HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE VOTES IN FAVOUR OF EMERGENCY RULE EXTENSION IN BORNO, YOBE & ADAMAWA

The House of rep has voted in favour of 6 months extension for the emergency rule in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa state. During a Plenary Session today the AI's voted in favour of the extension. 

This decision was reached after the house held a close session for about an hour with the service chiefs, Inspector General of Police  and other security agencies which propagated the house to move the motion for the extension. The law makers say they would do anything to protect the citizens, urging all Nigerians to support the presidents effort to end the crisis.

Senators from the affected states expressed satisfaction with the extension, saying it is a necessary measure.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN TO VISIT CHIBOK, BORNO STATE ON FRIDAY

The Presidency will be visiting Chibok on Friday(tomorrow), the town where over 250 girls were abducted last month. This will be the first official visit of Mr President since the incident occurred.
Reports gathered says,an advanced team of the president's entourage have left Abuja for the trip.

NIGERIAN ARMY SACKS GENERAL WHOSE BATTALION REVOLTED YESTERDAY

The Nigerian Army has removed Major General Ahmadu Mohammed, the army commander whose battalion revolted yesterday in Maiduguri. The General was shot  by the angry soldiers during their sporadic shooting yesterday, in Maiduguri’s Maimalari Barracks.

The soldiers were angry at the sight of the 12 dead bodies of their colleague that was brougth back from Chibok. Boko Haram fighters had killed the soldiers after the militants ambushed a convoy of soldiers returning from duties in Chibok. They also complained about not having sophisticated weapons to combat the sect.

A spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Major General Chris Olukolade, announced the removal of the General Officer commanding the 7th Division today.

CHIBOK ABDUCTION-"NO GIRLS ARE MISSING" SAYS AL SHABAAB

As the heat about the boko haram crisis and its attacks heightens, Al shabaab has also surfaced to lend its voice to its sister group.

Al shabaab the Al Qeada linked terrorist group has come out to say that no girls are missing, that rather the Girls willingly left to join the sect and joined the Islam religion.

According to reports from news24, spokesperson claimed during an interview with an al-Shabaab controlled radio station that the kidnapped schoolgirls had willingly left their school to join Boko Haram and to convert to Islam. 

Al-Shabaab dismissed the kidnapping claims as western propaganda.

ANGER BREWS IN TURKEY AS DEATH TOLL RISES TO 282

As the death toll in Turkey rises to 282, Turkish citizens have come out in a solidarity protest march over the worst mining accident in Turkeys history.

The trade union announced the strike this Thursday morning. Officials of the union blamed the poor safety maintenance standard provided by the privatization company for the explosion. 

According to reports,the Turkish protesters seem to be very angry. The police at the scene of the protest fired cannons and tear gas at the angry crowd who gathered to protest at the Ankara's Kizilay Square.

VIGILANTE GROUP, VILLAGERS KILL 41 MEMBERS OF THE BOKO HARAM

Civilans in the north seem to have declared war on the terrorist sect, Boko Haram.
The vigilante group and residents of Kalabalge, a town in the north of Borno State, on Wednesday mounted a fierce resistance on a planned attack by the Boko Haram, inflicting injuries and also killing some members of the Islamist sect.

“We killed many of them (Boko Haram members) today (Wednesday),” one of the residents of the town who took part in the battle said.
According to reports about 41 insurgents were killed by the villagers, local officials said.

According to Saharareports , continue to read below;

PRESIDENCY REJECTS BOKO HARAM SWAP OFFER

The presidency has insisted that there will be no "Trade by Barter" process with the boko haram sect. The Presidency said he has no intentions of freeing  the boko haram prisoners nor trading them with the missing girls. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, who spoke in an interview said that the sect are faceless and it will be difficult to negotiate with them. 

“While the Chibok issue has brought up the matter of whether the government is going to hold dialogue or whether the government is going to buy back the girls, I don’t see government planning to engage in any action that amounts to trade by barter, or treatment of the girls as items of merchandise, or anything that remotely over-privileges crime against humanity.

“In this kind of asymmetrical warfare, even dialogue can be difficult because the enemy is faceless.
“Nonetheless, what government has said is that it has always adopted all options in dealing with the security challenge and there are already ongoing processes and standing committees. Government has said clearly, however that any Boko Haram member who is ready to lay down his arms and repent, the door is open to such members.

