An Air Peace aircraft carrying 96 people was forced to make an emergency return to Lagos when the aircraft developed an engine failure minutes after takeoff.

The Air Peace aircraft, a Boeing B737-500, departed Murtala Muhammad Airport, Lagos, in the morning for Owerri, Imo State, with 90 passengers and six crew members on board.

The aircraft left Lagos at 07:35 am local time but flight crew reportedly declared an engine failure minutes later, at about 07:47 am local time, and subsequently made a return to Lagos. They landed safely at 08:06 am local time and all occupants disembarked without injury.

Air Peace aircraft carrying 96 people develops engine failure mid-air

Confirming the incident, the airline explained that it had to abort its Lagos to Owerri flight when the pilot in command noticed a change in the parameter of one of the engines mid-flight. It added that the aircraft returned to base in line with its safety procedures.

Air Peace's Corporate Communications Executive, Stanley Olisa, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, hours after the incident occurred.

The statement from Air Peace, signed by Stanley Olisa, reads:

Today at about 07:47 local time, our Lagos to Owerri flight, which was already airborne was aborted when the pilot in command noticed a change in the parameter of one of the engines.

He reported the incident, took precautionary measure and returned to base in line with Air Peace safety operational procedures.

The aircraft safely landed in Lagos at about 08: 06 local time. There were no injuries as the passengers were safely deboarded from the aircraft.

The pilot has reported the incident to appropriate authorities.

Air Peace apologises for the incident and assures its customers and other Nigerians that it continues to maintain high safety standards in its operations.

A statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs, Accident Investigation Bureau confirmed the incident, saying that its investigators had commenced an investigation into the incident.

The statement reads: "The AIB team of safety investigators has commenced investigation.

"As the sole agency mandated to undertake the investigation of aircraft accidents and serious incidents, the bureau wants the public to know that it would be open to receiving any video clip, relevant evidence or information that may assist in this investigation."

At least 9 members of an American family have been killed in a shooting attack in Mexico.

The victims were all women and children. They are members of a Mormon group based in Mexico, about 100 miles south of the US-Mexico border. They were travelling in a convoy taking some of them to a wedding when they were ambushed.

The victims all left their community at the same time in three separate cars. Some were travelling back to the United States, some were going to the neighbouring town of LeBaron for a wedding when they were attacked.

Relatives of the deceased say they suspect their murder may have been a case of mistaken identity by drug cartel gunmen.

Family members told "CBS This Morning" that the FBI has opened an investigation into the murder of at least 9 U.S. citizens, including six children, who live in a Mormon community in northern Mexico.

It happened Monday, October 4, 2019, near the town of Bavispe, about 100 miles south of the Arizona border.

About 13 other members of La Mora – a decades-old settlement in Sonora state founded as part of an offshoot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – were initially reported missing after the attack on a convoy of SUVs carrying community members, a relative who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals said.

The relative said he had located the SUV carrying the dead family members. The car was burned and bullet-ridden when he found it. In the car was the remains of his nephew’s wife and her four children, twin seven-month-old babies and two other children aged 8 and 10.

Video emerged showing the still-smoldering remains of one SUV ditched along a road in a remote area. The inside of the vehicle was completely burned out.

In the video, a man can be heard crying while saying, "This is for the record, Ronita and four of my grandchildren are burned."

The relative who doesn't want to be named said the convoy set out Monday from La Mora, about 70 miles south of Douglas, Arizona, but was attacked by cartel gunmen in a possible case of mistaken identity. Many of the church's members were born in Mexico and thus have dual citizenship.

Jhon LeBaron, one of the relatives, posted on his Facebook page that his aunt and another woman were dead. He said six of his aunt’s children had been left abandoned but alive on a roadside. He wrote late Monday that a total of 17 of his family members were in the three-vehicle convoy when it came under attack. He said nine were killed, six wounded, and two left unharmed.

At least 9 members of American family killed in Mexico and many of them were kids

Another relative, Julian LeBaron, identified one of the slain adults on his Facebook page as Rhonita Maria LeBaron. She was apparently killed along with her twin seven-month-old babies and two of her other seven children.

Trish Cloes, who is the aunt of one of the victims named Dawna Ray Langford, said the family was devastated and emotional and all they could do was "start thinking positive and praying" when they heard about the tragedy.

"It's something that you can't explain, that there are evil people in this world that could do such a thing like that," she said.

