Chelsea footballer John Obi Mikel has secretly fathered two children with different women, it has emerged today.
The 28-year-old midfielder is dad to a four-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter after short relationships with the women.
He is understood to have bought a £500,000 house in 2013 in the Home Counties for his son and mum and is keen to play a part in the boy's life.

A source told The Sun:

"John also agreed to give her tens of thousands a year in upkeep and, I think, agreed to give her a new car every three to five years."
Mikel also financially supports his daughter, who was born after the couple met at a London nightclub in 2013.A friend of the daughter's mum added:

"John has provided for her and the girl.She seems to have come into money since having the baby and is keeping a low profile."
Mikel is now dating Russian businesswoman Olga Diyachenko and has posted pics of the pair together on social media.

A spokesman for the footballer told The Sun:

"This is an entirely private matter.John provides for and cares for his children and will continue to do so. He asks that their privacy is respected."

NO fewer than six female students, one of them a final year student of the Department of Library and Information Science, Delta State University, Abraka, were last Friday caught with "expo materials" during examination.

An examiner identified as Sylvester Okiemute caught a final year female student of the Department of Library and Information Science with incriminating materials during an examination.

Sources said the student was caught while sitting for an exam on 'Entrepreneurship and Information Services' who had been observing her suspicious moves.

It was gathered that the examiner, convinced that the student was making reference to a paper he smuggled in, asked her to hand over the paper. The girl denied and that led to a shouting match between the examiner and the student. It was gathered that the examiner dipped his hands into her private part recovered the incriminating materials.

Our source, who narrated the incident on condition of anonymity, said the

student was earlier caught by another examiner and she pleaded with the examiner, who later pardoned her.

She was reportedly given another booklet to start over again, but was caught again, 45 minutes later.

Confirming the incident, the university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Victor Peretomode, said the university had declared total war on illegality and examination malpractices.

Peretomode warned that any student, no matter how highly placed, found to be involved in examination malpractices would be shown the way out.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) through its provincial headquarters on Lagos Island has cancelled a three-day outdoor crusade of one its parishes.

The cancellation came after the criticism that followed the invitation of the Fuji musician Wasiu Alabi Pasuma as a guest artist for the crusade.

Pasuma's picture appeared on the handbill advert alongside the gospel singer Tope Alabi and a former band leader of the late Fela Anikulapo's Egypt 80 band, Kereke Jike.

Naij.com gathered that the decision to stop the programme was because the church headquarters felt the idea to bring Pasuma and his fans to the church was not well conceived. A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the organisers did not do a detailed consultation before going ahead with the programme.

He also said that as a result the programme has been cancelled and the pastor in charge of the church along with the organising committee has also been suspended as they now await sanction for dragging the name of the church into the mud.

The crusade organised by Province 20 and tagged 'Lagos Island Family areas forum' was expected to feature Pastor Keji Hamilton and billed for Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25.

Naij.com further learned it was a fan of the Fuji lord who worked at the press where the posters and fliers were being printed who leaked the artwork of the posters and fliers of the event.

A few months ago a church was criticized for inviting a secular singer, Mavin Records' Korede Bello, to perform his hit single 'Godwin' during the Sunday service.

Kel was a 2nd year student of Theatre and Film department, UNIPORT. She collapsed while having a bath around 5am yesterday and was rushed to the Emergency unit of the University of Port harcourt teaching Hospital. According to her friend, UPTH allegedly rejected her, saying there was no bed space. She was then rushed to a private hospital that referred her back to UPTH. She unfortunately died before getting there.

This morning angry students protested her death, saying Kel was left unattended to from 6am until 12noon when she gave up . The students locked the doctors, nurses and medical staff inside the teaching hospital.. And ordered no entry or exit into the hospital.. They also blocked the federal road (Bayelsa road ) leading to the hospital and have been protesting ever since.

Olabisi Alofe-Kolawole is the first female force public relations officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force following her appointment on Friday by Solomon Arase, the inspector general of police.
The law graduate succeeds Emmanuel Ojukwu, who is now the commissioner of police in Kogi state.
Alofe-Kolawole, who advises the police on gender issues, lists one of her role models as Oprah Winfrey, the American TV celebrity who is the first known black female billionaire. Like her idol, Alofe-Kolawole has now scored a first.

She also enjoys the music of Korede Bello, Lara George, Beyonce and Don Moen, but will now have to dance to the tune of the ever critical Nigerian public, which is less-than-satisfied with the performance of the police.

But, most importantly, the assistant commissioner of police now has to polish or project the image of the police, a job considered one of the most difficult in Nigeria, if not in the world.

According to Abayomi Shogunle, deputy police spokesperson, "the appointment is geared towards harnessing the enormous potentials among Nigerian female police officers".

Alofe-Kolawole has a degree in law from Ogun State University and a master's in police leadership and management from University of Leicester, UK.
"The new FPRO has served in various capacities both at national and international level. She was the force gender adviser before her recent posting," Shogunle said.

Also, Arase has appointed Idowu Owohunwa, assistant commissioner of police, as principal staff officer (PSO) to inspector general of police.

"The new PSO who has a bachelors degree in international studies from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as well as a masters degree in criminal justice and policing from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom has served the Nigeria police in diverse capacities, such as staff officer to the 2006 Alh Dan Madami-Chaired Presidential Committee on Nigeria Police Reforms, Divisional Crime officer National Assembly Complex Police Division Abuja," the deputy police spokesperson said.

