President Buhari Escapes Air Crash As Presidential Jet Develops Fault

President Buhari has escaped air crash as the presidential jet developed a fault.

It was reported that tragedy was recently averted as President Muhammadu Buhari and the delegation that recently travelled with him to the United States escaped an air mishap after the presidential jet marked 5N-FGT suddenly developed a fault while they were returning to Nigeria.

This online news platform recalls that President Buhari had on Sunday, September 19, 2021, travelled to New York for the 76th United Nations General Assembly.

Sources, however, disclosed that the aircraft, a Boeing Business Jet (Boeing 737-800), developed a fault while the President and his entourage were returning to Abuja on Saturday, September 25.

It was further gathered that the aircraft left the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York at 12:08 pm, landed at Sable Island Airport around 5:24 pm and had a 3-hour stopover.

The Nigeria Air Force 1 then departed the airport for Santa Maria, California where it landed around 9:10 pm. From Santa Maria, it flew to Nigeria and landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Sunday, September 26 at 5:01 am.

According to a report by SaharaReporters, sources disclosed the presidential jet was subsequently moved to Euro Airport in Germany on September 29 and arrived at 4.15pm after leaving the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 9.48am, with the Nigerian government paying €5,000 (Euros) (N2,385,000 at official rate of N477 to €1) per night as parking fee.

This means by Thursday, October 28, the Muhammadu Buhari-led government has paid €145,000 (N69,165,000) as parking fee for the aircraft.

To avoid backlash, it was gathered that the registration of the 5N-FGT aircraft was done using AMACGND.

“The Presidential Boeing Business Jet registration number 5N-FGT developed a fault during his trip from New York. He travelled to Saudi Arabia with a smaller jet. A Falcon 7X jet with registration number 5N-FGV. No picture of his departure to Saudi Arabia was released to avoid the public knowing about the jet he travelled with.

“The one that developed fault has been moved to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, Germany for repairs since September. It is registered and operated under another name AMACGND. They intentionally hid it and parked it under another name because it cost €5,000 (Euros) for parking per night,” a presidential source disclosed.

Travelling details for the Falcon 7X jet with registration number 5N-FGV show on Saturday, October 23, it was sighted near Ibadan, Oyo State at 6.31 pm, and later at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos at 6.55 pm.

It left MMIA at 7.58 pm and was later seen near Minna, Niger State at 8.32 pm.

On Sunday, October 24, it was seen at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja at 10.35 am and later at MMIA at 11.25 am.

By 1.05 pm, it was back at NAIA and by 4.10 pm, it was again in Lagos and was last seen at 5.00 pm.

On Monday, October 25, it was first seen near Jos, Plateau State and by 11.10 pm +03, it was at King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia.

On Wednesday, October 27, it left King Khalid International Airport at 3.19 pm +03 and was seen near Buraidah in Saudi Arabia at 3.47 pm +03.

Then, it was seen near Media at 11.00 pm +03 and later at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 11.47 pm +03.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Despite promising to cut waste, the Buhari-led government has spent at least N41 billion on the presidential fleet.

After taking office on May 29, 2015, the 2016 Appropriation Act signed by the President allocated N3.652 billion for the upkeep of the presidential fleet.

In 2017, the cost of maintenance of the presidential aircraft rose to N4.37 billion (19.6 per cent). The figure then skyrocketed to N7.260 billion (98.7 per cent) in 2018.

In 2019, the cost of maintaining the PAF again rose to N7.297 billion (99.6 per cent). The allocation, however, fell to N6.793 billion (86 per cent) in 2020. But in 2021, the budget for the presidential fleet saw its sharpest Buhari-era jump to N12.550 billion (243.6 per cent).

By comparison, the 2015 budget, which was in effect upon Buhari’s inauguration, earmarked N5.190 billion for the presidential fleet. The appropriation for the Presidential Air Fleet in 2021 indicates a 243.6 per cent increase from the allocation six years prior.

NEWSOsinbajo Decides On 2023 Presidency ‘After Tinubu Snubbed Him, Adeboye In London’

Nigerian’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has resolved to throw his hat into the 2023 presidential ring after he was reportedly snubbed by his political mentor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, when the latter who is also interested in becoming the next President, was recuperating in London.

It has surfaced that Tinubu, a national leader of the APC, reportedly snubbed the Vice President during his medical vacation in London by declining to see him. This, according to a report by ThisDay, has made Osinbajo make up his mind to work towards succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari.

