Thursday, 22 May 2014

Woman found after 10 years

A 25-year-old woman who went missing 10 years ago in California has told police she was forced to marry her captor and have his child.

The unnamed woman contacted police shortly after communicating with her sister on Facebook, officers said.

Isidro Garcia, 41, was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of kidnapping, rape and false imprisonment.

Police said in a statement he had been living with the girl's family at the time of her disappearance.

The abuse began in 2004, the statement said, when Mr Garcia was dating the victim's mother and residing with her and her daughters in Santa Ana, a city in Orange County.

The police allege that Mr Garcia began sexually assaulting the victim in June of that year, only four months after the girl arrived in the US from Mexico.

In August, he assaulted the victim's mother and drugged the teenager, driving her 26 miles north to Compton, Los Angeles, where she was locked in a garage, say police.

"Over the course of the following months and years, Mr Garcia repeatedly told the victim her family had given up looking for her, and if she tried to go back to them, the family would be deported," police said.

The two moved on several occasions to avoid police detection, and used different identities, the police statement said.

Mr Garcia frequently physically and sexually assaulted the victim, it is alleged, and the two of them worked together at a night cleaning service.

"Even with the opportunity to escape, after years of physical and mental abuse, the victim saw no way out of her situation and lived a life with Garcia under sustained physical and mental abuse," police said.

At a press conference, Corporal Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department told reporters Mr Garcia had "brainwashed" her.

He said that in 2007, he forced the woman into a marriage, using documents he obtained in Mexico, and in 2012 the two had a child.

Bertagna of Santa Ana police said the victim's mother had reported her missing and police tried to find her
Recently, she contacted her sister on Facebook and was told that her mother had indeed been trying to find her, using a Spanish language newspaper and television station.

The communication with her sister made her realise she needed to leave, said Mr Bertagna, and on Monday she went to police to report that she was a victim of domestic abuse, and she told them she had been abducted.

The following day, police formally arrested Mr Garcia on suspicion of kidnapping for rape, lewd acts with a minor and false imprisonment. He has not been charged.

Neighbours in the street in Bell Gardens, Los Angeles, where the couple lived in recent years said on Wednesday evening they were stunned by the news, describing them as a happy couple who doted on their young daughter and even hosted parties.

The arrest comes a year after three women who went missing separately about a decade earlier were rescued from a house in Cleveland, Ohio.

Their captor, Ariel Castro, killed himself in prison in September 2013 at the beginning of a life sentence plus 1,000 years.

Bombing at a market in China

Series of explosions struck a market at the capital of Chinese region of Xinjiang. The explosion was said to gave killed 31 people and left 90 wounded.

The explosion was said to had begun when two SUV vehicles came into the market at around 7:50 am and explosives were said to have be thrown out of them.

One the SUV's exploded resulting in a big bang. Reports also has it that the wounded have been taken to hospitals in the area.

China's ministry of public security said the "attack was a serious violent terrorist incident" and vowed to bring its perpetrators to book..

Wednesday, 21 May 2014

Fabolous escapes accident

New York rapper Fabolous has a lot to be
 thankful for today. He was involved in a car
accident with a tractor-trailer on a busy Queens,
NY highway. 

After walking away from the
accident without being seriously injured, Fab
posted a photo on Instagram showing the
damage done to his Cadillac Escalade.


“The Cuffing Season” spitter’s Escalade was one
of three cars involved in a pileup with the
tractor-trailer on the Whitestone Expressway in
Queens. The accident happened around 6:30 in
the morning and it’s still unclear which car
caused the accident. 

What we can tell you is
that all of the people involved refused to seek
medical attention. Although no one was hurt,
the driver of the tractor-trailer was hit with a
summons because he was driving with a
suspended license.


Fabolous, real name John Jackson, posted a
photo of his dented ride with the caption, “Good
Morning IG…I just survived a car accident on
the Van Wyck in Queens, NY. I wanna Thank
God for not only letting me walk away with a
few bumps & bruises but also for letting my
driver Ruben & the two truck drivers involved
walk away alive also. This was my 1st time
being in a car accident. It’s a very shocking
experience & may change my outlook on how
fast things can happen & you’re put into a life
threatening situation. Live, Love, & Celebrate
Life. #Blessed.”

118 dead in Jos twin bomb explosions

At least 118 people were confirmed dead yesterday following twin explosions at a crowded market in Jos.

