Lekki shootings: Army not in search of DJ Switch, General tells panel (Punch)
The Commander of 81 Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, Lagos, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, says contrary to claims in the public, the Army is not after popular disc jockey, Obianuju Catherine Udeh, fondly referred to as DJ Switch.
Taiwo said this on Saturday in his testimony before the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry probing the alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020.
The general said, “Some people take delight in misrepresenting Nigeria and particularly the Nigerian Army to the international community and our fellow Nigerians. This, I believe is done for pecuniary gains. Read more
#EndSARS: We’re not happy Sanwo-Olu denied inviting us, Army tells panel (Nation)
The Commander of 81 Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, Lagos, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, on Saturday, said the Nigerian Army was not happy that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, denied inviting the military on October 20, 2020, during the #ENDSARS protest at Lekki Toll Gate
The Army commander during his testimony before the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry probing the Lekki incident said inviting the military was the best decision the Lagos governor could have taken as the #EndSARS protest plunged the state into anarchy but added that the Army was also unhappy that Sanwo-Olu said two persons died from the military engagement at the Lekki tollgate. Read more
#EndSARS: We have not been petitioned over shootings at Lekki – Nigerian Army (Guardian)
The Nigerian Army has said that they have not received any formal petition over their alleged shooting of unarmed #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate on Oct. 20.
The counsel for the Nigerian Army, Mr Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), made the assertion on Saturday before the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses ad Other Matters.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Taiwo was called to give evidence on behalf of the Nigerian Army on the events of Oct. 20. Read more
Names of seven ‘Lekki shootings victims’ surface at Lagos panel (Nation)
The names of seven alleged victims of the October 20 Lekki shootings have ‘surfaced’ at the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS related abuses and other matters.
Their lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika SAN, told the panel that he had a petition on their behalf against the Nigerian Army. Read more
Naira weakens to 470/dollar despite CBN interventions (Punch)
The naira weakened to 470 against the United States dollar in the parallel market on Friday despite the interventions of the Central Bank of Nigeria in the official window.
The nation’s currency had traded at N465, N466 and N468 against the greenback on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday respectively. But it fell on Friday to its weakest level in more than a month.
According to Bloomberg, the naira closed at 382.10 per dollar on the spot market, where the CBN sells limited amounts of the greenback to importers. Read more
Sultan urges Muslims to look for new moon from Sunday (Guardian)
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has requested Muslim Ummah to start to look for the new moon of Rabi’ al-thani 1442AH from Sunday.
Abubakar made the request in a statement signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, on Saturday.
“This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Sunday Nov. 15, which is equivalent to 29th day of Rabi’ al-awwal 1442AH, shall be the day to look for the new moon of Rabi’ al-thani 1442AH. Read more
Obaseki re-appoints Ogie as SSG (Nation)
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has approved the re-appointment of Osarodion Ogie as Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
He also assured of increased investment in infrastructure to grow economy and drive development in Edo.
In separate online statements Saturday, Obaseki stated that Ogie’s appointment would be the only political appointment to be made for now, with all other appointments deferred to the first week of February 2021. Read more
How we abducted expatriates, killed soldiers in Bayelsa, Rivers – Suspects (Punch)
Two members of a sea pirate syndicate, Kelvin Dikuro, aka General Small Voice and Erememi Captain, alias Nwalanta, have recounted their criminal escapades within the Niger Delta region, including Bayelsa and Rivers states.
They revealed how the gang kidnapped 14 foreign sailors, collected ransoms running into N15m and killed military men frustrating their operations.
The suspects were tracked down in their hideouts by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team led by DCP Abba Kyari, relying on intelligence reports by the Nigerian Navy. Read more
Beauty queen says she’s discriminated against for being too attractive (Metro)
An Australian beauty queen claims she is regularly discriminated against for her good looks. Model Maria Thattil, 27, was crowned Miss Universe Australia in October but spends her days working in a high-flying role as a talent recruiter for the government. The influencer has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in human resources – but says her traditionally attractive looks have led to strangers making assumptions and questioning her success. Speaking to news.com.au, Maria said she struggled with ‘a number of feelings’ after being singled out for having ‘beauty and brains’ when she was younger. Girls in her class would question how she had been accepted onto her psychology course, she claims. Read more
Prince Charles rings in 72nd birthday without usual traditional ceremonies due to COVID-19 (USAToday)
Britain’s Prince Charles celebrated his 72nd birthday Saturday following an eventful year that saw him contract the coronavirus and his son Prince Harry step down from official royal duties.
Gun salutes would normally be fired from London’s Green Park and the Tower of London for the heir to the throne’s birthday, but officials said the traditional ceremonies would not take place this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Charles’ eldest son, Prince William, and his wife, Kate, were among those wishing him a happy birthday on social media. The royal family’s official Twitter account posted a photo of Charles as a baby sitting on Queen Elizabeth II’s knee, while the account of Charles and his wife, Camilla, shared a photo of the prince dressed in a kilt and smiling to the camera. Read more
Ethiopia conflict worsens as airports attacked (BBC)
Forces in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region have fired rockets at airports in a neighbouring state, as their conflict with the government grows.
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which controls Tigray, said it had targeted the two sites in Amhara state and warned of further strikes.
Tension between Ethiopia’s government and the TPLF has escalated into military clashes in the past month.
Hundreds have died, with reports of a civilian massacre emerging this week.
