Kaduna police rescue 23 kidnapped victims (Vanguard)
Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command, in a joint operation, have successfully rescued 23 kidnapped victims.
Mr. Mansir Hassan, a DSP and spokesman for the Command, provided details in a statement, explaining that on February 2, 2025, security forces acted on credible intelligence about the movement of armed bandits in the Kajuru area. Led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kajuru Division and supported by military personnel, they advanced into the bush near Doka Village in Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA), where they encountered a gang of armed bandits attempting to relocate their victims to Kajuru Forest.
During the encounter, security forces inflicted heavy casualties on the bandits, forcing them to retreat into the forest with gunshot wounds. Read more
Tems wins Best African Music Performance at 2025 Grammy Awards (Punch)
Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has won the Best African Music Performance category at the 67th Grammy Awards.
She secured the award with her song Love Me JeJe, beating Tomorrow by Yemi Alade, MMS by Asake featuring Wizkid, Sensational by Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay, and Higher by Burna Boy.
This marks Tems’ second Grammy win. Read more
More details emerge after Nigerian doctor’s suicide in US child custody battle (Sun)
More details have emerged about the circumstances leading to the death by suicide of United States-based Nigerian cardiologist, Dr. Ikenna Erinne.
It was learnt that Erinne, 36, died on Sunday, January 26, by shooting himself with a pistol.
He was said to have undergone a messy battle in a US court with his ex-wife, Suzette Chibuogu Van-Lare for the custody of the two children produced by the union. Read more
2025 Budget: Obasa delaying Sanwo-Olu for three hours during presentation despicable — Bode George (Tribune)
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has condemned the three-hour delay experienced by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu when he arrived at the Lagos State House of Assembly to present the 2025 budget appropriation for passage into law.
The delay, orchestrated by the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, was described by Chief George as “despicable.”
Recall that Obasa was removed from office on January 13, 2025, through a majority vote by the 40-member parliament over allegations of financial misappropriation, misconduct, and high-handedness, among others. He was replaced by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda. Read more
1 person dead, 5 injured in Lagos/Ibadan Expressway accident (Channels)
One person has been reported dead, while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a road accident on Lagos/Ibadan Expressway on Saturday.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola.
According to her, preliminary investigations revealed that the driver of a Toyota Sienna car involved in the accident lost control of the steering and crashed into the rear of the container truck. Read more
Lighthouse University welcomes pioneer students to campus (Independent)
The Lighthouse University, Evbuobanosa, Edo State, has received its pioneer students into the various faculties and departments for the 2024/2025 academic session.
Chancellor of Lighthouse University, Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, made the disclosure in a chat with newsmen shortly after his meeting with the senior management staff of the institution at Evbuobanosa.
Lighthouse University, which is a privately-owned institution situated in the fast developing Evbuobanosa community, along the Benin–Agbor Expressway in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, was last year granted operational licence by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Read more
Mike Bamiloye pays tribute to Abbatoir’s “Baba Gbenro” (Nation)
Evangelist and gospel filmmaker Mike Bamiloye has written a tribute to Dr. Korede Are, popularly known as “Baba Gbenro” in the ABATTOIR movie series.
Are passed away on November 14, 2024 and was laid to rest January 31, 2025.
Bamiloye reflected on Dr. Are’s life and ministry, describing him as a dedicated drama minister who served the Lord with all his heart and mind. Read more
Nigeria reaffirms commitment to industrial transformation (VON)
Nigeria has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering industrial transformation as part of its broader economic agenda, focusing on policies aimed at accelerating industrialisation, enhancing manufacturing, and harnessing digital technology.
This commitment was emphasised by the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, during the Renewed Hope Global Virtual Townhall Conference 2025.
The conference, themed “Driving Industrial Transformation for a Prosperous Nigeria under the Renewed Hope Administration,” served as a platform for discussing the government’s strategic initiatives. Read more
Ye’s wife Bianca Censori rocks completely nude dress on Grammys red carpet (VIBE)
Ye’s wife, Bianca Censori, loves to rock a provocative look, wearing her most risqué ‘fit yet to the 67th Grammy Awards Sunday (Feb. 2) night.
Arriving on the red carpet in a black fur coat, Censori disrobed to reveal her look for the evening; a nude nylon dress that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. Partner Ye kept it simple in all black, proudly showing off his wife’s physique ahead of the evening’s ceremony.
The look is reminiscent of several others Censori has donned over the last two years, with nylon and mesh being two of Ye’s favorite fabrics on the female physique. Read more
Beyoncé ‘in shock’ to win Best Country Album – presented by Taylor Swift! – at the 2025 Grammys (People)
Beyoncé cinched her first Grammy for best country album.
At the 2025 Grammys, the Cowboy Carter singer won the award which was presented by Taylor Swift.
Beyoncé was nominated in another 10 categories, and won best country duo/group performance for her collaboration with Miley Cyrus, “II Most Wanted,” before the telecast. Read more
Mum forced to turn off own daughter’s life support after methanol poisoning (Metro)
When British lawyer Simone White lay brain dead in a hospital bed after a mass methanol poisoning in Laos, her mother Sue faced a heartbreaking choice.
The 28-year-old, from Orpington in London, had been drinking in the backpacking hotspot of Vang Vieng during a holiday to southeast Asia withtwo childhood friends.
‘I’m having the best time, it’s an absolutely fantastic holiday’, she said in the last text to her mother, Sue, in November. Read more
Netanyahu to meet Trump, expected to discuss Iran, normalisation (NewArab)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left Israel on Sunday for a meeting with US President Donald Trump that he hopes will reset relations with Washington after tensions with the previous administration over the Gaza war.
