Nigerian Troops Flee As Boko Haram Retakes Borno Town

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have forced hundreds of soldiers to flee Marte, a border town along the shores of Lake Chad, a local official and witnesses said.

“The terrorists, numbering over 2,000, appeared from various directions on Thursday and engaged the soldiers in Kirenowa town and adjoining communities in Marte,” said Imamu Habeeb, a local community leader.

“They fought with soldiers over the night and the fight continued today (Friday), forcing hundreds of soldiers to flee,” he added from Borno State capital, Maiduguri.

Local fighter Shehu Dan Baiwa said the more than 2,000 fighters had been armed with bombs and tanks.

“They used the weapons without restraint and succeeded in killing several people,” he said.

This is the third time Boko Haram has seized control of Marte in restive Borno State, a key battleground of their six-year insurgency, which has killed more than 13,000 and left 1.5 million persons homeless.

The city is among several retaken in recent weeks by Nigeria’s military, which has launched an offensive against the Islamists as part of a regional operation supported by Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

But Boko Haram have been fighting back, and unconfirmed reports said the soldiers were forced to retreat from Boko Haram’s Sambisa Forest stronghold this week after a landmine blast killed one soldier and three vigilantes.

A senior local politician confirmed, on condition of anonymity, that the insurgents had retaken Marte.

“We lost many (people) because some of our people that fled to Chad and Cameroon have returned after troops recovered the town recently,” he added.

A senior military official confirmed the attack on Marte, but refused to say whether Boko Haram had retaken the town, describing the army’s retreat as “strategic”.

– AFP

More Than 1,000 People Killed In Major Earthquake In Nepal[Photos]

A 7.9 earthquake struck near the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu on Saturday, killing hundreds and triggering avalanches on Mt. Everest. The government of Nepal has issued a state of emergency. 

According to reports, the quake, measured 7.9 in magnitude, struck at around noon local time. It also hit parts of northern India. Hundreds of people are reported dead, many more are trapped under the rubble.

A police official said that at least 1,130 people are confirmed dead, with the number expected to rise, theAssociated Press reported.

The Nepalese minister for information told the Washington Post that the number of dead had reached over 1,400.

The government also said the final death toll could be three times the latest numbers, the Washington Postreported.

New Trend? Another Buhari Supporter Set To Trek From Yola To Abuja

Another Buhari supporter is about to trek again. Abubakar Duduwale who hails from Yola, Adamawa State, says his trekking is to express his joy that General Buhari won the just held presidential election and he would also like to witness the inauguration ceremony on May 29th, hence his trekking exercise.

Duduwale who took off about 6.30am this morning said this to news men;  “The reason why I am trekking from Yola to Abuja is to express my joy and solidarity with President-elect Muhammadu Buhari. I want to trek from Yola to Abuja to witness the inauguration ceremony of President-elect,” Duduwale said.

It will also be recalled that another Nigerian, Suleiman Hashimu had just successfully trekked from Lagos to Abuja to fulfil the promise he made that if the General wins, he will trek from Lagos to Abuja. He was also privileged to meet the president-elect this week. Let’s wait and see the outcome of this too.

Yemi Blaq speaks on the time he kissed Mercy Johnson in front of his wife

In a recent interview with PUNCH, Nollywood actor, Yemi Blaq opened up about his career and family life.

See excerpts from the interview below:

Are you aware that not a lot of people know that you are married with kids?

Yes, I hear that a lot but I believe that business is business and the private life should be kept private. The more private you keep your personal life private, the happier you would be. Your family would not be in the limelight.

You are referred to as a ladies’ man. Before marriage, how many girls did you date?

The truth is that the appellation was given to me by people who do not know me. The number of ladies I dated before marriage is very private actually but the truth is that I cannot remember more than three. Honestly, I cannot remember more than three girls I dated before marriage.

Is Juliet Ibrahim one of them?

No, we never dated. She is my friend and I met her after she got married. We never met physically until one time in Abuja when we were shooting an action movie, Covet Operation. That was the first time we ever met. After that, she called me that she was shooting a movie in Ghana and that she wanted me to be a part of it. I agreed. She is a nice person, her sister is nice and I like her mother a lot. We just became friends. There was a picture that was taken for the publicity of a movie we did together where she played my wife. The picture looked like we were in love and were getting married. A blog picked it and said we were getting married and other bloggers just feasted on the story. There was a time I read somewhere that I said if I was not married, I would have married Juliet Ibrahim. I laughed about it and called her. We both had a good laugh about it because I never said anything like that. I have never wanted to marry her; we have a great platonic relationship. It has never been anything beyond that.

