Bomb Scare: Bishop Oyedepo Visits Imo, Says Country’s Leaders Must Tackle Boko Haram

The bomb scare in a Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), in Owerri last Sunday, the General Overseer, Bishop David Oyedepo, yesterday visited the Imo State headquarters of the Church. Oyedepo, during a courtesy call on Governor Rochas Okorocha in Government House, Owerri, thanked him for the quick intervention made to avert the planned disaster by the Boko Haram insurgents. He regretted that insurgency in the nation has destroyed the property of innocent Nigerians.The church leader prayed God to intervene as well as imbue the nation’s leaders with the wisdom to stem the growing cancer of insurgency and terrorism.Oyedepo, who stressed that prompt action was needed by government at all levels to keep terrorism under check, noted that Boko Haram was beyond politics and urged all to join hands to fight the menace to ensure a peaceful and united Nigeria.

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50 insurgents killed in ambush

Maiduguri The military had a good outing last weekend in Borno State when soldiers killed at least 50 Boko Haram insurgents in fire fight.

In a statement, Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, said yesterday that troops  on counter-insurgency operation in southeastern part of the state last weekend engaged suspected Boko Haram members in a gun duel at Bilta in Gwoza Local Government, killing at least 50. He said the insurgents were were preparing to attack some communities in the area.
“Troops conducting anti-terror campaign in the North-East have successfully averted attempted massive raids on villages in Borno and Adamawa states during the weekend.  The terrorists who were on their way to attack selected communities were ambushed by troops along  Bilta, Borno State on receiving intelligence report of the terrorists’ intention.
“The attack was launched on the terrorists as they filed out of the forest to embark on their mission at about 10pm on Saturday.  Over 50 terrorists died in the fierce encounter that ensued,” he said.
Some of the items recovered, according to Defence spokesman, were 30 rifles, 36 hand grenades, seven machine guns and 11 Rocket Propelled grenade (RPG) tubes. Others include over 3,500 rounds of ammunition, six smoke grenade canisters and locally-fabricated guns as well as four vehicles meant to be been by the terrorists in the foiled attack. He said four soldiers who were wounded in the battle are already receiving medical treatment.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports claimed 20 women were kidnapped by Boko Haram at Garke Fulani, a remote village near Chibok where over 200 schoolgirls were abducted on April 14, though residents of Chibok maintained they are unaware of the incident.
“I don’t think any woman was kidnapped. The news is strange to us, I don’t think it is true,  Maina Bulama, a resident told Daily Sun. A source, who did not want his name in print after contacting the vigilance groups, most of the communities in the area said, “there was no report of kidnap.”
Another source also said the kidnap story which reportedly occurred last Thursday may be true. “Garke Fulani is a small settlement occupied mostly by Fulani who are nomads. It is possible that their husbands fled and left the wives in the hands of the attackers but we are yet to ascertain if it actually happened,” the source said.
The Chairman of Chibok Local Government, Mr Ba’ana Lawan, could not be reached as his phone was switched off. The Commissioner of Police, Lawan Tanko, also said he was not aware of it. “If anything of such happened, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area will inform me. I speak with my officers on the field regularly to know what is happening and I haven’t heard such report from them,” the CP said.
Another report also claimed an attack occurred at Dikwa in the central part of the state yesterday. A source in the town, however, said on the contrary, it was a fire outbreak at the local government secretariat.

