Top-boko-haram-terrorist-arrested-ondo

- A top Boko Haram terrorist as apprehended in Ondo - The terrorist was fleeing from Bauchi when he was caught - He was handed over to the army by the police A Boko Haram terrorist, Idris Ibrahim Babawo, whose name is on the army’s most wanted list, has been arrested by security operatives in Ondo state. According to Sahara Reporters, the terrorist was apprehended at Isua Akoko in Ondo state by some local vigilante group on Tuesday, September 26.

The 42 year-old terrorist nicknamed Idoko is believed to be number 156 on the army’s most wanted terrorist list. It was reported that the terrorist was fleeing from Bauchi state to Ibafo in Ogun state when he was apprehended in Ondo by local residents in Isua Akoko after causing a scare in the bus. 

He was later handed over to the members of the vigilante group in the area who in turn handed him over to the police. Also army spokesperson, Brigadier General Sani Usman in a statement confirmed the arrest.



He was later handed over to the members of the vigilante group in the area who in turn handed him over to the police. Also army spokesperson, Brigadier General Sani Usman in a statement confirmed the arrest.

He said: "The Nigeria Police Ondo State Command on Sunday 24th September 2017 at about 2.00pm, arrested a declared wanted Boko Boko Haram Terrorist group member, Idris Ibrahim Babawo aged 42, that goes by the names “Idiko” and “Nagada”. "He is believed to be on serial number 165 on the wanted Boko Haram terrorists list. He was handed over to the 32 Brigade, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, at about 2.00pm today Monday 25th September 2017 by the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police.

"Preliminary investigation shows that the terrorist kingpin hailed from Chinade village, Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State. He escaped from the North East due to military onslaught on the terrorists with a view evade arrest and prosecution. But nemesis caught up with him."

Earlier reported that troops of 1 Brigade, 1 Division Nigerian army under the Operation Sharan Daji successfully raided a dreaded forest in Zamfara state where armed bandits had made their dens.
The raid by the soldiers took place on Monday September 25, 2017, at the Kahiru forest, Bakura local government rea of Zamfara state. 

Source: Adisa Onifade

Police arrest notorious robber/kidnapper "Cobra No Dey Sleep" and others (see photos)

A notorious robber and kidnapper identified as Tochukwu Ugwunsi aka 'Cobra No Dey Sleep' has been arrested by the Abia state police command.

Ugwunsi, who has been on the police wanted list was arrested following the joint efforts of the police, vigilante men and the community.

He was apprehended while robbing people of Ogechi Community. Two other members of his gang identified as Chidera and Emeka escaped and a man-hunt for them has been launched.

Suspected armed robbers, kidnappers, fraudsters, and other crime suspects were paraded at the Abia state police headquarters

Other suspected armed robbers, kidnappers, fraudsters, and other crime suspects were paraded by the state commissioner of police, Leye Oyebade, at the state police headquarters, Umuahia.

In another development, a 56-year-old man identified as Ebu Onwuka of Amanta village was arrested on Thursday, February 23, in a forest situated at Abiriba.

ATM cards, fire arms were recovered from the suspects

He was arrested for the murder of one Anya Okum, 56, of same address whom he recently had a misunderstanding over a parcel of land.

Also arrested were a gang of armed robbers, Uche Echela, Chinedu Nwachukwu, Michael Ukpai and Ngozi Emmanuel who stole GSM Phones and other valuables.

A 19-year-old boy was arrested with a locally made Pistol by detectives of Osisioma Division

Echela who was arrested with a bullet wound shot by one of his gang member gave up the ghost while under-going treatment. Efforts are geared toward the arrest other members of the gang and recover of their weapon.

The police arrested a syndicate that specializes in removing vehicles from where they are parked.

“The patrol team from CPS Aba, while on patrol sighted one Ugochukwu Ude ‘m’ of No. 21 Emegharaibe area, Port-Harcourt road, Aba standing by the side of a M/Benz 190 saloon car with registration number AG 509 KPR, along cemetery road Aba in a suspicious manner. The suspect bolted away upon sighting the patrol team and he was eventually arrested by the patrol team following a hot chase by the latter. His arrest led to that of Chukwuma Ononogbo and to the recovery of the three (3) exhibit vehicles. Investigation revealed that the M/Benz V/Boot with reg. no. AA 588 ENU belonged to one Tobias Ogoke ‘m’ of 170 Faulks road Aba and was removed during Church Service at Assemblies of God Church premises Abayi in Aba. Investigation is on-going to apprehend other members of the syndicate with a view to recovering more vehicles,” the press release read.