The back-to-back bombs at the Terminus Market in the city centre disrupted a long-spell of peace in
the Plateau State capital, which had seen at least two other bomb attacks in the past.

Witnesses said the first explosion, from a bomb planted in bags of maize in a Peugeot J5 bus, happened at about 2.50pm.

Some 35 minutes later, the second bomb detonated from a Toyota Sienna bus, just metres away.

Most of the dead were killed by the first bomb, according to witnesses and rescue workers, who visited the scene soon after the first explosion, saw decapitated human parts strewn all over the place.

The blast also ignited a huge fire. The incident threw Jos into confusion, and threatened to ignite sectarian violence.

Shops and business places were quickly shut, as residents rushed home to safety.

Later last night, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the body count
stood at 118.

“We have collated figures of the injured and the dead handled by security agencies which include the Federal Road Safety Commission, the Police, the National Security and Civil Defence Corps and the total number came to 118,” NEMA’s North-Central coordinator Abdulsalami Mohammed told Daily
Trust.

He said also that 64 people received various degrees of injuries and were being treated in hospitals around the city.

Earlier in the day, State Police Commissioner Chris Olakpe, told journalists that 46 people were killed
but that by that time he had visited only two of the hospitals where the bodies and the injured weretaken.

80 U.S troops to search for Chibok girls

The United States deployed 80 members of its armed forces to Chad to help in the search for the kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls, the White House said Wednesday.

"These personnel will support the operation of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft for missions over northern Nigeria and the surrounding area," it said in a letter.

"The force will remain in Chad until its support in resolving the kidnapping situation is no longer required."

The Kardashian's takes a break

Taking a break from family wedding business, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian take half sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner out shopping in Paris.

The family ended up at Alaia where they goofed around and tried on some silly hats.

The Kris and Bruce Jenner were also seen out shopping, enjoying some alone time together.

The group is getting pumped for Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's wedding, which is set to take place May 24!

Kim Kardashian’s Pre-Wedding Style In Paris: Stuns In Sexy Slit Dress

The reality star is just days away from walking down the aisle, but that didn't stop her from showing off one seriously sexy look for a glam night out in Paris!

From the plunging neckline to a slit slashed practically up to her hip, the bride-to-be flaunted her
ample assets — and she looked fantastic.

Did you love her sizzling look?
Anyone planning a wedding can attest to the fact that as much as you would love to indulge in rest
and relaxation, the week leading up to the big day proves to be quite busy!

At first glance that certainly seems to be the case for Kim Kardashian , however, she has managed to squeeze in a lot of shopping and fine dining while across the pond!

Every time we turn around, it looks like the hot mama has slipped into yet another amazing outfit as she jets around the city of love — but her latest look
definitely takes the cake as one of her sexiest Parisian outfits to date!

Pills and potions

Nicki Minaj is reloadeddddd!

The self-proclaimed "Queen Of Hip Hop" dropped the first single off her highly anticipated album "The Pink Print" .

"Pills and potions / We're overdosing / I'm angry, but I still love you," she sings over the Dr. Luke production and follows up with raps like "N*ggas want respect, but n*ggas ain't earn that yet."

The stripped down tune showcases Nicki's vocal ability and, if you couldn't tell by her latest releases ("Yasss B*tch," and "Chi-Raq"), the "Starships" Nicki is on the back burner and "Itty Bitty Piggy" Nicki has returned.

Monday, 19 May 2014

White lady mimics first Lady of Nigeria

This sure make Ur day cos its so hilarious.. Am laughing out so louf

White woman mimics FIRST LADY PATIENCE JONATHAN: http://youtu.be/ku7yKAmEhco

[HD] Michael Jackson Hologram - Slave To The Rhyt…: http://youtu.be/dX3AVw7TWgE

Ariana's mini skirt problem

Oh no! Ariana Grande had a little
bit of a ‘Problem’ during her sexy Billboard Music Awards performance.

The camera shot right up her tiny skirt as she was dancing.

Poor Ari!
Ariana Grande , 20, put on an awesome performance of her hit song “Problem,” but it was completely overshadowed when a cameraman decided to shoot
his lens right up her skirt.

Ariana Grande's Billboard Awards ‘Problem’ — Up-Skirt Shot

I was so excited to see Ariana perform at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards, especially since Iggy Azalea would be joining her on stage.

