NDLEA arrests wanted drug kingpin after 25-day search (Punch)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a drug kingpin, Ngene Onyedikachi, who was responsible for recruiting fake couple smugglers arrested in Lagos on August 1, 2023, while hard drugs of various forms were seized across the country in different operations.
The PUNCH had on August 6, 2023, reported the arrest of the fake couple, Onyebuchi and Nonyelum by operatives of the NDLEA for ingesting 184 wraps of cocaine weighing 3.322kg with 100grams of the drug also concealed in the woman’s private part.
Meanwhile, the agency, on Sunday said it arrested some other suspects, Peter Iwebema, Ekechukwu Ndubuisi, Suleiman Oba, Nafiu Arzika, Jamilu Aminu and Ismaila Razak among others, for various drug-related offences across the country. Read more
2 kidnappers killed, 8 policemen arrested over alleged extortion, assault in Rivers (Vanguard)
Police in Rivers State have killed two suspected kidnappers during a crossfire in the state.
The command also said it had arrested eight policemen for alleged extortion and assault on a woman in the state.
State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nwonyi Emeka, who disclosred this, said four police officers involved in the act had extorted three youths while four others assaulted a woman. Read more
Sanwo-Olu cabinet: Omotoso, 17 others face fresh screening (Punch)
The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, transmitted a second list of cabinet member-nominees to the Lagos State House of Assembly.
This is coming a few weeks after the House confirmed 22 and rejected 17 out of the 39 nominees earlier sent to it for ratification and confirmation.
The immediate past Commissioner for Health in the state, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who was among the 17 nominees rejected by the House, made the new list. Read more
Sylvester: Inquest resumes with testimony of minors (Channels)
After a long break, proceedings resumed on Monday morning at the coroner inquest into the circumstances surrounding the cause of death of a 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, Sylvester Oromoni.
The coroner, Magistrate Mikail Kadiri, who is sitting at the Magistrates’ Court in Ogba, Lagos, invited the mother of the deceased, Mrs Oromoni to appear in court to give her evidence on Monday, September 11.
It was learnt that her testimony will centre on the cause of death and the statement she made to the police, after which parties will file written addresses and the coroner will give his findings and conclusions. Read more
Lagos threatens to sanction truck drivers over violation of height restriction barriers at Stadium, Dorman-Long bridge (Independent)
The Lagos State Government has warned truck drivers of the height restriction barriers for articulated vehicles at the Stadium, Ojuelegba and Dorman Long bridges.
The State Government has also threatened to sanction any truck drivers who run into the barriers and violate the driving rules in the state.
A statement by Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, said that the barriers were mounted following a series of stakeholders’ meetings held to forestall incessant articulated vehicle accidents, which has claimed lives and property. Read more
FG appeals to NLC to call off warning strike (Guardian)
The Federal Government has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to call off its planned two-day warning strike.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, made the appeal in Abuja on Monday.
Lalong said the strike would be detrimental and would reverse the gains that the government has made so far.
He also asked the NLC to give the government some time to settle in and address the issues raised by the union. Read more
Tinubu meets service chiefs ahead of trip to India (Leadership)
Ahead of his scheduled trip to India for the G-20 Summit, President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, met briefly with the nation’s service chiefs, where he received briefings regarding their operations.
The meeting, which is a routine affair, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and had in attendance the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja; his Naval counterpart, Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar.
The meeting, which is held behind closed-doors, usually feeds the President on the general security situation in the country, including review of areas where they (service chiefs) need to double effort as well as tie loose ends and close gaps. Read more
Resign now for failure to rescue 8 kidnapped youth corps members in Zamfara, IG told (ThisDay)
Worried that the Nigeria’s acting Inspector-General (IG) of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, is not bothered that for 10 days since terrorists kidnapped eight National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members on a highway in Zamfara State and they are yet to be rescued, Human Rights Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has asked the police chief to either get the youth corps members freed within 24 hours or resign forthwith.
Relying on media reports, HURIWA said that the victims were kidnapped on Saturday, August 21, while travelling from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to Sokoto en route to Zamfara State.