Human rights group Amnesty International said it had confirmed that “scores, and likely hundreds, of people were stabbed or hacked to death” in the town of Mai-Kadra (May Cadera) on 9 November. Read more
New US defense chief tells troops ‘time to come home’ (Guardian)
Newly appointed Pentagon chief Christopher Miller signaled Saturday that he could accelerate the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the Middle East, saying, “It’s time to come home.”
“All wars must end,” Miller, named acting defense secretary by President Donald Trump on Monday, said in his first message to the US armed services.
He said that the US is committed to defeating Al Qaeda, 19 years after the September 11 attacks on the United States, and is “on the verge of defeating” the group. Read more
Man, 64, dies after falling from church building as he was working (Metro)
A 64-year-old man has died after falling while carrying out restoration works at a church. The accident occurred at St Nicholas Church in the Green in Birmingham shortly after 11am on Friday. Emergency crews attended, but despite their best efforts the man was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering serious injuries. His family has been informed. West Midlands Police cordoned off the area and set up an incident support unit. The Health and Safety Executive has also been informed. Read more
Taiwan air force chief joins F-5 test flight after fatal crash (BBC)
The head of Taiwan’s Air Force has joined the first test flight of a fighter jet following a fatal crash.
All of Taiwan’s ageing F-5 jets were grounded and inspections carried out after a pilot was killed last month.
“I believe F-5s are safe to fly,” Air Force Commander Hsiung Hou-chi said, the Military News Agency reported.
China regards Taiwan as a renegade province and has not ruled out taking it back by force, leading to tension in the island’s air space. Read more
Jude Law addresses Johnny Depp’s ‘unusual’ exit from Fantastic Beasts 3 (Metro)
Jude Law has addressed Johnny Depp’s exit from the Fantastic Beasts franchise, calling it ‘unusual’. Depp, 57, confirmed last week that he was asked to resign from the role of Gellert Grindelwald in the Harry Potter spin-off films, after he lost his high-profile libel case against The Sun. Law, 47, plays Albus Dumbledore opposite the actor, and said that he had to ‘go along’ with the decision of the studio and the company as ‘we’re just a member of the team’. The actor told Entertainment Tonight: ‘It’s an enormous film, and there are many, many layers to it. It’s probably one of the biggest productions I’ve ever worked. Read more
Musa Questions Rohr’s Technical Ability After Eagles’ Shambolic Display (DailyTrust)
The Head Coach of Kano Pillars football club, Ibrahim Musa, has questioned the technical ability of Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr after Nigeria’s shambolic display against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone on Saturday.
The three-time African champions surrundered their four goal lead to draw 4-4 with the Leone Stars in the 2021 AFCON qualifying match played at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City.
As reactions continue to trail the team’s dismal outing against their less illustrious opponents, coach Musa said it is time for Rohr’s technical competence to be scrutinised.
He recalled that the Franco-German coach once blamed kano Pillars shocking loss to Rangers in the 2018 Aiteo Cup finals on lack of technical know-how and poor quality of players. Read more
Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech keeps up incredible form with two goals and an assist for Morocco (Metro)
Chelsea summer arrival Hakim Ziyech produced a sublime performance in Morocco’s African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Central African Republic, scoring twice and providing an exquisite assist in his side’s comprehensive 4-1 victory. Ziyech missed the start of Chelsea’s campaign after suffering a knee injury in pre-season but the 27-year-old is beginning to showcase the kind of form that made him a star at Ajax. The attacking midfielder hit the ground running in west London and became the first player since Diego Costa back in 2014 to find the net in his opening two games for Chelsea away to Krasnodar and Burnley in the Champions League and Premier League respectively. Read more
Mbappe out of France’s Nations League clash with Portugal (Guardian)
France forward Kylian Mbappe has failed to recover from a thigh injury in time to play against Portugal in the Nations League game on Saturday, according to matchday squad lists sent to UEFA.
The Paris Saint-Germain player has suffered several injuries since the 2020-2021 season began and his absence will be felt by France for a crunch game after they lost 2-0 to Finland in a friendly on Wednesday in his absence. Read more
Man Utd come from 2-0 down to draw with City (BBC)
Leaders Manchester United came from two goals down to maintain their unbeaten Women’s Super League start against rivals Manchester City.
Chloe Kelly and Laura Coombs both capitalised on poor United defending to give City a 2-0 lead at the break.
But two-time World Cup winner Tobin Heath pulled a goal back for the hosts after 54 minutes.
Substitute Kirsty Hanson then prodded home a deserved leveller in the 74th minute to complete a famous comeback. Read more
Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi feeling confident about his form after England U21 win (Metro)
Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi said he felt like he was getting back to his best after starring for the England Under-21s in their comprehensive 3-1 victory over Andorra. The 20-year-old has struggled for regular playing time at Chelsea this season, making just four starts in all competitions for Frank Lampard’s new-look side. But Hudson-Odoi has seized his opportunity when given the chance, finding the net against West Brom and Krasnodar this term, and the youngster will have been desperate to send a message to Lampard while representing his country in last night’s EURO U21 qualifier. Read more
Turkish Grand Prix: Lance Stroll takes pole position after chaotic qualifying session (BBC)
Racing Point’s Lance Stroll took a sensational maiden pole position in a chaotic wet qualifying session at the Turkish Grand Prix.
The Canadian beat Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by 0.290 seconds as Lewis Hamilton, on the verge of his seventh title, could manage only sixth place.
But Stroll is one of the drivers under investigation for not slowing for caution flags so may yet lose his pole.
Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate and only title rival Valtteri Bottas was ninth.
Stroll’s team-mate Sergio Perez was third ahead of Red Bull’s Alexander Albon and Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo. Read more