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 Wigwe, wife, son, Abimbola Ogunbanjo in chopper crash  Herbert Wigwe, the group chief executive officer of Access Holdings Plc, was involved in a helicopter crash in the United States, on Friday, TheCable understands. Wigwe, his wife and son were in the helicopter when it crashed in California near the Nevada border, as well as Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group). Six passengers were onboard, however, no survivors found so far.

  PRESS RELEASE POLICE NEUTRALIZE NOTORIOUS WANTED KIDNAPPERS, DESTROY CAMPS IN MPAPE In the early hours of February 9, 2024, around 2.40am, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Bureau – Intelligence Response Team (FIB-IRT), acting on intelligence, successfully attacked, neutralized and eliminated many notorious kidnappers including the kidnapping kingpin identified as Musa Wada (Sabo) Magaji, in an operation conducted around Mpape, Abuja. The team also destroyed the camps of the dreaded kidnappers who have been thorns in the flesh of Abuja residents in recent times. The armed bandits engaged the police operatives in a gun battle that lasted for about 30 minutes, which left many of the bandits fatally injured, while one of the police operatives sustained bullet wounds.  This significant achievement follows closely on the heels of the neutralization of Abubakar Wada, an associate of Musa Wada, on February 8, 2024, who served as a lead to their hideout. Musa Wada,...

 AFCON final: Ivory Coast will win in error – Prophet A self-acclaimed prophet, Dr Kan Ebube Muonso of the Power and Victory in Christ Church, has predicted hosts Ivory Coast will win the AFCON 2023 tournament. He stated that Ivory Coast will go home with the cup in error. However, he said that he has been interceding for Nigeria in his mountain programme by the power of God and would collect the cup from Ivory Coast and hand it over to Nigeria. In a post on his church’s Facebook page on Friday, Kan predicted that the error would be caused by the referee. According to him, Nigeria is the rightful team to go home with the cup. “IVORY COAST VS NIGERIA. “I saw Ivory Coast going home with the cup in error by ref/partial against Nigeria but Nigeria is the rightful team that is supposed to go home with the cup, but I will collect the cup from Ivory Coast to Nigeria by the power of God after my mountain program which will commence tomorrow. “In my next post after mountain, you will know t...

 Fifth man dies over Nigeria-South Africa AFCON match A 43-year-old man, Mikail Osundiji, has passed away while watching the semi-final  AFCON match between Nigeria and South Africa. Osundiji is the latest Nigerian to have died while watching the AFCON semis. The Nation reported yesterday that a former Executive Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Cairo Ojougboh, and a National Youth Service Corps member also died while watching the AFCON semis. Osundiji reportedly passed away on Wednesday night in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while watching the game at a public football viewing place in the Olomoore neighborhood of the state capital. According to Channels TV, the father of two reportedly died when the central referee cancelled Nigeria’s second goal against South Africa, by Victor Osimhen. According to family, the deceased did not exhibit any symptom of illness before his passage.

 Tears as body of NYSC member who died during AFCON match leaves Yola for burial The body of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member who died during Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, match between Nigeria and South Africa, Peter Yunana, was moved out of Yola, Adamawa State capital, on Saturday amid emotions by his colleagues and students of the school where he was doing his primary assignment. Yunana had been one of a number of Nigerians who died on Wednesday as a result of the tension generated by the semifinal match between Nigeria and South Africa. He was deployed to teach at the Government Secondary School, Numan, where he was watching the AFCON match before he suddenly slumped and died. His body, due for burial on Sunday in Makarfi, Kaduna State, was moved out of Yola on Saturday ahead of his burial. A good number of his colleagues and students turned up as he was being conveyed in an ambulance from Yola enroute Makarfi. The NYSC colleagues and GSS students and ...

