IYANDA'SBLOG

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Iran's supreme leader leads prayers for Qasem Soleimani, killed in a US drone strike on Friday.

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Masked men wielding sticks attacked students of India's Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday.

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The US president warns Iraq of sanctions "like they've never seen before" if US troops are expelled.

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Rain and cooler temperatures bring relief - but authorities warn of a "mega blaze" later this week.

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From British stars shining brightly to discussion over no female best director nominees.

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Police say the man tried to attack officers in the western city of Gelsenkirchen.

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The actor used his speech to say a "climate change-based" crisis was unfolding in Australia.

James Tolorunju Ajulo, a ward chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, has been abducted by gunmen.

Ajulo was seized in front of his residence in the Ibaka quarters of Akungba Akoko on Sunday evening. 

SaharaReporters gathered that he was factional chairman of the APC at Ward 13, Akoko South-West LGA of the state. 

Tolu Babaleye, a close friend to the victim, confirmed the incident during a chat with our correspondent.  

He said, "The hoodlums came in a vehicle and laid ambush in front of his house and as soon as he came home, he was kidnapped.\

"In fact, they drove him away in his own car while the vehicle they brought followed closely behind. 

"No contact has been established with his family yet."

It was learnt that the abduction of Ajulo has been reported at the Akungba Divisional Police Station.

Spokesperson for the police in the state, Femi Joseph, could not immediately confirm the abduction when contacted by our correspondent.
 

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Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu

 

Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohamed, has ordered all commands and zones to be on red alert as it promises safety for all foreigners and Nigerians in the territory.

The police said this amidst growing fear of an impending war between Iran and the United States.

Adamu, in a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, directed all commands and formations to be on red alert. 

He also said that all Zonal AIGs and Command Commissioners of Police must ensure maximum surveillance and security of lives and property across the nation.

He said, “This proactive measure follows intelligence report that sequel to the recent killing of an Iranian General; some domestic interests are planning to embark on massive public disturbances and sabotage.

“The police commanders have been directed to ensure strategic deployments of both overt and covert operatives to ensure adequate security and safety of citizens, foreigners especially diplomats and diplomatic missions domiciled in Nigeria as well as the protection of critical national assets.

“Meanwhile, the IGP has assured all Nigerians and foreigners resident in Nigeria of adequate security. "He has equally warned all potential troublemakers to steer clear of the streets and territory of Nigeria.”

The position of Nigeria's police boss comes amidst growing cases of robbery, kidnapping and gang violence all across the country.

Due to the agency's inability to live up to its statutory responsibility of stemming crime, the military in Nigeria has often been deployed to quell public unrest and threats to societal security.

In addition, the police in Nigeria is known for corruption, human rights violation and gross incompetence.

 

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Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu

 

Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohamed, has ordered all commands and zones to be on red alert as it promises safety for all foreigners and Nigerians in the territory.

The police said this amidst growing fear of an impending war between Iran and the United States.

Adamu, in a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, directed all commands and formations to be on red alert. 

He also said that all Zonal AIGs and Command Commissioners of Police must ensure maximum surveillance and security of lives and property across the nation.

He said, “This proactive measure follows intelligence report that sequel to the recent killing of an Iranian General; some domestic interests are planning to embark on massive public disturbances and sabotage.

“The police commanders have been directed to ensure strategic deployments of both overt and covert operatives to ensure adequate security and safety of citizens, foreigners especially diplomats and diplomatic missions domiciled in Nigeria as well as the protection of critical national assets.

“Meanwhile, the IGP has assured all Nigerians and foreigners resident in Nigeria of adequate security. "He has equally warned all potential troublemakers to steer clear of the streets and territory of Nigeria.”

The position of Nigeria's police boss comes amidst growing cases of robbery, kidnapping and gang violence all across the country.

Due to the agency's inability to live up to its statutory responsibility of stemming crime, the military in Nigeria has often been deployed to quell public unrest and threats to societal security.

In addition, the police in Nigeria is known for corruption, human rights violation and gross incompetence.

 

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An exhibition of African photography reflects politics, past times and personal relations.

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All the tuxes and dresses from the 2020 Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles.

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Thanks to forgiveness laws, murder doesn't always result in a jail sentence - or even a trial.

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When President Bush needed a smoking gun on his rival Bill Clinton, a key US ally dug for dirt.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria on Sunday announced the reopening of activities at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State. 

Operations were shutdown due to fire that erupted on the runway. 

A statement by General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, said careful measures had be put in place to address the issue that led to the closure of the airport. 

She said, "Following a careful evaluation and mitigation of the impact of the bush fire earlier reported around the Port Harcourt International Airport and the dissipation of smokes around the airside, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria wishes to inform the general public that the airport has now been re-opened to operations.”
 

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Personnel of the Nigerian Army have forcefully evicted residents of Ilase waterfront community in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos. 

This is coming about two weeks after officials of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force destroyed more than 2,500 illegal structures at Marwa Waterside in Lekki. 

The Lagos State Government has come under criticism for forcefully evicting residents and selling the lands to rich people for development.

Ilase residents were stunned on Sunday morning when soldiers drove in and began to send people out of their homes. 

Residents of the community, who spoke with our correspondent, said they were harassed and assaulted by the soldiers.

"When they came in, they began to beat and forced us to pack our belongings out of the houses. 

"They said they were working on directives and nobody would be allowed to remain in the community," a resident said.

The affected persons stated that they were not given eviction notice by the government before the invasion by the soldiers. 

As at the time of filling this report, residents were still packing out of their homes in the community.
 

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Jasmine Lobe, who claims she was sexually assaulted by the Hollywood mogul, talks ahead of his criminal trial.

