Obama Vows to Continue Fight Against Islamic State, Boost Coalition Efforts

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US President Barack Obama pledged on Tuesday to continue the fight against Islamic State militants and build up an international coalition in his first public remarks on US strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria.

"Once again, it must be clear to anyone who would plot against America and do Americans harm that we will not tolerate safe havens for terrorists who threaten our people," Obama said. in a brief statement at the White House. Obama praised the efforts of the US-led international coalition, which now comprises over 40 countries, to defeat the Islamic State and affiliate terrorist groups.
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Judge Flees as Thugs Disrupt Proceedings against Fayose.

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Victims of the attack

There was confusion at the Ekiti State High Court on Monday after hoodlums invaded the court to disrupt proceedings in a case challenging the eligibility of the Governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, to contest the June 21 governorship election.

Punch reports that the invasion took place shortly after the judge, Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi, refused an application to set aside an order abridging the time for the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate to file his defence in the case filed on behalf of socio-political group, Ekiti-11 by a member, Mr. Femi Ajakaiye. The judge had adjourned sitting till 12 noon to prepare a ruling in a similar matter filed by the Citizen Popular Party before trouble started.
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Syrian Ambassador to Russia: US Airstrikes on IS Targets Uncoordinated With Damascus

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The Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic in Russia Riyad Haddad denied any coordination with the United States Air Force regarding the US airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria on Tuesday, but confirmed that Damascus knew of the upcoming operation in advance.

"There has been no coordination with the US Air Force, and what is being said [of such coordination] is not true," the ambassador said in an interview with RIA Novosti adding that "The United States has informed the permanent Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations Bashar Jaafari that the United States and some of its supporters are going to carry out airstrikes on IS targets in Syria."

According to the ambassador, the United States had informed Damascus of the upcoming airstrikes a few hours before the launch of the operation.
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Xi and Modi Challenge Unipolar World Order

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“Xi and Modi Map Out New Era”, China Daily reported. What kind of new era could that be? VR is discussing it with Boris Volkhonsky, the Head of Asia Section at the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies.

Last week’s visit to India paid by the Chinese leader resulted in numerous agreements opening the way for cooperation projects worth billions of dollars and, what’s even more important, raising prospects of a new – and unprecedented – regional alliance. “Xi and Modi Map Out New Era”, China Daily reported. What exactly are the strategic shifts under way in Asia and what kind of new era could they create?

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#FreeOurSoldiers: We'll name Boko Haram collaborators in military hierarchy if...

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Aggrieved soldiers warn

JUNIOR officers of the Nigerian Army have threatened to expose senior military officers who collaborate with the Boko Haram insurgents in protest of the death sentence passed on their colleagues  by the military martial court that tried them for mutiny.  
According to our source, Nigerian soldiers are fiercely proud of their exploits and anything that makes them lose face must be dealt with squarely. This according to him was responsible for the alleged mutiny which led to the court marshalling of some of their colleagues. Our source, a serving soldier who pleaded anonymity said that the unfortunate uprising leading to the attack on the vehicle of the General Officer Commanding the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army, General Ahmed Mohammed was as a result of poor tactics in the field.
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DSS Arrests NTA Reporter over ₦50M Bribe Demand

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The Niger State command of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday paraded Sampson Oghenedoro, a 28-year old staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for demanding N50 million from the state government to stop him from broadcasting a story on alleged fraudulent activities within the government.

According to DailyTrust, the suspect was paraded at the state command in Minna and the state of director, Dr. Larry Obiagwu, said Sampson was picked up by his men at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja while on his way to Minna to collect the said amount.
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Syrian Twitter User First to Report US Airstrikes on IS in Raqqa

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– Abdulkader Hariri, a Twitter user living in Raqqa, is believed to be the one who broke the news of US airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria 30 minutes before Pentagon confirmed that information, the Telegraph reports. Hariri posted his first tweet on the popular microblogging service stating that “huge explosions shook the city” of Raqqa, IS stronghold since early 2013 and the capital of the so-called caliphate.
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US Airstrikes on Militants in Syria Only Destabilize Situation: Moscow

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US airstrikes on Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria violate Syria's sovereignty and are destabilizing to the region, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

"Attempts to pursue own geopolitical goals through violating the sovereignty of other states only escalates tensions and aggravates the situation even further," the statement reads. "Moscow has repeatedly warned that those who initiated one-sided military scenarios bear full international legal responsibility for the consequences."