HOLY SPIRIT

Cameroun troops kill 40 Boko Haram militants

….As kidnapped priests, nun regain freedom
Cameroun’s secu­rity has moved to stamp out Boko Haram elements in its country, killing 40 mil­itants in clashes in the coun­try’s far north, state radio said yesterday.
This came on the heels of the release of two Italian priests and a Canadian nun suspected to have been held by the Islamist group since April.
According to Reuter, a Camerounian presidency source confirmed the clashes, which took place west of the town of Kousseri, in the region bordering Nigeria and Chad.
Cameroun, which has been criticised by Nigeria for not doing enough to fight Boko Haram, it was gathered, de­ployed some 1,000 troops to the far north last week in its at­tempt to flush out the Islamist militants.
Meanwhile, the three ex-hostages were flown out of Maroua airport, in Cameroun’s far north on board a military aircraft yesterday morning. According to a Camerounian security source, they were released in the early hours of yesterday and picked up by troops near the border with Nigeria, where they were be­ing held captive. “We spent a week in Nige­ria for the negotiations, and they were finally handed over to us during the night,” a Cam­eroun military source told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The priests, named in media reports as Giampaolo Marta and Gianantonio Allegri from  Italy, and Canadian nun, Gil­berte Bussier, were seized on April 4 from the small parish of Tchere, some 800 kilo­metres (500 miles) north of Yaounde.
There was no initial claim of responsibility, but Camer­oun security forces blamed Boko Haram Islamists, who kidnapped a priest and seven members of a French family in the area last year.

‘Nigerians own most houses on London’s expensive street’

About 70 per cent of the most expensive buildings in London are owned by Nigerians, the Chairman, New Nation, an empowerment-oriented group, Mr. Charles Dukwe, has said.

He added that citizens of the United Kingdom avoided buying houses in the area due to their expensive prices.

The philanthropist spoke with newsmen in Port Harcourt on Saturday shortly after unveiling the Queen of Compassion and Kill the Killers Initiative, a grass roots campaign against diabetes and high blood pressure.

Present at the event as brand ambassadors were Nollywood stars such as Ini Edo, Uche Jombo, Monalisa Chinda and Desmond Elliot.

Dukwe lamented that some Nigerians were investing funds from the country in Europe and other Western countries, leaving the people at home jobless.

He observed that Nigeria was going through a lot of challenges as a result of corruption that had brought rot to the system. He, therefore, called on Nigerians to embrace compassion and show love to each other.

Dukwe said, “There is a street in London; it is called Edgerton Crescent. Edgerton Crescent is the most expensive street in the world. Houses there are worth £3m to £4m.

“British celebrities that have money don’t buy houses on that street. They will tell you it is too expensive. But 70 per cent of the houses there are owned by Nigerians.

“The thing that is missing in Nigeria is compassion. We want to use compassion as a value and drive it through people so that people can help each other in the society. Our aim is to make compassion a core value in the society.”

He noted that the ‘Kill the Killers Initiative’ was established to attack the major diseases that cut short the lives of people in Nigeria and across Africa.

According to him, diabetes and high blood pressure form over 60 per cent of the cause of deaths among adults in Nigeria, just as malaria forms 70 per cent of the deaths among children in the country.

“In Nigeria and across Africa, we have failed immeasurably by paying little or no attention to principal diseases that cut the lives of our people short and thus leaving our life expectancy to numbers way below all the advanced nations,” he said.

65-yr-old man rapes, impregnates own teenage daughter

Like hail, curses have been raining on Samuel Uba, a 65-year-old man in Kalabari Beach, Oguta Local Government Area, Imo State, who is alleged to have committed an abominable act by repeatedly raping his 17-year-old daughter, Hannah Uba and impregnating her in the process. The poor teenager is now saddled with a five-month-old pregnancy.
It was the timely intervention of the police that prevented irate youths in the community from lynching him when they got wind of the abominable act after the violated and traumatized teenager finally summoned the courage to report the matter to a neighbour, who in turn informed the leader of the youths.
Recounting the horrific experience she passed through, Hannah, a JSS 3 student of St. Michael Secondary School Obodo Oguta said: “I have been living in bondage. My father started having sex with me after his two wives died. He would always beat me before having sex with me. I told him to remarry but he refused. Every night he would come and rape me. Any day I refused to have sex with my father, he would beat me and then rape me. He always came when the other children were asleep. It was the fear of my father’s beating that made me not to tell anybody. But one day, I decided to confess to my neighbour. It was the neighbour who discovered that I was five months pregnant. Immediately the news spread, youths in the community gathered to kill my father, but policemen rescued him.”
Pastor Donatus Olisa, General Overseer of Christian Pentecostal Church, where the suspect and his daughter worship said he learnt about Hannah’s predicament from other members of the church.
Shocked to the marrow, Pastor Olisa told Sunday Sun: “The father of the girl, Samuel and his daughter attend my church every Sunday. Some people told me that Papa Samuel was sleeping with his daughter; they said the pregnancy that resulted from it had reached five months. I was deeply shocked. The following morning I went to the house of Papa Samuel and he confessed that he impregnated the daughter. He acknowledged raping her often.”
Hannah’s trouble started in 2012 after her father’s second wife died. As the old man, who hails from Ibiasoegbe in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State, told Sunday Sun in an interview, he used to have sex with his second wife even when she was sick and on admission at the hospital.
He said: “I had two wives. My first wife died in 2011 while the second died in 2012. I have nine children, two girls and seven boys. When my second wife was on admission in the hospital, I used to have sex with her right in the hospital. But when she died I started sleeping with my daughter when the other children were asleep. I began having sex with my daughter because I didn’t want to be sleeping around with other women.”
Ever since the story broke, Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Abdulmajid Ali disclosed that the Command has made tireless efforts to conduct proper investigation into the case, which he described as an abomination. He further disclosed that youths in the area were so incensed that they wanted to lynch the alleged culprit, but noted that the quick intervention of the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Oguta Police Division, Supol Ikembuchukwu Abugu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and his men saved the day and rescued the suspect from the hands of the youths. Samuel was immediately taken into custody on April 30, 2014, pending the conclusion of investigations.
Although Samuel has appealed to his community for forgiveness, blaming the devil for the abominable act, the Imo State Police Commissioner, however, assured that he would be charged to court to answer appropriate charges for rape and impregnating a legal minor.

