IBB urges Nigerians to support the Govt & military in the fight against Boko Haram.

In an exclusive interview with Sunday Sun at his Minna Hilltop Mansion, former head of state Ibrahim Babangida spoke on Buhari's Ministers, Boko Haram, life after power and other sundry issues. While expressing confidence in the calibre of Nigerians chosen to serve in the Buhari cabinet, appealed to Nigerians to support the government and Armed Forces in the fight against Boko Haram. 

More photos from Ooni of Ife designate's entrance into Ile Ife

The Ooni of Ife designate, Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi, made his grand entrance into Ile Ife in Osun state today ahead of his coronation as the 51st Ooni of Ife. Continue to see more photos..

Photos: EFCC arraigns former Adamawa Commissioner for N20m Land Fraud

A former Adamawa State Commissioner for Finance and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, John Elias, was yesterday October 22nd arraigned before Justice B.B Aliyu of Federal High Court Yola, Adamawa State over a N20 million fraud. A statement from EFCC states that Elias allegedly sold and appropriated some properties, which are under interim forfeiture to the Federal Government.

Read This Strong Message To President Buhari

Now that President Muhammadu Buhari has selected his 36 wise men, it would appear that the direction of his administration would become clearer. I had entertained some concerns about the delay in putting together a team especially after JP Morgan had announced in September that it would drop Nigeria from its emerging market bond index which immediately had a negative ripple effect on the economy.

I know I was not the only one concerned...
As an employer of labour with a thousand staff whose salaries I must pay, I know that not a few of my employees and fellow employers of labour expressed similar concerns especially as Barclays indicated that it was soon to follow the route taken by JP Morgan.

Nigerian man held for Indian teen's rape

The Bengaluru police arrested a Nigerian man for allegedly raping a 19-year-old girl and learnt about the Interpol notice issued in his name, during interrogation.

The accused has been identified as 28-year-old Christian Chidiebere Chukwu from Festac Town, Lagos in Nigeria.

Buhari puts pressure on oil industry

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is taking steps to put pressure on the oil industry.

Experts warn that Buhari's actions could do harm to this critical sector for the Nigerian economy -- oil provides 95 percent of Nigeria's foreign exchange earnings,  and 80 percent of government  revenues. 

U.S. and Iraq Pursuing ISIS on Several Fronts

Struggling to regain the initiative after a long impasse in the battle against Islamic State militants, the Iraqi government and the American-led coalition are for the first time in months putting military pressure on the jihadists on multiple fronts, officials say.

Supported by increased American air power, Iraqi forces are on the outskirts of Ramadi, pressing to encircle the capital of Anbar Province, which the militants took in May, and cut it off from resupply and reinforcements.

To the north of Baghdad, Iraqi military forces and Iranian-backed Shiite militias are trying to expand their foothold at the Baiji oil refinery after retaking it from the Islamic State on Friday.

Schoolboy fights for life after suffering massive electric shock while climbing on top of train for SELFIE

A teenage thrill-seeker is fighting for his life after suffering a massive electric shock as he clambered on top of a train to take a selfie.

Buhari meets with Service Chiefs at the State House

President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo earlier today met with service Chiefs at the state house Abuja. More photos after the cut....

ISIL child training camp discovered in Istanbul: Report

A total of 24 of around 50 suspects of Tajik and Uzbek origin, who were detained for having links to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Istanbul on Oct. 18, have been revealed to be children being trained in basement apartments in Istanbul’s Pendik and Başakşehir districts, daily Vatan has reported.

Army Kidnaps Twelve Palestinians, Including 4 Children, In Jerusalem

Late on Sunday evening, soldiers kidnapped four Palestinian children from their families' homes, and took them to an interrogation center in Jerusalem. 

PDP Cries Out, Says EFCC Is After Their Strong Man Akpabio

Few months back PDP was using EFCC to chase those against their regime, today the table has turned.

The opposition party has cried out that the investigation of Godswill Akpabio, the Senate Minority Leader, by the EFCC was politically motivated.

