Candidate Won't Back Down On Rape Comments

Presidential hopeful Rodrigo Duterte says he "should have been the first" to assault an Australian gang-raped and killed in 1989.

Rodrigo Duterte is leading the presidential race

A Filipino presidential candidate has refused to back down after saying he "should have been the first" to rape an Australian missionary who was attacked and killed.

Rodrigo Duterte, who has been mayor of Davao City on and off since 1986, spoke at a rally on 13 April about his experience of being local mayor during a 1989 prison riot.

Jacqueline Hamill, 36, from Tasmania, was one of five missionaries murdered by a gang of inmates before troops stormed the jail, killing all 16 hostage-takers.

Mr Duterte claims he ordered the storming of the jail.

The 71-year-old told his supporters: "Son of a b****, (Ms Hamill) looks like an artist from America. Son of a b****, it's such a waste.

"What went on in my mind was they lined up and raped her.

"I got angry because she was raped - yes, that's part of it - but she's beautiful and the mayor should be the first one.

"So I killed them all - that's the story."

Mr Duterte's presidential rivals reacted angrily to the comments.

Mr Duterte speaking at a rally in the country's north in March

Grace Poe, a senator who is his biggest challenger, said the words were "distasteful and unacceptable".

Manuel Roxas, who is backed by President Benigno Aquino, said Mr Duterte had a "bestial attitude" towards women.

Amanda Gorely, Australia's Ambassador to the Philippines, tweeted: "Rape and murder should never be joked about or trivialised.

"Violence against women and girls is unacceptable anytime, anywhere."

But Mr Duterte refused to back down, saying: "I'm sorry in general because I can't say sorry to a particular entity or person.

"I'm sorry to the Filipino people, it's my style, it's my mouth, I said it in anger - listen to the story behind it," he said.

"It was not a joke - I said it in a narrative.

"I was not smiling - I was just talking plain sense narrative because I know when I talk about that particular episode in my life, people might say I changed something.

"That's why I kept the womanising.

"I'm letting it all out."

According to polls, Mr Duterte's anti-crime platform has helped propel him to the front runner's position in the 9 May presidential election.

 

Stella Damasus wishes daughter happy birthday (photos)

– Nollywood actress Stella Damasus celebrated her daughter as she turned 16 

– Daniel Ademinokan also wished Isabella a happy birthday 

– Stella Damasus reportedly “snatched” Daniel Ademinokan from fellow actress Doris Simeon

Stella Damasus and Daniel Ademinokan.

View Post below: 

Isabella was also celebrated by her mother’s lover Daniel Ademinokan. He captioned a
photo he posted on Instagram thus: “I’m blessed and truly blessed to have her in my life. 

One of the smartest and most creative humans I have ever come across in my life! Singer, photographer, painter, music producer and such a fun person!! Did I forget to mention that she is a self-taught guitarist? Gosh! How could I miss that she’s my occasional rehearsal partner.” See more pictures of Isabella below:

Isabella

Stella Damasus’ daughter

Isabella is Stella’s daughter with her late husband Jaiye Aboderin who died in 2004. Stella more recently moved on with Daniel Ademinokan, the estranged husband of fellow Nollywood actress Doris Simeon. 

Stella was accused of “snatching” Daniel from Doris and as a result was vilified mostly on social media by fans and foes alike. Despite the abuse, Stella moved to the United States of America to be with her lover who is currently embroiled in a bitter divorce with his estranged wife. Meanwhile, Stella has been busy with her album launch.

Ogun thrown into mourning as slain soldier is buried

– On Friday, April 15, Lance Corporal Adebayo was to rest in his country home 

– He was one of the two soldiers killed during the Rivers state election rerun 

– Parents friends and well wishers cried bitterly, calling for Justice to be served

It was a very sorrowful time on Friday, April 15, when Lance Corporal Adegboyega Adebayo, one of the two soldiers killed by hoodlums two days before the Rivers state rerun election, was buried in the Iyesi area of Ogun state.

Lance Corporal Adegboyega Adebayo

During the burial, tearful parents, brothers and friends of the 34-year-old soldier, who was
shot dead on the sea in the Abonema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers state on Thursday, March 17, decried lack of concern from both the Rivers state and thevernments. 
According to The Punch, the relatives claim that apart from the military, no government official had sent a condolence message or visited the family even though he died in the line of duty. Survived by parents, a wife, and two children – Marvelous, 6, and two-month-old Mercy – Adegboyega was described as the breadwinner of his extended family. 

