ENUGU HERDSMEN’S ATTACK: SENATOR, OTHERS CALL FOR STATE OF EMERGENCY

Angry voices have continued to rise over last Thursday’s attack, by suspected Fulani herdsmen, on Ndiagu Attakwu community in Nkanu-West Local Government Area of Enugu State that left a seminarian and a woman dead, and three others critically wounded.
With the reported death of the second victim of the attack, the Councillors’ Forum, an association of former and current Councillor’s in the state has called for an immediate ban on grazing in the state.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after their visit of the community, leader of the Councillors Forum Hon. Chidiebere Oko, noted that the situation has become so serious that it should no longer be treated with kid gloves.
“Just as we condemn the act, we cannot continue to fold our arms not knowing what tomorrow has in stock. This is getting out of hand and it is time to act. We have, thus, decided as a body, to call for an immediate ban on any form of grazing across the length and breadth of Enugu State.” Oko said.
He called on the state House of Assembly to urgently make a legislation outlawing grazing in Enugu State “be it by Fulani people or any other person for that matter.”
Reacting to the attack, the Senate Committee Chairman on Communications, Gilbert Nnaji, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on activities of herders in the country, while others, including the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), and Igbo Ohanaeze Media Forum have called for various measures ranging from introduction of bills criminalising indiscriminate grazing to outright ban of buying and selling of cow meat by the Igbos.
The Senator, while condoling with families of the victims, warned that until governments at all levels recognise the menace as a national concern, all the public outcries would amount to nothing.
He added that apart from ensuring that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book as a deterrent to further attacks, the Federal Government should come up with stringent measures to tackle the issue once and for all, in the interest of the country.
The senator had made a similar call while contributing to the motion, at the senate in April this year, on the massacre of the people of Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani LGA of Enugu.
Describing the killings as callous and provocative, the Civil Liberties Organisation, (CLO), South-East Zone, urged the governors of the states that make up the zone to sponsor bills in the state Houses of Assembly that would make it a criminal offence for herdsmen to engage in indiscriminate grazing within the zone.
A statement signed by the South-East zonal Chairman of the body, Comrade Aloysius Attah, described the incessant killings by herdsmen as an act of barbarism and terrorism against Igbo people.
In its own reaction, Ohanaeze Media Forum (OMF), the umbrella body said to be made of Igbo journalists called on Ndigbo in every part of the country to shun cow meat as a way of registering their displeasure over the incessant killing of their kits and kins by Fulani herdsmen.
In a communiqué issued at the end of their emergency meeting in Lagos and signed by Chidiadi Elendu and Ngozi Emedoluibe chairman and secretary respectively, the body called on traditional rulers in the South East to ban the use of cow meat in any festival activity in Igbo land.
“When everybody begins to shun cow meat the herdsmen would realize that they no longer have business in Igbo land and would leave,” it noted.
Joining in the call for self-protection, another Igbo body, Igbo Awareness for Development Initiatives (IADI), urged the South East communities to defend and protect themselves from future attacks.
A public statement issued by the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the group, Chief Larry Ilo, also called for a setting up of vigilantes in different localities of Igbo land.
In a related development, the Federal Government has commenced the process of reviving about 22 grazing reserves across the country. To this end, nine states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been earmarked for the pilot programme beginning with advocacy, sensitisation and mobilisation on development of grazing reserves and stock routes.
The programme, which took off in Adamawa State recently, was to engender buy in by the respective communities to mitigate the frequent cases of herders and farmers’ clashes which had led to loss of several lives; including property and cattle.
A new UK-Department for International Development (DFID) funded research by the global humanitarian organisation; Mercy Corps, said that Nigeria loses about $14m (N4b) to disputes between farmers and pastoralists in the middle belt states of Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau.
read more:http://sunnewsonline.com/enugu-herdsmens-attack-senator-others-call-for-state-of-emergency/

