Game Over: ISIL Short on Cash, Russian Planes Back Them Into Corner

ISIL is in serious trouble, as terrorists are being squeezed from all sides by airstrikes, meanwhile their economy is coming apart at the seams. Islamic radicals need to take over new territories to improve their budget, but with Russian planes hovering over the Syrian sky, things aren’t that easy anymore.


Tough times have come to the self-proclaimed Islamic Caliphate with the start of Russian airstrikes: areas under ISIL control are shrinking day after day under the pressure from Russian missiles that are backing the terrorists into a corner, Svetlana Kholodnova of RIA Novosti said. Turns out, ordinary ISIL terrorists are getting significantly poorer as a result of pay cuts. Many of them have started to flee the Caliphate despite the risk of getting their heads chopped off if caught by their former comrades-in-arms.

Former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mustafa Tafa Balogun visits Aso Rock

Former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mustafa Tafa Balogun, made a surprise appearance at the Presidential Villa yesterday, years after he had gone underground following his unceremonious end as head of the Nigeria Police Force.
Balogun, who was sacked and put through harrowing court trials by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over cases of official corruption and diversion of police funds, was guest of President Muhammadu Buhari at the occasion marking the 55th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria.

China’s military advisers ‘heading to Syria to help fight ISIS’ – report

China will be helping out the Syrian government in the fight against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIL/ISIS) by sending “military advisers,” media reports have claimed.

“The Chinese will be arriving in the coming weeks,” a Syrian army official told the Lebanon-based news website Al-Masdar Al-‘Arabi.

The report claims that a Chinese naval vessel is on its way to Syria with dozens of “military advisers” on board. They will reportedly be followed by troops.

The ship is said to have passed the Suez Canal in Egypt and be making its way through the Mediterranean Sea.
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EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, arrested in London

The immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, was on Friday arrested in London, PREMIUM TIMES can exclusively and authoritatively report.
The former minister, who was one of the most powerful officials of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, was arrested Friday morning by the UK National Crimes Agency, alongside four other people.

The identities of the four other people arrested along with her could not be immediately ascertained.
PREMIUM TIMES learnt she was arrested for offences related to bribery, corruption and money laundering.

Buhari’s Ministerial Nominees Revealed- Sahara Reporters

SaharaReporters can authoritatively reveal the 21-member President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees submitted to the National Assembly yesterday as follows:

Ministers nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari
1.Dr. Chris Ngige (Anambra)

2. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti)

3. Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers)

4. Babatunde Fashola (Lagos)

5. Abdurrahman Dambazau (rtd) (Kano)

6. Aisha AlHassan (Taraba)

Western Media Losing Credibility with Reports on Russia Bombing Syria

As Russia launched airstrikes against the self-proclaimed Islamic State terrorist group in Syria, the United States immediately began its disinformation campaign.

On Wednesday, Russian combat jets launched pinpointed strikes against IS targets in Syria. Almost immediately, Western media outlets carried reports of civilian casualties.

Brad Friedman discussed the reporting of western media following the airstrikes that were conducted by Russia in Syria.

Nearly 100,000 People Protest Against US Nuclear Weapons in Germany

They called on German authorities to stop further nuclear armaments on German soil.

Almost 100,000 people signed a petition addressing German Chancellor Angela Merkel, German President Joachim Gauck and the German government not to deploy new nuclear weapons in Germany.

The initiative was launched amid the US’ plans to station up to 20 additional B 61-12 nuclear bombs at Büchel airbase. The activities are being conducted within a NATO sharing program and are raising concerns domestically and internationally.

Amaechi, Fashola , Abike Dabiri, Fayemi reportedly make Buhari's ministerial list

Yesterday the Senate President received the ministerial nominees list from the presidency and there are now speculations as to those Buhari have chosen to work with him in his administration. Among the 21 names speculated to have been sent to the senate for ministerial confirmation includes former governors, Babatunde Fashola, Chris Ngige, Ogbonnaya Onu, Kayode Fayemi, Rotimi Amaechi.

Also speculated to be on the list are: former house of representatives member Abike Dabiri-Erewa, a one time APC governorship flag bearer in Taraba, Aisha Alhassan,

No herdsman would kidnap Falae - Fulani group says

President of Jamu Nati Fulbe Association, a Fulani socio-cultural group in the South-west, Alhaji Salihu Kadir has denied allegations that Fulani herdsmen were responsible for the kidnap of former presidential aspiant, Olu Falae or even engaged in acts of kidnapping in the South West of Nigeria.

In an interview with Daily Trust, Kadir said no Fulani herder who is preoccupied with feeding and nourishing his herds of cows and sheep would think of kidnapping anyone, not to talk of an elder statesman like Falae.

Independence celebration at the State House currently underway

The independence celebration at the state house is currently on the way. Continue to see photos...

Photos: Buhari, Osinbajo, Saraki, Dogara at Independence Day celebration

President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara at the 55th independence celebration is currently going on at the presidential villa. Continue to see more photos...

Man charged with the murder of a Nigerian, Moses Fadairo in east London

27-year-old Christopher Erunse was today, October 1, charged with the murder of Moses Fadairo.
Moses Fadairo, 25, was gunned down on a busy market street in Clapton by a gun-wielding mob in a suspected gangland execution in Hackney, east Londonon Saturday, September 26, just after 1pm. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him but he died at the scene.

