Lagos taskforce raids criminal hideouts, arrests 49 (Punch)
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit has arrested 49 suspects during an early morning raid in Victoria Island.
The operation, led by the agency’s Chairman, Chief Superintendent of Police Adetayo Akerele, began around 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
It targeted areas like Maroko Sandfill, Bonny Camp, and nearby communities known for illegal activities. Out of the 49 people arrested, 48 were men and one was a woman. Read more
Adefarasin granted bail, police say pastor held ‘prohibited stun gun’ in viral video (Channels)
The Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, has been granted bail by the police following questioning over a viral video showing him holding a gun-like object.
The Lagos State Police Command disclosed this in a statement after questioning the cleric who turned himself in on Tuesday.
According to the police, Adefarasin was interrogated and he volunteered a cautionary statement to the police investigators. Read more
Tinubu arrives in Benue (Sun)
President Bola Tinubu arrived in Makurdi, the capital of Benue, on Wednesday, following the outcry over killings in the state.
Per online reports, Tinubu will visit the affected Yelwata community located in the Guma Local Government Area of the state.
The president arrived at the Tactical Air Command, Nigerian Air Force Base, Makurdi, at about 12:58 pm. Read more
Church faces demolition after building collapse (Guardian)
Authorities in Lagos have ordered the demolition of a Redeemed Christian Church of God parish in the Somolu area after a neighbouring building under construction collapsed and damaged the worship centre, narrowly sparing lives.
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) issued the final demolition notice on Tuesday, citing structural compromise to the church caused by the fallen building. Worshippers had been inside the church on Monday when the collapse occurred but escaped without injury.
“This building has been declared distressed and must be removed within seven days,” a notice pasted on the church wall read. Read more
We’re open to negotiating with bandits –Sokoto (DailyTrust)
Sokoto State has reiterated its commitment to peace and security, expressing willingness to engage in dialogue with armed groups who are ready to lay down their weapons and embrace reconciliation.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Security, Col Ahmed Usman (rtd), the state emphasized the importance of negotiation over prolonged conflict.
The government noted that “many historical conflicts have not ended solely through the use of force, but through meaningful dialogue, reaffirming that the state is open to negotiating with bandits who demonstrate a genuine commitment to surrender and reintegrate peacefully into society.” Read more
How mobile tech lifestyles reduce life expectancy to 55 in Nigeria (Vanguard)
In today’s hyper-connected world, technology is not just a convenience, it’s a lifeline. From the smartphones in peoples ‘pockets and laptops on desks to the Wi-Fi routers humming quietly in the background and smart watches tracking our every move, digital tools have woven themselves into the fabric of daily life.
But as our reliance on these devices deepens, a less visible threat is emerging. Researchers are raising alarm against the constant exposure to electromagnetic radiation, EMR, warning that the very gadgets designed to simplify lives may be quietly compromising peoples’ wellbeing.
The former Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Prof. Abiodun Adebayo, raised the alarm recently during a presentation on wellness products by QNET’s Amezcua brand. Read more
Melsmore marine flouting Nigerian labour laws, MWUN claims (Tribune)
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Wednesday issued a 21-day ultimatum to Melsmore Marine Nigeria Limited, citing the company’s failure to comply with key labour standards, including the provision of a valid Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and remittance records for workers’ Pension Fund Administrators (PFA).
In a strongly worded press release signed by MWUN Spokesman, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, the union expressed dismay over what it described as the “defiant refusal” by Melsmore Marine to provide the requested documents, despite repeated conciliatory efforts by the union’s leadership.
The ultimatum, issued under the directive of MWUN President-General, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, follows prolonged efforts to engage the management of Melsmore Marine, whose office is located at Choscharis Plaza, Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Read more
Husband of teacher accused of performing 45 ‘sexual acts’ with student stands by her as she faces new accusations in court (Unilad)
Christina Formella now faces a slew of new charges after authorities discover more evidence of her alleged abuse.
Christina Formella was a former teacher at Downers Grove South High School in suburban Chicago when she engaged in sexual acts with a 15-year-old student.
The prosecution believe that the 30 year-old Formella engaged in over 45 sexual acts with the student, and may have even began grooming the child when he was 14. Read more
SZA admits she thought fans only wanted to see Kendrick Lamar on tour (HipHopDx)
SZA has admitted that she was insecure about the fact she thought fans would only turn up to the Grand Central tour to see Kendrick Lamar.
The two longtime collaborators are co-headlining a widely successful tour that has seen them play to sold out stadiums across North America.
However, sitting down for a chat with Chappell Road for Interview Magazine, SZA has confessed to suffering from anxiety. Read more
Plane tickets across the Atlantic are getting cheaper as European visits to the U.S. fall (QZ)
Fewer Western Europeans are traveling to the U.S., according to the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), which reported a 4.4% drop in May.
