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Chinese couples hire surrogates in the U.S.

<img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/dam/assets/150820134432-american-surrogates-for-china-00003401-1280x720.jpg" width="1100" /><br />
New legislation would lock foreigners out of the country's thriving but 
mostly unregulated fertility clinics, and limit surrogacy to Indian 
couples who have been married for more than five years and are unable to
 have children.<br />
<br />
 Even in these cases, a family member must serve as the surrogate.<br />
<br />
  Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters Wednesday that<strong> </strong>the<strong> </strong>proposed law would stop foreigners and gay couples hiring<strong> </strong>Indian surrogates. <br />
 
 She said there were too many instances of people abusing surrogacy, 
including couples who had abandoned unwanted children or babies born 
with disabilities. <br />
  India is a top destination for foreign 
medical tourists seeking surrogates -- often at very cheap prices. 
According to Swaraj, there are more than 2,000 fertility clinics 
currently operating in the country. <br />
<br />
 Critics say Indian women hired as surrogates are frequently abused, 
and they describe disreputable clinics as "rent-a-womb" operations. Last
 year, lawyer Jayashree Wad asked India's Supreme Court to ban 
commercial surrogacy, saying the practice amounts "to exploitation of 
women for commercial gains." <br />
  "In the process of surrogate 
motherhood, a commercial element is introduced and Indian women are 
exploited and substantial benefit is derived by doctors, hospitals and 
institutions involved in it," Wad told the court.<br />
<br />
  According to 
medical journal The Lancet, having a child through surrogacy in India 
costs roughly $25,000, while the same service can cost up to 10 times as
 much in the United States.<br />
<br />
  Indian women hired as surrogate 
mothers are typically paid $5,000 to $7,000, while their counterparts in
 the U.S. command up to $25,000. Still, The Lancet notes that this is an
 "enormous sum" for poor Indian women who might make $300 in a typical 
year.<br />
<br />
 Advocates, meanwhile, said the government's decision to ban certain 
groups from fertility services, rather than implement better 
regulations, marked a "black day."<br />
<br />
  "This was a great industry. 
It has benefited thousands of couples," said Dr. Rita Bakshi, founder of
 International Fertility Centre and the director of a pro-surrogacy NGO.
 "If people can come to India for cataract or heart surgery, then what's
 wrong with this?" <br />
  The draft law has been approved by India's cabinet, and is expected to be debated in parliament later this year. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/" target="_blank">source:</a> <br />

Chinese couples hire surrogates in the U.S.

New legislation would lock foreigners out of the country's thriving but mostly unregulated fertility clinics, and limit surrogacy to...

'Child abducted in black VW van during rush hour' as police launch appeal for witnesses

<p dir=ltr>The boy, aged around six, was seen getting into a black modified van in Redhill Surrey this afternoon leaving his bike lying on the pavement behind.<br>
The boy, around four foot tall and wearing a red t-shirt and navy blue jeans, was seen by a member of the public in Redstone Hill around 4.45pm.</p>
<p dir=ltr>The VW Transporter van then drove off and the boy's small Frantic Giant mountain bike was left behind.<br>
Surrey Police said: "Officers are continuing in their efforts to establish the circumstances of the incident and continue to have a visible presence in the area.<br>
"They have also been assisted by the<br>
National Police Air Service .</p>
<p dir=ltr>Superintendent Bex Smith added: "This is an incident we are taking extremely seriously and are asking for anyone with any information regarding the child, the van or what happened to come forward.<br>
"If you were in the area, perhaps commuting to or from Redhill train station at the time please get in touch with us if you saw anything suspicious.</p>
<p dir=ltr>"At this stage we are not ruling out a number of options, including whether the child and the person in the van know each other."<br>
The van was a black, modified, VW Transporter with a 02 registration plate.<br>
It had three BBS alloy wheels, with one front nearside missing, no rear windows, no signwriting but with chrome sidesteps and a sliding side door.<br>
Anyone with any information should contact Surrey Police and quote Operation Bigfoot.<br>
Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.</p>
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'Child abducted in black VW van during rush hour' as police launch appeal for witnesses

The boy, aged around six, was seen getting into a black modified van in Redhill Surrey this afternoon leaving his bike lying on the pavement...

