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Details have emerged on how Military Join Task Force killed over 60 insurgents in a gun battle at Lamba Forest on the border between Jigawa and Bauchi states. LEADERSHIP had exclusively reported yesterday that the military had raided the Lamba Forest on Monday and killed over 60 insurgents suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect. The military personnel were said to have engaged in a shootout with insurgents suspected to be members of Boko Haram after they planted a road-side bomb which exploded with one of the JTF Hilux killing three military while six others sustained in juries last Monday. The JTF, in its campaign known as ‘Operation Salama,’ was said to have bombarded the forest during the operation which consequently led a mass killing of the insurgents. Confirming the story, the director press to the Jigawa State governor, Malam Umar Kiyar, said the military commander who led the operation told the state governor that over 60 copses of the insurg...

Not wanting to continue depending solely on the Nigerian military for their security and the determination of the youths to take their destiny in their hands, propelled the decision to become their own defenders. Indeed, for about a year, they have been confronting the Boko Haram insurgents with sheer bravery and courage, most times with their crude and inferior weaponry. Last Tuesday, they achieved another feat, when they planned and executed a major counter attack ambush against the insurgents. The anti-Boko Haram onslaught had staved off a terrorist attack and possible abduction in Kalabalge Local Government Area, Northeast of Borno State, near the Camerounian border. The villagers, who were prepared for the Boko Haram attack, had dug trenches for the purpose. Rann village, which is located in the middle of a Boko Haram stronghold, had been attacked by the sect in the recent past. In that attack, the youths of the village had allegedly acquired two ligh...

A pregnant woman has been sentenced to be hanged by a Sudanese court for converting to Christianity. Mariam Yahya Ibrahim, 27, who is being held in detention with her 20-month-old son, had been ordered to abandon her faith and return to Islam. She has also been charged with adultery for marrying a Christian man. The death sentence was handed down despite appeals by Western embassies for compassion and respect for religious freedom. At a court in Khartoum, Judge Abbas al Khalifa said: “We gave you three days to recant but you insist on not returning to Islam. I sentence you to be hanged.” He also sentenced her to 100 lashes for “adultery”. Born to a Muslim father, the woman was convicted under the Islamic sharia law that has been in force in Sudan since 1983, and outlaws conversions under threat of death. She is married to a Christian national of South Sudan, which won independence in 2011 after decades of civil war. Earlier in the hearing, an Islamic...

For some people, even when they drink water they must pick their teeth. Of course, food residues can get trapped in our teeth each time we eat, and because they make us feel uncomfortable, we feel the desperate urge to remove them. But then, the truth is that some people have turned tooth-picking into a habit, such that it has become an integral part of the meal. Some even go as far as leaving the toothpick hanging between their lips for a long time after meal, as if the object is a fashion statement of sorts. Where there are no decent and hygienic toothpicks, some people simply make do with broom sticks, never minding the dirty jobs the broom may have been employed to do all the while. By so doing, they unwittingly transfer germs or harmful bacteria into their mouths — an action that can lead to severe health consequences as time goes on. As we age, a lot of things give way, and our teeth are not exempted from the ageing processes. In fact, dentists say, ...

When determination meets great innovation, then we have someone like Segun Oyeyiola. A final year student of Obafemi Awolowo University (O.A.U), Ile-Ife, bares it all on how he achieved the feat of building and driving a car that needs no fuel to move, but solar and wind energy: Can you introduce yourself? I am Oyeyiola Segun, a final year student of electronic and electrical engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. I am a native of Ifetedo, Ife South Local Government Area in Osun State, Nigeria. I am a kind of person that see every problem as an opportunity for me to find a lasting solution to it. When others talk about problems facing them, I try to solve problems that come my way. I don’t give up on any situation that I find myself; I have always believed that there is a way out of every problem, if I look closely, so, I want to be known and identified as a problem solver.  What problem did you identify that spurred you to make a solar powere...

