IGP Deploys Helicopters, Drones To Rescue 20 Kidnapped Medical Students In Benue

https://ift.tt/sMSkf92 Nigeria Inspector General of Police, IGP has ordered the deployment of helicopters, drones and other sophisticated weapons to Benue State after one of the 20 Doctors and Medical students kidnapped at Otukpo community on Thursday evening, Kingsley Aondona tweeted on Friday from captivity  that the kidnappers threatened to start killing them next day if their ... Read More "IGP Deploys Helicopters, Drones To Rescue 20 Kidnapped Medical Students In Benue" »

Turkey Lawmakers Resort To Fists Punching Over Debate To Free Jailed Colleague

https://ift.tt/g32oKjk Turkish lawmakers could not control their tempers on Friday as they were seen punching one another during parliamentary session at the country Grand National Assembly floor over a debate to free elected jailed colleague. The lawmakers could be seen striking one another with fists leading to bloodstains on the floor of the Grand National Assembly. ... Read More "Turkey Lawmakers Resort To Fists Punching Over Debate To Free Jailed Colleague" »

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GT Bank Confirms Cybercriminal Hacks Website, Insists Customer Savings Not Affected

https://ift.tt/FeRO8UN One of Nigeria main commercial banks, Guaranty Trust Bank often called GTB has confirmed that its website was hacked but insisted that customers’ savings and other data were not affected because the bank does not store customers’ data on its website. GTB in a statement posted on its official social media handles few hours ago, ... Read More "GT Bank Confirms Cybercriminal Hacks Website, Insists Customer Savings Not Affected" »

GT Bank Confirms Cybercriminal Hacks Website, Insists Customer Savings Not Affected

https://ift.tt/FytH19L One of Nigeria main commercial banks, Guaranty Trust Bank often called GTB has confirmed that its website was hacked but insisted that customers’ savings and other data were not affected because the bank does not store customers’ data on its website. GTB in a statement posted on its official social media handles few hours ago, ... Read More "GT Bank Confirms Cybercriminal Hacks Website, Insists Customer Savings Not Affected" »

Tinubu Directs EFCC To Release Recovered Looted Funds To Finance Students’ Loans

https://ift.tt/UI1D6TB Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to release ₦50 billion of recovered looted funds to finance the students’ loans scheme. This was made known few minutes ago in a news statement issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC while reacting to public outcry that the ... Read More "Tinubu Directs EFCC To Release Recovered Looted Funds To Finance Students’ Loans" »

How Paul Is Trying To Make Fans Dislike Me, Jude Was Stealing Our Money – Peter P-square

https://ift.tt/olTXH6B Nigerian music and break dance star, Peter Okoye aka Mr P of the P-square group has accused his twin brother, Paul Okoye aka Rudeboy and their elder brother, Jude Okoye of working together to always humiliate him with the twin brother telling lies to make fans hate him as if he, Peter is always jealous ... Read More "How Paul Is Trying To Make Fans Dislike Me, Jude Was Stealing Our Money – Peter P-square" »

Police Goes After Auckland City Mission Over Sweets Given As Charity In New Zealand

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Police in New Zealand is currently calling on homeless and underserved people who received sweets as charity gifts from Auckland City Mission, a charity organisation to return the sweets or avoid eating the pineapple flavoured sugar food.

According to the Police authority, the pineapple sweets dished out by the New Zealand charity have tested positive for potentially lethal amounts of methamphetamine.

The police made this known on Wednesday morning which sparked an urgent race to remove them from the streets, as the contaminated sweets contain about 300 doses of meth which authority in the country said can lead to death.

It was gathered that the New Zealand charity, Auckland City Mission, accidentally gives out the sweets filled with lethal dose of methamphetamine – a highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system, according to observers.

We learnt that it was the Anti-poverty charity, the Auckland City Mission that raised the alarm after discovering a batch of the sweets was contaminated with the highly addictive and illegal narcotics.

“Here’s what happened: The charity recently handed out what appeared to be pineapple-flavored boiled sweets to the community. Unfortunately, these “sweets” were actually small blocks of methamphetamine cleverly disguised to look like individually wrapped candies.

Authorities are now working diligently to recover these dangerous substances and ensure they don’t cause harm. The Auckland City Mission, which operates with a mission to support the vulnerable and underserved, has expressed deep concern and is cooperating fully with the police.

The meth was disguised as pineapple flavored boiled sweets. The Auckland City Mission distributed these items before realizing the mix-up. The police are actively involved in recovering the meth and ensuring public safety.

The situation is under investigation, and the priority is to address the issue swiftly to prevent any potential harm. If you or anyone you know has received these candies, please report it immediately to local authorities. Your safety and well-being are paramount”, a resident in New Zealand stated in a post.