Making love or having sex

  

 

Making love or having sex, are they the same thing? How do I differentiate love making from just having sex? This nature of questions comes up frequently from spouses and proffering answers to them may sometimes get confusing.

Basically, making love is when two lovers are deeply in love with each other and indulge in all form of passionate sex, while having sex may just be about experiencing erotic pleasure down there. But oddly enough, both are very necessary in any marital relationship.

Almost always, ladies say they like making love simply because it involves lots of touching, long sensual foreplay and the like; while many men can’t help but say they like having sex. However, gender generalisation may really not be true because many men prefer love making to having sex.

Although, making love and having sex may sound similar, there’s a big emotional difference. While making love involves the feeling of love, the spouse connection, love doesn’t really have to enter the equation when it comes to having sex. When couples have been in a relationship with each other for few months or years and they are deeply attracted to each other, such partners are probably making sweet love every time both of them get into bed. Making love is far more relaxed and slow paced than just having sex. It brings with it all the hot pleasure of sex and each time these two emotions come together, the pleasure would definitely be more intensified. And the best part about making love is that there is more room for communication, deep sharing and prolonged foreplay. Both partners would not only be comfortable with each other, they will be aware of each other’s moves and deepest desires, that naturally may not surface when having sex. In one word, sex is just a perfect fusion.

But when it comes to having sex, sex is usually triggered off more from object of attraction, boiling arousal, sexual famishment, long abstinence, and prolonged denial. Foreplay is usually skipped; this type of sex is usually fast and furiously done in the car, under the shower, on a road trip, in a private office, at a friend’s place… anywhere secure and at least semi-comfortable! In this type of sex, you just want to have sex to quench your arousal-hunger and endless torture and you wouldn’t care about awkward positions or cramps and sprains until the deed is done. While having sex is more of a pure carnal satisfaction, yet both make sexual intimacy in marriage spicy.

Sometimes, just having sex with your husband or wife can be more fun than making love. At the start of a marital relationship, it’s the sexual attraction that makes making love feel so sexy. But when couples make love all the time and avoid having fast, quickie and furious sex, the hot rush of passion may start to drop because neither of the partners is focusing on sexual attractiveness and triggers.

It is not uncommon that both may be deeply in love with each other yet sexually unsatisfied due to lack of sexual attraction. Sometimes, this may even lead to loss of libido, lack of sexual desire, weak erection and some orgasms challenges.

You can still experience the best love making in sex and even stay loyal to each other while both of you exchange hot quick ideas and sexual thoughts while having sex.

