Lord have mercy! The Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, has revealed that 333 students are missing following the bandits’ attack at the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, in the early hours of Saturday.
Masari disclosed this on Sunday when he received a Federal Government delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno in Katsina.
According to him, the government is yet to be contacted by any group or person responsible for the kidnap of the students.
“Based on the available record we have, we are still searching for 333 students through either the forest or their parents to ascertain the actual number that has been kidnapped,” Masari said.
“We are still counting because more are coming out from the forest and we are calling through the numbers of those parents that have phone numbers to find out whether or not their children have gone back home.
“We as a government, we are yet to be contacted by any group or person responsible for the kidnap of the students.”
The market chief of Ikire in Irewole Local Government Area, Osun State, Adegboyega Agbaje has told the Panel of Inquiry investigating police brutality and extrajudicial killings that he was suspended for three months after disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) officers handcuffed him back.
He said that he was arrested alongside his wife, Mrs. Misitura Agbaje, and was paraded with handcuffs in the market where he was presiding over as a chief.
Explaining, Chief Agbaje, said, “On August 18, 2020, at about 2 PM, five police officers in mufti but was wearing SARS jacket led by one Tosin. They stormed my house and asked if one Tunde Agbaje was my son, that he was involved in a robbery. I was arrested alongside my wife and was handcuffed back. We were taken to Nigerian Police Station in Ikoyi and later to Apomu. We were taken to Osogbo in search of my son. We were handcuffed for about 10 hours before we were released.
“I was suspended as a chief because of the arrest and unwarranted scenario by the Police. It was believed in the community that I had committed a grievous offence which was why I and my wife were handcuffed back. I was reinstated after three months when they see that I am not guilty of the offence the police arrested me for. I have official letters of both the suspension and my reinstatement.”
Chief Agbaje demanded the sum of N10 million over the unlawful arrest with handcuffs which he claimed he had suffered embarrassment, emotional ridicule and untold hardship on his personality as a community leader and a chief.
The Chairman of the Panel, Justice Akin Oladimeji said the counsel for the petitioner should write a final written address and adorned the matter to January 8, 2021.
The Nigerian government has facilitated the return of a 35-year-old mother of four, identified Omowunmi Rhoda Aladeboyeje, who was allegedly trafficked to Cairo, Egypt by her elder brother.
The brother deceived her about a nursing job in the United States but she ended up in Cairo.
Nigerians in Diaspora Commission in a statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head, Media and Public Relations Unit Abuja, said the victim was trafficked on March 17, 2020, and claimed to be sexually harassed on a regular basis, beaten frequently and home imprisoned sometimes.
Part of the statement read: “Rhoda, a mother of four, was trafficked by her immediate elder brother who claimed there was a nursing job opportunity in America.
“However, going to America turned out to be a ruse. She was trafficked to Egypt and went through so much torture and hell.”
NIDCOM disclosed that they found out about her case after they got a distress call from her family member.
After which, the Nigerian mission in Cairo contacted all necessary agencies to immediately put all logistics in place to facilitate her return.
“With that completed and with Rhoda in the safe custody of the mission, her family made provisions for her ticket home,” the statement added.
Balogun added that Rhoda, who is an auxiliary Nurse by profession, is presently on her way to her home town Okitipupa in Ondo State.
Contrary to claims in certain quarters, experts warn that there is no supplement that is capable of shrinking or dissolving fibroid.
They warn that, in reality, nonsurgical and medical options for fibroid treatment are extremely limited
A fibroid is a benign growth in the womb of a woman and its symptoms commonly include pelvic pain, vagina bleeding which could either be within her cycle or during her menstrual flow when the flow is heavier than normal.
Other symptoms include painful sex, backache, constipation, and infertility.
According to a study published by the U.S-based National Centre for Biotechnology Information, uterine fibroid is the most common disease of women of reproductiveage, affecting 25 percent of African American women at the age of 25 and up to 80 percent African American women by the age of menopause.
The study said it was clear that uterine fibroids are a health disparity issue.
“Globally as well, uterine fibroids are among the most significant diseases of reproductive-age women.
