Ansaru, a militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack on Yobe Emir

Ansaru, a militant group, has claimed responsibility for the attack on the convoy of Umaru Bubaram, Emir of Potiskum in Yobe state.

Bulama Bukarti, an analyst and human rights lawyer who shared the development on Twitter, raised concerns that the attack might be a signal of the comeback of Ansaru, which was established in 2012.

One of the group’s last known attacks was in February 2013 when seven foreign nationals were kidnapped from a compound owned by the Lebanese construction company Setraco in Kano.

The attack on the emir occurred along the Kaduna-Zaria highway on Wednesday and at least six lives were lost.


The emir was on his way to Zaria, Kaduna, on a tour of some traditional institutions in the north as part of preparations for the official inauguration of the Potiskum Central Mosque, Yobe slated for Saturday.

When he returned to his kingdom after the attack, the Emir said he slept in the bush overnight after the gunmen shot sporadically for two hours.

He said the scene was like a battlefield.

“We were just about thirty seconds from our discussion then the sound of gunshots erupted. The gunshots were unbelievable. It was just like a war field,” the emir told reporters at his palace.

“Instantly, I saw my pilot driver swerved and then hit a standing vehicle. I suspected the shooting affected him and the police people around him.

“As the shooting was going on, we decided to abandon our vehicles and take to safety. God in His infinite mercy led me to escape the danger zone. The gunshots continued for almost two hours. I continued trekking into the bush until when the sound of the guns was a bit far off from me. That is how I found myself, it’s God mercy that helped me to escape danger zone.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/ansaru-militant-group-has-claimed.html

Remember the Nigerian professor, Chikaodinaka Nwankpa who allegedly spent $185k research grant at strip clubs? He has now been charged

A former Drexel University professor faces criminal charges after allegedly stealing $185,000 in research grant money and spending it on adult entertainment venues and on purchases for iTunes, meals and other expenses.

Chikaodinaka Nwankpa, from Nigeria, 57, was charged this week with theft by unlawful taking and theft by deception, both felonies, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.

If you missed the first story, read it here.

Nwankpa is the former chairman of the university's Engineering Department, a news release said.


 "Mr. Nwankpa inappropriately and criminally diverted tens of thousands of dollars that were allocated for research purposes toward his own private enjoyment. He betrayed Drexel University and tuition-paying students he was paid to educate," District Attorney Larry Krasner said.

 Nwankpa's alleged spending was noticed when an audit showed multiple unauthorized and "no receipt" purchases between 2010 and 2017, according to the release.

The professor tried to pass off strip club expenses as catering and food costs, it said.

He spent more than $96,000 on adult entertainment venues and sports bars as well as more than $89,000 on iTunes purchases, meals and other unauthorized purchases, the release said.

Many of the charges were processed between midnight and 2 a.m., the district attorney's office said.

Nwankpa was placed on administrative leave after an investigation began and then resigned.

Drexel University, which is in Philadelphia, paid $190,000 in a settlement following a separate federal investigation into the former professor's alleged misuse of grant funds, according to the release. The professor repaid $53,328 to Drexel, prosecutors said in October.

Nwankpa was arrested by university police and released on a $25,000 bail earlier this week. He surrendered his passport and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on January 29, the release said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/remember-nigerian-professor.html

Yinka Ayefele’s triplets mark first birthday (photos)

Gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele's triplets are already one. They turned one over the weekend, and their famous dad released so many photos of them.

Yinka and his wife of many years have been waiting upon the Lord to bless them with their own children. Though they have being parents to many, sending so many children to school, but they never had theirs until now.

Sharing the photos, Ayefele wrote ” What shall I say unto the Lord, all I have to say is thank you LORD. OUR TRIPLETS ARE ONE YEAR OLD TODAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU MY TREASURE.” More photos below... O por!

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/yinka-ayefeles-triplets-mark-first.html

Avengers, Game of Thrones, others win big at the 2020 SAG awards. See list of winners

The actors have officially weighed in on the 2020 awards season. On Sunday, the Screen Actors Guild Awards named the best film and television performances of 2019.