It was learnt that he was on an assignment when his wife put to bed and had yet to see the baby before his death. His 66-year-old mother, Clara Adebayo, called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her son’s death, saying that the family had been dealt a big blow. 

She said: “He is the breadwinner of the family. His siblings are well educated, but without jobs; he was the one assisting them. The killers have ruined my family.  The Rivers State Government should do whatever it can to help the family. He did not know his baby.”

Scene from the burial

The deceased’s father, Victor, a retired civil servant, said, “He died serving the country. I learnt he was shot dead at close range. “So far, no government official, either from  the Rivers State Government or the Federal Government, has visited us. 

I appeal to the state governor (Nyesom) Wike, to fulfil the pledge of compensation he made. He should not forget the family,” he said. The deceased’s wife, Tawakalitu, 32, told our correspondent that she spoke with her husband two hours before his death, adding that the incident was still a mystery to her. 

She said: “He was a loving and caring man. It was on March 17 that he called me that he was going for election duty and I told him to inform me when he got to where they posted him. About two hours later, I called his line, but it was no longer going through. I did not get any information until on Monday when my dad told me he was late. “The death was unusual. They were many on patrol. I don’t know where to start from. I gave birth to a child a few days before he died and he did not set his eyes on the baby. How will I cope?What kind of life is this? The Rivers State Government should come to our aid.” 

Charles Adebayo, the immediate younger brother of the late soldier, blamed the crisis between the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party in the state for the death of his brother. He said: “There are two masters holders in the family, but we are jobless. He was the breadwinner of the entire family. “His death has dealt an irreparable blow to the family. It is something that could have been avoided. More pathetic is his new-born baby he was unable to see. He was supposed to attend the naming, but he could not because of the nature of his job. 

“We learnt that he was heading for where he was posted for the election and there was a distress call from somewhere. God knows who made the call, but they made a U-turn. “On the way, an ambush was laid for them.  

People said Wike promised to do something reasonable to help the family, but as of now, we have not heard anything from him. In my opinion, it was the political crisis in that state that caused his death.” A soldier, Hamisu, one of Gboyega’s colleagues from Port Harcourt, Rivers state, described him “as a good soldier, very diligent and obedient. He joked with everybody; may his soul rest in perfect peace.” 

The deceased’s friend, Taiwo Adegoke, said, “He is the only friend I have. We have known each other for 20 years. I have yet to get over the trauma. He was like a brother to me.  

He was a soldier from the beginning to the end. “Based on the information I gathered, they were on patrol without using a gunboat, which is not acceptable. 

South-South is a volatile area, where gunboats are expected to be used at all times. Maybe it was sabotage, I can’t say. But his death could have probably been avoided if a gunboat was provided.” The killing of three soldiers, including a major and an official of the Department of State Security service between March 17 and March 18 by gunmen in two communities in Rivers state have sparked reaction among the residents. 

Leadership reports that there appears to be disagreement between Abonnema community in Akuku-Toru local government area and Bille community in Degema local government area of the state. It was gathered that the disagreement has to do with the particular place the soldiers were killed on on March 17. 

The people of Abonnema are claiming that the soldiers were not killed in their community but were ambushed and killed along the creeks near Bille community, while the people of Bille insisted that the gruesome act occurred in their terrain. 

Crisis hit Davido's HKN Gang

– Davido said his own blood is “hating on him” because of the newly signed artistes Mayorkun 

– Davido has been more than excited since signing Mayorkun and Dremo to his personal imprint, Davido Worldwide Music

Brothers at war? Davido and B- Red

Crisis is currently brewing in the affairs of Davido’s record label, HKN Gang, Naij.com can report. War began when the music star tweeted that his own blood is “hating on him” because of the newly signed artistes Mayorkun. Davido has been more than excited since signing
Mayorkun and Dremo to his personal imprint, Davido Worldwide Music, with both acts releasing a song each. While Mayorkun released Eleko with the video gathering over 1million views on YouTube, Dremo released Fela Back, sampled from Panda by Desiigner. 

While Naij.com cannot ascertain who exactly Davido is referring to, accusing fingers are pointing towards Davido’s cousin and artiste under HKN, B-Red. Sources within the label who does not want to be mentioned because he is not authorized to speak on the matter confirmed that there is a little in-fight between Davido and B-Red. He however said everything is being done to settle the matter. 

