Man, 22, fingered as ‘Supreme Leader’ of dreaded Lagos cult (DailyTrust)
The police in Lagos State have arrested a 22-year-old man identified as supreme leader of Berry Boys cult group. It was gathered that the suspect, simply indentified as Maliki, has been on the police wanted list for murder, public disturbances and gangsterism. It was further learnt that the suspect was arrested while in company of 11 of his gang members by the command’s Special Strike Force on social miscreants. The spokesman for the command, Bala Elkana said : “On February 4, at about 7.20 am, following a sustained monitoring, operatives from Itire police station led by the divisional police officer, SP Barkfur Kromkyes, arrested Maliki, 22.” Read more
We use Facebook to recruit members, says ‘cult leader’(Nation)
AN alleged notorious cult leader Maliki Bello, 22, has told detectives in Lagos that his gang recruited members and a planned operations through Facebook and other social media platforms.
Bello, the alleged supreme leader of a notorious cult group in Itire, Lagos, Berry Boys, said the gang’s official page was Bbl Baloteli, a page with 1,928 friends, adding that their targets were school pupils. The suspect who was arrested on February 4, at about 7:20pm by policemen attached to Itire Division, told interrogators he joined the group when he was 12-year-old. Read more
Concern mounts over new Lagos physical planning, building control regulations (Guardian)
There is growing concerns among professionals in the built environment over the implementation of the new Lagos State Physical Planning Permit and Building Control Regulations 2019. The regulations passed by the State’s House of Assembly at the twilight of last year, were expected to sanitise the building sector and encourage sustainable development in Lagos metropolis.
Although attentions were not paid to previous regulations, experts said the spate of buildings collapse in the state last year spurred the lawmakers into giving legal teeth to the new regulations.Under the new regulation, any developer intending to commence construction Read more
2 Chinese nationals in police net over sex with male colleague (DailyTrust)
Two Chinese nationals – Yang Liang Ming, 41 and his elder brother, 45-year-old Wang Gui-Moi – are cooling their heels in a police cell for allegedly having anal sex with one of their colleagues. It was gathered that the suspects’ arrest followed a petition to the police at the Area ‘F’ Command by one of their roommates, Jun Lan-Yin. Lan-Yin alleged that the suspects forcefully made love to him through the anus while he was deep in sleep. Our correspondent learnt that upon receipt of the petition, detectives, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Olasoji Akinbayo, began investigation and eventually arrested the two suspects. Read more
Valentine: ‘Don’t compromise safety’ (Nation)
The Lagos State Government has appealed to residents, particularly the leisure and entertainment business operators, to be compliant with environmental laws guiding their operations during Valentine Day’s celebration.
It urged them to “spread love and not noise”.
Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) General Manager Dr. Dolapo Fasawe and Lagos State Safety Commission Director-General Mr. Lanre Mojola, in a joint statement at the weekend, enjoined events’ organisers to consider the environment and safety of the people by obtaining permits.Read more
Family of trader killed in shop cries for help as police arraign driver (Guardian)
The family of a trader killed by a reckless driver inside his shop along Ogunlana road by Cele roundabout area of Lagos State has cried for help and justice. Brother-in-law of the deceased, Mr. Emeka Chukwujeme, lamented that the driver and his boss are not forthcoming with respect to the burial of the deceased who left behind a housewife and two kids.
It was gathered that the victim, Ekenedilichukwu Nwagu Aloy, was in his shop at Cele roundabout in the morning of January 29, when a wine-coloured Mercedes Benz ML320 SUV with registration number LSD-680-BR lost control, ram into his shop and crushed him to death.
Aloy was immediately rushed to a hospital where doctors confirmed him dead on arrival. According to a medical report by the hospital, a car was said to have hit the victim in his shop and killed him instantly. Read more
Coronavirus: Thousands held on Hong Kong cruise ship freed after tests (Punch)
Thousands of people stranded aboard a cruise ship in Hong Kong for five days were allowed to disembark on Sunday after its 1,800 crew tested negative for the deadly new coronavirus.
Health authorities in the semi-autonomous Asian financial hub said the crew and a similar number of passengers had been released from a quarantine imposed because of fears some staff could have contracted the deadly virus on a previous voyage and passed it on.