Jonathan declares total war on Boko Haram

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday ordered the military to launch full-scale war against Boko Haram insurgents who have held the country to ransom since five years ago.
The president also offered amnesty to terrorists who laid down their weapons. He urged them to embrace dialogue and peace.
The President had been under immense pressure since the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on April 14 this year.
He assured that his government, while pursuing security measures, will explore all options, including readiness to accept unconditional renunciation of violence by the Islamist insurgents, and to ensure their de-radicalization, rehabilitation and re-integration into the broader society.
The President stated that he was determined to protect democracy, national unity and political stability, by waging a total war against terrorism, adding that Nigeria’s  unity and stability and the protection of lives and property are non-negotiable.
This was the thrust of his Democracy Day broadcast in Abuja marking Nigeria’s 15th year of uninterrupted party politics. He said Boko Haram was no longer a local group that kicked against Western education, but was now Al Qaeda based in West Africa. He stated that for those who are misguided to believe violence can solve their problem, “our doors remain open to them for dialogue and reconciliation, if they renounce terrorism and embrace peace”.
A presidential committee was raised last year to hold dialogue with Boko Haram and recommend ways to end its reign of terror, which began after the 2009 murder of the sect’s ideological leader and founder, Mohamed Yusuf while in government custody.
The committee, which submitted its report last November, was chaired by the Special Duties Minister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
The President said he has instructed the security forces to launch a full-scale operation to end the impunity of terrorists on the nation’s soil.
He said he has also authorized the security forces to use any means necessary under the law to ensure that this is done, assuring that Nigeria will be safe again, “and that these thugs will be driven away – it will not happen overnight, but we will spare no effort to achieve this goal.
The President said it was sad that the gains of the past 15 years of democratic governance in the country were being threatened by the presence of international terrorism.
Jonathan said: “It is a sad fact that as I address you today, all the gains of the past 15 years of democratic governance in our country are threatened by the presence of international terrorism on our shores. Our dear country, Nigeria is facing a new challenge. A war has been unleashed on us. Extremist foreign elements, collaborating with some of our misguided citizens, are focused on an attempt to bring down our country and the democracy and freedomwe cherish and celebrate today.
“The despicable abduction of school girls from Chibok in Borno State has brought to the awareness of the entire world, the heartless brutality of these terrorists who want to instigate a descent into anarchy and balkanize our nation.
“It is now 45 days since the horrifying abduction of the college girls of Chibok. I share the deep pain and anxiety of their parents and guardians and I assure them once again that government will continue to do everything possible to bring our daughters home”, he said.
President Jonathan urged Nigerians from all works of life to remain united to win the war against terrorism.

We’ve located Chibok schoolgirls –CDS

The Chief of Defence Staff(CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh  has again reiterated that the Armed Forces will not apply force to rescue the Chibok schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram since April 14.
He said applying force to free the girls from their abductors would amount to their untimely death, noting that his men has located where the female students are being kept.
Badeh, who made this known while speaking with members of the Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness yesterday in Abuja, said: “If we go with force, what would happen? (they will kill them). So, nobody should come and say the Nigerian military does not know what it is doing. We know what we are doing, we can’t go and kill our girls in the name of trying to get them back. So, we are working”.
The CDS, said: “We want our girls back, we want our girls back; we can do it, our military can do it, but where they are held, can we go with force?
“The good news for the girls is that we know where they are, but we cannot tell you, we cannot come and tell you military secrets here. Just leave us alone, we are working, we would get the girls back.” the CDS said.
Boko Haram had on April 14 this year attacked Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State and took away over 200 students, who were writing the Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE).
They stormed the school, shooting the guards and killing one soldier. A large number of students were taken away in trucks. The female students are believed to have been held in Sambisa Forest, a stronghold of the sect.
The military later said in a statement that more than 100 of the kidnapped girls had been freed. The statement was, however, retracted, and on April 21, parents said 234 girls were missing. A number of the students escaped from the kidnappers in two groups.
According to the police, approximately 276 students were taken in the attack, while 53 escaped as of May 2.
Amnesty International had also alleged that the Nigerian military had four hours advanced warning of the kidnapping, but failed to send reinforcements to protect the school, an allegation which the Armed Forces has denied.
On May 5, a video in which Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, claimed responsibility for the kidnappings, was shown by a foreign news agency.
Shekau claimed that “Allah instructed me to sell them…I will carry out His instructions.”
Different groups and countries have since condemned the attack, with protests staged across the world to demand more government action.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon and UNICEF flayed the abduction, with the Security Council warning of tough action against Boko Haram militants for abducting the girls.
The United States, Britain, France, China, among other nations, have since offered to help Nigeria secure the release of the girls. A team of military experts from the U.S. is already working with their Nigerian counterparts to end the abduction.