The anti poverty charity said in a statement that up to 400 people may have received the sweets from Auckland City Mission as part of a food parcel.

Adding, the sweets were donated anonymously by a member of a public in a sealed retail package. At least three people, including a child, sought medical attention afterwards though none are currently in hospital.

“We did not know that the lollies contained methamphetamine when they were distributed,” the charity’s spokesperson said, according to BBC report.

New Zealand Drug Foundation said each individual sweet could have a street value of around NZ$1000, US$601.

Police said while the incident could be accidental rather than a targeted operation, they had not drawn any conclusions as it is a bit early to say. The charity alerted the authorities on Tuesday after being alerted by a recipient about the funny tasting sweets.

Helen Robinson, chief executive of Auckland City Mission, said that some of the charity’s staff members tried the sweets themselves and agreed with the complaints, and started to feel funny afterwards, according to BBC.

The BBC report added that they then sent sweets that were still on site to the New Zealand Drug Foundation for tests, which confirmed that potentially lethal levels of methamphetamine were contained in the samples. The foundation said they found about 3 grams of methamphetamine in a sweet that was sent for testing.

“A common dose to swallow is between 10-25mg, so this contaminated lolly contained up to 300 doses,” says its head Sarah Helm, adding that swallowing such amount of the drug is “extremely dangerous and could result in death”.

Methamphetamine can cause chest pain, racing heart, seizures, hyperthermia, delirium and loss of consciousness, according to the foundation.

Robinson said the mission distributes around 50,000 food parcels a year and only commercially manufactured food are included in these parcels.

Meanwhile, Police have asked people that have sweets wrapped in brand Rinda’s yellow pineapple flavour packaging to contact them immediately.

“It’s vital the public are aware of these lollies and the hazard that they present,” Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said in a press conference on Wednesday.

He said that such cases of food laced with meth had happened before and they would likely work with Interpol on the investigation, which may take some time.

Rinda, a Malaysian confectioner, had told BBC that it has come to their attention that their products may have been misused in connection with illegal substances and the company does not use or condone the use of any illegal drugs in their products.

“We will work closely with law enforcement and relevant authorities to address this issue and protect the integrity of our brand,” the firm said in a statement.

Steven Peh, the general manager of Rinda, reportedly told local news site, Stuff New Zealand that the contaminated candy he had seen in photos was white, whereas Rinda’s product is yellow.

The authorities are still trying to understand the scale of the spread. 16 packets have been recovered so far – police say each packet could possibly contain 20 – 30 sweets but they don’t know the exact number in the 16 packets. Up to 400 people have been contacted by the charity.

“Robinson said the sweets likely came into the charity’s possession in about mid-July, but that they are calling everyone as far back as 1 July to be safe.

Ben Birks Ang, deputy director of the New Zealand Drug Foundation, said the organisation believes the incident was unlikely to be intentional as “disclosing substances as something else to smuggle it into another area is common”. But there are still fears that other charities could be affected.

Robinson said she had contacted other charities to check for their sweets. “To say we are devastated is an absolute understatement,” she told the press, adding that one in five in New Zealand experience food insecurity, which makes the incident “deeply distressing”, according to BBC.

Peter Obi Blame Leaders’ Rascality, Recklessness Over Nigeria Not Winning Any Medal At Paris Olympics 2024 After ₦12b Invest

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Former Governor of Anambra State and the presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP in the last concluded general elections in Nigeria, Peter Obi has blamed leadership rascality and recklessness for the failure of Nigerian sportsmen and women to secure a single medal at the 2024 Olympics held in  France that came to a close on Sunday.

Peter Obi made this known in a series of tweets on Sunday while the close ceremony of the two and a half weeks long sports competion was going on with fireworks erupting over the Stade de France at the end of the Paris Olympics.

As the closing ceremony took place on  Sunday at the Stade de France, scenes were showed from Los Angeles, which is scheduled to host the next Summer Games in 2028.

It was observed that, at the end of the ceremony in Paris, actor Tom Cruise jumped off the stadium roof and was lowered to the floor, where he took the Olympic flag from Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass and rode off on a motorcycle.

It was estimated that about 9,000 athletes flooded into the stadium to be entertained by 270 performers and artists in a ceremony described by some #news media and observers as a celebration of humanity and the unifying power of sport.

Peter Obi while reacting to the failure of Nigerian athletes at the just concluded Olympics, said, the government of Nigeria invested over ₦12 billion naira for the sporting game which saw the country not winning any medal.