Pop singer, Justin Bieber, has been accused of attempted robbery, a Los Angeles Police Department official said on Tuesday, following media reports that he had tried to snatch a young woman’s mobile telephone. Bieber, 20, has not been arrested or questioned, said LAPD spokeswoman, Rosario Herrera. A spokeswoman for Bieber did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Detectives have interviewed the victim, who reported the alleged crime, Herrera said. The incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Monday in the Van Nuys area of Los Angeles. Media reported Bieber allegedly tried to take a young woman’s mobile phone, according to Sgt.Paul McLaughlin, with LAPD’s Devonshire Division, which includes Northridge and other areas of the San Fernando Valley. It was reported to police on Tuesday. No other information was available. The Canadian singer is due to stand trial in July in Miami, on charges of driving under the influence, resisting arres...

Mother of young African entertainer, Oziomachukwu Favour Mojekwu, popularly known as Ozzy Bosco Wonderkid, Chief Elizabeth Nonye Mojekwu, in a recent interview, said her son, while growing up, could dance to the sound of an airplane. According to Mojekwu, she noticed the talent in her son at three months, but did not ascertain its magnitude. She added that they noticed that there was something special about him when it comes to dancing and singing. “Then, when an aeroplane passes, while in the sitting room relaxing, he (Ozzy Bosco) would start dancing to the sound of the airplane. If you dropped something on the floor, he would begin to follow the sound pattern of the object. We noticed the ‘swag.’” Ozzy Bosco has featured the likes of Terry G, Lambogini, Olamide, Flavour Nabania, M.I, Tee Mac and Midnight Crew. The wonderkid has won 16 awards so far, and recently, he was given a chieftancy title called ‘Omenawata Igbo.’ Ozzy Bosco, at seven, has done 128 prope...

In light of his recent coming down on his colleagues, singer Etcetera has been advised to be careful in how he keeps attacking his colleagues. Etcetera shocked the world when he accused D’Banj, Genevieve and many other celebrities of being partly responsible for the first Nyanya, Abuja bomb blast. Then last week, he made further comments about female celebrities marrying second hand husbands, and Tiwa Savage and her husband, TJ Billz, who just got married, believed he was referring to them and attacked him, saying he’s frustrated and a failure and that’s why he’s attacking those who are more successful than him. Entertainment pundit, Saucy Gezzle, has also waded into the Etcetera, Tiwa Savage faceoff, saying, “Those who live in glass houses don’t throw stones, so Etcetera has to be careful what he says about his colleagues. “There’s no doubt that his blunt criticisms of his colleagues have made him really talked about, which is what most celebrities want. Tho...

Popular Afro hip-hop singer, Dr. Sid (real name is Sidney Esiri), looked quite smart in a pair of red leather Versace sneakers when our correspondent approached him for an interview at a location in Victoria Island, Lagos. The word ‘Surulere’ – a slang word of sorts borrowed from Yoruba – and the title of his latest hit song was boldly inscribed on the black T-shirt he had on. The word is also an indication that Dr. Sid, who actually cut his teeth as a back-up vocalist for Da Trybe Records, has indeed come a long way on the music scene. A dental surgeon by training and the son of the late actor, Justus Esiri, the singer’s foray into music began 10 years ago when he was an undergraduate of the University of Ibadan. Later, after he was signed on to Mo’ Hits Records, he dropped the singles, Pop Something and Something about You . By 2011, he had succeeded in attracting the attention of music fans across Nigeria and then,  gone ahead to win the Hip-hop Wor...

Celebrities comprising Nigerian entertainment icons, on-air-personalities, DJs and media giants were on hand to cheer MTN as it unveiled new brand ambassadors and also premiered the new songs and videos of some of these ambassadors at Victoria Island last week. Amidst the fun and music, Timaya and Sean Tizzle joined Banky W., Dr. Sid, Harrysong and Sound Sultan as the Company’s latest ambassadors. Kenny ‘Keke’ Ogungbe, Dayo Adeneye, Ayo Animashaun, Tajudeen Adepetu, ID Ogungbe, DJ Jimmy Jatt, TY Mix, Olisa Adibua, Vector, Oritse Femi, Mafikizolo and Ghanaian diva, ‘Becca’, top the list of Nigerian, South African and Ghanaian celebrities present at the event. DJ Neptune and DJ Exclusive spiced up the night with great display while the excitement generated by the new songs and videos will not be forgotten for a while. Praiz premiered his new hit, ‘Mercy’, to a wide applause. Chidinma’s video, ‘Oh Baby’, a collaborative work the Project Fame winner did with Flav...

