Lagos custodial centres hit 106% capacity — Govt adopts tech, legal reforms to tackle overcrowding (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Government has raised alarm over the rising congestion in custodial centres across the state, revealing that facilities have exceeded their designed capacity by 106% as of May 2025.
This was disclosed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), during a ministerial press briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja, as part of activities marking the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat in office.
Pedro stated that the combined inmate population in custodial centres stood at 9,096, far surpassing the facilities’ intended capacity, and underscored the urgent need for technology-driven solutions and legal reforms to address the crisis. Read more
Criminals on INTERPOL red list arrested in Nigeria – Minister (Punch)
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has stated that criminals on the red list of the International Police were arrested at Nigerian airports.
Tuni-Ojo also revealed that criminals declared wanted by various countries across Europe were arrested within two days at the point of entering the country.
He said the arrest was made possible due to the heavy investment in surveillance and intelligence-gathering equipment at the nation’s border points. Read more
N45k quarterly imprest inadequate for police operations, says Sheidu (Nation)
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), Mohammed Sheidu, has decried the chronic underfunding of the Nigerian Police Force, describing the current financial allocations to police stations as “meagre” and wholly inadequate to support effective policing in the country.
In an exclusive interview with The Nation newspaper, Sheidu revealed that each police station receives just N45,000 per quarter, equivalent to N15,000 monthly and about N500 daily, as imprest to cover their operational costs.
“Police stations are given N45,000 quarterly for imprest. If you like, call it running cost or operational cost, it’s N45,000 for a quarter. Do the math, per day. So, how much to fuel, to file? If there’s diesel, there’s no light. That’s why the type of stations we build now, one of the first things we looked at is: how do we provide stable power to run even basic operations?” he said. Read more
BBNaija star Omashola welcomes 2nd child, speaks on past heartbreak (Leadership)
Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Omashola Oburoh, has welcomed his second child with his South African wife, Britnee Malin, and used the moment to reflect on a past heartbreak.
In a heartfelt and humorous Instagram post, Omashola shared his journey from a failed long-term relationship to building a beautiful family with his wife. He recalled how a former partner, after more than five years of dating, asked him to wait another five years before considering marriage.
“What God cannot do doesn’t exist,” he began. “One of my exes when I beg that year to marry me and set up a family after over five years of dating, she say make I give her another five years to think about it, at my age. Na I carry my bag move one time.” Read more
Without local investors, foreigners won’t invest in Nigeria – Dangote (Channels)
President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has advised the federal and state governments to patronize local investors for economic development.
He gave the advice at the Taraba International Investment Summit in Jalingo, which attracted investors from across Nigeria and beyond.
Africa’s richest man said domestic investors are the ones who will attract foreign investors, as according to him, no foreign investors would come into a country where local businesses are not thriving. Read more
UTME: JAMB registrar reacts to allegations of sabotaging Southeast candidates (Guardian)
The Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has said the technical glitch recorded in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) was not targeted at candidates from the Southeast.
This was after the Southeast Caucus of the House of Representatives called for his resignation after a glitch affected the results of candidates from Southeast states and Lagos State in the Southwest.
In a statement, the caucus leader, Igariwey Enwo, also called for a new date to be set for the Examination to be retaken by candidates. Read more
NAICOM approves new board members for Guinea Insurance Plc (Sun)
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has approved new board members for Guinea Insurance Plc, with Temitope Borishade as chairman, alongside Bernice Izilen Okosun, Ijeoma Pearl Okoro, and Nkemakonam Chukwukaodinaka as non-executive directors.
A statement from Hanson Ufot, head of brand and corporate communications, confirmed the appointments followed a strategic board retreat on Thursday, May 15, and Friday, May 16, in Lagos, culminating in a formal board meeting on Saturday, May 17. The retreat fostered collaboration, knowledge exchange, and planning to strengthen leadership and governance for the company’s growth.
The new members join existing non-executive director Samuel Onukwue and independent non-executive director Chioma Okigbo, alongside executive directors Ademola Abidogun (MD/CEO), Pius Edobor (finance and corporate services), and Ogonna Offor-Orabueze (technical). Read more
Carey Mulligan in talks for key role in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia movie (FilmNews)
Carey Mulligan is in negotiations to join Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ movie.
The 39-year-old actress is currently in talks to portray the ill mother of Digory Kirke, one of the two child protagonists in the fantasy tale, The Hollywood Reporter has said.
If she signs on to the movie, Mulligan will be joining a star-studded cast for Netflix’s ‘Narnia’ film, which could include Meryl Streep as lion Aslan the Great, Daniel Craig as Digory’s uncle and Emma Mackey as Jadis the White Witch. Read more
Accra city authorities renew battle against roadside trading (AfricaNews)
Accra’s central business district has become the flashpoint of a growing conflict between city authorities and traders occupying roadsides and pavements, turning them into makeshift markets.
