Cultists Clash Openly In Edo State, Four Persons Killed

Four persons have been reportedly killed during a clash between two rival cult groups in Benin, the Edo State capital. There have been reported cases of renewed cult wars between members of the Black Axe and Eiye Confraternity, which had led to the arrest of many suspected cultists by the police.

The latest incident occurred on Sunday evening after an argument ensued between two persons belonging to different cult groups at a popular bar along Sakponba Road in Benin City.

One of them, suspected to be a member of the Black Axe, was said to have been injured during an altercation and was later rushed to a hospital.

Irked by the development and apparently out on a revenge mission, his friends were said to have attacked and killed three members of an opposition group in different locations within the area.

One of the victims, simply identified as Lawal, was allegedly shot dead at Ezoba, along Sokponba Road.

His assailants were said to have earlier attacked his younger brother, leaving him with severe machete cuts.

Edo State Police PRO, Osifo Abiodun, confirmed the attack. He, however, said that the command had yet to ascertain the number of casualties from the clash.

“We did our intervention by deploying our men in the area; we are on a manhunt for those fingered. We are very sure that before the end of tomorrow (Tuesday) we will be able to arrest those that have been fingered in the action,” the Police PRO assured.

Twitter Users react to Burna Boy & Uju Stella's Baby Drama

After Burna released a video confirming he slept with a girl once and she's now claiming she's pregnant, Nigerian Twitter users have weighed in on the issue, sharing opinions and teaching Burna Boy about reproduction. See more tweets as you continue...

Iran arrests models for posting photos of themselves online without headscarves

8 models in Iran have been arrested and forced to grovel in public by the country's morality Police, for posting glamorous pictures of themselves online without covering their heads with headscarves. Stating that such 'un-Islamic acts' as women exposing their hair in public was unacceptable.

Popular Arab model, Elham Arab, known for her wedding-dress portraits, was interrogated on camera at the Iranian Revolutionary Court with her blonde hair hidden under a black chador.

She was charged with 'promoting western promiscuity' and forced to give public 'self-criticism.' 'All people love beauty and fame,' Arab said. 'They would like to be seen, but it is important to know what price they will pay to be seen.'

The arrests were made in a sting operation code-named Spider-2 which specifically targeted Instagram users.

The sting identified 170 people using Instagram pages - 59 photographers and makeup artists, 58 models, 51 fashion salon managers and designers, and two active institutions.

The head of the sting operation Javad Babaei said on state television on Sunday:

'We found out that about 20 per cent of the (Iranian) Instagram feed is run by the modelling circle,' They have been 'making and spreading immoral and un-Islamic culture and promiscuity'.

Babaei said it was the role of the judiciary to 'confront those who committed these crimes in an organised manner'.

In addition to the eight arrests, criminal cases have been opened against 21 other people, he said. The sting operation has homed in on a database of over 300 popular Iranian Instagram accounts and connected accounts.

 

According to reports those arrested include Melikaa Zamani, Niloofar Behboudi, Donya Moghadam, Dana Nik, Shabnam Molavi, Elnaz Golrokh and Hamid Fadaei

Hamid Fadaei pictured above was also arrested and charged with criminal intent.

Photos: Former Abia state governor, Orji Uzor Kalu araigned in court for alleged N5bn theft

The Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today May 16th, arraigned former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu over allegations of misappropriation of N5.6 billion while he was governor of the stat between 1999 and 2007. More photos after the cut...

Africa's Richest Man Aliko Dangote Suspends Production Of Tomato Paste

Dangote Tomato Processing Factory, a newly commissioned company owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has suspended its operations due to the unavailability of its most important raw material – fresh tomatoes. The Managing Director of the factory, Abdulkadir Kaita, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday that several tomato farms in in Kano, Jigawa, Plateau, Katsina and Kaduna states (all located in Nigeria’s northern region), were affected by Tuta Absoluta, a leaf mining moth and common tomato pest, which destroyed all the tomato farms – a situation that has resulted in scarcity and higher prices for the commodity.

Britain’s Prince Andrew, Duke of York, (L) shakes hands with Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote (R) at the London Global African Investment Summit at St James’ Palace in London on December 1, 2015.

