There are reports that a new Hummer bus caught fire at Ojota bus-stop close to Total filling station in Lagos leaving one woman dead and several injured.
According to an eyewitness, the fire was caused by overheating. There was a fierce struggle among the 16 passengers as they tried to exit the bus. One woman was trampled on during the struggle.
Another eye witness said there was no fire extinguisher in the bus and the one provided couldn’t put out the fire.
The vehicle reportedly burned down while the incident has also crippled traffic in the area.

The declaration of the state of emergency was on the orders of Solomon Arase, the inspector general of police.


The Kaduna state police command has declared a state of emergency due to rising cases of kidnapping in the state.

DSP Zubairu Abubakar, the command’s spokesman, announced this on Tuesday, April 5, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna.

He noted that the declaration of the state of emergency was on the orders of Solomon Arase, the inspector general of police.

Abubakar added that a special team of anti-kidnap squad has been formed to track and dislodge the criminal gangs operating in the area.

In the last three months, several people have been abducted for ransom by criminals across the 23 local government areas of the state.

In two separate incidents, Colonel Samaila Inusa and Rev. Iliya Anthony were abducted and later found dead in the bush.
Luckily, Rev. Emmanuel Dziggau and Rev. Yakubu Dzarma, the clergy men who were kidnapped along with Rev Anthony, were later released.

Mansur Ahmed, a former executive director of the NNPC and now a director in Dangote Group, also regained his freedom after he was abducted recently in Kaduna.

Meanwhile, the police arrested 15 people suspected to belong to a kidnapping gang that had been terrorizing Kaduna-Abuja Express Way where three pastors and the colonel were abducted

Abubakar said that 13 suspects have been charged to court while 15 others are under investigation.

He stressed that the new squad would intensify the search for the criminal gangs and make the state safe from their nefarious activities.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/04/police-declare-state-of-emergency-in.html?m=0

This shocking photo was posted by Jaton Justsilly Jaibabi on Facebook on Friday.

The little boy and girl can be seen in the back of a car with grey duct tape around their hands and on their mouths while one of them visibly has tears in their eyes.

The caption was also disturbing: “Kids for sale, 45 per cent because they bad.”
Children for sale

The picture sparked outrage on the social networking site. And Memphis Police Department (MPD) have launched an investigation into the snap. In addition to MPD, other state departments are also investigating the photo.

One user was left speechless when they saw the photo. He wrote: “I could not breathe. It took my breath away, caused extreme emotional distress. These are children. These are human beings.”

Jaton Justsilly Jaibabi has since deactivated the account.
But the woman’s cousin, named Derion King, claims the photo was all just a joke.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/mom-under-investigation-over-photos-of.html?m=0

A 62-year-old man, Ismail Lambak, recently got married to an 18-year-old girl in Malaysia.

The post was shared on Facebook today, March 22, and was written in Malay.
 http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/photos-62-yr-old-man-marries-18-yr-old.html?m=0

A 62-year-old man, Ismail Lambak, recently got married to an 18-year-old girl in Malaysia.

The post was shared on Facebook today, March 22, and was written in Malay.
 http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/photos-62-yr-old-man-marries-18-yr-old.html?m=0

The Senate committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) projects has halted the ongoing construction of the 16 kilometre Otuoke road project in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State.


Vanguard reports that the Senate was peeved by the progress of the work and ordered the contractor handling the project to stop work and vacate site immediately.

The order was given by the chairman of the committee, Senator Peter Nwaobushi in Yenagoa, during an inspection tour of various NDDC projects in the state.

He expressed anger over the poor performance of the contractor handling the road project that connects Otuoke, the home town of the immediate past president Goodluck Jonathan to the state capital, Yenagoa.

The committee chairman revealed that the contractor, after collecting the sum of N600 million mobilisation for the project, reduced the range to six kilometres without the knowledge of the NDDC, still no substantial work on ground to show for the money so far collected by the contractor.

The Senate committee also expressed discontentment with the snail pace work is ongoing at the Akenfa canal bridge in Yenagoa.

The committee, however, agreed that the slow pace of work was caused by the non-release of funds to the contractors.

The committee applauded the contracting firms handling the hostel project located at the Niger Delta University (NDU) Amassoma, for their pace of work despite the fact that the project was re-design to include drainages that would allow easy movement of erosion.