“Despite the magnitude of the problem, nonsurgical and medical options for treatment are extremely limited.
“One reason for the limited treatment options is that funding for research on uterine fibroids has been sparse in comparison to the scope of the problem.
“Uterine fibroids are wholly deserving of research effort because investments will also inform the disciplines and fields of tumor biology, angiogenesis, mechanical signaling, fibrosis, and genetics.
“Consider for a moment that uterine fibroids frequently grow many centimeters in size but only very rarely will metastasize.
“Thus, investment of resources will pay dividends not only for the understanding of uterine fibroids but also for many pathophysiologic states and other fields of medicine,” the study noted.
The Oyo State Police Command has said its men are on the trail of two foreigners who were kidnapped by suspected hoodlums.
The two foreigners (names not given) were reportedly kidnapped in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, around 4 pm Wednesday evening at a pharmaceutical firm, close to the Toll Gate along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The duo was said to have been abducted while driving out of the premises of the pharmaceutical firm.
The kidnappers reportedly opened fire on their vehicle which grounded to a halt when the tyres went flat.
It was gathered that the two foreigners were robbed of their cash and other personal effects before they were whisked away to an unknown destination by their abductors.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Oyo State Command, Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the incident, saying the Police were on the trail of the criminals.
Some people have been picked up by the police in connection with the death of the late Lagos socialite, Dapo Ojora, Sunday Punch reports.
It was learnt that the arrests were premised on suspicion surrounding the death of the polo buff, who died of gunshot on Friday.
Dapo was one of the sons of the boardroom titan, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, and brother of former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s wife, Toyin.
A reliable police source disclosed to Punch that the suspects included the deceased’s home help, whose identity was not disclosed.
While multiple online news platforms reported that Dapo shot himself in the head, some sources said it was a case of accidental discharge.
The Lagos State Police Command had in a statement on Saturday cautioned members of the public against speculations over Dapo’s death.
In the statement titled, ‘Dapo Ojora’s death: Police commence investigation, caution against media speculations,’ the spokesperson for the police, SP Muyiwa Adejobi, said the command would carry out a thorough investigation into the incident.
The statement read in part, “The Lagos State Police Command has commenced a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of one Dapo Ojora, a socialite and polo buff, who was alleged to have shot himself in the head on Friday, 11th December, 2020, in his Lagos residence.
“The Lagos State Police Command therefore urges the general public to disregard media speculations making the rounds regarding the cause of his death until the investigation instituted by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, to unravel the cause of his death is concluded and the findings made public.”
The statement added that police experts in the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, Yaba, “will do the needful on the investigation.”
A police officer privy to the case confided in Punch that evidence from the scene of the incident hinted at a possible foul play in Dapo’s death.
The source stated further that some people were being interrogated by the police in connection with the incident.
The source explained, “Detectives have visited the scene of the incident and picked some clues which are suspicious and they think there may be more to his death than the suicide narrative people are spreading. All I can say is that some people have questions to answer.”
Another police source told Sunday Punch that the cause of death had yet to be established.
“But some persons close to him have been picked up for interrogation and his home help is among them. It is too early to say the cause of death,” the source added.
Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa defender Motjeka Madisha is dead.
He died early Sunday after crawling out of a burning car wreckage following an accident, a club official has told AFP.
The 25-year-old star was one of two occupants of a car that went out of control, hit an advertising board and burst into flames in eastern Johannesburg, according to the official, who requested anonymity.
“I spoke to someone who arrived at the crash scene soon after the accident and he described a horrific scene with one body burnt beyond recognition,” he said.
“Motjeka apparently managed to crawl out of the burning vehicle, but was declared dead by medical personnel at the scene of the accident.”
Madisha is the second Sundowns defender to die in a car accident within two months after Anele Ngcongca, near the eastern city of Durban.
All schools in Katsina State have been directed to end their third term for the 2019/2020 academic session.
The schools, which were supposed to end the session next week, have been directed to remain closed until further notice.