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"I can feel the bullets are destroying the organs of my body’ -Survivors of Wednesday’s terror

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Survivors of  Wednesday’s terror attacks at the Federal College of Education, Kano, are still traumatised by the carnage which left 13 of their colleagues dead.

Terrorists believed to be suicide bombers launched an assault on the college, the fallout of which is still rocking the city of Kano. Saturday Tribune was at the sick bed of some of the 34 ‘lucky survivors’ who though savour a lucky escape but have given up the pursuit of academics if that will save their dear lives.

• At the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Abdulyasar Nasir narrated his ordeal.

At age 12, Nasir is simply too young to study at the College but the boy is known at the school 
premises as a hawker of sachet water.
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SA minister says death toll at Synagogue building collapse now 115

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South African minister, Jeff Radebe today Sept. 22nd, said that the death toll from the Synagogue building collapse has risen to 115. Radebe said this at an airforce base, North of Johannesburg in South Africa where 25 South Africans who were injured in the collapsed building were brought home in a military C-130 aircraft (pictured above) for treatment. He however maintained that 84 South Africans died in the tragedy.

"We understand from our assessment team that the total number of people who have perished is now 115, but those are not all South Africans. South Africans are about 84 that have died" Jeff Radebe told reporters.

Photos: Ten members of Boko Haram surrender to Nigerian troops

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 10 Boko Haram members surrendered to Nigerian troops yesterday September 21st at Kawuri in Borno state, just a day after 5 members surrendered. Many weapons were recovered from the terrorists. 

Defence HQ denies Cameroon military's claim in recent fights against Boko Haram

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The Defence Headquarters has denied claims by Cameroonian military to be mixed up in fight Boko Haram recently, especially in Konduga Borno state in which a major victory contrary to the sect group was recorded. In line with the Nigerian Defence, all fights against Boko Haram in Kondura and other border towns were carried out by Nigerian troops.

The Cameroonian military had earlier in a statement claimed to have killed the person considered to be the impersonator late leader of the sect group, Abubakar Shekau.

Graphic Photos: Chopstick removed from Boy's Brain after shoving it up his nose

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A 2 year old Chinese boy named Huang Zicheng had to get a chopstick taken from deep within his brain after he accidentally shoved it down his nose. The chopstick penetrated three inches into his brain and doctors who spent four hours carefully taking it out from the little boy's skull said if it had gone  further, it could have caused brain injury.

Thankfully, the chopstick didn't damage any major nerves and arteries and Huang expected to get a full recovery.

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Police Detonate 2 explosive devices at University of Uyo

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The police command in Akwa Ibom said it had detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) found in the male hostel of University of Uyo. Confirming the incident in Uyo on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Etim Dickson, told newsmen that the explosives were home-made.

Dickson, who said that the IEDs were likely produced by science students of the university, said investigations had commenced on the matter.

Daughter reveals how Mother Forced her to Sleep with 1,800 Men

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Annabelle's mum pictured with Colin Batley

The girl, who has called herself Annabelle Forest, based on DailyMail, was initiated to the sick cult after having to view her mother execute a s3x act on the cult's ringleader Colin Batley at age seven.  At 11 she was raped twice by the person, and four years later designed to take part in group s3x with her mother and neighbours at their house in Wales. 

Colin Batley and Jacqueline Marling were jailed for systemically s3xually abusing your ex as she was growing up. 

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“Abubakar Shekau” Killed Was One Bashir Mohammed

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A Nigerian military intelligence source has told SaharaReporters that the top Boko Haram figure killed in a recent operation was one Bashir Mohammed, leader of the Islamist sect’s Uye camp.

