Foreign fighters responsible for resurging terror attacks –Military (DailyTrust)
The military high command has revealed that the recent spike in terrorists’ activities across the North East and North West regions is due to an influx of foreign fighters serving as reinforcements for Boko Haram terrorists.
The outgone Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, a Major-General disclosed this to journalists at Defence Headquarters, Abuja during a press briefing on Thursday.
Daily Trust reports Nigeria had in the past few weeks witnessed deadly attacks on military bases and civilian populations, raising concerns about the escalating security situation in the country. Read more
Court frees Igbo chief over allegations of IPOB threat in Lagos (Vanguard)
A Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square has acquitted and discharged Frederick Nwajagu, the “Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate,” of terrorism charges.
The court had on Wednesday ruled that the Lagos State Government failed to prove any of the ingredients of the charges against Nwajagu.
The judge, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, however, convicted and sentenced Nwajagu to 12 months of imprisonment for parading himself as a certified chief in Lagos State, which contravened the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos State. Read more
Governors reject increase in VAT, express support for tax reform bills (Nation)
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has rejected the move to increase Value Added Tax (VAT).
The governors also expressed support for the ongoing legislative process of the Tax Reform Bills.
It also proposed an “equitable” sharing formula for value-added tax (VAT).
This development was an outcome of a meeting between the NGF and the presidential tax reform committee, convened on January 16, 2025, to deliberate on critical national issues, including the reform of Nigeria’s fiscal policies and tax system. Read more
NCC, FCCPC sign pact to protect telecom consumers (Leadership)
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) signifying a joint step toward enhancing joint regulatory efforts in protecting telecom consumers.
The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said during his remarks on Tuesday that it was the “beginning of a strategic partnership between two critical regulatory institutions, each committed to advancing the welfare of the Nigerian people through fair competition and robust consumer protection frameworks.”
He added that in an era of rapid technological advancements, the significance of collaboration between regulatory bodies cannot be overstated. The telecommunications sector, in particular, he said, has become the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic and social development. Read more
Ogun guard arrested for alleged defilement of 6-year-old (Punch)
The Ogun State Police Command on Thursday said its operatives have arrested a 44-year-old private security guard, Damilola Otegba, for attempting to allegedly defile a six-year-old inside a building in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
The spokesperson for the state command, CSP Omolola Odutola, said in a statement on Thursday that Otegba committed the offence on Wednesday.
Odutola disclosed that one Sherifat Bakare, a food vendor residing around Araromi Ajebo Road, FMC, Abeokuta reported the incident to the police on Wednesday. Read more
Suspected gunrunner nabbed, submachine gun recovered in Taraba (Channels)
Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/ Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have apprehended a suspected gunrunner, Alhaji Adamu Usman, and recovered a fabricated submachine gun from him.
Acting on credible intelligence, troops swiftly launched a carefully planned operation at the suspect’s residence on January 13 in Maraban Gassol of Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by the Captain Olubodunde Oni, the acting assistant director, 6 Brigade Army Public Relations. Read more
Man machetes father to death in Delta (Tribune)
A 23-year-old man, identified only as Success, has been arrested for allegedly using a machete to kill his father in the Amukpe community, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State.
The incident has left residents of Amukpe in shock and disbelief.
Eyewitnesses reported that the trouble began when Success demanded ₦5,000 from his father, but the request was denied. Read more
Aiyedatiwa declares Friday work-free for Ondo council poll (Nation)
Ondo Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has declared Friday work-free to enable public servants travel to their various communities to participate in the Saturday’s local council elections.
A statement by Chief Press Secretary to Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the Governor urged all stakeholders to ensure a free, fair and peaceful local government election across the state.
Ondo Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, announced restriction of vehicular and motorcycle movements within the period when the election would be conducted. Read more
Barbie doll of Aaliyah sells out on late R&B star’s birthday (NBC)
Interest in the Barbie doll of Aaliyah is truly “One in a Million” — and it shows, as the doll has already sold out.
The doll was released Thursday, which would have been the late R&B star’s 46th birthday. As of Thursday afternoon, the collector’s item was listed as sold out on the Mattel website.
The Barbie Instagram account said Thursday about the latest addition to the Barbie Music Series, “Today on Aaliyah’s birthday, Barbie honors the Princess of R&B’s unmatched legacy as a once-in-a-generation talent.” Read more
Man murdered wife in front of kids after she asked for divorce, then fled for 18 months before dramatic capture (People)
A Georgia man who was convicted of murdering his wife in front of his two children has been sentenced to life behind bars.
Jonathan Bates, who evaded authorities for 18 months following his wife’s 2017 killing, was sentenced to life in prison this week, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Paulding County inmate records reviewed by PEOPLE show that Bates, 45, was sentenced on Wednesday. Read more
Conan O’Brien will receive the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy (ABC)
Comedian and host Conan O’Brien was named the newest recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy on Thursday.
