Man shot while approaching Buhari in Kebbi

An unidentified man was shot in the foot while attempting to move towards President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Argungu, Kebbi State. The president was in the state for the 2020 Argungu Fishing Festival.

In a video obtained at the festival, the man was seen moving close to the president.

It was believed that the man had penetrated the president’s tight security and attempted to go close to him before Buhari’s security detail prevented him and shot him in the foot.

Operatives of the Department of State Security were said to have later carried the man to an unknown location. When contacted on the telephone last night, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, confirmed the incident, saying the man was an overzealous supporter of the president who did not know that he had crossed the line of security. Shehu said: “He is an overzealous supporter who wanted to reach the president clearly out of goodwill. He didn’t know the limit and security implication. He didn’t know that he was crossing the line of security.” But sources alleged that the man was an aggrieved Nigerian who wanted to attack the president.

Scarves: A fashion staple for your hair

Scarves are not just clothing items they are fast becoming a fashion staple.

Gone were the days where the major purpose of wearing a scarf was just to cover your hair.

Now, they have become more versatile and easily fashionable and can be rocked on both formal and casual outfits.

They can effortlessly be paired with your corporate outfit to your place of work to dinner dates with friends and family.

All that is required is some creativity and you’d be amazed as to how you can tie your scarf.

Tying scarves require a certain kind of skill and if you can pull it off rightly, you are going to be looking classing all day every day.

Popular on Instagram for her creative ways of showing us how versatile tying of scarves can be, Yasmine (___enimsay), shows different ways you can tie your scarf and still look chic and classy. She makes use of long scarves in order to be able to achieve all these looks.

Gunmen attack Gospel musician Atorise

Nigerian gospel artiste, Lanre Teriba aka Atorise, has been attacked by unknown gunmen suspected in Lagos.

The incident happened on Saturday night at the Berger end of the Lagos/ Ibadan expressway while the singer was returning from an engagement. 

He escaped the attacked but he is seriously injured and currently on admission in an undisclosed hospital.

Buhari asks National Assembly to exempt animal feed from VAT

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) has asked the National Assembly to exempt animal feed from the list of items that would attract payment of the Value Added Tax.

He stated this in a communication read on both chambers of the federal parliament by the presiding officers, Messrs Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday.

Buhari specifically asked the apex legislative institution to amend the recently approved Finance Bill 2019 to accommodate the exemption.

He also said that aspects of the existing tax holiday incentive for agriculture should be targeted at small and medium-sized companies.

Such firms should be those that invest in primary crop, livestock, forestry and fishing agricultural production.

He said the incentive would also be administered by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission pursuant to the Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) Act.

Buhari said the amendment would help to support the implementation of the 2020 Federal Budget.

BREAKING: Banished Emir Sanusi leaves his Nasarawa residence

Dethroned Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi, has left the Loko residence, a town in Nasarawa State where he was banished to.

The former Emir left shortly after arriving at the residence.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, was airlifted in a helicopter with no word about where he was being taken.

More to follow…

BREAKING: Aminu Ado Bayero emerges the new Emir of Kano

Aminu Ado Bayero becomes the new Emir of Kano after the dethronement of Sanusi Lamido.

Aminu is the former Emir of Bichi before court's annulment.

However the new Emir of Bichi kingdom will be announced soon.

Ganduje removes Sanusi as Emir of Kano

Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi ll has been dethroned over disrespect to the office of the governor and other government agencies. The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, said the removal was with immediate effect.

The emir’s action violated the part 3 section A-E of Kano state law, hence the removal. He said the removal was in line with consultation with relevant stakeholders.

He said a new emir would be announced in due course.

NURTW Is Providing Sanitisers At Parks To Prevent Coronavirus – MC Oluomo

Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Musiliu Akinsanya aka Mc-Oluomo, has said that the union is providing sanitizers at motor parks across the state to prevent any probable spread of the novel Coronavirus disease in the state.

Mc-Oluomo made this known on Thursday during a visit by the state ministry of health and strategy team to his office in Oko Oba area of the state.

He said, “In a bid to stop the ravaging Coronavirus, the union is contributing its quota by making hand sanitizers available at our parks.

“As we are aware, our members interact with different kinds of people at motor parks and this makes them vulnerable to infectious disease.

“We will also be holding an enlightenment campaign amongst our members to create awareness about the virus.”

The NURTW boss urged commercial drivers to maintain personal hygiene and cultivate regular handwashing habit.

Assault: Court okays process to begin Oluwo’s trial

An Osogbo Magistrates’ Court  on Friday granted an ex parte motion filed  by   the Agbowu of Ogbaagbaa, Oba Dirkrullahi Akinropo, seeking an order  compelling  the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, to appear for trial over alleged assault against him.

Akinropo, through his lawyer, Soji Oyetayo, approached the court with a motion dated  February 27 seeking, among other reliefs, the court’s approval to file another application compelling the  Oluwo to appear for trial.

The monarch also in a 41-paragraph affidavit in support of the motion alleged that Akanbi assaulted him in the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone XI, during a peace meeting  on February 14.

