Killing of soldiers: Delta community deserted, residents flee home (Nation)
Following the murder of soldiers by irate youths in Okwuama community in Delta State, the area has been abandoned as residents fled the Island community en masse for fear of retaliatory attacks.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said residents including women, children and elderly had left the community for fear of possible retaliatory attacks by the military.
The Nation gathered that many houses have been burnt down by unknown persons. Read more
Bandits kidnap 14 in fresh Kaduna attack (Channels)
Fourteen people have been kidnapped by suspected bandits at Dogon Noma-Ungwan Gamo community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The incident comes barely a week after 61 people were kidnapped in Buda community also in Kajuru LGA.
Police authorities have not confirmed the attack. However, a youth leader, Sani Musa, told Channels Television that the bandits in large numbers had in the early hours of Saturday invaded the Dogon Noma community. They started shooting sporadically, during which they abducted fourteen people while one person sustained injury. Read more
2 nabbed over alleged rape, attempted murder of minor (Leadership)
Two persons have been apprehended and handed over to the police in Oyo Town for forcefully having carnal knowledge of a 15-year-old girl at the Film Village belonging to popular Nollywood actor, Ibrahim Chatta.
The senior secondary school SS2 student (names withheld) had arrived at the Film Village located in Oyo after a 40-year-old Ayoola Bankole, an Ondo indigene who lives in Oyo, had obtained the consent of her mother and grandmother to feature in a movie production at the location.
LEADERSHIP gathered via clips of audio and video recordings of the account of the victim on how Bankole had earlier at a different location in Oyo, gave her alcoholic drink and subsequently lured her into a strange “rehearsal” where she was hanged on the neck to the ceiling and the suspect removing stools from under her legs in what could pass for a suicide episode. Read more
SSANU, NASU direct members to begin nationwide strike Monday (Tribune)
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have instructed their members across the country to embark on a seven-day strike commencing on Monday, March 18.
In a memorandum issued on Friday, the strike action is a response to the Nigerian government’s failure to address the issue of unpaid withheld salaries owed to their members, in line with an earlier ultimatum and threat issued by the unions.
The memo, issued by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU and endorsed by the National President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, and the General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi, emphasises the necessity for complete adherence to the directive by branch leaders. Read more
1 of the slain soldiers stood firmly by me – Delta Monarch (DailyTrust)
Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom of Delta State, HRM Clement Ikolo, has said one the 16 soldiers killed by youths on Thursday stood firmly to protect him during the presentation of staff office to him in November 2023.
Daily Trust recalls that 16 troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, in Bomadi local government area of Delta State were attacked by some youths following the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities.
Acting Director Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Saturday, said the tragic incident happened when the troops were on a peace mission. Read more
Police arraign 28-year-old for theft, assault (Punch)
A 28-year-old man, Isaac Ogbonna, has been arraigned before Magistrate O.Y Adefope of the Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged conspiracy to commit misdemeanours and felonies, malicious damage, assault, and stealing.
The defendant was arraigned on four counts of conspiracy to commit misdemeanours and felonies, malicious damage, assault, and stealing.
It was gathered that on March 8, 2024, Adebule Adejoke, the Chief Security Officer of Yaba College of Technology, reported Ogbonna and others now at large for assaulting one Emmanuel Elebeonu by hitting him with a stick on his head and also damaging his Tecno Pop 4 smartphone valued at N41,000. Read more
AANI condemns cold-blooded murder of Army commander, 14 personnel in Delta (Vanguard)
The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) last night, “vehemently condemned the spine-chilling assault on our brave troops of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi LGA, Delta State.
“Their peace mission turned into a bloodbath, claiming the lives of the unit’s leadership which include the courageous Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel AH Ali, two Majors, a Captain, and 12 valiant soldiers”, AANNI said.
A statement signed by its President, Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor said, “This is an unforgivable affront to our nation’s values, therefore our hearts bleed for the families of these fallen heroes and all Nigerians. Read more
Ansar-ud-deen Society to Nigerians: Project Nigeria for good (Nation)
Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria (ADS) at the weekend urged Nigerians to exhibit the right attitude and moral behaviour to project a good image for the country.
Sheikh Muhydeen Bello, the chairman of Ansar-ud-deen Northern States Council of Missioners, gave the advice at the 29th Annual Ramadan lecture and special prayer for the nation organized by the society.
The lecture was entitled “Ramadan: The Inspirational Month to Seek Allah’s Protection over the Security Challenges in Nigeria.” Read more
Selena Gomez talks “hitting rock bottom” before overcoming mental health battle (NME)
Selena Gomez has opened up about the time she “hit rock bottom” with her mental health.
During a SXSW panel in Austin, Texas, the singer reflected on her 2022 documentary My Mind & Me, which she admitted she went “back and forth” about releasing to the public.
“The moment I did that, I felt this insane amount of release,” she admitted. “There wasn’t any hiding anymore. It was probably one of the hardest moments of my life.” Read more
Over 13,000 children killed in Gaza, others severely malnourished: UNICEF (AlJazeera)
Israel has killed more than 13,000 children in Gaza since October 7 while others are suffering from severe malnutrition and do not “even have the energy to cry”, says the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
“Thousands more have been injured or we can’t even determine where they are. They may be stuck under rubble … We haven’t seen that rate of death among children in almost any other conflict in the world,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell told the CBS News network on Sunday.
