Monday, July 30, 2012
Lady Gaga tweets 'naked' picture of herself reclining on an armchair
She recently caused a stir when she unveiled her new perfume ad, starring herself, naked, with only 'tiny men' crawling over her to protect her modesty.
But it appears Lady Gaga hasn't tired of baring flesh for her fans.
The 26-year-old tweeted a snap of herself apparently fully naked, sitting in an armchair, hugging her legs to her chest.
Boko Haram Kills 2 Airforce Operatives In Kano
Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram operatives shot at an Air force staff car on Zaria Road in Kano early afternoon killing two airmen,- a driver and orderly of a senior airforce officer.
An airforce commander in Kano confirmed to 3m360 that the two junior ranking airmen died in the attack.
Two men riding on motorbike appear beside the airmen close to the flyover and shot severally at the service car. The airmen were on their way to Kaduna to pick up a senior officer.
The attack, which took place on Zaria Road in Naibawa area of the metropolis, disrupted traffic and forced motorists heading to Kaduna and Abuja to cancel their trips. The gunmen reportedly fled through a farmland in the area.
Thirteen Killed In Benin - Ore Auto Accident
A headlong crash between an IVECO Truck and a commuter on Sunday morning along the busy Lagos -Benin highway has killed thirteen people. One person was critically injured and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital close to the scene of the accident.
The auto accident involving two vehicles occurred on the Benin–Ore part of the Lagos –Benin highway.
Road safety officials reports that a Toyota Hiace commuter bus with 15 passengers on board crashed headlong into an IVECO Truck while it was descending a steep slope.
The two vehicles collided head on at 7.45 AM on kilometer 53 before Ohosun near the boundary of Ondo and Edo state.
The bus which was driving against the traffic when the crash occurred is registered to Anambra state mass transit company.
The accident led to the instant death of 13 males, another male was critically injured and rushed to Shiloh Hospital Ugbogui for medical attention. The death victims of the accident were also deposited in the mortuary at the clinic.
D'banj Puts Auto Lounge Boss, Larry Onuegbu In Police Detention! ...Over fraudulent sale of Naeto C's Porsche Cayenne wedding gift.
Barely days after he suffered public humiliation by been thrown out of the Abuja arm of Auto Lounge- the all night place of leisure owned by money man, Larry Onuegbo- it's pay back time for celebrated musician widely known as Dbanj ( Dapo Oyebanjo).
And fortunately for him- sources claim, he is prosecuting a case that has 'merit'
The singer that is surfing on the wave of international recognition just ensured the continuous detention of the man that assaulted him- club owner, Larry Onuegbu.
Unlike Dbanj that was reportedly ordered out of Auto Lounge at Larry's whim- the club owner has a criminal case to answer for.
He reportedly collected money under false
pretences. And defrauded client millions of naira.
Sources claimed the allegation against him is that, he sold the 2009 edition of choice car, Porsche Cayenne as a 2012 edition.
He reportedly perfected this by buying a 'used car' and refurbished it with guarantees to his client that- it is the 2012 Edition.
The purchase was the wedding gift Dbanj presented to fellow musician Naeto C ( Naeto Chike) on behalf of a wealthy fan and supporter that wished to remain anonymous during the latter's wedding reception.
Sources claimed a clinical examination of the gift- and visits to Porsche mart to confirm the veracity of the seller's assertion revealed the deceptive marketing strategy employed by Larry to sell the car.
It was further confirmed that a director at financial institution, Zenith Bank actually acquired the car brand new- and used it for a while before Onuegbu bought it off him.
The development presented a perfect opportunity for Dbanj to pay the club owner back- especially because the buyer wishes to maintain his anonymosity in the unfolding scenerio.
He handed the matter to the musician to handle.
The police were invited into the case- and Larry Onuegbu arrested and thrown into detention for criminal conduct.
He is still languishing in detention at press time- in the name of investigating the case.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Full List Of Salaries: Nigerian Senators Earn More Than President Barack Obama
In the United States, while the minimum wage is $1,257 (N191, 667), a US lawmaker earns $15,080 (N2.3m) per month. In the United Kingdom, a lawmaker earns $8,686(N1.3m) monthly while the gross national minimum wage is $1,883 (N283, 333) per month.
Also, Nigerian lawmakers earn higher than their counterparts in Sweden. With a monthly pay of $7,707 (N1.2m), a lawmaker in Sweden will need to work for over 12 years to equal what a Nigerian senator earn per annum.
The president of the United States takes home an anual salary of $400,000 (N64.156,0m), including a $50,000 expense allowance making the president the highest paid public servant in the US. The $400,000 includes everything and $350,000 out of it is taxable.
