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Seven Dead, Many injured As Customs, Smugglers Clash In Ogun

Seven people are suspected to have been killed, while others have sustained injuries in a gunfight between operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) and smugglers in Ogun state.

The incident occurred in Kobape village, along Abeokuta – Sagamu expressway in Obafemi – Owode local government area.

The Custom operatives from the Federal Operation Unit (FOU) were on routine duties when they stopped some vehicles the smugglers were using to convey large quantities of foreign rice to an unknown destination.

The goods were seized and one of the drivers was arrested. A source told newsmen that things turned sour when the Custom operatives refused to collect bribes from the smugglers while also declining to let the driver go.

The refusal to collect bribes made the smugglers angry thus the fight began and both sides suffered losses. It took the intervention of the Nigerian Army and police to diffuse the situation.

The Public Relations Officer, FOU Zone A, Theophilus Duniya revealed that two of the smugglers lost their lives in the gunfight while two custom operatives were injured.

He said: “Customs patrol team from Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Lagos was attacked without provocation on Saturday afternoon during an operation along Shagamu Inter-change in Ogun State.

“The patrol team had intercepted twelve vehicles of different kinds, laden with bags of foreign parboiled rice and were on their way to the government warehouse before smugglers mobilized themselves with the support of their sympathizers and attacked the team with dangerous weapons.

“During the exchange of gun fire, two of the attackers lost their lives and one suspect was arrested. Out of 12 vehicles in the convoy of the smugglers , our operatives were able to leave with 4 of them laden with smuggled foreign parboiled rice

“The arrested suspect and the seizure have been brought to the Unit Headquarters, Ikeja”.

Voice Note Of Kpokpogri Allegedly Confessing To Having S3x With Janemena Leaks

A voice note of Prince Kpokpogri allegedly confirming that he had sex with Janemena while she was married has been released.
It was earlier reported that Janemena sued Tonto Dikeh for N500m for character defamation and cyber stalking.

She maintained in her suit that according to Tonto’s statements she had sex recently with Kpokpogri as a married woman and he was also in possession of her sex tape and could use it to blackmail her at any point in time .

Jane demanded for a retraction of Tonto’s statement which is to be publish in four dailies in Nigeria.

In response to the lawsuit Tonto revealed that a sex tape actually exist and also revealed that Jane was privately begging her to save her marriage.

A back and forth began which involved Jane daring Tonto to leak the alleged tape and also stating that she never begged the Nollywood actress to save her marriage but simply spoke to a friend of hers known as Doris.

The scandal continued with Doris speaking up to collaborate Tonto’s story and revealing that there was actually a sex tape.

In recent development, an audio recording allegedly containing a conversation between a man who is alleged to be Kpokpogri and a woman, also alleged to be Janemena, has been leaked.

Listen to the audio

https://www.societygazetteng.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/245760844_399746688282819_5517939160735009635_n.mp4?_=1

Source: Naijanews

Abducted Zamfara Emir regains freedom after 32 days in captivity

The Emir of Bungudu, Zamfara state, has been freed after 32 days in captivity. Themonarch who was abducted on Kaduna-Abuja road was released on Saturday, October 16.

His release was confirmed by a relative, Gazali Shehu Ahmad, who is also a Special Adviser to Zamfara State Governor on Strategy.

The traditional ruler, Hassan Atto was kidnapped on his way to Abuja on the 15th of September.

Confirming his release, Ahmad stated on his Facebook page:

“On behalf of the family and Bungudu Emirate, we wish to thank everyone for the prayers and support during this trying time,” Ahmad said on Facebook, on behalf of the family and Bungudu emirate.

“We appreciate all the efforts of Kaduna State Government throughout this challenging period.

“Our immense gratitude to the Zamfara State Government in playing a key role to see our father returned home safely.”

“We salute the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) for the support in facilitating the release of the Emir.

“We wish to plead with the public to respect the privacy of the Emir in the coming weeks as he receives medical attention and post-trauma management.”

Mr Atto was the Secretary to the Government of Zamfara State during Governor Abdulaziz Yari’s tenure before he was turbaned the Emir of Bungudu.

Prophet Joshua Iginla Set To Bury Mother In Grand Style

The General Overseer of Champions Royal Assembly, Prophet Joshua Iginla is set to bury his beloved mother, Dcns. Mrs Lasisi Iginla in grandstyle. She slept in the Lord on Thursday, 15th of April, 2021.

