EFCC arrests 74 suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja hotel raid (Punch)
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested 74 suspected internet fraudsters in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The suspects were apprehended on Monday, at Joyous Hotel in Nyanya, a suburb of the capital city, following credible intelligence linking them to internet-related crimes.
According to a statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, items recovered during the operation include 86 mobile phones, a rifle pistol, and three motorcycles. Read more
Senator Natasha arraigned for alleged cybercrime, granted bail (Channels)
The Federal Government has arraigned Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, at the Federal High Court, Abuja,
The government arraigned the female lawmaker on Monday on six counts bordering on alleged cybercrime against the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator pleaded not guilty and Justice Mohammed Umar granted her bail on self-recognition. Read more
Peter Obi declares 2027 presidential bid, rules out alliance with Atiku (Guardian)
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has confirmed that he will run in the 2027 presidential election, stating he is prepared to serve a single four-year term if elected.
Speaking during a virtual interactive session with his supporters on Sunday night via an X (formerly Twitter) space, Obi addressed multiple issues, including speculations about a possible alliance with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, internal party matters, national security, and his political plans.
A statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Ibrahim Umar of the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), quoted the former Anambra State governor as saying, “I am involved in coalition talks because I want Nigeria rescued. If the coalition is not about stopping the killings in Benue, Zamfara, how to revive our economy, how to make our industries productive, how to put food on the tables of Nigerians… count me out.” Read more
Jubilation as Shinkafi Volunteer Forces kill bandit commander in Zamfara (DailyTrust)
Details have emerged on how notorious bandit kingpin Kachalla Yellow Danbokolo died at the weekend in Zamfara State after an earlier gun battle with Shinkafi Volunteer Forces in the State.
Danbokolo’s death is being wildly celebrated in Zamfara State and many parts of the Northwest States as many locales know him as the leader of Bello and the most dreaded bandit in the zone, even more dangerous than his cousin, Bello Turji, whom they describe as a mere spokesperson.
Security sources said Danbokolo and more than 173 bandits were killed after the blistering surprise attack by the volunteer forces. Read more
YEIDEP launches $2.5b global donorship drive to empower youths, women (Leadership)
The Federal Government, in collaboration with Youths Off The Street Initiative (YOTSI), has launched the ‘YEIDEP Global Donorship Drive and Fundraising Campaign’, which aims to raise $2.5 billion for the implementation of the ‘Cooperative Youth Farmers and Allied Entrepreneurs Programme (CYFAEP)’, a sub-scheme of the ‘Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalization’ (YEIDEP).
YEIDEP is a national youth economic empowerment programme anchored and driven by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, in collaboration with YOTSI and several global donors and development partners.
YEIDEP was formed to address critical social and economic threats facing Nigeria, especially youth unemployment, food insecurity, household poverty, youth economic exclusion, and radicalization. Read more
Gov Yusuf leads Kano delegation to late Dantata’s burial in Madina (Tribune)
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has departed Nigeria for Madinah, Saudi Arabia, to attend the funeral of the late business mogul, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata.
It will be recalled that the late business mogul — Alhaji Dantata — who passed away in the early hours of Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is being flown to Saudi Arabia for Islamic burial, following approval by the Kingdom, a family source confirmed.
The governor is leading a high-powered delegation that includes the Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, and several top government officials. Read more
Soludo orders probe into viral anti-touting brutality video (Sun)
Anambra State Governor Prof. Charles Soludo has ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation into a viral video purportedly showing officers of the Anambra State Anti-Touting Squad (SASA) violently assaulting a group of alleged touts.
In a statement released by the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, the Governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of every lawful citizen and resident of Anambra.
He emphasised that the government will not tolerate any undue use of force or rights violations by security personnel. Read more
Charlize Theron rips into Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez after $50M wedding extravaganza (PageSix)
Charlize Theron was less than impressed by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s star-studded $50 million nuptials in Venice, Italy.
The “Old Guard” star ripped into the Amazon mogul and his new wife while hosting the fifth annual Block Party for the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project on Saturday
“I think we might be the only people who did not get an invite to the Bezos wedding,” the actress deadpanned onstage during the event on the Universal Studios backlot in Los Angeles. Read more
Jury begins deliberations in Sean “Diddy” Combs sex-trafficking trial (Deadline)
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ fate is now in the hands of the 12 people on his New York jury.
The eight men and four women in the Bad Boy Records founder’s six-week long sex-trafficking trial have officially begun their deliberations.
Arrested in September, as dozens of civil cases of abuse and assault piled up, the much-accused Combs is up against federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution and more. Last week, the Department of Justice prosecutors dropped and downgraded some of the claims in what they called an move to “streamline” the case. Read more
Mundey Young joins Jack Parr & Sophia Eleni in cast of horror movie ‘As Night Falls’ (Variety)
US actor Mundey Young has joined the cast of British horror movie “As Night Falls,” which stars “Take Cover” actor Jack Parr and “Call the Midwife’s” Sophia Eleni. The production has released the first on-set image.