Long gone are the days when entertainers are seen as lackeys who have to sleep at people’s doorsteps for their rations in life. Now, they are not only running the show, they are also smiling to the banks in a big way. They now own the most fashionable cars, most luxurious houses and even get to have the ‘girls’ long ahead of many in the queue. Just as their fortunes have changed, their lives too have taken a dive right up to the top because they are getting paid! Here is just a peek at what the top crooners earn per show, which the running time is never more than 2-3 hours a day! D’banj: N6-10M Take it or leave it, D’banj is still a big fish in the Nigerian music industry though it seems he is no longer doing much in terms of music since his break up with Marvin records. Koko master who recently took agriculture to the studio with his “Cocoa na chocolate” a move which he said was born out of his desire to promote agriculture in the country, collects nothing ...

After a famous vicious fight in an elevator in New York last May 5 between Solange Knowles and hip hop giant Jay Z , there’s been a leak as to why the fight started in the first place. Besides, Solange being super jealous of her sister Beyonce , she believes Jay isn't "supportive" enough of the Knowles family and could be cheating on Bey with her former friend, Rachel Roy . Reports say Solange's anger and resentment towards Bey's hubby, Jay Z began long before that Met Gala night. Her bitterness stems from various issues including; her jealousy over her sister's superstardom,  her unhappiness over her own ‘modest’ music career as well as Hov 's negligence of her music choices. Solange claims the " Forever Young " rapper has an eye for picking out super stars like Rihanna, J. Cole, Calvin Harris etc but hasn't been able to wake up her music and build her own brand away from being called " Beyonce's sister ...

General Officer Commanding the newly created 7 Division of Nigerian Army, Major General Ahmed Mohammed, yesterday miraculously escaped being killed as soldiers under his command shot at him. SaharaReporters reports that the mutiny, occurred in Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Borno State capital. Mohammed’s bodyguards and aides were not so lucky as they sustained gunshot wounds from the protesting soldiers. The attack on the General and his men reportedly occurred when the GOC visited the cantonment. Maimalari cantonment is headquarters of 7 Division, the newest Division of Nigerian Army. According to military sources, the soldiers at the cantonment had been complaining of insufficient ammunition, food and good allowances prior to the GOC’s visit. Report says they were also unhappy and their morale at its lowest ebb because there has not been troop rotation since their deployment to combat Boko Haram terrorists in the North East. “The GOC’s visit coincided with ...

The newly established 7 Division of the Nigerian Army is to institute a military board of inquiry into the remote and immediate causes of the mutiny by soldiers in Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, a statement by the Defence Headquarters yesterday said. Information Nigeria reports that angry soldiers fired some shots into the air when the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Maj. Gen. Ahmadu Mohammed, visited the barracks located within the metropolis to calm frayed nerves over the killing of some soldiers. A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, however, said the situation had been brought under control. The statement said: “The 7 Division of the Nigerian Army is to institute a military board of inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the conduct of soldiers who fired some shots today while the General Officers Commanding was addressing troops in Maimalari cantonment Maiduguri. “The incident occurred when the bodies of four sol...

All addictions, whether alcohol, drugs, gambling, food or p****graphy, start when the drug of choice is used as a crutch to combat feelings of anxiety, low self- esteem, boredom, loneliness and/or anger. There is not a sharp line that defines addiction – it is a process which happens over time. It can happen with an initial exposure or gradually over many months, or even years. Most addictions escalate, which means that, over time, more and more of the drug of choice is needed.Here are some signs of p****graphy addiction. Any of these things indicate a serious problem and possible addiction. More than three of these things indicate probable addiction. 1. An inability to stop the behavior(s) and P0*n use despite previous attempts to do so Do you feel like you are no longer the one in charge – the compulsion is stronger than your will power? 2. Anger or irritability if asked to stop Would you feel defensive or angry if you were asked to decrease or quit your P0*n u...

