Ebola death toll passes 4,000 as fears grow worldwide

The death toll from Ebola has passed 4,000, the World Health Organization said, while a Madrid nurse was fighting for her life Saturday as authorities worldwide tried to prevent panic over the deadly disease.

The WHO said 4,033 people have died from Ebola as of October 8 out of a total of 8,399 registered cases in seven countries. The sharp rise in deaths came as the UN said aid pledges to fight the outbreak have fallen well short of the $1 billion (800 million euros) needed.

Beyond west Africa, where almost all the deaths have occurred, fears grew about the worst-ever Ebola epidemic.

The Canadian government advised its citizens Friday to leave the West African countries hardest hit by Ebola, while taking measures at its own borders to screen for potentially exposed travelers.Continue...

Philippine thieves using jackfruit sap to rob banks

Philippine thieves have been using low-tech sticky tree sap to rob high-tech cash dispenser machines in banks, police said this week.

Jackfruit sap is daubed on a metal bar that thieves insert into the card slot of automated teller machines, said a suburban Manila police spokesman Inspector Edwin Malabanan.

Whenever a person tried to withdraw cash, the bills would stick onto the bar inside the machine, which thieves would retrieve once the the disappointed customer had left.

"The sap is really sticky. It was really clever of them to think of it," Malabanan told AFP.

Customers of several banks complaining of losses prompted the police to look into the matter and one of two thieves was arrested last week thanks to closed circuit TV footage of a bank ATM, he said.Continue...

12 killed, scores injured in Katsina multiple crash

No fewer than 12 persons died in a fatal road accident involving four vehicles on Tuesday night in the outskirts of Katsina, Katsina State.The State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Umar Ibrahim, who confirmed the report attributed the accident to over speeding of the driver of the vehicles.

Source learnt that about a dozen passengers, who sustained various degrees of injuries however, cheated death in the tragedy that occurred near Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina-Dutsinma Road.

An eyewitness confirmed that the remains of the victims and the injured passengers were taken to Katsina General Hospital and Federal Medical Centre, Katsina by FRSC officials and some good samaritans.Continue...

Gunmen attack Edo state house of assembly member

Gunmen have allegedly attacked a member of the Edo State House of Assembly representing Etsako West Constituency 1, Mr. Razak Momoh, at the legislative quarters in Benin.

Momoh was said to have been attacked on Tuesday night by the assailants at his residence. They reportedly left him unconscious before he was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Ugbowo.

A close member of the lawmaker’s family, who pleaded anonymity, said the injuries sustained by the legistlator were such that he might be flown abroad for medical attention.

The Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker, who was said to be receiving medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Ward of the hospital, belongs to a nine-member faction of the assembly, which has been holding separate plenaries, following a crisis which has been rocking the state Assembly since June.

BREAKING NEWS! Court sacks acting Adamawa Gov

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Chief Judge of Adamawa State to immediately swear-in Mr Bala Ngilari as the Governor of the State.

The court, in its ruling, said the state’s Deputy Governor, Mr Bala Ngilari, did not resign his position before the former governor Murtala Nyako was impeached.

The court has also declared that the swearing in of acting governor, Umaru Fintiri, as illegal and unconstitutional and ordered the immediate vacation of the Government House by the Acting Governor

The court also ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not conduct the bye-election slated for October 11.

Eagles record full house for battle of Khartoum

All 24 Super Eagles players invited to camp in preparation for the must win match against Sudan on Saturday trained yesterday evening just as the team was addressed by the newly elected president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amanju Pinnick.

After 17 of the 24 invited players trained in the morning at the FIFA Goal project training pitch, the evening training inside the main bowl of the Abuja national stadium had all the invited players in attendance.

Meanwhile, Head Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, said after the evening session that he has ruled out Ukraine based midfielder Babatunde Michael from the encounter because he picked up a knock on the knee while playing for his club.

