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San Francisco (AFP) – Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton issued an impassioned call for gun control Saturday following a “senseless” church massacre that left nine dead and reignited debate about the right to bear arms. n a speech to US mayors in San Francisco, the former first lady said the time has come for “common sense gun reforms” to help put an end to the recurring shooting tragedies that erupt with shocking frequency in the United States. Clinton, who is running for the 2016 Democratic nomination, said the most recent spasm of gun violence left America “struggling once again to make sense of violence that is fundamentally senseless.” “I know that gun ownership is part of the fabric of a lot of law-abiding communities,” she told the gathering. “But I also know that we can have common sense gun reforms that keep weapons out of the hands of criminals and the violently unstable, while respecting responsi...

LAGOS, (Reuters) – Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) is sponsoring the construction of the first major ship yard in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy at the cost of $1.5 billion, in its attempt to turn the country into a hub for maritime operations on the continent. Nigeria is the world’s eighth biggest crude producer and Africa’s top oil exporter but it does not have a drydock for maintaining and repairing large crude vessels, a major drawback for carriers sailing to the country, NLNG spokesman Tony Okonedo told Reuters. Only South Africa had such a facility on the continent, Okonedo said, meaning that ships travelled a long distance for repairs. Nigeria has two facilities that can only accommodate small vessels, he said. Okonedo said Samsung Heavy Industries and Hyundai Heavy Industries have both agreed a $30 million commitment towards the construction of the facility, which would be located in Badagry, near Nigeria’s commercial capital of L...

Nigeria has selected two sites for the construction of its planned nuclear power plants, as Africa’s biggest economy tries to end decades of electricity blackouts that have blighted its growth. Russia’s state-owned Rosatom, which has been in talks with Nigeria over the nuclear plants, on Friday confirmed two sites had been selected in Africa’s most populous nation and said they would have a total of four reactors. Neither side would say where the sites were, but a source at Nigeria’s nuclear agency said the sites will be in Akwa Ibom state, in southeast Nigeria, and Kogi state, in the central northern part of the country. Nigeria, with a population of around 170 million, has installed power capacity that fluctuates between around 6,000 MW to just over 7,000 MW, according to the Transmission Company of Nigeria, with 80 percent of its power plants fired by gas. By comparison, South Africa’s capacity is almost seven times greater for a population less than...

ABUJA, June 19 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s military said on Friday it was investigating allegations by Amnesty International that more than 8,000 people had died in detention during a crackdown on Islamist militant group Boko Haram, weeks after dismissing the report. The army initially rejected the allegations of prisoners being executed and mistreated, published earlier this month, as “biased and concocted”. But international pressure has been mounting on Nigeria to examine its tactics, and soon after the report’s release, President Muhammadu Buhari promised his office would study it and “act accordingly”. The armed forces called a press conference on Friday to say investigations had started. “The military has a constitutional and moral responsibility to protect Nigerian citizens and cannot suddenly engage in mass murder as portrayed by Amnesty International allegations,” said Major General Adamu Baba Abubakar. Boko Haram has killed ...

Lagos state governor, Akinwumi Ambode on Friday said the state would consider adopting a ‘rent and own’ policy in resolving its housing deficiency. In a chat with media executives at his office in Alausa, Ikeja, Ambode acknowledged that it was not easy for a winner of a three-bedroom flat, under the state government’s housing scheme, to make an initial payment of about N5 million– half the cost– before spreading out the balance through monthly payments. He noted that it was unnecessary for a bachelor or spinster to own a three-bedroom flat, stressing that it was better for those in this category to get studio apartments and upgrade to more spacious accommodations when they get married and started having children. He appreciated the solid foundation already laid by his predecessors in office in the state, and called for suggestions and constructive criticism by all residents, including the media, so as to build on what was on ground. NAN quotes Ambode as...

Kano State Government has relaxed movement of motorcycles from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This was contained in a statement signed by Malam Ameen Yassar, the Press Secretary to the Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in Kano on Friday. “The Kano State Government has during its periodic Security Council Meeting reviewed the restriction placed on the movement of motorcycles in the Kano in view of Ramadan period,” it said. According to the statement, the ban has now been relaxed by four hours, from 6 p.m. to 10p.m. daily. “The review is to facilitate movement to mosques and other places for Tafsir during the holy month of Ramadan only. “However, It is an offence to carry a passenger on a motorcycle,” the statement added.