In the ex parte motion  filed before the court, Akinropo urged  the  court to stop the respondent from harassing, intimidating, threatening or attacking him or  using thugs and miscreants to do so.

The applicant also sought an  injunction restraining the respondent from further indulging in any act in any manner whatever likely to, or capable of causing  the breach of public peace and tranquillity, and/or capable of endangering the life of the applicant in order to maintain peace pending the determination of the motion on notice to be brought pursuant to the leave herein.

Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara, while ruling on the ex parte motion, granted the relief sought  by the Agbowu to file  an application compelling Akanbi to appear before the court  for trial.

Speaking with reporters after the session, Oyetayo  said,  “We sought an order seeking leave of the court to file another application to bind him (Oluwo) over. That was the application that was heard and granted today. When we file a motion on notice, it will be fixed for hearing.”

Start printing UTME slip – JAMB tells 2020 candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Saturday said prospective candidates for the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) are free to print their examination slips for the Computer Based Test.

Dr Fabian Benjamin, Head, Media and Information of the board, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the examination slips for the UTME which to is to commence nationwide on Saturday, March 14 could be printed anywhere.

Benjamin also stated that candidates are expected to look out for the locations of their centres before their examination dates.

“This is in order to avoid running around on the examination day trying to locate the centres, and as a result, getting to the centre late.

“It should be stated clearly now that lateness to the examination will not be tolerated, no matter the excuse,” he said.

Benjamin said that come 2021, the board’s portal would be integrated into that of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

“Admission into our tertiary institutions are at the centre of national development, and therefore, any person or group of persons found to be truncating the national development process will not be assured.

“This integration will be done in such a way that anyone, be it from JAMB itself, institutions, the candidates or the general public, causing infractions of whatever type to our examination and its processes will be decisively dealt with immediately,” he said.

“The board will not relent in its effort, in ensuring that its processes are devoid of corrupt practices,” he assured.

Coronavirus: Two British Airways staff test positive

British Airways has confirmed that two of its staff, have tested positive for coronavirus.

The staff are believed to be baggage handlers at London’s Heathrow Airport.

It brings the total number of infected persons in the UK to 163.

British Airways has encouraged its staff, to take unpaid leave as the virus continues to spread rapidly.

“Public Health England (PHE) has confirmed that two members of our staff, have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.

“The welfare of our passengers and colleagues is our top priority. A dedicated team from Public Health England is in place at Heathrow to respond to any incidents,” a statement read.

British Airways has already cancelled all flights to China, while also slowing down on destinations in Europe, Japan and South Korea.

For 4 hours, bandits killed, maimed in 5 Kaduna villages

They came on motorcycles, in the quiet breeze of the early morning when many had left the comfort of their beds to congregate for the Subhi (early morning) prayer. It was 5:30am and the sounds of the assailants’ gunshots created panic; there was confusion and many ran in opposite directions, not certain where the bandits were coming from. They had targeted and descended first, on Marina village in Kerawa district of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Without mercy, they shot at men, women, children and the elderly. “Those of us who used local charm and were impervious to their bullets paid a different price,” said a member of the vigilante group who escaped the attack. “They ran over some of our men with their motorcycles. Because their bullets failed, their machetes were used to cut, slice and hack our people down and others were set ablaze,” he narrated.

After almost four hours of massacre that extended to four additional villages, our correspondents learnt that the bandits had only retreated when air and ground reinforcements from security agencies began their onslaught on them. By noon, the dozens of bandits that ambushed the five neighbouring communities of Igabi and Giwa local government areas of the state had left a trail of bloodbath, ashes of the people they burnt and empty shells of vehicles and homes they ransacked and set ablaze. Marina village recorded 13 casualties, Kerewa village recorded 23 while 15 others were from Zariyawa, Rago and Unguwan Musa. Ibrahim Aliyu, a member of the vigilante at Marina village said the bandits had hit Marina first and on noticing the smoke emanating from the village, youths from neighbouring Kerawa had rushed to render assistance but were equally ambushed by the bandits.

Togo confirms first case of Coronavirus

Togo on Friday, confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus.

The case was confirmed after a 42-year-old woman tested positive following her return from a trip to Benin, Germany, France and Turkey.

The presidency in a statement said the index case is currently isolated in a treatment centre for infectious diseases”

“From February 22 to March 2, 2020 she visited Benin, Germany, France and Turkey before returning to Togo via the land border with Benin.

“All people who had contact with the patient in the country have been identified and put in quarantine,” the statement added.

In Africa, Senegal , South Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon have recorded positive cases since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China.

Ondo banks close at noon over robbery scare

Customers of commercial banks in Ikare Akoko, the headquarters of the Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, were disappointed on Tuesday as the banks abruptly shut down by midday due to the fear of an armed robbery attack.

This came almost a month after a gang of armed robbers attacked some bank branches in Ile Oluji, the headquarters of the Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo Local Government Area of the state, during which four persons, including a policeman, were killed.

It was gathered that the banks in Ikare Akoko stopped attending to customers around noon after receiving a security alert that robbers were planning to attack them.

