How we lost 2 pregnancies due to torture in SARS custody ― Couple

A Couple who were tortured and lost two pregnancies, yesterday narrated their ordeal with the SARS, to the Lagos State Judicial Panel on Restitution for Victims of Special Anti-Robbery Squad SARS Related Abuses and other Matters.

The couple Mr Okuchukwu Obiechina and Mrs Ndubisi Obiechina told the nine-panel that they were awarded N2million, against SARS, by the Federal High court sitting in Lagos, but that it was dismissed by the court of appeal.

Narrating their ordeal in the hands of SARS, Mrs Nububisi Obiechina, a teacher, said they were arrested on June 2, 2017, and were detained for 22 days, in SARS custody.

She said that the incident started when she received a message that she had a parcel from DHL, and later got a call and the person asked her to send him her house or school address after she had told him that she’s is a teacher.

The petitioner said that when she got home, she told her husband who is a businessman of what had happened, then the husband collected the number from her and called it but it was switched off.

She also said that her husband asked her to give the caller her school address, so on the next day the person called again this time with a different number, after two hours the person called again, she then informed the proprietress of her school, that some people where coming to the school.

Obiechina said after some time, she saw a black jeep, that came to the school and one of them wore a DHL apron and then the person kept calling her while the one on DHL apron was approaching her, adding that when she got close she saw huge men on the jeep and immediately they kidnapped her and started beating her and called her a thief.

The complainant who had no legal representative narrated that she was two months pregnant when they abducted and took her to Ikeja SARS, shrine and started beating her and said they would remove the baby that she would die there and that she should produce the father of the baby that her husband was not the father.

She said, ” At 3 pm, they brought me out I said they should allow me to call my husband so that he would know where I was, I also told them that I have a 5-year-old child in a school that I need to call someone to take the child home, they refused”.

” Later I was allowed to talk to my husband, but the phone was on the loudspeaker, it was oon of the SARS men, Christian that put the phone on speaker, my husband said he had looked for everywhere, that the proprietress told him that some policemen arrested me, it was Christian that told him where I was.” She said

Obechina further stated that the three SARS officers that tortured them are Philip Rilwan, Christian and Harouna Idowu.

” When my husband came to area F, Keeps field, they started beating him and put a tyre on his neck, and said that they will kill him like others that he is a thief. They hit my husband’s head with the butt of a gun and also hit his head with a stone, I was urinating on my body when all the torture was going on”,

“Around 7 pm, they took us to Federal SARS at Ikeja and then gave my husband his phone so he called our pastor and I was also allowed to call a co-teacher friend to help me take care of the child, they said the child should die there.

We spent three weeks in the cell under open roof and rain was beating us, we slept on the floor and as a pregnant woman, I didn’t eat anything, at night they would come and take me upstairs on interrogation, because of the stress and torture, I lost the two months pregnancy.”

“I got pregnant again the second time after we were released so on Sunday, while we were preparing to go to Church, they came again to arrest my husband and Philip Rieninwa, said that the order was from Abba Kyari, I pleaded with them to allow my husband dress up because he was on boxers, but they refused and took him away,”. She said

Obiechina, further said, ” When I couldn’t get through to my husband after one week, then I contacted our lawyer and he said it is getting out of hand so he got an order from the Federal High court that he should be released immediately, and he then wrote to SARS, because of the stress and trauma that I went through, I lost the second pregnancy again.”

” We were awarded the sum of N 2million, by the federal High court because of the brutality and trauma that SARS caused us, but up till now, we have not been given the compensation, we also appealed the judgement but the appeal court dismissed it, nothing has happened since then,” Obiechina said

“SARS, also took the N50,000, that my husband brought to the place, we bailed ourselves with N400,000”. She said.

Mr Okuchukeu Obiechina confirmed the testimony of his wife.

The panel is made up of the Chairman Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd), Mr Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN), Mr Taiwo Lakanu, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police and a founding member of SARS.

Other panelists are Mrs Oluwatoyin Odusanya, Director, Lagos State Directorate of Citizen’s Rights and Ms Patience Udoh, a representative of the civil society groups and Mr Segun Awosanya (segalink) a human rights activist.

After listening to the complainant’s narration, the Chapman of the Panel Justice Doris Okuwobi said the proceedings has to be adjourned because some members of SARS has been mentioned so there is need to send an invitation to the Commissioner of Police so that the SARS can come and give their own side of the matter.

She adjourned further hearing of the petition to Tuesday, November 10, 2020.

On Monday 26, October the panel had announced that it had 15 petitions, before it, but as at Saturday 31, October 33 petitions, has been received and four cases were called but only two were heard.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/how-we-lost-2-pregnancies-due-to.html

James Bond actor, Sean Connery, dies aged 90

Legendary British actor Sean Connery, best known for playing fictional spy James Bond in seven films, has died aged 90, his family told the BBC on Saturday.

The Scottish actor, who was knighted in 2000, won numerous awards during his decades-spanning career, including an Oscar, three Golden Globes and two Bafta awards.

Tributes immediately began pouring in for Connery who was considered one of the greatest movie stars of his generation.

“How infinitely sad to hear the news Sir Sean Connery has passed away,” stated a message on the Twitter account maintained for fellow Bond actor Roger Moore who died in 2017.

“He and Roger were friends for many decades and Roger always maintained Sean was the best ever James Bond. RIP.”

Connery claimed his Oscar in 1988 for best supporting actor for his role as an Irish cop in “The Untouchables”.

He also starred in “The Hunt for Red October”, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and “The Rock2.