Selected States (salary per annum)
The prime minister of the United Kingdom……USD 226,627.00
French president………………………………….. USD 318,072.00
South African president…………………………..USD 296,112.00
German chancelor………………………………….USD 296,112.00
The Prime Minister of Belgium…………………..USD 174,804.00
President of the Republic of Korea……………..USD 136,669.00
President of Russia…………………………………USD 122,652.00
Prime Minister Portugal……………………………USD 129,730.00
Prime Minister Namibia……………………………USD 115,155.00
President of Angola………………………………..USD 60,000.00
President Argentina………………………………..USD 55,139.00
Prime Minister Ukraine…………………………….USD 61,254.00
President Zimbabwe……………………………….USD 18,000.00
President of People’s republic of China………..USD 10,633.00
President Liberia……………………………………USD 90,000.00
Prime Minister Spain ……………………………..USD 102,960.00
Prime Minister Namibia…………………………..USD 115,155.00
President Namibia…………………………………USD 164,506.00
President of Colombia …………………………..USD 120,685.00
Prime Minister of the Netherlands……………..USD 190,740.00
Prime Minister Ireland……………………………USD 264,000.00
Prime Minister Denmark…………………………USD 264,533.00
President Mexico………………………………….USD 328,839.00
President Austria………………………………….USD 422,231.00
President of the European Council…………….USD 508,916.00
NIGERIAN SENATORS
Basic Salary (BS) = N2,484,245.50
Hardship Allowanc: 50% of Basic Salary = N1,242,122.75
Constituency allowance: 200% of BS = N4,968,509.00
Furniture Allowance: 300% of BS = N7,452,736.50
Newspaper allowance: 50% = N1,242,122.70
Wardrobe allowance: 25% = N621,061.37
Recess Allowance: 10% = N248,424.55
Accommodation: 200% = N4,968,509.00
Utilities: 30% = N828,081.83
Domestic Staff: 35% = N863,184.12
Entertainment: 30% = N828,081.83
Personal Assistance: 25% = N621,061.37
Vehicle Maintenance Allowance: 75% = N1,863,184.12
Leave Allowance : 10% = N248,424.55
One off payments (Severance gratuity): 300% = N7,452,736.50
Motor Vehicle Allowance: 400% of BS = N9,936,982.00
Total per month = N29, 479, 749.00
A senator’s anual salary = over N182 million
multiply by 109 senators (don’t forget the House of rep, ministers, ambassadors, …)
In addition to the regular and legitimate salaries and allowances of over N17 million ($113,333) and N14.99 million ($99,933) which senators and reps were collecting yearly and the irregular allowance of estacodes, duty tours etc, they were also collecting over N192m ($1.28m) and N140m ($0.93m) respectively in illicit quarterly allocation which is not provided for by RMAFC.
Effectively, a Nigerian senator was taking home at least $1.40m ($1.28m quarterly allocations + $0.113m regular salaries and allowances) as against the $0.174m an American senator takes home hence a Nigeria senator earns at least 8 times as much as an American senator and more than 3 times the American president.
Whereas a Senator in the U.S earns N21, 146,000, the same as a member of the House of Representatives; a UK Member of Parliament earn £64,766 (N14, 896,180)
In other words, a Federal Legislator in Nigeria is paid more than double what a Member of British Parliament earns per annum.
Senate President David Mark alone takes N250 million quarterly or N83.33 million per month. Senate Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu gets N150 million per quarter or N50 million a month.
Mark and Ekweremadu earns in 4 months, six times what the UK Prime Minister earns in a year. David Cameron goes home with £190,000 per anum (N43, 700,000)
In a newspaper news article entitled ‘An Assembly for looting’ written by Musikilu Mojeed with Elor Nkereuwem, the authors rightly claimed that each of the 360 members of the House of Representatives were getting N35 million in cash money in quarterly allocation while each of the 109 Senators pockets N48 million each. These allocations have however been slashed by 20% to N27 million ($180,000) and N38 million ($253,333) respectively due to the 20% reduction requested by the late president.
Also, Nigerian lawmakers earn higher than their counterparts in Sweden. With a monthly pay of $7,707 (N1.2m), a lawmaker in Sweden will need to work for over 12 years to equal what a Nigerian senator earn per annum.
The president of the United States takes home an anual salary of $400,000 (N64.156,0m), including a $50,000 expense allowance making the president the highest paid public servant in the US. The $400,000 includes everything and $350,000 out of it is taxable.
