Agbaje expresses worry over alleged voters’ intimidation (Punch)
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje, on Saturday said he was worried over the alleged plan by the ruling All Progressives Congress to use security agents to intimidate voters in the coming election. He said he did not entertain much fear over vote buying in Lagos State, adding that with the state’s huge population, it would be an expensive project. Agbaje, while speaking in an interview with journalists in Lagos, explained that the major concern was not vote buying, but alleged intimidation of voters by security agents. Read more
Police deny attack on Mrs. Atiku (Guardian)
The Oyo State Police command has denied rumour making the round that hoodlums attacked the convoy of the wife of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs. Titilayo Abubakar, in Ibadan on Friday. Mrs. Atiku was allegedly attacked by suspected political thugs at Sarkin Sasa house in Ojoo area of Ibadan, after meeting the Hausa community in the ancient town. A source said trouble started after the meeting, when the hoodlums blocked the convoy and demanded for money. Read more
Boko Haram insurgents kill six soldiers near Buratai’s village (Punch)
Six Nigerian soldiers were killed and 14 injured when Boko Haram jihadists raided a village near the army chief’s family home, security and hospital sources said on Saturday. The jihadists, on Thursday, attacked an army position overnight in Kamuya, a village in the northeastern state of Borno near the home of army chief of staff Tukur Yusuf Buratai’s mother, the sources said. “We lost six soldiers in the fight and 14 others sustained various degrees of injuries,” an army officer said. “The terrorists also suffered heavy losses,” the officer added without giving figures. Read more
Jimoh Ibrahim’s mother dies in fire accident (Guardian)
The mother of business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim, Mrs. Theresa Jimoh, yesterday, died in a fire accident. It was learnt that an early morning fire incident occurred in her house located at the Victoria Garden City, Lagos. It was gathered that the fire broke out around 2am, but the 76 years old got trapped. This, it was said, led to her getting burnt to death in the process, even before fire fighters came to put out the fire. The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, who confirmed the incident, said the remains of the deceased have been deposited in a morgue. He also said investigations would be conducted to determine the cause of the fire. Read more
VC, others to face EFCC over alleged fraud (Guardian)
The visitation panel set up by Governor Kayode Fayemi to look into the activities of some tertiary and health institutions in Ekiti State have recommended that managements of these institutions be prosecuted for alleged fraudulent activities and abuse of office. The institutions are Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti (EKSU), College of Education, Ikere Ekiti, College of Science and Health Technology, Ijero, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti (EKSUTH) and Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES). Read more
Akwa Ibom prosecuted 400 cult-related cases in 11 months –Govt (Punch)
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Akwa Ibom State, Uwemedimo Nwoko, on Saturday, said the state government had prosecuted over 400 cult-related activities since cultism was outlawed in the state about 11 months ago. Speaking in Uyo, Nwoko stated that the prosecution was made possible following the proscription of different cult groups in the state. The state governor, Udom Emmanuel, in March last year, proscribed 32 cult groups under the cultism and violent behaviour prohibition order. Nwoko said one of the greatest problems facing the state at the inception of Emmanauel’s administration was the proliferation and institutionalisation of cultism in the state. Read more
Ebonyi communities to get N10m each for projects (Guardian)
Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi has said 140 communities in the state would get N10m each for projects of their choice. Speaking in Ikwo Local Government during the flag-off of his re-election campaign, Umahi said the money for the projects has already been set aside. According to him, the leaders of the 140 communities have submitted projects their communities would execute. He said he would continue to develop the state, calling on the people to continue to support his administration. Read more
Condemnation trails alleged murder of Nigerian in South Africa (Punch)
Nigerians living in South Africa have expressed displeasure with the alleged killing of a Nigerian, Celestine Nwokeocha, 36, by the South African Police. The President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Mr Adetola Olubajo, expressed the feeling of Nigerians to the News Agency of Nigeria on the telephone from Pretoria, South Africa, on Saturday. He said that eyewitnesses reported that Nwokeocha was allegedly tortured and beaten to death in his house at Sasolburg area of Free State Province by the police on January 15. “An inquest docket has been opened at Zamdela Police Station, Sasolburg, with case number 183/01/2019. Read more
Burkina Faso: Prime Minister and cabinet resign from office (BBC)
The Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Paul Kaba Thieba, has resigned from office along with his entire cabinet. No reason was given for the move, which was announced in a televised statement by the country’s president. Mr Thieba, a former economist, had held the position since January 2016 when he was nominated by President Roch Marc Christian Kabore. His government has faced growing pressure over a rise in the number of kidnappings and jihadist attacks. Read more
‘Extremely angry’ Sarri slams mentally weak Chelsea after Arsenal loss (Guardian)
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri labelled his players mentally weak and “difficult to motivate” after losing 2-0 at Arsenal in a toothless performance on Saturday. The Gunners blew the race for a top-four Premier League finish wide open as first-half goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny closed Arsenal and Manchester United, who beat Brighton earlier in the day, to within three points of Chelsea in fourth. “I’m extremely angry, very angry indeed. This defeat was due to our mentality more than anything else, our mental approach. We played against a team more determined than we were and I can’t accept that,” said Sarri, who chose to speak through a translator in his native Italian to clearly explain the scale of his frustration. Read more
Salah fires Liverpool seven points clear, United extend winning run (Guardian)
Liverpool moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mohamed Salah’s double inspired a dramatic 4-3 victory over Crystal Palace, while Manchester United stretched their winning streak to seven games as they beat Brighton 2-1 on Saturday. With second-placed Manchester City travelling to bottom of the table Huddersfield on Sunday, Liverpool seized the chance to tighten their grip on the title race. Jurgen Klopp’s side were pushed hard by Palace but Salah’s predatory instincts and a woeful mistake from Eagles keeper Julian Speroni ensured Liverpool improved their unbeaten home league run to 32 games. Read more