NAPTIP arrests 80-year-old, 7 others for trafficking in Benue, rescue 5 victims (Sun)
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP), Makurdi Zonal Command, has bursted a child trafficking syndicate who specialised in the sale of children.
The Zonal Commander, NAPTIP Makurdi Zonal Command, Gloria Bai, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Makurdi on Saturday.
Bai said the command successfully dismantled a child trafficking syndicate, rescuing five victims and apprehending eight suspects including an 80 year old woman.
The operation, she explained, followed a distress call from a mother who had been looking for her twins, only to discover they were allegedly sold in December 2023. Read more
Lagos destroys shanties, dislodges squatters under Ijora bridge (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has commenced the destruction of illegal shanties occupied by squatters under the Ijora Causeway Bridge.
The government had earlier on Sunday given a five-day quit notice to squatters under the bridge and the Lagos Blue rail Line overhead bridge in Ijora to remove all their shanties for constituting a danger to the Lagos Blue Line corridor or risk demolition and removal.
The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, while giving the quit notice lamented the security risk the occupation of underneath the bridge by mini buses, block moulders, fuel sellers and miscreants posed to the safe operation of the blue rail line service, and said the government would not allow it to continue. Read more
Low voter turnout as Gbajabiamila, Laguda vote in Lagos bye-election (Nation)
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and Kayode Laguda, the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) have voted in their respective polling units in the ongoing re-run election for Surulere Federal Constituency 1 of Lagos State.
Laguda voted at Randle Avenue Primary School PU 009, Shitta/Ogunlana Ward.
As of the time of filing this report, the ongoing bye-election has recorded low voter turnout. Read more
Enugu voters protest missing result sheets (NewTelegraph)
There is tension in the Imufu community in the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State as voters protest against missing election results in five polling units that have over 6,000 voters.
The PUNCH reported earlier that despite repeated assurances by the Independent National Electoral Commission of its readiness to conduct today’s re-run elections, as of 10:30 am, materials were yet to arrive in several polling units in the state.
Despite arriving late in many polling units, INEC polling officers came without results sheets, especially in polling units that have a large number of voters. Read more
Nigerians to reap benefits of subsidy removal soon — Gbajabiamila (Guardian)
Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that benefits of fuel subsidy removal would be reaped soon.
Gbajabiamila gave the assurance after casting his vote at Polling Unit 014, Ward 08 at Elizabeth Fowler Memorial School, Surulere, Lagos state, in the House of Representatives by-election in the constituency on Saturday.
The Chief of Staff in his reaction to the current economic situation being faced by Nigerians, said the President and his administration remained concerned about the plight of the people. Read more
16 abducted Niger farmers regain freedom (DailyTrust)
Security Operatives have reportedly rescued the 16 farmers kidnapped at Dan-Gunu Community of Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.
Daily Trust reported how gunmen suspected to be bandits stormed the community last Wednesday and kidnapped the victims, including pregnant women and children.
The Chairman, Munya LGA, Abdulhamid Najume, told our correspondent on the telephone about the rescue on Saturday. Read more
INEC suspends rerun elections in Enugu, Kano, Akwa Ibom constituencies (Channels)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has suspended the ongoing rerun elections in specific constituencies in Enugu, Kano and Akwa Ibom States due to disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials.
The affected areas are Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State, Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State and Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State.
The electoral body disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun on Saturday. Read more
Group lauds Matawalle’s commitment to tackling oil theft (Tribune)
The Middle-Belt Pan Nigerian Forum has commended the Minister of State, Defence, Bello Mattawalle, for his exceptional dedication in the fight against insecurity and oil theft in the country.
The forum in a press statement released by its spokesperson, Dr Danladi Ceceko Dangana, emphasised the significance of Matawalle’s efforts in combatting the rampant oil theft in the Niger-Delta region and his commitment in addressing the alarming state of insecurity in Nigeria.
The group noted that only a leader who truly empathises with the devastation suffered by the Niger-Delta people due to illegal oil bunkering and the subsequent economic decline resulting from oil theft would exhibit such an unwavering commitment to eradicating this menace. Read more
Megan Thee Stallion signs distribution deal with Warner Music Group (MusicNews)
Megan Thee Stallion has signed a distribution deal with Warner Music Group.
The 28-year-old rapper began working as an independent artist in 2023 when she split from former label 1501 Certified Entertainment after being embroiled in a long legal feud that ended with a mutual settlement.
Her new deal with WMG will allow Megan to remain independent, while having access to WMG’s global services. Read more
Outrage as star’s ‘cervical cancer death’ revealed as publicity stunt (Metro)
Bollywood star Poonam Pandey has been slammed after revealing her death announcement was all a hoax.
The model, 32, announced she had died of cervical cancer in a statement shared on Instagram on Friday.
The post read: ‘This morning is a tough one for us. Deeply saddened to inform you that we have lost our beloved Poonam to cervical cancer. Read more
Man stabs 3 people at major Paris station (NBC)
A man injured three people Saturday in a stabbing attack at the major Gare de Lyon train station in Paris, another nerve-rattling security incident in the Olympic host city before the Summer Games open in six months.
Paris police said officers quickly detained the attacker who used a sharp weapon in the assault at around 8 a.m. One of the people injured was in a serious condition; the other two were more lightly hurt.
Police had no other immediate details. Read more
Sylvester Stallone shares moving tribute to Rocky costar Carl Weathers (EW)
Sylvester Stallone is still in Carl Weathers’ corner.
