#EndSARS: How clergyman lost fiancee, tooth to police brutality (Nation)
There were shocking revelations at the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS and Related Abuses on Saturday.
A deacon with the Apostolic Church, David Komolafe, told the panel how he lost a tooth and fiancée to police brutality while a housewife revealed how the minions of law drove a vehicle over her leg and broke her ankle.
Deacon Komolafe told the Justice Doris Okuwobi-led panel of inquiry that his ugly encounter with the police occurred in 2010 as a police officer bullied and beat him to a pulp over an issue he described as trivial. Read more
Resumption date for civil servants now February 1 – Sanwo-Olu (Guardian)
Following an upsurge in recorded cases of Coronavirus in Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has extended the work –from-home directive to all state public servants on Grade Levels 14 and below to Monday, February 1, 2021.
The directive was contained in a circular to members of the State Executive Council (SEC) and all heads of ministries, departments and agencies by the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, yesterday.
The decision was taken to successfully curtail the spread of the second wave of COVID-19. Sanwo-Olu, who said the directive excluded essential duty officers, as well as first responders, enjoined all public servants to stay safe and keep adhering to all COVID-19 protocols to rid the state of the pandemic in the shortest possible time. Read more
Fury as retiring IGP puts up police quarters in Lagos for sale (Independent)
A major crisis is brewing at the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over the decision by the retiring Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to sell off the multi-billion naira Police Officers Mess located at Onikan, Lagos State.
According to investigation, the Lagos Officers Mess, Onikan, contains about 40 chalets, two big halls, Squash Court, Lawn Tennis Court renovated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with about 40 rooms’ apartment.
As a prelude, it was learnt that mostly the maintenance civilian staff and police personnel in the Inspectorate ranks as well as other ranks and file have been forced out of Lagos with indiscriminate transfer to the Northern parts of the country. Read more
COVID-19: Lagos begins decontamination of secretariat, agencies (Guardian)
As part of preventive measures to curtail the spread of the second wave of the COVID-19, The Lagos State government, yesterday, commenced the full decontamination/fumigation of offices in the state secretariat complexes and other governmental offices.
A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services in the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mrs. Belinda Odeneye, stated that the exercise had become necessary to reduce the risk of the spread of coronavirus at the secretariat.
She emphasised that the government will continue to adopt safety protocols to ensure COVID-19 does not further spread in the state, saying the fumigation exercise will be a continuous exercise until the pandemic is contained. Read more
Suspected yahoo boy arrested with girlfriend’s corpse in Delta (Punch)
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a suspected Internet fraudster popularly called yahoo boy with the corpse of his girlfriend after he was caught attempting to dump the body of the lady, Blessing Akpovwovwo, in a bush.
The suspect, said to be a resident of Urhuoka, Abraka in the Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state, is cooling his heels in police detention.
Sources said the suspect, whose identity has yet to be ascertained was nabbed by a passerby on Thursday evening, as he (the suspect) was attempting to dispose of the lifeless body of Blessing.
It was gathered that though the lifeless body of the lady was intact sources said she might have been used for rituals. Read more
Minister approves use of 20 centres for NIN enrolment in FCT (Vanguard)
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isah Ali Pantami, has approved the activation of 20 NIN enrolment centres within the FCT, to make the process easier, beginning from Jan. 18, Mr Kayode Adegoke, Head, Corporate Communications of NIMC, Abuja, has said.
A statement he issued, on Saturday, said in the same vein, the minister had approved the closure of enrolment activities at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) office.
“Members of the public, residents and visitors to the FCT, wishing to enrol for the National Identification Number (NIN), should use the NIMC centres”, he said.
He identified the locations of the centres as NIN State offices in Wuse, Abaji area council, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kwali, Kuje, alongside special centres at Dei-Dei, Dutse and Federal Housing Authority, Gwarinpa. Read more
Zamfara police arrest vigilantes for allegedly killing herdsman (Punch)
The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested four persons for allegedly killing a Fulani herdsman in the Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police CP, Abutu Yaro, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists on the command’s scorecard during his 21 days in office.
He said, “On January 12, four persons, Lawali Tambai, Abubakar Usman, Sa’idu Mamman and Ibrahim Adamu, who belonged to a vigilante group, allegedly killed a Fulani herdsman, Babuga Danmalam. Read more
Tailors making fake Amotekun uniforms nabbed in Oyo (Punch)
Some tailors said to have been sewing fake uniforms of the Oyo State Security Network Agency otherwise called Amotekun for criminals in the state have been arrested.
The Chairman of the Amotekun Corps, Gen. Kunle Togun (retd.), made the disclosure on FRESH 105.9 FM Political Circuit on Saturday.
