Abductors of the 27 students and three staff of Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State, have threatened to starve them to death if the ransom they are demanding is not paid on time.

Recall that on February 17, armed bandits dressed in military uniforms, stormed the school, shot a student dead, and went on to abduct 27 others. The bandits also abducted three members of staff as well as 12 family members of the abducted staff.

In an audio recording released to a prominent Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, one of the abductors who spoke in Hausa, rejected N2.7m offered him as a ransom for the 27 abductees.

“I don’t have food for them. If anybody dies among them, we will tell you where to go and pick the corpse. You know these children are hungry. I don’t have food to give them, only water if they are going to die, let them die.”Punch quotes the bandit as saying

The bandit added that he was aware that many security agents and vehicles had been deployed in Kagara and vowed that they would not succeed in rescuing the abductees.

''You think I don’t know what you people are doing? I can tell you how many security vehicles are in Kagara as we speak.

It is with the help of the people of the city that intruders can overrun the city. Don’t you know that? The person who gave us this business is there among you. He is there with you. Wherever you go, he is watching you. If you want to do this deal, go ahead. From God we come and to him we will return

Even if you put together the entire security forces of Nigeria in Kagara, I have eyes all over Kagara. Whichever step you take in Nigeria, I swear, I will know. You people are saying they should not pay us, that if they pay us, we will use to money to buy weapons. With whose money did we buy our weapons? If we don’t have weapons, you will just send security agents to kill us and take the children.”the bandit said

Appealing to the bandit, the negotiator stated, “They (parents) have agreed to pay N2.7m. Each parent will pay N100,000 .”

But the abductor rejected the offer threatening to unleash terror on Kagara.

“If I want Kagara to be in peace, it will be in peace. If it is not going to be in peace, it will go in pieces from here until Ilorin. If I die in this process, I have children that I have instructed that if I die that I don’t want Kagara to be peaceful if you don’t do as I say. Even if I die, nobody will come into Kagara.”

The abductor also slammed state governors who are against them being paid a ransom.

“Governors are saying we should not be given money because we are going to use it to buy guns; guns that Allah provides and you are boasting about. Niger won’t know peace until it disbands vigilantes.

In all of your (Niger State) madness, you are not up to Zamfara. It was compelled to accept our terms and talk less of small fries like you. You see, if you want to seek peace, seek peace and if you don’t stop the activities of vigilantes in Niger you will not know peace forever.”

Your deploying security officials in Kagara is a waste of time. Is there a fence in this forest? You know we are not in the cities, we are in the forest.”the bandit said.

Director-general of Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar has announced that the federal government will soon commence trial of 5,000 suspected Boko Haram insurgents held across various detention facilities in the country.

Abubakar said this while being hosted by Governor Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri, Borno state. 

The Director-general of Legal Aid Council who thanked the management of operation Lafia Doyle for granting them access to detention facilities at Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri, Kainji correctional facilities among others, said they've so far interviewed about 283 of the inmates to ascertain the nature of the crimes they committed.

Abubakar further revealed that the trial would be conducted by the office of the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), office of the national security adviser (NSA) in collaboration with the theatre command of operation Lafiya Dole.

He said; 

“As their defence council, we have to interview them from time to time to enable us to know their own part of the story.

“It so because regardless of the generous crimes they committed it is possible that out of hundreds, you may found out that one or two persons were innocent of the charges that they are being detained.

“It was necessary for them to be represented by council to make sure that the official fulfills all the requirement of the provisions of the law.

“All evidence must be presented against them before the court of the law so that those that were found guilty are prosecuted and face the consequences of their action.”

Veteran actress Kate Henshaw was dragged into a Twitter exchange with a follower who expressed his intention of becoming her sugar boy. 

The man who listed his qualities via a note he shared, stated that he's been crushing on the actress for long. 

Kate Henshaw who politely turned down the offer, told the man that she hopes he finds someone worthy to spend the rest of her life with him given the qualities he listed. 

See her response below; 

18 people have reportedly been killed by bandits who struck at Giwa, Chikun and Igabi local government areas of Kaduna State.

Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan confirmed the attacks in a statement released on Wednesday February 24. 

The bandits who attacked Anaba village in Igabi local government area, killed seven people who have been identified as Ali Musa, Isa Sharehu, Tijjani Isa, Auwalu Shehu, Hashim Abdullahi, Hassan Saidu and Umar Rilwanu.