The action star, who created and played Rocky Balboa, posted a moving video tribute to Weathers, the actor who played his rival-turned-friend in the Rocky franchise’s first four movies. Weathers died Thursday at 76. “Today is an incredibly sad day for me,” Stallone said, standing in front of a painting of Rocky and Creed. “I mean, I’m so torn up, I can’t even tell you. I’m just trying to hold it in because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success, everything about it.”
Stallone went on to thank Weathers for his indelible contributions to the Rocky movies. “I give him incredible credit and kudos because when he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness, but I didn’t realize how great,” the actor said. “I never could have accomplished what we did with Rocky without him. He was absolutely brilliant: his voice, his size, his power, his athletic ability, but more importantly, his heart, his soul.” Read more
Usher’s daughter joins him for sweet twist ending to new “Ruin” video (HipHopDx)
Usher is preparing to drop a new album just ahead of his highly anticipated Super Bowl Halftime performance next week, and he’s unveiled the project’s latest single, “Ruin.”
Released on Friday (February 2), the Afrobeats-inspired song features Nigerian producer and singer Pheelz. And while the lyrics centre around a relationship, the visual features an adorable plot twist: his three-year-old daughter Sovereign Bo is the one he chooses over everyone else.
Dave Meyers — who Usher famously worked with on the legendary “U Remind Me” video in 2001 — also took on this clip, which was shot entirely on iPhone 15. Read more
“Overshadow Gaza crimes”: World reacts to US attacks on Iraq and Syria (AlJazeera)
The United States has conducted a wave of air strikes on Iran-aligned targets in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for an attack that killed American soldiers in Jordan.
On Saturday, Iraq said 16 people, including civilians, were killed on its soil, and a monitoring group reported 18 people were killed in Syria.
Washington has warned of more strikes to purportedly deter the Iran-backed “axis of resistance” amid Israel’s war on Gaza. In announcing the overnight attacks, US President Joe Biden said: “Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing.” Read more
Queen ‘thought Meghan’s wedding dress was too white for a divorcee’ (Independent)
The late Queen thought that the Duchess of Sussex’s wedding dress was “too white” because she had been married before she met Prince Harry, a new book has claimed.
Ingrid Seward, the former editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, wrote in her book My Mother and I that Elizabeth II only revealed her opinion to her closest confidantes.
The Queen’s cousin Lady Elizabeth Anson is said to have been among those confidantes and reportedly claimed the monarch thought the dress was improper for a divorcee. Read more
Simon bags 2nd MVP award (Punch)
Nigerian winger, Moses Simon has claimed the Man of The Match award for the second time at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The FC Nantes winger went off a super run before he delivered the assist for Ademola Lookman to fire the match winner against Angola in the first half of the quarter-final game on Saturday.
The winger has now provided two assists at the competition. Read more
Tottenham suffer late heartbreak as Richarlison apologises to Everton (Standard)
Two clinical first-half goals from Richarlison weren’t enough to inspire Tottenham to a win over his former club Everton at Goodison Park.
The game was just four minutes old when he volleyed home from Destiny Udogie’s cut-back before Jack Harrison levelled from close range after Dwight McNeil’s corner. But just before half-time Richarlison was at it again after being teed up by James Maddison, whipping a shot into the top corner from the edge of the area – only for Jarrad Branthwaite to head in from close range in injury time. Read more
LIV Golf League: Joaquin Niemann cards historic ‘‘59 round’’ to lead Jon Rahm’s debut in Mayakoba (Sky)
Joaquin Niemann produced a stunning ’59 round’ to build a five-shot lead at the LIV Golf League season opener in Mayakoba, where Jon Rahm impressed on debut.
Niemann carded an eagle and 10 birdies in a bogey-free round in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, to register only the second sub-60 total since LIV Golf launched in 2022.
The Chilean – beginning on the second hole at the par-71 layout – fired five consecutive birdies from the third and followed back-to-back gains from the ninth by holing out for eagle at the par-four 11th. Read more
LeBron James calls out NBA media following Joel Embiid injury news (SI)
Last weekend, Joel Embiid was a late scratch in the Philadelphia 76ers’ matchup with the Denver Nuggets. After being bashed by countless media personalities for “ducking” Nikola Jokic, he suited up days later against the Golden State Warriors.
From the moment the game began, it was clear Embiid wasn’t 100%. He still gave it a go, and it ended up doing more harm than good. Late in the game, Embiid suffered another injury after Jonathan Kuminga awkwardly fell on him.
On Thursday evening, news broke that Embiid had suffered an injury to the meniscus in his left knee. Many have shared their thoughts on the subject, with the latest being LA Lakers star LeBron James. Read more
UCI Track Nations Cup 2024: Great Britain’s Katie Archibald & Elinor Barker win madison (BBC)
Great Britain’s Katie Archibald and Elinor Barker put in a dominant display to win the women’s madison at the UCI Track Nations Cup in Adelaide.
The British pair did not get or need any points from the final sprint as they finished on a total of 31.
Australia won the last sprint to take second with 27 points, while the United States were third on 23. Read more
Jason Kelce says ‘immensely talented’ Taylor Swift is an ‘unbelievable role model for young women’ (People)
Jason Kelce is singing his praise for Taylor Swift!
In an interview with WCPO 9 that was shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Friday, the Philadelphia Eagles center discussed the attention that has followed the “Blank Space” singer, 34, by the NFL, as she dates Jason’s younger brother, Travis Kelce.
“The attention’s there because the audience wants to see it, I mean, if people didn’t want to see it they wouldn’t be showing it, I know that,” Jason, 36, said. Read more