US deploys surveillance aircraft over Nigeria in search for kidnapped schoolchildren

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The US has deployed manned surveillance aircraft over Nigeria to assist in efforts to find schoolchildren kidnapped in April by Boko Haram extremists, a senior Obama administration official told journalists.

"We have shared commercial satellite imagery with the Nigerians and are flying manned ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) assets over Nigeria with the government's permission," the official said.

Pistorius mental health in question, athlete portrayed as 'manically obsessed'

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A judge will rule on Wednesday whether Oscar Pistorius will be committed to one month of psychiatric tests to establish if he has a "general anxiety disorder," as his murder trial reaches its climax. 

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel formally asked the court to have Pistorius committed Tuesday, after defence psychiatrist Meryll Vorster claimed the sprinter's deep-seated anxiety would have given him a heightened fear of crime.

During two months of trial, Pistorius's lawyers have sought to portray him as manically obsessed with safety after a difficult childhood and in the face of high crime levels in South Africa. Those factors, they argue, help explain his reaction on Valentine's Day last year when he allegedly believed his girlfriend to be an intruder and shot her dead through a locked toilet door.

Russia finds sanctions highly regrettable and unworthy of EU - Russia's deputy FM

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Russia finds the sanctions imposed on it by the European Union to be highly regrettable, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters here Monday. For instance, the EU has added Crimean Chief Prosecutor Natalya Poklonskaya to its sanctions' list of individuals.

"We regret to see the sanctions train rolling downhill as if it doesn’t have an engine driver," he said. "It's an absolutely thoughtless and irresponsible policy that doesn’t match reality in any way."

China blames toppling of legitimate gov't for Ukrainian crisis

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The toppling of the legitimate Ukrainian authorities by Maidan protesters is the main cause of the Ukrainian crisis, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping told Russian reporters in Beijing on Tuesday.

"Concerning the ongoing violence in Ukraine, I think this is the result of the toppling of the legitimate authorities of this country in the course of disturbances and provocations staged on Maidan," the deputy minister said.  

"This is the direct cause of the crisis," Cheng said.

As IGP tasks Zonal AIGs, CPs to protect citizens’ Rights

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Deeply concerned about the increasing tendency by some citizens to resort to extra-judicial killings - Jungle Justice - against those suspected to have committed one crime or another in Nigeria, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni, psc has warned citizens to desist from such reprehensible acts. Noting that every Nigerian citizen is entitled to the Fundamental Right of fair hearing, the IGP insists that none is guilty except a law court of competent jurisdiction expressly says so. He therefore has directed Zonal AIGs, Command CPs and other field Commanders to take adequate measures to ensure that the rights of every Nigerian citizen, including those of suspected criminals, are protected. The IGP warns that any person found to be involved in any acts of impunity or jungle justice must bear the full wrath of the law as two wrongs cannot make a right.

President GEJ seeks six months extension of emergency rule in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa

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 President Jonathan today May 13th sent a request to the National Assembly seeking an extention of the State of Emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states by six months.

In a media chat on May 4th, the president had hinted that there would be an extension of emergency rule in these states since peace has not been restored there.

Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states have witnessed high rates of attacks by Boko Haram and have been placed on emergency rule since May 1st 2013. The new proposed extention if implemented would elapse in November 2014, three months before the general election.

Nigerian police/Lagos state government warn against jungle justice

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Happy news! The Lagos State Government has warned residents of the state against taking the laws into their hands, saying the full weight of the law would be brought on people caught engaging in jungle justice, I.e beating, burning or killing any suspect, whether alone or in a mob

In a statement released last Friday, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said;

"The full weight of the law would be brought to bear on anyone henceforth caught engaging in jungle justice, no matter what the alleged criminal could have done. The mob may well be wrong and the helpless victim may be anyone’s child or relative. Even if they did commit the alleged offence, there is a process for prosecuting and showing the evidence in court so that proven criminals can be properly punished according to law,”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Police also released a statement this morning, saying anybody caught engaging in jungle justice will bear the full wrath of the law. 
See the press statement after the break..

