Bandits kill vigilantes, abduct village head’s son in Kaduna communities (DailyTrust)
Bandits have attacked Maraban Agyaro village of Kakangi Ward along Birnin Gwari -Kakanhi road, reportedly killing four local vigilantes.
The bandits also reportedly burnt seven motorcycles and ran away with five after the operation.
Daily Trust gathered that the attack happened Thursday afternoon while the villagers were on their way back home after attending a weekly market in Birnin Gwari town. Read more
2 dead, 1 injured in Ogun road crash (Vanguard)
The Ogun State sector of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Saturday confirmed that two persons lost their lives in a road crash around Iyana Odogo, along Ilaro-Owode road.
It added that one person sustained injury in the said accident.
This was contained in a statement issued by the FRSC spokesperson in Ogun State, Florence Okpe. Read more
Tinubu appoints new Board for SEC (Nation)
President Bola Tinubu has appointed a new Board for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with immediate effect.
According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the new board members bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the commission, which plays a vital role in developing and regulating Nigeria’s capital market.
The new Board has Mr. Mairiga Aliyu Katuka as Chairman; Mr. Emomotimi Agama as Director-General; Frana Chukwuogor as Executive Commissioner (Legal and Enforcement); and Mr. Bola Ajomale as Executive Commissioner (Operations). Read more
Protest as varsity student, 14 others are killed in Plateau attacks (ThisDay)
At least 15 persons have been killed following attacks by gunmen on Tilengpat Pushit community in Mangu Local Government Area and Chikam community in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State on Thursday night.
A community leader from Tilengpat, Mr. Joshua said that 12 persons were brutally killed including women and children during the attack, with houses and several properties destroyed.He said, “So far, we have recovered 12 dead bodies of individuals who were brutally murdered during the attack in the Pushit community, and their bodies recovered. Read more
Alaafin Stool: Court strikes out Kingmakers’ case against Makinde (Tribune)
Oyo High Court sitting in Awe has struck out a case filed by Oyo kingmakers against Governor Seyi Makinde, State Attorney General and Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy matters on the vacant Alaafin of Oyo stool over administrative defect.
The claimants in suit no HOY/14/2023 are; the Bashorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Layinka; Lagunna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Oyedepo; Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Amusa Yusuf; Areago Bashorun, Chief Wahab Oyetunji; and the Alapo of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.
They are seeking a court injunction restraining the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde and his agents from overruling their selected candidate for the vacant throne of the Alaafin of Oyo. Read more
Kinsmen demand release of arrested Rivers lawmaker, threatens protest (Punch)
Kinsmen of a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Sokari Goodboy who was allegedly arrested by policemen at the venue of the Peoples Democratic Party National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja on Thursday, have called for his unconditional release.
Another person who was arrested in Abuja alongside the lawmaker was a PDP chieftain, Ezebunwo Ichemati.
Both Goodboy and Ichemati are loyalists of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Read more
4 die in crash on Owerri-Onitsha Express road (Nation)
Four people died in a crash on Friday at Ogbakwu along Onitsha express road.
The accident involved a lorry and a Lord’s Chosen luxury bus.
Eyewitnesses said the crash occured when a lorry with registration number ABU 157 YX came out from Orokwe Market Road and joined Owerri-Onitsha Express Road without proper observation.
It led to a collision with the Lord’s Chosen Luxurious bus coming from Onitsha direction, which veered into the gutter, destroying some shops along the road and hitting three pedestrians. Read more
Support groups want Wike as national leader (Sun)
Some support groups of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Friday, drummed support for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nyesom Wike, to be declared as national chairman of the party.
The groups are Coalition of Northern Youth Groups, Nigeria Democratic Defense Project, Nigeria Citizens Watch for Good Governance, and Coalition of FCT Abuja.
Spokesperson, United Support Groups, Onwe Ogezi, on behalf of others, in a statement, expressed confidence in the leadership of the PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who was validated by the National Executive Committee (NEC) until September 2024. Read more
Nicki Minaj thanks Drake for coming to her rescue after Canada border issues (HipHopDx)
Nicki Minaj is crediting her entry into Canada this week to its most famous resident: her old friend Drake.
The Young Money rapper was almost three hours late for her concert in Montreal on Wednesday (April 17) as her Pink Friday 2 Tour traveled north of the border.
Nicki blamed a series of flight delays on a “sabotage” attempt that she theorized was tied to authorities looking for her husband, Kenneth Petty, who had only been granted permission to travel internationally the day prior. Read more
Paris Hilton shares first snaps of baby daughter London after vowing to “keep my little girl to me’’ (Mirror)
Paris Hilton has treated fans to the first sweet snaps of her baby daughter London.
The 43-year-old shares two children with husband Carter Reum – son Phoenix, whom the couple welcomed via surrogate in January last year, and daughter London, who arrived just a few months later in November.
Paris looked flawless in a floaty dress as she cradled her daughter in her arms. London looked adorable with a huge bow headband as she cuddled up on her mother’s knee. Read more
Louis Gossett Jr’s cause of death confirmed after an officer and a Gentleman star dies aged 87 (Metro)
Louis Gossett Jr’s cause of death has been revealed, weeks after he died.
The actor, most known for his roles in Roots and An Officer and a Gentleman, died on March 29, at the age of 87.
His family confirmed the tragic news at the time, thanking those who had paid tribute to the Oscar-winner. Read more
US to withdraw its troops from Niger, source says (VOA)
The United States will withdraw its troops from Niger, a source familiar with the matter said late on Friday, adding that an agreement was reached between U.S Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Niger’s leadership.