However, Ariana’s short skirt caused a bit of a “Problem” when she danced a little too close to the edge of the stage.

Nicki Minaj shows underboobs at Billboard awards

Nicki Minaj rocked a gorgeous black
dress on the red carpet at the Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 18.

However I’ve spotted some major cleavage that spilled out while she posed for the camera.

It wouldn’t be an award show without a little wardrobe malfunction! 31-year-old Nicki Minaj flashed her underboob at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards on May 18, but she definitely knew how to work it!

I also absolutely loved her amazing
makeup and soft curls for the event.

Read more down below and tell me what you think!

Nicki Minaj’s Wardrobe Malfunction

Nicki looked amazing and she strutted through the red carpet at the Billboard Music Awards, but I
couldn’t miss her major cleavage that spilled out as she took pictures and walked around.

JONATHAN: OUR SOLDIERS CAN'T PURSUE BOKO HARAM TO CAMEROON

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the Nigerian military cannot move to Cameroon in pursuit of Boko Haram insurgents who often cross border to attack Nigerian communities.

The president said this in Paris Saturday at a press conference organised to conclude the regional summit on security in Nigeria.

According to him, when the insurgents cross the border to devastate communities and run back to Cameroon, the Nigerian military cannot move to Cameroon without taking special permission.

Jonathan further explained that during operations, there was no room for Nigerian soldiers to take permission to enter Cameroon.

The president, however, noted that this was not a state policy, but in respect of international boundaries.

He said: "Because most of these communities that are being devastated by Boko Haram happen to be Nigerian communities at the Cameroon border...So
when they cross the border and devastate communities, and run back to Cameroon; internationally, Nigerian military cannot move into
Cameroon except you take special permission.

And of course, during operations, there is room for you to take permission to enter...It's not a state
policy, but it's in respect of international boundaries".

Affirming that Nigeria and Cameroon had a robust relationship, Jonathan said since the beginning of the Book Haram insurgency, Cameroon had been intercepting weapons being brought in for terror operations in Nigeria.

At&t to buy direcTV

AT&T said Sunday that it had agreed to acquire America's biggest satellite television provider, DirecTV, in a deal worth almost $50 billion.

If approved by regulators, the acquisition will give AT&T a stronger hand in shaping the future of television distribution and consumption.

AT&T-DirecTV would be the country's No. 2 provider of television subscribers behind a combined Comcast-Time Warner Cable. Add it all up, and Comcast and AT&T would control more than half of the market for pay television.

Sunday, 18 May 2014

Kim K has a wardrobe malfunction

On May 17, Kim Kardashian arrived at LAX airport, and while she was walking her nipple peaked through her sheer top, causing her to shared a bit more than she intended to.

Keep reading for more details on this slip up!

It looks like Kim Kardashian , 33, is headed out of town for some final wedding preparations before the big day!

When the star arrived at the airport, fans and paps were swirling, and unfortunately for Kim, they all caught a glimpse of her nip.

The wedding of the year is nearly here and Kim is leaving town to prepare.

David Beckham reveals how he won Victoria Beckham over

Leading the summer short swim trunks trend, David Beckham launched a new line of swimwear for H&M.

The former soccer player chatted with GQ about the campaign.

"Funnily enough, I've always tended to go for the tighter, smaller trunks.

I don't know why. But it really depends what mood I'm in—sometimes I wear ridiculously baggy shorts that you've not going to get a tan in.

It's down to my mood and the beach I'm on—or what age I am, of course!"

Further on in the interview Beckham reveals a funny story about the first time he started dating now wife Victoria Beckham .

"When I first started going out with Victoria and we went away for the first time I remember I took a pair of small, tight, dark blue Gucci trunks with me— I was obviously trying to impress her.

They were really small, but they worked," David dished.

Those tight trunks definitely  worked, the couple has been married for 14 years now and have four children together.

Breezy working on something new

What is going on in the LA County lockup?! According to TMZ , Chris Brown is in a special section of the jail that houses famous inmates.

Chris has allegedly been working on music with the guy in the cell next to his even though the two can not even see one another!

They have reportedly been working on lyrics and harmonies for a few songs.

Even some of the other inmates are said to be working on harmonizing with them…this is literally becoming the music wing of the county jail!

