NIS confirms arrest of Bobrisky at Seme Border attempting to flee from Nigeria (Leadership)
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the arrest of controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, at the Seme border in Lagos State.
The border town, located near Badagry on the Lagos-Cotonou coastal route, is a major crossing point between Nigeria and Benin Republic. Bobrisky was reportedly attempting to leave Nigeria when immigration officials apprehended him.
In a statement released on Monday evening, the NIS announced that Bobrisky was arrested for allegedly attempting to “flee Nigeria” and is currently undergoing interrogation. The agency further revealed that he would be handed over to the “appropriate authorities for further action.” Read more
Lagos Assembly not scrapping LCDAs — Speaker (Punch)
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, clarified on Monday the controversy surrounding the fate of local council development areas in the state.
The PUNCH reported last Thursday that the assembly was planning a bill aimed at replacing the existing 37 LCDAs in the state with Area Administrative Councils.
This was contained in a Bill for a Law to provide for Local Government’s System, Establishment And Administration and to Consolidate All Laws On Local Government Administration And Connected Purposes, which went through a public hearing on Thursday. Read more
Ronke Oshodi Oke expresses joy as Netflix surprises her with gifts (Nation)
Actress Ronke Oshodi Oke has appreciated popular streaming platform, Netflix after receiving a thoughtful surprise from the team.
Netflix sent her a box of chocolates, a fashionable cup, and a heartfelt letter expressing pride in having her on the set of their movie, Anikulapo.
Ronke shared her emotional response on Instagram, thanking Netflix for the recognition and expressing gratitude to the movie director, Kunle Afolayan. Read more
UK, UNMAS train Nigerian Police, Civil Defence (DailyTrust)
The UK Government, in partnership with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), has provided Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) training to 75 members of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers in Maiduguri, north-east Nigeria.
The inaugural training was designed to allow NPF and NSCDC officers to teach EORE techniques to members of at-risk communities so that they can share their knowledge more widely to reduce the harm caused by explosive ordnance.
Speaking at the closing ceremony in Maiduguri, the British High Commission’s Human Security Adviser, John Sanderson said: “This training is critically important. Police and Civil Defence officers will now be able to deploy to prioritised locations to raise awareness of community members about the risks of explosive ordnance. This will help to enhance human security in high-risk locations affected by conflict.” Read more
NBC condemns EFCC’s invasion of Enugu radio station (ThisDay)
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has expressed utter dismay at recent invasion of Urban Radio 94.5 FM, Enugu by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) during a live radio show, titled, “Prime Time”.
The action was condemned in a statement issued yesterday by Director, Public Affairs, NBC, Susan Obi.
The incursion was purportedly to arrest the programme’s presenter, Favour Ekoh. Obi berated EFCC saying its action amounted to a violation of the professional ethics of broadcasting especially on a live broadcast. Read more
I spent ransom on drinking, womanising — Arrested bandit (Punch)
A bandit arrested by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Abdulrahman Adamu, has admitted that he used his share of ransom money from kidnapped victims to drink and womanize.
Adamu is among eight suspects paraded on Monday by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu.
Disu listed the suspects as Abdulrahman Giwa, Baba Hassan, Mohammed Dahiru, Abubakar Bature alias Dayi, Abubakar Kadiri alias Dare, and Kabiru Ibrahim. Read more
Massive demolition looms in Abuja as FCTA issues fresh ultimatum (DailyTrust)
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a three-month ultimatum to owners of uncompleted buildings and undeveloped plots across the Federal Capital City (FCC) to immediately develop their properties or risk losing them.
This move, FCTA explained, was necessitated by what it described as the rapid expansion of shanties and squatters within uncompleted buildings and undeveloped plots across the FCC.
This was contained in a document dated October 21, 2024 and signed by the Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Chief Felix Obuah, and made available to the media on Monday in Abuja. Read more
Dangote Refinery seeks court order to void import licenses of NNPCL, others (Vanguard)
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, praying it to nullify import licenses the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) and six others secured to import refined petroleum products into the country.
The plaintiff, in the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, is querying the propriety of the license that was issued to the defendants to bring refined petroleum products into the country when there is no shortfall in its production.
Other defendants in the suit are the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited as well as Matrix Petroleum Services Limited. Read more
AnnaSophia Robb keen to play more grown-up characters following child stardom (FilmNews)
Former child star AnnaSophia Robb is excited to play more grown-up roles now she’s hit 30.
Robb made her feature film debut at the age of nine in Because of Winn-Dixie and further cemented her status as a child star by playing Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and starring in films like Bridge to Terabithia and Race to Witch Mountain.
While Robb, now 30, is grateful for those successful childhood roles, she would like to be recognised for more grown-up material now. Read more
President Paul Biya returns to Cameroon amid rumours his health is failing (ABC)
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya returned to his home country after weeks abroad amid rumors that his health is failing, a state-run television station reported Monday.
The 91-year-old president of the West African country appeared on television at the airport in the capital Yaounde, shaking hands with officials next to his wife Chantal and greeted by a cheering crowd of supporters.
“Finally, this is not a phantom, it is President Paul Piya having a lengthy discussion with government officials,” a presenter from the state-run broadcaster Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV) said. Read more
Tom Holland lands next lead movie role in Christopher Nolan film (DigitalSpy)
Tom Holland has landed a leading role in the new Christopher Nolan film.
The Spider-Man actor will be starring alongside Matt Damon in the mysterious project, which is yet to be titled ahead of its 2026 release date.