 Indian man calls police after stabbing wife to death A 24-year-old Indian, Sahil Sharma, on Thursday, admitted in court that he stabbed his 19-year-old wife, Mehak Sharma in the neck and dialled 999 to call the police after killing her. According to the Daily Mail, Sharma pleaded guilty at the Kingston Crown Court to the murder of his wife at their home in Croydon, South London. He said after he killed his wife he calmly called the police. The incident took place after 4:15 pm on October 29 last year. Sharma phoned the police and told the operator that he had killed his wife at their home on Ash Tree Way. On getting to their home, the officers found his wife unresponsive. She had suffered catastrophic knife injuries to her neck, and despite the efforts of medics at the scene, she was sadly pronounced dead around 20 minutes later. Mehak’s family were informed and they continue to be supported by specialist officers. A special post-mortem examination conducted on October 31 last yea...

 AFCON 2023: Nothing special about final – Ahmed Musa ahead of Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has said there is nothing special about Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final. Musa is yet to play a single minute as Nigeria reached the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He is likely not to feature as Jose Peseiro’s men take on hosts Ivory Coast for the trophy. But Musa is unfazed by the prospects of facing the Elephants. “There is nothing special about this game (the TotalEnergies AFCON2023 final). “There will be pressure. But we just have to focus and play our game,” Musa said.

 Nigeria vs Ivory Coast: I’ll take another penalty – Super Eagles wing-back, Ola Aina Super Eagles wing-back Ola Aina has said he would take another penalty for Nigeria if the opportunity comes again amid the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Aina said this ahead of Nigeria’s AFCON final with Ivory Coast on Sunday. Recall that the Nottingham Forest star missed his spot-kick during Nigeria’s AFCON semi-final win over South Africa. The former Chelsea star has been an important player in Jose Peseiro’s side at the tournament. Speaking with Oluwashina Olekeji of Planet Sports Football Africa, Aina said, “Football is a roller coaster. I could put my money on it, I could put my house on it, I could put everything on it that I would’ve scored my penalty [against South Africa]. “Normally I back myself because I am very good at them. Someone had to miss unfortunately and it was me. “The boys and Nwabali saved me and saved all of us and I am just grateful for that. You look forward and if ...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE  PRESIDENT TINUBU TO THE ARMED FORCES: WE CELEBRATE YOUR SACRIFICES; CONTINUE TO PROTECT NIGERIA'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY  President Bola Tinubu has charged the armed forces to continue to protect Nigeria's territorial integrity against all threats, commending them for their dedication to duty and sacrifices for the nation. Speaking at an event marking the Diamond Jubilee of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna, on Saturday, the President assured the military of his administration's commitment to its welfare, as well as unflagging support in the discharge of its duties. The NDA was established about six decades ago, on February 5, 1964. The institution has undergone various stages of transformation in its quest to fulfill its mandate of training officers for the Nigerian Armed Forces. Before obtaining independence from Britain, Nigeria’s first set of officers were trained in Ghana and subsequently at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurs...

 LASG ISSUES STRICT WARNING TO MOTORISTS WITHOUT NUMBER PLATES, COVERED PLATE NUMBERS … Says Enforcement Underway In a determined effort to enhance security and enforce traffic regulations, the Lagos State Government has again issued a stern warning to Motorists found driving without proper number plates or utilizing covered ones, deeming it a violation of sections 15 and 16 of the State's Transport Reform Law, (TSRL 2018). Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi issued the warning on Friday, stressing that such actions not only breach traffic laws but also pose a significant threat to public safety and security. He highlighted that driving without visible number plates hampers law enforcement efforts and complicates the identification of vehicles involved in criminal activities. Mr. Osiyemi underscored the necessity of all prominently displayed valid, unobstructed number plates in adherence to TSRL 2018. Non-compliance, he warned, would incur strict penalties, inclu...

 This St. Louis area Wendy's employee is probably not going to be nominated for Employee of the Month. Leon Johnson, a drive thru worker at the Wendy's restaurant on Page avenue in St. Louis, got hotter than a spicy chicken sandwich and lost his cool faster than a Frosty in July, on February 5th. According to reports, Johnson became enraged with a drive thru customer and when he was unable to use his words effectively he transitioned into attack mode.  Johnson allegedly exited the store and began punching the victim through his car window. The customer was able to retrieve a hammer from his car and began swinging wildly at Johnson, driving him back from the car. At this point the customer exited his vehicle to continue driving his attacker back which turned out to be a pretty bad idea. After the victim exited his vehicle, Johnson hopped in and took a quick lap around the lot before hitting the customer with his own vehicle. He then exited the vehicle, took the victim's hamm...