Quoting a source, the newspaper reports, “Osinbajo arrived London to attend a conference and then, see Tinubu. As he arrived, he was supposed to see Tinubu the next morning but Tinubu left town by 6 a.m. the next morning to avoid seeing him. Even Adeboye (General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye) had arrived a day earlier and they planned to see Tinubu.

“Tinubu has ramped up his campaign and Osinbajo also wants to be president and both cannot be president. So, now the die is cast for the battle of his life. He has not decided to run but a lot of people are mobilizing him to run.”

However, a source close to Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos State, was also reported as saying that the APC Leader had been in London for two and a half months, hence Osinbajo had enough time to pay a visit if he wanted to come and see him.

“The president came to see Asiwaju; other leaders came; Osinbajo did not come. If Osinbajo had wanted to come, he had enough time to do so. Tinubu wanted to return because he wanted to avoid the crowd in Lagos. And he returned when he did,” the source was reported as saying.

Naija News had reported President Muhammadu Buhari’s Political Adviser, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, as insisting there was no rift between Osinbajo and Tinubu, saying that both politicians belong to the same political family with a relationship that “dates way back and it shall continue to wax strong”.

Police Arraigned Suspect Who Lured And Murdered Prospective Corp Member In Benue State, See His Face

Operatives of the Nigerian police force in Benue state have arrested two suspects who allegedly conspired to lure, defile and murder a prospective corp member in Benue state, the suspects (name’ s withheld) were arrested after operatives of the Nigerian police force in Benue state, placed a tracker on the phone line which was used to call the victim who was an online cloth vendor, and ordered for her to deliver goods at the location where she was murdered.

You’ d recall that earlier in the week, the tragic news about a prospective corp member identified as Joy Onoh, a young entrepreneur and a prospective corp member who was gruesomely defiled and murdered by some unknown persons whe went deliver her wares to in Makurdi, Benue state.

It was learnt that the young lady who graduated from the department of Mass Communications in the Benue State University, it was learnt that Joy was preparing to go for the mandatory one year NYSC Service after she had been mobilized when she was murdered. It was learnt that the suspects under the guise of buying her products in a large quantities, lured Joy to her death after they called her to deliver her wares to them at Federal Low- Cost Estate, in North Bank area of Makurdi in Benue state.

It was learnt that the suspect’ s after luring the victim to their lair, defiled her and then gruesomely murdered her after which they dumped her corpse in a nearby bush inside the estate. However, according to some informations we gathered, it was learnt that two of the suspect’ s who committed the crime have been arrested, it was learnt that the suspects were arrested through the help of neighbours who provided security operatives with vital informations about the suspicious activities of the suspect’ s on the day the young lady was murdered.

According to a eyewitness account, it was learnt that the suspects were traced back to their hideout by the use of their footprints, as it rained heavily on the day the young lady was murdered, and the entire area was muddied because of the rain which helped to record the footprints of the suspect’.

US asks Nigeria to restrict Super Tucano to North

A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft.

The United States Government says the Federal Government is expected to deploy the Super Tucano aircraft only in the northern part of the country where Boko Haram terrorists have engaged the Nigerian state in a decade-long insurgency killing thousands and displacing millions.

This, therefore, precludes the possibility of the Federal Government deploying the security equipment in the South-East despite the designation of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra as a terrorist organisation and the setting up of the armed Eastern Security Network by IPOB.

The South-East has been the epicentre of a secessionist agitation threatening to break up the country.

Briefing journalists earlier in the week, the US Principal Deputy National Security Advisor, Jonathan Finer, at an event attended by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said the terms of the agreement during the sale of the 12 Tucano aircraft were explicit.

Reacting to a question on whether the Tucano fighter planes might be deployed against secessionists in the South-East, Finer said the planes were an important platform for security, particularly in the North, expressing pleasure over the conclusion of the deal.

Finer said, “We are pleased to deepen our security cooperation with the Nigerian government. I think we made it very clear our expectations about this platform where it would be used and in the right way and we are always raising concerns when we have them and that it’s true with all our security partners around the world.

“This is an important platform for security, particularly in the North and we are pleased the transaction is finally concluded.”

The PUNCH reported on Wednesday that the military had not been able to deploy the Tucano planes to crush the bandits in the North-West because the agreement signed with the United States was that the aircraft, bought from the US, would be deployed against terrorists and not bandits. This implies that the fighter planes have only been deployed to fight Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East.

