Hoodlums kill army commander, 2 majors, captain, others (DailyTrust)
The military high command on Saturday vowed to go after some youths, who reportedly killed 16 of its personnel attached to 181 Amphibious Batallion in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.
Daily Trust reports that trouble started on Thursday when the troops responded to a distress call regarding a communal crisis between the Okuoma and Okoloba communities.
The Director, Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, said the troops were surrounded by some community youths who were armed with weapons and killed them. Read more
Police nab woman for staging own kidnap (Sun)
A woman in Akwa Ibom State, Imaobong Sampson has been arrested by the police in the state for kidnapping herself for N4 million.
The woman, from Nung Oku in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, was among the 52 suspected criminals whose names and activities were disclosed at the inaugural press conference hosted by the new commissioner of police in the state, Mr Waheed Ayilara.
She ironically, equally fitted into the category of four kidnapped victims also rescued by the police. Read more
Residents groan as Lagos demolishes Lekki shanties (Channels)
Some residents of the Lekki/Ajah area have faulted the recent demolition of shanties and makeshift structures in the Jakande area by the Lagos State Government.
On March 11, the local authorities embarked on an eviction operation.
Soon after, officials of the State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, assisted by men of the Task Force, demolished several buildings and shanties in the Estate in the operation that commenced on Sunday. Read more
Suspected ritualists kill 2-year-old girl in Bauchi (Tribune)
Suspected ritualists late Thursday evening, murdered and removed some body parts of a 2-year-old girl in Ningi LGA of Bauchi.
The mutilated body of the 2-year-old girl was discovered without the two eyes removed as well as the vagina within Ningi township days after she was declared missing by her parents.
Reports gathered revealed that the two-year-old Maryam Danlami had been missing for 2 days before her mutilated body was found dumped along a path in Ningi. Read more
Police arrest school principal for allegedly flogging, injuring female student (Vanguard)
The Police have arrested a secondary school principal in Igando area of Lagos for allegedly flogging a female student and inflicting injuries on her body.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the principal was picked up on Friday by the Igando Police Division for interrogation.
Hundeyin said that the Lagos State Ministry of Education had also intervened in the case, to get the principal investigated and prosecuted if found culpable. Read more
Economy: Subsidy beneficiaries, smugglers fighting back, says Tinubu (Nation)
President Bola Tinubu yesterday alleged that smugglers and beneficiaries of the old petrol subsidy were beginning to fight back, but vowed that his administration would not abuse the trust Nigerians reposed in him.
Tinubu, during a meeting with the Forum of State Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House in Abuja, said that Nigeria would prevail against the agents of destabilization allegedly working to sabotage efforts at repositioning the economy.
The President, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said his administration was deploying resources to critical sectors and areas with significant impact on the welfare of Nigerians, describing the nation’s treasury as sacrosanct. Read more
Chibok Girls rep speaks on kidnapped Kuriga students (Leadership)
A representative of Chibok school girls in Borno, Alamson Ayuba, has spoken about managing expectations on the possible release or rescue of the 287 school children and teachers who were recently abducted from LEA Primary School in Kuriga, Kaduna.
At the same time, stakeholders in the security sector are contemplating what options are open to the government after President Bola Tinubu declared that no ransom will be paid to free the abducted school children in Kuriga, Kaduna or any other state.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP Weekend on the Chibok experience, Ayuba felt families Kuriga need to be mentally strong as families in Chibok still have relatives in captivity more that 10 years after the kidnapping episode. Read more
NLC, Labour Party clash over planned national convention (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Labour Party (LP), on Saturday, locked horns over the forthcoming national convention of the party being planned by the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee and scheduled to hold by or before the end of March.
While the NLC said it was not informed about the plan to hold the national convention, the Labour Party argued that nothing concerns the Congress in the conduct of its affairs and that the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, should not meddle in what doesn’t concern it.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairperson and Secretary of NLC Political Commission, Comrade Titus Amba and Comrade Chris Uyot respectively, the Congress described the planned convention “a misadventure in political mischief, mismanagement and misdemeanour gone too far”. Read more
Celine Dion posts rare family photo with sons as she shares health update with Stiff Person Syndrome (Mirror)
Celine Dion has said she is “deeply grateful” for the support from her family and fans as she opened up about her experience of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).
The Canadian singer, 55, marked the international awareness day of the rare neurological condition by sharing a photo of herself with her three sons to Instagram.
In the post, she sent words of encouragement to others living with the autoimmune disorder and revealed she is determined to one day get back on stage and “live as normal of a life as possible”. Read more
Cardi B explains why she scrapped her verse on Ice Spice’s ‘Munch’ remix (HipHopDx)
Cardi B has revealed that she once recorded a verse for a remix of Ice Spice‘s breakthrough hit, “Munch,” but put it on ice because she didn’t like the way it sounded.
That’s the revelation she made to Complex on Friday (March 15). In between talks of the joys of motherhood and the promises of a new album, the “Bodak Yellow” rapper revealed to Speedy Morman that she didn’t want the remix with her verse to be released because she knew the fanbase would drag her.
“I don’t know about Central Cee, but, I did do like a thing for Ice Spice but I just did not like how I sound,” she said at the 33:45 mark. “No, I love the record, I did not like how I sound.” Read more
Buddy announces new album “Don’t Forget To Breathe” inspired by “psychedelic” journey (HipHopDX)
Buddy has got fans excited with news that he has a new album coming soon, and that the LP is apparently tied to a renewal of his spirit.