 Our thoughts are with the 5 Marines that perished in a helicopter crash in California on Tuesday night. May their families find peace soon. Rest in peace, Sgt. Alec Langen, Lance Cpl Donovan Davis, Capt. Benjamin Moulton, Capt. Jack Casey, Capt. Miguel Nava. It is believed the helicopter crash occurred due to serious weather conditions. The crew faced heavy rains and snow. Thank you for your service, Flying Tigers... More photos below. 

Williamson County Sheriff's Department, Marion, Illinois- Deputies Respond To Unclothed Man In Homeowner’s Hot-tub Throwing Rocks At Residence   Williamson County, Illinois - On February 8, 2024, at 2150 hours Williamson County Sherriff’s Office Deputies responded to the report of a “naked man in a homeowner’s hot tub throwing rocks at the residence” in the area of Illinois Route 37 and Prosperity Road.    Upon arrival, Deputies located an unclothed male in the homeowners hot tub, throwing hot tub accessories at the residence.     The man was detained and later transported to an area hospital for evaluation.     Due to the medical nature of the call the suspects name has not been released and no further law enforcement action is being taken.    

 Pennsylvania couple charged after allegedly locking their 6-year-old daughter in a dog crate and shooting her with a bb gun. 37-year-old, Jacob Weight and 33-year-old Mimi Frost, are facing a litany of charges after authorities were called to their home for an unresponsive child. When officers arrived at the Brownsville,Pennsylvania residence they were met with a home filled with trash and covered in pet wastes. In addition to the unresponsive 6-year-old girl, there were 5 other children and 10 dogs. The unresponsive child was whisked away to a nearby children's hospital with a long list of medical and dental conditions; including open sores and extreme malnourishment. While she was being treated, the other children in the home were being questioned. The horrifying information they shared is heartbreaking. According to the other children the 6-year-old was regularly restrained with zip ties and locked in a dog cage. Once confined she was forced to eat dog food and had been beaten ...

 Thai police arrest two Nigerians, Thai woman for romance scam Thai authorities apprehended two Nigerian men and a Thai woman in Phuket’s Thalang district, for their alleged involvement in a romance scam. According to foreign news outlet, Phuket Express, on Friday, the raid, conducted on the night of February 8, 2024, at a residence in the Phatcharee Thalang housing estate, led to the arrest of 32-year-old Thai woman, Kanyathanat Thotsatham, and the Nigerians, whose identities were not disclosed by authorities. In addition to the arrests, law enforcement seized 50 sachets of cocaine and a digital balance from the property. Ms. Kanyathanat was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Samut Prakan Provincial Court for offenses related to public fraud and inputting false information into a computer system. Investigations revealed that the two Nigerian men had overstayed their visas, with durations of 1,401 days and 1,728 days, respectively. Inspector Pol Lt Col Pitthaya Thepmuang ...

 Motorists seek extension of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway streetlights Motorists plying the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday commended the Federal Government for the installation of streetlights on the Long Bridge area and called for the extension to all the sections of the expressway. Our correspondent who monitored the ongoing installation of streetlights along the Kara-Warewa stretch of the Long Bridge observed that some streetlights had been installed within a stretch. At the same time, the installation was ongoing from the long bridge axis inward Kara. Some motorists who spoke with PUNCH Metro on Thursday noted that the streetlights would help reduce cases of insecurity along the expressway. A motorist, Kabiru Olawale, disclosed that the installation of streetlight facilities would curb incessant attacks by miscreants on the highway and help to reduce insecurity on the highway to the barest. Olawale said, “It is a good thing that the Federal Government is installing streetlights...