Selected States (salary per annum)
The prime minister of the United Kingdom……USD 226,627.00
French president………………………………….. USD 318,072.00
South African president…………………………..USD 296,112.00
German chancelor………………………………….USD 296,112.00
The Prime Minister of Belgium…………………..USD 174,804.00
President of the Republic of Korea……………..USD 136,669.00
President of Russia…………………………………USD 122,652.00
Prime Minister Portugal……………………………USD 129,730.00
Prime Minister Namibia……………………………USD 115,155.00
President of Angola………………………………..USD 60,000.00
President Argentina………………………………..USD 55,139.00
Prime Minister Ukraine…………………………….USD 61,254.00
President Zimbabwe……………………………….USD 18,000.00
President of People’s republic of China………..USD 10,633.00
President Liberia……………………………………USD 90,000.00
Prime Minister Spain ……………………………..USD 102,960.00
Prime Minister Namibia…………………………..USD 115,155.00
President Namibia…………………………………USD 164,506.00
President of Colombia …………………………..USD 120,685.00
Prime Minister of the Netherlands……………..USD 190,740.00
Prime Minister Ireland……………………………USD 264,000.00
Prime Minister Denmark…………………………USD 264,533.00
President Mexico………………………………….USD 328,839.00
President Austria………………………………….USD 422,231.00
President of the European Council…………….USD 508,916.00
NIGERIAN SENATORS
Basic Salary (BS) = N2,484,245.50
Hardship Allowanc: 50% of Basic Salary = N1,242,122.75
Constituency allowance: 200% of BS = N4,968,509.00
Furniture Allowance: 300% of BS = N7,452,736.50
Newspaper allowance: 50% = N1,242,122.70
Wardrobe allowance: 25% = N621,061.37
Recess Allowance: 10% = N248,424.55
Accommodation: 200% = N4,968,509.00
Utilities: 30% = N828,081.83
Domestic Staff: 35% = N863,184.12
Entertainment: 30% = N828,081.83
Personal Assistance: 25% = N621,061.37
Vehicle Maintenance Allowance: 75% = N1,863,184.12
Leave Allowance : 10% = N248,424.55
One off payments (Severance gratuity): 300% = N7,452,736.50
Motor Vehicle Allowance: 400% of BS = N9,936,982.00
Total per month = N29, 479, 749.00
A senator’s anual salary = over N182 million
multiply by 109 senators (don’t forget the House of rep, ministers, ambassadors, …)
In addition to the regular and legitimate salaries and allowances of over N17 million ($113,333) and N14.99 million ($99,933) which senators and reps were collecting yearly and the irregular allowance of estacodes, duty tours etc, they were also collecting over N192m ($1.28m) and N140m ($0.93m) respectively in illicit quarterly allocation which is not provided for by RMAFC.
Effectively, a Nigerian senator was taking home at least $1.40m ($1.28m quarterly allocations + $0.113m regular salaries and allowances) as against the $0.174m an American senator takes home hence a Nigeria senator earns at least 8 times as much as an American senator and more than 3 times the American president.
Whereas a Senator in the U.S earns N21, 146,000, the same as a member of the House of Representatives; a UK Member of Parliament earn £64,766 (N14, 896,180)
In other words, a Federal Legislator in Nigeria is paid more than double what a Member of British Parliament earns per annum.
Senate President David Mark alone takes N250 million quarterly or N83.33 million per month. Senate Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu gets N150 million per quarter or N50 million a month.
Mark and Ekweremadu earns in 4 months, six times what the UK Prime Minister earns in a year. David Cameron goes home with £190,000 per anum (N43, 700,000)
In a newspaper news article entitled ‘An Assembly for looting’ written by Musikilu Mojeed with Elor Nkereuwem, the authors rightly claimed that each of the 360 members of the House of Representatives were getting N35 million in cash money in quarterly allocation while each of the 109 Senators pockets N48 million each. These allocations have however been slashed by 20% to N27 million ($180,000) and N38 million ($253,333) respectively due to the 20% reduction requested by the late president.
Olaitan’s murder:Why his friend was arrested in Benin..Group alleges frame-up
Controversy appears to be trailing the arrest by the Police in Benin yesterday of Rev David Ugolor,Executive Director of Afri Network For Environment And Economic Justice,ANEEJ in the course of investigations into the assassination of Olaitan Oyerinde ,principal private secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.Ugolor’s arrest remains a puzzle to outsiders because the late Oyerinde was his bosom friend .
But just as the member of the public were wondering what may be happening, a press release by ANEEJ today gave some insight into why the cleric was arrested just as the group alleged that Ugolor was being framed up.
