By Deborah Coker

The Edo Command of the Nigerian Police says it has arrested four armed robbery and kidnap suspects in the state.

The Commands Spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said in a statement that the suspects were arrested based on credible intelligence through the Department of State Services (DSS).

He said that the office of the IGP had alerted that the suspects were planning coordinated attacks against police formations in the state.

He said that based on this, Edo Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed DanMallam, directed the tactical team of the command to go after the suspects.

He further said that a robust raiding, condoning and search was conducted within Auchi axis of the state which led to the arrest of the suspects on Friday.

He said some items recovered from the suspects included a vehicle, one Pump Action, two locally made guns, 20 live cartridges, charms, two face masks and a pair of police mobile force uniform.

He appealed to members of the public to be vigilant and always be at alert about suspicious movement and report same to the police.

Source: NAN

The Chairman, Zamfara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad, has apologized to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) over its recent allegations that innocent citizens were killed in the state during air strikes by personnel of the Air Force.

The Chairman Council of Chiefs, who is also the Emir of Anka, made the apology when a seven-man high powered investigation team led by AVM Idi Lubo visited him at his palace in Anka on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the traditional rulers had, a fortnight ago, alleged that air strikes on suspected bandits camps hit at and killed innocent citizens in some parts of the state.

The emirs spoke at a press briefing through the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru.

This followed an emergency meeting they held in reaction to an earlier accusation by the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mansur Dan Ali, that some high ranking traditional rulers were conniving with the bandits.

The Emir of Bungudu also followed up the claim with the release of the names of some persons who were killed in the air strikes.

The Emir of Anka, however, said the council regrets the embarrassment caused by the press briefing because it was not targeted at the Air Force or the army but at our own son, the Minister of Defence, who wrongly accused us of complicity in the bandits activities in the state.

l apologize over whatever embarrassment the statement may have caused and from now, we have drawn a line, there wont be anything like that again, and I want to appeal that care should be applied while tracking the bandits and when they run from your fire power into the community, the land army should take over so as to avoid killing the innocent.

Out of the 17 emirate councils that we have in the state, mistakes occurred in only four and the submissions we made were gathered in the last two years, l also want to state that nothing happened on innocent citizens in the last six months in the state, he said.

While speaking on the list of killed persons that was later released by the Emir of Bungudu, the Chairman of the Council of Chiefs said: The Emir of Bungudu is not the spokesman of the council even though he read our press briefing that day.

The list of victims that he released to the press on a later day did not emanate from me nor was I aware of it as the Chairman, l will only take responsibility because l am the Chairman.

He then assured that the traditional council would continue to support security agencies in the fight against armed banditry in the state and urged the army to go and occupy deserted villages where some of the bandits were hiding.

Earlier, leader of the team, AVM Idi Lubo, said the team was in the state to investigate the true position of the allegations in order to avoid future occurrance.

We have also come with condolence letter from the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, in case some innocent people were killed in our encounter with bandits.

NAN reports that the team was taken round stakeholders by the Commander of the 207 Quick Response Group in the state, Squadron Leader Sunkanmi Thomas.

Source: NAN

In an update, officials said no fewer than 35 foreigners, including Americans, Britons and Dutch, died when a string of coordinated bombings hit high-end hotels and churches in and around the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo on Sunday during Easter services.

Police have revised the death toll upwards, from 137 to 156.

The coordinated blasts took place at 8:45 a.m. local time.

Foreigners were among the dead in Colombo, Sri Lanka Health Services director general Anil Jasinghe said

At least six explosions have been reported. Three churches in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa were targeted during Easter services.

At least 400 people were injured and were undergoing treatment, an employee at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka said by phone.

Sri Lankas police chief made a nationwide alert 10 days before Sundays bomb attacks in the country that suicide bombers planned to hit prominent churches, according to the warning seen by AFP.

Police chief Pujuth Jayasundara sent an intelligence warning to top officers on April 11 setting out the threat.

A foreign intelligence agency has reported that the NTJ (National Thowheeth Jamaath) is planning to carry out suicide attacks targeting prominent churches as well as the Indian high commission in Colombo, said the alert.

The NTJ is a radical Muslim group in Sri Lanka that came to notice last year when it was linked to the vandalization of Buddhist statues.

Sri Lankas Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the string of blasts that killed at least 137 people on Sunday as cowardly and said the government was working to contain the situation.

I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today, he said in a tweet from his verified account.

I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation.

Emergency meeting called in a few minutes. Rescue operations underway, Sri Lankas Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution, Harsha de Silva, said in a tweet on his verified account.

He said he had been to two of the attacked hotels and was at the scene at St Anthonys Shrine and described horrible scenes.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock and sadness over the terrible attacks on several churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on the holy day of Easter.