Giving an update on the names of all the dead family members, relative Kendra Miller wrote on Facebook:

Dead:

Rhonita Maria Miller September 15, 1989, 30 yrs

Howard Jacob Miller, Jr. July 12, 2007, 12 yrs

Krystal Bellaine Miller, September 25, 2009 10 yrs

Titus Alvin Miller, March 13, 2019 - 8 months

Tiana Gricel Miller, March 13, 2019 - 8 months

(twins)

All shot and burned in their vehicle. Only ashes and a few bones remain.

Father/husband is Howard Sr, who was in North Dakota at the time of attack. The three siblings left behind in LaMora being babysat at the Miller grandparents: Tristan, Amaryllis, and Zack.

Dead:

Christina Marie Langford Johnson - November 23, 1989, shot dead, 19 days away from 30 years

Survived:

Faith Marie Johnson April 9, 2019, 7 months old - was found in her car seat that seemed to be put on the floor, by her mother to try and protect her, uninjured,

Dead:

Dawna Ray Langford, June 19, 1976, 43 years

Trevor Harvey Langford April 4, 2008 11 years old,

Rogan Jay Langford, February 17, 2017 2.5 years old

All shot to death

Survived

Kylie Evelyn Langford, March 8 2005, 14 years - shot in the foot

Devin Blake Langford, July 6 2006, 13 years - uninjured, walked approximately 14 miles to LaMora to get help, after hiding his bleeding but living siblings in the bushes, and covering them with branches

Mckenzie Rayne Langford, January 12 2010, - 9 years - grazed on her arm- sent by her sister Kylie for help when Devin didn't return soon enough, got lost, and walked approximately 10 miles, for about 4 hours in the dark before she was found by the search parties

Cody Greyson Langford, October 1 2011, 8 years- shot in the jaw, and the leg, his condition was worrying, but at last word, not critical

Jake Ryder Langford, May 22 2013, 6 - uninjured

Xander Boe Langford, June 4 2015, 4 - shot in the back

Brixon Oliver Langford, February 15th 2019, almost 9 months - shot in the chest, open flesh wound, bullet graze on wrist

Mexico’s federal Department of Security and Citizens’ Protection said security forces were reinforced with National Guard, army and state police troops in the area following "the reports about disappearance and aggression against several people." The troops were searching for the missing community members.

This isn't the first time that members of the break-away church had been attacked in northern Mexico, Back in 2009, Benjamin LeBaron, an anti-crime activist who was related to those killed in Monday's attack, was murdered in neighboring Chihuahua state.

The Nigeria Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC) has reacted to the disqualification of LionHeart as the country's submission for Oscar 2020.

LIB reported earlier that the movie Genevieve Nnaji made her directorial debut in, was disqualified as Nigeria’s submission for the ‘International Feature Film’ category of the Oscars for having too much English dialogue.

Reacting to the development, Chineze Anyaene who headed the committee that made the submission said it should be an eye-opener for filmmakers in the Nollywood industry.

Though she admitted that the industry is “often faced with producing films with a wide reach", she also disclosed that they are working to create workshops and other training sessions to instill robust awareness on the guidelines for an ‘International Feature Film’ entry.

She said “The budding Nigerian film industry is often faced with producing films with wide reach which often makes the recording dialogue predominantly English with non-English infusions in some cases. Going forward, the committee intends to submit films which are predominantly foreign language – non-English recording dialogue,” Anyaene said.

“We are therefore urging filmmakers to shoot with the intention of non-English recording dialogue as a key qualifying parameter to represent the country in the most prestigious award.

“The committee is working tirelessly in organizing workshops, seminars and using other available media to create robust awareness on the guidelines and requirements for an International Feature Film Entry.

“Lionheart passed on other technical requirements from the story, to sound and picture except for language as adjudged by the Academy screening matrix, which was a challenge for the committee at a time.  This is an eye-opener and a step forward into growing a better industry.”

Contrary to reports that were making the rounds on Sunday that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the extension of the closure of Nigeria’s borders to January 31, 2020, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made clarifications.

According to the NCS Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah, the date approved by the President was only the date for the end of the first phase of the operation, not the terminal date for the entire border closure.

Attah made known that this type of operations come in phases and so January 31, 2020, is just the conclusion of a phase. He said that the borders would remain closed indefinitely until the objectives of the government for the operation had been fully achieved.

However, he said that security officers on the field would be notified of further development about the second phase of the border closure before January.