"He was pioneer head of the Intelligence Analysis Unit of the Force Intelligence Bureau. Ag. ACP Owohunwa takes over from CP Austin Iwar who is now the Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command. Before his appointment as PSO Ag. ACP Owohunwa was the Personal Assistant (PA) to the current IGP."

Nigerian Ambassador to the US, Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye has died. He died of an undisclosed ailment at a hospital in the US yesterday August 27th. He was planning to hand over to a new ambassador when he suddenly died yesterday. He was 68 years old.

A historian by training, Mr Adefuye hailed from Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun state. He studied at the University of Ibadan where he earned his first degree in 1969 as well as a PhD in history in 1973. May his soul rest in peace. Amen.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday said it had apprehended another employee of Arik Air, Ikechukwu Chibuzor Oliver, for his alleged involvement in the smuggling of 20kg cocaine to London on Monday.

According to the NDLEA, Oliver had confessed to the crime and had revealed that he charged N400,000 for each of the three bags containing the substance.

Oliver, Arik Air's employee in the catering department, was said to have assisted Chika Egwu Udensi to get the cocaine onboard the London-bound Flight W3101 on which Udensi arrived in the UK on Monday night.

Udensi, a senior flight attendant with the airline was arrested with the substance by the UK Border Force at the Heathrow Airport, London, shortly after the Airbus A330 landed.

The NDLEA, in a statement, said 35 years old Oliver, who is a catering loader at Arik, was found to have subverted airport security by concealing cocaine in catering supplies.

The statement by the anti-narcotics agency's spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju, indicated that preliminary investigation had revealed that both Oliver and Udensi had been infiltrated by a suspected drug cartel.

Ofoyeju said Oliver had told narcotic investigators that he was brought into the illicit drug deal by Udensi.

The NDLEA's statement quoted Oliver to have said, "It was Chika that introduced me into the drug deal. Whenever Chika gives me the drug, I will hide it in catering supplies. Chika knows where to collect the drug inside the flight. They pay me N400,000 per bag. I was expecting N1.2m for the three bags that I smuggled into the aircraft."

The statement added,"The 20kg of cocaine found with Chika in London was concealed within the construction of laptop bags. The quantity and estimated street value of the cocaine is over N100m.

"The latest Range Rover (Land Rover) car belonging to the prime suspect parked on the airline's premises had been moved to the NDLEA office as exhibit.

"As part of investigation, the rented apartment of Chika on Pastor Ojediran Street Ejigbo, Lagos was searched by operatives of the NDLEA. He lives there with the mother and siblings while his wife and children are based in Canada."

Oliver hails from the Isialagwa North Local Government Area of Abia State. The graduate of Business Administration was employed by Arik Air in 2009.

Meanwhile, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Ahmadu Giade, has directed that, henceforth, all airport workers must be extensively screened.

Giade said, "The agency has taken drastic measures to avert infiltration of airport workers by criminal syndicates. Airline officials and airport workers shall be subjected to comprehensive search. The NDLEA will resist any act capable of undermining security at all entry and exit points."

The NDLEA boss stressed that all catering trucks, luggage trucks, aviation fuel tankers, machines and personnel whose duty directly or indirectly related to the tarmac and flight operations would be subjected to full screening.

Following Udensi's arrest, operatives of the agency had on Wednesday besieged and occupied his Lagos house. The NDLEA stormed the house after they had interrogated pilots and flight attendants in the flight that left the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Below is a press statement...
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the following appointments:
Engr. Babachir David Lawal – Secretary to the Government of the Federation
Alhaji Abba Kyari – Chief of Staff to the President
Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) – Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service
Mr. Kure Martin Abeshi – Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service
Senator Ita S.J. Enang – SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate)

Hon. Suleiman A. Kawu – SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives)

The appointments are with effect from today, August 27, 2015.
Engr. Lawal, the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation hails from Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State. He graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree and worked with the Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Nigerian External Telecommunications Limited and Data Sciences Limited before establishing his own ICT and Telecommunications consulting firm in 1990. He is also a member of the Nigeria Computer Society, the Nigeria Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.

Alhaji Abba Kyari, the new Chief of Staff to the President holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick in Law and Sociology. He has worked with the New Nigeria Development Company, New Africa Holdings, African International Bank, United Bank for Africa, Unilever, and Mobil in various capacities over the years.

The new Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Ali holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Criminology. He was military administrator of Kaduna State from 1996 to 1998.

The new Comptroller- General of Immigration, Mr. Abeshi hails from Nasarawa State. He joined the Nigerian Immigration Service in 1989 as an Assistant Comptroller. His educational qualifications include a Masters Degree in Public Administration.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 27, 2015

The draws for the 2015/2016 group stage of the Uefa Champions League was made today. Here are the teams that make up the groups.

Group A: PSG, Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Malmo.

Group B: PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, CSKA Moscow, Wolfsburg.

Group C: Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray, Astana.

Group D: Juventus, Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Monchengladbach.

Group E: Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Roma, BATE Borisov.

Group F: Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Olympiakos, GNK Dinamo.

Group G: Chelsea, Porto, Dynamo Kiev, Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Group H: Zenit, Valencia, Lyon, Gent.

The atmosphere at the Mobile Police Force 20, in the Ikeja area of Lagos, had been tense since Tuesday after a police inspector, identified simply as Medugwu, mistakenly shot himself dead, while adjusting a faulty rifle.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the inspector, who was attached to MOPOL 20, was the second-in-command to the armourer. He was said to have accidentally pulled the trigger of the rifle, which sent a bullet to his jaw.