He said Nigerians stand with the people of Sri Lanka at this very terrible moment.

Buhari extended deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the attacks and wishes speedy recovery to the injured, according to a statement by Femi Adesina, special media adviser.

We stand with victims of terrorism all over the world because we know and understand this harrowing inhuman activity, the President said.

President Buhari urged the authorities not to spare the wicked elements behind these mischievous attacks.

Nigeria, like Sri Lanka, is battling with insurgency of its own, created by Boko Haram terrorists who wanted to carve out a Caliphate.

A Muslim terror group is also suspected to have masterminded the Sri Lankan bomb attacks, on hotels and churches in which over 200 died and hundreds injured.

Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said the death toll had risen to at least 207, with over 450 people wounded and that three persons have been arrested.

A series of eight devastating bomb blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches holding Easter services in Sri Lanka on Sunday, killing at least 207 people, including dozens of foreigners.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the attacks the worst act of violence since the end of Sri Lankas civil war a decade ago as cowardly, as the government imposed an immediate and indefinite curfew across the entire country of 21 million people.

The powerful blasts - six in quick succession and then two more hours later left hundreds injured and wrought devastation, including at the capitals well-known St Anthonys Shrine, a historic Catholic Church.

At least two of the explosions were carried out by suicide bombers, according to police sources and a hotel official.

Source: NAN

Italys Fabio Fognini has won Monte Carlo Masters, beating unseeded Serbian Dusan Lajovic 6-3 6-4.

It was Fognini first maiden ATP Masters 1000 title and was significant as the Italian hadnt won a match on clay all year before this week, when en route he shocked clay specialist Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-2 in the semi-final, to end Nadals 25 win streak and his hope for the 12th title.

Fognini also beat Alexander Zverev in Round 3 and Borna Coric in the quarter finals, all seeded higher than he was.

The 31 year-old has become the first Italian to win the Monte Carlo title in more than half a century.

The last Italian to win at the tornament was Nicola Pietrangeli in 1968. Pietrangeli also won the trophy in 1961 and 1967.

He came to the court after the trophy ceremony to pose for pictures with his new tennis heir, who was following up his shock semi-final win over 11-time Monte Carlo champion Rafael Nadal.

I was born nearby so this is extraordinary, Fognini said.

I started the season rather badly, so this is unbelievable. Im very content with this victory, especially with all of the Italians here today.

The 48th-ranked Serb Lajovic was playing in the first ATP final of his career and got to the title match without the loss of a set.

Fognini looked to be temporarily hampered as he limped momentarily after breaking Lajovic for 3-2 in the second after claiming the opening set in 44 minutes.

During a medical timeout, he was taped on his right thigh and a heel, but carried on without apparent problems as he finished the final on his second match point as Lajovic returned long.

The winner of his first Masters 1000 trophy came to the first major week of the pre-Roland Garros run-up with a 0-4 record on the clay, the surface he grew up on.

Among his victims this week was number three Alexander Zverev, and his stunning stunning 6-4, 6-2 victory over Nadal on Saturday to end the Spanish stars 25-set win streak in the principality.

Source: NAN

Manchester United have now suffered a sixth defeat in a row and their hopes of Champions League football next season almost shattered as Everton romped to a 4-0 win at Goodison Park on Sunday.

A sixth defeat in eight games in all competitions for Ole Gunnar Solskjaers men means they remain two points adrift of the top four in sixth and trigger questions about the form of the team.

Everton, chasing seventh, which could provide a route into next seasons Europa League, made a flying start as Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson struck inside the first 28 minutes.

Lucas Dignes sweet strike and Theo Walcotts goal completed Evertons biggest win over United since 1984.

United could easily fall five points off the Champions League places should Arsenal beat Crystal Palace at home later on Sunday and Chelsea win when they host Burnley on Monday.

After suffering their third consecutive PL away defeat for the first time since 1996, Man Utd remain sixth, two points behind fifth-placed Chelsea.

Solskjaers task in turning Uniteds fortunes around does not get any easier as title-chasing Manchester City visit Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Source: NAN

Manchester Uniteds hopes of Champions League football next season suffered another huge blow as Everton romped to a 4-0 win at Goodison Park on Sunday.

A sixth defeat in eight games in all competitions for Ole Gunnar Solskjaers men means they remain two points adrift of the top four in sixth and trigger questions about the form of the team.

Everton, chasing seventh, which could provide a route into next seasons Europa League, made a flying start as Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson struck inside the first 28 minutes.

Lucas Dignes sweet strike and Theo Walcotts goal completed Evertons biggest win over United since 1984.

