Chibok girls not among group rescued by Nigerian army -

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria  - More than 200 schoolgirls abducted from their school dormitories by Boko Haram militants last year are not among the nearly 300 girls and women rescued in an army operation on Tuesday, an army spokesman said.

 

Nigeria's army said it had rescued 200 girls and 93 women on Tuesday during a military operation to wrest back the Sambisa Forest in the northeast from the militant group.

 

"The troops rescued 200 abducted girls and 93 women," Colonel Sani Usman told Reuters in a text message. They were not, however, from Chibok, the village from which more than 200 girls were abducted in April 2014, he said.

 

"So far, they (the army) have destroyed and cleared Sassa, Tokumbere and two other camps in the general area of Alafa, all within the Sambisa forest."

 

Boko Haram's action in Chibok caused an international outcry, and the group's six-year insurgency has seen thousands killed and many more abducted.

 

Diplomats and intelligence officials said they believed at least some of the Chibok girls were being held in the forest about 100 km (60 miles) from Chibok, although U.S. reconnaissance drones failed to find them.

 

The rescued girls and women will be screened on Wednesday to determine whether they had been abducted or if they were married to the militants, one intelligence source told Reuters.

 

"Now they are excited about their freedom," he said. "Tomorrow there will be screenings to determine whether they are Boko Haram wives, whether they are from Chibok, how long they have been in the camps, and if they have children."

 

Some of the girls were injured, and some of the militants killed, he said without giving more details.

 

The group was rescued from camps "discovered near or on the way to Sambisa," one army official said.

 

Nigerian forces backed by warplanes invaded the vast former colonial game reserve late last week as part of a push to win back territory from Boko Haram.

 

The group, notorious for violence against civilians, controlled an area roughly the size of Belgium at the start of the year but has since been beaten back by Nigerian troops, backed by Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

 

While the Nigerian army maintains the group is now hemmed in Sambisa Forest, militants have managed to launch attacks in the neighbourhood including chasing soldiers out of Marte town and an island on Lake Chad.  —  Reuters

More from: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/478226/news/world/chibok-girls-not-among-group-rescued-by-nigerian-army-spokesman 

Nigerian army rescue Chibok Girls

Kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls believed to be rescued by Nigerian troops

Nigeria’s military on Tuesday said it has rescued 200 girls and 93 women from a notorious Boko Haram stronghold, but said there was no confirmation the hostages were those kidnapped from Chibok a year ago.

“Troops have this afternoon captured & destroyed three camps of terrorists inside the Sambisa forest & rescued 200 girls & 93 women,” defence spokesman Chris Olukolade said in a text message, referring to the area in northeast Borno state where the Islamists have bases.

“It is not yet confirmed if the girls are the Chibok girls. The freed persons are now being screened & profiled,” he added.

Olukolade gave no indication as to how long it would take for the hostages to be identified.

Boko Haram claimed the abduction of 276 girls from a secondary school in Chibok, also in Borno, on April 14 of last year.

Fifty-seven girls escaped within hours of the attack but 219 remained in captivity.

In the weeks following the mass abduction, Nigerian security sources and locals in Borno said there were indications the girls had been taken to the Sambisa Forest.

But defence officials and experts agreed that they were likely separated over the last 13 months, casting significant doubt on the possibility that they were being held together as a group.

Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, vowed to “marry them off” or sell them as “slaves.”

Ayuba Alamson-Chibok, a teacher who has campaigned on the girls’ behalf, told AFP that he doubts those reportedly rescued from Sambisa on Tuesday were from Chibok.

“I believe it is not possible for our girls to be in one place,” said Alamson-Chibok, whose two cousins are among the hostages.

Nigeria’s military has in the past released misleading and inaccurate information concerning the Chibok girls, including claims last year that Boko Haram had agreed to their release.

The Islamists have been blamed for hundreds of other kidnappings, especially targeting women and girls across northeast Nigeria.

Amnesty International estimates that the Islamists have kidnapped at least 2,000 women and girls since the beginning of last year.
The Chibok attack brought unprecedented worldwide attention to Nigeria’s Islamist uprising.

It also sparked sharp criticism of the government’s initial response to the drama, with outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan accused of indifference and of trying to downplay the severity of the kidnapping.

Celebrities and prominent personalities including US First Lady Michelle Obama joined the Twitter campaign #BringBackOurGirls that attracted supporters worldwide.

•US First Lady, Michelle Obama campaigning for the release of Chibok girls

– ‘Brave sisters’ –

Earlier this month, countries around the globe took part in marches and candlelight vigils to mark the first anniversary of the kidnappings.

