SSS Quizzes Mother Of Teenage Boy Found In Arik Air Tyre Hole

A teenage boy, Daniel Ihekina, who hid in the tyre hole of Arik Air flying from Benin to Lagos.

The mother of the 13-year-old stowaway, Ricky Daniel Ohikhena, who on Friday hid in the tyre compartment of an Arik plane on a flight from Benin to Lagos, was on Monday quizzed for hours by a combined team of security operatives from the Department of State Security Service and aviation security.
The mother, Evelyn, who confirmed that she was quizzed by the SSS operatives, said her son was a nice boy who never displayed any tendency for such a dangerous venture.

An embattled Evelyn said Daniel was a nice boy who did not mingle with bad friends.

She said, "My son answers Daniel in school and Ricky at home. I went to my elder sister's place who put to bed and when I got home the next morning (Saturday), I couldn't find him. My daughter told me that they quarrelled in the night because he woke at midnight to watch movies and she told him to stop watching movie in the night and she said he eventually slept in the parlour while she said she went back to sleep in the room.

"One of his younger brothers said he saw him remove all his school books from his bag; so I asked my neighbours whether any of them saw him and they told me that at around 5 to 6 am, they heard sounds that somebody was opening the gate but never thought it was my son. He doesn't go out. What I know is that he is always watching films in the house but he doesn't have friends.

"I went to Oba Market police station, they referred me to Evbuotubu police station, when I got there they said they will declare him missing after 24 hours and that I should come back the next day."

Speaking on the type of person her son is, Evelyn said, "He is always at home, I have never seen anybody come to look for him and he doesn't have friends. I am begging the government to help me, because I have never been to the airport before, I have been to Lagos before so they should help me. I don't know how he manage to get there but I just thank God that he is alive.

HAVE YOU HEARD: Senator's Son Arrested For Robbery

A former Senator's son is being remanded in prison over his involvement in an armed robbery in Abuja.

Informed police sources revealed to the Nigerian Tribune that the former senator's son from Ekiti State had led a gang of armed robbers to rob a colonel, names withheld, at Mbora Estate, where his AK-47 rifle and other valuable items were removed.

The source disclosed that the robbery operation, which took place on July 5, resulted in the arrest of the ex-senator's son, names withheld.

The sources said that in the process of investigation, operatives from the Special Anti -Robbery Squad working on information, subsequently arrested the suspect while a search conducted in his house around Life Camp area, Abuja. The search revealed 16 live cartridges and some other incriminating exhibits.

During interrogation, the suspect was alleged to belong to a notorious armed robbery gang that had been terrorising the FCT and its environs.

The suspect reportedly told his investigators that his friend, an Igbo boy, brought the gun and the cartridges to his house and that the boy had gone back to the East with the intention of bringing more arms and ammunitions.

He, however, denied participating in the robbery attack on the colonel's house at Mbora Estate.

He confirmed that the said Igbo boy brought two laptop computers robbed at gun point to him, which he sold in the GSM Village, Abuja.

Nollywood Actor Dele Odule lacks enough respect for elders - Lere Paimo Reveals

Chief Lere Paimo, MFR, popularly known as Eda, is the acting Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP). The veteran thespian recently visited the Tribune House, in Ibadan to debunk rumours doing the rounds on his state of health. He opened on the crisis rocking ANTP, his take on the new face of the association, among other issues. SEYI SOKOYA who spoke with Eda, brings the excerpts.

You are the acting chairman, Board of Trustees of the Association of Nigeria Practitioners (ANTP), what part are you playing as one of the elders to put an end to the age-long crisis dwarfing the progress of the association?

I have always made efforts to ensure that peace returns into our association. My priority is to reform and ensure that the truth prevails. I believe any member who had not or made an attempt to kill one another's child can contest for any post in the association. But some mischievous elements want to remain in power at all costs and this ugly development has pulled the association backward. We are making necessary efforts to correct the wrongs and return to the right track so as to ensure the truth prevails.