I learnt you met your wife on the set of her movie?

Yes it is true. My wife is a producer and a writer. I got a call from someone to feature in the movie and I accepted. It was while I was just starting out in the industry. I went to audition for the movie with my friend and we both got the part. From there, I started talking to my wife and our relationship blossomed.

Is it true that there was a time she was shooting a movie and she asked you to kiss Mercy Johnson passionately?

Yes, it was with Mercy Johnson and Rita Dominic. I did not feel somehow because we both studied Theatre Arts and we are professionals. After the first scene, she called me to a corner and reminded me about what we discussed while discussing the script. I was with her when she wrote the script and I gave her the name of the movie, The Distance Between. She said that we spoke about a certain degree of passion for the characters and that she was not seeing any. She told me that I had to do it properly and I obliged.

After the passionate kiss with two actresses in your wife’s presence, didn’t she act funny after the movie?

It was never mentioned again until I brought it up during a chat with somebody.

How Facebook pastor duped sales girl of N4 million

A 32-year-old cleric has been nabbed by police detec­tives in Enugu for allegedly duping a 25-year-old lady, Ojiaku Chiamaka of N4 million.

The Pastor, Abel Benard Aniude of Trimphant Kings Assembly, Enugu, was said to have wooed Chia­maka on Facebook in December 2013 and promised her marriage, swindling the lady over N4 million in the process.

According to reports by Saturday Sun, the suspect and his younger brother, Tobias Aniude serving a jail term in Enugu prison, were apparently notorious for using Facebook woo desperate single women into marriage, eventually duping them.

The pastor’s younger brother, Tobias was said to have been arrested for kidnap­ping and armed robbery and later remanded in Enugu prison in March.

But that didn’t stop him. In the prison, Tobias was alleged to have continued using Facebook to scam more innocent Nigerians.

The victim, Chiamaka, who works as a sales girl with her brother, Emmanuel Mon­day Ojiaku at Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo State, was said to have diverted proceeds from sales in her brother’s shop to meet the de­mands of Pastor Aniude.

Pastor Aniude narrated the ordeal saying: “I am an Assistant Pas­tor with Triumphant Kings Assembly. I have been in ministry for five years now. I am jobless. I met Chiamaka on Facebook in Decem­ber, 2013. I promised to marry her. Then, she started sending money to my bank account in Enugu. I visited her at Ibadan twice and collected the sum of N1million from her.”

“I have to send my wife away with my two kids from my house to Aba. When I told my wife that I wanted to marry a second wife but she refused, that prompted me to send her packing. “I used part of the money Chiamaka was sending to buy a car and built a bungalow in my village at Nochele Ndeaboli in Aliri Local Government Area, Enugu State. “I deceived her that I wanted to marry her on Christmas Day, December 25, 2014. I also lied to her that I had a motor accident. I rescheduled it for February 14, 2015. I lied to her again that armed robbers attacked me. I rescheduled it for Easter period, April 4, 2015 before the police anti-kidnappers squad arrested my wife, my Pastor Sam Ezenagu before I was arrested”.

Explaining how his younger brother in prison was involved, he said, “It was when I have duped her that I handed over her phone number to my younger brother, Tobias who is currently serving in Enugu prison yard. My younger brother called Chiamaka and told her that the wedding invitation cards were ready but that I am not serious and he is ready to marry her and so she should send him money.”

Chiamaka in defense said, “I met Pastor Abel Bernard Aniude on Facebook in December 2013 and we started chatting on Facebook. Pastor Abel deceived me that he wanted to marry me. I worked in the shop of my brother, Emmauel Ojiaku who sells electronics in Ibadan. I started to send N700,000 and N300,000 to Pastor Abel through his UBA and Diamond account numbers”.

“In July 2014, Pastor Abel came to Ibadan and lodged in a hotel and after hav­ing sex with me, I gave him N300,000. Also on September, 2014, Pastor Abel came to Ibadan and lodged again in same hotel and after having sex me, I gave him N700,000. I don’t known how I ended up sending N4 million into his bank accounts.” “My family should forgive me. I was deceived. I have learnt my lesson in a hard way”, she said.

Her brother who is still shocked at the turn out of events said,  “Chiamaka is my blood sister. She was in the village in Nnewi, Anambra State where one guy impregnated her and later the guy denied the pregnancy, she de­livered the baby and after sometimes, the baby died. I went to the village in Nnewi and brought her to Ibadan to stay with me so that she will not suffer”.

“I deal in electrical appliances in Ibadan. I took my sister, Chiamaka to be like a sales girl. Sud­denly my wife took ill and had to take her to India for treatment.

