Ebola virus death confirmed in Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos

A Liberian man who was hospitalized in Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, with the Ebola virus has died, Nigerian Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu said.

"The patient was subjected to thorough medical tests ... which confirmed he had the Ebola virus," Chukwu said Friday.

The case has raised fears that the virus could spread beyond the three countries at the center of what health officials say is the deadliest ever Ebola outbreak and into Africa's most populous nation, Nigeria. Lagos has more than 20 million residents.

As of July 20, some 1,093 people in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia are thought to have been infected by Ebola since its symptoms were first observed four months ago, according to theWorld Health Organization. Testing confirmed the Ebola virus in 786 of those cases, of whom 442 died.

Of the 1,093 confirmed, probable and suspected cases, 660 people have died.

The man hospitalized in Lagos was a 40-year-old Liberian working for a West African organization in Monrovia, Liberia, according to the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

He arrived at Lagos airport on Sunday and was isolated in a local hospital after showing symptoms associated with the virus. He told officials that he had no direct contact with anyone with the virus nor attended the burial of anyone who died of Ebola.

The Lagos State Ministry of Health had said Thursday that "the patient's condition is stable and is in recovery" and that the results of testing for Ebola infection were still pending in his case. Infection control measures were in place in the hospital, officials said.

Sheikh's son, 5 others killed as police and protesters clash in Zaria

About 5 people, including the son of popular Zaria based Sheikh, Ibraheem El Zakzaky, were killed today after a clash between Nigerian soldiers and Shiite Muslims in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The Shi'a Muslim group had gathered in the PZ area of the town for their annual Ramadan ritual called Muzahara, where thousands of Muslim faithful march around the city dressed in black to protest a cause. They dedicated their march today to the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

A source said the group were confronted by soldiers as they gathered after Friday prayers, chanting Islamic songs, carrying placards and condemning Israel's invasion of Gaza. The soldiers' mission was to disperse the crowd but one thing led to another and violence erupted. Shots were fired and at least 6 people were killed, including the son of the leader of the Islamic group (the son pictured above).

Indian rape suspects beaten by angry mob after 7yr old girl is found hanging from a tree

One man was killed and two others were badly hurt today by villagers in India who accused them of raping and hanging a seven-year-old girl. The girl was discovered hanging from a tree near the village of Kaliabazar, West Bengal, this morning and angry villagers quickly rounded up a local 'Tantrik' holy man and his two friends.

The trio were mercilessly beaten. One later died in hospital and the two others are still being treated. Continue...

God directs me to impregnate married women and their daughters- Pastor

A 53-year-old man who claims to be a Pastor, has been arrested by the Police in Nsukka, Enugu State, for allegedly impregnating married women and young girls in his church.

The Pastor, identified as Timothy Ngwu, is the General Overseer of Holy Trinity Ministry popularly called Vineyard Ministry in Umudikwere Community in the University town. Ironically, police sources said the suspect claims he was directed by the Holy Spirit to sexually abuse female members of his church in the name of God.

How he was exposed  

Crime Guard gathered that the alleged sexual exploits of the self-acclaimed man of God was blown open by his estranged wife, Veronica Ngwu, who hails from Udi Local Government Area in Enugu State.

The wife who has three children for the pastor was reportedly not comfortable with the ugly development and she lodged a complaint at the Anti-Child Trafficking Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department, CID, Enugu.This led to the arrest of the pastor.

Veronica’s case

It was learnt that during interrogation, the estranged wife of the pastor informed detectives that she escaped   from the ministry with one of her daughters after her husband impregnated her niece and claimed he was obeying the directives of the Holy Spirit and a prophetic revelation.

She also informed detectives led by Gloria Udoka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, that the situation at the church was better imagined than witnessed, alleging that her husband converts married women and single girls to his own and impregnates all of them while pretending to be obeying spiritual directives.

Pastor’s claims

The pastor reportedly claimed that he had sexual intercourse with women in his ministry as a result of directives from the Holy Spirit and with the consent of their husbands, if married, but for the single ones, a spiritual directive.

Ngwu, until his arrest, was a Scrutiny Officer and Statistician with the National Bureau of Statistics, one time assistant Catechist at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ihe-Umudikwere, Nsukka where he inducts married women and young girls seeking solution to their problems or favour. He was chased out of the Catholic Church and he started his own church.

Cholera kills five in Anambra, 120 cases reported

FIVE persons have been killed by the outbreak of cholera at Ayamelum local government area of Anambra State.

The State Commissioner for Health Dr. Joe Akabike who made this known to reporters in Awka said that so far, 120 cases of the disease have been reported.

