Aivoji sues for peace in Lagos PDP guber race

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism in Lagos State, Hon. Phillip Aivoji, has advised all PDP governorship aspirants in the state to emulate the national leadership of the party by peacefully resolving the issue of who emerges the flagbearer of the party in the 2015 Lagos State governorship race.

Aivoji, who said this in a statement made available to Saturday Independent said better understanding and cooperation among all the aspirants would further enhance the chances of the party winning the 2015 governorship election in Lagos State.

70-year-old man remanded in prison over rape

A Minna, Niger State magistrate’s court on Friday ordered the detention of a 70-year-old man, Udo Udo, for allegedly raping two girls.

The accused was arraigned on a one-count charge of rape, contrary to Section 283 of the Penal Code.

Police prosecutor, Ahmed Ali, an inspector, told the court that a member of a vigilance group attached to the Emir’s palace in Suleja, Niger State, arrested and brought the accused to the police station on October 11.

Uduaghan calls for peaceful PDP ward congress

Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, has urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to ensure that the ward congresses of the party across the state are conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.

He decried the desperation of aspirants that has led them to start “spending money where they are not supposed to.”

“What is important is the state party structure, you cannot work outside the state party structure; the procedure is clear,” he said.

Nigeria: Igbo elders propose regional govts, restructuring

The Igbo Leaders of Thought, a body of eminent socio-political leaders in the South East, has rejected the creation of 18 additional states in the country as recommended by the recent National Conference.

The group, which is led by Prof. Ben Nwabueze, insisted on the restructuring of Nigeria into ‘regions or zones,’ and the devolution of powers to these units, at its meeting in Enugu.

They argued that restructuring the country, and ceding 50 per cent of the powers currently wielded by the Federal Government to the zones, would provide the enabling environment for a peaceful, united and progressive Nigeria.

Also, they pointed out that the zones would develop at their own pace, and according to their peculiar characteristics and needs, without interference.

$33m cash uncovered in Chinese official’s house

Chinese Authorities have found 200 million Yuan ($33m) in the home of an energy official, news reports said on Saturday.

The Supreme People’s Procuratorate Anti-Corruption Bureau’s Chief, Xu Jinhui told newsmen.

According to the bureau, it is the country’s largest-ever cash seizure.

The money was unearthed at the home of coal bureau Deputy Chief, Wei Pengyuan, in a probe first revealed in May.

What captivity is like for schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram

When Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from the remote northeastern village of Chibok, Nigeria, earlier this year, the extremist Islamist group and its fight against the Nigerian government became a major story for the world to rally around. A hashtag spread, celebrities spoke out, and the United States sent in a team to help the Nigerian military.

Six months later, most of the girls kidnapped in Chibok remain captive and negotiations to free them remain inconclusive and confused. Just last week, official statements that Boko Haram would enter talks to free the girls were apparently contradicted by reports that the group had kidnapped more schoolgirls.

Adamawa sends vehicles to evacuate IDPs in camps

The Adamawa State Government has deployed vehicles in the camps of Internally Displaced Persons in the state to evacuate the embattled residents in the refugees camps.

This move, NAN reports, following continuous attacks on Mubi and other areas of the state by the Islamic fundamentalist group, Boko Haram, which the military has yet to be able to contain.

Meanwhile, Governor James Ngilari has expressed “pain” over the number of people who had been killed and injured in Mubi by suspected terrorists.

Click here for more story: Punchng

Second military officer declares self Burkina Faso’s president

Another military officer, Col. Isaac Zida, former Presidential Guard to ousted President Blaise Compaore, has announced he has assumed responsibility as the country’s Head of State.

Burkina Faso’s local media quoted Zida as making the declaration in Ouagadougou during a broadcast over a private television station on Saturday.

The announcement came barely 24 hours after Burkina Faso’s Army chief, Gen. Nabéré Traore, declared himself as the Head of State following Compaore’s resignation.

Firearms submission: Lagos police to arrest violators

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, on Friday said that the command would not hesitate to arrest persons who failed to surrender illegal firearms.