 Nollywood actress Lizzy Anjorin’s husband, Lateef Lawal, others in alleged land grabbing scandal The Magistrate Court in Oyingbo Ebute-Metta, Lagos, has taken decisive action following allegations of land grabbing involving one Alhaji Sulaimon of Okun-Ajah, Eti-Osa, Lagos State, and others. Alhaji Sulaimon stands accused of maliciously damaging properties valued at N15,000,000.00 (fifteen million naira), reportedly intended for an orphanage home and disabled children, owned by Mrs Faith Ojo, an American-based Nigerian businesswoman. Despite the efforts of the Zone 2 Police to address the alleged criminal activities, the defendant and his co-conspirators managed to evade capture, while further police investigations are still ongoing. One of the alleged co-conspirators, Lateef Lawal, husband of actress Lizzy Anjorin, purportedly escaped arrest in Ikoyi, Lagos State, on February 5, 2024, while his associate was apprehended and sent to prison. It was gathered that the case has already...

 Hardship: Dangote Storms Kano, Pledges Assistance Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, on Friday, paid a visit to Kano State, amid rising cost of essential commodities. The industrialist and President, Dangote Group, who landed at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) at 11am, was received by Chief of Staff to the Governor, Shehu Sagagi, and other top government functionaries. Dangote, who hails from Kano had closed-door meetings with Governor Abba Yusuf, top government officials and other stakeholders in the state. This came barely four days after the state government lamented worsening hunger and poverty in Kano owing to the prevailing harsh economic realities. Commercial flights begin from Abuja to Kebbi Katsina Gov summons emergency meeting over insecurity, hardship According to a statement by the governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, Dangote pledged to support social policies and human development initiatives of the Kano government aimed at ameliorating the econom...

 Reduce your appetite for Dollar, foreign goods, CBN Governor tells Nigerians *Says CBN has no magic wand to falling naira, economy *CBN’s target on inflation is to moderate it to 21.4% *We won’t increase tax but we will use technology to yield revenue, Edun *As Tinubu’s ministers lament the pains of subsidy removal, floating of Naira on farmers THE Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Olayemi Cardoso has called on Nigerians to moderate the demand for dollars, consumption and usage of foreign goods, warning that as a country, we must address the supply side of Forex as it has kept the nation’s economy in a narrow bucket. Cardoso noted that without moderation of demands on USD, the CBN has no magic wand to hurriedly get Naira stabilized. He however said that series of measures put in place by the apex bank recently are yielding results with inflow of about $1billion into the economy, adding that the apex does not have the capacity to do intervention, but will partner rather tha...

 Why I have no intention of changing – Tiwa Savage Afrobeats diva Tiwatope Omolara Savage simply known as Tiwa Savage has explained she wouldn’t change because God made no mistake when he created her. The songstress shared a post via her Instagram story reflecting on the idea of remaining her true self regardless of the personality expected of her by others. In her words: “When someone says to me I haven’t changed. I say I have no intentions of changing because God made no mistakes when He made me.” Tiwa Savage is a woman of multiple talents. She is not only a brilliant singer but a songwriter and actress as well. Tiwa first worked at Royal Bank of Scotland after graduating from the university before she went into music full-time. She had a passion for music from a young age. She played trombone in the local orchestra band when she was in high school. She got the opportunity to be a backup vocalist for the legendary singer George Michael when she was 16 years old. Tiwa also worked ...

 How Russian man used AI to find wife A Russian man, Aleksander Zhadan, has made use of Artificial Intelligence, AI, to find a wife by programming Open ChatGPT large language models to talk to 5, 239 women on his behalf instead of going through the tedious process of actually interacting with the ladies. The 23- year-old Russian who had not been in love reduced the 5239 women down to just one, his “AI-endorsed soulmate” Karina Vyalshakaeva. However, the Moscow resident said that he began his AI search after his previous girlfriend ended their relationship and he turned to Tinder which turned out to be a “dead end” for him in terms of finding new love. Zhadan achieved that feat with AI by developing a system that filtered out any woman posing with alcohol, had posted explicit photos or whose profiles included zodiac signs, Gizmodo reports. And his efforts appear to have paid off, as he has found his wife Vyalshakaeva, in apparent proof that his bizarre and extremely 2024 method of f...

