Nigerians killed in New Year attack on Rivers church

: *Nigerians killed in New Year attack on Rivers church*

At least 16 people have been killed by gunmen in southern Nigeria after a New Year's Day church service, police say. The group had attended a midnight service before they were ambushed in the early hours of Monday, police told the BBC. The incident, which happened in the oil-rich region of Rivers state, has been linked to growing tensions between rival gangs, local reports say.

The gunmen are said to have fired at random, killing some at close range. The noise of fireworks that greeted the New Year celebrations in Omuku town made it difficult for residents to realise that shots were being fired and people were being killed, reports say.

Omoku, which is about 85km (50 miles) from the state capital Port Harcourt, has a history of violent crime. Correspondents say there has been an increase in violence in the past year after a government amnesty programme for former gang members was allowed to lapse. The amnesty had brought relative peace to a region which had been plagued by attacks by militants demanding that a greater share of Nigeria's oil wealth be kept by the country's oil-producing regions.

Nigeria records 20,210 births on January 1

: *Nigeria records 20,210 births on January 1*

United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF reports that approximately 20,210 babies were born in Nigerian on New Year’s Day. The births represented third largest population of newborns in the world on January 1, 2018. UNICEF also said nearly 386,000 babies would be born worldwide on New Year’s Day, representing some 90 per cent in less developed regions.

The agency reported that Kiribati’s Christmas Island in the Pacific would most likely welcome 2018’s first baby, while the U.S., its last. Globally, over half of these births are estimated to take place in nine countries, according to UNICEF. These are: India, 69,070; China, 44,760; Nigeria, 20,210; Pakistan, 14,910; Indonesia, 13,370; United States, 11,280; Democratic Republic of Congo, 9,400; Ethiopia, 9,020; and Bangladesh, 8,370.

While many babies would survive, some would not make it past their first day, UNICEF regretted. Stefan Peterson, UNICEF’s Chief of Health, said on Monday that the UN children’s agency was challenging nations around the world to make sure more newborns survive their first days of life. “This New Year, UNICEF’s resolution is to help give every child more than an hour, more than a day, more than a month – more than survival,” Peterson said.
: *Migrant slavery in Libya: Nigerians tell of being used as slaves*

The European Union is working with Libyan coastguards to reduce the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea. But many of those intercepted end up in detention centres in Libya, where some migrants say they are used as slaves, as the BBC's Stephanie Hegarty found when she spoke to some Nigerians who have just returned home.

As evening falls on Benin City, outside the mildewed 1960s block of one of the city's many hotels, a group of men and women are sitting on a scattering of plastic chairs, under a sign advertising "exotic cocktails" and "groovy nights".

But they are not here for drinks or dancing, they are about to start the hard work of rebuilding their lives. They have come from Libya, where most of them were held in detention centres by the Libyan authorities. And they have returned with accounts of horrifying abuse, including being leased or sold as slaves. members was allowed to lapse.

God has asked me to run for Presidency — Bakare*

God has asked me to run for Presidency — Bakare*

The Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said God has told him not to end his political career as he had earlier contemplated. Specifically, Bakare, who contested as the vice-presidential candidate on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change in the 2011 presidential election, said God told him to run for the Presidency.

The Lagos-based cleric spoke in the early hours of Monday during the watch night service at the Latter Rain Assembly in the Ogba area of Lagos. Giving a rundown of the 12 major things he said God had revealed to him would happen in 2018, Bakare explained that God had not told him when the “appointed time” to run for the presidency would be.

“This twelfth one is a difficult one for me. It may draw excitement or condemnation. I have tried my best to keep it (to myself) but the Holy Spirit will not allow me to do so. In my study around 4am on Sunday morning, God told me ‘you cannot bring your political career to a close; there is still more to do. Run for the Presidency. I will do it at the appointed time,” the pastor added. Bakare declared that he was unfazed by the daunting task that his aspiration might pose, expressing confidence that once the Lord had spoken, it was left for God to perform it.

Pregnant woman,five others killed in fresh Benue Attack

*Pregnant Woman, Five Others Killed In Fresh Benue Attack*

Five persons, including a pregnant woman, were on Tuesday killed in Guma and Logo Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected herdsmen.

The Benue state Security Council meeting to review its strategy is currently ongoing as we await the outcome.

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*[BREAKING] Lagos command dismisses nine policemen, demotes 25*

*[BREAKING] Lagos command dismisses nine policemen, demotes 25*

The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday said it has dismissed nine policemen found culpable of various offences. Twenty-five other cops were reportedly demoted for offences bordering on gross insubordination, incivility and drunkenness, among others. According to a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti, 60 rank and files also faced disciplinary action for misconduct.

He said, “The Commissioner of Police said the punishments handed down to the unruly officers would serve as a deterrent to others who may wish to toe the path of ignominy.” He stated further that officers who play by the rules have nothing to fear and would be encouraged.

*Boko Haram🏴 Releases New Video of 🎄Christmas 💥Attack*

*Boko Haram🏴 Releases New Video of 🎄Christmas 💥Attack*

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a video message on Tuesday claiming a series of attacks in northeast Nigeria during the festive season. The shadowy leader released his first video message in months amid a surge in violence casting doubt on the claims by the Federal Government that the terrorist group is defeated.

“We are in good health and nothing has happened to us,” said Shekau in the 31-minute video message where he spoke in the Hausa language. “Nigerian troops, police and those creating mischief against us can’t do anything against us, and you will gain nothing.

“We carried out the attacks in Maiduguri, in Gamboru, in Damboa. We carried out all these attacks,” he said. The video then shows footage from a Christmas Day attack on a military checkpoint in Molai village on the outskirts of the northeast Nigerian city of Maiduguri, which the military said was thwarted by troops after one hour of battle.