Lagos police nab 33-year-old car snatcher (DailyTrust)
Detectives attached to the Oke Odo police station, Lagos State Police Command, have arrested a suspected car snatcher, Yusuf Akinradewo, who was accused of allegedly attempting to sell a stolen vehicle. Akinradewo, according to the police, had taken a Mitsubishi car registration number; GGE 620 AQ to one Wasiu Ogunsola, of Omolojuwo Street, Dalemo, Sango, Ogun State, to buy. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said that Ogunsola, however, abandoned the vehicle out of fear and ran away. Elkana said, “Police detectives eventually arrested the suspect and recovered from him another stolen vehicle, a Toyota Camry saloon car registration number AGL 480 EC, belonging to Alhaji Nurudeen Rasaki of Isiaka Adekoya Street, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State. Read more
Respite for motorists as work begins on Seme-Badagry road (Guardian)
The groaning by motorists plying Okokomaiko, Iyana-Iba, Ijanikin and Badagry along Lagos-Badagry expressway may soon come to an end as contractors and the Ministry of Works have intensified work on the road, many have described as a nightmare.
The road, which is ridden with pool-size potholes, has awful failed portions before and after Okokomaiko u-turn, Igbo-Elerin bus stop, Okoko bus stop, Ijanikin, Iyana-Isahi bus stop, Iyana Iba, Volks, and Barracks bus stop, before and after Trade Fair (under the bridge) on both sides, Abule-Osun and immediately after the newly constructed Alakija Bridge.
While the traffic snarl arising from the bad spots bites harder, road users can heave some sigh of relief to a possible end in sight of their nightmare following the intervention of government to fix the road. Read more
Man bags 3 months for drug trafficking (DailyTrust)
A 27-year-old man, Sherif Tunde, was on Friday sentenced to three months in prison by Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, for trafficking 1.5 kg of Indian hemp. Ajoku said that she convicted and sentenced Tunde based on the evidence before her and the plea bargain agreement he entered with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). “I believe that Tunde is now remorseful of his action and willing to change for better. He is a young man with a bright future and can meaningfully contribute to the society. Read more
Church eviction: Our story by, M.K.O. Garden residents (Nation)
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Agape Assembly, recently blamed the M.K.O. Garden Residents’ Association, Alausa, Ikeja for its decision to vacate its rented church building estate. But the residents say the crisis was a simple case of an unlawful tenant unwilling to leave despite quit notices, writes ROBERT EGBE.
When the news that the residents’ association of the M.K.O. Abiola Gardens Estate, Alausa area of Ikeja, Lagos had prevented members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Agape Assembly, from holding their Sunday service a day before broke out on January 7, it raised several concerns. Read more
Ibadan obas attack Olubadan, accuse him of selling titles (Punch)
Crisis rocking the Ibadan traditional institution took a new turn on Sunday as the embattled members of the Olubadan-in-Council accused the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, of monetising traditional titles.
They also claimed that the authority that conferred the title of Imperial Majesty on the Olubadan was the same authority that conferred on them titles of royal majesties and royal highnesses.
In a four-page letter, copy of which was made available to journalists in Ibadan on Sunday, the chiefs, who were promoted to obas by a former governor of the state, Abiola Ajimobi, expressed regret at the turn of events. Read more
Leah Sharibu: B/Haram rejected ransom – Govt sources (DailyTrust)
The Boko Haram terrorist group rejected the ransom offered by the Federal Government to secure the release of Leah Sharibu, sources at the Presidency told Daily Trust yesterday. Sharibu, a schoolgirl, is the only Dapchi schoolgirl still held hostage out of the 110 kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorist group from the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, in 2018. The sources that the money was ready to be delivered when the terrorists, who had made the request for a specific amount totalling millions of Naira in hard currency, changed their minds and rejected any ransom. Read more
FCT police bust visa racketeering syndicate (DailyTrust)
The FCT police command has arrested three persons suspected to be members of a visa racketeering syndicate. A statement by the spokesman of the FCT police command, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, said, acting on a tip off, police detectives from the criminal investigation department arrested the suspects. He said the suspects were arrested at a plaza in Nyanya, during a sting operation carried out on February 6, 2020, while photocopying some forged documents. According to him, the suspects were arrested in possession of forged documents, which he said included medical certificates, bank statements, NYSC certificates, university transcripts, among others. Read more
Children among 22 killed in attack on Cameroon village (BBC)
At least 22 people have been killed in an attack on a village in north-west Cameroon, the UN says.
