*Kidnappers kill pastor after collecting ransom (Nation)*Brother stabs Lagos businessman to death over N3,000 (Punch)

Kidnappers kill pastor after collecting ransom (Nation)

A Lagos-based pastor, Frederick Ojo Aramuwa, has been killed by his abductors after collecting N2m ransom.

Pastor Aramuwa’s corpse was found close to the area where he was abducted.

Sources said he was abducted alongside his driver some days ago while returning home to Ifira, Akoko South East local government area.

The sources said the kidnappers initially demanded for N10m but later collected N2m.

But his lifeless body was later found by a search team. Read more

Brother stabs Lagos businessman to death over N3,000 (Punch)

A businessman, Uchenna Njoku, has been allegedly killed by his younger brother, Chukwuma, during an argument over N3000 debt at the deceased’s residence in the Odokekere area of Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Chukwuma paid Uchenna a visit on Friday when the deceased asked his brother to pay the N3,000 he owed him, but in the process, an argument ensued between the brothers, which degenerated into a fight.

During the fight, it was learnt that the brothers ignored several pleas by Uchenna’s pregnant wife to stop fighting, but in a bid to separate them, she resorted to seeking the help of their neighbours.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro, a relative of the brothers, Alex Ogbu, said before Uchenna’s wife returned, Chukwuma had brought out a knife and allegedly stabbed his sibling in the stomach, adding that the cause of the fight was N3,000 debt. Read more

Tinubu visits Odumakin’s Lagos home, consoles wife (Tribune)

The National leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, visited the widow of late Afenifere’s spokesperson, Mr Yinka Odumakin, at her residence in Omole area of Lagos, to console the family.

Odumakin died on Saturday after battling with respiratory problems occasioned by COVID-19 complications.

Tinubu, who visited the deceased’s home around 2.00 pm and spent time consoling the wife, told her how much the late Afenifere chieftain was dear to his heart, saying that his death represented a big loss.

He told Odumakin’s widow to take heart, saying the death was inevitable and that no matter the grief, nothing could bring him back to life again. Read more

Abia gov, Ikpeazu, imposes curfew in Aba, Umuahia indefinitely (Vanguard)

The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the imposition of curfew in Aba and Umuahia metropolis between 10pm and 6am daily from today, Monday, 5th April, 2021 till further notice.

This is sequel to security reports received from multiple sources, and informed by the need to continue to protect innocent citizens and residents of the state.

The Commissioner for Information, John Kalu in a statement made available to Vanguard explained that security agencies in the state have been directed to ensure strict enforcement and compliance with the directive. Only those on essential services with proper identification are exempted from the curfew.

“We urge traditional rulers, men of the State Homeland Security Team and Community Vigilante Services in the state to monitor movement of persons within their respective domains and take necessary measures to protect the people and their property. Read more

Fire renders 40 homeless in llorin (Guardian)

No fewer than 40 members of different families were rendered homeless on Monday in a fire outbreak that occurred at Onibata Compound, Alore in the Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fire outbreak, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, affected 14 rooms that are being occupied by the victims.

Nobody could ascertain the cause of the fire which an eye witness said lasted for over three hours.

It took men of the firefighters from the state Fire Service less than 30 minutes to put out the fire, preventing it from affecting more rooms.

Items damaged by the inferno included jewelry, clothing materials, electrical gadgets, and other assorted materials. Read more

3 security guards arrested for alleged vandalism of equipment at Warri refinery (ThisDay)

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested three persons for allegedly vandalising armored cables and other electrical installations at the Warri Refinery and Petro-Chemical Company (WRPC) in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

The acting state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the arrest, said the suspects are staff of a private security company attached to the refinery.

He gave the names of the suspects as Saturday Idoge, Sunday Ishenive and Philip Ngbodi, adding that efforts have been intensified to apprehend proposed receivers of the vandalised equipment.

The suspects were arrested last Thursday following a tip off the police by a resident in the area. Read more

Owerri prison attack: They threw explosives at us – Police officer (Vanguard)

The hoodlums who attacked the Owerri Prison Facility and freed thousands of inmates in, early hours of Monday, have been said to have attacked the Imo State police headquarters in Owerri, with an explosive substance.

Vanguardin Owerri visited the police command where a police officer on duty when it occurred revealed this to Vanguard.

The police officer who said he would not want his name mentioned said that “They were over two hundred boys, with their cars singing a song of victory and when they reach the gate of our police headquarters they threw dynamite at us and the thing exploded and the vehicles caught fire especially the vehicle park.

“I jumped over the fence because they are many. When they started shooting bullets it got one of my colleagues in his hand and he fell down.” Read more

Proscribed IPOB denies responsibility over attack on Police headquarters in Imo (Guardian)

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself from Monday’s attacks on Police and Correctional Service headquarters in Imo.

Its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said in a statement issued in Owerri on Monday that the group was formed on the principle of peace and would not compromise its principles.

It would also not attack the government’s facilities, he stated.

