Kidnappers murder Imo monarch, dump body in market square (Punch)
Gunmen have murdered the traditional ruler of Atta ancient kingdom in the Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, Edwin Azike.
His corpse was found at the market square in the community on Friday morning after he was abducted on Thursday.
A community source, who pleaded not to be mentioned, told The PUNCH that four persons were shot dead on Thursday in the community after the monarch was kidnapped.
The source said, “The traditional ruler of Atta ancient kingdom in the Njaba LGA, Eze Edwin Azike, has been murdered. His lifeless body was dumped at the market square and the villagers discovered it this morning. He was kidnapped on Thursday and thereafter, the community was invaded which led to the killing of four persons.” Read more
Alleged kidnap: Evans knows fate Feb 25 (Guardian)
An Ikeja High Court has reserved judgement for February 25, 2022, in the case of alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike (alias Evans) and five others charged with conspiracy and kidnapping.
Evans co-defendants are Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba.
The defendants are accused of kidnapping Mr Donatus Dunu, the Managing Director of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd. on Feb. 14, 2017.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that contrary to false viral online reports, this is the first judgment to be fixed in any of the five kidnapping cases currently involving Evans in the high courts of Lagos State. Read more
MSSN kicks as 10 students die within 4 days in Lagos (DailyTrust)
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit, has mourned the death of about 10 students who died in Lagos State within 4 days.
The student’s body regretted the rampant killings among the Nigerian students in recent times in the state.
MSSN Lagos recalled that eight Muslim students were found dead in a bus at the Badagry area of Lagos on Saturday.
The organisation also painfully stated that two students were confirmed dead when a truck had an accident on Tuesday around Ojodu-Berger. Read more
Don’t provoke us with your unguided utterance, ASUU tells FG (Tribune)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has taken a swipe at the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Sonny Echono, over his recent comment that most agreements between the union and the Federal Government were reached under duress.
The union said for the permanent secretary to have made such a statement publicly spoke volumes on what it called a low level of thinking and a high level of ignorance and intellectual laziness among those in the government circle, particularly in the education sector.
The Lagos Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Dr Adelaja Odukoya, gave this position on Friday as a reaction on behalf of ASUU national to the comment credited to Mr Echono on the matter.
ASUU Lagos zone comprises the University of Lagos, Akoka; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun Ijebu-Ode; Lagos State University, Ojo and Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye. Read more
NAPTIP boss sensitises FCT students on the dangers of bullying (Sun)
In marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence from 25 November to 10 December 2021, the Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dr Fatima Waziri Azi, has charged students in Abuja, FCT to desist from bullying.
The DG gave this charge at the Government Girls College, Abaji, at the inauguration of the NAPTIP Vanguard and decoration of the first Anti-TIP ambassador, Mariam Babatunde.
She urged the students to always speak up whenever they are being molested either by adults or fellow students, adding that it leaves a long-lasting mark in the lives of the victims.
“As a junior student, I also experienced bullying. Even though is an experience that I have forgiven my billies, is something I haven’t forgotten. We all remember what happened two weeks ago in Lagos, where a young boy who was dropped off in school to study was bullied to death. Read more
Umahi suspends Permanent Secretary over delay in November salary (Nation)
Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has directed the suspension of the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development over delay in payment of November salary of local government workers.
This is contained in a statement by Dr Kenneth Igwe, Secretary to the State Government on Friday in Abakaliki.
“The governor has noticed with dismay the delay in the payment of local government staff salary for November.
“In view of this, the governor has directed the immediate suspension of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development and the Accountant, JAAC for one month without salary. Read more
Bandit attacks: Buhari dispatches security heads to Sokoto, Katsina (Sun)
President Muhammadu Buhari has dispatched a high-level delegation, made up of the heads of the nation’s intelligence and security services to Sokoto and Katsina States in response to the recent spike in bandit activities.
Bandits had on Wednesday, openly set travellers ablaze in Sokoto leaving 23 dead and several others injured.
