'phone charger fire' destroys HOME

A young girl’s bedroom was completely gutted by a blaze which may have been started by a phone overheating while on charge.

Gemma Durant and her family have had to leave their Gwynedd home and may not be able to go back for up to six months. It has suffered horrendous smoke and water damage from when fire crews tackled the blaze.

Investigators are now trying to assess what caused the inferno at the Morfa Bychan house, but it is believed that a phone charger may be to blame.

Ms Durant posted pictures of the bedroom on Facebook in a bid to warn others of the dangers that electrical goods can cause if left unattended.

Stuart Millington, Senior Fire Safety Manager for North Wales Fire And Rescue Service, said: “This incident highlights how quickly a fire can spread.

“Our advice is that you only ever purchase chargers from a reputable source.

“Always follow the manufacturers instructions and guidance, turn chargers off and unplug them before you go to bed and never leave items on charge or unattended for long periods.”

The bedroom was totally destroyed in the fire at her home, possibly caused by an overheating phone on charge

While a phone - the model of which has not been officially revealed -was understood to have been on charge in the bedroom, other electrical items were also plugged in in the room.

It is believed the phone was put on charge and left charging on the bed unattended for a relatively short time, and that when Ms Durant’s daughter returned to her bedroom she found it ablaze.

Fires involving mobile phones have hit the headlines several times in recent months. Samsung had to recall its Galaxy Note 7 after batteries exploded, and the replacement model was found to be suffering from the same fault.

Gemma and her family thanked Porthmadog and Harlech fire crews for doing an “amazing job” in tackling the blaze and putting out the fire.

A full investigation into the cause of the blaze is underway.

JMK

Police SOUNDS out warning to Shi’ites against unlawful procession in the state

Maiduguri – The Borno Police Command on Friday advised members of the Shi’ite sect to drop their planned unlawful procession in Maiduguri. The state’s Commissioner of police, Mr Damian Chukwu, gave the advice while addressing newsmen in Maiduguri. Chukwu said that the group should adopt a lawful means of championing its cause rather than engaging in road procession. “We just got information that the Shi’ite group is trying to embark on public procession in Maiduguri and the state government had already issued a statement banning that procession. “I want to say that we are in support of the ban because the law banning public procession without permission is still in force,” he said. The commissioner said that most procession organised in states by the group had always ended in violence. “We know the group will always want to carry on with the procession without even trying to seek permission. ” We hereby advise them to please shelve the procession in the interest of peace,” he said. Chukwu said that the police would do everything possible to ensure the maintenance of peace in the state and warned the group to drop the planned procession.

Na wah o. No freedom of movement again?

JMK

US EXPRESS ANGER OVER SHIITES KILLING

The United States Government on Friday expressed its concern over last Monday’s deaths that resulted from clashes between people in a Shia procession and the Nigeria Police in Kano. Mr John Kirby, U.S. Department of State’s Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson, said that although the incident was under investigation, his government was troubled by the response of the police. “The United States is deeply concerned by the deaths of dozens of Nigerians during clashes between individuals participating in a Shia procession and the Nigerian Police Force in Kano State. “While the matter is still under investigation, we are troubled by the apparent disproportionate response by the police. “This is the latest in a series of violent incidents between security forces and members of the Shia Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), some of which have resulted in deaths, destruction of property, and the arbitrary detention of IMN members. “The United States calls for calm and restraint on all sides, a reduction of tensions, and greater communication between Shia citizens and government authorities,’’ he said. According to him, members of the Shia community, like other religious communities, have the right to assemble, peacefully express their religious beliefs, and mark their celebrations. Kirby said that said that his government had called on the Nigerian government to protect and defend the rights of the Shia community. The U.S. official also enjoined members of the IMN and Nigerians to respect the rule of law and cooperate with the police, as they attempt to maintain public order. Kirby also called on the Nigerian government to ensure accountability for the deaths of more than 300 IMN members during the Dec.15, 2015 clashes between the IMN and security forces in Zaria, Kaduna State. “We also call on the Nigerian government to conduct a transparent investigation of the latest incidents and bring to account anyone responsible for violating the law,’’ he added.

JMK

MMM: CBN denies approving scheme

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has again asked Nigerians to dismiss reports that it has approved the operation of Russian ponzi scheme, The Mavrodi Mondial Movement, otherwise known as MMM.
The movement is a scheme that assures up to 30% interest of money invested.
A new report circulating online claimed that participants are challenging Nigerian authorities for “poking their nose into the affairs of well meaning foreigners that have come to rescue them from money issues.”
It claimed that, “CBN governor has allayed the fears of skeptical Nigerians and disclosed that thorough checks carried out on the organisation shows that it is a legitimate investment facility.
It also claimed that “A top official at the Ministry of Finance said even the federal government has invested the sum of N100b in MMM so that the interest of N30b can be reinvested in capital projects across the nation.”
Reacting, Isaac Okorafor, Acting Director, CBN Corporate Communications, on Thursday said, “There’s nothing like that.”
“Nigerians should ignore any report claiming the we approved financial institutions that don’t even exist.”
Okorafor added: “I repeat, Nigerians should ignore questionable schemes”.
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission early in the week told daily post that it was carrying out surveillance on the MMM investment scheme.
CBN should focus on making on moving our economy out of recession.

Source: Daily post
JMK   

Fayose WANTS ICC to probe killing of Shi’ites, wants Zakzaky released

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has called on the International Criminal Court (ICC), Amnesty International and other world bodies to investigate the murder of members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shi’ite Muslim group in Zaria, Kaduna state and Kano State, as well as the alleged ongoing killings in Southern Kaduna.
The governor described the detention since last year December, of the leader of the Shi’ite sect, Ibrahim Zakzaky, and some of his members as inhuman, clear contravention of his fundamental human rights, and an affront on the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, saying, “all well-meaning Nigerians must prevail on the federal government to release Ibrahim Zakzaky without further delay.”
Reacting to the latest onslaught of the Shi’ite Muslims in Kano State, which reportedly led to the death of over 10 people, Governor Fayose, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said; “murder of over 300 Nigerians, who are members of the IMN in one day and their burial in mass graves, as well as continuous murder of the Shi’ite sect should attract the attention of the ICC.”
The governor said he was worried that firearms, which should only be used as a last resort, are now being used to prevent Nigerians from expressing their religious faith, adding that, “Under international human rights law governing the use of firearms during policing operations, the intentional use of lethal force is only permitted when strictly unavoidable, to protect life.”
He described the detention of Ibrahim Zakzaky, since last year December as unjustifiable, saying, “In a month time, it will be exactly one year since Ibrahim Zakzaky was arrested and detained without trial. This is unacceptable in a democratic society where there should be strict adherence to the rule of law.”
Governor Fayose also express worries over the persistent killings in the Southern Kaduna where four communities were invaded and over 30 persons, including pregnant women and children killed this week alone. Regrettably, federal government has kept mute.”
“Democracy guarantees freedom of religion, movement, association, opinions and thoughts. It is however worrisome that inspite of these inalienable rights, members of the Shi’ite Muslim sect are still being persecuted and alienated.
“Therefore, the ICC, Amnesty International and other relevant international organisations must intervene in the killings of the Shi’ite Muslim group with the aim of bringing those found culpable to justice, thereby putting a permanent stop to the inhuman acts,” the governor said.

JMK