TheNewsGuru

Tag: Benin

  • Troops eliminate kidnappers terrorising Auchi-Benin road

    Troops eliminate kidnappers terrorising Auchi-Benin road

    The Nigerian Army says its troops of 4 Brigade, on Wednesday eliminated three kidnappers believed to be part of the notorious kidnap and robbery gang terrorising motorists along Auchi-Benin road in Edo.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement in Abuja, said the kidnappers met their waterloo while carrying out their nefarious operation along the axis.

    He said the kidnapers, however, ran out of luck as the vigilant troops swooped on them, engaging them in a gun duel that led to the elimination of three members of the gang, while others fled in different directions.

    Nwachukwu said the gallant troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, one pump action shotgun and other dangerous weapons.

    He said efforts were ongoing to track the fleeing criminals and free that corridor from all forms of violent crime.

    “The Nigerian Army wishes to enjoin the general public, particularly the good people of Edo to continue to expose criminal elements in their localities to law enforcement agencies.

    “They are also urged to go about their normal activities as efforts are in place to ensure seamless security,” he said.

  • U.S. returns artefacts stolen from Benin, Ife to Nigerian Consulate

    U.S. returns artefacts stolen from Benin, Ife to Nigerian Consulate

    The Consulate-General of Nigeria in New York has taken custody of three Benin and Ife artefacts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) in New York.

    The Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Prof. Abba Tijjani, received the artefacts from the museum in company of the Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija.

    The MET currently houses about 160 works of arts from Nigeria, which were mostly donated by individuals who were said to have acquired them in the art market.

    Tijjani, who later signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MET, commended the museum for returning the artefacts to Nigeria, urging other museums in possession of Nigerian artefacts to follow its exemplary gesture.

    The director-general said the issue of repatriation was now at the heart of the people looking at museums particularly in Europe that these artefacts were not their own yet they displayed them.

    “We are looking forward to collaborating with the MET because we cannot exist in an island, for example, the museum cannot be working in Nigeria without collaborating with partners outside the country.

    “So, we are looking forward to collaborating with MET now that we are friends and we understand each other and we want to see how we can work together,’’ he said.

    “We have about 52 museums across the country under the commission, and we have 65 monuments and sites and staff working in the museums will require modern training.’’

    Similarly, Tijjani called for collaboration between MET and NCMM on exhibition, scholarship and capacity building of the staff and getting the required curators

    Noting that exhibition is key to reaching out to the public, he said “Nigeria is very passionate about the way it exhibits its artefacts and we feel that it will be good if we collaborate and rob minds when it comes to joint exhibitions.

    “There is a need for us to exhibit our works in a way that we understand it and we want people to understand these artefacts too,’’ he said.

    The director-general said he was looking forward to signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MET in those areas and other areas of mutual areas.

    Also speaking, MET Director, Max Hollein said the shared commitment to future exchanges of programmes would form part of the MoU.

    “We have we had long lasting relationships, the museum is committed to a responsible process in collaborating in areas of standards as well as to study works that have been in our collection.

    “It’s an ongoing effort to learn to exchange and to find the right solutions,’’ he said.

    Hollein said MET would be pleased to initiate the return of Nigeria’s works and remain “committed to transparency and the responsible collecting of cultural property”.

    He said the signing of the MoU was a meaningful way to show dedication of MET with NCMM, adding the possibility to exchange more on different levels on scholarship, exhibitions and other ideas that we might have together.

    “We at the MET are so pleased to establishing the framework of exchange with Nigeria and we are looking forward to collaborating together,’’ Hollein said.

    The two 16th-century Benin brass plaques and the 14th-century Ife brass head were later taken to the Consulate-General of Nigeria in New York for eventual return to Nigeria at a later date.

  • 2 die, 8 injured in Ore-Benin Expressway crash

    2 die, 8 injured in Ore-Benin Expressway crash

    Two persons died in an accident involving two vehicles on the Ore-Benin Highway on Sunday.

    Ogun Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr Ahmed Umar, said on Monday that eight other persons sustained various degrees of injuries in the accident.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Ota, Ogun State, that the accident occurred at about 9.30 p.m. after “J4, Ogbere’’ in the Ogun State part of the highway.

    Umar said the accident involved a Toyota Hiace bus with Registration Number APP 867 XZ and a Benz truck marked KJA 376 XN.

    The sector Commander added that 10 persons, five males and five females, were involved in the accident which took the lives of two of the male travellers.

    Umar blamed the accident on excessive speeding and possible loss of control of one of the vehicles by the driver.

    “Corpses of the victims have been deposited at an Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, morgue. Survivors are also receiving treatment at the Ijebu-Ode hospital hosting the morgue,’’ he said.

    Umar advised motorists against excessive speeding and advised against night travels, especially when visibility is poor.