Although no reason was given for the decision, the development is being linked to the Friday night bandits’ abduction of unknown numbers of students from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer, Ministry of education, Sani Suleiman, read, “This is to inform the general public especially principals, parents/guardians, proprietors of community and private schools that the third term for 2019/2020 academic session has come to an end today, Saturday 12th December, 2020.
“Therefore, all public, community, and private schools are to remain closed till further notice.”
Governor Aminu Masari had also on Saturday ordered the immediate closure of all boarding secondary schools in the state.
The directive was consequent upon the abduction of an unspecified number of students of the Government Science Secondary School Kankara by bandits on Friday night.
Carol Sutton, an American actress of theatre, film, and television with a career that spanned more than a half-century has died of Covid-19 complications.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced the death of the actress.
Sutton, a native of New Orleans has featured in several movies but famous for her role in “Steel Magnolias, Monster’s Ball, and Ray.
Mayor LaToya praised the late actress saying she was practically the Queen of New Orleans theater, having graced the stages across the city for decades.
LaToya said the world would recognize her from her performances in movies and on TV, however, she will always remember her commanding stage presence, her richly portrayed characters, and the warm heart she shared with her fellow cast and crew in productions.
“Carol Sutton was practically the Queen of New Orleans theater, having graced the stages across the city for decades.
“The world may recognize her from her performances in movies and on TV — whether it’s “Treme” or “Claws,” or “Runaway Jury” or “Queen Sugar” but we will always remember her commanding stage presence, her richly portrayed characters, and the warm heart she shared with her fellow cast and crew in productions such as “4000 Miles” and “A Raisin in the Sun.” May she rest in God’s perfect peace,” Cantrell tweeted.
...but we will always remember her commanding stage presence, her richly portrayed characters, and the warm heart she shared with her fellow cast and crew in productions such as "4000 Miles" and "A Raisin in the Sun." May she rest in God's perfect peace. pic.twitter.com/n0pMx1s954
A lady has called out Big Brother Naija star, Tochi, over allegations that Tochi told her not to touch him when she asked for a picture.
According to her, she saw Tochi at an event she attended and approached the reality star to take pictures with him.
Tochi was kind enough to grant her permission to take pictures with him on a condition that she should not touch him while at it.
The lady got infuriated, walked away and has now taken to social media to call out the ex-housemate, describing him as being rude.
She tweeted, “So last night I attended an event hosted by my friends brother and I saw an assumed celebrity whom no one was taking pictures with,in the spirit of one Nigeria I went to him to take a picture, Baba told me to take the picture without touching him
“I left him there and moved over to my Fav and snapped to my heart’s content. Like who the fuck does that? Like did I look like I had leprosy or some infectious disease? No wonder you have to do gum body all the time to get acknowledged
Am talking to you @Tochi_Oke
“I had no intentions of touching him, it was just a picture. He was just fvcking rude,plain and simple”
So last night I attended an event hosted by my friends brother and I saw an assumed celebrity whom no one was taking pictures with,in the spirit of one Nigeria I went to him to take a picture, Baba told me to take the picture without touching him😮🙆
President Muhammadu Buhari has celebrated the decisive victory of British-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua over Kubrat Pulev Saturday night.
In a statement by media adviser, Femi Adesina, Buhari said Joshua has given boxing lovers round the world, and particularly in Nigeria, something to cheer, by retaining his IBF, WBA, and WBO titles.
Buhari recalled his meeting with the heavyweight champion in London earlier in the year.
He described Anthony Joshua as a humble, well brought up young man, “who will still go places.”
President Buhari wished Joshua all the best in his dream fight against Tyson Fury.
He said Joshua can count on the prayers and goodwill of Nigerians in the coming fight.
A consultant paediatrician at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Agatha David, says kissing a newborn on the lips or any part of the face can lead to meningitis, a viral infection caused by herpes.
She warned parents against allowing outsiders to carry their newborns, especially within the first one month of life, noting that their immune system is still very fragile to fight off pathogens or environmental germs.
Dr. David, who is the head, Clinical Trial Research Group and Chief Research Fellow at NIMR, disclosed this during an interview with Punch HealthWise, adding that some adults have blisters on the side of their lips caused by Herpes Simplex virus, and can also have it transmitted to a newborn through their breath.
