Police arrest 17 for cultism, gang violence in Lagos (Nation)
The police in Lagos at the weekend arrested 17 persons for alleged cultism and gang related violence at Ikorodu and Ijora Badia areas of the state.
The suspects from Ikorodu were apprehended early on Sunday while those picked up at Ijora Badia were nabbed Friday afternoon during a cult war.
It was gathered that members of the Aiye and Eiye cult groups had engaged themselves in supremacy tussle at Iso Isu, Ajegunle, freely brandishing cutlasses and axes.
The fight which lasted several hours, left many of the participants with various degrees of injuries. Read more
Remo player’s death: Police order officer’s arrest (Guardian)
Ogun State police commissioner has ordered the arrest of the officer involved in the arrest that led to the death of Remo Stars Sports Club player Tiyamiyu Kazeem.
Police spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement, said the officer was unprofessional for leaving an arrested person in a vehicle.
The police spokesman, however, said claims that Kazeem was killed by the police were untrue. Read more
Boko Haram bill an insult to Nigerians – Plateau Senator (Punch)
Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Istifanus Gyang has condemned the bill seeking to create an agency for repentant Boko Haram terrorists, describing it as an insult to Nigerians.
The bill for the creation of National Agency for Education, Rehabilitation, De-radicalisation and Integration of repentant insurgents in Nigeria which was sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, a former Governor of Yobe State representing Yobe East Senatorial passed first reading in the Senate last week
Senator Gyang who dissociated himself from the bill, in a statement in Jos on Sunday said the Bill is not only uncalled for but assaults the sensibility of Nigerians in view of the fact that most of the victims and communities affected by insurgency, banditry and violent attacks are still languishing from neglect and lack of the much-needed government attention and intervention despite repeated calls. Read more
One dead, property burnt as Unijos battles host community (Guardian)
At least one person, identified as Mr. Jagahp, has been confirmed dead, and several cars and houses, including a church building, burnt in a violence that erupted between the University of Jos and the host community of Naraguta over boundary disputes.
Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Gabriel Uba Ogaba confirmed the incident and the death of one person, saying that the Police have deployed personnel to the scene, and calm had returned.
He declined comment on the cause of the violence, saying “I can’t confirm the cause now, but investigations are on to unravel it.” He was also not sure of the identity of the man that was killed in the violence. Read more
Counterfeit bank notes: Court jails woman, three others for 160 years (Nation)
A Federal High Court in Yola, Adamawa State, has sentenced four persons including a woman to 160 years imprisonment on a multiple-count charge of conspiracy and possession of counterfeit bank notes.
Justice Abdulazeez Anka handed down the sentences to the convicts in the case brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
He ruled that they will spend 10 years in prison on each of the four counts preferred against them.
A statement by the Spokesperson for ICPC, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa (mni), said the convicts were caught at a checkpoint with counterfeit worth N5, 504, 000. Read more
One year on, Algeria’s protest movement is soul-searching (BBC)
Around a year ago, on 22 February 2019, Algerians thronged the streets to protest against then-President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s bid for a fifth term after nearly 20 years in power.
Mr Bouteflika stood down in April. But Algerians kept on protesting. By this time, the protests had a name – the Hirak (movement).
Ten months into the protests, an election ushered in Abdelmadjid Tebboune as president. But the demonstrations continued. Read more
Israel quarantines pupils over coronavirus fears (Punch)
Doctors treating a Coronavirus patient Source: newsdesk
Israel ordered nearly 200 pupils into home quarantine Sunday after they were in proximity to South Korean tourists carrying the coronavirus, as the premier announced a task force to manage the threat.
“Today, I will appoint a ministerial team to convene on a daily basis in order to deal with this major challenge,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after a special meeting on the COVID-19 virus.