The funeral arrangements for mother of the internationally acclaimed prophet Iginla have been pegged to be a three-day event starting from Friday, 29th – Sunday, 31st of October, 2021.

Several dignitaries from home and abroad are also expected at this special funeral event to celebrate the life and times of Mama Iginla who lived an exemplary life.

While announcing her death, Prophet Joshua Iginla described her as the queen of peace and love, while revealing the many great qualities he got from her

‘’ The Queen of peace and love , the vehicle that brought me to the world. You are my hero of childhood mum. You held my hands when I was small, you caught me when I fell and you taught me love, forgiveness and how to be a giver.

I remember your last word mum, today you have gone to be with the Lord. Death takes the body. God takes the soul and the spirit. Our mind holds your memories. Our heart keeps your love. Our faith let us know, we will meet you again.

Your 83years on earth was a blessing. Your memory a treasure. I love you mum forever.’’

President Buhari pardons 102 Biafran Soldiers, Orders Payment Of Gratuities

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the payment of gratuities to 102 pardoned ex-Biafran Soldiers.

This was revealed by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.) on Friday. Magashi disclosed that the soldiers have been captured for payment of gratuity and other emoluments by the Military Pensions Board.

Speaking at the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja, he said; “It will interest you to know that the Military Pensions Board just concluded the documentation of ex-Biafran service personnel totalling 102 who were pardoned by Mr President.”

“The war ended 51 years ago and many of those involved are no longer alive but those with genuine complaints can come forward with their claims for consideration.”

He also said payment of pension and gratuities to retired military personnel had been prompt and regular, adding that the ministry in conjunction with the Military Pensions Board conducts regular verification exercises for military pensioners to streamline and check leakages in the system.

APC Suspends State Congress In Oyo

The national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the ongoing State Congress in Oyo State.

The order was given by the Governor of Yobe State and Chairman, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Mai Mala Buni.

It was gathered that the suspension was due to the forging of documents meant for the exercise and other irregularities.

This was made known in a statement signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen John James Akpanudoedehe, on Saturday.

According to the APC leadership, the suspension became necessary to ensure credibility of the process leading to the emergence of new leaders in Oyo State.

“It has become necessary to suspend the ongoing State Congress exercise in Oyo State due to information regarding the forging of documents meant to conduct this exercise.

“The national chairman has however ordered the Oyo State Congress Committee to return to the National Secretariat for further briefing,” the statement said.

The APC leadership maintained that the ruling party will ensure a level playing ground and justice at all times.

APC is carrying out its State Congresses in 34 states across the nation, today, Saturday 16, 2021.

Afenifere Tackles Adesina For Comparing Buhari To Awolowo, Azikiwe

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere has faulted the President’s special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina for comparing his principal, Muhammadu Buhari, to Nigeria’s Independence heroes, Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Adesina was reported as saying,
“I have seen the great Obafemi Awolowo. The charismatic Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik of Africa). Shehu Shagari. Amino Kano. M.K.O Abiola. Bashir Tofa, and many others in action.

“But I have not seen anyone with the kind of attraction, magnetic pull, that Muhammadu Buhari has. And that is round the country, north, and south. People swarm round him as bees do to honey.”

In a statement on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere described the comparison as “mischievous and mistaken”, pointing out that people are only attracted to Buhari because he is the President.

According to Ajayi, “For sure – and for various reasons – a person occupying a leadership position is always an attraction anywhere in the world.

“To use the instances cited by the spokesman to gauge the popularity of the President, we can say that those who met him at the airport on his arrival from a medical trip could be in three or more categories.

“Those who genuinely wished him well and were happy to see him back. Those who were there to be really sure that the rumour of his death they heard was not true. And those who always go to any place that people gather – especially when or where a leading figure is or will be present.

“To use the crowd that gathered where President Buhari is not only as a measure of his popularity is erroneous. Admittedly, crowd-pulling can be an indicator of popularity.

“But this is not likely now given the level of mistrust that people have in governments. The mistrust that governments created over the years through its various policies of alienation and disempowerment.

“From the foregoing, it can be stated without equivocation that the majority of the crowd the spokesman talked about would be those curious to see whether their presence and prayers could make Mr President to see that they are suffering and in need of benign policies from the government.