It was gathered that the complaints by the service chiefs led to the recent recommendation to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), by the Senate and the House of Representatives that bandits should be designated as terrorists, so the planes could be deployed against the bandits.

The President has yet to speak on the matter. His Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also told The PUNCH to direct enquiries to the Ministry of Defence.

The Federal Government had ordered 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to aid its war against Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East. The aircraft were said to have cost $423m.

On July 22, 2021, the Nigerian Air Force said in a statement by its spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, that the first batch of six of the Tucano aircraft arrived at Kano at about 12:34pm.

Those who received the aircraft were the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi; Chief of Air Staff, Oladayo Amao and the Chief of Army Staff, Farouk Yahaya, among others.

Also, on October 18, 2021, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the remaining six had been received and had been deployed to the North-East.

Speaking on a TVC News programme, ‘This Morning’, the minister said, “All the 12 Super Tucano fighter jets have been received. As at this morning, all the 12 were here and they have been deployed to the North-East.

“We can see that the Tucano jets are actually game changers. Most of the successes we have recorded in recent times is because of the acquisition of new platforms, not limited to the super Tucano.”

While the jets were being awaited, some members of the National Assembly visited the United States in May to inspect the aircraft. The lawmakers include Senator Michael Nnachi, Representatives Abass Adigun, Babajimi Benson, Shehu Koko and Abubakar Maki.

They were received by United States officials from Embraer Defence Security Incorporated and the Nigerian Defence Attaché to the US, Air Commodore Jibrin Usman, the Lead Foreign Liaison Office on the A-29, Air Vice Marshal Sule Lawal, among others.

The US officials pointed out that the aircraft were designed in accordance with NAF’s specific operational configuration.

Also, a total of 64 pilots and maintainers from the Nigerian Air Force were trained to the US standards with the US Air Force’s 81st Fighter Squadron at Moody Air Base in Georgia, United States.

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra says it fears the Federal Government will deploy the Tucano planes to attack Igbo youths agitating to secede from Nigeria.

It said the worry of its members was triggered by the killings and burning of houses in Igbo communities by the personnel of the Nigerian Army in Imo State in the name of reprisals.

The spokesperson for MASSOB, Samuel Edeson, told one of our correspondents in a telephone interview that many innocent Igbo youths had been killed by security agents.

He added, “The Fulani herdsmen have been terrorising the entire Southern and Middle Belt region but the Federal Government has not tagged them terrorists or send soldiers after them. Their agenda is to annihilate Ndigbo and take over our God-given land but one thing is sure, evil will never overcome good.”

 

US Sends Message to #EndSARS Protesters

The US said this in a Facebook post on Wednesday while also expressing support for ongoing police reforms.

The United States Mission to Nigeria has sent a message to #EndSARS protesters.

 

According to US, Nigerian youths protesting today should take a political approach to addressing their demands.

 

The US said this in a Facebook post on Wednesday while also expressing support for ongoing police reforms.

 

The post read, “Today is a day to reflect on the loss of life and property during last year’s #EndSARS protests. We appreciate the work done by the various judicial panels and look forward to the implementation of recommendations and compensation to victims of police brutality. We support ongoing police reform efforts. We encourage those who demonstrated for change to engage politically to achieve it.”

 

Protesters took to the streets of major cities on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of the #EndSARS protests of October 2020.

 

While the protests were without hitches in Abuja, policemen in Lagos arrested several protesters at the Lekki toll plaza.

 

Biafran Army sends message to Igbos still serving in the Nigerian Army

General Innocent N. Orji the General Officer Commanding, Biafra Army, Biafran National Guard (BNG) has warned all personnels of Eastern extraction (Biafrans) still serving in Nigerian Armed Forces that the notice to resign and relinquish their positions was long issued since 30th May, 2021.

Recall that Biafra Army Biafra National Guard (BNG) had on 30th May, 2021 issued a “Final warning to personnels of Biafran Origin still serving under Nigerian Military to resign.

“We are hereby also placing all Easterners on notice today that 27th-30th October, 2021 Hass been marked as the date for BNG Official live broadcast and all are adviced to tune into the live broadcast”.

He further made it clear that any personnel of Biafra extraction or from Southern Nigeria that stands against Biafra Army after the date of the much advertised live broadcast should have him or herself to blame as they are out to take what rightfully belongs to them.