But it is his smooth, Scottish-accented portrayal of the suave spy 007 that he will be best remembered for.

The first actor to utter the unforgettable “Bond, James Bond”, Connery made six official films as novelist Ian Fleming’s creation, giving what many still consider as the definitive portrayal.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/james-bond-actor-sean-connery-dies-aged.html

U.S. commandos raid bandits camp in Nigeria to rescue American Philip Walton

The American, Philip Walton,  was abducted on 26 October by suspected bandits in a village in Niger, close to Nigeria. Nigeria has porous borders with Niger..

The US military rescued Walton during a high-risk U.S. military raid in Nigeria.

Officials told ABC News early Saturday that the counter-terrorism mission was undertaken by elite commandos as part of a major effort to free the 27-year-old U.S. citizen before his abductors could get far after taking him captive in Niger.

According to report, the operation involved the governments of the U.S., Niger and Nigeria working together to rescue Walton quickly.

It said the elite SEAL Team Six carried out the rescue mission and killed all but one of the captors, according to officials with direct knowledge about the operation.

“They were all dead before they knew what happened,” another counterterrorism source with knowledge told ABC News.

The Pentagon lauded the rescue mission in a statement.

“U.S. forces conducted a hostage rescue operation during the early hours of 31 October in Northern Nigeria to recover an American citizen held hostage by a group of armed men,” said Pentagon chief spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman.

“This American citizen is safe and is now in the care of the U.S. Department of State. No U.S military personnel were injured during the operation.

“We appreciate the support of our international partners in conducting this operation.”

U.S. and Nigerien officials had said that Walton was kidnapped from his backyard last Monday after assailants asked him for money. But he only offered $40 USD and was then taken away by force, according to sources in Niger.

Walton lives with his wife and young daughter on a farm near Massalata, a small village close to the border with Nigeria.

Nigerien and American officials told ABC News that they believed the captors were from an armed group from Nigeria and that it was not considered terror-related. But hostages are often sold to terrorist groups.

Concern grew quickly after the kidnapping that an opportunity to rescue Walton could become much more dangerous if he was taken by or sold to a group of Islamist militants aligned with either al Qaeda or ISIS and American special operations commanders felt they needed to act swiftly before that could occur, said one counterterrorism official briefed on the hostage recovery operations.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed after the kidnapping that an American citizen had been abducted in Niger and said the U.S. government was “providing their family all possible consular assistance.” The spokesperson declined to comment on the case, citing “privacy considerations,” but added, “When a U.S. citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts, and we share information with families however we can.”

Another American, Christian humanitarian aid worker Jeffery Rey Woodke, 60, has been held hostage for the past four years since being kidnapped in northern Niger by armed militants.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/us-commandos-raid-bandits-camp-in.html

Kidnapped Oyo local government chairman regains freedom

The caretaker chairman of Iganna Local Council Development Area of Oyo State, Mr Olayiwola Adeleke, has regained freedom.

Adeleke was freed with his driver who was also kidnapped on Sunday night.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Mr Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the development to our correspondent on Saturday morning.

He said, “They have been released and they have reunited with their families. They were freed on Friday night.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/kidnapped-oyo-local-government-chairman.html

Nigeria records 170 new coronavirus infections, three deaths

Nigeria, on Friday, confirmed 170 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total cases registered in the country since the outbreak of the pandemic to 62,691, according to Nigerian health authorities.

It is now the 13th consecutive week that Nigeria’s COVID-19 daily infections have fallen below 300.

Meanwhile, three deaths from the coronavirus were registered on Friday, raising the death toll to 1,144, according to an update by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.

Over the past two weeks, COVID-19-related daily fatalities in Nigeria have been lower than 10.

The 170 new cases are reported from 11 states- Lagos (106), FCT (25), Oyo (14), Edo (7), Kaduna (7), Ogun (4), Bauchi (2), Benue (2), Kano (1), Osun (1), Rivers (1).

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/nigeria-records-170-new-coronavirus.html

BBNaija’s Laycon meets Billionaire, Ned Nwoko [photos]

Big Brother Naija Lockdown season 5 winner Olamilekan Agbeleshe popularly known as Laycon has paid a courtesy visit to billionaire businessman, Prince Ned Nwoko, on Friday.

During the visit, Ned introduced Laycon to his project on eradicating malaria in Nigeria and across Africa through his malaria vaccine research and fumigation of the country.

The reality star, in return shared his experience in the Big Brother House, the lessons and how he intends to use his newly acquired fame to positively impact the society.

The rapper also pledged his support to put an end to the scourge of malaria in Africa.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/bbnaijas-laycon-meets-billionaire-ned.html

Lola Idije REVEALS the secret to her age defying looks at 61

Toyin Afolayan also called Lola Idije has revealed the secret to her age defying looks.

At age 61, Toyin Afolayan still causes a massive stir anywhere she goes and many turning heads at every appearance she makes at events.

Speaking to Saturday beats, she noted that the way a woman uses herself is of great importance, however, she does not attribute her success in the movie industry for two decades  to her own strength.

She said,

“People want to know the secret of my good looks but it is just God at work. The way a woman ‘uses’ herself really matters too. Life is like a camera; it is how one poses that one would appear in a photograph. 

I don’t use myself anyhow. My continued relevance has been by the grace of God. It is absolutely not a function of my strength or any supernatural power. I don’t have anything.

In reality, our enemies do not want us to excel but I have triumphed. If one doesn’t serve God and mammon together, the world would marvel at one’s success and wonder if one is the most gifted person because things would work out for one. It is risky to be dependent on human beings because they would disappoint one.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/61-year-old-lola-idije-reveals-secret.html

Beautiful new photo of Tania Omotayo and her husband

Cute...cute!