If Saraki who's standing trial can preside, Amaechi should pass

*Halt The Charade Against Rotimi Amaechi

The orchestrated delay by the Senate to confirm the ministerial nomination of Rotimi Amaechi is a brazen display of what happens when open and honest process is brushed aside so that the wiles of backroom and vengeful politics may take control of a vital constitutional function of the upper house of our National Assembly. The rule of fair law has been transformed into the rule of muddled evil.

Nigeria in safe hands with President Buhari, says SGF

Babachir Lawal, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has assured Nigerians that the country was in safe hands under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He gave the assurance on Saturday in Abuja at a reception organised in his honour by his friends and well wishers.

Boko Haram storms Adamawa village, kills 12

Some armed persons suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect on Saturday night attacked a village in Adamawa State, killing 12 people.

While narrating how the attack occurred, Maina Ularamu, a former Chairman of Madagali Local Government Area, said the insurgents attacked Dar Village in the council at about 8:30 p.m.

Women appointment: Jonathan did well, Buhari marginalizing us – FIDA

Mrs Hauwa Shekarau, Country Vice President, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), has called on government at all levels to appoint more women into key positions.

Shekarau who spoke on Saturday in Abuja lamented the reduction in number of women in government, describing it as disheartening, considering the important role women played in national development.

Ife kingmaker, Obalufe is dead

The Leader of Ile-Ife kingmakers and the Obalufe of Iremo quarters, Oba Solomon Omisakin is dead.

His death is coming at peak of battle for the throne of the new Ooni of Ife.

According to reports, Obalufe, the leader of the chiefs on right side of Ooni and next in rank to him, is also the prime minister of Ife and oversees the town in the absence of an Ooni

El Rufai visits VP Osinbajo (photos)

Governor of Kaduna state Mallam Nasir El-Rufai yesterday paid a courtesy visit to VP Yemi Osinbajo. More photos after the cut..

Kaduna Senators oppose Amina Mohammed ministerial nomination, says she's not from their state

Some politicians in Kaduna state have kicked against President Buhari's ministerial nomination from their state, Amina Mohammed, claiming that she's not from Kaduna. The aggrieved politicians say Amina is originally from Gombe state but is married to a Kaduna state indigene. They argue that President Buhari should pick a nominee that is originally from the state as they have more competent hands than Amina.

Even Nigerians on the street know Buhari, Saraki not at ‘war’ – Enang

The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, on Friday dismissed speculations of a rift between his principal and Senate President, Bukola Saraki

Enang, who spoke with journalists in his office, said Wednesday night meeting with the president and the leadership of the National Assembly led by Saraki was a proof that there was no ‘war’ between them.

His words: “The gains of that meeting are as stated by the president of the senate in his briefing of the media after the meeting.

“I am sure you can begin to feel the political temperature that peace had descended in the minds and psyche of Nigerians and that the relationship between the executive and the legislature which was thought to be on heat, had been fully, perfectly, effectively cemented and the public is now aware.

“I want to say that the conjectures as they were, of a rift between the executive and the legislature were in all honesty, a conjecture, there wasn’t any rift. The meeting between the president and the National Assembly leadership, as it were as stated by the senate president, really proved that there were no rift.

“The senate president said ‘those small talks’ were taken by the public to mean that there was a crisis and division and I think that has laid it to rest.

“Even most Nigerians on the street know that there is a perfect relationship between the executive and the legislature.“The executive maintains its powers under the constitution and was aware that it is the legislature that would approve your measures, your budget, and even ministerial nominees.”

Drama in Ilorin as suspected robber falls from bank’s roof

There was a drama on Friday at the Unity Road Branch of Guaranty Trust Bank in Ilorin as a suspected robber fell from the bank’s roof, throwing the banking hall into pandemonium.

The suspect was hiding on the roof of the bank while waiting for his accomplices to commence a robbery operation when he fell.

A security man attached to the bank speaking on condition of anonymity said the suspected robber must have been hiding on the roof overnight.

He also said nobody knew how the suspect got into the roof of the bank as there were no sign of damage to any of the security doors in the bank.