Meanwhile, Hameed Ali, Comptroller General, NCS, had earlier restated stance on border closure, saying that it would remain closed until Nigeria’s neighbours decided to respect ECOWAS protocol concerning trade within the subregion.

He told Nigerians to endure the temporary pains of the border closure as it would be only for a short while. Ali was quoted to have said that Nigerians should keep calm because the situation would stabilise eventually. According to him, there was no better time than now to make the border closure, adding that infrastructure doesn’t have to be perfect before such move is made.

“There will never be a good time. The decision of closing the border is ripe, we don’t need to have 100 per cent electricity, good roads before we take the step.  Most importantly is that we must be able to bear the initial pains in order to stabilise and have long term successes.

 “We don’t have to eat rice every day. There are other alternative food. I assure you that the price will stabilise and the ordinary farmers will have value for their farming business,” the Customs boss said.

The 2019 MTV EMAs took place in Seville, Spain last night and the ceremony honored many artists, including Rosalia, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Billie Eilish and Halsey. 

Check out the full list of winners below:

Best Video

Ariana Grande, "thank u, next"

Billie Eilish, "Bad guy"

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus, "Old Town Road" (Remix)

Rosalia, J Balvin ft. El Guincho, "Con Altura"

Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco. "ME!" -- WINNER

Best Artist

Ariana Grande

J Balvin?

Miley Cyrus

Shawn Mendes -- WINNER

Taylor Swift

Best Song

Ariana Grande, "7 Rings"

Billie Eilish, "Bad Guy" -- WINNER

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus, "Old Town Road" (Remix)

Post Malone, Swae Lee, "Sunflower"

Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, "Señorita"

Best Collaboration

BTS, Halsey, "Boy With Luv"

Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus, "Old Town Road" (Remix)

Mark Ronson, Miley Cyrus, "Nothing Breaks Like a Heart"

ROSALÍA, J Balvin ft. El Guincho, "Con Altura" -- WINNER

Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, "Señorita"

The Chainsmokers, Bebe Rexha, "Call You Mine"

Best New

Ava Max

Billie Eilish -- WINNER

Lewis Capaldi?

Lil Nas X

Lizzo?

Mabel

Best Pop

Ariana Grande

Becky G

Camila Cabello

Halsey -- WINNER

Jonas Brothers

Shawn Mendes

Best Live

Ariana Grande

BTS -- WINNER

Ed Sheeran?

P!NK

Travis Scott

Best Rock

Green Day -- WINNER

Imagine Dragons

Liam Gallagher

Panic! At The Disco

The 1975

Best Hip-Hop

21 Savage

Cardi B

J. Cole

Nicki Minaj -- WINNER

Travis Scott

Best Alternative

FKA Twigs -- WINNER

Lana Del Rey

Solange

twenty one pilots

Vampire Weekend

Best Electronic

Calvin Harris

DJ Snake

Marshmello

Martin Garrix -- WINNER

The Chainsmokers

Best Look

Halsey -- WINNER

J Balvin

Lil Nas X

Lizzo

ROSALÍA

Biggest Fans

Ariana Grande

Billie Eilish

BTS -- WINNER

Shawn Mendes

Taylor Swift

Best Push

Ava Max -- WINNER

Billie Eilish

CNCO

H.E.R.

Jade Bird

Juice WRLD

Kiana Ledé

Lauv

Lewis Capaldi

Lizzo

Mabel

Rosalia

Best World Stage

Bebe Rexha Isle of MTV Malta 2019

Hailee Steinfeld Isle of MTV Malta 2018

Muse Bilbao, Spain 2018 -- WINNER

The 1975 Lollapalooza Paris Festival 2019

twenty one pilots Lollapalooza Paris Festival 2019

Best U.K. & Ireland Act

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Mabel

Ed Sheeran

Little Mix (Social Wildcard Winner) -- WINNER

Best U.S. Act

Lil Nas X

Ariana Grande

Billie Eilish

Lizzo

Taylor Swift -- WINNER

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole has accused Governor Godwin Obaseki and Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu of master-minding the attack on him and his guests over the weekend at the first convocation of Edo State University, Iyamho.

Oshiomhole stated that the attack launched against him, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Chairman of Honeywell Group, Mr Oba Otudeko; and the Vice Chancellor of Edo University, Iyamho, Professor Emmanuel Aluyor was aimed at embarassing him at his country home where the university is located.