Peter Obi tweets reads below in quote: “Now that the Paris Olympics 2024 has officially ended and our dear Team Nigeria, despite the huge financial investment made into the project, is returning without a single medal, let me unreservedly register my displeasure with the performance of our team and their handlers.

The rascality and recklessness that has continued to characterise leadership in our nation in nearly every department. The general impression that has come to stick is the one that portrays our country as a joke, even on the international stage.

How can one explain that a country like Jamaica spent less than 5% of what we spent on our contingents for the Paris Olympics 2024 and won as many as 6 medals. Yet with  our huge financial investments and large contingent, we could not win even a single medal?

At least nine African countries won gold but the giant with over 200 million people came home without even a bronze! We invested about ₦12 billion in this year’ s Olympics, which is almost twice the amount budgeted for the entire Ministry of Science and Technology for this year.

This is over ₦136 million (about $85,000) spent on each of the 88 Nigerian contingents to the Olympics, and no single medal was won while Jamaica, a nation which spent far less than we did, a total of about $2,300 on each contingent, won 6 medals; 1 Gold, 3 Silver and

2 Bronze at the Olympics. We must now interrogate the relationship between this huge investment and our dismal outcome.

Sad stories like this are our lot only because we have refused to embrace competence and capacity over routine and favouritism in Nigeria.

Let us consider the case of Favour Ofili, a Nigerian professional sprinter who trained for years for the 2024 Olympics, only for her name to be recklessly and wrongly removed from the list of athletes for the 100 metres race at the Olympics by Nigerian sporting authorities.

What explanation can anyone give about Annette Echikunwoke, a former Nigerian hammer thrower, who was frustrated by the same rascality of some Nigerian leaders, making her switch her allegiance to the United States, where she eventually won a medal in the just completed Olympics?

These same professional athletes were denied the opportunity to represent our nation in Tokyo 2020, for similar reasons of administrative recklessness. I have it on good authority that some injured athletes, not physically fit to represent the country and not competing in the ongoing Olympics, were there in Paris receiving estacodes from our national resources.

Some of the sports officials and others who have no reason to be at the Olympics were there too, living large and feeding fat on the estacodes while our nation was crashing out on every sporting event. One of our athletes, Ese Ukpeseraye, had to borrow a bicycle to compete at her sporting event!

How can one sensibly explain such recklessness and infamy? What a country! What a shame! When do we stop these rascalities that always rob our nation of golden opportunities to make a positive change?

I call on the government to investigate these gross misconducts and make sure that those responsible do not have the opportunity to do so again. We must build a nation of discipline and commitment to duty, where competence and capacity reign. That is the New Nigeria we preach, and it is Possible”.

Cause Of Plane Crash In Brazil To Be Made Known In 30 Days – Authority

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Authorities investigating the two black boxes obtained from the crashed site of Voepass plane that killed all 62 persons onboard have said that they have began analysis of the black boxes and the preliminary cause of the aircraft accident would be made known in 30 days.

The plane was carrying 58 passengers and four crew members on the nearly two-hour scheduled flight from Cascavel, Brazil, to São Paulo on Friday when it stalled and crashed in a gated community in the small city of Vinhedo, shortly before reaching its destination.

There was no one on the ground was injured or recorded as casualty.

Aircraft accident investigators in Brazil had on Saturday said that they had recovered the plane’s two black boxes with one containing flight data and the other recordings from the cockpit, adding, they were working to extract information from them.

“There is still no estimated completion date for this work,” Marcelo Moreno, Brazil’s chief crash investigator, said.  Adding, “We are prioritizing quality over speed.”

We learnt that the Brazilian investigators would try to understand why the passenger plane fell from 17,000 feet on Friday, in a crash that killed all 62 on board.

Some local media reported that out of the 62 persons killed, 8 cancer doctors who were believed to be working on a cure were among the dead in the plane crash including a lawyer said to be a specialist in lawsuits against airlines.

It was gathered that when the Brazilian authorities began the evacuation of bodies from the crashed site on Saturday, the authorities were using seat assignments, physical characteristics, documents and belongings such as cell phones to identify the victims, according firefighter, Maycon Cristo said at the crash site as reported by Reuters.

More than 40 families of victims of the Voepass airliner crash in Brazil gathered Sunday at a morgue and hotels in Sao Paulo as three French government investigators also arrived in the country to assist to unravel the cause which some aviation observants have blamed the cause on icing weather.

Investigators said a preliminary report on the cause of the aircraft accident is expected within 30 days.

Local media also reported that Captain Danilo Santos Romano, a pilot with a decade of experience, aged 35, was the first victim identified following the disaster in São Paulo state.

Romano had been with Voepass since 2022 and had accumulated over 4,500 flight hours. Colleagues described him as “always smiling” and “willing to help, according to reports.