Nigeria’s all time showbiz star, Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, popularly known as Charlie Boy, on Friday, said smoking and drinking were not part of his lifestyle. Charlie Boy, who is 64 years old on Friday, said this in an exclusive interview with NAN in Abuja. The maverick, who spoke on his lifestyle said “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke and I don’t abuse my body. “I also engage in regular bodily exercise and this keeps me smart and healthy. “I know that this may be hard for some persons to believe, but one does not need those things to aspire as an artiste. “I stopped drinking and smoking so many years ago. “My father never smoked nor drink and he lived very healthy for well over 90 years, and that is how I planned to live.” Charlie Boy said that abstinence from alcohol and other abusive substances was the secret to his fitness. He explained further that being focused, resilient and disciplined were among the attributes th...

The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on Friday, felictated with the Muslim Ummah on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan. This was contained in a statement issued by Dr Hajo Sani, the Co-ordinator, Office of the Wife of the President in Abuja. The statement noted that Mrs Buhari urged Muslims, as well as other Nigerians to use the opportunity of the fasting period to continue to pray to Almighty Allah for peace and progress of the nation. She also enjoined women especially, to make the necessary sacrifices to enable their families to participate actively and gain the rewards of Allah during the Ramadan period.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Amina Mohammed, said South Africa slammed strict visa regulations on Kenyan citizens visiting South Africa. Mohammed said the action was a violation bilateral agreement signed by both countries. “They have violated a number of provisions in our bilateral arrangements,” Mohammed said on Friday, adding that, the new regulations may affect trade between the two countries. South Africa’s new visa regulations require Kenyans to submit applications for clearance to travel and wait for seven working days to confirm whether a visa would be issued. Mohammed said there was largely no guarantee that those submitting the visa applications would be granted after the seven-day wait. She said this provision has an effect on those planning to travel on business trips to South Africa. A plan by Kenya to impose strict visa rules on South Africans in July 2014 was dropped. South Africa, dropped its earlier ...

A women rights crusader, Prophetess Nonny Robertson, on Tuesday criticised calls by some people for the scrapping of the Office of the First Lady by President Muhammadu Buhari. Robertson said in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday that the decision of the critics was not in the best interest of women. “It is wrong to scrap the Office of the First Lady because it is mere semantics as the wife of the president remains what she is whether designated a First Lady or not. “Calling for the scrapping of the office would adversely affect the fortunes of women and their expected contributions to nation building,” the statement said. The statement noted that the non-recognition of the First Lady’s office in Nigeria’s political scheme of things was already taking its toll on the family. “We have had series of first ladies; your perception about them is only real to you but not to another person. “If you perceive that one or two first ladies misbehaved, y...

Justice Mohammed Yunusa of a Federal High Court, Lagos on Tuesday ordered First Bank of Nigeria Plc., to disclose details of a loan facility it granted to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) over alleged purchase of some bullet proof cars by former minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah. The court also gave an order of mandamus compelling First Bank to grant access to or make available to Enough Is Enough (EIE) Nigeria, the information it requested, in a letter dated Oct. 30, 2013. The judge issued the order while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by EIE Nigeria against the bank over its refusal to disclose the information to the organisation. EIE Nigeria had written an application under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act on Oct. 30, 2013, requesting the disclosure of such information. The suit was filed on behalf of EIE on Jan. 9, 2014 by Mr Ayodeji Acquah of Media Rights Agenda’s Network of Freedom of Information lawyers. In that suit, EIE is praying the court...

A women rights crusader, Prophetess Nonny Robertson, on Tuesday criticised calls by some people for the scrapping of the Office of the First Lady by President Muhammadu Buhari. Robertson said in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday that the decision of the critics was not in the best interest of women. “It is wrong to scrap the Office of the First Lady because it is mere semantics as the wife of the president remains what she is whether designated a First Lady or not. “Calling for the scrapping of the office would adversely affect the fortunes of women and their expected contributions to nation building,” the statement said. The statement noted that the non-recognition of the First Lady’s office in Nigeria’s political scheme of things was already taking its toll on the family. “We have had series of first ladies; your perception about them is only real to you but not to another person. “If you perceive that one or two first ladies misbehaved, y...

