Charleston Church Shooting Suspect Named As Dylann Roof

The FBI has identified the gunman in the deadly shooting at a Charleston, South Carolina, church as 21-year-old Dylann Roof, the Charleston Post and Courier newspaper said on its website.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the suspected shooter's identification. The Post and Courier, citing an FBI spokeswoman, said Roof is from the Columbia, South Carolina, area.

In an interview with Reuters, Roof’s uncle Carson Cowles said his “introverted” nephew was given a gun by his father as a 21st birthday present in April:

Cowles said he recognized Roof in a photo released by police, and described him as quiet and soft-spoken. Roof’s father gave him a .45-caliber pistol for his birthday this year, Cowles said.

Charleston Church Shooting: 9 Killed In What Officials Call A Hate Crime

Shooter

A white man walked into a historic African-American church in Charleston and opened fire during a Bible study class, killing nine people Wednesday evening.

The gunman was still at large early Thursday. And the shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest AME church in the South, is being investigated as a hate crime.

"The only reason someone would walk into a church and shoot people that were praying is hate," Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said.

Eight churchgoers died at the scene; a ninth at a hospital, police said. Among them is the church's pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, according to CNN affiliate WCSC.

Officials wouldn't say how many people were at the Bible study during the shooting. There were survivors, said Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen, but he didn't elaborate.

Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church has been a presence in Charleston since 1816, when African-American members of Charleston's Methodist Episcopal Church formed their own congregation after a dispute over burial grounds.

Chad Bans Islamic Face Veil After Suicide Bombings

Chad has banned people from wearing the full-face veil, following two suicide bomb attacks on Monday.

According to BBC, Chad’s government accused Nigerian militant Islamist group Boko Haram of the bombings which killed more than 20 people.

The prime minister said the veil was used as a “camouflage” by militants and said the security forces will burn all full-face veils sold in markets.

Chad is to host a new regional force set up to tackle Boko Haram.

The militant group has not commented on the attack but has previously threatened to attack Chad, after its forces started to help Nigeria.

26-Yearr-Old Woman Slumps, Dies In Enugu

There was pandemonium in Enugu, on Wednesday, when a mother of two of about 26 years, slumped and died,  at New Market, Enugu.

It was gathered that the young woman, whose name was given as Nkeiru, went to buy foodstuff and was about leaving for the bus stop when she slumped and efforts made to revive her failed.

An eye-witness said that the young mother, who hailed from Ohafia,  Abia State, was hale and hearty, before she went to the market.

The source said that the late Nkeiru, was staying with her aged mother that fries “Akara” at Edinburgh Road, Ogui New Layout, Enugu.

Another source, who knew the lady when she was alive, said she was kind-hearted and was helping her mother in her  business.

Police Arrest 2 Over Plan To Kill Obasanjo

The police at the Zone 2 command of the Nigeria Police, Onikan, Lagos State, have arrested two impersonators who allegedly promised to kill former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the senator representing Ogun East senatorial district, Buruji Kashamu.

The two suspects had reportedly impersonated one of the former president's daughters and the other claimed to be an intelligence officer when they met with Kashamu.

The suspects, identified as Peter Uwakala and Victoria Alaegbu, were arrested after Kashamu reportedly lodged a complaint at Zone 2 of the police command.

The suspects had allegedly demanded an unspecified amount of money from the politician to poison and kill Obasanjo as a way of putting an end to the feud between the two men.

Mother Of Two Commits Suicide In Ondo

A 40-year-old mother of two, identified as Seyi Adewumi, has reportedly committed suicide in Akure, Ondo State capital.

Her body was found in an uncompleted building beside her house at Olu Foam area of Akure metropolis.

Hundreds of people trooped to the deceased’s residence when the news spread.

Speaking with newsmen, her husband, Gbenga Adewunmi, expressed shock over the ugly incident.

He said he went to vigil on Tuesday, only to come back to see the body of his wife.

He said: “Last night (Tuesday night), I went to a vigil organised by our church. I left her at home hale and hearty. But to my surprise, I got back home this morning and saw some of our neighbours gathered in front of our house.

Veteran Fuji Musician, Obesere Now A Caterer

Veteran Fuji music star, Alhaji Abass Obesere, has delved into hospitality business by launching Obesere Catering & Events Management.

