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Delta Police arrest three teenagers for faking friend’s kidnapping The Delta State Police Command has arrested three teenagers for staging the kidnapping of one of their friends and extorting N700,000. This was made known in a statement shared by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on his X account on Friday. He wrote, “These three suspects are friends all 17 years old. They conspired and faked the kidnap of one of their friends in Agbor, called the parent of one of them, and demanded a ransom. They were arrested after collecting a ransom of N700,000. “Make our boys dey calm down o. Short cut to success leads to a short life. Imagine a 17-year-old who knows how to fake kidnap just to collect money from the parent. “The sad part is that the parents will start running up and down for them to evade justice. Justice must be served.”

 Super Eagles defeat Ghana 2-1 in friendly The Super Eagles defeated 10-man Black Stars of Ghana 2-1 in an international friendly at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Friday night. The two West African rivals took advantage of the FIFA international break to face each other. The result means the Black Stars are now winless in their last six games. Goals from Cyriel Dessers and Ademola Lookman was enough to earn interim coach Finidi George his first win. Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew got Ghana’s consolation goal. The Black Stars played most part of the second half with 10 men after Jerome Opoku was shown a straight red card. Former Bendel Insurance defender Benjamin Tanimu made his first appearance for the Eagles. Also, the game saw the return of Wilfred Ndidi, who captained the side. It was not the best of return for Otto Addo who was recently reappointed as Black Stars coach. The first chance of the game went to the Eagles in the 3rd minute after the Black Stars keeper made a m...

 Ukraine: US reacts as Moscow mass shooting claims 40 lives The United States on Friday ruled out possiblity of Ukrainian role in a shocking shooting attack on a Moscow concert hall which claimed the lives of over 40 persons. About four men dressed in camouflage invaded the Crocus City Hall in Moscow and opened fire on innocent persons. According to preliminary information, the shooting which occurred at the administrative center of the Moscow region started when the music band Picnic was performing a concert. A video clip revealed that one of the suspects has been arrested by the Russian security forces. Reacting, the US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said “there’s no indication” that Ukraine was involved in the “terrible” attack, stating quickly after the news broke that he “would disabuse you at this early hour of any connection to Ukraine.” “The images are just horrible and just hard to watch and our thoughts obviously going to be with the victims of this ter...

 We’re not black, we’re Indians, Kanye West declares Renowned American rapper, Kanye West, has said that contrary to assumptions that he is from a black heritage, he hails from India. The ‘Ye’ crooner disclosed this in a viral video trending on the X platform. West said: “And by the way, we are not black. How about that? We are not black, n*gga! We are Indian.”

 40 died, over 100 injured in Moscow attack – Russia Gunmen opened fire at a rock concert in a Moscow suburb Friday, killing at least 40 people, wounding 100, and setting off an inferno in the theatre, authorities said. Attackers dressed in camouflage uniforms entered the building, opened fire, and threw a grenade or incendiary bomb, according to a journalist for the RIA Novosti news agency at the scene. Fire quickly spread through the Crocus City concert hall in the Krasnogorsk suburb in the north of the Russian capital, which can hold several thousand people and has hosted top international artists. “According to preliminary information, 40 people were killed and more than 100 were injured as a result of a terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall,” according to the FSB security service, quoted by Interfax news agency and other Russian media. THE LOUNGE: Are First Borns Really 'Test Machines'0.00 / 0.00 Authorities said a “terrorist” investigation had been started, and Preside...

 Public debt surged to N97.34tn in Q4, says DMO The Debt Management Office of Nigeria has revealed that the Nigeria’s public debt has surged to N97.34tn ($108bn) as of the fourth quarter of 2023. DMO disclosed this in a statement available to journalists on Friday. Public debt is one of the ways countries get extra funds for economic development. This way, a country can execute bigger projects that can aid its development. The statement partly read, “Nigeria’s public debt stock as at December 31, 2023 was N97.34trn or $108.229bn.” “This amount comprises the domestic and external debt stocks of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the 36 states governments and the Federal Capital Territory.” The document revealed that,l this amount indicates a significant increase compared to N89.43tn recorded in September, 2023. DMO said the increase was largely due to new domestic borrowing by the government to partly finance the deficit in the 2024 Appropriation Act and disbursements by multilatera...

