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2 Dalmatians fought off 4 coyotes, protecting their human. Professional dog walker Josstin Lantadilla was out for a customary nighttime walk in Boston with two of his clients, Deena and Tasha, a pair of dalmatians owned by Jane Friedlander. As they walked along, Deena became agitated and started barking, this caused Josstin to glance over his shoulder where he noticed four coyotes quietly stalking the trio. After realizing they had been spotted, the 4 coyotes took the initiative and lunged at the leashed dalmatian duo. However, Deena and Tasha were not intimidated and brought the fight straight back at the coyotes. The two joined forces attacking the lead coyote and biting it's neck causing the coyotes to split up and flee back into the darkness. According to the pup's owner, Jane Friedlander, it's because of their breed stating, "They're meant to drive away coyotes, wolves, foxes or any other animal that might disturb a stable of horses."  Good job, Deena and...

LASG PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ADDlTIONAL 22 INDIGENT RESIDENTS  In its continuous effort and commitment to addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by citizens, the Lagos State Government, through the Special Adviser to Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement (OPL&CE), Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen has presented Cheques to 22 indigent Lagosians to alleviate their financial burdens and improve their livelihoods. In his address at the presentation ceremony held on Friday at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Dr. Afolabi advised the beneficiaries to ensure that the fund is used strictly for their essential needs such as healthcare, education, housing and small business ventures as requested. He averred that the Office will follow up on the judicious use of the fund through its monitoring officers The State Government, he added, is determined to serve all and sundry while delivering the dividends of good governance to all Lagosians. More photos below....

Tinubu, Shettima's Wives Visit Akeredolu's Family In Ibadan The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, in company with the wife of the Vice President,  Nana Shettima, paid a condolence visit to the family of the late former governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday.  While speaking during the visit, Mrs Tinubu described the late Akeredolu as a great man, stating that Nigeria has lost one of her great men.  She said, "I keep asking when people ask someone, 'Is somebody alright or is he sick?' I said, 'Who is well?' We all have one ailment or the other, and it is only God that gives us each day to live by.  "He has done his best. He was a great, brave man, loved by my family, loved by my husband, and respected by my husband.  "We can only wish that the legacies he left behind could continue and endure. I wish his wife, his children, grand children and the family that God will comfort them and also ease their p...

Türkiye's thankless struggle: Fighting terror in northern Iraq and Syria In the aftermath of the recent terror attacks on Turkish military bases in northern Iraq, it has become imperative to revisit the reasons behind Türkiye's presence in the region and consider its potential next steps. Clashes with terrorists attempting to infiltrate the Operation Claw-Lock base area in northern Iraq last week resulted in the tragic loss of 12 Turkish soldiers. This attack was not the first of its kind. PKK’s first terror attack against Türkiye was back in 1984, since then the terror group has declared open war against the Turkish state. In total, PKK terror attacks have claimed over 40,000 lives. Initially a predominantly domestic issue, Türkiye's struggle against PKK underwent a significant shift following the Arab uprising, which created a power vacuum in Syria. Seizing its "right of self-defence" under Article 51 of the United Nations (UN) Charter, Türkiye announced the sta...

Tragedy as fire destroys N70m goods, international passports in Umuahia Goods and other properties valued at about N70 million were destroyed in a fire incident at No. 2C, Aba road, opposite Penco Plaza in Umuahia, Abia State, on Thursday night. Several mails containing international passports were also burnt during the inferno. Although the cause of the fire outbreak was not established at the time of the incident, some sympathizers said preliminary investigations pointed at a spark from a faulty electrical wall socket in one of the shops upstairs. One of the victims, Rev Temple Uzodinma, said he received a distress phone call at about 7pm on Thursday from someone telling him that the buildings were on fire. Uzodinma, who said he immediately contacted the men of Abia State Fire Service, added that the fire had spread to other shops and other corporate offices before the arrival of the fire fighters. He said the firefighters were able to control the inferno from gutting more shops. He ...

 Senate summons security chiefs over Plateau massacre The Senate has summoned Security Chiefs over the Christmas Eve attacks on Plateau communities. The incident occurred on December 23, 2023 and snowballed to 24 while residents were preparing for the Christmas celebration. Houses were razed and properties were looted during the attacks. The Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Hassan Abubakar; Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Bichi; and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun are among those invited. After the event was brought to the attention of the Senate on Saturday by Senator Diiket Plang, who represents Plateau Central, the upper legislative chamber agreed to invite the security chiefs. While moving the motion, Plang expressed dismay over the attacks that have displaced many residents in the affected communities. Contributing to the debate, Senator Titus Zam, the senator representing Benue north-west, lamented that t...

