18-year-old Badoo suspect confesses, says he was tricked

One of the five Badoo cult suspects paraded on Thursday at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja, 18-year-old Chibuzor Igwe, says he was tricked into joining Badoo cult.
Igwe explained that he had approached one of the alleged leaders of the cult, Obamoyegun Omotayo, for a driving job, but was lured into the gang.
Chibuzor said, “I am a Badoo member. Around November, I told Obamoyegun (Omotayo) that I wanted to be his driver because I saw him with new cars. He told me that it would take some time before he would give me the job. During that time, he called me….”
But what could have been a full-blown revelation from the teenager, who has injuries on his hands, was aborted by the state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, who stopped the interview and ordered that Chibuzor and the other suspects be taken away.

Seasoned broadcaster, Mabel Oboh flags off ‘SaveourStars’ campaign

 Recently, Mabel Oboh announced her plans to establish an entertainment foundation to cater for the welfare of Nigerian celebrities. While the project is still in the pipeline, the seasoned broadcaster and actress has flagged off a campaign to that effect. Tagged, “Mabel on SaveourStars”, the campaign is expected to benefit entertainers who are battling serious ailments and are financially constrained  to help themselves. Mabel Oboh Unveiling the campaign to  the media, Mabel listed entertainers who are  suffering from terminal diseases such as cancer, diabetes and accident victims as major beneficiaries. “Producers, actors, actresses, script writers, musicians make-up artistes, journalists among others are part of the beneficiaries,” she added. According to her, in the course of the

We’ve been abandoned, says Ese Oruru’s father

Mr. Charles Oruru, the father of Ese Oruru, the then 13-year-old girl abducted and taken to Kano where she was allegedly raped, forcibly Islamised and married off without her parents’ consent, is lamenting that the family has been abandoned.
He also said that all the promises made by the governments of Bayelsa and Delta states as well as some non-governmental organisations with regard to Ese’s scholarship had not been fulfilled.
The abduction of Ese, the youngest child of Charles Oruru and Rose Oruru, occurred on 12 August, 2015 at her mother’s shop in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Ese, who was 13 years old at the time, was abducted by a man named Yunusa Dahiru (alias Yellow) and taken to Kano, where she was allegedly raped, forcibly converted into Islam and married off without her parents’ consent.

Banky W, Adesua’s wedding documentary airs on Africa Magic

 A documentary on the celebrity wedding between R & B Singer Banky W and Actress Adesua Etomi is set to hit TV screens on Africa Magic channel on Jan.6. bankyw-wedding According to the official trailer released by Africa Magic, the documentary titled “The Wellingtons”, showed the couple sharing details on why they chose to share their special day with the world. Africa Magic is a collection of Pay TV entertainment channels that focus on African programming. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the marriage between the two celebs caused a lot of frenzy on the

Shuga Band ready to celebrate 20 years of undiluted live performances

 Shuga Band, a Lagos-based 14 piece group, led by Shuga (Akinloye Tofowomo) is ready to roll out the drums as it celebrates 20 years of undiluted live music performances  in Nigeria. The Band, which was established about 20 years ago after Shuga’s exit from Pintus, an upscale bar in the highbrow Allen Avenue, Ikeja,  back in the days, remains one of the best  bands that had  maintained a high

Herdsmen kill woman, destroy 200 acre farms in Ondo

Some suspected Fulani herdsmen have allegedly invaded a farmland at Arodoye community, in the Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, destroying 200 acre farms.
The herdsmen also allegedly killed a female farmer, identified as Patience Salami.
The incident was said to have occurred during the Yuletide holiday when most of the farmers had travelled out of the community.
It was gathered that nobody had been arrested by the security agencies for the incident.
Some of the farmers who spoke to our correspondent on Thursday lamented that they had lost millions, saying the herdsmen destroyed farm produce.

Benue killings: Police go after masterminds, dispatch DIG

The police have said they are probing the alleged involvement of different groups, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in the killing of over 20 people in Benue State between Monday and Tuesday.
The force explained that the eight suspects their custody in connection with the incident would provide details about the masterminds of the attack, adding that anyone found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said this in a telephone interview on Thursday in response to allegations that some Miyetti Allah leaders had earlier threatened to cause mayhem in Benue State following the implementation of the anti-open grazing law which the Fulani herdsmen were opposed to.