 Nigeria Has Become A Killing Field Under Tinubu – Atiku Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the recent attack that led to the killing of a village head and other residents of Rafi Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State. At least 21 people including the village head lost their lives on Thursday afternoon when bandits in their numbers reportedly invaded a market in Madaka, an agrarian community in Rafi LGA. According to residents, the attackers raided the market around 3pm when the commercial activities were in full swing and started shooting at the crowd. Among those killed was a butcher who recently got married. He had gone to the market to purchase some items needed for business when the bandits struck. Reacting to the development, Abubakar, in a post via X on Friday, said Nigeria had become a “killing field” under President Bola Tinubu. He called for the need to speed up the introduction of state police. He wrote: “It is saddening that Nigeria has become a kil...

 A self proclaimed witch arrested when she lights a fire on a stranger's porch after reading a "Witches Welcome" sign. As 46-year-old Michelle Young strolled through a Burlington, Iowa neighborhood she collected various items she could apparently use to cast a spell. These items included a taillight, aluminum foil (no surprise there), tree bark and a yellow lawn flag, all of which apparently contain a surprising amount of magic. She then went to a home that she believed belonged to a friend. After knocking and not receiving an answer she noticed a convenient sign stating, "Witches Welcome." This was excellent news as she had just acquired the perfect magical materials for casting spells. She began burning the items she had collected releasing their magic into the ether.  The surprised homeowner contacted police when she noticed a witch seemingly lighting her porch on fire. I guess this woman doesn't actually live by the "Witches Welcome" creed. Pol...

 Catherine, the Princess of Wales has announced today in a video that she has cancer.  It was found after she underwent tests following the abdominal surgery she had in January. Kate is now undergoing preventative chemotherapy and says the family needs “time, space and privacy” while she completes her treatment. Watch video below. 

Hundreds of Kenyan doctors protested in the streets on Friday demanding better pay and working conditions in an ongoing nationwide strike that has entered its second week. The doctors carried placards and chanted against the Kenyan government, saying it had failed to implement a raft of promises, including a collective bargaining agreement signed in 2017 after a 100-day strike during which people died from lack of care. Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union Secretary-General Dr. Davji Bhimji said the strike will continue until all the demands are met. Doctors' replacement “We have nothing else to lose but the chains of poverty and distress that we’ve been having,” he said. The standoff has left thousands of Kenyans without much-needed public health services. On Wednesday, Health Minister Susan Nakhumicha said she had instructed two top referral hospitals to recruit doctors to replace those taking part in the national strike. Bhimji said the hiring of new doctor...

 Missing New York man found deceased in Rochester city water supply after missing for around 30 days. Abdullahi Muya was found deceased Tuesday in the reservoir that supplies water to Rochester, NewYork.  This prompted the town to be placed on a boil order. However it has since been lifted as the city says diligent and continuous testing identified no immediate concerns.  The city will be moving its yearly reservoir cleaning from May to March this year. The process usually takes around 8 weeks, officials state. After finding the body and reviewing security footage they were able to identify Muya entering the gated area around 6:30 pm February 24. He then slid down the side of the reservoir and into the water where unfortunately he drowned.  Officials say since that time he had remained well below the surface in an area not easily seen. They have concluded he was alone and there was no foul play involved. More photos below. 

 God gave me double for my trouble, Ooni’s wife speaks after birth of twins Olori Tobi Phillips, one of the wives of Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife has shared heartwarming pictures from her baby shower after the arrival of their twins. She expressed deep thankfulness to God for the priceless blessings bestowed upon her. Amidst the festivities, she delivered a touching message, reflecting on the profundity of God’s gifts and proclaiming that He had really given her double for her sufferings. “God Said “Watch Me Do This!” Agbanilagbatan Gave Me Double For My Trouble” she captioned the photos. According to the photographs, the royal couple welcomed a boy and a girl into their household.

 Ogun Determined to Resolve NURTW, OGSPAM Crisis, Commits to Ensuring Stable Union Activities in the State. The Ogun State Government said it is determined to resolve the crisis that broke out between the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Ogun State Park Management Board (OGSPAM) recently. Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Dairo Olugbenga, who spoke on the crisis, said efforts were made by officials of the state and other stakeholders towards restorating peaceful transport activities across the state. "Yes, there was a crisis, and we have been able to stabilize it. On behalf of the Executive Governor of our state, I want to use this medium to appreciate the security agencies for the roles played, the various union leaders as well as other sector stakeholders and well meaning citizens of the State that come together to ensure that the kind of peace established and since enjoyed in Ogun State is not disrupted," he said. While apologizing to the peopl...