Aderanti told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the command gave such persons Oct. 10 deadline to willingly submit the arms.

“The submission has expired; anyone now found with illegal weapons will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

One of the first things I did when I came on board was to issue a statement that everybody in possession of illegal firearms should get them returned to the police.

This means that whosoever is arrested in possession of any firearm now would have his or herself to blame,’’ he said.

More Nigerians will vote Jonathan in 2015 – Morro

Makurdi – Minister of Interior, Abba Morro has given assurance that the gains of the transformation agenda will give President Goodluck Jonathan an edge over his challengers at the 2015 polls.

Morro, who stated this in an interview with journalists on Friday in Makurdi, commended the president for the courage of picking the PDP’s nomination forms.

He said Nigerians had started reaping the benefits of the transformation programme of the government with the revitalisation of key sectors of the economy.

Families of Chibok girls shocked at marriage claims

Families of the 219 schoolgirls held for more than six months by Boko Haram militants on Saturday said they were shocked but not surprised at fresh claims that the teenagers had been married off.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau made the claim in a new video obtained by AFP on Friday, in which he also said that all the girls had converted to Islam and rejected claims of a ceasefire and peace talks.

The head of the Chibok Elders Forum in the northeast Nigerian town, Pogo Bitrus, told AFP: “It (the claim about marriage) is shocking to us, although we know that Boko Haram is not a reliable group.

“We were sceptical about the talks to release our girls and we never took the ceasefire seriously because since the announcement, they have never stopped attacking communities.

“Therefore the information that our girls have been married off is not surprising to us,” said Bitrus, whose four nieces are among the hostages.

3 dead as Yemen’s Shiite rebels attack Sunni party HQ

Three people were killed in clashes triggered by a Shiite rebel attack on the headquarters of Yemen’s Sunni Al-Islah party in the southwestern city of Ibb, security sources said Saturday.

“Two guards at Al-Islah’s office in Ibb were killed and others wounded in an attack launched late at night by the Huthis using automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades,” the source told AFP.

A civilian was killed in the ensuing clashes, said another security source, adding that the rebels overran and looted the office before setting off a bomb inside it Saturday morning.

Gunmen rob Ekiti bank, attack police station

There was pandemonium on Friday in Ifaki-Ekiti, Ekiti State, when a 30-man gang robbed a bank in the town. The robbers overran a police station in the community before heading for their target.

According to the public relations officer of the Ekiti State Police Command, Victor Babayemi, the gang came into town on motorbikes and shot into the air in a manner that created panic; a bank official was said to have been wounded and has been taken to the hospital for treatment.

An eyewitness disclosed that the bandits had riddled the station with bullets, gained entry into the bank hall and carted away an undisclosed amount of money in the robbery.

The incident occurred at about 11.30am. It disrupted commercial activities for close to two hours, as traders closed their shops and stayed indoors.

Tambuwal files suit to forestall impeachment

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, on Friday filed a suit before a Federal High in Abuja asking the court to restrain the Federal Government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from impeaching him as Speaker of the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

The Speaker, who visited the Federal High Court, Abuja, with his aides, loyalists and lawyers, also asked the court to order that his security detail be restored.

In the suit filed through his counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, Tambuwal cited the PDP, its chairman, Adamu Muazu, the House of Representatives, the Deputy Speaker, the Inspector-General of Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation as the first to seventh defendants.

Injury Update – Mesut Ozil Makes SURPRISE Return To Training

 Arsenal News, Injury news

Nov012014

Arsenal’s playmaker Mesut Ozil has stepped up his rehabilitation as he continues his gym work ahead of his expected come back from injury.

Tweet: ” No, this is neither a red carpet nor a magic carpet, it is just the place where i am working for my comeback.”The 26 year old has been having daily gym sessions at Arsenal’s medical centre at London Colney. He has taken to social network site Twitter several times to reveal every step in his rehabilitation. With his left leg in what looks like a big brace, he again tweeted on Thursday about his daily session at the gym. When he showed the place where he is supposedly making his comeback from injury.