The commissioner said that it was necessary to alert the public of the presence of the disease in the state so that people should take precautionary measures, advising people to maintain high level hygiene which include regular washing of hands as means of avoiding contact with the disease.

It was gathered that following the outbreak of the disease, officials of the state ministry of health have swung into action to educate the people in various local government areas on how to avoid contracting the disease.

According to him, the state government has provided 400 preventive tools that would protect health workers and had trained people on ways of preventing the disease.

Akabike also spoke on the reported outbreak of the dreaded Ebola disease in Lagos, saying that it was necessary to warn the people, especially Igbos who travel a lot to be careful. He explained that symptoms of the disease include malaria, fever and diarrhea, informing the people that Ebola was yet to have medical cure.

He warned people to avoid touching corpses of victims of the disease and to avoid sexual intercourse with patients of the disease until after three months of their recovery in order not to contact the disease.

Fg procures 40 attack helicopters with night vision

Aftermathof the determination by the Jonathan administration to eliminate terrorism in the North East and smoke out insurgents from the hideouts, the federal government has ordered the procurement of 40 modern attack helicopters with capabilities for night operations and sound proof technology.

CAS, his entourage and one of the survivors (Flight Lieutenant NM Halilu) commiserating with Warrant Officer Augustine Nwanonen

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the attack helicopters which are being procured from the United states and Russia, would not only shore up the inventory of the Nigerian Airforce as a result of depletion following crashes and grounding of some of the existing helicopters due to maintenance challenges, but would also enhance the distance and reach capability of the NAF in the fight against insurgency.

It was further gathered that some of the aircraft will arrive in the country as early as next month while the remaining will be received certainly before the end of the year to boost the Nigerian Airforce.

FG confirms Ebola death in Lagos, warns citizens to be vigilant

Federal Government Friday confirmed the Ebola Virus death that claimed one Mr. Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian man suspected to have imported the deadly Ebola virus into Lagos.

Announcing this in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said the patient was subjected to thorough medical evaluation where laboratory investigations were also carried out and his blood sample taken to the advanced laboratory at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, WHO reference laboratory in Darkar Senegal and CDC laboratory in Atlanta, USA, which confirmed the diagnosis of Ebola Virus Disease.

PROF. ONYEBUCHI CHUKWU

It will be recalled that the confirmation of the outbreak of the virus in Lagos on Thursday, July 24 by the Lagos State Ministry of health caused panic across the country.

This was after Nigerians were alerted on 22nd July, 2014, on a suspected case of Ebola Virus Disease, in Lagos involving a 40-year old man travelling from Monrovia, Liberia to Nigeria on Asky Airline via Lome to Lagos.

The passenger was said to have  fever, and vomiting with  diarrhea on arrival at the airport and was handed over by the airline to the Port health Services of the Federal ministry of Health, who quickly isolated him and transported him  to the hospital to avoid contact with the general public.

But after the confirmation of the results by other laboratories outside Nigeria and despite the urgent specialized barrier nursing care provided for the patient in a Lagos Hospital, the patient unfortunately passed away in the early hours of Friday.

As part of effort to contain the spread of the virus, the health Minister said certain measures had already been taken by the Ministry, which include: tracing and investigating all the passengers the patient came with; placing all ports of entry under red alert in line with WHO regulations; equipped all government tertiary health institutions in Nigeria to handle any emergency that may arise from the disease and providing supportive drugs and medical consumables  at all entry points and stepping up collaboration with all the States of the federation.

Kaduna Blasts: Killing Buhari, Bauchi would have set Nigeria on fire – Presidency

THE Presidency yesterday expressed thanks to God that the perpetrators of Wednesday’s twin bomb blasts targeted at both the former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari and an Islamic cleric, Sheik Dahiru Bauchi in Kaduna State, did not achieve their evil motives of killing the two prominent Nigerians, saying that the country would have been set on fire if they had succeeded.

The Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali, made this known in Abuja.

This was even as the Defence Headquarters also said that troops were ‘’holding a man suspected to be connected with the explosion targeted at the former Head of State.

The suspected bomber was allegedly dressed in hijab when he was apprehended by military patrol team that swooped on the area immediately after the explosion.’’

Gen Buhari, a leader of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, and Sheik Bauchi survived the bomb explosions which led to the untimely death of over 82 innocent Nigerians.

