Gunmen abduct 3 people in Lagos (Channels)
Three people travelling on a boat have been abducted by gunmen in Lagos.
The trio were reportedly whisked away while travelling by boat around Falomo Bridge from Apapa in Lagos.
While names of the abducted victims have not been ascertained, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said that the marine unit of the command got a report of three persons being kidnapped on water. Read more
I won’t have a problem if another government decides to dethrone me, says Emir Sanusi II (Sun)
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has clarified that he doesn’t care if another government decides to dethrone him again.
He stated this during an interview with Saturday Sun in Kano.
Sanusi said: “For me, even now that I am here, only God knows how long I will be here. I can die tomorrow. Another governor can come tomorrow and say that he has removed me, it doesn’t matter.”
According to him, he won’t have a problem if any government makes any ruling against him. Read more
DSS to Nigerians: Be vigilant during, after Sallah (NewTelegraph)
The Department of State Services (DSS) has urged the public, especially “operators and patrons” of markets, parks, and fun places to be vigilant, and report suspicious activities to security agencies during and after the Eid-Al-Adha celebrations.
This is as the intelligence agency admonished Muslim Ummah across the country to be generous and obedient, while supporting national security and transformation efforts of government.
A statement signed on Saturday by the Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Dr. Peter Afunanya, reads “The Director General, Management and Staff of the Department of State Services (DSS) wish to felicitate the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid-Al-Adha. Read more
We want ministerial slot for Lagos, Indigenes tell Tinubu (Vanguard)
Following reports about a possible cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Tinubu, a group, known as De Renaissance Patriots, on Friday, urged the president to appoint an indigene to represent Lagos State in the Federal Executive Council, FEC.
The group, in a statement by its President, Prince Adelani Adeniji-Adele stated that the choice of an indigene will “cement a better relationship with us and assuage the feelings of the indigenes towards being alienated.”
Adeniji-Adele said: “The IBILE people of Lagos State, through one of their social cultural organisations, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, congratulate President Bola Tinubu on the recent celebrations of Democracy Day. Read more
Rescued teenage girls arrive in Nigeria (Punch)
Ten Nigerian teenage girls, recently rescued from Ghana, have returned to Nigeria for comprehensive counselling and rehabilitation, PUNCH Online learnt.
In a series of videos that went viral on X.com on June 6, 2024, the young girls, aged 15 to 18, were reported to have been lured into prostitution in Ghana.
The rescue of the 10 trafficked Nigerian teenagers was reportedly conducted by the Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation in Ghana. Read more
Rivers: At Appeal Court, Pro-Wike lawmakers lose bid to halt sack (Tribune)
A Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt on Friday ruled against the appeal filed by the 26 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to stay execution of the order barring them from parading as Lawmakers after their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Court of Appeal, Port-Harcourt at a virtual hearing on Friday via Zoom gave its ruling on two motions filed by Martins Amaewhule and the other defected lawmakers challenging the order of injunction granted by the Rivers State High Court restraining them from acting as lawmakers. Read more
8 Kwara ministry staff in custody over theft (DailyTrust)
A 46-year-old security guard, Yusuf Abdulwasiu, and a plumber with the Kwara State Ministry of Water Resources simply identified as Aro, have been arrested over alleged theft of water treatment chemicals.
The duo and six other suspects, Abdulrasheed Salawudeen, 21, Taiye Issa, 35, Olarewaju Yusuf, 40, Toyin Kazeem and one AbdulKadri Issa Olayiwola, 34, the alleged mastermind and receiver of the ‘stolen’ facilities, are presently held at the custody of the state police command.
They were arrested around 11:30 pm on June 4, 2024, following a routine patrol near the ministry’s gate, where suspicious activity was observed involving a commercial shuttle bus with registration number ABA804YG. Read more
Ganduje felicitates Muslim Umma on Eid al-Adha (Independent)
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has extended his warmest congratulations to Muslim Umma in Nigeria on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.