In a related development, the Senate on March 17 directed Solomon Arase, the inspector general of police to seal the Kogi state house of assembly complex till further notice.
The Senate leader, Ali Ndume, in a report said the house of representatives sought concurrence with the Senate on a delegation to Kogi state on the illegal removal of the Speaker of the Kogi state House of assembly.

The Senate declared that the impeachment proceedings embarked upon by five members of the state’s house of assembly is null and void.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/senate-stops-road-construction-in.html?m=0

The founder of the Holy Michael Church of The Lord Cherubim & Seraphim uses a coffin to preach God’s word. In a recent interview with Vanguard, the prophet explained why he preaches with a coffin, saying:

“Death is certain and we are all going to end up in a coffin one day. I only use it as an example that one day, we will all die notwithstanding our position in the society and we will give a report of our activities to God.”

“Only if kidnappers, armed robbers, politicians can buy a casket each for themselves today, and begin to lay inside, con-stantly reminding themselves that death looms even as they go about kidnapping, extort-ing money from families and putting their victims in untold pains.

“It is possible to realize at a point that all their activities will one day end up in a casket, and there, their flesh will rotten. The same is applicable to everybody on earth. We need to realize that the world is bizarre and empty; as vanity plus vanity will always end up in vanity.

“I have a coffin which I carry about while preaching. I did not sleep in it for 40 years. All I am pointing out is that no matter how wealthy you are, you will not leave this world with the money. You will not go into the grave with your money; be you a civil servant who stole money; be you an armed robber or a landlord or a caretaker, your money and wealth ends here the moment you are dead.

“If you are buried with an expensive coffin, clothes and jewelleries, all will be stolen from you in the night and your carcass will be left. To me, life has no meaning until we come to God. Things are going wrong in this world and we should mend our ways,” the prophet emphasized.

He also revealed that he would soon build a mosque for Muslim worshipers within his church premises, saying that Christians and Muslims worship same God.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/lagos-pastor-explains-why-he-uses.html?m=0

During the competition, representatives of each street would come out and whip each other to a point where one of them would surrender. The competition was to test the pain threshold of each competitor.

The participants who could withstand more pain in a beating round score more points for the team.

At the end of the competition, after most of the participants must have been adequately flogged,  the street with highest points wins and gets a prize from the king.

Flogging like this was also reported in the Northern part of Nigeria where young men were flogged to see if they could hold the pain.

Men flogged in this situation were beaten for the ladies they want to court. Ladies whom they were flogged for in  turn tends to appreciate them more.

While those who cried during the flogging process were labelled weaklings, not fit to date or court a woman. It’s shocking to know people could do this to themselves; subjecting themselves to so much torture just for a prize.

It’s also surprising that in this present day and era, some towns haven’t given up on their primitive traditions especially if they inflict pain on people around.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/flogging-competition-takes-centre-stage.html?m=0

It seems the Biafra movement has found another way to stay ‘relevant’ and fresh in people’s minds while pursuing their cause

According to photos making the rounds on social media, the Biafran movement seems to to have found a new way to keep their awareness in the minds of the Nigerian populace.

Photos have been released, showing coca-cola cans customized with the name of the self-acclaimed Biafran leader, Nnamdi Kanu, or ‘Biafrans’ inscribed on them.

According to some Biafran media outlets, several shops across eastern Nigeria now stock and sell the customized coca-cola drinks.

“Many noted this as unprecedented as some also declared their interest of getting at least a few. Biafrans are exploring every available avenue to promulgate the gospel of the restoration of Biafra.
Radio Biafra also weighed in. They had this to say:

“No one can stop the sun from rising.. We are hitting the world with truth and taking our struggle to another level. If a worldwide beverage company like Coca-Cola will join the struggle it’s a clear picture that Biafra is here”

Coca Cola has not commented on this recent development.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/pro-biafrans-claim-coca-cola-biafra.html?m=0

It seems the Biafra movement has found another way to stay ‘relevant’ and fresh in people’s minds while pursuing their cause

According to photos making the rounds on social media, the Biafran movement seems to to have found a new way to keep their awareness in the minds of the Nigerian populace.

Photos have been released, showing coca-cola cans customized with the name of the self-acclaimed Biafran leader, Nnamdi Kanu, or ‘Biafrans’ inscribed on them.