The security man said the suspect was promptly apprehended by some customers inside the banking hall and later handed over to the police.

The Police Public Relations officer, Okasanmi Ajayi, confirmed the incident.

He said immediately the report reached the police command, the Commissioner of Police,  Esosa Amadasun, visited the bank.

The police spokesperson said nobody was injured in the incident while interrogation of the suspect had commenced.

When a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigerian visited the bank, it was locked while a security man was busy directing customers to the Taiwo Road branch of the bank.

Jonathan to lead a 33-nation election observer mission in Tanzania

The Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Yahya Simba has revealed that former President Jonathan will be leading a 33-nation observer mission to the Sunday, October 25, General Election to be held in Tanzania.

The mission is made up of observers from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Pacific.

Simba made this known in Dar es Salaam, the Tanzanian capital, while speaking at a meeting jointly organised by the UN and the government of Tanzania on the event of the former’s 70th anniversary which will be commemorated next week.

Former Mozambican President, Armando Guebuza will lead the African Union (AU) observer team, he added.

Update On The Allegations Against Buhari's New Ministers

Information indicates that no fewer than 25 petitions have been submitted by some disgruntled individuals and groups seeking to stop the clearance of some ministerial nominees.

At the office of Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions 25 petitions had been submitted so far. The details:

Apart from the petition against former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, which was submitted by the three senators from Rivers State to the senate president on Wednesday, another senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Danjuma La’ah, submitted his on Thursday against the nomination of Mrs. Amina Mohammed from Kaduna State.

GOV.WIKE Set To Commit Suicide If AMAECHI is Cleared

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted with joy to the news of the nomination of the immediate past governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as a Minister by President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as a fitting independence anniversary gift by the Nigerian leader to Rivers State and her people. A statement signed by the State Party Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, and issued Tuesday in Port Harcourt said:

“With the listing of Rt. Hon. Amaechi as a ministerial nominee despite all the manipulations, witch-hunting and other evil plots by Chief Nyesom Wike and his cohorts, we are elated that, once more, good has prevailed over evil, God over devil, Amaechi over wicked Wike, light over darkness, patriotism over nepotism.

Nigerian Oil Baron Jide Omokore Quizzed By EFCC, Released

Mr. Omokore was interviewed by officers of the commission concerning his role in the corruption that engulfed the oil industry during President Goodluck Jonathan’s regime. His home and office in Lagos were ransacked last week as the EFCC waded into the case, which broke open with the arrest in London of Mrs. Alison-Madueke in London.

2016 Budget, less dependence on oil –Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that the 2016 national budget will include fresh policies and measures to encourage the rapid diversification of Nigeria’s economy from dependence on the oil and gas sector.

We started investigating Alison-Madueke since 2013 – UK National Crime Agency

The UK National Crime Agency [NCA] on Saturday said investigation into allegations of corruption against Nigeria’s former minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and the four other people arrested Friday had been on since 2013.

In an update on its website, the NCA said, “The investigation commenced in 2013 under the Proceeds of Corruption Unit, and transferred to the NCA earlier this year.”

Photo of Buhari with Barack and Michelle Obama

President Buhari in a photo with Michelle and Barack Obama during a reception at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York last week.

Buhari says end of terrorism is in sight despite Abuja blasts

President Muhammadu Buhari, Saturday restated the commitment of his administration to curb extremism and eradicate violence in the country.
In a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday at the presidential villa, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said after receiving briefing from a team of government officials he sent to carry out on-the-spot assessment of the bomb blasts recorded in Kuje and Nyanya parts of the Federal Capital Territory on Friday evening, the president said that for terrorism to be uprooted from the country, the society must be rid of violent extremism.
According to the statement, Buhari insisted that the end of insurgency was in sight despite the latest attacks.

Graphic photos from the bomb blast scene in Abuja last night

There were multiple explosions at Kuje market and police station last night which resulted in the death of an unspecified number of people...

Father sexually assaults his 4 year old daughter

Four-year-old child has lost her voice following several sexual assaults on her by her 37-year-old father, identified as Ademola.