“The key word that government has ever used is dialogue and that is dialogue with stakeholders and possibly repentant insurgents.

PROF DORA AKUNYILI BEGINS TREATMENT IN INDIA - LIB

The ailing ex-minister of Information Prof Dora Akunyili who left for India on Sunday May 11th after her health deteriorated, is said to have started her treatment.

According to a statement she released through her Media Advisor, Mr. Isaac Umunna, Prof. Akunyili expressed her immense gratitude for the prayers and goodwill towards her since the information of her deteriorating health emerged on Sunday. The statement reads in part;

"I am touched – indeed, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and affection by my fellow countrymen and women, as well as numerous other well wishers around the world, many of whom have not only been praying for me but have also been mobilizing through the various social networks for God’s healing hands to come upon me. I am confident that Almighty God will hear our prayers and grant me quick recovery. I love you all and pray that Almighty God blesses you all."

Akunyili left for India in company of her husband, Dr Chike Akunyili. She is said to be responding well to treatment.

Culled from LIB

MINE EXPLOSION IN TURKEY, OVER 200 DEAD, ABOUT 500 MISSING

An explosion and fire outbreak has killed over 200 miners in turkey. The Disaster was triggered by an explosion and fire which was caused by a power distribution center.
According to reports only about 363 of 787 workers who work at the mine are accounted for, energy minister says. Death toll has risen to 205 since the incident occurred yesterday(Tuesday). Read details below and more photos from the site

CHIBOK ABDUCTION: 77 GIRLS IDENTIFIED BY PARENTS, TEACHERS FROM RELEASED VIDEO

77 girls out of the100 girls shown on the recent video released by the Boko Haram has been identified.

In a viewing session organised by the Borno state government which took place at the office of the Chief of Staff to Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State , the parents, teachers and some of the escaped students reviewed the video to identify the missing girls kidnapped from Chibok. 

The Borno Governor announced yesterday that about 54 girls have been identified, and the names released. As the reviewing process continues in Borno state  more girls are being identified. 

CHIBOK ABDUCTION: NLC, TUC, JAF HOLDS RALLY IN LAGOS

The Nigeria Labor Congress(NLC), Trade Union Congress(TUC) and the Joint Action Front(JAF) all marched in solidarity today from the ikeja round-about lagos to the state Assembly press to condemn the abduction of the 234 Chibok girls from Borno state. The JAF also issued a statement urging all Nigerians to support the military to find the missing girls.

See text of JAF's statement below:(Culled from Saharareporters)

JONATHAN SEEKS EXTENSION FOR STATE OF EMERGENCY IN BORNO, ADAMAWA & YOBE

The President has sent a request to the National Assembly, seeking an extension for the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe by six months.

The request was read on the Senate floor on Tuesday morning. The president had earlier hinted the extension of the rule in his last media chat on the 4th of may. 

The Presidency stated that the emergency rule was necessary for the soldiers to tackle the uprising insurgency in the area. This month makes it a year since the emergency rule was introduced in the three states.

PICTURESTORY: FEMI KUTI, JOE-ODUMAKIN, JIDE KOSOKO & OTHER CELEBRITIES STAGE PROTEST IN LAGOS

A protest took place yesterday in Lagos, it was lead by celebrities and members of civil society group. The large crowd of protesters include Afrobeat musician, Femi Kuti, Yoruba movie star, Jide Kosoko, leader of Women Arise civil society group, Joe Okei-Odumakin, Iyabo Ojo, Ayo Badmus, Doris Simon, Foluke Daramola and several activists and entertainment artistes. The group staged a walk to the Lagos State Government secretariat in Ikeja where they met with the Lagos state governor SAN Babatunde Raji Fashola. More pictures below:

DONALD STERLING RENDERS PUBLIC APOLOGY , SEEKS ANOTHER CHANCE AT NBA

Donald Sterling

Donald Sterling has apologized for his racist comments which was aired over two weeks ago on the social media. He was fined and banned for his remarks. According to Sterling in an interview with CNN reporter Cooper,

"When I listen to that tape, I don't even know how I can say words like that. ... I don't know why the girl had me say those things," he told CNN's Anderson Cooper in an exclusive interview.