Buhari was on his way to his hometown, Daura, Katsina State when his convoy was attacked at the ever- busy- Kaduna Kawo Motor Park, while Sheik Bauchi was attacked along the Alkali/ Isa Kaita Road, near the Murtala Muhammed Square where he delivered a Ramadan Tatsir Sermon to thousands of the Tijaniyya sect members. The two separate attacks were believed to have been carried out by the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

However, distancing the presidency from the two ugly events, allegedly insinuated by some members of the APC, Alkali said it was wrong to politicise security issues in a bid to score cheap political points.

Pics: Pope Francis having lunch with Vatican staff at their cafeteria

What a man! Pope Francis pictured above after he popped in unannounced at the Vatican workers' cafeteria this afternoon where he lined up, tray in hand, along with stunned workers and had lunch with them. See more photos after the cut...

Pics: Troops hold suspected Kaduna bomber disguised as a woman

The Nigerian military in a statement released on its website says it has taken into custody a man dressed as a woman who is suspected to be connected with the Wednesday 23rd bomb blast targeted at former Head of state, General Buhari. Find the statement and more photos after the cut...

Photos: Python swallows Antelope then spews out its dead body

The jaw dropping moment a giant Python swallowed a baby Antelope was captured on camera by animal rescuer Nitish Bambhaniya in the village of Billa in Gujarat, India.

"I got a call in the morning for an Indian rock python. When we reached the spot, we saw this massive python. The python had hunted a baby blue bull and had already eaten 80% of the bull's body. It is on the edge of an open field, so lots of locals start gathering there." Nitish said

As people gathered, with many saying the snake should be killed as it could be a danger to them, the snake known as the Indian Rock Python stopped swallowing the antelope & let go of its lifeless body

"Pythons do it so that they can shed body weight and escape faster. Meanwhile, we convinced the villagers not to kill the python and they agreed. Later we caught the python and handed it over to the forest department officials." Nitish said

The python was released by the officials in a nearby forest, before slithering away to freedom. See pics of the action after the cut...

Update on the Ebola Virus case in Lagos

Update on the Ebola Virus case in Lagos

Briefing newsmen today, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina said the Liberian man being tested for the Ebola Virus is currently at a private hospital in Obalende, Lagos. She said the man has been isolated and the hospital vicinity cordoned off and that 30 other people are also being tested for possible contact with the deadly virus.

Dr Adeshina warned residents to;

“keep personal and environmental hygiene” and urged those who notice “strange feeling or symptoms similar to those of Ebola virus, which ranges from fever, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sore throat and joint pains, which are all symptoms of other ailments, to visit competent health facilities”.

In the absence of such facilities, she said residents should call the following numbers - 08023169485, 08033086660, 08033065303, 08055281442, 08055329229.

Man guns down pregnant burglar after she told him 'I'm going to have a baby'

80 year old pensioner Tom Greer (pictured right) shot and killed Andrea Miller, 28 (pictured left), as she ran away from him after burgling his home with another man.

Mr Greer, who was not arrested for the killing, said he shot the woman twice in the back after she told him she was pregnant.

"She says 'don't shoot me, I'm pregnant - I'm going to have a baby'. And I shot her anyway. The lady didn't run as fast as the man so I shot her in the back twice. She's dead, but he got away." Mr Greer told news channel NBC4 without remorse.

Miller and another man identified as 26 year old Gus Adams burgled the man's home in Long Beach, Los Angeles earlier this week. Greer said he caught them in his house in the middle of the night.

"When I went in there, they tackled me. Both of them jumped up on top of me."

Greer said while they were ransacking his house, he found his gun and fired it making them both run from the house empty handed. But as the lady was running away from the scene, she pleaded with him not to shoot her that she was pregnant, Greer still went ahead and killed her, justifying his actions as self-defense.

But shouldn't he have had mercy on her? Seeing that she was running and hadn't stolen anything, didn't harm him and claimed to be pregnant? Opinions vary on this. What do you think?

Nigeria is on the verge of a break up - Bishop Oyedepo says

Speaking recently on the spate of bombings and attacks in the country, GO of the Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo said that Nigeria is on the verge of a break up. 

"I hope that we are willing to find solution to it. I would be the last person in this world to believe that government has not discovered those who are behind Boko Haram. Otherwise, we don’t have any intelligence service in our country. Are they sacred cows that cannot be brought to book? Until we cut the source of their supplies and get those who are involved, we cannot stop them. But the danger is this, and I must say it here, we are at the verge of a break up. That is the truth. It’s unfortunate. The Nigerian nation is too intelligent to claim not to have discovered those who are behind this. So, I really believe it’s all in the hands of the authorities to decide whether they want to confront the issue headlong or to keep watching it until Nigeria breaks up......All that the church can do is to pray. The church is not in power, it has no political power. And when invited, we give advice, when required or called upon. You can’t call someone and say can I advise you?" - Bishop David Oyedepo

Tribal marks! At what point does it go from culture to child abuse?