Facebook Drones That Will Provide Free Internet To The World Will Begin Testing In 2015

Gone was the time when drones were only used for military purpose, now they will soon be providing Internet access to the whole globe. At the Social Good Summit organized in New York on Monday, Yael Maguire, the Engineering Director at Facebook Connectivity Lab has further outlined the firm’s vision for Internet carrying drones; plan starts in 2015.Continue for more pic and video

Okada ban: Delta state govt allegedly razes over 200 motorcycles

The Delta state government on Sunday Oct. 5th allegedly burnt over 200 motorcycles it confiscated from those who flouted the state's newly introduced ban on motorcycle riding in some parts of the state. Two weeks ago, the State government banned Okada in some parts of the state, including Ika South, Ika North and Sapele.

The ban was however flouted by some motorcycle riders who got their machines seized by officials of the state. The seized motorcycles have now allegedly been burnt at the Mosogar end of the Gammon Bridge in Sapele.

Over 1,000 unemployed graduates scramble for SURE-P job in Enugu

More than 1,000 unemployed graduates gathered at the Modotels Hotel in Enugu yesterday, to try their luck in a job fair put together by SURE-P under the Graduate Internship Scheme. Under the programme, successful candidates will be employed by private firms but paid by the government for a period of one year.

Principal consultant for Mercy Ferg-sons Consults, Joel Eneogwe, whose company is handling the Enugu match-making between firms and the job seekers, explained:  “What we are doing today is called job fair, which is an opportunity offered to unemployed graduates to get employment under the Federal Government SURE-P scheme.Continue...

AFCON 2015: Keshi, Anyansi assure on Sudan

Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi yesterday in Abuja reassured Nigerians of a ticket for the AFCON 2015 championship holding in Morocco.

His assurance came on the backdrop of the prompt response of invited players to camp for the Super Eagles two encounters with Sudan in Khartoum and Abuja within a space of five days. Some of the players had underlined their seriousness by the promptness of their arrival to the team’s camp at the Bolton White Apartment in Abuja.

According to the Super Eagles’ Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, not less than 10 players had arrived the hotel as at 3pm yetserday and would start training by today morning, with Keshi expressing confidence that Sudan will fall in Khartoum on Saturday.Continue...

2000 houses submerged in Makurdi

Over 2000 houses have been submerged in parts of Makurdi, the Benue State capital following torrential rainfall which  has caused flood in some areas in the last one week.

Some of the affected areas include Inioungu community, Part of Rice Mill and New Garage all in Wadata as well as Kutcha Utebe and behind Zone 4 among others.

According to Mr. Sylvester Adikwu, a retired civil servant whose four bedroom bungalow has been submerged, the flood suddenly came a few days back and many families had to relocate from the area.Continue...

Boko Haram Leader Abubakar Shekau Says He Is Alive And Well

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, in this video, says he is alive and well. In a prepared speech read in Arabic the sect leader says he will only die according to the will of God.

The Nigerian military had claimed Shekau had been killed in a series of battles in Konduga near Maiduguri last month.
Click on the play icon to watch the video

Military, Boko Haram in bloody battle

Fierce battle continued yesterday between Boko Haram and the military,  which has intensified efforts to reclaim territories captured by the insurgents in northern part of Adamawa State. In the battle, some soldiers and about 100 insurgents were killed.

Daily Sun gathered that in the latest battle, Boko Haram insurgents were forced to a retreat, as soldiers took control of Michika town, in Adamawa State.

According to residents of Michika, who escaped from battle area, the military had an upper hand, taking control of Michika town, which had been under insurgents for close to a month.

The sources said that the military also pushed towards Gulak, in its effort to flush out insurgents in the area.
“The Nigerian troops have gained entry into Michika and are now fully in control of the town, having dealt a severe blow to the insurgents, as they lost about 100 members. Some escaped with injuries sustained from gun shots,” the source said.

Dogs attacked my brother inside our flat ─ Seven-year-old

A seven-year-old Osemudiamen, elder brother to the victim Omonigho Abraham narrates how two dogs attacked his younger brother while the police and Sympathisers watched.

