shared the post because she got tired of hiding and decided it was time to live in her truth.

She said, “My mission for creating a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer platform is to provide a safe place for youths in the African community. I strive to create an accepting and welcoming community where everyone is free to express themselves and be loved for who they are. I want a place where individuals such as myself can create authentic friendships and thrive as the person they were born to be.”

Dewy, however, admitted that it was not easy for her parents when she revealed her sexuality to them. “I can’t pinpoint the exact age I found out about my sexuality, but I was much younger. When I came out to my parents, it took them a while to adjust but my happiness comes first. I don’t feel bad about the negative comments my sexuality post has generated. I knew Nigerians would always have negative things to say and I was mentally prepared for it. I’m not here to sway anybody’s point of view; I’m here to bring awareness,” she said.

On whether she nurses any fear about coming to Nigeria considering that there is an anti-gay law in place in the country, the stylist and property management practitioner said, “To be honest, I do not have any fears. I think there are far more critical issues that are yet to be resolved. So, why should my sexual orientation affect the next man? Nigerians that have a problem with the LGBTQ community need to mind their business and focus on the critical life and death situation at hand. Love has never killed the next man.”

Meanwhile, Charly Boy has come out to support his daughter, Dewy Oputa, after she shared a cozy photo of herself and her lesbian partner on social media.

He told Sunday Scoop that he would always support his daughter irrespective of her choice of a sexual partner. He said, “She is my daughter, why won’t I support her even if she is whatever she is? My father supported me too. We can argue on moral grounds but we all have our rights to life. I fought for the gay community; so, if my daughter turns out to be this way, I should walk my talk.”

Admitting that he might not like her sexuality personally, he said there was nothing he could do about it since she is an adult. The Area Father stated, “I have daughters who are married and have children, but she is the only one who has decided to be different. As long as she finds happiness or moves on with her life, I don’t have any problem with it. My father wanted me to be a lawyer and I told him I didn’t want to be a lawyer; I did what made me happy

Pumch