NDLEA seizes drugs concealed in statue of Blessed Virgin Mary, others (Leadership)
Eagle-eyed operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have intercepted illicit drugs concealed in the Statue of Mary and auto spare parts heading to Canada and the United Arab Emirate (UAE).
The narcotics agents from the directorate of operations and general investigations, who are embedded in two courier companies in Lagos, seized 500 grammes of heroin going to Canada and hidden inside auto spare parts from one of the courier firms while 140 grammes of Methamphetamine going to Philippines and concealed inside statue of Mary was also seized from another courier company.
The director of media and advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said the agency’s director of operations and general investigations, Adeyemi Adeofe, disclosed that 3.1kg of cannabis going to UAE concealed inside spices, and another kilogramme of cannabis going to UAE concealed inside local herbs were intercepted and seized.
In a related development, the Ondo State command of the NDLEA has in series of raids between April 6 and 20, 2021 across the state, arrested 31 suspects from whom 275.552kg of assorted illicit drugs were recovered. Read more
More traffic congestion looms as Lagos shuts roads (Vanguard)
Following plans by Lagos State Government to shut two more major roads for rehabilitation works, residents are obviously in for worsening traffic congestion in parts of the state.
Already, several roads have been shut for rehabilitation which includes: Lagos Badagry-Expressway, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, part of Ikeja, around Opebi link-Bridge, Ozumbs Nvadiwe road, Ahnadu Bello Road, both Victoria Island, among others.
Meantime, as part of the ongoing reconstruction on Ikorodu Road, the state government, on Friday, announced plans to divert traffic from the Main Carriageway inbound Anthony from Monday, May 3, 2021, for four weeks.
Also, In line with the ongoing reconstruction works on Ketu–Mile 12 Section of Lagos/Ikorodu Road, Lagos State Government has announced plans to divert traffic from the Ojota underpass to the Demurin Junction on the Ikorodu corridor from Monday, April 26, 2021, for a duration of four weeks. Read more
Terrible people want to break Nigeria’s appointment with destiny – Tinubu (Punch)
All Progressives Congress Chieftain, Bola Tinubu, says terrible people and strong forces want to break Nigeria’s appointment with its greater destiny by attacking “agricultural players” in the country, thereby creating food scarcity.
He spoke on Saturday on the occasion of the 23rd to 25th convocation ceremonies of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Tinubu was also awarded a honorary doctorate at the event by the university Senate and Governing Council.
The former Lagos State governor said, “We approach a defining moment as a nation. A reckoning of special importance beckons. We must decide whether to give the truest meaning to our national motto “peace and unity” or we allow the agents of destruction and merchants of violence to have their way with us. Read more
Jandor tasks newly inaugurated Lagos excos on vigorous campaign for 2023 polls (ThisDay)
Following the collapse of Ibile Eko and Team Jandor, the two wings of the Lagos4Lagos movement, the visionary leader, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (Jandor), has inaugurated a 51-member state executive. The swearing-in ceremony was recently held at the movement headquarters in Lagos.
Addressing the executives, Jandor reminded them of their collective goal which is to have the executive seat in the state in the upcoming 2023 elections. He mandated them to shove nepotism and take on their responsibilities with utmost dedication.
Acknowledging their contribution to the movement so far, the Lagos gubernatorial aspirant urged the executives not to relent in their efforts, charging them to apply the same vigour they have over the years on their grassroots campaigns. Read more
17 killed, others injured as herdsmen militia attack parts of Guma LG (Vanguard)
No fewer than 17 persons have been reportedly killed by suspected armed herdsmen militia in a coordinated attack on Tse Ukor, Tse Gborigyo and Tse Uhembe communities all in Mbayer-Yandev Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state.
The attack on the said communities which occurred late Friday and the early hours of Saturday also left many injured and hospitalized.
In his account of the incident, former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Dave Iorhemba who is an indigene of Yogbo, Mbayer-Yandev Council Ward told newsmen yesterday at Tse Uikpam, Guma LGA that the attacks on the communities were mindless and unprovoked.
According to him “in the last couple of weeks, there have been series of attacks in some particular areas like Tse – Ukor where scores were killed and at Tse – Gborigyo where 7 people were killed and several others injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. Read more
Assailants raze Gov Uzodinma’s house (Leadership)
Yet-to-be identified assailants in the wee hours of Saturday set the country home of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State on fire.
Villagers in Omuma, Oru East local government area of the state, said they woke up to see the palatial home on fire.
