8 days after Adeleke’s pardon, ex-convict commits crime, returns to prison (Nation)
Barely eight days after being granted pardon by Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, a former inmate, Sunday Omisakin, has been remanded in the Ilesa Correctional Facility for allegedly breaking into a house to steal a television.
Omisakin, who was listed as number 8 on the governor’s prerogative of mercy list signed on December 26, 2024, had been pardoned for what was described as a minor offence.
However, on January 3, 2025, he was arrested for allegedly burgling a residence in Osogbo and stealing a plasma television valued at N600,000. Read more
LASTMA nabs ‘‘one-chance’’ bus driver, recovers 7 stolen phones (Punch)
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has arrested the driver of a notorious one-chance syndicate that uses a commercial bus with number plate KSF 56 XL to rob unsuspecting passengers of their valuables.
The agency’s Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed this in a statement on X.com on Tuesday.
It revealed that the arrest occurred along Funsho Williams Avenue in the Surulere area of the state following an incident involving a female passenger, Bibian Emelifonwu, who was a victim of the syndicate while commuting to work on Tuesday morning. Read more
Over 5,000 Nigerian women stranded in Iraq – NiDCOM (DailyTrust)
Over 5,000 Nigerian women are currently stranded in Iraq, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has disclosed.
Chairman of the Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, stated that the women were sent to Iraq as caregivers only to be stranded.
She disclosed this in Lagos while addressing participants at the seminar on “Sensitisation and Advocacy Program for Promoting Diaspora Investment Potentials in South-West Nigeria” organised by NiDCOM in conjunction with G-Consulting International Services Limited. Read more
Reps donate N100m to Niger tanker explosion victims (Tribune)
Members of the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, donated N100 million to victims of the tanker explosion in Niger state.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago received the dignitaries at the Niger State liaison office, in Abuja.
The Speaker described the incident as very sad, especially as the country is yet to recover from similar incidents in Jigawa and other places that occurred not too long ago. Read more
Immigration arrests 90 foreigners for cybercrimes in Rivers (Channels)
The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service has arrested 90 suspected illegal immigrants for Cybercrimes perpetrated at different levels to swindle innocent Nigerians.
The suspects were arrested in collaboration with other sister security agencies at their hideout in the state, following a credible intelligence.
According to the Rivers State Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr. YI Abdulmajeed, a total of 94 persons were arrested. Read more
Boko Haram invades Borno village, destroys 6 patrol vehicles, armoured tanks (Vanguard)
Armed terrorists suspected to be members of Boko Haram invaded Kawuri village in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State and set ablaze three patrol vehicles belonging to members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and another three armoured tankers belonging to the military.
Reliable sources told our correspondent that the incident which took place on Sunday night also caused many residents to flee into the bush for safety.
It was also gathered that as the military engaged the terrorists during the encounter, the attackers were repelled but there was no casualty. Unfortunately, the fleeing terrorists planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the Konduga-Kawuri Road to prevent any reinforcement of troops from Konduga. Read more
Tinubu, Fubara, Ogoni leaders meet in Aso Villa (Guardian)
President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with a delegation of Ogoni leadership led by the Rivers State Governor, Simimalayi Fubara at the presidential Villa, Abuja.
Fubara arrived with Senator Lee Maeba, including Senators Magnus Abe, Olaka Nwogu, Chief Victor Giadom, Chief Kenneth Kobani, Monsignor Pius Kii, Leedom Mitee, as well as Senators Bennett Birabi Barry. Mpigi and Joe Poroma.
Also present is the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, the Minister of Environment, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abba, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh and the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Read more
Flight disruptions loom as NiMET workers threaten strike from February 4 (Leadership)
Flight disruptions loomed in the nation’s aviation sector as workers of the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMET) have been directed to proceed on strike action from February 4, 2025.
In a joint letter to the director-general of NiMET, Prof. Charles Anosike, the National Union Of Air Transport Employees (NUATE); Amalgamated Union Of Public Corporations; Civil Service Technical And Recreational Services Employees (AUPCCSTRSE), and Association Of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), alleged that the management of NiMET has refused to comply with ministerial directive for the review of Conditions of Service of its workers.
The unions also accused the NiMet management of non-implementation of the reviewed scheme of service of the agency since 2019. Read more
Cardi B hits the gym 4 months after welcoming baby daughter: ‘I need a nap’ (People)
Cardi B is back in the gym.
The rapper, 32, shared a video on her Instagram Stories as she returned to the gym four months after welcoming her baby daughter, whose name she has not revealed yet. In the video, Cardi showed herself in a mirror, showcasing a series of weights as she rounded out her workout.
“That was enough Gym honey…I need a nap,” she wrote across the video. Read more
23 Democratic attorneys general seek to preserve birthright citizenship (UPI)
Attorneys general in 23 states have filed two legal challenges in federal courts seeking to halt President Donald Trump from limiting birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants and visitors.
Nineteen Democratic attorneys general filed a legal challenge in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, while attorneys general for Washington State, Illinois, Oregon and Arizona filed a challenge in the U.S. District Court for Western Washington.