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Desperation and fear of Biafra exit are now a daily sickness intensifying the insanity in moronic Nigerian leaders, especially Muhammadu Buhari.<br />
The momentum around Biafra restoration quest was heightened by Buhari ill-advice to arrest and keep Nnamdi Kanu in detention indefinitely. They believed the arrest of Kanu would dampen the determination. Instead, the move exposed their incompetence and lack of civility.<br />
With reckless abandon, they have ignited tension, chaos and murdered many unarmed Biafra to stop the quest rather than achieve their goal the energy increased beyond anyone control not even Nnamdi Kanu can stop Biafra restoration now.<br />
A quiet and little unknown Nnamdi Kanu was made hero overnight by this same Buhari unintelligent approach to legitimate demand of the people. He handed IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu 1 million dollar worth adverts. The whole world right now talks about Biafra.<br />
His inexperience in handling such sensitive discourse is even glaring with his current approach after he realised that bullets cannot stop Biafrans. This ridiculous moves to create fake groups on media is sickening to the sense and conscience of humanity because the world has moved beyond using cheap blackmail to determine unity of people.<br />
Buhari has no defined purpose other than keeping Nigeria by any mean. He and one-Nigerianist do not see past 1966-1970 war of extermination against Biafra.<br />
Sad many of them are still living in that era in action and conscience.<br />
They do not believe humanity has progressed educationally, technology and democracy are now practical not on paper.<br />
Had been Buhari and all the cabals struggling to maintain the status quo as used it to be they should consider that one area beyond their control is the dissemination of information.<br />
Media has gone past era when Nigerian govt control what people read and hear.<br />
Lack of mental development inhibits those in Buhari's circle to understand the potent of social media in information dissemination even more than stagnant Radio Nigeria and NTA they used over the years to destroy consciousness and fill the vacuum with lies which allow our people to catch all that was thrown at us.<br />
They should know that majority youths today has access to social media. Numerous sources of news is a big advantage today.<br />
The veracity of information in the public domain is checked making it difficult for people like Buhari and his people to manipulate minds as they wish. It's hard to hoodwink the youths who are their primary target in most of this deception.<br />
A few weeks ago they tried much time to deceive the public with false news using bribed Nigerian media to spread lies that Niger Delta Avengers split, everyone knew it was govt paid publication. NDA countered them with the statement to trash that lies.<br />
As that was not enough, they went further to sponsor another false news that Movement for Emancipation of niger Delta(MEND) is negotiating to free Nnamdi Kanu, but they all failed.<br />
Despite all these know absurdities, they never learn to choose an active approach to giving a chance for people to express themselves to determine if they can convince them with facts instead of applying force or deception.<br />
Nigeria govt miscalculations and idiocy know no bounds; reason for their incessant self-mockery and humiliation.<br />
Today they planted another offensive and ridiculous new everywhere in Nigeria media. This strategy to create an online IPOB sprinter group to hoodwink gullible individuals is already dead at conception. The stillborn is what we have today,<br />
One of the publication said,"We will burn Biafra’s flag, recite Nigeria’s national anthem in Abuja – IPOB Splinter Group, TRIOPOB" in daily post 24th August 2016.<br />
Do Buhari and his people think that IPOB youths are brainless? May I tell Buhari that Biafrans are unlike the Almajiris in the street of northern Nigeria that does not have discerning mind other than roaming about with plates begging for food. Tell me who in his right judgment will believe this garbage. All the similar attempts are laughable, but I think this one is a real show of shameless and moronic people.<br />
If Buhari channels his energy as he has devoted in manufacturing falsehood against IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu, I think the situation would've gotten a little better for those who believed him instead of his belief they must continue to subject Biafra to remain Nigeria. He doesn't care about the economy, he is not there to improve on anything other enthrone agenda to dominate and enslave Biafrans forever, that's their goal.<br />
Therefore it's important we understand why Nnamdi Kanu came to reverse the progression of this evil arrangement of British and Hausa-Fulani.<br />
Initially, they disregarded him and his message. They said he and IPOB are insignificant. Obasanjo once stated that those demanding for freedom of Biafra are hungry people seeking for attention to make money.<br />
Through the time and events in the past ten months, they have examined their statement because of the same individuals they discarded as insignificant is given them a sleepless night. This a significant indication that Biafra is an ideology, no one can defeat it even if they kill Kanu the quest for freedom will never end.<br />
What is wrong with Nigeria? Does Nigeria think deceit will salvage them from the mess they help created.? Before it was Reformed Niger Delta Avengers(RNDA) today it’s TRIOPOB? When will Nigeria govt and her cash and carry journalist stop advertising their stupidity to the public? Does Nigeria think that the so called Nigeria sponsored TRIOPOB can divide opinions and the quest for the restoration of Biafra?<br />
They supposed to know that IPOB is not as confuse as Nigerian govt<br />
However, nobody should be surprised with this level of desperation on in their circle. Nigeria is a rogue entity born out of deceit British mercenary and handed over to rogue to continue on the of destruction of humanity and civilisation.<br />
Instead of Nigerian leaders to get themselves busy on how to break the British cage and free their people from the slavery they are doing worst than those who caged us.<br />
But one thing they must bear in mind is that IPOB under the leadership of mazi Nnamdi Kanu will never abandon the restoration of Biafra project.<br />
Anyone thinking that this project will be abandon after need to see a doctor for brain examination.<br />
IPOB is durable, unshakeable and the restoration of Biafra is unstoppable.</div>
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Desperation and fear of Biafra exit are now a daily sickness intensifying the insanity in moronic Nigerian leaders, especially Muhammadu Bu...