Mohammed Bashir's body in Konduga
Cameroonian authorities yesterday released a photo of a dead man they identified as Abubakar Shekau, the loquacious and attention-seeking leader of the terrorist group that has launched deadly strikes in Nigeria’s northeast zone as well as Cameroon.
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"Foreign Journalists were Offered the Bribe too" - Nicholas Ibekwe

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 See more tweets when you continue after the jump

Ailing Gov Suntai Won't Appear before Medical Panel

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Ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State has said that he will not appear before the recently-constituted medical panel set up by the state House of Assembly to determine his state of health.

The Speaker, Mr. Josiah Sabo Kente, had set up a five-man medical team to investigate the “true state of health” of Suntai. The action followed a letter from the State Executive Council to the lawmakers to constitute a medical panel to ascertain the “mental and physical condition of the governor so as to know whether he is capable of steering the affairs of the state.”
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Boko Haram Agrees To Release 219 Chibok Girls in Swap Deal

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TheNation reports that the two parties have asked their representatives to go back to their leaders on the new swap deal proposal.

Prior to the latest agreement at the talks in Abuja, which was witnessed by some officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Boko Haram had insisted on a piecemeal release 
of the girls, with priority given to 30 married Christians among them. The Federal Government also offered to release six of the 18 sect leaders in detention.
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Photo: Police hunt man who killed siblings, hacked two in Edo state

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The Edo State police command has launched a manhunt for 50 year old Mike Okeze, for allegedly hacking two children to death and viciously attacking two others.

According to a report by Punch, Okeze stormed the home of his neighbour, Oliver Udeh, last Wednesday September 17th in Okha II community, off Old Sapele Road in the Ikpoba-Okha LGA of Edo State, and attacked his children with a machete. He killed Udeh's two children, Destiny (3years) and Samson (6years). He then attacked two other children, Goodness (4years - pictured left) and Gift (8years - pictured right). He severed Goodness' arm and tore the nose of Gift. 
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Graphic pics: Mayhem in Lagos Island as popular Politician is killed by Suspected Political thug.

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Political campaigns have begun and the 1st casualty has been recorded in the centre of Lagos politics, the Lagos Island. A favorite local politician named Azeez Ashake was shot dead at close range before his house at Isale Eko on Saturday September 20th by suspected political thugs.

His son, Usman was also shot but is believed to be alive receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos Island. Azeez Ashake is considered a powerful leader of a specific political group in Lagos Island, and is considered very influential. His killing caused lots of chaos in Isale Eko on the weekend, where this has been reported that four folks have up till now been killed in retaliation for his death. Warning *Graphic pic once you continue*

GEJ yet to decide whether he will rerun with VP Sambo- PDP

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The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, says President Jonathan will be the one to determine if he would still like to run with his Vice, Namadi Sambo in the 2015 general elections.

Metuh said this at a press conference yesterday September 21st in Abuja. He also said that President Jonathan is yet to respond to the decision the party members took on Thursday September 18th where he was adopted as the sole Presidential candidate of the PDP
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Cameroon military now claiming they killed BH leader Shekau, shares pic

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The Cameroon military yesterday announced they've killed Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, in a statement released on the website. The statement was written in French (a language I don't understand...so I obtained the report from Cameroon Concord.View it below...

In a rare public show by the Cameroon army, photos of the Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau were made public alongside a statement claiming he was killed during a cross border raid deep inside Nigeria by the Cameroon military. A Cameroon military source who spoke to Cameroon Concord late last night, revealed that Abubakar Shekau was killed following an aerial bombardment of his hideout inside Nigeria. The Cameroon army has ever since yesterday been in serious combat against thousands of Boko Haram fighters trying to enter Cameroon via Fotokol from Gambaral Ngala in Nigeria.

Is that the same man though?

See more tweets bellow.