 I learnt fashion designing before music - Portable Controversial street hop musician, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable has revealed he used to be a professional fashion designer before venturing into music. The 30-year-old spoke on his love for fashion and tailoring in the debut episode of the Brooke Bailey Danfo Series. Bailey, the Belgian DJ, who flew into Nigeria to interview Portable, was taken on a tour around Sango Ota, Ogun state, the singer’s hometown. One of the places Portable introduced her to was his fashion designing studio where he said he learnt it before venturing into music. He said, notwithstanding his popularity, he is still a fashion designer and “combines” the profession with his music career. “I was trained as a fashion designer. I am still a fashion designer, I am still doing it. That is what I learnt, that was my profession before I ventured into music,” he said. “Now I combine the both but I am taking the fashion side of things slow and steady....

 I don’t do giveaways on social media – Burna Boy Grammy-winning singer, Damini Ogulu popularly known as Burna Boy has explained why he doesn’t do giveaways online like his colleagues. In an Instagram live session with fans, he stated that contrary to people’s perception, he does lots of charity work. According to him, he does his giveaways mostly offline because he believes the people who are in dire need of help are not on social media. He made it known that he does giveaways to places that really matter, to people that really need it and most of them are not on the internet. “I do giveaway to places that really matter, to people that really need it & most of them are not on the internet,” he said.

 Canada to cut number of temporary foreign workers Canada is set to reduce its intake of temporary foreign workers, Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced. This strategy marks a significant shift from the nation’s previously expansive immigration policy. Miller highlighted that Canada has witnessed a notable surge in the admission of temporary residents in recent years. “Canada has witnessed a considerable increase in the volume of temporary residents recently,” Marc Miller said during a briefing. While acknowledging the country’s reliance on temporary foreign workers to address labor shortages, Miller emphasised the necessity for improvements to enhance the system’s efficiency. The Federal Government proposes adjusting the number of temporary residents to constitute no more than five per cent of the national population over the coming three years, a notable decrease from the current 6.2 per cent, which amounts to approximately 2.5 million individuals. The adjustment comes ...

 FG arraigns Miyetti Allah leader Bodejo A leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group, Bello Bodejo has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly establishing and supporting unlawfully an ethnic militia group – Kungiya Zaman Lafiya. Bodejo was arraigned on Friday on a three-count charge filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), in which he was accused of violating the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Bodejo pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him, following which Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that he be further detained in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). Justice Ekwo adjourned till May 27 for the commencement of trial.

 Non-verbal man dies after being left in 134 degree water for almost an hour. An elderly resident Hopemont Hospital in Preston County, West Virginia has passed away after a thermostat malfunctioned in a therapeutic whirlpool causing the water to heat up to 134 degrees. The non-verbal man, who required round the clock care, was left unattended for 47 minutes in the whirlpool. According to reports, the staff of the facility knew about the faulty thermostat for 30 days but had taken no actions to fix it. Mike Folio, legal director of Disability Rights of West Virginia stated, "It looks like his skin has melted. Imagine if you're in a whirlpool of scalding water for 47 minutes but you can't verbalize pain." He then went on to discuss an email sent to staff from an RN employed there warning of the malfunctioning whirlpool and the dangers it posed to patients.  This is a heartbreaking story and I cannot imagine the amount of suffering this man experienced before passing awa...

 PRESS RELEASE  FAAC MEETING: FG, STATES AND LGCs SHARE N1,152.756 TRILLION FROM A GROSS TOTAL OF N2,326.149 TRILLION FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, 2024 The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), at its February 2024 meeting chaired by the Honourable Minister of Finance and  Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, shared a total sum of N1,152.756 trillion to the three tiers of government as Federation Allocation for the month of February, 2024 from a gross total of N2,326.149 trillion. From the stated amount inclusive of Gross Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), and Exchange Difference (ED), the Federal Government received N352.409 Billion, the States received N366.950 Billion, the Local Government Councils got N267.153 Billion, while the Oil Producing States received N166.244 Billion as Derivation, (13% of Mineral Revenue). The sum of N66.456 Billion was given for the cost of collection, N856.937 Billion alloca...

