Death toll in Kaduna civilians’ bombing rises to 80 (Nation)
The death toll in the bombing of civilians by the Army at Tudun Biri Village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna has risen to 80.
Governor Uba Sani ordered investigations into the attack which took place on Sunday night while Muslims were celebrating Maulud Nabbiy with more than 50 others injured.
Residents told newsmen on Monday that bombs were dropped on their community by a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet but the Air Force denied involvement in the attack. Read more
Suspected cultists kill 3 in Rivers (Sun)
Reports said suspected Iceland cult members loyal to one ‘General Danger’ on Monday, abducted two male and a female from Egbeh community in Ubie kingdom in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Community sources disclosed that the corpses of the three persons were found along the Egbeh and Ebiriba Road area of Ubie Kingdom hours after they were abducted.
It was gathered that before the incident, the two deceased male victims reportedly had a quarrel with a woman said to be the mother of ‘General Danger’ who boasted to deal with them ruthlessly. Read more
Lagos Port receives world largest container RORO Vessel (Leadership)
Largest Container-RORO (CON-RORO) Vessel, in the world, MV Great Lagos, on Monday, berthed at the Ports and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML), Tin-Can Island Port, Lagos State.
LEADERSHIP gathered that MV Great Lagos is the largest vessel in the world in the category of combining Containers and Roll on Roll Off, also known as vehicles. Also, the MV Lagos has a capacity of 2,500 vehicles and 2000 containers in a voyage.
Speaking at a reception organised to celebrate the maiden call of the ship to Lagos, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the visit of the MV Great Lagos to Tin-Can Island Port is an expression of confidence of the international community in Nigeria. Read more
NAFDAC confiscates over N30m worth of narcotic drugs, arrests five in Abuja (Guardian)
The enforcement team of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), yesterday, confiscated Schedule 1 Narcotic drugs and other unregistered drugs worth over N30 million from a wholesale pharmaceutical shop in Wuse 2, in Wuse District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The team also raided another shop belonging to the same owner located in Lokogoma District.
During the enforcement exercise, which was conducted in conjunction with heavily armed men of the Nigeria Police, two staff members of the pharmaceutical shop were arrested.
Schedule 1 drugs are controlled drugs or other substances that have a high potential for abuse. Read more
Soldier, wife, others die in Lagos multiple crashes (Punch)
No fewer than four persons have been confirmed dead in accidents that occurred in different parts of Lagos State on Monday.
Confirming one of the accidents, the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Sector Commander, Babatunde Farinloye, said a military man, his wife and a motorcycle rider died instantly at the Dantata bus stop along the Badagry Expressway.
He said, “The accident happened at the Dantata bus stop involving a military man, his wife and the bike rider who died on the spot. According to an eyewitness, the bike man was trying to ram into a private truck that was trying to run away from area boys who wanted to collect money. The body of the military man was deposited at the Ojo Cantonment Medical Rescue Centre while the bike man was taken to Badagry General Hospital Mortuary. We want to enjoin motorists to be careful when driving to avoid accidents on the road.” Read more
Speaker Abbas mourns victims of Kaduna bomb attack (Vanguard)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed grief over the killing of 30 persons at Tudun Biri community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State by a bomb said to have been inadvertently dropped by personnel of the Nigerian Army.
The incident was said to have occurred on Sunday night, when hundreds of residents of the area gathered for the annual Maulud celebration.
In a statement it released on Monday, the Kaduna State Government said the Nigerian Army had claimed responsibility for dropping the bomb, in what it described as “an unfortunate and unintended attack.” Read more
UniAbuja researchers win N3b grant (DailyTrust)
The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) says its researchers have won over N3 billion in grants in 2023 following their applications to donor agencies for research grants.
The Vice Chancellor of UniAbuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’allah, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the award ceremony for researchers and authors.
Na’allah said that the 2023 grant of over N3 billion was a significant improvement compared to the N1 billion that was won in 2022. Read more
Nigeria must stop fuelling harmful traditional practices to win war against GBV – Bisi Fayemi (Guardian)
Wife of former Ekiti state Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi have emphasised the need for Nigeria to stop fueling practices, beliefs and stereotypes that undermine the physical and emotional well-being of women and girls to combat all forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV).
