Gunmen attack Benue Links bus, kill 2, abduct 13 (Leadership)
Armed men suspected to be kidnappers on Thursday, ambushed an 18-seater passenger bus belonging to Benue Links, killing the driver, one passenger and abducting the 13 occupants of the vehicle in Ikobi village, Otukpo local government area of Benue State.
Residents told our correspondent that the assailants ambushed the bus, shooting the driver and a passenger before forcing the other passengers into the bush, leaving a toddler behind.
The management of Benue Links announced the attack on the bus bearing the registration number PP512 which was en-route to Otukpo from Makurdi. Read more
Oyo: Glitz, glamour as Alaafin’s coronation holds today (Sun)
As the sun rises over the historic town of Oyo, Oyo State, today Saturday April 5, 2025, it will meet with the vibrant echoes of jubilation that will reverberate across the ancient city and through the hearts of the Yoruba people, from Oyo to far-off places like Benin Republic, Togo, Brazil, Cuba, North, Central and South Americas as well as the Caribbean.
Today, no doubt, marks a significant chapter in the annals of Yoruba history, as people welcome the new monarch, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.
The coronation comes nearly three years after the revered 45th Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, joined his ancestors. Read more
Pro-Wike mega rally in Bayelsa will hold despite court order, Turnah insists (Guardian)
The High Court of Bayelsa State, sitting in Yenagoa, has issued an order restraining associates of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from holding a mega rally in the state pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
However, the South-South zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), George Turnah, has vowed that the planned mega rally would go ahead despite the court order.
The court order, which was obtained on Thursday, was to stop the proposed rally by Turnah and key Wike loyalists scheduled to hold in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on April 12, 2025. Read more
CCTV on Third Mainland Bridge to check suicide cases, says Umahi (Channels)
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, on Friday, explained the rationale behind the installation of closed-circuit television, also known as surveillance cameras, on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
Umahi, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, said the cameras were installed to check among other things suicide cases on the popular bridge.
He also expressed worry over the excavation of sand under the deck of the public facility. Read more
Lagos Trumpet Conference honours Victor Olaiya, Rex Lawson, others (ThisDay)
Late legendary trumpeters who set the pace for the new generation were honoured at the annual Lagos Trumpet Conference along with other great veterans of the elastic Nigeria Trumpet Guild (NTG). Late Victor Olaiya, Rex Lawson, and Zeal Onyia were given post humous awards.
Bayode Olaiya, the son of Victor Olaiya represented his father and thanked organisers of Lagos Trumpet Conference particularly the convener, Victor Ademofe for honouring his Dad even in death.
Taiwo and Seyi Clegg, among others were also honoured as well as the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Surulere Dance Band, and the Mushin Brass Brand. The Supporters Club along with the Surulere Dance Band were given each new trumpet. Read more
Ogun cracks down on criminals, lights up Sagamu Interchange, clears shanties (Nation)
As part of efforts to make the Sagamu Interchange and its environs a no-go area for criminals, the Ogun State government has provided illumination at the under-bridge area along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and subsequently at the four intersections of the interchange.
The state government, which took this step after clearing the illegal shanties, shops, and stalls in the area in order to deprive criminals of cover, undertook adequate illumination of the area through solar street lights.
Recently, the government, in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, stated that it was fully apprised of the situation in the area and would never allow criminals to continue to launch attacks on innocent citizens. Read more
Anambra Guber: Paul Chukwuma dumps APC hours to party primary (Vanguard)
In a dramatic twist ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Anambra State, frontline aspirant Sir Paul Chukwuma has resigned from the party just hours before the exercise scheduled to take place in Awka.
In a resignation letter addressed to the chairman of Unueri Ward 2 in Anambra East Local Government Area, Chukwuma cited his desire to build a broader political movement and align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as the reason for his departure from the APC.
The letter reads in part: “I write to formally notify you of my resignation as a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“My decision finds expression in my quest to connect Anambra State to national politics by building a broader and all-encompassing political movement within the state in support of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“While thanking you for your leadership over the years, be rest assured of my continued support to our shared progressive ideas. I will devote more time to pursuing the realization of a safe and prosperous Anambra of our dreams.” Read more
Ogun APC spokesman, Tunde Oladunjoye is dead (DailyTrust)
Court stops Natasha, Akpabio from media interviews (DailyTrust)
The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye, has passed away.
Oladunjoye, who was a consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, reportedly died abroad while battling an undisclosed illness.
A statement from his family confirmed that Oladunjoye died on Friday. Read more
Influencer suspected something was wrong with boyfriend — and then security footage confirmed her worst thoughts (People)
Influencer Alexa Losey is opening up about a particularly negative past relationship experience and the sleuthing way she says she discovered that her boyfriend was cheating.
The social media star, 30, opened up about her ex during a recent episode of her Unbothered Podcast with co-host Chloe Madison, 28. Losey explained that she was in a relationship years ago with a man who was “so controlling of everything” she did to the point where his actions stirred up concern amongst her friends.
Losey admitted she’s “pretty naive” and assumed her then-boyfriend had her “best interest at heart,” but he sparked some suspicions when he refused to come visit her while she was out of town in New York for work. Read more
‘Just like that’: Yemeni families destroyed by US airstrikes (AlJazeera)
On the evening of March 15, Ammar Mohammed* strolled through the vibrant streets of a modern residential neighbourhood in northern Sanaa.
The tall, slim man was nattily dressed and expecting a delicious meal at a relative’s home.
The pleasant spring air, cooled after sunset, carried the rich aromas of home-cooked dishes as families prepared to break their fast on the last day of Ramadan. Read more
Tom Cruise holds moment of silence for Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer (NME)
Tom Cruise paid tribute to his late Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer last night (April 3), who died earlier this week, aged 65.