 PRESS RELEASE  NIGERIA SEEKS COOPERATION WITH INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ON SUSTAINABLE FUNDING OF AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES In her avowed commitment to ensuring gender equality through economic empowerment, the Federal Government has called on the international community to join hands with Africa through the provision of sustainable funding for the Continent's development strategies. The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye made the call during the Presentation of her Statement at the Commission on the ongoing Status of Women (CSW68), holding in Newyork, USA The Minister informed that to ensure the realization of this objective, the Federal Government has created economic structures to facilitate job creation for the youth, especially women *The Government of Nigeria, headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in its determination to meet the overwhelming objectives of the Session's theme, which aims at accelerating the full and effect...

 Press Release Honorable Minister of Tourism Hosts Spanish Ambassador to Explore Bilateral Tourism Opportunities The Honourable Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, welcomed the esteemed Spanish Ambassador, Juan Seil, to the Ministry's headquarters for a pivotal discussion on bilateral tourism cooperation. The meeting, which took place in an atmosphere of mutual respect and collaboration, sought to explore avenues for leveraging Spain's rich tourism expertise to bolster Nigeria's tourism sector. During the engaging dialogue, Ambassador Juan Seil expressed Spain's deep-rooted commitment to fostering robust partnerships with Nigeria in various sectors, particularly tourism. Emphasizing the pivotal role of tourism in Spain's economy, the Ambassador highlighted its substantial contribution, constituting over 11% of GDP and providing employment for 13% of the workforce. In reciprocation, Honourable Minister Lola Ade-John commended Spain's exemplary tourism model and u...

 PRESS RELEASE ALAKE COMMISSIONS MINING MARSHALS TO COMBAT ILLEGAL MINING The Minister for Solid Minerals Development Dr Dele Alake has assured the nation that the formation and deployment of  a special security outifit called Mining Marshals will combat illegal mining activities in all forms across the 36 states including Abuja. Speaking at the historic moment of the formal presentation of the Mining Marshals Corps at the Ministry's Headquarters Abuja, Thursday  21  March 2024; Dr Alake stated that the Mining Marshals corps who are drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC; will work with the Ministry's Federal Mines Officers in the states to combat illegal mining in all forms. Elaborating on the  modus operandi of the special security outfit; the Minister emphatically stated:  '' The 37 commands of this structure will exist in every state plus the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; which will serve as Mineral Forces. The overall policy ...

 POLICE ARREST FOUR FOR FAKING KIDNAP, DEMANDING FIVE MILLION NAIRA RANSOM Detectives of the Lagos States Police Command have arrested Margret Itodo ‘f’ aged 25, Agnes Ogbeh ‘f’ aged 23, Esther Anyanwu ‘f’ aged 24 and Anthony Chinakwe ‘m’ aged 24 for faking the kidnap of Agnes Ogbeh.  On March 19, 2024, Agnes Ogbeh, resident in Akure, had travelled to Lagos and was reportedly kidnapped in Lagos. The family back in Akure received a video showing Agnes and one other tied, gagged, and groaning with blood droplets around them. The ‘kidnappers’ demanded the sum of Five Million Naira for the release of Agnes.  Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives of the Command commenced a discreet and diligent investigation into the matter. The hideout was located where Agnes, the other lady in the video and two others were found living freely together. Further investigations revealed that Margaret Itodo is a professional make-up artist who was hired to make the video look real. All four ...

BEING THE TEXT OF AN ADDRESS BY THE BENUE STATE APC MEDIA TEAM, BAMET, TO UNRAVEL THE FACTS BURIED IN THE BENUE STATE APC QUAGMIRE. UNVEILING THE FACTS: GOVERNOR ALIA, COMRADE AGADA AND THE BENUE APC. 1. In recent times, there have been swirling accusations and misconceptions surrounding the financial affairs and leadership dynamics within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC. As the Benue State APC Media Team, BAMET, it is our duty to shed light on these matters and set the record straight for public knowledge  2. First and foremost, let it be unequivocally stated that neither the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State nor the Leader of APC Benue State Senator Dr George Akume, fnim, KSJi, CON, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, at no point solicited money from Governor Hyacinth Alia, Contrary to misconceptions, the party has only tasked Governor Alia to fulfill his financial obligations as an elected member of the...