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/beautiful-new-photo-of-tania-omotayo.html

Actress Wumi Toriola mocks former friend, Seyi Edun for being infertile

Nigerian actress, Wumi Toriola has mocked her former friend, Seyi Edun for not being able to produce babies.

Wumi mocked Seyi after she had blasted Seyi for not celebrating his son on his 1st birthday but sent money to him through Ajo.

Taking to her Instagram page, she wrote;

“Never extend your beef with someone, to their kids. I am from this school of thought but my exceptions to this rule is KIDS….Those who read well know that “To every rule,there are exceptions,if you see anyone who extend hate to Kids,they are Murderers,Run from them,if they have the chance,they will poison you and kill you..i said what i said and when you see them in agony of what they caused them selves,DO NOT PITY them ..i said what i said ..call the police. Good morning”.

A follower replied:

“I personally will pray for the child in my house and keep it pushing, if I see the child personally, I will greet the child but no need for forced relationship!”

Wumi replied saying

“dem see child dem nor greet,dem dey send ajo dem nor message ,me sef nor d friends again but i fear say dem fit poison me,its a life matter#endbadblood….thank God u said god bless cos na only God fit bless …the person wet get this sub. Nah so she dey do. I could remember wen her rival gave birth she no wish am kankan. You are now wondering yy she is facing the problem she is facing now. Nah oshonu she be”

And when another follower cautioned her saying

 “why are you sounding like Godand the maker of children, Seyi Edun might have wrong you badly but regardless when it comes to people lookingunto God for a child, you just have to ignore them and leave them to God to judge…you are shamig Seyi because of her infertility, are you God? Wunmi this is too much from you, if she has chosen not to celebrate your son, leave her, it is her business….God is the provider of children..”

Wumi became angry and said;

“Madam shaming stop looking for pity, we left that zone long ago, i was infertile for 8months, went through proceudres, ask Seyi who told her about infertility doctor, pleae stop that pity game, I did IUI 2 times, it didn’t still take the pssionate part of me, why extend a fight to kids, yes we have fallen out, but same kid you were rejoicing over his birth, you sent ajo on my son’s birthday, yet you refuse a birthday message as test just because you ar e pitted, madam stop glorifying infertility, we have ll been there, don’t lt waiting take your passion and compassion”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/wumi-toriola-mocks-former-friend-seyi.html

Rare parasites which can cause human miscarriages now found in donkeys

Rare parasites which can cause human miscarriages have been found in donkeys, it has been claimed.

Scientists in Israel reportedly believe the animal carries Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora, major pathogenic parasites that can have a detrimental impact on pregnant women.

They can infect multiple animal species, forming tissue cysts and may cause miscarriages as well as neurological disease, according to a report published on website Horsetalk.

Both types of parasite have been reported in the wild as well as domestic animals in the Middle Eastern country.

As part of the study, 98 donkeys were examined, half from animal shelters and the other Palestinian Authority working donkeys.

Results showed 94 percent had antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and 70 percent for Neospora, with cysts caused by the latter parasite detected in two donkeys.

"This is the first report of the exposure of donkeys to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora species in the area," according to the researchers.

"The exposure of donkeys to both parasites was considerably higher than the exposure of other species in the area and may be the result of poor husbandry conditions and higher exposure to infection.

"The high prevalence found in this study suggests that donkeys may have a role in the maintenance of these parasites in the area, thus serving as a source of infection for the definitive hosts."

A common finding was that high exposure to both parasites may have been the result of poor sanitation tied to low-income populations, which increases the chances of water-borne exposure to the parasites.

"Half of the donkeys in this survey were sampled in animal shelters that receive neglected donkeys from various locations, while the other half were sampled in Arab villages in the Palestinian Authority, by a veterinarian giving free veterinary care through a humanitarian organisation," the report added.

The study was conducted with the support of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Kimron Veterinary Institute in Bet Dagan, Israel.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/rare-parasites-which-can-cause-human.html

Oh dear! Wizkid ignores Davido’s tweet, acknowledges Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, others

Wizkid might just be having a real beef with Davido.

Recall when Wizzy's album dropped early hours of yesterday, Davido had congratulated him and announced to his own fans about the release of the album.

Anyway while acknowledging his colleagues that supported his new album, Wizzy retweeted their tweets but ignored that of Davido.

Patoranking, Burna Boy, Yemi Alade are among those who announced the new album on their pages and he Wizzy retweeted outrightly ignoring Davido's post which got the highest likes and comments from fans. Many had praised Davido for announcing Wizzy's new album, but then does Wizkid care? 

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/oh-dear-wizkid-ignores-davidos-tweet.html

COCIN pastor released after 12 days in Boko Haram captivity

A pastor with the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos, Plateau State, has been released from the captivity of Boko Haram.

The pastor, Rev. Polycarp Zango, was abducted by the terrorist group on October 19, while on a journey to a Ministers’ conference in Gombe.

The terrorist group earlier  released a video showing the COCIN pastor in their custody.

Speaking exclusively with Vanguard on Saturday morning, the Vice-Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (Northern region), Rev. John Hayab, said Zango regained his freedom on Friday night.

“We have good news! Rev. Zango has been released from Boko Haram custody. It is celebration galore in the Church right now,” he said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/cocin-pastor-released-after-12-days-in.html

Fire guts petrol tanker in front of Ogun Governor’s office

A truck loaded with about 50,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has caught fire in front of the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Saturday.

