Police rescue 59 trafficked children (Nation)
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), police command has intercepted a white Peugeot 15-seater bus popularly known as ‘J5’ transporting 59 children suspected to have been trafficked.
The children are between four and 12 years old.
A team of policemen led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sarki Umar was said to have stopped the vehicle with registration number KMC 283 ZJ along the Abuja-Kano route on January 6. Read more
EFCC detains 10 officers over alleged theft (Punch)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has detained 10 officers from its Lagos Zonal Command over allegations of theft of operational items.
The development, according to the agency, is part of an ongoing internal investigation aimed at maintaining transparency and integrity within the agency.
The arrest and detention of the officers were ordered by the EFCC’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, as part of a broader initiative to address corrupt practices and unethical behavior among the commission’s personnel. Read more
Truck loaded with granites loses control, kills roadside traders (Leadership)
A truck loaded with granites, on Wednesday, lost control and rammed into roadside traders, killing an unknown number of victims and injuring many others at Eleyele Junction, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Most of the victims were said to be petty traders at the Eleyele bus stop.
An eyewitness stated that the truck, coming from the opposite direction, initially hit the group of roadside traders before barreling into a motor park, where it rammed into waiting passengers, leaving many injured. Read more
Sanwo-Olu, Lagos Icons to be honoured at Ibile! Pageant grand finale (ThisDay)
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other ‘Lagos Icons’ are set to be honoured at the grand finale of the Queen of Ibile Pageant Awards and Reality Show on Friday, January 10, 2025 at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos.
The award recognises Governor Sanwo-Olu’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the development of Lagos State across critical sectors, including infrastructure, culture, tourism and women’s empowerment. Read more
Court orders interim forfeiture of ₦228.4m traced to ex-Abia Gov Theodore Orji (Channels)
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja has made an order of interim freezing and forfeiture of the sum of over ₦228.4 million linked to former Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, to the Federal Government on allegations of money laundering.
Ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by the Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Fadila Yusuf, Justice Nwite also directed the Commission to make publication of the order on its website and Daily Trust Newspaper.
According to Justice Nwite’s order, interested parties should show cause within 14 days of the publication of the order. Read more
Police arrest Lagos teacher for slapping 3-year-old pupil (Vanguard)
Lagos State Police Command has apprehended a school teacher, Stella Nwadigo, over allegations of physically abusing a three-year-old pupil, Abayomi Michael, at Christ-Mitots School in Ikorodu.
Nwadigo was arrested after a video showing her mistreating the toddler surfaced online, sparking widespread outrage on social media. The footage, which quickly went viral, drew public condemnation and led to calls for immediate action against the teacher.
Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest on Wednesday. “The teacher has been taken into custody and is currently undergoing investigation,” he stated. “Further necessary actions will follow to ensure justice is served.” Read more
11 killed, 31 houses burnt as ethnic crisis breaks out in Jigawa (DailyTrust)
At least 11 people lost their lives and 31 huts were burnt to ashes in Gululu village, Jahun and Miga local government areas of Jigawa State.
Daily Trust reports that the incident, which occurred last Friday, has sparked tension in the community.
Suleiman Abubakar Jahun, a Fulani elder who lost five children, recounted the horrific incident.
“I was at home when people informed me of a fight between Hausa and Fulani communities. Upon arriving at the scene, I witnessed rampant killings, which were senseless and devastating.” Read more
Ajadi mourns popular socialite Adebisi Edionseri, ‘‘Cash Madam’’ (Nation)
A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Amb. Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has mourned renowned socialite and businesswoman, Chief Mrs. Adebisi Edionseri, popularly known as ‘‘Cash Madam’’.
The NNPP chieftain, while commiserating the people of Ogun State on the passing of Chief Edionseri, described her death as a great loss to the state and Nigeria as a whole.
Chief Edionseri, a prominent figure in the social scene for decades, was known for her love for fashion, style, beauty, entrepreneurial exploits and flamboyant lifestyle passed away last Sunday at 89. Read more
1st picture as boy, 14, stabbed to death on bus is named (Express)
Tributes have been paid to a 14-year-old schoolboy who was stabbed to death on a London bus.
Kelyan Bokassa – an aspiring rapper also known as ‘Grippa’ – was stabbed in front of horrified passengers of the 472 bus towards Abbey Wood in Woolwich just before 2.30pm on Tuesday.
Police said the stabbing took place while the bus was on Woolwich Church Road near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road. Emergency services were called to the scene and several police cars and ambulances surrounded the red double-decker bus. Read more
Khloe Kardashian announces new project away from family’s reality show (DigitalSpy)
Khloé Kardashian will soon launch a new podcast titled Khloé in Wonder Land.
The Kardashians reality star announced the news via Instagram by sharing a behind-the-scenes teaser ahead of the podcast’s January 8 launch, captioning the post: “I’m so excited to finally share my podcast, Khloé in Wonder Land, with you!
“The first episode premieres on January 8th with new episodes coming out every Wednesday on X and Thursdays on all other podcast platforms!” Read more
Officials accuse JetBlue passenger of opening emergency door of plane (UPI)
A JetBlue passenger allegedly opened the emergency exit door and deployed the slide of a taxiing airplane before leaving Boston’s Logan International Airport on Tuesday night, bringing the flight to a halt.
