*Police rescue 19 kidnapped passengers in Niger (Tribune)*EFCC arrests ex-Delta Gov Okowa for alleged fraud (Channels)

Police rescue 19 kidnapped passengers in Niger (Tribune)

Niger State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer SP Wasiu Abiodun, announced that 19 passengers who were abducted on November 2 along the Tegina-Zungeru road have been rescued.

When their bus was attacked, the passengers were in transit from Sokoto to Bayelsa. Following immediate response from a joint security team, 12 victims were initially freed, and the remaining seven were rescued unhurt later that evening.

The victims received medical attention and returned to Sokoto on November 3. Read more

EFCC arrests ex-Delta Gov Okowa for alleged fraud (Channels)

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, for alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

An EFCC source confirmed the former governor’s arrest to Channels Television on Monday.

Okowa was arrested on Monday, November 4, 2024, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when he reported at the Port Harcourt Directorate of the EFCC on the invitation of investigators handling his matter. Read more

Teacher arraigned for alleged sexual assault of 6-year-old (Punch)

The Lagos State Police Command on Monday arraigned a 25-year-old teacher, Omobolanle Micheal Olaniyi, at the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, presided over by Justice Ramon Oshodi, for alleged sexual assault of a six-year-old pupil.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the suspect who was arrested July 24, 2023, was being charged with indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault by penetration.

According to the prosecuting counsel, B. E. Okeowo, the offences contravene Sections 135 and 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Read more

Lagos Assembly lauds Epe LG chair for developmental projects (Tribune)

The Lagos State House of Assembly has commended the chairman of Epe Local Government Area of the state, Princess Surah Animashaun for equitable distribution of developmental projects across the eight wards of the council in the last two-and-half years of her administration.

The Chairman, House Committee on Local Government Administration, Chieftain Affairs and Rural Development, Honourable Sanni Ganiu Babatunde Okanlawon made the commendation during the oversight function on activities of the local government areas in the state.

Okanlawon, representing Kosofe Constituency I, noted that the council chairman has done well in the area of sports, tourism, arts and culture, noting that the infrastructural facilities were not left out in her area of developmental strides. Read more 

Tinubu directs release of minors arraigned for hunger protests (Channels)

Following the outrage that trailed the arrest and arraignment of minors over the #EndBadGovernance protests held in several parts of the country in August, President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of all the detainees.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to State House correspondents on Monday after the President swore in seven newly appointed ministers cleared by the Senate.

The minister said the President ordered the immediate release of the minors without prejudice to whatever legal processes that are ongoing. Read more 

Tinubu nominates new REC, National Commissioner for INEC (Vanguard)

President Bola Tinubu has nominated a lawyer, Saseyi Feyijimi Ibiyemi, as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), representing Ondo State.

The nomination was made public on Monday night via a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The statement said, “If cleared by the Senate, Ibiyemi will replace another lawyer, ‘Niyi Ijalaye, who died in August while serving as the resident electoral commissioner in Ogun State.” Read more 

House of Reps goes on 2-week recess (DailyTrust)

The House of Representatives has commenced a two-week recess and will resume plenary November 19.

This was disclosed by the House’s Spokesperson, Akin Rotimi Jr, in a statement on Monday.

According to him, the recess is designed to allow members undertake critical oversight of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of Government and to ensure proper accountability on behalf of the Nigerian people. Read more

APC to Atiku: Tinubu rebuilding economy you helped to destroy (Nation)

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted the 2023 presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar’s condemnation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s  policies, dismissing the criticism as hypocrisy taken too far.

The governing party also said Atiku’s policy prescription was a disappointing rehash of more of the same old disastrous policy approaches that brought our country to its knees..

Atiku on Sunday condemned every policy initiative of President Tinubu in a statement of what he would have done differently to solve the country’s challenges and transform Nigeria, had he been elected President. Read more

TikTok star Bella Bradford, 24, announces her own death in pre-recorded video (Independent)

TikTok star Bella Bradford has announced her death in a pre-recorded video posted after her passing.

The 24-year-old’s final “Get Ready with Me” video was posted on her TikTok account on October 31, following her battle with a rare form of cancer. The post came days after her passing, with the caption indicating that she died on October 15.

“I have terminal cancer and unfortunately, by now, my life has come to an end, and I’ve passed away,” she said at the beginning of the 11-minute clip. “But I wanted to do one final ‘Get Ready with Me’ because I love doing these, and I love fashion. Thank you for following me on this fun journey. I hope you will look back on all my videos and find a little bit of joy in your day if you ever need to feel it.” Read more

Algerian-French writer Kamel Daoud wins top French literary prize (AfricaNews)

Algerian-French novelist Kamel Daoud was awarded the Goncourt prize, a prestigious literary distinction among French-speaking authors.

He emerged Monday (Nov. 04) at the window of the French Drouant restaurant where the Goncourt jury’s gathered to deliberate.

The panel picked Daoud’s novel ‘Houris’ which competed against 3 other books. Read more

Killer who dismembered landlady and sent Moonpig Christmas cards to cover tracks jailed (Independent)

A cold and calculated killer who dismembered his landlady and stashed her body in a storage unit before sending Christmas cards to cover his tracks has been jailed for at least 19 years.