Obesere said the new business will be managed by Princess Yetunde Sogade Ajulo, a Nigerian who is based in England and has been practicing the profession for over 10 years. She is the boss of Adunni Foods located at Canning Town, East London.

According to Obesere, “It’s a long time dream which I thank God that I am actualizing now. I want to touch every part of entertainment so that my fans and Nigerians as a whole can enjoy and benefit from me.

I don’t think this can affect my musical career because I have hotels and that one is not affecting my career so far I am not the one to sit there as manager.

President Buhari Congratulates Muslims Nationwide As Ramadan Begins

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians to pray for the return of peace, love and prosperity throughout the country as Muslims start the 2015 Ramadan fast. 

In a congratulatory message released on his behalf by the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu, President Buhari implored Muslims to seek maximum benefits from the Ramadan period “by being helpful to all manner of people, learning and following the true message of the religion as taught by the Holy Prophet.”

The President in his message directed an appeal to the perpetrators of violence and destruction in the name of Islam all over the world to desist from tarnishing the name of the religion. “As we make collective efforts to bring to a permanent end the menace of the Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin countries, let me use this auspicious occasion to appeal to our misguided brothers to drop their arms, embrace peace and seek a better understanding of Islam during this Holy period and beyond,” Buhari said.

Dangote : I Am Ready To Buy Arsenal At ‘Whatever Price’

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote insists that soon he will have ‘enough time and enough resources’ to buy Arsenal football club, whatever the price.

Dangote, 58, is Africa’s richest man having amassed a fortune in the region of $18.4 billion (£12.2 billion). He is currently the 67th richest man in the world.

He first spoke of his interest in purchasing the Gunners last month when he admitted that ‘one day’ he hoped to buy the club, adding that he ‘already knew’ his strategy to take them forward.

That day may arrive sooner than first expected, with Dangote telling the BBC on Tuesday that completion of his proposed oil refinery in Nigeria will provide the funds necessary to launch a takeover of the club.

“When we get this refinery on track, I will have enough time and enough resources to pay what they are asking for,” he told BBC Hausa.

8-Year-Old Girl Accused Of Witchcraft Set Ablaze

A 60-year-old man, identified as Yakubu Vong, has allegedly set ablaze an eight-year-old girl (names withheld) at Sabon Layi in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The suspect, who is in police custody in Jos, allegedly set the girl ablaze while urging her to confess her involvement in witchcraft for which she was accused.

The suspect was said to have lured the girl to his house where he allegedly forced the girl to confess to being a witch.

It was learned that the girl’s refusal infuriated him and prompted him to bathe her with fuel and set her ablaze, claiming she was a witch.

However, one James Bamu, who is an uncle to the deceased girl, said the girl was innocent, wondering if the suspect had any proof that the girl was a witch.

He described the act as barbaric and demanded that the law deal decisively with the suspect to serve as deterrence to others practicing such an evil act.

Ritualist Allegedly Kills 21-Year-Old Female Student In Ogun

Arrested Suspects

Men of Ogun State police command, Tuesday, uncovered a ritualist’s shrine at Eposo-Akaka, Isara, in Remo North Local Government of Ogun State with dismembered human parts suspected to be those of a female student of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Morenikeji Owolabi.

The shrine which was made with corrugated iron sheets in a cubicle form, contained boiled and smoked human parts.

The boiled human parts, including liver, intestines and spleen in earthenware containers, was on a table and a well-laid arm chair, covered with cloth.

There were also bottles of palm oil and other liquid forms littering the floor, while knives and plates were also found inside.

Near the shrine was a small kitchen where something that looked like the victim’s heart was being smoked on fire outside.

A few metres away from the shrine were also decomposing legs of the victim dug out of the shallow grave where they were buried but the head of the victim and other parts such as breasts, hands, and vagina, among others, were not found.

Police Deny N15m Ransom Payment For Jonathan’s Cousins

Bayelsa State Police Command, yesterday, denied the report that a N15 million ransom was paid to secure the release of the kidnapped cousins of former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Kate Ene and Patience Ebeni, cousins to the former president, were abducted on May 15 along with their friend, Edith Ekeni, along Akipelai in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

Community sources claimed that the family of the victims paid N15 million to secure their release.