Our correspondent gathered that on Tuesday, at about 10am, a policeman had brought the faulty rifle to Medugwu to examine and readjust for him.

It was learnt that the second-in-command to the armourer collected the rifle, and tried to find out where the fault was. The rifle was said to have been fired in the process.

Other policemen in the area were said to have rushed to the scene and taken Medugwu to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

The inspector, however, died at about 1pm in the hospital.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro, a policeman, who claimed to be an eyewitness, said Medugwu accidentally turned the barrel of the rifle on himself during the check, before his finger touched the trigger.

He added that the inspector died as a result of severe injuries sustained from the gunshot.

He said, "He was the second-in-command at the armoury in the MOPOL 20. A policeman brought a faulty rifle to his office to examine. While he was doing that, he mistakenly turned the barrel of the gun on himself, and he mistakenly pulled the trigger.

"We rushed him to LASUTH, where the medical personnel battled to save his life. But, he died at about 1pm. His head was badly injured. Medugwu's death shook all of us."

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Patricia Amadin, confirmed the death of Medugwu via a text message.

The probe of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde, commenced as scheduled on Wednesday with his accuser telling the Senate that the EFCC boss gave out properties recovered from looters to siblings and friends.

George Uboh, the man who petitioned the Senate against alleged diversion of N1tn recovered funds by the Federal Government, in his oral submission before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, said that his interaction with ex-Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha showed that the amount recovered from the former governor was far more than what the EFCC declared in its reports.

"We have evidence of how Lamorde has been giving out some of the choice seized property and assets to some of his siblings, especially Usman, and we are ready to produce necessary evidence at the appropriate time," Uboh told the Senate committee.

He also explained to the committee how the incumbent Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, was allegedly intimidated by the EFCC under Lamorde to stop a legal process initiated to recover the shortfall of Alamieyeseigha's money by the Bayelsa State government.

He urged the committee to compel the EFCC to remit N2.051tn to the Federal Government, while Access Bank Plc should be compelled to produce the commission's "complete and unadulterated" statements from 2004 till date.

He also asked the Senate to invite Aminu Ibrahim and co, a firm of auditors, to appear before it to shed light on discrepancies.

He said that contrary to the provisions of Section 36 of EFCC (Establishment) Act of 2004, the anti-graft agency failed to remit over N1tn, alleging that the summary of EFCC's monetary recovery from March 2003 – March 2013 was N497.385bn and that the agency did not mention where the amount was remitted to.

He also said that the letter written by the EFCC to the Chairman, House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, in 2012 stated that the aggregate recovery from 2004 to 2011 was N1.326tn without details of remittances.

He said, "How can recovery for eight financial years be more than recovery for 11 financial years by over N800bn when the eight financial years are subsumed in the 11 financial years? Why do recovery for the same years differ on different reports?

"It should be noted that the two documents submitted were prepared under the chairmanship of Lamorde.

"Compare the first two submissions emanating from EFCC. The 2011 submission is over N800bn higher than the 2013 submission despite two additional years of naira recovery in the 2013 submission.

"Based on the records, because EFCC has not been able to account for over N800bn, EFCC manipulated the above records and grossly understated recovery in order to conceal the fraud."

The Senate committee refused to hear the legal team sent by Lamorde on the grounds that the EFCC boss had earlier requested and granted more time before appearing before the panel.

The EFCC team was led by the Director of Legal Services of the anti-graft agency, Mr. Chile Okoroma. Okoroma came in company with Lamorde's personal lawyer, Mr.Osuagwu Ugochukwu.

They walked into the venue of the meeting about one hour into the commencement of sitting.

The EFCC lawyer had asked for permission from the panel to react to Uboh's submissions even as he expressed reservations over the decision of the committee members to listen to Uboh without the representatives of the anti-graft agency in attendance.

Members of the committee, especially Senators Dino Melaye and Rafiu Ibrahim, objected to Okoroma's observation and queried his right to dictate to the panel on how to carry out its assignment.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, consequently read a letter from the EFCC, seeking the permission of the upper chamber to appear at a later date when its comprehensive annual audit report would have been received from KPMG, an audit firm.

Anyanwu said the committee would not attend to any submission from Okoroma and his team because they were not being expected.

He therefore asked the legal team to excuse the committee to enable it to conclude with the petitioner before determining when Lamorde would be invited to respond to the allegations.

Okoroma and Ugochukwu, however, told our correspondent outside the committee room   that they appeared before the panel because the committee was silent on the EFCC letter requesting an extension of time to appear before it.

Okoroma said, "The procedure adopted by the committee is flawed. They should not have heard the petitioner in our absence and they did not also send the documents attached to the petition to us.

"The committee was aware of our coming because we informed them. The petitioner should have proved his allegation in our presence. All what he was saying are pieces of rubbish and we are highly disappointed in the committee."

Meanwhile, the anti-Senate President Bukola Saraki senators under the aegis of Senate Unity Forum, on Wednesday, declared the Lamorde's probe by the committee as illegal because it did not follow the due process and that it breached the Senate Rules.

The group, in a petition by Senators Gorge Akume, Abu Ibrahim, Barnabas Gemade and Ahmad Lawan, faulted the process through which the petition was sent to the committee.

It noted that in a standard parliamentary practice, a petition should be routed through either a senator or a member of the House of Representatives and that upon receipt of such a petition the representative would inform the presiding officer of the chamber and, thereafter, present the petition in the plenary.

"Upon presentation in plenary, the presiding officer will invite the senator/member, House of Representatives. To lay the same petition on the table in the chamber, this automatically becomes a public document.