Scott Paterson, 45, had lived as a tenant with “trusting and generous” Annette Smith for several years but then began caring for her while she was recovering from a stroke.

He admitted suffocating the 74-year-old with a pillow in the home they shared in the village of Fairfield in Bedfordshire in November last year, saying the demands of her care caused him to snap. Read more

Drake gets DeMar DeRozan response after trash talking and mean mugging NBA star (HipHopDX)

Drake has received a response from DeMar DeRozan after taunting the NBA star during a game between the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings.

DeRozan, who played for many years in Toronto and currently suits up for the Kings, made his first appearance in Canada this past weekend since he appeared in Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” video and graced the stage at the Compton rapper’s Pop Out concert.

During the game, Drake could be seen staring down DeRozan from his courtside seat and made a number of derogatory comments about the 6-foot-6 basketball player, who himself hails from Compton. Read more

Sean “Diddy” Combs heard in call from prison as children wish him a happy birthday (THR)

As Sean “Diddy” Combs remains incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn awaiting his trial, his kids shared a video in which he can be overheard on the phone as they wish him a happy birthday.

In the video shared by his son Justin Dior Combs on Monday, Diddy could be heard on the phone talking with his kids, which marked one of the first times the public has heard the elder Combs’ voice since his arrest. Read more

Olly Murs to headline summer harbourside concert (BBC)

Olly Murs has been announced as one of the first three headliners for an open-air concert series next summer.

Bristol Sounds, which returns to the harbourside from 25 to 29 June, 2025, will also feature Supergrass and Kaiser Chiefs.

Tickets for the series of outdoor events go on general sale from 8 November, with pre-sale access available from 6 November.

Celebrated as one of Bristol’s leading music events, Bristol Sounds delivers an eclectic mix of acts, drawing music lovers from across the country. Read more 

Record 600 police officers sacked for misconduct in England and Wales (AlJazeera)

A record number of police officers have been sacked in England and Wales amid efforts to restore public faith in policing following a series of scandals.

A record 593 police officers were fired and banned from returning to the job in the year to March 31, figures released by the College of Policing showed on Tuesday.

The figures, which cover 43 police forces in England and Wales, marked a more than 50 percent rise from the previous year. Read more 

Osimhen only African player in top 50 marketable athletes (Punch)

Victor Osimhen is the only African player to make Sports Pro’s Top 50 Most Marketable Athletes list for 2024, being ranked 44th ahead of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.

The US website used three metrics — brand strength, total addressable market, and economics—to determine the rankings, with Osimhen scoring higher than the Norwegian striker, who sits in 45th position.

The Nigerian international recorded 24.18 in brand strength, 26.94 in total addressable market, and 13.03 in economics for an aggregate marketability score of 64.15, while Haaland managed 22.8, 17.73, and 23.49, respectively, for a total of 64.02. Read more 

Nimrod appointed president of CAVB Beach Volleyball Commission (Leadership)

The Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) has appointed Engineer Musa Nimrod as the president of the CAVB Beach Volleyball Commission.

This significant appointment, made in Casablanca, Morocco, marks a pivotal moment for both Nimrod and the future development of beach volleyball across Africa.

Nimrod’s appointment, announced in Casablanca, Morocco, represents a significant milestone not only for Nigeria where he is the president of volleyball federation but also for the future development of beach volleyball across Africa. Read more

Fulham strike twice in stoppage time to beat Brentford (JapanToday)

Harry Wilson struck twice in stoppage time to give Fulham a dramatic 2-1 victory over west London rivals Brentford on Monday.

Vitaly Janelt had blasted the Bees in front against the run of play midway through the first half.

Fulham were frustrated until added time when substitute Wilson flicked home the equaliser and then headed in a winner at the death. Read more 

Inter and Milan’s decision on new San Siro will come in next days, city Mayor claims (FootballItalia)

Inter and Milan are taking their time to consider all the possible options regarding their future stadium, but Milan Mayor Beppe Sala claims that clubs are expected to decide in the next few days on whether to build a new arena in the San Siro neighbourhood.

The Italian Tax Office recently told the two clubs that the area around the existing Stadio San Siro is valued at around €200m.

This is the fee they would be required to pay to purchase the territory where their current home is located, a necessary step in order to build a new stadium next to it, which is a scenario that Inter and Milan are ‘taking into account’, as Rossoneri president Paolo Scaroni admitted after a meeting that he described as ‘positive’. Read more

Aryna Sabalenka beats Jasmine Paolini to reach last four of WTA Finals (ESPN)

Aryna Sabalenka reached the semifinals of the WTA Finals with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Jasmine Paolini on Monday for a second straight victory in the group stage.

The top-ranked Sabalenka cruised in the first set after building a 4-0 lead, then saved two set points in the second to advance at the year-ending tournament for the top eight ranked players.

Sabalenka will face already eliminated Elena Rybakina on Wednesday in the final group match of the week. Read more 

Doncic leads Mavericks to dominant win over Magic (BBC)

Luka Doncic delivered 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in a “real fun” performance as the Dallas Mavericks cruised to a 108-85 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday.

Doncic scored 14 points in the first quarter to help the Mavericks to a 30-22 lead and they were 65-40 ahead at the break.The 25-year-old Slovenian scored 25 first-half points, including five three-pointers. Read more

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