Video of EFCC operatives raiding the Ikoyi home where $38m, N23m, £27k was discovered

EFCC operatives raided an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos state and found $38m, N23m, £27k stashed in hidden safes.

Migrants from West Africa are being sold and bought inyan slave markets - IOM

West African migrants are being bought and sold openly in modern-day slave markets in Libya, reports the International Organization for Migration, IOM.

Although trafficked people passing through Libya have previously reported violence, extortion and slave labour, the latest reports from IOM suggests that the trade in human beings has become so normalised that people are being traded in public.

"The latest reports of ‘slave markets’ for migrants can be added to a long list of outrages in Libya," said Mohammed Abdiker, IOM’s head of operation and emergencies. "The situation is dire. The more IOM engages inside Libya, the more we learn that it is a vale of tears for all too many migrants."

The north African nation is a major exit point for refugees from Africa trying to take get to Europe on rubber boats. But since the overthrow of autocratic leader Muammar Gaddafi, the country has slid into violent chaos and migrants with little cash and usually no papers are particularly vulnerable.
  
One 34-year-old survivor from Senegal said he was taken to a dusty lot in the south Libyan city of Sabha after crossing the desert from Niger in a bus organised by people smugglers. The group had paid to be taken to the coast, where they planned to risk a boat trip to Europe, but their driver suddenly said middlemen had not passed on his fees and put his passengers up for sale.

 “The men on the pick-up were brought to a square, or parking lot, where a kind of slave trade was happening. There were locals – he described them as Arabs – buying sub-Saharan migrants,” said Livia Manante, an IOM officer based in Niger who helps people wanting to return home.

She interviewed the survivor after he escaped from Libya earlier this month and said accounts of slave markets were confirmed by other migrants she spoke to in Niger and some who had been interviewed by colleagues in Europe. 

"Several other migrants confirmed his story, independently describing kinds of slave markets as well as kinds of private prisons all over in Libya," Manente said.

"IOM Italy has confirmed that this story is similar to many stories reported by migrants and collected at landing points in southern Italy, including the slave market reports. This gives more evidence that the stories reported are true, as the stories of those who managed to cross-match those who are returning back to their countries."

After his sale, the Senegalese migrant was taken to a makeshift prison of a kind that has been well documented in Libya. Those held inside are forced to work without pay, or on meagre rations, and their captors regularly call family at home demanding a ransom. His captors asked for 300,000 west African francs (about £380), then sold him on to a larger jail where the demand doubled without explanation.

Men who lingered there too long without the ransom being paid were taken away and killed, he said. Some wasted away on meagre rations in unsanitary conditions, dying of hunger and disease, but overall numbers never fell.

“If the number of migrants goes down, because of death or someone is ransomed, the kidnappers just go to the market and buy one,” Manente said.

His terrified family began scraping together loans. As he spoke fluent English, French and some local languages, he translated for his jailers to win time for relatives to collect the money.

 "Many other migrants flee Libya with similar stories, said Giuseppe Loprete, chief of mission at IOM Niger. "Its very clear they see themselves as being treated as slaves," he added.

Loprete’s office has arranged for the repatriation of 1,500 people in the first three months of this year – almost the same number as in the whole of 2015. He fears more horrors are likely to emerge.

"There are now more migrants coming back from Libya, so that’s also why all these stories are coming to the surface,” he said. “And conditions are worsening in Libya so I think we can also expect more in the coming months.”

Even growing international awareness of the problems migrants face is being exploited. IOM has had credible reports of criminals posing as aid groups that help migrants to lure in people who have escaped or bought their freedom and want to return home.

The organisation is working to spread awareness across west Africa of the horrors of the journey through the personal stories of those who return. Though most migrants know the boat trips to Europe are extremely risky, fewer realise they may face even worse dangers in Libya before even reaching the coast.

"Tragically, the most credible messengers are migrants returning home with IOM help,” said spokesman Leonard Doyle. “Too often they are broken, brutalised and have been abused. Their voices carry more weight than anyone else’s."

Not one scratch! Nigerian actress escapes death in accident (pics)

A Nollywood actress named Sapphire Obi Ogodo escaped death on Monday, April 10th, after she was involved in an auto crash in Enugu. According to her, she escaped without even a scratch.


"This is my testimony yesterday in enugu... God saved me... I am hale and hearty not one scratch"

"I will choose your love over money" emotional Debie Rise tells fans

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, DebieRise shared a video on her IG page of herself crying while she thanked her fans for their love. She said that she would rather choose the love she has gotten from her fans over the BBN money. She wrote; 

If I were to choose between money and your love for me, I will choose your love because your love is priceless. ️The love I feel is overwhelming and I can't help the emotions. We are the risers and nothing can stop us!🏽 The energy I have as a result of your love is incredible and I can't wait to bless your beautiful hearts with my music and more entertainment. Honestly when I think of how you went all out for me, my heart melts. God bless you!🏻 God will expand you!🏻 God will establish you!🏻 You will experience "rising" like never before. I truly love you all..️ God bless all the citizens of the "Risers Nation".