Police arrest 207 robbery suspects, recover 50 vehicles in Oyo The Police Command in Oyo State arrested no fewer than 207 armed robbery suspects and recovered 50 vehicles from January to December. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Adewale Osifeso, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen at the command’s headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan on Friday. Osifeso further said that 46 motorcycles and tricycles, 108 firearms and 721 rounds of various calibers of ammunition were retrieved from suspected criminals during the period under review. The spokesman said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Adebola Hamzat, had ordered all area commanders, divisional police officers and some others to deploy adequate personnel and resources to tackle crime. “The CP has directed that all area commanders, divisional police officers and tactical commanders should increase layers of supervision on their subordinates, particularly men on the field, who daily interface with commute...

40 killed in Liberian fuel tanker blast At least 40 people have died following the explosion of a gas tanker in north-central Liberia, the West African country’s chief medical officer, Francis Kateh, said on Wednesday. The fuel truck crashed late on Tuesday in Totota, Lower Bong County, and soon after exploded, killing and injuring many who had flocked to the scene. Dozens of people are still in hospital with serious burns, and the death toll could rise, Kateh told reporters. Poor road safety and weak infrastructure have made Sub-Saharan Africa the world’s deadliest region for crashes, with the fatality rate three times higher than the European average, according to United Nations figures.  

I’ll complete all Akeredolu’s projects - Aiyedatiwa Ondo governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa State has promised that he will ensure that all the ongoing projects he left behind by his late predecessor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu are completed. Aiyedatiwa spoke during a candlelight procession organised by members of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ondo State chapter, in honour of the late Akeredolu, at Government House, Akure, on Friday night. He described Akeredolu as a fearless legal luminary and a dedicated leader. The governor said Akeredolu’s commitment to justice and service to the people earned him the title of “Senior Advocate of the Masses.” “What you have done this night is commendable; it means all you were doing before, when he was alive, was not eye service but genuine love. This means a lot to me personally. “We will ensure we complete all the ongoing projects he left behind,” he said. Aiyedatiwa appealed for continuous prayers, saying, “All you can do for us right now is to continue to p...

I’m Nigerian from Oyo Kingdom, says Ghanaian singer Stonebwoy Popular Ghanaian Afro-pop star, Livingstone Etse Satekla, better known as Stonebwoy, has disclosed that he hails from the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria. The Dancehall musician disclosed this during an encounter with popular car influencer, Ola of Lagos. He stated that he is a Nigerian and that his tribe Ewe is from Oyo Kingdom. According to him, his ancestor migrated from the Southern part of Nigeria before settling in Ghana making him trace his roots to Nigeria, Oyo Kingdom. In his words: “Me sef nah Niger, no lies. Me nah Ewe from Oyo Kingdom, my tribe migrated from Nigeria to Ghana here, na we get Illesha. Shout-out to my people in the southern part of Nigeria, check Ewe, we root straight to Yoruba”, Stonebwoy said.  

Lalong chides military over excuses given for not responding to Plateau attacks Simon Lalong, senator representing Plateau south, says he was disappointed at the reasons given by the military for failing to respond to bloody attacks in Plateau state. Lalong spoke while contributing to a debate on a motion sponsored by Diiket Plang, senator representing Plateau central, on Saturday. “I heard a report from the military this morning and I was disappointed. [It said] why they didn’t deal with the situation was because of proximity and terrain,” he said. “There is nothing like terrain in the military.” Plang had drawn the attention of the red chamber to the attacks. On the eve of Christmas, some armed men killed many residents during attacks on 17 communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi LGAs of Plateau state. The attacks were said to have occurred on December 23 and continued to 24 while residents were preparing for Christmas celebrations. Houses were razed and properties were looted in the p...

 RCCG pastor, three others killed as bandits besiege Abuja 30th Dec 2023  Not less than four persons have been killed while 39 others were abducted when bloodthirsty bandits invaded Kuduru, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and two communities Garam and Azu in Niger State. Garam community which is about five minute drive from Bwari was invaded on Saturday, December 23, by bandits killing a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), while 13 other persons were kidnapped On Thursday, December 28, bandits again invaded Kuduru, which shares a boundary with Garam, and kidnapped 18 persons. Also on Friday, December 29, bandits invaded Azu, killing three people and kidnapping eight others. A resident of Garam, who identified herself as Mrs. Juliana said the first house the bandits entered, they asked for the house of their target. She stated: “The bandits entered a wrong house, kidnapped two boys who later led them to the house of their target. “W...