The year’s top nominees included Bombshell, which led the film categories with four nominations for its female ensemble, followed by The Irishman and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

On the TV side, Amazon dominated the nominees, with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel earning four while Fleabag followed with three. 

During the 26th annual ceremony -- simulcast live on TNT and TBS -- members of SAG-AFTRA handed out statuettes to some of Hollywood’s biggest names, along with a special Life Achievement Award for The Irishman and Joker's Robert De Niro. Full list below...

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE

Bombshell

The Irishman

Jojo Rabbit

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

**Parasite**

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Cynthia Erivo, Harriet

Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story

Lupita Nyong'o, Us

Charlize Theron, Bombshell

**Renee Zellweger, Judy**

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Christian Bale, Ford v Ferrari

Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Adam Driver, Marriage Story

Taron Egerton, Rocketman

**Joaquin Phoenix, Joker**

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

**Laura Dern, Marriage Story**

Scarlett Johansson, Jojo Rabbit

Nicole Kidman, Bombshell

Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers

Margot Robbie, Bombshell

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Jamie Foxx, Just Mercy

Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Al Pacino, The Irishman

Joe Pesci, The Irishman

**Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood**

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES

Big Little Lies

**The Crown**

Game of Thrones

The Handmaid’s Tale

Stranger Things

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

**Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show**

Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown

Olivia Colman, The Crown

Jodie Comer, Killing Eve

Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid's Tale

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us

Steve Carell, The Morning Show

Billy Crudup, The Morning Show

**Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones**

David Harbour, Stranger Things

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES

Barry

Fleabag

The Kominsky Method

**The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel**

Schitt’s Creek

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Christina Applegate, Dead to Me

Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Catherine O'Hara, Schitt's Creek

**Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag**

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Alan Arkin, The Kominsky Method

Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method

Bill Hader, Barry

Andrew Scott, Fleabag

**Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel**

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

Patricia Arquette, The Act

Toni Collette, Unbelievable

Joey King, The Act

Emily Watson, Chernobyl

**Michelle Williams, Fosse/Verdon**

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

Mahershala Ali, True Detective

Russell Crowe, The Loudest Voice

Jared Harris, Chernobyl

Jharrel Jerome, When They See Us

**Sam Rockwell, Fosse/Verdon**

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

**Avengers: Endgame**

Ford v Ferrari

The Irishman

Joker

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A TELEVISION SERIES

**Game of Thrones**

Glow

Stranger Things

The Walking Dead

Watchmen

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/avengers-game-of-thrones-others-win-big.html

Former AIT presenter, Ohimai Amaize granted asylum in the United States

Ohimai Amaize, a former AIT presenter who fled Nigeria last year, has been granted asylum in the United States.

Mr Amaize, 35, departed Abuja in June 2019 following claims he was being trailed by Nigerian security agents with intention to arrest and charge him for treason and incitement. The alleged plots stemmed from a confrontation between the government and AIT and its flagship morning show, ‘Kakaaki Social’, a user-generated programme which Mr Amaize was anchoring at the time.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/former-ait-presenter-ohimai-amaize.html

Photos of a strange animal caught in Bayelsa waters

An animal that looks like a turtle -- a very huge one has been caught by men working on a road construction project in the Niger Delta part of Nigeria.

The huge leatherback turtle was captured by workers of SEEFOR road construction project in Foropa kingdom.

According to reports, the sea animal was captured with a huge net. Reports also has it that they got excited about their catch. Really? Someone will put that animal in his mouth? (claps). More photos below...

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/photos-of-strange-animal-caught-in.html

Pregnant Mercy Johnson steps out with her growing baby bump for a movie premiere (photos)

Pregnant Mercy Johnson Okojie has showed off her growing baby bump. The actress stepped out yesterday for the premiere of her first directorial movie, The Legend of Inikpi, which held in Lagos looking all radiant.

