GP to hold police supervisors responsible over extortion of citizens (Guardian)
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has made it clear that supervisory officers would be held responsible for policemen caught extorting Nigerians.
Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi said he caught some policemen in the act of extortion on Christmas day while driving along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.
Adejobi added that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) has been asked to bring the erring policemen to Abuja after which the authorities will know what to do. Read more
Security operatives arrest notorious cultists after attack on Amotekun in Osun (Vanguard)
Some notorious cultists in Osun were arrested in Ilesa after allegedly attacking an Amotekun unit deployed for security duties at the Iwude Ijesa festival.
The suspected cultist dens were burst by a combined team of Amotekun and police after their illegal activities were reported by residents.
The arrested suspects, Kareem Ojo, 32, Adedamola Salamo, 26, Olatunji Ezekiel, 24, Adeyeye Adekunle, 33 and Tope Oguntade, 35 were also dealing in drug. Read more
Suspected cultists kill Edo broadcaster on Christmas Eve (Punch)
A broadcast journalist with the Independent Television and Radio, Hillary Nosa Odia, has been shot dead by suspected cultists around 2nd East Circular, Benin City, Edo State capital on Christmas Eve.
A colleague of the deceased who spoke with PUNCH Metro said the late Odia left the office at about 4pm on Sunday while the news of his death filtered into the ITV premises later in the night to the surprise of those who worked with him that day.
The colleague stated that the killing was as a result of cult clashes around Esigie area, off East Circular Road. He noted the deceased’s brother was also killed in a similar fashion last year, stating that three people were also shot on the day Odia was killed. Read more
NUJ demands justice as cultists kill Edo broadcaster on Christmas Eve (Channels)
Cultists on Christmas Eve killed a broadcaster in Edo State, Hillary Odia.
Odia, a staff of Independent Television and Radio, was murdered on Sunday night around 2nd East Circular, in Benin City, the state capital.
A spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident, disclosing that “a sizeable number of arrests of the secret cult members of various cult groups has been made in different locations in the state and the suspects would soon be charged for prosecution”. Read more
Kidnappers release Enugu Traditional Ruler after cash, rice, wine ransom (Leadership)
Igwe James Agbogo, the traditional ruler of Nkalagu Obukpa community in Enugu State, has been released after spending four days in captivity following his abduction on December 21st.
The monarch, who was held in captivity for four days, regained his freedom on Christmas Day after negotiations with the kidnappers.
The Nation reported that the release was secured following the payment of N6 million as ransom and the delivery of items, including a bag of rice, a carton of wine, and other food ingredients, demanded by the abductors. Read more
Shettima, govs visit Tinubu in Lagos (Punch)
Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, visited President Bola Tinubu, at his Bourdillon home in Lagos State.
Aside from Shettima, members of the Nigerian Governors Forum also visited the President to pay Christmas homage at his Lagos residence.
The members of the NGF present include Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun, Biodun Oyebamiji, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti and Kwara States respectively. Read more
Gunmen kill 2 in Adamawa community (DailyTrust)
The Adamawa State Police Command has confirmed a recent attack on Kwapre community in Hong Local Government Area of the state.
The attack, which occurred on Monday (Christmas day), was carried out by gunmen.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, disclosed this to newsmen in Yola on Tuesday.
He said investigation into the incident had commenced and the Commissioner of Police, Babatola Afolabi, had deployed officers to the area. Read more
Nasarawa women protest stolen mandate, plead for justice at Supreme Court on Christmas Day (Sun)
In a fervent display of distress, Nasarawa State on Tuesday was witness to an unusual Christmas scene as women took to the streets on Christmas Day, adorned with placards, calling for justice and the restoration of their allegedly stolen mandate in the gubernatorial election.
Expressing their grievances with poignant messages, the women, led by Hanatu John,voiced their dissatisfaction, emphasising the somber undertones overshadowing their festive spirit.