It was said that a faction rose against you because you were in support of another candidate. How true is this?
It was not because we supported or routed for a particular faction that caused it; they are the bad eggs who started the whole thing. They were the first to go to court, and if you want to know an irresponsible person, an issue that had not gotten to a stage where the court is the next step, they went to file a case. That is what they do. They were annoyed because they knew we were saying the truth and we will not stop telling the truth; we won't take their lies because they met us in the system.

It seems the former president, Jide Kosoko is also not on your side...
Jide Kosoko is the brain behind the whole chaos in the association. He was the former president of the association who refused to step down despite the fact that his tenure had lapsed. He stood to install his successor, but the elders were against his decision. He cannot dictate to us. Members of the association have the collective right to elect whoever they want in power. According to a Yoruba adage: "Omode ti o ba ni tagba bawo, oko iparun lo n lo."Any young person who tries to deride his elders is heading for destruction.

Are you saying that the elders and the entire association did not support Jide Kosoko's intention to bring in a successor?
No matter how brilliant his successor is, under any circumstances, he does not have the right to impose him on us. The association has the collective responsibility and absolute right to vote in whoever the members want. We did not welcome the idea because he wanted to monopolise the idea. We are against his decision. He is not the type that will be dictating in the midst of us. His pieces of advice or suggestions are always welcomed, but he is always on the verge of making decisions and dictating to the association.

Are you aware that this age-long crisis is affecting the progress of your association?
I want to assure you that the crisis will soon be over, it is normal for an association to encounter challenges . We will regain all what we have lost while the crisis lasted. People know that ANTP still exists. We don't want anybody to panic. Our worry is for those that are nursing fears; I want to use this opportunity to appeal to them. Our major goal is that the truth should prevail and I am sure that we will get over the current challenges and move on to the next phase.

Some members of the association still regard Jide Kosoko as the president. How would you explain this?
It is the novice and members of his faction within the association that still recognise him as the president. His four years tenure had lapsed; he has handed over his office, how could he still be recognised as the president?

Can you tell us your candidate between the duo of Dele Odule and Victor Ashaolu?
It is not that I am supporting anyone, but I will always throw my support behind whoever is ready to serve the association with a pure mind and most importantly, someone who is ready to tell the truth and respects the elders of the association. We don't and will not support a self-centered leader. Comrade Victor Ashaolu has proved and laid a precedent. He is truthful.

Do you mean Dele Odule is not truthful?
I did not say he is not truthful, but respecting the elders is the most important thing.

So he lacks respect?
He doesn't respect the elders enough. He cannot be dictating to us. We won't take that.

What is the  latest about the court case now?
The hearing of the case comes up in few months time and the judgment would be delivered. We will all accept the judgment in good faith. I know God is not behind the wicked, no matter what. I am very sure that the truth will prevail.

What's your advice for the aspiring youths that also want to join the folk?
I want to urge them to always show their talents positively, and most importantly, they should respect the elders. They should have positive minds towards the progress of the association. They must also be conscious of the passion for the job and not crave for money alone.

Taking a look at the trend of the movies we have today, it appears like comedy films have displaced typical traditional movies, are you also looking into this?
That's part of what we are saying-they don't give them to the experts. They consider and work on their thoughts only. I could remember vividly when we started; the moment we had an idea or scripts, we took them to experts and elders to also take a look at them and give their professional advice. We didn't say we know it all. We are urging our crop of young producers and actors to turn a new leaf.  A lot of things are wrong, the titles they give their movies and their costumes are nothing to go by.

Back to why you were here. What do you think is responsible for the rumours doing the rounds that you were paralysed and even dead?
Those who are spreading the rumours are agents of devil. They have been doing this for so long. Despite the fact that they were cautioned, they still went ahead to peddle false rumour on social media that my  health condition had gone from bad to worse and that I am dead. I think one of the things that brought about this is the crisis between the factions of the leadership of the association. They want to tarnish my image because they felt I am supporting the other faction.  As you can see, I drove myself to your office all the way from my house. Can a paralysed or a dead person drive? I want to thank God that their wish did not prevail over me, the rest should be theirs. I am hale and hearty; I am neither paralysed nor dead. I want to use this medium to clear the air and inform my fans and the general public that nothing is wrong with me. I am very sound.