“Those who chose to oppose the l stand of Biafran Army after this date does so at their own expense”.

General Orji also issued a note of warning to Nigerian Army. “I want the Nigerian Murderous Terrorists infiltrated Army to prepare with everything they’ve got and wait for Biafran soldiers as we are ready and coming for them. So we wholeheartedly welcome the recent Military operations codenamed Exercise Golden Dawn and Still Waters in both the hinterland and coastal Biafra respectively”.

“The UNDRIP Article 9, states that “Indigenous People and individuals have the right to belong to indigenous community or Nation, in accordance with the traditions and customs of the community or Nation concerned. No discrimination of any kind may arise from the exercise of such a right”.

“We must exercise this right as signed and rectified by the Federal Republic Of Nigeria because the Royal Niger company and British colony forcefully Amalgamated in 1914 officially expired in 2013/14 thus Nigeria’s existence today is totally illegal and lacks the people’s authority”.

“You can’t massacre my brothers and sisters in the East and go free. We will never accept you flying renowned ‘repentant’ Boko-Haram Terrorists abroad for sabbatical and bring them back in VIP flights to be recruited into the same Army they killed their compatriots and then push them down to Biafra Territories (Eastern Region) to further your state sponsored terrorism, Fulanization, Islamization and ethnic genocidal agenda”.

“We know that Exercise Golden Dawn and Still Waters introduced in Biafraland is a decoy to your onslaught of Biafra indigenes and we will vehemently resist it”.

“All Biafrans as well as those whose regions has been oppressed by successive Governments of the Fulani Caliphate should leave the Armed forces of the expired British Contraption because Nigeria expiredthe time has come. Biafra has been signed, sealed and delivered by Heavens and the spiritual realm. It is time to take our destiny in our hands”.

“The principle of self-determination is prominently embodied in Article I of the Charter of the United Nations and rectified by Nigeria which specifically stated that “….All indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development”.

“Biafra National Guard (BNG) hereby officially notify all genuine Biafrans and extend a hand of fellowship to all our brothers all over the Biafran Territories, Alliances, Coalitions all have our open hands of fellowship”.

“Finally, we want to warn all officers of the Nigerian Police being deployed for the Anambra State November 6 Gubernatorial Election to cherish their families and desist from Anambra State as we can no longer savour the injustice meted out to Biafran Activists and prisoners of Conscience remanded without hearing for 16 years in Onitsha and Awka prisons respectively viz; Mrs. Onyekachi Orji, Miss Okwudiri Bassey, Uche Idikaigbo, Micheal Okezie, Uchenna Nicholas, Peter Igbokwe, Ikechukwu Aghara, Chima Asor, and Chinweike Irondi.

Others are Sabastine Amadi, Casmir Odakara, Ojemba Anyanwu, Eni Kalu, Ndubuisi Okam, Ikechukwu Chinwem, Emmanuel Orji, Chukwuma Kalu, Chidiebere Chikwem and Mmaduabuchi Asika.

Gen. Orji also reiterated his demand for the immediate and unconditional release of Benjamin Onwuka a Biafra Activist and Nnamdi Kanu, the Director of Radio Biafra London who was illegally kidnapped in Kenya and held incommunicado in DSS custody.

BREAKING: Girdlock as #EndSARS memorial Protesters shut down Lekki Toll Gate

#EndSARS memorial protesters on Wednesday took over the Lekki Toll Gate in their car procession, causing gridlock on both lanes.

Motorists living in the Lekki-Ajah axis are stuck in traffic as #EndSARS protests caused gridlock along the Lekki expressway stretch of the road.

Details shortly…

Elon Musk's net worth soars to $230BILLION surpassing Jeff Bezos to become the world's richest man: Tesla owner is worth more than Warren Buffet and Bill Gates COMBINED after share sale at SpaceX

Elon Musk's net worth has now hit a whopping $230 billion, placing him above Amazon's Jeff Bezos as the richest person in the world,

The Tesla and SpaceX founder is now wealthier than Bill Gates and Warren Buffet combined

Musk celebrated in one-emoji tweet sent to his 'world's richest' rival, in the form of a simple 'second place' medal emoji he subtweeted to Bezos last week

The Tesla and SpaceX founder saw his wealth swell after a share sale at SpaceX earlier this month, along with the ongoing strong performance of Tesla stock

Since April, his wealth has increased by around $60 billion, with Bloomberg reporting that the SpaceX deal alone added $11 billion to Musk's net worth

The 50-year-old began his career co-founding PayPal before moving on to found SpaceX and Tesla Motors in the early 2000s

Elon Musk 's net worth has surpassed $230 billion making him the richest man on the planet after shares at Space X soar by 33 percent and sell for more than $100 billion.

