Asaba rival cults’ clashes claim fifth victim (Punch)
Tension has continued to mount in Asaba, the Delta State capital, following the murder of a bread seller by some gunmen suspected to be cultists. SUNDAY PUNCH gathered that the deceased, Aboy Sidi, was killed on Thursday around 6.38pm in his shop on the popular Ibusa Junction by Nnebisi Road and was left in a pool of blood. It was also gathered that the cult rivalry between the Black Axe and 2-2 Confraternity, which started last Sunday, had claimed the lives of four other persons. It was learnt that the Black Axe, in preparation for the burial of one of their members, said to be a hit man, who was reportedly killed on Monday, had attacked the rival group on Friday. Read more
Why Lagosians should not vote for Atiku, by Tinubu (Nation)
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday told the people of Lagos State that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is undeserving of their votes in Saturday’s election for working against their wellbeing during his tenure as Vice President. Tinubu, speaking at the presidential campaign rally of the APC at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, said the then President Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku, subjected Lagos State to unnecessary suffering, and it is now pay back time for the PDP candidate. Read more
INEC threatens to reject political parties’ agents over photos, signatures (Punch)
The Independent National Electoral Commission says it will reject the names of agents of political parties that do not follow the requirements expected from the parties ahead of the elections. The commission said it was concerned that a week after the deadline for the submission of the list of poll agents for the presidential and National Assembly elections and less than three weeks to the deadline for the submission of the list of candidates for the governorship and state assembly elections, only a few political parties had complied with the extant provisions of the law. Read more
Python Dance: Army denies killing traders in Aba (Punch)
The Nigerian Army has denied media reports that some soldiers of the 144 Battalion on routine patrol shot on traders and killed one in a market in Aba, Abia State. It warned that the Army would not spare any group that confronted troops on lawful and legitimate duty anywhere in the country. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, had last week directed heads of formations to deal ruthlessly with any group that could pose threats to the conduct of the forthcoming elections in the country, referring particularly to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra. The leader of the separatist group, Nnamdi Kanu, had in his recent broadcast, directed his followers to boycott the elections and went ahead to fix February 16 for a referendum for Biafra Republic. Read more
Buhari says his govt’s duty is to jail looters (Punch)
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday, maintained that the duty of his administration was to imprison those who had looted the nation’s treasury. He said it was his government’s responsibility to send to jail those who had corruptly enriched themselves by dipping their hands into the country’s commonwealth. The President said this in Lagos at the presidential rally of the All Progressives Congress, where he promised that if re-elected, he would continue to focus on the promises he made in 2015. The President vowed to prosecute those who had yet to return Nigeria’s stolen funds before sending them to prison. Read more
Turkey demands China close camps after reports of musician’s death (BBC)
Turkey has called on China to close its detention camps following the reported death of a renowned musician from the ethnic Uighur minority. Abdurehim Heyit is thought to have been serving an eight-year sentence in the Xinjiang region, where a million Uighurs are reportedly being detained. A statement from Turkey’s foreign ministry said they were being subjected to “torture” in “concentration camps”. China says the facilities are re-education camps. Read more
I missed my family while in China – Mikel (Vanguard)
Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has confirmed that he had to end his association with Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda a month ago because he missed his family back in England. The Chelsea legend had one-year to run on his contract with Tianjin Teda before he quit the club. ‘’I look at my time in China as an experience — it wasn’t bad,’’ Mikel said. “Everyone was so nice but sometimes you miss home and that’s what I did. I missed home and wanted to come back.’’ Read more
Liverpool back on top after easy win (BBC)
Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League with a composed display at Anfield that sent Bournemouth to an eighth successive away defeat. Three days after Manchester City moved top on goal difference, Jurgen Klopp’s side responded in emphatic style to talk that the pressure of a title race was showing in their performances. After a cagey opening in which Ryan Fraser tested Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, Sadio Mane settled any nerves by powerfully heading home James Milner’s cross. Mane, who looked fractionally offside, has now scored in four successive Premier League games for the first time. Read more
Bale scores 100th Real goal in derby win (BBC)
Gareth Bale scored his 100th Real Madrid goal as they beat Atletico in the Madrid derby to overtake their rivals into second place. Casemiro put Real ahead with a volley but Antoine Griezmann equalised after scoring a one-on-one. Sergio Ramos restored the visitors’ lead with a penalty and Bale converted from Luka Modric’s pass to ensure the win. Atletico ended with 10 men after Thomas Partey was shown a second yellow. Read more