The paediatrician said, “A baby’s immune system is not properly developed to fight off the infection.
“Herpes can be fatal at whatever age, and can manifest like blisters or fever burns.
“Herpes doesn’t clear, as it stays in the body and manifests when the immune system is suppressed.
“Kissing a baby on the face can cause such an infection that affects even the brain, and can lead to death,” she warned.
David explained that meningitis is an inflammation of the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
She said it is often less severe than bacterial meningitis, and that most people get better on their own, but that babies younger than onemonthold are more likely to have severe illness from viral meningitis.
“People displaying any visible signs of illness or common cold, cough, runny nose, sore throat, or a rash should not come into close contact with a newborn.
“People should treat newborns with respect. Wash and sanitise your hands when paying a visit to a
home where there is a new baby. Don’t get too close.
“It is our culture to show love and care to a newborn, but such acts can endanger the life of the baby,” the consultant warned.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also warned that herpes virus, which commonly affects the mouth in the form of cold sores, can cause significant infections in newborns.
“Herpes outbreaks can be painful or unsightly in adults; and when a newborn is infected with herpes, serious and, sometimes, fatal complications can occur,” CDC warned.
The home of Italy’s 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi in the Tuscan countryside was burgled on Saturday during his funeral service.
Italian news agency AGI reported that Rossi’s wife Federica returned from the ceremony in the North-Eastern Italian city of Vicenza to discover the home they shared near Bucine, southeast of Florence, had been broken into.
Items stolen included a watch belonging to the football legend and cash.
Rossi and his family lived in a farmhouse in Poggio Cennina, a hill overlooking the Val d’Ambra, where he ran an organic farming company and agritourism resort.
All players in Italy on Saturday took to the pitch wearing black armbands in memory of Rossi who died on Wednesday, aged 64.
A minute’s silence was observed before kick-offs with Rossi’s photo projected on large screens with the words “Heroes never die” and “Ciao Paolo”.
ISWAP fighters have kidnapped two aid workers in Borno state as they were returning from a wedding, humanitarian and security sources said on Saturday.
The two were identified as an employee of UN World Food Programme (WFP) who had just attended the source’s wedding, and a colleague from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who had been the best man at the ceremony.
They were seized by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Wednesday near Jakana village, the sources said.
“ISWAP terrorists took the two aid workers hostage at a checkpoint they mounted near Jakana,” a UN source told AFP.
The hostages were returning to the regional capital Maiduguri from the wedding in neighbouring Adamawa state when they were stopped at a bogus checkpoint around 1230 GMT, the source said.
The WFP worker “had his wedding on November 28 and the Red Cross colleague was his best man,” said the UN source.
A military source in Jakana confirmed the kidnap of “two humanitarian staff by ISWAP terrorists.”
On Wednesday, the UN issued a memo informing its staff about the abduction of a “UN national staff embarking on a private trip… by NSAG (non-state armed group)”.
The memo did not state which UN agency the kidnapped staffer worked for.
The incident happened along the 120-kilometre Maiduguri/Damaturu highway which passes through Jakana, said the memo seen by AFP.
In a statement on Friday, ISWAP said it seized “two Christians working for the Red Cross organization”.
The group said the incident occurred at a checkpoint between the village of Mainok and Maiduguri.
Jakana, 25 kilometres from Maiduguri, lies on a known crossing route for ISWAP fighters moving between their camps in the Benisheikh forest area of Borno and their hideouts in the Buni Yadi area of Yobe state.
Since it split from mainstream Boko Haram group in 2016, ISWAP has intensified attacks on military targets but it has increasingly been targeting civilians.
Nigeria has been knocked out of the U-20 WAFU Cup being held in the Benin Republic after Cote d’Ivoire beat Ghana 1-0 on Saturday.
The Flying Eagles needed Ghana to beat Cote d’Ivoire by, at least, a two-goal margin on Saturday to have a chance of qualifying for the WAFU Cup last four.
Failure to advance in the WAFU Cup means the Eagles cannot be eligible to participate in the 2021 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The team finished with one point from two games in the group stages, drawing 1-1 with Cote d’Ivoire and losing 1-0 to Ghana.