Though the Police have yet to issue a statement on the matter at the time of this report,Innocent Edemhanria, programme/policy officer of ANEEJ said in a statement today that “Between 5-6pm, the security men (who arrested Ugolor) met with some relations of Rev. David Ugolor and his Lawyer and informed him that one of the suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Comrade Olayinta Oyerinde had mentioned the name “DAVID” to them hence his arrest. Ugolor was taken for identification parade in presence of his lawyers and relations. The suspect whom is accusing David Ugolor is of a northern Nigeria origin and is completely unknown to Rev.
David Ugolor , colleagues and friends. At the moment, the police are still holding onto David as they carry out their investigations on the allegation we consider spurious”
ANEEJ in its statement added, “As a civil society organisation, we have discharged our duties creditably and professionally and we including being critical of government’s policies and programmes . But we suspect strongly that somebody high up somewhere is framing up our Executive Director Rev. David Ugolor over the murder of the personal aide to the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.We equally understood the impeccable private relationship that existed between the slain Comrade Olayintan Oyerinde and our Executive Director. It was convivial and certainly not what any of them could plot the killing of the other.”
And so the puzzle continues.A civil society heavyweight told Newsdiaryonline.com that however puzzling this may seem ,the police should be allowed to carry out the investigations thoroughly.
Read the full text ANEEJ statement below:
“David Ugolor being framed up in murder of Olaitan Oyerinde
At about 2.05pm on Friday heavily armed security operatives some wearing Federal SARS jacket, others plain clothes swooped on our office and took away our Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor. The security operatives which numbered over ten had picked him up from somewhere in town and brought him to the office. They had ransacked his private home and office and took away some items. Staff of the office had their cell phones taken away from them and switched off for as long as the security men held them hostage which lasted for about three hours. They later returned the phones at about 4.35pm before vacating the office premises. A staff of Centre for Social Justice Mr. Kingsley Nnajiaka was at ANEEJ secretariat then and was also held hostage for the same period.
Between 5-6pm, the security men met with some relations of Rev. David Ugolor and his Lawyer and informed him that one of the suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Comrade Olayinta Oyerinde had mentioned the name “DAVID” to them hence his arrest. Ugolor was taken for identification parade in presence of his lawyers and relations. The suspect whom is accusing David Ugolor is of a northern Nigeria origin and is completely unknown to Rev.
David Ugolor , colleagues and friends. At the moment, the police are still holding onto David as they carry out their investigations on the allegation we consider spurious.
As a civil society organisation, we have discharged our duties creditably and professionally and we including being critical of government’s policies and programmes . But we suspect strongly that somebody high up somewhere is framing up our Executive Director Rev. David Ugolor over the murder of the personal aide to the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
We equally understood the impeccable private relationship that existed between the slain Comrade Olayintan Oyerinde and our Executive Director. It was convivial and certainly not what any of them could plot the killing of the other.
As founder of ANEEJ and its Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor entrenched a non-violent approach to development in our policy document and naturally and practically abhors violence in any form and shape. It is also important to inform the Nigerian public that Rev. David Ugolor is a life saver, not taker as his natural penchant for poverty eradication, enlarging the voice of the voiceless, assisting the poor and needy is unparallel in his almost twenty-five years of effective and result-oriented activism.
While, we wouldn’t want to obstruct police investigations on the murder of our friend, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde as a law abiding corporate citizen, we insist that Rev. David Ugolor is innocent of any accusation being leveled against him.
We call for his immediate release so he can rejoin his family.
Drake's Management Sued For Unpaid Royalties
Before Lil Wayne made headlines signing Drake to Young Money, it was talent scout James "Jas" Prince Jr. who first saw the potential in the Toronto MC. And now the young Houston executive wants what he claims is his just due.
The New York Daily News reported that Jas Prince, son of Rap-a-Lot CEO J. Prince, has filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court against Drake's management team for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. In total, there are 10 claims against Drizzy's manager Cortez Bryant, Gerald "Gee" Roberson, Derrick Lawrence and the firm Aspire Music Group LLC.
It's well-known that it was Prince who first introduced Drake to the team over at Young Money after hearing his music on MySpace. "One day while leavin the [mall], I just threw [Drake's] CD in and let it play," Prince told music-industry veteran Al Lindstrom in an April interview.
"[Lil Wayne] was like, 'Wait ... who is this?' and I was like, 'Drake ... the guy I been tellin' you about.' Wayne told me to book him on the next flight to Houston."