Uduaghan swears in HOS, Special Advisers, Perm Secs 

DELTA State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has sworn in a new Head for the State Civil Service (HOS), three Special Advisers and 12 Permanent Secretaries.

The choice of Mr. Patrick Origho as HOS was based on several considerations ranging from seniority, wealth of experience and tract record of performance while the appointment of the Special Advisers was aimed at strengthening his administration’s drive of finishing strong.

Origho took oath of office as the HOS, while Chief Uche Ugbomah, Mrs. Georgina Evah and Mrs. Lilian Ofili were sworn in as Special Advisers to the Governor.

The Governor advised them to bring their wealth of experience to bear in his administration’s quest to bequeath a peaceful and prosperous Delta State that would not be dependent on oil revenue alone.

He advised civil servants to be loyal, diligent and conscientious in the discharge of their duties to enable them attain the zenith of their profession.

“The position of Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries are political and from the first day you are appointed into the civil service, if you want to attain the highest position, you must be loyal, diligent, don’t refuse posting because a lot of things are considered while making Permanent Secretaries and Head of Service.

I know that God guided me in making this appointment of Sir Origho from the three names recommended to me by the out-going Head of Service.”

See more at: Dailyindependent

Burkina Faso President resigns, escapes to Ghana

Burkina Faso’s President Blaise Compaore has been ousted, following days of protests against efforts to extend his rule.

An armed convoy believed to be that of the now outgoing president was seen leaving the capital, Ouagadougou, heading towards the border with Ghana.

As many of the country’s celebrated Compaore’s resignation, they are also worried that military chief, General Honore Traore, close to the outgoing President, may try to steal their popular action. Traore is supposed the lead the country towards an election within the next three months but he now has all the cards in hands.

Nigerian schoolgirls will be released 'by Tuesday'

Nigeria aims to have around 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Islamist Boko Haram militants freed by Tuesday "at the latest", according to a senior source at the presidency.

The militant group and the Nigerian government are said to have reached an immediate ceasefire and are expected to release the girls as part of the deal.

Sourced: ITVNews

Nigeria must diversify its economy – Aganga

The minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, has called for the diversification of economy saying it is the only way the country could achieve economic development.

The minister who made reference to the feat achieved by the former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, urged the present leaders to emulate past leaders, who used natural resources to improve the lots of their people and regions

Minister of Trade & Investment, Olusegun Aganga

He said this on Friday as the 6th convocation lecturer of Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, while speaking on the topic: Emergence of Nigeria as Africa’s leading economy: Challenges for the Future.

According to him, for the country to maintain its position and even improve as the leading economy in Africa, it must encourage the growing of farm cash crops and embrace new standards in processing technologies.

He said, “We need to diversify our economy. We need to go back to the good old days when the proceeds from Cocoa were used to build the Cocoa House in Ibadan.

“We must improve the standard of what we produce and export.

FOPIC prays for Nigeria

As activities leading to the 2015 general elections gather momentum, there is need for well-meaning Nigerians to pray for the country.

This, according to the General Overseer of Fountain of Perfection Int’l Church (FOPIC) and Chairman of Agege South West chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Dr. Praise Oliver, is to forestall any negative incident and ensure a free and fair election.

While announcing his church’s three-day thanksgiving programme at its headquarters at 4, Owodetun Street, Raji Rasaq, Aboru, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos, the cleric said that God roundly endowed the country to be great but that enemies within and outside and spiritual saboteurs are thwarting the nation’s destined greatness.

He said the church has, therefore, set today, the second day of the programme, aside to pray for the country, adding that lovers of the country and those who seek her greatness should join them at the church premises for the prayers, starting at 10 a.m.

 See more at: DailyIndependent.com

Experts list conditions for supporting showbiz industry

The cream of Nigeria investment community, under the aegis of the Chartered Institute of STOCKBROKERS (CIS), on Thursday agreed on the need to support the nation’s entertainment industry for greater contribution to economic growth and development.
Lamenting a situation where the industry has been funded outside of the formal financial system stunted its growth they spoke of the need to give birth to a regulator for the entertainment industry to check the menace of piracy among others, just as operators must do more to raise its contribution to GDP above the current 1.4 per cent.