The Tesla CEO has now outstripped former richest person, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos , and is currently wealthier than Bill Gates and Warren Buffett combined.

The Tesla founder saw his and his SpaceX company's wealth swell after a share sale at SpaceX on October 8 worth $100 billion in a secondary offering.

The company had an agreement with both new and existing investors to sell up to $755 million in SpaceX stock from insiders at $560 per share, multiple people close with the deal told CNBC .

FORBES 10 RICHEST BILLIONAIRES 2020

1 Jeff Bezos

$113bn (2020) $131bn (2019)

2 Bill Gates

$98bn(2020) $96.5bn (2019)

3 Bernard Arnault

$76bn (2020) $76bn (2019)

4 Warren Buffett

$67.5bn (2020) $82.5bn (2019)

5 Larry Ellison

$59bn (2020) $62.5bn (2019)

6 Amanico Ortega

$55.1bn (2020) $62.7bn (2019)

7 Mark Zuckerberg

$54.7bn (2020) $62.3bn (2019)

8 Jim Walton

$54.6bn (2020) $44.6bn (2019)

9Alice Walton

$54.4billion (2020) $44.4bn (2019)

10Rob Walton

$54.1billion (2020) $44.3bn (2019)

The 33 percent increase in its new share price brings the company’s valuation to $100.3 billion after initially offering the deal to investors in February, when SpaceX's valuation stood at $74 billion at 419.19 a share.

The first round of offerings raised nearly $1.2 billion, the outlet reports.

The company's new increased valuation places it in the rare company of a private 'centicorn' or 'hectocorn,' which are companies with a valuation of $1 billion unicorns 100 times over.

SpaceX is now the second-most valuable private company worldwide behind only China’s Bytedance, according to CB Insights .

That's a far cry from just over a year ago, when Musk didn't even make Forbes top ten billionaires list, which Bezos dominated at number one with a then-net worth of $113 billion.

The SpaceX founder was quick to boast about taking the number one spot on the rich list, tweeting a second place medal at Bezos after the Blue Origin and Amazon founder shared some motivational words about his company.

Bezos had previously held the title of world's richest person at $197.8 billion as of 2021, after the pandemic and lockdowns saw a boom in online sales.

In April of this year, Musk pledged to give away $150 million, including a $100 million prize in a carbon removal contest, where the billionaire asked participants to create workable solutions for reducing the planet's CO2 emissions at scale in a 'durable and sustainable way.'

The contest started on Earth Day and will run for four years, ending on Earth Day 2025, or April 22, 2025.

Since beginning that contest in April, his wealth has increased by around $60 billion, with Bloomberg reporting that the SpaceX deal alone added $11 billion to Musk's net worth.

The 50-year-old began his career co-founding PayPal before moving on to found SpaceX and Tesla Motors in the early 2000s.

Elon Musk, pictured, saw his wealth swell after a share sale at SpaceX earlier this month, along with the ongoing strong performance of Tesla stock

Musk has seen his own net worth soar thanks to Tesla and SpaceX's rising valuations, with the latter having raised billions in an effort to fund two capital-intensive projects, Starlink and Starship.

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX providing satellite Internet access to most of the Earth, while Starship is a fully reusable launch system currently in development.

SpaceX has already launched 1,740 Starlink satellites to date, currently providing an internet network to over 100,000 users in 14 different countries who are a part of the project's public beta, with service priced at $99 a month.

Musk was not modest about besting his rival, even going so far as to tweet a 'second place' medal under Bezos' own tweet after the Blue Origin and Amazon founder

Bezos had offered some motivational words to his followers on Twitter on October 10 (pictured)

Since April, Musk's wealth has increased by around $60 billion, with Bloomberg reporting that the SpaceX deal alone added $11 billion to Musk's astonishing net worth

Terrorists Likely To Attack Nigeria – UK Government Lists 12 States Its Citizens Should Avoid

In a statement published on its website on Friday, the government also urged its citizens to monitor the local media for information on possible protests in different parts of the country.