Doyin Okupe reveals why Dr Adadevoh's name was not included in the 2014 national honors list

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 You can find many persons who believe that late Dr Stella Adadevoh who died from the Ebola virus, must certanly be posthumously identified by the federal government as her singular act of stopping Sawyer from living the First Consultant Hospital saved many Nigerians from contracting the disease. However when this year's National Honors list was published the other day Thursday, her name wasn't included.

SSA to President Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe explained why in a tweet... See his tweet after the break.

SitRep 14 Sep - 20 Sep: Transcarpathia & Transnistria

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by "Y"

Transcarpathia

ATO 
More than one hundred Zakarpattya Border Guards were sent to front in the east. Groups photographs taken at the leaving parade show the extremes the Ukrainians have resorted to. The members are not of prime military age, are generally older adults. Their physique is very variable, including a significant proportion of extremes. The recruits are reported to have been given 2 weeks training. 

Four prisoners of war were returned to Transcarpathia as a result of the cease fire. These were members of the 51st Mechanized Brigade and were in good physical shape. They were captured near Ilovaisk on 24 August. A further two are due to be repatriated in the near future. 
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Western Sanctions to Boost Russian Industry Development: Kremlin Administration Head

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Western sanctions could spur the development of Russian industry and the cooperation of Moscow with other nations, the head of the Kremlin administration Sergei Ivanov said in an interview published Sunday.


"In the defense [industry], and in other industries, the imposed sanctions could be a powerful incentive for our industries to take more active part in their own development, as well as in cooperation with the countries, which have not previously seen this cooperation," Ivanov said in an interview to Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper.
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Poroshenko Underlines Importance of Minsk Memorandum: Reports

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In an interview with the country's TV channels, Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko underlined the importance of the Minsk Memorandum, aimed to restore peace in eastern Ukraine, Poroshenko's website reported Sunday.


"We can win only by peace," Poroshenko said.
Poroshenko reminded that the memorandum, achieved in Minsk on September 19, establishes the procedures for ending the armed conflict.
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Russia Makes Proposals During Talks Between P5+1 Group And Tehran, Hopes for Cooperation

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– Russia has made a number of proposals during the talks between the P5+1 group of mediators and Tehran and hopes for collective work in this direction, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told RIA Novosti Sunday.
"We have proposed a number of additional ideas. We hope they will be perceived as an impetus for collective work," Ryabkov said.
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Ukraine’s Parliament Speaker to Keep Lawmakers Who Visited Moscow Away From Work

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Speaker of the Ukraine's parliament Oleksandr Turchynov will draft a resolution to keep the lawmakers, who visited Russian parliament session in Moscow, away from work. More than 20 lawmakers of the Ukrainian parliament's group "For Peace and Stability" have recently visited Moscow to attend the session of the State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament. "We do not have much time left to work, but I will do everything possible to keep them away from the chamber [of parliament]," Turchynov told Ukrainian 1+1 TV channel. "For Peace and Stability" was formed in July and includes 32 lawmakers.

Ukraine SITREP September 20, 23:34 UTC/Zulu: War or Peace?

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[Quick note: I want to begin this SITREP with a correction to something which I mentioned in the last SITREP abouy General Bezler: even though his signature did appear to figure on the infamous statement of the four commanders declaring their loyalty to "General" Korsun, the information that he had been arrested is, according to sources qualified as "solid" by Colonel Cassad, not true. 

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3 Afghan Officers Go Missing in US Shopping Mall: Reports

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Three military officers from Afghanistan have gone missing in the United States, ABC TV network has reported. The officers came to the United States on September 11 to take part in joint military exercise at Cape Code military base in Massachusetts and were last seen at the Cape Cod Shopping Mall late on Saturday. The TV channel cited a US Central Command official as saying that the men do not present any danger to the society.

US, Other Countries to Provide Ukraine With Non-Lethal Weapon: Poroshenko

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Ukraine will receive non-lethal weapons from the United States and several other countries, which will help the country to strengthen its defense, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said.

"We have to get and got everything we need: intelligence, radar, surveillance and other types of defense equipment, which will allow us to increase the effectiveness of our weapons dozens of times, upgrade it and do everything possible to ensure that the efficiency of our weapons is much better and it is not only from the side of the United States, " Poroshenko told Ukrainian TV channels on Sunday evening.

