Buhari inaugurates 19-member Transition Committee

The President-elect, Gen. Buhari, today Wednesday April 29th in Abuja inaugurated a 19-member Transition Committee to liaise with its Federal Government counterpart to ensure a smooth transition. See the photos and names of the transition committee members after the cut...

Chibok: 293 women and girls rescued, awaiting confirmation from Nigeria military

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.

Baltimore transformed to a war zone after Freddie Gray suffered spinal injury in police cutody

A state of emergency has been declared in Baltimore after the city transformed into 'an absolute war zone' following the funeral of Freddie Gray. More than 1,000 Maryland police officers, the Maryland National Guard, and 5,000 officers from neighboring states are on standby in the city and the president has been briefed on the situation as violence continues to escalate. It is the same level of reinforcement the city requested during the riots of 1968 after Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated. The scenes of destruction were initially billed as anti-police protests to avenge the death of Freddie 

Gray, who suffered a fatal spinal cord injury in police custody on April 12. 

But it rapidly mushroomed into uncontrolled riots. 

Nigeria's oil revenue audit: NNPC did deduct $18.53bn

Diezani Alison-Madueke, Petroleum Minister

A forensic audit of Nigeria’s state oil firm released on Monday confirmed the accusation by Emir Muhammed Sanusi that the NNPC withheld about $20 billion that it ought to have remitted to the national treasury.

The report ordered released by President Goodluck Jonathan, more than two months after it was submitted by PriceWaterHouseCoopers confirmed that the NNPC illegally expended $18.53 billion on operational costs, kerosene and petrol subsidies, without authorisation from the National Assembly. Part of the money was also withheld by an NNPC subsidiary, without National Assembly authorisation.

15 year old girl kidnapped and sold into sex slavery in Libya, rescued returns home

Precious Nwaigwe, the 15-year-old schoolgirl, who was kidnapped in the Ajah area of Lagos State about a year ago, has said she was made to work for $6,000 the Libyan pimp paid to buy her.

She added that after paying the money, she was again used as collateral for a 500 Libyan dinars (N50,000) loan.

She also stated that her abductors conducted pregnancy tests on her three different times, which were negative.

The schoolgirl, who was released on Friday, spoke to Punch Metro on Monday in Ikeja, Lagos.

US Daily Investigator comes for Tinubu in new article, calls him 'Heroin Kingpin'

US Daily Beast profiled APC leader Bola Tinubu in an article titled 'Nigeria's Next Leader's Ties to a Heroin Ring' where they described Tinubu as a 'heroin kingpin'. Tinubu will not like this. Read below

General Muhammed Buhari’s political partner is a former bagman for two heroin traffickers. But that’s just business as usual in Nigeria. Nigeria’s election last month was celebrated as an unlikely victory for democracy in an African country with a tenuous record of free and fair representation. But the man most responsible for midwifing General Muhammed Buhari’s ballot triumph over current President Jonathan has a spotty CV.

Pedestrian bridge crushes car in Kano, 7 killed

No fewer than seven people were killed in Kano on Sunday when a pedestrian bridge at Dorayi quarters, Kano, collapsed, the state Police Command said.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Majiya, confirmed the incident in an interview with NAN.

Majiya said the incident happened around 4:45 p.m. when the bridge, which was still under construction, caved in and collapsed on a car, which was passing underneath it.

“The workers at the site had warned motorists not to pass because they were working on the bridge but the driver of the taxi allegedly ignored the warning.

“So, the moment he moved; before he passed, the bridge caved in and collapsed on the vehicle, which led to the death of seven persons,” he said.

According to him, the vehicle has since been evacuated from the scene while the corpses have been deposited at a hospital morgue.

Majiya said the police had also commenced investigation into the cause of the incident.

Jude Okoye of PSquare dedicate daughter

Jude Okoye and his wife, Ifeoma, dedicated their daughter Emma today April 26th. The couple welcomed their daughter in November 2014.

John Fashanu, ex footballer in court to divorce wife after knife attack

Former footballer John Fashanu is embroiled in a bitter split with his wife Abigail amid claims that she threatened him with knives after he slept with their maid.