On Wednesday (March 13), the Los Angeles rapper announced on social media that Don’t Forget to Breathe is due to arrive at the end of the month on March 29.
He also shared cover art for the project, tagging photographer Aidan Cullen. Read more
Cara Delevingne confirms her cats survived massive blaze that engulfed home, thanks firefighters (People)
Cara Delevingne is sharing her thanks with the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Early Friday morning, the model’s home in Studio City, California, was consumed by flames, causing the roof to collapse. Her cats, who were seemingly in the house during the fire, survived the massive blaze, she shared on her Instagram Story.
“They are alive!! Thank you to the firefighters ,” she wrote Friday.
Bill Murray reveals who he wants to play him in upcoming Saturday Night Live movie (FarOut)
Comedic actor Bill Murray has shared names of four actors who he would like to see portray him in the upcoming Saturday Night Live biopic, SNL 1975.
Last year, it was revealed director Jason Reitman had been lined up by Sony Pictures to create a new movie depicting the inaugural episode of the hit comedy programme which aired in 1975. The show, devised by Lorne Michaels, is currently in its 49th season on NBC.
While Murray was not part of the initial cast for Saturday Night Live, instead joining in 1977, the comedy talent played a pivotal role in shaping its impeccable legacy as an institution of entertainment in the United States. Read more
NGO says 1st aid ship to Gaza is unloaded, supplies being readied for distribution (TimesOfIsrael)
A charity said Saturday its team in the Gaza Strip had finished unloading the first maritime aid shipment, in a test run for a new aid route by sea from Cyprus to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the enclave five months into the war between Israel and Hamas.
“All cargo was offloaded and is being readied for distribution in Gaza,” World Central Kitchen said in a statement, noting that the aid was “almost 200 tons of food.”
The humanitarian effort is intended to mitigate food shortages that have prompted famine warnings in Gaza from the United Nations and aid workers. Read more
India’s general election will begin on April 19 (National)
Hundreds of millions of voters in India will begin casting their ballots on April 19 in a seven-phase general election that continues until June 1, the Election Commission announced on Saturday.
India holds elections for the 543-seat lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha, every five years. Around 970 million people are eligible to take part this year, the Election Commission said.
Voting will stretch over seven phases, with different states voting at different times, and the results will be announced on June 4. Read more
Super Falcons drop 2 places in latest FIFA ranking (Leadership)
Nine-time African champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria, have dropped two places in the latest FIFA women’s world ranking.
FIFA released the first women’s ranking for 2024 on its official website on Friday.
The Super Falcons dropped from 32nd to 34th position.
Despite the slide in world ranking, the West Africans, however, maintained leadership position in Africa. Read more
“I didn’t apply” – Samson Siasia reportedly debunks Super Eagles coaching rumours (Soccernet)
Former Nigerian football striker and coach, Samson Siasia has debunked rumours linking him to replacing Jose Peseiro as Super Eagles coach, Soccernet.ng reports.
Siasia, 56, coached Nigeria after Lars Lagerback parted ways with the Super Eagles in 2010 and was fired a few years later after failing to qualify for the AFCON 2012 tournament.
On 16 August 2019, FIFA banned Siasia from all football activities for life due to match-fixing accusations, but after an appeal, the ban was reduced to five years. Read more
Toney snubs Arsenal, Chelsea as he reveals ‘‘ideal’’ summer transfer and Brentford swansong (Football365)
Arsenal and Chelsea target Ivan Toney admits a move to Real Madrid would be his ideal transfer in the summer ahead of a potential Brentford exit.
The England international has scored four goals in nine matches since returning from an eight-month ban from football after breaching betting rules.
Toney has not hit the back of the net in his last four matches but that didn’t stop Gareth Southgate picking him for his England squad earlier this week for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. Read more
Everton training camp chaos as Sean Dyche ‘slap’ on youngster causes team spat (Express)
Everton’s spring training camp was thrown into chaos after Sean Dyche was reportedly taken away to calm down following an altercation with Nathan Patterson. The Toffees are away in Portugal enjoying some warm-weather training, but tempers are said to have flared after Dyche ‘slapped’ Patterson on the head.
As per The Daily Mail, the Everton players and staff were enjoying a meal in the Algarve resort of Quinta do Lago when the altercation occurred, with Dyche said to have aimed a ‘jocular slap’ in the direction of Patterson. While it was intended as a joke, the Everton boss is said to have connected with the defender harder than he planned, with some players not impressed by their manager’s actions. Read more
Swiatek, Raducanu, Osaka and Halep to play 2024 Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers in April (TennisInfinity)
A total of 16 countries will participate in the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers, and the squads have been revealed by their respective team captains.
The draw for the qualifying rounds of the 61st edition of the biggest women’s tennis team competition was released last November. Several of the WTA’s biggest stars have committed to play in ties scheduled in the second week of April between the 12th and 13th.
The eight winning teams will advance to the group stage of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, which will be held in November in Seville. The presence of two former and one current World No. 1 has garnered all the attention. Read more
Ryan Garcia wipes Instagram account after boxer cried over Israel Gaza war in video (DailyStar)
Ryan Garcia has wiped his Instagram and deactivated his X account after the boxer uploaded a video of him crying about the war involving Israel and Palestine.
The boxing world has been left concerned by the erratic behaviour of the former WBC interim world lightweight champion. Garcia, 25, had been on transmit on both his Instagram and X pages, sending abusive posts and tweets to fierce rival Devin Haney, wading into political debates and even indulging in conspiracy theories.
He has since wiped all of his posts on Instagram and deactivated his X account, the latter for the second time in three years. Read more