The bandits rustled no fewer than 20 cows during the operation and also burnt down houses along with storehouses and barns. 

In Barinje village of Chikun local government area, the bandits killed 8 people who have been identified as Sunday Gwamna, Lawal Jizo, Salha Barau, Sabo Barau, Umaru Barau, Muhammadu Dan Azumi, Zailani Dogara and Jikan Gambo.

Some residents of the village were also abducted, and cattle rustled during the attack, while an unspecified number of injured victims are receiving treatment in hospitals. Loosely connected communities of Kwarten Rigasa, Kwarten Waziri and Kwarten Shaku in Igabi local government area were also attacked by armed bandits. 

The bandits reportedly emerged from the Buruku area and raided the villages in a cattle rustling operation and in the process, killed one Danjuma Isa from neighboring Ungwan Kanti village as he made his way on foot to Kwarten Rigasa.

They also invaded Sanhu Makera village in Birnin Yero of Igabi local government area and killed one Yakubu Abdullahi, a farmer in the village, while another person was killed by unknown assailants in unusual circumstances, at the Ministerial Pilot Housing Estate, Millennium City in Chikun local government area.

The attacks on soft targets at Anaba and Barinje villages in Igabi and Chikun LGAs respectively followed the killing of several armed bandits through targeted air operations.

Aruwan said air platforms had earlier conducted armed reconnaissance around Anaba village during which the crew observed houses on fire and locals migrating to nearby settlements. He further disclosed that many bandits on motorcycles were neutralised by troops at Kankomi village and neighbouring communities as well as Kuyanbana forest while many of them escaped with bullet wounds.

A container load of tramadol has been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Apapa seaport.

Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi in a statement released on Wednesday February 24, said about two million capsules of Tramadol (precisely 1,994,400 capsules) tucked in 554 cartons were intercepted in the container which was falsely declared to contain ceramic tiles.

He quoted Apapa seaport Area Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Samuel Gadzama as saying that one of the containers bearing the illicit drug had been intercepted and seized in Kenya.

Gadzama said; 

 “Though the second container found its way to Nigeria but the eagle eyes of our narcotic agents discovered it during a joint inspection of the ship. Were continuing with further investigations.”

NDLEA operatives also conducted raids at some drug spots in Agege, Ikorodu, Lekki, Okokomaiko and other parts of the state and dismantled major drug syndicates. Some suspects were arrested by the operatives who also seized large quantities of hard drugs.

90 suspects including an Indian were arrested while over 614kg of various types of drugs were seized.

Lagos State Commander of the agency, Mr. Ralph Igwenagu gave a breakdown of the seizures as Cannabis Sativa 577.020kg; Cocaine 0.183kg, Heroine 0.003kg, Tramadol 36.202kg (7,697) tablets, Rohypnol 0.208kg (646) tablets, Diazapam 0.462kg (2066) tablets, Exol-5 0.52kg (316) tablets, making a total of 614.396kg. 

Igwenagu said; 

 “One of the drug syndicates busted during the raids is co-ordinated by one Samuel Ebenezer in Lekki whose cartel imports special sophisticated drugs baked in cakes, biscuits and cookies from the United States and sells to the rich and affluent people in Lekki and Lagos Island.

“The second syndicate is coordinated by an Indian, Inderpreet Singh, alias Bobby that imports Tramadol 225mg from India and sells in Nigeria from his Osy Agomo Close, Apple Estate, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos.

“Mr. Singh is also a dealer in tricycle parts and the Managing Director of Rashaan Trading Ltd. Arrested with him is a Nigerian, one Sylvester Omoredien.”

Rapper, Kanye West reportedly tried to sell some of the jewellery he had bought for his estranged wife, Kim Kardashian, just days before she filed for divorce.

According to the Sun, Kanye, 43, visited two jewellers to get quotes for the items he was considering selling.     

A source told The Sun: 'In the last two weeks, Kanye was attempting to sell jewellery he had purchased for Kim to at least two top jewellers.

'Kanye recently said, "I don't want to be connected to the Kardashian brand anymore" but he was so torn because he still very much loves Kim.

'Although he never ended up selling the jewellery he was talking about how he didn't want to be reminded of the past.'

