Lagos DPO slumps, dies in Ijanikin office (Vanguard)
The Police Command in Lagos State has confirmed the death of a Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Ijanikin Police Station, CSP Bolaji Olugbenga.
Olugbenga was said to have died after he slumped in his office on Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, this makes it two Lagos DPOs that have slumped and died in one week. And in the same axis. Read more
Police arrest suspected cultists for murder, others for other crimes (Leadership)
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have stormed crime-prone areas, arresting suspected cultists, armed robbers, kidnappers and other sundry criminal elements across the state.
Among those paraded at the Command headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, near Uyo at the weekend were gang members allegedly involved in rival cult war in Oron and Mbo local government areas which led to the gruesome murder one Paul Eyo, whose mangled remains were later retrieved by the Police.
Parading the suspects, the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, recalled that, “The Police were alerted of the presence of a corpse with mark of violence on it by the youth leader, who alleged that the dead body is one Paul Eyo, a suspected member of Black Axe from Eyo Abasi, who was given machete cuts on his head leading to his death, while one Ekpe, from Eyo Abasi, a suspected member of Vikings cult group was also beheaded.” Read more
Grid Collapse: TCN cites ‘temporary disturbance’ (NewTelegraph)
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reacted to reports of the national grid collapsed on Saturday.
Speaking on the constant collapse of the national grid, the TCN labelled the incident as a ‘Temporary grid disturbance.’
Saturday Telegraph had earlier reported that this marks the third collapse of the grid in a single week, causing widespread power outages across multiple states.
This latest collapse also represents the eighth grid disturbance in 2024. Read more
Tinubu celebrates Oba of Benin at 71, 8th coronation anniversary (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, on his 71st birthday on 20 October, which also coincides with the eighth anniversary of the King’s ascension to the throne of his ancestors.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga on Saturday, noted that since the coronation of the 40th Oba of Benin in 2016, his kingship had heralded a new era of peace, understanding, and civility among the people.
“The President believes that Ewuare’s illustrious career in diplomacy has influenced his leadership style and reassured the people of his ability to lead with wisdom and grace,” the statement read in part. Read more
Lagos Country Club inaugurates Caretaker Committee (Nation)
A New Caretaker Committee has been inaugurated by the Lagos Country Club.
The Committee which is expected to pilot the affairs of the club has the mandate to ensure that an elected executive is in place within two months. The Committee was recently appointed at an Extraordinary General Meeting of members of the club.
The ceremony, which was witnessed by a large turnout of members, was performed by Mr. Tajudeen Akande and Arc. Funmi Bamkole, both past Presidents of the Club. Read more
NIS deploys e-border technology to 80 crossing points (Punch)
The Nigeria Immigration Service said it has deployed advanced e-border solutions to over 80 crossing points across the country in its ongoing effort to enhance border security and curb trans-border crimes.
The Comptroller General of NIS, Kemi Nandap, disclosed this during a visit to the NIS Head Office in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Nandap noted that the deployment marked the first phase of the e-border project, a critical step in modernising border surveillance and control in Nigeria. Read more
40 years after, 21-yr-old Temitope Ayeobasan emerges LASU’s First-class graduate in History (Vanguard)
For the first time in 40 years since its establishment in 1984, Lagos State University has produced its first graduate with a First Class Honours degree in History and International Studies, Temitope Ayeobasan.
The 21-year-old Ayeobasan’s results were approved by the Senate in the early hours of Friday.
This was disclosed to Vanguard by the Head of the Department of History and International Studies, Professor Adeyeri Olusegun. Read more
FG to implement cashless toll collection for Abuja-Keffi Highway (Channels)
The Federal Government says it would implement the cashless tolling system for the Abuja-Keffi expressway.
Senator David Umahi, the Minister of Works, disclosed this on Thursday while inaugurating a committee for the project, as well as the dualization of the Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi Road.