United could easily fall five points off the Champions League places should Arsenal beat Crystal Palace at home later on Sunday and Chelsea win when they host Burnley on Monday.

After suffering their third consecutive PL away defeat for the first time since 1996, Man Utd remain sixth, two points behind fifth-placed Chelsea.

Solskjaers task in turning Uniteds fortunes around does not get any easier as title-chasing Manchester City visit Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Source: NAN

Abubakar Atiku, the defeated presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party has debunked notions that he was Cameroonian by birth and thus not qualified to contest the election of 23 February, 2019.

Atiku who was born in Jada in 1946, in present day Adamawa state, but then part of Northern Cameroon, said he was born by Nigerian parents and therefore a citizen of Nigeria by birth.

According to his response to the All Progressives Congress filing before the Presidential election tribunal, Atiku said his father, Garba Atiku Abdulkadir was a Nigerian by birth who hailed from Wurmo in present day Sokoto State, while the mother, Aisha Kande was also a Nigerian who hailed from Dutse in present day Jigawa State.

The parents of the 1st Petitioner(Atiku) are both Fulani, a community/tribe indigenous to Nigeria, his lawyers, an array of senior advocates said.

The birth of the 1st Petitioner in Jada, in present day Adamawa State of Nigeria was occasioned by the movement of his paternal grandfather called Atiku who was an itinerant trader, from Wurmo in present day Sokoto State to Jada in the company of his friend, Ardo Usman.

That in Jada, Atiku, the grandfather of the 1st Petitioner gave birth to Garba who in tum gave birth to the 1st Petitioner and named him after his own father Atiku.

The 1st Petitioners mother, Aisha Kande was the grand-daughter of Inuwa Dutse who came to Jada as an itinerant trader too from Dutse in present day Jigawa State.

That all averments concerning Germany, British Cameroons, League of Nations and Plebiscite are false and misleading in relation to the 1st Petitioner and therefore completely irrelevant more so that the 1st Petitioner is a Nigerian by birth within the contemplation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic ofNigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The averments in the aforesaid paragraphs are indeed fabricated, contrived, made in bad faith and designed to embarrass the 1st Petitioner.

Abubakar said that the votes he secured in the presidential election were not wasted votes, and still claimed that he got more votes than President Buhari.

To buttress his Nigerian citizenship, Atiku listed his career path and political activities and the awards and honours that he had received.

These included his being a civil servant in the Nigerian Customs Service for over 20 years, retiring as a Deputy Director; a politician for about 30 years, who in 1992 contested the Presidential Primaries under the platform of then Social Democratic Party (SDP) alongside the late Chief M.K.O Abiola and Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe.

He also mentioned his participation in the 1999 governorship election in Adamawa State in 1999, which he won and the presidential elections of 1999 and 2003, which he won as running mate to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Mentioned also was his being a recipient of the National Honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) and holder of the traditional title holder of Turakin Adamawa from 1982 to 2017 when he was elevated to Wazirin Adamawa.

In 2007, the 1st Petitioner contested Presidential election under the platform of Action Congress (AC) and the 2nd Respondent contested under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

In 2014, the 1st Petitioner and the 2nd Respondent contested the Presidential Primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the 3rd Respondent for the 2015 Presidential Elections.

Atikus response was signed by Dr. Livy Uzuokwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria on behalf of 20 other SANs.

They are Kabiru T. Turaki, Chief Chris Uche, Pius A. Akubo,
Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, Adebayo 0. Adelodun, Saka Abimola Isau, Isiyaku Ibrahim,
Paul Erokoro, K.C.O. Njemanze, Eyitayo Jegede, Sebastine T. Hon, Dr. Mike Ozekhome,
Chukwuma-MachukwuUme, Prof. Maxwell Gidado, Dr. Akinpelu Onigbinde, Emeka Etiaba, SAN,
Chief Gordy Uche,Dr. Mrs. V.J.O. Azinge, Emeka Okpoko, Olalekan Ojo.

Other lawyers listed in the petition are Ebenezer Obeya, Emmanuel Enoidem. Peter Afuba,
Prof. Yusuf Dankofa, Prof. Lanre Adeojo, Ahmed Tijjani Uwais, Alexander Ejesieme, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, Chike Okafor, Shikammah K. Sheltu, Jabiro Bashir Mohammed, Silas Joseph Ono,
Dr. Jennifer Abubakar, Jude Daniel Odi and Mohammed Malabo.

Source: NAN

Volodymyr Zelensky, a comedian with no political experience won a landslide victory in Ukraines presidential election Sunday, exit polls showed, dealing a stunning rebuke to the countrys political establishment.