“Comparing President Buhari to Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe therefore is not only mistaken, it is mischievous, to say the least.”

Source: Naijanews

BREAKING: Pastor Bakare meets Buhari in Aso Rock

The founder of Citadel Global Community Church (formerly Latter Rain Assembly), Pastor Tunde Bakare, is currently meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja.

Bakare, who was the running mate of the Buhari under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011, was scheduled for a 12noon meeting with the president in his office.

Despite his previous close political affiliation with President Buhari, the fiery pastor has recently been criticizing the running of his administration.

More details to come

Reason Why I Was Dropped As Anchor Of Gulder Ultimate Search—Bob-Manuel Udokwu

Popular Nigerian actor, director, and producer Bob-Manuel Udokwu has explained why he is not the anchor for this year’s Gulder Ultimate Search.

The reality TV show is set to commence from this Saturday, October 16, 2021, and will run till December 19, when the grand finale will hold.

The ‘Rattlesnake’ actor revealed this while having a chat with THE WHISTLER correspondent on why he is not the anchor for this year’s season.

Udokwu explained that he anchored the programme for five different seasons making him the longest anchorman of the show.

He said, “You mentioned that I’m always involved in Gulder Ultimate Search but not in this year’s show. Let set the record straight. GUS started in 2004. I became the anchor of the show in Season 4 in 2007 and anchored it for 5 out of a total of 10 years. (2004 – 2013), thus making me the longest anchorman of the show. The show is coming back this year, after seven years break.”

He explained that the organisers decided to make some changes in the presentation of the show by introducing a Task Master along with the Anchor.

However, Udokwu said that he is not totally out of the show as he will be making ‘celebrity appearances’.

“The organizers decided to make some changes in the presentation of the show by introducing a Task Master along with the Anchor. I am playing non of the roles above but I will be making celebrity appearances in this year’s show as a mark of honour. So, I’m not totally out of Gulder Ultimate Search.”

The first edition of the show was held in 2004 and it has run for eleven seasons with a celebrity edition that was aired in 2010.

The GUS series is also the very first local content reality TV program in Nigeria, and it is a survival-type reality show format where the contestants struggle against each other in the harsh terrain of the jungle in which they are camped with a balance of wits and strength.

Meanwhile, Udokwu has caused reaction among fans, after he took to his Instagram page @bobmanueludokwuofficial to post a picture of himself standing at GUS stage.

@chachukwuoma said, “Bravo, my best reality show ever no other can beat Gulder Ultimate Search for life.”

@ogemia said, “Wow, can’t wait, was thinking it was only Toke.”

“I can wait again, I love this program more than the so called BBN,” @victoriaoluchiogbonna said.

@ugbede_onuche also said, “Wow that’s interesting, sir is there any live channel for GUS?”

@ruthbrown_wills said, “Our Bobby’ is back. I’ve missed you.”

“Wow! Can’t wait to hear your voice,” @hardeyhardey_04 said.

COVID-19: Zimbabwe bans unvaccinated civil servants from work

Zimbabwe will bar unvaccinated government workers from reporting for duty from Monday as part of efforts to fight COVID-19, an official circular showed.

The southern African country has, as of Oct. 14, recorded 4,655 COVID-19-related deaths from 132,251 infections since March 2020.

Although the country was one of the first on the continent to vaccinate against COVID-19, less than 2.5 million people out of its 15 million population have been fully vaccinated.

The vaccination rate has slowed down in recent weeks, as infections decline, with the government saying it has adequate doses in store.

On Sept. 14 President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cabinet ordered all government workers to get vaccinated, giving them a month to comply. Those barred from work will not get paid, according to the cabinet directive.

Coronavirus: Zimbabwe arrests 105,000 for violations of guidelines
“Please note that members who fail to produce the vaccination certificates shall not be allowed to report for duty, in an endeavour to implement (the) government’s thrust of minimising the spread and effect of the novel COVID-19 pandemic,” the Oct. 14 circular said. It was signed by health permanent secretary Jasper Chimedza and was distributed to heads of government departments and shared with reporters.

“Those who will not attend to their daily duties due to non-compliance shall be deemed to be absent from work and consequential action will be taken,” it said, referring to no pay and potential disciplinary action.

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, the country’s main labour body, has gone to court to challenge the government’s compulsory vaccination drive, which has also been adopted by some private businesses.