Man sets wife ablaze over alleged infidelity, reports self to police (DailyTrust)
A middle-aged woman, Mrs. Chioma Nwana, has been confirmed dead after her husband reportedly poured petrol on her and set her ablaze in Abagana community, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday at Eziezekwe village in Abagana.
The woman was said to have died on Wednesday morning at a nearby hospital, where she was rushed for emergency treatment following severe burns sustained during the incident. Read more
Women affairs minister demands justice for murdered corps member Salome Adaidu (Vanguard)
Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has condemned the brutal murder of 24-year-old Salome Adaidu, allegedly by her estranged lover in Karu, Nasarawa State.
Until her tragic death, Salome, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was serving at Nicon Insurance, Abuja.
The minister, in a statement issued on Tuesday by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jonathan Eze, expressed deep shock over the incident and demanded swift justice for the deceased and her grieving family. Read more
Sharing, forwarding child porn attracts 14 years imprisonment — Lagos (Guardian)
The Lagos State government has announced that anyone caught sharing or forwarding child pornography and obscene publications about children on social media risks a 14-year jail term, as provided in the state’s domestic and sexual violence law.
The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, disclosed this during a one-day workshop for headteachers, teachers, social workers, and school counsellors in Lagos.
She said: “Forwarding child pornography, as provided for in the Lagos State domestic and sexual violence law, can attract up to 14 years imprisonment. Read more
Nigerians, other Africans to visit Kenya without prior authorisation (Leadership)
Nigerian and other Africans can now visit Kenya without needing prior authorisation, according to a new directive by the cabinet.
Last year, Kenya introduced a “visa-free” policy that required most visitors to apply online for authorisation before leaving their country.
But, the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which replaced the visa requirement for all visitors, was criticised as a “visa under another name”. Read more
Sokoto alerts residents as bandits flee military operations (Punch)
The Sokoto State Government has issued a warning to residents to remain vigilant as military operations against bandit terrorists intensify in the eastern part of the state and surrounding areas.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Security Matters, retired Colonel Ahmed Usman, the government highlighted the success of the ongoing joint military operations, which have left the bandits disorganised.
The statement explained that multiple terrorist enclaves have been destroyed, dozens of bandits neutralised, and hundreds of kidnapped victims rescued. Read more
NSCDC arrests KEDCO staff over alleged theft of prepaid meter in Katsina (Tribune)
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Katsina Command, has said that the agency has nabbed a member of staff of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), for allegedly stealing a prepaid meter.
Making this known while speaking with press in Katsina, the Command’s Spokesman, SC Buhari Hamisu, said the suspect was accused of trespass, tampering with the meter and theft.
According to him, the suspect, 38, a staff of KEDCO, Daura Regional Office, was arrested following a report by Alhaji Lawal Gadi of Tundun Wada Quarters in Daura, that the former removed his meter. Read more
Amotekun corps mobilises 2,000 personnel to combat banditry in South West (Channels)
The South-West Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, has intensified its efforts to tackle the growing menace of banditry and criminal activities in the region.
The urgency of Amotekun’s operations is underscored by alarming crime statistics.
A National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) survey revealed that between May 2023 and April 2024, Nigerians paid N2.23 trillion in ransom for kidnappings. Read more
Soldiers killed Turji’s 2nd-in-command, 31 others — DHQ (Punch)
The Defence Headquarters on Wednesday announced that Aminu Kanawa, the second-in-command to terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji, has been killed by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma.
The DHQ also stated that troops inflicted serious injuries on some of Turji’s closest allies, including his younger brother.
This development comes after the DHQ revealed on Monday that troops killed Turji’s fighters and son during clearance operations on his hideout. Read more
Grimes “denounces Nazism” in furious statement after ex Elon Musk’s salute controversy (Standard)
Musician Grimes has blasted her ex Elon Musk after he was accused of doing a Nazi salute at Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony.
The SpaceX CEO, 53, appeared at Washington DC’s Capital One Arena on Monday after Trump was sworn in as president for the second time.
He said onstage: “Elections come and go, some are important and some are not, but this one really mattered and I just want to say thank you for making it happen.”
Musk then shocked viewers by putting his hand on his chest before raising his arm out with an open hand. Read more
Over a million people flee to South Sudan as Sudan conflict grinds on: UN (AlJazeera)
More than one million people have fled the war in Sudan to seek refuge in neighbouring South Sudan, according to the United Nations.
In its latest update on one of the world’s worst displacement crises, the UN issued new data on Tuesday showing that more than 770,000 people have fled through the Joda crossing on South Sudan’s northern border with Sudan in the last 21 months.
Tens of thousands more have crossed the border at other points, bringing the total to have fled to South Sudan since the war between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) erupted in April 2023 to more than a million, according to the statement issued by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Read more
Italy government under fire for releasing Libyan warlord accused of war crimes (ABC)
Italian opposition lawmakers and human rights groups voiced outrage Wednesday after Italy released a Libyan warlord on a technicality, after he was arrested on a warrant from the International Criminal Court accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Justice Minister Carlo Nordio was grilled about the release Tuesday of Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, during a previously scheduled appearance before the Senate. Nordio didn’t respond to several requests for details about the release or demands that he reaffirm Italy’s commitment to upholding international justice.