The respective lawsuits say the president does not have the legal authority to rewrite the Constitution or the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. Read more
Trudeau says Canada will respond to US tariffs as Ontario’s premier says Trump ‘declared war’ (ABC)
Canada’s outgoing prime minister and the leader of the country’s oil rich province of Alberta are both confident Canada can avoid the 25% tariffs President Donald Trump says he will impose on Feb. 1.
Justin Trudeau and Danielle Smith will argue that Canada is the energy super power that has the oil and critical minerals that America needs to feed what Trump vows will be a booming U.S. economy.
But Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, the manufacturing hub of Canada, said a trade war is 100% coming. Read more
Rage Against The Machine react to Joe Biden’s pardon of activist Leonard Peltier (NME)
Rage Against The Machine have reacted to outgoing President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon activist Leonard Peltier, saying that “Justice will finally be served”.
The band have long campaigned for the release of Peltier from prison, and brought the issue to light most famously with the music video for their ‘90s hit ‘Freedom’.
Peltier is a Native American activist and member of the American Indian Movement, and was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted on two counts of first-degree murder back in 1977. Read more
Sydney Sweeney lands next lead movie role (DigitalSpy)
Sydney Sweeney has landed her next movie role after a busy 2024.
Deadline reports that the Euphoria star is in talks to lead theA24 and Picturestart collaboration “The Masque of the Red Death”.
The film will be based on the short story of the same name by Edgar Allen Poe and is described as a “wildly revisionist and darkly comedic” take on the classic text. Read more
Richard Gere gives happy update on new life in Spain (FilmNews)
Richard Gere has spoken out about his new life in Europe.
The Pretty Woman star and his Spanish wife, Alejandra Silva, shared an update on how they’re doing since moving from Connecticut to Spain in November.
“The truth is that you are seeing us in our momentum,” Gere told Elle España in an interview alongside Silva.
“We are happier than ever.” Read more
Putin, Xi discuss ties in meeting after Trump’s inauguration (AfricaNews)
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke Tuesday with Chinese President Xi Jinping and emphasized their close ties a day after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th U.S. president.
The two leaders discussed their prospective contacts with Trump’s administration during the video call that lasted more than 1 1/2 hours, the Kremlin said.
They have developed strong, personal links that brought their relations even closer after Putin sent troops into Ukraine in 2022. China has become a major customer for Russian oil and gas and a source of key technologies amid sweeping Western sanctions on Moscow. Read more
Lookman stars in Atalanta’s big win over Sturm Graz (CompleteSports)
Ademola Lookman scored once and provided an assist in Atalanta’s 5-0 victory over Austrian club Sturm Graz at the Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo on Tuesday night.
Lookman netted Gian Piero Gasperini’s side fourth goal of the night with a glancing header on the dot of 90 minutes.
The 27-year-old then weaved through away from a couple of challenges before setting up fellow substitute Marco Brescianini for the home team’s fifth goal in the fourth minute of added time. Read more
Europa: Osimhen scores, but Dynamo Kyiv rally for thrilling draw (Punch)
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen’s penalty was not enough to secure victory for Galatasaray as Dynamo Kyiv staged a spirited comeback to claim their first point of the campaign in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
The visitors stunned the home side at the Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi in Istanbul during the six-goal spectacle.
The result leaves Galatasaray on 13 points, while Dynamo Kyiv, after seven matches, finally ended their losing streak on Tuesday night. Read more
Vitor Reis transfer: Man City sign defender from Palmeiras in £29.6m transfer (SkySports)
Manchester City have signed Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis for £29.6m.
Reis, who has represented Brazil U17s, has made 18 league appearances for Palmeiras since coming through the club’s academy.
Sky Sports News reported a number of clubs around Europe had shown an interest in the 19-year-old. Brighton made attempts to sign Reis in this transfer window and had an approach knocked back, but it’s understood no formal offer was made. Read more
Teenager arrested amid probe into abuse towards Arsenal star Kai Havertz’s wife (Metro)
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested amid the probe into abuse towards Arsenal star Kai Havertz’s wife Sophia, Hertfordshire Police have said.
The teenager, from St Albans, has been arrested on suspicion of sending malicious communications on social media in connection with the investigation.
Sophia, expecting her first child with her German Premier League star husband, revealed two messages she received on Instagram after Arsenal’s FA Cup exit to Manchester United earlier this month. Read more
Erling Haaland never thought about charges before committing to Manchester City (Independent)
Erling Haaland insists he never even thought about the looming verdict on Manchester City’s much-discussed 115 charges before committing his long-term future to the club.
The prolific Norwegian was also happy to have closed the door on the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona to stay at the Etihad Stadium.
Haaland signed an extraordinary new nine-and-a-half year contract with the reigning Premier League champions worth a reported basic £500,000 per week last Friday. Read more
Novak Djokovic beats Carlos Alcaraz to reach Australian Open semi-finals (Express)
Novak Djokovic fought off injury and Carlos Alcaraz to reach his 12th Australian Open semi-final – and keep alive his bid to win a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.
In a night of high drama in the Rod Laver Arena, the Serbian superstar seemed to suffer a groin injury in the ninth game of the first set and took a medical timeout.
But despite losing the first set and limping after losing points throughout the rest of the contest, the 10-time champion showed his warrior mentality to win 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 in three hours and 37 minutes. Read more