According to a source who pleaded anonymity, he said two loud bangs were heard simultaneously from what seemed like dynamites.
Unconfirmed reports also said two policemen died from the attack. Read more
Soldier missing after bandit attack on military camp found dead (DailyTrust)
A regimental sergeant major declared missing by the army after bandits attacked a military camp in Zagzaga community in Munya local government of Niger state on Wednesday has been found dead.
His bloated body was found in a bush close to the military camp on Friday afternoon by a search team.
The army and community youth volunteers had been searching for him since the attack on Wednesday.
Bandits said to be numbering about 60 on Wednesday morning had invaded a military camp in Zagzaga. Read more
Troops eliminate IPOB commander, others in Imo (Leadership)
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and their counterparts from the Nigerian Army and Department of State Service (DSS) in a joint operation, in the early hours of Saturday stormed the operational headquarters of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Awomama village, Oru East LGA of Imo State, and killed the group’s commander.
Recall that the insurgents were responsible for the attacks on the Imo State Police Command headquarters and the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service on Monday, April 5, 2021.
They have also carried out series of calculated and violent attacks on security personnel and formations in the south-east part of the country.
An intelligence source told PRNigeria that while the security forces approached the base of the insurgents, they came under rapid fire from the group. Read more
Ekiti varsity proscribes ASUU, SSANU, others over protests (Punch)
Labour unions kick, say govt, council lack such power
The Governing Council of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, has proscribed the four labour unions in the university.
The workers’ bodies are the Academic Staff Union of Universities; Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions; and National Association of Academic Technologists.
The council also announced the immediate closure of the university and ordered students “to vacate the campus forthwith”. Read more
Sir Anthony Hopkins shatters hearts in uniquely chilling psychological drama (Metro)
Florian Zeller’s The Father is a uniquely chilling psychological drama. Sir Anthony Hopkins stars as the father left angry, scared and confused as his life and surroundings seem ever changing, with Olivia Colman playing his daughter Anne, and Rufus Sewell as her husband Paul. But then, just as soon as we’re settled into the film, another woman, played by Olivia Williams, appears, claiming to be Anthony’s daughter, with Mark Gatiss’ character claiming to be Paul. So which do we believe? Anthony is certain someone’s playing a cruel trick on him, but this unknown woman seems to share the same memories as his daughter. Read more
Chad after Idriss Déby: African Union urges end to military rule (BBC)
The African Union has called for an end to military rule in Chad, whose president was killed by rebels.
The army immediately announced that Idriss Déby’s son would head a military council for 18 months before elections were held.
Former colonial power France, which has a large military base in Chad, appeared to back the takeover for “stability” amid “exceptional circumstances”.
Opposition parties have also condemned what they called a “dynastic coup”. Read more
Indonesia military says missing submarine sank (VOA)
An Indonesian submarine that went missing off the coast of Bali has sunk, the country’s navy said Saturday, dashing hopes that its 53 crew would be saved.
The navy’s chief said a search party had recovered fragments from the KRI Nanggala 402 including items from inside the vessel, whose oxygen reserves were already believed to have run out.
Warships, planes and hundreds of military personnel have been searching for the stricken vessel. Authorities had said the German-built craft was equipped with enough oxygen for only three days after losing power.
That deadline passed early Saturday. Read more
Biden says Armenian mass killing was genocide (BBC)
Joe Biden has broken with decades of careful diplomacy to describe the 1915 massacre of Armenians as a genocide.
The killings took place in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire, the forerunner of modern-day Turkey.
But the issue is highly sensitive, with Turkey acknowledging atrocities but rejecting the term “genocide”.
A US official said the move was not meant to place blame on modern-day Turkey. Read more
Recycled SpaceX capsule docks at International Space Station (VOA)
A recycled SpaceX crew capsule has delivered four astronauts from three countries to the International Space Station.
The SpaceX capsule docked with the orbiting outpost early Saturday, according to the US space agency NASA, after launching Friday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Friday’s lift-off was the first time a rocket and crew capsule have been reused in a human mission. It is the third time SpaceX has sent humans to the space station under its multi-billion-dollar contract with NASA.
The deployment of a reusable rocket helps keep down the cost of the space program. Read more
Stunt performers call for Oscars recognition (Metro)
They’ve provided the action behind pretty much every film franchise from James Bond and Indiana Jones to DC and Marvel, but stunt performers have never been celebrated at the Oscars. The annual awards show, which began in 1929, has been hailed as the ultimate celebration of film-making. Everything from directing, cinematography, and visual effects to hair and makeup, costume design, and original score is celebrated annually at the Academy Awards, but the world of stunts has a distinct lack of recognition from most major awards shows. While there have been campaigns from performers, the SAG Awards remains the only major awards show to include a category for stunts – with performers having to create their own way of celebrating the industry. Read more
Man arrested after infecting 22 people with Covid (BBC)
A man has been in Spain arrested on suspicion of assault after allegedly infecting 22 people with Covid.