The neighbor is James Debarge from the legendary Debarge family aka Janet Jackson 's first husband! Apparently that narcotic that he has been battling for most of his adult life pulled him back into old habits.

And now he and Chris Brown are creating songs together in jail.

In the words of Robin Harris, "Small World" huh?!

I'm   interested to see if Breezy continues to know and work with James on the other side of
the bars….guess " Time Will Reveal" !

Rabbit Instagram account has more followers than you

Following a new trend, Cara Delevingne set up an Instagram account for her rabbit.

The "Anna Karenina" star created the account for Cecil the rabbit.

After 15 minutes, the rabbit already had 7,000 fans. As of Wednesday (May 14) Cecil had upwards of 29,000 followers on her account @cecildelevingne.

Later that evening, Delevingne was spotted with former BFF Rita Ora as they stepped out for a night on the town.

The pair reportedly had a tumultuous relationship in previous months, now it appears that they have mended the fences.

Saturday, 17 May 2014

XBox One Whooped By PS4, Changes Product To Mirror Competition

Sony warned Microsoft not to bring Kinect to a gaming console fight.

Microsoft didn't listen. And now their tongues can't lick their wounds fast enough while Sony celebrates.

Before the latest generation of consoles even launched, Microsoft had to abandon most of their original system features and requirements in response to peals of negative backlash.

Now the machines are out and, so far, Microsoft is getting housed by the PS4 by sales of almost 2-1 .

Khloe booty surpasses Kim

It's official, Khloe Kardashian has bigger cakes than her sister.

Khloe and Kim brought their big ole booties to the NBC Universal's Upfronts yesterday and if you haven't guessed it, their bodacious bottoms stole the show.

Kim posted a pic of her and Khloe on her Instagram page with the caption, "Keeks & Kokes #sisters#deeptalk#SheGotABigBootySoICallHerBigBooty."

Yes Kim. I agree. In related Kim K news, she bossed up of a few paparazzi who tried to take the elevator with her.

Friday, 16 May 2014

Model slammed for posing top less for #BringBackOurGirls

Plenty of celebrities have already contributed to an online campaign and shared photos of
themselves holding "#BringBackOurGirls" signs, in support of the safe return of the 276 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by a group of
Islamist militants called Boko Haram.

Irina Shayk, best known for appearing in the Sports Illustrated annual swimsuit issue, took a slightly different approach to the campaign, and her efforts haven't been as appreciated as she perhaps anticipated, reports Gossip Cop.

On May 11, the 28-year- old Russian model posted a topless photo of herself to Instagram with only the sign reading, "#BringBackOurGirls" covering her chest.

Rather than commending Shayk for joining a worthy cause, the photo was met with a number of harsh comments from others in
the Instagram community, who slammed her decision to pose nude as "tasteless" and "ignorant" given the subject matter of the campaign.

"Pretty, but the toplessness is distracting from the cause. It's not about you," one commenter wrote, while another chimed in,
"Callous, self-centred [sic] and of very poor taste."

Two days after posting the photo, Shayk appeared to have brushed off the negative comments and posted a message seemingly
aimed at her critics:

Kanye throws more light on Italy

I learned that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West switched up their wedding location and now the "Flashing Lights" rapper is giving insight to the importance of their new spot.

Without confirming or denying their big day plans, the Chicago-born star chatted with Florence
newspaper La Nazione and talked about why he loves the Italian city .

"I think that our daughter North was conceived here among the Renaissance masterpieces," West told the reporters.

He continued that he loves "Italy and the Italian lifestyle," confessing that he and Kardashian previously traveled to the Arno River "just the two
of us, incognito."

"It was our first honeymoon. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world — for me the most
beautiful in Europe," Kanye added.

He continued to gush about his loved ones and said, "Family is everything for me, the antidote to the pressure of fame.

Family and creativity relax me. I
am happy to create for my family."

In addition, he credits Kim as his music and fashion muse, adding, "I consult her on elegance and what I wear. And she does the same for me. Today as a
musician I like to dress in a less showy way than in the past."

Finally, Kanye gushed that he's "very excited" about his upcoming wedding! Kim and Kanye are expected to get married in Florence on May 24.

Jay Z asked for my number

Liv has spoken out about Jay Z
asking for her number in 2008, when he first began dating Beyonce, and now she claims
Solange was there when it happened!

Keep reading for the shocking and scandalous story!