Netanyahu, the first foreign leader to visit Trump since his inauguration last month, leaves with a six-week ceasefire in Gaza still holding and negotiations aimed at a second phase expected to begin this week.
“The decisions we made in the war have already changed the face of the Middle East,” he said at the airport before his departure for the meeting expected on Tuesday. Read more
Diddy taken to hospital under cover of darkness (News.au)
Sean “Diddy” Combs was taken to the hospital from a federal lockup in Brooklyn under cover of darkness last week.
Sources confirmed to the New York Post that he was transported to a nearby hospital about 10pm on Thursday to undergo an MRI.
The 55-year-old rap kingpin, who is awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, was taken from the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center to Brooklyn Hospital for the non-invasive test, a source said. Read more
Paris protest calls for action on DRC violence (AfricaNews)
Over the weekend, nearly 1,500 demonstrators took to the streets of Paris in a powerful show of solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), demanding an end to the violence ravaging the eastern part of the country. The march, organised by the group ‘Urgence Pona Mboka,’ was a call for international intervention and a push to hold accountable those fuelling the ongoing conflict.
The protesters, many waving Congolese flags and holding signs with messages such as “Stop the War,” “Our Wealth, Our Right,” and “Justice for the DRC,” voiced their frustration over the violence and the lack of meaningful international support for the DRC in the escalating conflict.
Gilcy, a protester, expressed the anger and determination felt by many: Read more
Canada imposes 25% tariffs in trade war with US (BBC)
Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs against the US, in a move that marks the beginning of a trade war between the neighbouring countries.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau set out “far-reaching” tariffs of 25%, affecting 155bn Canadian dollars’ worth ($106.6bn; £86bn) of American goods ranging from beer and wine, to household appliances and sporting goods.
The move matches US President Donald Trump’s 25% levy on Canadian and Mexican imports to the US – and an additional 10% on China – over his concerns about illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Trudeau said he would “not back down in standing up for Canadians”, but warned of real consequences for people on both sides of the border. Read more
Boniface scores on Leverkusen return (Sun)
Victor Boniface repaid Bayer Leverkusen with a goal on his return to action in the Bundesliga on Sunday as he netted the opening goal in the team’s 3-1 home win against Hoffenheim, which paraded another Nigerian, Gift Orban.
Boniface got the curtain raiser in the 15th minute from an Alex Grimaldo’s assist before Jeremie Frimpong added the second four minutes later.
The game, which produced seven yellow cards including a red to Grimaldo for a second bookable offense in the 61st minute also saw Hoffenheim new signing, Gift Orban scoring a consolation in the 63rd minute to take the score to a respectable 3-1 at full time. Read more
Gunners thump City to keep Premier League title hopes alive (Metro)
Arsenal delivered a superb second-half performance to dismantle Manchester City and win 5-1 at the Emirates on Sunday.
The Gunners were ahead inside two minutes after Martin Odegaard capitalised on a mistake to score his first league goal since November.
Kai Havertz squandered a great chance to put Arsenal two goals ahead and it looked like Mikel Arteta’s side might be punished when Erling Haaland levelled for City shortly after the break. Read more
Adesanya vows to make UFC return after third straight loss (Punch)
Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has vowed to return to the octagon despite suffering his third consecutive defeat and second career knockout loss against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Nigerian-born New Zealander took to social media after the devastating second-round TKO loss, displaying his characteristic resilience.
“As real as it gets, @ufc. Rolled the dice…snake eyes. I’ll be back, gone to get some milk,” Adesanya wrote. Read more
Kano Pillars suspend Technical Adviser Abdallah for 3 weeks (Leadership)
Kano Pillars have suspended their Technical Adviser, Usman Sheriff Abdallah for three weeks following the team’s poor performance.
The club also said the technical adviser was suspended over his conduct towards fans immediately after the NPFL25 Matchday 22 goalless draw against Bayelsa United on Sunday.
The club’s Media and Communications Directorate said Alhaji Ali Muhammad Umar-led management took the decision following Abdallah’s ‘inappropriate’ gesture towards supporters at the Sani Abacha Stadium. Read more
Man City thrashed 5-1 by Arsenal; Man United loses at home again in Premier League (JapanToday)
After a recent uplift in their results, the pain returned for Manchester City and Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.
City conceded a goal inside two minutes and was overwhelmed in the second half in a 5-1 loss at Arsenal, which trimmed the gap to leader Liverpool to six points.
United lost again at home, 2-0 to Crystal Palace, and now has seven defeats in 13 league games at Old Trafford this season — something not seen since the 1890s.
The chances of City winning a fifth straight Premier League title are surely over — the champions are 15 points behind Liverpool with 14 matches remaining — and they must have felt humiliated by the end of the game at Emirates that again demonstrated the new-found hostility between Arsenal and City. Read more
Rory McIlroy leads Shane Lowry home in Irish one-two at Pebble Beach (RTE)
Rory McIlroy fired a stunning final-round 66 to win the Pebble Beach Pro-Am by two shots from his countryman – and great pal – Shane Lowry on a memorable day for Irish golf at the famed American links.
McIlroy made an eagle and five birdies in a superb final round to finish 21 under par, a shot outside the tournament record set by Brandt Snedeker in 2015.
Playing partner Lowry birdied the 18th to secure outright second on 19-under, with Justin Rose making an eagle on the same hole to share third place with American Lucas Glover. Read more