Graduate nabbed in Lagos for stealing mobile phone inside a church

The Lagos State police command have arrested and charged an ex-convict for allegedly stealing a Huawei G73 phone valued at N70,000 inside a church.

The suspect, Williams Okonoboh Eromosele who claimed to be a graduate of accountancy from Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, stole the phone from one Mrs. Ehindinibu Omowunmi at the Church of Resurrection Anglican located at 1004 estate, Victoria Island, Lagos.

It was also reported that the suspect had earlier been arrested in 2016 for stealing money from church offering box at a church in Victoria Island and charged to court. He pleaded guilty to the crime and was jailed for six months.

According to a Police report, the suspect committed the latest crime on 11 December, 2016 when he went to The Church of Resurrection Anglican at 1004 Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos, to attend their service. Police further alleged that while the church members were praying, the suspect cleverly stole the complainant’s phone and escaped from the church.

The Police stated that when the complainant observed that her phone was missing, she used another phone to call the number of her missing handset, but the suspect received the call and told the complainant that she must pay him N10,000 before he will return the phone to her.

The complainant reported the matter to the DPO in charge of the Bar Beach division, Victoria Island, CSP Olusegun Ajamolaya, who then advised that she play along and pay the money as bait into the account the suspect provided.

The suspect was arrested when he went to the bank to withdraw the money. He was taken to the station and interrogated where he allegedly confessed to the crime.

‘I am an OND holder in accountancy from Auchi Polytechnic and I have not been able to secure job with the certificate. When I came to Lagos and could not secure any job, I went to a church on Victoria Island to steal from church offering box and I was arrested, charged to court and jailed for six months. When I came back, the devil pushed me again as I went to The Church of Resurrection, Anglican, 1004 Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos and I was arrested again. I promised to change if am set free from this present case,” he reportedly confessed to the police.’

After the investigation by Inspector Sarah Ojie and her team, the suspect was arraigned before an Igbosere magistrates’ court on a one-count charge of stealing.

The offense, according to police prosecutor, Inspector OketeEjima, is punishable under section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria.

The accused who pleaded guilty to the crime will reappear in court on 19 April, 2017 for facts and sentencing.

 Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday shared photos of his payslip from October 2016 to March 2017. He revealed this after Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, challenged members of the National Assembly to share details of their budget as proof that they are indeed in support of the anti-corruption fight of the Buhari-led administration. Festus Keyamo is however of the opinion that they are acting out a comedy for Nigerians to watch.

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) begins online registration of unemployed persons

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced online registration of unemployed persons in the country. It said in Abuja that the purpose of the exercise was not only to develop a database of unemployed persons, but to also provide scientific evidence on the character, nature and current trends of unemployment in the country.

Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations in the office of the Director General, Edmund Onwuliri, quoted the Acting Director General, Kunle Obayan, as saying that the exercise was part of the mandate of the directorate as the agency charged with the responsibilities of designing skill sets to suit various types of unemployed persons.

Onwuliri stated that the framework for the online registration handled by the directorate had been completed and ready for launch. He added: “The online portal which went live on Wednesday April 5, 2017, is designed to capture the relevant details of every unemployed person. It will equally serve as a job exchange portal that will link job seekers and employers.”

He hinted that there was a practical demonstration of the workings of the portal at the NDE stand at the recently concluded 28th edition of the Enugu International Trade on April 6, 2017.

However, he stated that the portal could be accessed on: www.jobsforall.ng. He disclosed that the directorate saw the initiative as a bold step towards deepening the effectiveness of its employment creation strategies and a critical input into the process of designing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and schemes.

He added that the online portal would also serve as a meeting point for job seekers and employers thereby reducing the cumbersome process of recruitment among employers of skilled labour in the private and public sectors.

Also keying into the registration exercise, the Taraba state government has charged unemployed youths in state to take advantage of the on-going online registration exercise.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Anthony Danburam, said in a statement in Jalingo that the on-going online registration would go a long way to assist state governments and members of the public.

Janet Jackson, husband split months after baby

Pop superstar Janet Jackson has split from her husband, the Qatari tycoon Wissam Al Mana, just months after they had a baby, reports said Monday.

Several celebrity news sites, quoting unnamed sources, said that the 50-year-old younger sister of late King of Pop Michael Jackson had separated from Al Mana, her third husband.

Jackson has kept a low profile before and after giving birth in January to son Eissa, her first child. She had repeatedly postponed dates on her “Unbreakable” world tour before stunning fans in April by announcing the late-age pregnancy.

Smuggling has wreaked havoc on Nigeria’s economy, says customs

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has bemoaned the incessant activities of smugglers across the nation’s borders; an activity, which it said, has wrecked havoc on the nation’s economy.

This comes as the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has restricted rice import in trade free zones.The Controller, Federal Operations Unit ‘A’, Comptroller Haruna Mamudu, who disclosed this while reviewing his zone’s first quarter activity appealed to all well meaning Nigerians to join the Service in the fight against smuggling.

Mamudu wondered why some elements would invest their money in business of illegalities knowing fully well that the law could catch up with them any given time.

Runtown issues a memo to his haters as he shows off his 'Lamborghini Gallardo

 Singer, Runtown advices his haters' to continue talking while he drives around in his newly acquired Lamborghini Gallardo.