According to some Biafran media outlets, several shops across eastern Nigeria now stock and sell the customized coca-cola drinks.

“Many noted this as unprecedented as some also declared their interest of getting at least a few. Biafrans are exploring every available avenue to promulgate the gospel of the restoration of Biafra.
Radio Biafra also weighed in. They had this to say:

“No one can stop the sun from rising.. We are hitting the world with truth and taking our struggle to another level. If a worldwide beverage company like Coca-Cola will join the struggle it’s a clear picture that Biafra is here”
Coca Cola has not commented on this recent development.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/pro-biafrans-claim-coca-cola-biafra.html?m=0

Former Big Brother Africa star and Kenyan rapper Prezzo, who recently got into trouble for allegedly hitting a Swiss Army Colonel in the head with a gun also tried shooting him but was restrained by his body guards who dragged him into his car and drove off.

The former lover of late Afro-pop star, Goldie has been suspected several times of been HIV positive but the rapper on Thursday, March 17, took to his Instagram to publicly display his HIV status to the world
Born Jackson Ngechu, posted a picture of his laboratory test result which proved “NEGATIVE” with the caption: “Know your status, I just had to coz some of you all talk too much #GodsSon #Alhamudulillah #Rapcellency”

The famous rapper, Prezzo could be described as one of the most renowned rappers in East Africa. In 2004, He released his debut album titled, Naleta Action. In May 2012, the long marital battle between Prezzo and his wife, Daisy Jematia Kiplagat was officially resolved by the High Court in Nairobi, Kenya.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/kenyan-rapper-prezzo-publicly-revealed.html?m=0

Mr Ayena Odongo, the Oyam north county representative has been caught-up in a sex-scandal, as a sex-tape which is allegedly his, has spread over the media like wildfire, causing tongues to wag.

According to Red Pepper, the sex-tape has a 99 percent semblance with Ayena Ondongo.

In the controversial video that is making the rounds on social media, the old MP shows off his extremely immodest segxwal behaviour while appearing completely Nood in various sex scenes with one fat woman.

The video, runs for almost 20 minutes, and the parliamentarian exhibits all kinds of sex positions as seen in the clips.

Ayena Odongo was reportedly chosen as the best from about 7000 lawyers worldwide who sought to represent the former Lord`s Resistance army deputy commander, Maj-Gen Dominic Ongwen in Hague over ICC cases.

Investigations into the case are still ongoing, as Ayena stands the chance of loosing his seat in the Ugandan parliament.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/ugandan-politician-caught-on-camera.html?m=0

Award winning top Ghanaian actor Majid Michel has not only been basking in the success of his career over the years but has also been enjoying marital bliss.

Married to Mrs. Virna Michel, Majid has received nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), in 2009 and finally bagged the award in 2012, after three previous nominations.

According to Information Nigeria, Majid Michel disclosed that although he has been perceived as a womanizer but he has never slept engaged in any form of extra-marital affairs including sleeping with actresses.

He further added that, ladies do not admire him at all as so many people think they do but they only admire him due to his character in movies. Majid said: “Ladies don’t admire me, they admire the characters I play. If you think it’s you they want, then you are making a mistake. No producer calls me for movie role because of Majid, they call me because of my gift as an actor, so it’s not really your personality they like, and until you understand this, you will be fooled, and then get trapped.”

Born to a Lebanese father and Ghanaian mother, Majid developed a special interest in theatre while in secondary school and the pursuit of him dream has kept him relevant in the industry till date.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/i-have-never-slept-with-any-actress.html?m=0

President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a tribute to Nigeria’s late minister of state for Labour and Employment, Barrister James Ocholi.

According to Buhari, the late Ocholi was fully committed and loyal to Nigeria, loyal to the All Progressives Congress, and loyal to his administration.

Buhari noted that Ocholi was part of the change cabinet determined to bring Nigeria out of the trying times and place it among the greats in the comity of nations.

The President declared that Ocholi will be ‘sorely missed’.
Buhari writes tribute to Ocholi

A copy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s full tribute to Ocholi has been available to The Nation.
Read below:

James Ocholi Taught Us The Meaning Of Loyalty

How do I begin to pay this tribute to a man who was the epitome of civility, the archetype of intellectualism, and the paragon of loyalty? How do I begin to mourn James Ocholi, whom you can describe as one of my right hand men in the quest to reposition our country, and fashion a land of peace and prosperity, where no man is oppressed?