 Insecurity won’t stop 2015 elections, says Jonathan

President-Goodluck-Jonathan

Insecurity won’t stop 2015 elections, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan assured yesterday that the challenges facing the country will not stop the 2015 general elections from holding.
He gave the assurance while speaking at the 2014 Democracy Day Interdenominational Church Service in Abuja.
According to him, next year’s Democracy Day will witness a new government.
He said: “After today, the next democracy day will witness a new government. I remember when I was in my village this morning to collect my permanent voter’s card, and a pressman asked me whether there will be elections in Nigeria, I told him there would be elections in this country.”
“This country will continue to move forward in spite of some of the setbacks we are witnessing.”
The President also noted that the insecurity in the country spearheaded by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, was meant to bring down his government if not for God’s interventions.
He thanked the congregation for their prayers, noting that without their prayers, Nigeria would have suffered more from its share of the global terror.
Stressing that there are two types of forces operating in the country, forces of development and forces of retrogression (evil) – Jonathan was optimistic that Nigeria will overcome the dark forces.
He said: “Without your prayers, it would have been worse. With your prayers, our girls will be seen by our security men.”
“All these distractions were planned to bring this government down. Since they failed, terror will also fail. Forces of darkness will never prevail over light. I call on all Nigerians to continue to pray and with God on our side, we shall overcome,” he added.
He thanked God for 15 unbroken years of democracy.
Stressing that his administration’s transformation policies were not mere campaign promises, he said his administration recorded great achievements in rail, roads, airports, agriculture, petroleum, power, industry and housing.
Delivering the message yesterday, Pastor Goodheart Ekwueme took the congregation through Phillipians 2: 9, Esther 4: 13, 2 Chronicles 7:14.
He noted that the circumstances Nigeria finds herself are similar to the period of Mordecai recorded in Esther 4: 13.
Stressing that Nigeria is at a defining moment, he said: “The dark moment we find ourselves now will surely transform to greatness.
“It is when the time is darkest that God chooses to reveal His glory. I believe Nigeria will arise. A new Nigeria is about to be born.
“Nigeria is simply experiencing child labour that will give way to the birth of a great nation,” he said
Pastor Ekwueme urged everyone to be ready to make sacrifice in the midwifery that will result in the birth of a new great Nigeria.
But he warned that three things must be done before the rebirth – genuine repentance, fear of the Almighty God and offer of a united prayer unto the Lord as a church.
Senate President David Mark took the Scriptural Reading II from the book of Luke Chapter 10, verses 25 to 37.
Intercessory prayers were said for the nation, security, peace and development as well as victims and families of recent bomb blasts.
Prayers were also said for successful search and rescue of the Chibok schoolgirls and for the President and his family and the three arms of the government.
Among the dignitaries at the church service were the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, the President’s mother, Eunice, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and the House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha.
Others are Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim, Minister of State Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Olajumoke Akinjide, members of the diplomatic corps, service chiefs and heads of government agencies.

UEFA Champions League Final: Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid –As It Happened

  

 

Real Madrid have finally won the "La Decima". It has been a 12 year wait for them. They have been the best team in the tournament. Carlo Ancelotti becomes only the second manager to win the Champions League on three occasions.

But spare a thought for the Atletico side. They have fought extremely well tonight and throughout the season. Absolutely no shame in losing to this Real side. The final score does not justify the effort of the players. This by no means was a one sided match.

Congratulations to Real Madrid on winning their 10th UEFA Champions League.


FT:Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid

120'GOAL! Ronaldo finally gets his goal. 4-1

PENALTY TO REAL
This is now turning into a rout. Ronaldo to take it.

118'GOAL! MARCELO!
Final nail in the coffin.