Beyonce better start thanking her sister for having her back, because it sounds like Solange is always on the prowl when it comes to protecting her big
sis! HollywoodLife.com spoke to Liv , a female rapper, who claims that when she ran into Jay Z in
2008, at Nobu in Miami, Solange was there when he asked for her phone number by the elevator!

Liv tells HollywoodLife.com that she's not surprised that Solange beat up Jay Z because she's allegedly witnessed Jay's roving eye.

"I told you the day Jay Z and I exchanged numbers (at Nobu Miami), Solange came walking up out of no where!" Liv told us.

"I thought I was about to get my
ass beat myself so I backed off quickly … She has been guarding her sister's property since day one.

Bey doesn't even have to say anything. Solange is a beast."

Boy threatens to slit girl's throat

This is horrifying! A 5-year-old kindergarten student told one of his classmates he wanted to slit her throat and 'watch her bleed.'

Brian Metzger, the father of a little girl, 6, has taken a restraining order out on one of her classmates at Prairie Lane Elementary School in Kenosha,
Washington after he threatened to kill her.

The boy, 5, not only told the little girl he wanted to slit her throat, but allegedly bullied her repeatedly by kicking her and throwing sand and rocks at her.

A 6-year-old girl has been bullied by her 5-year- old kindergarten classmate all year, according to
her father Brian.

Not only did the boy attempt to inflict physical harm on Brian's daughter, but he recently terrified the girl when he threatened to kill her and watch her bleed
to death.

Kimye plans to tie the knot in Italy

Change of plans! Looks like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West won't be tying the knot in Paris
after all.

According to reports, the famous lovebirds plan to say "I do" in Florence, Italy on May 24, but France is still in the picture.

"Entertainment Tonight has learned that the two are actually having a dinner in Paris before the wedding, but will actually fly their guests to Italy on private planes for the ceremony."

Talk about baller status! Sources say further details are "all very top secret."

"No one knows exactly what's going on – just that whatever is happening, it's sure to be
spectacular," an insider told People magazine.

Snoop’s Football League Sends Players To NFL

Ten years ago Snoop Dogg started the Snoop Youth Football League in Southern California.

Two years ago, the league celebrated when, for the first time, one of its alumni made it to the NFL as Ronnie Hillman was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.

This year, that output tripled, as Snoop watched three alumni from his league make their way into the NFL.

De'Anthony Thomas from Oregon was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of this year's draft while Cal's Kam Jackson and Washington's Greg Ducre signed as undrafted free agents with the Colts and and Chargers respectively.

TMZ reports Snoop is not only extremely hands on in the league as a coach, but also the league's
primary financier.

Snoop must be doing a great job though. Along with the alumni that have made their way
into the pros, his son Cordell is a four-star recruiting prospect as a junior wide receiver with
scholarship offers from football powerhouses like LSU, USC, Norte Dame and UCLA.

The Snoop League stresses the importance of education and already implements a rule that all its "1500-to-1700″ players must maintain a 2.5 G.P.A, but in the future Snoop says he hopes to add a policy that players with a G.P.A of 3.0 or higher will get to play in the league for free.

Girls everywhere need to be protected from islamist

It was like a scene from a movie, except there was no Iron Man swooping to the rescue.

More than a hundred girls sitting in a clearing, chanting the Koran.

Their eyes downcast, the girls were swathed in ghostly grey and black hijabs.

Their captors said this was evidence that they had "converted to Islam", but their fear was palpable.

They held themselves unnaturally still, as though to move would mean death.

Many of the girls were abducted on April 14 from a school in northern Nigeria, which means they have had less than a month to memorise those Koranic
verses, or at least to have the chants beaten into them. .

More than half of the 276 stolen girls were missing from the terrorists' video.

Among themwere Rebeccas and Esthers and Ruths – lovely,
strong Biblical names.

One girl was led to the front and told to give a Muslim name, not her Christian one.

You wondered about her missing sisters and whether they had displeased their captors by
refusing to surrender either their name or their faith.

"These girls you occupy yourselves with… we have indeed liberated them. These girls have become Muslims," jeered Abubakar Shekau, the leader of
Boko Haram.

He addresses the camera as if he
were straight out of Evil Villain school.

With his silly pointy orange cap and his cock-of-the-walk preening, this gun-toting braggart would be a ludicrous figure were it not for the fact that he holds the lives of all those terrified teenagers in his hands.