The actress and her husband, Prince Okojie are expecting their 4th child. Also see a family photo below...

View this post on Instagram

My dates to @thelegendofinikpi premiere last night! @princeodiokojie and the crew #epicingold #thelegendofinikpi Remember we are in cinemas this Friday the 24th 💃🏾

A post shared by Mercy Johnson Okojie (@mercyjohnsonokojie) on Jan 19, 2020 at 10:41pm PST

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/pregnant-mercy-johnson-steps-out-with.html

Oma Nnadi narrates how yogurt she bought to feed her baby was already contaminated (photos)

Creator-Kenomatv, Oma Nnadi has expressed her sadness after purchasing some amount of yogurts for her daughter's consumption. Oma says she didn't bother buying the yogurts from the States since we have it here in Nigeria, only for her to purchase some and met disgusting substances in them despite it had not expired.

She took to IG to narrate her terrifying experience. Thank God she was the one that was about to feed her child, her nanny (if any), could have thought it was part of the yogurt 😳

Sharing the photos, she wrote: "So I didn't bother buying baby yogurt from the states since we have them in my dear country . This is what I saw today when I opened one to feed my girl, this is what I found. even with the fact it's not expired ooooo. waohh dear Nigeria. @nafdac_ng Do your jobs before kids eat poison in this country please .. imagine a good looking of this yogurt, fed to your child , what it will develope to in her system. pathetic. please share and continue to tag nafdac for the safety of our children in this country."

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/oma-nnadi-narrates-how-yogurt-she.html

Ex-Gambian President stands to be arrested if he ever returns home

Former Gambian president  Yahya Jammeh would face immediate arrest if he returned home, Gambia’s justice minister warned Sunday, days after his supporters called for his return from exile.

After a year of hearings investigating abuses during his 22-year rule, “it can no longer be ruled out that crimes against humanity have been committed in The Gambia”, said Abubacarr Tambadou.

“There will be the accountability of the highest order for these crimes and I assure the victims that it is now only a question of when, and not if,” he added.

Unless the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) ruled otherwise, “if former President Yahya Jammeh, ever comes back to this country, he will face immediate arrest and charges of the most serious kind”.

Tambadou’s speech, given to mark the opening of the judicial year, was quickly posted online by groups campaigning to have Jammeh brought to justice.

The former dictator ruled the Gambia with an iron fist for 22 years but fled in January 2017 after losing a presidential election to relative unknown Adama Barrow. He only relinquished power after popular protests and international pressure, moving to Equatorial Guinea.

On Thursday, thousands of the former president’s supporters demonstrated in the capital Banjul, calling for his return to the country and to active politics.

They argue he has a right to return under a joint statement from the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations, published at the time of his exile.

In an audio recording leaked last week, Jammeh could be heard saying he supported Thursday’s protest.

On Monday, the TRRC will resume its work investigating the alleged abuses during Jammeh’s years in power. Last year, it heard 190 witnesses give testimony alleging torture, murder, r3pe and witch hunts under his regime.

Those in power at the time identified by the Commission “will face certain prosecution in the most serious form”, said Tambadou

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/ex-gambian-president-stands-to-be.html

Africa's richest woman 'ripped off Angola'

Leaked documents reveal how Africa's richest woman made her fortune through exploiting her own country, and corruption.

Isabel dos Santos got access to lucrative deals involving land, oil, diamonds and telecoms when her father was president of Angola, a southern African country rich in natural resources.

The documents show how she and her husband were allowed to buy valuable state assets in a series of suspicious deals.

Ms Dos Santos says the allegations against her are entirely false and that there is a politically motivated witch-hunt by the Angolan government.


The former president's daughter has made the UK her home and owns expensive properties in central London.

She is already under criminal investigation by the authorities in Angola for corruption and her assets in the country have been frozen.

Now BBC Panorama has been given access to more than 700,000 leaked documents about the billionaire's business empire.