Nollywood Actor Dele Odule lacks enough respect for elders - Lere Paimo Reveals

Chief Lere Paimo, MFR, popularly known as Eda, is the acting Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP). The veteran thespian recently visited the Tribune House, in Ibadan to debunk rumours doing the rounds on his state of health. He opened on the crisis rocking ANTP, his take on the new face of the association, among other issues. SEYI SOKOYA who spoke with Eda, brings the excerpts.

You are the acting chairman, Board of Trustees of the Association of Nigeria Practitioners (ANTP), what part are you playing as one of the elders to put an end to the age-long crisis dwarfing the progress of the association?

I have always made efforts to ensure that peace returns into our association. My priority is to reform and ensure that the truth prevails. I believe any member who had not or made an attempt to kill one another's child can contest for any post in the association. But some mischievous elements want to remain in power at all costs and this ugly development has pulled the association backward. We are making necessary efforts to correct the wrongs and return to the right track so as to ensure the truth prevails.

It was said that a faction rose against you because you were in support of another candidate. How true is this?
It was not because we supported or routed for a particular faction that caused it; they are the bad eggs who started the whole thing. They were the first to go to court, and if you want to know an irresponsible person, an issue that had not gotten to a stage where the court is the next step, they went to file a case. That is what they do. They were annoyed because they knew we were saying the truth and we will not stop telling the truth; we won't take their lies because they met us in the system.

It seems the former president, Jide Kosoko is also not on your side...
Jide Kosoko is the brain behind the whole chaos in the association. He was the former president of the association who refused to step down despite the fact that his tenure had lapsed. He stood to install his successor, but the elders were against his decision. He cannot dictate to us. Members of the association have the collective right to elect whoever they want in power. According to a Yoruba adage: "Omode ti o ba ni tagba bawo, oko iparun lo n lo."Any young person who tries to deride his elders is heading for destruction.

Are you saying that the elders and the entire association did not support Jide Kosoko's intention to bring in a successor?
No matter how brilliant his successor is, under any circumstances, he does not have the right to impose him on us. The association has the collective responsibility and absolute right to vote in whoever the members want. We did not welcome the idea because he wanted to monopolise the idea. We are against his decision. He is not the type that will be dictating in the midst of us. His pieces of advice or suggestions are always welcomed, but he is always on the verge of making decisions and dictating to the association.

Are you aware that this age-long crisis is affecting the progress of your association?
I want to assure you that the crisis will soon be over, it is normal for an association to encounter challenges . We will regain all what we have lost while the crisis lasted. People know that ANTP still exists. We don't want anybody to panic. Our worry is for those that are nursing fears; I want to use this opportunity to appeal to them. Our major goal is that the truth should prevail and I am sure that we will get over the current challenges and move on to the next phase.

Some members of the association still regard Jide Kosoko as the president. How would you explain this?
It is the novice and members of his faction within the association that still recognise him as the president. His four years tenure had lapsed; he has handed over his office, how could he still be recognised as the president?

Can you tell us your candidate between the duo of Dele Odule and Victor Ashaolu?
It is not that I am supporting anyone, but I will always throw my support behind whoever is ready to serve the association with a pure mind and most importantly, someone who is ready to tell the truth and respects the elders of the association. We don't and will not support a self-centered leader. Comrade Victor Ashaolu has proved and laid a precedent. He is truthful.

Do you mean Dele Odule is not truthful?
I did not say he is not truthful, but respecting the elders is the most important thing.

So he lacks respect?
He doesn't respect the elders enough. He cannot be dictating to us. We won't take that.

What is the  latest about the court case now?
The hearing of the case comes up in few months time and the judgment would be delivered. We will all accept the judgment in good faith. I know God is not behind the wicked, no matter what. I am very sure that the truth will prevail.