#BringBackOurGirls - CHIBOK Is A SCAM Asari Dokubo insists, leads protest against the girls.

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Despite a video released yesterday by Boko Haram showing the kidnapped Chibok girls, ex-militant Asari Dokubo is still insisting it's all a scam. He led an anti-bringbackourgirls protest yesterday and shared photos and the message above on his Facebook page. At the very least our president believes these were kidnapped...that's what matters most. See more photos bellow and see how a Political Scientist analysed it.

Chibok: Federal Government rejects B'haram’s proposal

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The Federal Government has said it would not negotiate with Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau  following the demands he made this morning in a video he released showing the kidnapped girls.
In an interview with AFP, Interior Minister, Abba Moro, said the issue in question is not about Boko Haram giving conditions.  Also speaking at a press conference of security heads and other stakeholders following the release of the video, the DG of the National Orientation Agency, Mike Omeri, said FG would explore all other options to rescue the girls but would not negotiate with terrorists

"All options are on the table and open, we are interacting with the military and intelligent experts who are already on surveillance in the North Eastern part of the country. We will adopt all available options to get the girls out, but we will not negotiate with the sect"

The real Abubakar Shekau is dead - SSS Spokesperson

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At a briefing this evening with newsmen in Abuja following release of a brand new video by Boko Haram showing kidnapped Chibok girls, spokesperson of the State Security Service (SSS), Ms Marilyn Ogar said the man in the video claiming to be Abubakar Shekau is certainly not Abubakar Shekau, that the actual Shekau who's believed to have founded the dreaded sect, is dead

"Boko Haram has become a franchise, anybody can assume and lay claim to any name. What I know is that the original Abubakar Shekau is dead; the person claiming to be the national leader now is not the original Abubakar Shekau. If security sources tell you that somebody is dead, you don't have to come out and doubt that" she said.

Weekly Report From Nigerian Police Commands

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WEEKLY REPORT FROM COMMANDS: MONDAY 12TH MAY, 2014.

HIGHLIGHT 
i. Arrested Armed Robbers: 14
ii. Recovered Vehicles: 5
iii. Recovered Weapon: 14, Cartridges: 488
iv. Rescued Kidnap Victim: 1
v. Arrested Kidnappers: 5
vi. Fatally Injured Kidnap Suspects: 1
vii. Recovered Motor Cycle: 1
viii. Foiled Robbery: 1

1. ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERS/RECOVERY OF SCHOOL BUS (FCT #ABUJA): On 06.05.2014 at about 8:30AM, Police received a distress call that three armed men snatched a Toyota Hiace School bus belonging to The Vine International Academy Nyanya in front of the school premises. Vehicle details were immediately dispatched to Police units. The vehicle was later intercepted along Lafia road in neighboring Nasarawa state by Police Patrol team on Stop and Search, two male suspects name Victor Essien 40yrs and Ubong Bassey 49yrs were arrested. Vehicle and suspects handed over to FCT CID for investigating.

Nyanya Bomb blast: Suspected Masterminds Uncovered (Photo)

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The State Security Service (SSS) also known as Department of State Services (DSS) has carried out a detailed investigation into the ‪#‎Nyanya‬bombings which has led to the arrest of some suspected masterminds of the attacks. Find below details of the Press Briefing.

Recall that on 14th April, 2014 at El-Rufai Motor Park, Nyanya, a bomb explosion occurred which resulted in the death of 74 people, leaving several others injured. As investigation was ongoing, another bomb blast occurred on 1st May, 2014. Following these incidents, and in line with Security Forces commitment to bringing to book perpetrators of evil in our society, a thorough investigation was initiated which led to the arrest of some suspected masterminds of the attacks. They include:

Just In: SLS Wins Case Against The FRCN

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The Judge said the FRCN’s posturing shows that they are prejudiced.