The tanker was coming from Forte Oil, Ijora and was enroute Mobil, Adatan, in Abeokuta metropolis.

The driver, Nurudeen Yusuf, told newsmen that he, alongside his two motor boys discovered a spark from the engine, which resulted in the fire outbreak.

As the truck went up in flames, firefighters raced to the scene to put out the fire, thereby averting what could have been a disaster, it was learnt.

In his words, the leader of the Federal Fire Service at the scene, DSF Sodiq Atanda, said it took the timely intervention of his men to put out the fire before it got to the body of the truck which could have had more damaging impact.

“If not for the proximity of our station and the timely intervention of our men, this situation would have been worse,” he said, wondering why the truck did not have a fire extinguisher.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/fire-guts-petrol-tanker-in-front-of.html

Police arrest ex-Minister’s son over alleged robbery at Bureau De Change

A former minister’s son is now in Police custody following his arrest for an alleged robbery attempt at an Abuja Bureau De Change.

The suspect allegedly attacked the BDC last week.

He is in detention pending the conclusion of investigation.

The Nation gathered that the suspect’s father is a former Minister from Benue State.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The former Minister’s son allegedly stormed a Bureau De Change in Abuja last week with a locally made rifle in order to haul some cash. He came to perpetrate the act in one of his father’s cars.

“But while allegedly robbing the BDC, he was caught by vigilant forex marketers and beaten to a pulp before being handed over to the police. The angry mob also smashed his father’s car which he used for the ‘operation’.

”Preliminary findings have confirmed that the suspect, who is an officer with a Federal agency in Abuja, is used to free money. He is noted for an extravagant lifestyle.

“The family has been running helter-skelter to wield influence on the police to release the suspect and allow an amicable settlement with the concerned Bureau De Change Operator.

“There is desperation to cover up the case by asking the victim to apply to the police to resolve the case mutually.”

Although the Nigeria Police (FCT Command) was yet to officially release a statement on the alleged robbery at press time, a reliable police source gave an insight into the investigation.

Said the source: “It is true that he was arrested for attempted robbery at a BDC and he is in custody.

“Our men have been grilling him on how he plotted the robbery. From the interaction with him so far, he knew what he did; there was no sign of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“Police detectives have also been probing how he came about the rifle. One of the clues being explored is the suspicion that it might be some of the rifles given to political thugs during the campaign.

“It is also being suspected that he might have bought it for personal use as he was said to have had a lot of cash at his disposal when his father was in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/police-arrest-ex-ministers-son-over.html

Canada to bring in over 1.2m immigrants in 3 years

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, has revealed plans to bring in over 1.2 million new immigrants over the next three years.

Marco Mendicino, the Immigration Minister, disclosed this while unveiling what he termed an “ambitious” three-year immigration plan that set targets for bringing skilled workers, family members and refugees into Canada.

Mendicino while speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Friday, October 30, 2020, said the Canadian government aims to accept 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021, another 411,000 in 2022 and then 421,000 in 2023.

According to him, Canada needs more workers “and immigration is the way to get there”.

“Before the pandemic, our government’s goal to drive the economy forward through immigration was ambitious. Now it’s simply vital,” said Mendicino, while noting that immigrants drive the population and economic growth that pays for vital programs such as health care.

Canada, one of the top destinations of Nigerians, had expected to bring in 341,000 skilled workers, family members of Canadians and refugees this year.

But because of the COVID-19 crisis including closed borders and visa offices, quarantines and few available international flights, only a fraction came.

To help make up the shortfall, Mendicino said the government would offer permanent resident status to temporary foreign workers, international students, and asylum claimants already in Canada.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/canada-to-bring-in-over-12m-immigrants.html

We are ready to show footage of Lekki shootings – LCC says

The management of the Lekki Concession Company, LCC has revealed its willingness to cooperate with the Lagos Judicial panel by showing the footage of events that surrounded the Lekki toll gate shootings on October 20, 2020.

Mr Gbolahan Agboluwaje, the Head of the Legal Department of LCC, made the revelation after Mr Abayomi Omomuwa, the Managing Director of LCC had been sworn-in to give evidence before the panel of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry for Restitution for Victims of SARS and related abuses and Other Matters.

According to Agboluwaje, there are hours of recordings on the CCTV footage.

Agboluwaje said that the LCC received a summons from the panel on Wednesday, Oct. 28, to appear before it and was also ordered to present the Oct. 20 footage, an investigation report and any other document.

“LCC is prepared to air the footage before the panel” but no investigative report or document is available.

“We have the footage. We do not have an investigation report because we know that investigations are ongoing and we have not been able to provide any document.

“We had a very short notice and we brought what we were able to lay our hands on,” he said.

Agboluwaje also disclosed that Abayomi Omomuwa, LCC Managing Director would not be able to testify due to the short notice.

According to him, this is because the company was yet to hire an external counsel to represent the MD.

Justice Doris Okuwobi (rtd.), the chairman of the nine-man panel granted Agboluwaje’s request for a short adjournment

Justice Okuwobi noted that the programme of the day for the panel was to visit the locus (scene of the Lekki Shooting) and to have proceedings based on their findings from the visit.

“We were initially to take note of what we see at the locus and today’s proceedings was to be subsequent to what we see there.

“The panel will arise very shortly to visit the locus. The panel noted that it is required of the witness to have a counsel of his choice. We will not take the proceedings of the visit of the locus until then,” she said.

The panel on Friday had briefly risen to visit and inspect the Lekki Toll Plaza, the scene of the Oct. 20 shooting.