FG EXPLORING ALL OPTIONS FOR CHIBOK RELEASE

Since the release of the last video by the Boko haram Sect there has been alot of uproar from the Public. The Federal Government in other to douse public concerns addressed the public yesterday,reiterating its commitment to the release of the abducted girls.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mr Mike Omeri said that the federal government is studying a video purportedly from the sect, showing the Chibok school girls.

He also noted that the “government will continue to explore all options for the release and safe return of our girls back to their homes” and asked Nigerians to disregard an “earlier report by a section of the media purported to have been issued by government”.

The Director, Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade added that the military is carrying out surveillance of the area and offering intelligence support to the joint task force in the north east. See more details and pictures below:

DSS REVEALS NYANYA BOMB BLAST BOMBERS

The Department of State Service(DSS) has revealed the pictures of the five men above in connection with the Nyanya bomb blast on the 14th of April, 2014. 

The names of the perpetrators include  Ahmad Rufai Abubakar, Muhammadu Sani Ishaq, Adamu Yusuf, Yau Saidu and Anas Isah.

During the briefing in Abuja, the DSS declared Rufai Abubakar Tsiga and Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche wanted for allegedly masterminding the bombing. The DSS also announced a whooping sum  of 25 million Naira as a reward for anybody with useful information on their whereabouts. see more photos below

DORA AKUNYILI'S HEALTH WORSENS, MAYBE FLOWN TO INDIA

The Former DG of NAFDAC Dora Akunyili may have to spend more time in the hospital as the health of Mrs Akunyili may have worsened. 

It has been reported that she has not shown up for the delegates meeting for several weeks. A family friend had told Reporters that Mrs. Akunyili was diagnosed with cancer last year and stated that she had spent several months in the US receiving treatment. Presently, Mrs. Akunyili’s condition have worsened a few days ago, prompting her  hospitalization at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja.

Efforts are currently being made by officials of the foreign affairs ministry to secure an Indian visa for her as soon as possible because her doctor says any delay might be risky.

Mrs Akunyili who has been sick for a while, but showed up at the on-going conference in Abuja few weeks ago, where she thanked the public for their concern said she was getting better.

Let us Pray for her recovery.

ISREALI EXPERTS TO JOIN IN THE SEARCH FOR CHIBOK GIRLS

The Israelis have also joined in the team of international communities aiding in the search for the missing chibok Girls, this was conveyed in a statement by Ruben Abati. The offer was extended by the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Benjamin Netanyahn, on Sunday during a phone conversation between the two presidents.

The statement noted “Israel’s total condemnation of the mass abductions” and revealed that “a team of experts from his country who will soon arrive in Nigeria will work in collaboration with the teams from the United States and Britain who are already in the country and their Nigerian counterparts to intensify the search for the girls”.

Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s willingness to give the government and people of Nigeria all possible support and assistance to overcome terrorism and insecurity.

CHIBOK GIRLS:Dr. Okonjo-Iweala in an interview with ABC News said-" I am tired of the same stories"

The Minister of Finance when cornered on Friday by an ABC news reporter about the Missing Chibok Girls, she said,"I’m tired of the same stories,”.

She seemed not to be ready for the unplanned interview but she gave explanations on the effort of the government to bring back the girls, and also the help of the international community. watch the video above.

CHIBOK ABDUCTION: BOKO HARAM CONVERTS GIRL'S TO ISLAM, DEMANDS EXCHANGE

A recent video resurfaced today showing about 100 of the Kidnapped girls reciting the Koran and all covered in hijab and the terrorist leader saying they have been converted to Islam.

 The Video which was released by the French news agency Agence France-Presse was shot in a nondescript bush area. From the video, the girls looked calm and were unhurt. The leader of the terrorist group Abubakar Shekau has demanded exchange for the girls for members of the sect who are in custody of the security agencies.

The girls were seen making declarations of faith,"Praise be to Allah, the lord of the world," the girls in the video chant. This is the first time the image of the abducted girls are shown since they were kidnapped last month, 14 April.

We will wait and see if the government negotiates with terrorists.