Hunted and killed for journalism’s sake

Over the years, the number of journalists killed in the line of duty in Nigeria and elsewhere around the world has continued to swell.
Yet there are no corresponding investigations detailing the causes of their deaths. Continued violations of journalists’ rights through attacks, arrests and abductions, according to human rights reports, have also continued unabated. And practitioners are getting worried.
On Thursday, June 20, 2016, Yomi Olomofe, 47, Publisher of Prime Magazine, was attacked at the office of the Nigeria Customs and Excise, at the Nigeria-Benin border in Seme while trying to investigate a matter. The journalist was thoroughly battered during the encounter.
Tife Owolabi of the Reuters International News Agency, on February 14, 2015, had his home in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, ransacked by armed agents of the Department of State Services. After the invasion that lasted for about four hours, his computers, cell phones and working tools, including external hard drives and memory cards, were allegedly removed. He was accused of espionage.
Nigerians would not forget in a hurry the 1986 murder of the Editor-In-Chief of the Newswatch magazine, Dele Giwa.  He was brutally killed through a letter bomb. Perpetrators of the dastardly act still remain unknown.
In 1990, two Nigerian journalists, Tayo Awotunsin of Champion Newspaper, and Krees Imodibie of The Guardian, disappeared in Monrovia, Liberia’s capital while on official assignment. It was during the Liberian civil war.
In 2009, 45-year-old Bayo Ohu, an assistant editor with The Guardian was shot dead in his home. Members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) believed Ohu was killed for his political and investigative reporting.
Also, journalists such as Enenche Akogwu, Abayomi Ogundeji and Godwin Agbroko were all gruesomely killed. Also killed were Bagauda Kaltho of The News, Tunde Oladepo of The Guardian and a female journalist, Bolade Fasasi.
On the global scene, in 1984, the editor of the Hind Samachar group in India, Ramesh Chandra, was killed. He was shot dead and doctors were later to count 64 bullet holes in his body. Another journalist, 40-year-old Sandeep Kothari in Madhya Pradesh was abducted and burnt alive. 
read more http://sunnewsonline.com/hunted-and-killed-for-journalisms-sake/

PHOTOS: ARMY KILLS 5 INSURGENTS AS CROCODILE SMILE STARTS

Abuja - The Nigerian Army has killed five suspected militants at the resumption of operations to rid the Niger Delta of radicals destroying oil infrastructure in the region.

More than 20 suspects were injured during operations in the region most-endowed with oil in the West African country.

Codenamed Operation Crocodile Smile, it was launched this past weekend at Sapele in Delta State, situated south of Nigeria.

“The operation is aimed at training our troops on amphibious operations and also deal with security challenges and criminality in the area,” said Army spokesman, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman.

Items recovered from the alleged militants’ camps include AK-47 rifles, pump action guns, a locally made revolver pistol, cartridges of live ammunition, electricity generating sets and gas cooker.

Also read: 

The troops also recovered an abandoned engine boat left by the alleged fleeing criminals, Usman said.

The breakthrough by the Army follows weeks of attacks on oil facilities by militants demanding compensation for the degradation of the region emanating from years of oil extraction in the Niger Delta.

International oil firms in the continent’s biggest producer of the commodity have mostly been targeted.

Among the most prominent militants, the Niger Delta Avengers, has threatened to declare the independence of the Niger Delta from Nigeria if their grievances are not addressed by October 1. 

See pictures from the operation below.

sources

PHOTOS: 17-HOUR RAIN CAUSES FLOOD, GRIDLOCK IN LAGOS

Lagos - Motorists in some parts of the Lagos state were trapped in flash flood for several hours as a result of the heavy down pour in the state.

The rain which started late Saturday evening fell throughout Sunday and early Monday morning.

Churches around the metropolis visited by News24 were scanty as most members stayed indoors to avoid being drenched by the downpour.

Some church members said they had to defy the rain to come to church as most of the roads were flooded while vehicles were trapped in the flood.

The Lagos State Government has, however assured residents on the need to remain calm following the torrential rainfall in the state, saying that necessary measures had been taken to avert any incidence of flood disaster in the state.

Commissioner for the Environment in the state, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, in a statement, on Sunday, said that the state government had in recent times carried out an intensive tour of some flood prone communities so as clear up blocked drainages and canals of all encumbrances.

The commissioner lamented the dumping of refuse on water courses and drainages saying the numerous campaigns against such practice was for the interest of the residents.

Adejare said: “Canal is a storm water channel for the conveyance of storm run-offs, they are God’s natural protection for holding water during massive flood and it is not a place for anybody to build a house or dump refuse. Those in the habit of doing such must stop henceforth.”