Little is known about this movie yet, though The Hollywood Reporter suggests it will not be set in the present day. Whether the movie takes place in the past or future remains to be seen. Read more
Al Pacino donated Cruising pay to charity after film felt “exploitative” to LGBTQ community (Deadline)
Nearly 45 years ago, Al Pacino knew his controversial 1980 film Cruising wouldn’t age well.
In his new memoir Sonny Boy, the Oscar winner admitted he found the movie “exploitative” to the LGBTQ community upon its release, revealing that he donated his pay from the William Friedkin-helmed film to various charities.
He explained he was interested in “pushing the envelope” but the project “became very controversial during its production” with protesters at set “almost every day,” concerned the film would depict the LGBTQ community in a negative light, according to People. Read more
Former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno dies, age 66 (NME)
Former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno has died aged 66.
The news was confirmed earlier today (October 21) in a statement by Di’Anno’s record label Conquest Music, in which they reflected on his career and asked “his legion of fans to raise a glass in his memory”.
Di’Anno joined the iconic metal band as their vocalist in 1978 after being introduced to them through drummer Doug Sampson, and worked on their seminal early albums ‘Iron Maiden’ and ‘Killers’. Read more
Italian surfer dies in freak accident after swordfish impales her while surfing in Indonesia (Fox)
An Italian woman surfing an island break off the west coast of Sumatra died in a freak accident when a swordfish impaled her, according to reports.
The Antara News Agency in Indonesia reported that 36-year-old Giulia Manfrini was surfing in the waters of Masokut Island in the Mentawai Islands, just off the west coast of Sumatra, when she was stabbed by the bill of a swordfish.
Acting head of the Mentawai Islands’ Disaster Management Agency, Lahmudin Siregar, told the news outlet that his agency was notified about the accident involving an Italian citizen who was surfing. Read more
Central Park 5 members sue Trump for defamation after debate comments (Guardian)
Five men collectively dubbed the Central Park Five sued Donald Trump for defamation Monday after he falsely said during the presidential debate that they had pleaded guilty to a brutal rape 35 years ago, despite the fact that they had their convictions overturned.
Lawyers for the five allege in the lawsuit that the former president acted with “reckless disregard” for the truth and with intent to cause “severe emotional distress” by claiming during the 10 September debate that they had “killed a person” in the notorious incident and admitted their guilt. The five men have always denied the crime and were later exonerated.
Trump’s comments came during a segment of the Philadelphia debate dedicated to race relations, after Kamala Harris recalled that he took out a full-page ad in the New York Times and other newspapers calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty at the height of the public outcry over the case in 1989. Read more
2025 AFCONQ: CAF shouldn’t have allowed Libya host Eagles on home soil –Omeruo (CompleteSports)
Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has faulted Confédération Africaine de Football’s decision to have allowed Libya host Nigeria on home soil in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Recall that the Super Eagles boycotted the game after the Libyan authorities held the players, staff and coaching crew hostage for more than 16 hours after they arrived Al Abraq airport.
Reacting to the dvelopment, Omeruo in an interview on Arise TV stated that it was a dangerous decision for CAF to have given Libya the greenlight to host their games at home. Read more
Eagles squad value soars to €282m (Punch)
After dropping three consecutive times, the Super Eagles have finally seen their squad market value rise in the transfer market, PUNCH Sports reports.
Rated among the world’s most valuable teams with a total value of €465.90m in January, the Eagles’ value dropped to €252m in July, a drop that also affected their global rankings.
However, according to the latest Transfermarkt report, Nigeria’s squad value has risen to €281m.
Van Dijk in talks with Liverpool about new deal (BBC)
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has said he has opened talks with the club about signing a new deal.
The 33-year-old has been at Anfield since January 2018 and his current contract runs out at the end of the season.
“Discussions are ongoing, we will see what happens in the future,” said Netherlands centre-back Van Dijk. Read more
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil contacted by FA over ‘subconscious’ comments after Manchester City loss (IrishIndependent)
Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has been contacted by the Football Association following comments he made on Sunday that suggested Premier League referees “subconsciously” show bias towards bigger clubs.
O’Neil was speaking in the aftermath of his team’s 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City, sealed when John Stones’ goal in the fifth minute of added time was controversially awarded following a pitchside VAR review by referee Chris Kavanagh.
The defender’s header from a corner had initially been ruled out for offside with City’s Bernardo Silva standing in front of goalkeeper Jose Sa. Read more
Aryna Sabalenka overtakes Iga Swiatek to reclaim WTA No. 1 ranking (ESPN)
US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka is officially No. 1 in the WTA rankings again after ending Iga Swiatek’s 11-month reign.
Sabalenka led Swiatek by 41 points in the latest rankings published Monday, overturning a 69-point deficit from the week before, even though neither of the two played last week.
Instead, the Belarusian took back the No. 1 spot following “continuing year-end adjustments for falling short of certain tournament quotas,” the WTA said. Read more
Glasgow Commonwealth Games to feature just 10 events; rugby, hockey and cricket axed (NZHerald)
Hockey, rugby sevens and cricket are among the big-name Commonwealth Games casualties, axed from the scaled-back Glasgow programme in 2026.
The next Games, relocated to Scotland after Victoria’s withdrawal as host, will feature just 10 events, which is nine fewer than the previous edition held in 2022 in Birmingham.
Other sports to be left out include diving, badminton, beach volleyball, mountain biking, rhythmic gymnastics, squash and table tennis. Read more