Guns recovered as landlord shoots okada union chair over rent (Punch)
A landlord, identified simply as Afuye, has been arrested by men of the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly shooting his tenant, Olaoluwa-Daniel Yaya, over outstanding rent at their place of residence on Mosalisi Street, Alimosho Local Government Area of the state.
Yaya told PUNCH Metro that he pleaded with his landlord to give him more time to make the payment, but after he left for work on Saturday, he received a call from his wife that Afuye and his wife were making trouble with her.
When Yaya returned home and went to meet the landlord, he alleged that Afuye suddenly brought out a gun and shot at him six times, adding that his wife collapsed at the sound of the gunshot.
He said, “I owe my landlord, Mr Afuye, for one year and three months, and I already appealed to him to give me more time to make the payment. I am the chairman of motorcycle operators in Sango; on Saturday, I was at work when my wife called to inform me that my landlord and his wife were making trouble with her because of the indebtedness. Read more
Lagos APC warns against mayhem over reopening of Lekki tollgate (Guardian)
The Lagos State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged citizens of the state to disregard calls urging them to engage in protests or activities that could lead to further unrest in the state.
The state’s Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Seye Oladejo, in a statement, yesterday, also urged the people to be mindful of the ravaging second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, which thrives in an atmosphere of mammoth crowd, before heading to any reckless call to protest.
The party said its position was based on the recent call by a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of APC, Timi Frank, who said citizens of the state should troop out to protest the reopening of the Lekki Tollgate Plaza, which was closed down in the aftermath of the October 20, 2020, #EndSARS protests.
The party said the intention of such call was to get the youths back on the streets and to unleash further mayhem on innocent people, who are still individually and collectively struggling to overcome their recent losses. Read more
Clearing agents arrested as NDLEA intercepts N32b cocaine at Lagos port (Punch)
Cocaine worth N32 billion has been recovered in a consignment at the Tincan Port in Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
It was gathered that the consignment, which arrived Nigeria from Brazil on board a vessel marked MV SPAR SCORPIO was placed on surveillance for some days before two clearing agents showed up on Monday to clear it.
The Commander, Tincan Port Command of the NDLEA, Sumaila Ethan, said the clearing agents were arrested, while the consignment was searched and the substance weighing 43.11kg was found in it.
He said, “After a thorough search, we discovered 40 compressed parcels, which after laboratory investigations, tested positive for cocaine. The two clearing agents have been taken into custody, while we continue with the investigation. The seizure is no doubt an attestation to the renewed vigour in the operations of the agency. Read more
Lagos government warns engineers, developers against building collapse (Guardian)
The Lagos State Government has cautioned engineers and developers in the state against sharp practices that could lead to building collapse.
The new General Manager, Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL), Olufunsho Elulade, warned that the agency would not leave any stone unturned to ensure that perpetrators are hit with full wrath of the law.
Elulade, who spoke at the LSMTL Conference Room, Ojodu, Lagos, yesterday, said: “As a civil engineer, I will put my professional experiences making sure this agency is taken to greater height.
“The primary function of this agency is to have zero-tolerance on building collapse. Our mandate is to carry out tests on buildings and civil engineering and construction materials so that we can confirm the stability, strength, as well as the structural of any edifice. Read more
58 miscreants apprehended as Lagos Island clashes claim one (Punch)
Residents of Itafaji and Agarawu on the Lagos Island in Lagos State have called for the intervention of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, to quell the ongoing tension caused by clashes among youths in the area.
This development resulted from the death of one Tiroo, who was allegedly shot dead by the Agarawu boys during an attempt to rob residents of Itafaji on Sunday.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the deceased joined other youths in Itafaji area to resist the attack allegedly launched by the Agarawu boys.
According to eyewitnesses, the Itafaji youths were resisting the attack with cutlasses when the Agarawu boys shot indiscriminately and killed Tiroo in the process.
Tiroo’s remains were said to have been buried. Read more
Crush the Insurgency Now, Buhari Orders Military Chiefs (ThisDay)
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the military service chiefs to be decisive in dealing with terrorists and ending the insurgency in the North-east without further delay.
Buhari has also justified the extension of the Kano-Katsina-Jibiya rail line to Maradi in Niger Republic, saying the project, when completed, will boost trade between Nigeria and Niger Republic, foster trans-Sahara trade and contribute to the expected gains in the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA). Read more
Police confirm alleged killing of year-one poly student by caretaker (Guardian)
Imo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a year-one student of Building Technology of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, near Owerri, Anthony Chinweotito Emmanuel, by his caretaker outside the campus.
The command’s spokesman, Orlando Ikeokwu, who confirmed the incident yesterday, noted that investigations had since commenced unraveling the mystery behind the killing.