When we look at this pic, there's nothing traditionally or culturally wrong with it. Tribal marking has been happening for centuries and it's accepted. But there are those who believe that when it's done on a child who has no say in the matter, its a clear case of child abuse. They've tried to kick against it ...with of course...no luck! What do you think of tribal marks on children? Let's discuss!

Governor Okorocha gives shoot-at-sight order for cultists in Imo state

A bit harsh, or you approve? In a bid to tackle the increasing spate of cult activities in the state, the Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha yesterday, July 25th gave a shoot-at-sight order for cultists to security operatives attached to Ohaji Egbema LGA where 6 people were killed during a clash between two rival cult groups known as Day-Gbam and Day-Well. Lol. See name of cults.

The governor gave the directive when he paid a visit to the troubled local government area, plagued with cult activities, where residents are said to be living in constant fear.

The governor inaugurated an Anti-Cult Task Force, which comprises of the Army, Police, SSS and the Imo Security Network, and gave them an order to shoot cult members at sight. The anti-cult task force will be deployed to troubled areas in the state to search for and move into cultists’ dens as part of measures to improve security situation in the State.

Families wiped out! Lawyer, his wife and 3 children perish in MH17

British man John Allen, 44, a lawyer, his Dutch wife, a primary school teacher, Sandra Allen, their three sons, Chris (left), Ian (centre), and Julian (right) all died when pro-Russian rebels shot down the Malaysian passenger plane on Thursday July 17th. See another family that perished in the disaster after the cut...

Police officer dies in sex romp

The quest by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, (names withheld) attached to Ilu-Titun, Divisional Headquarters, in Okitipupa council area of  Ondo State to satisfy his sexual urge while on duty has  allegedly  cost him his life.

He reportedly died while having sex with a woman allegedly laced with the dreaded ‘thunder bolt’ (magun).
Sunday Vanguard gathered that officer, after reporting for duty on the ill-fated day, inspected the officers on duty.

The residence of the woman he had sex with is said to be a walking distance to the police station.
It was gathered that the relationship between the lovers had been on for a long time.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that the police officer, who had no premonition that death was lurking around the corner, walked into the embrace of his lover only to somersaulted mid way into sex.

It was gathered that around midnight, the woman raised the alarm, but nobody answered her following which she rushed to the police station to report the case.

He was reportedly rushed to hospital, but died   on the way. Sources said some whitish substances foamed from his mouth.

The woman involved, according to police sources, has been arrested and detained.

The image maker of Ondo State Police Command, Wole Ogodo, said he was not aware of the incident.

But a police source in Okitipupa confirmed the incident, saying it was being discussed in hushed voices within the police command in the state.

Timaya, Empress Njamah at war again?

Once, Bayelsa State-born music artiste, Timaya and actress Empress Njamah were talk of the town on account of the love they presumably had for each other. Then, Timaya and Empress were so smitten, it was as if they could do no wrong.

*Timaya

But how wrong we were or is it, they were?  Because before the love could find a place to nest time soon put it to shame as the couple not only went their separate ways, they also went for each other’s jugular.
Empress and Timaya showed us in graphic details how soon love could become hate. How  one’s honey in one’s tea could be a vinegar in one’s vine. Then, they started tearing each other to pieces. The sweet words they shared became venom, with which one wanted to poison the other.

Obviously crushed, Timaya was the first to show his distaste in public, saying he regretted dating the actress. But the beautiful actress would not have any of that as she fired back that her mother would have been the saddest woman in  the world if she had married Timaya.

I gave you your first collabo, Sound Sultan tells Wizkid

Hey, before it begins to read like there  is a rift between the Naija Ninja, Sound Sultan and the Star Boy, Wizkid, what Sound Sultan told Wizkid on his birthday was actually to appreciate the music sensation.

Wizkid

In a birthday wish to him, Sound Sultan writes:  “I always remember the first day you called me on the phone . I was like, ‘you ain’t a girl? Then you must be a kid’ , he said yes, ‘Wizkid !’ Correction that was essential ! ‘Wiz’ as a prefix makes sense 7 years later, wizard , Layon(lion),  fame didn’t give him the Lion heart, he had it from day one . Gave him his first collabo he gave me my latest ! Ayo S.Balogun, happy birthday”.