Nigerian basketballer, Festus Ezeli, has won the NBA Finals Championship with Golden State Warriors. The 25-year old Center scored eight straight points for the Dubs, to give them a 12-point lead going into the fourth quarter. The win is Golden State Warriors first NBA championship since 1975 after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 105-97 in Game 6. Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala each had 25 points for the Warriors, who won the final three games after Cleveland had taken a 2-1 lead. The Warriors overcame LeBron James’ best efforts in the series and followed their 67-win regular season with a title after none of their players had any previous NBA Finals experience entering the series. Steve Kerr is the first rookie coach to win the title since Pat Riley with the Lakers in 1982. James finished with 32 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists, falling just shy of what would have been a record third triple-double in the series.

The Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday cleared the 13 nominees for appointment as commissioners and members of the state executive council. NAN reports that the list of the nominees was sent to the House for screening by Governor Abdulllahi Ganduje last week. The House granted approval to the governor to appoint 20 special advisers, as well as the appointment of Alhaji Sani Gabasawa as Director General, Kano state Pension Trust Funds. The 13 nominees had earlier appeared in the chamber of the House, where they answers questions by the legislators. The nominees cleared by the House include outgoing NUJ President, Malam Mohammed Garba and ALGON Chairman, Alhaji Murtala Garo. Others are Alhaji Nasiru Gawuna, Alhaji Usman Riruwai, Dr Faruk Ibrahim, Dr Ali Makoda and Alhaji Haruna Lambu. The rest are Prof. Kabiru Dandago, Dr Kabiru Getso, Hajiya A’isha Bello, Zubaida Lawan, Haruna Nagoma and Rabiu Bako. Speaking shortly after a closed session, the Speaker of the House, Alha...

Rivers House of Assembly has passed a resolution empowering Governor Nyesom Wike to sack the board of the State Civil Service Commission accusing them of breaching the rules and illegally employing workers into the state Service. The Rivers lawmakers passed the resolution on Tuesday after grilling the Chairman of the Service Commission, Mr Ngo Martins Yellowe on the floor of the House based on petitions accusing the Commission of not passing through due process before employing workers in past three years. Yellowe, however, told lawmakers that the Commission under his leadership obeyed the constitution and laws guiding employment into the service. Observers of Rivers politics however see the invitation and quizzing of Ngo Martins Yellowe by the lawmakers as a prelude to the sacking of the Commission appointed by the immediate past administration of Governor Chibuike Amaechi and also the sacking the civil servants employed three years to date, especially over 13,200 teachers and othe...

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase has reaffirmed his commitment to ensure that police officers especially members of inspectorate and rank and file of the Force are given their well deserved welfare. The IGP gave this assurance while inaugurating the Board of Directors of Nigeria Police Force Property Development and Construction Company, which took place at IGP’s Conference Room, Force Headquarters, Abuja. The IGP tasked the board to ensure that the delivery of standardized housing scheme of not more than N4 million naira for Inspectors and members of rank and file across the nation is achieved in the next six (6) months. Meanwhile, IGP reiterated that corrupt officers will not benefit from the welfare package. He also confirmed that thirty-six thousand members of the rank and file of the Force are proceeding on promotion course with effect from 24th June, 2015. The Board is headed by DIG Maman Tsafe, Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Department...

Nigerians have reacted angrily to reports that members of the National Assembly will receive a wardrobe allowance of N8.64bn Naira ($45m) over the course of the four-year term. Many have taken to social media platform, Twitter to express their disappointment and disgust at the whooping sum of money allegedly earmarked for clothing by the Red and Green Chambers. Some even questioned the ‘Change’ widely preached by President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress. Here are some of the tweets making the round. #9bn.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has urged members of the 8th Assembly to work in the interest of Nigerians to enhance better democracy. Dogara made the call while speaking with members of Zamfara House of Assembly, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja. He said “we cannot afford to run the affairs of this House on the basis of those who supported me or those who voted against me. “Whatever it is, God has given us the leadership and we have to use the opportunity presented by the outcome of the election to unify the House. “Beyond the election, we also owe Nigerians a duty to serve them well because they sent us here. They are supposed to be the first beneficiaries of our representation and not we the lawmakers. “If we decide to work just for ourselves, we will not be seen to have justified the representation we were sent here for.” The Speaker said that members should always talk on issues that bother Ni...