"I wondered how many of those girls he'd raped," said a friend. Me too. Abubakar Shekau makes Idi Amin look sane.

At least you can't accuse Boko Haram's leader of ambiguity. "I took the girls and I will sell them off.

We are against Western education and I say stop Western education.

There is a market for selling
girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah," he promised.

British-born Boko Haram member arrested over bomb attack

A British-born Nigerian army deserter has been arrested on suspicion of helping to mastermind a string of atrocities on behalf of the Boko Haram
terrorist group.

Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, reportedly born in Britain, was held in Sudan on an international arrest warrant.

He is wanted for questioning in connection with two recent bombings in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, that killed nearly 100 people.

One, in the suburb of Nyanya, killed 75 on April 14. A second, planted justbyards from the scene of the first bomb, killed 19
people on May 1.

Mr Ogwuche, who is the son of a retired Nigerian colonel, is expected to arrive under police escort by plane in the state capital, Abuja, later on Thursday.

State security officers are also expected to quiz him about Boko Haram's abduction of more than 200 girls from a school in Chibok, north-east Nigeria, in mid-April.

The group has demanded the release of jailed Boko Haram militants in exchange for the
girls' release.

Ex Boko Haram hostage speaks of her ordeal

A girl who spent several months last year as a hostage of Boko Haram has told how she was
ordered to fight alongside them in ambushes on the Nigerian military.

The girl, who asked only to be named as Hanna, said she was taught how to fire a gun and then
ordered into battle on three occasions, with ammunition strapped to her back.

Her account provides a chilling indication of the fate that could await the group of more than 200
schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram last month in Chibok, north-east Nigeria.

Diplomats fear the girls will be forcibly recruited as both fighters and "bush wives" unless the Nigerian government bows to demands from Boko Haram's
leader, Abubakar Shekau, to free them for jailed comrades.

Nigeria has said it will refuse any such prisoner swap.

On Thursday, a senior US official criticised the Nigerian government for its failure to "mount an effective campaign against Boko Haram."

President Jonathan to visit chibok today

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan will on Friday visit the northeastern village from where more than 200 schoolgirls were abducted a month ago by Islamist rebel group Boko Haram, senior government officials told Reuters News Agency.

It will be the presidents first visit to Chibok, North Eastern Part of Nigeria and the domain of the Boko Haram terrorists who have been ravaging that part of the country.

Chibok has been in the eye of the storm following the abduction of the school girls and the there have been growing international effort to rescue the girls, since
they were abducted.

Reuters reports that the official who spoke to newsmen about the visit of the president to the town said he will also travel to Paris, France, for a regional security summit where Boko Haram will be discussed.

Police foil attempt to bomb Lagos

A Mobile Policeman attached to Union Homes Company along Nnamdi Azikiwe Street on Lagos
Island yesterday averted what could have been another bombing disaster at densely populated area which could have claimed many lives in the state.

Eye witnesses account revealed that three grenades were planted in front of the company gate
but was discovered at about a little after 8am.

A foreign national suspected to be connected with the bombs; whose identity could not be gotten as at time of filing this report has been arrested by an
official and handed over to the team of Police Bomb squad from Ikeja Police command.

It was learnt that the bombs were programmed to explode around 1pm when trading and other
activities on the island would be at its peak.

People in the area explained that the policeman became suspicious about a man who drove to the car park in Sport Utility Vehicle and started distributing N1,000 notes to beggars at the spot.

Thereafter, he directed the beggars to vacate the area before he drove off.

Although the Policeman could not be reached for detail information, our reporter learnt that he moved closer to the beggars to know what is happening only to discover the device.

He immediately alerted other policemen around and officials of CBD to chase traders and passers-by away from the spot to avert recording casualties while the Police Anti-
Bomb Units were also informed.

Findings by our reporter revealed that the arrested foreign national is a Nigerien who came out of the
crowds and headed towards the device when officials  asked him to go back but he refused.

During interview of the CBD official, Mr. KareembSaidi, he said: "I asked the man to go back but he refused. He insisted to go to the spot of the grenades.

I then arrested him and handed him over to the Policemen from Ebute-Ero station who took him away to their station", he said.

An Anti-bomb squad man who took away the grenades around 10.45am pleaded for anonymity
when questioned.

