Kidnappers break into Abuja home, abduct teenage sisters (DailyTrust)
Gunmen numbering six, last Sunday, broke into a home at Guita community, Chikakore, Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
During the attack, they took two sisters, said to be 16 and 14 years old.
The gunmen, it was gathered, escaped through the bush track, which links the community to another village. Read more
Fire guts Household of David Church (Punch)
The Household of David church in the Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State has reportedly caught fire.
Confirming the incident to our correspondent, the Lagos State Fire Service spokesperson, Amodu Shakiri, disclosed that the church’s auditorium ceiling was overheating, which caused the ceiling to collapse and ignite a fire.
He added that the damage is being managed by members of the fire department and other relevant agencies at the scene. Read more
Some Nigerian churches, mosques laundering money for terror groups – EFCC (Guardian)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused some Nigerian churches and mosques of laundering money for terrorist organisations.
EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, on Wednesday, made this allegation after disclosing that N7 billion suspected to be proceeds of fraud has been traced to a religious organisation in Nigeria.
Olukoyede said this at a public engagement on youth, religion, and the fight against corruption, and the launch of the fraud risk assessment project for ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAS). Read more
Gov Oborevwori suspends Agric Commissioner, sends 3 others on compulsory leave (Channels)
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has suspended the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon Omoun Perez, with immediate effect.
Oborevwori also asked the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Bennett Agamah; Assistant Director, Agricultural Engineering, Engr Oki Yintareke; and Chief Accountant, Gabriel Idiatacheko, to embark on compulsory leave.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Press Unit, Government House. Read more
Murdered Ekiti monarch’s widow reveal husband’s final words (Tribune)
Yetunde Ogunsakin, the widow of Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin, the king of Esun Ekiti in Ajoni, who was allegedly killed by herdsmen, has disclosed the final words of her late husband.
Recalling the tragic incident, Oba Ogunsakin from Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, along with Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola, from Oye local government area, were fatally shot by unidentified assailants on Monday, 29th January 2023.
Meanwhile, two others, Alara of Ara–Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba Ikole, managed to escape, Read more
Ekiti Killings: Be alive to your responsibilities, secure people’s lives, Showunmi tells governors (Sun)
A governorship aspirant in Ogun State on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, Segun Showunmi, has called on the state governors, especially in the southwest, to wake up to their responsibilities by ensuring the security of lives of their people.
Showunmi who made this call in a statement he personally signed in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Wednesday, posited that state governors who draw security votes on a monthly basis should be able to come up with a comprehensive framework to secure their states, the people and those who live peacefully there.
The PDP chieftain bemoaned the recent killings of traditional rulers in Ekiti State, noting that the killing was not only heinous, but extremely provocative. Read more
$700m remains blocked despite CBN’s release of $136.73m, says IATA (Leadership)
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is in consultation with foreign member airlines operating in Nigeria to verify the release of $136.73 million by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), stating that approximately $700m remains blocked.
Foreign airlines have been experiencing difficulties in repatriating their funds from Nigeria, leading some to cease operations in the country. This situation has adversely impacted their operations and has contributed to increased airfares, with some airlines beginning to charge in dollars for tickets.
On March 14, 2023, IATA reported that the amount of foreign airlines’ revenue blocked from repatriation by the Nigerian government had risen to $743 million from $662 million in January 2023. Read more
FCT market women adopt Tinubu’s wife as member (Tribune)
Women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the umbrella of the Market & Men Association of Nigeria, have adopted President Bola Tinubu’s wife, Oluremi, as one of their members.
Speaking at the event in Abuja on Tuesday, the National President of the Association, Felicia Sani, said adopting the first lady was in recognition of her positive contributions to the well-being of women nationwide.
She mentioned that market women under Tinubu’s leadership have excelled in their businesses because of the peaceful environment provided since the assumption of office. Mrs. Sani urged the first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to support market women with the needed resources at all levels. According to her, the market women deserve support that will help them expand their trades and add value to the economy. Read more
Trevor Noah jokes he only hosts the Grammys in hopes of winning one (People)
Is anyone more ready for the 2024 Grammy Awards than Trevor Noah?
The South African comedian, 39, is gearing up to host music’s biggest night for the fourth year in a row — and this time, he’s also nominated in the best comedy album category for his recent special, I Wish You Would.
This year’s Grammys will be held on Feb. 4 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and feature performances from artists including SZA, Joni Mitchell, Billie Eilsh, Billy Joel, Dua Lipa, Luke Combs, Burna Boy, Olivia Rodrigo, Travis Scott and U2. Read more
Broadway legend Chita Rivera dies aged 91 (StraitsTimes)
Chita Rivera – a singer, dancer and actress who lit up Broadway stages over six decades in such shows as ‘‘West Side Story’’ and ‘‘Chicago’’ as one of the foremost entertainers of her generation – died on Jan 30, her publicist said. She was 91.
Rivera died in New York after a “brief illness,” her daughter Lisa Mordente said in a statement released by publicist Merle Frimark.
Trained in voice, piano and ballet from a young age, Rivera was dancing on Broadway before
she was 20 and kept at it all the way into her early 80s. Read more
Drake, Kendrick Lamar & Nicki Minaj’s music facing TikTok removal over UMG dispute (HipHopDx)
Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj and more could see their music removed from TikTok over the social media network’s dispute with Universal Music Group.
The two companies have failed to agree a new deal relating to artist compensation and artificial intelligence, which means the music giant could no longer license music to the app.
The deal is set to expire at midnight on Wednesday (January 31) and terms on a new contract have not yet been agreed, with UMG saying they will cease to provide music to TikTok after this deadline. Read more
Half-naked assault victim mocked by police watching her back on bodycam footage (Metro)
Police officers made ‘sickening’ comments about an assault victim while watching body-cam footage of her exposed body.
