Cultists kill one in Badagry, cut off victim’s hand in Ogun (Guardian)
The police in Badagry, Lagos State, yesterday confirmed the death of a man alleged to have been killed during a clash between rival cult groups.
The Divisional Police Officer in Badagry, Mr Gbesu Peters, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the body of the victim had been deposited at the Badagry General Hospital’s mortuary.
Peters said investigation was underway to establish the motive behind the killing, and that efforts were on to apprehend those involved in the incident. Read more
Command nabs four as Lagos cult clashes claim 14 in three days (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command said it had arrested four persons in connection with cult clashes in the Obun-Ale, Ireshe, Ladega, Itunpate, Kokoro-Abu and Adamo areas of Ikorodu between suspected members of the Aiye and Eiye confraternities.
PUNCH Metro gathered that clashes started on Sunday, with 14 persons feared dead as of Tuesday.
An eyewitness, Farouk Aderibigbe, told one of our correspondents that the clash started when suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity shot dead four persons, including an innocent motorcyclist, identified simply as Pastor, around Ireshe and Obun-Ale on Sunday.
He said, “Cultists have scattered everywhere in Ikorodu; members of the Eiye and Aiye groups have started clashing again and a lot of people, including innocent residents, have been killed. Around 7pm on Sunday, members of the Aiye Confraternity stormed the Obun-Ale area and shot three Eiye cultists dead; two others, who were also shot in the neck, were rushed to the Ikorodu General Hospital, but we don’t know if they survived. Read more
Airport Bridge closure: Motorists lament sordid state of alternative routes (Guardian)
Road users seeking to ply the Airport Bridge linking the Airport Road from Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos are facing a daunting task continuing their journey since the weekend when the route was closed to users at the weekend.
The Lagos State Government had, on Sunday, announced the closure of the bridge at Toyota Bus Stop indefinitely following the inferno that occurred last Thursday on the highway as a result of an explosion from a tanker.
Announcing the closure, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, had outlined alternative routes for use by motorists pending the outcome of the tests and reopening of the bridge to traffic. Read more
Lagos generates 400 cylinders oxygen daily– Commissioner (Punch)
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, on Tuesday, disclosed that the state generates 400 cylinders of oxygen for the care of COVID-19 patients.
Omotoso, in an interview with our correspondent, said the amount was not enough for patients requiring oxygen in the state.
He added that the state recently installed an oxygen plant at the Infectious Disease Hospital where 60 cylinders of oxygen were being generated daily.
He said, “The state generates 400 cylinders daily; the 400 cylinders are not enough at the moment because the pandemic is getting out of hand. Read more
Apapa Customs command seizes 133 containers of drugs, generates N518b (Guardian)
The Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos, has made a total seizure of 318 containers, including 133 containers of unregistered pharmaceutical products.
Giving the breakdown of the seizures, the command’s Area Controller, Mohammed Abba-Kura, said: “Some of the seized items are 133 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals, including tramadol; 58 containers of parboiled rice; 30 containers of vegetable oil; 31 containers of used clothes and shoes; 13 containers of used tyres, and other sundry items.
“Accordingly, the command made a total of 318 seizures with duty paid value of over N21 billion. These figures almost tripled the total seizures for the year 2019, which stood at 112 with total duty paid value of N12.5 billion,” he said. Read more
No provision yet for COVID-19 vaccines in 2021 budget, says finance minister (ThisDay)
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, has said that there is no provision in the 2021 Budget to fund the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines.
The minister, during a virtual presentation of the 2021 Budget in Abuja, however, explained that the federal government is working on the type and quantity of COVID-19 vaccines to procure, while her ministry and the Ministry of Health will meet to finalise an amount to be allocated to vaccine procurement within the next two weeks.
Also, the 2020 Finance Act recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari has exempted workers within the minimum wage bracket of N30, 000 from personal income tax.
The Act, which amended no fewer than 14 different fiscal laws, now extends the implementation of the Public Procurement Act to the National Assembly and the judiciary. Read more
More discomfort for Nigerians as NIMC issues fresh directive (Guardian)
With a fresh notice from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) discountenancing National Identification Number (NIN) generated via Bank Verification Number (BVN), frustrations of Nigerians may have been compounded.
The directive, yesterday, to citizens to go the whole hog of enrolment further elicited disenchantment for the verification exercise introduced last month by the Federal Government.