According to Evening Standard, the father of twin boys born earlier this year  staggered into Mighty Meats  butche's shop in Chatsworth Road, Lower Clapton,then ran 50 yards down the road before collapsing in a pool of blood.

Kwara state cancels Independence parade following security fears

The Kwara State Government has cancelled the state's 55th Independence anniversary parade scheduled to hold at the Metropolitan Square, Ilorin, the state capital following some security fears. According to the Secretary to the Government Sola Gold, security reports received by the police in the state suggested that some individuals arrived the state on Wednesday night allegedly with the intention of disrupting the independence day celebration and endangering lives. Recall that the state Eid prayer was disrupted last week after some aggrieved residents in the state stormed the prayer ground to boo the senate president Bukola Saraki.

I can be successfully impeached if I interfere - Pres. Buhari speaks on Saraki's Trial

President Buhari says he will not be interfering in the trial of the senate president Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal as he could be successfully impeached if he does so. According to him, the Nigerian constitution does not permit interference between the three arms of government, that is the Legislature, Judiciary and the Executive.

Judge Withdraws From Saraki’s Case Over Negative Reports

Justice R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja has remitted Senate President Bukola Saraki’s case to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Mohammed, for reassigning to another judge. The judge, in returning the case file to the CJN on Wednesday, cited “negative reports” on the case as informing his decision. Details later…

Buhari Meeting With His Chief Of Staff Over Ministerial List- Sahara Reporters

Buhari meeting with his Chief of Staff over ministerial list, to call state governors about his nominees.

PDP Zones 2019 Presidential Ticket To North

The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Uche Secondus, on Wednesday in Abuja said the party has zoned its presidential ticket for the 2019 general elections to the North. The party also said it would not repeat the “mistakes” it made in 2015. Details later…

Punch

Senate is yet to receive ministerial list- Dino Melaye

The senate says it is yet to receive the ministerial list from the presidency. Chairman of the Senate adhoc committee on publicity, Dino Melaye made this known to National assembly correspondence after the end of today's sitting
"I want to announce we are still waiting for the ministerial list from the president I want to advise there is no need for agitation. September expires 12 midnight today and I want to assure Nigerians that as soon as we get possession of the list, we will communicate to them.
I also want to assure Nigerians that we will attend to the ministerial list expeditiously but diligently. It is not going to be business as usual. We are going to properly screen the nominees and only those who meet the constitutional and moral requirements will be cleared. We want Nigerians not to be agitated. September expires 12 midnight. The doors of the senate are opened 24 hours"he said

Election tribunal nullifies election of PDP senator, Bashir Marafa of Taraba central senatorial

The election tribunal sitting in Taraba state has nullified the election of PDP Senator Bashir Marafa representing Taraba Central Senatorial district. In a ruling today, the tribunal ordered that APC candidate Yusuf A Yusuf be given the Certificate of Return as the lawful winner of the April 2015 election.
  

Do not abuse or insult Buhari - PDP tells Nigerians

PDP has called on all Nigerians to show some respect to the office of the President. In their independence message to Nigerians, the party said
"The PDP urges all citizens to have full respect for the office and person of the symbol of the leadership of our great country, the President. The President can be constructively criticized, but under no circumstance should he be abused or insulted in any way and under any guise whatsoever. On this note therefore, we expect those around our dear President to be cautious and desist from actions and utterances that tend to set him up for public ridicule”
Full text of their independence message signed by Olisa Metuh after the jump...

Photos: Buhari arrives Abuja from the U.S

President Buhari this afternoon arrived Abuja from New York where he attended the 70th UN General Assembly. More photos after the jump.

Iraq Welcomes Russia to Use Armed Forces in Fight Against ISIL in Syria

Haqim Zamli, the head of Iraq’s defense and security committee, said that Iraq welcomes this decision on airstrikes against the ISIL as long as this is within the borders of Syria.


 Iraq welcomes Russia’s decision to use its armed forces in the fight against the Islamic State as long as it stays within the borders of Syria, the head of Iraq’s defense and security committee said Wednesday.

“Iraq welcomes this decision [on airstrikes against the ISIL] as long as this is within the borders of Syria,” Haqim Zamli told RIA Novosti by telephone.

Senate ends sitting without ministerial list

The senate has ended its sitting today without the much-awaited ministerial list. The senators deliberated on Nigeria at 55 and afterwards adjourned sitting to a new legislative date. Buhari had promised to release the ministerial list before the end of this month. The month ended today

Defense Ministry Confirms Russia Began Airstrikes Against ISIL in Syria

The Russian air force has begun airstrikes on the Islamic State positions in Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday. DETAILS TO FOLLOW

Military action alone can’t defeat war on terror- Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement delivered on Tuesday at the Global Leaders’ Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism organised by President Barack Obama on the sideline of the 70th United Nations General Assembly in New York said military action alone would never be enough to end terrorism and extremism around the globe.

He said good governance, transparency, accountability and rule of law, are some of the best ways to start the process of ridding the world of terrorism.
He said while Nigeria acknowledges the efforts by the UN and the international community to tackle ISIS, a lot more needs to be done.
He said: