Petroleum Tanker Drivers Suspend Planned Strike

The strike, which would have kicked off on Monday, disrupting fuel supply, was shelved because of the intervention by the Federal Government.

Petroleum Tanker Drivers Suspend Planned Strike

The planned strike by The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) on Monday, October 11 has been suspended by The National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers (NUPENG).

The strike, which would have kicked off on Monday, disrupting fuel supply, was shelved because of the intervention by the Federal Government.

Mr Tayo Aboyeji, the South-West Zonal Chairman of NUPENG, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to Aboyeji, the suspension is to allow union’s representatives and that of government to address the knotty issues at stake.

“The leadership of the union after a brief meeting with representatives of government decided to suspend the strike in the interest of the nation.

“The meeting with the government continues during the week with the assurance that the union grievances will be positively addressed,” he said.

NUPENG said on Saturday that the tanker drivers would commence strike on Monday over the deplorable state of the nation’s highways and other issues.

Aboyeji said the union has lost many lives and property due to bad roads.

Drug cartel abduct former NDLEA officer in Benue, asks that its member who was arrested be released

A drug cartel reportedly abducted a retired National Drug Law Enforcement Agency officer, after its operatives arrested a 19-year-old female drug dealer, Mngunengen Achir, in Benue State.

NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi confirmed this in a statement, saying that Achir was arrested with 5.5kg cannabis and 112grams of diazepam on October 6 in Aliade area of the state.

Babafemi revealed that the drug cartel abducted the retired official thinking that he is still a serving officer, and also demanded that Achir be released from custody.

He said;

“Other members of the arrested lady’s cartel abducted the retired NDLEA personnel from that community who they assumed was still a serving officer, took him to a forest and demanded for the release of the suspect in custody before their victim would be freed."

The NDLEA spokesperson also announced that its officials have in the past week arrested 110 drug dealers in nine states, dismantled their hideouts and seized assorted illicit substances. He listed the states as Lagos, Benue, Kwara, Ondo, Kano, Nasarawa, Akwa Ibom, Oyo and Rivers.

In Ondo, a notorious drug dealer at Ogbani-Oja Okitipupa, Okitipupa LGA, Adedugba Adeyemi, a.k.a Oyinbo, and seven others were arrested and different quantities of cocaine, heroin and skunk were recovered. In Kano, one Shamsuddeen Muhammad was arrested with 21.6kg cannabis, while in Oyo state, no fewer than 12 persons were arrested at various drug joints. In Kwara, no fewer than 38 suspects were arrested while, at least, three persons were arrested in Rivers.

In a related development, more than five kilograms of methamphetamine and cannabis concealed in soles of ladies shoes, body cream and auto spare parts heading to Australia, Pakistan, South Korea, and Hong Kong have been intercepted in four courier firms in Lagos by narcotic officers in the Directorate of Operation and General Investigations (DOGI) of the agency.

Users React As Facebook Grapples With Another Global Outage

Facebook attributed the trouble to a configuration change at its computing platform and said that it affected users of the social network and Instagram, Messenger, and Workplace globally.

 

Social media heavyweight, Facebook on Friday said users around the world again had problems accessing its services for hours due to a tweak of its system, just days after a massive outage caused in a similar fashion.

“Sincere apologies to anyone who wasn’t able to access our products in the last couple of hours,” a Facebook spokesperson told AFP about 21:30 GMT.


“We fixed the issue, and everything should be back to normal now.”


Website trouble tracker DownDetector showed spikes in reports of problems accessing or using Facebook and its photo-centric Instagram network as well as Messenger and WhatsApp starting about three hours earlier.

Facebook attributed the trouble to a configuration change at its computing platform and said that it affected users of the social network and Instagram, Messenger and Workplace globally.

People flocked to Twitter to voice frustration.

“What’s up with Instagram?” read a tweet that included a picture of cartoon character Bart Simpson sitting in a corner in apparent punishment.

“It’s not even 4 days and it’s already down again.”


“Problems with Instagram, Facebook, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp AGAIN!” read a lament in a DownDetector chat forum.

Hundreds of millions of people were unable to access Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp for more than six hours on Monday, underscoring the world’s reliance on platforms owned by the Silicon Valley giant.

In an apologetic blog post, Santosh Janardhan, Facebook’s vice president of infrastructure, said that day’s outage was caused by “configuration changes” on routers that coordinate network traffic between data centers.

Cyber experts think that problem boiled down to something called BGP, or Border Gateway Protocol — the system the internet uses to pick the quickest route to move packets of information around.