The Amotekun chief said the impostors were arrested not far from the radio station at Challenge, Ibadan. Read more
Military recaptures Marte after 20 hours onslaught (DailyTrust)
Several soldiers and few officers reportedly ‘went missing’ on Friday after insurgents overwhelmed 153 Infantry Battalion and the 22 Armored Brigade, Marte, Borno State, in a surprise attack.
Both army formations were in one base when the insurgents launched an assault on them. Troops were said to have withdrawn from their positions when they were overpowered.
“Troops tried very hard and almost suppressed the offensive, but the insurgents sent reinforcements. Troops could not withstand the superior firepower of the insurgents and had to abandon their positions,” a military source confirmed yesterday. Read more
Bow Wow slammed over packed club performance during COVID-19 pandemic (PageSix)
Shad “Bow Wow” Moss is being called to the carpet after footage from a Houston club performance went viral Saturday.
The 33-year-old is seen performing his 2005 hit “Like You” in a packed club, where most patrons are not wearing face masks. The move led social media to question both the artist and his fans who chose to risk their health for one night out.
Fans claim there were other celebrities in attendance, but it seems the rapper and “Growing Up Hip Hop” star is receiving the brunt of the backlash.
“Going to see Bow Wow in a pandemic, we are stuck in this for a long time. Selfish idiots,” wrote one follower, while another added, “Woooooowwwwwww….. how are we ever gonna live through this pandemic if people keep doing this?” Read more
Biden to use executive actions to roll back Trump policies on 1st day in office (CBC)
In his first hours as US president, Joe Biden plans to take executive action to roll back some of the most controversial decisions of his predecessor and to address the raging coronavirus pandemic, his incoming chief of staff said Saturday.
The opening salvo would herald a 10-day blitz of executive actions as Biden seeks to act swiftly to redirect the country in the wake of Donald Trump’s presidency without waiting for Congress.
On Wednesday, following his inauguration, Biden will end Trump’s restriction on immigration to the U.S. from some Muslim-majority countries, move to rejoin the Paris climate accord and mandate mask-wearing on federal property and during interstate travel. Those are among roughly a dozen actions the incoming Democratic president will take on his first day in the White House, his incoming chief of staff, Ron Klain, said in a memo to senior staff. Read more
Kanye West’s Yeezy brand ‘suing former intern for $500,000 for breaking NDA’ (Metro)
Kanye West’s Yeezy brand has reportedly begun $500,000 (£368,000) legal action against a former intern after they allegedly shared confidential photos, breaking a non-disclosure agreement. The complaint, which was filed at the Los Angeles County Court, alleges that Ryan Inwards, who was a summer intern at Yeezy, posted confidential photos from the company on Instagram.
According to the complaint, seen by People, the former intern – who had reportedly worked for the company between February 2020 until the summer of 2020 – had previously signed an NDA with a $500,000 (£368,000) liquidated damages provision for contractual breaches. Read more
Drones are replacing cowboys to track cattle in new study (NYPost)
Drones are putting cowboys out to pasture in Kentucky and Colorado.
A team of researchers at the University of Kentucky are testing the feasibility of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to help ranchers remotely monitor small herds of cattle over wide swathes of territory, the BBC reported.
drills with ‘suicide drones’
“The idea is to make it easier for them to have this second form of income, this second job, by automating some of it and helping keep an eye on their cattle without them having to be there to do it all the time,” says Jesse Hoagg, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Kentucky. Read more
Indonesian rescuers find more bodies, clear roads after deadly earthquake (CBC)
Indonesian rescuers retrieved more bodies from the rubble of homes and buildings toppled by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake, raising the death toll to 56 on Sunday, while military engineers managed to reopen ruptured roads to clear access for relief goods.
More heavy equipment reached the hardest-hit city of Mamuju and the neighboring district of Majene on Sulawesi island, where the quake hit Friday night, said Raditya Jati, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency’s spokesperson.
Power supply and phone communications also began to improve. Read more
Viral video of Kamala Harris’ socks gets over 10m views on TikTok (NYPost)
A TikTok video of Kamala Harris’ socks got over 10 million views on social media.
A TikTok video of Kamala Harris’ socks got over 10 million views on social media.Instagram
Sock it to me?
Vice President-elect Harris — and her socks — are going viral on TikTok after Harris’ niece Meena shared a short video of her aunt.
The video shows Meena Harris — a former senior executive at Uber — giving Kamala Harris a peach-flavored mint — with the joke writing itself.
“Auntie. I got you a gift,” she said, while Kamala Harris looked on cross-legged in a chair. “Im-peach-mints”
The video cuts off as the future vice president bursts out into laughter.