Over half those killed in Ntumbo were children, and local media report that several victims were burned alive.
No-one has claimed responsibility for Friday’s incident, but an opposition party blamed the army.
Cameroon’s government, which has been fighting separatists in the region for three years, has not yet commented on the attack. Read more
Woman born in pub returns on 18th birthday for her first legal pint (Metro)
To celebrate her 18th birthday, Isobel Casey did something many teens do when they reach adulthood – she went to the pub for her first legal drink. But Isobel’s first pint was made all the more special because she had it in the pub where she was born in 2002. Her mum Nicola, who was then a nurse at Papworth Hospital, had been having coffee with friends at the Hartford Mill pub in Wyton when she started to have contractions. She went out to call Isobel’s dad Neil and told him the baby was coming but as he arrived and he tried to get her into the car to take her to hospital, her waters broke. Read more
Coronavirus: Americans from quarantined cruise ship flown from Japan (BBC)
Two planes carrying Americans from the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess have left Japan.
The aircraft chartered by the US government departed Tokyo’s Haneda Airport in the early hours of Monday, Kyodo news agency reported.
There were some 400 Americans on board the ship, which has been held since 3 February due to infections from the new coronavirus which has hit China.
At least 40 US citizens are infected and will be treated in Japan. Read more
Record number of flood warnings issued as Storm Dennis kills 3 people (Metro)
As emergency services battle flooding and landslides brought about by Storm Dennis, experts have warned people to be prepared for further heavy rain, with a record number of flood warnings issued. Parts of the UK have been battered by 90mph winds today, with more than a month’s worth of rain falling in 48 hours. Despite storm Dennis beginning to move away, the Environment Agency (EA) is urging people to remain vigilant and said ‘significant’ river and surface water flooding is expected to continue into next week. A Met Office yellow warning for high winds covering the whole of Scotland is in force until 11:00 tomorrow. Read more
Brexit: France warns UK of bitter trade negotiations (BBC)
France has warned Britain to expect a bruising battle with the EU in post-Brexit trade negotiations.
French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian made clear at a conference in Munich that Brussels would defend its interests when talks begin next month.
He predicted the two sides would “rip each other apart” as they strove for advantage in the negotiations.
The UK government said it wanted a deal based on “friendly co-operation between sovereign equals”. Read more
Wikki Tourists daze Lobi Stars 4-0 as Heartland hammer Adamawa Utd 5-0 (DailyTrust)
Nigeria Professional Football League resumed yesterday with harvest of goals as Wikki Tourists of Bauchi dazed title hopefuls Lobi Stars of Makurdi 4-0 in Bauchi just as Heartland also recorded their biggest win of the season in a 5-0 hammering of hapless Adamawa United in Okigwe.
The MatchDay 20 fixtures also produced home victories for Kano Pillars, Nasarawa United, FC IOfeanyiUbah, Warri Wolves and Plateau United who pipped stubborn Dakadda FC of Uyo 2-0 to reclaim the top spot following Lobi Stars scandalous loss in Bauchi. Read more
Arsenal up to 10th with win over Newcastle (BBC)
Arsenal picked up just their seventh Premier League victory of the season with a confidence-boosting thrashing of Newcastle at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have been the division’s draw specialists this campaign having been held 13 times and it looked to be going the same way after a goalless first half.
But the hosts sprung into action immediately after the restart with Eddie Nketiah’s no-look strike from Nicolas Pepe’s cutback clipping the top of the crossbar. Read more
Son strikes late to edge Spurs past Villa in five-goal thriller (DailyTrust)
Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring for Tottenham Hotspur Son Heung-min struck deep into stoppage time as Tottenham’s chances of Champions League football next season were boosted by a 3-2 win at Aston Villa on Sunday.