“Chiamaka was in charge of my shop. I didn’t suspect her rather I handed over the shop to her. It was March 27, 2015 when Chiamaka came back from the shop and I discovered that she was having N1700, which led to searching of her room and I discovered N65,000 under her bed. I brought out cutlass and threatened her and collected her phone before she confessed to me that she has sent over N4 million to Pas­tor Abel.” 

 The General Overseer of Triumphant Kings Assembly, 47-year-old Pastor Sam Ezenagu where Pastor Abel works as Assis­tant Pastor had this to say, “I was doing counselling in my church, four years ago when Pastor Abel walked in and told me that he wanted to assist me in my ministry. We started working together. Every Sunday service we always give him N3,000.

“Suddenly, Pastor Abel brought a Honda Sport car and we celebrated it and asked him where he got the car. Pastor Abel told me that it was one of those he prays for that gave him the car. The church rejoiced with him. Also, in some months, I will not see Pastor Abel and if I call him, he would tell me he was doing some business some­where.”

“It was April 12, 2015, Pastor Abel called me that police­men has (sic) arrested his wife. I ran to Aba. I asked whether there is any problem, I took a lawyer along with Pastor Abel and that was how he was arrested. Pastor Abel had to confess that he always dupe (sic) some ladies on Facebook and how he got involved in the N4 million scam.”

CP Adamu assured that Pastor Abel will soon be charged to court for trial. 

Checkout Genevieve Nnaji's touching birthday message to her BFF, Onyiye Carter

MUD cosmetics CEO, Onyiye Carter who recently tied the knot with the love of her life, is a year older today and her BBF, Genevieve Nnaji posted the touching photo and message above.
How sweet of her!

Apostle Johnson Suleiman: In Six Months, People May Stone Buhari In Disappointment

In an interview with Punch Newspaper, the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle Johnson Suleman, who prophesied that many politicians who lost in the last election would win, speaks on why some of his prophecies didn’t come to pass.

The widely respected cleric stated that in frustration, people may resort to stoning the president-elect if they did not see instant change

“Let me say this to you. In the next six months, people may stone Buhari. The reason I’m saying this is because the expectation is too high. Nigerians expect Buhari to put gold on their tables. Two, the large chunk of followership Buhari has are youths and young people and they are impatient. Young people don’t believe in progressive change, they want change. When they say change, they see a new picture. And Buhari has been talking from the two sides of the mouth. During campaign, he told us Boko Haram would be a thing of the past. Now, you are President-elect, you are saying  people shouldn’t expect a miracle. Are you a pastor? If I wanted a miracle worker, won’t I bring a Mallam or a miracle worker? When you were being voted for, we were not voting for a pastor, so don’t tell  us about miracles.

“Like I said, Jonathan will be seen as a hero very soon because that’s the Nigerian story. Anybody who they feel is not doing well, get him out. The next few minutes, they miss this person. If by September, there is still a blink in power, people will start abusing Buhari. You said you were going to do this. Two, who are Buhari’s footmen, the large chunk are ex-PDP people and of course you know, many are still defecting. Nigerian politicians are the most shameless people (I know); they can’t bear hunger. They are defecting now to lobby for offices. If you should check the people around the man, it gives you an idea of where the man is heading.” 

Suleiman also shed light on the implications of President Jonathan’s concession.

Jonathan’s concession. Said he, “Like that of the President, I saw him a month before the election and we talked one on one. All I told him was that he wouldn’t win. I personally told Jonathan to concede defeat. I told him he would save a lot of heads if he conceded defeat and left. I saw not less than half a million people without their heads.

“We have a President who has had two problems–he is politically naive and he doesn’t understand the concept of power. We have had a President who has a media team that doesn’t understand what they call ceasefire. I told the President one on one that his media team didn’t manage him well. I told him, he would not come back. I said the other people had not just got the will of the people, they had got the will of some ministers of God in the place of prayer and few of them had contacted certain ministers of God and we had sat down and discovered we needed change."

Fab Photos From In Edo Birthday Party

The actress celebrated her birthday last night colleagues and friends including Oge Okoye, Ebube Nwagbo, Chidi Mokeme, Kate Henshaw, Sound Sultan amongst others.
See more photos below:

 

8 reasons why Nigerian churches are leading Christians to hell – Etcetera writes

Singer cum writer/critic, Etcetera in his latest article kicks against Nigerian churches. According to him, many of the Churches in the country today are living a lie.

To back up his claim, he highlighted eight reasons why the church is leading Christians astray.