The government of the United Kingdom has said terrorists are likely to carry out more attacks in Nigeria.

It also listed out more than 12 states which its citizens in Nigeria should avoid or be prepared for a high risk of kidnapping and other crimes.

In a statement published on its website on Friday, the government also urged its citizens to monitor the local media for information on possible protests in different parts of the country.

“Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Nigeria. Most attacks are conducted by Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) and occur in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States in the North East,”the UK government said.

The statement further reads,“Events to mark the one year anniversary of #EndSARS protests are likely to take place nationally, week commencing 18 October.

“There may be protests and a heightened security presence in major cities such as Lagos and Abuja. In parallel, the high profile trial date of a separatist leader is also scheduled for 21 October in Abuja.

“There may be additional protests and a heightened security presence in Abuja and in the South-East for this reason. In all areas affected, you should monitor local media, and avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings.

“From 3 September 2021, the Nigerian Commission mandated for all telecommunication operators in Nigeria to stop extending services to Zamfara State.

”This includes a suspension of all mobile telecommunications including WiFi. A number of other state governments, including Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Niger have also implemented a partial shutdown of telecom services.

“Since 9 August, there has been an increase in protests and demonstrations in the South-East region of Nigeria. Protests, including “Stay at Home” protests, are likely during October in the South East region.

“There have been reports of violence during Stay at Home protests previously. You should monitor local media, avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings and follow any instructions from local police and security forces.

“There have been a number of attacks and targeted killings in the South East and South-South regions of Nigeria, including in the states of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Delta, Edo and Ebonyi.

“Some of these attacks have been on isolated roads and in remote locations, but there is a chance that they could occur in metropolitan areas. There is also a heightened risk of indiscriminate attacks on police and security infrastructure, which may inadvertently affect bystanders.

”A number of states have imposed curfews. Travellers to these regions are advised to exercise caution if travelling in remote areas at night and follow local news and information outlets for further information, including on local curfews.

”During October 2020, there were a number of large-scale protests (known as #EndSARS protests) in Abuja, Lagos and other locations across Nigeria. Strikes over workers’ rights in Kaduna State started on 17 May 2021. Protests have occurred and disruptions to transport and utilities have been reported. See Safety and Security.

”The terrorist groups have previously shown intent and capability to conduct kidnaps in Nigeria. Foreign nationals, including humanitarian workers, are likely targets for kidnap. Humanitarian hubs and humanitarian workers have been targeted during attacks in the North East, including Monguno, Borno State on 13 June 2020.

”There have also been significant attacks in Gombe, Kano, Kaduna, Jos and Bauchi States and in the Federal capital, Abuja. Further attacks are likely. Attacks could be indiscriminate and could affect western interests as well as places visited by tourists.

”You should avoid places where crowds gather, including political meetings, religious gatherings and places of worship, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, transport hubs and camps for displaced people. See Terrorism.

“The al Qaeda-linked terrorist group Jamaat al Ansar al Muslimeen fi Bilad al Sudan, better known as Ansaru, claims to have killed at least 6 people, kidnapped dozens, and destroyed several vehicles during an ambush along the Kaduna-Zaira highway in Kaduna State in mid-January 2020.

“If you decide to travel to Kaduna State, you should avoid regular patterns of travel or movement, and aim to only travel during daylight hours.

“There’s a high threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria. Kidnaps can be motivated by criminality or terrorism and could be carried out for ideological, financial or political gain. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the risk of kidnap increases after dark.

”As well as in North-East Nigeria, extremist groups operate in some northern and middle belt states including Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Niger and the Adamawa States. If you’re working or travelling in these States then you should be aware of the risk of terrorist kidnapping. See Terrorist kidnaps and Criminal kidnaps

“Before considering travel to areas to which the FCDO advise against all or all but essential travel you should take professional security advice. Be vigilant at all times and keep others informed of your travel plans. If you’re working in Nigeria you should follow your employer’s security advice, make sure your accommodation is secure and review your security measures regularly.”

‘Stop lying, your husband hit you’ – Fans tackle Helen Paul for claiming her ‘black eye’ was a car accident

Popular Nigerian comedian, Helen Paul recently got more than she bargained when she took to her Instagram page to recall her experience four months ago.

According to the mother of four , she was involved in a car accident that affected one of her eyes, leaving her with a black eye. Due to that, she had to cover up by wearing sunglasses even while taking photos with friends.