The FAA said the passenger on Flight 161 on its way to San Juan, Puerto Rico, is expected to face charges for the suspected incident. Witnesses told authorities that the man and his girlfriend were arguing and he left his seat and opened the emergency door.
“Shortly before takeoff, a passenger who wanted to deplane opened an aircraft door suddenly and without warning,” Massachusetts State Police said, according to CBS News. “Other passengers restrained the individual until troopers arrived on scene to detain them for further questioning.” Read more
At least 6 die in a stampede at a temple in southern India, a report says (ABC)
At least six people died and dozens were injured in a stampede Wednesday among hundreds at the entry of a temple in southern India, the Press Trust of India news agency said.
The stampede occurred as police opened the temple gates, the agency cited temple Chairman B.R. Naidu Naidu as saying.
Devotees had congregated from across India for a 10-day festival at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati town in Andhra Pradesh state. Read more
Jay-Z files motion to dismiss rape lawsuit (MusicNews)
Jay-Z has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed against him by a woman who alleges the rapper, together with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, sexually assaulted her when she was 13, in 2000.
Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, filed the new motion on Wednesday. The request, reported by Variety, claims there are a series of inconsistencies in the woman’s account.
Carter’s attorney Alex Spiro cites the Jane Doe accuser’s interview with NBC News in December, during which she admitted she had made “some mistakes” in her retelling of her story. Read more
Los Angeles wildfires kill 2 and trigger exodus as firefighters battle blazes (NBC)
Out-of-control wildfires forced thousands of people in Los Angeles County to flee their homes and businesses Wednesday in a real life Hollywood disaster that left firefighters and residents manning garden hoses powerless to stop the enormous flames from devouring everything in their path.
The fabled Sunset Boulevard was littered with abandoned vehicles after panicked motorists trapped by the gridlock left them where they were Tuesday and ran for their lives through the choking smoke, while the night sky was painted orange by fire.
By dawn, battalions of bulldozers were brought in to clear a path for the legions of other Los Angeles residents joining the exodus of some 80,000 people from infernos consuming large swaths of the Pasadena, Sylmar and Pacific Palisades areas, each fire fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds and feeding on bone-dry conditions. Read more
Disney’s Tony Chambers exiting as Head of Global Theatrical Distribution, named President of EMEA (THR)
After helping to restore Disney‘s standing at the box office, Tony Chambers is getting a bigger role. He’s exiting his perch as head of global distribution to return to London, where he’ll serve as president of the conglomerate’s operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Chambers’ promotion comes as the Walt Disney Co. restructures how it runs its entertainment businesses in the region to ensure further unification of the company’s global strategy.
Chambers’ replacement will be named in the near future. Read more
Ideye fires Enyimba to victory over Nasarawa United (CompleteSports)
Former Super Eagles forward Brown Ideye scored the winning goal as Enyimba defeated Nasarawa United 2-1 in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) encounter on Wednesday.
The People’s Elephant put an end to their run of seven league games without a win.
Joseph Atule gave Enyimba the lead in first half added time. Read more
Napoli frown at Osimhen’s rejection of Man Utd offer (Leadership)
Napoli are infuriated with Victor Osimhen’s decision to snub a move to Manchester United.
United are reportedly keen on signing the Nigeria international this month following their difficult start to the season.
According to La Repubblica, Osimhen is determined to spend the entire season at Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray. Read more
Marcus Rashford: Man Utd forward’s agent travels to Italy for AC Milan meeting ahead of potential loan (SkySports)
Marcus Rashford’s brother and agent has headed to Italy for exploratory talks with AC Milan executives over a potential half-season loan.
At this stage, both parties are establishing the parameters for a loan deal, financially and otherwise. A large portion of Rashford’s salary would need to be subsidised by Manchester United.
The forward is not with the United squad on Wednesday and will instead train individually as he recovers from the illness that kept him out of the draw at Liverpool on Sunday. Read more
UK Athletics charged with manslaughter over death of Paralympian (BBC)
UK Athletics has been charged with manslaughter over the death of Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei.
Hayayei died aged 36 after a metal cage fell on him while training at Newham Leisure Centre, London in July 2017.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has charged UK Athletics Limited with “corporate manslaughter and a health and safety at work act offence”. Read more
Major update on Premier League star accused of raping 2 women (Mirror)
Metropolitan Police confirmed that evidence file has been sent to prosecutors in relation to a Premier League star, who continues to play for his club, suspected of rape
The Metropolitan Police has submitted a full file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service regarding a Premier League footballer accused of rape.
The high-profile international footballer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been under investigation for multiple allegations of sexual offences. Read more
UK Athletics charged with manslaughter over death of Paralympian (BBC)
UK Athletics has been charged with manslaughter over the death of Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei.
Hayayei died aged 36 after a metal cage fell on him while training at Newham Leisure Centre, London in July 2017.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has charged UK Athletics Limited with “corporate manslaughter and a health and safety at work act offence”. Read more