African Gist and News

The Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe have paraded the suspected killers of four soldiers in Nembe, Bayelsa State on the 8th of August. The suspects were arrested at Olugbobiri community in Southern Ijaw LGA by the special security outfit "Bayelsa Waterways Security Taskforce" led by ex-militant leader, Africanus Ukparasia. Listen to the confession of one of the suspect as he speaks to journalist on Monday, August 23.

The suspected killers of three soldiers during a raid on a military post in Nembe, Bayelsa state on August 8th have been arrested by the special security outfit "Bayelsa Waterways Security Taskforce" led by ex-militant leader, Africanus Ukparasia. The killers dressed in white and pretending to be mourners, attacked the military post, carted away military arms, ammunition and a war boat... The two suspected killers were arrested at Olugbobiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State following a tipoff. They pleaded guilty to the offence and have narrated how they carried out the attack. Two members of their gang were killed during the shoot out leading to their arrest. The other two have been handed over to the "Operation Delta Safe Command " of the Nigerian military.

Suspected militants killed three soldiers and carted away arms and ammunition in an ambush in Nembe city, Nember Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, on Monday, August 8th.   The gunmen also made away with military gunboats, after they sacked the operatives of the JTF stationed at the checkpoint in the waterways of the state.   Reports have it that the militants disguised as mourners to deceive the security operatives before unleashing several gunshots on the unsuspecting officers, killing three instantly and injuring several others, including civilians. Many residents of the area are fleeing in fear of a reprisal attack by the military. "The attack was deadly and well planned. Nobody had expected that such a thing would happen at such time when the jetties were busy with people preparing to go about their normal business activities," a resident told Thisday.  "I am sure even the soldiers did not expect such incident to happen at that time. Some persons who were already

On March 29 th    2014, the atmosphere was filled with excitement as the people of Nembe couldn’t wait for the festivities to begin. The ‘’event of the year’’ as it was tagged was the House Opening Ceremony of the Waridaalamo of Nembe, High Chief Bioblomoye Wright the custodian of the Ogidiga Deity,   a man of pedigree with a strong military background (having attended the Nigerian Defense Academy), one who is feared and respected with strong political allies. The atmosphere of the moment and the exquisite array of ancient relics carefully placed to decorate the community of NEMBE culturally, indicated that the people of this land still had high regard for their traditional values. It was a sight to behold. Picture of High Chief Bioblomoye Wright   It was the House Opening Ceremony of the first Waridaalamo of Nembe in generations. The House Opening Ceremony was a thrilling event that felt like a festival of some sort. They were all gathered to celebrate the Waridaalamo and his much-

The long juju slave route of Arochukwu still remains a perfect destination for tourists around the world. The Long JuJu Shrine of Arochukwu [Grand market square] After the cities of  Aba  and  Umuahia,  Arochukwu, which is sometimes referred to as Arochuku, or Aro-Okigbo is the third largest city in  Abia State , Southeastern  Nigeria . It is composed of 19 villages with an overall leader called  Obong Aro . Interestingly, there are several historic tourist sites that exist in the city of Arochukwu. And among them are the mystic Ibini Ukpabi shrine, the slave routes and other relics of the slave. Prominent for its sacred sense of mystic beauty is the Ibinu Ukabi or the long juju Shrine that was used to judge the perpetrators of crimes. Tales have it that back then in the kingdom of Arochukwu, Ibini Ukpabi at the height of its powers was the most powerful deity in Igboland. And this was during the Trans-atlantic slave trade era. Being a kind of supreme court whose judgment was final, th

Google Search honors Nigeria as she celebrates her 55th birthday today by changing its doodle.   Nigeria's Independence Day is an official national holiday in Nigeria, celebrated on the first of October. It marks Nigeria's proclamation of independence from British rule on the 1st October 1960.   Happy Birthday Nigeria!!!

The 2016 edition of the annual World Sango Festival provided an opportunity for Sango devotees to observe their age-long ritual but beyond this, culture was exalted . Since it was rebranded as World Sango Festival in 2013, the festival has grown beyond an ordinary Oyo ritual as its tentacle as spread to other countries especially south America and the Caribbean. The 10-day programme attracts visitors, devotees and tourists from more than 42 countries all over the world as this has propelled the Yoruba culture to a global state. The 2016 edition of the UNESCO-recognised festival began on Thursday, August 18 and from then till Friday, August, 25, different rites were performed while the Sango of each Yoruba state and towns were exhibited. These formed the build-up to the grand finale of the festival which took place at the Alaafin’s palace on Saturday, August 27. The legend of Sango recognizes the Alaafin of Oyo as a descendant of the former powerful king while the Sango Koso is consider