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, who was shot and nearly killed by the Pakistani Taliban for advocating girls’ education, used the occasion to renew calls for their release, describing the girls as “my brave sisters”.

The 17-year-old criticised Nigerian and world leaders for not doing enough to free the girls.

Boko Haram, whose name translates roughly from the Hausa language as “Western education is sin”, is seeking to create a hardline Islamic state and has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State jihadist group.

The group’s six-year insurgency in northeast Nigeria has left at least 15,000 dead and some 1.5 million people homeless.

Boko Haram’s Abubakar Shekau and his lieutenants

The Nigerian military has in recent months claimed a string of successes against Boko Haram after launching a joint offensive against the militants with the help of soldiers from Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

A series of towns previously under Islamist control have been retaken, and Nigeria’s military has vowed to flush the insurgents out of its bases in Sambisa in the coming weeks.

But a string of recent attacks underlined the continuing risks posed by the Islamists.

Niger on Tuesday said 46 of its soldiers and 28 civilians were killed in a Boko Haram attack on an island on Lake Chad on Saturday. The assault came after 21 people were shot dead in northeast Nigeria’s Yobe state on Friday, in an attack also blamed on 

KBM. The street Reggae Artist drop new single (LOVE ME)

KBM the street soulja entertainment Reggae Artist,  has refused to stay lowkey ever since he released several hit singles including the recent smash hit (Ganja Walker)  That went viral on social medial and streets across Africa and the world at large .The 23 year Old artist has decide to raise the bar by dropping another  SINGLE title  (LOVE ME )to keep the ball rolling. The song was produced mix and mastered by Street Solder Entertainment. Seat back, Download here https://my.notjustok.com/track/download/id/16909 and enjoy the new Nigeria  sensational Reggae Artist.

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Youth Shut Down MTN Office In Benin City Over South Africa’s Attacks On Nigerians [PHOTOS]

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It’s Happening!!
Members of The Flagship, an affiliate of Edo Civil Society Organisations shuts down MTN office in Benin City, Edo state over the killings of Nigerians in South Africa, calling all Nigerians to boycott the products and services of South African companies in Nigeria.

Six Countries Turn Down Alison-Madueke’s Petroleum Ministe VISA Request

The report, dated March 2015, focused extensively on Nigeria’s general elections. It said the notorious Minister, whose impunity is known to have been closely-protected by President Goodluck Jonathan, will be coming under the microscope for the first time in her Ministerial career

No fewer than six countries have already refused to grant an asylum request by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, the Business Council for Africa (BCA) said in its just-released monthly report, noting that about US$ 1 trillion is the latest estimated figure of the looting of the Nigerian treasury between 1960 and 2005 alone.

The report, dated March 2015, focused extensively on Nigeria’s general elections.  It said the notorious Minister, whose impunity is known to have been closely-protected by President Goodluck Jonathan, will be coming under the microscope for the first time in her Ministerial career.

“Given her reputation, it comes as no surprise to learn that 6 countries have already refused to grant her asylum to live in their countries as she now wishes to leave Nigeria at the earliest possible opportunity,” it said.

BCA recalled President-elect Muhammadu Buhari lamenting that the rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption, one where stealing is not corruption but a way of life, and that his administration will pursue all public offices and individuals who are believed to be guilty of corruption.

It observed that despite an earlier promise, it is now understood that Buhari’s anti-corruption fishing net will include Ministers currently serving under President Goodluck Jonathan.  Alison-Madueke’s departure from Nigeria is likely to be followed by several other PDP elders, party members and supporters as well as some former Government officials, as Buhari's anti-corruption drive will be far-reaching.

“It will be very interesting to learn in the coming months exactly how far back in Nigeria's history his administration will go in the pursuance of those who have robbed Nigeria of US$ 1 trillion, which is the latest estimated figure of theft from the Nigerian treasury between the period 1960-2005. Given that President Jonathan's administration is considered the most corrupt of any of its predecessors, that figure is going to be considerably magnified, but whether the new President will wish to pursue former Heads of State is a matter of interest and considerable debate to Nigerian observers. It is this subject that is primarily responsible for Buhari's success in winning the election as well as his campaign promises to eradicate Boko Haram, revive the economy and rebuild Nigeria to make its position as the number one country in Africa.

While BCA agreed that the March/April 2015 were “the most credible elections in Nigeria's history”, it said they could not be called the most incorruptible.

On the contrary, it referred to them as the worst because of the amount of money that the PDP so freely and openly spent on trying to secure the re-election of Mr. Jonathan.