“We have been here since March protesting what we described as injustice. Celebrating Christmas seems void when our mandate was stolen from us,” Joy lamented, urging the Supreme Court to rectify the perceived electoral injustice. Read more
Cardi B digs at Offset while twerking to Sexyy Red’s latest track (HipHopDx)
Cardi B has taken the approach of twerking the pain away when it comes to her estranged husband, Offset.
In an undated video that went viral on Sunday (December 24), the “Bodak Yellow” rapper can be seen twerking in a black bodysuit to Sexyy Red‘s latest track, “Bow Bow Bow (F My Baby Dad).”
At one point, the “Bodak Yellow” rapper looks back at the camera, smiles, and sticks her middle finger his in the air while yelling, “fuck my baby dad!” The unidentified camera person can be then heard saying, “you heard her!” Read more
Sudanese refugees in Chad recount war horrors of western Darfur (AfricaNews)
Sitting outside her makeshift shelter in eastern Chad, Sudanese refugee Mariam Adam Yaya warmed up tea on some firewood in a bid to quell the pangs of hunger.
The 34-year-old from the Masalit ethnic group crossed the border on foot after a four-day trek with no provisions and her eight-year-old son clinging to her back.
She said “heavily armed” men attacked her village, forcing her to flee and leave seven of her children behind amid brutal violence that has sparked fears of ethnic cleansing. Read more
Netflix releases 1st trailer for Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver’’ (THR)
The war is here and everyone must be ready in the first teaser trailer for part two of Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver.”
Sofia Boutella as Kora and Djimon Hounsou as Titus take center stage alongside a slew of intimidating ships and weapons in the two-minute first look at the upcoming film, which offers brief teases of other returning Rebel Moon Part One cast members.
“Gather every hunting rifle, every knife, every round of ammunition in the village,” says Hounsou’s Titus between sequences of villagers training and the arrival of imposing enemy ships. “The time has come, for all that you love — show them no mercy!” Read more
Jay Rock teases Black Hippy reunion ahead of new TDE compilation (HipHopDX)
Jay Rock has suggested that a Black Hippy reunion is on the horizon, and fans couldn’t be more excited about the prospect.
During an interview with the Associated Press, which dropped on Saturday (December 23), the Los Angeles rapper suggested that he’d love to join forces with Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, and Schoolboy Q again.
“I can tell you this: I know we are doing a compilation album, you know, TDE for 20 years,” he said. “It’s been 20 years since TDE has been in the game, you know what I’m saying? So, we are putting together a compilation album. So, we should be dropping that at the top of the year.” Read more
One Life to Live star Kamar de los Reyes dead at 56 (People)
One Life to Live star Kamar de los Reyes died on Sunday in Los Angeles shortly after being diagnosed with cancer, a representative for his family confirmed to PEOPLE. He was best known for playing villain Antonio Vega on the ABC soap opera from 1995 to 2009.
De los Reyes also starred in Sleepy Hollow and most recently appeared in seven episodes of the hit CW show All American as Coach Montes from 2022 to 2023.
He also voiced the character of Raul Menendez in the popular video game franchise Call Of Duty and had a stint on the hit ABC show The Rookie. Read more
Kevin Spacey discusses allegations and Netflix in new Tucker Carlson ‘‘interview’’ (NME)
Kevin Spacey has rekindled his tradition of appearing in a strange new video for Christmas, reviving his House of Cards role of Frank Underwood.
The actor appeared in character with the US conservative host Tucker Carlson on the latter’s X show in a seven-minute ‘interview’ segment, in which they discussed the 2024 presidential election and the state of the media.
When Carlson introduces the subject of Netflix, the studio that produced House of Cards, Spacey says: “It is bizarre they decided to publicly cut ties with me on allegations alone, allegations that have now been proven false. Because I don’t think there’s any question.” Read more
EastEnders’ Barry legend Shaun Williamson reveals secrets behind BBC Christmas special (Mirror)
EastEnders legend Shaun Williamson has shared the key to a bombshell Christmas episode.