According to the report, there had been disagreements between the caretaker of the Ezinwanne Lodge, making him to allegedly hit the deceased with wood on his stomach. The student was said to have died in a hospital.
“The students had argued that they would not pay for the rent between March 2020 and January 2021 during the COVID-19 lockdown, but the caretaker, who insisted they must pay, locked the tap. Read more
Musician, Lilfrosh remanded for allegedly assaulting girlfriend (Punch)
Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun of the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Yaba, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of an upcoming musical artiste, Sanni Wasiu, popularly known as Lilfrosh, in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, Okeoghene Iyomaterie.
Iyomaterie’s manager, Michael, had on October 5, 2020, on his Instagram page accused Lilfrosh of assaulting her.
Lilfrosh, however, denied the claim in an interview.
Our correspondent gathered that the 18-year-old Lilfrosh was invited by policemen at the Federal Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Alagbon, on Thursday, February 4, 2021, for interrogation. Read more
Sylva: With rising oil price, high petrol cost inevitable (ThisDay)
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva, yesterday prepared the minds of Nigerians for a higher regime of the pump price of petrol, given the new fortune of crude oil in the international market.
With the price of Brent crude oil still hovering around $60 per barrel yesterday, Sylva said a high cost of petrol will be inevitable and urged Nigerians to be ready to bear the pains of the impending new price regime.
Besides, the federal government yesterday ramped up its plan to achieve the $10 per barrel crude oil production target with the official inauguration of the Nigerian Upstream Cost Optimisation Programme (NUCOP). Read more
The UAE’s Hope Probe has successfully entered orbit around Mars (CNN)
The United Arab Emirates’ first mission to Mars arrived at the red planet on Tuesday and successfully entered orbit on its first attempt.
The Emirates Mars Mission, known as the Hope Probe, sent back a signal confirming it’s in orbit.
“Success! Contact with #HopeProbe has been established again. The Mars Orbit Insertion is now complete,” according to a tweet from the mission’s Twitter account at 11:16 a.m. ET.
The UAE Space Agency began live coverage of Hope’s arrival on February 9, beginning at 10 a.m. ET on its website.
When the spacecraft arrived, the Hope Probe marked the UAE as only the fifth country in history to reach the red planet and a first for the Arab world. The ambitions of the mission don’t stop there. Read more
Clubhouse blocked in China after people use it to discuss politics (Metro)
Clubhouse is, quite literally, the social media platform that everyone is talking about – and talking on. The audio-only app allows users to join rooms for live conversation with other people. But Chinese authorities have blocked access to it after people began to use it to discuss politics. On Clubhouse, Chinese users could discuss sensitive topics with people abroad – including Taiwan and treatment of the country’s Muslim minority. The move adds Clubhouse to thousands of websites and social media apps which the ruling Communist Party blocks access to in an effort to control what China’s public sees and reads. Read more
Turkey unveils space program with a mission to the moon (DW)
Turkey expects to send its first rocket to the moon as early as 2023, according to President Erdogan. Other aims include establishing a space port.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed a 10-year space program on Tuesday. It includes ambitious plans such as sending Turkish astronauts to the moon.
“The first rough landing will be made on the moon with our national and authentic hybrid rocket that shall be launched into orbit in the end of 2023 through international cooperation,” said Erdogan. “God willing, we are going to the moon,” he added.
The plan coincides with the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Turkish republic. Read more
Trump impeachment: Senate says trial is constitutional and can go ahead (BBC)
The US Senate has found that the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump is constitutional, allowing full proceedings to begin.
Mr Trump’s defence team argued that he cannot face trial after leaving the White House.
But a 56-44 majority voted in favour of continuing, with a handful of Republicans backing the measure.
Mr Trump is accused of “inciting insurrection” when Congress was stormed last month. Read more
Tom Holland addresses rumour Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield will appear in “Spider-Man 3′ (Metro)
Tom Holland has shut down the rumour that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield will join him in Spider-Man 3, currently filming in Atlanta, as part of a ‘multi-verse’ plot. The British actor, 24, is the latest star to play Peter Parker after 45-year-old Tobey, who was Spidey from 2002 to 2004, and 37-year-old Andrew who played the role from 2012 to 2014. Despite how much fans wanted to see it happen, Tom has now burst that bubble. Asked about the rumours by Esquire, he said: ‘No, no, they will not be appearing in this film. Read more
Trump unhappy with his impeachment attorney’s performance, sources say (CNN)
Former President Donald Trump was unhappy with his impeachment lawyer Bruce Castor’s opening argument on the Senate floor Tuesday, two people familiar with his reaction told CNN.