Efforts are being intensified to arrest other fleeing gang members

All the suspects will be charged to court accordingly.

Adisa Musiliu

30-year-old man pays best friend 120K monthly salary to impregnate his wife (photos)

- A man paid his best friend and neighbor KSh 10,000 a week to try and impregnate his wife

- After 10 months and no results, it was time to pay the piper

- A medical examination revealed the man, with two lovely daughters, could not handle the job

Sometimes, you sit down and wonder where the world went wrong, and this case of a man asking another to impregnate his wife is reason enough for you to have one of this thought sessions.

Darius Makambak, 30, paid his best friend, Evans Mastano, 32, KSh 40,000 (N121,760) a month to sire a child with his wife, Precious, 28, because he is sterile.

However, the arrangement went south after ten months when no news of pregnancy was given.

Makambak, a member of the Tanzanian Police Force-Traffic department reported Mastano and the case was brought before a court.

Turns out, Mastano, a married man with two beautiful daughters, was also sterile but readily took up the job with Precious.

10 months and no pregnancy, it was time for some difficult answers.

Dar-es-Salaam Today reported on Saturday, February 25, that Mastano and Precious went at it a total of 75 times and failed to conceive a child.

For this mission, Precious took a three months leave from March to June 2016 to try and conceive her first child for her husband.

Things went awry when Makambak discovered his friend is sterile after insisting he undergo a medical checkup.

Mastano’s wife ended up confessing that he was not the father of their two daughters as they belonged to his cousin.

The case was brought before a court but the paid man refused to return the money as he promised no guarantee but honest effort in getting the job done.

She claimed she had been secretly forced to conceive with the cousin after realizing her husband could not do the job after two years.

Makambak now wants his money back but Mastano insists he did not guarantee conception, only that he would give honest effort.

Adisa Musiliu

Air Peace suffers burst tyre at Murtala Muhammed International Airport

About 105 passengers reportedly escaped death as a Boeing 737 aircraft belonging to Air Peace suddenly suffered a burst tyre while preparing for take-off at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.


The aircraft was about taking off when the incident occurred.

The incident happened on Monday, February 27, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) which added that this incident forced the pilot to abort the flight which was on its way to Abuja, the country's capital.
The report quoted the spokesperson of the airline, Christian Iwarah, as confirming the incident and adding that there was no serious damage to the aircraft and no passenger was injured.

“The incident happened around 11a.m. as the aircraft was about to take off. The pilot immediately turned around and the passengers were disembarked.

“Another aircraft was provided for them and I can confirm to you that they arrived in Abuja safely a few hours ago,” he reportedly said.

The general manager in charge of public relations at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Sam Adurogboye, said he could not confirm if the incident had been filed with the regulatory authority, but added that the pilot acted according to the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

Adisa Musiliu

See first ever Nigerian university to offer Aeronautical engineering

The National Universities Commission (NUC), has approved Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering as a course in Kwara State University (KWASU).


KWASU contact office

KWASU, Vice Chancellor, Prof AbdulRasheed Na'Allah announced the wonderful news in a press release by the university.
The statement from the institution reads thus: “The NUC has formally written the Kwara State University approving the University's full mode of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (B. Eng.) degree program.

"I must congratulate all our students and staff in Engineering, especially the department of aeronautical and astronautical engineering for their hard work and patience, that have led to this great success.

“By this news, KWASU has retained its record as the first-ever Nigerian University to institute a degree program in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.

"Our dear students and staff can be proud of their University! We have formally submitted an invitation to NUC for accreditation as we are fully ready for the NUC accreditation.”

KWASU students matriculating

Studying an unaccredited course in a Nigerian university and finding out too late is one of the most painful experiences you can go through as a student.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) recently released the list of unaccredited courses in Nigerian universities.