Eastern Europeans appear to have fewer qualms: Trips from that region are up 4.6%. The net result in the short term is that travel from Europe to the US is down.
These are just the latest figures in a year filled with generally dire news for the U.S. travel industry, which faces a multi-billion-dollar deficit, its worst in more than 25 years. Read more
Supreme Court delivers major setback for transgender rights (Newsweek)
The US Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a Tennessee law that bars gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. The decision was a major setback for transgender rights.
The 6—3 effectively protects from legal challenges many efforts by President Donald Trump’s Republican administration and state governments to roll back protections for transgender people.
Writing for the court, Chief Justice John Roberts stated that Tennessee’s law falls within the bounds of legislative authority and does not discriminate against transgender individuals under federal constitutional standards. Read more
Lone Air India survivor carries coffin of brother killed in crash (BBC)
Air India crash survivor attends funeral of brother who died in crash
The British man who was the sole survivor of last week’s Air India plane crash has helped lay his brother to rest at a funeral in western India.
Vishwashkumar Ramesh’s brother Ajay was also on the ill-fated flight but did not survive the tragedy.
A visibly upset Ramesh was one of the pall bearers who carried his brother’s coffin to the crematorium in the town of Diu, his arm and face still covered in white bandages. He’s spent most of the past five days in hospital. Read more
Anne Burrell went into ‘cardiac arrest’ before tragic death: 911 caller (PageSix)
Celebrity chef and Food Network star Anne Burrell dead at 55
Anne Burrell may have gone into cardiac arrest before she tragically died.
The 911 caller claimed the Food Network star went into “cardiac arrest” and was “DOA [dead on arrival],” a rep for the New York City Fire Department told Page Six Wednesday.
Burrell’s rep has yet to respond to Page Six’s request for comment. Read more
Dele-Bashiru set for new role under Sarri (Punch)
Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru could be set for a new role shift under manager Maurizio Sarri ahead of the 2025/26 season, in the wake of comments made by the Italian tactician, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 24-year-old featured in 20 top-flight matches, scoring thrice and providing just one assist as Lazio finished the 2024/25 campaign in seventh position.
In all, he made 29 appearances across all competitions for the Rome outfit, netting five goals and supplying a further three assists from his midfield position. Read more
NFF, Super Eagles meet in Lagos to strategise for crucial qualifiers (Guardian)
Players and officials of the Super Eagles will meet with the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) this weekend to plan the successful execution of the country’s remaining 2026 World Cup qualifiers in September.
An official of the federation told The Guardian yesterday that the planned meeting will be held in Lagos during or before Skipper William Troost-Ekong’s celebrity charity game billed to be held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, on Saturday.
With the theme “Play for Purpose,” the Troost-Ekong Foundation (TEF) show will bring together some of Africa’s biggest names in sports and entertainment to raise awareness and generate funds for TEF’s ongoing youth development programmes in education, healthcare, and grassroots sports. Read more
Body of Nigerian boxer, Oluwasegun back home for burial (Sun)
The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has confirmed the successful repatriation of the remains of Nigerian boxer, Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who tragically died in Ghana in March this year.
The body was airlifted yesterday from Kotoka International Airport and is en route to Lagos, Nigeria, with a brief stopover scheduled in Lomé, Togo.
The GBA, in a statement issued by its Communications Directorate, expressed profound gratitude to Ghanaians, members of the boxing fraternity, journalists, and media houses for their unwavering support since the incident occurred. Read more
Red Bull protest ‘petty’ & ’embarrassing’ – Wolff (BBC)
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says Red Bull’s protest was “petty” and “embarrassing” as George Russell finished first ahead of four-time world champion Max Verstappen at Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix.
Russell claimed Mercedes’ first win of the season as the race finished under the safety car, with Lando Norris having hit McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri’s car on the pit straight with four laps to go.
Red Bull lodged a protest, claiming Russell drove “erratically” behind the safety car and displayed “unsportsmanlike behaviour”, but it was rejected by the stewards. Read more
Caitlin Clark, Fever blast officials after scuffle-filled win over Sun (UPI)
Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White called out officials for missing calls and a lack of control, which they believe led to several scuffles during their win over the Connecticut Sun.
The Fever spoke about the dustups after their 88-71 victory, which clinched a spot in the Commissioner’s Cup title game, on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Clark was involved in a third-quarter skirmish. A trio of other players were ejected in the fourth quarter after another melee.”I think it was pretty obvious that stuff was brewing,” White told reporters. “When the officials don’t get control of the ballgame, when they allow that stuff to happen .. .this is what happens. Read more