On its Twitter handle, @nimc_ng, the commission said Nigerians must complete their NIN registration, even if their BVN generates the special digit. Read more
CAN kicks as Islamic group tells Kukah to apologise or leave Sokoto (ThisDay)
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has kicked against the call by the Muslim Solidarity Forum on the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, to apologise for his alleged attack on Islam and Muslims or leave the Caliphate.
The forum, which labelled itself as an umbrella body for Islamic organisations, scholars and clerics, yesterday asked Kukah to apologise or leave the state, insisting that his Christmas message was capable of triggering religious violence in the country.
Kukah, in his Christmas homily, had accused President Muhammadu Buhari of promoting northern hegemony.
He had said that there could have been a coup if a non-northern Muslim president had done a fraction of what Buhari did. Read more
Uganda prepares to vote in general election marred by ‘repression’ (France24)
Uganda will vote on Thursday in presidential and parliamentary elections marred by political repression as singer-turned-politician Bobi Wine challenges President Yoweri Museveni’s 34-year rule.
The most prominent of the 10 opposition candidates is the National Unity Platform’s Bobi Wine – a 38-year-old ragga star who has used his popularity with Uganda’s youthful population to defy the 76-year-old president and his National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
On December 26, the government banned campaign rallies in the capital Kampala and 15 other counties, citing the risk of spreading Covid-19.
This is despite Uganda recording just 301 coronavirus deaths. Its population is regarded as one of the least at-risk because it is the world’s second-youngest, with more than 48 percent of Ugandans aged under 15.
‘Ndrangheta group: Italy braces for biggest mafia trial in decades (BBC)
Hundreds of alleged members of Italy’s most powerful mafia group are set to face justice in the country’s biggest organised crime trial in decades.
The 355 suspected mobsters and corrupt officials were charged following a long inquiry into the ‘Ndrangheta group.
More than 900 witnesses are expected to give evidence, and the charge sheet includes murder, drug trafficking, extortion and money laundering.
The trial begins on Wednesday and is expected to last more than two years. Read more
Woman fined after walking husband on a lead and telling police he was a dog (Metro)
A woman has been fined for breaking a Covid curfew by walking her husband on a lead. When stopped by police, she claimed that her partner was in fact a dog, according to local media. On Saturday, Quebec said that people would have to stay indoors between 8 pm and 5 am in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus. However, dog walkers are allowed to be outside during this time in an exception to the rules. Read more
Impeachment: Republicans begin to turn on Trump (BBC)
A race by Democrats to remove President Donald Trump from office is gathering momentum as some of his fellow Republicans begin to turn on him.
The House of Representatives’ third most senior Republican, Liz Cheney, said she would vote to impeach Mr Trump over last week’s US Capitol riot.
Earlier in the day the president took no responsibility for the breach of Congress by supporters of his.
He will be succeeded by Joe Biden, a Democrat, on 20 January. Read more
Zendaya told people think she’s mean because she’s quiet on set (Metro)
Zendaya may be the talk of Tinseltown — but talking is something she struggles with. The star worries she gives people the wrong impression because of her nervousness. The 24-year-old — who is garnering serious Oscar buzz for her role in romantic drama Malcolm & Marie — revealed her stylist told her she was seen as ‘mean’ because she didn’t talk much on set. But Zendaya, who also starred in The Greatest Showman and TV hit Euphoria, says she is simply too nervous to strike up some casual chit-chat. Read more
Duchess of York to publish Mills & Boon novel (BBC)
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has written her first novel for adults, to be released by the leading romantic fiction publisher Mills & Boon.
Her Heart for a Compass is based on the life of the duchess’s great-great-aunt, Lady Margaret Montagu Douglas Scott.
She has previously written children’s books, non-fiction about Queen Victoria, and her own memoirs.
She said: “I am proud to bring my personal brand of historical fiction to the publishing world.”
“It all started with researching my ancestry. Digging into the history of the Montagu-Douglas Scotts, I first came across Lady Margaret, who intrigued me because she shared one of my given names,” she added. Read more
Bruce Willis asked to leave store for ‘refusing’ to wear a mask (PageSix)
He’d rather live free.
Bruce Willis was asked to leave a Los Angeles Rite Aid on Monday after he refused to wear a mask, a spy tells Page Six.
The spy says people inside the store became upset that Willis, 65, wasn’t wearing a mask — despite having a bandanna tied around his neck, which he could have easily pulled up.