Castor, who is representing Trump alongside attorney David Schoen, delivered a meandering argument during the first day of the Senate impeachment trial, including praise for the House impeachment managers for a presentation that he said was “well done.”
Trump was almost screaming as Castor struggled to get at the heart of his defense team’s argument, which is supposed to be over the constitutionality of holding a trial for a president no longer in office. Given that the legal team was assembled a little over a week ago, it went as expected, one of the sources told CNN. Read more
Minnesota health clinic shooting leaves 1 dead, 4 injured (DW)
A shooting at the Allina Health Care Clinic in Buffalo, Minnesota on Tuesday left one person dead and four more injured.
Authorities arrested a suspect. Local Wright County officials described the event as an “active shooter incident.”
Local station WCCO – CBS News Minnesota has identified the suspect as 67-year-old Gregory Ulrich of Buffalo. Read more
Australian Open: Egypt’s Mayar Sherif creates history (BBC)
Egyptian tennis player Mayar Sherif
Mayar Sherif became the first Egyptian woman to win a main draw match at a Grand Slam when beating France’s Chloe Paquet at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old, who is currently ranked 131 in the world, beat 187th-ranked Paquet 7-5 7-5 in Melbourne.
The Egyptian was delighted to get a first Grand Slam win under her belt after losing to the Czech Republic’s Karolína Pliskova in three sets at last year’s French Open.
“It means a lot because finally this is a barrier that I had to pass, a mental barrier,” said Sherif, who has has been buoyed in the past by support from fellow Egyptian Mo Salah. Read more
‘Rivers United will be ready to battle Enyimba on lovers’ day’ (Guardian)
Enyimba and Rivers United will meet in the first leg of their Confederation Cup group stage qualifier in Aba…on February 14.
The world over, February 14 is a day meant for people to show love and care for their fellow human beings. But on this year’s St. Valentines Day, two of Nigeria’s biggest clubs, Rivers United and Enyimba, will be on each other’s jugular fighting for passage to the group stage of the 2021 CAF Confederation Cup.
Enyimba campaigned in the CAF Champions League at the beginning of the season, but they lost in the second round to Sudan’s El Merreikh, which forced them to drop down to the Confederation Cup. Now, Rivers United must fight their ‘brothers’ to gain entry into the group stage of the less glamorous Confederation Cup.
Speaking on the impending war with Enyimba, Rivers United Coach, Stanley Eguma, says playing against the Aba club on Valentines Day is an unfortunate development, which they must confront in the course of the championship.
He said it would have been better for the two Nigerian sides to meet at the final stage of the competition rather than at this stage. Read more
Christian Pulisic returns to Chelsea training ahead of FA Cup clash with Barnsley (Metro)
Christian Pulisic has returned to training with Chelsea ahead of their FA Cup clash against Barnsley on Thursday evening. The United States international missed Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United on Sunday night due to personal reasons. ‘Christian has some family issues to solve. Family is always first,’ explained Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. ‘So we decided to give a rest for this game.’ Read more
Man Utd beat West Ham in extra time to reach FA Cup quarter-finals (BBC)
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he was pleased with his players’ mentality in their FA Cup fifth-round win against West Ham after “feeling low” following the draw with Everton.
Scott McTominay scored in extra time to send the Red Devils into the quarter-finals.
And Solskjaer felt his players provided the perfect response to conceding a late equaliser in the 3-3 draw with the Toffees on Saturday.
“We needed to have a good result and a good feeling today because we were low after the Everton game,” he said. Read more
Victoria Azarenka bemoans ‘lack of fresh air’ in quarantine as star exits Australian Open (CNN)
Victoria Azarenka says quarantine ahead of this year’s Australian Open took its “toll” — notably a lack of “fresh air” — after she was knocked out in the first round on Tuesday.
The two-time former champion was beaten in straight sets 7-5 6-4 by debutant Jessica Pegula and Azarenka pointed to her stunted preparation as not an ideal way to get ready for the first grand slam of the season.
The Belarusian was one of 72 players in strict isolation after arriving in the country where she was unable to leave her hotel room for two weeks.
She managed to complete just one match post quarantine, before pulling out of the warm-up event with a lower back injury. Read more
Kobe Bryant crash: Pilot ‘likely disorientated amid fog’ (BBC)
The pilot of the helicopter which crashed killing basketball superstar Kobe Bryant, his young daughter, and seven other people had probably become disorientated amid fog, US safety investigators have said.
The helicopter smashed into a hillside near Calabasas, California, on 26 January 2020.
Pilot Ara Zobayan was among the dead.Investigators also said Zobayan may have felt “self-induced pressure” to complete the flight for Bryant. Read more