He said the cashless tolling system was a strategic programme under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) aimed at promoting a strong and sustainable transportation ecosystem. Read more
“Gladiator 2” first reactions land ahead of cinema release (DigitalSpy)
Gladiator II’s cinema release is fast approaching, and critics who have seen the film already have been allowed to share their reactions on social media.
Twenty four years after the first film, Sir Ridley Scott is back as director. This time, Paul Mescal is the leading man, with the cast also including Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and the returning Connie Nielsen.
According to those lucky enough to have witnessed the action already, Scott hasn’t lost his touch. Read more
Barbara Eden slams her reported “feud” with Bewitched star Elizabeth Montgomery as “Producers’ Invention’’ (People)
Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie were two of the biggest TV shows of the 1960s. In fact, they even filmed on the same lot.
The Columbia lot was bustling during the mid 1960s. Not only did those two series film in the same “neighborhood,” but more notable titles of the day including The Flying Nun, The Monkees and The Partridge Family did as well.
Despite rumors of a feud between Bewitched‘s Elizabeth Montgomery and I Dream of Jeannie‘s Barbara Eden — the two female leads on shows about “magical” women — Eden shut the idea down in a 2013 interview featured in the Bewitched 60th anniversary special, an independent documentary. Read more
Cuba suffers nationwide blackout after main power plant fails (BBC)
Cuba is experiencing a nationwide blackout after its main energy plant failed, knocking out power to its 10 million people.
Its power grid collapsed at around 11:00 (15:00 GMT) on Friday, the energy ministry announced on social media.
Grid officials said they did not know how long it would take to restore power.
The island has suffered months of lengthy blackouts, prompting the prime minister to declare an “energy emergency” on Thursday. Read more
Liam Payne’s dad pays tribute to son at hotel where One Direction star tragically died (Mirror)
Liam Payne’s dad has paid tribute to his son at the hotel where he tragically died.
The late singer’s father Geoff Payne was seen surrounded by mourners who were paying their respects to the former One Direction star. Police are said to have been called to reports at the hotel of a “man acting aggressively at the hotel who could be under the effect of drink or drugs”. It’s believed that Liam fell from around 13 or 14 metres and suffered “very serious injuries incompatible with life.” Police say the music star’s hotel room had been “in complete disarray” with “various items broken”.
In an official statement given to The Associated Press, Argentinian police disclosed that the father-of-one had “jumped from the balcony of his room”, apparently dispelling any notions of an accidental fall or foul play. It’s believed Liam had been under the influence of drink or drugs, local media reports. In a desperate call made to emergency services, hotel staff requested ‘urgent’ support just before his death. Read more
Dave Bautista called ‘‘a better person in every way’’ after Trump’s ‘‘embarrassing’’ dig (Independent)
Hollywood actor and former WWE superstar Dave Bautista has received support from fans after being mocked by Donald Trump and his former colleague The Undertaker.
Bautista, who recently mocked the Republican presidential nominee calling him a “weak, tubby toddler” is a vocal Democrat and has voiced his support for Kamala Harris in the build-up to November’s election.
Trump has now received an endorsement from Bautista’s old rivals in WWE, Mark ‘The Undertaker’ Calaway and Glenn ‘Kane’ Jacobs, the latter of which is the current mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. Read more
Ab-Soul announces new album “Soul Burger” dedicated to late friend (HipHopDX)
Ab-Soul has revealed plans for a new album called Soul Burger, named after his late friend Armon “Doe Burger” Stringer who passed away in 2021.
In the album’s reveal trailer, which was released on Thursday (October 17), the TDE rapper stands shirtless in a dark room as a voice urges him to put his grief to the side and get back to his A game.
“You done cried enough. I know you tired of losing. Loosen your tie and tighten up,” the narrator says. “How many times we been through this, bro? Count it up! I know you sad and all that. Trust me, I get it. But stand tall, you can’t fall ’cause they caught me slipping,” he says.
Box Office: Smile 2 makes $2.5m in previews (Variety)
Turn those box office frowns upside down, because Smile 2, the sequel to Paramount’s surprise horror hit, is opening this weekend.
