France releases three of 17 detained in Kardashian West heist probe

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Kardashian

Paris, Jan. 11, 2017 (dpa/NAN) Three of 17 people who were detained by French Police during an investigation into the Paris heist of reality television star Kim Kardashian West have been released, a judicial source said on Wednesday.

Among those released was Kardashian West’s driver, who was detained Monday in connection with the October robbery that saw an estimated 10 million dollars’ worth of jewellery lifted from the star in a Paris apartment.

The judicial source said 14 people remain in police custody.

Five people disguised as police arrived at the apartment hotel where Kardashian West was staying during Paris Fashion Week in October, and stole valuables including a ring valued at 4 million euros and a jewellery box valued at 5 million euros.

The prosecutor’s office said this week that the jewels had not been retrieved.

Kardashian West, who had made much of her wealth with self promotion, was unusually silent on social media in the months following the robbery.

On January 3, she posted her first photographs on Twitter and Instagram, but has not publicly commented on the incident. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Abigael Joshua/Julius Enehikhuere)

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Company

Lokoja, Jan. 11, 2017 (NAN) The Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Mrs Folashade Ayoade, has commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for resuscitating the state-owned transport company.

Ayoade gave the commendation in Lokoja on Wednesday while inaugurating 10 new buses provided for `Confluence Express’ by the State Government to boost the operations of the firm.

The secretary said the buses were provided to assist the company in its effort to serve the populace better.

She thanked the governor for keeping his promise to revitalise the transport company and other moribund establishments in the state.

Ayoade told the management of the company to work harder to transform the firm, to meet the expectations of the populace.

She said that government was working hard to make the state a showpiece in the federation. (NAN)

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Silas Nwoha

23 Ships laden with petroleum products, food items, to arrive Lagos
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Ships
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, Jan. 10, 2017 (NAN) Twenty three ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected to arrive Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos from Jan. 10 to Jan. 21.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), in its publication, Shipping Position, said that three of the expected 23 ships would berth with petrol and aviation fuel.
NPA said that the remaining 20 expected ships contained buck wheat, general cargoes, base oil, frozen fish, aviation fuel, empty container, ethanol and other containerised goods.
The publication noted that four ships had arrived at the ports, waiting to berth with bulk fertiliser, frozen fish and petrol.
NAN reports that 17 other ships are at the ports discharging empty containers, bulk wheat, sugar, bulk fertiliser, frozen fish, aviation fuel, bulk gypsum and petrol. (NAN)
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(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)

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Protest

Lokoja, Jan. 10, 2017 (NAN) Workers of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja on Tuesday took to the streets in protest against the non-payment of salaries.

The workers, who took over all routes leading to the institution, held placards some of which indicated that more than 20 per cent of them had not been paid salaries for eight months “ even after all manners of screeening exercises”.

Mr Simeon Ogbadu, Secretary of their workers’ union, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the action, regretted that members had been subjected to “stressful screenings and rigorous checks without any benefit”.

He said that lecturers were hungry with some of them dying over the lack of basic needs in their homes.

“ Many of the lecturers have lost their wives and children and have suddenly become obbjects of ridicule in the society,” he said.

The union’s scribe said that the workers would embark on an indefinite strike if the state government refused to pay the salaries.

Ogbadu, however, urged the workers to remain calm and await further directives from the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).

“ We are ready to return to the classes, but government must meet its obligations; I am very optimistic that the issues will be resolved soon, but unless they are resolved, it will be difficult to work with an empty stomach,” he said. (NAN)

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Edited by Razak Owolabi and Ephraims Sheyin
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Lagos landlady commends police commissioner for recovery of property
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Commendation
By Raji Rasak
Lagos, Jan. 10, 2017 (NAN) Mrs Toyin Momodu, a Lagos landlady, whose house was taken over by a tenant, on Tuesday commended the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, for the recovery of her property.

In a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Momodu said she was able to recover the house from one Obinna Ejike, following Owoseni’s intervention.

“I am very grateful to the Lagos Police Commissioner for ensuring that I got my building back.

“I am impressed by his wisdom, intelligence and meticulous handing of the case when I cried to him for help.

“He gave me assurance that if truly I am the owner, I will get my building back; today the key to the building has been giving back to me.

“I am sincerely grateful to the state commissioner for his effort and I want to use this opportunity to implore other policemen to emulate him,” she said.

According to the landlady, all hopes of recovering the property was lost due to the presence of mobile policemen at the house – No 30, Adebola Street, Surulere, Lagos.

Momodu commended Owoseni for getting to the root of the matter, adding that such exemplary quality of a service was commendable.

She also commended the Divisional Police Officer of Bode Thomas for his sincerity in handling the case.
NAN reports that the US-based landlady had on Dec.15, approached the Lagos police to help recover the house she bought from Lagos State Development and Property Corporation 15 years ago.

Momodu had alleged that Ejike colluded with a police officer to take over her house. (NAN)
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Edited by Wale Ojetimi

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Burning
Lokoja, Jan 9, 2017 (NAN) Mr Isaac Ibileke, an environmentalist, has called on residents of Kogi to stop bush burning for the simple reason that it endangers peoples’ lives.

Ibileke, who gave the advice in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) ‎in Lokoja on Monday, said bush burning also caused life-threatening air pollution.