From there, Drizzy released his 2009 breakout mixtape, So Far Gone, then became a household name with platinum albums Thank Me Later and his latest, Take Care, but Prince says he hasn't been paid what is owed to him. In the lawsuit, Prince alleges that Bryant verbally agreed to pay a portion of the profits earned from Drake's deal with Young Money, a deal that Bryant facilitated.
Prince's attorney, James McMillan, said his client hasn't received any money in over a year. In his papers, Prince claims that Drake is also being cheated by his management team and says that the Young Money standout is "on the brink" of suing Aspire and Bryant himself.
Mobb Deep's Havoc Confirms He Sent 'Gay' Prodigy Tweets
It's about to be hell on earth all over again, now that the quiet storm that was brewing between Mobb Deep's Havoc and Prodigy seems to be threatening the group's reign on hip-hop. On Friday (July 27), in an interview with AllHipHop.com, Hav took full ownership of tweets alleging that Pee was a homosexual, months after claiming his account was hacked.
"The tweets is crazy," he told AllHipHop.com Friday, before confirming that he sent all of the original messages on April 9. "And I was speaking of a standpoint of being mad, but still being truthful of how I felt — but it was just the wrong thing to do at that time."
Things began to sour between the groupmates in April when Havoc took to Twitter and made serious allegations about Prodigy's sexuality, even strangely congratulating Pee and Rihanna on their engagement, which, of course, never happened. "Congrats to P @prodigymobbdeep and @rihanna for getting married soon!! @rihanna please confirm," Havoc wrote, setting off a barrage of early-morning tweets.
"Prodigy abitch and I'm gonna show it, follow!! Ground breaking new," Hav wrote soon after.
Each tweet got progressively more inflammatory. Havoc then charged that his childhood friend, with whom he has recorded seven full-length albums, was involved in a homosexual relationship during his three-year jail bid. "I got n---as in the jail system to back up that prodigy was f---ing homes in jail," he wrote. "Now i will silence... and let the jails take care of the rest."
Hav went on to write about a fist -fight that he and Prodigy had, writing that he "had to smack P."
A few days later, Havoc released a statement claiming that his phone was stolen and denying that he had sent any of the tweets, nor that he had any beef with his partner-in-rhyme.
During a May interview on MTV News' "RapFix Live," Pee also debunked the break-up rumors. "If [Havoc] had a problem, he would've told me that, he wouldn't put it on Twitter," he said, adding that the duo would soon be releasing a new album.
Well, on Friday, Havoc was singing a different tune. "Right now, Mobb Deep is on hiatus, indefinitely ... until things get hashed out," he told the site.
Can Mobb Deep survive this latest beef? Sound-off in the comments!
Krayzie Bone Arrested For DUI
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony rapper Krayzie Bone, was arrested this morning in L.A. for driving drunk.
Law enforcement state the 39-year-old was pulled over around 12:30 AM on a routine traffic stop, when officers suspected Krayzie was too tipsey to drive. The rapper is said to have failed the field sobriety tests. The breathalyzer tested over .10, which is well above the legal limit in California, .08.
EXCLUSIVE: 'Batman' Movie Massacre -- Theater Steps Up for Victims' Funeral Expenses
The theater where James Holmes opened fire last week, killing 12 people, is offering to pick up funeral expenses for the victims' families ... 3m360 has learned.Several funerals were held Friday in Aurora, Colorado -- one of them for Rebecca Wingo ... a 32-year-old mother of 2. Sources close to Rebecca's mother tell 3m360, Cinemark -- corporate owners of the Century 16 Theater -- called the chapel where Rebecca's service was held ... and offered to foot the bill for her funeral.In fact, the owner of the chapel says Cinemark told him it was willing to provide financial backing to all victims' families -- by paying any funeral expenses not covered by the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund.We're told Rebecca's mother turned down the offer.It's unclear how many funeral homes and chapels in Aurora got the same call. Cinemark hasn't returned our call for comment yet.
JTF Kills Four, Arrests 50 Over Killings of Two Indians, Others - As Gunmen
Nigeria:Maiduguri — The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State said it has killed two suspects and arrested 26 others who were responsible for the killing of two Indians at a Gum Arabic Factory in Maiduguri on Wednesday. JTF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa said in a statement in Maiduguri yesterday that the suspects were responsible for the slaughtering of Shanker Saha, 35, and Bokul Chander Mondal also 35 as well as serial killings in Maiduguri and environs in the last few days.
Another Indian, Biesh Yadav, 43, is recuperating at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) following cuts in his neck during the attack.
According to the JTF spokesman, "following intelligence report available to the Joint Task Force Operation Restore Order, special operation was conducted on Thursday 26 and early hours of Friday 27 July, 2012.