He therefore warned that government would no longer tolerate the construction of illegal structures along channel Right of Ways, RoWs, in the state.

source:

I WILL DEAL WITH NIGER DELTA MILITANTS LIKE BOKO HARAM, BUHARI WARNS

Abuja - President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to deal with Niger Delta militants like it has done to Boko Haram insurgents, unless they agree to dialogue, Tribune reports.

He made the remark at a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, on the sidelines of the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), in Nairobi, Kenya, at the weekend.

He had previously given the same warning at a meeting with members of the Nigerian community resident in China, during his tour of the country in April.

The president assured existing and prospective foreign investors that their investments in Nigeria would be fully secured and protected.

Meanwhile the Delta Avengers has denied reports that it has nominated nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka to head its dialogue team with the federal government describing it as a lie of the century according to News24.

NDA in a statement Sunday by its spokesperson, “Brig Gen” Mudoch Agbinibo while reiterating its support for the Edwin Clark-led Niger Delta Elders and Stakeholders conference committee to lead the pan Niger Delta negotiations/dialogue team, stated that it is ready for talks whenever the federal government is ready.

sources

Federal Inland Revenue Service Recruitment Start Tomorrow 29th of August 2016.
FIRS Vacancy/employment adverts has come out today Monday 22-08-2016. Please inform others who might need the information. Application portal will open on Monday 29th August 2016. Applicants are to apply online. Visit www.firs.gov.ng/careers from the said date.
Papers:
1. Punch
2. Guardian
3.Leadership
4. Daily Trust
5. Businessday
6. Vanguard
7. The Nation
8. Sun
9. Tribune
10 Thisday
Also NOTE that the advertised positions are:
1. Officer II Tax - GL08/SL10
2. Officer I Tax - GL09/SL09
3. Asst. Mgr Tax - GL10/SL08.
Academic qualifications are TAXATION, ACCOUNTING/ACCOUNTANCY, ECONOMICS, BIZ. MGT/ADMIN and other related disciplines...

Abia police uncover baby factory, rescue pregnant girls

Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad attached to the Abia State Police Command have uncovered a suspected baby factory at Ogbor Hill, in the Aba  area of the state.

During the operation, the detectives rescued five pregnant women and arrested a 54-year-old man, identified as Nkem Nwokocha. Nwokocha, who hails from Obegu village in the Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of the state, allegedly ran the factory with his wife, identified only as Nurse.

read more:http://www.punchng.com/

Man who named dog Buhari regains freedom

The man, who named his dog ‘Buhari,’ Joachim Iroko, has been released after perfecting his bail conditions. Iroko, who is more known as Joe, was released on Thursday, after he had spent three days in Ibara Prison, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He had been arraigned on conduct likely to cause breach of the peace before an Ota Magistrate’s Court 2 on Monday.

The police had arrested him on August 13, following a complaint by one of his neighbours, Halilu Umar. The neighbour was said to have reported to the police that Iroko named the dog after his (Umar’s) father, Alhaji Buhari. The presiding Chief Magistrate, B.J. Ojikutu granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum after he pleaded not guilty to the charge. Failure of Iroko’s family members to meet up with the bail conditions led to his remand in Ibara Prison, where he was until Thursday.

This was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Prisons Service, Ogun State Command, Victor Oyeleke. He said, “The man (Joachim Iroko) has been released this morning from Ibara Prison. The accused was released around 10am when the Reproduction Warrant was brought from the Court, indicating that his bail conditions have been perfected.”The accused was said to have been released around 10am, when a reproduction warrant was brought to the prison officials.

source:http://www.punchng.com/

Yahoo Boys Caught With Used Girls Panties, Bras, Wigs As Ritual Items In Delta

A group of internet fraudsters a.k.a Ghana Burgers were apprehended by policemen at Koko Junction, Warri, Delta State..According to the evidences found on them and their confessions, they went to Oyo State for rituals.

Mobile police apprehend some group of Ghana Burgers at Koko Junction. According to the visuals and photo of evidence we find out that these guys according to their confession went to Oyo State for rituals. They used two Ecolax buses and boarded the vehicle from Benin and asked the driver to move straight to Sapele.

One of the culprits said his name is Simeon and he stay at Uruhakpa and Otefe Poly student.

According to their own confession after police interrogations , they said they went for rituals at Oyo State. The two Ecolax buses contain the following items.

1. Four used girls pants.

2. Old mat

3. Used girls wig

4. Used girls brassier

And other concoction itemsread more

Sisters Arrested For Preying On Lagos Doctors

Two sisters, suspected to be members of a terror group targeting medical doctors in Lagos for extortion through threats of elimination, are now in police net.