Panic as pilot mistakes frozen river for runaway 30th Dec 2023  Passengers were gripped with fear after a pilot mistakenly landed their plane on cracking ice on a notorious Kolyma River in Russia, on Thursday. The 52-year-old Antonov-24 aircraft had flown from the world’s coldest city Yakutsk and had landed by error on the ice instead of a landing strip on the riverbank in a temperature of minus 41C. According to Daily Mail, thirty passengers and four crew on board were safely evacuated on foot from the Polar Airlines. The report disclosed that the undisclosed pilot mistook the frozen Kolyma River for a small landing strip at remote Zyryanka, some 70 miles below the Arctic Circle with a population of less than 4,000 people. Kolyma River is a river in northeastern Siberia, far eastern Russia, rising in the Kolyma Mountains. It is 1,323 miles (2,129 km) long and drains an area of 250,000 square miles (647,000 square km) The plane was left abandoned on the ice of the Kolyma River, use...

Businessman requests 16 soldiers, 20 policemen, 12 DSS for security 29th Dec 2023  Popular Anambra politician and businessman, Nicholas Ukachukwu, has demanded heavy security personnel of 16 soldiers, 20 policemen, and 12 operatives of the Department of State Services to secure him during this festive period. Ukachukwu requested heavy security to enable him to travel to his hometown, Osumenyi in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State to perform some functions in early January 2024. The businessman made the application following the attack of gunmen on the convoy of the erstwhile Anambra State political godfather, Chief Chris Uba. The Incident which occurred at Uga junction, in Uba’s hometown claimed two policemen and four other persons on Thursday. Ukachukwu, who recently married Miss Universe Nigeria, Mitchel Ihezue, in separate letters to heads of security agencies in the state, said he would need the security operatives because of insecurity in the area. According to...

PREROGATIVE OF MERCY: SANWO-OLU APPROVES RELEASE OF 246 INMATES … Commutes Death Sentence of 39 Inmates to Life Imprisonment Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on the recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, has approved the release of 246 inmates from various correctional facilities across the State and the commuttal of death sentence for 39 inmates to life imprisonment. The Governor signed the release and commuttal orders on the 20th of December, 2023 in cognizance of the New Year Celebrations. The exercise is in pursuant to the provisions of Section 212 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (amended). The Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy in reaching its recommendations exercised due diligence in its deliberation of the applications in line with the applicable guidelines. The Council took note of the information provided by the correctional authorities, the nature of the offence, period of incarceration, age, health and behav...

Shettima Unveils South-East Peace Project In Abia Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Friday, attended the unveiling of the 'Peace in South East Project' in Abia State.  The project is an initiative aimed at addressing insecurity and related issues in the South East.  Shettima disclosed this via his Facebook page in the late hours of Friday.  The event was anchored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.  Shettima, before the unveiling, had received a traditional title of Omeziri Igbo 1, conferred on President Bola Tinubu by the Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Mbah, at a grand reception held in honour of the Deputy Speaker.  Shettima's statement read, "Earlier today in Bende, Abia State, I attended the unveiling of the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) - an initiative aimed at addressing insecurity and related issues in South East Nigeria, and anchored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Repr...

KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND 29TH DECEMBER 2023                     PRESS RELEASE KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND IDENTIFIED PARENTS OF THE SIX OUT OF THE SEVEN ABDUCTED BUT RESCUED CHILDREN BEEN SOLD OFF EARLIER ... As CP Gumel handed over all the victims to the Kano State Government for collaborative actions; also urges the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or through the Command's Emergency Contact Numbers; 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926 CP is a "No-nonsense Police Officer", since his arrival to the State he never sought any favour from me; Governor tells gathering while Taking Over Rescued Children The Kano State Police Command has successfully identified the parents of six (6) among the seven (7) minors who were abducted and subsequently rescued by the Police Command. Similarly, earlier this month, one Auwal Tijjani, aged 12 years, 'm', who was abducted in Hotoro Yand...

EFCC Arrests 16 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Kaduna Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested sixteen (16) suspected internet fraudsters at fifth Chucker Polo Club, Marabban Jos, Kaduna,  Kaduna State. They were arrested on Thursday, December 27, 2023 following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences. The suspects, comprising 13 males and three females are, Bello Abiodun, Abraham Adama, Shedrack Bisola, Friday Markus,  Ransom Joash Destiny, Joshua Winner, Samuel Shehu, John Daniel and Christian Righteous. Others are: Godwin Dikko, Ogochukwu Ijeh,  Bilbert Sabo, Akosa Joshua, Precious Yohanna, Joy Righteous and Samuel Ruth. Items recovered from them are mobile phones and laptops. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. One more photo below. 