  In The Last 1 Year, We Have Raised More Than 50 People From Dead- Pastor Chris Oyakhilome!!!  Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, leader of the Christ Embassy church, has disclosed that they have successfully raised more than 50 persons from the dead. The pastor made the announcement while speaking to his audience in a video that went viral on social media. He said that individuals risen from the dead comprised both the elderly and young people from various countries. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome bluntly questioned doubters how they can explain such miracle, and jokingly added maybe they’d conclude they bribed heaven and hell for them to be let back to the living. Read comments from netizens: iam_avincii said: “Show workings with Mr Ibu and Mohbad, no be all this Cho Cho Cho” opeyemifamakin said: “Anikulapo. Lie on us, we are your mouka foam” taiwo_junzi said: “And Freeze was begging you people to raise Mohbad the other day but you went into your koro and turned deaf ears!” candycane_nengi ...

 Three Abia university students die in auto crash.  Three Abia State University Uturu Medicine and Surgery students returning to Aba from the school’s induction of medical students reportedly died in an auto crash on Thursday. Six of them were said to be returning from Uturu when the accident happened. “Three students have been confirmed dead, while two others are injured and are battling for their lives now in the hospital while one miraculously survived,” a source said. In a viral video, men of the Federal Road Safety Corps were seen at the scene of the accident. There is also a.separate video of the victims in the hospital. Another source said the accident happened when the driver of the vehicle the students were travelling in lost control and summersaulted. Confirming the incident, the Corps Commander of the FRSC, Abia State, Fredrick Ogiden said his men went there shortly after the accident, stating that the vehicle was an ash-coloured private Toyota Camry. He said that t...

 Ebonyi Man K!lled In Abuja After Being Accused Wrongly Of Stealing A Phone That Belongs To Girlfriend Of Vigilante Member  By Wisdom Nwedene  A young man from Ebonyi State popularly known as  3quater has been allegedly K!lled by some Vigilante boys at Angwan Fulani Dei Dei in Abuja yesterday. According to report, he was accused of stealing a phone that belongs to the girlfriend of a Vigilante member that killed him and the phone was later found.  Speaking with our correspondent, Austinjee Nollywood who shared the pictures of the ugly incident said enough is enough in Ki!ling our innocent citizens of Nigeria.  According to him, "This is our beloved brother from ebonyi state his name is 3quater he was K!lled by some Vigilante boys at Angwan fulani Dei Dei Abuja yesterday."   "He was accused of steeling a phone that belongs to the girlfriend of the Vigilante guy that K!lled him and the phone was later found" "This issue of Kill!ng an innocent people...

 TROOPS OF JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION UDO KA RAIDS IPOB/ESN CAMP IN EBONYI…recovers arms Troops of Sector 2 (EBONYI) of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA in conjunction with personnel of NPF, DSS and NSCDC acting on credible intelligence today Thursday 21 March 2024 successfully conducted a raid operation on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their armed affiliate the Eastern Security Network (ESN) Camp located at Mgbalukwu in Inyimagu, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. During the operation, troops came in contact with the terrorists which resulted in the neutralization of one IPOB member while others fled into the nearby forests. Items recovered include; One x AK-47 rifle, 2 x AK-47 magazines, 54  rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and 3 x stolen Sienna buses. The Force Commander Joint Task Force South Operation UDO KA, Major General HT Dada wishes to appreciate the synergy among the troops and other security agencies.  All law abiding c...

 N50bn monthly diesel costs threaten Nigeria’s communication backbone Rising diesel prices are threatening Nigeria’s communication backbone, with telecommunication operators’ spending on the fuel rising to N50.28 billion in February. This was a 50.20 percent increase from the N33.48 billion (at N836.91/litre) they spent in the same period of 2023 and a 9.02 percent increase from the N46.12 billion (at N1,153.01/litre) spent in January. Diesel prices have been soaring since 2022. Diesel is crucial for powering telecom infrastructure, like base stations, which rely on generators because of unreliable grid electricity. Industry data estimates that operators use an average of 40 million litres of diesel per month to power telecom sites, and the price rose to N1,257.06 per litre in February 2024. As of the end of 2022, the Nigerian Communications Commission said there were 34,862 towers and 127,294 base stations in the country. Also, the telecoms industry spent N2.09 trillion on operati...