Friday, November 17, 2017
Video - Nigeria's Mr. Arsenal
Kelechi Anyikude. Proud Nigerian, dedicated football fan. But for Arsenal’s no.1 African supporter, it’s about being so much more.
Video - At least 18 killed, dozens hurt in suicide blast near Maiduguri, Nigeria
In north-eastern Nigeria, at least 18 people have been killed and scores wounded in a suspected Boko Haram suicide attack. Several bombs went off on the outskirts of Maiduguri -- the capital of Borno state -- on Wednesday. It's the deadliest suicide attack in Nigeria in months.
Nigeria to have bobsled team at the winter olympics for the first time ever
The three-member team — which was only formed in 2016 — is the first to represent Nigeria at the winter event, to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in February next year.
Driver Seun Adigun, brakemen Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omega, qualified for the event over five races held in Utah, Whistler and Calgary.
In 2012, Adigun competed in the women's 100 metre hurdles at the summer Olympics.
She told ESPN that the qualification is a "huge milestone for sports in Nigeria".
Adigun hopes that the bobsled team will help create opportunities for winter sports to take place in Nigeria.
Adigun started a Go Fund Me campaign late last year to raise $US75,000 to fund their Olympic bid, which they achieved in 11 months.
President of the Bobsled and Skeleton Federation of Nigeria, Solomon Ogba, said in a statement he hopes Nigerians can appreciate the effort the team has put in, "the work, the discipline, and the personal sacrifices."
Mr Ogba he was proud the team was representing their country in "a very technical and high risk sport".
Another Nigerian competitor, Simidele Adeagbo, is just two races away from qualifying for the Skeleton competition.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Suicide bombers kill 18 in Maiduguri, Nigeria
At least 18 people have been killed and 29 others wounded in northeast Nigeria after four suicide bombers carried out separate attacks, state police said.
The first explosion on Wednesday evening took place at a prayer ground in the Muna Gari suburb of the regional capital, Maiduguri.
Other attacks followed in the same neighbourhood.
"At about 6:13pm local time (17:13 GMT), four suicide bombers - two males and two females - infiltrated Muna Gari community and detonated IED strapped to their bodies at different locations," Victor Isuku, Borno State Police Command spokesman, said in a statement.
"A total of eighteen persons including the four suicide bombers, died in the multiple explosions," he confirmed.
Isuku said those injured were rushed to the University of Maiduguri teaching hospital and the State Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
According to the statement, police patrol and bomb disposal teams promptly mobilised to the scene to sanitise and render the area safe.
The statement also said that order had been restored to the community.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The first explosion on Wednesday evening took place at a prayer ground in the Muna Gari suburb of the regional capital, Maiduguri.
Other attacks followed in the same neighbourhood.
"At about 6:13pm local time (17:13 GMT), four suicide bombers - two males and two females - infiltrated Muna Gari community and detonated IED strapped to their bodies at different locations," Victor Isuku, Borno State Police Command spokesman, said in a statement.
"A total of eighteen persons including the four suicide bombers, died in the multiple explosions," he confirmed.
Isuku said those injured were rushed to the University of Maiduguri teaching hospital and the State Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
According to the statement, police patrol and bomb disposal teams promptly mobilised to the scene to sanitise and render the area safe.
The statement also said that order had been restored to the community.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
17 year old girl killed for body parts to use for rituals in Nigeria
A 17-year-old girl in Nigeria has been murdered for body parts to be used in suspected rituals believed to bring wealth, police have told the BBC.
Three people have been arrested, including a man who allegedly confessed to killing her and selling some body parts to a witch doctor for $25 (£18).
He then threw the girl's decapitated body into a well in Idosemo village in Ogun state, a police spokesman said.
Belief in witchcraft or "juju" is widespread in Nigeria.
Traditional witchcraft practitioners are widely consulted for cures for various ailments and because they are believed to have magical powers to protect their clients from a wide range of misfortunes and to bring good luck.
The witch doctor, who is also in detention, has admitted to receiving human body parts, but said he did not contract the killing, police spokesman Abimbola Opeyemi said.
The girl had been selling street snacks when she was attacked, he said.
Her father had reported her missing to local police.
Collaborative work between the police and a local vigilante group led to the arrest of the witch doctor who "confessed under police interrogation" and led police to the well where her body was dumped, Mr Opeyemi said.
The suspects are yet to be charged in court.
It is the latest in a spate of such murders in the south-west of the country.
Three people have been arrested, including a man who allegedly confessed to killing her and selling some body parts to a witch doctor for $25 (£18).
He then threw the girl's decapitated body into a well in Idosemo village in Ogun state, a police spokesman said.
Belief in witchcraft or "juju" is widespread in Nigeria.
Traditional witchcraft practitioners are widely consulted for cures for various ailments and because they are believed to have magical powers to protect their clients from a wide range of misfortunes and to bring good luck.
The witch doctor, who is also in detention, has admitted to receiving human body parts, but said he did not contract the killing, police spokesman Abimbola Opeyemi said.
The girl had been selling street snacks when she was attacked, he said.
Her father had reported her missing to local police.
Collaborative work between the police and a local vigilante group led to the arrest of the witch doctor who "confessed under police interrogation" and led police to the well where her body was dumped, Mr Opeyemi said.
The suspects are yet to be charged in court.
It is the latest in a spate of such murders in the south-west of the country.
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