They agreed on the need for improved funding to guaranty better quality of films and music production with good content, but that the operators must make available reliable statistics to help planning, just as the capital market and the entertainment industry must understand themselves for the necessary synergy.

Calling the pot black: Nawaz repeats what landed his predecessor in trouble

PM appointed Nasir Khosa as World Bank executive director allegedly in violation of rules and regulations. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: While former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf facing a case for appointing his son-in-law as executive director of the World Bank in 2012, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif too committed the same irregularities in appointing Nasir Khosa to the same position in August last year, an official in the Economic Affairs Division told The Express Tribune.

Nawaz also appointed his then cabinet secretary, Sami Saeed, as executive director of the Asian Development Bank in November 2013, in violation of procedures, the official said. The vacancy was never circulated among ministries, divisions and provincial governments, he claimed. And in all three cases, the candidates were not interviewed by a panel of the Central Selection Board.

Cleric wants more attention on agriculture

To halt the dwindling fortunes of the country as a result of the crash in the oil sector, a clergyman, Matthew Kolawole Olakanmi, has called for the diversification of the nation’s economy from the oil to agriculture.

Olakanmi, founder and the leader of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Onala Parish, Ibadan, Oyo State, lamented that the over-dependence on the on oil since its discovery in the 1960s has started to take a negative toll on the Nigeria’s economy.

Olakanmi spoke with journalists after the International Christian Leadership Promotion presented him with the Leadership Merit Award at the church auditorium, along Mokola-Sango Road, Oremeji, Ibadan.

He insisted that the only way for the Nigerian government to salvage the country’s economy from further recession “is to take the bull by the horns and squarely face agriculture, which is more reliable and sustainable.”

Olakanmi said, “Apart from stabilising our economy, diversifying our economy from oil to agriculture will provide jobs for our teeming unemployed youths.

“We are only talking about fall or reduction in oil price in the world market as it affects Nigeria.

“We must note that God may allow such a thing to happen because of our sins. I read a newspaper that stated that Boko Haram insurgents have killed over 28,000 innocent Nigerians, including pastors and Muslims. We need to pray and beg God to forgive us our sins; that is the only way forward.

See more at: DailyIndependent.com

Okubor picks PDP governorship form

Delta State 2015 gubernatorial hopeful, Dr. Festus Goziem Okubor, on Thursday, picked the expression of interest and gubernatorial nominations of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP. ).

Making this known on his face book page  Dr. Okubor stated: “Please join me to thank God for making it possible for me to collect the Expression of Interest and Gubernatorial Nomination forms to contest for the Governorship of Delta State, on the platform of PDP, today.
I go forth in the name of the Lord God Almighty, pledging to put the wellbeing of all Deltans first.
To my darling wife, lovely children, sweet mother and adorable siblings, in laws and friends, I promise to only earn a good name. I shall not bring shame or pain to you, God being my helper.”

News of his picking the forms send joy into the minds of his numerous supporters who expressed confidence in his emerging victorious as the true choice of Deltans for the governorship election.

See more at: Daily Independent

Igboezue protests non-commissioning of Aba/Ariaria power plant

Igbo socio political cultural organization, Igboezue has drawn attention of the Federal Government to the non-commissioning of Aba/Ariaria power plant.

In a statement signed by the national leader of the group, Chief Chekwas Okorie,  said: “ The case of the non-commissioning of the Osisioma Power Plant covering Aba/Ariaria Business District is an intriguing executive action that bothers on callousness, insensitivity and extreme marginalization taken too far. “

“We are aware that the PDP Federal Government under President Olusegun Obasanjo concessioned the Osisioma Power Project to Geometrics Power Plant. This project covers nine Local Government Areas in Abia State, otherwise referred to as Aba/Ariaria Business District. Geometrics with dedication and commitment to make its contribution to the solution to the nagging electricity supply in Nigeria embarked on the project without delay.”

Okowa can move Delta to next level – UPU

Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has been described as a man filled with great ides on how to move Delta State forward. He has also been described as eminently qualified to pilot the affairs of Delta State.