116'Now the Atletico half is full of gaping holes. Di Maria slip at the crucial moment or he was through one-on-one with Courtois!

114'Casillas is almost caught out again as he comes out but does not collect a long ball, leaving an empty goal. Fortunately for him, Tiago shoots over the goal.

110'Di María effort is saved by Courtois and the ball kindly loops up for Bale, who easily heads into the empty net. Incredible scenes.

110' GOALLLLL! Its Bale. Worth every penny now?

109'Atlético struggling to retain possession. That goal by Madrid seems to have demotivated them. Madrid are quick to snatch the ball back and resume the attack.

105'Players and managers will be thinking about the penalties now. No team wants to make a mistake here.

And so begins the last round of this epic battle. 15 minutes before we head to the penalties.

End of the first extra half:1-1

105'Juanfran brings down Ronaldo to prevent him from racing into a dangerous area. Mental fatigue is setting in the players now. Real are energized after that last minute goal.

104'Gabi makes sure Carvajal has no option but to concedea corner, and Atletico get men forward. Rare attack by them during this period of extra time. The resulting corner is cleared by the first line of Real defense.

102'Ronaldo's free-kick is deflected by Godin for a corner. Ronaldo appeals for a handball but he is ignored by the ref.

101'Marcelo has been the best substitution for Real. Gabi clips the Brazilian who is too quick for him. Free-kick to Real and a yellow card for Gabi.

99'Marcelo tricks Juanfran who clearly is very tired and sends in a low cross across the face of the goal. Miranda clears the ball before Morata can reach it.

95'Di Maria moves down the left and has plenty of options, but the Atletico defense shuts him out quickly.

No guesses as to who MS Dhoni is backing to lift the cup. He has just tweeted:

Fantastic football going on

Extra time will b interesting,no more subs available and many yellow cards shown,test of fitness and how well
they control their mind

Let's c who can keep up with bale's pace,isco will be good

90'+4

You HAVE to feel for Atletico Madrid there. So close yet so far. We also must mention the resilience of this Madris side, they kept attacking till the last minute. Great for all the neutrals out there. Extra time underway.


FULL TIME: Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid

90'+4HEARTBREAK! GOAL! Good lord. What a cracking header by Ramos. With one minute left on the clock, Ramos has put an indelible mark on this match. We are most certainly headed into extra time now.

90'Simeone is motivating his men in the last few minutes of this epic battle. His players seem to respond. So does the crowd. Five minutes of stoppage time has been signaled.

86'Yellow card for Koke. He tried to hold back Modric. Time is ticking away.

86'Ronaldo's delivery is heroically cut out by Juanfran who throws himself at the ball before it was met by Marcelo who was charging towards it.

84'Relentless pressure from Real now in an attempt to breach the Atletico defense. Simeone's soldiers are holding on though. Too much tension inside the stadium now.

82'Atletico make their final substitution now. They replace Felipe Luis with Toby Alderweireld.

80'Benzema's night is over. He is replaced by Morata. Only 10 minutes plus stoppage time left now. Real have made all their substitutions.

78' And now Bale. Oh my. So close again. Bale leaves Godin in his wake n the right, reaches the box with sheer pace but scoffs his shot. What a chance for Bale.

76' Marcelo has definitely helped the Madrid cause here. He launches yet another glorious cross-field ball to Ronaldo who shoots but narrowly misses the target. They are looking dangerous now.

74'Another yellow card. This time for Juanfran as he fouls Di Maria.

72'Yellow card for Villa. He went sliding into Casillas despite the goalkeeper clearly being the first to get to the ball.

70'Marcelo launches a trademark cross-field ball into Bale who brings it down and finds himself in a decent position. Referee blows his whistle as Bale used a part of his arm to control the ball.

68' Isco drags his shot wide. Patient build from Madrid there with a move involving Ronaldo and Benzema, who beautifully held up the ball and then set up the Isco.

66' Second substitution by Diego Simeone. He replaces Garcia with Jose Sosa. Good move by him. Garcia was already on a yellow.

62'Ronaldo jupms into the air to meet a cross from the left flank. Unfortunately even Benzema can't benefit from that Ronaldo header. Real need more of that.