“The attention of IPOB has been drawn to the fallacious and fabricated reports that it is involved in the attack of prison and police headquarters in Imo. Read more

Search for missing fighter plane ongoing, says NAF (ThisDay)

The Nigerian Air Force has said that the search for its missing fighter jet is still ongoing. It assured that it will keep the Public informed while search and rescue efforts were being sustained until the wreckage of the aircraft was found.

In a rejoinder to a report in THISDAY, the NAF in a statement said the wreckage of the missing plane had not been found in Bama as reported.

“While search and rescue efforts are being sustained until the wreckage of the aircraft is found, the NAF wishes to reassure the general public that it shall be informed of any update as regards the missing aircraft”, the rejoinder signed by Air Commodore Edward Gbkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information, assured the public. Read more

Thandie Newton reverts to original spelling of first name, Thandiwe (BBC)

Actress Thandie Newton has said she is reverting to the original Zimbabwean spelling of her first name, Thandiwe.

The actress has hitherto been known as Thandie, an anglicised version of her name with the “w” absent.

All of Newton’s films will be credited with the name Thandiwe (pronounced “tan-DEE-way”) Newton in future.

“That’s my name. It’s always been my name. I’m taking back what’s mine,” Newton told British Vogue. Read more

‘Significant’ number of rebels killed in retaking of Mozambican city, military says (VOA)

A “significant” number of rebels were shot dead by Mozambican forces in operations to retake the northeastern city of Palma, which fell into the hands of jihadi groups after a bloody attack March 24, the military said Sunday.  

“It is not yet over … but a significant number of terrorists have been shot,” the commander of operations in Palma, Chongo Vidigal, told reporters.  

Eleven days ago, armed groups attacked the strategic port city in a carefully prepared raid, launched just a few kilometers from a multibillion-euro mega liquefied natural gas project led by the French group Total. 

The first images of the city of 75,000 inhabitants seen since the attack were broadcast on local television. The footage showed a few bodies lying in the streets, houses in ruins and vehicles in ashes. A few civilians were collecting food. Read more

Dubai police arrest group over nude balcony shoot (BBC)

A group has been arrested in Dubai and charged with public debauchery after an outdoor nude photoshoot.

Video footage posted online on Saturday shows a group of naked women having their photo taken on a balcony.

Eight Russian women are among those detained, the Russian consulate said. The consulate described the charges as “serious”.

Public debauchery carries a sentence of up to six months in prison and a 5,000 dirham fine (£981). Read more

4.0-magnitude earthquake felt across Los Angeles (Metro) 

An earthquake measuring 4.0 in magnitude has been felt across the Los Angeles area in California. 

The quake struck near Inglewood on Monday at 4:15 am local time. 

The US Geological Survey says the epicenter was just east of the Los Angeles International Airport, along Century Boulevard on the south side of Hollywood Park. 

It also was relatively deep, at 12 miles (19.9 kilometers). Read more

270m COVID vaccine doses headed for African continent (VOA)

The African Union says the continent is set to receive about 270 million doses of coronavirus vaccine and wants to see them distributed equitably.

For just over two months, a team at the 55-member organisation of African states has worked to ensure the continent gets its fair share of the coveted COVID-19 vaccines.  Late Wednesday, the team announced they had done it.

The 270 million doses are just under a fifth of the 1.5 billion that officials think they will need to vaccinate around 70% of the continent. That is the rough threshold to achieve herd immunity.

“President (Cyril) Ramaphosa said that from the onset of this pandemic, our focus as a continent has been on collaboration and collective effort,” said Tyrone Seale, spokesman for the South African president and former AU chairman. Read more

Amid outcry, states push mental health training for police (VOA)

The officer who Cassandra Quinto-Collins says kneeled on her son’s neck for over four minutes assured her it was standard protocol for sedating a person experiencing a mental breakdown. 

“I was there watching it the whole time,” Quinto-Collins told The Associated Press. “I just trusted that they knew what they were doing.”  

Angelo Quinto’s sister had called 911 for help calming him down during an episode of paranoia on Dec. 23. His family says Quinto did not resist the Antioch, California, officers — one who pushed his knee on the back of his neck, and another who restrained his legs — and the only noise he made was when he twice cried out, “Please don’t kill me.”  

The officers replied, “We’re not going to kill you,” the family said. Police deny putting pressure on his neck. Three days later, the 30-year-old Navy veteran and Filipino immigrant died at a hospital. Read more

Tigray crisis: The Weeknd donates $1m to Ethiopians in conflict (BBC)

R&B singer The Weeknd has promised to donate $1m (£700,000) to Ethiopians caught up in the conflict in Tigray.

The star, born Abel Tesfaye in Canada, is the son of Ethiopian immigrants.

“My heart breaks for my people of Ethiopia as innocent civilians ranging from small children to the elderly are being senselessly murdered,” he said.

Fighting between the Ethiopian army and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) began in November and has left millions of people homeless. Read more

Lagos agog as Pinnick kicks off new Nigeria Beach Soccer League (Vanguard)

The Elegushi Beach in Nigeria’s commercial city, Lagos was set agog when Member of world football governing body, FIFA’s Council, Executive Committee Member of CAF, and President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick officially kicked off the new Nigeria Beach Soccer League. The League, which is the baby project of the Amaju Pinnick-led Board is also supported by Beach Soccer Worldwide, and Africa Beach Soccer Union.