Okay let’s cut to the chase. How the heck can you find financial happiness, especially after your boss just gave you a tiny, if any, raise? Cygan has these six tips: · Control the controllables Many people feel helpless when it comes to improving their finances. They assume things are outside of their control, and they don’t know where to begin. The fabulous news is: We have control over the most important things when it comes to our money! We control our spending, our saving, whether we pay off our credit cards each month, and whether we live within our means. The things outside of our control – such as the economy, stock market swings, or what is happening with interest rates – have very little impact on our finances. We should embrace the things we can control, and take very deliberate actions to improve our finances. · Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses It’s deadly to your financial future. This takes a deliberate commitment because it is so pervasive in...

Are you feeling the urge to purge those overstuffed closets of sweaters you haven’t worn in a year or those dresses that don’t fit you anymore? What about spring-cleaning those relationships that don’t fit you anymore either? Maybe you’ve been stuck in an unhappy relationship, or stuck in an unhealthy dating pattern, or you have an ex you just can’t let go of. Even though you may have turned a blind eye toward the effect your love life has been having on you, it’s time to open up the curtains and shed some light on a situation that may not be best for you. Now’s the time to de-clutter your love life, so let’s clean out what’s not working and get some fresh perspective. Here are several great tips to sweep away the old and make room for an awesome fresh start. Clean out your mental closet Just like you wouldn’t wear the same shoes you had when you were 10 because they don’t fit you anymore, lose the negative self-talk that doesn’t fit you either. It could be tou...

 . A 13-year-old Junior Secondary II student of Government Secondary School Gboko, Dooyum Moar, and another female student of Gkoko High School, narrowly escaped being beheaded by a ritualist after being kidnapped by a commercial vehicle operator in Makurdi. Vanguard gathered from an elated father of one of the victims, Mr. Ephraim Maor, that he had on Monday morning taken his son to the Wurukum motor park in Makurdi, where he boarded a vehicle to Gboko to resume school. He said: “I had put him in the commercial vehicle which had other passengers and was heading to Gboko, a trip that was less than 80 kilometres from Makurdi. “I gathered from my son that when they were less than five kilometres to Gboko town, at Yandev, the driver said his vehicle developed a fault. “He said, at that point, most of the passengers opted to board other vehicles, but the driver urged my son and another female student of Gboko High School to wait for another vehicle he conta...

A 50-year-old grandmother escaped death by the whiskers yesterday, in the densely populated Ajegunle area of Lagos, after she was attacked by a mob that thought she stole a day-old baby. The woman, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained, was reportedly seen cuddling the day-old-baby whom she wrapped in a cloth. Some curious persons were said to have raised alarm that she kidnapped the baby which made the mob surround her. She reportedly tried in vain to explain that the baby was her grand-child and that the mother was still recuperating in the hospital, as the mob descended on her. An eyewitness, who identified herself as Ubani Amara, said: “When they asked her at first where she got the baby from, she ignored the question. “That gave room for suspicion that she could have kidnapped the baby because of the spate of kidnappings in Lagos. Again, she looked  too old to give birth. “A man among the crowd was the first to hit her, followed by ...

A 51-year-old-man, Odeyemi Ayodeji, has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for attempting to smuggle a 3.870 kilogramme of methamphetamine to Nairobi, Kenya. The NDLEA spokesman, Michelle Ofoyeju, said the suspect was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos during the outward screening of passengers on board. Methamphetamine (also known as Ice or Meth) is a solid, sour and powdery substance which could be dissolved in water or alcohol. The Commander of the agency at the Lagos Airport, Mr Hamza Umar, who confirmed the arrest to PUNCH Metro , added that the drug was found inside Odeyemi’s luggage. He said, “Odeyemi Ayodeji was arrested with 3.870kg of methamphetamine. The drug was packed in white transparent polythene and hidden inside his bag. The bag also contained soup ingredients like pepper, melon and crayfish.” But Odeyemi said the need to cater for his family and settle his debts forced him to embark on the sm...