The observation was made at Jesse, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, by the leadership of the Urhobo Progressive Union, (UPU ), when Senator Okowa paid a consultation visit to the apex Urhobo socio – cultural body last weekend.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Chief Tuesday Onoge noted that what the nation needs are people who are capable and willing to lead the people with equity and fairness, adding that, “at this point, what Deltans truly need is a governor who will carry everybody along irrespective of ethnic origins. We do not need somebody who will come to promote selfish interest.”

He noted that Senator Okowa has great ideas on how to move Delta State forward, saying he (Okowa) has been able to convince the people of his readiness to give the state purposeful leadership when given the mandate to lead.

After Tambuwal’s defection, what next?

Finally, after speculations, cantankerous deliberations and consultations, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congresss (APC) on Tuesday, October 28.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal

According to him, his defection was because of his political future and consideration of his state, Sokoto.

His formal declaration came after a rumour of his defection was denied by his spokesman, Mr. Imam Imam.

Imam stated that the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, led other members of the party to a reconciliation meeting in Sokoto but Tambuwal was not invited to the meeting.

He added that the Speaker was later invited by Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, to attend the meeting of their political family to discuss the political future of the state.

The meeting, held in Sokoto, was attended by party leaders including Wamakko, who said at the opening that Tambuwal had been “part and parcel” of the formation of APC.

During the closed-door session, it was concluded that the party’s governorship ticket should be zoned to Sokoto South on the grounds that the East and Central zones had governed the state for two consecutive terms each.

Sources at the meeting said a committee was therefore, set up to choose a consensus governorship candidate for the party from aspirants of Sokoto South origin.

BOKO HARAM DENIES TRUCE, KIDNAPPED GIRLS MARRIED

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) -- The leader of Nigeria's Islamic extremist group Boko Haram has denied agreeing to any cease-fire with the government and said more than 200 kidnapped schoolgirls all have converted to Islam and been married off.

In a new video released late Friday night, Abubakar Shekau dashed hopes for a prisoner exchange to get the girls released.

"The issue of the girls is long forgotten because I have long ago married them off," he said, laughing.

"In this war, there is no going back," he said in the video received by The Associated Press in the same way as previous messages.

Nigeria: Lawal Says He Cares Less About Keshi

Former Super Eagles midfielder, Garba Lawal has said he does not care if Keshi is recalled but Eagles must beat Congo to stand any chance of qualifying for the 2015 AFCON in Morocco.

On Thursday, a Presidential directive was said to have brought back the sacked Eagles coach but Lawal said he is not aware of such development.

He however said whether the former Super Eagles captain returns or not, he is not interested because he cannot continue to expend time and energy on one thing.

Lawal said what should concern Nigerians is how the Eagles will qualify for the Nations Cup.

He said it is going to be very difficult for the team but if the players would play with the determination and spirit they displayed in the second half of their match against Sudan in Abuja, they might still qualify.

Nigerian Football Crisis - A New Dawn After Darkness!

By Thursday night, as I write this, Nigeria has escaped FIFA's ban by the whiskers. I don't have the details but one of two things must have happened.

The first is that a letter has gone to FIFA, written and signed by Musa Amadu, the Secretary-General of the NFA that Pinnick Amaju, somehow, has been restored to the role of President of the NFF.

The second is that the earlier order of the Jos High Court annulling the results of the September elections into the Executive Committee of the NFA, at the resumed hearing of the matter on Thursday morning, has been vacated.

How that would come to be is another matter for conjecture - by coercion, by concession, by negotiation or by fiat?

Otherwise, I see no way out of this quagmire for as long as one of the two contending factions sticks to its guns and insists on the sanctity of its mandate.

Nurse in Ebola row can associate, says US judge

A US judge ruled that a nurse quarantined by her home state after treating Ebola patients could leave home and frequent public places, saying she was not infectious.

The decision from a district judge in the northeastern state of Maine is the latest twist in a bitter row over enforced quarantine of American medics returning from relief work in West Africa.