Convoy of Delta state governor, Okowa kills elderly man!

<p dir=ltr>Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa<br>
The convoy of Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has reportedly killed an elderly man in Umutu community in Ukwuani local government area of the south-south state.<br>
According to reports from Sahara Reporters, the unfortunate incident occurred late in the afternoon of Friday, August 19 just as the governor was returning from a meeting of the Niger Delta Coastal States that was organised Okowa and former information minister, Edwin Clark.</p>
<p dir=ltr>It reports that journalists who were in the convoy of the governor sustained severe injuries just like the driver of the vehicle, whose name was given as Isaac.<br>
The government house press crew bus in the governor’s convoy which was carrying journalists and cameramen was said to have rammed at high speed into the elderly man who was driving a pickup vehicle. He was promptly rushed to Abraka Hospital and then referred back to a hospital in Asaba, where he died following shortage of blood and severe injuries.<br>
The situation nearly degenerated at the spot of the accident until the governor had to come down and personally plead with angry youths not burn cars in his convoy.<br>
“The bus that killed the man was driven by one of our drivers called Isaac. Several journalists and cameramen would have been dead by now but God saved them. So many of them were seriously injured and taken for treatment in government house clinic. </p>
<p dir=ltr>“Youths in the community almost unleashed terror on the convoy but the presence of the governor and other top government officials salvaged the situation which could have turned bloody. Governor Okowa had to personally come down from his car to appease the people. The driver as I talk to you now is still being detained in Asaba by the police,” Sahara Reporters quoted a source as saying.<br>
Governor Okowa is said to be planning to send a government delegation to the family of the deceased to open a discussion on how to settle the matter.</p>
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Convoy of Delta state governor, Okowa kills elderly man!

Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa The convoy of Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has reportedly killed an elderly man in Umutu communi...

