South African-Based Evangelist Arrested With Cocaine In Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has arrested a 52-year-old evangelist, John Arinze, over his attempt to export N1.4bn worth of narcotics to South Africa.

It said the drugs, made of 92kgs of methamphetamine and 73kgs of ephedrine, were detected inside two containers of foodstuff meant for export to South Africa at the Apapa Seaport in Lagos.

A statement by the NDLEA spokesperson, Mitchell Ofoyeju, on Friday said the suspect, who is a Nigerian based in South Africa, was under interrogation following an intense undercover operation by the agency and that he had confessed to the crime. He added that sniffer dogs belonging to the agency detected the drugs during screening operation.

The statement partly read, “During examination of the containers marked MSKU 388274-1 and MSKU 424717-0; anti-narcotic officials detected 20kg of Methamphetamine and 50kg of Ephedrine inside the first container. Also, 72Kg of Methamphetamine and 23Kg of Ephedrine were detected in the second container. The total weight of the drugs is 165kg.

“Officers successfully traced the illicit consignment to a fifty-two year old man who claimed to be an evangelist by name John Vincent Arinze who was arrested in his hotel room in Lagos. A Mercedes Benz sport utility vehicle belonging to him was also impounded at the time of arrest. The suspect hails from Ara village, Nise in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. John who had lived in South Africa for over a decade accepted ownership of the illicit shipment.”

The statement noted further that the drugs were hidden inside packs of melon, concealed in foodstuff and cosmetics such as gaari (cassava flakes), noodles, food seasoning, yam powder, some alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, pepper, milk, herbal hair cream and cereals.

Other items in the container were said to include hair cream, bags of melon, kegs of palm oil, beans, biscuits and sardine.

The suspect was said to have told the operatives in his statement that he made a “big mistake” by taking over the business of his late wife, who was into drug trafficking.

“I am an evangelist living in Durban South Africa. My late wife was into drug trafficking before she died few years ago. I made a mistake venturing into her business. It is my fault,” he was quoted as saying.

According to the statement, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd.) said the seizure would have a positive influence on the campaign against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the country.

Abdallah was quoted as saying “This is a product of careful planning and meticulous tracking of narcotic drugs movement. The consignments were closely monitored by our undercover agents and intercepted at Apapa Seaport, Lagos following the detection of narcotics by NDLEA sniffer dogs during screening operation. This will definitely have a positive influence on Nigeria’s drug control efforts.

“I am very happy with the success recorded in this operation. The Agency will remain painstaking and professional in the fight against illicit drug production, trafficking, abuse and prosecuting offenders. We hope to unmask the drug syndicate behind this shipment and make more arrests soon.”

The statement said the suspect would soon be charged to court.

Sad! Man Rapes 17-Year-Old Daughter In Edo

An Egor Chief Magistrates’ Court in Benin, Edo, on Friday sentenced 40-year-old Lucky Idahosa to 14 years imprisonment for raping his 17-year-old daughter.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Igho Braimah, jailed the accused after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
The convict had in the plea told the court that he committed the act for money ritual.
Braimah said that no matter what a father considered opportunity to become rich, he should not yield to the temptation of nursing idea of having canal knowledge of “his blood’’, let alone “really doing it’’.
Consequently, she sentenced the accused to 14 years jail term.
The prosecutor, Mr Osaretin Ogiehon, had told the court that the accused committed the incest sometime in June, 2016.
He said that act, which was done without the consent of the girl, took place at their 37, Upper S and T Barracks Street, Off Uselu-Lagos Road, Benin home.
The prosecutor told the court that the offence contravened section 358 of the Criminal Code.
Led in evidence by the prosecutor, the victim of the incest had told the court that her father gave her concoction, which made her unconscious before he committed the act.
She added that her father warned her not to mention it to anyone. (NAN)

Man Arrested For Raping One-Year-Old Girl In Nasarawa Others

The Nasarawa State Police Command on Friday paraded 10 criminals arrested for various offences, including armed robbery, rape and theft.
The Police Commissioner in the state, Mr. Lawal Shehu, told newsmen the culprits were arrested in Keffi Local Government Area of the state.
He added that one 24 year-old Arigwu Stephen was arrested for allegedly raping a year-old girl in Yar-kede village in 2013.
The father of the victim told The Punch the act was discovered in November 2015 when the daughter (now three) complained of stomach pain and was rushed to Federal Medical Center, Keffi.
He said the doctor decided to run a test and discovered that his daughter was rapped over two years ago.
“I got to know that my daughter was rapped over two years ago after a doctor report at FMC and was admitted for six days before she discharged on Thursday 7, 2016,” he lamented.
The police boss also said the command on July 7, 2016 arrested a suspected kidnapper, who kidnapped a Chinese mining expatriate, Mr. Pan Yuhu and killed a police corporal name (withheld) attached to him.
He said that the suspected kidnapper killed the police corporal and made away with his AK47 rifle with 30 rounds ammunition.
“Since the incident the police commenced an investigation, which eventually led to his arrest in Toto local government area of Nasarawa State.”
It was learnt that the deceased, who was on special duty, was serving at Mopol 38 Akwanga as an escort at the time of his death.
“A case of kidnapping occurred at Ayiwawa village where a Chinese mining company Tongyi group is being operated.”
“The suspect was apprehended following a tip off.”
Shehu added that the command arrested a 29 year-old, an indigene of Niger state, who graduated from Nasarawa state University, Keffi in 2012, Mr. Paul Yohana in Keffi local government of the for allegedly robbed some ladies of their six hands set at gun point.
“I was caught in an armed robbery in Keffi local government area of the state when I robbed some ladies of their hand set in the area.”
“I was taken to prison to serve one jailed term in 2014 because I stole a car and released in December last year,” the suspected car snatcher added.
“The gun, which I had been using to terrorize people in Keffi axis, was given to me by my friend, who is also a notorious armed robber in the area.”