It reversed a temporary order that prevented her from visiting cinemas and shopping centers, and demanded she keep three feet away from others while Judge Charles LaVerdiere examined the case.

Kaci Hickox insists that she is perfectly healthy and has fought efforts of US authorities to keep her in quarantine for 21 days, the incubation period for the virus, since returning home.

CAF meet over Ebola-clouded Cup of Nations

When and where the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations will be staged should be resolved within days amid pleas from hosts Morocco to postpone the tournament over the Ebola epidemic.

The virus has claimed almost 5,000 lives this year, almost all in west African countries Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Morocco fear a potential influx of several hundred thousand supporters from the other 15 finalists could spread the epidemic.

African football body CAF will hold a meeting of their executive in Algeria on Sunday and 24 hours later president Issa Hayatou will lead a delegation to Morocco for further talks.

CAF are then expected to issue a statement clarifying the situation after weeks of wild media speculation.

A senior African football official, who requested anonymity, told AFP there were three likely scenarios:

— Morocco back down and agree to original January 17-February 8 hosting dates.

— CAF agree to postpone tournament to mid-2015 or early 2016.

— Talks collapse, Morocco withdraw, and CAF seek new hosts.

Unconfirmed reports of midweek meetings involving Hayatou and Moroccan officials led Moroccan daily As-Sabah to claim a deal had been struck to delay the Africa Cup.

Intruding in affairs of House of Rep amount to rigging of 2015 elections, Buhari tells Jonathan - 

ABUJA – Former Head of State and All Progressive Congress, APC, Presidential aspirant, Major General Mohammadu Buhari, Friday appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan, to use his good offices to protect and guarantee the security of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal

Maj. Gen. Buhari who spoke through his Campaign Organization, said in a statement, in Abuja, that “We are making this passionate appeal following the less than elegant manner his security details were withdrawn by the Inspector General of the Police, and thus exposing him to danger.

According to the statement, “It is our candid view that Hon. Tambuwal as of today remains the valid Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; if this is the case, he should enjoy all the privileges and perquisites of the office.

Tambuwal: APC warns FG against compounding illegality by employing dirty tactics

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned the Federal Government to desist from compounding illegality by

inducing members of the House of Representatives to sign a paper seeking to reconvene the House ahead of the

Dec. 3rd adjourned date.

”We have heard from the grapevine that the FG is inducing legislators with a view to reconvening the House, but this

will amount to piling illegality upon illegality since only a resolution by all principal officers of the House can reconvene

the house,” the party said in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Kidnapped schoolgirls 'married off': Boko Haram

Claims a German national is in their custody

An image grab made on October 31, 2014 from a video obtained by AFP shows the leader of the extremist group Boko Haram Abubakar Shekau (C) delivering a speech. Boko Haram denied that they had agreed to a ceasefire in a new video obtained on October 31 by AFP, describing the Nigerian government claims as a lie and apparently ruling out future talks. The group's leader, Abubakar Shekau, also claimed the 219 schoolgirls kidnapped from the remote northeast town of Chibok, in Borno state, in April had been married off [AFP]

Boko Haram has claimed the 219 schoolgirls it kidnapped in Nigeria earlier this year have converted to Islam and been married off, according to a new video obtained by AFP on Friday.

The group's leader, Abubakar Shekau, also denied claims by Nigeria's government that it had agreed to a ceasefire and apparently ruled out future talks.

In addition, Shekau said they were holding a German national, who was kidnapped in Adamawa state in northeast Nigeria in July.

The schoolgirls were kidnapped from the remote northeast town of Chibok in Borno state in April, raising global awareness about the group whose five-year insurgency in northern Nigeria has claimed an estimated 13,000 lives.

Mubi attack: NEMA to establish more IDP camps in Yola

Following the insurgents’ attacks in Mubi, Adamawa State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has concluded plans to open more camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yola.

The agency’s spokesperson, Malam Sani Datti, disclosed the plan in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola on Friday, saying that the plan was in response to the rising number of IDPs from Mubi and other communities in Adamawa. He added that many residents from Mubi and Uba had fled to Yola following the attacks.