The Katsina State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Dr Rabe Nasir, was on Thursday assassinated.
In a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari, said he expects an immediate situation report and recommendations on actions to follow to effectively deal with the worrying situation. Read more
District head kidnapped in Kwara (Tribune)
A district head, the ‘Mogaji Erubu’ in Ilorin Emirate in Kwara State, Dr. Zubair Folorunsho Erubu, has reportedly been kidnapped.
The people, who kidnapped him as well as the destination he was taken to were not yet known as of the time this report was filed.
However, Tribune Online gathered that the district leader was kidnapped on his way between the Ilorin metropolis and Afon in Asa local government area of the state on Thursday night.
The 65 years old man was kidnapped around 10 o’clock at the gate of his farm in Afon, while his family has not been contacted by the suspected kidnappers.Read more
NDLEA poised to increase risk of drug trafficking in Nigeria – Marwa (Channels)
The Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa has reiterated the agency’s commitment to increase the risk burden of trafficking in drugs and psychotropic substances in Nigeria.
Marwa gave the assurance on Wednesday at the handing over ceremony of a provisional detention facility equipped by the UK Border Force to the NDLEA.
Gen. Marwa, who was represented at the occasion by the Agency Secretary, Mr. Shadrach Haruna, noted that the drug war is daily receiving a boost especially with the recent launch of the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP 2021-2025), which was funded by the European Union under the supervision of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The NDLEA boss said: “The resources committed to the project clearly demonstrates the commitment of the United Kingdom to fostering international cooperation to fight the enduring problem of drug trafficking in Nigeria”. Read more
Mariah Carey reaches out to ex Nick Canon after the tragic death of his baby son (Mirror)
Mariah Carey has reached out to ex-husband Nick Cannon following the death of his baby son.
The comedian – who shares 10-year-old twins with his singer ex – announced the heart-breaking news that his son had passed away on Tuesday.
Speaking on The Nick Cannon Show, the star emotionally explained to viewers how Zen had died from a brain tumour over the weekend, aged just five-months-old.
It’s been reported that since the tragic news became public knowledge, Mariah, 52, has “reached out to Nick in private” as he grieves the death of his youngest child. Read more
Jason Momoa reveals that Aquaman sequel has wrapped production (FilmNews)
Jason Momoa has confirmed that production has wrapped on ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’.
The 42-year-old actor is returning as the titular superhero in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) sequel and took to Instagram to inform his fans that production is now complete – with just over a year to go until the film is released.
In a video, Jason said: “Aw man, that’s a wrap. That’s a wrap, ‘Aquaman 2’. I have so much to share with you, I wish… I could tell you so much. What an epic day. I love you.
“So good to have been home to finish this, so many good surprises. Love you and… it’s been a long time. I’m taking a break. Aloha.” Read more
‘Silent strikes’ against military gov’t empty Myanmar streets (Aljazeera)
Pro-democracy protesters across cities and towns in Myanmar have staged “silent strikes”, the latest act of resistance against the military government that removed elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi more than 10 months ago.
Such actions are seen as a way to safely express opposition to the ruling military authorities as protests since the February 1 coup have been met with a brutal crackdown by security forces. More than 1,300 people have been killed, according to a local monitoring group.
The streets of Yangon, the country’s largest city, were deserted on Friday, with all business closed and the usually bustling highways were eerily quiet. The famous Shwedagon pagoda, a Buddhist site that tends to receive many daily visitors and pilgrims, was also quiet.
The United States embassy in Yangon had advised its citizens to stay off the streets on Friday, citing a heightened risk of violence by security forces against any gatherings or protests. Read more
France threatens EU legal action if UK sticks to fishing license stance (Metro)
France will ask the European Union to start legal action against Britain if it fails to issue more fishing licences by a Friday deadline set by the European Commission, a French minister said.