“Once all this evidence has been collected, we will remove the victims from the wreckage and place them in the vehicle to be transported to Sao Paulo,” Marcelo said.

Family members of the victims have been brought to Sao Paulo to provide DNA samples to aid in identification of the remains, according to state civil defense coordinator, Henguel Pereira.

The plane’s so-called “black box” containing voice recordings and flight data is undergoing analysis, said Marcelo Moreno, the head of Brazilian aviation accident investigation center Cenipa, at a press conference in Vinhedo over the weekend.

The plane, an ATR-72 turboprop, was bound for Sao Paulo from Cascavel, in the state of Parana, and crashed around 1:30 p.m. (1630 GMT) in Vinhedo, some 80 kilometres (50 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo.

All the bodies had been recovered on Sunday, according to the Sao Paulo state government official. The bodies of the pilot and co-pilot were identified, said Dario Pacheco, mayor of Vinhedo.

All the bodies are being moved to Sao Paulo’s police morgue. A Venezuelan man and Portuguese woman are among the dead, state civil defense official, Roberto Farina said, adding that the local consulates have already been contacted, as reported by Reuters International News Agency.

On Friday regional carrier Voepass said the plane was carrying 57 passengers and four crew, but on Saturday the firm confirmed another unaccounted-for passenger was on the flight, putting the number of casualties at 62.

We had reported that all 61 persons including 57 passengers and 4 crew members onboard Voepass airline plane that crashed into residential area in Brazil on Friday have been confirmed dead.

Video recordings posted online by eyewitnesses saw the plane lost the ability to continue to fly  and fell directly to the ground with thick smoke billowing immediately.

Voepass airline in a new statement few minutes ago said that 61 people have died.

The death toll was amended to 57 passengers and four crew members. 

Voepass had initially in a statement said the flight was carrying 58 passengers and four crew members at the time of the crash.

“The company regrets to inform that all 61 people on board flight 2283 died at the site.

“At this time, Voepass is prioritizing provision of unrestricted assistance to the victims’ families and effectively collaborating with authorities to determine the causes of the accident”, the airline, Voepass said.

The Brazilian Air Force team will investigate the cause of Friday’s deadly plane crash, the Vinhedo City Hall said in a statement.

Vinhedo City Hall said it has been on the site of the crash offering support to other emergency responders. It said in the statement that it is waiting for the Air Force team to arrive, which will be responsible for the investigation, according to CNN.

“The fire outbreaks and major risks have already been controlled; the main objective, from the beginning, was to guarantee the safety of everyone on site and care for possible victims, with Santa Casa de Vinhedo, Santa Casa de Valinhos and Hospital Galileo prepared to offer full support,” the statement added. 

Vinhedo City Hall said the bodies of the plane crash victims will be taken to the Legal Medical Institute in Campinas.

Vinhedo City Hall also declared a three-day mourning period in memory of the victims of the crash.

It was gathered that the Brazilian authorities have found the black box at the crash site in Brazil, according to the Security Secretary from São Paulo, Guilherme Derrite.

The Security Secretary said a medical team is onsite and working to identify the victims. Adding that many of the victims’ remains are too badly burned for visual identification. 

Officials are in the process of contacting family members of the passengers, according to Derrite. Authorities will release the names of the passengers soon, he said.

We learnt that the Voepass Airlines flight, en route from #Cascavel to São Paulo, went down shortly before reaching its destination.

Firefighters, military police and the civil defense authority have dispatched teams to the crash site in Vinhedo. Authorities have sealed off the entrance to the residential area where the plane went down, as journalists outside watched as official vehicles including ambulances drove in and waited for updates.

“I thought it was going to fall in our yard. It was scary, but thank God there were no victims among the locals. It seems that the 62 people inside the plane were the real victims, though”, a resident told reporters at the crash site.

Video obtained by The Associated Press from a bystander and verified shows at least two bodies strewn about flaming pieces of wreckage.

Brazilian television network GloboNews showed aerial footage of an area with smoke coming out of an obliterated plane fuselage. Additional footage on GloboNews earlier showed the plane drifting downward vertically, spiraling as it fell.

NDLEA, Sniffer Dogs Fish Out Multi-Billion Naira Illicit-Drugs Heading To USA, Canada, UK

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Nigeria anti illicit drugs enforcement operatives, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA have intercepted multi billion naira worth of cocaine and other illicit drugs concealed in automobile spare parts, Ghanaian fabric, Kente, among others at the International Airport in Lagos State, Nigeria.

According to NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the illicit drugs were billed to be shipped to United States of America, USA, United Kingdom, UK and Canada.