"In this regard, nothing of the sort happened. Senate proceeded on recess on August 13 and it is not on record that the petition of Mr. George Uboh, accusing Lamorde of diverting over N1tn recovered from some corrupt Nigerians, including former Governor of Bayelsa State, DSP Alamieyesigha, and the former Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun, was presented to Senate in Plenary," the group's statement read in part.

Nollywood actress, Bimbo Thomas has been in the movie industry for quite a while, but she shot into the limelight when she appeared in Funke Akindele's popular movie, 'Omo Ghetto.' In this chat with Potpourri, she speaks on the early days of her career, her wine store, among other issues. Excerpts…



Can you trace your genesis in the movie industry?

I can remember it was during my undergraduate days at the University of Lagos studying Creative Arts. When I was in 100 Level, I met Tayo Odueke (Sikirat Sindodo), and she was already in the industry at that time. She noticed that I was doing well when it comes to projects and practicals in school. She then suggested that I should come into the movie industry since I have all it takes in terms of charisma and every other thing. It took me a while to decide though. Later on, I met with Lanre Abbey and he introduced me to the Odunfa Caucus under the tutelage of Yinka Quadri.




Which of the movies you've acted in will you say gave your big break?

I'll say 'Omo Ghetto.'

Which is the most challenging role you've played in a movie?
Playing Nikky in Omo Ghetto was challenging. I had never broken a bottle before in my life, and I had also never been involved in a street fight, but I had to do all that in the movie. I put in my all and the character stuck. It took me some time to get that character out of my head.



Are you comfortable with your size, or would you like to change anything about it?

I'm okay. Right now, I'm even on a diet program trying to shed some weight. I know that I don't want to go beyond this size because there are some sizes that are not good enough for a babe. And for a woman that has not started making babies, I should watch it if I don't want to go way overboard.




It was reported that your wine store cost N42m, is it true, and what informed your setting up of the store?

This store, Bimbally, isn't what I thought will come into place now. But the love for collecting wines, beauty and nature have always been in me.   One day, I just thought of it that I haven't really been working for a while now because I'm selective of the scripts I accept because I noticed that I was being stereotyped. I knew I needed a brand extension, and I thought of establishing a clothing line which I'm still going to do anyway, and a wine store. And the rest as they say, is history. The plan is to expand and have branches all over as time goes on.




It was alleged that your sugar daddy gave you the money to set up the store, what do you have to say about that?

It's very funny when I hear things like that; I wonder where they think it up from. Looking at this shop, does it look to you like it's worth N42m?

No, but my eyes could be deceiving me, is it?
I put this down with my own hard-earned money; no man gave me money. Even my family members were shocked when I opened the store because I didn't inform anybody. My man was also surprised. Anyway, I think it's a hype for me and I love it, except for the aspect of the man that they added to it.



What's the craziest thing you can do on a movie set?

Now you've got me thinking. I've kissed severally. I really don't know, but I can't go nude.




Which is the most memorable kiss you've ever had on set?

It was with Femi Branch. I've forgotten the title of the film now but we played lovers and we had to make it real, and we really kissed. He had his back turned at me, and he said something. Instead of me to respond, I just grabbed him and started kissing him; even the director was stunned. He is my friend though and I know his wife.



Which actor would you like to kiss?

Internationally, it's Idris Elba, but lately I've had a crush on Terrence Howard. Locally, it's John Dumelo (Blushes).



What's your favourite part of your body?

My lips.


Have you ever been friends with benefit with anybody?

No, I don't subscribe to it. I've always had a smooth arrangement with everybody I've come in contact with. However, like the Kumi guy I told you about, we started out as friends, and you know we ladies always know when guys like us. But I, as a person, don't like to drag it out of you. I'll act as if I can't read between the lines. Anyway, we gradually began a relationship, but I won't even peck an ordinary friend; it's that bad.




There's a lot of lesbianism talks in the industry nowadays, have you ever had a lesbian hit on you?

Not from anyone in the industry, but outside. There was a time I was at a party and they played one of my favourite songs and I started dancing excitedly. I noticed a lady was looking at me in a funny kind of way. When I sat down, we got talking. And she began putting her hands on me, telling me that she had been admiring me for a long time. There and then, I shut her down and she apologised. The irony is that she's even a prettier lady than I am.


It is believed that many actresses these days are glorified prostitutes, what's your take on that?


When people say things like that, I feel it's their opinion, which they have a right to. I have a lot of guys as friends and I know that they like actresses, maybe because they can boast with it that they're dating famous people. There are many girls out there who can do whatever they like without public scrutiny, but it's not so for actresses. But why would someone who is famous be prostituting when the attention of the whole world is on her? It doesn't make sense. Being famous deprives one of doing certain things.
If anyone calls me with a strange number and starts saying funny things like I like you, or I have so and so uncle I want you to meet, I just block the person's line straight away. I'm not cut out for things like that. It takes a lot of effort for any member of the opposite sex to be my friend. For whoever is hiding under this umbrella to tarnish other people's image, I think they should be checked.

The comptroller general of Nigeria Immigration Service, David Parradang has been suspended by president Buhari  .The service's deputy comptroller general, Martin Abeshi,was directed to take over with immediate effect
It was not immediately clear why Mr. Parradang was sanctioned.The suspension was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Interior, Mr Yusuf Isiaka Alhaji, on behalf of the permanent secretary of the ministry.