What's your advice for the aspiring youths that also want to join the folk?
I want to urge them to always show their talents positively, and most importantly, they should respect the elders. They should have positive minds towards the progress of the association. They must also be conscious of the passion for the job and not crave for money alone.

Taking a look at the trend of the movies we have today, it appears like comedy films have displaced typical traditional movies, are you also looking into this?
That's part of what we are saying-they don't give them to the experts. They consider and work on their thoughts only. I could remember vividly when we started; the moment we had an idea or scripts, we took them to experts and elders to also take a look at them and give their professional advice. We didn't say we know it all. We are urging our crop of young producers and actors to turn a new leaf.  A lot of things are wrong, the titles they give their movies and their costumes are nothing to go by.

Back to why you were here. What do you think is responsible for the rumours doing the rounds that you were paralysed and even dead?
Those who are spreading the rumours are agents of devil. They have been doing this for so long. Despite the fact that they were cautioned, they still went ahead to peddle false rumour on social media that my  health condition had gone from bad to worse and that I am dead. I think one of the things that brought about this is the crisis between the factions of the leadership of the association. They want to tarnish my image because they felt I am supporting the other faction.  As you can see, I drove myself to your office all the way from my house. Can a paralysed or a dead person drive? I want to thank God that their wish did not prevail over me, the rest should be theirs. I am hale and hearty; I am neither paralysed nor dead. I want to use this medium to clear the air and inform my fans and the general public that nothing is wrong with me. I am very sound.

Broke Super Eagles Coach turns wrist-watch seller

What?! New reports surfacing online claim that a certain Nigerian coach - who is now broke - deals with buying wristwatches at cheap prices in Europe, only to sell to the super eagles players at ridiculous rates.
Punch reports thus:
"Some Super Eagles players have accused one of the coaches of the national team of extorting money from players through his wristwatch business.
According to the players, they became enemies of the said coach if they refused to buy the wristwatches from him.
"The coach buys the wristwatches between $500 and $1000 in Europe and forces us to buy them for $10000. If you don't buy, you are regarded as an enemy," one of the senior players of the national team, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent.
"The most painful thing is that these wristwatches are sold at very cheap prices in Europe; they go for between $500 and $1000 but he brings them here to sell for us at such outrageous prices. I have to buy  or I would be seen as encouraging the other players not to buy."

Another player, who plays in Eastern Europe, also complained of the same problem. The player, who also pleaded anonymity, said he almost lost his place in one of the junior national teams because of the wristwatches.
"Before I moved to my present club, I was on an apprentice contract, which means I wasn't collecting much money but the coach forced me to buy the watch.
"The same thing happened to me, when I was invited to the senior team. It is not good for the team because a lot of players are grumbling, though they can't come out and say it."
An official of the team confirmed the story saying, "I have heard about the story before."
But the Eagles media officer, Ben Alaiya, denied any knowledge of the illegal transactions.
He said, "I am not aware of any such story. The Super Eagles is not a market place; if at all anything like that is happening, I think it's a private transaction between those involved. But I am not aware of anything like that."

'I Thought The Plane Was Going To America' - Boy Who Hides Himself In Arik Aircraft Tyre Admits

Daniel Ihekina, the young boy who was arrested at the arrival terminal of Lagos' Muritala Muhammed International Airport on Saturday actually thought he was going to the United States Of America - lol!.
According to investigators, the youngster made the desperate move in an effort to travel abroad.
While confessing to FAAN officials after his arrest, Daniel claims maltreatment he received from his parents forced him to attempt to leave them for good. Daniel Ihekina said he was disappointed when he discovered he was still in Nigeria.

The alleged hero of many Nigerians has been handed over to SSS Officials for further investigation as his parents head to Lagos to pick him up.

Daniel Ihekina allegedly hid himself in the tyre compartment of a Lagos-bound Arik Air flight on Saturday. The flight took 35 minutes.

Unknown to him another boy who made the desperate move in 2010 was found dead when the plane landed in America.

Photos from Funke Akindele's birthday party

Yesterday was Funke's birthday, she turned 37 and i bring you first photos from her surprise birthday party in Lagos.