Clement Beaune, the junior European Affairs Minister, also accused British Prime Minister Boris Johnson of trying unsuccessfully to isolate France in the dispute over post-Brexit fishing licences for French fishermen.
France is still waiting for Britain to approve nearly 100 licences for its fishermen to operate in UK teritorial waters, Beaune told France Info radio.
“If Britain today gives a few dozen extra licences as a token of goodwill… we will take that into account,” he said, adding that if the deadlock persists, France will ask the Commission at the weekend to announce the start of legal action. Read more
Boris Johnson ‘now considering Plan C Covid restrictions’ to curb Omicron spread (DailyStar)
Boris Johnson is considering bringing in new and tighter Plan C coronavirus restrictions, according to reports.
Plan B measures have only just been announced in a bid to try and curb the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, with ministers reportedly drawing up plans to introduce stricter measures in the new year.
The Plan B restrictions announced by the Prime Minister on Wednesday included the return of working from home, vaccine passports for large events and the spread of wearing face masks again.
Although the specifics of Plan C have not been laid out, it is understood that measures will go further with the reintroduction of having to check in with the NHS Covid app in pubs and restaurants, Manchester Evening News reports. Read more
Stephen Port: Met Police failings led to more deaths (BBC)
Failings by the Met Police contributed to the deaths of serial killer Stephen Port’s final three victims, an inquest jury has ruled.
Port, 46, is serving a whole-life term for murdering Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor in Barking over 16 months.
The deaths were not treated as suspicious until weeks after the fourth murder.
Each victim died from a GHB overdose between June 2014 and September 2015. Read more
Cambodian Refugees in Thailand ‘Don’t Feel Safe’ After Arrests, Deportations (VOA)
Cambodian political refugees in Thailand say they are living in fear after a spate of arrests and deportations of fellow refugees back to Cambodia by Thai authorities over the past month.
Thailand has arrested five Cambodians registered with the local office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees since early November and forced four of them back to Cambodia, where they were immediately detained on outstanding warrants. The fifth, Bor Bet, was released on bail in Thailand last week and is seeking another country to take him in.
The Center for Asylum Protection, a Thai rights and legal aid group, said that is the fastest pace of deportations of Cambodian refugees from Thailand since the neighbors struck a deal in 2018 to exchange “foreign fugitives” using their countries as a base for “sowing chaos and incitement.”
“Right now we don’t feel safe at all because of the recent events that happened to our colleagues who were arrested by Thai police and then deport[ed] to Cambodia,” Narith, a member of the outlawed Cambodia National Rescue Party who asked that his full name not be used, told VOA by phone from an undisclosed location in Thailand. Read more
Julian Assange extradition ruling labelled a ‘travesty of justice’ (Independent)
Human rights and press freedom groups have condemned a High Court ruling that Julian Assange can be extradited to the US as a “travesty of justice” and “hammer-blow to free expression”.
Responding to the decision on Friday, Christophe Deloire, secretary-general of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), said: “We condemn today’s decision, which will prove historic for all the wrong reasons.
“We fully believe that Julian Assange has been targeted for his contributions to journalism, and we defend this case because of its dangerous implications for the future of journalism and press freedom around the world.
“It is time to put a stop to this more than decade-long persecution once and for all. It is time to free Assange.” Read more
LeBron James scores 100th triple-double but LA Lakers lose to Memphis Grizzlies (BBC)
LeBron James registered the 100th triple double of his career but could not stop his Los Angeles Lakers side losing 108-95 to the Memphis Grizzlies.
James became the fifth player in NBA history to reach the milestone after scoring 20 points with 10 rebounds and 11 assists in the defeat.
“Turnovers killed us,” said James.
“We were doing a hell of a job over the last seven games averaging only 12.5 turnovers. Tonight we had 22 for 27 points.” Read more
Africa Beach Soccer Union commissions headquarters in Abuja (TheNFF)
The headquarters of the Africa Beach Soccer Union, ABSU has been officially commissioned in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria.