Elin Hilderbrand Gives Updates on Multiple Adaptations in the Works, ‘The Perfect Couple’ Season 2, and What Happened With ‘Summer of ’69’ and ‘The Identicals’ Series
“As Night Falls” is written and directed by Leroy Kincaide, whose credits include exorcist horror film “The Last Rite,” starring Bethan Waller and Johnny Fleming. Samuel Goldwyn Films acquired the U.S. rights to “The Last Rite” in 2021 and the film is currently streaming on Hulu. Read more
Iran issues fatwa against Donald Trump (Newsweek)
A senior cleric in Iran has issued a fatwa declaring that anyone who threatens Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is “an enemy of God,” state media has reported.
Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi was responding to a question about any threats made by US President Donald Trump and the leaders of Israel, including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A fatwa is a ruling on how to interpret Islamic law issued by a clerical authority. Read more
Pope Leo XIV says the unity of the Church ‘is nourished by forgiveness & mutual trust’ (CNA)
Pope Leo XIV said on Sunday that unity in the Catholic Church “is nourished by forgiveness and mutual trust,” after bestowing the pallium on 54 new metropolitan archbishops on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, patrons of the city of Rome.
“If Jesus trusts us, then we too can trust one another, in his name,” the pontiff said, extending his call to unity to all Christian denominations.
Speaking before he led those gathered in St. Peter’s Square in praying the Angelus, the pope also recalled the witness of the apostles who were martyred. Read more
Israeli strike on Gaza seafront cafe kills at least 20 Palestinians, witnesses & rescuers say (BBC)
At least 20 people were reported killed at the beachside cafe
At least 20 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike that hit a popular seafront cafe frequently used by activists, journalists, and local residents in western Gaza on Monday, according to medics and eyewitnesses.
Rescue teams evacuated 20 bodies and dozens wounded from Al-Baqa Cafeteria, an outdoor venue which consisted of tents along the beach, a spokesperson for Gaza’s Hamas-run Civil Defence told the BBC.
He added that emergency crews were still searching through a deep crater left by the explosion. Read more
WAFCON 2024: Former Super Falcons star Mbachu backs team to win title (Sun)
Former Super Falcons striker, Stella Mbachu, believes the team have the potential to win a record-extending 10th championship in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Justine Madugu’s team, alongside holders South Africa, hosts Morocco, Zambia, and Ghana, are the favourites to win the tournament.
The Super Falcons demonstrated their readiness for the competition by defeating Ghana’s Black Queens 3-1 in a friendly match on Sunday. Read more
Transfer: Musa set to join Kano Pillars (Leadership)
Zayyad Musa is on the verge of sealing a move to Kano Pillars ahead of the 2025-26 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season.Green job opportunities
According to dailypost.ng report, Musa is in talks with the Sai Masu Gida to sort out the details of the move.
The player will leave El-Kanemi Warriors following the expiration of his contract.
He was instrumental to the Borno Army’s promotion to the top-flight.
Musa also won the 2024 President Federation Cup title with El-Kanemi Warriors. Read more
Nigeria qualifies for Beach Volleyball World Championship (Punch)
The Nigerian Women’s beach volleyball team has qualified for the 2025 World Championship in Adelaide, Australia, scheduled to hold from November 14 to 23.
The pair of Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa beat Egypt 2-1 (21-14, 20-22, 15-9) to finish in third place at the just concluded CAVB Continental Championship in Morocco.
Head Coach of the team, Kayode Ajilore told the News Agency of Nigeria that the players showed class and brilliance in delivering their jobs. Read more
Wimbledon’s hottest opening day sees players deal with sweltering conditions (BBC)
Players, ground staff and spectators had to contend with sweltering conditions as Wimbledon recorded its hottest opening day on record.
Air temperature on the grounds had reached 31.4C by 14:00 BST on Monday, surpassing the previous record at the start of a Championships – the 29.3C set in 2001.
However, the tournament’s extreme heat rule, which allows players a 10-minute break, has not yet been enforced because Wimbledon measures additional factors to determine heat stress. Read more
Red Bull driver disqualified in Austria as technical regulations breach found (PlanetF1)
Red Bull-backed Nikola Tsolov saw his impressive Austria victory go up in smoke as the FIA stewards announced a post-race disqualification.
Starting from pole in the Austria F3 feature race, Tsolov delivered a dominant drive which he thought had boosted his title hopes in a major way, but post-race it was found that the plank on his Campos car had wear which exceeded the maximum permitted, resulting in his disqualification from the race.
A minimum thickness of 4 millimetres is accepted by the FIA, but with a measurement of 3.7 taken on Tsolov’s car, a post-race disqualification was issued. Read more