The panel is expected to reconvene to hear other petitions after its return from the visit to the tollgate.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/we-are-ready-to-show-footage-of-lekki.html

I planned to return iPhones I stole at Osun Mall before my arrest –Suspected looter

Twenty-year-old Suliya Tajudeen was paraded alongside 86 others by the police in connection with looting of public and private property in some parts of Osun State last weekend. Suliya tells BOLA BAMIGBOLA how she was arrested

Why were you arrested by the police?

On the day the #EndSars protest escalated in Osogbo (October 17), some hoodlums broke into Osun Mall and looted it. I was not part of the hoodlums that attacked the premises but I incidentally found myself near the mall when the attack took place.

So how did you get involved?

I was not involved. I went to the mall to meet my hairstylist, who had called me earlier to come over so that I could tint my hair to black. But a few minutes after I got there, I saw many people running towards the mall. I also heard sounds like gunshots. But I wasn’t sure if they were gunshots or something else. We were all scared and so we ran in different directions in the mall.

I could not go out because I believed those that came into the premises might injure me, so I hid. When the hoodlums were looting shops, the rest of us hid in different places. The hoodlums were moving from shop to shop, stealing items. They got to a phone shop and looted it. While they were carting away many phones, two iPhones fell near where I was and I picked them up.

I can’t recognise those people, but they stole a lot of phones. I won’t lie, I took the iPhones and hid them under my clothes and went home.

Why did you do that?

My intention was to return the phone the following day. I had planned to visit my stylist the following day.

So, why didn’t you return them?

I wanted to return the phones the following day but before I could do that, the phones were tracked by the police and I was arrested.

Did you use the phones?

I didn’t use them personally. I don’t even know how to use iPhones. But I put SIM cards in the phones. My friends wanted to download Snapchat and take pictures with the phones, so they put SIM cards in them. The phones were new but not packaged.

What do you do?

I am a ‘runs girl’ (s.e.x worker).

What kind of work is that?

I can’t explain it more than that. I leave you to find out.

Were you part of #EndSARS protest?

No, I didn’t join them but I was at Olaiya Junction, Osogbo while the protest was going I was there to watch them.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/i-planned-to-return-iphones-i-stole-at.html

How we secured Surulere from hoodlums — Lagos youth leader

A youth leader in Surulere, Lagos, Mr Adedeji Adeoti, has narrated how young people in the area secured the community from attack by hoodlums during the recent EndSARS protest.

Adeoti told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that the concerned youths had to safeguard the community because “it’s our heritage.

“During the crises, we had to mobilise the youths to come out to protect the streets and its environs from the hoodlums.

“We had to come out to safeguard our neighborhood from miscreants because our aged parents and loved ones are all at home and needed protection.

“We had to mobilise youths in the neighborhood to chase away the hoodlums and miscreants who hijacked the peaceful protest,” said Adeoti.

He urged the government to give the youth the chance to speak up and make demands for a better life and secure future.

“We are not quarreling with anyone, what we just want is for government to to listen to the youths, because out of Nigeria’s population of 200 million, 75 per cent are youths and these are the people who voted them into office.

“What we want them to do is to talk to the youths, listen to what they want and take action,” he said.

He, however, called on the youth to calm down and allow the government to consider the demands presented and to further investigate the causes of the mayhem to prevent a reoccurrence.

“I call on all the youths, both educated and uneducated, to be patient, we have given the government the five-for-five agenda, let’s listen to what they are going to tell us,” the youth leader said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/how-we-secured-surulere-from-hoodlums.html

EndSARS: I’m being cursed in mosques – Aisha Yesufu cries

Rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, has opened up on the ill-treatment she gets from fellow Muslims

Yesufu, who is the co-convener of the BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, advocacy group lamented that fellow Muslims rain curses on her in the mosque.

She said the resentments she now suffers is due to her involvement in the widespread EndSARS protests.

The activist made the disclosure on her Twitter handle.

According to Yesufu: ”Heard I am being cursed in mosques! People finish praying and take time out to curse me in their prayers.

“I have asked they should please let me know how many of these curses they rained on me when I was making the same demands during GEJ! We are all already cursed in Nigeria.”

Many activists including Aisha Yesufu had joined Nigerian youths in the streets to protest against police brutality and bad governance in the country.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/end-sars-im-being-cursed-in-mosques.html

Veteran Man Utd player, Nobby Stiles is dead

England’s World Cup-winning midfielder Nobby Stiles, aka “Toothless Tiger”, has died after a long battle with illness, his family said on Friday.

He died at the age of 78.

The former Manchester United player was an uncompromising competitor who won 28 caps for England, lifting the FIFA World Cup in 1966.

He provided one of that final’s most iconic images as he danced around the Wembley pitch after the hosts beat West Germany.

As he did so, he had the trophy in one hand and his false teeth in the other.

“The Stiles family are sad to announce that Nobby Stiles passed away peacefully today (Friday) surrounded by his family, after a long illness,” a family statement read. “The family kindly ask for privacy at this sad time.”

Stiles returned to Wembley for another major final two years later with Manchester United as Matt Busby’s side became the first English club to lift the European Cup.

That was when they beat twice-winners Benfica.

“We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Nobby Stiles MBE,” Manchester United said in a statement.

“An integral part of our first-ever European Cup-winning side, Nobby was a titan of the club’s history, cherished for his heart and personality on and off the pitch.”

The midfielder made nearly 400 appearances for Manchester United from 1960 to 1971 before he moved to Middlesbrough and later finished his career as a player-coach at Preston North End.

Following his retirement, Stiles managed Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion, with a three-year stint with Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps sandwiched in between.