61'Madrid are looking for an equalizer now as is evident from the two substitutions,both of which are attack-minded players. Atletico are doing a solid job of marshaling their lines.

59'Alright! Ancelotti's has had enough. He rings in a double substitution. Isco for Khadira and Marcelo for Coentrao.

56'Ronaldo heads the resulting corner and Atletico briskly launch a counter. TImely block from Carvajal but he can't prevent a corner.

54'Free-kick in Ronaldo's territory. Coutois pushes the ball for a corner from the deflected free-kick.

53'Miranda prevents Di Maria from racing into the box. He picks up a yellow card for his troubles. Second player from Atletico to go into the book.

51'Raul Garcia volleys from the edge of the area. This after Koke made a near impossible cross from the left flank. Shot sails over.

49'Gabi fouls Modric inside the Atletico half. Di Maria takes the resulting free-kick which is thwarted away by Miranda.

47' No changes from either side as the second half is under way here in Lisbon.

Apart from that golden opportunity for Bale, Real have failed to create any clear cut chances in the final. Cristiano Ronaldo has been fairly quiet and hasn't been involved any major constructive move of Real.

Atletico, who have mastered the smash and grab art form are playing to their strengths. They are maximizing their chances from set-pieces. Despite Costa having limped off early, Simeone's men have managed to hold off the start studded Madrid side with ease.

Only 45 minutes separate Atletico's gladiators from a historic win. What a story this has been so far.


HALF TIME: Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid

45'Sami Khedira is booked. He is the second Madrid player to be cautioned here tonight.

42'Atletico fans are going crazy in the stands,. It has been 40 years since the last time they made it to the final of the European Cup. Making every moment count.

41'Gabi with another corner that the Mardid defense finds tough to clear. Adrian meets it, but he header goes over the crossbar. Real are having problems dealing with these corners and free-kicks.

40'The goal seems to have energized Simeone's men. They are thronging forward in numbers.

36' GOAL! It's that man Godin again. What a dream start for Atletico and Godin who also scored last week with a header against Barcelona. This time Gabi's corner is cleared by the defense but is floated back in by Juanfran. Casillas is does not clear it but Godin meets it with his head for the first goal of the final.

33'Massive chance! Bale was through on goal there after an error by Thiago. Bale's blistering pace helped him beat two players but with just the goalkeeper to beat, the Welshmen shot wide. Poor miss.

29'Koke needs to careful here. He has committed two quick fouls in a matter of few minutes. The ref let's him go with a warning. Probably for the last time.

27'Ronaldo takes the free-kick, but Courtois is up to the task and saves easily. Ramos is handed out a yellow card for his needless protest.

26'Di Maria runs down in the Atletico half, and Garcia hacks him to the floor and becomes the first player to go into the ref's book. Ramos is very animated and is in the ref's face. This could be trouble.

24' Courtois again with yet another easy collection. The cross from Di Maria is no good.

22'Gabi makes a late challenge on Di Maria. Free-kick to Madrid, which is taken by Modric, but the Croatian fails to find his teammates and Courtois collects the ball cleanly.

20'Looks like Ronaldo and Bale have switched sides. The Atletico defense is holding firm to any danger posed by the Madrid attackers. But Coutois has been comfortable so far.

18'Atletico are staying true to form here. Madrid are being crowded out in front of the 18-yard area and a a result they are failing to create openings.

16'Gabi does not like Coentrao's challenge on him and the duo get into a tussle. The ref is prompt in settling the issue.

14'Gabi's pass finds Adrian who is quick enough to run past the defenders but can't seem to beat Casillas who is first to the ball and punts it clear.

12'Lovely patient play from Madrid, building up the attack that resulted in a Di Maria cross which was very deep and couldn't find a player in white.

8' Problems for Atletico. Their star man Diego Costa is limping off the pitch. Simeone makes his first substitution. Adrián López come on.

5' Benzema tries to put Bale through but Courtois is alert and collects the ball.

3' Ronaldo being marked very tightly. Fouled by Miranda near the center circle.

2' Real with the early possession and passing the ball around.

Xabi Alonso misses the match due to suspension. Will Madrid miss him?