The World Dream carried three Chinese passengers to Vietnam between January 19 and 24 who were later found to be infected with the SARS-like coronavirus, which has killed more than 800 people in China since it emerged in December. Read more
NNPC records 16 per cent increase in gas to power (Nation)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that the daily average natural gas supply to gas-powered plants in last November increased by 16.53 per cent to 645mmscfd, equivalent to power generation of 2,178MW.
Comparatively, the October 2019 gas supply to power averaged 553mmscfd to generate 2,050 MW, a release today in Abuja by NNPC Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Samson Makoji, has said.
Quoting from the 53rd edition of the NNPC Monthly Financial and Operations Report (MFOR), the release stated that national gas production in November 2019 stood at 228.65billion Cubic Feet (BCF), translating to an average daily production of 7,621.68Million Standard Cubic Feet per day (mmscfd). Read more
Steer clear of your parents’ burial, Igbo group begs Kanu (Nation)
Barely four days to the burial of parents of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), late Eze Israel Okwu Kanu of Afaraukwu community, Umuahia, Abia Statea and his wife, late Ugoeze Sally Nmeme Okwu Kanu, an Igbo socio-cultural and political organisation, Imeobi Igbo Forum, has begged the pro Biafran leader Nnamdi Kanu to keep off the burial venue to avoid any uncertainties.
Addressing newsmen on Sunday in Onitsha, Anambra state, National chairman of the forum, Chief Mike Ikegulu-Onugha, said the absence of Kanu would not affect the burial.
He explained that it was unnecessary waiting for his return before the dead is buried. Read more
President Buhari expresses concern over Libya (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern over the lack of tangible progress and the worsening security and humanitarian situation in Libya.
President Buhari raised this concerns at the African Union Peace And Security Council Summit on Situations in Libya and the Sahel in Addis Ababa on Saturday.
A statement from the Nigerian Embassy in Addis Ababa, emailed to the News Agency of Nigeria NAN in Abuja said on Sunday that President Buhari was represented by the minister of foreign affairs Geoffrey Onyeoma. Read more
Buhari, PM Trudeau hold talks to strengthen ties (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari Sunday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, described Nigeria-Canada relations as ‘very cordial’, expressing his desire to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity in a statement, in Abuja on Sunday, said the Nigerian leader met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the margins of the 33rd AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In remarks before the press, President Buhari underscored the warm and friendly relations between Nigeria and Canada, noting commonwealth membership of both nations and the choice of Canada for higher education by Nigerian students. Read more
La Liga: Madrid come from behind to beat Osasuna 4-1, extend lead (Punch)
Gareth Bale came back into the team and Real Madrid came back to beat Osasuna on Sunday as a 4-1 victory in Pamplona strengthened their hold on top spot in La Liga.
Bale had been left out completely for Madrid’s previous four matches but the Welshman returned to the squad and the starting line-up at El Sadar, in a surprise show of faith from coach Zinedine Zidane.
A fortuitious deflection meant Bale assisted Isco’s equaliser too before Sergio Ramos put Madrid in front after Unai Garcia had given Osasuna an early lead.
Substitutes Lucas Vazquez and Luka Jovic then scored from late breaks as Madrid pulled six points clear of Barcelona, who play away at Real Betis later on Sunday.
Barca’s exit in the Copa del Rey overshadowed Madrid’s own shock defeat at home to Real Sociedad in the quarter-finals, a loss that brought a dramatic end to their 21-match unbeaten run. Read more
Inter win thrilling Milan derby to move top of Serie A (Guardian)
Inter Milan moved top of Serie A on Sunday after storming back from two goals down to snatch a 4-2 win over AC Milan in a pulsating derby at the San Siro.
Inter pull level on 54 points with Juventus, who lost 2-1 at Hellas Verona on Saturday, but are ahead of the champions on goal difference thanks to a exhilerating second half turnaround after Ante Rebic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic had put Milan 2-0 up at the break.
Lazio are just a point behind in third after Felipe Caicedo scored the only goal in a hard-fought win at Parma earlier on Sunday.Milan had dominated the first half with Inter struggling to deal with Ibrahimovic, who soared above Diego Godin before knocking down for Rebic to tap the opener past Daniele Padelli. Read more
Bundesliga: Leipzig hold Bayern to stay point behind (Punch)
RB Leipzig held Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich to a goalless draw at the Allianz Arena on Sunday to stay just one point behind the defending champions in the title race.