However, he longed to return to Manchester and soon took up a role as a youth coach at Manchester United under Alex Ferguson, working with academy players.

He worked with such players as David Beckham and Ryan Giggs — who would go on to be known as the famed “Class of ‘92”.

“Another of our 1966 World Cup-winning heroes leaves us,” former England striker Gary Lineker tweeted. “He had a heart that was even bigger than the gap in his teeth. RIP Nobby.”(Reuters/NAN)

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/veteran-man-utd-player-nobby-stiles-is.html

WTO: Buhari meets European Council President over Okonjo-Iweala

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, held a virtual meeting with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, over the candidature of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former finance minister, is the leading candidate for the position. But her candidature is being opposed by the U.S. which is supporting her South Korean opponent.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala already secured the backing of most countries including blocs like the European Union and the African Union.

The U.S. is the one blocking Mrs Okonjo-Iweala from being adopted as a consensus winner of the election, with an announcement on the winner next month.

According to a Friday evening statement by Femi Adesina, Mr Buhari’s spokesman, Mr Michel reiterated Europe’s support for Mrs Okonjo-Iweala.

Read the full statement by Mr Adesina below.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

OKONJO-IWEALA: PRESIDENT BUHARI IN VIDEO CONFERENCE WITH PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN COUNCIL

President Muhammadu Buhari Friday held a video conference with Mr Charles Michel, President of the European Council, during which the latter reiterated Europe’s support for Nigeria’s Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The President is leading Nigeria’s charge for Okonjo-Iweala, the country’s former Minister of Finance, to emerge as the first Black and female WTO DG.

President Buhari thanked the European Council for its support for Nigeria’s candidate.

Also discussed during the conference were issues bordering on debt relief for Africa, EU-African relations and recharge of the Lake Chad, which has currently shrunk to less than one-third of its usual size, and throwing about 130 million people who depend on the Lake into dire straits.

Recharge of the Lake Chad is an issue the Nigerian President had vigorously canvassed at diverse global fora in recent time.

President Buhari expressed appreciation to Mr Michel for expected positive developments on the issues.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/wto-buhari-meets-european-council.html

Africa’s richest woman, Isabel dos Santos’s husband, Sindika Dokolo dies at 48

Sindika Dokolo, the Congolese businessman and art collector husband of Angolan billionaire Isabel dos Santos, has died in a diving accident in Dubai, a colleague and two family members said on Friday.

They said the exact cause of the 48-year-old’s death on Thursday was not clear.

Dokolo and dos Santos, the daughter of Jose Eduardo dos Santos who ruled Angola for 38 years until 2017, faced corruption charges, including allegations that they steered $1 billion in state funds to companies in which they held stakes during her father’s presidency.

Dokolo and Isabel dos Santos have both denied wrongdoing.

Angolan authorities seized their accounts late last year.

A colleague and friend of Dokolo, Cedric Mala, confirmed his death on Friday. Isabel dos Santos has not commented, but on Thursday posted a photo of her and Dokolo on Twitter.

Two close family members also confirmed the news but spoke on condition of anonymity.

“I am shocked and devastated by the death of my brother, friend and collaborator Sindika Dokolo,” Mala told Reuters.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/africas-richest-woman-isabel-dos.html

Suspected ritualists behead security guard in Ondo [photo]

Tension has gripped the people of Oka Akoko in Ondo State following the gruesome murder of a 43-year-old security guard in the community by suspected ritualists. 

The guard, Rotimi Olukoju, who worked with a microfinance bank in the town, was found dead on Thursday evening by some residents in a bush path. 

Several residents told SaharaReporters that Olokoju was murdered on his way to the farm in the Iwaro area of Oka Akoko of the agrarian community. 

They confirmed that Mr Olukoju was beheaded by the suspects while vital organs of his body were also removed and taken away. 

According to them, the frightening incident has sent panic across the community.

A family member of the late Olukoju, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Friday morning, said his corpse had been taken to the mortuary by the police.

He explained that the deceased started working at the microfinance bank a few years ago to complement his farming, noting that his death was painful. 

"Now, they have taken his life despite all the suffering. We are pained by his death and most especially the cutting of his head. 

"My brother died a painful death but we have resulted in spiritual means to unravel the real people behind this and I pray God will expose those who did this to us," he said. 

There had been reported cases of ritual killings and related activities in the Akoko area of the state in recent times.

When contacted, Tee-Leo Ikoro, spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, said they had begun investigation into the crime. 

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/suspected-ritualists-behead-security.html

The gory way a 2-year old toddler died in the hands of his mother's boyfriend

A mother was too busy meeting strangers from the internet for sex to stop her boyfriend abusing her two year-old son to death.

Candice Jones, 32, was condemned for priorities as she was sentenced to up to 15 years in jail over the August 2018 death of JoJo Gaborsky III in Princeton, West Virginia.

Speaking last Monday, Jojo’s step-grandman Angela Hart told Jones: ‘I begged you to please stop trying to hook up with men on the internet and Facebook for s3x. You were more worried about having s3x than taking care of (your daughter) and Little Joe.

‘I hope you get the maximum time allowed for this and I hope some day you realize that Little Joe’s death could have been prevented if you would have stopped worrying about having s3x or getting with every guy you met online.’

Jones’ boyfriend John Powers, 47, body-slammed JoJo into a bathtub, inflicted a third-degree burn on the toddler’s arm, broke several of the child’s bones and injured him so badly he suffered retinal hemorrhages as well as brain bleeds.

JoJo wasn’t taken to hospital until two weeks after Powers battered him, and died shortly afterwards.