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Boko Haram: Shekau impersonator killed by Nigerian troops?

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The Nigerian military may have recorded a major victory in the war against Boko Haram as the man suspected to be mimicking late Abubakar Shekau in recent videos from the sect, may have been killed during the September 17th battle in Konduga, Borno state.

A senior military source said "it is getting more certain that the terrorists' commander who has been mimicking Shekau in those videos is the one killed in Konduga on September 17."

Sources at the image making company of the Nigerian government, PRNigeria, say the death of the man believed to be the leader of the group is responsible for the scattering of the sect members in different independent locations in neighboring countries.
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Katsina Gov. reportedly orders student detained for criticizing him on Facebook

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A student of the National Open University of Nigeria, Abdulmalik Sa’idu, has been languishing in a police cell for over 20 days on the orders of the Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, for posting details of an alleged fertilizer scam in the state on his Facebook wall, Premium Times reports
This was disclosed to Premium Times by Mr. Sa’idu’s family and lawyer. Abdulmalik was first invited to the Katsina Government House on August 28 by a phone caller who claimed he had a message for him. But when Abdulmalik arrived at the governor’s office, he was promptly arrested, handcuffed and taken to Batagarawa Police Station just outside the state capital, Katsina, and detained on the orders of Mr. Shema’s aide-de-camp, Shehu Koko, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP.
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Former head of state, IBB reportedly hospitalized in Germany!

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According with Sahara Reporters, former Head of state, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida popularly called IBB happens to be in a hospital in German. He was reportedly rushed to Germany about 10 days ago from his hilltop mansion in Minna, Niger State. SR reports that the former military head of state who's 73 years of age is severely ill and that his ailment pertains to a chronic back ailment which is why he earlier had surgery in Germany.

Photo: The Carter Pedestrian bridge needs urgent renovation !

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The Lagos state or federal government is repairing the Eko Bridge which cracked recently. Now it's time to let them  take a close look at the Carter Pedestrian Bridge. It needs urgent renovation while the bridge is deteriorating. There is a feeling it might collaspse as there're loads of cracks on it.

Press Release Ban on police road-blocks/check-points still in force - IG of police

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Find the press release below..


The Inspector-General of Police, Acting IGP Suleiman Abba, has stated unequivocally that the order banning the setting up of Police road-blocks nationwide is still strictly in force. In a directive issued to all Commands and Formations of the Force, the IGP warned that all semblances of Police road-blocks and permanent check-points reportedly re-emerging in some parts of the country, especially in the South-East, South-South and South-West geo-political zones of Nigeria should immediately be dismantled.

#FreeOurSoldiers: The 12 soldiers sentenced to death deserve to die - Ex-generals

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While the rest of us are begging for leniency, some retired senior military officers say the 12 soldiers sentenced to death last week for attacking their GOC at their barracks in Maiduguri, deserve to die.

Speaking with Sunday Punch, the ex-generals said it's necessary for the military to maintain its age-long rules on discipline, hailed the judgement and said it must be carried out. A former Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Brig.-Gen. Williams Obene (retd.), said,

“I commend the boldness of the Army authorities to follow the terms and conditions of service – the extant laws that established the armed forces, particularly the Army– and for trying to uphold discipline at the highest level. When politicians and highly influential Nigerians interfere in the daily administration of the military, things become difficult. That situation is very prevalent under democracy.”