Femi Babafemi in a news statement on Sunday, said, the interception was based on intelligent information received by the operatives of the law enforcement agency.

“Multi-billion-naira worth of cocaine concealed in heavy duty automobile pivot shafts, and  Ghanaian fabric, Kente, among others have been recovered in a nationwide intelligence-led operation by officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

While 2.32 kilograms of cocaine concealed in Ghanaian traditional kente materials going to the United Kingdom were intercepted at a courier firm in Lagos on Monday 5th August 2024, 10.494kg of same class A drug buried in heavy duty pivot shafts heading to the United States were recovered at the same logistics company after the NDLEA sniffer dogs fished out the automobile spare parts containing the illicit drug, bringing the total weight of cocaine seized in the two shipments to 12.814 kilograms.

In the same vein, five other consignments going to the US, UK and Canada were also intercepted at the courier firm in Lagos on Friday 9th August 2024.

They include 517 grams of cocaine in clothing materials; different quantities of pentazocine injection, promethazine injection and cocodamol pills, all heading to the UK as well as 297 pills of tramadol 225mg going to Canada.

In a different logistics company in Lagos, NDLEA operatives recovered 21 parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 10kg coming from the US and meant for delivery in Abuja”, Femi Babafemi stated in the news statement.

Meanwhile, NDLEA has arrested a member of a cocaine trafficking network in Lagos State while in attempt to transport some quantity of illicit drugs to Anambra State.

Femi Babafemi said; “in another intelligence-led operation, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 7th August arrested a member of a cocaine trafficking network, Obiora Joseph Agudosi, at Alafia Orile, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos while attempting to move 9.00kg of cocaine to Onitsha, Anambra state.

Two members of another cocaine syndicate based in Nnewi and Oba town, Anambra state were also arrested on Thursday 8th August in a follow up operation following the seizure of their consignments in a GUO transport company bus at Benin, Edo state same day.

While the bus driver, Harrison  Mbachu, 44, was arrested at Benin tollgate with a total of 2.865kg cocaine, Izuchkwu Arinze, 40, was picked at Nnewi town while attempting to collect his own consignment of 1.748kg cocaine and 514 grams sodium bicarbonate, with Ameachi Okoro, 39, arrested while trying to pick his own 1.117kg cocaine at Oba town.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at Tincan seaport Lagos on Wednesday 7th August intercepted 532 parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 265.25kg in a black Toyota Sienna bus, which is one of the three vehicles in a container marked MSMU 6029570 coming from Montreal, Canada.

The seizure was made during 100 percent joint examination with men of Customs Service and other stakeholders.

The following day, Thursday 8th August, the operatives recorded yet another seizure of 75 parcels of same substance weighing 37.5kg in a container marked FSCU-9274613, that came from Canada.

In Adamawa state, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 8th August with the support of men of operation Farauta Sector 3, Mayo Belwa  arrested 49-year-old Joseph Peter with 425 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 291.200kg in his Toyota Camry car marked Lagos KSF 381 HM. He claimed he was bringing the consignment from Edo state to deliver in Yola, Adamawa State.

While two suspects: Adekunle Sunday Adebayo, 50, and Yahaya Mamuda, 35, were arrested at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano on Tuesday 6th August with 29.5kg cannabis, NDLEA operatives in Lagos recovered 1,169 kilograms of the same psychoactive substance from a bus along Orchid road, Ajah on Sunday 4th August.

No less than 1,230.00kg cannabis was destroyed on three hectares of farmland at Ikeje forest, Edimogo village, Igalamela/ Odolu Local government area, Kogi state on Friday 9th August by NDLEA officers supported by men of the Nigerian Army while the owner, Danjuma Maji, 40, was arrested.

With the same drive, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for women at Fowewe Sofuwa Islamic Centre, Saki, Oyo state; WADA sensitisation lecture and inauguration of community drug control committee at Nnando community, Anambra state; WADA advocacy visit to the Emir of Ilorin, HRH Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, Kwara state; and WADA sensitisation lecture to members of Ansaru-ud-deen Muslim Society of Nigeria in Ado Ekiti, among others.

While commending the officers and men of the Special Operations Unit, Tincan, Lagos, Edo, Kano, Kogi, and Adamawa Commands as well as those of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations, DOGI, for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired) urged them and their compatriots across the country to continue with their current balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts”.

61 Persons Confirmed Dead After Plane Crashes Into Residential Area In Brazil

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All 61 persons including 57 passengers and 4 crew members onboard Voepass airline plane that crashed into residential area in Brazil on Friday have been confirmed dead.

Video recordings posted online by eyewitnesses saw the plane lost the ability to continue to fly  and fell directly to the ground with thick smoke billowing immediately.