Sami Slim of data center company Telehouse compared BGP to “the internet equivalent of air traffic control.”

In the same way that air traffic controllers sometimes make changes to flight schedules, “Facebook did an update of these routes,” Slim said.

But this update contained a crucial error.

It’s not yet clear how or why, but Facebook’s routers essentially sent a message to the internet announcing that the company’s servers no longer existed.

The outage on Friday was not related to the one earlier in the week, according to Facebook.

Experts say Facebook’s technical infrastructure is unusually reliant on its own systems.

Social media outages are not uncommon: Instagram alone has experienced more than 80 in the past year in the United States, according to website builder ToolTester.

Facebook’s services are crucial for many businesses around the world, and Facebook accounts are also commonly used to log in to other websites.

Facebook’s apps are used my billions of people monthly, meaning outages can touch a large portion of the world’s population.

EFCC Drags Former Bayelsa Governor’s Aide, Wife To Court For Money Laundering

Embelakpo was a former aide on Sustainable Development Goals to former Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State who is currently a Senator representing Bayelsa West in the National Assembly.

 

According to a report by SaharaReporters, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned Mr Embelakpo Apere, and his wife, Beauty Apere before a Federal High Court Yenagoa over money laundering allegedly carried out in 2015.

Embelakpo was a former aide on Sustainable Development Goals to former Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State who is currently a Senator representing Bayelsa West in the National Assembly.

Following an opposition by defense counsel, Andrew Arthur, to the arraignment of Embelakpo, the court could not take his plea. His wife was also arraigned on seven counts but she pleaded not guilty.

Arthur had argued that Embelakpo had been discharged by the court and could not be tried twice for the same offences but the prosecuting counsel, M.T Iko, countered that the discharge was not based on merit of the case.

The trial judge Justice I.H Ndahen adjourned to October 19 for ruling on the arguments.

According to the charges filed against Beauty Apere, she, between April 1 and May 15, 2015, allegedly received N73million on May 12, 2015; also got N50million, on May 5, 2015, and $85,900 between April 2 and April 27; in 2016, she received £3,800.

The EFCC alleged that the funds were proceeds of unlawful acts punishable under the Money Laundering prohibition Act.

The EFCC also charged Beauty for forgery of her medical certificate and birth certificate purported to emanate from the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.

The court granted her bail to the tune of N10million and two sureties in like sum who must have landed property in Yenagoa.

The defendant would be in the custody of the Yenagoa Correctional Service pending meeting her bail condition.

The EFCC urged the court to also adjourn to October 19 to enable the commission to produce witnesses to establish its case.

''I Will Give My Virginity To The Right Woman'' - Comedian Mr Macaroni

In a tweet shared today October 8, Macaroni says his virginity is his pride and would be given to the right woman.

Mr Macaroni

Popular comedian and skit maker, Mr Macaroni, has disclosed that he is a virgin.

In a tweet shared today October 8, Macaroni says his virginity is his pride and would be given to the right woman.

His tweet reads;

''My Virginity, My Pride. I will give it to the right Woman''.

Body of missing woman found buried in a concrete wall beneath a staircase

 

A missing woman has been found buried inside a wall that was smoothed over with concrete.

Joice Maria da Gloria Rodrigue, 25, a student who lived with her husband and two daughters in Sao Vicente, Brazil was reported missing on 27 September after visiting her grandfather.

Her body was found on Tuesday, October 5, at a construction site after a builder noticed the smell of her decomposing body.

Police found the naked body of Joice with a t-shirt around her neck after knocking a hole in the wall at the site.





Police arrested two suspects, a bricklayer, 56, and a 35-year-old contractor, working on the building site.



Police said the contractor denied any wrongdoing, but the bricklayer confessed to killing the young woman and concealing her corpse, implicating his colleague in the crimes.

According to local media, he also told the police he had maintained consensual sexual relations with the woman before her death.

However, detectives have not ruled out the possibility of sexual abuse.
They are awaiting the findings of the post-mortem to determine if any crime of a sexual nature was committed.



Police chief Thiago Nemi Bonametti, heading the investigation, believes there was an argument at the site between the young woman and the contractor.

According to Bonametti, the contractor first started to strangle the woman before he asked for help from his colleague, who then assisted him.

After allegedly killing the woman, he said both suspects concreted her up in the wall.

He added the two men are believed to have continued working on the site for several days as if nothing had happened.