They were going to take part in the mandatory national service when the bandits intercepted their vehicle. Read more
Ava DuVernay’s ‘‘Origin’’ set for gala presentation at TIFF (Deadline)
Ava DuVernay’s ‘‘Origin’’, the first film by an African American woman to play in Competition at the Venice Film Festival, will have a Gala screening at Roy Thomson Hall at TIFF on Monday, September 11. DuVernay will be in attendance for the screening of the film, which she wrote, produced and directed.
‘‘Origin’’ chronicles the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson, played by Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, as she investigates the genesis of injustice and uncovers a hidden truth that affects us all. Origin stands as a unique account of the intimacy within a writer’s quest for truth. DuVernay creates powerful cinematic images from the stories that Wilkerson brought to light in her non-fiction work Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, as well as the tragic moments of her personal life which framed her writing. It results in a deeply moving portrait of grief and healing — both personally and in the world. Read more
Woody Allen avoids controversial questions at ‘‘Coup de Chance’’ press conference in Venice, teases possible New York film (Variety)
Woody Allen got a warm ovation from journalists at the press conference for “Coup de Chance” at the Venice Film Festival, where he managed to avoid any controversial questions about his stalled career and the sexual abuse allegations made against him by his daughter, Dylan Farrow. That was in large part thanks to his longtime cinematographer, Italian superstar Vittorio Storaro, who spoke for nearly a third of the press conference, while answering a single question.
When asked if he would consider making another film in New York, Allen said he’s got “a very good idea for New York.” “If some guy steps out of the shadow and says, ‘We’ll finance your film in New York’ and obeys all my restrictions — if some foolish person agrees to that, then I will make the film in New York.”
The press conference was also attended by Lou de Laage and Valerie Lemercier, the stars of his French-language movie, “Coup de Chance,” which premieres out of competition today. Read more
Priscilla Presley attends ‘‘Priscilla’’ Venice premiere with Cailee Spaeny, Sofia Coppola and Jacob Elordi (People)
Priscilla Presley posed with the team who brought her love story to life in ‘‘Priscilla’’.
The ex-wife of the late Elvis Presley appeared at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on Monday.
She walked the red carpet alongside Priscilla director Sofia Coppola and actors Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny. (The A24 film was granted a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement waiver amid the strike since it was filmed in Canada with a non-AMPTP studio.) Read more
Metallica reschedule Glendale gig after James Hetfield tested positive for COVID-19 (MusicNews)
Metallica pulled out of their concert in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday (03.09.23) after frontman James Hetfield tested positive for COVID-19.
The ‘Nothing Else Matters’ rockers will now play the State Farm Stadium as part of their ‘M72’ tour on Saturday (09.09.23), after the heavy metal legend contracted the infectious disease.
In a statement posted to X, the band wrote: “We’re very sorry to report that tomorrow’s scheduled M72 date at State Farm Stadium has been postponed to Saturday, September 9, 2023, as, unfortunately, Covid has caught up with James. Read more
Paul McCartney shares memories of Jimmy Buffett in moving tribute (CNN)
Paul McCartney is sending all his love to friend Jimmy Buffett, the beloved tropical rock musician who died Friday, according to a statement posted to his official website.
He was 76.
The Beatles icon posted a lengthy and moving tribute to Buffett on his verified Instagram page Saturday, where he wrote about some of the sweet memories the two musicians shared together.
“It seems that so many wonderful people are leaving this world, and now Jimmy Buffett is one of them,” he wrote, adding “I’ve known Jimmy for some time and found him to be one of the kindest and most generous people.” Read more
Gabon coup leader Nguema sworn in as transitional head of state (AlJazeera)
Gabon’s new military leader was sworn in as the head of state on Monday, less than a week after ousting the president whose family had ruled the Central African nation for more than five decades.
General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema took the oath in the presidential palace in front of a packed, boisterous room of government officials as well as military and local leaders in Gabon’s capital Libreville. Oligui, a cousin of the ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, served as a bodyguard to his late father and headed the republican guard, an elite military unit.
