4 policemen killed in foiled attack on another Benue community (Guardian)
Four mobile police officers were reportedly killed by marauding herdsmen at Udei, a suburb in Nyiev ward of Guma Local Council Area, yesterday. A resident, Mr Andy Nomsoor, told The Guardian that the security operatives, who were stationed at Udei, were alerted by the locals that herdsmen were advancing.
According to Nomsoor, the police acted promptly and moved to the location. He said that, though the police were able to foil the attack, they unfortunately lost four officers in the process. He disclosed that the rifles of all the slain officers were taken away by the herdsmen.
When The Guardian contacted the Police Public Relations Officer, Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, she had not yet been briefed. Read more
Wike vs Makinde: Tensions mount as PDP holds NEC meeting today (Punch)
As the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party deepens over the position of National Secretary and the disputed 100th National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for Monday (today), a major showdown appears imminent as party leaders are at odds, with rival factions planning to hold separate NEC and National Caucus meetings today in Abuja.
Credible sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak on the issue, told The PUNCH that rival factions were actively mobilising and preparing to attend the separate meetings.
A reliable party source said the Board of Trustees was also scheduled to meet today amid the ongoing turmoil. Read more
Tinubu in St Lucia for diplomatic engagement, not for vacation — Presidency (Channels)
The presidency states that contrary to claims in some quarters, President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Saint Lucia is for strategic engagements, not a vacation.
Tinubu arrived in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, early Sunday, sparking claims in some quarters that the president had gone to the Caribbean nation for a vacation.
However, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Sunday, described the claims as misguided, mischievous, and uninformed. Read more
Elites behind insecurity – Plateau gov (DailyTrust)
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau state has blamed the country’s persistent security challenges on the powerful and influential members of the society.
He spoke in Jos during a stakeholder meeting themed “Dialogue on Community Policing as a Panacea for Insecurity in Nigeria: The Case of Plateau State’.
Mutfwang said the challenges of insecurity is an elite created problem.
The governor emphasised that meaningful public discourse on security must be guided by honest, informed, and patriotic contributions, particularly from the elite class, who are often positioned to influence opinion and policy. Read more
Every sector in Nigeria is battered – Emir Sanusi (Vanguard)
The Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, has lamented the worsening state of Nigeria’s economy, stating that every sector in the country is battered and in decline.
Represented by labour and human rights activist, Dr. Comrade Auwalu Mudi Yakasai (Danmalikin Kano), the monarch made the remarks during the 51st regular National Executive Council (NEC) meeting/training workshop of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), held at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State.
According to the Emir, the Nigerian labour movement is going through one of its most challenging eras in history, and no longer stands as the vocal champion of the masses as it once did. Read more
Ex-int’l football player, 4 others arrested over 22.6kg cocaine at MMIA (Nation)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested an ex-international football player, Segun George Hunkarin, along with his businessman partner, Ntoruka Emmanuel Chinedu, over attempt to smuggle a consignment of cocaine into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport,(MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos.
Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to the statement, Chinedu who is a frequent flyer known for conveying clothes from Turkey to Nigeria and foodstuffs from Nigeria to Turkey, was the first to be arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport on Tuesday 24th June 2025. Read more
Court restrains police, EFCC from harassing Ghanaian investors over Abuja estate dispute (Sun)
The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a restraining order against the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other respondents, barring them from harassing or arresting a group of Ghanaian investors embroiled in a contentious property dispute at the River Park Estate, Lugbe, Abuja.
The ruling, delivered at the weekend under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1130/2025, follows a suit filed by JonahCapital Nigeria Limited and Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited, a consortium linked to renowned Ghanaian businessman Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, Kojo Ansah Mensah, and Victor Quainoo. The suit also includes Abuja-based lawyer Abu Arome as a co-applicant.
The investors accuse senior Nigerian law enforcement officers of a sustained campaign of harassment, arbitrary arrests, and abuse of power over a civil property dispute. They are seeking N200 million in exemplary damages for alleged violations of their fundamental rights. Read more
Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ delivers Apple’s first box office hit with $55.6m debut (Variety)
It’s lights out and away we go at the box office as “F1,” a big-budget racing drama starring Brad Pitt, impressively revs to $55.6 million in its domestic opening weekend.
With great reviews and a promising “A” grade on CinemaScore exit polls, “F1” landed in the middle of expectations of $50 million to $60 million. At the international box office, the film collected a strong $88.4 million from 78 markets. Those initial ticket sales are significant given “F1” is an adult-skewing tentpole that’s not part of an existing film franchise — a rarity in today’s I.P.-dominated movie theater landscape. Read more
Will Smith Disses Chris Rock In New Freestyle (HipHopDx)
Will Smith appears to have taken aim at old foe Chris Rock in a new freestyle.
Appearing on Apple Music’s Fire in the Booth series, the iconic rapper and actor looked to save some choice bars for the comedian who he famously slapped on stage at the 2022 Oscars.
While he doesn’t drop Rock’s name, Smith clearly references the incident, spitting: “If you talking crazy out your face up on the stage and disrespect me on the stage, expect me on the stage.” Read more
Kate Hudson reveals she was told to ‘divorce’ parents Goldie Hawn & Bill Hudson before landing ‘Party of Five’ (People)
Kate Hudson almost emancipated from her parents, Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson, so that she could get more work before landing a role on Party of Five.