A statement by Edwin Olofu, the Chief Press Secretary to the National Chairman of APC that was made available to newsmen stated that the “Festival of Sacrifice” is a celebration of faith, obedience, and devotion.
Mr Olofu quoted his principal to describe the important festival as a day to commemorate the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to Allah’s command. Read more
Nia Long speaks on playing Katherine Jackson in ‘Michael’ biopic (Vibe)
Nia Long explained her divine purpose in her upcoming role as Katherine Jackson in the anticipated Michael biopic.
Speaking on Ally’s Money and Mindfulness panel on Thursday (June 13) in Miami at the 2024 American Black Film Festival, the 53-year-old detailed how she realized her preparedness to step into the famed matriarch’s shoes.
“When you are a creative person, the work that you do is a reflection of who you are in that moment. I think the thing that I love most about my career is there is a core authenticity that is unwavering that follows every woman that I play, and that is very intentional,” began the veteran actress. Read more
Rina Sawayama announces new single ‘‘I’m Free’’ with Paris Hilton (NME)
Rina Sawayama has announced a new single ‘I’m Free’, a collaboration with Paris Hilton, set to be released next month.
News of the song was revealed in a post on Hilton’s Instagram account, which showed a video depicting a text conversation between the two singers. The post is captioned: “’I’m Free’, out June 21st.”
The first text in the video is from Hilton, with an audio recording titled ‘Free’ and a message saying, “Hey sis! Been working on something…” Read more
DC’s Blue Beetle getting unexpected spin-off (DigitalSpy)
DC’s Blue Beetle movie is getting an unexpected spin-off in the form of an animated series, with some of the people involved set to return.
Deadline reports that Warner Bros Animation and DC Studios are looking to continue the story of college graduate Jaime Reyes and his super-powered alter-ego. Director Ángel Manuel Soto and screenwriter Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer are back on board as executive producers, while fellow execs John Rickard and Galen Vaisman are involved as well.
No cast members, such as Xolo Maridueña, have been signed up yet, although multiple actors have been approached and have responded positively. Read more
An Officer And A Gentleman‘ remake starring Miles Teller in the works (PopCulture)
An Officer And A Gentleman is reportedly getting the remake treatment and Miles Teller is set to star. According to Deadline, a new version of the Academy Award-winning film is in the works, with the Top Gun: Maverick actor said to be eyed for the lead role, originally played by Richard Gere.
At this time, no other casting chatter has surfaced, and the film does not have an announced director attached. Wikipedia cites the original film’s director, Taylor Hackford, as being on board, but this is not confirmed.
Deadline noted that the original draft for the remake was written by Matt Johnson (BlackBerry), however, Dana Fox (Cruella, What Happens in Vegas) wrote the latest draft of the script. The remake is being produced by Temple Hill Entertainment, the company behind the Twilight and Maze Runner film franchises, as well as movies like First Man and Smile. Read more
Alan Cumming recalls hilariously hair-raising GoldenEye reunion with “goofball” Pierce Brosnan (EW)
Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan isn’t actually an international spy (we think), but life apparently imitated art on the set of GoldenEye…at least in a comical way.
While speaking to Entertainment Weekly for our 2024 LGBTQ+ Pride cover story, Brosnan’s GoldenEye costar Alan Cumming recalled a particularly hair-raising element of starring in the 1995 blockbuster.
“There was some sort of hair company sponsoring the film. It often happens, there’s a sponsor for the hair care products,” the Traitors host explains. “So they’d put this stuff in our hair to ‘activate’ it, and then 20 minutes later did something else to it. They’d literally come to your dressing room and say, ‘Alan, could you come have your hair activated, please?'” I just thought, ‘Oh, that must be what they do in these big blockbuster films,’ because it was my first big movie.” Read more
Russia, China absent as world leaders meet for Ukraine peace conference (AlJazeera)
World leaders are gathering in Switzerland for a summit aimed at pressuring Russia to end its war in Ukraine, but the absence of powerful allies of Moscow such as China is expected to blunt its potential impact.