Speaking on the sidelines after the inauguration, Mr. Pinnick, who was in company with NFF 1st Vice President, Barr Seyi Akinwunmi, Nigeria Beach Soccer League Coordinator, Mahmoud Hadejia and other officials, said he was excited to be part of the historical moment, and that he was at the event despite his busy schedule, to reiterate the NFF’s endorsement, whilst also pledging his total support for the newly formed Nigeria Beach Soccer Association.

“I’m not going talk much today because I’m very excited that we are finally kicking off the Beach Soccer League in Nigeria. I’m here to officially endorse this project and to also physically express the Federation’s full backing. Read more

Police restore sanity after fans invade NSF venue (Punch)

There was a commotion at the Ogbemudia Indoor Sports Hall, the venue of Kick Boxing, at the 20th National Sports Festival, after officials asked athletes and fans to leave the venue in order to observe the COVID-19 protocols.

The hall was filled to capacity after the gate was opened as fans eager to watch their athletes fight rushed in, thus violating the rules and guidelines of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

Officials were overpowered by the fans and had to call on the armed men of the Nigeria Police Force and the security task force members, who walked the crowd out of the gym.

One of the fans yelled, “Why will you send us out and deny us watching our athletes?” Read more

Leicester boss Rodgers hails Iheanacho’s personality (Vanguard)

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for Kelechi Iheanacho’s personality after he signed a contract extension that will keep him at the King Power Stadium until 2024.

The Super Eagles striker penned a new deal on Saturday, a day after he became the fourth Nigerian player to win the Premier League Player of the Month award. Although he could not find the back of the net in the Foxes’ 0-2 loss to Manchester City on Saturday, Rodgers appraised Iheanacho’s work ethics\ in training.

Prior to Saturday’s defeat, the 24-year-old scored seven goals in his last four outings for Leicester City.

“Since he has come into the team he has just been fantastic. I am delighted for him because he is such a conscientious guy, such an honest guy, and as you can see now, a very talented player,” Rodgers told Sky Sports. Read more

Manchester United must make ‘exceptional offer’ to sign Jadon Sancho, warns Dortmund chief (Metro)

Manchester United must submit an ‘exceptional offer’ if they wish to sign Jadon Sancho this summer. That’s the warning from Dortmung managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke, who says the club have no intention of allowing the England winger to leave the Bundesliga giants. United were keen on signing Sancho last summer but the Red Devils failed to meet Dortmund’s £108m asking price for the former Manchester City winger. Amad Diallo was signed from Atalanta in a £36m deal after United exhausted talks with Dortmund for Sancho and while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains a huge admirer of the 21-year-old, United’s interest has cooled somewhat. Read more

Bolasie earns Boro draw against high-flying Watford (BBC)

Yannick Bolasie’s late equaliser gave Middlesbrough’s fading Championship play-off hopes a boost as Neil Warnock’s side held in-form Watford at the Riverside.

The Hornets went ahead through Ismaila Sarr’s fortuitous opener as the Senegal forward deflected Philip Zinckernagel’s shot from the edge of the box past Marcus Bettinelli.

Duncan Watmore had an equaliser disallowed for offside shortly after half-time, while Joao Pedro twice went close for Watford.

But substitute Bolasie equalised with 12 minutes to go with his side’s first effort on target as his diving header from Paddy McNair’s wide free-kick beat Daniel Bachmann. Read more

Bruno Fernandes slams Brighton star Joel Veltman for ‘nearly breaking his ankle’ (Metro)  

Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes says he missed Marcus Rashford’s equaliser against Brighton because of a crunching tackle from Joel Veltman that ‘nearly broke’ his ankle. 

The Portuguese playmaker became the first midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues to register 10+ assists and goals this season by setting up Rashford for an equaliser against the Seagulls. The England international applied a fine finish to Fernandes’ lay-off but United were thankful that referee Mike Dean didn’t blow for a free-kick on the edge of the area as Veltman wiped out Fernandes just after his pass. The tackle meant Fernandes was floored as Rashford applied the finish and the Portugal star took a dig at Veltman by claiming he nearly broke his ankle. Read more

Masters 2021: Jordan Spieth’s Texas win adds to Augusta appeal (BBC)

Masters week is always eagerly anticipated, even when it is only five months since the last one, and this week’s 85th running of the Augusta tournament became even more appealing after Jordan Spieth’s Texas Open victory.

Very few wins will prove more popular than the 27-year-old’s triumph in his home state last Sunday. It ended a losing run that stretches back to July 2017 when he collected the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale for his third major title.

“It’s been a road that’s had a lot of tough days,” Spieth admitted before turning his attention to this week’s attempt to collect a second Masters Green Jacket. He has always been a fan favourite and his standing among golf followers has only been enhanced by his dignified stoicism through the worst period of an otherwise brilliant career. Read more

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