Adisa Musiliu

Just in: Senior Boko Haram commander reportedly killed in Borno (Photo)

Reports from Borno state say that a top commander of the Boko Haram insurgents has reportedly been killed in Bama local government area.


Tukur Bama (top right) has been killed under yetto be confirmed circumstances


The insurgent commander named Tukur Bama was said to have been killed at a village called Bolongu in Bama local government.
It was not clear at press time how he was killed exactly but pictures of his body showed he may have been shot dead while on a bombing mission. He was strapped in an explosive vest on military camouflages.
The news of Bama's death was shared by a Twitter user called Dogo M. Shettima.

NAIJ.com is presently trying to get the Nigerian Army to confirm the death of Tukur Bama.

Meanwhile, a soldier in the Nigeria Army on Saturday, February 25 killed himself while he was demonstrating how the army successfully captured the Sambisa forest from the Boko Haram terrorists.

The incident was said to have happened when a hand held grenade exploded killing the soldier and two others in Bari village, Bangi local government area of Niger state.

Adisa Musiliu

EU comments on Kanu's trial, Biafra agitation

The European Union has responded to the issue of the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu and other Biafra agitators and said it is monitoring his trial.

This was contained in a letter signed by Federica Mogherini who is the vice president of the European Commission to Members of the European Parliament who were signatories to a letter to him sent in December 2016 accusing Nigeria of human rights abuse.

Julie Ward who is a member of the EU has been supporter and advocate of Biafra and has spoken strongly against the detention of Kanu

Federica Mogherini

In his response dated February 13, Mogherini said since the beginning of Kanu’s trial, the EU has been monitoring it and said Biafra agitators should be allowed to protest and express themselves as long as it is within the scope of the constitution.

She wrote: “I fully share your concern on the violence that has erupted in relation to the Biafra movement. Individuals should be allowed to protest and express themselves freely as long as they exercise this right in a peaceful manner. Their prosecution, if founded on facts, should be carried out in full compliance of the rule of law, their human rights and judicial due process.”

The European Commission vice president said with the European Development Fund, Nigeria is expected to fulfil human rights commitments as 166 million euros was allocated to support the “fairness, transparency and accessibility of the justice sector governance reform and the fight against corruption.”

Julie Ward

Mogherini said the EU raises human rights concern with Nigeria at every opportunity and promised that this will also be reiterated “through concerted effort, including parliamentary contacts.”

See the letter below: 

 

Adisa Musiliu

200 brides ride in a truck to their mass wedding in Uganda (photos)

Miracle Centre Cathedral in Rubaga was on Thursday, February 16, filled with love as 200 couples, in their different ages, were joined together at the same time in a holy matrimony themed 77 Days of Glory(77 DOGs).

 
200 brides ride in a truck to their mass wedding in Uganda

However, contrary to the usual practice of brides being driven in posh vehicles to the church, the brides were transported en masse with their grooms behind five decorated flatbed Mercedes Benz trailers. The trailers were escorted by police whiles the brides were guarded by armed counter terrorism police.
 

All couples were allowed to come along with a best man, matron and two relatives. There was an anniversary cake for each couple. Leaders of the church, Pastor Kayanja and his wife believe the event is the largest mass wedding citing that the Biblical wedding in Canaan had only 141 couples.

More photos below:

 

 

Adisa Musiliu

OPC vows to engage militants in combat

- The OPC has vowed to go after militants in Lagos

- It said one of its members was shot during an invasion

- It promised to work with security operatives to root out militancy

The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has declared war against Niger Delta militants terrorising the south west especially Lagos and has vowed to collaborate with security operatives.

This threat was in response to the alleged invasion of Lagos by suspected militants who reportedly kidnapped an army lieutenant.

The OPC claimed that its coordinator in the zone, Akeem Lawal, was wounded with gunshots during the kidnap.

Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin who is the publicity secretary of the Gani Adams led OPC vowed to fish out the militants and teach them a lesson as they have under-estimated the strength of the Yorubas.

He said: “We are taking no more chances. I think our tolerance has been mistaken for cowardice and it is time to act. Now we are ready to join hands with the relevant Nigerian forces to smoke out all militants that have constituted themselves as be the tail troubling the dog of Lagosians all these while. We have already moved into action, and they shall all be smoked out and dealt with, in no time.”