He said, “We were riding a bicycle in the compound when the big dogs ─ Jack and Gadaffi ─ started barking at us. Later, they moved towards us.

“My elder brother and I quickly ran upstairs and locked the door while Omo (Omonigho), who could not run fast, was left behind.

“When he got to the door, he knocked that we should open for him and as we did, one of the dogs forced his way into the house with him.Continue...

Lt. Col, 15 others to face trial over Chibok girls

PUNCH: The Nigerian Army has concluded arrangements to arraign 16 soldiers over the April 14, 2014, abduction of over 200 students of the Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State.

Three of the soldiers are officers while the remaining 13 soldiers belong to other ranks.

Our correspondent gathered in Abuja on Monday that barring any last minute change, they would appear before the General Court Martial at the Maxwell Khobe Military Cantonment, Rukuba, Jos in Plateau State after the Sallah holidays.

The officers are Lieutenant Col. A. O. Ojo, Capt. O. O. Ogunrinde, and 2nd Lieutenant V.I. Godknows.

The 16 are among 117 soldiers   facing a GCM convened by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Army in Kaduna, Maj.Gen. K. C. Osuji, on August 6, 2014.Continue...

Pastor, others hijack truck with N25m goods

The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Adeniji Adele, Lagos, has arrested a pastor, Peter Iyasele, and two others for allegedly hijacking a truck with N25m worth of goods in the Ijora area of Lagos.
Source learnt that while the two other suspects ─ Anthony Ibiade and Amas Debar ─ were arrested in Ijora, the 56-year-old clergy was arrested in Igando, Lagos.

Our correspondent gathered from the police that the hijacked truck, which contained 25 heavy duty outdoor airconditioners, belonging to a company based in Apapa, Lagos.

According to the police, the market value of the heavy duty air conditioners is about N25m.

Real reason actress Ini Edo filed for divorce

Few weeks after popu­lar actor, Desmond Elliot took to twitter and called on Nige­rians to pray for Nollywood diva, Ini Edo to get pregnant, the bubble has finally burst as the actress has filed for divorce from her US-based husband, Phillip Ehiagwina.

Ini took to her twitter handle on Thursday to explain why she filed for divorce, declaring that contrary to rumours flying around, she never cheated on her husband. Rather she iden­tified “irreconcilable differ­ences” for the break-up, add­ing that there was a conscious effort to tarnish her image.

Though, the Akwa Ibom-born actress has been married for a couple of years, she is yet to have a child for her husband and this has culminated into pressure not just from her hus­band but also his parents and family members.Continue...

Sallah tragedy: Boko Haram kills 70

The Sallah started on a sour note for three villages in Adamawa State, as Boko Haram attacked and killed about 70 residents in Michika Local Govern­ment Area in a renewed attack.

The Islamic insurgent group also destroyed their houses and farmlands.
Among the villages attacked is Kuborshosho, the village of former governor of the state and Minister Youths Development, Mr. Boni Haruna, who lost close relations, one of whom was a 99-year-old man, who was slaughtered by the dreaded group.

The other villages they attacked are Kubi, Garta and others, were still under attack as at the time of filing this report.Continue...

Boko Haram beheads pilot of missing plane

A new footage released by the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram and obtained by AP, showed the beheading of a man believed to be one of the pilots of the Nigerian Air Force jet which went missing and later crashed earlier on September 11 after it left Yola, capital of Adamawa State, for a bombing campaign against the militants.

The video shows a man decked in a camouflage vest kneeling while an axe-wielding fighter stands menacingly next to him before eventually chopping off his head. Moments before the gruesome execution, the victim who spoke in English and identified himself as a wing commander in the Nigerian Air Force, revealed that they were undertaking a mission in the Kauri area of Borno State on September 11 when the plane suddenly crashed to the ground.

“We were shot down and our aircraft crashed. To this day I don’t know the whereabouts of my second pilot,” he said.Continue...

Happy Independence Nigeria!!!!!