Nigeria Takes a U-turn, head to Russia & China for military help and arms as UK & US disappoint

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NIGERIA has requested the help of Russia and China to train its military and provide the armed forces with hardware in a desperate bid to combat the Boko Haram menace after traditional allies the US and UK have offered limited assistance.   Traditionally, the US and UK have been Nigeria's military partners but since the start of the current Boko Haram insurgency, their methods have been highly ineffective. Keen to crush the rebellion, the Nigerian government is looking to the Chinese and Russians in a bid to quickly recapture the towns and villages recently seized by Boko Haram in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.  
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#Korobucci: Nigeria Twitter Reacts To Obanikoro’s Funky Campaign Slogan

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The race to 2015 is on and heating up and Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro is getting a head start.
The former aspirant for the Lagos governorship seat has unveiled one of his campaign slogans as “Korobucci” obviously inspired by the MAVIN Records-produced hit track, “Dorobucci”.
The slogan was unveiled today, September 20, 2014, at a Peoples Democratic Party Rally in Lagos which had President Goodluck Jonathan in attendance.
Reports also have it that there is now an accompanying single recorded by the Koro All Stars.
Obanikoro has not revealed what office he’s campaigning for but judging from his past attempts at becoming the governor of Lagos, it’s safe to say he’s planning to contest again.
Let’s see if Nigerians will like Korobucci as much as they love Dorobucci. Meanwhile read reactions to the slogan via Twitter:
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Buruji Kashamu Accuses U.S. Judiciary Of Racism, Vows To Fight On

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A leader of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, Buruji Kashamu, has accused the United States judiciary of racism, vowing to fight on until he gets justice after a U.S. court ruled that Mr. Kashamu be prosecuted for drug trafficking.

A U.S. Court of Appeal had on September 15 dismissed an appeal filed by Mr. Kashamu seeking to quash his indictment for smuggling drugs into the U.S.

The court upheld an earlier ruling, in May, by a U.S. District Court which equally dismissed the motion filed by Mr. Kashamu, a close ally of President Goodluck Jonathan.
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Taraba House Of Assembly Raises Panel On Suntai

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Governor Danbaba Suntai

Taraba State House of Assembly, yesterday, set up a five-man panel to verify the health status of Governor Danbaba Suntai. This decision followed the receipt of a resolution of the state Executive Council meeting of September, 2014. By so doing, the Assembly is evoking the provisions of Section 189, Sub Section 1b and 189 Sub Section 4 of the Constitution which requested the Speaker to appoint a medical panel to verify the health condition of the governor. In a statement, the Taraba State Speaker, Hon. Josiah Kente, said he was compelled to set up the panel in accordance with the Constitution following the resolution passed by the state Executive Council mandating him to do so.

Video News: President Jonathan Visits Collapsed Building Site In Synagogue

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President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to investigate the cause of the collapse of the Synagogue Church of All Nations six-storey building. The President who made this declaration during a condolence visit to the General Overseer and members of the church, also promised to collaborate with state governors to put measures that will check the illegal building of high rise buildings in the country. While expressing condolences to the families of the victims,The president assured that the FG will deploy every necessary to ensure that investigations into the cause of the collapse are treated speedily. The president says he Will convey a meeting with state governors to discuss the need for advice or measures that will help check the illegal erection of high rise buildings.

Watch the video after the break.

45,000 Syrians ‘flee Islamic State’ into Turkey

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Some 45,000 mainly Syrian Kurds have crossed into Turkey in the past 24 hours, officials say, as Islamic State militants advance in northern Syria.  Turkey opened its border on Friday to Syrians who had fled the Kurdish town of Kobane in fear of an IS attack. Activists say some 300 Kurdish fighters have crossed into Syria from Turkey to help defend the strategic town.

IS controls large areas of Syria and Iraq and has seized dozens of villages around Kobane, also called Ayn al-Arab. Turkey – which shares a border with Iraq and Syria – has taken in more than 847,000 refugees since the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began three years ago.
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Kiev, Donetsk Exchange Prisoners in Donbas

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Ukrainian security forces and Donetsk People's Republic militia have carried out another prisoner swap, with each side handing over 38 detainees.

The exchange took place some 30 kilometers north of Donetsk. Daria Morozova, the head of the Donetsk People's Republic's committee on prisoner exchange, told reporters that a new prisoner swap had been scheduled for Sunday, due to the fact that Ukrainian forces kept handing over less detainees than the sides had agreed on. An additional 27 prisoners are to be transferred back to DNR during the next swap, she said.
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