The star who appeared on the soap as Barry Evans between 1994 and 2004 had his fair share of dramatic storylines throughout his stint. Most famously, in his final scenes, Barry finds himself at the top of his cliff with his employee Janine Butcher who later coerced him into falling in love with her.
Unbeknownst to the unlucky-in-love character, Janine was reeling Barry in order to inherit all of his cash after believing he is dying. But when he revealed he wasn’t, she saw red and pushed him off the edge of a cliff. During an exclusive chat with the Mirror, Shaun, 58, shared what he believes makes the episodes on Christmas Day so good. Read more
Naoya Inoue beats Marlon Tapales to become two-weight undisputed champion (BBC)
Japan’s Naoya Inoue knocked out Marlon Tapales in the 10th round in Tokyo to become a two-weight undisputed champion.
Inoue, 30, put in a ruthless performance to add Tapales’ IBF and WBA super-bantamweight belts to his WBO and WBC titles.
Inoue became undisputed bantamweight world champion last year but vacated the belts to move up a division.
“I think super-bantamweight is my weight division for now,” he said. Read more
Mo Salah shares serious Christmas message amid continued “death and destruction” in Gaza (Mirror)
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has shared a serious message this Christmas amid the ongoing conflict on the Gaza Strip.
The Egyptian has been in fine form for the Reds so far this season, plundering 12 Premier League goals to help the Anfield side to second in the Premier League, just a point adrift of Arsenal.
He was on target as the Gunners held Jurgen Klopp’s side to a 1-1 draw on Merseyside on Saturday, meaning it is still very congested at the top of the league. Read more
Brendan Rodgers banking on Daizen Maeda’s pace at Dundee (RTE)
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers hopes Daizen Maeda can inject the pace required to put Dundee on the back foot at Dens Park.
Maeda made his first start in six weeks as Celtic bounced back from two consecutive cinch Premiership defeats to beat Livingston 2-0 on Saturday.
Neither Celtic nor Maeda were in spectacular form but it was a comfortable victory in a truly one-sided contest and the Japanese attacker will have benefited from the run-out amid a crucial period. Read more
Struggling Man Utd seek form against high-flying Villa (RNZ)
Manchester United and visiting Aston Villa both will be looking to rebound from weekend setbacks when they meet on Boxing Day at Old Trafford.
United (9-8-1, 28 points) were forced to accept a familiar fate on Saturday, losing 2-0 at West Ham United in a game in which they had the majority of the possession and — in manager Erik ten Hag’s view — the chances.
A victory would’ve taken Man U up to sixth in the table and within three points of crosstown rival Manchester City. Instead, late goals from Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus ensured the Hammers of all three points, and United of a third defeat in the five league games in which they’ve had at least 65 percent possession. Read more
FIFA threatens to suspend Brazil over president’s removal by court (Globe and Mail)
FIFA warned Brazil on Sunday it could suspend its national teams and clubs from international competitions if an intervention by its soccer body leads to the election of a new president in January.
FIFA said in a letter to a Brazilian soccer executive that the country’s soccer body CBF could face suspension if it does not heed its call to wait and instead holds a swift election to replace Ednaldo Rodrigues as president regardless. The document was obtained by the Associated Press.
A Rio de Janeiro court removed Rodrigues and all his appointees at CBF from office on Dec. 7 due to irregularities in his election last year. Brazil’s two highest courts upheld that ruling last week. Read more
Jai Opetaia’s next fight expected to take place in Saudi Arabia (BoxingScene)
Jai Opetaia, regarded as the best cruiserweight in the weight class, made another big statement on Saturday in Saudi Arabia, when he blew away unbeaten contender Ellis Zorro with a brutal one-punch knockout in the first round.
The bout was part of the big ‘Day of Reckoning’ card that was headlined by Anthony Joshua’s stoppage of Otto Wallin.
In the lead-up, the 28-year-old Opetaia was stripped of the IBF cruiserweight crown for moving forward with the bout against Zorro.