Part of the statement read: “In a reprisal attack, a combination of military personnel from Ojo Cantonment, Naval Officers from Navy Town and a team of men of the Gani Adams led OPC, cordoned off the creeks in the area to dislodge the arsonists from their hideout.

“It was gathered that the suspected militants, eventually bowed to the superior fire power of the team, resulting to several casualties on the side of the former while their hideouts were burnt down by the joint team.

“Meanwhile the gunmen have been terrorising Lagosians before introducing the new twist to their activities.

“Lieutenant Gyan was abducted at Ijedodo area of Abule-Ado, Lagos, resulting to military personnel under an operational code name AWATSE, being deployed to the area immediately to curb the activities of the militants.

“It was gathered that the Lieutenant was kidnapped with his service riffle while on patrol along the axis at about 5.30pm.

“His abduction sparked up sporadic shootings that Saturday as a joint force of the Military and the Police invaded the creeks and headed for the kidnappers den while another team headed for the hideout where the abducted Lieutenant was suspected to have been taken to.

“Others remained at the strategic points around Ijedodo, Abule-Ado, Totowu , Igando and neighbouring exit points, to ensure that the kidnappers did not escape.

“A fisherman who simply gave his name as Aidan, claimed to have witnessed when the Lieutenant was kidnapped.

He said: ‘I was coming to inspect my fishing net when I noticed some suspicious movements. One speed boat was at the shore with a man pretending to be carrying out repairs on it. Then all of a sudden, my fears were confirmed following a deafening gun shots. As that was going on, I saw a soldier being dragged into the speed boat that I assumed was faulty and they sped off shooting.’”

Adisa Musiliu

 

Breaking: President Buhari calls Nigeria again, applauds citizens for prayers

President Muhammadu Buhari has spoken with Nigerians appreciating all the prayers and goodwill messages that have been extended to him.

The president who is on an extended vacation in the UK spoke with Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Wednesday, February 22 on phone where he thanked Nigerians for all the prayers.

Vanguard reports that the president spoke for about three minutes in vernacular with Governor Ganduje, while a prayer session was going on at the Government House in Kano.

 

Breaking: President Buhari calls Nigeria again, applauds citizens for prayers

When Ganduje inquired how he was doing, Buhari said “Alhamdulillah (all praise be to Allah)”.

The prayer session was broadcast live by local radio stations in Kano and Governor Ganduje told the President that Islamic scholars and Imams in Kano were praying for his speedy recovery.

Buhari replied: “Maa shaa Allah”, meaning, “God willed it.

He expressed the hope that Allah will accept the prayers and appreciated the efforts of the Islamic scholars who were praying on his behalf.

Ganduje said the president’s voice indicated that he was better and expressed hope that he will be well soon.

He said: “We prayed for Buhari to win and he won. It is now mandatory on us to rally round his government and pray for his wellbeing.”

A day ago, President Buhari revealed that he needs a longer time to rest, thus putting paid to speculations and claims by top government officials that he is actually fit and healthy.

The president said this on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 saying the rest is deserved following the results from the series of medical tests he carried out in the United Kingdom where he is on vacation.

Adisa Musiliu

Zimbabwe deploys army at hospitals after doctors’ strike

Zimbabwe has deployed army medics to work at major public hospitals following a week-long strike by junior doctors who are demanding an increase in call allowances and a duty free car facility, a senior government official said on Wednesday.

Gerald Gwinji, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, said the doctors’ strike had put pressure on public hospitals, which were already struggling with shortages of drugs and under-funding from the government.

“When some people are not coming to work there is bound to be an impact on service delivery and because these cadres (doctors) on strike are at the first level of care, the impact is even greater,” Gwinji said.

“In some instances we have deployed cadres from the uniformed forces to help in reducing the pressure.”

The paediatric and maternity sections were the worst affected, Edgar Munatsi, the president of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association, which called the strike, told Reuters.

Munatsi said doctors wanted their call allowances to be increased to $10 an hour from the current $1.20. He said more than 400 doctors were staying away from work, warning that senior doctors could also join the strike.