Heart Donation Gag Takes Edinburgh Festival Fringe Award

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                <div class="sky-component-story-article__intro">
 <img alt="Masai Graham" class="sky-component-image__element" src="http://e3.365dm.com/16/08/206x116/c8d5f37652efaac94c066377ebf6ffdc80ff24db7f3b28f0b04759432e28aac8_3770404.jpg?20160823064218" /></div>
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A joke 
about heart donation has been voted the funniest at the Edinburgh 
Festival Fringe - an award previously won by Tim Vine, Zoe Lyons and Rob
 Auton.</div>
<div class="sky-component-story-article__body">
                Comedian Masai Graham's gag impressed the 10 comedy 
critics that drew up a shortlist that was then voted on by 2,000 members
 of the public.<br />
Graham said: "It's an incredible honour to land Joke of the Fringe. Not bad for someone from West Brom!"<br />
The
 ninth annual award for Dave's Funniest Joke of the Fringe was handed 
out after 27% of respondents backed the line: "My dad suggested I 
register for a donor card, he's a man after my own heart."<br />
<strong>Here are the top 15 jokes as voted for by 2,000 respondents:</strong><br />
<ol>
<li>"My dad has suggested that I register for a donor card. He's a man after my own heart" by Masai Graham</li>
<li>"Why is it old people say 'there's no place like home', yet when you put them in one..." by Stuart Mitchell</li>
<li>"I've been happily married for four years - out of a total of 10" by Mark Watson</li>
<li>"Apparently
 one in three Britons are conceived in an Ikea bed which is mad because 
those places are really well lit" by Mark Smith</li>
<li>"I went to a pub
 quiz in Liverpool, had a few drinks so wasn't much use. Just for a 
laugh I wrote The Beatles or Steven Gerrard for every answer ... came 
second" by Will Duggan</li>
<li>"Brexit is a terrible name, sounds like cereal you eat when you are constipated" by Tiff Stevenson</li>
<li>"I often confuse Americans and Canadians. By using long words" by Gary Delaney</li>
<li>"Why is Henry's wife covered in tooth marks? Because he's Tudor" by Adele Cliff</li>
<li>"Don't
 you hate it when people assume you're rich because you sound posh and 
went to private school and have loads of money?" by Annie McGrath</li>
<li>"Is it possible to mistake schizophrenia for telepathy, I hear you ask" by Jordan Brookes</li>
<li>"Hillary Clinton has shown that any woman can be president, as long as your husband did it first" by Michelle Wolf</li>
<li>"I spotted a Marmite van on the motorway. It was heading yeastbound" by Roger Swift</li>
<li>"Back in the day, Instagram just meant a really efficient drug dealer" by Arthur Smith</li>
<li>"I'll tell you what's unnatural in the eyes of God. Contact lenses" by Zoe Lyons</li>
<li>"Elton John hates ordering Chinese food. Soya seems to be the hardest word" by Phil Nicol</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>

Heart Donation Gag Takes Edinburgh Festival Fringe Award

A joke about heart donation has been voted the funniest at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe - an awar...

EFCC probes N’Assembly’s N300bn allocation in 2014, 2015 budgets

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 <img alt="Image result for EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu" class="rg_i rg_ic" data-sz="f" name="xA7LbQ_RqT2ojM:" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" style="height: 184px; margin-left: -10px; margin-right: -19px; margin-top: 0px; width: 246px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Federal Government has started looking into how budgetary allocations of the 
National Assembly were expended both in 2014 and 2015 respectively.</div>
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<br /></div>
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 <em>G</em>athering information on 
Friday, It was Observed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had demanded 
details of the budgets totalling N300bn from the National Assembly 
clerk, Sani Omolori.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 Besides, he was requested to produce details of the contracts awarded by the assembly.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was learnt that some principal 
officers of the seventh and the current eighth National Assembly would 
be invited in the coming months for interrogation.
Investigations showed that although the 
commission had received a petition from a former Chairman of the House 
of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, on
 the alleged padding of the 2016 budget, it is extending its 
investigations to 2014 and 2015 fiscal years.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jibrin, in his petition, had alleged 
that the Speaker of the House, Mr. Yakubu Dogara and three other 
principal officers padded the 2016 budget.</div>
<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
It was learnt that for the seventh 
National Assembly, principal officers including the then Senate 
President, Senator David Mark, and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, would be 
invited by the commission.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the eight National Assembly, besides
 Dogara, the current Senate President, Dr.Bukola Saraki; Ekweremadu and 
the Deputy Speaker, Sulaiman Lasun, will also be quizzed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The official stated, “You know the 
National Assembly has never made its budget public. Besides Jibrin’s 
petitions, there are others that will make investigations into the 2014 
and 2015 budgets inevitable.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For example, a group, the 
Anti-Corruption Unit of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, in a 
petition to the EFCC, alleged that N418m contracts were awarded in 2014 
to firms linked to Jibrin.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The contracts included the supply of beans and millets to Kano State awarded to Eleku Construction Limited.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When contacted, the EFCC spokesman, 
Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that the commission had requested for 2014 
and 2015 budgets from the National Assembly.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Attempts to get Jibrin’s reactions did 
not succeed on Friday as he could not be reached through his telephone. 
He also did not reply to a text message our correspondent sent to his 
mobile phone.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dogara, on his part, had recently said 
that the police and the EFCC could not investigate the House on the 
alleged padding of the 2016 budget.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Sanni Odogu, simply said, “Saraki is a law-abiding citizen.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He referred one of our correspondents to the Special Adviser to the Senate President (Media and Publicity), Yusuf Olaniyonu.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Olaniyonu, when contacted on the phone, said he was at a function and requested that a text message be sent to make the enquiry.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In his reply to the text message sent to
 him, Olaniyonu said, “No such thing. The Senate is on recess. We do not
 have any inkling about any such probe or invitation. In any case, 
remember that he became Senate President on June 9, 2015. So, if they 
are talking of 2014 and 2015, I don’t think that (the probe) will 
concern him.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But another senior aide to Saraki, who 
spoke on the condition of anonymity, noted that even when the Senate 
President was charged to two different courts, he had been law-abiding.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“When they dragged him to the Code of 
Conduct Tribunal, he has been attending the proceedings. When they 
dragged him to a Federal High Court (over alleged forgery of Senate 
Standing Rules along with some principal officers of the Senate), he has
 been going. If there is anything else, let us wait till that time 
comes,” the source said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Also, the Special Adviser to the Deputy 
Senate President on Media, Uche Anichukwu, said, “We are not aware of 
any invitation or the intention to invite Senator Ekweremadu.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Similarly, Mark’s media aide, Paul Mumeh, said he could not react to speculations.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“We can only react to what I know of. 
Have you seen the letter of invitation written by the EFCC? Who signed 
it? Who was it sent through? We can only react to facts,” he said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, the Deputy Chairman, Senate 
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Shehu Sani, told one of our 
correspondents that the probe is the same as meddling in the affairs of 
the legislature by the executive.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He noted that the security and 
anti-graft agencies are arms of the executive. He asked why the agencies
 were not paying attention to the executive and the judiciary.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sani said, “The anti-corruption agencies
 are showing more interest in allegations against members of the 
National Assembly than against members of the executive and the 
judiciary. And the discriminatory responses of the anti-corruption 
agencies are an ill wind that will blow no one any good. It simply 
discredits the agencies as well as raise suspicions on their activities.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“The National Assembly is not immune to 
the law that is applicable to anybody in this country but the 
anti-corruption agencies must respect the independence of the 
legislature and seek an informed opinion whenever they are delving into 
issues that concern the legislature because they are still seen as part 
of the executive. They must know that any of their actions, naturally, 
will be interpreted as a calculated attempt to undermine the activities 
of the National Assembly.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The lawmaker, who is representing 
Kaduna-Central at the Senate, however, added that no legislature should 
“in any way take advantage of its esteemed position and the privileges 
of its esteemed position to commit crime with the expectation of 
immunity or impunity.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>