Shocker! Repentant Nigerian scammer releases guide book on romance scam Christopher Smalling, a 25-year-old Nigerian ex-fraudster who had scammed dozens of British and American women out of more than £50,000 has released a step-by-step guide to manipulating women. The handbook, entitled “How To Make A Woman Fall In Love With You From Online Chat”, is a 40-page guide of malevolence and manipulation routinely used by Nigerian scammers to con unsuspecting people out of their hard-earned money. Smalling now works as a consultant with Social Catfish, a fraud-prevention agency that works to identify and expose fraudsters while educating people about warning signs. Christopher Smalling, who says he is now living a good life told Sky News about how he spent six years lying to women to fleece them out of tens of thousands. According to him, he stopped feeling guilt when he realized he could become rich, Daily Mail reported. ‘I used to feel bad but as time goes on and I started making good money...

 Rector Polytechnic Oko, Nwafulugo, bows out of office dedicates successful Federal to God   By Uzo Ugwunze In acknowledgement of Divine favour and kindness after a successful 5-year rectorship and being the first female Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko (FPO), Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo celebrated her Valedictory Thanksgiving at the Anglican Chapel of the Light, Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State. In his sermon titled, 'Restoration and Rest Your Legacy, Your Memorial' the Vicar, Rev. Canon Emmanuel Ogudoro likened Dr. Nwafulugo to the Biblical Tabitha (Dorcas) who led a selfless and impactful life. Quoting copiously from the Holy Bible, he said that when Tabitha died, the widows around her refused to bury her rather they sent for Peter the apostle, brandishing the wears she sewed; they prevailed on St. Peter to pray and restore her back to life. Rev. Canon Ogudoro eulogized the outgoing rector calling her a leader who left a lot of legacy during her tenu...

 Onitsha Main Market Clinic Organizes Free Medical Outreach, Sensitizes Traders By Ebele Egoh The Medical Doctor in charge of Onitsha Main Market clinic, Olisaemeka  Anierobi with his management team has organized a one-day free medical services for traders at the clinic as their corporate responsibility. Dr Anierobi said that it was necessary to use the free medical outreach to create awareness that such a facility is in existence and functional with experienced and qualified doctors, including other health workers. "When we were sent here, we realized that almost all the people in the market did not know that there is already a functional clinic here so we decided to offer this free medical outreach as a way to sensitize them. ‘'You can see the crowd that is here for medical check-ups, laboratory examinations, others, and every service we render is free, but subsequent services would be paid for," he said. According to Dr Anierobi, the clinic will solve many health issu...

 Unannounced Hospital inspection: Health Commissioner Applauds Nnobi General Hospital Health Workers' Commitment To Work By Chukwudi Nwauba The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike has applauded the Nnobi General Hospital Health workers for commitment and dedication in the hospital. The commendation was made at the Nnobi General hospital, Idemili South Local Government Area during the unscheduled visit by the commissioner. Dr. Obidike explained that his unannounced visit was to monitor the activities of health workers working in government facilities. ``This hospital was deserted when we came into power but with the help of Mr. Governor whose passion in healthcare of the state instructed that we must make it functional and affordable to our people. ``We must appreciate the community’s effort and our special appreciation goes to the President of Nnobi Hospital Restoration Committee based in the United States of America, Prof. Ferdinand Ofordile and his team for th...

 Anambra Set For HPV Vaccination, As CHAI Pays Advocacy To ASPHCDA  By Nnedinma Okeke  The Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Pharm Chisom Uchem has said that Anambra State was set for the introduction of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination as it was among the phase two States to commence uptake of the vaccine.  Other phase two States includes; Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina,  Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara.  Pharm Uchem said this during an advocacy visit from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) at ASPHCDA office complex, Awka.  CHAI is a global health organisation committed to strengthening integrated health systems in low and middle-income countries, expanding access to care and treatment for HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, cancer, and other diseases.  It focuses on strengthening health systems and h...

 EFCC Arrests Five Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Makurdi   Operatives of Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC , have arrested five (5) suspected internet fraudsters.   They were arrested on Friday, February 9, 2024 at kansho village in the Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue state following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet - related offences.   The suspects are, Shima Francis, Ode Jesse, Odey Linus, Kingsley Obinna, Emmanuel Inaleguwu.   Items recovered from them  are one iPhone and five android phones.   They suspects would  be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. More photos below.