“So the doctors are insisting that the government has to offer something on the table on the issue of call allowances and the duty free car facility as promised. Without that, they are not going back,” said Munatsi.

At Parirenyatwa Hospital, Zimbabwe’s largest public hospital in Harare, non-critical patients were being turned away and referred to local clinics run by city councils.

United Bulawayo Hospitals in the country’s second city Bulawayo put out a notice saying that due to the doctors’ strike “we have resolved to attend to ‘dire’ emergencies only.”

Doctors in the southern African nation last embarked on a major strike in 2014 demanding higher call allowances, but returned to work after President Robert Mugabe’s government promised to increase them and provide a car facility which would allow doctors to import vehicles and not pay the duty.

Last July, doctors joined nurses, teachers and other civil servants in a national shutdown over unpaid wages, which coincided with anti-government protests called by social media groups over a deteriorating economy.

Adisa Musiliu

BREAKING: National Assembly condemns attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

The Nigerian National Assembly has condemned the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, February 21 passed a resolution condemning the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

Members of the House of Representatives say Nigerians in South Africa have not been treated fairly

The lawmakers also urged the executive to recall Nigeria’s high commissioner to South Africa ahead of a major anti-Nigerians rally planned for Friday, February 24.

The motion on xenophobic attacks targeted at Nigerians in South Africa was moved by Hon. Rita Orji as a matter of urgent public importance.

Hon. Sergious Ogun supported the motion and lamented the treatment meted out to Nigerians in South Africa despite Nigeria’s contributions to the fight against apartheid in that country and how businesses owned by South Africans thrive here in Nigeria.

"I want us as a House to commend it and I also want our government to take a stand on it. How can we say that we are the giant of Africa when in other African countries, our citizens are being killed?" he asked.

"Mr. Speaker, the question now arises, how do we engage beyond diplomatic conventions?" Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje asked, noting that despite using diplomatic channels, the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa have persisted.

She there suggested that the House send a delegation to engage with the South African parliament, in hopes that representatives of the people would be better able to sort the issues out, and that the xenophobic tendencies of South Africa should be discussed at the next AU meeting.

But minority leader of the House Hon. Leo Ogor feels that the House should act stronger: "Time has come for us to call a spade a spade. This isn't the first time this is happening. South Africans continue to kill Nigerians for no justifiable reason and this is completely unacceptable."

He further noted that the security and welfare of citizens is paramount.

He said:"We need to condemn this act in its entirety and specifically ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs to make it clear that we will not accept this any longer as a nation.

"If we as a nation can grant opportunities to South Africans to do business, then we need to wake up and take a stand.”

Hon. Mark Gbillah, in his submission, suggested that a travel advisory be issued, urging Nigerians to not travel to SA, and that orders be given to their ambassador to ensure that the anti-Nigerian protests slated to hold on Friday must not hold.

He also added that we ought to recall our ambassador and expel theirs.

The federal government had earlier condemned the attacks and called on the South African government to end them as soon as possible.

Adisa Musiliu

Ali Modu Sheriff got PDP leaders arrested, detained - Fani-Kayode

Former aviation minister and PDP stalwart Femi Fani-Kayode has accused factional chairman of the party Ali Modu Sheriff of masterminding the travails of the opposition’s leaders in recent times.


Fani-Kayode says Sheriff behind PDP leaders' travails.

In a tweet on Wednesday, February 22, Fani-Kayode claimed that Sheriff was responsible for the arrest and detention of top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders.

He noted that this alleged harassment was what led to the death of former Niger state governor Kure.

Fani-Kayode is against Sheriff who was declared authentic chairman of the party by an appeal court in Port Harcourt and has called on other party members not to support the former Borno state governor.

Femi Fani-Kayode 

✔@realFFK

Ali Modu Sheriff was responsible for the arrest and detention of numerous PDP leaders including Gov. Kure of Niger state who later died.

10:28 AM - 22 Feb 2017

In another tweet, Fani-Kayode said there would be a lot of work to be done to get the present All Progressives Congress administration of President Muhammadu Buhari out of office in 2019.

Femi Fani-Kayode 

✔@realFFK

Nigeria needs deliverance. We are not going to have an election in 2019 we are going to have an exorcism. We will pray this evil govt. out.