The suspects, Rita Ojobo (30) and Mrs. Emmanuella Ossai, were apprehended by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the state Police Command, led by ACP Olatunji Disu. The RRS officials tracked down the syndicate and arrested two of them.

It was learnt that the RRS had contacted the International Police (Interpol) to help repatriate the other gang members who had fled to Togo. Ojobo and Ossai, along with other members of the syndicate, it was learnt, usually contact doctors on the phone to ask them to remit certain amount of money into account numbers or risk being kidnapped or murdered. Ojobo was arrested at Diamond Bank in Onitsha after she went there to withdraw money paid in by one of their victims.

However, the suspects said they knew nothing about the crime. They claimed that their older brother, Kenechi Ojobo, who resides in Togo, sent their account number to the creditors to pay in money.

The sisters also claimed that Kenechi, a motorcycle parts merchant in Togo, told them that he usually gives relatives of the creditors the CFA (Francs) equivalent of the money paid in.

Ojobo said she was invited by her bank that there was an issue with her account and rushed to the bank only to be arrested. She said: “I do not know anything about threatening people.

My brother was the one who called and told me that someone will pay in money to my account that he has given the person’s relation in Togo the equivalent in CFA. He said that he would collect the money when he comes and add it to the money to buy his goods. “But I was just in my house last Thursday when I received a call from the bank that someone has tampered with my account.

I rushed to the bank but I was arrested and taken to Central Police Station in Onitsha. It was at the bank that they told me what happened. “After they arrested me, I told them that it was only once money was paid to my account and that my brother usually uses my sister’s account for the transactions and they now took me to my sister’s house and arrested her as well.

“If I knew anything about such thing would I not have escaped when the bank called me?” But Ossai, who has a one-month-old baby, said four people had paid N220,000 into her account at different intervals which her brother had come back home to collect.

The suspect she only knew Kenechi “does local money transfer”. According to her, each time he comes home, he would collect his money to buy goods. Ossai said that she went to the bank sometime last month after her brother told her that someone had paid N50,000 but she did not get alert.

Fulani Herdsman Kills His Mother, Brother’s Wife

A Fulani herdsman, Abubakar Usman, has been arrested for allegedly killing his 65-year-old mother, Khadijat, and his brother’s wife, Ramatu Shagari, aged 35.

The 25-year-old suspect was paraded on Wednesday at the state police command’s headquaters in Ilorin along with other suspects – Yahaya Umar and Abubakar Saletu – who were reportedly caught with a human head.

Usman, who lived in the Patigi area of the state, told PUNCH Metro that he could not explain what pushed him to the crime. He, however, alleged that his father might have charmed him, adding that he regretted his action.

He said, “I am into cattle rearing. On that day when I woke up, I took N1,000 from my room and took my cows out for grazing. Suddenly, I discovered that the cattle were running away and I followed them. On getting back home, something came over me and I used a knife to stab my mother. I also stabbed my brother’s wife. I believe that my father charmed me. I do not have mental disorder.”

One of the two suspects arrested with a human head, Umar, also confessed to the crime, saying that there had been a quarrel between him and the victim. He added that he colluded with Saletu to behead the victim in a bush.

He said, “There was a conflict among us. We tricked him into the bush and killed him. While we were trying to run away, the police caught us.”The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olusola Amore, who paraded the suspects, said the crimes were reported to the police by one Abdullahi Adamu of Mamba Fulani Camp, Patigi.

The CP said, “On August 8, at about 1.20pm, information received from Kosubosu Police Division revealed that Umar and Saletu, both of Wobe Fulani Camp, were found in possession of a bag. On interrogation, the bag was found to contain a human head, among other items.

“Further interrogations revealed that the suspects took the head to one Alhaji Kuranga of Muhat Company to buy. The said Alhaji refused and raised the alarm. A search in the bush led to the discovery of a headless body. The victim had been declared missing earlier and the suspects confessed to the crime. The cutlass used in the killing and the human head have already been recovered.”

Amore added that the suspects would be arraigned after investigation.

Meanwhile, the CP has inaugurated the Eminent Persons Forum to assist in fighting crime in the state.