Lawmakers of Bauchi State House of Assembly have elected Kawuwa Shehu Dhamina as speaker of the 8th assembly. The state Governor, Barr. M.A. Abubakar Esq and his deputy Eng. Nuhu Gidado were absent at the event, although the governor’s proclamation was read by the Clerk of the House Abdulkadir Baffa Jafar. By exactly 10:00 am the process of electing the speaker commenced in the presence of the chairman of the state traditional rulers, the Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwanu Sulaiman Adamu Jumba, the emir of Katagum and the emir of Ningi. Hon. Kawuwa Shehu Dhamina was nominated and presented to the House by Yusuf C. Nuhu member representing Toro/Lame constituency in the state House of Assembly while the motion was seconded by the strongest contestant to the exalted seat, Hon. Sale Umar Nabayi, thereby bringing an end to the hot contest between Dhamina and Nabayi. Dhamina was subsequently elected unopposed.

Alhaji Sule Lamido, the immediate past Governor of Jigawa state has returned to the country from his foreign trip and promised to visit the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday. Lamido stated this while speaking with newsmen in his Bamaina village in Birninkudu Local Government area of the state. He said that EFCC was anti graft agency of the government, recognised by law, therefore, he would not shun the invitation. “I am aware of the invitation.” According to him, he is always willing to honour this kind of invitation even when he is a governor that enjoys immunity. Lamido, however, said he would not join issues with the incumbent governor on the debt he left before leaving office. There was a conflicting figure on the debt inherited by APC-led government in the state. The former governor said that while leaving office, he held a special council meeting, where he briefed the press on the liabilities he left.

“I am not the First Lady”, said Hajia Aisha Muhaamdu Buhari, the wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “I am the wife of the President and will be addressed as such going forward”. With her large smile that easily lights up an entire room, Mrs Buhari sense of direction was established. Her jovial nature belies a strong personality who says what she thinks. Speaking at the Appreciation Dinner held June 13th at the State House , Mrs Buhari shared some of the challenges experienced on the campaign trail, ensuring that she diffused a potential life threatening situation with banters, which shows her sense of balanced perspective on the trials that come with being in the public glare. She attributed the success of the campaign to team work and was profoundly grateful to the team , women and youth that helped vote her husband into office. She also attributed all her success and achievements to the support of the President who encouraged her to g...

A 21 year-old student, Ebiechina Chikeluba has been charged with internet romance fraud, his latest heist being the N20million he milked from an unsuspecting victim. Chikeluba ,a student of Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba in Lagos, was docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, before Justice O. A Ipaye of the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja on a 17-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, impersonation, forgery and using false documents. The accused met his latest victim on Facebook using the false identity of Lisa T. Jackson, a United States citizen. He made monetary demands on his victim, using various gimmicks. In one such instance in March 2013, he obtained £54,324.59 (Fifty Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty Four Pounds, Fifty Nine Pence) from one K. Oaks through Western Union on the pretext that he was an American woman dealing in Gold in Nigeria and needed money to increase her capital. The unsuspecting victim paid, hav...

Justice Nathaniel Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan, today 15 June, 2015 dismissed the bail application brought by six former staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. The accused persons: Patience Okoro Eye, Afolabi Olufemi Johnson, Ilori Adekunle Sunday Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru Adeola and Fatai Adedokun Yusuf, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for over N8billion mutilated currency recycling fraud. Justice Emmanuel in dismissing their application for bail, stated that the interest of the accused must not only be considered while looking at their application but that of the common man and the society. He said the court was refusing the accused persons bail because of the gravity of the offence which borders on the economy and well being of the people of the country. Justice Emmanuel dismissed their application and ordered for accelerated hearing. He also warned counsel that he would not entertain frivolous a...

The Defence Headquarters on Monday said scores of heavily armed terrorists using women and children as shield died on Sunday when they attacked Babbangida town in Yobe state. This information was contained in a statement posted on Defence Headquarters web site. The statement said the terrorists died as Nigerian troop engaged in gun battle and eventually foiled their action on Sunday. It noted that over 10 rifles, weapon accessories, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and some hand grenades were recovered from the area, as some of the terrorists fled with gunshot wounds. It added that one soldier and a vigilance group member died, while five were wounded during the encounter.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Monday, approved the constitution of an Ad Hoc Committee on Welfare, in line with relevant provisions of the House Standing Rules. The approval was contained in a statement issued by Rep. Jerry Manwe, the Speaker’s Chief of Staff, made available to newsmen in Abuja. The statement quoted Manwe as saying that the committee would be Chaired by Rep. Nasiru Ila, while Rep. Igbinedion Omosede would serve as Deputy Chair. Members of the committee include Rep. Sam Onuigbo, Rep. Namdas Sa’ad, Rep. Emmanuel Akpan, Rep. Eucheria Anazodo, Rep. Haliru Jika, Rep. Daniel Ofongo, Rep. Adamu Entonu. Others are Rep. Ayuba Bello, Rep. Edim Mbora, Rep. Onyemaechi Mrakpor, Rep. Lazarus Ogbee, Rep. Ayodele Oladimeji, Rep. Toby Okechukwu, Rep. Zakari Angulu, Rep. Ali Isa and Rep. Chukwukere Ikechukwu. The list of members also included Rep. Saidu Miga, Rep. Sunday Katung, Rep. Sani Mohammed, Rep. Ahmed Dayyabu, Rep. Mohammed Jega, ...