As of last year, there were a little more than 1,000 U.S. troops in Niger, where the U.S. military operated out of two bases, including a drone base known as Air Base 201 near Agadez in central Niger at a cost of more than $100 million.
Since 2018, the base has been used to target Islamic State militants and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen, an al-Qaida affiliate, in the Sahel region. Read more
West Africa’s Sahel becoming a drug trafficking corridor, UN warns (AlJazeera)
Drug seizures have soared in the West African Sahel region, according to a new United Nations report, indicating the conflict-ridden region is becoming an influential route for drug trafficking.
In 2022, 1,466kg (3,232 pounds) of cocaine were seized in Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso and Niger compared to an average of 13kg (28.7 pounds) between 2013 and 2020, said the report released by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Friday.
Cocaine is the most seized drug in the Sahel after cannabis resin, the report added. Read more
President Trump’s hush money trial all set to commence Monday morning in New York (ITV)
A panel of 12 jurors and six alternates will hear opening statements on Monday, April 22, in the first criminal trial ever of a former US President, Donald Trump.
Jury selection, completed Friday in New York State Supreme Court, came together faster than expected in less than four days of inquiry supervised by Judge Juan Merchan.
The jury is comprised of US citizens who live in Manhattan, just as Trump did, in his Fifth Avenue penthouse, until decamping from his eponymous tower for the White House and then Palm Beach, Florida. Read more
Nearly 50 pounds of meth hidden in ice chest full of fish seized at border, feds say (NBC)
Authorities confiscated nearly 50 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in an ice chest of fish earlier this week at the Southern border in California, federal officials said.
The incident occurred Sunday before 9 p.m. at the Calexico West Port of Entry and involved a 34-year-old man who drove his sedan through the SENTRI lane, according to a Wednesday statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, also known as CBP.
SENTRI stands for the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, a CBP program “that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.” Read more
Ex-players divided over hiring of foreigner as Eagles coach (Punch)
Former Super Eagles stars have expressed different opinions over hiring a foreigner as coach of the senior national team, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Following Jose Peseiro’s departure after guiding the Eagles to the Africa Cup of Nations final in Ivory Coast in February, discussions have intensified over the Portuguese ideal successor with over 60 candidates reportedly applying for the job.
With the Nigeria Football Federation on the verge of announcing Peseiro’s replacement, foreign contenders Danny Buijs, Domenec Torrent and Antonio Conceicao and homeboy Emmanuel Amuneke are reportedly front runners for the position. Read more
Kano gives Kano Pillars ultimatum to win 3 games (Leadership)
The Kano State Government, through its Acting Commissioner of Youths and Sports, Hon. Hamza Safiyanu Kachako, has issued a three-game ultimatum to the management and technical crew of Kano Pillars Football Club to regain its winning streak.
This comes in response to the team’s recent struggles in the ongoing 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
Hon. Kachako in a statement on Friday highlighted the government’s concern over Kano Pillars’ lackluster performance in recent matches, which has seen the team drop critical points and slide in the league standings. Read more
Shaquille O’Neal admits he got a suit he couldn’t afford for his 1992 NBA draft (People)
Shaquille O’Neal knows how to put his fashion foot forward.
In light of Caitlin Clark making headlines for becoming the first person to ever be dressed by Prada for the WNBA Draft on Monday night, the retired NBA legend reflected on the attire he sported at the 1992 NBA Draft.
“I just went to a suit store and got a suit on consignment,” O’Neal tells PEOPLE exclusively of the garment he wore when he was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the first overall pick that year. “The suit was $1,500.” Read more
Emma Raducanu falls to top seed Iga Swiatek in quarter-finals (BBC)
Emma Raducanu has been knocked out of the Stuttgart Open despite a spirited quarter-final display against world number one Iga Swiatek.
Britain’s Raducanu, who is continuing her comeback from an injury-hit 2023 season, lost 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 against the clay-court specialist from Poland.
Swiatek is on a 10-match winning run in Stuttgart, having won the last two editions of the WTA 500 tournament. Read more
New FIFA Club World Cup a ‘great opportunity’ for African teams – Drogba (AfricaNews)
Former Ivory Coast and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba said on Friday that the revamped FIFA Club World Cup provided a “great opportunity” for African teams to become world champions.
Drogba was endorsing FIFA’s plans for the tournament next year which includes 32 teams playing in the United States.
**There’s already the (FIFA) World Cup, but the (FIFA) World Cup is every four years and not everybody has the chance to participate)) ((so it could be a great benefit for, let’s say, so-called smaller teams.”)) **With the (FIFA) Mundial de Clubes it makes things a bit more recurrent, which means there’s more competition every year, there are more games, there are more opportunities for players to be world champions. Imagine the feeling for someone who plays here in Côte d’Ivoire or anywhere in Africa being world champion in front of all the big clubs, like Chelsea, Barcelona, [Real] Madrid, etc. Read more
Nelly Korda makes strong start to LPGA record bid (StraitsTimes)
Nelly Korda made a strong start to her bid for a record-equalling fifth straight LPGA Tour win with a four-under 68 on April 18 at the Chevron Championship, the first women’s Major of the year.
The world No. 1 American was two strokes behind first-round leader and compatriot Lauren Coughlin, who shot a superb bogey-free 66 at The Club at Carlton Woods, Texas.
The 25-year-old Korda is looking to match the five-tournament streaks achieved by Nancy Lopez in 1978 and Annika Sorenstam in 2005. Read more