139 clerics, worshipers killed, 394 kidnapped in 18 months – Reports (Punch)
At least 139 clerics and worshipers have been killed in various attacks across the country between January 1, 2021, and July 4, 2022.
Also, no fewer than 394 religious faithful were kidnapped during the period under review.
The figures were collated from media reports of targeted attacks on churches and mosques.
A breakdown of the incidents showed that 53 Islamic clerics and worshipers were killed and 165 abducted while 229 Christians were kidnapped and 86 were murdered. Read more
Commuters lament as Kara traders, ram sellers encroach on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, compound traffic (Guardian)
Lagos-bound commuters, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, have lamented the worsening traffic situation at Kara Cattle market section of the road.
The expressway was noted for its intractable traffic situation occasioned by the commencement of work on kilometre 0-5 of the Expressway, but the recent encroachment by cattle and ram sellers, who have relocated to the section has worsened the situation.
In the past months, some traders relocated near the expressway after Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, cleaned up the cattle market, to ensure its smooth operation without compromising the environment.
But with the Eid-el Kabir celebration near the corner, more ram sellers have found the space left by the Federal Government for the construction of the new toll plaza and bridge as their new haven, thereby increasing trading activities and worsening the traffic situation on the axis. Read more
Traffic light: How policemen, LASTMA officers extort motorists in Lagos community (Punch)
A group of police officers and men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority have been caught in an extortion scheme using the traffic light at the Isheri-Berger area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro, after receiving a series of complaints from motorists, who had fallen victims to the law enforcement agents, went to the community on Tuesday, June 28, and observed as car owners were stopped on the pretext of violating a traffic rule.
Our correspondent, who disguised as a hawker with a bag of popcorn and nose masks on his shoulder, watched for over four hours as the syndicate operated.
The group mainly exploits motorists seeking to connect from the Berger-Isheri Road to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, using the old traffic light. Read more
Lagos government shuts Redeemers Nursery and Primary School (Guardian)
Lagos State Ministry of Education, yesterday, shut the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School, Ogba. The school will remain closed, pending an administrative investigation of its operations and procedures as well as the conduct of its officials – in line with schools’ safety standards and guidelines.
A statement by the Commissioner for Education, Folasade Adefisayo, said the investigation is the sequel to the death of a five-year-old pupil, who is suspected to have drowned during a swimming lesson while in the custody of the school. The police are investigating the matter.
A preliminary probe by the Office of Education Quality Assurance of the Ministry has shown that the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School, Ogba, is yet to conclude its registration and is, therefore, not yet an approved school.
The ministry is concerned about the safety of the pupils, hence the need for intervention. The school will remain closed until all the required approval processes are concluded. Read more
Opebi-Ojota link road project: Sanwo-Olu pledges early completion, commends Julius Berger (Guardian)
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has affirmed that the construction of the multi-billion Naira Opebi-Ojota link bridge would be completed by June next year.
Sanwo-Olu spoke at the completion of the first Pile Cast on the Lagos Opebi-Maryland Link Road bridge through his Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Aramide Adeyoye.
The governor thanked Julius Berger Nigeria for helping the state to actualise its dream of a better transportation network.
He said: “What Julius Berger is doing here is not unexpected. They are known for good quality work. Like the Commissioner for Transportation will always say, what we have here is a collaboration between the Ministry of Works and Lands and Housing. Read more
N1.8b, cars, other property recovered by ICPC not mine –Buratai (Sun)
From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has distanced himself from the seized property, including N1.8 billion, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in a property in Abuja.
The anti-corruption agency had, in a statement on June 14, disclosed that its operatives raided a house in Wuse 2, Abuja, belonging to the owner of K Salam Construction Company, a military contractor.
The Commission said it recovered money and other items from the property viz. N175,706,500; $220,965; G-Wagon; 2022 editions of BMW and Mercedes Benz cars; customised mobile phones; several designer wrist watches, including three Rolexes, and some property documents.
Shortly after the recovery, there were reports that the seized property belonged to the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.