He further stated that he cannot be described as Obaseki’s rival having served as a two time Governor of Edo State. The APC Chairman who addressed a press conference further alleged that he shared an intelligence with the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed on Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu mobilizing 1,000 persons to the university to cause mayhem, boo and jeer at him.

“I decided that I should use this medium to speak of the unfortunate incident that happened in my community yesterday (Saturday) after the convocation ceremony at the Edo University. It was my decision to invite the Chancellor and his entourage including His Royal Majesty, Oba Akiolu, Oba Otudeko and other dignitaries.

“I personally invited them to join me for lunch which they graciously accepted, and so, it is unthinkable that I will invite people for lunch, and I will make arrangements to disrupt or prevent my guests from coming to my house. So, any suggestion that I had an idea of what happened, nothing can be farther from the truth.

“When I discovered that something had gone wrong, I went to the gate and by then they had gone. I tried to speak with the governor. I called him, the phone rang out but at least I was able to speak with the Chancellor and his wife and I am happy that they fully understood. However, this whole thing was unfortunate because it was organised by the state government.

“By Thursday evening, and you can crosscheck with the IGP. I had information that the Deputy Governor asked some people to organise 1, 000 people to the university community. The whole idea was for them to boo me and celebrate it in the media that the comrade-chairman was booed in his own community. The CBN Governor who delivered the convocation lecture was also a witness.”

He added: “The CBN governor was not invited to address a rally. He was invited to deliver a convocation lecture and he wasn’t going to talk to those thugs who were wearing all kinds of inscriptions. They didn’t come for a political rally.

I conveyed the message to the IGP to prevent thugs being imported to the place by the deputy governor. Some few minutes later the governor arrived and Mr. Emefiele went to him and said to him, ‘what are these people doing here?’“He said

"Mr. Governor, if those people were there, he wasn’t going to deliver the convocation lecture because he didn’t come to do politics, he just came to perform a normal intellectual activity which was the convocation lecture. The governor promised to get the people out of the university. You can imagine, it is easier to mobilise thugs into a place, but it is far more difficult to demobilise them. So, we had to meander into the auditorium where the lecture was to be delivered and, of course, you could hear all sorts of slogans and counter-slogans.

“This was exactly what they had planned and the whole idea was they would have their cameras waiting. As I step out, people will be booing me and the media will report that Oshiomhole booed when he attended the convocation ceremony. That was the whole idea.”

The Nation reported that the deputy governor has already denied having a hand in the attack on guests at Oshiomhole's residence.

His spokesman, Mr. Musa Ebomhiana, said: “The large crowd that gathered at the gate brutally attacked the governor’s convoy, destroying three cars in the process. The convoy had to quickly turn and came back to the varsity campus. So, how did the DG cause it, could he have arranged his own attack?

“In fact, they were there on the invitation of the Comrade himself.”

EFCC has released an article detailing the alleged criminal activities of flamboyant social media big boy, Ismaila Mustapha and his accomplice, Hamza Koudeih, a Lebanese national.

In the article, the antigraft agency expressed shock over how Mompha could successfully operate 51 Fraudulent bank accounts despite the Bank Verification Number (BVN), introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria in February, 2014 which is meant to checkmate all acts of fraud in the banking sector.

Read the EFCC article below

He is a Lebanese, resident in Lagos and steeped in money. From his $1.3million residence in Eko Atlantic Pearl Tower to his high-end automobiles, Hamza Koudeih oozes money-all of which he made doing nothing in the country but money laundering- which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says he has done to the tune of $19million.

Those who have followed the unraveling of a Lebanese man, Hamza Koudeih by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), would readily agree that it is misleading to judge a book by its cover. He is unassuming, comes off innocuous, and given to sedentary lifestyle.

In the swank 33-flight Eko Atlantic Pearl Tower, where he nestles with his young wife, he chose the fourth floor. This is to earn him some distance, even from his equally upscale neighbours.

Within the vicinity of this Victoria Island, Lagos high-end real estate, Koudeih ensures that no more than a moderate whiff of wealth and affluence trail his path. This is to belie his ill-gotten wealth and the fact that he dwells in $1.3million worth of residence.

To a few who know him, he is no more than a boardroom technocrat, who pulls the stops in THK Services Limited and CHK properties Limited. But the Koudeih whom many more do not know is a façade, an edifice of fraud; evil genius, a wise guy-a man much more than whom and what people think he is.

