Obiano lauds Buhari for suspending Nigeria Air (Vanguard)
President Muhammadu Buhari has received kudos from Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State for suspending the planned take off of Nigeria Air, describing the decision as courageous. After an initial hype on the plan to establish the national carrier, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika recently stunned Nigerians with its suspension without disclosing the reason. Read more
Nigerians call for Adebayo Shittu’s resignation (Guardian)
Nigerians have called for the resignation of the country’s Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, after he admitted he did not undergo the one year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The minister confirmed he deliberately skipped NYSC, stating that “The constitution provides for the qualification needed for state assembly members, NYSC is not there. I didn’t need it to become a member of the state assembly, and that is already a service.” Read more
Shettima, Al-Makura win senatorial tickets (Punch)
THE Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has picked the All Progressives Congress ticket for Borno Central. He won the primary conducted on Wednesday, which result was however announced on Thursday morning. He polled 2,735 votes to beat his opponent Alhaji Ali Wurge who scored five votes. Read more
Again, gunmen kill 25 in Plateau (Guardian)
The orgy of killings continued yesterday in Plateau with the murder of 25 people in separate attacks by unknown gunmen at Ariri community in Miango town, Bassa and Barkin Ladi council areas of the state. Nineteen persons were mowed in Bassa while the rest lost their lives in Barkin Ladi. Read more
Hoodlums kill one, injure scores during Lagos APC primary (Punch)
There was pandemonium in the Kosofe, Epe and Lagos Island areas of Lagos State on Thursday as hoodlums loyal to some aspirants of the All Progressives Congress opened gunfire on some residents and party members. PUNCH Metro gathered that while no fewer than seven people, including a former chairmanship aspirant, Ibrahim Mustapha, were injured in Kosofe, one person was killed and about 10 injured in A4 polling unit in Epe. Read more
FRSC returns cash, other items recovered at crash scene to victim (Guardian)
The Plateau Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has returned over N1 million and other items recovered at a crash scene to the affected victim in Jos. Presenting the items to the victim’s relations on Thursday, Mrs. Pat Emeordi, the sector Commander in the state, said the action was part of its tradition as safety agency. Read more
Ondo crash: Residents protest government insensitivity (Punch)
Barely 12 hours after five people were killed in a fatal accident at the Shagari Junction on the Akure-Owo Expressway, Akure, Ondo State, residents of the area have taken to the streets to protest against the attitude of the government to incessant accidents at the junction. A tanker carrying 33,000 litres of diesel had fallen on the road and caught fire on Wednesday. Read more
Nigeria, Pakistan partner on terrorism, military training (Guardian)
The Nigerian Army is to partner with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on training, intelligence, radio communications, logistics support among others. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, dropped the hint while receiving the country’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Maj.-Gen. Wagar Ahmed Kingravi (rtd), yesterday in Abuja. Read more
Brett Kavanaugh: Hundreds arrested in Supreme Court protest (BBC)
Hundreds of protesters against US President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee have been arrested in Washington as the pick inched closer to winning confirmation. Republicans declared that an FBI report had exonerated Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault allegations. Read more
Musk mocks regulator days after settlement (BBC)
Elon Musk has mocked a US financial regulator just days after reaching an agreement with it over fraud charges. The Tesla boss tweeted the “Shortseller Enrichment Commission”, as he dubbed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), was doing “incredible work”. Read more
Oboh, Thompson ready to rumble as Argentina 2018 Youth Olympics begins (Guardian)
The pair arrived in Argentina on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day, with high hopes of contributing to a good month for their country. Oboh said she is aiming to give her best to get the best. The golf event expected to tee off on October 9 at the Hurlingham Club in Buenos Aires with 64 players from 32 countries competing for honours in three events (boys, girls and mixed doubles). Read more
Chelsea scrape past Vidi in Europa League (BBC)
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri says he wants to see Alvaro Morata “cry very often” after his goal saw off Hungarian champions Vidi in the Europa League. Instead of celebrating, Morata, who has struggled for form, appeared downbeat after scoring the decisive goal to maintain the Blues’ 100% start in Group L. Read more
Lewis Hamilton top in Japanese GP first practice (BBC)
Lewis Hamilton set an imposing pace as Mercedes impressed in first practice at the Japanese Grand Prix. The world championship leader was 0.446 seconds quicker than team-mate Valtteri Bottas – and 0.682secs quicker than Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo in third place. Read more
Cristiano Ronaldo rape allegation: Nike expresses deep concern (BBC)
Nike has said it is “deeply concerned” by rape allegations against footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. The US sportswear giant – which has a contract worth a reported $1bn (£768m) with Ronaldo – said it would “continue to closely monitor the situation”, the Associated Press reports. Read more
Ben Affleck thanks family after completing rehab stint (BBC)
US actor Ben Affleck has thanked his family after completing a stay in rehab for alcohol addiction. The Oscar-winner wrote on Instagram that he had spent 40 days at a treatment centre, and was still in outpatient care. Read more
Housewife remanded for killing eight months old stepdaughter (Punch)
A Magistrates’ Court in Minna, Niger State, has ordered the remand of a 20-year-old housewife, Zulai Kabiru, standing trial for allegedly killing her eight-months-old step daughter. The accused is standing trial on a count of culpable homicide, contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code Law, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. Read more
Aggrieved customer, hoodlums beat up teenager over failed deal (Punch)
A teenager, David Olojo, has been hospitalised after he was allegedly beaten by some hoodlums working for one Adetola in the Egbeda area of Lagos. PUNCH Metro learnt that 17-year-old Olojo had gone to deliver some car documents to Adetola on behalf of his in-law, Olawale Ademola, a clearing agent. Read more
Motorist beats woman to a pulp for scratching car (Punch)
A motorist, John Nwakwo, has been arrested by the police for allegedly beating up a woman, Olufunmilayo Oyelade, to a pulp. PUNCH Metro gathered that the duo had been involved in an accident which dented Nwakwo’s vehicle. Nwakwo reportedly assaulted the victim and dragged her into a gutter until she became unconscious. Read more
Trader nabbed over adulterated alcoholic drinks (Punch)
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a trader, Emmanuel Nwodu, for allegedly dealing in adulterated alcoholic drinks in the Iju area of the state. The 38-year-old suspect was reportedly caught with chemicals suspected to be ethanol and other materials used in producing the fake drinks. Read more