The former Ekiti state first lady made this call on Monday in Abuja during the launch of invictus Africa Womanity Index (GBV) 2023 Report on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) conducted in partnership with BudgIT foundation and the Ford Foundation.
The report provides a comprehensive assessment of Nigeria’s 36 state governments and the FCT based on their commitments to preventing and responding to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and creating a safe and inclusive environment for all. Read more
4 Boko Haram financiers get jail terms (Punch)
A Federal High Court sitting in Dawaki, Abuja, on Monday, convicted four Boko Haram financiers.
The convicts are Modu Aisami, Zana Zarama, Umar Mohammed and Bunu Kame.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Communication and Publicity to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Kamarudeen Ogundele, said the prosecution, led by the AGF and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, secured their convictions after their separate arraignments before Justice Binta Nyako and Justice Emeka Nwite. Read more
Ashanti and Nelly spark pregnancy rumours after PDA-packed video sends fans wild (OK!)
After rekindling their relationship earlier this year, singers Ashanti and Nelly have sparked pregnancy rumours in a new loved-up video.
Ashanti, 43, attended Nelly’s star-studded Black and White Ball at the Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis on Sunday, 3 December, and she packed on the PDA with beau Nelly, 49, in front of guests at the bash.
In a clip obtained by TMZ, the couple could be seen standing on stage together and they looked to share a private joke. Ashanti then placed her hand on her stomach with Nelly copying the action, prompting the pair to both begin laughing. Read more
Jonathan Majors assault trial starts with competing versions of a backseat confrontation (PBS)
Jonathan Majors listened silently, head-cocked and eyes down, as a Manhattan prosecutor and his defense attorney offered competing accounts of a violent confrontation in the backseat of a car that led to assault charges against the film star and put his rapid Hollywood ascent on pause.
The opening statements Monday in the trial against Majors centered on whether the actor assaulted his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, after she read a romantic text message sent to his phone by another woman.
Prosecutors say Majors grabbed the woman’s hand so hard he fractured her middle finger, then twisted her arm behind her back and struck her on the side of the head – the latest outburst in an alleged pattern of physical and emotional abuse. An attorney for Majors argued that her client was the true victim, claiming he was left bloodied by the attack, while she spent the rest of the night clubbing. Read more
Nicolas Cage says he’s almost finished: “3 or 4 more movies left” (THR)
One of Hollywood’s most prolific actors is eyeing retirement: Nicholas Cage, who’s getting ready to turn 60 years old, says he’s almost finished acting in movies.
“I may have three or four more movies left in me,” the Dream Scenario actor told Vanity Fair. “I do feel I’ve said what I’ve had to say with cinema. I think I took film performance as far as I could … I do want to get much more severe and stringent in my selection process … I want to say bye on a high note.”
Cage added that his father died at 75 and calculates he may have only 15 years left (“hopefully more”). “What do I want to do with those 15 years, using my father as the model?” the married father of three asked. “It occurred very clearly to me that I want to spend time with my family … I’m starting to cement my plan.” Read more
Israel presses ground offensive in southern Gaza, air strikes intensify (RNZ)
Intense Israeli air strikes hit the south of the Gaza Strip on Monday, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians, including in areas where Israel had told people to seek shelter, residents and journalists on the ground said.
Israeli troops and tanks also pressed their ground campaign against Hamas militants in the south of the enclave after having largely gained control of the now-devastated north.
At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to Israel to avoid further action that would make the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza worse, and to spare civilians from more suffering. Read more
GTA: Trailer for new game revealed after online leak (BBC)
A decade-long wait for the sixth main game in the Grand Theft Auto series has ended as Rockstar released a trailer.
Set in Miami-inspired Vice City, it features a story of love and crime between its first female protagonist, Lucia, and an unnamed male lead.
The developer released the trailer 15 hours earlier than expected, after it first leaked online. Read more
Binyamin Needham: British teenager killed in Gaza while fighting for IDF (Sky)
Binyamin Needham, a 19-year-old British national, has been killed in Gaza while fighting for the IDF.