A Federal High Court in Lagos has barred the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRCN, from investigating Lamido Sanusi, the suspended governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

Onyeka Onwenu reserves her comments on missing girls, calls out Wole Soyinka

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Iconic singer Onyeka Onwenu, who is the current DG of National Centre for Women Development,  was a guest on Channels TV Sunrise programme this morning Monday May 12th where she spoke about the missing Chibok girls. She expressed her reservations about the case and also called out Professor Wole Soyinka for referring to the First Lady as 'that woman' in the interview he had with CNN's Christiane Amanpour. 

What am saying is that, is it at this time we have to vilify the person of the First Lady who did the right thing by inviting these people? A lot of that has gone on and I take offense at this even as a woman. When I hear someone like Wole Soyinka referring to her on CNN as that woman, something in me boils because there is a lack of respect for women. This has happened not just with this first lady but with every single first lady and perhaps its when they have passed away or when they've left office that we suddenly realize the contributions that they've made and these women work very hard and care and love this country so it really offends me to see her vilified and I was at those meetings and at no point did she say Oh I don't believe the girls were taken." Ms Onwenu said.

Abuja bombing: SSS declares ex-soldier wanted, parades five suspects

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nyanya bomb blast suspects

Photo: Saharareporters.com

DSS paraded 5 suspects and announced a N25 million reward for information on masterminds.

The Department of State Security, SSS, has declared Rufai Tsiga, a suspected mastermind of the Nyanya Motor Park bombing of April 14, wanted. The service also declared an ex-soldier, Aminu Ogwuche, wanted for being an accomplice.

Missing Chibok Girls: B'Haram Posts Purported Video Of Missing Girls

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The leader of the terrorist Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau has reportedly demanded an exchange of the Chibok girls for members of his group in custody of Nigeria's security agencies.  In a new video released by Islamist militants, released on Monday, about 100 girls believed to be some of the 234 school girls, kidnapped in Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, were seen reciting the Koran.

Fresh attacks in Taraba, four dead, several houses razed

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Suspected herdsmen yesterday morning, May 11th, launched fresh attack in Dinya village in Gassol Local Government Council of the state killing at least four people and razing 30 houses. Confirming the attack, the state's Police Public Relations Officer ASP Joseph Kwaji said several ammunitions were recovered from the herdsmen.

"The police, on arrival at the scene of the attack, recovered 13 empty shells of AK47 rifle, four cartridges and an assault rifle,” he said.

Also confirming the incident, the Ward Head of Danacha, Gassol LG Council Daniel Mbaterem said the gunmen stormed the village at about 8:00 a.m. and began killing the villagers and burning houses.

Graphic Photo: 33 year old Oyoma Edewor allegedly killed in Festac by the police

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Friends of late Oyoma Edewor (pictured above) reached out to me to put the info out there that he was allegedly shot dead by a police sergeant attached to the Festac Command at the 3rd Gate check point inFestac, Lagos, on Saturday night May 10th. 

According to the story, 33 year old Oyoma, who was a Building Finishing Contractor, had a slight accident somewhere around Lekki, and instead of leaving the car there to obstruct traffic, he decided to get a towing van to take it to Festac where he lives. 

Gov. Fashola Reiterates Need To State Police.

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The Governor of Lagos state, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) has reiterated the need for state police in Nigeria.
He said this at the occasion of 11th Executive/legislative parley organized by ministry of political and legislative powers Bureau, held between 8th - 10th may, 2014, at Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Lagos.
Fashola urged the representatives of the state at the National Assembly to take urgent step, in order to bring collaborative capacity to policing and law enforcement.

No US troops deployed anywhere in Nigeria - Defence Headquarters (#BringBackOurGirls is a Scam)

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   The Defence Headquarters has said that there are no US troops deployed anywhere in Nigeria, and there's been no arrest or operation by any foreign military or security troops in the ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted girls, as its being reported online.  The spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters, Major Gen. Chris Olukolade, released a statement yesterday clearing the rumours.

"No troop of the American Marines has so far been deployed in any part of Nigeria as is being circulated in certain media. International coalition is quite appropriate in handling terrorism being a trans-border and global crime. The public will be duly briefed on the areas of collaboration with allied forces in the mission to bring back our girls as the need arises. There is therefore no need to engage in misleading speculations while the mission is in progress."