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Insurgents on Sunday launched attacks on three villages near Chibok in Borno State, setting ablaze five churches and killing no fewer than 48. In the offensive, which was said to have lasted for about four hours, the terrorists attacked churches during Sunday worship, shot at worshippers and set the church buildings ablaze. A resident said, ‘‘Boko Haram stormed Kautikari, Kwada and Karagau villages early in the morning at about 8.45am. “The attackers locked worshippers inside the church and rained bullets on them.” The source said 30 persons were shot dead in Kwada while about nine were killed in Karagau. According to the source, no fear than nine worshippers were killed inside the Kautikari EYN church. A youth leader in the area, Mr. Moses Zakwa, who spoke to one of our correspondents, said, “The communities that were attacked are Kwada, Kautikari and Karagau, all in the Chibok Local Government Area. As of now, over 20 persons have been confirmed dead, 10 of which I kn...

A 13-year-old boy, Friday, discovered a ‘high-calibre’ bomb placed in a car parked near a Mosque in Kano; and promptly alerted the police. The police spokesperson in Kano, Magaji Majiya, informed PREMIUM TIMES on Friday that the boy became suspicious after noticing the abandoned car looking “heavy with loads.” “The bomb targeting worshippers was placed inside a Toyota Tercel car near a Mosque in Sauna Pfanuga area of Nasarawa Local Government, Kano metropolis,” Mr. Majiya said. He also said after the boy discovered the bomb he alerted the police nearby and the anti-bomb squad were invited. “They successfully defused the bomb and site and the car had been taken to Police Headquarters for further investigations and analysis,” he said. The police spokesperson said no one has been arrested in connection with the incident. The Kano Commissioner of Police, Aderenle Shinaba, later displayed the devices to newsmen in Kano on Friday. He said the explosives were discovered at about 1.30 p....

Nigeria will travel to Brasilia on Friday for their World Cup second round game with France after resolving pay dispute late on Thursday. The team failed to train on Thursday instead going into a meeting with officials over payment of their appearance fees by the Nigeria Football Federation. It took the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan for the team to agree to continue their campaign. The President was brought into the impasse by sports minister Tamuno Danagogo after federation head Aminu Maigari reported the situation to him. In a phone call to the players who shared their fears, President Jonathan assured them that they would be paid all that they are entitled to. They then agreed to continue playing for their fatherland. Team captain Joseph Yobo has told KickoffNigeria.com that they would take  the flight on Friday. ""I can tell you as team captain that the team will travel to Brasilia today and we will train, and play against France," he s...

President Jonathan this morning visited the scene of the bomb blast that rocked Emab Plaza in Abuja on Wednesday June 25th, killing 21 people. The President, who  arrived in Abuja yesterday from the aborted attendance at the 23rd Ordinary Session of African Union Heads of States and Government in Malabo, al so visited some of the victims of the blast currently receiving treatment at the Maitama District Hospital in Abuja. See more photos below

 During a game between Portugal and Ghana yesterday June 26th at the ongoing World Cup in Brazil, Portuguese player William Carvalho in an attempt to get the ball grabbed Ghanaian player Jordan Ayew's shorts, putting his privates in full display to the delights of millions of female football fans watching from around the world. See more photos and the vine video below The video below

Liverpool have agreed a €31 million [£25m] fee with Southampton for Adam Lallana, Goal understands. The 26-year-old is set to undergo a medical on Merseyside on Friday afternoon, with the move set to be completed next week. As reported by Goal earlier this month, the winger is keen to join Brendan Rodgers' side in order to play Champions League football. Liverpool’s initial €25m [£20m] bid for Lallana, which was made on the final weekend of the Premier League season, was rejected by Southampton.  Mauricio Pochettino was also keen on bringing Lallana to Tottenham but Spurs were reluctant to rival Liverpool’s pursuit of the player. Lallana, who appeared in all three of England's World Cup group fixtures, will be Liverpool's second signing this summer following the arrival of Rickie Lambert from Southampton and Emre Can from Bayer Leverkusen. Lallana's former club Bournemouth will be due €8m [£6.25m] once the transfer is completed, as they have a 25% sell-o...

Oprah doesn't like first lady Michelle Obama because she's a show off Edward Klein's new book, Blood Feud, alleges. The legendary talk show host was once a close friend and adviser of the president's, but she had a falling out with the first family during the president's first term in office. 'It appeared to Oprah that Michelle was jealous of her, furious that Barack was seeking her advice instead of Michelle's,' a source close to Winfrey told Klein. 'For her part, Oprah didn't like being with Michelle, because the first lady was constantly one-upping the president and anybody else around her. ' At another point in the book Oprah is quoted as saying that the Obamas make her 'jumpy.' Oprah reportedly told a friend that ' "even when the Obamas think they are being charming, they hold you at arm’s length." ' Obama had no stronger ally than Oprah throughout his first campaign for president, including the ti...