Read his latest article below:

1. There is almost no evidence whatsoever that the early church had their “services” on a Sunday. They gathered together ‘from house to house’ virtually every day! People did not dress up and “go to church.” There were no denominations or separate groups with different ‘labels.’ They lived their lives together – And the apostles in Jerusalem preached everyday at a huge open-air gathering, not “hidden away” inside four walls. Church buildings do not exist in the Bible. They were invented around 200-300 AD, when the church was in serious decline. Church buildings are anti-New Testament, and they bring with them a host of problems and traditions. It was when the church fell into the hands of Rome that this concept of the “cathedral” took over. And today, we are still spending millions building these beautiful monuments while the worshippers are starving.

2. The words “prosper” or ‘prosperity’ were NEVER used by Jesus at all – and only mentioned a few times in the entire New Testament. Yet our greedy pastors have built kingdoms upon them. The words – “sell what you have and give to the poor” and “deceitfulness of riches” and “you cannot serve God and mammon” and “woe to you that are rich” were DEFINITELY used by Jesus and the apostles, but you don’t hear them preached by your pastors, do you?

3. Tithing is not a New Testament practice at all. And it is being shamefully abused by today’s preachers. In the Old Testament, tithing was only applicable to Jews and to the land of Israel and that was at a time when a great number of them lived in Babylon, Ammon, Moab, Egypt and Syria. As a result of that, the land they occupied became tithe-able lands. Tithes were not acceptable from Gentiles’ lands. So my brothers and sisters, you need to ask your pastor why he is collecting tithes here in Nigeria. Also, the only people authorised to receive tithes were the Levites – (Hebrews 7:5). If your pastor is collecting tithe from you, ask him if he’s from the tribe of Levi. Even Jesus who was a Jew couldn’t collect tithes because he wasn’t from the tribe of Levi but from that of Judah. And if your pastor insists that being a worker in the lord’s vineyard qualifies him as a Levite, please remind him that Levites had no land and did not own properties.

4. The Jesus of today’s church is a “Father Christmas,” a Jesus who exists mainly for our own “happiness;” a Father Christmas who wants to rain down continual blessings upon us; a Jesus of grace and mercy without judgement, righteousness or truth. Our gross misrepresentation of who Jesus really is, is one of the most serious offences of today’s church. We worship a “plastic” Jesus – one that we have painted in our own image. What an offence to God.

5. What we have today are churches that are so loose that they excuse any sin or misconduct, including homosexuality and adultery. Aren’t we supposed to accept only the truth of God’s word? But instead, we have opted for a modern church that is socially based, smooth and sophisticated, and presented like a Nollywood movie with men and women of ogboni fraternity dressed in their occultic regalia occupying special seats during services. Something is wrong!

6. What happened to the strong calls for repentance that brought thousands down to the altar to repent and ask Jesus Christ to save their souls? This is the litmus test for Christianity; it is the essence of the Cross; it is the great commission that Jesus commanded us with. If your church is not winning souls, then it is like a barren woman, and it is a shame. Something is wrong!

7. What happened to the outpouring of the Holy Ghost? Do we even know what it means anymore to feel the presence of the Spirit of God descend on a service and fill up the room with holiness? Or we just love that party atmosphere and excitement when the choir plays a boogie-down song? Or we love to scream “ride on pastor” in the excitement we get when some charismatic preacher works the crowd? It’s been so long we’ve felt the presence of the Holy Spirit that we don’t know what it is anymore. Something is definitely wrong!

8. Lots of pastors are aware that there is something very wrong with the church today. They know there is little ‘fear of the Lord.’ They know there is no deep repentance or deep moving of the Holy Spirit.

They know that it is just the same old “game” being played every week. A lot of them are very aware of this, but they will not do anything about it. They will not rock the boat. And they will destroy anyone who comes along trying to do something. They do not want any reforms. There is too much to lose. They have their careers and their “kingdoms” at stake. This is the truth of the matter. Most of you are worshippers of your pastors and not God. Many of you are hell bound. So pray my brothers and sisters. Pray for your souls. Let me stop here and leave room for you to call me names. But do remember that the church is leading you to hell – not me!

African leaders are happy that Jonathan was defeated – Obasanjo

According to former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, African leaders are happy over the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential elections.

Obasanjo made the disclosure to an audience at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington DC.

He stated that his investigation in a number of African countries suggested that they were happy with the result of the election.

Obasanjo said that some Nigerians described President Jonathan as a moving train who was stopped from collapsing the country.

“I have visited six countries since the election, they are as happy about the results. It is good not only for Nigeria, it is good for Africa and I believe it is good for the world.”

Obasanjo added that the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) , “has moved Nigeria one very important step up in our democracy.”