Why marriage not on my mind now – Chidinma

MTN Project Fame first female winner, petite beauty Chidinma Ekile has not only won the hearts of music lovers with her soulful, danceable songs, she has a drove of suitors and admirers, waiting and anticipating, to pounce, should the pretty diva pull off the ‘stop’ sign. But Chidinma told Potpourri at an event recently that she isn’t ready to give up her life 24/7 to any man to do as he wants.

“It’s not yet time for marriage, I still have quite a lot to do and I still have a lot of money to make“,  she said. Chidinma is only 23 but then she has done virtually all there is for a woman to do. She is one of the most sought-after female artistes in Nigeria, just as she is also the most courted. Artistes and non-artistes alike have openly professed love for the Imo State-born diva, with no one actually getting beyond the ground floor, or is there?

*Chidinma

She was even recently alleged to be dating the prolific video director, Clarence Peters but the talented Kedike crooner labeled the rumour unfounded and told Potpourri it is not true.  “The story is not true. Funny enough, he is not the only man I have been alleged to be dating”, she said.

Recall that Chidinma and Clarence Peters were spotted together at the MAMA’s awards held in South Africa as the duo, were seen holding hands at Durban Mall, South Africa. They also walked to the MAMA’s red carpet holding each other’s hands and sat side by side during the event. This has raised lots of speculations that the two had become an item as lovers.

Interestingly, this is not the only man to have been alleged to have rocked the tender heart of this young singer. The romance between Prince Charming of Soundcity, Adams and Chidinma has been on the lips of many. There were also reports that NURTW boss, MC Oluomo had a sizzling secret romance with her. The rumour was given flight when MC Oluomo splashed N100,000 on her on stage while performing in one of Pasuma concerts.

Graveyard of desecration: Grave robbers. Ghoulish tourists taking pictures on their mobiles. Corpses left to rot: A shocking dispatch from the grim crash site .

Several human victims were still stuck in their seats. Others were mangled, mashed and hideously manipulated 

In one burned patch of grass littered with charred debris lay five crumpled corpses in a heap 

Some of the 200 staff from Ukraine’s Ministry of Emergency Situations could be seen collecting bodies from the fields

Investigators have claimed drunk soldiers stopped them accessing whole site, hindering their investigation 

The most sickening sight was a young male whose body had been placed in a black body bag - but hadn't been closed.

There was something almost beautiful about the white ribbons tied to stakes as they fluttered in the wind; some sitting amid a sea of golden corn, others poking from clusters of yellow and blue wildflowers.

But then you saw that these were the most macabre of markings, each one representing the final landing place for hundreds of human beings slaughtered in the sky last week.

For this is the grimmest of graveyards. Here on the gentle rolling hills of eastern Ukraine, beside an abandoned Soviet-era poultry farm, lay the innocent people whose lives were extinguished so suddenly in an explosion at 33,000 feet on Thursday afternoon. 

Unguarded: Villagers wander freely around the crash scene near the rebel-held village of Grabove 

Heart-breaking: Looters are said to have raided the belongings of MH17 passengers. These photos were found amid the debris

New York man dies after chokehold by police

People participate in a demonstration against the death of Eric Garner after he was taken into police custody in Staten Island

 Confronted by police trying to arrest him for allegedly selling illegal cigarettes, Eric Garner raised both hands in the air and, with passive defiance, told the officers not to touch him. Seconds later, the officer behind him grabbed the 350-pound man in a chokehold and pulled him to the sidewalk, rolling him onto his stomach.

"I can't breathe! I can't breathe!" Garner said repeatedly, his cries muffled into the pavement.
A video of the Thursday skirmish shows the Staten Island man lying on the ground motionless after the incident. An asthmatic, Garner was later declared dead at a nearby hospital, according to CNN affiliate WCBS. Police said he suffered a heart attack and died en route to the hospital.

"This is a terrible tragedy that occurred yesterday. A terrible tragedy that no family should have to experience," said New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, calling the video of the incident "very troubling."

Police told WCBS that 43-year-old Garner, a father of six, had a lengthy criminal history and had been previously arrested for selling untaxed cigarettes in May.

On Saturday, Garner's friends and family rallied alongside Rev. Al Sharpton in Upper Manhattan, demanding a full investigation into Garner's death, according to WCBS.

Garner's wife was set to speak at the rally but found herself too emotional, WCBS reports.

The same day, both officers involved in the arrest, including Daniel Pantaleo -- who is seen on video choking Garner -- were stripped of their shields and guns, as the New York Police Department continues to investigate the incident.
The chokehold tactic is prohibited by the NYPD.