"The operation led to the arrest of 26 terrorists and the killings of two suspected members of Boko Haram terrorists at Biafra Bula-bulin, Kasuwan Shanu and GRA in Maiduguri metropolis. Some of the suspects killed and arrested were responsible for the killings of the two Indians, a cleric and several other killings in Maiduguri in the past.
He said during the raid, some weapons were recovered from the suspects. They include 2 AK 47 rifles, 3 AK 47 Magazine, 200 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, a primed Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which was detonated by the Bomb Disposal Unit of the JTF.
Others, according to him include, cutlasses, daggers and charms, blood stained cloth used during the killing of a cleric in Kasuwan Shanu, Maiduguri.
"The items and suspects are in custody of the JTF for necessary action," he said.
In a related development, a detachment of mobile and regular policemen have raided the Bolori Market in Maiduguri on Thursday and arrested dozens of people, including traders, labourers and artisans.
Though no official communication from the police on why the market was raided, Saminu Aliyu, a senior official of the traders lamented that "many" members had been arrested during the raid.
"The whole market was cordoned off around 4pm. Heavily armed policemen took strategic positions which made it impossible for all of us in the market to move an inch. Nobody told us why the market was raided, but I want to use this opportunity to plead with relevant authorities to release our members," Aliyu said.
Meanwhile, a soldier died and some others were injured yesterday when gunmen, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect, threw an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at a moving patrol vehicle of the Joint Task Force (JTF) at Shehuri ward.
The attack took place not far from the Shehu of Borno's palace in Maiduguri metropolis.
Weekly Trust reports that there was a heavy sound of explosion, followed by sporadic gunshots shortly before the Friday prayers yesterday.
The incident prevented many worshippers, mostly those living around Shehuri and neighbouring settlements from observing the weekly obligatory prayers.
Witnesses said at about the same time, angry youths vandalized another JTF vehicle at Maisaje Juma'at mosque along the Post Office area when some soldiers allegedly insisted that worshippers must vacate a tarred road to enable them (soldiers) pass.
Earlier in the morning, a bomb had exploded at Bulunkutu, a densely populated area in Maiduguri, though security sources said the explosive was discovered and demobilized before it killed people.
"It was yet another hectic Friday for us," Mohammed Ustaz, a resident of Maiduguri said. "May Almighty Allah consider the pains we are going through and bring succour to us, for the sake of the holy month of Ramadan," he said.
"Many innocent passersby have been injured, some are in critical conditions," Sulaiman Babagana, another witness at Shehuri said.
Confirming the three incidences, JTF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa said, "a JTF patrol vehicle was attacked at about 1300 hrs today in Shehuri general area by suspected Boko Haram terrorists and the attack was resisted. The incident led to the killing of two Boko Haram terrorists, two JTF personnel were wounded (but) are stable and are responding to treatment at UMTH.
"Twenty five suspects had been so far arrested in connection with the episode. Similarly, an improvised explosive device was detected by our troops and detonated by the bomb disposal unit of the task force. The incident occurred at Bulunkutu area, Maiduguri metropolis today at about 1130 hrs. Thus, the shootings and explosions were the result of the mentioned occurrences.
In a related development, he said, lack of effective communication and respect to constituted authority between JTF personnel on a rescue mission rushing to evacuate wounded and dead colleagues to hospital led to some misunderstanding with worshippers seated on the main road ready for Friday congregational prayers at Maisaje Friday Mosque. He, however, said the timely intervention of JTF spokesman doused the tension
Another Indian, Biesh Yadav, 43, is recuperating at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) following cuts in his neck during the attack.
According to the JTF spokesman, "following intelligence report available to the Joint Task Force Operation Restore Order, special operation was conducted on Thursday 26 and early hours of Friday 27 July, 2012.
"The operation led to the arrest of 26 terrorists and the killings of two suspected members of Boko Haram terrorists at Biafra Bula-bulin, Kasuwan Shanu and GRA in Maiduguri metropolis. Some of the suspects killed and arrested were responsible for the killings of the two Indians, a cleric and several other killings in Maiduguri in the past.
He said during the raid, some weapons were recovered from the suspects. They include 2 AK 47 rifles, 3 AK 47 Magazine, 200 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, a primed Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which was detonated by the Bomb Disposal Unit of the JTF.
Others, according to him include, cutlasses, daggers and charms, blood stained cloth used during the killing of a cleric in Kasuwan Shanu, Maiduguri.
"The items and suspects are in custody of the JTF for necessary action," he said.
In a related development, a detachment of mobile and regular policemen have raided the Bolori Market in Maiduguri on Thursday and arrested dozens of people, including traders, labourers and artisans.