Kilmer passed away on Tuesday (April 1) after a battle with pneumonia, as confirmed by his daughter Mercedes. He had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, but later made a recovery.
Honouring his friend at CinemaCon at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, which he attended to promote “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning”, Cruise asked the crowd to join him in a moment of silence for Kilmer. Read more
Trump to delay TikTok ban enforcement with another executive order (CBS)
President Donald Trump on Friday said he would sign another executive order to delay enforcement of a law that effectively bans TikTok, amid talks about a possible deal to sell the widely popular platform.
Mr. Trump signed an executive order on his first day directing the Justice Department to not enforce the ban for 75 days. The order instructed the Justice Department to not take action or impose penalties against “any entity for any noncompliance.” The executive order expires Saturday, April 5.
Mr. Trump said Friday he wouldn’t enforce the law for at least another 75 days. Read more
China hits back hard in global trade war with tariffs on US goods (StraitsTimes)
China announced additional tariffs of 34 per cent on US goods on April 4, the most serious escalation in a trade war with President Donald Trump that has fed fears of a recession and triggered a global stock market rout.
In the stand-off between the world’s top two economies, Beijing also announced controls on exports of some rare earths, and filed a complaint at the World Trade Organisation.
It added 11 entities to the “unreliable entity” list, which allows Beijing to take punitive actions against foreign entities, including firms linked to arms sales to democratically governed Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. Read more
Michelle Williams breaks silence on Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek’s cancer battle (DailyMail)
Michelle Williams is ‘here’ for her Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek as he battles cancer.
The 44-year-old actress – who appeared in the 1990s teen drama alongside James, 48, as well as Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson – said she has been supporting him.
The blonde – who revealed this week she has quietly welcomed her third child – said she would be there in ‘every and all ways.’
James revealed last year that he has been diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer, which is also known as bowel cancer. Read more
Trump administration must bring back man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, judge rules (Sky)
The Trump administration has been ordered to arrange the return of a Salvadoran man who was mistakenly deported to a notorious prison in his home country.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia – a protected legal US resident who has lived in Maryland since 2011 – was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and deported to his home country last month.
However, an immigration judge ruled in 2019 that Mr Garcia should be shielded from deportation to El Salvador as he likely faced persecution from local gangs.
After legal challenges were filed by Mr Garcia’s wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura, US District Judge Paula Xinis ruled the Trump administration must arrange for his return by 7 April. Read more
How fight between 2 Kano clubs is threatening young footballer’s career (DailyTrust)
The fledging career of a young Kano-born football player, Suleiman Yusuf Abdullahi, is under threat due to a protracted misunderstanding between two clubs that are claiming his ownership.
Proline FC Kano where he started his career as an amateur and Future Star also of Kano are at loggerheads over which club will receive the mandatory training compensation for Yusuf who is presently trying out with clubs in Europe courtesy of City FC Abuja.
Daily Trust gathered that Yusuf started out with Proline when the club was called Tukuntawa FC. Along the line, he left to join Geida FC without the consent of his former club. Read more
I haven’t decided my future yet, says Osimhen (Nation)
Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen said he is getting to decide where he will play next season.
Currently on loan at Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray, the 28-year-old has enjoyed an impressive campaign, scoring 27 goals and providing seven assists in 32 appearances across all competitions.
The Turkish champions are eager to secure Osimhen’s services on a permanent basis. Read more
Morant fined for finger-gun gesture during NBA game (BBC)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been fined $75,000 for twice using a finger-gun gesture during a game.
Morant made the gestures during the Grizzlies’ 110-108 victory against the Miami Heat in Florida on Thursday.
The NBA says the 25-year-old was previously warned by the league office that the finger-gun gesture could be interpreted in a negative light. Read more
Frank Warren hails Joe Joyce and Filip Hrgovic ahead of promised “shoot-out’’ (DAZN)
Frank Warren has paid tribute to Joe Joyce and Filip Hrgovic ahead of their heavyweight bout this weekend, and expects their fight to be a “shoot-out”live on DAZN.
The two former Olympians meet at Heavy Impact on Saturday , the first card in a deal between the streamer and Queensberry Promotions, at Manchester’s Co-op Live.
Joyce, looking to rebuild after three losses in his last four fights, was originally slated for a domestic clash with Dillian Whyte before the latter had to withdraw. Read more
Luka Doncic takes blame for “unacceptable” night as Lakers fall (ESPN)
Luka Doncic hit his first shot Thursday night, scoring on a running finger roll in the opening minutes of his baptism into the Golden State Warriors-Lakers rivalry.
But there weren’t many highlights for Doncic after that, as he finished with 19 points on 6-for-17 shooting in L.A.’s 123-116 loss to the Warriors.
“That performance from me was unacceptable,” Doncic said after the defeat dropped L.A. to No. 4 in the Western Conference standings with six games remaining in the regular season. “When I play like that, that makes [it] harder [for the team] to win, so just got to figure that out.” Read more
Ovechkin ties Gretzky’s record with his 894th career goal, needs one more to break mark (WashingtonTimes)
Alex Ovechkin has tied Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record by scoring the 894th of his career, setting off a wild celebration on the ice with his teammates and chants of “Ovi! Ovi!” in the crowd that included the “Great One” himself.
Ovechkin scored on the power play with 13:46 left Friday night, stopping the game while fans rose to their feet to applaud the longtime Washington Capitals captain. Clearly emotional, he skated several laps around center ice asking for more cheers, then returned to the bench where he blew kisses to members of his family in a suit. Read more