Singer Yemi Alade has disclosed the reason why American artist Beyonce cannot tour Africa, especially in Nigeria.
Yemi Alade who is currently on a media tour for her recently released album titled “Empress” was questioned why Beyonce can’t tour Africa on Beat FM, Lagos. According to her, Beyonce cannot tour Nigeria because of the underdevelopment in this part of the world.
“There is no standard. If you’re working with someone like Beyonce, you need to bring the standard all the way. You wan make car jam her or make she just get an accident, the hospital no go fit treat her, we go con lose Beyonce for Africa. I think when we think certain things, we need to apply it to our reality.”
Veteran Nollywood actor, Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki turned 43 on Saturday and he shared the picture of a cake with his face on it.
Born on the 12th of December 1977, his primary and secondary education was in Aba, Abia State. He later bagged a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Theatre Arts and a degree in Mass communication from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu (IMT).
He entered Nollywood in 2000 and became prominent in 2002, in a film called “Aki na Ukwa” where he played the breakthrough role of Aki alongside midget actor Osita Iheme.
The duo are known as “Aki and Paw Paw.” He has featured in over 150 films. Ikedieze has acted in the role of a kid in most of his movies during his early career due to his physical appearance.
Chinedu received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the African Movie Academy Awards In 2007. He was also honored with the Order of the Federal Republic which was given by the then Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan for his immense contributions to Nollywood and to the economic growth of the country.
He married fashion designer Nneoma Nwaijah In 2011, and they had their first child in 2012. Sharing a message on social media, he wrote: “This is why I have every reason to be grateful to God: Growing up wasn’t easy. The Struggles, the journey to stardom, keeping up with stardom, wonderful health and my QUALITY FREE -TO- AIR LIFE at no cost
“You See Why I’m Shining My Teeth? Oya let’s celebrate…its my BIRTHDAY. Cake gifted to me by @maritos.cakes.”
Jennifer Lopez has ditched her usual long hair extensions and looks almost unrecognisable as she debuts her natural style.
The 51-year-old radiated beauty as she posed up a storm for her latest social media offering.
The diva was every inch the bronzed goddess as she smouldered at the camera.
She pouted her full lips at fans after they’d been expertly made-up in complimentary brown tones while her natural locks fell in gorgeous curls around her face.
She gave her 134 million followers a glimpse of her endless pins as she pretended to do up the buckle of one of her shoes.
British-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua, knocked out Bulgarian boxer, Kubrat Pulev, in the ninthe round of their world title bout at the SSE Arena, Wembley, to retain his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles.
The fight is Joshua’s first since reclaiming his belts from Andy Ruiz in December 2019 in Saudi Arabia.
Both boxers were cautious in the first two rounds with Joshua using more of his jabs.
Pulev has been unbeaten in his last eight fights since losing via knockout to Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. The 39-year-old won 28 of his previous 29 with 14 by way of knockout.
South African referee Deon Dwarte stopped the fight after the ninth round knock down.
Joshua’s victory sets up a potential all-British heavyweight unification bout against Tyson Fury in 2021.
Marcus Rashford has declared himself a Manchester United player for life and ruled out ever playing for another club.
Ahead of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford against local rivals City, Rashford underlined his lifelong devotion to the red half of the city.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the clubs who could swoop for Rashford in the coming years, but the Manchester-born forward says his heart belongs to United.
Rashford, 23, who became a national hero for his tireless campaigning to end child poverty, said: "For me, I never look beyond Manchester United.
"As a kid, I've never looked beyond Manchester United.
“In my mind, it wouldn't sit right for me to be pulling on another shirt.
"I just want to do the best I can for the club whilst I'm here, so hopefully I'm here for the long-term."
Rashford was speaking after winning the Sport for Social Change award at Sports Journalists' Association British Sports Awards, for his campaigning work to ensure all vulnerable children receive free school meals.
England striker Rashford, awarded an MBE for his work away from football, said his passion to improve the lives of children and their families was the reason for his relentless campaigning.