Nigeria To Shift Crude Oil Drilling From Troubled Niger Delta To Lake Chad Naija

Nigeria will soon start drilling crude oil in Lake Chad Basin region in what is supposed to boost the country’s output.
The resolution was reached after efforts to placate militant groups in Niger Delta failed.
The exploitation of oil outside the traditional crude oil stronghold is to plug the hole created by destruction of oil and gas infrastructure by the militant groups.
Oil drilling in the Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states have largely been disrupted by insecurity in the areas bringing down the daily production to one million barrels from 2.2 million barrels.
The ministers of state for petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, on Friday confirmed oil drilling in the Chad Basin saying it will start in the last quarter of this year.
Chad Basin is located in the northeast where activities of Boko Haram have been countered significantly.
“The decision to diversify our business portfolio is about all of us and about the future of our dear country, the vision is clear, and we are determined not to fail,” Dr Kachikwu said.
The oil field already mapped out and secured covers 3,350 square kilometres.
The production from the well would help achieve the daily target of 2.5 million barrels.

We Will Not Hide Anything From Nigerians – Buhari Naija News

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration will not hide anything from Nigerians in its resolute commitment to restore the economic fortunes of the country and deliver prosperity to Nigerians.
Receiving the Northern Christian Leaders Eagles Eyes Forum at the State House, Abuja on Friday, President Buhari appealed to the religious leaders not to lose hope in the unity, stability and progress of the country.
The President emphasised that the Federal Government will continue to prioritise the safety of lives and property, in addition to equipping Nigerian farmers with the right tools, technology and techniques to boost agriculture.
“ You must tell your followers the truth about the country. We have nothing to hide because we have no other country but Nigeria.
“Tell them to give us a chance to stabilize the country. Your concern for the security, unemployment, anti-corruption campaign and the frequent altercations between herdsmen and farmers are genuine concerns.
“I know the Ministry of Agriculture and the Governors Forum are doing a lot to resolve the lingering crisis between herdsmen and farmers, we must give them a chance,’’ the President said.
President Buhari thanked the Christian leaders for their support to the Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaign and other policies geared towards reviving the economy.
“It is saddening that some of those who stole from our national resources put the money in their personal accounts.
“However, it is gratifying that those who stole money and shared funds meant for the purchase of arms for our military are regretting their actions and they will regret more.
“Those caught in corruption will have themselves to blame,’’ he said.
In his remarks, leader of the Forum, Pastor Aminchi Habu called on Nigerians to support the President’s anti-corruption war and his vision to restore the lost glory of Nigeria.
“In your administration, I see a new Nigeria where the fear of bribery, corruption and extortion is the beginning of wisdom.
“ I see a new Nigeria, where tribalism, religion and ethnicity is no longer a barrier that separates us but a bond that unites us for a greater tomorrow,’’ he said.

I Came To Manchester City To Prove Myself – Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has said he took charge of Manchester City to prove he can deliver beautiful football in the Premier League.
Guardiola established a reputation for the quality of his football during his time in charge of Barcelona and Bayern Munich and won trophies including two Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles and three Bundesliga titles.
Upon taking charge of Barca’s senior side in 2008 after a year with the B team, he had said at his first news conference at the Camp Nou: “I don’t know if we’ll win, but we’ll persist. Fasten your seatbelts — you are going to enjoy the ride.”
Asked what message he would send to the City fans, he joked: “Fasten your seatbelts — for the other side of the car.”
However, Guardiola accepts he is facing a new challenge in the Premier League.
He had already said after announcing his departure from Bayern in the winter that he was leaving because he wanted to test himself in England.
Asked whether he would be able to implement his trademark playing style week in, week out, in the more physical Premier League, he replied: “That’s why I’m here. To prove. To prove myself that I can adapt.”

He highlighted the fact that in 2012 he had walked away from Barca “where I had virtually everything, the best player ever,” and then left Bayern, who had won four league titles in succession.
“Here is another test for my career. It would have been comfortable to stay where I was but I feel this is the right moment to move here,” he said.
He said he did not know whether it was the toughest task he had faced in his career but accepts that, having previously taken charge of clubs that are able to dominate their leagues, it could be tougher.
“I know how difficult it is here in England — to find a team to win four, five, six games in a row is not easy,” he said. “Maybe that’s the challenge.”
He also has very limited experience of English football and, looking ahead to his first Premier League fixture against Sunderland on Aug. 13, said: “I will need a bit of time to discover what style of play it is here.
“I think it will be more physical. People say it’s not as attractive but I can’t say that. Hopefully later in the season I will be able to explain a bit better.
“I never played one game in the Premier League but I am pretty sure it will be different to Germany or Spain.
“Against Sunderland, against Big Sam [Allardyce], in the first one, I am sure it will be completely different.”
Former Everton and Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has joined City’s coaching staff while Brian Kidd has stayed on as an assistant coach, and Guardiola said they should be able to give him some insight.
“I’ll talk to Brian Kidd and Arteta to learn more,” he said. Kidd is helping me get to know the players. Arteta is one of the best midfielders there’s been and he knows English football.”

Oti Werk!! Singer Koker Lands First Endorsement Deal With Cloud 9 (Photo)

Chocolate city act, Koker who rose to prominence with his hit single ‘Do something‘ has just secured his first endorsement deal.
Koker has been unveiled as the ambassador of music streaming app – Cloud 9 music.
The singer who is currently making waves with his single ‘Kolewerk’ couldn’t contain his excitement as he took to Instagram today, July 8 to share the good news.

“Thank God for my first endorsement. Say Hello to the latest Cloud 9 ambassador! Thanks to everyone that made this possible. One down more to go.”