1 dead, vehicles vandalised as robbers attack motorists on Long Bridge (Punch)
One person was alleged to have died, while some vehicles were vandalised as traffic robbers attacked motorists on the Long Bridge, Ogun State end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday.
PUNCH Metro gathered from some of the victims that the attacks occurred between 9pm and 10pm when the flow of traffic became slow on the bridge.
A victim, Mrs Adeola Akinwunmi, told our correspondent that she had yet to get over the shock of the incident, adding that she took her child from the car and fled with her husband when they saw other victims running towards her car.
Adeola, who works as a journalist for a Lagos-based media outfit, said she and other victims returned to their vehicles when the gunshots subsided, adding that vehicles that were locked were broken into by the hoodlums and the belongings of the owners and occupants were stolen.
Adeola stated that her bag containing vital documents was stolen as well as her husband’s laptop. Read more
Lagos partners UNICEF to tackle rising violence against children (Guardian)
Says child abuse eradication cannot be left to govt alone
Lagos State government has partnered with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to train key child protection functionaries in the state as part of efforts to tackle rising cases of violence against children.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Dr. Olugbenga Ayoola Aina, in a statement while declaring open the three-day event yesterday, said: “The training is aimed at improving the skills of participants in delivering essential services towards ending violence against women and girls in Lagos State.”
According to him, the decision to train the key state-level actors and volunteers by the UN agencies implementing the EU-UN spotlight initiative was informed by the rising cases of violence against children and the need to create a platform for participants to acquire 21st-century skills of child protection officers. Read more
Driver remanded for allegedly killing LASTMA officer (Punch)
A commercial bus driver, Elijah Shokoya, was on Wednesday remanded by a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja for allegedly killing an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency.
Shokoya was arraigned on one count of involuntary manslaughter before Justice Oyindamola Ogala and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
PUNCH Metro had reported that the LASTMA officer, Olawale Akinmade, died on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, after he was knocked down by a blue and black Opel space bus with number plate AAA 74 GG, which was driven by Shokoya.
Akinmade was knocked down at Demurin Street junction inwards Mile 12, while controlling traffic, and suffered injuries to his head and body. Read more
Air fares spike as aviation fuel nears N300/litre at airports (Guardian)
Despite an upswing in the global price of crude oil and attendant blessings for oil-producing countries, the price of aviation fuel has spiked nationwide and much to the pains of airlines and travellers in Nigeria.
A fact-check by The Guardian showed that aviation fuel, also called Jet A-1, has lately sold for between N215 at airports in the South and N300/per litre in low traffic aerodromes in the Northern region of the country. The price had risen in April 2021 to between N250 and N275 per litre, which was about a 200 per cent increase from 2016, when it was sold at N110. It rose to N200 in 2018, hovering around N160 and N170 in 2019.
An average 50 per cent surge in fuel cost, a critical component of airlines’ operation, has also forced airlines to increase airfares with an average Economy Class ticket on less than an hour flight selling for over N65,000.
There are fears of fuel contamination in some quarters, which experts say, could threaten flight safety. Engr. Femi Adeniji of Tropical Arctic Logistics, a helicopter operator, said any jet fuel cheaper than N270 could have been contaminated. Read more
NYSC blocks 1,000 corps members from relocating (DailyTrust)
Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, says about 1,000 corps members nationwide have been blocked from relocating to another choice of state.
Addressing journalists in Abuja Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the 2020 inspectors’ development programme, he said most corps members tried to manipulate the staff of the scheme to get their relocation done, against the ethics of the scheme.
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He said relocation was free and allowed even though it must be on health, marital or insecurity grounds.
Ibrahim said over 1,000 corps members tried to deceive the staff to get their relocations done, but when this was discovered to be fraudulent, they were canceled and withdrawn. Read more
Court remands 64-year-old man for allegedly raping step-mum (Vanguard)
An Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday, ordered the remand of a 64-year-old man, Durodola Kayode, in the correctional centre in Ado-Ekiti for allegedly raping his step-mother.
The defendant, whose address was not provided, is being tried for rape.
The Prosecutor, Insp Adejare Elijah, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June 13 at Ayetoro-Ekiti.
According to him, the offence contravenes Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012. Read more
20-year-old in court for defiling, impregnating girl, 15 (Punch)
The police have arraigned a 20-year-old man, Khaled Musa, at the Chief Magistrate Court, Federal Capital Territory, for allegedly defiling a 15-year-old girl and impregnating her.
At the Chief Magistrate Court in Gwagwalada, the prosecution counsel, Yakubu Dabo, informed the court that the defendant had deceived the underaged girl and defiled her.
to him, the girl got pregnant and has also given birth.