    He commiserated with the families of the victims and urged them to contact FRSC Ogbere Outpost for additional information.

  • [Photos] Buratai meets Beninese President amidst Nigeria’s demand for Igboho’s extradition

    [Photos] Buratai meets Beninese President amidst Nigeria’s demand for Igboho’s extradition

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has met with the President of the French-speaking West African nation, Patrice Talon.

    Buratai met with the Beninese President on Tuesday during the official presentation of his letter of credence.

    Buratai’s meeting with the Beninese President occurred amid the planned extradition of wanted Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, who was arrested in Cotonou on July 19, 2021 while he tried to catch a flight to Germany.

    A member of Igboho’s legal team, Pelumi Olajengbesi, had said Buratai asked for the extradition of Igboho to the headquarters of the Department of State Services in Abuja, Nigeria but Benin Republic disappointed him.

    Buratai, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff between July 2015 and January 2021, was deployed as Nigeria’s envoy in the Benin Republic in June 2021.

    Before then, the Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had presented Buratai’s nomination to the Senate and the upper chamber of the National Assembly had confirmed the ex-COAS’ nomination despite public outcry of some crimes against humanity allegedly committed by the Nigerian Army under Buratai’s leadership.

    In a statement, the Beninese Government said Talon granted audience to each of the new ambassadors and discussed with them on the revitalisation and strengthening of bilateral cooperation between these different countries and Benin.

    Talon was also said to have received a brief update on the state of cooperation between Benin, Nigeria and the other countries.

    “The President of the Republic also took the opportunity to invite the new Ambassadors to work more on consolidating and strengthening the warm relations that already exist between their countries and Benin,” the statement added.

    It was, however, not clear whether or not Buratai discussed Igboho’s extradition with the Beninese President.

    Igboho, an arrowhead of the secessionist agitation for Yoruba nation, has been in detention since July 19, 2021 when he was arrested by Interpol at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou around 8pm.

  • CAF announces new date, venue for Sierra Leone vs Benin fixture

    CAF announces new date, venue for Sierra Leone vs Benin fixture

    The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixture between Sierra Leone and Benin will be played on Monday in Conakry, Guinea.
    The fixture is part of Match Day 6 fixtures of the AFCON qualifiers initially scheduled for March 2021.

    A disagreement over the players found to have tested positive for COVID-19 prevented the match from going on.

  • AFCON qualifiers: Drama as Benin refuse to play Sierra Leone after losing to Nigeria

    AFCON qualifiers: Drama as Benin refuse to play Sierra Leone after losing to Nigeria

    The Squirrels of Benin Republic on Tuesday refused to play their final African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match against Sierra Leone after losing against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    TheNewsGurru.com (TNG) reports the Super Eagles beat Benin by a lone goal from Paul Onuachu in the 92nd minute of the game with the Squirrels bid to play Sierra Leone in what is next.

    However, the Benin Republic national football team backed out of the game after five (5) players in the squad tested positive to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and therefore not eligible for the match.

    Rows over COVID-19 tests have plagued African football since last year with host national teams and clubs accused of producing false positive results to deprive opponents of stars.

    Recall that a positive COVID-19 test result was also produced for Super Eagles star, Alex Iwobi that saw him sitting out the match against Benin in an isolation room.

    Talks between Sierra Leone, Benin and Confederation of African Football (CAF) officials in Freetown failed to resolve the standoff as both squads remained in their hotels.

    Benin hold a three-point lead over Sierra Leone in Group L and both teams have a chance of finishing runners-up to Nigeria.

    Meanwhile, following the situation, the organizing committee of AFCON has postponed the match until the next FIFA international break scheduled for June, 2021.

  • BREAKING: CAF clears Iwobi to play against Lesotho

    BREAKING: CAF clears Iwobi to play against Lesotho

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has cleared Super Eagles star, Alex Iwobi to play against the Crocodiles of Lesotho.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Iwobi can now play in Tuesday’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier game after further tests showed he is negative to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    Officials in Benin Republic had earlier claimed the Everton man’s test returned a positive result.

    That forced him to miss the 8-year jinx breaking fixture against the Squirrels of Benin last Saturday.

    “CAF has cleared Alex Iwobi to play today’s game against Lesotho. The Super Eagles player had earlier tested positive following the COVID-19 tests conducted on the Super Eagles squad on arrival in Porto Novo, Benin Republic.

    “However, Alex Iwobi’s further COVID-19 tests have returned negative. Clina Lancet Laboratories in Victoria Island, Lagos conducted the PCR tests. With this, Alex Iwobi is up selection today,” a statement emanating from the Super Eagles camp reads.

    TNG reports the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the development.