Winner of Big Brother Naija to get N45m

Winner of the 2018 edition of the Big Brother Naija will go home with N45m.
The third season of the reality show will start on Sunday, January 28.
According to a report, it will premiere with a special two-hour episode on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 29.

IPOB to begin Hausa radio service Saturday

The Indigenous People of Biafra, on Thursday, said it would begin the transmission of a Hausa service radio station on Saturday.
The Media and Publicity Secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, disclosed this in statement in Awka, Anambra State.
He said the move was in keeping with IPOB’s promise to facilitate the creation of an unbiased informative platform “to the downtrodden and the oppressed indigenous population of northern Nigeria.”
He said the service would hit the airwaves on Saturday, January 6, at 7pm Nigerian time on Short Wave 15110 KHz 19 Meter Band.

Army rescues Chibok schoolgirl

The troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued one of the Chibok schoolgirls earlier abducted by the Boko Haram terrorists in April 2014.

According to the army, the girl, identified as Salomi Pogu, was rescued in company of another girl, Jamila Adams, 14, and both of them are now in the custody of the troops.
In a release by Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, and Spokesperson, Theatre Command, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, Pogu is on the list of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

BREAKING: US imposes sanctions on Iranian missile firms

The United States imposed sanctions Thursday on five Iranian companies it alleges are working on part of the Islamic republic’s illegal ballistic missile program.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin linked the measure to recent anti-government protests, arguing that Iran ought to spend more on public welfare than on banned weapons.

CJ illegally transferred Farouk Lawan’s $620,000 bribery case –FG

The Federal Government has told the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal that the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, acted illegally by transferring a part-heard bribery trial of a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Farouk Lawan, from one judge to another in March 2017.
Lawan ran into trouble when he was the Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy in 2012 for allegedly collecting $620,000 from the Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, Mr. Femi Otedola.

Igbo will never go to war again, says Ohanaeze

The Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that the Igbo will never again go to war to resolve conflicts in the country.
It said the Igbo would rather use diplomacy as a tool for peace and conflict resolution.
The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, stated this  at the 2018 Igbo International Leadership and Good Governance Retreat held at Abagana, Anambra State.
The retreat was organised by the World Igbo Leadership Council and the World Igbo Information and Communication Network.

Fuel scarcity: Senate to grill Kachikwu, Baru, DPR today

NNPC GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu
Leke Baiyewu, ’Femi Asu and Theophilus Onojeghen
The Senate will today (Thursday) question the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; and the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Maikanti Baru, over the current crisis in the supply chain of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol.
Also to appear before the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) are regulatory bodies, marketers and other stakeholders in the petroleum sector.

I will appear before police, but not CP Edgal –Suspected Badoo kingpin

Suspected Badoo kingpin, Alhaji Alaka Abayomi, has said he is ready to submit himself to the Nigeria Police Force for investigations.
Alaka, who had been declared wanted by the Lagos State Police Command, however, said he would not appear before the state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi.
He alleged that investigations would be compromised if carried out under Imohimi’s supervision, urging the Force headquarters in Abuja to take up the matter.
Alaka spoke to PUNCH Metro on Wednesday on the heels of the arrest of a herbalist, Fatai Adebayo, who allegedly administered oaths on Badoo members before they went on operations.
On Wednesday, the Lagos State Government also sealed off Alaka’s filling station and hotel on Ijebu-Ode-Itoikin Road, in the Sabo area of Ikorodu, saying the facilities violated the state’s Urban and Regional Planning Law of 2010.

CAN condemns miscreants’ attacks on Kwara worshippers

THE Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Kwara State chapter, has condemned the attacks on some of their worshippers and places of worship in the early hours of January 1, 2018 during the New Year Eve services. Rev. Ayokunle, They were attacked at the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Oke-Isegun, the Methodist Cathedral and the St. Joseph Catholic Cathedral, all located within the Ibrahim Taiwo Road in Ilorin, the state capital. The association’s condemnation in a statement by Professor T. O. Opoola, the State CAN Chairman, was made available to newsmen in Ilorin, yesterday. The association appealed to the Kwara State Government to prevent further attacks on churches and