On any given day, walkways meant for pedestrians are choked with hawkers, traders, and makeshift stalls, making movement nearly impossible. The struggle for space between vehicles and people has turned into a daily challenge.
In what officials are calling a renewed effort to reclaim the capital, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly have launched a joint decongestion exercise. The operation aims to clear unauthorised traders and structures congesting the city’s thoroughfares. Read more
US and China are already feuding again after unexpected trade truce (CNN)
Just days after the United States and China declared a temporary truce over tariffs, tempers are already flaring: this time over the future of Beijing’s most advanced homegrown semiconductors.
Over the past week, Beijing has repeatedly lashed out at Washington for warning companies against using AI chips made by national tech champion Huawei.
It has even accused the Trump administration of “undermining” a consensus reached at recent trade talks in Geneva, where both sides agreed to temporarily roll back tariffs and use a 90-day window to hash out a broader deal. Read more
Pro-Russia former Ukraine politician shot dead outside school in Spain (AlJazeera)
A Ukrainian former politician has been shot dead by unknown assailants outside a school in Madrid, Spain, authorities said.
The man was identified by Spain’s Ministry of Interior as Andriy Portnov, who was previously a senior aide to Ukraine’s former President Viktor Yanukovych.
The attack on Wednesday morning took place outside the gates of the American School in the Spanish capital’s upscale neighbourhood of Pozuelo de Alarcon. Read more
Rep Gerry Connolly dies aged 75 (Newsweek)
US Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) has died, the congressman’s family said in a statement. He was 75.
The Connolly family described him as “our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend, and public servant”.
They said he passed away “peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family.” Read more
6 Ukrainian soldiers killed in Russian strike on training exercise (BBC)
A Russian missile strike on a training exercise in Ukraine’s Sumy border region has killed six servicemen and wounded more than 10 others, says Ukraine’s National Guard.
Russia’s defence ministry had earlier released a video purporting to show an Iskander missile attack on a training camp, and state news agency Tass said up to 70 people had died.
The Sumy region has come under repeated bombardment, and Ukraine launched a months-long occupation of part of Russia’s neighbouring Kursk region from there. Read more
Black girls being failed by sport, report says (BBC)
Charity Women in Sport has called on sport’s leaders to do more for young black girls.
It says they face more barriers to accessing sport than girls from other backgrounds, and many “fall out of love” with sport in their teens.
A new report from the charity says twice as many black girls as white girls dream of becoming elite athletes in the UK – yet black girls are the least likely to take part in sport. Read more
Aruna powers into fourth round in Doha (Guardian)
Quadri Aruna, yesterday, underlined his elite status at the 2025 ITTF World Championships with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Germany’s Benedikt Duda, securing his place in the fourth round of the Men’s Singles at the Lusail Hall in Doha, Qatar.
The Nigerian star, now the sole African contender in the Men’s Singles following the exit of Egypt’s Omar Assar in the second round on Monday, delivered a commanding performance against the left-handed German.
Despite trailing 1-2 in their previous head-to-head encounters, Aruna rose to the occasion in a match filled with fast-paced rallies and crowd-pleasing exchanges. Read more
Caitlin Clark makes WNBA history but Indiana Fever fall to first loss of season (CNN)
Caitlin Clark maintained her hot start to the new WNBA season on Tuesday – making history in the process – but the Indiana Fever fell to their first defeat of the 2025 season against the Atlanta Dream, 91-90.
Rhyne Howard made a go-ahead free throw with 9.1 seconds remaining to help the Dream eke out the victory over the Fever as Indiana’s late rally fell short at a raucous Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, which had two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and 2021 NASCAR champion Kyle Larson in attendance.
Indiana trailed 76-65 at the start of the fourth quarter but showed incredible spirit to claw its way back into the game. Read more
NFL approves participation of players in flag football for 2028 Olympics (AfricaNews)
NFL owners have unanimously approved the participation of players in flag football for the 2028 Olympics.
During the spring meetings held in Minnesota, the league secured authorization to negotiate safety provisions and scheduling logistics with the NFL Players Association, the international governing body for the sport, and relevant Olympic authorities, paving the way for this event at the next Summer Games in Los Angeles.
The decision has generated significant excitement throughout the league, reflecting the momentum of the game’s global growth. Read more
‘I’m back’: Manny Pacquiao confirms long-expected July 19 date with Mario Barrios (BoxingScene)
The comeback so many of the boxing world had feared was confirmed on Wednesday when the 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao revealed that his date with Mario Barrios on July 19 is official.
That one of the very finest fighters of the modern era was preparing to return after a four-year absence had represented one of the worst-kept secrets of an industry that thrives on gossip and rumour. Pacquiao last fought when losing to Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas in August 2021 on an evening when he looked far from the destructive fighter he had been at his peak over a decade earlier. Read more