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The glamorous lovers’ day celebration on Monday turned bloody at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) when gunmen killed two students. Daily Sun gathered that the clash was between two rival cult groups, namely, Black Axe and the Buccaneers,’ over a female student allegedly snatched by the Capone of the Black Axe for Valentine celebration.

The action of the Capone , the source said did not go down well with the other group leading to the clash.
A student who witnessed the shooting said besides the two cult members who were shot dead, about four others sustained injuries and were ferried out of the campus by their leaders to shield their identity.

The sources said the cult members who carried out the attack were not UNILAG students but members from another campus, adding that the attack was carried out in a commando style with sporadic shooting.
An undergraduate student of English Department told Daily Sun that the Buccaneers’ group attacked the Black Axe members while another student returning from the Mosque said those who carried out the killing were not from UNILAG because they did not cover their faces.

It was learnt that as soon the shooting started, students scampered for safety while others took cover behind the wall and under cars packed around, while others ran into the halls to avoid being hit by stray bullets. 
A senior lecturer who confirmed the killings said the university management had met to curtail any reprisal attack while security personnel had taken over the investigation of the deadly cult clash.
When Daily Sun visited the troubled institution yesterday, there was uneasy calm, as most staff and students rebuffed efforts made by the reporters to get their comments.

However, one of the students who resides at Sodeinde Hall, said there was sporadic gunshots outside the premises which caused panic everywhere. 
It was gathered that the crisis, which erupted when the students were at the peak of lovers’ day celebration, created stampede on the campus as people ran for safety.

One of the victims of the attack reportedly ran into Sodeinde Hall for help, from where he was taken to the hospital.
Although the Hall Master of Sodeinde Hall declined comments on the issue, one of the officials, who wouldn’t want his name published, said the attack could not be linked to any cult group. He said there was increasing speculation that the perpetrators of the attack could be fighting for love. Efforts made by Daily Sun our reporter to ascertain the identities of the victims were unsuccessful.
The news bulletin of the university, Information Flash (ISSN 08195540) also captured the incident, while assuring the staff and students of the university of adequate security.

“The attention of the universities authorities has been drawn to the incident which occurred in one of the Halls of Residence in the late hours of Monday, February 14, 2011 where two persons were reportedly injured in fracas. The university management has commenced investigation into the unusual incident, in particular at a time when preparation for the first semester examinations due to commence on February 21, 2011 are in top gear. Security has been intensified to ensure safety of life and property on campus. Law enforcement agents have been involved to assist the university in this respect,” it said. 
Daily Sun learnt that students are leaving the campus because of the fear of reprisal attack while some parents called their wards on phone to return home until the situation is brought under control. 

The Deputy Registrar Information of UNILAG, Mr. Dare Adebisi refused to pick his calls or replied to text message sent to his phone.
When the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Samuel Jinadu (DSP) was called thrice, he promised to contact the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area and did not call back as at the press time....

Aba (Abia) — A High Court in Aba, Abia, yesterday, sentenced a 30-year-old man to death by hanging for kidnapping and murdering his victim...

Loveday Ahuchaogu, the kidnapper from Umuawa in Isiala-Ngwa Local Government Area of the state and others still at large, were facing a four-count charge for kidnapping and murdering Mr. Francis Ajayi on July 28, 2008, at Umudike in Ikwuano, near Umuahia.

Ahuchaogu was charged with kidnapping, murder, conspiracy and robbery.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Theresa Uzokwe, in her judgment, ruled that the accused was found guilty of the offences as charged and gave Ahuchaogu seven years imprisonment with hard labour for conspiracy and 10 years with hard labour for kidnapping.

The accused also got 10 years with hard labour for robbery and was condemned to death by hanging for murder...

Mrs. Ngozi Obioma, Director of Legal Services in charge of the Public Prosecution Division of Abia State Ministry of Justice, Aba Out-station, who is the lead prosecuting counsel, told newsmen shortly after the court sitting that it was a fair judgment.

Obioma said that Ahuchaogu’s defence was flimsy and frivolous against the weight and gravity of evidence against him as adduced by the prosecution.

She said the evidence against the accused was overwhelming as he was caught red-handed in the banking hall on camera while trying to cash the third tranche of the ransom money.

She said Ahuchaogu, who admitted collecting two other tranches of the ransom money, was also implicated through the SIM card of the deceased that was tendered as exhibit.

“It is my belief that justice is seen to have been done today, everybody in Abia, particularly Aba and environs, will agree that the menace of kidnapping has been on the increase, creating fears on residents.

“It will also serve as a deterrent to others who may be nursing the idea of embarking on such dangerous escapade,” Obioma said.

