Bandits give villagers 48 hours to recover bodies of their colleagues killed in Niger airstrike (Sun)
Tension, apprehension in Niger communities as armed bandits have given the people of Wurukuchi and Nakuna communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state 48 hours to recover from the river, the bodies of their colleagues killed by Military airstrike on Wednesday while fleeing Military operations in Kaduna and parts of Niger State.
The Bandits gave the directive to the people on Friday when they returned to the communities to inquire if the people have seen the bodies of their dead colleagues after they were struck by the military fighter jet on Wednesday.
It could be recalled that over 50 bandits were killed in a boat on river Kusasu in Shiroro local government area of the state when they tried to cross the river in an attempt to escape the onslaught by the military who are currently combing forests in Kaduna and parts of Niger state. Read more
School principal suspended for sexual assault of student in Katsina (Leadership)
Katsina State Government has ordered the suspension of a school principal, Lawal Ibrahim, for the alleged sexual harassment of a female student of Government Secondary School, Dantankari in the Dandume Local Government Area of the state.
A statement signed by the Director of Press for the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Aliyu Ra’adua, stated that the Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has directed the immediate suspension of the said the principal for the alleged sexual harassment of the student.
The statement stated, “The governor has received a report on allegation of sexual harassment against one Lawal Ibrahim (a staff of Ministry of Education), who was then the Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Dantankari in Dandume Local Government Area, involving a female student of the same school. Read more
Reps reject revenues by govt-owned enterprises as under-declaration (DailyTrust)
He attributed rising inflation to a major problem, hence the need for GOE’s to appear before the committee for further interaction.
Bichi noted that reducing the burden of Nigeria’s debt profile, sectoral budgetary allocations, and the dynamics of budget releases, economic diversification strategies, revenue generation forecasts is needed to facilitate the enactment of the bill and effective implementation of the Appropriations Act, 2024.
To this end, the Committee chairman summoned Government Owned enterprises to include the minister of Finance, FIRS, NUPRC, NCC, CG Customs, NNPC, NPA, NIMASA, Minister of State for Petroleum, the CBN Governor among others to appear in person on Monday 10am prompt. Read more
Navy Arrests 17 Suspects, Intercepts Vessel With Stolen Crude In Ondo (Channels)
Navy spokesperson, Commodore Adedotun Olukayode Ayo-Vaughan, disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspects were nabbed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Igbokoda in the early hours of Thursday.
Also intercepted by the naval authorities was a 77-meter-long Motor Tanker (MT) VINNALARIS 1 Lagos.
“The vessel had 17 crew members onboard at the time of arrest and was caught engaging in illegal siphoning of crude oil from one of the well heads at EBESAN oil field about 7 nautical miles off the coast of Awoye riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State,” he stated. Read more
Tinubu celebrates Senate President, Akpabio, at 61 (Leadership)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has celebrated the President of the 10th Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on the occasion of his 61st birthday on December 9, 2023.
Celebrating the political leader, whose antecedents and achievements continue to attract recognition at home and abroad, President Tinubu, in a statement by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, affirmed the outstanding leadership qualities of the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, who became a governor at 45, after serving as a commissioner in three different ministries.
The President appreciated the loyalty, dedication, and commitment the Senate President has demonstrated over time, with measurable and lasting legacies to show for his time in various offices, most significantly exemplified by the uncommon transformation of Akwa Ibom into one of the most vibrant and frontline states in the country. Read more
Sultan of Sokoto promises to get justice for victims of Kaduna bombing (Channels)
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has joined in the demand for justice for victims of the mistaken army airstrike in Tudun Biri village of Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
He vowed to keep pushing until justice is served to the people.
The Sultan stated this at the 25th anniversary of the 11th Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Muhammad on the throne, at the Emir’s Palace in Kafanchan, Kaduna State. Read more
I’m confused over moving to Senate or staying in Tinubu’s govt – Lalong (DailyTrust)
Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, says he is confused on whether he should move to the senate or retain his position in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu.
