United States of America has expressed skepticism over reports coming out of Nigeria that the military has killed Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.

The picture released by the DSS

A senior official from the state department told reporters: “The Nigerians have announced several times that the head of Boko Haram was dead and every single time we find out that it is not true”.

“What I read recently is that Shekau’s lookalike or some Shekau impostor was killed and then I read later that maybe Shekau himself was killed. I don’t put a lot of weight on those stories until we see more evidence,” the official added, asking not to be identified.

Security officials in Nigeria had on wednessday said that Shekau has been eliminated and that Bashir Mohammed, killed during recent clashes with troops, was a lookalike who had been impersonating him in videos.

The announcement is the first time, the army had revealed that Shekau has been taken down, after refusing to comment on two occasions when the police and a rregional task force had claimed so, in 2009 and 2013.
The analyst also went forward to ask that if Shekau was truly gone, who was carrying out attacks on behalf of Boko Haram.
The United States hace been trying to assist Nigeria in the release of the 200 Chibok Schoolgirls kidnapped by the insurgents in April but the official described it as a huge challenge.
“Many of them were taken into the forest and given the time that is passed it is possible that many of them have been taken to other locations,” the official said.

6 ministers with governorship aspirations set to quit GEJ's cabinet

Ahead of the February 2015 general elections, 6 serving ministers including Sen. Bala Muhammed (Min. for Federal Capital Territory), Mr. Labaran Maku (Min. of Information), Chief Emeka Wogu (Min. of Labour), Mr. Nyesom Wike ( Min. of State, Education), Dr. Samuel Ortom (Min. of State, Trade, Industry and Investment) and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro ( Min. of State, Defence) are expected to tender their resignations in October to enable them pursue their Governorship aspirations in their various states. 

While Mr Wike is bidding to take over from Rivers state Governor Chibuike Amaechi, Sen. Bala Mohammed is said to be gunning for the government house in Bauchi state. Sen. Obanikoro is to contest for Governor of Lagos state while Dr Ortom is to contest for Governor in Benue state. Mr Labaran Maku is gunning for the Nassarawa state governor's seat while Mr Wogu is said to be eyeing the Abia state governor's seat.

A source at the Presidency who confirmed the Ministers impending resignation said;

"Their resignation will come very soon. You know the President will have to fill the vacancies that will be created before the general elections in February 2015. You also know that the Senate must approve nominees. It is therefore important that the list be forwarded to the senators before everybody will be engrossed in election matters in their various constituencies,” the source said.

Boko Haram kills Pastor, Teacher, 17 others in Borno state

Pastor Eliud Gwamna Mshelizza of the Living Faith Church, a teacher with the Government Girls Secondary School Shaffa alongside 17 others were killed in separate attacks on Wednesday September 24th and Thursday September 25th after Boko Haram members launched an attack on Shaffa and Shindiffu villages of Hawul LGA in Borno State.

Pastor loses wife and four children in fire outbreak in Warri

The Parish Pastor of the Christ Apotolic Church in Otumara in Warri Delta state, Pastor J.O. Kayoda, yesterday September 25th lost his wife and four children, two boys and two girls, in a fire outbreak at their home. According to reports, all five family members were burnt beyond recognition after an electric fault in the area caused a fire outbreak in the missionary building of the church where the pastor and his wife stayed. The Pastor was said to be away in Osun state to attend a Pastoral conference when the fire killed his entire family.

Police arrest mother for burying her day old baby

A woman named Patience Aaron who lives in Afaha Abia village, Nsit Ibom LGA in Akwa Ibom state has been arrested by men of the Akwa Ibom state Police command for allegedly burying her day-old baby alive.

According to the state Commissioner of Police, Gabriel Achong, Patience buried her one day old baby boy in a shallow grave with hopes that the child would die. Fortunately he found and rescued alive seven hours later...

"Patience on September 14th 2014 did bury her one-day-old baby boy in a shallow grave. The baby was rescued alive" the commissioner said

He also said the woman has been seriously ill since she was arrested and was receiving treatment.

Oh no! Jason Derulo and Jordin Sparks break up

Another Hollywood couple bite the dust. Thought these two would be together for a long time because they seemed so in love. But according to reports, after 3 years together, singers Jason Derulo and Jordin Sparks have split.

The couple who got engaged last year were recently seen at the  MTV Video Music Awards in late August where they seemed more in love than ever and even cordinated outfits. Sources close to the couple say the break up was mutual and 'they still care very deeply for each other and will remain in each other lives as friends.'

last year Jason said his video 'Marry Me' featuring Jordin was about their real life romance. He later told E! News

"It is about Jordin, actually. And it's talking about how amazing it will be when I get down on one knee and it will be the greatest moment of my life. You can't fake anything because true love is true love, and that's the basis of our relationship."

And now it's over. Sad!

Ekiti: Thugs Burn Fayemi's Campaign Office, APC Secretariat

Ekiti State is reportedly on fire as thugs suspected to be members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, have burnt down the campaign office of Governor Kayode Fayemi and the APC secretariat located at Ajilosun area of the state.

A source from Ado Ekiti, the state capital who made this known to newsbreak on Friday morning also revealed that houses of NURTW leaders were also burnt.

More to follow.

Meanwhile, some residents believe that, the development is in reaction to the murder of the former state chairman of the union, Omolafe Aderiye, aka lafeade, who was reportedly killed on Thursday, by yet to be identified gunmen.