A lot has been written about Ocholi since the tragic event of March 6, 2016, which took the life of our Minister of State, Labour and Employment, his wife, Blessing, and his son, Joshua. And a lot more will be written, for Ocholi was no mean man.

He was a man among men, an Iroko in a forest of trees. How are the mighty fallen!

Among many other positive and pleasant things, I will always remember Ocholi for his loyalty to our beloved country Nigeria, loyalty to our party, the All Progressives Congress, and loyalty to our administration, in which he had served for just about 4 months, before death took him.

In 2011, Ocholi ran to be governor of Kogi state on the platform of our then party, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). I believed so much in him, and in his ability to add value to the governance of his state, that I followed him round the state on campaign. We visited all the local governments, visited the paramount rulers, and urged the people to vote in a worthy man as governor. But politics is a peculiar game in Nigeria. The best often does not win.
Get full story: http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/he-was-loyal-to-nigeria-buhari-writes.html?m=0

On Friday, March 11, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), banned one of Olamide’s hit songs, Don’t Stop, as the director of the commission Lagos Zone, Bunmi Cole claimed that the song contains some observed lyrics which led to the ban.

The NBC has passed a circular to all broadcasting stations in the country not to air the song. According to the circulation sent to all stations by Bunmi Cole, it says: “NOT TO BE BROADCAST MUSICAL: The Commission has observed the lyrics of a musical titled ‘Don’t Stop’ by Olamide. The musical, replete with vulgar lyrics, contravenes section 3.6.1 of Nigeria Broadcasting Code which states: Obscene, indecent, vulgar language, lewd and profane expression, presentation or representation is Not allowed.”

It further read that: “Expressions like ‘Wa gba Ponron’ I just want to hit you now, now ‘je kin wo be, it took your mama 9 months to make it’ etc are unacceptable in context. You are by this letter requested to place ‘Don’t Stop’, by Olamide on NTBB list. Awaiting strict compliance please”

Recently, the CEO of Inview Technology Babatunji Amure was mentioned in the corruption mess rocking the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and is being interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Meanwhile, the management of Inview disclosed that it has thrown its weight behind the ongoing federal government’s anti-graft war being prosecuted by EFCC.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/nbc-bans-olamides-song.html?m=0

Patience Paul, 15-year-old schoolgirl who was abducted in Sokoto state, has explained her ordeal in the hands of her abductor.

The teenager who was forcefully abducted and converted to Islam explained that she was held in captivity and segxwally abused in Sarkin Baki (king of strangers) residence in the state for seven months.

The Benue-born student had gone missing on August 12, 2015, but help came her way after the Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state ordered an investigation into the matter, a directive which later led to her release

According to Leadership, young Patience explained that her abductor and some Hisbah (Sharia police) personnel took her to an Imam in Runjin Sambo area of Sokoto, claiming that she wished to be converted to a Muslim.

“I was sent to buy biscuits and on my way I saw him (her abductor) and he persuaded me to come to his bungalow,” the young girl noted.

On whether she was forced into marriage in Sokoto, the primary six pupil answered in the negative, stating however, that her abductor turned her into a sex slave at the house of the Sarkin Baki.

She said: “Yes, he was forcefully making love to me any time he wanted.

“They first took me to Sarkin Baki house, and kept me there for seven months before my parents came looking for me.

“They gave me something to drink, but I refused to take the drink, and they took me to one room and locked me inside the room.

“They forcefully made me to turn to Muslim and gave me another name, Aisha. Some people wanted to marry me, but the Sarkin Baki refused and said until I finish Islamic school before they marry me off.”

Barrister Ezekiel Dyagas, a lawyer with a Plateau-based NGO, who helped with the rescue of Patience, addressed a press conference in Kaduna, explaining that he was briefed about her case on March 1, 2016, by her brother.

According to him: “Her brother, who is here with me, has been up and doing since the family realised that the little girl was missing and eventually abducted by one of her neighbours.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/kidnapped-schoolgirl-narrates-7-month.html?m=0

Joshua Agai is a model and makeup artist. He has modeled for some top Nigerian brands.