Her mother explained to Saturday PUNCH how her husband of 14 years had been molesting their daughter.
Blessed with four children; three girls, including a set of twins, and a boy,things became took a dark turn when she caught her husband sexually assaulting their 2nd child.

 The unfortunate incident seems to be tearing the family further apart as she has not only moved out of the house; she has vowed never to return, whilst accusing her husband of being diabolical.

This twitter user had tweeted of a possible attack in Abuja and Lagos a day before the attack

This twitter user had on October 1st repeatedly tweeted of a possible attack in Abuja and Lagos by suspectd boko Haram members. It is unclear whether the security agents came across these tweets

Presidency keeps mum on Dieziani's arrest

The presidency has refused to comment on the arrest of former petroleum minister Dieziani Alison-Madueke. Spokespersons to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina and Shehu Garba have refused to comment on whether Dieziani was arrest on request by the Nigerian govt.

Bomb blast in Abuja

Suspected Boko Haram members last evening detonated an improvised explosive device at Kuje market around the police station in Abuja killing scores of people. Details later...

Female bomber kills scores in Maiduguri

Multiple explosions in Maiduguri killed scores of residents yesterday evening. The explosions were  suspected to be from Boko Haram. Heavy sounds were heard in some parts of Maiduguri on October 1. Though the Army said it was merely testing weapons for effective night operation, however, sources said multiple blasts occurred at Bulunkutu-Dalla  area of the metropolis at about 7:30p.m.

A youth vigilante in the  civilian JTF in the area, who asked not to be named told Daily Sun that a female bomber detonated explosive devices near a mosque, killing four on the spot.
Two other explosions were also recorded near the area. The area has  recorded explosions, which killed 54 recently.

Dieziani granted bail, passport seized

Former Petroleum minister, Dieziani Alison-Madueke who was arrested in London earlier today by the UK National Crime Agency over allegations bordering on bribery and corruption, has been granted bail. Her passport has been seized by the police and she is expected to report to the Charing Cross Police Station on Monday for questioning.

Nasarawa pilgrim returns N.5m to Afghan mate, gets free hajj seat

A pilgrim from Nasarawa State Mallam Suleiman Bello has been rewarded with a free seat for the 2016 hajj after he returned about half a million Naira he found in Ka'aba, Makkah to the owner, an Afghanistani pilgrim, Alhaji Mosa Gousdin.

According to Daily Trust, Bello found the bag containing the money while doing Tawaf (circumambulation) in Ka'aba. The money was in various denominations. $2,345 (N466, 655), SR303 Saudi Riyal (N16, 076.84) and 3,020 Afghanistan currency (N9, 370.64) totaling N492, 102.44.
The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Abdullahi Mukhtar Mohammed who handed over the money to the owner in the presence of other Afghan officials in Nigeria's Makkah office, announced a free seat for the pilgrim for next year's hajj as a way of rewarding for his exemplary attitude.

Buhari holds talks with Saraki, others in Aso Rock after Independence event

The occasion of Nigeria’s 55th Independence Anniversary finally provided an opportunity for the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

There had been reports in the media suggesting that Buhari has frustrated all efforts by Saraki to see him following the manner the latter emerged as Senate President against entrenched interests in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

More photos from the Independence Day Celebration in Abuja

President Buhari letting the white pigeon go as Vice President Yemi Osinajo and others look on at the Independence Day celebration in Abuja today. More photos after the cut...

Nasir El-Rufai compares Independence Day expenditure in the last 5 years

 Change has come indeed. He did the comparison on his Facebook page.

SEE The Men & Woman Who Made Buhari's Ministerial LIST

As was exclusively confirmed  on Wednesday evening, President Muhammadu Buhari sent a list of Ministerial Nominees containing just 21 names to the Senate to enable him meet the deadline he has set for himself. The rest of the names are expected to come on next week.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, in company with the President's Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, delivered the list in a sealed envelope to Senate President Bukola Saraki at exactly 5pm in his office.