“The forum is aimed at filling the gap and building the capacity, which at all times, will be prepared to join the police in fashioning out ways to confront security challenges in the state,” the CP added.

read more

HOUSE HELP TO DIE BY HANGING OVER MAGISTRATE’S MURDER

ABEOKUTA— An Ogun State High Court sitting at Isabo, Abeokuta, yesterday sentenced a 26-year-old house help, David Uche, to death for killing a retired senior magistrate, Mrs Olufunmilayo Timeyin. Justice Abiodun Akinyemi ordered that the convict, who hails from Benue State and worked as a domestic staff of the late senior magistrate, be killed by hanging.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com

Nollywood actor gets burnt on set!

Nollywood actor, Ani Iyoho, has sustained terrible fire injuries while performing fire stunts during a movie shoot. Ani-Iyoho The terrible accident occurred while on the set of a movie being directed by movie director, Stanley Ohikhuare. E-news gathered that while Ani was burning as a result of the fire stunt gone bad, the fire extinguisher on set malfunctioned and was unable to put out the fire. Shockingly, the movie director, Stanley Ohikhuare, continued filming with the intention of including the fire incident in the actual movie.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com

DOG SAVES FAMILY FROM COBRA ATTACK IN BAYELSA

Yenagoa – A dog on Sunday saved a family in Otuasega Community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa from cobra attack. Mrs Catherine Isiki, who spoke in an interview on Tuesday in Yenagoa, described the attack as a “mystery to the family.” Isiki said that the cobra `invaded’ their home at about 1 a.m. on Sunday. “ I woke up as a result of alarm raised by my grand-daughter who was the first person to see the snake. “I am alive today because of a dog that saved me and my family; neighbours could not kill the cobra due its size.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com

Why we kept mum’s corpse in wardrobe for 10 years – Satguru Maharaj Ji devotees

The embalment of the remains of a 78-year-old Madam Lucy Osigwe by one of her children, Dr. Chimezie Osigwe, a devotee of the founder of One Love Family, Satguru Maharaj Ji, since 2003,  continues to generate  ripples. The incident has launched the serene town of Ejemekuru, Imo State into public discourse. The allegation against Dr. Osigwe,  currently in police detention, is that he used the remains of his mother for ritual and that two other members of the family had also been used.

Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng

Power: FG gets $100m loan from India

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday welcomed the $100 million credit facility from India for Nigeria’s power sector.
Speaking at the State House Abuja yesterday while receiving a delegation led by Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria Nagabhushana Reddy, Osinbajo called for more active engagement between both countries.

Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng

Reason for named my Pet ‘Buhari’ — Trader

The Police in Ogun State, yesterday, released unconditionally, the 30-year-old trader, Joe Fortemose Chinakwe, who was arrested last Saturday for naming his pet dog ‘Buhari’. The embattled trader, Chinakwe. The embattled trader, who was visibly angry after his three-day incarceration in police cell, was let off the hook around 5pm on Tuesday after the intervention of both the Serkin Hausa and President-General of non-indigenes in the state. It was learned that the prompt intervention of the elders made the complainant to withdraw the case he reported against the trader at Sango-Ota division which was later transferred to Police headquarters at Eleweran. However, police sources said both the complainant and suspect were made to sign an undertaking not to cause any breach of peace again.

Complainant from Niger Republic

Narrating his ordeal, Chinakwe said “It is annoying because the complainant is from Niger Republic and I am sure he is one of those illegal aliens in this country.  He connived with one Police Sergeant from the Northern part of Nigeria called Musa, who works at Sango Police division to humiliate me.  Worse still, the Divisional Police Officer there, did not help matters as he refused to entertain any plea from me after I was arrested that Saturday night. He simply ordered his men to throw me into the cell.”

Why dog was named Buhari

Continuing, he said “I did not commit any offence. I named my beloved pet dog Buhari, who is my hero. My admiration for Buhari started far back when he was a military Head of State. It continued till date that he is a civilian President. After reading his dogged fight against corruption, which is like a canker worm eating into the very existence of this country, I solely decided to rename my beloved dog which I called Buhari, after him. I did not know that I was committing an offence for admiring Buhari.