Mr I.U. Nwokocha, Counsel to the accused, however, pleaded for leniency for his client.

The news came filtering in through different media - phone calls, SMS, instant messages, e-mail - but the message was the same - Michael Jackson is dead! This was 365 days ago but the message is still processing in some minds.

History

The King of Pop had put in over four decades of hard work, as debatably, the world's greatest entertainer ever. From humble beginnings in little Gary, Indiana, USA, the young man born Michael Joseph Jackson on August 29, 1958, the eighth of his parents' 10 children, would conquer the world.

His story has been told endlessly. We all have our versions. There have been countless newspaper headlines, numerous magazine articles, several TV specials and more. Whatever the case, MJ is, for all intents and purposes, a phenomenon. With all the extensive coverage on his life - professional and amateur - we each have more than enough to go on to claim a personal bond with the larger than life super-duper-star, even referring to him on first name basis.

When the world practically stopped on June 25, 2009 at the shocking news of his passing, it just went to show the profound effect he had on several generations. Yet, even in death, the legend continues and there is no stopping Michael. According to a Billboard report (see chart), Jackson has made approximately $1 billion (approx. N149 billion) since his death. Modern technology, primarily the internet, will also make it hard to forget Michael, or easy to remember him, depending on how you choose to look at it.

During his storied career, Wacko Jacko, as he was cruelly or comically christened (depending on who you ask), suffered public scrutiny regarding allegations of inappropriate relations with minors; his sexual orientation; perceived arranged marriages; his Neverland Valley Ranch home; the paternity of his three children; his claimed vitilago and many other unflattering positions. Some chose to focus on these darker patches of his lifetime in the aftermath of his untimely demise but for the most part, the reason the world embraced and elevated him is what keeps us and his memory going - his music.

Keeping the thrill alive

In the clubs today, in the midst of the Souljah Boy Tellems, Terry Gs and Jay Seans, an MJ classic is usually only a few spins away. The Hip-Hop generation, many of who were either unborn or attempting to walk (he was already moonwalking) at the height of his star in the Thriller era, has embraced this fallen star with open arms. Even disaster, in the form of the devastating Haiti earthquakes, led to the stars of today - misguided or otherwise - congregating to regurgitate Michael's love offering alongside Lionel Richie, "We Are the World," towards relief efforts for the displaced Haitians. The power of music seems to know no bounds and few, if any, managed to masterfully wield its magic wand with such magnificent ministration as Michael Jackson. As comedian Martin Lawrence once joked, "Who else could say ‘I'm jamming in Bucharest?'" Such was the power and reach of Michael.

He harmonised with family (the Jackson 5, Janet, 3T), jammed with rock icons (Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Slash), wrote history with legends (Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie), bounced with Hip-Hop heads (The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Heavy D), laughed with comedians (Eddie Murphy, Chris Tucker), parleyed with sex symbols (Brooke Shields, Madonna, Naomi Campbell, Iman), hung with hoops stars (Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal), inspired a generation (Usher, Justin, Britney, Chris Brown), was loved by queens (Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross, Princess Di) and befriended a chimp (Bubbles). Such was the diverse demeanor of MJ that he transcended gender, genre and genotype.

Thankfully, he has left us with a robust body of work to last a lifetime. Ask five people their favourite Jackson album and possibly get five different answers. Ask me and I'll say Bad. Ask fifteen their favourite song and expect a similar outcome. For me, it's "Human Nature," and it is this same human nature that made us judge and mourn the man in equal measure. He was, after all, human, although the extent of his talent, naturally, made us revere him, often to the point of worship. A year on from his physical passing, not much has changed.

‘If they say why, why?'

Love him, hate him or misunderstand him, you cannot deny or even ignore his genius and sheer brilliance. He lived many of his last years in seclusion, so it's like he's just gone out of sight again. Unfortunately for the three children he loved so much, the sad truth is, his body of work is what will ultimately be taken as his lasting legacy on this unforgiving planet. Many of us loved him too and are just selfish like that. Regardless, our hearts must go out to them as they continue to live life under the public microscope, the unfortunate cross their father tried so hard to ensure they wouldn't have to bear. His song "Leave Me Alone," on behalf of his kids, comes to mind but we won't because we can't! It is not in our human nature to do so.

What is, though, is our penchant to mourn the passing of a loved one, even though we know that day must come, carrying with it the promise of a better life ahead for the dearly departed. Many said he was gone too soon like his 1991 song title but I prefer to alter the Motown 25 tag line and say, "Michael Jackson... yesterday, today and forever.".

Walk the moon...