Police also seized plastic containers used to store cocaine and a bag containing knickers from the crime scene.



The two men remain in preventive custody as the investigation continues.

Kenyan government bans popular dance, says it has increased sexual appetite and early pregnancies in youths

 

Kenyan government have banned a local dance known as 'Kwara Kwara' in Kacheliba sub-county West Pokot county, saying it has increased sexual appetite and early pregnancies in youths.



Kacheliba Deputy County Commissioner Kennedy Kiprop who announced the ban, said chiefs and their assistants should crack the whip and arrest those found disobeying the ban.




Kiprop also said since the dance became popular, there has been a steady increase in the number of girls dropping out of school due to early pregnancies, leading to early marriages.



He said;

“There is this new dance called Kwara Kwara that is popular among the youth and which has led to immorality among them. I am banning it with immediate effect. All the chiefs and their assistants should crack the whip and arrest those found disobeying the ban.

“I am urging you, locals, not to allow youths in the villages to hold this dance as it is really derailing the gains we had made in educating our children, especially the girls."

Two Suspected Police Impersonators Arrested For Robbery And Extortion In Kaduna

The suspect parading himself as a police officer to dispossess innocent persons of their legitimate earnings has been arrested.

One of the suspects, SP Usman Magaji

Two men parading as police operatives and engaging in extortion, robbery and illegal arrest have been apprehended by the Kaduna State Police Command.

Spokesperson of the command, ASP Muhammad Jalige, in a statement on Thursday, October 7, said three sets of police uniform were recovered from the suspects.

"On the 5th October, 2021 the Command received an information that one Superintendent of Police is seen around Mamadi Layout Rigachikun Kaduna, making illegal arrest and extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public," he stated.

"On receipt of the information, Officers were immediately mobilized to the area and succeeded in arresting one fake Police Officer who is parading himself as SP Usman Magaji and criminally dispossessing innocent persons of their legitimate earnings

"Upon investigation, two sets of neon blue Police uniform were found in his possession. The suspect has since confessed to the crime and will be charged to court on completion of investigation. The Command is therefore calling on the public to report any of such persons to the nearest Police formation."

In a similar development, the Command had on 5th October, 2021 while investigating a case of armed robbery arrested one Pius Philips 'M' and recovered a complete police uniform bearing the name Pius Philips with an Inspectorate cadre's rank.

Jalige said during the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to have been using the uniform for some nefarious activities.

The suspect will be charged to court after completion of investigation, he added.

Barcelona Admit They Wanted Lionel Messi To Play For Free

Messi left the club as a free agent to Paris Saint-Germain, once it became clear that Barca could not afford a lucrative contract extension.

 

Joan Laporta, the President of the Barcelona football club, has admitted that he hoped Lionel Messi would agree to “play for free”.

Messi left the club as a free agent to Paris Saint-Germain, once it became clear that Barca could not afford a lucrative contract extension.

Both parties had agreed to fresh terms, but financial mismanagement at the Nou Camp and LaLiga salary caps meant that no paperwork could be signed.

Discussing Messi’s exit with RAC1, Laporta said: “With Messi, I do not get angry because I appreciate him. I know he had a huge desire to stay, but also a lot of pressure because of the offer he had.
“Everything indicates that he already had the offer from PSG. Everyone knew that he had a very powerful offer. We knew from Messi that they had a very good offer.
“At no time do I think of going backward. I think I’m doing the best for Barca. Nobody can put the institution at risk.
“I did hope that at the last minute Messi would say that he would play for free. I would have liked that and he would have convinced me. I understand that the league would have accepted it. But we cannot ask that of a player of his level.”

U.S special forces soldier charged with murdering his wife and his unborn child who survived

A U.S. Army Special Forces soldier identified as Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Santiago, has been charged with killing his pregnant wife and injuring his unborn child.



In a military press release obtained by CNN, it was gathered that 33-year-old Joseph was arrested on September 28, after he allegedly murdered his wife, Meghan Santiago.



Meghan was placed on life support for several days before she was taken off and her organs were donated, WTSP reports. The baby survived the incident and is reportedly breathing on her own.



The murder suspect reportedly carried out the act at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, where is stationed and is currently being held at the Grayson County Jail.

 

Col. Brent Lindeman, commander of 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) described Meghan’s death as “tragic” and offered his condolences to her loved ones.

 

He said; 

 

"Meghan's death is a tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. 

The statement continued, "This tragic event has shaken our entire unit. We take all allegations of domestic violence seriously, and we will provide every resource to ensure a thorough investigation."