Most were obtained by the Platform to Protect Whistle-blowers in Africa and shared with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

They've been investigated by 37 media organisations including The Guardian and Portugal's Expresso newspaper.




source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/africas-richest-woman-ripped-off-angola.html

China confirms 139 cases of new virus in two days

Chinese authorities have reported 139 new cases of a mysterious virus in two days, marking the first time that the infection has been confirmed in the country outside of Wuhan city.

The new cases were identified in the cities of Wuhan, Beijing and Shenzhen.

The total number of confirmed cases now exceeds 200, and three have died from the respiratory illness.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said the number of cases rose because of "increased searching and testing".


The new coronavirus strain first appeared in Wuhan in December and has already spread abroad, with two cases in Thailand and one in Japan.



source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/china-confirms-139-cases-of-new-virus.html

Woman, 21, catches dad killing her mum, but her storming into room was too little too late

Police in Likoni, Mombasa have launched a hunt for a 44-year-old man who allegedly killed his wife on Friday following a domestic dispute.

Peter Mutisya is alleged to have hacked his wife, Ruth Kaveke, 42, in the head and back at 2am Friday at their Pungu Villa home in Likoni. The reason behind the now-fatal dispute remains unclear.

Police say Mutisya killed Kaveke as their five children slept in their room. However, their mother’s screams woke them up. The couple’s eldest child, a daughter aged 21, rushed to her parents’ bedroom, where she found her mother lying on the bed with blood gushing from her head and back.

The daughter, Mbithe Peter, says her father warned he would harm her if she raised the alarm.

After Mutisya fled the scene, the eldest child burst into loud screams, attracting the attention of neighbours, who rushed to Mutisya’s house and found Kaveke had already died.

The neighbours, thereafter, alerted police, who arrived at the scene and took Kaveke’s body to the Coast Provincial General Hospital morgue.

The couple’s eldest child said her parents had — in the recent past — been embroiled in unending marital conflict.





source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/woman-21-catches-dad-killing-her-mum.html

BBNaija's Diane Russet stuns in cleavage-baring outfit

The reality star rocked a revealing jumpsuit that showcased her cleavage to a movie premiere yesterday.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/bbnaijas-diane-russet-stuns-in-cleavage.html

Twisted couple jailed for 26 years after abusing five young girls and filming it

A twisted couple who filmed their sickening abuse of five young girls have been jailed for 26 years.

A detective investigating the case described the text messages sent between Peter Taylor and Keeli Burlingham as 'some of the most appalling' she had read in her career.

Taylor and Burlingham, both 33, used their phones to film and to take pictures of their victims and document the attacks, a court heard.

Police raided the couple's home in Dukinfield, Tameside, Manchester, in April 2018 after a tip-off, the Manchester Evening News reports.

Officers seized several phones and a computer, discovering messages on one of the devices which revealed that Taylor had encouraged his partner Burlingham to molest a young girl.
Burlingham then carried out the sexual assault and send indecent images of the attack to her partner.

Videos by Taylor and Burlingham of other assaults they carried out were also found on their phones and computer police said.

The pair were found to have abused five young girls.

They denied all offences they were charged with.

Taylor was found guilty of sexual assault of a girl under 13; arranging of facilitating the commission of a sexual offence; taking indecent photographs of a child; making indecent photographs of a child; intentionally encouraging the commission of an offence; and encouraging the commission of an offence believing it to be committed.

He was jailed for 15 years at Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday, January 17.

Burlingham was convicted of sexual assault of a child under 13; assault of a child under 13 by penetration; arranging of facilitating the commission of a sexual offence; taking indecent photographs of a child; making indecent photographs of a child; and distributing indecent photographs of a child.

She was sentenced to 11 years, plus a one-year extended sentence.

Detective Chief Inspector Judith Holmes, of GMP’s Public Protection Unit, said: “Taylor and Burlingham knew how old their victims were. They have absolutely no excuse for their grossly inappropriate and predatory behaviour towards children





source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/twisted-couple-jailed-for-26-years.html

DJ Cuppy hints wedding bells may be tolling soon

The wedding bells may be tolling soon for Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola better known as DJ Cuppy, the first daughter of billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola.