He amassed obscene wealth, doing nothing over the years in Nigeria barring crimes and criminalities, having fashioned a trans-Atlantic money laundering network.

Within the local scene, he has high net worth allies that includes social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha popularly known as (Mompha), whom the Commission picked up on Friday, 18 October, 2019 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while he was on his way to Dubai, United Arab Emirate. Mompha’s arrest laid the path to that of Koudeih.

Investigations by the EFCC established that while Mompha, who camouflages as a bureau de change operator has used his firm-Ismalob Global Investments Limited-to launder about N14 billion, Koudeih through his THK Services Limited and CHK properties Limited has laundered about N19 billion. Evidently, the two are kingpins in a criminal web of cyber criminals who through the three firms, laundered a jaw-dropping N33 billion.

Before the ring was busted, both men had featured on EFCC and United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) radar as a high valued targets in Organised Cyber Syndicate Network (OCSN) and particularly as honchos in a trans-national network of cyber criminals. These according to head, EFCC Cyber crime Unit (name withheld) were established by Intel, gathered by the EFCC and the FBI in their recent joint operation, tagged, “Operation Rewired.”

Worrisome is that Mompha was able to successfully operate 51 fraudulent bank accounts, through which the monies were laundered even with the enhanced account tracking and surveillance which the Bank Verification Number (BVN), introduced by the Central Bank of Nigerian in February, 2014 provides.

Koudeih was not an easy picking for the EFCC. Armed with precision Intel, additionally gathered by the EFCC, its operatives tracked him to his lair in Eko Atlantic Pearl Tower and placed the piece of the real estate, where he has his apartment on a lockdown.

Koudeih’s world of crime is heavily reinforced with a string of top-notch security architecture that inures and shields him.

Aside surveillance cameras and closed-circuit television (CCTV), that capture anyone that comes within range, his apartment is secured three times over with a triple reinforced fire-proof door, designed to withstand violent breaches, including bullet shots.

Apparently convinced that the EFCC was on wild goose chase for him, Koudeih and his wife refused to yield to all appeals by the operatives to open their maximum security door and let them in, so also the additional entreaties that later came from the tower’s chief security officer.

The pin drop silence that greeted the appeals of EFCC operatives was a dummy to mask their presence inside the apartment, but way down to the ground, Koudeih’s high-end cars, parked in his garage were enough to tell the operatives that he was in.

The lack of cooperation from the Lebanese as well as that from the owners and administrators of Eko Atlantic Pearl Tower left the EFCC with two options-beat a retreat or muscle through. It settled for the latter, reinforcing with men and breaching tools against the armoured door.

The operatives relentlessly deployed the tools against the door, expending more than three gruelling hours before they overcame.

“It was very difficult to gain entry. It was almost like a standoff. We had to send for reinforcement of officers and breaching tools from the office. We had to breach the triple reinforced fire-proof door before we could get in,” head Cyber crime, EFCC, said.

Inside the apartment, the décor, furniture and fittings speak of Koudeih’s high taste that would leave any Arabian prince green with envy. But puzzling is the hideaway between the ceiling and the deck in his bedroom. It provides no comfy, just enough to host and shield anyone while a search lasts.

The wife who was persuaded that her husband was safe and without traces above the ceiling told the prying EFCC operatives that the man they seek has escaped through the window. It was a tale that didn’t stick-escaping through the window from that height with bare hands is stuff only for the fairytale Spiderman. The EFCC operatives were, therefore certain that Koudeih was available and within reach, but puzzled by the fact that he was nowhere to be found, even with the entire apartment having been turned inside-out, exposing a cache of voodoo objects, that was carefully tucked away.

A slight misalignment in the well manicured ceiling in the bedroom was the lead that unraveled the Lebanese. “We saw from the ceiling, how he climbed and followed it and helped him down. He had time to breach the ceiling and climbed because of the some much time we spent trying to get into his apartment. His apartment has cameras and CCT, so he saw us and knew we were from the EFCC,” head Cyber crime, EFCC, said.

Taken away were his laptop computer and telephone handset, which is currently undergoing forensic check up in the anti-corruption agency. More good news is that his ring of trans-national cyber crime network had been busted and he will have his day in court.

Reacting to arrest, the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu, said Koudeih and Mompha’s arrests are landmark achievements for the EFCC in its fight against cyber crimes and a “red alert to potential fraudsters.