Speaking to a standing ovation on Monday, Oligui said the military had seized power without bloodshed and promised to return power to the people by organising free, transparent and credible elections. Read more
Former Italian premier claims French missile downed passenger jet in 1980, presses Paris for truth (ABC)
A former Italian premier, in an interview published on Saturday, contended that a French air force missile accidentally brought down a passenger jet over the Mediterranean Sea in 1980 in a failed bid to assassinate Libya’s then-leader Moammar Gadhafi.
Former two-time Premier Giuliano Amato appealed to French President Emmanuel Macron to either refute or confirm his assertion about the cause of the crash on June 27, 1980, which killed all 81 persons aboard the Italian domestic flight.
In an interview with Rome daily La Repubblica, Amato said he is convinced that France hit the plane while targeting a Libyan military jet. Read more
Falconets striker joins Turkish club (Punch)
Nigerian football sensation Taiwo Lawal has officially signed a two-year contract with Turkish Women’s League outfit Atasehir Belediyespor, bidding farewell to her former club, Robo Queens.
The football journey of the Nigerian attacker started with Aseyori Queens before her rise to prominence with Robo Queens.
She showcased her goal-scoring prowess by clinching the Golden Boot Award at the 2022 Betsy Obaseki Women’s Cup, netting six goals in the competition. Read more
Spain’s men’s national team denounces Rubiales over World Cup kiss (VOA)
Spain’s men’s national team Monday denounced the “unacceptable behavior” of the country’s suspended football chief Luis Rubiales over his infamous World Cup kiss.
Rubiales, 46, has defied expectations and refused to resign as president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) after forcibly kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup.
Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata read out a statement on behalf of the entire team congratulating their female counterparts on “a historic” achievement. Read more
Arsenal v Man Utd: Man arrested after Roy Keane allegedly assaulted during Premier League match at Emirates Stadium (BBC)
A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault after an alleged incident during Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday.
It follows the circulation of footage on social media showing Sky Sports pundits Micah Richards and Roy Keane involved in an altercation with an individual.
Ex-United captain Keane was reportedly the alleged victim of the assault.
Sky Sports say Richards was “acting to defuse a situation”. Read more
Spalletti urged to make Napoli hero Di Lorenzo new Italy captain (FootballItalia)
Luciano Spalletti made Giovanni Di Lorenzo the captain of Napoli and he could potentially reward him with the same honour for the Italy squad, said his agent.
The right-back took over the role from Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens when they left the Partenopei as free agents last summer.
He had the perfect start to his captaincy, lifting the Serie A trophy at this club for the first time in over 30 years. Read more
Chris Eubank Jr trainer charged with two firearm offences after airport arrest (Mirror)
Chris Eubank Jr’s trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre has been charged with two firearm offences after being arrested at Manchester Airport on Sunday morning by armed police.
McIntyre was due to board a flight to Atlanta when he was placed under arrest by Greater Manchester Police, who have since charged him with possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate. The American had just coached Eubank Jr to a career-best performance in Saturday night’s TKO win over Liam Smith at Manchester’s AO Arena.
McIntyre was remanded into custody after attending Stockport Magistrates Court on Monday, and is next due to appear at Manchester Crown Court on Monday, October 9, police told BBC. Daily Mail reported earlier today that armed police officers arrested McIntyre at the departures lounge in Terminal 2 after a routine scan showed a loaded gun and ammunition in a checked bag. Read more
Ludvig Aberg, Justin Rose among Europe’s Ryder Cup picks (ABC)
Former Texas Tech star Ludvig Aberg will play for Europe in the upcoming Ryder Cup, less than four months after he turned pro.
Aberg, from Sweden, was one of European captain Luke Donald’s six captain’s picks that were announced Monday. Donald also chose England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose, Austria’s Sepp Straka, Ireland’s Shane Lowry and Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard.
“It’s been quite a lot these last couple of months, but it’s been so exciting,” Aberg said. “I can’t wait for Rome.” Read more