Abiodun signs  N703.028bn 2024 budget into law, says it will make Ogun Nigeria's infrastructure capital  Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N703.028bn signed into law will further enhance the development of the state and make it Nigeria's infrastructure capital. The governor stated this while signing the Bill into law after it was presented to him by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, supported by principal officers of the House at the Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta. It will be recalled that the Budget tagged "Budget of Sustain Growth and Development," was submitted to the House on November 30th, 2024, by Governor Abiodun. Speaking after signing the Budget, the governor said that the state has continued to grow in leap and bounds in the last five years, noting that the budget is a testament of his administration’s commitment to irrevocable implementation its vision. He said: ...

Obasanjo, Obi Attend Chimamanda Adichie's Children's Book Launch  Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, graced the launch of a children's book written by notable author, Chimamanda Adichie, on Friday.  Obi shared photos from the event on his X page on Saturday.  According to him, the event held in Lagos on Friday, and was well attended by notable Nigerians.  Obi partly wrote, "Yesterday, I joined other very respected Nigerians at a remarkable event aimed at improving the reading culture of Nigerian children.  "The event which attracted notable personalities like President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, Prof Hakeem Bello-Osagie, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Bella Disu, Ndidi Nwuneli, Chimamanda's husband, Ivara Esege, and others, was the unveiling of a children's book authored by my very dear sister and global icon, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.  "The children's book titled, 'Mama's Sle...

Actress Laide Bakare tied knot for the 3rd time.  Popular Nollywood actress, Laide Bakare is married for the third time after her two failed marriages. The 43-year-old made the announcement in a post on her Instagram page on Monday. In 2013 Bakare tied the knot for the second time with a Lagos socialite, Tunde Oriowo and had two sons together. However, pictures from her successful marriage have surfaced online. May she find joy in her 3rd move. Congratulations   

 Don’t Give All Your Money To Church, Give The Poor - Pastor W. F. Kumuyi The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Williams Kumuyi has told his congregation not to give all their money to the Church but rather they should make the poor a priority in their giving. He made this known in a recent message titled, Emmanuel Jesus the healer, monitored by Church Times online. Kumuyi who expressed great concern for the poor and the hungry in the message urged the leaders of DLBC to bring to his attention those who need help so the church can reach out to them. He cited the example of a pastor who called for an offering but later asked the congregation to give the money they wanted to give to the church to the poor. The pastor according to him had asked for those who could give various amounts of money. “I learnt of a preacher somewhere. He told his congregation now, we are going to collect offerings. He asked those who had N10,000 to give to raise their hands, and...

“Go And Fight Anthony Joshua, I Can’t Release the Belt” – Portable Rejects Boxing Rematch Plea from Charles Okocha Portable, a Nigerian musician and songwriter, has declared that he is not interested in a rematch with Charles Okocha. This follows Okocha’s accusation in a video that he was deceived during their boxing battle. Okocha claimed Portable removed his boxing gloves in the third round, which should have resulted in an immediate disqualification. He also challenged the referee’s refereeing, noting his displeasure with the match’s conclusion and requesting a rematch. Portable responded with a series of videos passionately protesting Okocha’s requests, refusing to hand up the belt and expressing apprehension about fighting him, fearing probable disaster. Rather of consenting to a rematch, Portable challenged Charles Okocha to a boxing fight with Anthony Joshua if he so desired.  

Eight Family Members D!e In Imo Auto Crash No fewer than eight family members traveling home for the new year celebration have died in an auto crash in Imo State, the Eastern Heartland. The incident occured by 3pm on Friday at Amanwozuzu junction in the Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo state. Eye witnesses including a police officer on a rescue mission told our correspondent who visited the scene of the tragedy that the father, who was conveying his wife and children in a sienna vehicle ran into a stationary truck carrying rods. The rod pierced the bodies of the victims and all of them died on the spot. Policemen and indigenes extricated the vehicle to bring out the lifeless bodies of the victims. Policemen from the Ikeduru Local Government Area Division had deposited the corpses in a morgue.  

ANAMBRA POLICE HUNT FOR ARMED INSURGENTS WHO KILLED TWO PERSONNEL AT UGA Anambra State Police Command has launched an intensive manhunt for armed insurgents who infiltrated from a neighbouring State and killed two Police Personnel on 28th December 2023 at about 18.30 hours (6.30 p.m.) The gang which disguised in military fatigue and seemed to be on a kidnap mission were jolted on seeing two armed Police officers approaching their direction. They opened fire on the officers who had moved ahead of the convoy they were escorting to decongest traffic gridlock. Other personnel returned fire, careful not to hit many motorists who were in traffic, forcing the bandits to flee. Police-led mobile Forward Operating Base which had been on intensive patrol of the entire area throughout Christmas Celebrations promptly responded to the scene. It recovered a Lexus SUV the gang operated with and defused an improvised explosive device found in the vehicle. It also recovered an AK-47 RIFLE belonging to o...