Al-Masri heads the Tripoli branch of the Reform and Rehabilitation Institution, a notorious network of detention centers run by the government-backed Special Defense Force. Read more
Bena Care launches dialysis services in Kenya’s Murang’a County (AfricaNews)
A newly established dialysis center is offering renewed hope to patients in rural areas of Kenya. Located in Murang’a county, this facility will significantly reduce the challenges faced by individuals suffering from chronic kidney disease, who once had to journey great distances to access essential care.
Bena Care, a social enterprise from Nairobi, has partnered with the Murang’a local government to establish a new dialysis center at a nearby hospital in Kigumo.
Eighty-two-year-old Njoroge Ng’ang’a, a dialysis patient from Kigumo, encountered numerous challenges. Read more
Turkish authorities arrest 9 over ski resort hotel fire that killed 76 (NBC)
Turkey has detained nine people as part of an investigation into a fire that killed 76 people and injured dozens at a ski resort in the Bolu mountains, authorities said.
Several funerals were held on Wednesday for families, including numerous children who died on Tuesday in the blaze, which forced panicked hotel guests to jump from windows in the middle of the night.
“Our hearts and souls are hurting and we are currently trying to fulfill this duty,” President Tayyip Erdogan said at one funeral for eight victims in Bolu in western Turkey. Read more
Hailey Bieber shares snap of sleeping husband Justin after he says someone ‘unfollowed’ her on his Instagram (People)
Hailey Bieber is putting on a united front with her husband Justin.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the model, 28, shared a defiant carousel post after her husband Justin Bieber — with whom she shares son Jack, 5 months — claimed someone unfollowed her on his Instagram account.
The post included a photo of Justin, 30, sleeping, a snap from their recent Aspen vacation and various images of her Rhode beauty line. Read more
Trump fires first woman to head a US military service (VOA)
President Donald Trump’s administration has removed Admiral Linda Fagan — the first woman to lead a U.S. military service — as the head of the Coast Guard.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Coast Guard, did not immediately respond to a request on Tuesday for comment on Fagan’s dismissal.
Fox News cited a senior official saying reasons included her failure to address border security threats, excessive focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, and an “erosion of trust” over the Coast Guard’s investigation into sexual assault cases. Read more
Betting allegation: Udinese drop Okoye from registered players list (CompleteSports)
Maduka Okoye has been dropped from Udinese’s list of registered players following an alleged betting irregularities.
Okoye is under investigation for betting on his own yellow card in a Serie A clash involving Udinese and Lazio last March.
The Nigeria international was booked for time-wasting in the 64th minute of the encounter. Read more
Ruben Amorim told Manchester United star’s form is ‘unacceptable’ (Metro)
Ruben Amorim has been told the form of one of his key Manchester United players is ‘unacceptable’.
The problems are piling up for Amorim, who has endured a largely dismal first couple of months in the job since replacing Erik ten Hag in November.
Barring a few promising results – like the 2-2 draw with Liverpool and FA Cup win over Arsenal – Manchester United have got even worse under the 39-year-old, who left Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon to take over the beleaguered Premier League giants. Read more
Australian Open: Jannik Sinner dominates Alex de Minaur to set up meeting with Ben Shelton in Melbourne (SkySports)
Defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner dropped just six games as he dominated home favourite Alex de Minaur to charge into a semi-final showdown with big-hitter Ben Shelton.
The world No 1, who admitted struggling during his fourth-round battle with Holger Rune, was back in tip-top condition to dismantle the hopes of De Minaur on Rod Laver Arena with a comprehensive 6-3 6-2 6-1 victory.
Sinner produced a ball-striking masterclass to extend his winning streak against the eighth seed from Sydney to 10-0, including the last 20 consecutive sets. Read more
Shelton, Keys become first American joint Australian Open semifinalists since 2009 (UPI)
Ben Shelton and Madison Keys became the first American man and woman to reach the Australian Open semifinals in the same year since 2009, with respective quarterfinal triumphs Wednesday in Melbourne.
No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy and No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland also earned trips to the semifinals, triggering respective men’s and women’s singles meetings with Shelton and Keys.
“I’m really proud of myself to be in another semifinal here,” Keys told reporters. “I’m kinda hoping and looking forward to see if I can make it one step further.” Read more
Ex-Premier League star traced by personalised number plate after teen girl hit and run (Mirror)
Sammy Ameobi, 32, who played for Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, smashed his Audi E-Tron car with personalised plate into a teenager’s Citroen C1 leaving her in the wreckage, a court heard
A former Premier League football star left a teenager in A&E after causing a hit and run accident while on his way to his job as a £360-a-week apprentice.
Sammy Ameobi, 32, smashed his Audi E-Tron car with a personalised plate into the teenager’s Citroen C1 during morning rush hour. A court heard how he then fled the scene, leaving the 19-year-old in the wreckage. Her family say she was propelled into the path of oncoming traffic and suffered undisclosed injuries. The victim was rushed to hospital with her car written off. Read more
Olivia Podmore inquest: Hearing to resume in April following lengthy delay (RNZ)
The inquest into the death of Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore will resume in April following an abrupt halt to proceedings late last year.
The final days of the inquest into the suspected suicide of the 24-year-old sprint cyclist have been scheduled for 22 to 24 April.
The hearing before Coroner Louella Dunn, originally set down for three weeks, was due to wrap in early December. Read more