Lalong, a two-term governor of Plateau State, had contested but lost the February 25, 2023 election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Napoleon Bali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of the election. Read more
Workers panic as Lagos waterworks sacks 450 (Punch)
Employees of the Lagos State Water Corporation are currently in a state of anxiety as the state government sacked 450 casual workers last week Thursday.
Our correspondent learnt on Thursday that the affected staff members were shocked when they were served with sack letters on Tuesday and given an ultimatum to surrender all the government property in their care.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the decision to sack the workers jolted some of the staff members who were not affected by the exercise. Read more
Emma Stone co-star says they loved shooting “outrageous” and “perverse” sex scenes (DailyStar)
Mark Ruffalo revealed that he and Emma Stone loved shooting their “outrageous” and “perverse” sex scenes for their latest movie.
The pair starred alongside one another for sultry sci-fi flick, Poor Things, which is set to hit cinema screens on January 12, 2024. Some viewers at its September 1 premiere at the Venice Film Festival noted that parts of the movie were so graphic, that they had to head for the door.
Now, Emma, 35, and Mark, 56, have lifted the lid on shooting their steamy scenes. The Avengers actor revealed to USA Today on Friday that he loved bonking his co-star on-screen because “it’s so comedic and it’s so outrageous and it’s just so perverse”. Read more
Burundi: Former Prime Minister sentenced to life in prison (AfricaNews)
He was convicted on charges including attempting to overthrow the government, illicit enrichment and destabilising the economy, a judicial source said.
The former general was named PM in July 2020 then dismissed in September 2022.
His ouster came just days after President Evariste Ndayishimiye warned of a “coup” plot against him. Read more
Biden faces embarrassment over son Hunter’s tax charges (Guardian)
President Joe Biden’s silence spoke volumes on Friday after his son Hunter’s legal woes deepened with lurid allegations that he avoided paying taxes while spending millions on drugs and escorts.
The 81-year-old president has long defended Hunter, even though the second set of federal charges against his troubled son are a fresh embarrassment ahead of an uphill battle to be reelected in 2024.
As Hunter Biden, 53, said in an interview released Friday that Republicans were trying to “kill me” to destroy the Democrat’s presidency, the elder Biden’s approach was to stonewall questions instead. Read more
Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley sentenced life behind bars (NBC)
The 17-year-old who gunned down four Michigan schoolmates two years ago, will likely die behind bars after a judge Friday sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole for unleashing a “true act of terrorism.”
Oakland County Judge Kwamé Rowe imposed the maximum sentence against Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 when he opened fire Nov. 30, 2021, at Oxford High School.
Crumbley pleaded guilty to fatally shooting Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Justin Shilling, 17, and wounding seven other people. Read more
6 teenagers found guilty in connection with the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty (Sky)
Six teenagers have been found guilty in connection with the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty.
Mr Paty was murdered in an Islamist terror attack on 16 October 2020 near his school in Paris.
Police shot dead 18-year-old Abdullah Anzorov soon after the attack.
Teacher Mr Paty, 47, had shown pupils caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad – considered blasphemy by many Muslims – in a class on freedom of expression. Read more
Palestinian recounts being stripped and driven away by Israeli army (BBC)
A 22-year-old Palestinian has told the BBC how he was detained with dozens of others by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in northern Gaza on Thursday.
Footage verified by the BBC shows a group of men stripped to their underwear, kneeling on the ground and being guarded by Israeli soldiers.
The man says he was forced to sit in the street for hours, handcuffed and blindfolded, before being driven away. An Israeli official said the soldiers were searching for Hamas members. Read more
Zambia records 684 anthrax cases, 4 deaths – WHO (Punch)
Zambia has recorded at least 684 suspected human cases of anthrax, including four deaths, according to the World Health Organisation.
The WHO disclosed this in its Disease Outbreak News obtained by our correspondent on Friday.