A customer, who identified himself simply as Kareem, said, “The banks were under lock and key and denied customers entry, while some of the customers, who were already inside the banking halls, were hurriedly sent out by the security guards of the banks.”

A bank official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the action of the institutions was to prevent loss of lives and property, adding that the security signal was for them to stop operation and not let anyone enter the banking halls again.

“We had to obey the instruction to stop work, because we didn’t want any attack on our banks. However, if the instruction comes again to open for operation tomorrow (Wednesday), we will open for customers, but if not, we will close until the coast is clear. It is very unfortunate that the issue of insecurity does not have a solution in our country, the official stated”

It was, however, learnt that shortly after the closure of the banks, police and army patrol vehicles were driven round the town, particularly in the areas where the banks were located.

US offers N2.5bn for information on Boko Haram leader, Shekau

 

The United States Department of State is offering a reward of up to $7m (N2.5bn) for information leading to the arrest of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.

The Rewards for Justice Program, which is the counterterrorism rewards program of the US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, said this in a tweet on its official Twitter handle on Tuesday.

The tweet reads, “The United States Department of State offers a reward up to $7m for information leading to the arrest of the terrorist, Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko Haram.

Kano Assembly Receives Petition To Investigate Emir Sanusi

The Kano State House of Assembly has received a fresh petition against Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II for alleged behavioural misconduct.

The petition, according to the Chairman committee on local government and Emirates, Hon. Zubairu Masu was submitted by two people requesting the house to make a necessary and thorough investigation about the allegations, they claim is contrary to the culture and tradition of the people of Kano.

During plenary on Wednesday, the report was submitted to the House Committee on petitions for considerations.

The assembly also constituted a committee headed by the Deputy Speaker, Hamisu Chidare and seven others to investigate the petition against the Emir.

Meanwhile, a source within the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, said Emir Sanusi has been invited over to answer questions on alleged corruption charges leveled against him.

Emir Sanusi has been accused by the Kano state government over allegations of misappropriation of over N3.4 billion funds meant for Kano Emirate.

Court Orders Oshiomhole To Stop Parading Himself As APC Chairman

 A Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted an order of interim injunction stopping Comrade Adams Oshiomhole from parading himself as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Danlami Senchi who granted the injunction on Wednesday said that political parties must be bound by their constitution and having been suspended by his ward, Comrade Oshiomhole is restrained from functioning as the National Chairman of the party pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The judge fixed hearing for April 7 and 8, 2020.

Protesters have been demanding the removal of Comrade Oshiomhole for failing in his duties of providing quality leadership for the party, a call the APC leader dismissed, tagging the group “a non-existing” one.

BREAKING: Italy returnee confirmed Tunisia’s first coronavirus case

Tunisia has confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus, the health ministry said on Monday.

The Health Minister, Abdelatif el-Maki, said this at a news conference in Tunis, the country’s capital, explaining that the patient is a 40-year-old Tunisian man who had returned from Italy.

Similarly, two new cases of novel coronavirus infection were confirmed in Algeria, the Algerian Health Ministry said on Monday.

The two include a 54-year-old woman and her 24-year-old daughter, who live in the northern province of Blida, some 50 km to the southwest of the capital city Algiers, the ministry said.

The two patients have been placed under quarantine and are currently undergoing medical treatment, it added.

In late February, Algerian health authorities announced the first confirmed coronavirus case in the country, involving an Italian national who had been deported back to Italy after receiving medical care.

Gunmen in Nigeria Kill 51 People in Attacks in Northern State

Gunmen in Nigeria killed at least 51 people in attacks on villages in the northern state of Kaduna, a lawmaker representing the area said.

The attacks on Sunday targeted villages in the Igabi and Giwa districts of the state, Uba Sani, the senator representing Kaduna Central, said on his verified Twitter account.

“The cold-blooded murder of about 51 persons in Kaduna villages has further deepened the pain of Nigerians,” Sani said. “The security agencies must go to any length to ensure that perpetrators of these heinous crimes are brought to book.”

Africa’s most populous country of more than 200 million is experiencing attacks by armed groups targeting remote villages in the country’s northwest for their livestock and granaries.

Corper found dead in a hotel, days to end of service

A female National Youth Service Corps (#NYSC) member identified as Amaka Asikaogu has reportedly died in an Abuja hotel a few days to the end of her service, TheSun reports.

According to the news reports, Amaka and a male friend checked into the New England Hotel in #Abuja on Saturday evening, after which the man ordered for food and drinks.

Shortly after the two were served their order, the man left the hotel leaving Amaka in the room. As gathered, the hotel staff who saw the man leaving the hotel asked about the lady (Amaka) that accompanied him, and he assured them that she is fine and was alone in the room.

The hotel workers had nonetheless checked on Amaka by placing a call to her room, which she answered, confirming that she was fine and alone in the room. She was said to have been alone in the room till the following day.

When it was time to check out, however, Amaka was not seen. The management was worried and had to force their way to the room and found Amaka’s lifeless body in the room.