Voepass airline in a new statement few minutes ago said that 61 people have died.

The death toll was amended to 57 passengers and four crew members. 

Voepass had initially in a statement said the flight was carrying 58 passengers and four crew members at the time of the crash.

“The company regrets to inform that all 61 people on board flight 2283 died at the site.

“At this time, Voepass is prioritizing provision of unrestricted assistance to the victims’ families and effectively collaborating with authorities to determine the causes of the accident”, the airline, Voepass said.

The Brazilian Air Force team will investigate the cause of Friday’s deadly plane crash, the Vinhedo City Hall said in a statement.

Vinhedo City Hall said it has been on the site of the crash offering support to other emergency responders. It said in the statement that it is waiting for the Air Force team to arrive, which will be responsible for the investigation, according to CNN.

“The fire outbreaks and major risks have already been controlled; the main objective, from the beginning, was to guarantee the safety of everyone on site and care for possible victims, with Santa Casa de Vinhedo, Santa Casa de Valinhos and Hospital Galileo prepared to offer full support,” the statement added. 

Vinhedo City Hall said the bodies of the plane crash victims will be taken to the Legal Medical Institute in Campinas.

Vinhedo City Hall also declared a three-day mourning period in memory of the victims of the crash.

It was gathered that the Brazilian authorities have found the black box at the crash site in Brazil, according to the Security Secretary from São Paulo, Guilherme Derrite.

The Security Secretary said a medical team is onsite and working to identify the victims. Adding that many of the victims’ remains are too badly burned for visual identification. 

Officials are in the process of contacting family members of the passengers, according to Derrite. Authorities will release the names of the passengers soon, he said.

We learnt that the Voepass Airlines flight, en route from #Cascavel to São Paulo, went down shortly before reaching its destination.

Firefighters, military police and the civil defense authority have dispatched teams to the crash site in Vinhedo. Authorities have sealed off the entrance to the residential area where the plane went down, as journalists outside watched as official vehicles including ambulances drove in and waited for updates.

“I thought it was going to fall in our yard. It was scary, but thank God there were no victims among the locals. It seems that the 62 people inside the plane were the real victims, though”, a resident told reporters at the crash site.

Video obtained by The Associated Press from a bystander and verified shows at least two bodies strewn about flaming pieces of wreckage.

Brazilian television network GloboNews showed aerial footage of an area with smoke coming out of an obliterated plane fuselage. Additional footage on GloboNews earlier showed the plane drifting downward vertically, spiraling as it fell.

Cross Dresser, Area Mama Found Dead In Abuja

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Reports from Abuja, Nigeria capital city indicated that a cross dresser known as Abuja Area Mama may have been beaten to death.

Nigeria Police Force in a statement said a dead body of a man who dressed like a woman was found dead on Thursday morning after members of the public called the attention of the police to the incident.

Some of the eyewitnesses who saw the lifeless body of the cross dresser said he could have been beaten to death.

The cross dresser, Abuja Area Mama in a recent media interview, said, he does prostitution at night and alot of men patronize his business.

He said he does not sleep with a man till day break, saying, he was always want to go home and rest till next day. Adding that, he always do short time.

There are suggestions that he was killed after he went out at night to for his prostitution business.

Police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Benneth Igweh, has ordered an immediate investigation into the death of the cross dresser, the police described as an unidentified person.

It was gathered that the cross dresser’s corpse was found along Katampe-Mabushi Expressway, Abuja in the early hours of Thursday.

The FCT police Command’s Spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said, “A distress call was received by the Command Control Room on August 8, 2024, at about 07:40am, that an unidentified lady was seen lying motionless along Katampe-Mabushi Expressway, and a team of Detectives were immediately dispatched to the scene.”

The statement added that preliminary investigations revealed that the individual was a man fully dressed in female clothing with no means of identification on him.

“He was immediately taken to Maitama District Hospital where Doctors on duty confirmed him dead.

“The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Benneth Igweh has promptly ordered a thorough and discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death.”

Nigerian Born Chidinma Quits Miss SA Pageant After Mother Identity Theft Allegation

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Chidinma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina, born by a Nigerian father and a Mozambique mother who was a strong contender in the Miss SouthAfrica beauty pageant, slated to be held on Saturday at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, has withdrawn from the competition after the country police, the Home Affairs Department issued a statement that her mother allegedly committed identity theft in 2001 after series of South Africa citizens took to  social media platforms to question the true nationality of the beauty pageant contestant.

The 23-year-old had emerged as a central figure of discussion on national identity issue after advancing to the Top 30 and becoming a finalist in the Miss South Africa  competition.