United States Vice President Kamala Harris and the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan are among those expected to join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the summit starting on Saturday.
India, Turkey and Hungary, which maintain friendlier relations with Russia, are also expected to join. Read more
Chinese Premier Li launches trade-friendly Australia visit (RFI)
China’s Premier Li Qiang embarked on a four-day trip to Australia on Saturday, dangling the promise of expanded trade even as the two nations compete for influence in the Pacific.
Li — the second most powerful man in China after President Xi Jinping — touched down in Adelaide at the start of a diplomatic mission across the resource-rich continent.
The premier waved from the plane’s doors and was greeted on the airport tarmac by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, other government officials, and a group of photographers and TV journalists. Read more
I’ve lost respect for Finidi, says Osimhen (Punch)
Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has lashed out at coach Finidi George, stating that he has lost respect for him, over some comments on his attitude towards the national team.
Finidi, who is said to have also resigned as the head coach of the Super Eagles on Saturday, was quoted to have said he can’t beg Osimhen to play for the national team after the player withdrew from their last two 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to injury.
The striker was said to have been ruled out by a four-week injury and was replaced by Enugu Rangers defender, Kenneth Igboke. Read more
Callum McGregor admits Scotland’s rivals will “smell blood” after Germany result (RTE)
Callum McGregor admits Switzerland and Hungary will “smell blood” after watching Scotland get thumped 5-1 by Germany in their Euro 2024 opener in Munich on Friday night.
It was a calamitous 90 minutes for Steve Clarke’s side, who played the second half with 10 men after defender Ryan Porteous was sent off before the break for conceding a penalty with a crunching tackle on the hosts’ captain Ilkay Gundogan, with Kai Havertz netting the resultant penalty to make it 3-0.
The Scotland boss needs to restore battered confidence ahead of the game against the Swiss in Cologne on Wednesday night before they take on Hungary in Stuttgart in their final Group A game. Read more
Ex-Arsenal and Everton striker Campbell dies aged 54 (BBC)
Former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell has died at the age of 54 after a short illness.
Campbell scored 148 goals in 542 appearances across spells with eight clubs during his career.
He won four major trophies with Arsenal and also played for Leyton Orient, Leicester, Nottingham Forest, Trabzonspor, Everton, West Brom and Cardiff. Read more
Tiger Woods makes admission over future after US Open missed cut at Pinehurst (IrishIndependent)
Tiger Woods admitted he might have played his last US Open after missing the cut at Pinehurst.
The 15-time major champion followed an opening round of 74 with a 73 on Friday, leaving him at seven over and two shots off the cut-line.
There had been hopes that Woods could produce a more positive showing, with the Pinehurst course a relatively easy walk and the set-up prioritising strategy and discipline over brute force and low scores. Read more
Britain’s Raducanu into first semi-final since 2022 (France24)
Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu has reached her first semi-final since 2022 after Fran Jones withdrew from their quarter-final in Nottingham on Saturday.
Raducanu, the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title when she triumphed in New York in 2021, was set to face Jones in the last eight of the grass-court Nottingham Open.
But her fellow Briton withdrew because of a shoulder injury. Read more
Hosts Germany crush 10-man Scotland 5-1 in Euro 2024 opener (RNZ)
Germany thrashed 10-man Scotland 5-1 with three goals in the first half to make a triumphant start to their Euro 2024 campaign and lay down a marker with the biggest opening game margin of victory in the tournament’s history.
The Germans, hunting a record fourth European title and first major trophy after a barren decade, scored through Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and a Kai Havertz penalty before Niclas Fuellkrug and Emre Can added two more late in the second half.
Scotland, who had defender Ryan Porteous sent off on the stroke of halftime, got on the scoresheet in the 87th minute courtesy of Antonio Ruediger’s deflected own goal. Read more