Speaking in an interactive session with anti-corruption stakeholders at the Lagos Zonal Office of the Commission on Thursday, October 31, 2019, he said,“The recent arrests of a social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, and his Lebanese collaborator, Hamza Koudeih, for their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud and money laundering remain a landmark achievement of the EFCC.

“I make bold to tell you that these arrests have further confirmed our commitment to the anti-graft war, while also sending a red alert to potential internet fraudsters.

“I am sure you will be greatly shocked to know that five wristwatches valued at over N60million were recovered from the suspected internet fraudster, Mompha, at the point of arrest.

“Investigation has also revealed that he operates 51 bank accounts in Nigeria with which he acquired properties in Dubai and had laundered about N14billion through a firm known as Ismalob Global Investments Limited. His accomplice, Koudeih, also has two firms namely: THK Services Limited and CHK properties Limited with which he has allegedly laundered about N19billion.

Magu emphasized the fact that the Commission, prior to the arrests of both Mompha and Koudeih, had independently launched intensive investigative actions against the Internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo Boys, culminating in various strategic raids on their hideouts.

He further stated that the Commission had embarked on the raids even before the recently concluded collaborative operation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, tagged Operation Rewired- an international operation targeted at the Business Email Compromise, BEC, suspects across the world.

It has really been a great year for Burna Boy as he has also won the 'Best African Act' award at the 2019 MTV EMA which was held in Seville, Spain on Sunday November 3, months after he won the Best International Act at the 2019 BET Awards.

The Nigerian superstar singer was nominated in same category with Teni and other African acts such as Toofan, Prince Kaybee, Nasty C and Harmonize for the prestigious award he won at the star-studded event.

A representative however picked up the award for Burna Boy as he was shutting down the United Kingdom for his sold-out concert at SSE Arena. The 12,500-seat facility is London's second largest indoor arena after the O2 Arena and the ninth-largest in the United Kingdom.

The Nigerian army has arrested 8 suspects in connection to a foiled Boko Haram attack launched at a University in Lagos state two weeks ago.

General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division Maj.-Gen. Olu Irefin who confirmed the arrest said the suspects who admitted having ties to Boko Haram have been transferred to the Army Headquarters in Abuja for further investigation.

Also announcing that Operation Crocodile Smile IV has kicked off, Gen. Irefi  stated that there is solid security architecture in place as he assurred residents of Ogun and Lagos state of their safety.

He said: “We have started on the background. We have gone for simulation with all the security agencies involved in the Exercise.

“The exercise proper would kill off on November 19. It was supposed to start on November 11 but was shifted because of the NA’s Small Arms Firing Exercise holding between November 11 and 15 at Ibadan.

“There is no cause for alarm within 81 Division’s area of responsibility. We have been on top of our game on this Boko Haram issue. We are not sleeping and the people are assured of their safety throughout this period and beyond.

“Citizens can go about their lawful duties without panic because security agencies are doing a lot to protect them.”

The Nation reported that the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Zubairu Muazu stated that there is no cause for alarm.

“Lagos is safe. There is no Boko Haram scare and the people should not be afraid. We are not sleeping,” he said.

German champions, Bayern Munich have announced the sacking of Niko Kovac as manager after Saturday's embarrassing 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt, the previous club he managed.

"The performance of our team in recent weeks and the results have shown us that there was need for action. [Bayern club president] Uli Hoeness, [sporting director] Hasan Salihamidzic and I had an open and serious conversation with Niko on this basis on Sunday with the consensual result that Niko is no longer coach of FC Bayern," Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in a club statement.

"We all regret this development. I would like to thank Niko Kovac on behalf of FC Bayern for his work, especially for winning the doubles this past season," added Rummenigge.

The embarrassing and shocking defeat was Bayern's second of the season.

Assistant coach Hans Flick will take charge of Bayern's Champions League clash with Olympiakos on Wednesday and for next Saturday's key clash with Borussia Dortmund.

The Croatian football manager who was appointed in 2018 to take over at Bayern after a spell in charge of Eintracht Frankfurt, said it was the "right decision".

"The results, and also the way we last played, made me come to that decision," he said.

"During this time, our team has won the championship, the DFB Cup and the Supercup. It was a good time. I wish the club and the team all the best."

Prof. Solo Chukwubelu, secretary to the Anambra state government, who spoke on behalf of Governor Willie Obiano at an Anglican Prayer rally in the capital, said evil spirits have made the government house in Awka their abode.