The ex-Wimbledon player, 52, has filed for divorce, claiming his 'life was at stake' - and says it was in fact her who cheated on him - with another woman who she calls her 'spiritual partner'.

Mrs Fashanu, 48, strenuously denies these allegations and says her ex-husband is 'sick and needs help'.

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Bitter split: John Fashanu, 52, and his wife Abigail, 48 have accused each other of cheating and he claims she has violently attacked him on a number of occasions

World's fattest man loses 47 stones, finds love and moves to US for skin removal

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Found love: In 2013 Mr Mason appeared on television to tell the world of his blossoming relationship with Rebecca Mountain

Mr Mason's binge eating began in his 20s at the time of his father's death and a deterioration in his mother's health.

He quit his job as a postman when his weight stopped him from finishing his rounds. 

As his weight soared he was left unable to stand or walk before finally becoming bed-ridden and being looked after full time by council carers.

Brixton Protests, Foxtons Properties targeted over gentrification of area

Protesters have demolished the front window of upmarket estate agents Foxtons during a protest against the gentrification of South London.

The store front of its Brixton branch was covered in shattered glass while 'no evictions' and 'yuppies' was spray painted in black across their housing advertisements.

GlaxoSmithKline almost ready with first malaria vaccine

Anopheles mosquito: vector of the parasite causing malaria in humans

The world’s first malaria vaccine, produced by GlaxoSmithKline, could be approved by international regulators for use in Africa from October.

The final trial data showed that the shoe, called RTS, S offered partial protection for children for up to four years.

900 People dead, dozens more buried alive after powerful earthquake in Nepal

900 people across four countries have been killed after a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal causing massive damage in the capital.

The Nepalese government has declared a state of emergency in affected areas and appealed for international assistance after the severe quake destroyed homes, businesses and landmarks in Kathmandu and the densely-populated surrounding areas at noon local time.

Nigeria Transition: President Jonathan and Buhari share hearty laughter in new photos

Pics taken as they addressed members of the press after their closed door meeting at the presidential villa today. More photos after the cut...

Xenophobia: South African minister denied visa to enter Israel

Aljazeera reports

The government of South Africa has expressed outrage after Israel's decision to deny a visa to Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande. Clayson Monyela, Deputy Director General of Department of International Relations and Cooperation, told Al Jazeera on Thursday the Israeli government needed to offer a reason for the snubbing.

Buhari’s Symbolism Defeated Jonathan, APC could not defeat Jonathan without Buhari - Al-Bishak

Mallam Al-Bishak (MON), a social commentator, is a Senior Lecturer with the Department of English, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria. In this encounter with Chinedu Aroh, he speaks on the lessons of the just-concluded general elections in Nigeria.

What is your reaction to the victory of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 28 presidential elections in Nigeria?

My immediate reaction is that it is good that the opposition has, for the first time in Nigeria’s history, dislodged the ruling party. It means that henceforth the electorate can use its power to change an unpopular government.

Toxic African villages where laptops and fridges go to die

Thousands of broken televisions, computers, microwaves and refrigerators are being illegally exported to African countries and dumped gigantic landfills like Agbogbloshie in Ghana because it costs less than recycling them in their countries of origin, campaigners claim.

41 million tonnes of 'e-waste' worth over £34billion were discarded globally in 2014, according to shocking report by United Nations University who claim only 6 million tonnes of that was recycled properly. 

Deportation: Court orders the return of boy forcibly removed to Nigeria

The Home Office has been ordered to find a five-year-old boy and his mother who were deported to Nigeria and return them to Britain.

Rafeeq Atanda, who was born in the UK and brought up in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, was flown back to West Africa along with his mother Bola Fatumbi in January after their long-running asylum claim failed.

But - in a landmark ruling which could undermine Theresa May's so-called 'deport first, appeal later' immigration policy - a senior judge has now ordered the pair be returned to Britain while the case is judicially reviewed.

Mr Justice Cranston ordered that the Home Office foot the bill for tracking down Rafeeq and Ms Fatumbi, 45, and bringing them back to the UK.