The video has racked up more than 10 million views among the kids on TikTok, with Meena Harris also cross-posting the item to Instagram and Twitter, according to Glamour. Read more
“Godzilla vs Kong” release date moved up two months as other movies face delays (Metro)
The release date for Godzilla vs Kong has been moved up to March instead of May, as other movies face major delays. The flick will now be released on March 26 instead of May 21, according to Deadline. As part of Warner Bros’ 2021 slate, it’s set to be released simultaneously into theatres and on HBO Max – and we’re so ready. The upcoming monster movie will see Godzilla and Kong collide in a ‘battle for the ages’. Read more
Hosts Cameroon open delayed CHAN with win over Zimbabwe (BBC)
Nine months after it should have started, the African Nations Championship (CHAN) finally kicked off on Saturday as host nation Cameroon beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in Yaounde.
Playing in Group A, Salomon Banga scored the match-winner 18 minutes from time as the defender showed good agility to score with an overhead kick.
With Fifa president Gianni Infantino, Caf’s new honorary president Issa Hayatou and Cameroon’s Prime Ministe Joseph Ngute watching on, Cameroon dominated large swathes of the game only to be let down by their shooting accuracy.
Zimbabwe goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda kept his side in the game but was fortunate that several Cameroon efforts were straight at him. Read more
Eunisell renews Rivers Utd sponsorship, looks to change game’s dynamic (Guardian)
Eunisell has renewed its 2020/2021season sponsorship deal with Port Harcourt’s based outfit, Rivers United Football Club.
The firm is the longest standing front-of-shirt sponsor in Nigeria’s professional football league. The renewal comes following Rivers United’s impressive start to the season in which the club has won its opening two matches and is on the verge of qualifying for the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Speaking on the latest development, Eunisell Group Managing Director, Chika Ikenga, revealed the importance of the firm’s commitment to the future of professional football in Nigeria.
In a statement, the GMD noted that the company’s participation, through sponsorship, will not only benefit Rivers United and the team’s growing number of fans, but sets the standard for the private sector’s involvement in the country’s national sport. Read more
47 players including Azarenka, Stephens and Nishikori unable to train in Australian Open quarantine after positive tests on flight (Metro)
A significant number of Australian Open players have had their plans disrupted after positive coronavirus tests were returned from two of the charter flights to Melbourne. A confirmed group 47 players on flights from Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi will now be forced to spend the full two-week quarantine period in their hotel rooms and won’t be allowed to practice after positive tests were returned. The positive tests on the flight from LA were not from players. One was from a member of the flight crew and the other from a passenger who is not a player. Similarly the positive test on the flight from Abu Dhabi was returned from a passenger who is not a player. Read more
Lampard ‘not blown away’ with win against 10-man Fulham (BBC)
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard says his side “can’t think everything is solved” after labouring their way to a second Premier League win in seven games against 10-man Fulham.
Antonee Robinson was sent off late in the first half for Fulham for a dangerous tackle on Cesar Azpilicueta.
Mason Mount – who earlier hit the bar – proved the match-winner with a half-volley after Alphonse Areola flapped at Ben Chilwell’s cross.
Ten different players had shots for Chelsea, but they were wasteful in front of goal.
The win takes Chelsea up to seventh, while Fulham – who had drawn their previous five league games – are four points from safety. Read more
Mohamed Salah explains his angry reaction towards Jurgen Klopp after being subbed for Liverpool (Metro)
Mohamed Salah has told Jurgen Klopp he wants to play ‘every minute’ for Liverpool and admits he is not a fan of being rested. The Egypt international raised eyebrows earlier this season when he stormed past Klopp on the touchline after being substituted in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Brighton. Klopp played down Salah’s unhappy reaction after the game, while the Liverpool manager has also faced a similar issue with Sadio Mane when the Senegalese forward has been brought off early during matches. And Salah has now explained that his preference is to remain on the pitch at all times. Read more
Maddison and Barnes send Leicester second with win over Southampton (BBC)
Leicester City climbed to second in the Premier League as they won a keenly contested encounter with fellow top-four hopefuls Southampton at King Power Stadium.
James Maddison fired in from a tight angle after 37 minutes, the Foxes midfielder instructing his team-mates to stand back as he performed a socially distanced celebration, before Harvey Barnes added a second deep into second-half stoppage-time.
Victory takes Leicester within one point of leaders Manchester United, who travel to third-placed Liverpool on Sunday, while Southampton are eighth, three points outside the top four.
How Leicester followed guidance on celebrations – and others didn’t
Reaction to Leicester v Southampton, plus the rest of Saturday’s Premier League action
The Saints dominated in the opening stages and created the first opening when Che Adams stretched the home defence on the counter-attack, while Leicester’s Barnes’ powerful drive forced Alex McCarthy into action with the game’s first shot after 19 minutes. Read more