Though no official communication from the police on why the market was raided, Saminu Aliyu, a senior official of the traders lamented that "many" members had been arrested during the raid.
"The whole market was cordoned off around 4pm. Heavily armed policemen took strategic positions which made it impossible for all of us in the market to move an inch. Nobody told us why the market was raided, but I want to use this opportunity to plead with relevant authorities to release our members," Aliyu said.
Meanwhile, a soldier died and some others were injured yesterday when gunmen, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect, threw an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at a moving patrol vehicle of the Joint Task Force (JTF) at Shehuri ward.
The attack took place not far from the Shehu of Borno's palace in Maiduguri metropolis.
Weekly Trust reports that there was a heavy sound of explosion, followed by sporadic gunshots shortly before the Friday prayers yesterday.
The incident prevented many worshippers, mostly those living around Shehuri and neighbouring settlements from observing the weekly obligatory prayers.
Witnesses said at about the same time, angry youths vandalized another JTF vehicle at Maisaje Juma'at mosque along the Post Office area when some soldiers allegedly insisted that worshippers must vacate a tarred road to enable them (soldiers) pass.
Earlier in the morning, a bomb had exploded at Bulunkutu, a densely populated area in Maiduguri, though security sources said the explosive was discovered and demobilized before it killed people.
"It was yet another hectic Friday for us," Mohammed Ustaz, a resident of Maiduguri said. "May Almighty Allah consider the pains we are going through and bring succour to us, for the sake of the holy month of Ramadan," he said.
"Many innocent passersby have been injured, some are in critical conditions," Sulaiman Babagana, another witness at Shehuri said.
Confirming the three incidences, JTF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa said, "a JTF patrol vehicle was attacked at about 1300 hrs today in Shehuri general area by suspected Boko Haram terrorists and the attack was resisted. The incident led to the killing of two Boko Haram terrorists, two JTF personnel were wounded (but) are stable and are responding to treatment at UMTH.
"Twenty five suspects had been so far arrested in connection with the episode. Similarly, an improvised explosive device was detected by our troops and detonated by the bomb disposal unit of the task force. The incident occurred at Bulunkutu area, Maiduguri metropolis today at about 1130 hrs. Thus, the shootings and explosions were the result of the mentioned occurrences.
In a related development, he said, lack of effective communication and respect to constituted authority between JTF personnel on a rescue mission rushing to evacuate wounded and dead colleagues to hospital led to some misunderstanding with worshippers seated on the main road ready for Friday congregational prayers at Maisaje Friday Mosque. He, however, said the timely intervention of JTF spokesman doused the tension
China claimed the first Olympic gold of the London 2012 Games
China claimed the first Olympic gold of the London 2012 Games Saturday, with a victory for 23-year-old Siling Yi in the women's 10-meter air rifle shooting.
Meanwhile, rival American swimmers Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte are set to go head-to-head in a battle that will be a highlight of the first official day of the Games.
And Albanian weightlifter Hysen Pulaku became the first athlete to be sanctioned for failing an anti-doping test at the London Games.
Pulaku, 20, tested positive on Monday for the steroid stanozolol, the International Olympic Committee said, and has been excluded from the competition.
Queen Elizabeth II, who officially declared the Games open on Friday night, made an appearance at the Aquatics Center Saturday to watch the action.
Phelps and Lochte are competing in the men's 400-meter individual medley -- a race that combines four different swimming strokes -- after both made it through the heats to the final, Phelps only by a whisker.
Phelps' slightly below-par performance in the heats means the 400-meter individual medley champion is unlikely to be situated in the preferred middle lanes for the final Saturday evening.
The 27-year-old Phelps, who already has 14 gold medals from previous Games, is looking to add to his pot of Olympic gold.
Lochte, thought of as the biggest threat to Phelps, is hoping to live up to the hype and steal his thunder.
The highly anticipated match-up has had many choosing sides.
First world records fall at London 2012
The first world records of the London 2012 Olympics have been set by a blind South Korean archer -- hours before Friday's much-anticipated opening ceremony was due to begin.
Im Dong Hyun is legally classified as blind and cannot see out of his right eye, but it did not stop the two-time gold medalist bettering his own leading 72-arrow score in the qualification competition at Lord's cricket ground in the British capital.
London 2012: Results and Schedule
The 26-year-old, who struggles to read a newspaper, scored 699, which put him top of the standings ahead of compatriots Kim Bubmin and Oh Jin Hyek.
The efforts of the trio also delivered a second world record, as South Korea registered a landmark combined total of 2,087 for the team event -- a discipline the Asian nation has won gold in at the last two Games.