However, spokesman of the state Police Command, Asinim Butswat, denied knowledge of such payment.

Man, 40, Arrested For Kidnapping 97-Year-Old Man In Ogun

Ogun State police command has arrested  40  years old Emeka Obi for allegedly kidnapping Iposiola Samaiye.

The state Police Commissioner, Valentine Ntomchukwu, who paraded the suspect yesterday, said Obi and members of his gang had kidnapped Pa Samaiye from his home at Ijebu-Esure last Thursday, and demanded a ransom of N20 million.

The police boss said his men, however, tracked down the suspect inside the forest where they held their victim captive, while his partner, identified as Prince, escaped.

He said:  “They held the 97-year-old man inside the bush without food for four days. But our men, through tracking between 3am and 5am this morning (Tuesday), were able to arrest them and set the old man free.”

Okopoly Reacts To Allegation Of Awarding Marks To Deceased Student

The Management, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra has described as malicious, misleading and inciting ‘’rumours” that a certain deceased student was awarded marks by the management, saying that it was a deliberate ploy to tarnish the image of the institution and further discredit the innovation of the Computer Based Test, CBT, by those whose nefarious activities were stopped through the exercise.

The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Obini Onuchukwu, who spoke on the issue, told South East Voice that those making the alleged malicious allegations that a deceased student was awarded marks due to the irregularities in the CBT were mischievous.

Obini, who spoke on behalf of the Management, explained that after an investigation into the matter, it was discovered that a student of Science Laboratory Technology, late Uche Henry, participated in all academic work, including examinations in August 2014 but died at about 9p.m. on Sept 17.

He said that the deceased student having passed all his course work had his results released along with those of his mates, but unfortunately some staff cashed on the situation with some few students in the department to blackmail the institution.

Man Drags Wife To Court For Stealing

A middle-age man, Friday James, has prayed an Agege Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve his marriage because his wife, Linda is a thief.

James said his wife was not caring, claiming that she spent their children’s school fees on several occasion.

“Not only does my wife spend our children’s school fees she also steals from me. Whenever our children’s school proprietress calls me on phone, I know there is a problem.  She once stole N83, 000 from my wardrobe,” he said.

The petitioner also said his wife spent the money she was to use to buy foodstuff.

He said: “The painful thing is that she wouldn’t give account on what she spent the money on and it is annoying because I can’t continue to give her monthly allowance while I starve with our children. If she truly respects me as her husband, she won’t be doing all this.”

Today's Newspaper Headlines : Thursday, June 18, 2015

News headlines from selected national newspapers across the nation ready for your reading pleasure this beautiful Thursday morning. Enjoy as you read and have a nice day.

PUNCH

• Market capitalisation sheds N43bn
• Nigeria, UK poised to increase investment capital flows
• Transcorp Ughelli Power increases capacity, targets acquisitions
• Mergers'll help small operators meet capital requirement 'Experts
• First Bank opens Guinean subsidiary
• Fidelity Bank links workers' physical fitness to productivity
• Stanbic IBTC to sue loan defaulters
• CBN to issue N120.5bn Treasury bills next week
• Nigeria's first nuclear power plant ready in 2026
• BPE awarded PHCN legal contract without approval 'BPP
• Lagos, 22 others collected N586.6bn IGR in 2014 ' NBS
• Gas shortages stall N1.064tn power plants sale
• Financial decisions every executive trainee should avoid
• Low oil prices cost Nigeria, others $200bn projects
• President's old age comment embarrassing, says LP

PMB : I Didn’t Say I’m Too Old To Govern Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday spurned reports suggesting he regretted that his age would limit the extent to which he could perform in office as President.

The said reports in some national dailies has interpreted what Buhari told the Nigerian community at the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday to mean the President said he would have loved being a President when he was at a younger age.

“I wish I became Head of State when I was a governor. Now at 72, there is a limit to what I can do”, he had stated.

But clarifying on what he actually meant when he made reference to his age, Buhari who said nothing could be farther from the truth that the said reports observed that on the contrary, as the saying goes, “old wines are tasty”.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President noted that the Buhari Nigerians have in him today “is a man, like old wine, that has got tastier.