EFCC probes N’Assembly’s N300bn allocation in 2014, 2015 budgets

The Federal Government has started looking into how budgetary allocations of the National Assembly were expended both in 2014 and 2015...

Navy rescues 13 foreigners from pirates off Rivers coast

<div class="wp-caption-text">
  <img alt="Navy" class="size-full wp-image-120132" height="720" src="http://cdn.guardian.ng/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Navy-Ship-696x463.jpg" width="1280" /></div>
<div class="wp-caption-text">
Navy</div>
The Nigerian Navy has rescued 13 foreign nationals aboard a merchant 
ship leaving Nigeria for Cameroun from suspected sea pirates who tried 
to hijack their ship and abduct them.<br />

It was gathered that the merchant ship (MT Vectis Osprey), registered
 in Britain, came into Nigeria from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea last week 
transporting general cargo.<br />

The ship, it was learnt, after discharging its cargo set sail for 
Douala, Cameroun on Wednesday, but was attacked by nine heavily armed 
sea pirates, who boarded the vessel with intent to taking the 13 crew 
members hostage.<br />
Speaking on the incident, the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy 
Ship (NNS) Capt. Mustapha Hassan, who led the rescue operation, said the
 13 foreigners were rescued unharmed by the Special Forces of the Navy.<br />

Hassan disclosed that the crew members, including the ship’s captain,
 were of mixed nationalities, consisting of seven Philippinos, two 
Romanians, one Russian, one Polish, one Indian and one Croatian.<br />

He said the operation launched on July 23 by the CNS has drastically 
reduced spate of sea piracy and robbery attacks in Nigeria’s maritime 
environment, while improving the Navy’s response to distress calls.<br />

On his part, captain of the ship, Sobol Evgeny, a Russian, said the 
pirates sailed on a “blue boat” and were fully armed with AK 47 assault 
rifles.<br />

Evgeny said that his crew members used every laid down procedure, but couldn’t prevent the pirates from boarding their vessel.<br />