An Abuja Federal High Court on Monday refused to grant an application filed by ex-Adamawa Governor, Murtala Nyako, seeking to restrain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), from arresting him. Nyako had filed a motion ex-parte, seeking an interim injunction restraining the EFCC, Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Security from arresting him for alleged corruption. He had in the substantive suit, prayed the court to restrain the respondents from arresting or detaining him in relation to allegations of financial misconduct while serving as Adamawa governor. Moving the motion, Nyako’s counsel, Mr Ore Ogungbeje, urged the court to restrain the respondents pending the determination of the origination motion he filed for the enforcement of his fundamental rights. Justice Ahmed Mohammed, however, refused to grant the application, saying there was no sufficient reason for the court to restrain the respondents in the fundamental rights enforcement su...

President Muhammdu Buhari has stated that the African continent is bedevilled by terrorism, insecurity and poverty, noting that urgent steps must be taken to combat the problems. Buhari was speaking at the opening session of the 25th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union held in Johannesburg, South Africa. “Our continent is currently bedevilled by the twin evils of terrorism and insecurity; poverty, youth unemployment, and underdevelopment. The destructive effects of the inhuman and criminal campaigns of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and neighbouring countries; the Al-Shabab attacks in East Africa, and the activities of the Al-Qaida in the Maghreb, all bear testimony to a continent under siege,” Buhari said. President Muhammadu Buhari’s full speech… Please permit me to join previous speakers in conveying my delegation’s appreciation to our host, H.E. President Jacob Zuma, to his Government, and the brotherly people of Sou...

Washington (AFP) – The campaign logo is ready, so is the big speech, and his message is taking shape: Jeb Bush prepared Sunday to join the crowded Republican field running for president in 2016. Bush, 62, has run a de facto race for six months, raising money and increasing his travels, including a trip this week to Europe. On Monday, he is set to make it official, in Miami, and set about proving that although he comes from the Bush political dynasty he is his own man with his own accomplishments to point to and ideas to offer. On Sunday, his campaign released his logo: “Jeb!” in big red letters on a white background, with 2016 in smaller blue lettering underneath the name. The family name is carefully avoided. “I think the transition to a candidacy will allow me to be more direct about my advocacy of the leadership skills necessary for the next president to fix a few things,” Bush told CNN in an interview aired Sunday. “And as a candidate,...

he Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the leadership of the African Union, including Nigeria to mount pressure on the South African Authorities to swiftly transfer President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide against him during the Darfur conflict. This followed an interim order issued by a South African court stopping President al-Bashir from leaving the country. The Pretoria High Court says Mr Bashir must stay until it rules on Monday on whether he should be handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC). President Bashir is in Johannesburg for an African Union (AU) summit. SERAP in a statement by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni said that, “What we have in South Africa is a Pinochet opportunity that African leaders must not miss to demonstrate the AU’s strong commitment and support towards ending impunity for genocide, c...

President Muhammadu Buhari should please urgently end this certificate discrimination between HND and BSc. holders in Federal Ministry of Interior (Prisons, Immigration, Civil Defence) and others in order to increase productivity in fight against insecurity and insurgents. This discrimination is dangerous, unethical and unconstitutional. There is a looming bloody clash between these two cadres at fields of operation due to live arms/ammunition they bear and that is why every well meaning Nigerian should help towards scrapping out this discrimination because you or your family could be victim directly or indirectly. Few of the discriminations are; • HND (Inspectorate Cadre), while B.Sc. (Superintendent Cadre). • Entry Level for HND is G/L 7, while a fellow Graduate with B.Sc. is G/L 8. • Terminal Point for HND is G/L 13, while B.Sc. is to the highest G/L. • HND or inspectorate cadre ranks are confusing, while superintendent ranks are normal ranks/recognized...