She gave in on Thursday morning, weeks after South Africans called for her disqualification over issues related to her nationality and the business integrity of her Nigerian father.

Home Affairs Department in a voice recorded news release said that its investigations revealed that Chidinma citizenship may have involved fraud and identity theft.

Some residents in South Africa had called for her disqualification from the Miss South Africa pageant, alleging she was not a legitimate South African citizen.

The Home Affairs Deptament said the pageant organizers formally requested the Department to verify Adetshina’s citizenship, accompanied by written consent from both Adetshina and her mother.

Preliminary findings from the investigation suggest potential fraud and identity theft linked to the individual recorded as Adetshina’s mother in Home Affairs records, according to the South Africa Home Affairs police.

However, the Department noted that Adetshina, being a minor at the time of the alleged actions in 2001, was not involved in the fraudulent activities.

Adding that, the investigation further uncovered that a South African woman, whose identity may have been stolen in the process, has suffered significant consequences, including the inability to register her own child.

The Department said it had broadened its investigation to identify and pursue any officials implicated in the scheme and is currently seeking legal advice on the ramifications for Adetshina’s citizenship status. Saying, criminal charges are anticipated upon the conclusion of the investigation.

The Home Affairs said and in quote: ‘‘Information we have uncovered thus far, the Department of Home Affairs can indicate that prima facie reasons exist to believe that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the person recorded in Home Affairs records as Chidimma Adetshina’s mother,’’

The department, which commenced investigations on Tuesday, alleged that Ms Adetshina’s mother stole a South African woman’s identity to register her birth 23 years ago.

Chidinma in a statement on Thursday morning said: “I would like to start by thanking everyone who has stood beside me right from the start of my Miss South Africa journey. I’m grateful for all the love and support I have been shown. Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey; however, after much careful consideration, I have decided to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and me.

‘‘With the support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience. I would like to take this opportunity to wish my fellow finalists all the best for the remainder of the competition. Whoever wears the crown represents us all.”

Reno Omokri, former presidential spokesperson in Nigeria while reacting to her withdrawal, said: “Even if her mother committed offences when Chidinma was born in South Africa, as alleged by some in South Africa’s governmental agencies, South African authorities should have tackled the mother, not the daughter.

Why did they suddenly remember this when Chidinma contested for the Miss South Africa crown? This looks like victimisation.

Nigerians spend $10 million daily on South African companies, like MTN, DSTV, and other firms. How come none of them could speak up for Chidinma?

MTN has never spoken up for Nigeria, whether it is during the xenophobic attacks or the DSTV shutdown of Nigeria’s penalties during AFCON2023 when we played South Africa, and now this. What is their purpose in Nigeria other than to suck money from our economy and repatriate it to South Africa?

Chidinma has never known any other home other than South Africa. What the South African authorities have done to her is to use state apostates to terrorise and traumatise her into submission. She can’t help it if she is beautiful.

Would the South African authorities like it if the United States singled out Trevor Noah for victimisation in future if he decides to maybe contest an election there?

I really hope the South African government has given enough thought to how this action could harm pan-African relationships in this day and age of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

If we, as Sub-Saharan Black Africans, would do this to each other, then what moral authority do we have to fight against racism?

I hope the South African authorities revisit this incident and remove the pressure that made Chidinma withdraw from the pageant.

Perhaps President Cyril Ramaphosa can intervene. Mr Ramaphosa is much beloved in Nigeria. Maybe he can also show love to Chidinma”.

President Tinubu Did Not Fly Russia Flag During His Nationwide Broadcast – Reno Omokri

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EndBadGovernance protest ongoing in Nigeria took a new twist on Monday after President Bola Tinubu had on Sunday addressed the protesters in a nationwide broadcast that appeared to have infuriated a larger numbers of the protesters.

Some of the protesters mostly the ones in the northern part of the country could be seen hoisting Russian flags and calling on President Vladimir Putin of Russia to come to their aid.

The Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff issued a statement shortly after meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Monday and said the president warned against flying foreign flags in Nigeria, adding, those who have hoisted foreign flags in Nigeria have committed treason.

Shortly after issuing the statement, some persons claimed the President himself used Russia flag during the Nationwide broadcast, describing the second flag beside President Bola Tinubu during the broadcast as Russia flag.

Former Presidential spokesperson, Reno Omokri in a statement on Tuesday, said, the second flag beside the president was Nigeria Armed Forces flag and it was never Russia flag.

Nigeria Police Force few hours ago issued a stern warning  against any protester displaying foreign flags in the country. Adding, over 90 persons have been arrested in connection with the display of foreign flags in Nigeria including the tailors and their sponsors.