10:42 AM - 22 Feb 2017

Fani-Kayode was one of the members of the PDP ministers’ forum that visited ex-president Goodluck Jonathan at his Abuja residence on Tuesday, February 21.

Adisa Musiliu

Slight dust haze atmosphere to prevail on Thursday – NiMet

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze conditions over the central states of the country on Thursday with horizontal visibility of two to five kilometres

NiMet gave the prediction in its Weather Outlook by the Central Forecast Office on Wednesday in Abuja.

It also predicted that the region would have day and night temperature of 30 to 38 and 15 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

NiMet predicted that the Southern states would experience partly cloudy conditions and mist patches over the inland and coastal cities in the morning hours with cloudiness over the southwest coast later in the day.

It also predicted hazy conditions over the inland cities with chances of isolated rain showers over Yenegoa, Port Harcourt, Eket and Calabar axis and day and night temperatures of 34 to 37 and 20 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

According to NiMet, Northern states will experience moderate dust haze conditions with visibility range of two to five kilometers with day and night temperature of 31 to 37 and 14 to 19 degrees Celsius respectively.

“However, reduced horizontal visibility of less than or equal to 1000m is expected over the northeastern states like Maiduguri, Potiskum, Yola, Katsina, Kano, Nguru, Gombe and Damaturu,” NiMet predicted.

Adisa Musiliu

Aribisala asks Osinbajo to ignore Tinubu's advice

- Veteran journalist and columnist, Femi Aribisala has spoken on President Muhammadu Buhari’s ill-health

- Aribisala warned Acting President to consult only President Buhari on issues of governance

- He asked him to ignore advice from former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Veteran journalist and columnist, Femi Aribisala has warned Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to always consult President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Muhammadu Buhari's ill-health has been a major topic in the polity

Aribisala adviced Osinbajo not to consult the former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu before making any decision.

He gave the advice via his Twitter handle on Tuesday, February 21.

Femi Aribisala @femiaribisala

Ag. President Osibajo must be careful to consult Buhari (not Tinubu) before taking any decision. Sick or not, Buhari is still the President.

11:10 AM - 21 Feb 2017

Osinbajo is a close ally of Tinubu. He served as Tinubu’s attorney-general and commissioner of justice for eight years (1999-2007) in Lagos state.

Tinubu is also credited for nominating Osinbajo as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before the 2015 elections.

Osinbajo subtly confirmed this at the State of the Nation Address convened by Coalition of Nigerian Apostolic Leaders in Lagos on Friday, November 4, 2015.

He said: “An APC national leader who had served when he was governor was interested in putting me forward as the running mate of President Muhammadu Buhari in consensus with other national leaders of the party.

“I was a product of this system (Coalition Leaders). The church was reluctant and I understood why the church was reluctant. The church was looking at the head of the ticket (President). This is our first opportunity. This is our first shot at it.

“We need to maximize it and do the best we can. I think what my nomination and appointment have done is that it has open the door for us. We can do it and we can be influential in doing it.”

Meanwhile, Afenifere chieftain and elder statesman, Ayo Adebanjo has stated that the presidency is not sincere about the true state of President Buhari’s health.

He also opined that the presidency is taking Nigerian for fools by saying the president is hale and healthy.

‘’The president wrote that he is extending his vacation because of some medical tests. Do you do tests for people who are hale and healthy?’’ Adebanjo queried.

In a related development, a human rights organization has called on President Buhari to resign as Nigeria's president

The organization - Opinion Nigeria said Buhari's resignation would be in the interest of the country.

Just In: PDP chieftain kills himself in Abuja

A Chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Isaac Ojukwu, who is believed to be in his 60s, has set himself ablaze in a rented hotel apartment in Nyanya, a satellite town of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The incident which occurred early hours of Thursday, also saw the entire hotel burnt to ground level, even as the deceased was equally burnt beyond recognition.

The late Dr Ojukwu was a member of the PDP, Diaspora unit. He was said to have handled the diaspora unit of the Party in Germany, Denmark among other foreign countries.

PDP chieftain kills himself in Abuja

Document and other files found in his luggage rescued in the hotel indicated a strong connection to the Party hierarchy, some of which showed he might be connected to a serving Governor in a PDP controlled state.