He however said the devices have been programmed to explode around 1pm which could have caused heavy disaster.

The police officer added that if the devices were not discovered and successfully went off, all the
structures within 70 metres to the spot would have been affected.

Source: Daily Trust

Gunmen attack Borno village

Borno, Nigeria - Suspected members of the Boko Haram last night attacked Alau, village situated 15 kilometers away from Maiduguri along Bama road.

Credible sources said the attack occurred around 9pm yesterday.

"The gunmen were many and set dozens of houses ablaze.

The terrorists attacked the fishing community severally in the past.

We are not sure how many locals are affected by the latest attack,"
he said.

It is not yet clear if military operatives were deployed to repel the attack.

Meanwhile, sources said troops had exchanged gunfire with the insurgents in Gwoza and along
Maiduguri- Damboa road between Monday and
Tuesday.

Sources said both the military and the armed men suffered casualties


Source: Daily Trust

Soldiers mutiny in maiduguri

Maiduguri, Nigeria -  open fire
at commanding officer.

Defence HQ sets up inquiry
board after Angry soldiers opened fire on the car of the General Officer Commanding the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in
Maiduguri yesterday, in protest over the circumstances that led to the death of their colleagues.

Major-General Ahmed Mohammed escaped unhurt, as soldiers shot at his car as he was entering the Maimalari Cantonment, sources in the barracks told Daily Trust.

The soldiers were angry over the killing of 12 colleagues in an ambush by insurgents while on
their way back from the northern part of Borno State.

They blame lack of adequate fighting equipment for the deaths.

Sources within the barracks said a bullet fired by one of the protesting soldiers hit the sports-utility vehicle of the GOC and pierced the passenger's side but the general was not hit.

People living close to the barracks said they heard sound of gunfire from there and thought it was an attack on the cantonment.

"I thought there was an attack in the barracks by insurgents. It was later that I learnt the problem was within the barracks," a fuel hawker at the nearby Shagari Low Cost housing estate said.

Daily Trust learnt that the shooting followed the killing of 12 soldiers while on their way to Maiduguri from Kala-Balge Local Government Area, which is along the shores of the Lake Chad.

Apart from the 12 who were killed, other soldiers were also wounded in the ambush, sources said.

The soldiers were asked to return to Maiduguri from their duty post up north, and they were driving
through the Gamboru-Ngala-Dikwa-Mafa- Maiduguri road when they were ambushed.

When the corpses were taken to the Maimalari barracks in Maiduguri early yesterday, there was tension among the rank and file, who began firing into the air as a mark of protest.

When General Mohammed drove into the barracks, the tensed up situation got worse.

"The GOC was on his way to the arms store in the barracks when he was attacked by angry soldiers," an officer, who does not want to be named, said.

Another officer said, "The 101 Battalion has severally complained that they lack kits including fragmented jacket.

They repeatedly complained that
they don't have support weapons, they don't have helmets, boots and basic things for survival like water.

"They were asked to withdraw and while coming back, they were attacked.

12 soldiers died instantly and others escaped with life-threatening injuries, which suggests someone leaked the information of their withdrawal."

'Killed like chickens'

Our correspondent learnt from credible sources that hundreds of soldiers under the 7 Division are angry over their inferior fire power compared to Boko Haram, as well as over delayed allowances.

"We are being killed like chickens everyday while many of our colleagues have lost limbs, they are permanently incapacitated," one soldier said.

"It is not that we don't know how to fight but we don't have the equipment to fight.

We always run for our lives whenever the terrorists come because they have superior weapons, it is difficult to confront them."

Another one said, "Go to the clinic in Maimalari barracks and see our victims being treated…it is sad.

Many of our colleagues are at UMTH (University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital) and other hospitals.

We need equipment to fight." Some soldiers also complained that they have not received their allowances for over two weeks.

"As I am talking to you, we did not collect our allowances for the past 15 days and this is
unfortunate," he said.

"We left our families in far-flung places and we are being frustrated here. Quote me anywhere, many of our colleagues have dropped their uniforms and left the army because of frustration.

No equipment to fight and we are always asked to go to the bush to
face enemies," he added.

But military authorities have consistently denied that insurgents are better-armed than troops, and said soldiers receive their entitlements as due.

A top security officer in Maiduguri, who confirmed the barracks incident, said, "I think the GOC was just a victim of circumstances.