However,the suspension may not be unconnected with the controversy on how a wanted suspected ISIS terrorist was granted a Nigerian visa in Lebanon to visit Nigeria.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a man, Dr. Kunle Adeshola, for issuing a forged draft to the tune of N3.29bn in a phoney land deal.
The EFCC said Adeshola presented himself as Director, Corporate and Management Service, Amazon Inc; and entered into a contract with Atkan Services Nigeria Limited for the purchase of 50 units of flats in Abuja.
The anti-graft agency spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said, “The director subsequently presented a bank draft no 081758 in the sum of $19,930,900 purportedly drawn by Deutsche Bank in favour of Infinity Trust Savings and Loans Limited.
“But the draft was returned unpaid after Stanbic IBTC Bank discovered that it was forged and reported the fraud to the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“The apex bank consequently reported the matter to the EFCC.”
Uwujaren said the suspect had earlier been arrested and prosecuted by the EFCC for impersonating an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
He added that the charges were struck on the grounds that they were not related to financial crimes.
EFCC spokesperson said the suspect would be charged to court for the new crime.

The Nigeria Police has commenced the development of crime and incident data bank to ensure that crime suspects in Nigeria do not escape the law. The innovation would allow the Nigerian Police to acquire and maintain the criminal profile of suspects, convicts, ex-convicts and persons of interest as well as aid speedy resolution of crimes.
The project will also assist employers of labour to carry out discreet background check on their employees. According to the project developer and Managing Director of Hardcore Biometric System, Mr. Kizito Ofonagoro, an information technology engineer, the project would allow the Police to build criminal profile of all offenders.
He said: “The project is about developing a crime and incident database for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to help compile data of every one who has committed a crime or involved in one in any part of the country. The purpose of the database is to give a broad over view into the criminal history of any persons in Nigeria.
“It would allow the NPF build criminal profile of continuous offenders, thereby establishing patterns which will aid the much precision needed in criminal investigation. It would also allow the NPF perform finger-print dusting on crime scene, weapons and other crime scene artifacts which can be used to conduct searches on the data and provide matches.
“By maintaining a forensic history of spent weapons casings, the NPF will have additional means of identifying weapon used in multiple crimes. It would also help promote international co-operation between the NPF and other international agencies such as embassies,  high commissions, Interpol, United Nations. The database would also be linked to Nigeria Immigration Service, identifying illegal immigrants and locating them.”

As the panel raised by President Muhammadu Buhari to probe how a wanted terrorist obtained visa in Beirut to travel to Nigeria commenced its work, the Federal Government is considering summoning its ambassador to shed light on the development.
Isis-Emir
Specifically, the Charge de Affairs in Beirut is needed to clear the air on how the wanted man, Ahmed Al Assir, secured a Nigerian visa, who issued it to him and why.
A top official of the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Abuja confirmed to Vanguard that the ministry had sprung into action to get to the root of the matter, which she described as ‘very embarrassing’ to the government and people of Nigeria.
It was learnt that the decision to summon the envoy arose following the discrepancies contained in the man’s documents.
Although key government officials looking into the matter have sufficient reasons to believe that the visa used by the man who also goes by the name Rami Adbul Rahman Taleb, was forged in order to escape arrest, they are worried about the implications of such development to the Nigerian visa and the image of the country.
A source said: “We have gone far in carrying out the president’s directive to probe how the man came by the Nigerian visa but we want to be sure that the assignment is completed with accuracy and that the outcome will be able to block any attempt to tarnish the country’s image.
“We are thinking of summoning our Charge d’Affaires in Beirut if at the end of the day the materials we have on the ground are not enough to give us all the answers to the questions raised by the Presidency on the matter.
“On the other hand, if what we have is able to give us a breakthrough to what we need, then, we may not ask the envoy to come over to Abuja for more information on the issue.”
Asked whether the Federal Government was contemplating recalling its envoy from Beirut over the development, the official said it was a mere summon to enable the official to assist the government in the current probe and nothing more.
Vanguard learnt that the probe team headed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Bulus Lolo, had already questioned many key officials of the ministry in and outside Nigeria with a view to submitting a comprehensive report on the issue to the Presidency.
Contacted, spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Mr. Odeh Ogbole, confirmed that investigation into the matter had commenced in earnest but declined to give details of what had been done. He also refused to say who had been summoned or not.

An acting manager of a Lagos hotel, Ogbu Christopher, was yesterday brought before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting at Oyingbo, over alleged theft of $7,500 belonging to a guest, who lodged at the hotel.
The defendant, a 37-year-old, manager with ARC Reception Hotel, located at Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, was alleged to have committed the said offence on April 10, at about 4p.m.
The prosecutor, Inspector Cousin Adams, alleged that the defendant broke into the hotel room, where one of the guests, Peter Ibeano, had lodged and took the said money.
He told the court that the defendant committed the offence when the guest saw off a visitor.
He was arraigned on a three-count charge of burglary, intent to steal and stealing.
Magistrate Helen Omisore granted the defendant N500,000 bail, with two sureties in like sum and ordered that the sureties’ means of livelihood and residential addresses be verified by the court’s prosecutor, adding that the sureties must furnish the court with three years tax payable to Lagos State government.
The matter was adjourned till September 7.