Kidnappers gunned down as police rescue abducted Italian priest in Edo (DailyTrust)
Rev. Fr Luigi Brena, an Italian, who was abducted along Ogunwenyi, Usen community in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, has been rescued.
The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, Jennifer Iwegbu, confirmed this in a statement on Monday, saying three of the suspected kidnappers were shot dead.
She revealed that 64-year-old Brena was kidnapped on Sunday evening.
A day to Brena’s abduction, gunmen kidnapped two Catholic priests around Ehor and Iruekpen communities along the Benin-Auchi Expressway.
The abducted clergymen who are yet to regain freedom are Reverend Father Udo Peter of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Uromi, and Reverend Father Philemon Oboh of St. Joseph Retreat Centre, Ugboha in Esan South East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. Read more
FG was too quick to blame ISWAP for Owo church attack —Akeredolu (Tribune)
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has again disagreed with the Federal Government over who should be blamed for the killing of worshippers in Owo.
Reacting to the killing during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, he said to link the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) to the attack is questionable.
“I reacted to that almost immediately because I asked what evidence do they have,” the governor said.
“It is important to let us know because the security agencies were too quick to jump to the conclusion that it was done by ISWAP. Read more
2023: Fresh trouble for APC as group files perjury case against Tinubu (Vanguard)
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, okayed a fresh suit seeking to compel the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba, to initiate a perjury case against the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1058/2022, was brought before the court by the Incorporated Trustees of Center for Reform and Public Advocacy, a Civil Society Organization, CSO.
Cited as Respondents in the suit are the IGP and the Nigerian Police Force, NPF.
Specifically, the Applicant, is praying the court for, “an order of mandamus, compelling the Respondents to comply with Sections 31 and 32 of the Police Act and Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2015 in respect of alleged crime laid out in complaint of the Applicant encapsulated in the letter of application… Read more
Cinemas ban teenagers wearing suits over ‘rowdy’ #gentleminions trend on TikTok (Mirror)
Some cinemas have banned young people wearing suits from screenings of Minions: The Rise of Gru over rowdy behaviour fuelled by a TikTok trend.
Teenagers following the #gentleminions trend have been accused of making noise and throwing things during screenings.
A staff member at one venue told the BBC they wanted to ensure the experience was not spoiled for younger children on their first cinema trip.
Some cinemas said they have had to give huge numbers of refunds.
Videos showing young people dressing up in suits to watch the movie in large groups and cheering loudly during the screening have gone viral on TikTok, racking up millions of views in some cases. Read more
6 dead after gunman opens fire on Chicago Fourth of July parade from rooftop (Metro)
Six people are dead and at least 31 others are seriously injured after a gunman opened fire on a Fourth of July parade from a rooftop in an affluent suburb of Chicago.
Shots were fired about 10 minutes after the parade started at 10am on Monday in Highland Park, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Witnesses said a shooter fired from the roof of a nearby business. Lake County Major Crimes Task Force spokesman Chris Covelli confirmed the reports.
‘By all means, at this point, this appears to be completely random,’ said Coveilli, according to CBS News. Read more
Tim Westwood: BBC admits to receiving complaints about DJ after saying it hadn’t (Independent)
The BBC has confirmed it received six complaints about DJ Tim Westwood – including one referred by the police – after initially denying it had any knowledge of the accusations against him.
Westwood, 64, was accused of predatory and unwanted sexual behaviour and touching, during incidents alleged to have taken place between 1992 and 2017, following a joint investigation by the BBC and The Guardian.
The day after the report was published, BBC director-general Tim Davie called the claims made against Westwood “appalling” and said he’d “seen no evidence of complaints”.
The BBC has since confirmed that it received six complaints, which it is assessing as part of a review into the ex-DJ’s career at the company. Read more
Rolling Stones’ BTS gig sees huge A-list crowd partying to rockers at Hyde Park (Mirror)
A whole host of celebrities were in the crowd to watch The Rolling Stones take to the stage at Hyde Park Sunday.
Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman, tennis legend Serena Williams and actor Jason Momoa were just a few of the famous faces present as rocker Mick Jagger, 78, and his band became the latest act to perform as part of the British Summer Time festivities.
The star-studded crowd watched on as the legendary British band belted out their classic hits and lead singer Mick paid tribute to Adele, before teasing that he has worn sparklier dresses over the years.
Dad-of-eight Mick – who battled a bout of coronavirus last month – couldn’t help but joke about his recent illness with the Hyde Park audience. Read more
Lil Tjay reportedly awake and speaking following shooting incident (NME)
Rapper Lil Tjay is now reportedly awake and speaking following an incident where he was shot last month.
On June 22, Tjay – real name Tione Jayden Merritt – was shot multiple times along with a friend, 22-year-old Antoine Boyd, at a local shopping plaza during an attempted armed robbery. Tjay underwent emergency surgery as a result of the incident.
Now, according to a report in TMZ (June 30), sources told the outlet that Tjay is now awake and speaking.
On June 24, a suspect was arrested days after the rapper was shot. Read more
Kelsey Grammer cried reading script for Frasier revival (RTE)
Kelsey Grammer has said that he cried while reading the script for the upcoming revival of beloved nineties sitcom Frasier.
Grammar (67) said the show’s writers are “in the final stages of the final script for the first episode of the Frasier reboot and it looks pretty good.
“I’ve had a couple of runs through it, and I cried, so you know, I’m happy.”
Giving an update on the revival, the Emmy-winning star said there had been discussions about filming starting later this year, adding that “there are a couple of other things coming up, we’ve developed a couple of other projects that look like they’re going to shoot first.” Read more
Pope Francis denies resignation rumours, says he hopes to visit Moscow and Kyiv (NBC)
Pope Francis has dismissed reports that he plans to resign in the near future, saying he is on track to visit Canada this month and hopes to be able to go to Moscow and Kyiv as soon as possible after that.
In an exclusive interview in his Vatican residence, Francis also denied rumours that he had cancer, joking that his doctors “didn’t tell me anything about it,” and for the first time gave details of the knee condition that has prevented him from carrying out some duties.
In a 90-minute conversation on Saturday afternoon, conducted in Italian, with no aides present, the 85-year-old pontiff also repeated his condemnation of abortion following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month.
Rumours have swirled in the media that a conjunction of events in late August, including meetings with the world’s cardinals to discuss a new Vatican constitution, a ceremony to induct new cardinals, and a visit to the Italian city of L’Aquila, could foreshadow a resignation announcement. Read more
CAF plans to kick off $200 million African Super League in August 2023 (Guardian)
The proposed African Super League, which will feature the continent’s biggest clubs, will kick off in August next year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced.
CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, Sunday, confirmed that the competition, which prize money is $100 million, will be launched in August 2022 in Tanzania.
Motsepe announced that CAF executive committee has resolved to go ahead with the competition, adding that details, including the official name, will be unveiled at the launch event.
Enyimba of Aba is among teams expected to feature in the elite league based on continental pedigree. Read more
Manchester City owners take over Serie B side Palermo (BBC)
Manchester City’s owners have acquired a majority stake in Italian Serie B side Palermo, making them the 10th club linked to the Premier League champions.
Palmero, who were in Serie A in 2016-17, have won two promotions in three seasons having dropped to the fourth tier after going bankrupt.
The City Football Group owns 11 clubs.
The others are New York City, Melbourne City, Yokohama F Marinos, Montevideo City Torque, Girona, Sichuan Jiuniu, Mumbai City, Lommel SK and Troyes.
CFG chief executive Ferran Soriano said: “Palermo is a great and historic club with a strong and proud identity. Read more
Danish international Christian Eriksen ‘verbally agrees’ to join Manchester United (ITV)
Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen is understood to have verbally agreed to join Manchester United.
The 30-year-old could be new manager Erik ten Hag’s second signing, with Dutch left-back Tyrell Malacia having a medical with United ahead of a proposed deal costing more than £14m.