“The stories and reports from throughout the 36 States of the amount of money distributed by the PDP to elders, rulers, church leaders, unions and youth leaders amongst others in an endeavour to favour the voters towards the PDP has backfired badly,” the report said. 

BCA said that if the 2011 elections were considered bad, the 2015 elections will undoubtedly go down as the most corrupt in Nigeria's history, certainly since 1999, as the amount of money being distributed as bribes primarily by the PDP so very openly would readily confirm.

It reported that since November when campaigning began, President Jonathan and General Buhari during their travels made no fewer than 109 promises of what they intend to achieve if given the mandate in the presidential election.

“President Jonathan's campaign continued to hinge on his party's Transformation Agenda and the achievements of his Government in the last 4 years, particularly in the agricultural sector, job creation and the empowerment of women,” the report said.  In that regard, it credited Jonathan as having achieved a great deal during his tenure.

It said it was however Jonathan’s failures - rampant corruption, insecurity, inability to eliminate the Boko Haram insurgency, failure in such sectors as the economy, and power in particular, and the overall feeling that he was ruled rather than led - that have cost him his re-election bid.

The report also stated that in the 2015 elections, up to 250 Nigerians lost their lives, describing that deplorable record as speaking volumes for the control achieved by the Police at the campaign rallies by the two main candidates.

It described the cost of the campaigns of the two main parties as “simply staggering”, noting that by the first week of March, Buhari had spent some N332.58 billion as compared to the expenditure of President Jonathan which amounted to N1.05 trillion.

“This is without taking into account the cost of other expenses for such items as campaign rallies, where the PDP has spent N1.06 billion against Muhammadu Buhari's APC's N595.08 million, and clearly demonstrates the desperate lengths that the PDP have gone to in order to try and secure the re-election of President Jonathan.”

INEC Declares Taraba State Governorship Election Inconclusive

The family house of the Secretary to Taraba State Government, Timothy Kataps, and that of the member of the State House of Assembly representing Saudana constituency, Mr. Abel Dia, in Mbamga village in Gembu town were on Monday burnt down by some hoodlums protesting election results in the state.

The hoodlums also razed down the home of Kataps’ predecessor, Mr. Emmanuel Njiwa. All of them are from Mambilla.

The circumstances of the incident were still sketchy, but it was learnt that the SSG and the ex-deputy speaker who were in the area at the time reportedly went into hiding to escape being killed.

The youths, it was learnt, were trying to prevent electoral officers to take the results of Mbamgar constituency to the collation centre in Jalingo, the state capital.

This, it was learnt, snowballed into a crisis which prevented INEC electoral officers to take the results of Sardauna Local Government Area to the INEC headquarters in Jalingo for final declaration of the governorship result.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Joseph Kwaji, who confirmed the incident, said some youths supporting an unnamed political party were responsible for the action.

He was quoted to have said, “Our men have moved there to calm the situation. I am yet to ascertain the level of casualties in the area.”

It was learnt that the incident led to the rescheduling of the election in the local government.

The council’s Returning Officer, Kyari Muhammed, said the election in Donga was characterised by “irregularities.

8 Signs You’re Dating The Wrong Person

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Photo Credit: Dreamstime Stock

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Is there a nagging voice inside you? Something telling you that maybe this person you’re spending time with isn’t the best person for you to be with? That there’s someone better?

That your current relationship isn’t what you had dreamed for yourself? If so, then these are probably feelings you want to explore further. Here are eight signs that you are dating the wrong person.

Sign #1: You’re not Happy
This is a great place to start. Someone who is dating the right person consistently enjoys the relationship and feels a general sense of happiness. We’re not saying that they wouldn’t argue or be upset with their partner occasionally; even the healthiest couples do that. And we’re not saying that there wouldn’t be times when a person in a good relationship would get down or struggle emotionally at some level. But generally speaking, a person who is in the right relationship is going to be happy. So if you find yourself unhappy much of the time – and especially when you’re with your partner – then that’s a fairly clear sign that this may not be the best person for you.

Sign #2: You Don’t Feel Good about Yourself
In addition to feeling happy, a person in a good relationship usually has a positive self esteem. Sure, they will have doubts and insecurities, and they may even deal with some bigger questions about themselves. But the time they spend with their partner will make them feel better about themselves, not worse. In contrast, if your partner exacerbates your self doubts and undermines your confidence, then that’s a major red flag that this is not a good person for you to be in a relationship with. You want someone who affirms and celebrates the great things about you, not someone who wrecks your self confidence and torpedoes your every attempt at growth.