Reno Omokri in his words said: “for the avoidance of doubt, President Tinubu did not fly a Russian flag yesterday during his broadcast to the nation. The flag you see to his left, which enemies of the country purport to be a Russian flag, actually represents the combined colours of the Nigerian armed forces.

The colours Red, Navy Blue and light Sky Blue represent the different forces: the Army, Navy and the Air Force.

The Russian flag is similar to our armed forces flag. However, it is almost the reverse of our flag in that whereas our Armed Forces Flag is Red, Navy Blue and light Sky Blue, the flag of the Russian Federation begins with a White colour, then a Blue and ends with a Red.

Another difference between the Nigerian Armed Forces flag and the Russian flag is that whereas the third colour of the Nigerian Armed Forces flag is light sky blue, the first colour on the Russian Federation flag is white.

Please note the difference, and do not let anyone gaslight you into hoisting and waving Russian flags on the mistaken belief that it is the same flag flown by our President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces during his speech yesterday”.

Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Mustapha had on Monday declared that individuals flying Russian flags in Nigeria have committed a treasonable offence.

The Defense Chief made the declaration while speaking to newsmen after an emergency security meeting with President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock.

He vowed that the law would catch up with such persons.

Mustapha said the actions of those calling for a coup, adding that the military has embraced democracy and would never allow regime change.

He said, “We wanted to brief Mr President on the situation on ground and we know that since the riot has started all the security agencies you can see all of us together. Initially, when the riot started they said it was a peaceful one but we have realised that there are individuals that are willing to take advantage of it to cause mayhem.

“And we can see clearly what has happened since it has commenced. Criminals have taken over, a lot of looting taking place, stealing and all sorts happening.

“And besides, all of us have seen it where foreign flags have been flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, and that is totally unacceptable. We are warning in clear terms and the President has also said we should convey this, that we will not accept anybody, any individual flying any foreign flag in Nigeria. That is treasonable offence, and it will be viewed and treated as such. So nobody shall allow himself to be used by any individual.

“Also the issue of coups, Nigeria is a sovereign nation, Nigeria is a democratic nation, all security agencies are here to defend democracy and ensure that democracy continues to strive. We will not accept anyone pushing or taking any action, seemingly or for whatever reason to want to push for any change of government. Democracy is what we stand for, democracy is what will continue to defend”.

The Nigeria Police Force in a statement issued by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force spokesperson few hours ago, said, the Force has issued “a stern warning against the display of foreign flags during protests and calls for a military takeover, categorizing such actions as treasonable felonies under Nigerian law. This follows a wave of violent protests, particularly in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina States, where protesters brandished foreign flags.

Ongoing investigations reveal that protest organizers in the states mentioned above are luring innocent children into participating in these unpatriotic and criminal acts.

Over ninety suspects have been arrested, including tailors who sewed the flags and their sponsors. Efforts are underway to apprehend others who sponsored the production of the flags and fuelled these treasonable acts.

The display of foreign flags and calls for a military takeover constitutes a clear treasonable offense, revealing the motives of protest organizers to destabilize Nigeria’s democratic government. This aligns with actionable intelligence on the tactics of fifth columnists and non-state actors exploiting economic hardship protests to further their nefarious goals.

Tensions from the ongoing protests have eased following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address on August 4, 2024.

However, some groups persist in subversive campaigns in the form of violent and unlawful protests, characterized by the destruction of public infrastructure and private property, looting, display of foreign flags, and calls for a military takeover. These individuals and groups will be treated as subversive agents and charged accordingly.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has directed Deputy Inspectors General of Police for the Northwest and Northeast zones, DIGs Bala Ciroma, and Bello Makwashi, to take charge of operations in the states within the two geo-political zones where subversive campaigns are ongoing under the guise of protests. They are tasked with stabilizing the situation and preventing further violence in the affected states.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterates that the use of foreign flags during protests and openly calling for a military takeover of the government is a capital offense under Nigerian law.

The Police cautions Nigerian youths to be wary of individuals and groups turning protests into business ventures, funded by local or foreign sponsors aiming to destabilize the country.

Evidence shows that these sponsors have paid significant sums to exploit the hardship protests, brainwashing and misleading innocent children into aiding this campaign against the government.

The Nigeria Police Force salutes Nigerians who have refused to participate in and indeed spoke out against the ill-timed protest out of sheer patriotism and belief in the government’s genuine efforts to put the country on the path of economic recovery and growth.

We also acknowledge the patriotism of those who peacefully participated in the protests but withdrew when they turned violent, and those who heeded the President’s call to embrace dialogue by withdrawing from the protests.

The NPF remains committed to maintaining peace, protecting the nation’s heritage, and working with the public to ensure the safety and stability of Nigeria”.