Lagos pipeline explosion: Police warn vandals (Punch)
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, on Thursday, warned hoodlums and pipeline vandals to desist from further vandalism of oil pipelines in the area or face the law. Muazu speaking at the scene of the pipeline explosion decried the huge loss caused by the vandals and cautioned residents to be vigilant and be security conscious. “I sincerely sympathise with the victims of explosion but I must warn all intending vandals to beware of further action as strict surveillance will be ensured,” he said. Read more
Court dismisses Miyetti Allah suit to stop open grazing prohibition laws (Guardian)
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday struck out a suit filed by Miyetti Allah Kautal. The appeal is challenging the 2017 Open Grazing Prohibition and Establishment Law passed by the Benue State House of Assembly. During the court processes, Miyetti Allah Kautal in its plea sought a restraining order against the Benue State Government from implementing the law. Read more
Senator Elisha Abbo arrives FCT police command for interrogation (Punch)
Embattled Senator Elisha Abbo, who allegedly assaulted a nursing mother at an adult toy shop in Abuja, has arrived at the Federal Capital Territory Police Command for interrogation. The Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker representing Adamawa North Senatorial District is currently being interrogated by detectives. The FCT Police Commissioner, Bala Ciroma, confirmed to The PUNCH that Abbo was presently interacting with operatives at the command. Read more
Senator Elisha Abbo’s apology not enough —NCWS (Punch)
National Council of Women Societies has described the physical assault of a woman by the senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Elisha Abbo, as an assault on womanhood. The National President of the council, Mrs Gloria Shoda, said this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja. Abbo, in a video that went viral on social media platforms, was seen attacking a woman after she pleaded with him “to take it easy”. Read more
Gbajabiamila names Reps principal officers, Ado Doguwa now majority leader (Punch)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has announced the majority Principal Officers of the chamber. Gbajabiamila made the announcement at the plenary on Thursday where he read a letter from the ruling All Progressives Congress nominating the principal officers. The appointees are Alhassan Ado-Doguwa as Majority Leader, Peter Akpatason as Deputy Majority Leader, Mohammed Monguno and Chief Whip and Nkeiruka Onyejeocha as Deputy Whip. Read more
Troops repel fresh Boko Haram insurgents attack in Borno (Guardian)
The Nigerian Army on Thursday said its troops successfully repelled fresh attack coordinated by Boko Haram insurgents, on the 212 Tank Battalion at Gajigana in Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the development came barely two days after the troops repelled similar attack by the insurgents on troops’ location at Goniri in Yobe. Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1, Operation Lafiya Dole, made the disclosure while addressing newsmen at the scene of the attack. Read more
Our strategy is working, say security chiefs after meeting with Buhari (Punch)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met with security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Speaking after the closed-door meeting, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Abubakar Sadique, said the meeting was all about the security of Nigerians and Nigeria. According to him, the security forces would continue to work harder to ensure that every Nigerian was secured and that the territorial integrity of Nigeria was not undermined by anybody. Read more
Ruga project: Northern Governors’ Forum calls for calm over suspension (Punch)
The Northern Governors’ Forum has urged all stakeholders, especially in the North, to remain calm and be democratic in expressing their views on the suspended Ruga settlement project by the Federal Government. The Forum Chairman and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, made the appeal in a statement he issued on Wednesday in Abuja. Lalong urged all stakeholders to be democratic in their views while allowing the government to handle the matter. Read more
NEMA warns Adamawa, Taraba riverbank communities on flooding (Guardian)
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA ) on Thursday advised people living along the banks of River Niger and River Benue in Adamawa and Taraba to relocate to avert flooding. NEMA’s Head of Operations in the two states, Mr Abbani Garki, gave the warning while distributing livelihood support items to the 2018 flood victims in Yola South Local Government Area of the state. Garki said the agency had received the 2019 rainfall data analysis from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), which indicated that 30 states of the federation would experience flooding. Read more
I won’t mismanage LG funds, says Akeredolu (Punch)
The Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu on Thursday swore in the newly appointed caretaker committee chairmen in the 18 Local Government Areas of the state as well as newly appointed commissioners and special advisers. The governor, who spoke at the ceremony held at the International Centre for Culture and Events, Akure, the state capital, said his administration had been consistent in the implementation of its programme of redemption. Akeredolu said, “I will continue to ensure that the funds allocated for the running of the local governments are judiciously utilised.” Read more
Gunmen kidnap Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital doctor (Guardian)
Dr Bashir Zubayr of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) was kidnapped alongside his relatives by unknown gunmen on Wednesday. Zubayr, a consultant with AKTH was abducted around Lokoja Okene highway, Kogi state with two of his younger brothers, and younger sister at Irepeni village about 20km West of Lokoja. A family source, who confirmed the incident to The Guardian, said the entire the family were on their way to Okene for the 40th day funeral of their late mother. Read more
Libyan migrants ‘fired upon after fleeing air strikes’ (BBC)
The UN says it has received reports that guards fired on migrants who tried to flee air strikes on a detention centre near Libya’s capital Tripoli on Tuesday. The UN says it believes at least 53 migrants died and 130 were hurt in the air strikes on the Tajoura centre. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has said the air strikes could constitute a war crime. Read more
Guinea-Bissau president names government in move to end deadlock (Guardian)
Guinea-Bissau President Jose Mario Vaz has named a new government under mediation in a bid to end months of political turmoil. In a presidential decree published Wednesday, Vaz gave the lion’s share of posts in the 31-member government to members of his African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC), which has the most seats in parliament. The reshuffle came under an initiative launched by the 16-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Read more