The event at the home of English cricket was held behind closed doors, but it did not stop fans queuing in an attempt to gain entry to the stadium.
"Tickets have not been advertised or sold by (Olympic organizers) LOCOG for the archery ranking event," read a statement from the venue. We have always made it clear that the preliminary rounds are not open for spectators.
"There are a number of unofficial websites claiming to sell tickets, we therefore advise people to be extremely cautious and vigilant when attempting to buy tickets and only purchase from an official source."
A non-ticketed event that people can attend is the cycling road race, which is a 250-kilometer trek from Box Hill in the English county of Surrey to the Buckingham Palace in the heart of London.
Spectators will be able to line certain areas of the route free of charge to cheer on British hopefuls such as Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins and sprint star Mark Cavendish in Saturday's men's race, while the women compete on Sunday.
London welcomes world for Olympics opening ceremony
London Olympics by the numbers
Protests on opening day of Olympics
Diesel Tanker Explodes At MTN Premises In Abuja
Residents of Maitama District in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital city, were thrown into panic today when a truck delivering diesel at the MTN premises caught fire and exploded in the high brow neighborhood.
The area was condoned off by security agents, but police spokesman Frank Mba told SaharaReporters that there were no fatalities or injuries in the incident
Friday, July 27, 2012
Mystery fire disfigures woman 11 days before wedding
If Charity Okoroukwu, a 27-year-old woman, who graduated in Business Administration from the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Enugu, had known that danger was lurking around the corner 11 days to her wedding, she would not have attempted to refuel a kerosene lantern on December 17, 2011.
On that fateful day, she was refuelling the lantern when it caught fire, exploded and left her with third degree burns. But till date, a yet unsolved riddle still bothers her about the incident. The fire, which disrupted her life, did not affect the keg containing the kerosene. At the time, the native of Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State was awaiting mobilisation for the mandatory national youths service scheme. Now, she needs more than N2 million for a plastic surgery.
Charity, fondly addressed as ‘Chacha’ by her friends at the IMT, told Daily Sun: “When I was in the IMT where I graduated on December 6, 2011, I was popularly known as Chacha. Few days later, I left Enugu for our village in Anambra State to prepare for my wedding that was to hold on December 28. On December 17, which was exactly 11 days to my wedding ceremony, I wanted to put kerosene in one of our lanterns and it exploded. So, the fire burnt my body without mercy.
“People that were around poured water on me and I was rushed to a nearby hospital. I was later transferred to another private hospital in Awka. I spent more than two months there before I was discharged. My bill at the hospital was well above N500, 000. In spite of the treatment and the money involved, I was not okay as at the time I was discharged,” she said. Charity, who noted that she was five months pregnant when the fire burnt her, stated that the wedding was held in the hospital. Her husband, according to her, insisted that the wedding must be held to shame the devil. She continued: “After that, my husband, who has been residing in Lagos, asked me to come. When I got to Lagos, we went to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebutte Meta. At the FMC, I registered for ante natal. Shortly thereafter, we were referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
“I was admitted when I got to LUTH and I was subjected to series of tests. In the hospital, I had my baby through caesarean section because of my condition. We named the boy Victor Chidera. Victor means victory and Chidera means what God has written. I gave him the name because of my condition and the circumstances, surrounding his birth.”Charity appealed to kind-hearted Nigerians, philanthropists and corporate organisations to assist her so she could undergo a corrective surgery in Israel.
“Please, help me because I don’t like my present condition. Now, I cannot stay wherever is hot. I must stay indoors in the afternoon because of the sun. Please, help me. I pray that neither you nor your children will have this kind of experience. The explosion has spoilt my beauty.” Charity’s mother, Mrs. Grace Nnamezie, described the incident as an attack masterminded by evil forces. “How could the fire burn my daughter and didn’t touch the keg, containing the kerosene?” she wondered.
A private medical practitioner, Olakunle Adigun, said the surgery could be done at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). He said, however, that it would be in three stages: face, arms and abdomen. The first stage, he said, would gulp about N400, 000, while the second stage would cost about N650, 000.
“The cost for the third stage has not been given but the first two stages will cost above N1 million apart from other miscellaneous expenses. If all other expenses and the third stage are factored into the surgery, the total cost will be more than N2 million,” he stated. Adigun expressed hope that Charity would be better off after the surgery.
While Charity can be contacted on the mobile numbers 08032229181 and 08033037223, a bank account number 0005774736 has been opened in her name, Charity Nnamezie, at the Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos branch of the GT Bank
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