Leipzig worked tirelessly to thwart the hosts, for whom victory would have opened up a four-point gap after third-placed Borussia Dortmund’s 4-3 loss at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
Bayern are bidding to win an eighth straight league title. Read more
Barcelona beat Betis to keep pace with Real Madrid (Guardian)
Lionel Messi gave a hat-trick of assists on Sunday as Barcelona ended their turbulent week with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Real Betis to stay in touch with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
Madrid’s 4-1 win away at Osasna earlier in the day put pressure on Barca to respond, only for Betis to twice lead at the Benito Villamarin through a penalty from Sergio Canales and brilliant solo effort from Nabil Fekir.
Yet both times Barcelona hit back as Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets pulled them level before Clement Lenglet headed in with 18 minutes left, all three goals teed up by Messi. Read more
‘Fragile’ Napoli collapse at home to Lecce (Guardian)
Gianluca Lapadula scored a double as promoted Lecce punished a wasteful Napoli who collapsed to a 3-2 defeat at home in Serie A on Sunday.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side had rekindled hopes of European football next season after league wins over Juventus and Sampdoria, and eliminating Lazio from the Italian Cup.
But after a bright start to the match in Naples southerners Lecce punished the hosts to earn their first league win since November 30.
“The biggest concern is the fragility of the team today,” said Gattuso. Read more
Lobi Stars reclaim top spot as MFM scorch Pillars 3-1 in Lagos (DailyTrust)
Lobi Stars of Makurdi stormed back to the top of the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League yesterday with 35 points after a convincing 2-1 home win over Wikki Tourists just as Mountain of Fire and Miracles, MFM, Lagos scorched Pillars 3-1 at the Agege township stadium in Lagos. On Saturday, Plateau United played out a 0-0 with Dakkada FC in Uyo to earn 33 points which was not enough to deny Lobi Stars the NPFL top spot after yesterday’s win. Lobi Stars who suffered a 1-0 loss at Jigawa Stars in week 18 to relinquish the top position to Plateau United ensured they picked the maximum points against Wikki as Utibe Arit and Austin Oguneye scored a goal each in the 10th and 20th minute. Wikki Tourists who ended the match with 10 men got their consolatory goal in the added minute of second half through Nasir Jibirn. Read more
Team Nigeria UK set to launch Fustar Youth League (DailyTrust)
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Team Nigeria UK International (TNUKI) based in the United Kingdom, David Doherty has revealed plans to launch a youth football league in Abuja. He said the reason behind the football league named Fustar Youth League was his own way of contributing to the development of sports in Nigeria starting from the grassroots. He made this known during the unveiling of the league yesterday in Abuja. “This initiative is a way of adding our own bit to developing sports in Nigeria. We will use the UK model and platform to develop grassroots football in Nigeria,” he said. Read more
Quadri, Meshref lead table tennis stars to 2020 ITTF Africa top 16 Cup (DailyTrust)
Poster boy of Nigerian table tennis, Aruna Quadri will compete in the colours of Egyptian giants, ENPPI in the 2019 Africa Clubs table tennis championship in Lagos Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri who recently joined a German Club in the Bundesliga will lead top 15 tennis players to the 2020 ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup in Tunisia, while defending champion, Egypt’s Dina Meshref leads a contingent of 15 female players to the tournament. Ahead the tournament, the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) has unveiled the seeding list for the $25,000 prize money tournament holding on February 24 to 26. Read more
NBBF lauds Buhari, Dare on D’Tigress Olympics qualification (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Basketball Federation has traced the qualification of the D’Tigress to the immense support of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare and millions of Nigerian basketball lovers all over the world.
Following the senior women’s national team’s return to the Olympics after 16 years of absence, the board said without the open support of the Federal Government, prosecuting the qualifiers would have been difficult. Read more
Newcastle, Hertha, monitor Simon (Punch)
English Premier League side, Newcastle United, are monitoring the progress of Nigeria international, Moses Simon, as a transfer target and will be willing to battle Nantes for his services.
Nantes have an option to purchase the player with his loan deal stating that his buy option will be activated if he plays 25 games and scored 10 goals, a feat he is close to achieving.
Simon has been in superb form for La Maison Jaune since joining on loan from Levante in the summer scoring eight goals and providing eight assists in 25 games in all competitions. Read more