Mr Needham, who had dual nationality, moved to Israel with his family 10 years ago, and is understood to be the second British national after Nathanel Young to have been killed whilst serving in the IDF since the 7 October attacks.
The soldier was born in England and was the youngest of five children, Israeli newspaper Haaretz said. Read more
Cyclone Michaung: Heavy rains batter India’s southern coast (BBC)
Heavy rains and strong winds from a severe cyclonic storm have been battering India’s southern coast with reports that several people have died.
Thousands of people living in low lying areas have been evacuated in the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Many residential areas of the city of Chennai have been flooded, with cars swept away and trees uprooted. Read more
“I feel good with my goal’”— Sadiq elated to hit form at Real Sociedad (CompleteSports)
Real Sociedad forward Umar Sadiq is delighted to be back at his best again, reports Completesports.com.
Sadiq missed almost the entire 2022/23 campaign with a cruciate ligament injury.
The 26-year-old has scored twice in his last two LaLiga outings for Real Sociedad.
The Nigerian striker said he is getting better and hopes to do more as the season goes on. Read more
Tiger Woods now world No. 898 after 18th at limited-field, no-cut Hero (ABC)
In what is sure to further rankle LIV Golf players, Tiger Woods vaulted 430 spots in the Official World Golf Ranking after finishing 18th out of 20 golfers in his invitational Hero World Challenge on Sunday.
Woods, who was making his first start since withdrawing from the Masters in April due to a foot injury, had fallen to a career-low 1,328th in the OWGR by last week. He made his return at the Bahamas, and while the 47-year-old surprised many with his solid play, Woods bested only two players in the field.
That didn’t prevent Woods from climbing to 898th in the OWGR, his highest since before withdrawing from the 2022 PGA Championship. Read more
Peseiro to know fate after AFCON – Enoh (Punch)
Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro, will remain in charge of the men’s senior national team until the end of the 2023 AFCON, which holds from January 13 to February 11 in Ivory Coast next year, the Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, has confirmed.
The minister stepped in amid calls for the sack of the Portuguese coach following the Eagles’ disastrous start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers when Nigeria played back-to-back uninspiring 1-1 draws against Lesotho in Uyo and Zimbabwe in Rwanda.
Enoh had summoned the coach last week following the team’s poor outings. Read more
David De Gea open to Premier League return with Newcastle move after Nick Pope injury (IrishIndependent)
David De Gea is open to a move to Newcastle United should Eddie Howe decide to target another goalkeeper in the wake of the loss of Nick Pope.
Pope is facing around four to five months out after suffering a serious shoulder injury in Newcastle’s impressive 1-0 win over Manchester United at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Howe is thought to be willing to give Martin Dubravka, Pope’s understudy who spent part of last season on loan at Old Trafford, a chance to prove his worth over the coming weeks. Read more
Rachel Corsie: Scotland captain fumes after integrity questioned ahead of England clash (Sky)
Scotland captain Rachel Corsie has branded those questioning their integrity ahead of Tuesday’s Women’s Nations League game with England “extremely disrespectful”.
World Cup runners-up England need a high-scoring win against already-relegated Scotland to claim top spot in the group, the finish required to keep the Lionesses in contention to secure Paris 2024 Olympic qualification for Great Britain.
With England’s success on that front the only way Scottish players will be able to play at the Games, Andries Jonker, head coach of group leaders the Netherlands, described the situation as “strange”. Read more
Ronnie O’Sullivan takes another swipe at WST as he heads for China (RTE)
Ronnie O’Sullivan fired a parting shot at World Snooker Tour chiefs as he prepared to cash in on his historic eighth UK Snooker Championship title by jetting off for a lucrative Christmas exhibition in China.
O’Sullivan, whose 10-7 win over Ding Junhui on Sunday made him the oldest winner of the title, maintains the view that some officials see the sport as being better off without him, insisting “they seem to want me to hand my resignation in”.
His claims have been flatly denied by the WST, who responded in a statement: “We want to work together to continue to grow the game which we have done so successfully to date, we would love Ronnie to carry on playing for as long as possible.” Read more