“On realising that we couldn’t stop the pirates from boarding our 
ship, we immediately locked ourselves inside the ship citadel (safe 
room) and thereafter sent distress calls to the Nigerian navy.<br />

“The Navy responded promptly and rescued us, if not for their quick 
response, we would have been taken hostage or worse, killed,” he said.<br />

In a related development, the Navy yesterday impounded and destroyed 
six large wooden barges laden with estimated 70,000 litres of diesel 
suspected to have been stolen from pipelines in Rivers.<br />

Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder based in Port 
Harcourt, Commodore Kennedy Egbuchulam, paraded one suspect before 
journalists at the destruction exercise in Isaka in Okirika Council.<br />

Egbuchulam said the barges were seized during a routine patrol of waterways and creeks in Isaka general area.<br />

Represented by the NNS Pathfinder’s Base Operation’s Officer, Cdr. 
Raphael Ekuma, he said the formation destroyed five active illegal 
refineries in the area between July and August.<br />

Navy rescues 13 foreigners from pirates off Rivers coast

Navy The Nigerian Navy has rescued 13 foreign nationals aboard a merchant ship leaving Nigeria for Cameroun from suspected sea pirate...

N’ Delta Avengers: S’South govs aware of Jonathan’s complicity –FG official

<div style="text-align: justify;">
 <img alt="" class="entry-thumb td-animation-stack-type0-1" height="446" src="http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/punchng/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/28001400/former-President-Goodluck-Jonathan.jpg" title="former President Goodluck Jonathan" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The revelation that former President 
Goodluck Jonathan or some people sympathetic to him are behind the spate
 of bombings being witnessed in the Niger Delta was first made at a 
meeting inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There have been media reports that the 
Presidency is in possession of security report allegedly linking 
Jonathan to the formation and activities of the Niger Delta Avengers.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The intelligence report was said to have
 confirmed that oil installations were mined before the May 29, 2015 
handover to President Muhammadu Buhari.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although Jonathan had denied the 
allegation twice, a top government official, who spoke with our 
correspondent on Friday, confirmed that such report is currently 
available.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The source said the revelation was first
 made by “those who should know” at a meeting held in the seat of power 
some months back.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said the meeting was attended by some leaders from the South South, including state governors from the region.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The meeting was called as part of efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The source said, “You know that leaders 
from the region, including the governors are also affected by the 
violence in the region.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“The situation is affecting their 
revenue and they cannot meet many of their obligations. So, they were 
also interested in finding a lasting solution to the matter.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“It was in one of such meetings called 
to find a solution that that revelation was made. It was confirmed that 
there was indeed Plan B and that those who held the view that Jonathan 
must continue as President by all means were shocked that he conceded 
victory to Buhari.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The source, however, said only security agencies would be able to exonerate Jonathan at the end of the day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When asked if Buhari had indeed directed
 security agencies to investigate Jonathan, the source said, “The 
President does not have to give such order before security agencies will
 know that with the allegations becoming more pronounced, especially 
from MEND, they need to investigate.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“For a fact, this President will not stop security agencies from investigating anybody, no matter how highly placed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“It is also in the interest of the 
former President that the matter is thoroughly investigated. It is also 
in his interest to come out clean on the matter.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“We need to know whether he is 
personally involved in the plan or whether it was those sympathetic to 
him that hatched the plan.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But the Rivers State Governor, Mr. 
NyesomWike, in a telephone interview with our correspondent denied that 
such revelation was made at a meeting of South South leaders.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Describing the allegation as a “wicked 
lie”, Wike said, “There is no truth in that allegation. Those behind the
 allegation are suffering from acute malaria.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Those who are spreading such a huge allegation against the former President will never know peace. They are liars.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Also, the former President had in a 
statement on Thursday by his Media Aide, Ikechukwu Eze, denied the 
allegation, saying Jonathan’s enemies were jealous of his rising 
profile.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
source: <a href="http://www.newsnow.co.uk/" target="_blank">Nigeria news 24/7</a> </div>

N’ Delta Avengers: S’South govs aware of Jonathan’s complicity –FG official

The revelation that former President Goodluck Jonathan or some people sympathetic to him are behind the spate of bombings being witne...

Blessing Okagbare on Tuesday failed to qualify for the women’s 200m final at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Okagbare, finished fifth i...