Dabo stated that the said act of the defendant violated the provisions of Section 275 of the Penal Code. Read more
Tiv, Fulani reach truce in Benue, Taraba states (Guardian)
The Tiv and Fulani ethnic groups in Takum and Katsina-Ala local councils of Taraba and Benue states have agreed to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
They took the decision yesterday at a joint security meeting in Takum before security chiefs, traditional rulers and chairmen of the two local councils.
Chairman of Takum, who hosted the meeting, Shiban Tikari, said his local council noted with sadness the cross-border insecurity between the two councils; hence the need to checkmate the ugly scenario.
He cited the incessant kidnapping, armed robbery and killings, among other vices, in Takum, which he said had become a threat to the people plying the road. Read more
Court jails 2 men to 3 months in correctional centre for breach of trust (Vanguard)
A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Kano on Wednesday sentenced two men: Abubakar Adamu, 30, and Haruna Musa, 28, to three months in correctional centre for breach of trust.
The defendants, who reside at Kumbosto Local Government Area of Kano, pleaded guilty to the three-count charge of conspiracy, breach of trust and cheating.
Chief Magistrate, Ibrahim Khalil, sentenced the defendants to one month in correctional centre each for conspiracy or a fine of N7,000. Read more
South African 10 babies story not true, inquiry finds (BBC)
A claim that South African woman Gosiame Sithole gave birth to 10 babies earlier this month is not true, an official inquiry has found.
No hospitals in Gauteng province have a record of decuplets being born, the provincial government says.
Medical tests show that Ms Sithole had not even been pregnant recently, it said.
The 37-year-old is now being held under the mental health act for observation and will be provided with support. Read more
Charles continued to fund Harry and Meghan after they said they had been cut off (Metro)
Prince Charles carried on sending a ‘substantial sum’ of money to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the months following Megxit, despite Prince Harry claiming his family ‘literally cut me off financially’.
The Prince of Wales appears to have continued funding the Sussexes until the summer of 2020, but the duke told Oprah Winfrey that he stopped getting support in the first quarter of that year.
Clarence House financial accounts showed that combined funding for both of the heir to throne’s sons – Princes Harry and William – totalled £4.5 million, though no breakdown of how that money was split is available. Read more
Biden outlines steps to combat gun violence amid surge in crime (France24)
US President Joe Biden laid out new measures Wednesday to tackle America’s gun crisis against a backdrop of surging violent crime that his Republican rivals have seized on for weeks.
And with major cities seeing alarming spikes in shootings, homicides and armed robberies, the president warned Americans that the uptick could carry into the summer, following months of coronavirus lockdowns.
Biden unveiled his strategy during a televised address following a White House meeting with Attorney General Merrick Garland, a bipartisan group of city mayors and law enforcement leaders.
“We’re taking on the bad actors,” Biden said. Read more
Britney Spears speaks out against ‘abusive’ conservatorship at hearing (BBC)
US pop star Britney Spears has spoken out against her conservatorship at a hearing in Los Angeles.
In a rare public testimony, the singer told a court her father controlled her “100,000%” and she wanted the arrangement to end.
“I am traumatised,” she said, speaking remotely. “I just want my life back.”
Jamie Spears was granted control over his daughter’s personal and business affairs in a court-ordered conservatorship in 2008. Read more
Former Philippine President Benigno Aquino dies at age 61 (France24)
Former Philippine president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, the reserved 61-year-old bachelor from one of Asia’s most famous political families, died Thursday, the country’s foreign minister and several officials said.
Aquino, who ruled the archipelago nation from 2010 to 2016, was the only son of the late former president Corazon Aquino and her assassinated husband, senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, both revered for leading the struggle to restore democracy in the archipelago nation.
Aquino was rushed to the Capitol Medical Centre in Manila early Thursday, local media reported.
His family was expected to issue a statement.
“I’m out of Twitter from grief over the death of a sea-green incorruptible,” Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin tweeted. Read more
John McAfee: Anti-virus creator found dead in prison cell (BBC)
Anti-virus software entrepreneur John McAfee has been found dead in a Barcelona prison cell hours after a Spanish court agreed to extradite him to the US to face tax evasion charges.
The Catalan Justice Department said prison medics tried to resuscitate him, but were not successful.
It said in a statement that “everything indicates” McAfee took his own life.
A controversial figure in the tech world, his company released the first commercial anti-virus software. Read more
“The Little Mermaid” remake already looks magical as Halle Bailey recreates iconic scenes from Disney classic (Metro)
The Little Mermaid fans have been given a first glimpse of filming, and it already looks magical.