His tiny body had been so badly damaged by Powers’ attacks that loved ones had to partially cover his corpse with a hoodie at his funeral. 

Addressing Powers, Hart said: ‘We even had to have a hoodie over the top of his head at his service due to the beating you gave him. ‘We have even seen pictures of the aftermath of you beating him so bad that he had bruises all over his body, head, neck, chest, butt, penis, legs and his big toe.’

 ‘You deserve to die in prison. I really wish you would see the death penalty…’

Powers struck a plea deal earlier this month, which saw him admit death of a child by a parent or guardian, with a sentence of 15 years to life.

He previously served 13 months behind bars for battering a two year-old child in 1995.

Jones’ own father David Hart condemned her for ignoring JoJo’s screams and cries as Powers pummeled him. 

Hart said: ‘I love you with all my heart and soul. That will never change…I’ve been spending lots of time trying to figure our how you got so cold-hearted.

 ‘You had to hear the screaming and crying and begging for help, yet you chose to do nothing.’

Media that Jones’ older sister Wanda Mann also hit out at her sibling, saying: ‘I’m here to tell you you’re not a good mom, you are the worst of moms, you’re a child’s worst nightmare

‘To sit there while your child…was crying for help, and you did nothing. I hope this haunts you every time you close your eyes.’ 

Mann warned that Jones would look for another man online, and fall pregnant again when she is released from prison. 

Jones struck a plea deal which saw her admit child neglect resulting in death, and will spend between three and 15 years behind bars.

Both she and Powers will have to register as s3x offenders when they are freed from prison.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/the-gory-way-2-year-old-toddler-died-in.html

Lekki Shooting: Bullet shells found by judicial panel members

The judicial panel appointed by the Lagos State Government to investigate police abuses and the shooting at the Lekki toll gate, has recovered bullet shells from the scene.

Six shells were found Friday, 10 days after the shooting, officials confirmed.

The Nigerian Army, accused of carrying out the attack believed to have killed at least two people, had initially denied its troops were at the scene.

It later admitted soldiers were there on the invitation of the state government, but insists they shot no one, despite video evidence showing otherwise.

The bullet shells, found during an inspection of the Lekki site by the panel led by Dorris Okuwobi, would be expected to serve as critical evidence to establishing the truth.

The shells were recovered in the presence of journalists and the inspection was done alongside representatives of the Lekki Concession Company.

The representatives, Abayomi Omoruwa and Gbolahan Agboluaje, had earlier appeared before the judicial panel on Friday to present the CCTV footage recovered following the shooting.

The panel did not receive the CCTV footage. It said the main assignment for the Friday was to visit the incident site.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/lekki-shooting-bullet-shells-found-by.html

Italian police bust Nigerian mafia gang, leader Okenwa, 72 others arrested

No fewer than 72 members of a Nigerian mafia organisation in Italy, including their leader, 50-year-old Emmanuel Okenwa aka ‘Boogye’, have been arrested.

The operation was carried out by more than 200 Italian policemen in Turin and Ferrara.

Italian newspaper ANSA said Police made dozens of arrests against the Nigerian mafia organization called Arobaga Vikings or Norsemen Kclub International.

It is organized into local cells called Decks and present in many Italian cities.

National leaders of the mafia, which deals mainly in p.r.o.s t.i.u.t.i.o.n and drug trafficking were arrested.

They included Boogye’, an AfroBeat DJ andthe self-styled “King of Ferrara”.

In all, 31 people were arrested in Ferrara.

A further 43 were taken into custody in Turin, including several women who allegedly ran p.r.o.s t.i.u.t.i.o.n rackets.

Bologna preliminary investigations judge Gianluca Petragnani Gelosi said the Vikings’ criminal plan was to “violently annihilate” other Nigerian crime outfits and take over their turf.

Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese said the police guard against criminal organizations and their illegal trafficking was high even amid the COVID emergency.

In a related development, the Italian police also cracked down on the multinational Ndrangheta mafia.

The police on Thursday seized 50 million euros in goods and property from three businessmen in Reggio Calabria, linked to the Calabria-based ‘Ndrangheta mafia.

Antonino Scimone, 45, Antonino Mordà (51) and Pietro Canale (41) are suspected of close links to noted Calabrian clans, police said.

The three were among 27 people arrested in February 2018 in a major operation against usury and fraud that seized 51 companies, 18 pieces of real estate, and froze accounts worth some 100 million euros.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/italian-police-bust-nigerian-mafia-gang.html

Fire guts GTBank, Amuwo Odofin branch

A fire outbreak has been reported at Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos.

General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed the fire outbreak.

He said the agency activated its team at 7:49am this morning in response to distress calls concerning a fire outbreak at GTbank, Amuwo Odofin.

“Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, information gathered by the LRU Fire Team indicated that the flames observed at the top of the bank building were as result of a power surge from one of the Air-conditioners in the office.

“The combined swift response of Agency’s firefighters and the Lagos Fire Service prevented the fire from spreading to other units of the bank and adjourning buildings,” he said.

According to Oke-Osanyintolu, no casualties or fatalities were recorded at scene.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/fire-guts-gtbank-in-lagos.html

Saraki jumps on Wizkid's latest album, calls it a brilliant end

Bukola Saraki has endorsed Wizkid's new album -- Made In Lagos, describing it has a ''brilliant end to what has been a long and eventful month''.

Recall the album was supposed to drop at an earlier date which fell during the EndSARS protests. The young singer then decided to postpone it and only just released it.

The former Senate President says the track Grace is his fav. 