 

Brendalyn Player, Public Affairs Director at Fort Campbell told Clarksville Now that other details of the incident are not immediately available in order to "protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation."

Cristiano Ronaldo named Premier League's Player of the Month for September, but Gary Lineker believes Mo Salah should have won it instead

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the Premier League's Player of the Month for September for his performances for Manchester United but Gary Lineker, felt he was fortunate to win the award ahead of Mo Salah.

 

Salah was the obvious top contender for the award after his impressive display for Liverpool. He scored in Liverpool's three Premier League matches last month, equalling Ronaldo's tally of three, and arguably contributed more to the Reds around the pitch. 

 

Lineker tweeted: 'He’s been terrific, but Mo Salah should’ve won this…. comfortably.'

 

One fan wrote: 'That's absolutely farcical, Ronaldo was useless in most matches he played but scored a few tap ins, Salah was far better than him this month.'

 

While another posted: 'Ronaldo winning POTM in the month Salah confirmed himself as the best player in the world is the biggest joke of all time.  

 

 

Ronaldo has now claimed the Player of the Month award for the fifth time in his career after making a fine start to his second spell at Old Trafford. 

 

He scored five goals in six appearances - including three goals in the league in September - to win the award ahead of Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger, Allan Saint-Maximin of Newcastle, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Watford's Ismaila Sarr.

Police Neutralise Bandit During Gun Duel, Rescue Six Abducted Victims In Kaduna

The police engaged bandits in a fierce gun battle where one was neutralised as others fled with varying degrees of bullet injuries into the forest.

One suspected bandit has been killed in a gun duel with the Kaduna state police in Fatika District of Giwa Local Council in the state.

The command also arrested three kidnappers in Lere Local Council and rescued six victims, while recovering dangerous weapons from the suspects.

Spokesperson of the command, ASP Muhammad Jalige, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, October 7, said operatives alongside Operation Puff adder II on 2nd October, 2021, acting on credible intelligence stormed Yadi forest in Fatika District of Giwa LGA and engaged bandits in a fierce gun battle where one was neutralised as others fled with varying degrees of bullet injuries into the forest.


"The operatives recovered one AK49 rifle loaded with thirty one rounds of 7.62 X 39mm live ammunitions, one locally made rifle with one 12-guage polymer cased shotgun shell," he stated.

The PPRO noted that the precision and gallantry exhibited by the Officers that left the bandits in disarray is exemplary thus, the Command is calling on members of the public especially medical practitioners to report any person who is found with suspected bullet injury in the said axis for prompt action.

Jalige said operatives rescued six persons kidnapped by along Barde/Keffi road after a gun duel with bandits on October 4.

"On 5th October, 2021 Operatives of the command while in pursuance of a reported kidnapping incident that occurred on 4th October, 2021 at about 1830hrs along Barde/Keffi road, cautiously and tactically trailed and caught up with the bandits in the forest," the statement read.

They engaged them in a gun duel which resulted in the bandits abandoning their victims and scampered into the forest with bullet wounds.


"Six kidnapped victims were successfully rescued unhurt, namely; (1) Bala Sharif 'M' of Jos north LGA, Plateau state; (2) Kirman Joseph 'M' of Pankshin, Plateau state; (3) Chai Markus 'M' of Ganawuri (4) Sani Abubakar 'M' of Mangu, Plateau state; (5) Musa Daniel 'M' of Mangu, Plateau state and; (6) ASC Alfred Dakon 'M' a staff of Nigerian Correctional Services of Nassarawa state Command." he added.

Jalige said the victims were debriefed and subsequently reunited with their respective families while concerted efforts are on high gear with a view to apprehending the fleeing bandits.

Similarly, operatives of the Command attached to Saminaka Divisional Headquarters in Lere LGA on the 2nd October, acted on a plausible information and carefully raided Kuwait Hotel located in Unguwan Bawa and arrested three suspected bandits.

The following persons were arrested; Hadi Ahmad 'M' 27yrs of Yanmata village Doguwa LGA, Kano state, Yususf Alhassan 'M' 25yrs of U/Rumu village, Doguwa LGA, Kano state, and Yahaya Yusuf 'M' 29yrs of Lere road Unguwan Bawa Saminaka.

During a search of their rooms the following items were recovered, one submachine gun (SMG) loaded with one round of 9mm live ammunition and a Department State Services Identity Card.

The suspects are currently undergoing investigation and will be charged to court on completion of same.