Surprise! Diego Costa starts...

Atletico Madrid:Courtois; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Filipe Luis; Gabi, Tiago, Koke, Raul Garcia; Villa, Diego Costa


Real Madrid: Casillas, Varane, Ramos, Coentrão, Khedira, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale, Carvajal, Modric, Di María

And we have both the teams

STAT: Only six managers (Benitez, Lattek, Mourinho, Paisley, Trapattoni, Van Gaal) have won the Champions League and UEFA Cup. Diego “El Cholo” Simeone could be the seventh.

STAT: The final tonight will mark the 200th appearance of Real Madrid in the Champions League. The only other team to play 200 games in Europe's elite club competition are Manchester United.

Military aircraft bombard Boko Haram camps in Bauchi forests

FROM PAUL ORUDE, Bauchi
As the war against the Boko Haram by the   Federal Government intensifies, the Nigerian military has reportedly bombed the sect’s camps located in parts of Bauchi State, local and security sources have disclosed.
As early as 6:00a.m., locals said they heard loud sounds of explosives coming from the forest where insurgents’ camps were reportedly located.
It has been reported that  sizeable numbers of gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect have been operating in the Balmo forests in Darazo,  Burra in Ningi, Soro in Ganjuwa and Yugda forests between Zara-Miya, while another camp is believed to exist around the Bauchi-Gombe boundary in Alkaleri.
Some of the locals in the forest communities, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, said the vibration shook their houses to their very foundation, adding that shortly after the explosive sounds were heard, they saw military aircraft bearing Nigerian flags hovering in the area.
A reliable security source in the state confirmed that the army has started operation in the forest but did not give details of the development, adding that the exercise was carried out without creating panic among the inhabitants of the forests.

B’Haram kills 29 in Borno

Boko Haram members

Nigerians have fled into Cameroon as Boko Haram attacked another Borno village, killing 29 persons.

It will be recalled that about two weeks ago the outlawed sect attacked Gamboru Ngala, a border town with Cameroon, killing about 300 persons and destroying million of Naira worth of property.

It was gathered that some suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, laid ambush on the village on Wednesday morning.

The attack, according to a resident, Mallam Bakura Mustapha, occurred barely 10 days after the withdrawal of troops from the village.

Sources said the gunmen drove into the village in 15 vehicles and several motorcycles and were armed with AK47 rifles, Improvised Explosive Devices and petrol bombs.

It was gathered that they stormed the village at about 11am on Wednesday and opened fire on armless residents killing 29 people and burnt many buildings.

Another source said, apart from those killed, there were several injuries sustained and many residents of the village who sustained gunshot wounds “are now receiving treatment at one of a hospital in Cameroon Republic.”

Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jubrin, to comment on the attack failed, but a top security source who is not authorised to speak to the press, confirmed the incident.

Boko Haram killed 173 teachers in Borno – Yobe NUT

Boko Haram killed 173 teachers in Borno – Yobe NUT

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Bauchi State chapter has disclosed  that 173 teachers have been killed by Boko Haram  insurgents in  Borno and Yobe states. State Chairman of the union, Danjuma Sale, disclosed this while speaking during a one-day protest  for the release of the over 200 girls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents last month in Chibok , Borno State.

Addressing the crowd of teachers, who marched  on Bauchi streets to the Government House,  Sale said: “We demand that both the Federal and the respective state governments exhibit true concern for the families of the 173 teachers, 170 in Borno State and three in Yobe State, who lost their lives to the barbaric, uncivilised and wicked act of terror  by paying them adequate compensation to assist in soothing their misery.”

Sale advised the Federal Government to do all it could to bring back the abducted girls safe and alive, by demonstrating enough social responsibility and concern to guarantee security of lives and property in the land, which is the primary responsibility of any responsible government.

He appealed to the Federal Government to provide conducive and peaceful atmosphere for learning to both teachers and students  in what they called, the vulnerable political environment in the country.

Receiving the teachers on behalf of Governor Isa Yuguda , the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government,  Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, flanked by the Chief of Staff, Bauchi Government House, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim, commended the protestants for being peaceful and pledged to deliver their message to the governor, who would take the letter to President Jonathan.