Zelensky whose only previous political role was playing the president on television, trounced incumbent Petro Poroshenko by taking 73 percent of the vote, according to exit polls conducted by several think tanks.

Poroshenko, who lost to the television star across all regions of the country, including in the west where he traditionally enjoyed strong support, has already called Zelensky to congratulate him.

In a series of tweets, he also said he would not quit politics yet.

Never give up. Never, never, never Neither in the big nor in the small, nor in the a significant, nor in the shallow Never give up if that doesnt contradict honour and common sense.

Already next month I will leave the post of head of state. So the majority of Ukrainians decided, and I perceive this decision. I will go from the office of President. But I do not go out of politics. Firmly want to declare and explain why.

Our team will defend our course for the European Union and NATO membership. Because only in the worlds strongest collective security system, we can receive reliable protection from Russia, guarantee the independence of the country and the safety of citizens.

Our team will be protecting visa-free. Our team will protect our army from mid-country attacks, from any attempts to diminish the historical significance of its exploit. Our team will protect the Ukrainian language. If the next weeks board adopts the law on language, I will definitely sign it.

The election was an extraordinary outcome to a campaign that started as a joke but struck a chord with voters frustrated by poverty, corruption and a five-year war that has claimed some 13,000 lives.

The 41-year-old star of TV series Servant of the People will now take the helm of a country of 45 million people beset by challenges and having run on the vaguest of political platforms.

After taking the most votes in last months first-round election, Zelensky had enjoyed a strong lead over the 53-year-old Poroshenko going into Sundays poll.

Voting earlier in the capital Kiev, the beaming frontrunner had said his campaign managed to bring Ukrainians together.

We have united Ukraine, he said, wearing a casual suit with a t-shirt and accompanied by his wife. Everything will be all right.

Sparkling wine was on offer at his campaign headquarters as the stars team prepared to toast his victory on Palm Sunday, a week before Orthodox Easter.

Preliminary results were expected in several hours but the same exit polls were accurate in the first round.

From Ukrainian-speaking regions in the west of the country to Russian-speaking territories in the war-torn east, many voters said they feared uncertainty but yearned for change.

Were tired of all the lies, said Marta Semenyuk, 26, who cast her ballot for the comedian.

I think it just cannot get any worse and I hope hell live up to his promises, said Larisa, an 18-year-old student from the government-held eastern port city of Mariupol.

Zelenskys victory opens a new chapter in the history of a country that has gone through two popular uprisings in the last 20 years and is mired in a conflict with Moscow-backed separatists in the east.

His supporters say only a fresh face can clean up Ukraines politics and end the separatist conflict.

But others doubt the showman will be able to take on the countrys influential oligarchs, negotiate with the likes of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and stand up to Russias Vladimir Putin.

People have gone mad, Viktoriya Olomutska, a 39-year-old Poroshenko supporter, said in Kiev. Cinema and reality are two different things.

Source: NAN

Arsenals bid for a top four finish in the Premier League suffered a major setback as Crystal Palace punished their sluggish display to claim a shock 3-2 win on Sunday.

Unai Emerys side paid the price for a defensive horror show at the Emirates Stadium to leave their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League via the domestic route hanging in the balance.

The Gunners, who can also reach the competition by winning the Europa League, fell behind to Christian Bentekes first goal for a year before Mesut Ozil equalised early in the second half.

Shkodran Mustafis blunder allowed Wilfried Zaha to put Palace back in front.

James McArthur took advantage of more woeful Arsenal defending to make it three and, although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reduced the deficit, it was too late to stop Palaces first league win at Arsenal since October 1994.

Arsenal sit in fourth place, level on points with Chelsea, who will go above them if they avoid defeat against Burnley on Monday.

Arsenals top four challenge had been fuelled by their impressive home form and their first league loss at the Emirates since the opening weekend of the season was hugely damaging.

Arsenal had won 12 of their last 13 home games in all competitions, but the end of that streak puts them in the tricky position of needing to improve their dismal away record when they travel to Wolves and Leicester this week.

Emery made seven changes from Thursdays Europa League quarter-final win at Napoli in a bid to freshen up his side and, as a result, Arsenal never looked in sync.

They were authors of their own downfall when Palace took the lead in the 17th minute.

Benteke won a free-kick wide on the right and when it was curled in, Mustafi and Konstantinos Mavropanos both stood watching as Benteke thundered past them to head home from close-range.

It was the much-maligned Bentekes first goal since he scored against Leicester in April 2018, ending the Belgian strikers 19-game drought in his 200th Premier League appearance.

Mustafi was guilty of appealing for offside rather than following Benteke for the goal and the centre-back produced another costly miscue moments later when he headed over from close-range.

Source: NAN