Paper works: L-R Dremo, Davido and Mayorkun during their contract signing

Davido has since been retweeting positive comments about the signing of Mayorkun and Dremo which have so far rated the two new acts far above other acts on the label. 

Other acts on HKN are B-Red, Sina Rambo, Danagog, and Deekay who is making a return to the label after he was sacked via twitter by Davido earlier in the year. 

Efforts to speak with the label’s general manager, Kamal Ajiboye proved abortive as calls placed to his telephone line did not connect. He also did not respond to text message sent as at press time.

Hoodlums kidnap NNPC staffer in Kaduna

– Hoodlums have kidnapped an NNPC staffer in Kaduna 

– He was whisked away by hoodlums to an unknown destination on Saturday

Yusuf Abdulkadir, a staff of the corporate headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was kidnapped from his residence during the late hours of Saturday, April 16.

Hoodlums kidnap NNPC staffer in Kaduna

Nigerian Tribune reports that kidnappers forcefully took over his residence at Rigachikum, in
Igabi local government area of Kaduna state at 10pm and whisked him away to an unknown destination. 

A reliable source noted that the hoodlums might have trailed him saying: “The moment he entered the gate of his house, they picked him up. They trailed him to the house yesterday (Saturday), dragged him out of his car at gunpoint and whisked him away. “He works at NNPC Towers, Abuja, but at weekends, drives to Kaduna, where his family members reside,” the source added. It was gathered that the family had reported the kidnap of the NNPC staff to the Rigachikun police. When contacted, DSP Zubairu Abubakar, the police public relations officer (PPRO), said the command was yet to be briefed on the incident by the DPO of the area. 

Meanwhile, at least 26 kidnappers and 458 suspects had been arrested by the Kaduna state police within the last 10 days. This was announced by the assistant inspector general of police Balleh Nasarawa, when he was parading the suspects at the Police College Kaduna, on Friday, April 15.

A thief tries to steal from a house when he heard parrot's words

God sees and knows all things. This funny crime story about thief is a proof! 

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around, looking for valuables when a voice in the dark said, “Jesus is watching you.” He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze. When he heard nothing more, after a bit, he shook his head and continued. 


Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard: “Jesus is watching you.” Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice.

Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot. “Did you say that?” he hissed at the parrot. “Yep,” the parrot confessed, then squawked, “I’m just trying to warn you that he is watching you.” The burglar relaxed.

“Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?” “Moses,” replied the bird. “Moses?” the burglar laughed. “What kind of people would name a bird ‘Moses?’” “The same kind of people who would name a Rottweiler ‘Jesus.’”

Israeli Armys Says It Discovered Tunnel From Gaza Into Israel

It is the first tunnel to be discovered since Israel's 2014 war with Hamas

Israeli soldiers keep watch as a machine drills holes in the ground on the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip as they search for tunnels reportedly used by Palestinian militants, Feb. 10, 2016.

JERUSALEM — The Israeli military said Monday it has discovered and destroyed a tunnel burrowing from Gaza into Israel — the first tunnel to be discovered since Israel’s 2014 war with the militant Hamas movement that runs the coastal strip.

Israeli troops detected the tunnel’s exit, still underground, several days ago, according to military spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, who added he believes the tunnel was built after the summer war.

It extended several hundred meters (yards) from Gaza into Israel and was lined with cement and outfitted with electricity, ventilation and rail tracks to cart away dirt from digging, Lerner said.

It was not clear when exactly the tunnel was destroyed.

In 2014, Israel destroyed more than 30 tunnels Hamas had dug under the border. More than 2,200 Palestinians, about two-thirds of them civilians, were killed in the 50-day summer war. On the Israeli side, 66 soldiers and seven civilians were killed.

Hamas vowed to rebuild the tunnel network. This year, 14 people died in Gaza while digging tunnels aimed at attacking Israelis or for hiding weapons and rocket launch sites. Israelis living near the Gaza Strip have reported hearing digging sounds under their homes in recent months.

Spokesman Eyal Brandeis of Kibbutz Sufa — just across the border from the southern Gaza Strip — told Israel Radio the tunnel’s exit would have been near his community. In 2014, Palestinian gunmen attempted to attack Israel through another tunnel near the kibbutz.

“All the worries and fears residents here had … are coming back,” Brandeis said.