NFF President and member of the FIFA Council, Mr. Amaju Pinnick who was represented by the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi was impressed having donated the offices earlier in 2020, pledging more support for the young continental body.
An elated Dr. Sanusi commended the ABSU President, Mahmud Hadejia and his team for the giant strides in promoting beach soccer in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
“I remember receiving members of the body some time ago at our secretariat and they shared their vision with us which made us support them with these office spaces. I’m glad today we are here to commission the offices. It shows how dedicated and focused they are,” Sanusi stated. Read more
Man United’s Anthony Martial wants to leave in January – agent (ESPN)
Anthony Martial wants to leave Manchester United in January, according to his agent.
Martial has been hampered by injuries so far this season but has not started a Premier League game since the 1-1 draw with Everton on Oct. 2.
He is yet to feature for interim coach Ralf Rangnick because of a knee problem and the France striker’s agent, Philippe Lamboley, said the 26-year-old wants to move next month after just four starts in all competitions since August.
“Anthony wishes to leave the club in January,” Lamboley told Sky Sports. “He just needs to play. He doesn’t want to stay in January and I will speak to the club soon.” Read more
Norwich manager Dean Smith facing anxious wait on results of players’ Covid tests (Independent)
Norwich head coach Dean Smith admits the club are ‘holding their breath’ waiting on Covid-19 test results ahead of the Premier League clash against Manchester United at Carrow Road.
Tottenham beat the Canaries 3-0 on Sunday, and have since been hit by a coronavirus outbreak which resulted in Thursday night’s Europa Conference League clash with Rennes being called off while their Premier League trip to Brighton has also been postponed.
Smith feels none of the current concerns within the Norwich squad are linked to the Spurs game, but nevertheless faces an anxious wait to get confirmation if any of his players will be ruled out of the United match because of a positive confirmed PCR result.
“We have got a couple of knocks and have got a couple of Covid-related issues that we are waiting on results for this morning,” Smith said. Read more
Demaryius Thomas: Denver Broncos pay tribute after death of ‘beloved’ wide receiver (BBC)
The Denver Broncos paid tribute to “one of the greatest players in franchise history” following the death of Super Bowl winner Demaryius Thomas, aged 33.
Thomas was found dead at his home in Georgia on Thursday, with investigators stating “preliminary information” was that he died “from a medical issue”.
Thomas, who retired in June, won the Super Bowl with the Broncos in 2015.
“DT was beloved by our entire organisation, his team-mates, coaches, and our fans,” said the Broncos Read more
Germany international Kimmich grapples with COVID lung issues (DW)
German soccer player Joshua Kimmich
Lung problems caused by a COVID-19 infection have benched midfielder Joshua Kimmich for the year. The Bayern Munich player sparked controversy after saying he didn’t want to get vaccinated.
German soccer player Joshua Kimmich won’t be joining his Bayern Munich teammates on the pitch for the rest of 2021, as he continues to recover from health issues caused by contracting COVID-19.
Bayern Munich announced the move in a statement on Thursday, saying the club will play their remaining three matches of the year without the midfielder. Kimmich sparked controversy in the sporting world and beyond after revealing that he wasn’t vaccinated against the coronavirus and was reluctant to do so.
Kimmich has been in quarantine for nearly a month after he first came in close contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus and then later contracted COVID-19 himself.
The 26-year-old has now tested negative for the virus, but he is still grappling with lingering health effects caused by the infection. Read more
Rodrigo wins Premier League Goal of the Month prize (Independent)
Rodrigo has earned November’s Premier League Goal of the Month award for his spectacular strike in our 3-0 win over Everton.
The Spaniard raced on to a loose ball just outside the Toffees’ box to launch a first-time effort into the top corner of the net.
It was a thunderous strike which gave Everton stopper Jordan Pickford no chance, doubling our advantage just before the hour at the Etihad Stadium.
Raheem Sterling’s outstanding volley in the same match, which had opened the scoring, was also shortlisted for the award. Read more