Peter & Lola Okoye step out together as Dangote's 60th birthday celebration continues

Peter 'Psquare' Okoye and his wife, Lola stepped out together for another event that was hosted to celebrate billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote's 60th birthday on Tuesday night

Nigeria will end up in a very, very bad way if… – Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has warned that Nigeria would be plunged into more trouble, if the present war against corruption fails.

He noted that corruption was fiercely waging reprisal attacks in states, but assured the public that President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to sustaining the anti-corruption fight to ensure the system was cleaned up and government business done the right way. He also called for a re-orientation of Nigerians.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to his office by Nigerian Association of Law Teachers at State House, Abuja, yesterday, Osinbajo noted that Defence contracts of $15 billion, for which many individuals were being prosecuted, was half of the nation’s foreign reserves. He said: “If we are not able to sustain the fight against corruption, we will end up in a very, very bad way as a nation. “We have seen it in so many different ways that at almost every state, corruption fights back and fights very fiercely. “We should be able to examine our priorities because for us, corruption is not a moral issue, it is an existential issue.”

Earlier, leader of the association, Professor Godwin Nwabueze Okeke, commended the Vice President for agreeing to meet with them and appealed to him to declare open the forthcoming 50th Conference of the Association taking place in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State in June, this year.

What fits me is president, not governor, says Okorocha

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State says he finds himself better placed as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria than being a governor.

Okorocha told journalists in Owerri yesterday, that as much as he has made up his mind not to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2019 presidential poll, he would offer himself for the position after the end of Buhari’s tenure.

His words: ”Governor does not fit me. What fits me is president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I will not contest against Buhari ‘ Meanwhile, the state government has declared May 6, as Freedom Day.

Okorocha urged Imo people to attend the special forum where they would be entitled to express their minds

'I feel sort of slightly betrayed' - Bisola says after finding out about Tony's lies in the BBN house

In her first official Interview after the finale of Big Brother Naija 2017, Bisola spoke about finding out the complete truth about Thin Tall Tony being married and purposely hiding it from her. During the finale show, she initially found out after noticing a wedding band on his hand in a video and reacted in a mature manner. The multi talented actress however says that she feels sort of slightly betrayed.

"In my mind I'm like, Dude you are one amazing actor. Good thing that I did not have it in my head that after the show, I was going to come out and have some kind of romance with you. But hey, I hope your wife did not deal with you too much. I feel sort of slightly betrayed that he betrayed that friendship that I thought we had. I thought we could really be close buddies outside of the house." "So yes, Tony, I hope your family is doing great. Well done to you, to them. Just a little betrayed that we were really close. Come on, we shared a lot of things. This one thing you didn't say. I don't know why, why why. But anyway, It's your choice. You played the game the best way you know how to," Bisola said.

Timaya is trying to start a new P-Square war!

So Monday evening, Timaya shared a controversial Instagram post, saying he's just done a new 'collabo' with one half of P-Square (Paul Okoye). His choice of words however raised eyebrows. In his words: 'My Next single is with this man @rudeboypsquare cause I believe he's the realest and the BEST.. watch out for it'. With the kind of comments he got on the post, he made a follow up video post explaining that he meant no harm. He however didn't edit or delete the initial post.

Davido gets “Uncovered” in the Latest Issue of Guardian Life Magazine | Talks Women, Money, Mega Collaborations & More

Davido is the cover star for Guardian Life magazine’s latest issue and we can’t wait to read his interview.

Guardian Life says:

One of Africa’s biggest superstars, Davido has come a long way since his “Omo Baba Olowo” days.

From releasing hit singles, to recently signing a deal with Sony and becoming a father of two, we have watched him transform into a man.

Ahead of his performance at Gidifest, Davido comes alive for Guardian Life as he opens up about his lacklustre American collabos, his infamous way with women and that 30 billion in his account!

Olamide promises to support Efe's music career

A day after Efe won the Big Brother Naija 2017 reality show, YBNL boss, Olamide has made a pledge to support his music career. Hopefully, they will be working on a new single titled 'Based On Logistics' which stands as Efe's slogan. The move will be a great step for Efe to kick off a flying career.

35 people attended Agbani Darego's very private wedding

On Saturday April 8th, former Miss World, Agbani Darego became Mrs Danjuma. The 33year old beauty queen married the 1st son of billionaire businessman, Theophilus Danjuma, Ishaya Danjuma.

Their wedding was a very private one, with only 35 people in attendance. It held at the Amanjena - Luxury Resort in Marrakech, Morocco. Ishaya is said to be in his 30s, been married once to an Asian lady but they had no children. Big congrats to the couple.

Nigerians drag Buhari's aide Garba Shehu for using 'Based on Logistics' in a tweet

With Efe's victory at the 2017 Big Brother Naija show, his favorite slang, 'Based on logistics' became a trending phrase on social media and President Buhari's special adviser on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu tapped into it as he tweeted, 'Based on Logistics, PMB is committed to delivering on the 3 key areas that he promised (Tackling Corruption, fixing the Economy & Security)'. Nigerians with no chill on Twitter, immediately came for him from all angles