  • JUST IN: Super Eagles arrive in Lagos after breaking 8-year jinx against Benin [PHOTOS]

    JUST IN: Super Eagles arrive in Lagos after breaking 8-year jinx against Benin [PHOTOS]

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria have arrived in Lagos State by boat after defeating the Squirrels of Benin Republic to break an 8-year jinx in an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Paul Onuachu scored the lone goal of the game for the Super Eagles to beat the Benin Republic national football team that boast an 8-year unbeaten run in the hands of the Nigerian national football team.

    The Super Eagles arrived in Lagos, where they are bid to take on the Crocodiles of Lesotho on Tuesday.

    “The boat experience to and fro Benin was a cruise. And the win… massive! Thanks for all your support, next up is the game against Lesotho on Tuesday in Lagos,” the Super Eagles tweeted on Sunday.

    Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) has congratulated the Super Eagles for defeating the Squirrels of Benin Republic and qualifying for 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.

    A statement by the club’s Media Officer, Peter Ejiofor, said on Sunday that it also urged the Coach, Gernot Rohr, to maintain the team that played the last qualifier.

    According to it, this is to ensure that they defeated Lesotho on Tuesday when they play their last qualifier.

    In his reaction to the match played at Charles de Gaule Stadium in Port Novo, the National Chairman of the club, Rev. Sam Ikpea, said: “We at the Supporters Club are very proud of this present crop of super Eagles.

    “It was a fantastic outing and a welcome victory. The Squirrels of Republic of Benin perhaps never bargained for the superior power of our boys on the pitch.

    “Our boys displayed courage, raw talent and hunger for victory and their resilience brought the needed victory and pride to Nigeria.’’

    Ikpea added that: “should our boys maintain this spirit and resilience, we are sure of bringing the AFCON Cup home’’.

    Also, the Public Relations Secretary of NFSC, Dominic Ehimare, said: “It’s pertinent that Rohr maintains this current team.

    “Our boys had superior midfield power though the Squirrels had an almost impregnable defence.

    “In all, it was a very tough match but the Eagles, like the colossus of Athens, bestrode the field of play and came out victorious.

    “We are carrying the AFCON Cup, I can say with all sense of clairvoyance. This is not a hollow prophecy but it’s what will come to pass.

    “I do not see any other team matching these current boys. They are fit to lift the cup.’’

    It would be recalled that NFSC had on Friday staged a walk around the sports city, Surulere, to welcome back the Super Eagles to Lagos after 20 years absence to play against Republic of Benin on Saturday in Port
    Novo and Lesotho on Tuesday in Lagos.

    The Super Eagles’ last game in Lagos was against Zambia.

    The walk which started from NFSC’s headquarters at Funso Williams Avenue, Surulere, Lagos, took the singing and dance troupe of Nigeria’s foremost football fans club to Teslim Balogun Stadium and environs.

    Ikpea explained at the event that the walk was staged ostensibly to sensitise teeming football fans and lovers of Super Eagles on the return of the team to Lagos, the acclaimed home of football.

    “We want all Nigerians to be aware of the return of our darling Super Eagles to Lagos.

    “Much more, we staged this walk to galvanise all Nigerians to support our national team in their games against their opponents, particularly, the match against Lesotho in Lagos, next week Tuesday,’’ he said.

    Ikpea enjoined Nigerians to support the Super Eagles on the match days by droning Nigeria’s national colours as a sign of patriotism.

  • BREAKING: Super Eagles break 8-year jinx with win over Benin

    BREAKING: Super Eagles break 8-year jinx with win over Benin

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Saturday beat the Squirrels of Benin Republic in a Group L African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2022 qualifier match to break an 8-year jinx.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Eagles beat Benin by a loan goal from Paul Onuachu in the 93rd minute of the game.

    Nigeria, therefore, have secured its place in the 2022 AFCON scheduled for Cameroon, ahead of their match against Lesotho on Tuesday.

    Ahead of the fixture, the Benin Republic national football team boast an 8-year unbeaten run in the hands of the Super Eagles.

    See reaction from the goal scorer below:

     

  • BREAKING: Super Eagles of Nigeria qualify for AFCON 2022

    BREAKING: Super Eagles of Nigeria qualify for AFCON 2022

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the 2022 edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Eagles qualified for the AFCON with two games to spare, becoming the 17th team to seal a place in AFCON 2022.

    The Super Eagles qualified for AFCON 2022 after the game between Lesotho and Sierra Leone ended in a 0-0 draw.

    The draw guaranteed the Super Eagles of Nigeria, three-time champions of the competition a top-two finish in Group L.

    TNG reports, however, the Super Eagles will still have to battle it out with Benin on Saturday and Lesotho on Tuesday.

    Nigeria has eight points, Benin seven, Sierra Leone four and Lesotho three.

    Benin needs just one point from the match against Nigeria to secure a place at AFCON 2022.

    The countries finishing first and second qualify for the 24-team tournament in Cameroon next January.

    Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Zimbabwe have qualified, leaving seven places to be filled.