The woman had been arrested by Thames Valley Police in Newbury, Berkshire, and placed in leg restraints before being recorded on body-worn video.
While being transported to Newbury police station, the woman began vomiting and lost consciousness as she suffered a seizure- resulting in her chest and groin being exposed. Read more
El Salvador has ‘made mistakes’ in war on gangs but VP says there’s ‘no police state’ (NBC)
El Salvador’s government “made mistakes” in its war against the country’s gangs, but has never undermined the country’s democracy to consolidate power, according to the man likely to be reelected vice president.
Félix Ulloa, temporarily on leave as El Salvador’s vice president while he runs for reelection alongside Nayib Bukele, defended his government’s controversial crackdown in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, days before a presidential election they are expected to win easily.
Such policies, he said, will continue until El Salvador’s gangs are defeated. Read more
Kenya declares cult an ‘organised criminal group’ after starvation deaths (AlJazeera)
Kenyan authorities on Wednesday proscribed the church of a religious leader who ordered his followers to starve themselves and their children to death so that they could go to heaven, as an organised criminal group.
Paul Mackenzie, head of the Good News International Church, is currently facing charges of murder, child torture, and “terrorism” after last April’s discovery of hundreds of bodies of his followers who had starved to death on his instructions.
In an official gazette document published on Wednesday, the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki declared the church an “organised criminal group”, paving the way for further investigation and possible prosecution of members deemed to have aided Mackenzie. Read more
Man wanted for allegedly killing girlfriend and leaving body at Boston airport is arrested in Kenya (AfricaNews)
A man wanted for allegedly killing his girlfriend and leaving her body in a parking lot at a Boston airport before flying to Kenya has been arrested, Kenyan police said Tuesday.
Kevin Kangethe, 40, was apprehended at a nightclub Monday following a tipoff, Director of Criminal Investigations Mohammed Amin told The Associated Press.
Amin said Kangethe will be extradited. Read more
AFCON: ‘You go play abi you no go play,’ Nigerians ask Nwabali (Vanguard)
Stanley Nwabali has won Nigerians’ hearts with his performances at the ongoing African Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Ivory Coast. So, when he was taken off injured in the round of 16 clash with Cameroon, the fear across Nigeria was understandable.
Therefore, news of his training with Super Eagles teammates yesterday was heartwarming. Now, Nigerians want to know if he will be facing off the boisterous Angola side as the AFCON quarterfinals begin on Friday.
‘You go play?’
Knowing Nigerians are anxious, Nwabali made a post on X (Twitter). Read more
UK Anti-doping: 184 reports made by whistleblowers in 2023 (BBC)
More than 180 reports of doping were made to UK Anti-Doping by whistleblowers in 2023 in what it called a “significant jump” from previous years.
Ukad’s confidential reporting scheme, called Protect Your Sport, received 184 reports across 25 sports.
Of those, 68 concerned national-level athletes. In 2023 Ukad handed out 24 anti-doping sanctions, 46% of which arose from such intelligence reports. Read more
Adejumo Tennis Club Ladies Tournament 2024: FAAN, Ogudu emerge champions (CompleteSports)
FAAN and Ogudu ladies tennis clubs emerged champions at the Adejumo Tennis Club Ladies Tournament 2024 which took place at the Adejumo Tennis and Sports Development Centre in Ejigbo, Lagos on Saturday.
FAAN won the Doubles title while Joke of the Ogudu Ladies Tennis Club won the Singles title of the event on Adejumo Tennis Club Road, Ilamoshe Estate, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Ejigbo, Lagos State.
The Doubles final was such an interesting game of lawn tennis to behold with FAAN having to come from 3-1 down to win the title after they eventually defeated Ogudu Ladies Tennis Club 6-4. Read more
Xabi Alonso hailed as Liverpool’s “perfect” Jurgen Klopp replacement by Man Utd icon (Mirror)
Xabi Alonso has emerged as an obvious candidate to take the reins from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool following his exit announcement and he has now been given a glowing reference
Xabi Alonso is the “perfect” replacement for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, according to former Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov
The Reds will be appointing a new manager this summer with Jurgen Klopp leaving after a glittering period at Anfield. Alonso, a former Liverpool star, has emerged as a candidate to take the reins at the club, after his eye-catching impact at German side Bayer Leverkusen. Read more
The 4 NHLers charged with sexual assault have a common thread (DeadSpin)
It is now official that Carter Hart, Cal Foote, Michael McLeod and Dillon Dube are facing sexual assault charges in London, Ontario for an incident that took place in June of 2018 after an event honoring the 2018 Canadian World Juniors team.
Alex Formenton, who plays in Europe, was also charged. All five have denied the charges and plan to plead innocent. The London police will hold a news conference on Monday to address the case.
If one were in a conspiracy kind of mood, and didn’t trust Hockey Canada, the NHL or the London Police, fully — and all three entities at one point or another have done their best to make all of this go away quietly — there is one aspect of these charges to the four NHLers that is just a little curious. There is nothing concrete, and this is just spitting in the wind, but all four of McLeod, Dube, Foote and Hart are in the last year of their contracts. Read more
Mercedes keeps fans in suspense with new F1 car teaser (RN365)
Mercedes has teased Formula 1 fans by giving fans a first look at its 2024 Formula 1 car, the W15.
The blurred-out image features Lewis Hamilton sitting in the cockpit of the car as the team continues its preparations for the new season.
The Brackley-based squad enters the upcoming campaign after finishing runner-up in last year’s Constructors’ Championship. Read more