The meeting included senior security officials. Read more
Third passenger dies onboard coronavirus cruise ship (Metro)
Some of the British nationals onboard the coronavirus-hit cruise ship have begun returning to the UK (Picture: Splash News) A third passenger onboard a quarantined cruise ship near Tokyo has died from the coronavirus. According to Japan’s health ministry, the cause of death was pneumonia. Two other passengers, a man and a woman in their 80s, died last Thursday. There have been more than 600 cases of coronavirus that have been confirmed on board the Diamond Princess Cruise ship. It comes as dozens of British evacuees from the ship were flown back to the UK, spending their first night quarantined at Arrowe Park hospital on the Wirral. Read more
Coronavirus: South Korea declares highest alert as infections surge (BBC)
South Korea has raised its coronavirus alert to the “highest level” as confirmed case numbers keep rising.
President Moon Jae-in said the country faced “a grave turning point”, and the next few days would be crucial in the battle to contain the outbreak.
Six people have died from the virus in South Korea and more than 600 have been infected.
Meanwhile, Italy and Iran have announced steps to try to contain worrying outbreaks of the virus.
In Italy, strict quarantine restrictions are in force in two northern “hotspot” regions close to Milan and Venice. Read more
Surfer fights off great white shark by punching and telling it to ‘f*** off’ (Metro)
A surfer has told how he fought off a great white shark by punching it in the eye. Nick Minogue, 60, told the predator to ‘f*** off’ as he went to hit it in the nose yesterday. He was paddling at Pauanui Beach in New Zealand’s Coromandel region when he was bitten by the animal. As he wrestled his arm free, he remembered advice to punch a shark in the face. Read more
‘Mad’ Mike Hughes dies after crash-landing homemade rocket (BBC)
A US daredevil pilot has been killed during an attempted launch of a homemade rocket in the Californian desert.
“Mad” Mike Hughes, 64, crash-landed his steam-powered rocket shortly after take-off near Barstow on Saturday.
A video on social media shows a rocket being fired into the sky before plummeting to the ground nearby.
Hughes was well-known for his belief that the Earth was flat. He hoped to prove his theory by going to space. Read more
Djokovic laments Federer’s absence in Dubai (Punch)
Novak Djokovic admitted on Sunday he will miss injured rival Roger Federer as he prepares to begin his charge for the Dubai Championships.
Swiss defending champion Federer was forced to withdraw after this week undergoing right knee surgery which will reportedly keep the 20-time Grand Slam winner away until the summer grass season.
“It was a surprise, to be honest,” Djokovic said prior to his Monday start against Tunisian wildcard Malek Jaziri. Read more
Eden Hazard: Real Madrid forward fractures ankle again (BBC)
Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard will miss Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester City after fracturing his ankle.
Hazard, 29, hobbled off in the second half of Real’s La Liga 1-0 loss to Levante on Saturday.
The Belgian only returned to action last week after missing almost three months with a similar injury. Read more
Anthony Joshua sends message to ‘gladiators’ Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder after heavyweight clash (Metro)
Anthony Joshua has described Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder as ‘gladiators’ after the pair’s much-anticipated rematch in Las Vegas produced fireworks. Fury produced a masterclass to batter Wilder to a seventh-round stoppage on Saturday night and become world heavyweight champion for the second time in his career. The Brit, 31, outclassed the previously undefeated Wilder, knocking the American down twice before the towel came in during another onslaught in the seventh round. Fury spent almost three years out of the ring, battling mental health issues, drug problems and weight gain following his first world title win in 2015. Read more
Froome returns as Ackermann takes UAE first stage (Vanguard)
Chris Froome returned to competitive cycling for the first time in eight months as German Pascal Ackermann sprinted to an opening-stage victory on the UAE Tour on Sunday.
It was seven-time Grand Tour winner Froome’s first competitive stage since suffering numerous injuries in a high-speed crash into a wall while training at the Criterium du Dauphine last June.
He finished safely in the pack after the 148km ride around Dubai.