Sign #3: The People you Trust Urge you to Get Out
If the people you trust and are closest to feel that you’ve found a good catch and therefore encourage the relationship, that’s a good sign that you two may belong together. On the other hand, if the people who love you the most are begging you to get away from someone, then that person’s probably not the one for you. Of course, sometimes your friends and family may choose someone for you who isn’t a great match. In these cases, it’s not always wise to follow their advice. But if they are the people you trust the most and who know you best, and they are urging you to get out of your current relationship, then you owe it to yourself to give their advice a serious listen.

Sign #4: You Find yourself Constantly Thinking about Someone Else
It’s not always the case that a person is wrong because of some sort of character flaw or personal defect. Sometimes, the problem is simply that the person isn’t someone else. If you are dating one person but secretly wishing you were with somebody else, then that’s a problem. It could be that it’s an ex you’re still carrying a torch for. Or maybe it’s someone else in your life you wish you could be with. Regardless, if you are constantly (or even frequently) wishing you were dating a different person, then that’s a sure-fire sign that your current relationship is not all it should be.

Sign #5: You Find yourself Denying Facts you know to be True
This is the old “river in Egypt” problem—you’re swimming in “de Nile.” And it can happen to all of us. We know something is true, but we just can’t bring ourselves to see it or admit it. Maybe you don’t want to believe something negative about your partner, or you want to ignore the fact that all you two ever do is argue when you’re together. Whatever the actual issue, if you are working hard to deny facts about your relationship that you know to be true, then you are probably dating the wrong person.

Sign #6: The Cons of Staying Together Outweigh the Pros
A cost-benefit analysis can be helpful in situations other than at the office. Sit down for a few minutes and write down the advantages of continuing to date the person you are with. Then list the disadvantages. When you compare the lists, you might determine that the reasons to stay together are more compelling than the reasons to break up. But if the opposite appears to be the case, then let logic be your guide and move on to someone else.

Sign #7: Your Instincts are Saying get Out
As a general rule, voices inside you are there for a reason, and they ought to be listened to. Sometimes an inner voice may tell us that we’ve found our soul mate, or simply that we should continue to pursue a relationship until we discover how fulfilling it can be. But sometimes, something within us is whispering (or even screaming) that we’re dating the wrong person. If this is the case for you, then one of the worst things you can do is to ignore that voice. Give it free reign and let it direct you to the conclusion you may have already come to.

Sign #8: You Already Know the Truth
It might be the case that at this point, you really don’t know whether you are dating the wrong person. If so, then you may want to continue the relationship for a while longer so you two can explore whether you should be together. Relationships often take time to achieve their full potential. But you may determine that you are dating someone you should definitely not be dating. If so, then you need to be brave enough to do what you need to do, and end the relationship.

Find someone who treats you like you need to be treated and makes you happy. Someone who makes you feel good about yourself, and whom the people you trust encourage you to be with. Someone who, when you are really honest with yourself, you know deserves to become that special person in your life. When you find that person, you won’t have to worry that you’re dating the wrong person.

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Prophet Says Buhari Will Die In Office, Jimi Agbaje Will Win

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buhari-Osinbajo 

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Osun State-born Prophet, J.K. Hephzibah, otherwise known as Baba Peculiar, who predicted the defeat of Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential election has disclosed that the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari needs fervent prayers from Nigerians in order not to die in power like President Umaru Yar’Adua.

The respectable cleric made this known on Saturday, April 4, 2015 in Lagos while addressing national issues.

According to Hephzibah: “One of my seven-point messages to the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, that is been packaged to be released during my miracle night in Lagos in a few days time is that Nigerians should pray for President Buhari in order to avert his death.

“I saw the new president in my vision being kept somewhere for most of his followers to rule this country.”

Baba Peculiar, in his predictions, further said Buhari, as loved by many, is not the messiah to save this country.

He said he would just rule for a period of time to pave the way for God’s chosen person that will take Nigeria to the Promise Land.

The cleric added: “I see Professor Yemi Osinbajo ruling this country, while General Buhari will just be there like a ceremonial head.

“In fact, Osinbajo also needs to be careful because he would be assassinated by an ex-military Head of State.

“God told me he is giving the mandate to Jimi Agbaje of PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) in Lagos State, but the power that be in APC (All Progressives Congress) will try to upturn the election in their favour and if care is not taken, this may lead to crisis.”

The notable prophet, in his conclusion, urged all men of God to pray for Buhari in order for him to complete is term.

“I implore Nigerian men of God to avoid being used by politicians.

“By doing so, they are playing God and the consequence will not be palatable,” said Hephzibah