Ordeal with Police

 “I was intimidated and thrown inside the cell with hardened criminals for about three days. While I was there, the complainant from Niger Republic and Sergeant Musa from the North kept on taunting me saying people from my part of the country are trouble makers and that after detaining me, they will throw me into prison where I will die unsung. ”Even when my wife came with our baby on her back, they stopped her from giving me food.  One of my friends that came to see me was also maltreated. “While taking me to Eleweran the next day, they handcuffed and chained me together with that my friend. Fortunately, when we got to police headquarters, both the Commissioner of Police and other officers were angry with their colleagues at Sango-Ota. ”They were wondering loudly why I was brought to the headquarters over such a minor case. It’s very unfortunate that I have to be so humiliated in my own country because of the antics of a foreigner in connivance with my brother from the North.”
source

We are embarking on “Buy Nigeria Campaign’’ – Lai Mohammed

Abuja – The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the ministry will soon embark on “Buy Nigeria Campaign’’ to raise awareness on local contents. The minister made the disclosure when the management of Omatek Ventures Plc demonstrated its locally made Light-Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs and fluorescent in his office. The company also demonstrated its locally assembled computers, solar panels and components for generating power into homes and offices. Mohammed said that the campaign would help to sensitise the public to the benefits of patronising Nigerian products. The minister underscored the need for Nigerians to develop the habit of conserving power, stressing that “when you reduce power consumption, you create energy.’’ He said most homes and offices had the negative habit of leaving their lighting points to be glowing and even their fans and air conditioning units on when they did not need them. The minister said that such homes wasted energy and stood the risk of suffering fire outbreaks. Mohammed said the country might have to legislate and enforce the use of LED lighting products which use less energy and last longer than other types of lighting systems. Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Omatek, Mrs Florence Seriki, explained that LED bulbs and fluorescent tubes save energy, were brighter than other products, do not get hot and last for minimum of five years.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/embarking-buy-nigeria-campaign-lai-mohammed/

Buhari, Wole Soyinka meet in Aso Rockhttp://punchng.com/buhari-wole-soyinka-meet-inside-aso-rock/

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Thursday met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The meeting which lasted about an hour was held inside the President’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Soyinka was accompanied by former Managing Director,  Daily Times of Nigeria, Dr. Yomi Ogunbiyi.

The agenda of the meeting described as a private one was not made public and the Presidency did not issue any statement on it.

As he emerged from the President’s office after the meeting, the Nobel Laureate was visibly surprised to see State House correspondents who were already laying ambush for him in front of the Press Gallery.

“I didn’t come to see you people,” he said as he attempted to break through a barricade set up by the journalists.

When it became clear to him that the reporters would not relent, Soyinka said, “I came to discuss national and international matters, general matters, that’s all!”

When further probed about the details of the discussion, he said he would not divulge such.

Clearly not comfortable with press interview, Soyinka declared, “I will be holding a press conference in about a week. You can ask me any question the

n, but now, please I will just like to get away.”

With that the journalists made way for him to leave the premises

Nigeria reports two new polio cases, the first since 2014

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/11/nigeria-reports-two-new-polio-cases-the-first-since-2014/

Thailand blasts: More explosions target tourist towns

 A series of coordinated blasts across Thailand has targeted tourist towns leaving four dead and many injured, with reports of more explosions.

In the popular resort town of Hua Hin four bombs exploded over the last 24 hours. Several blasts also hit the island of Phuket on Friday.

No group has said it carried out the attacks, but suspicion is likely to fall on separatist insurgents.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37046943

Syria conflict: Aleppo hit by clashes despite Russia aid pledge

Clashes have been reported in and around the northern Syrian city of Aleppo despite promises by Russia to halt military action to allow in aid.

Russian forces had announced a daily three-hour suspension of military action.

However UN officials said that was too short to take in enough to help the large numbers of people in need.

Aleppo has seen intense fighting recently between rebels and Russian-backed Syrian government forces.

There are also reports of a toxic gas attack on a rebel-held area. Four people died and many others were injured, medical staff say.

The gas was thought to have been chlorine dropped in a barrel bomb, said the Syrian Civil Defence - volunteer emergency response workers.

Elsewhere, Russian planes attacked targets in the northern city of Raqqa, a stronghold of so-called Islamic State.

The city's water supply had been cut off as a result, the group's media arm, Amaq, said. The report was confirmed by an anti-IS group.

At least 30 people were killed and 70 wounded in the raids, a UK-based monitoring group said.

The long-range bombers destroyed a chemical weapons factory and a training camp for IS fighters, killing a "large number" of them, Russia's defence ministry said.http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37043068