He did not indicate which rooms they occupy, but pleaded with Bishop of Ogbaru, Rev. Prosper Amah, who presided over the Prayer Rally to pray for the ejection of the evil spirits permanently, to allow government focus in providing service to the people.

“In the government House, the evil spirits come and go. We urge the church to pray hard to let them leave the government for good” Chukwubelu said. 

The prayer rally with the theme “The Righteous shall Flourish like Palm Tree”, was held at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, under the auspices of the Province of the Niger, Anglican Prayer Rally of Anambra State (APRAS) 2019. 

Rev. Amah, in his sermon had said there are evil spirits in the society and also in the Government House, that come and go. However, the Archbishop, Province of Niger and Bishop, Dioceses of Awka, the Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, put the evil spirits in human garb and declared that the evil spirits in the Government House are actually human beings. 

He urged the governor to deal decisively with them to leave the State House. “The government should fight evil spirits in the State house, while the church will fight those outside the Government House,” he said.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was applauded by the Emir of Daura Alhaji Faruk Umar on Saturday, November 2nd for his loyalty and commitment to the administration of President Buhari. 

Umar, who rules over President Buhari’s hometown, described Osinbajo as the most trustworthy vice president of Nigeria who has the best interest of Nigeria on his mind.

Osinbajo was in Daura for the turbaning of Buhari’s nephew, Alhaji Musa Haro who was bestowed with one of Daura emirate’s highest traditional title, Danmadamin Daura, by the emir.

The emir said that the traditional institutions in the state and the country would continue to identify with the Buhari-led administration. The royal father noted that the turbaning of Haro as a district head without portfolio was due to his contributions to the development of the emirate and Nigeria at large.

Prominent among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony were the chief of staff to the president, Abba Kyari, Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr Boss Mustapha, Gov Nasir El-Rufai and the deputy governors of Jigawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe and Kano states.

Veteran American record producer and rapper, Dr. Dre will be honoured by the Grammys for his production work.

According to Billboard, Dre will receive a tribute courtesy of the Producers & Engineers Wing of the Recording Academy on Jan. 22 at the Village Studios in Los Angeles.

The event is scheduled to take place four days before the Grammys award takes place at the Staples Center on Sunday, January 26, 2020.

"Dr. Dre is an influential force in music," said Deborah Dugan, President/CEO of the Recording Academy, in a press release. "Dre breaks boundaries and inspires music creators across every genre. His evolution as a producer solidifies him as a leader of the pack within our industry, and we watch in amazement as he continues to shape the future of music."

Dr. Dre, who started his career in the early 1980s as a DJ for the World Class Wreckin’ Cru later became a member of the legendary West Coast rap group N.W.A. In 1991, Dre, along with Suge Knight, founded Death Row Records and released the classic album The Chronic.

The veteran hitmaker also produced classic albums for Death Row artists Snoop Dogg (Doggystyle) and the late Tupac Shakur (All Eyez on Me).

Cristiano Ronaldo leads the nominees for the Men's Best Player of the Year award alongside nemesis Lionel Messi, Bernardo Silva and four Liverpool stars Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, goalkeeper Alisson and current UEFA player of the year, Virgil van Dijk.

The 11th Globe Soccer Awards, organised by the European Association of Player's Agents and the European Club Association, will be staged in Dubai on December 29.

For the first time in the history of the awards, Globe Soccer has included three new categories in recognition of the world’s best female footballing talent, namely Best Women’s Player of the Year, Best Club of the Year and Best Referee of the Year.

See the full list of nominees and categories below

AWARDS

Best player (men)

Alisson Becker, Liverpool

Bernardo Silva, Manchester City

Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus

Lionel Messi, Barcelona

Mohammad Salah, Liverpool

Sadio Mane, Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool

Best player (women)

Ada Hegerberg, Lyon

Alex Morgan, Orlando

Amandine Henry, Lyon

Lucy Bronze, Lyon

Marta Vieira da Silva, Orlando

Megan Rapinoe, Reign

Sari van Veenendaal, Atletico

Best club

Ajax Amsterdam

Liverpool

Olympique Lyonnais Feminin

Best coach

Djamel Belmadi

Erik Ten Hag

Fernando Santos

Jurgen Klopp

Massimiliano Allegri

Others

Best sporting director

Best agent

Best revelation

Best goalkeeper

Player Career Award x 2

Coach Career Award

Best Referee

Sport Business Award

Kooora — Best Arab Coach Award

Kooora — Best Arab Player Award?