We’re told the “Die Hard” star, who was photographed at the store without a mask on, walked away without making his purchase. Read more
CAF moves Rivers United, Bloemfontein Celtics match to Porto Novo (Guardian)
The Confederation Cup rescheduled return leg fixture between Rivers United FC and Bloemfontein Celtics FC of South Africa will now hold at Stade de I’ Amitie in Benin Republic.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) disclosed yesterday that the fixture is slated for the weekend of January 22 to 24 by CAF.The second leg, which was initially billed for January 6 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was postponed owing to the fact that Celtics management could not accept the COVID-19 guidelines stipulated by NCDC of quarantining for seven days in Nigeria before the encounter.
An NFF official, who spoke with The Guardian yesterday, said that Rivers United picked Porto Novo, Benin Republic for the return leg against Bloemfontein since their South African opponents could not meet up with the COVID-19 guidelines in Nigeria. Read more
Manchester United beat Burnley to go top (BBC)
Paul Pogba scores Manchester United’s winner against Burnley
Paul Pogba’s goal against Burnley was just his second in the Premier League this season
Paul Pogba’s second-half volley was enough to give Manchester United victory at Burnley and send them three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
United dominated a contest in which Burnley failed to register a single shot on target until stoppage time.
But they were struggling to make a breakthrough until Marcus Rashford picked Pogba out with an excellent cross to the edge of the area.
The Frenchman’s connection was perfect, although it took a deflection off Matthew Lowton to ensure the ball went past Nick Pope and into the Burnley net.
Although Burnley had three decent chances in a frantic ending, United secured the win to head the table after 17 rounds of matches. Read more
Chelsea receive double injury boost ahead of Fulham and Leicester clashes (Metro)
Chelsea have been handed a timely boost ahead of their upcoming trips to Fulham and Leicester in the Premier League, with Reece James and Andreas Christensen both involved in Tuesday’s training session. England right-back James has had an outstanding start to the season but missed Chelsea’s recent clashes with Aston Villa, Manchester City and Morecambe due to a thigh injury. The Blues have also been without defender Christensen, who has been struggling with a knee problem, and there are hopes the duo could return when Frank Lampard’s men travel to Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon. Read more
Coronavirus in the UK: Elite athletes must not abuse exemption – Emily Diamond (BBC)
British athlete Emily Diamond has urged elite athletes not to abuse the exemption that allows them to train and compete during the national lockdown.
The Olympic bronze medallist fears several examples of recent breaches could “ruin it” for others.
In recent days, there has been heightened scrutiny of the elite sport dispensation from the UK government.
“It is disappointing to see things that look like they’re being taken for granted,” she told BBC Sport. Read more
Arsenal in talks to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Manor Solomon (Metro)
Arsenal are in talks to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Manor Solomon, according to reports. The 21-year-old has been in excellent form for Shakhtar this season with five goals in 17 appearances so far. Solomon primarily plays on the left flank but the Israel international is also capable of playing on the right wing or as an attacking midfielder. According to The Guardian, Arsenal have been scouting Solomon for well over a year and have now made an approach with the winger’s entourage. Read more
Atletico extend lead at top of La Liga (BBC)
Atletico Madrid stretched their advantage at the top of La Liga to four points with a 2-0 win over Sevilla.
Diego Simeone’s side took the lead when Angel Correa fired in after receiving a pass from England’s Kieran Trippier – back in the team after his 10-week ban for betting breaches was suspended.
Saul Niguez ensured victory in the 76th minute with a thumping effort.
It was a first defeat in 10 games in all competitions for in-form Sevilla, who are sixth in the table. Read more
Kevin Durant leads Kyrie Irving-less Nets past Nuggets (NYPost)
The Nets, struggling and sans Kyrie Irving, needed something positive in the worst way. What they got Tuesday night was a sublime performance from Kevin Durant.
The former MVP looked like one again, lifting the Nets back from a huge deficit to a come-from-behind 122-116 win over the Nuggets at Barclays Center.
The Nets trailed by 18 points in the third quarter but rallied to take a lead. Trailing again, 113-111, late in the fourth quarter, they reeled off 10 unanswered points to knock off Denver.
Durant had a game-high 34 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds, including 14 points during a 36-11 third-quarter run that turned an 18-point hole into a seven-point lead. He and defensive ace Bruce Brown — put into the lineup at point guard to replace Irving, who was out again for personal reasons — led the rally down the stretch. Read more