Few weeks ago, the media was awash with news of a pipeline explosion at Arepo, Ogun state, where scores of vandals were reportedly burnt to death. The cause of the explosion which started the fire that was put out next day by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC was attributed to a scuffle between groups of vandals over ownership of a particular section of the NNPC owned pipeline, during which a shot fired by a member of the rival faction, hit the pipeline.
That incident was not the first of its kind in recent times at Arepo. Infact, that area has become a haven for criminal activities by vandals who seem to have thrown caution to the wind as they vandalise pipelines and siphon petroleum products, without fear of molestation by security agents.
Information at Vanguard’s disposal showed that these vandals who are drawn from different parts of the country could be militants in disguise . From all indications, they seem to have taken over the entire creeks at Arepo.
Vandals are animals – Olu of Arepo
The traditional rulers around Arepo and its environs have been accused of aiding and abetting activities of vandals in Arepo and Ikorodu . But the Olu of Arepo, Oba Atanda Oyebisi, dissociated himself from the accusation, condemning the last explosion in its entirety , lamenting that vandals have succeeded in tarnishing the image of the community.
File: pipeline fire at Arepo
File: pipeline fire at Arepo


Illicit business
Oba Oyebisi claimed that those he referred to as Ijaws were masterminds of the illicit business which he said had caused sleepless nights for many residents.
According to him : “I have written several letters to the government on this issue because vandalisation cannot thrive if there is no patronage. The pipeline area is on the high Sea and only professionals can access it. But it becomes worrisome to us when vandals are having a field day regularly.
The monarch who lamented that law enforcement agents are not doing enough at the creeks said ‘’Though law enforcement agents are on patrol 24/7 but they have compromised, the military, Police and NNPC officials are protecting the vandals rather than the pipelines.
“Their activities should extend to the high sea where the illegal business is taking place.  In my 15 years on the throne, the community has never witnessed a deadly situation until now, I think the Nigerian Navy should come on board because they are professionally trained and qualified to manage the creeks.” he said
On the recent explosion which claimed the lives of vandals, he said: ‘’I don’t pity the vandals because they are animals. How can somebody in his right senses go for business transactions at the creeks. We have told them to stop the illegal business all to no avail but things like this will serve as a deterrent to others. I dissociate myself from them because I don’t pray to have vandals in my region.”
Vandals as ex-militants: Impeccable sources told Vanguard that the vandals in the Arepo creeks are ex-militants . Some of them were also said to be from Arogbo community in Ondo state, with majority alleged to be of the Ijaw extraction.
At the moment, over 300 armed vandals are reportedly residing at the Arepo creeks. They have dared security operatives to attempt to dislodge them, boasting that their activities at the creeks was part of their share of the national cake.


Pipeline vandals


There are however indications that some residents of Arepo area, among who are commercial motorcyclists and traders, are members of pipeline vandals. These individuals who are stationed at strategic locations within the area, allegedly give information to their colleagues in the creeks.
Activities of these informants have reportedly been going on for a while without the knowledge of security operatives. Their modus oparandi came to the fore following the abduction of two photo journalists who had gone to cover the explosion at Arepo on July 23, 2015.
The photo journalists had reportedly mounted two motorbikes at the Arepo junction, informing the motorcyclists that they were going to the scene of the explosion. Surprisingly, they were dropped right at vandals den, from where three men whom they thought were boat operators, whisked them to the heart of the creeks where about 300 vandals some of who were clad in Military camouflage tortured them, in spite of pleas from the helpless newsmen that they were not government officials as claimed by the vandals. But for providence, they would have been killed and their bodies buried among several others in shallow graves scattered around the creeks.
These informants stationed at the entrance of Arepo reportedly play important roles for their colleagues in the creeks. For instance, if security operatives arrive the area, whether to effect arrest or carry out surveillance, the informants would reportedly hint their colleagues in the creeks to be battle ready.
Govt informant killed by vandals: Checks by Vanguard however showed that other residents close to the path that leads to the creeks are aware of the going-ons but are afraid to give information about the vandals’ activities , apparently out of fear of being maimed or even killed.
It was gathered that a man simply identified as Alhaji Ogunse, an informant to the Police and NNPC was killed by vandals sometime last year after revealing the identities of the vandals to NNPC officials and the police.

Alhaji Ogunse resided in Konu area of Ikorodu, close to the river where vandals take to the creeks. He was said to have given the operational names of some key vandals as Agbala, OC, CP, Black berry Tokiye to security agents and also granted an interview to one of fthe national dailies on activities of vandals in the area.
Unfortunately, two weeks after granting that interview, vandals stormed his home which he also used to treat people with mental instability and whisked him to the creeks where he was reportedly slaughtered.
Number of casualties


Vanguard reliably gathered that since the incident of July 22, 2015, where some of the vandals were reportedly burnt beyond recognition ,no security agent has visited the scene to either inspect the level of damage or to ascertain the number of casualties.
At the moment, vanguard findings showed although the fire had been put out but that there are still leakages at several points of the pipelines . Officials of the NNPC are reportedly reluctant to visit the Arepo creeks to effect repairs on the ruptured areas.
It was also gathered that security operatives were also relu
ctant to escort the NNPC officials to the creeks. This is not connected to the presence of the armed vandals in the creeks.
Policemen,NNPC officials also killed: Before now, policemen attached to the Inspector-General of Police Anti Pipeline Vandalism Squad headed by its former boss, Mr Friday Ibadin, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, dared the vandals as they carried regular surveillance around the creeks .
In one of the instances, nine policemen attached to Squad were attacked last year by the vandals. The policemen who were on surveillance from their post at Arepo reportedly, went into the creeks in two boats, unknown to them that the informants stationed outside had informed their colleagues. Consequently, the armed vandals laid ambush for the unsuspecting policemen and opened fire on sighting them.
In the ensuing shoot-out the policemen reportedly put up a brave act even in the face of death by repelling the vandals. In the process, the vandals were said to have fired a shot at a broken pipeline which resulted in an explosion that sparked off fire. While four policemen managed to leave the creeks alive, the whereabouts of their five other colleagues remains unknown till date. Two years earlier, three NNPC officials were killed by vandals in the area. A team  of pipeline engineers and technologists from the corporation were deplored  to effect repairs on a ruptured pipeline by vandals  , after it (NNPC) had successfully put out the flames by ensuring a complete cut-off of product supply to the pipeline from the Atlas-cove. While at the verge of gaining access to the damaged point , the hapless engineers were ambushed by armed pipeline vandals who snuffed life out of them with the bullets from their guns.
It is however worthy to note that ACP Ibadin- led team made some remarkable strides in the onslaught against pipeline vandalism, following the arrest of over 100 suspected vandals. One of the arrests worthy of mention was that of some suspected pipeline vandals who confessed to have killed some policemen and buried them in shallow graves within the creeks . The decomposing bodies of some of the murdered policemen were exhumed from the shallow graves,with their uniforms buried in a separate grave