The 46-year-old revealed during the inaugural Newport Beach TV Fest that she got a small part in an unnamed project before being hired for the teen drama series.
“I had gotten this part that they wanted me to basically divorce my parents so that I could work as an adult,” she said during the live Awards Chatter podcast panel. Read more
Canada rescinds digital services tax after Trump suspends trade talks (AlJazeera)
Canada has rescinded its digital services tax in a bid to advance trade negotiations with the United States, days after US President Donald Trump called off talks in retaliation for the levy.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a statement on Sunday, said he and Trump have now agreed to resume trade negotiations.
“Today’s announcement will support a resumption of negotiations toward the July 21, 2025, timeline set out at this month’s G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis,” Carney said. Read more
Olivia Rodrigo performs with The Cure’s Robert Smith at Glastonbury (Consequence)
Olivia Rodrigo closed out the final day of Glastonbury on Sunday with a headlining set that featured a surprise appearance by The Cure’s Robert Smith.
Introducing Smith as “the greatest songwriter to come out of England,” Rodrigo welcomed the frontman to join her for performances of The Cure’s classic songs “Friday I’m in Love” and “Just Like Heaven.”
Rodrigo’s duet with Smith is just her latest high-profile onstage collaboration with a legendary alt-rocker. Earlier this month, she brought out David Byrne for “Burning Down the House” during her headlining set at New York’s Governors Ball. Over the past year or so, she’s also shared the stage with No Doubt, Jewel, Sheryl Crow, and Stevie Nicks. Read more
Glastonbury organisers ‘appalled’ by Bob Vylan’s anti-IDF remarks during performance (Guardian)
The organisers of Glastonbury have said they are “appalled” by comments made by Bob Vylan after the punk duo appeared to incite violence, something the festival said went against its ethos of “hope, unity, peace and love”.
At the West Holts stage on Saturday afternoon, the London group led a chant of “death, death to the IDF”, referring to the Israel Defense Forces.
Describing himself as a “violent punk”, the frontman of the duo, Bobby Vylan, said: “Sometimes we have to get our message across with violence because that’s the only language some people speak, unfortunately.” Read more
Masterminds: How Rivers Angels plot 10th Fed Cup triumph (Punch)
Perennial champions Rivers Angels made history on Saturday as the first Nigerian club to win a title 10 times, when they claimed the women’s title of the 2025 President Federation Cup at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Port Harcourt side staged a stunning comeback in Lagos, rallying from 2-0 down to beat Nasarawa Amazons 4-2 on penalties to claim the historic title following previous triumphs in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2024.
As favourites to win the 2025 title, Rivers Angels dominated the game but found themselves behind after only seven minutes, when Rukayat Shobowale pounced on a loose ball inside their area to give Amazons the lead. Read more
Ajibade, Oshoala on target as Super Falcons defeat Ghana 3-1 (Vanguard)
Nigeria’s Super Falcons cruised to a commanding 3-1 victory over long-time rivals, the Black Queens of Ghana, in an international friendly played in Casablanca on Sunday.
The Ghanaians had the first real chance of the game in the 17th minute, but Doris Boaduwaa’s low effort drifted off target.
Nigeria broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Chiwendu Ihezuo’s shot took a deflection and beat the Ghanaian goalkeeper. Read more
Arsenal open transfer talks with Lookman (Guardian)
Arsenal have begun discussions with Nigerian international Ademola Lookman over a potential move to the Emirates Stadium ahead of the 2025/2026 season.
According to AFTV, the Premier League club has made initial contact with the Atalanta winger as part of efforts to strengthen its attacking options. The Gunners are expected to be active in the transfer market this summer, aiming to address challenges in the final third of the pitch.
While Arsenal have posted one of the best defensive records in Europe over the last two seasons, their frontline has been less consistent. Current attacking options — Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard — have faced scrutiny over their ability to deliver at the highest level. Read more
Ahead of a ‘Historic’ Wimbledon, Coco Gauff is winding down with online shopping & Love Island USA (People)
Fresh off of becoming the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015, Coco Gauff has her sights set on Wimbledon.
“I’m really excited,” says the 21-year-old tennis star, who, amid her busy schedule, has still found time to give back to small businesses through her partnership with UPS. “For me, Wimbledon is always difficult because it’s such a quick turnaround from the clay, but I always get super excited to play the Slam just because it feels so historic and traditional. So this is definitely one that I would love to get the trophy on, hopefully this year.”
The world No. 2 is not unlike your typical 21-year-old, despite her impressive resume. Like the rest of America, Gauff is also “obsessed with” Love Island USA. Read more
Fred Vasseur misses Austrian Grand Prix as Ferrari confirm replacement (PlanetF1)
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur will not be present on Sunday at the Austrian Grand Prix, the team has announced.
Citing personal reasons for Vasseur’s absence, Ferrari has confirmed that deputy team principal Jerome D’Ambrosio will step up in the Frenchman’s absence.
In a statement, Ferrari said: “Fred will not be at the track today, because he has had to return home for personal reasons. Read more