I also feel that the ambush was not premeditated because soldiers can move at any time and in any circumstances."

DHQ opens inquiry In its account of the incident, the Defence
Headquarters in Abuja said soldiers fired shots while the GOC was addressing troops at the Maimalari cantonment.
In a statement, Director of Defence Information Major-General Chris Olukolade said also that the incident happened following the death of four
soldiers on their way back from Chibok, where more than 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped nearly a month ago.

The statement said, "The 7 Division of the Nigerian Army is to institute a military board of inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the conduct of
soldiers who fired some shots today while the General Officer Commanding was addressing troops in Maimalari cantonment Maiduguri.

"The incident occurred when the corpses of 4 soldiers who died in an ambush while returning from
patrol duties in Chibok was being conveyed to the morgue.

"There is calm in the cantonment and all normal operations activities are ongoing."


Source: Daily Trust

Thursday, 15 May 2014

Nigeria is at war

Asaba, Nigeria - ...as House approves emergency extension.
Nigeria is at war with the Boko Haram sect, the service chiefs told the House of Representatives at a close door meeting today.

Speaking at a press conference
after the meeting which lasted for about three hours, Rep Ibrahim
Tukur El-Sudi (PDP, Taraba) said "the service chiefs emphatically told us that Nigeria is really at
war.

It can be insurgents war or whatever; they told
us Nigeria is at war." This is even as the House approved the extension of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States by another six months as requested by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The approval came in spite of stiff opposition from the governors and some lawmakers as well as elders of the affected states.

Giving reason for the approval, House spokesman, Zakari Mohammed (APC, Kwara), said going by the brief from the service chiefs, members were
convinced that "there was need to extend the emergency."

"We've heard from the service chiefs about the progress made so far.

Having listened to them, for stability and progress, we decided to approve the extension so that within the next six months, they'll be able to handle the situation properly.

We have all assurances from them that they're on top of the
situation," he said.

On the allegations of poor welfare of soldiers on ground, Mohammed said "they told us the efforts they're making to motivate their men.

They know that if the welfare of their men is not well handled,
they won't get the best."

Mohammed who said that most of the lawmakers were sceptical about the extension "until we were briefed by the service chiefs, and they convinced
us."

He said the lawmakers inquired from the service chiefs if the Nigerian military has adequate
equipment to face the insurgents, and they responded in the affirmative.

"There was no complaint about personnel or equipment. They assured us they have enough to
handle the situation.

But we need to give them time;
they want us to be patient with them," he added.

On Chibok school girls, he said
the service chiefs "assured that they're making progress, and very soon, they'll re-unite with their families."

Source: Daily Trust

On Solange #BringBackOurGirls

There are five stages to a viral event:

1. The event itself

2. The firestorm of social media jokes

3. The hashtag or meme

4. Fatigue about the topic

5. Reaching for think pieces

Solange kicking Jay Z in an elevator has reached that fifth circle of hell where think pieces on domestic violence, Jay Z as villain and Black rage are turning a pretty innocuous in-family scuffle into a thing that has to mean something.

My favorite of any type of think piece that comes out of these events is the inevitable: "why are you paying attention to this when there is something else way more important going on?"

Did I say "my favorite" because I meant, "the thing I hate the most in this world.

As many of you know, more than 200 girls are being held captive in Nigeria by terrorists.

It's easily one of the most sickening, horrifying, tragic stories we'll hear all year at least.

It breaks my heart.
However, I'm a human being with a mostly- functioning brain.

Which means I have the ability to
think about two things over the course of a day.

Hell, I can think of two things pretty much at the same time sometimes. It's a perk of evolution.

Which is why certain think pieces drive me crazy. For example, this article titled "5 Shocking Jay Z
And Solange Pictures You Have To See."

Of course, once you click on the article, it directs you to pictures and facts about the girls in Nigeria.

The point of the article is to ridicule those of us "obsessed" with Jay Z and Solange, thus,
somehow in turn ignoring the girls in West Africa.

This is dumb, high-horsed better than thou Internet preaching that drives me insane and is counterintuitive to getting anything done.

Instead, the article – and I hate to single this particular article out because I'm really talking about
something way more widespread – creates a line in the sand, forcing those of us playing the dozens over an in-law fight to get defensive and feel singled out as if our enjoyment of something funny is taking away from our awareness of something
serious.