The global health body stated that this unprecedented outbreak marks the first major occurrence spanning nine out of 10 country provinces. Read more
Ex-Super Eagles striker takes charge of Belgian club Kortrijk (Guardian)
Former Super Eagles striker Joseph Akpala will take charge of Belgian club Kortrijk on a temporary basis.
The club announced on their X handle that Akpala will handle the team pending the arrival of a new coach.
Akpala was put in charge of the team following the sacking of former handler Glen De Boeck.The club has said they working on a successor for De Boeck as quickly as possible. Read more
Real Madrid boss Ancelotti expecting Vinicius to return in January (Vanguard)
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday that he hopes Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga can return from injury absences after La Liga’s winter break.
Vinicius has been sidelined since suffering a left thigh injury while playing for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia last month.
Camavinga has missed Real’s last three matches with a knee problem. Read more
Madugu tips Super Falcons, Oshoala, Nnadozie, Abiodun to win at CAF Awards 2023 (CompleteSports)
Interim coach of Nigeria’s women’s national football team, Super Falcons, Justin Madugu, has expressed his optimism that the team will haul multiple winnings in the women category of the CAF Awards 2023 billed to be held in Abidjan, the capital City of Cote d’Ivoire on Monday, December 11, Completesports.com reports.
Speaking about the four Nigerians who have made the final nominations for the CAF Awards 2023 for women, Madugu who recently led the Super Falcons to qualify for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco said he was sure that Nigerian ladies would pick at least three of the individual awards and a team Award.
Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie are in the final three slots for the Player of The Year (Women) and Goalkeeper of The Year (Women) awards respectively. Deborah Abiodun is competing for the Young Player of The Year (Women) award, while Super Falcons are vying for the National Team of The Year (Women) award. Read more
Ange Postecoglou urges Tottenham to bounce back from West Ham defeat (BelfastTelegraph)
Ange Postecoglou called on wasteful Tottenham to not feel sorry for themselves after they suffered a fourth defeat in five matches with a 2-1 home loss to West Ham.
Injury-hit Spurs appeared on course to claim a first win since October 27 at half-time after Cristian Romero returned from suspension to score in the 11th minute.
David Moyes’ side produced an impressive second-half turnaround, with Jarrod Bowen netting on the road again after 52 minutes before James Ward-Prowse fired a 74th-minute winner after an error by Tottenham defender Destiny Udogie. Read more
Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil aims brutal dig as Tottenham set two unwanted records (Mirror)
Former Arsenal player Mesut Ozil has called Tottenham ‘Bottle Job FC’ in a brutal swipe at Ange Postecoglou’s side.
The Australian guided Spurs to the top of the Premier League table after 10 games, winning eight and drawing two of their matches. Furthermore, the entertaining style of football implemented by ‘Big Ange’ had fans lauding their new side, following the acrimonious reign of predecessor Antonio Conte.
But in the last five games the wheels have come off. A chaotic 4-1 defeat to Chelsea was followed by throwing away leads and losing 2-1 to both Wolves and Aston Villa. Read more
Pacers advance over Bucks to championship game of tournament (ABC)
As Tyrese Haliburton watched his step-back 3-pointer fall through the net, giving the Indiana Pacers what would become an insurmountable lead over the Milwaukee Bucks inside the final minute of the Eastern Conference semifinal in the NBA’s in-season tournament, he turned and stared at his wrist.
The implication was obvious: The closing moments of the game, which usually are reserved for “Dame Time” when Damian Lillard is involved, had become Haliburton’s time to shine this Thursday afternoon at T-Mobile Arena.
There were still 48 seconds on the clock as Haliburton celebrated, but they were a mere formality. By the time they ticked off, Indiana had emerged with a 128-119 victory over Milwaukee, moving the Pacers into the tournament’s championship game against either the Los Angeles Lakers or New Orleans Pelicans. Read more