Helen Paul wrote: “Sometime ago, I was involved in a car accident in Abuja. I suffered a concussion to my head and had to wear sunglasses for a while. When taking pictures with others, I would leave my sunglasses on and many complained that I didn’t want my face to show in pictures with them. Some even assumed I was being proud, being a star .They were totally oblivious of the true situation. Not all things are truly what they appear to be. Many are hiding alot and showing the best side on social media. Focus on the majors and forget the minors. Thank Godeveryday for all blessings, great and small.#thankful #grateful #helenpaul360 #unstoppablehelenpaulFour months ago…”

However, some of her fans didn’t buy the explanation to the black eyes, as they pointed accusing fingers on her husband for allegedly hitting her.

While Helen on her part is trying so hard to cover up that she is suffering from some sort of domestic violence.

Read some comments below…

Spotlights wrote: “I’m I the only one thinking what I am thinking. We get a black eye from receiving a punch or am I wrong?”

Adaobi Adah wrote: “Hope it is not domestic violence.”

Mvcry wrote: “I know a punch print from the sufferhead knuckles of a Nigerian man when I see it. Helen turn this did.”

BREAKING: APC Dumps Tinubu’s SWAGA, Backs Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Group

,

The National leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) gave official recognition to a group working for the candidature of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari come 2023.

The VP’s supporters, under the name, Progressives Consolidation Group, have received approval of the APC leadership, through a letter by its caretaker chairman, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni.

The support was contained in the letter titled, “Letter of Recognition As A Support Group,” dated October 4, 2021, which was signed by the Director, Administration of the APC, Abubakar Suleiman, and made public in Abuja on Saturday.

The letter which was addressed to the PCG, read in part, “We write to inform you that the National Chairman, His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni has approved your recognition as a support group of the party.”

Addressing reporters as a result of the recognition, the head of the Progressive Civil Society Group, one of the sub-groups in the PCG, Mr. Bala Gide, explained that with this development, the PCG had been given the rare privilege of becoming the first to be so recognised.

Instagram down: Facebook confirm issues days after major outage

The social media platform sees a spike in people reporting problems

Instagram appeared to be out of action again for many users on Friday, just days after a major outage.

Online website tracker Down Detector showed a major spike in complaints in the afternoon, as many took to Twitter to complain about access difficulties.

A Facebook company spokesperson told The Independent: “We’re aware that some people are having trouble accessing our apps and products. We’re working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible and we apologize for any inconvenience.”

Many voiced frustration with the app, as the outage came hot on the heels of Monday’s social media crisis, when WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook were down for more than six hours .

The three apps – which are all owned by Facebook, and run on shared infrastructure – stopped working shortly before 5pm UK time on Monday.

BREAKING: Nigerian Police Fire Teargas To Disperse #BuhariMustGo Protesters in Abuja

The #RevolutionNow and #BuhariMustGo protest in Abuja coincides with Nigeria's Independence Day anniversary.

Men of the Nigeria Police Force on Friday morning fired teargas cannisters at protesters in Abuja. 

The police attempted to thwart the October 1 protest on Airport Road in the Federal Capital Territory, storming the area and firing teargas canisters.

The protest began early Friday morning and was going on smoothly with the protesters, mainly youths, saying President Muhammadu Buhari must go and calling for a revolution.

The #RevolutionNow and #BuhariMustGo protest in Abuja coincides with Nigeria's Independence Day anniversary. 

The protesters could be seen chanting and displaying banners and placards saying 'Buhari Must Go'. 

Nigeria is marking its 61st Independence anniversary on October 1 this year. 

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore had on Thursday urged Nigerians to protest across the country on independence day to reject President Muhammadu Buhari. 

The activist was reacting to a statement released by a presidential aide Femi Adesina on Thursday titled 'October Independence Anniversary: President Buhari to broadcast to the Nation'. 

"I am urging all citizens and non citizens of Nigeria to boycott @MBuhari’s national “INDEPENDENCE DAY” broadcast scheduled for tomorrow, instead you should partake in protests across d country tomorrow to reject this man,the Failure-In-Chief of the Federal Republic #BuhariMustGo https://t.co/HbEQ0lpyPV," he said on Twitter. 

On Facebook, thr activist posted," What is this Failure-In-Chief going to broadcast to the country? #RevolutionNow #October1stProtest #BuhariMustGo."