A third consecutive Premier League victory lifts Spurs up to fifth – which could be enough to secure Champions League qualification with Manchester City facing a two-season ban from the competition – and within one point of fourth-placed Chelsea. Read more
Arsenal legend Ian Wright makes his prediction for Chelsea v Manchester United (Metro)
Ian Wright believes Chelsea hold a slight advantage over Manchester United when the two teams go head-to-head at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Monday night.
Both clubs have enjoyed two weeks off thanks to the new winter break but return to action in west London with Chelsea now holding just a single point lead in fourth place to the rest of the chasing pack. United have dropped to ninth, with many of their rivals winning, and Wright feels their lack of firepower in the absence of Marcus Rashford could prove costly at Stamford Bridge. Read more
Leaders Real Madrid held by Celta Vigo (BBC)
Real Madrid were held by Celta Vigo as they moved one point above Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Celta took a shock lead when Iago Aspas played in Fedor Smolov to score his first goal in Spanish football.
Toni Kroos then swept home from 16 yards and Sergio Ramos gave Real the lead with a penalty, which was won by Eden Hazard on his return after almost three months out with an ankle injury.
But Santi Mina scored a late equaliser from Denis Suarez’s pass. Read more
NFF picks Asaba to host Super Eagles, Lone Stars 2021 AFCON qualifier (DailyTrust)
NFF election: Maigari faces certificate forgery allegation, risks disqualification The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, yesterday announced that the 15,400 – capacity Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba will host next month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone.
The venue, named after former Nigeria captain and coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi (of blessed memory), has hosted several international matches involving the Super Eagles and the Nigeria U23 squad, since it was opened two years ago. Read more
Porto’s Marega walks off after alleged racist abuse (BBC)
Porto forward Moussa Marega walked off midway through his side’s win at Vitoria Guimaraes, saying he was subjected to racist abuse from fans.
Marega, 28, started to walk towards the dugouts in the 69th minute, nine minutes after scoring what would prove the winner in Porto’s 2-1 victory.
He pointed his thumbs down and also raised his middle fingers to the crowd.
Team-mates and opposition players tried to persuade him to stay on, but he was eventually substituted. Read more
Troost-Ekong shines as Udinese hold Hellas Verona (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria international was one of the stand-out players as the White and Blacks shared the spoils with Ivan Juric’s men William Troost-Ekong was in action as Udinese played out a 0-0 draw with Hellas Verona in Sunday’s Serie A game at Dacia Arena – Stadio Friuli.
The Super Eagles star was afforded his 21st league appearance this season in the encounter and delivered an impressive defensive performance. Read more
Jose Mourinho reacts to Manchester City ban and jokes about Man Utd’s 2018 title claim (Metro)
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has jokingly questioned whether his Manchester United team will be handed the 2017-18 Premier League title due to Manchester City’s Financial Fair Play troubles. Pep Guardiola’s side face a two-year expulsion from the Champions League for breaking UEFA’s FFP rules, though City will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). City could also be subject to a points deduction in the Premier League, with The Independent reporting that outcome is ‘highly likely’, though Mourinho is not too concerned by City’s plight. Read more
Mane hits his 100th goal for English clubs across all competitions (Nation)
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane On Saturday recorded his 100th goal in English football when stepping off the bench to make an immediate impact on his return from injury in a Premier League meeting with Norwich.
The Senegal international forward was introduced off the bench at Carrow Road and made an immediate impact when reaching a personal century
The Senegal international was eased back into action by Jurgen Klopp at Carrow Road.
Having been sidelined since January 23, the Reds were wary of taking any unnecessary risks with their 27-year-old star. Read more
Genesis Open: Rory McIlroy tied for lead with Matt Kuchar and Adam Scott (BBC)
World number one Rory McIlroy moved into a three-way tie for the lead at the Genesis Open in California alongside American Matt Kuchar and Australian Adam Scott.
Northern Ireland’s four-time major winner McIlroy carded a three-under par 68 for his third round in Los Angeles.
A birdie putt at 18 saw Scott complete a 67 to join McIlroy on 10 under, while overnight leader Kuchar made 70. Read more