Iran summons UK ambassador in tanker seizure row (BBC)
Iran has summoned the British ambassador in Tehran to complain about what it says is the illegal seizure of an Iranian oil tanker. British Royal Marines helped the authorities in Gibraltar seize the ship because of evidence it was heading to Syria in breach of EU sanctions. Spain’s acting foreign minister said the seizure of the ship – Grace 1 – was at the US’s request. Read more
Tunisia bombings death toll rises to two (Guardian)
The death toll from twin suicide bombings that rocked the Tunisian capital last week has risen to two after a civilian died of his injuries, the interior ministry said Thursday. A policeman was killed on the spot when one of the bombers blew himself up as a police vehicle passed on the capital’s main throughfare. Among the seven other people wounded in that attack and a second on a police station in the outskirts of Tunis, six have been discharged from hospital while a police officer has been kept in for observation, ministry spokesman Sofiene Zaag told AFP. Read more
Japan auctions controversial whale meat as commercial hunting ban lifted (BBC)
Whale meat in Japan has been sold at auction for sky-high prices following the first commercial hunt since a ban was lifted. Meat cut-offs from two minkes sold for up to 15,000 yen ($140; £110). Japan left the International Whaling Commission (IWC) on 30 June to resume hunting and argues it can be done sustainably. Read more
Man dies after accidentally swallowing live tilapia fish (Guardian)
A 50-year-old man died after he accidentally swallowed a live tilapia fish and got his airway blocked, while fishing in a central Philippine river, local news reported on Thursday. According to the report, the victim, identified as Roger Marcelino, and his son went fishing in the river in Tagutud, a village in Bungasong town in Antique province in the central Philippines, on June 29 when the accident happened. Read more
Samsung sued over water-resistant phone claims (BBC)
Samsung is being sued by Australia’s consumer watchdog for allegedly making misleading claims about the water-resistant properties of its phones. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) alleges Samsung’s adverts made “false” claims about using its phones while swimming and surfing. The ACCC said it had reviewed more than 300 Samsung adverts before launching its legal action. Read more
Wolf of Wall Street producer arrested in Malaysia for money laundering (BBC)
The Hollywood producer Riza Aziz, stepson of the former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, has been arrested on suspicion of money laundering. Mr Aziz, who produced The Wolf of Wall Street, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was detained in Malaysia and bailed. US prosecutors have accused Mr Aziz’s production company of misappropriating money from a multi-billion dollar state fund to finance the film. Read more
Frank Lampard explains how he plans to replace Eden Hazard at Chelsea (Metro)
New Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is hopeful he has the players to cope with Eden Hazard’s departure but believes it will be near impossible to find a like-for-like replacement for the forward. Lampard, who spent 13 years as a player at Chelsea, has signed a three-year deal at Stamford Bridge after Maurizio Sarri stepped down to take charge of Juventus last month. The 41-year-old returns at a challenging time for the club considering their current transfer ban and the recent loss of Hazard to Madrid, but he remains upbeat about the situation. Read more
Italy legend Buffon returns to Juventus (Punch)
Ex-Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has returned to Juventus on a one-year contract after a season spent at Paris Saint-Germain. The 41-year-old, who will be number two to Polish ‘keeper Wojciech Szczesny, previously spent 17 seasons with the Turin club, winning nine Serie A titles and playing three Champions League finals. “Welcome home, Gigi!” Juve said in a statement. Read more
David Seaman urges Arsenal to sign Joe Hart (Metro)
David Seaman has urged Arsenal to sign Joe Hart as a challenger for Bernd Leno. The Gunners could be in the market for a new back-up goalkeeper following Petr Cech’s decision to retire at the end of the season. Hart, meanwhile, has reportedly been told that he is free to leave Burnley this summer after he was dropped once Tom Heaton had recovered from his long-term injury. Read more
Nadal could be ‘fantastic’ footballer, says Mourinho (Punch)
Jose Mourinho believes Rafael Nadal would have made “a fantastic footballer” had he not chosen to become one of the greatest tennis players of all time. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea manager said that the world number two, currently chasing a third Wimbledon title, had all the attributes needed to succeed in football. Read more
Blatter says he’s available to French authorities over Qatar 2022 investigation (Punch)
Disgraced former FIFA president Joseph Blatter says he is available as a witness should French authorities wish to interview him over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. “I am prepared to help to clarify all these situations,” the 83-year-old Swiss said on Thursday. “I heard that they will like to speak with me.” Former UEFA chief Michel Platini, like Blatter, suspended from football in 2015 and then banned, was recently detained by French police and questioned over the 2010 award to Qatar. Read more
FC Barcelona travel to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga opening game (Punch)
Spanish champions FC Barcelona kick off their La Liga defence with a tricky clash at Athletic Bilbao on August 18, as the 2019/2020 fixtures were announced on Thursday. Former champions Real Madrid are at however at Celta Vigo. FC Barcelona, who eased to the 2018/2019 title with 87 points, were held to draws by Athletic Bilbao in both league matches last season. Read more
Tennis: Defending champion Kerber knocked out of Wimbledon (Punch)
Angelique Kerber’s defence of her singles title came to an early end at Wimbledon being knocked out in the second round by lucky loser Lauren Davis 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 on Thursday. The 31-year-old German, who came into the tournament in form having reached the final at Eastbourne, made her earliest exit since losing in the same round in 2013. Read more
Nick Kyrgios slams Rafael Nadal’s ‘bulls**t’ and then mocks him with underarm serve (Metro)
Tensions were running high on Wimbledon’s Centre Court as Nick Kyrgios fumed over the amount of time Rafael Nadal took to get ready between points, hitting out at the umpire for not intervening. The Spaniard took a first-set lead in their highly anticipated grudge match in the second round on Thursday, with Kyrgios broken in his very first service game. Read more