“I have been in wards of children who are suffering from severe anaemia malnutrition, the whole ward is absolutely quiet. Because the children, the babies … don’t even have the energy to cry.” Read more
Steve Harley, Cockney Rebel frontman, dies aged 73 (Guardian)
Steve Harley, the frontman of the rock group Cockney Rebel, has died aged 73.
The English singer and songwriter, best known for his 1975 song Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me), had been receiving treatment for cancer. He died at his Suffolk home on Sunday morning.
In a statement, his family said: “We are devastated to announce that our wonderful husband and father has passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side. Read more
Robert Downey Jr. reflects on his Hollywood journey after Oscar win (People)
Robert Downey Jr. is opening up about his rollercoaster Hollywood career shortly after winning his first Oscar.
Accepting the Best Supporting Actor award, Downey peppered his deadpan speech with emotional moments, addressing the years he spent in the grip of drug addiction in the late ’90s and early 2000s. He thanked his wife for “loving me back to life,” along with his longtime lawyer, joking that the attorney had spent half of their 40 years together “trying to get me insured and bailing me out.” Read more
Russian polls close as Vladimir Putin set to extend rule (ITV)
Russian polls have closed after protests at polling stations on the last day of the presidential election.
The election that began Friday has taken place in a tightly controlled environment where there are no real alternatives to Vladimir Putin, no public criticism of him or his war in Ukraine.
Early results on Sunday night showed the Russian president won nearly 88% of the vote. Read more
Absolutely Fabulous star to join Coronation Street as Ken Barlow’s new love interest (OK!)
Comedian and actress Helen Lederer, known for her role in Absolutely Fabulous, is about to appear on Coronation Street.
Helen joins the cast as Elspeth who catches the eye of Ken Barlow, played by William Roache. In the episode to air on Wednesday 27 March, Ken spots Elspeth during a singles cocktail night at the Chariot Square Hotel.
But Helen revealed it’s her “bold” character, Elspeth, who makes the first move. She said: “Elspeth gets Debbie to send over two drinks to Ken and Steve to get Ken’s attention.
“I think bold is a very keyword now for this generation of women of a certain age who still want to live their life.” Read more
Vaughan Gething to become Wales’ first black leader (BBC)
Vaughan Gething is set to be Wales’ next first minister after narrowly winning the Welsh Labour leadership election with 51.7% of the vote.
Mr Gething, who will become the first black person to lead Wales, beat his rival Jeremy Miles, who took 48.3%.
He was congratulated by UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Read more
Paris 2024: Nigeria to know opponents March 19 (Leadership)
Nigeria’s National Women’s Basketball Team, D’Tigress, will know their opponents on March 19, as the draws for the Men’s and Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournaments takes place in Mies, Switzerland.
The draws will be conducted by basketball legends Penny Taylor and Carmelo Anthony at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball.
For the Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 Draw Principles, a total of 12 national teams from five Continents will compete at the Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024, which is scheduled to run from July 28 to August 11. Read more
Insurance dismantle Doma 4-0 as Katsina United edge Plateau 2-1 (DailyTrust)
Bendel Insurance compounded Doma United’s woes with a 4-0 thrashing of the ‘Savannah Tigers’ in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Week 26 match played yesterday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
Doma United who are on a free fall recently scored two own goals as their hosts recorded the biggest win of Matchday 26.
Nelson Abiam scored an own goal in the 28th minute before his teammate Auwalu Abubakar doubled the lead for the hosts with his own goal in the 42nd minute. Read more
Okoye wins Udinese Player award (Punch)
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has been named Udinese’s Player of the Month Award for February.
He was presented with the award before Udinese’s 2-0 loss at home to Torino on Saturday.
In the month under review, Okoye played four Serie A games and helped his side to two wins, a draw and one defeat. He also kept two clean sheets against Monza and Juventus – a game he made six saves while conceding twice in Udinese’s 2-0 loss to Genoa. Read more
Harry Kane makes England decision after Bayern Munich injury scare (Independent)
Harry Kane is set to join up with the England squad despite picking up an ankle injury in Bayern Munich’s win at Darmstadt on Saturday.
The England captain gave Gareth Southgate a scare when he twisted his ankle and was substituted late on in the 5-2 win.
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel said Kane had “twisted his ankle in the goal netting”, with the 30-year-old to undergo a scan. Read more
Brayden Clarke: Arsenal confirm signing of 16-year-old wonderkid hours before surprise debut (Standard)
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of 16-year-old defender Brayden Clarke from Wolves.
Clarke, who can play at centre-back and right-back, will join the club’s academy and made his debut for the club’s Under-18s on Saturday, hours after his move was confirmed.
The Wales international was part of the Under-17s side who reached the Euros finals last May and leaves Wolves after seven years in the youth setup. Read more
Daniil Medvedev ready to go above and beyond in bid for maiden Indian Wells title (StraitsTimes)
Daniil Medvedev said he will need to play at a “20 out of 10” to beat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s Indian Wells final in the California desert.
Medvedev beat Tommy Paul 1-6 7-6(3) 6-2 in the semi-final on Saturday to set up a clash against two-times Grand Slam champion Alcaraz – a repeat of last year’s final.
Alcaraz has won three of his last four meetings with Medvedev and boasts a 3-2 head-to-head record against the Russian. Read more