WASHINGTON—The 23-year-old Nigerian man accused of the attempted Christmas Day bombing of an American airliner apparently turned to the Internet for counseling and companionship, writing in an online forum that he was “lonely” and had “never found a true Muslim friend.”

An intelligence official said that because Abdulmutallab had not previously been entered into the system as a terrorism suspect, procedures did not include such checks. Administration officials said these apparent gaps are among those to be studied in the review Obama has ordered.

By Enyim Enyim

ONITSHA—Former transition caretaker committee chairmen of local governments in Anambra State led by Sir Michael Okoye, who were appointed by Governor Peter Obi have defected to the Action Congress, AC, alongside more than 500 members of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA to support Dr Chris Ngige for the 2010 governorship poll.

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Ohaneze-Ndi-Igbo, a socio-cultural group, says it will formulate and support ideas that will lead to a free, fair and credible governorship election in Anambra State.

No fewer than two persons died and several others seriously injured in three separate road accidents which occurred Monday night in Benin City, Edo State capital.

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged the Nigerian Medical Associa-tion, NMA, to collaborate with government to enable it deliver good and qualitative health care to the people of the state.

THE Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed that 38 people have lost their lives including the leader of the Islamic sect, Kalo-Kato while 20 people were arrested following the religious crisis that engulfed some part of Bauchi metropolis on yesterday.