Furthermore, Obasanjo quipped that countries like Togo, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon were among countries with leaders reluctant to give up power for fear they might “land in prison or in the grave.”

''You Are Our Hero'' - Bruce Jenner Gets Massive Support from Family and Celebs

Now that Bruce Jenner has opened up about transitioning into a woman, in an interview with Diane Sawyer that aired during Friday night’s (April 24) 20/20, what does the Olympian’s very large and very famous family have to say?

Elton John Lauds Bruce Jenner for His Bravery

Many of Jenner’s children and stepchildren supported the Keeping Up With the Kardashians patriarch on social media Friday, including Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, who shared proud words for their stepdad.

Kourtney Kardashian 

✔@kourtneykardash

Couldn't be a more proud daughter. With courage and bravery, let's change the world. I am honored to stand by Bruce's side and support him.

Khloé 

✔@khloekardashian

Just finished watching the #BruceJennerInterview with the family. Bruzer, I'm soooo proud of you! Dads really are heros

Kendall kept it simple....

Kendall Jenner 

✔@KendallJenner

I love you.

Kendall Jenner 

✔@KendallJenner

so very proud of you, my hero.

Kylie Jenner acknowledged how tough her dad’s journey has been on her, but called him “my beautiful hero.”

Kylie Jenner 

✔@KylieJenner

Understandingly, this has been very hard for me. You will hear what I have to say when I'm ready to but...

Kylie Jenner 

✔@KylieJenner

..this isn't about me. I'm so proud of you, Dad. You are so brave. My beautiful Hero.

Kim Kardashian shared the photo above, and wrote;

"Love Is the courage to live truest, best version of yourself. Bruce is love. I love you Bruce. Your honesty has opened the door for others to be courageous and live an authentic life. #respect#hero#family

Jenner’s ex-wife Kris, meanwhile, called Bruce her “hero” too — and she also got into a Twitter war-of-words with celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, who pointed out that Kris was the only one of Bruce’s exes not to provide a statement to ABC News.

Kris Jenner 

✔@KrisJenner

Not only was I able to call him my husband for 25 years and father of my children, I am now able to call him my hero.

Bruce Jenner: I was born with body of a man and soul of a woman

Bruce Jenner, the former Olympic athlete and reality television star, has revealed he has struggled with gender identity since he was a child and that he has "lived a lie his whole life".

Ending months of speculation that he was transitioning into a woman, Jenner said "for all intents and purposes" he is female - becoming the most high-profile American to come out as transgender. 

The Kardashian patriarch declared that it would be his last interview as Bruce, and he would re-emerge as a woman.

"I have always been very confused with my gender identity since I was this big," admitted Jenner, lowering his hand to several feet above the ground.

While he asked to be addressed in the interview with male pronouns, speaking in front of millions of viewers, Jenner said: “My whole life has been getting me ready for this.

“I’d have been so mad at myself if I never explored that side of me,” he said, pulling down his long hair from its ponytail.

He revealed that at the age of eight he started dressing up in his mother and sister’s clothes: “At that time I didn’t know why I was just doing it, just that it felt good,” he said.

“I hate the term boy stuck in a girl’s body. I’m not stuck in anybody’s body... I’m me. My brain is much more female than it is male. That's what my soul is. Bruce lives a lie. She is not a lie."

Woman critically beaten by lover over claims of infidelity [PHOTOS]

An 18-year-old Malawian girl, Linda Phulani is currently in a critical condition after her lover, John Yasini mercilessly assaulted her over alleged infidelity.

According to reports, the victim who in January moved in with John without her parents’ consent was banned from visiting friends and family members.

After Linda moved into John’s house, he became abusive.  This however got to the peak on Thursday, April 16 when he brutally assaulted the victim because she went to a neighboring village to see some friends without his boyfriends permission.

According to John, he suspected that she was cheating on him and had gone out to see her lover.

It was gathered that upon Linda’s return, John beat her up mercilessly, using chains and rods, and even went further to drag her through a hot item before leaving her at the mercy of death. John later had a change of heart and reportedly took the victim to a local hospital.

The suspect was later arrested by the Malawian police, and he confessed to the crime, saying he heard rumours that his wife was cheating on him and for leaving the house without his consent on the day of the incident was an indication that the news about her promiscuous act was true. He however blamed his action on the devil.

“I am a good person and have never committed any crime in my life. I did not intend to harm my wife. It is the work of the devil. I wish her well. In fact, I was the one who took her to our Local hospital in our area.

Jonh is currently in police custody and will soon be charged for domestic violence and “unlawful wounding.”

                                                                                                                   This is the lover’s picture.