He noted that although air pollution varied depending on what was burnt, bush burning result in emissions including carbon dioxide which affect peoples’ health.

He urged parents to reduce children’s exposure to such hazards, especially during harsh weather condition, adding that dangerous pollutants can cause kidney damage to kids or even adults.

Ibileke, who noted that it was better to clear the bush with tractor rather than burning the bush, urged Nigerians to embrace clearing rather than burning.‎
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He appealed to government at all levels to evolve serious polices to curb bush burning. (NAN)
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Edited by Dinabasi Effiong/Felix Ajide
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Chibok

By Abiemwense Moru

Abuja, Jan. 9, 2017 (NAN) A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Asabe Bashir (Borno-APC), has applauded the Federal Government over the release of another Chibok girl, Miss Rakiya Abubakar, on Jan. 5, from Boko Haram captivity.

Bashir, in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, said that the development showed that government was committed to the release of the remaining Chibok school girls.

The lawmaker, who represents Chibok Federal Constituency, advised parents of the remaining girls to keep hope alive and believe that their children would reunite with them someday.

The lawmaker, who expressed optimism about release of other girls said, “It is obvious that I am happy about her release in irrespective of the fact that she is with a child”.

“Her parents are also happy and I pray that the remaining girls will also come out soon.”

Bashir further advised parents of the remaining girls to be patient and pray, adding that government was not relenting on its effort to ensure the release of the remaining girls.

“The government is beefing up collective efforts on the issue and not allowing the security operatives to rest on their oars.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in April 2014, over 200 girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents.

NAN also reports that since the abduction, some of the girls have been released by the Nigerian Army. (NAN)

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Edited by Dada Ahmed

All Stars Football Tourney: Coach urges participants to enhance skills

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Football
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Jan. 9, 2017 (NAN) Joy Etim, a former Super Falcons coach on Monday advised participants at the Women All Stars Football Tournament to take advantage of the competition to enhance their skills.

Etim gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium in Lagos, venue of the programme.

She said that the programme, organised by the Amalgamation of Nigerian Women Football Club Coaches (ANWCC), was initiated by the body 21 years ago to enhance female football in the country.

“This is another year and opportunity for female footballers in the country to showcase their talents and improve their game.

“Players like Kikelomo Ajayi, Ann Chiejine and others, too numerous to mention also participated in the event in the past.

“Some scouts also come around yearly to scout for talented players, so I hope the girls will put in their best,” she said.

Etim who is also a board member of ANWCC, commended Swiss-born Hans Kramer, acting President of the body for supporting the development of women football.

He urged the Nigeria Football Federation and well meaning Nigerians to support the body in moving female football forward.

“One of the major problems in organising this programme yearly is lack of funds, but this year we have few sponsors and we also want the NFF to be part of what we are doing,’’ she said.

The tournament which commenced today would run for three weeks. (NAN)
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Maharazu Ahmed)

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Accident
By Grace Alegba
Lagos, Jan. 9, 2017 (NAN) A truck loaded with sand on Monday fell at the Ile-Zik intersection on Agege-Ikeja road, resulting in traffic jam for several hours along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, however, no life was lost in the accident.
The truck with Lagos State registration number, KTU 14 XQ, fell sideways, emptying a trip of sand beside the traffic light at the ever busy Ile-Zik intersection.
A joint team of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Police and other security agencies were on ground to offer help and control the heavy traffic on the axis.
A LASTMA official at the scene, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the accident happened at about 4a.m.
“To ease the traffic we called for another truck to transfer the sand which had covered the road.
“We are waiting for a towing van to move the truck from the road; we have taken control of the traffic situation as it has already affected those coming from Agege to Ikeja Along,” the official said.
The driver of the vehicle, who simply identified himself as Adebayo, told NAN that the accident occurred as a result of brake failure.
Adebayo said he suddenly lost control while driving and the truck fell.
“The break failed and I did my best not to hit other vehicles and pedestrians and while trying to control the vehicle, it tumbled,” the driver narrated.
Also, Mr Atiti Joseph, an Enforcement Officer with the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), said that the accident damaged some kerbs and other facilities owned by the Lagos State Government.
“The accident has little impact on the kerbs and some part of our garden.
“I am in touch with other safety agencies in order to rectify the damages which the driver will have to pay for,” Joseph said. (NAN)
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu / Wale Ojetimi)

Mozambican plane collides with unknown object; drone suspected

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Accident
Maputo, Jan. 6, 2017 (dpa/NAN) A passenger plane with Mozambique’s LAM airline suffered damage after apparently colliding with an unknown object this week, the airline said Friday.

The website Aviation Herald said the object was a drone, but LAM sources said they could not confirm that.

The Boeing 737-700 with 86 people on board was travelling from the capital, Maputo, to Tete in the west on Thursday.

As the aircraft approached Tete’s airstrip, which was already visible, “the crew heard a bang, raising the possibility of a contact with an unknown object that, however, did not interfere with the flight,” LAM said in a statement.

The aircraft suffered damage on the right front side of the fuselage.

“A post-flight examination revealed a drone had impacted the right hand side of the radome,” Aviation Herald wrote.

LAM representatives declined to confirm the report and said the airline was investigating what had happened.

Report says a replacement aircraft was sent to Tete for the return flight. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)