The new revelation has sent shock waves among sympathizers who have been trooping to the hotel site, wondering what could have led to such abnormal behavior.

Narrating the ugly incidence, the Owner of the burnt Hotel and Associate Professor at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Sylvanus M. Itodo, said it still remained a shock, how an adult would just wish to take his own life, without known cause.

“We were all sitting together that fateful night before he left to watch football match and I also left the hotel premises by 11pm, to go and sleep.

“It was around 12am that I recieved a phone call from one of the boys in the hotel, crying, that my hotel was on fire. Before I could get to the hotel, the flame was everywhere; and it took the efforts of the Federal Fire Service to prevent the inferno from escalating to the surrounding houses”, Itodo lamented.

 PDP chieftain kills himself in Abuja

Investigations also revealed that, the deceased, who hailed from Ohuhu in Umuahia area of Abia State, has been staying in the apartment, Boundary Plaza Hotel, Nyanya, for the past 5 years.

Though it was gathered that he was married to a German woman with kids, it was, however, revealed that, none of his family members, including the wife or children, had paid him a visit all through his stay in the hotel.

According to Leadership, an eye witness account by his direct neighbour, Ohize Yakubu, who has been living in the hotel apartment since the day of his wedding in 2013; said, those lodging in the hotel made frantic efforts to pull the deceased out of the building but he struggled and ran back into the burning room.

“We went to watch Arsenal and Bayern match that night, I came back to the hotel and Dr. Isaac came in 5 minutes later. After some minutes, I started hearing strange sound from his room, which is directly opposite my room.

“At first, I was scared to open door, because I didn’t know if it was a robbery attack, until I heard and recognised the voice of one of our neighbours, beckoning on Dr. Isaac to open door and come out, shouting fire, fire.

“At this point, everyone ran back as the inferno had started escalating and all my belongings got burnt. My wife only escaped with my son. I was engaged in the process of rescuing Dr. Isaac, and lost all my belongings in the process”, Yakubu narrated.

As at the time of filing this report, no one could explain in clear terms, what might have gone wrong with the deceased, to have warranted him taking his own life. Even though the Corpse has been deposited at the Asokoro General Hospital by the Police, but the family members are yet to arrive Abuja.

A source at the hotel also revealed that, the deceased had early this week, moved all his belongings, including clothes, to another chalet within the hotel premises, saying he would love to change his room.

Adisa Musiliu

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Barcelona were false and ungrateful over my exit ― Dani Alves

The shady atmosphere that surrounded Dani Alves’ departure from Barcelona left the defender upset, leading to him hitting out at the way the club’s staff and hierarchy treat their players.

Joining Juventus on a free transfer last summer, Alves took the decision to insert a release clause in his contract after years of unanswered questions surrounding his future at the Camp Nou.

“I like to be loved, and if they do not want me, I’m leaving,” the defender told ABC. “Leaving Barcelona on a free was a big lesson.

“During my last three seasons I always heard that ‘Alves was leaving’, but the managers never said anything to me. They were very false and ungrateful. They did not respect me.

“I was only offered to renew when the FIFA transfer ban came in. That was when I went and signed a deal with a termination clause.

“Those who run Barcelona today have no idea how to treat their players.”

One big theme of Alves’ stay in LaLiga was the rivalry he encountered with Cristiano Ronaldo, an issue that the Brazilian feels was blown out of proportion.

“All my fights with Cristiano were because of the press,” he stated.

“If people only knew how much I respect Cristiano Ronaldo. I will repeat it to make myself clear: I respect Cristiano Ronaldo.”

“Everyone who talks to me about Cristiano tell me that he’s a great pro, but he is different, he was my rival and I had to compete with him.

“When I spoke about him being too selfish, when you win you are going to be the star but when you lose they will go for you, so I said it in a very respectful way.”

“And I think the same of [Lionel] Messi or Neymar. But my thoughts were not negative. What happens is that the press portrayed them differently, saying that I had spoken ill of him.”

“And Ronaldo believed it. That’s why he did not greet me at the Ballon d’Or gala in 2015. I do not need to talk about anyone to go out in the newspapers. I have no ego.”

Adisa Musiliu