The 40-year-old is alleged to have continued to go to work and the gym despite having a cough and a temperature of more than 40C (104F).
He is said to have walked around his place of work in Majorca, pulling his mask down, coughing and telling colleagues he was going to infect them.
Five colleagues and three fellow gym goers later tested positive. Read more
Manchester United on alert as Barcelona reduce Ousmane Dembele asking price (Metro)
Manchester United could make a new push to sign Ousmane Dembele after Barcelona reduced the winger’s asking price, according to reports in Spain. Barca signed Dembele for an initial £96.8 million fee from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 but the 23-year-old has struggled to make an impact at Camp Nou, largely due to several injuries. Dembele will have just one year remaining on his contract this summer and the France international is yet to respond to Barca’s offer of a new deal. According to Sport, Barcelona’s hierarchy suspect that Dembele is looking to leave the club on a free transfer next year. Read more
Newcastle fight back to deny Liverpool key win in battle for top 4 (BBC)
Newcastle substitute Joe Willock scored a dramatic but deserved 95th-minute equaliser to deny Liverpool a much-needed win in their pursuit of Champions League football.
Mohamed Salah’s early goal appeared to have put the champions on track for a vital three points as they chase a top-four finish at the end of a disappointing season.
But despite dominating early on, Jurgen Klopp’s side were unable to finish the game off and were given a lifeline they failed to take when Callum Wilson’s last-minute equaliser was ruled out for handball.
Steve Bruce’s much-improved visitors kept up the late pressure and were rewarded when Willock fired in for the third match in a row with the last kick of the game to strengthen their own position at the bottom of the table. Read more
NBA icon Barkley under fire for joking Georgia women look like ‘bulldogs’ (RT)
Former NBA superstar Charles Barkley has landed in some hot water after comments he made on a live television spot this week in which he appeared to disparage the appearances of women from the US state of Georgia.
‘Sir Charles’, as the 11-time All-Star was known throughout his iconic career, made the comments entirely unreflective of his regal nickname while covering the Dallas Mavericks’ 115-110 win against the LA Lakers on Thursday when his co-host on the ‘Inside the NBA’ show, Ernie Johnson, brought the conversation to the performance of Lakers star Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who scored a respectable 29 points in his team’s losing effort.
The discussion turned to the University of Georgia, the school from which Caldwell-Pope took his first steps into the NBA, where Barkley let loose his critical comments. Read more
European Super League clubs have ‘binding contracts’ and ‘cannot leave’, says Perez (BBC)
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says the 12 clubs that agreed to join a new European Super League have “binding contracts” and “cannot leave”.
Nine of the 12 teams, including all six Premier League clubs, withdrew from the proposed tournament on Tuesday after the plan sparked a furious backlash.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have not yet abandoned the project.
“I don’t need to explain what a binding contract is, but effectively the clubs cannot leave,” Perez told newspaper AS. Read more
Man jailed for ‘impersonating UFC star Conor McGregor as front for drug-dealing empire’ (RT)
Conor McGregor has had more than a few high-profile bust-ups with the law in recent years but not in this case, as a 34-year-old English drug dealer was JAILED for dealing Class A drugs while impersonating the notorious Irishman.
Mark Nye was sentenced to two years and nine months in jail after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply drugs, as well as driving while disqualified and without insurance.
Nye was pulled over by police in Surrey on February 11 where he was detained by after officers observed him attempting to dispose of drugs he was transporting – but in a strange twist, Nye gave police the fake name of “Conor” and was in possession of several hundred business cards with the term “McGregor Enterprises” and “Best drops in Surrey” written on them. Read more
Bayern fail to clinch Bundesliga title after shock defeat at Mainz (BBC)
Bayern Munich must wait to be confirmed as Bundesliga champions for the ninth season in a row after they suffered a surprise defeat at Mainz.
The league leaders need just one win from their remaining three games to seal the title.
However, they fell behind early on when Jonathan Burkardt’s 18-yard strike beat Germany keeper Manuel Neuer.Robin Quaison’s header made it 2-0 before fit-again Robert Lewandowski got one back in the 90th minute. Read more