Startling discoveries: During another raid of the creeks by the Ibadin- led squad , starting discoveries such as self built pipelines by vandals where petroleum products are diverted from the NNPC pipeline were uncovered. Anytime the NNPC opens its flow from Atlas cove which pumps products to Arepo pipeline for onward transfer to Mosimi, from where it is transferred to the South west states. Rather than the product flowing into NNPC pipeline at Arepo , it will be pumping into the vandals built- in pipes, on which a hose is fixed from the diverted point to trucks stationed in thick forest.
In another raid two trucks with plate numbers XQ 522 APP  XQ 522 APP and  XC 102 KSF were recovered and some arrests made. Reports had it that the vandals had loaded about five trucks with petroleum products from Arepo, for onward delivery to a filling station in Osun state last year.
Vanguard investigation revealed that 25 litres of this stolen product is sold between N1300 and N1500, as against N2,175 to ready buyers, who usually throng sales points with their trucks and jerricans. A 33,000 litres truck on the other hand, is sold between N1.5 million and N1.8 million as against N2million and above .
Ijegun, Satelitte Town ,Festac Town, Maza-Maza and Ejigbo axis in Lagos , as gathered are among areas where pipeline vandals are striving. But activities of vandals in Majidun , Isahawo, Agric,  Kadoko Konu,  Ikorodu, Papalanto and Arepo areas of Lagos and Ogun states assume violent dimension, with several security operatives and innocent persons killed.




Death of pregnant woman

An incident which introduced a tragic twist to the notoriety of pipeline vandals , was the gruesome killing of a 24-year-old pregnant woman, Damilola Fajana , during a cross fire between oil thieves and members of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC at beach land estate , Arepo, on April 28, 2015.
The incident sparked off protests by residents who insisted that the OPC which was awarded a multimillion naira contract for the security of pipeline in the south west region by the Goodluck Jonathan -led government last year, should leave. That call yielded the desired result, as the contract was revoked by the present administration. But from all indication, it is obvious that the Arepo creeks have been taken over by vandals. Though at the Agric, Ikorodu end, the Military have been able to curtail their excesses.
Nine illegal Jetties uncovered in Ikorodu: Before the Military assumed dominance in Ikorodu, men of the IGP task force on Anti-Vandalism Squad led by its former head, Ibadin, had uncovered nine jetties used by pipeline vandals to transport siphoned petroleum products from Arepo in Ogun State. This feat was achieved after an eight-hour shoot-out with the vandals , in 2013, with the arrest of  four suspected members of the gang.

Also recovered were over 2000 liters of petroleum products stored in forty 50 liters jerrycans with over 5000 corks of jerrycans stocked  in six bags. Surprisingly, one of the suspects was discovered to be an informant to the  Task force.The suspects, all residents of Kadoko Konu area of Ikorodu, were discovered to have built their houses very close to the creeks from where they created routes from the creeks to the jetties.


When this reporter visited the dreaded  area, it was discovered that each of the buildings had it’s own jetty which links  Arepo .  A total of  seven canoes  reportedly used to convey stolen petroleum products  were berthed  at the jetties.
There was also a shrine behind the buildings, where the vandals said they performed some sacrifice before embarking on any mission. Assorted Charms, brooms, candles of different colours and threads were found in the shrine.
The vandals as gathered were arrested while at the verge of going to open a valve at Elepete in Arepo.
Acting on information, Vanguard was informed that the policemen blocked the entire area, making it impossible for them to penetrate.


“  When they discovered the area was blocked , they moved to Ijedodo  but unfortunately for them, we were also able to tackle that. Next day, we learnt that about 80 of them were firing at Kadoko Konu area of Ikorodu. We stormed there at midnight and exchanged fire with them. But considering government property and in order to prevent any fire outage, we stopped shooting at about 8am. disclosed by one of the vandals who was arrested sometime last year. During investigation the suspect alleged that some NNPC officials usually informed them of when product are being pumped from the Atlas cove through the Arepo pipelines. The suspect alleged that such act was usually done at midnight or at the wee hours of the morning. He stated that vandals who are usually stationed in the creeks would divert the product from a broken NNPC pipeline to their , using a hose , through which the product is pumped to their collection base located 7 kilometre from the NNPC pipeline location, from where the product would be discharged into trucks and jerricans. After each successful ‘deal’ the suspect alleged that an undisclosed amount was usually given to their contact at the NNPC. But the NNPC had described this claim as false


Checks by vanguard also revealed that some security agents aid these vandals . Sometimes, these security agents reportedly inform vandals of when the coast is clear and at the end of each successful siphon of product, they allegedly part with some money or petroleum products to the security agents.
Information at vanguard’s disposal has it that ‘sharing formula’ was allegedly one of the major cause of the fracas between the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,NSCDC recorded in years 2013 and 2014, during which some NSCDC officials were killed.