“It feels good to be a bike racer again,” the Briton told Team Ineos. Read more
Laporte will be fit to face Real Madrid, says Guardiola (Punch)
Pep Guardiola is confident Aymeric Laporte is ready to play 90 minutes against Real Madrid on Wednesday even though the defender asked to be substituted during Saturday’s 1-0 win at Leicester.
Laporte was replaced by Nicolas Otamendi after 57 minutes of Saturday’s match, his third appearance since his return from a long lay-off with a knee injury.
Guardiola said there was no fresh injury problem for the Frenchman but the pace of Leicester’s attack was a tough test for a player still rediscovering his rhythm. Read more
Serie A: Lazio edge Genoa to go second on the table (Nation)
Serie A leading scorer Ciro Immobile grabbed his 27th league goal of the season as irrepressible Lazio won 3-2 at Genoa on Sunday to stay on the tail of leaders Juventus.
Lazio, on 59 points from 25 games, stayed one point behind the Turin side as they equalled their points tally for the whole of last season, when they finished eighth, and extended their unbeaten run to 20 league games, including 16 wins.
Third-placed Inter Milan’s match at home to Sampdoria was one of four games postponed on Sunday because of the outbreak of the coronavirus in the regions of Lombardy and Veneto. Read more
Jota run continues as Wolves beat Norwich (BBC)
Diogo Jota has scored 10 goals in his past 12 appearances in all competitions – he has only scored in four of those games, netting more than once on each occasion
Diogo Jota made it five goals in two games as Wolves reignited their chase for a Champions League spot with victory against basement side Norwich.
The Portuguese forward was at his lethal best in recording a hat-trick in the 4-0 Europa League victory over Espanyol on Thursday and he took just 19 minutes to add to his tally for the season.
Initially it seemed Matt Doherty’s assist would be ruled out for handball but replays showed that the ball bounced against his stomach. When the chance was presented to Jota he turned in one movement and struck a low shot through the legs of Tim Krul. Read more
Jay Deas reveals extent of Deontay Wilder’s injuries after Tyson Fury defeat (Metro)
Deontay Wilder required stitches in his ear after receiving a cut that ‘affected his equilibrium’ as he lost his WBC world heavyweight title to Tyson Fury in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The Gypsy King gave a destructive and dominant display at the MGM Grand, twice knocking Wilder to the floor before his corner finally threw in the towel in the seventh round. Wilder was disappointed that the fight was stopped, though he was taken straight to hospital to have his injuries tended to. Tyson Fury’s post-fight press conference after defeating Deontay Wilder Play Video Loaded: 0%Progress: 0% PlayMute Current Time0:00 / Duration Time13:25 Fullscreen. Read more
‘Maverick Fury one fight from immortality’ (BBC)
Tyson Fury outclassed Deontay Wilder, became a world champion again, broke into a rendition of American Pie and had 16,000 people in the MGM Arena in the palm of his hand.
It is feeling increasingly familiar. The world seems to dance to his tune these days.
Since his return to boxing from a litany of personal issues, each venture, decision and fight he touches turns to gold.
He risked a great deal when first challenging Wilder in 2018, and ended up on the canvas. It looked a significant setback until he rose – just – and drew. An eye-watering financial deal with US broadcaster ESPN followed. Read more
Abiodun to investigate killing of Remo stars player (Nation)
Governor Dapo Abiodun, has advised residents of Ogun State to remain calm and not resort to self – help in respect of the late Remo Stars Football Club Defender, Kazeem Tiamiyu, and similar cases, pledging to investigate the reported shootings by security agents in Abeokuta and Sagamu areas of the State.
He described the killing of the soccer star, Kazeem (aka Kaka) as unfortunate and urged players, management and supporters of Remo Stars Football Club, to remain calm, adding that the killers would be unravelled and brought to justice.
While expressing shock at the details of the tragic ordeals, the Governor assured that a proper, transparent and independent investigation would be immediately launched into the two incidents in order to know what transpired with a view to bringing persons responsible to justice. Read more