Chloe X Halle star Halle Bailey stars as Ariel, with the 21-year-old looking every bit the part as she recreated famous scenes from the Disney classic.
The character is seen preserving her modesty as she makes her way on dry land for the first time, donning a dress made out of scraps from a ship.
Halle also rocked a waist-length red wig as she took on her scenes, paying homage to the original character, who was voiced by Jodi Benson. Read more
Johanna Konta gives injury update ahead of Wimbledon return (Metro)
Johanna Konta won a first WTA title in four years on the grass courts of Nottingham, sparking hopes she might be recapturing her best form in time for Wimbledon, before her troublesome knee reared its ugly head again.
Konta, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, has long been managing the injury and felt it was the right decision to withdraw from Eastbourne.
While she admits she will likely be dealing with the problem for the rest of her career, Konta says it will not affect her chances at the All England Club, where she harbours hopes of becoming the first British ladies singles champion since Virginia Wade in 1977. Read more
Ronaldo equals Daei’s international goals record (BBC)
Cristiano Ronaldo equalled the men’s all-time international goalscoring record as defending champions Portugal drew with France to qualify for the last 16 of Euro 2020 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Ronaldo scored his 108th and 109th goals, both from the penalty spot, to equal Ali Daei’s record set with Iran between 1993 and 2006.
They came either side of half-time but were not enough to give Portugal victory as striker Karim Benzema broke a six-year goal drought with France to score twice and ensure Les Bleus topped the group.
On a frantic evening, the four teams in Group F changed positions frequently, with Portugal looking set to face England in the next round before Germany’s dramatic late equaliser bumped them from fourth to second and eliminated Hungary. Read more
Controversial goal gives Brazil 2-1 win over Colombia in the Copa America (France24)
Brazil went behind for the first time in eight games on Wednesday but responded with a controversial equaliser before netting a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time for a 2-1 victory over Colombia in the Copa America.
Brazil had won their previous nine games coming into the match in Rio de Janeiro, all bar one of them without conceding a goal, but they went behind in the 10th minute thanks to a wonder strike from Luis Diaz.
Juan Cuadrado swung in a cross from the right and Porto midfielder Diaz leapt acrobatically to volley an overhead kick past a helpless Weverton.
Brazil were forced to chase the game and they had most of the ball and almost all the chances, though Colombia did an excellent job of closing them down in the final third. Read more
Euro 2020: Germany to face England in the last 16 (BBC)
Germany will face England in the last 16 of Euro 2020 after twice coming from behind to knock battling Hungary out of the tournament.
An outstanding header by Adam Szalai, who plays his club football in Germany for Mainz, had given Hungary a shock lead in Munich.
Andras Schafer thought he had won it for the Hungarians with a header – 90 seconds after Kai Havertz had equalised – before substitute Leon Goretzka made it 2-2 six minutes from the end.
It means Germany finish second in Group F and will now meet Gareth Southgate’s England at Wembley in a hugely anticipated last-16 match next Tuesday (17:00 BST). Read more
Tyson Fury adds former world champion Joseph Parker to fight camp ahead of Deontay Wilder clash (Metro)
Former world champion Joseph Parker has joined Tyson Fury in fight camp to help ‘The Gypsy King’ prepare for his trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder.
Fury and Wilder meet for a third time on 24 July in Las Vegas for the WBC heavyweight title with the Briton promising to stop ‘The Bronze Bomber’ again following his thrilling title win in February 2020.
Fury’s sparring partners ahead of that second fight included American prospect Jared Anderson and British trio, David Adeleye, George Cox and Jordan Thompson.
This time around his camp includes former WBO heavyweight champion Parker, who will be putting in the rounds with Fury as he enters the finals weeks of fight camp. Read more
UEFA adds rainbow to its logo after refusing to allow LGBTQ colours at Germany’s stadium (France24)
UEFA on Wednesday added the rainbow to its logo as it defended its decision to refuse to allow Munich’s Allianz Arena to be illuminated in the same colours in protest at anti-LGBTQ laws passed in Hungary.
In a statement European football’s governing body said it “is proud to wear the colours of the rainbow”, a symbol for the LGBTQ community, but stood by its decision by saying the city of Munich’s request to illuminate the stadium was “political”.
Germany will play Hungary at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday on the final day of Euro 2020 group matches.
“The request itself was political, linked to the Hungarian football team’s presence in the stadium for this evening’s match with Germany,” UEFA said. Read more