There was a minor fire incident at a female hostel of the University of Uyo on Saturday morning, in which the property of 20 students were destroyed. The university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Godfrey Essien, confirmed the incident, but said that the inferno was put off by men of the State Fire Service. “Yes there was a minor fire outbreak in one of the female hostels in the town campus of the university, but it was brought under control by men of the State Fire Service. “The fire affected just two of the rooms in the hostel while no life was lost. “The university authority is currently carrying out an investigation to determine the cause of the fire,” Essien said. NAN gathered that the incident was caused by an electrical fault when one of the female students was cooking.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), on Saturday donated 561 megaphones to Taraba Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA) in order to enhance its immunisation social mobilisation capacity. Dr Wale Famiyesin, the South-West Coordinator of WHO, made the donation in Jalingo. Famiyesin said WHO was committed to ensuring that communicable and preventable diseases were eradicated or reduced to the barest minimum in Nigeria and across the world. He explained that the organisation was focusing more on primary health care delivery, particularly immunisation. He commended Taraba Government for finally establishing the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, adding that it would go a long way to assist in delivering qualitative health care to the people. Responding, Executive Secretary of PHCDA, Mr Aminu Hassan, commended WHO for its pivotal role in initiating and providing health care delivery systems to millions of people across the world. Hassan said the megaphones would go ...

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno said the State Government had concluded plans to commence the reconstruction of communities destroyed by the insurgents to enable the inhabitants to return home. Communities in 22 out of the 27 local government areas of the state were ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgents after years of attacks. Shettima spoke to newsmen in Maiduguri on Saturday after his return from a foreign trip. “The most important thing now is how we can reconstruct our communities and villages destroyed by Boko Haram so that our people can start going back home. “We are going to use our meagre resources to start reconstruction of damaged communities, pending when the Federal Government will come in,” he said. Shettima said that some communities with minimal damages had started returning. “People have started going back to Damasak, people have started going back to Gwoza but we need the support of the Federal Government to rebuild and reconstruct the af...

Dallas (AFP) – A man sprayed gunfire and planted several bombs at Dallas police headquarters in a rampage that came to a brutal end when snipers shot him dead after several terrifying hours. Police in the US city said they were “blessed” that nobody was hurt and ruled out any connection to terrorism in the one-man assault that saw gunfire echo around the darkened streets of the sprawling Texas city and left carnage in its wake. The night of violence began around 12:30 am (0530 GMT) when a man in an armored van rammed into police squad cars at Dallas police headquarters and opened fire. Shots rang out from several different locations, leading police initially to believe multiple gunmen were involved, before they established the attacker was acting alone. The mayhem came to a bloody and abrupt end in a restaurant parking lot when SWAT police fatally shot the man — who has not been officially named — through the windshield of the armored van shortly before...

A Nigerian has been jailed 25-years for drug dealing and racketeering by South Africa’s Durban High Court. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said John Jekwe Chigbu was sentenced after being found guilty of running the drug dealing enterprise from the Durban panel beating business of which he was a co-owner. Another Nigerian working with him, Sunny Augustine Seyi Osazuwa, received a R10 000 fine or the option of a three-year sentence for his conviction of drug dealing. The Nigerian’s South African-born wife, Sithembile Sbongile Chigbu, who was also charged, is allegedly on the run, while Burundian national Ndayisaba Ramazani was acquitted. According to the indictment, Chigbu would receive orders for cocaine and Ecstasy on his phone. His three co-accused, including his wife, would deliver the drugs to customers who would deposit the money into the panel beating business’s bank account. The four were arrested following a sting o...

Dallas (AFP) – A man sprayed gunfire and planted several bombs at Dallas police headquarters in a rampage that came to a brutal end when snipers shot him dead after several terrifying hours. Police in the US city said they were “blessed” that nobody was hurt and ruled out any connection to terrorism in the one-man assault that saw gunfire echo around the darkened streets of the sprawling Texas city and left carnage in its wake. The night of violence began around 12:30 am (0530 GMT) when a man in an armored van rammed into police squad cars at Dallas police headquarters and opened fire. Shots rang out from several different locations, leading police initially to believe multiple gunmen were involved, before they established the attacker was acting alone. The mayhem came to a bloody and abrupt end in a restaurant parking lot when SWAT police fatally shot the man — who has not been officially named — through the windshield of the armored van shortly before...