The film, written and directed once again by Parker Finn, has made $2.5 million in Thursday previews so far at the box office. In comparison, the 2022 original film made $2 million in previews back in the first weekend of October. Read more
Eyes on Chukwueze, Okoye as Milan host Udinese (Nation)
San Siro will host a crucial Serie A clash today as Samuel Chukwueze’s AC Milan welcome an in-form Udinese side complete with Nigeria International goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, in a match that could have significant implications for both teams’ seasons.
The unexpected table positions add an extra layer of intrigue to this fixture, with Udinese currently sitting two points ahead of their more illustrious opponents.
Milan enter this match on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina, which halted a four-match unbeaten run in Serie A. The Rossoneri’s form has been inconsistent, particularly away from home, but they remain undefeated in three league contests at San Siro this season. Read more
Tottenham 4-1 West Ham: Spurs score four against sorry London rivals to return to winning ways in Premier League (Eurosport)
Son Heung-Min returned with a bang as Tottenham produced a swashbuckling second-half performance to thump 10-man West Ham 4-1 in a thrilling London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The home side dominated the majority of the first half but fell behind on 18 minutes when Mohammed Kudus converted Jarrod Bowen’s cut back.
Tottenham continued to probe and deservedly pulled level prior to the break when Dejan Kulusevski’s shot hit both posts before crossing the line. Read more
Sir Alex Ferguson set to miss Man United v Brentford match after Ineos decision (MEN)
Sir Alex Ferguson will be notably absent from Manchester United’s clash with Brentford after Ineos terminated his £2 million-a-year contract.
The new part-owners of the club have decided to remove Ferguson from the payroll at the end of the season in a bid to reduce costs across the board. Despite retiring as a managerial icon in 2013, the 82-year-old has been a global ambassador for the Red Devils.
Although he maintains amicable relations with both the club and Ineos head Sir Jim Ratcliffe, The Daily Mail reports that Ferguson will miss today’s game due to a ‘prior engagement’. He is still a welcome figure at Old Trafford, often seen in the stand named in his honour, and will continue as a non-executive director. Read more
Steph, Kerr playfully roast ex-Warriors GM Myers during interview (NBC)
Friday night’s Warriors preseason finale against the Lakers was a pretty smooth ride, with Golden State coasting to a dominant 132-74 win over a Los Angeles team resting its entire starting lineup.
So, with the Warriors already leading by 42 points heading into the fourth quarter, there was time for some shenanigans.
Former Golden State general manager Bob Myers was broadcasting the game for ESPN, and he pulled aside coach Steve Kerr and guard Steph Curry — who sat out tonight’s game with a sprained finger — for a reunion interview of sorts between quarters. Read more
India collapse again to leave NZ needing 107 to win first Test (Sky)
New Zealand were left needing 107 runs to win their first Test on Indian soil since 1988 after the home side collapsed in the final session on Saturday despite a tremendous fightback from Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant.
At stumps on a rain-affected Day 4, the Black Caps were yet to open their account in their second innings when darkness stopped play.
India lost seven wickets for just 54 runs in their second innings, collapsing to 462 all out in 99.3 overs. Pacer Will O’Rourke picked 3-92, while Matt Henry took 3-102 to end the Indian threat. Read more
Naomi Osaka pulls out of Pan Pacific Open with back injury (SI)
What was supposed to be an exciting stretch through the Asian swing of the WTA tour has resulted in disappointment for Naomi Osaka. The Japanese tennis icon pulled out of the 2024 Pan Pacific Open early Friday morning.
A lower-back injury forced the four-time Grand Slam to retire during her match with Coco Gauff in the China Open on October 1. Osaka suffered the injury during warmups and looked good through two sets but could not make it to a third set against Gauff. The moment led to a heartwarming video of Gauff helping Osaka off the court.Afterward, Osaka told her fans on social media, “It was worse than what I thought (I just have a high pain tolerance, lol), and I’m trying my best to potentially play Tokyo, but I’m still waiting to see what the doctor says.” Read more