O’Brien, 61, has carved out an improbable decadeslong career arc, moving from goofy television interloper to comedic elder statesman. Along the way, he survived one of the most public failures in the history of television on “The Tonight Show” — only to launch a successful, and sustained, next act.
His travel series “Conan O’Brien Must Go” sparked popular and critical acclaim, with a second season coming. In March, O’Brien will host the Academy Awards three weeks before his own Mark Twain ceremony in Washington. Read more
Russian influencer tosses 2-month-old baby into deep snow as police issue arrest warrant (Mirror)
The arrest warrant was issued by the Basmanny Court of Moscow in Russia against Sergei Kosenko, better known as Mr Thank You, who has over 46.5 million Instagram followers
A Russian influencer has been issued an arrest warrant by police after a distressing video of him tossing his baby into a snowdrift went viral.
It was issued by the Basmanny Court of Moscow in Russia against Sergei Kosenko, better known as Mr Thank You, who has over 46.5 million Instagram followers. It also ordered that his assets in Russia be frozen. Read more
Twin Peaks film director David Lynch dies at 78 (BBC)
David Lynch, the American filmmaker whose works include the surrealist cult classics Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks, has died aged 78.
Lynch’s death was announced on his official Facebook page by his family.
“There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us,” the post said.
“But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’ … It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.” Read more
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds sued by It Ends With Us director as bitter legal battle steps up
(Sky)
It Ends With Us director and actor Justin Baldoni is suing his co-star Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, in the latest step in a bitter legal battle surrounding the film.
Baldoni is seeking at least $400m (£326m) for damages including lost future income.
The lawsuit – from Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios – has been filed in a New York court. Read more
Romania sets May date for new presidential election (AlJazeera)
Romania’s coalition government has announced that it will hold a new presidential election in May, after the shock annulment of the December vote amid claims of Russian interference.
A cabinet meeting on Thursday approved the ruling party’s proposal to have a fresh presidential vote.
The first round will take place on May 4, with a second on May 18 if no first-round candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote. Read more
Oshoala targets WAFCON glory (Punch)
Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala believes the women’s senior national team will hit their strides again this year as they hope to reclaim the WAFCON title at this year’s tournament in Morocco, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Falcons have dominated the continent for several years, winning 11 African women’s football titles but their last piece of silverware was in 2018.
Ahead of this year’s tournament which will be played from July 5 to 26 in North Africa, Oshoala said the Super Falcons would build on their recent performances to return to the top of African women’s football in Morocco. Read more
CHAN 2024: Home Eagles will qualify ahead Senegal, Sudan, Congo –Dosu (COmpleteSports)
Former Nigerian international Dosu Joseph has predicted that the Home Eagles will qualify for the knockout stages of the much-anticipated 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Recall that Nigeria has grouped alongside Senegal, Sudan, and Congo in Group D of the tournament, which is scheduled to start next month.
Speaking with Completesports.com, the Atalanta Olympic gold medalist stated that the Home Eagles will qualify ahead of other opponents in the group. Read more
Marcus Rashford issues statement over ‘tabloid photo’ with rapper (Metro)
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has issued a statement after claiming that a photo of himself alongside a rapper is set to be published by a British tabloid newspaper.
The image has not been published as of 7pm on Thursday evening but the reference to Jimmy Mizen in Rashford’s statement suggests that the rapper in the photo is UK drill artist TEN, whose real name is Jake Fahri, a 35-year-old who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years in 2009 for Mizen’s murder.
Fahri, then 19, threw an oven dish at Mizen which shattered and severed blood vessels in the 16-year-old’s neck in a south London bakery. Read more
Rory McIlroy five off Hero Dubai Desert Classic lead after firing 70 in opening round at Emirates GC (SkySports)
Defending champion Rory McIlroy sat five shots off the lead after completing his opening round at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
McIlroy, who is chasing a record fifth title at Emirates GC, and third in a row, chipped in for birdie on his 16th hole but conceded he had to settle for a “scrappy” opening round of 70.
“First competitive round of the year and first competitive round in a while,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “A little uncomfortable over some shots. Read more
Legendary baseball broadcaster Bob Uecker dies at 90 (UPI)
Sports broadcasting icon Bob Uecker, the longtime voice of the Milwaukee Brewers, died Thursday, the MLB franchise announced. He was 90.
Uecker was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023.
“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Bob,” the Uecker family said in a statement released by the Brewers. “To many, he was an announcer and entertainer whose humor and voice transcended the game, but to us he was so much more. Read more
Manchester City set sights on new left-back for Pep Guardiola’s youthful rebuild (Independent)
Manchester City are interested in Italy international left-back Andrea Cambiaso as Pep Guardiola plans for a youthful revamp of his defence.
The Premier League champions are not yet close to a deal for the Juventus player but he is a third defensive target for City.They have agreed a fee with Palmeiras for 18-year-old Brazilian centre-back Vitor Reis and are closing in on a £33m move for 20-year-old Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov. Read more