In an Instagram post on Sunday, she suggested someone, who sent her some flowers may be trying to propose to her this year 2020.

“Cupcakes, someone is TRYING to wifey me in 2020 o!” she wrote.




source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/dj-cuppy-hints-wedding-bells-may-be.html

Update: 3 dead, 11 trucks,7 houses razed in Abule Egba pipeline explosion

The pipeline explosion at Ile-Epo area of Abule Egba, in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria has left three persons burnt to death, 11 trucks and seven houses razed in the inferno.

A massive explosion shattered the peace of the area around 7:45pm on Sunday with thick smokes and balls of fire bellowing the atmosphere.

Residents fled their homes to take shelter in safer places while thousands of onlookers were seen close to the scenes taking pictures.

Several fire trucks raced to the area, but they are finding it difficult to contain the rampaging fire as at the time of filing this report around 12:15am on Monday.


Director General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu said “a raging fire from the explosion of a vandalised NNPC pipeline has caused panic among residents within Awori, and Pipeline communities in Abule Egba.

“LASEMA, Lagos fire service are responding and on top of the situation,” he said earlier.

Oke-Osanyintolu, however, confirmed that two adult male and a child were burnt to death, with 11 trucks and seven houses razed.



source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/update-3-dead-11-trucks7-houses-razed.html

Five petrol and gas stations sealed in Kogi for cheating

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Kogi office, has sealed three petrol filling stations for adjusting their pumps to dispense fuel below the approved quantity.

Mr Idris Mohammad, Controller Operations, Kogi Field Office of DPR, who led a team of operatives and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) during the raid, said the filling stations were defrauding unsuspecting customers.

Mohammed said the office had realised that apart from defrauding unsuspecting customers through pump meter adjustments, most of the stations were operating illegally without operating licences.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/five-petrol-and-gas-stations-sealed-in.html

DJ Khaled posts a pregnancy photo of his wife: “baby 2 is coming”

The world-famous American DJ and music producer, DJ Khaled, has shared a recent photo of his beautiful wife, Nicole Tuck, via his verified and official Instagram account.

The couple has had just one child named Asahd Tuck Khaled aged 3.

Today, DJ Khaled has made a surprise statement about 2nd baby of himself and he announced that 2nd baby is on the road. His wife, Nicole Tuck has been pregnant for a few months.

Here’s what DJ Khaled wrote:

“BABY #2 WATCH ALERT 🚨 👀
Another one! Soon come!
Honey honey you got this! We got this!
Me and ASAHD WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
#WETHEBEST 👶 👶 🤴 👸
THE KHALEDS 📸 @Iamjamesanthony.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/dj-khaled-posts-pregnancy-photo-of-his.html

Just In! Pipeline fire explosion in Abule Egba

There is a raging fire at one of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipelines at Ekoro, Abule -Egba area of Lagos State.

Several properties were said to have been consumed.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the inferno was as a result of pipeline vandals who bursted one of the oil pipelines in the area to siphon the product. Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Amodu, who confirmed the incident, said there was no casualty at press time.


source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/just-in-pipeline-fire-explosion-in.html

Lagos police arrests two street light cable vandals

Two street light cable vandals have been arrested in Lagos. The cable vandals who operate mostly by midnight have been paraded by the Lagos State government. 

A statement released by Lagos State Electricity Board says they are the part of the problems the board is facing. The statement reads;

''One of the numerous challenges we face with sustaining the provision of street lights in some areas in Lagos is the vandilization of cables and equipments. We often realize there’s outage of power within a short space of time of lighting up roads.

''These cable vandals operate mostly at midnight and sometimes pretend to be technicians. We urge Lagosians to be conscious and vigilant. It is a collective responsibility to ensure sustainability of government property''.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/01/lagos-police-arrests-two-street-light.html