Whither rock? Beyonce, Eminem to headline Coachella

 Beyonce, Eminem and The Weeknd will headline Coachella, promoters announced Tuesday, marking the first time that no rock act will be among the main attractions at the leading festival. Eminem and Beyonce Coachella, which has turned into one of the world’s most lucrative and influential festivals since its debut in 1999, takes place in the desert of southern California over two
successive weekends in April with identical lineups for each. The festival — April 13-15 and April

20-22 — marks the first concert scheduled by Beyonce since the pop superstar had twins in June with her husband, rap mogul Jay-Z. Beyonce’s appearance is not a surprise. She was due to headline Coachella last year but was replaced with Lady Gaga after Beyonce’s doctors advised her not to

Saheed Osupa, others thrill guests at Executive Elite 007 Club event

 It was indeed celebration galore as members of Executive Elite 007 Club of Nigeria recently marked the 10th anniversary of their club amidst fun and sociability. The ceremony, which held at La’royale Events Centre, Puposola Street, new Oko-Oba, Abule-Egba, Lagos,  brought together members of the club, home and abroad who converged at the venue to celebrate with one another. Apart from celebrating and venerating some philanthropic dignitaries with awards of honour, the event also afforded the club the opportunity to ignite the spirit of unity and foster peace among members.

Rotimi Amaechi has a serious mental case, says Wike

 Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has said that the Minister of Transport and former governor of the stare, Mr Rotimi Amaechi has a serious mental case. He declared that national development has been stunted because of mentally challenged Ministers Amaechi. Wike and Amaechi The governor said that base on Amaechi’s logic, President Muhammadu Buhari needs to resign because of the nationwide breakdown of security. . He spoke at the Government House Port

Harcourt on Wednesday when the management of the Silverbird Group presented his nomination letter as the Silverbird Man of the Year, 2017. He said: “Former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has a serious mental case. This is what makes it difficult for him to appreciate the seriousness of security issues . “That is the kind of people that we have in the Federal Cabinet. With such people, it is impossible for the country to make progress. He needs urgent medical attention “. Governor Wike said based on Amaechi’s logic, President Muhammadu Buhari needs to resign

US nuclear button ‘much bigger’ than N.Korea’s: Trump

 US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Kim Jong-Un that he possessed a nuclear button that is “much bigger & more powerful” than that of the North Korean leader. Trump He tweeted: “North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the ‘Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.’ Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!” Trump’s

We lost property worth over N100m to Tin-can fire – Clearing agents

 CLEARING agents operating at the container complex of Tin-can Island port in Lagos State, lost over a N100 million worth of property to the fire incident that razed down part of the complex on Tuesday, even as some agents are pointing accusing fingers at the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA and a popular terminal operator, as being behind the fire outbreak. Ogbe-Ijoh Market on fire Speaking to Vanguard on the incident, Chairman, Port and Terminal Multi-purpose Limited, PTML, Chapter of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Akintola Hastrop, said that the value of the property lost to the outbreak was far over N100 million. Hastrop disclosed that the lose was much because most agents were still on holidays and therefore, could not rescue their belongings.

Without hassles, Lagos entertains self for eight days

From next year, top artistes who fix their concerts for December in Lagos may have a rethink. They may see wisdom in moving their dates backwards because of the threat that the One Lagos Fiesta, organised by the Lagos State Government, now seems to pose to them.
The OLF, as was the case in the last week of December 2017, practically shut down the entertainment scene as scores of musicians took turns to smash the hearts of large crowds that gathered at various venues in the five divisions of the populous state. From legend-in-the making called Tuface (Tubaba), to Davido, Olamide, D’Banj, Peter Okoye to oldies, such as King Sunny Ade and Sir Shina Peters, the artistes, fired by the massive and passionate crowds that confronted them, sought to outdo one another.

Boko Haram abducts 31 loggers in Borno

At least 31 loggers are believed to have been abducted by Boko Haram jihadists after they went missing in Borno, security sources said Wednesday.
The alleged kidnapping took place just days after 30 troops vanished following a raid on a military base in the same region amid a surge in bloody violence.
Sources told AFP the loggers, mostly in their twenties, had left the town of Gamboru on the border with Cameroon Tuesday morning to fetch firewood in a Boko Haram hotspot.