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Pom is a former Thai monk who has mastered the art of meditation.

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A mysterious illness is not caused by the virus that killed hundreds in 2002-03, officials said.

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The resolution calls for foreign troops to leave the country after an Iranian general's assassination.

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Georges Duboeuf was one of the great wine merchants of the 20th Century.

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Scott Morrison announces the creation of a recovery agency, amid fierce criticism of his response.

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The driver of the car involved, a man in his late 20s, was arrested and is currently in hospital.

Protestors burn British and US flags on the streets of Tehran REUTERS
 

The British Government has warned its citizens against travelling to Iraq and Iran following the killing of Qassem Suleimani, a high ranking soldier of the Iranian military, by the United States.

Suleimani was killed in an airstrike under the command of President Donald Trump. 

World leaders, including the United Nations, has said the action might lead to war in the region, while also calling for calm. 

Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, advised Brits not to travel to these countries in view of the impending crisis. 

“Given heightened tensions in the region, the (foreign office) now advise people not to travel to Iraq, with the exception of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and to consider carefully whether it’s essential to travel to Iran,” Raab says.

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The Kogi State Police Command said its men in Lokoja rescued three kidnap victims from their abductors after six days in captivity.

According to the Police Public Relation Officer in the state, William Aya,  officers on Saturday rescued Mohammed Salisu Cache, Abdulraq Mohammed and Abdulraq Anataku unhurt.

He said that the victims were kidnapped at about 2:15pm on December 30, 2019 at Eika/Itakpe junction, off Lokoja-Okene Road.

He noted that they were travelling in a vehicle from Lokoja when kidnappers opened fire on them and killed a co-traveller, Mrs Afusat Suberu, and thereafter abducted the three.

Aya said that the victims regained their freedom when a combined team of operatives from Federal Anti-Robbery Squad Special Forces, Police Mobile Force as well as conventional police officers were mobilised for a massive manhunt for them.

Aya said that the effort led to the victims’ safe release from a thick forest where they were kept by the kidnappers.

“After some intensive pressure from the team of operatives, the kidnappers released all the three victims unhurt,” Aya said.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ede Ekpeji , said that the police would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to make the state safe and secure.

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United States President, Donald Trump, has said that 52 Iranian sites would be attacked if the country launch any repressive attack against Americans and its properties. 

Trump said this via series of tweets in response to comments from Iranian Government that it would revenge the death of Qasem Suleimani, an high ranking military personnel in Iran. 

Suleimani was killed by an American MQ-9 reaper in an airstrike ordered by the United States. 

Trump threatened that his country has primed its arsenals on 52 Iranian targets, as a revenge for the 52 American hostages taken by Iran in 1979.

He said, “Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American and badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters.

“He was already attacking our embassy and preparing for additional hits in other locations.

"Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Let this serve as a warning that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level and important to Iran and the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, will be hit very fast and very Hard. The USA wants no more threats!”

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Director-General of National Council for Arts and Culture, Olusegun Runsewe, has said that the audit report from the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, was not during his administration.

Runsewe said the report took into account the financials of the council between 2015 and 2016. 

Hilary Ogbeche was the director of the council during that time.

The 2017 audit report recently released by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation had indicted the NCAC and its Director- General of financial irregularities in contract awards and payments.

According to the report, the financial irregularities were committed in 2015, 2016 and early 2017 before Runsewe was appointed.

Runsewe in the statement said, "The reports actually looked at the activities of the agency when I was not there.

"I think there is a misconception about what that report is all about, which looked at the books of the agency between 2015 and 2016.

"I have explained that there is the need to be careful when journalists go through such sensitive reports and may wish to publish its findings.

“Rushing to the press without taking time to look at the various angles will possibly leave innocent people highly misunderstood or hurt.

"We are determined to work harder to justify the confidence of our appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, the good people of Nigeria and the international community.”

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Runsewe said the report took into account the financials of the council between 2015 and 2016. Mahmud Turkia/AFP via Getty Images

 

At least 28 people were killed in an attack on a military academy in the Libyan capital late on Saturday, the health minister of the Tripoli-based government said.

Tripoli, Libya’s capital city, is facing an offensive by military commander Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army that began in April 2019.

There has been an increase in air strikes and shelling around Tripoli in recent weeks, with fears that fighting could escalate further after Turkey’s parliament voted to allow a troop deployment in support of the GNA.

Forces allied with the GNA described Saturday’s attack on the military camp at Al-Hadhba as “an aerial bombing” launched by their eastern rivals.

An LNA spokesperson denied involvement.

GNA Health Minister, Hamid bin Omar, told Reuters in a phone call that the number of dead and wounded was still rising.

Tripoli ambulance service spokesperson, Osama Ali, said some body parts could not be immediately counted by forensic experts.

Earlier, the ambulance service appealed for a temporary ceasefire to allow its members to retrieve the bodies of five civilians killed on As Sidra Road area South of central Tripoli, and evacuate families living in there.

Emergency teams withdrew after coming under fire while trying to access the area on Saturday, it added.

An increase in air strikes and shelling in and around Tripoli has caused the deaths of at least 11 civilians since early December and shut down health facilities and schools, the U.N. mission in Libya said on Friday.

Rockets and shelling also shut down Tripoli’s only functioning airport on Friday.

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Hundreds of thousands gather in Ahvaz where the assassinated general's body arrived ahead of burial on Tuesday.

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Witnesses report hearing gunfire and seeing plumes of black smoke coming from an airstrip.

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The BBC's Phil Mercer reports from Kangaroo Valley in New South Wales, where fires are still smouldering.

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The body of Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian general assassinated by the US, has been brought back to Iran.