The 323 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Akure, Ondo State, has arrested a woman, Angela Omieh, for posing as a soldier. Sets of military uniform, police extract and a sworn affidavit for loss of her military identity card were said to have been found with her. The Public Relations Officer of the brigade, Captain Ademola Adegoke, said Omieh was arrested following a report by her boyfriend. According to him, Omieh, who resides in Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was discovered to be in possession of two pairs of camouflage, camouflage T-shirt and short, one pair of desert boot, one jungle hat and three handsets. He said the suspect had been parading herself as a soldier attached to the 149 Battalion, but deployed to Joint Task Force, Warri for duty. Adegoke explained that the suspect’s boyfriend, Mr. Collins Jegede, narrated how she met Omieh on a social network where she appeared in military outfit. Jegede said he wooed her and she p...

Commissioners and Special Advisers in Akwa  Ibom State have been re-assigned new portfolios in line with the ongoing re-invigoration of the machinery of  state government.Governor Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Udom Emmanuel has approved the re-assignment of portfolios.Announcing the cabinet reshuffle yesterday in Uyo, Emmanuel said the commissioners, who retained their portfolios include Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim (Justice), Mr. Godwin Afangideh (Agriculture), Mr. Don Etim (Works), Dr. Glory Edet (Women Affairs), Dr. EmemAbasi Bassey (Health), Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem (Special Duties) and Mr. Enobong Uwah (Environment and Mineral Resources). Mr. Aniekan Umana (Information and Communications), Mr. Eno Akpan (Lands and Town Planning), Mr. Ufort Tobi Nkangude (Commerce and Industry), Mr. Akan Okon (Finance), Mr. Iboro Ekanem (Science and Technology) and Mr. Ita Udo  (Culture and Tourism) also re...

The federal government has placed terror fugitive, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, who was declared wanted in connection with the April 14 Nyayan bus station bombing on Interpol red alert. This was announced by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, at the national briefing centre on security yesterday in Abuja. This came as the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, disclosed that foreign allies were yet to carry out any security surveillance, adding that it was inappropriate to discuss technical details of the rescue efforts. “We will let you know when actual surveillance starts, I still see that within the realm of speculation. But we are not supposed to disclose details of operations with our allies,” Olukolade said. Mba explained that the Interpol red alert represented  an international warrant of arrest to the 190 member countries and consequent extradition of anyone placed on the red alert to the issuing country. “In...

Palpable fear has enveloped  Owerri, the Imo state capital particularly  Nekede community in Owerri West Council Area of the state,  following the escape of a male Lion  from the Nekede Zoological Gardens, after its gate was allegedly left open by a Staff. The incident which was repeatedly announced over the radio, threw residents of Owerri  into panic as they hurried home much earlier  abandoning the usual busy drinking  joints apparently to avoid been mauled by the escaped lion. The radio announcement which was signed by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem , disclosed that a Lion had escaped from the Zoo and warned residents to be careful about their movement until the Lion was recaptured. However in a bid to contain the stampede, the  Police spokesperson, withdrew the earlier announcement as false, asking the people to go about their businesses without fear. “We heard about the escape of the...

People drink for different reasons, especially when it comes to celebrating achievements, certain personal milestones such as birthdays, and social occasions such as naming ceremonies, house-warming, etc. For some people, a day is not deemed complete until they knock back a few bottles as a form of unwinding after a busy day at work. Such passions are usually indulged in with friends and associates. For some still, drinking is an important part of culture that must be upheld. Elders who hold to the dictates of cultures and traditions tend to use alcoholic beverages a lot, whether when praying, pouring libations or generally entertaining friends. For such elders, drinking serves as a way of getting close to the ancestors whose spirits are usually invoked to accept the drink offerings poured in libations to them. Such activities tend to be on a regular basis. For yet other people, drinking provides a coping mechanism for life’s challenges. They drink to “es...

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed banks to render payment cards of other banks trapped in their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) ineffective by perforation them before returning same to the issuing bank. The central bank gave the directive in its approved “Guidelines for Card Issuance and Usage in Nigeria,” obtained on its website yesterday. However, THISDAY learnt that some banks have started enforcing the policy since last quarter. The CBN explained in the 14-page document that the new guidelines would enable issuing banks, other financial institutions, processors, and cards schemes upgrade and maintain their card operations to ensure optimum security, efficiency, cost effectiveness and customer friendliness. This, it also noted would serve as a tool for banks and other financial institutions to assess their card issuance portfolio as well as to ensure that consumers that carry Nigerian issued cards operate within acceptable standards. ...