Joshua is a student of theater arts at Igbinedion University. In a recent interview, Joshua said that although he looks like a female, he is in no way a gay. He however revealed that he has always seen himself as a mannequin and he aspires to one day become ‘Mr World’.

”Naturally, I look like a girl, besides people must talk about you; if you are different they will all say all kinds of things about you. I don’t care what people are saying about me. I am not gay, I’m just a guy with dreams and work so hard for it; so if they like they should talk, it is not my business. Our love for our passion is what makes us standout from the crowd; this is just my style.

On if dressing like a girl qualifies people as gay………. No, because most guys are born feminine and that is just them, people need to accept them for who they are. I’m not gay but I believe most of them are not but some are that are, does not mean they will not be accepted here in Nigeria.
Some of them are born just like that; what they need is our love and prayers and nothing more. Most of them are talented and we need to give them the chance to showcase their talent. I believe it was God that created them too. I think that not all guys who dress like females are gay”, Joshua said.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/meet-nigerian-student-who-bleaches-he.html?m=0

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived Malabo, Equatorial Guinea for a two-day
visit.President Buhari being received by H.E. Mr Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo

Buhari, who arrived at the Malabo International Airport this evening, was received by Equatorial Guinea’s president, H.E Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

The president was accompanied by the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Hajia Khadija Ibrahim; governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello; Minister of Defence Monsur, Dan Ali and National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno.
President Buhari arrives in Malabo Equatorial Guinea
Both presidents will be discussing measures to protect the people and resources of the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea.

They are also to agree on collaborative measures to combat crimes such as piracy, crude oil theft, attacks on oil rigs, arms smuggling and human trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea.

President Buhari, Equatorial guinea president, with Minister of State Foreign Affairs Hajia Khadija Ibrahim, Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello, Minister of Defence Monsur Dan Ali and National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/photos-president-buhari-arrives.html?m=0

Amidst the Psquare’s breakup drama, one of the Psquare brothers Paul Okoye took to his Instagram account to reveal what he truly misses about his late mother, Mrs. Josephine Okoye.

Paul Okoye who seems to be in confused state due to the ongoing family drama between him and his brothers Jude and Peter Okoye, wished his mother was still alive to comfort him and to probably solve the misunderstanding between them.

Paul took to his Instagram handle to post a picture of their late mother with the caption: “I wish you were around, now I understand what this life is without having a mother, you have played your part thank you very much mum. Miss you.”

See post below:
It could be reported that Mrs. Josephine Okoye passed away on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, five hours after a heart surgery in an Indian hospital. A woman who loved celebrating and supporting her children was last seen at the Psquare Invasion Concert in August 2011.

On Friday, March 11, Paul Okoye took to his Instagram page took to his Instagram page to send a message to all women which many of them found offensive.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/now-i-understand-what-these-life-is.html?m=0

The official website of the National Assembly, nassnig.org has misplaced the pictures of some members of the House of Representatives.

Daily Trust reports that the official website of the National Assembly, nassnig.org, has placed the picture of a male member of the House of Representatives as a female member from a different state.

The picture of Muntari Dandutse, a male lawmaker representing Funta/Dandume federal constituency of Katsina state was seen on Stella Ngwu, a female representative of Igbi-Etiti/Uzo-Nwani in Enugu state.

Checks on Dandutse’s page showed a different picture of the male lawmaker and his bio-data, which means the female member’s picture, may not be on the website.
Similarly, the website place the picture of a Bauchi lawmaker, Lawal Yahaya Gumau of Toro federal constituency as Adamawa’s Adamu Kamale, who represents Michika/Madagali federal constituency.

Gumau’s picture was seen in his own page with his bio-data, which means Kamale’s picture is non-existent on the website.

Apply for cool and interested jobs via the link  http://obarinemi.com/Internetjobs/

It could not however be establish whether these two incidents were the only ones in the website.

Meanwhile, Bukola Saraki the Senate President, has reiterated the commitment of the current Senate to supporting the Buhari administration’s fight against corruption.

Saraki who stated this while speaking with a team of editors from London based “The Economist” newspapers noted that the 8th Senate under his watch will not cover up corruption.
http://www.bengist247.com/2016/03/national-assembly-website-misplace.html?m=0