He looks good too by the way.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/saraki-jumps-on-wizkids-latest-album.html

'Your days are numbered', Geogina Onuoha blasts Desmond Elliot for speaking against the youth

Georgina Onuoha has poured her wrath of Nollywood actor cum politician, Desmond Elliot over his comment on social media regulation during a Lagos State House of Assembly meeting.

While making some startling revelations about Desmond Elliot’s private life, Georgina Onuoha said the Surulere lawmaker’s days are numbered.

According to her, the day’s of Desmond honoring himself and his godfathers are coming into an end for insulting the same people who put him where he is today.

''Shame on you Desmond Elliot.

@desmondelliot I’m still waiting for your pathetic speech regarding the Lekki massacre, police brutality, extrajudicial killings by members of SARS.. the killings of innocent protesters at the Lekki tollgate.

I’m still waiting for your passionate enraged speech regarding the disenfranchised Nigerian youth.''

View this post on Instagram

@desmondelliot I’m still waiting for your pathetic speech regarding the Lekki massacre, police brutality, extrajudicial killings by members of SARS.. the killings of innocent protesters at the Lekki tollgate. I’m still waiting for your passionate enraged speech regarding the disenfranchised Nigerian youth.

A post shared by Georgina Chigozie Onuoha🦋 (@georginaonuoha) on Oct 29, 2020 at 12:56pm PDT

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/your-days-are-numbered-geogina-onuoha.html

65,185 people are HIV positive in Akwa Ibom state

A total of 1,355,203 persons have been tested for HIV in Akwa Ibom between April and October this year.

The Deputy Director Technical, Strengthening Integrated Delivery of HIV/AIDS Services (SIDHAS), Dr Pius Nwaokoro stated this on Thursday in Uyo during an interaction with some media representatives on HIV treatment surge.

He said the state has achieved 90 percent HIV/AIDS viral suppression rate and successfully controlled the epidemic in seven local government areas including, Uyo, Mbo, Okobo, Eastern Obolo, and Ibeno.

Nwaokoro who revealed that 65,185 people in the state are HIV positive noted that the result was based on 10 years of consistent testing and counselling carried out in 21 local government areas of the state. 

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/65185-people-are-hiv-positive-in-akwa.html

Annie Idibia FLAUNTS her hot legs in new instagram photos

Dripping hot!

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/annie-idibia-flaunts-her-hot-legs-in.html

Break up? Burna Boy and Stefflon Don unfollow each other

It seems there is trouble in the court of the two lovers; Burna Boy and his fiancée Stefflon Don as new screenshots have hit social media on how they unfollowed each other.

As the country is on fire due to the prolonged protest and trending stories on the Lekki Toll Gate shootings, it seems other people’s relationships are also suffering crisis.

Here is a screenshot from the pages of the musicians Burna Boy and Stefflon Don which shows the couple has unfollowed each other. The reason and cause of sudden reactions are yet to be known.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/break-up-burna-boy-and-stefflon-don.html

Hoodlums kill son of former NTA DG in Kaduna

Hoodlums on Wednesday night stabbed to death the 38-year-old son of a former Director General of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, around Kawo in Kaduna North Local Government Area.

Daily Trust reports that the deceased, Aminu Mohammed Ibrahim, had returned from Kano and was flagging down a commercial transport when hoodlums lurking around the area stabbed him and made away with his phone.

His elder brother, Kamal Ibrahim, who confirmed the incident said Aminu was recently employed by Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).

“He arrived sometime between 8:30 and 9:00pm and while trying to get a taxi, hoodlums stabbed him on the chest, near his heart and made away with his phone. He was taken to hospital and he gave the hospital staff our father’s number and mine to call and inform us but he died while they were treating him,” said Kamal.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/hoodlums-kill-son-of-former-nta-dg-in.html

I’m not in politics for money, but to serve, says Obaseki

The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said politicians must prioritise governance to benefit the people.

Obaseki, who said this in Benin City on Thursday, added that he was not in government to be famous or make money at the expense of ensuring development that would benefit the people.

The governor, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Crusoe Osagie, noted that there was the need for a mechanism to be put in place to ensure transparency in government,

He said, “Only few persons in government are held accountable for their decisions in government.

“I am not in government to make money; I am not in government for fame. I am in government to serve. Our youths are the reasons why I am in government. If I cannot serve you, I will quit.

“The issues of better government, proper governance and transparency are what we are emphasising. When we have younger people who can use technology in government, we will have transparency and accountability, which informed my decision to have many younger people working in my government.”

Obaseki called for a strong institution that would ensure law and order.

He said, “And that is why we have the security agencies. Our security arrangement in the country must reflect our federal system as I can’t be a governor of a state and not able to hire and fire my Commissioner of Police, but #ENDSARS protests have helped us start the process.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/im-not-in-politics-for-money-but-to.html

Burna Boy releases song in loving memory of Lekki victims

This got us teary! Nigerian Afrobeat singer Burna Boy has released a new single titled 20 10 20 in loving memory of victims of the Lekki shooting.

Though the Government says only two people died from the incident, they have also admitted soldiers were actually at the scene.

Several videos also showed soldiers opening fire at unarmed protesters as they sang the National Anthem, Amnesty International has also put the death at 12.

So many were also injured in the process with many hospitalised with gun shot wounds.

Burna Boy has now dedicated a track for them, saying they will never be forgotten. 

Too touching! Blood of their hands! Blood on their hands!!!!!!!!!

IN LOVING MEMORY AND RESPECT🙏🏾 https://t.co/hCNL4KZH4s pic.twitter.com/P4enoTtYVq

— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) October 29, 2020

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/10/burna-boy-releases-new-song-in-loving.html