The insider added that Kanye 'really wanted to stay together but she was done'.

During their marriage, the rapper and billionaire fashion designer splashed out millions building Kim's jewellery collection.

These included a $1million Lorraine Schwartz diamond necklace as her push present for North, her 15-carat engagement ring worth $3million, two Cartier bracelets and a vintage Cartier gold plaque necklace with a text from Kanye etched into it. 

Kim filed for divorce from Kanye on Friday February 18, after almost seven years of marriage.   

As part of the divorce filings, she is asking for joint legal and physical custody of their four young children: North, seven, Saint, five, Chicago, three, Psalm, 21 months. 

Kim is worth almost $1B thanks to her makeup, fragrance and intimates lines. The rapper is worth a reported $1.3B thanks to his music, concerts, and apparel and shoe lines. 

Reports say neither will contest their prenup and they are far along in their agreement over how to split property. 

A naked man was filmed running down a high street as police officers chased after him.

Ross Springham, 29, was spotted in his birthday suit in Notting Hill, west London in the early hours of Sunday morning, Feb 21.

Residents called police but when officers arrived, he started running away.

Footage shows three cops desperately trying to catch the naked man as he screams and darts past shops and businesses with nothing on.

Springham was eventually arrested by police and taken to a police station in central London after being checked over by paramedics, Scotland Yard said.

He pleaded guilty and was remanded in custody. He will be sentenced next month after a pre-sentence report is produced by probation.

The Anambra state police command has reacted to a viral video of some fulani men who were caught with gun at Abuja park in Upper Iweka, Anambra state. 

Anambra police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed in a statement made available to LIB said the incident occurred on Sunday and they've verified their identities. 

Mohammed further revealed that the men were hunters who were on their way to meet their colleagues. He said; 

They were hunters going to meet their colleagues and the incident took place on Sunday. Police rescued them.

The Senate has confirmed the nomination for the appointment of Abdulrasheed Bawa as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFFC.

The 40-year-old Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist was screened by the lawmakers at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly today February 24.

Last week, President Buhari nominated Bawa and asked the Senate to confirm him as the substantive Chairman of the Commission.

He assumes office as the first core EFCC official and non-police officer to head the agency.

Bawa also became the youngest person ever to serve as chairman of the anti-corruption agency.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeder’s Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has urged the Federal Government to allow every Nigerian to bear firearms to protect themselves considering the security challenges in the country.

The Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Bauchi state, Sadiq Ibrahim Ahmed, made the call during an interview with The Nation. He said since the Federal government has failed in its responsibility to protect lives and properties, citizens should be allowed to bear arms so they can protect themselves. He also commended Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed, who recently defended Fulani herdsmen who carry AK47.

”The government has become irresponsible. That is why a Fulani man has become an outcast in his own country. All his wealth has been crippled to activities of cattle rustlers. What do you expect him to do?

Let everybody protect themselves, let everybody carry arms. You don’t allow few bandits to come and ruin you , kill you, kill your family as few people cannot be terrorizing everybody.

Though in a normal situation nobody should be allowed to carry arms except those that are legalised to do so but if the Federal government had taken the responsibility of protecting lives of citizens serious, no one would dare have reason to carry arms.

You need to ask yourself is the government doing enough to protect the lives of herdsmen.

I won’t fault Governor Bala Mohammed for the statement, he is very right. After all he did not say herdsmen should go and cause chaos.

No one faulted Benue Governor, Ortom when he said herdsmen should leave his state. So why are they criticising Bauchi governor?”he said

Ghana received its first batch of COVID19 vaccines on Wednesday February 24.

The Disease Surveillance Department of Ghana's Health Service shared photos of the consignment on its Twitter handle this afternoon.

Rotimi Akeredolu has been sworn in for a second term as the governor of Ondo state.

He took the oath during his inauguration which was held at the International Culture and Event Centre, Akure, on Wednesday, Feb 24.

He was sworn in alongside his running mate Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Akeredolu was accompanied by his wife Betty Akeredolu, children and grandchildren.

The event was attended by Godwin Obaseki, Adegboyega Oyetola, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun, and Kayode Fayemi, governors of Edo, Osun, Lagos, Ogun and Ekiti respectively.

Akeredolu defeated Eyitayo Jegede, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, and was declared winner of the Ondo State governorship election on October 11, 2020, by INEC.