Vandals on the increase

But the question on the lips of every concerned Nigerians, particularly those living in Ikorodu, Lagos state and Arepo in Ogun state is the sudden rise in vandals activities and the violent dimension it has assumed. Unknown to many, Vanguard’s checks revealed that while scores of vandals were reported to have lost their lives in the pipeline explosion at Arepo , Ogun state, two weeks ago, same incident happened same day at Ogere, also in Ogun state. Vanguard reliably gathered that vandals broke the pipeline which supplies petroleum product to Ibadan, Oyo state and Ilorin , Kwara state. After the successful operation, the vandals reportedly fired a shot at the broken pipeline ,thereby igniting fire.
From all indication, it is suspected that the vandals who are currently holding sway at Arepo creeks were responsible for the vandalisation of NNPC pipeline at Ogere.
However , the new sector commander of the Anti Pipeline Vandalism Squad, Mr Valentine Olumese, when contacted, assured that the police would not fold their hands and watch vandals hold sway in the creeks. He stated that measures were been taken to evacuate the vandals from the creeks.

Immediate past governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi says contrary to what is being said by Governor Nyesom Wike and his aides, he did not leave the state treasury empty. He said he left behind the sum of N10 billion for the present administration. Amaechi stated this in a statement he released today August 20th
"A total of N7.5 billion cash were left behind as balances in the State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account with Skye Bank, FAAC account with Zenith Bank, balances with Access Bank and funds in the State reserve fund account in First Bank.
This is besides other balances in the state Government House account with Zenith Bank and other government MDA accounts, like the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP). By the time you pull all these together, we are looking at readily available cash in the region of eight to ten billion naira left for the Wike administration.”he said






Controversy is currently trailing the death of a 22-year-old man, who was allegedly set ablaze by his landlady and her children in the densely-populated Ajegunle area of Lagos.


The deceased, simply identified as Emmanuel, reportedly went to ease himself in the early hours of Tuesday, leaving his father and sister inside their one-room apartment. His sister, who had waited endlessly for his return, went to check on him in the toilet situated at the boys quarters of the building on Alafia Street.

She reportedly found her brother on the ground with his body on fire. She raised an alarm, which
attracted tenants. Two hospitals were said to have rejected Emmanuel. He reportedly breathed his last after writhing in pains.

While the deceased’s family alleged that Emmanuel was set ablaze by the landlady and her children, the latter, who is on the run, alleged that the former intended to set the building ablaze but was caught in his own web.
  • Feud

Investigation by Vanguard revealed that there had been a lingering quarrel between Emmanuel’s family and the landlady. It was gathered that both parties had been to the Ajeromi Police Station several times to settle quarrels.

A resident, who spoke on strict condition of anonymity when Vanguard visited, blamed policemen at Ajeromi for not nipping the situation in the bud until it led to Emmanuel’s death.
According to the resident,
“I blame policemen at Ajeromi for the death of this young man. Emmanuel’s father and the landlady have reported their misunderstandings to the police several times. Nothing was done to bring a lasting solution to the quarrel. Had they acted when they were supposed to, this would not have happened.”
Although the resident could not tell exactly what happened that fateful night, he said:
“I woke up with the alarm raised by some tenants that night. We were told that it was the deceased that lit the fire.
“However, the question is how is it possible judging from the distance between his apartment and where the fire was said to have been lit? This is what the Police should look into.”
Another resident, who also spoke with Vanguard, said:
“How come he sustained fire burns if he was in his room? How come only the window of the affected room was gutted by fire if he did not intend to set the building ablaze?
“Many are of the view that the petrol could have spilled on him as he struck the match. Besides, he was alone at the scene of the fire.”
Police sources hinted that the landlady, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained, had bolted, adding that effort was on to apprehend her with a view to commencing investigation into the matter.

At press time yesterday, operatives at the homicide section of the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department, SCIID, Yaba, had taken over the investigation

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Garba Shehu, on Wednesday revealed that preliminary investigations indicate that wanted radical preacher Ahmed al-Assir got his Nigerian visa through a normal application.

The fugitive radical Sunni preacher who is linked with the terrorist group ISIS was arrested at the Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport while trying to leave Lebanon to Nigerian through Cairo using fake Palestinian travel documents. Read here
 

In a statement made to the Daily Times, Shehu Garba said,
 "Any claim linking the man to the Nigerian government must be regarded as born out of mischief. Our missions attend to all applications. Once an application meets the basic conditions, there is very little that the visa issuing officials can do, especially since he was using a false identity."
"The government is awaiting the report of the investigation, but preliminary reports show that the applicant’s manifest documents raised no suspicion. There was nothing extra-ordinary about the application. If he had applied as a tourist or as an investor, there would be little for the visa officials to suspect that the applicant was a terrorist." he said

World Football governing body, FIFA has appointed the president of the Nigerian Football Federation NFF, Amaju Pinnick as a member of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Organizing Committee. In a letter dated 14th August 2015 and signed by FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, the world body wrote
“We are very pleased to inform you that you have been appointed as a member of the Organizing Committee for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Please accept our sincere congratulations on this nomination. We wish you success and enjoyment in this role at FIFA and look forward to welcoming you soon in Zurich.” Congratulations to him.
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