It is understood Eriksen is on the verge of putting pen to paper on a three-year deal.
The former Tottenham and Inter Milan attacking midfielder was instrumental in rescuing Brentford from relegation in the second half of the 2021/22 season after making a miraculous comeback from the cardiac arrest suffered while playing for Denmark at Euro 2020 last summer. Read more
Zhou Guanyu speaks out on F1 horror crash as incredible photo shows halo saved life (Mirror)
F1 rookie Zhou Guanyu has thanked the medical staff who came to his aid following the horrific crash at the British GP. His Alfa Romeo flipped upside down and skidded across the track before flipping into the catch fencing. Zhou was travelling at approximately 160mph at Abbey corner when George Russell clipped the back of his car.
Thankfully he was extracted from the wreckage and was said to be “conscious and talkative” and thankfully did not sustain any serious injuries. Earlier today the 23-year-old took to social media to address the fans following the frightening incident and those who helped him during a very difficult time.
“Hi everyone! Thank you all for the kind messages,” he tweeted. “I want to thank the marshals and the medical team at Silverstone, they were really fantastic. I’m keener than ever to get back on track, see you guys in Austria!”
This comes after he praised the halo safety device which was implemented ahead of the 2018 season as it ultimately prevented the young star from serious injury that may have proved fatal. “I’m OK, all clear,” he said yesterday. “Halo saved me today. Thanks everyone for your kind messages!” Read more
Kyrgios back on court as Wimbledon appeals fine over Russia ban (France24)
Nick Kyrgios is back in action at Wimbledon on Monday, closing in on a mouthwatering semi-final against Rafael Nadal as tournament chiefs said they had appealed a hefty fine imposed for banning Russian and Belarusian players.
Maverick Australian Kyrgios toppled Stefanos Tsitispas in a heated four-set thriller on Saturday, during which he called for the fourth seed to be kicked out of the event for hitting a ball into the crowd.
Kyrgios called the umpire a “disgrace” as tempers frayed and the bad feeling spilled over into the post-match press conferences.
The defeated Greek player said his opponent has an “evil side” and described him as a “bully”, comments that Kyrgios laughed off. Read more
Anthony Joshua shows off blistering hand speed in warning to Oleksandr Usyk before rematch (Express)
A recent Instagram post from Anthony Joshua reveals that the Brit is in sensational shape ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. The workout video posted to social media, shows a ripped “AJ” looking faster than ever as he lets his hands go.
Joshua rematches Usyk on August 20 at the Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia for the WBA ‘super’, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles after dropping them to the Ukrainian last September. The Watford powerhouse has been preparing for the highly anticipated second fight with new head trainers Angel Fernandez and Robert Garcia after ditching Rob McCracken in May.
Now, Joshua’s latest video has uncovered what training is like under his new team. The post captioned: “Friday’s finisher. @pulseroll,” shows him battering the speed bag and unleashing vicious combinations with the use of resistance bands.
Clearly, Joshua is leaving no stone unturned during his preparations, with the former heavyweight world champion recently admitting he is ‘desperate’ to win back his titles next month. “I’m definitely desperate to get my hands on [the titles],” Joshua revealed during last week’s press conference in London. “Less talk, more action. Let me get in there and do my job. I’m not a comedian, I’m not someone who writes speeches. I’m definitely hungry, definitely desperate, but at the end of the day, how I perform will speak volumes to the masses. Read more
Murat Gassiev return targeted f sqor August in UAE or Serbia (BoxingScene)
Former cruiserweight world champion Murat Gassiev is expected to fight in August in the UAE or Serbia, according to the athlete’s coach Vitaly Slanov.
“We have two options for the next fight. It is planned for August in the UAE or Serbia,” Slanov said to Tass.
Gassiev has been out of the ring since July 22 of last year, when he defeated Germany’s Michael Wallisch by TKO in the fourth round. In December of last year, Gassiev was scheduled to fight against Ukrainian contender Andrei Rudenko, but the fight was canceled.
Over the last few years, the 28-year-old Gassiev has been very inactive. Read more