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Five-year-old Rafeeq Atanda - who grew up in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear - has been deported to his mother's home country of Nigeria, which he has never visited and where has no family, it emerged today

Xenophobia: Mozambican Sithole Stabbed to death in South Africa

Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

The attackers eventually moved on and left Sithole alone. Oatway and fellow journalist Beauregard Tromp rushed Sithole to a hospital, where he later died.

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Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

Local media alleged that the attacks were a consequence of Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini reportedly saying at a recent gathering that foreigners "should pack their bags and go" because they are taking jobs from citizens. Later, Zwelithini said he had not called for a war on immigrants: "This war I am calling for today is to protect everyone of foreign origin in this country irrespective of which country they are from."

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Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

"I still remember (Sithole) looking straight into my eyes," Oatway said. "He had a kind of a dazed, shocked look in his face."

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Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

Another photographer, Antoine de Ras, captured the moment Oatway and local authorities assisted the victim. Oatway is the one holding Sithole's belt.

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Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

"I'm sickened by it," Oatway said. "And I'm extremely angry, angry with the men that did this and ultimately I'm upset that our efforts weren't successful in saving Emmanuel's life."

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Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

Mozambican Emmanuel Sithole, left, was walking down a street in Johannesburg's Alexandra Township when four men surrounded him on Saturday, April 18. Sithole pleaded for mercy, but it was already too late. The attackers bludgeoned him with a wrench and stabbed him with knives, killing him in broad daylight. Photographer James Oatway was nearby and captured it all on his camera.

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Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

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Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

Oatway said he tried to get as close as possible. "When the attack started I was 20 meters away, but at one point I was four or five meters away," he said. "I did think that maybe they would leave him alone."

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Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

Oatway's images landed on the front page of South Africa's Sunday Times under the headline, "Kill thy neighbor: Alex attack brings home SA's shame." Seven people have been killed in the latest round of xenophobic violence against poorer immigrants, many from South Africa's neighbors.

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Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

The attackers eventually moved on and left Sithole alone. Oatway and fellow journalist Beauregard Tromp rushed Sithole to a hospital, where he later died.

Hide Caption

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Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

Local media alleged that the attacks were a consequence of Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini reportedly saying at a recent gathering that foreigners "should pack their bags and go" because they are taking jobs from citizens. Later, Zwelithini said he had not called for a war on immigrants: "This war I am calling for today is to protect everyone of foreign origin in this country irrespective of which country they are from."

Hide Caption

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Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

"I still remember (Sithole) looking straight into my eyes," Oatway said. "He had a kind of a dazed, shocked look in his face."

Hide Caption

7 of 9

Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

Another photographer, Antoine de Ras, captured the moment Oatway and local authorities assisted the victim. Oatway is the one holding Sithole's belt.

Hide Caption

8 of 9

Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

"I'm sickened by it," Oatway said. "And I'm extremely angry, angry with the men that did this and ultimately I'm upset that our efforts weren't successful in saving Emmanuel's life."

Hide Caption

9 of 9

Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

Mozambican Emmanuel Sithole, left, was walking down a street in Johannesburg's Alexandra Township when four men surrounded him on Saturday, April 18. Sithole pleaded for mercy, but it was already too late. The attackers bludgeoned him with a wrench and stabbed him with knives, killing him in broad daylight. Photographer James Oatway was nearby and captured it all on his camera.

Hide Caption

1 of 9

Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

Hide Caption

2 of 9

Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

Oatway said he tried to get as close as possible. "When the attack started I was 20 meters away, but at one point I was four or five meters away," he said. "I did think that maybe they would leave him alone."

Hide Caption

3 of 9

Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

Oatway's images landed on the front page of South Africa's Sunday Times under the headline, "Kill thy neighbor: Alex attack brings home SA's shame." Seven people have been killed in the latest round of xenophobic violence against poorer immigrants, many from South Africa's neighbors.

Hide Caption

4 of 9

Xenophobic attack in South Africa 9 photos

The attackers eventually moved on and left Sithole alone. Oatway and fellow journalist Beauregard Tromp rushed Sithole to a hospital, where he later died.

Hide Caption

5 of 9

Mozambican Emmanuel Sithole was walking down a street when four South Africans surrounded him. Sithole pleaded for mercy, but it was already too late. The attackers bludgeoned him with a wrench, stabbed him with knives, all in broad daylight. And Oatway CNN had captured it all on his camera.