Kaita however said that production would resume during the next irrigation season.
Dangote Group, the Nigerian conglomerate owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, launched the $20 million tomato processing facility in Kano state, northern Nigeria earlier this year. The tomato processing plant has a daily production capacity of 1,200 metric tones per day, and will primarily buy tomatoes from farmers in the Kadawa Valley in Kano state and will pay them a guaranteed price of about $700 per ton of tomatoes.

PDP Chairman Sheriff Speaks: Our Battle for 2019 has Started

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ali Modu Sheriff, has said that the battle for 2019 general election had started in earnest. This came as former Senate President, David Mark, bagged fellow PDP members to stop the in-fighting, otherwise the party would be defeated again.

Sheriff also distanced himself from the comment made by Inuwa Bwala, his media aide, regarding the call for Sheriff to step down.

Bwala had referred to the stakeholders, who made the demand as “self-styled” elders, threatening to report Jerry Gana, former Minister of Information and leader of the group, to the EFCC for allegedly defrauding the PDP to the tune of N500million.

But reacting at a media briefing in Jalingo, Taraba State capital, Sheriff said: “As a well cultured and astute politician, I would never make any comment that would ridicule the party.”

He added that it was not in his character to join issues with respected elders, noting that he never authorised any of his aides to react to issues raised by the aggrieved elders.

Sheriff said the elders deserved the right to complain about issues they considered inimical to the progress of the PDP.

He explained that the present leadership of the party was poised to lend a listening ear to all shades of opinions, with a view to strengthening it to face the challenges ahead.

He added, “Under our leadership and the support and encouragement of stakeholders and supporters, PDP will definitely bounce back in 2019.”

Update! Nigerian Soldiers Capture Niger Delta Avengers Leader

Battle ready soldiers stormed Oporoza, the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom again in wee hours of Sunday in search of the so called Niger Delta Avengers’ members.

After members of Niger Delta Avengers bombed another oil facility belonging to Chevron Nigeria Limited, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the Nigerian Military to capture the culprits by all means.

Following this serious presidential order, the Military stormed the area with full force.

An Army officer who spoke anonymously stated that “Members of Nigerian Army captured five members of Niger Delta Avengers, one of which is believed to be one of the leaders of the dreaded group. Following the bombing, we established a wide perimeter and initiated a high security search.

“The suspects were taken into the custody of the Nigerian Army in the area... They have been relocated to the 19th Battalion, Nigerian Army, Koko, Warri North.”

‘Stay away from Urhobo land’
Meanwhile, the National Leader of Urhobo Nationality Council (UNC), Olorogun Jaro Egbo, has asked the Niger Delta Avengers to keep away from Urhobo land, saying the ethnic group would not sit and watch people from other nationalities vandalize national assets on its territory for private reasons.

Olorogun Egbo stated: “Our position is that we shall not allow our territories to be used as launching pads for criminal elements out to destroy our national assets.

“We advise anybody, who has issues with the security agencies bordering on criminal breach of trust and financial misfeasance, to summon the courage to face the charges, rather than plunging innocent inhabitants of the riverine communities into untold hardship.”

Tiwa Savage, Peter Okoye Attend Davido's Daughter's B/Party

Davido organised a small party for Imade Adeleke, his daughter with Sophie Momodu, as she turned one on May 14 2016. Few friends and celebrities were there to celebrate the baby girl. More pics...

Female Banker Missing: N500,000 Cash Offered for Information to Locate Her

Married banker, Bukola Olowookere, who's a children teacher at a Church, Place of Mercy Parish, Area 26, Zone 3 of Lagos province 61 has been missing since May 5th after she left work for home.

A N500,000 cash reward has been offered by the Parish to anyone who has any information that may lead to her whereabout. Please contact Mr. Kayode Olowookere on +2349083961518 if you have any confidential information on her whereabout or Pastor Ajayi Olubunmi on +2348033007739 or the nearest police station. Thank you.

Military arrest masterminds of Chevron attacks, the Niger Delta Avengers

The Nigerian Army says they have arrested some suspected members of militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) who are allegedly responsible for the attacks on oil pipelines such as the Chevron oil platform which was attacked two weeks ago.‎

The arrest of the suspected masterminds was disclosed in a statement released by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar yesterday night.

“This is to confirm the arrest of some suspected members of Niger Delta Avengers. Investigation is currently on gGoin. Military will continue to do its best to guard strategic facilities and provide security to lives and property”.

He noted that the military actions is in line with our rule of engagement, adding that the arrested suspects are behind the recent attacks at the Chevron oil facilities.