Policeman feared dead, scores injured as police, okada riders clash in Ajao Estate (Guardian)
A policeman was yesterday feared killed, while scores were injured, following a clash between commercial motorcyclists, popularly called okada, street urchins (area boys) and operatives of Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce), in the Ajao Estate area of the state.
The Guardian learnt that trouble started when Task Force operatives raided the area to clampdown on okada riders and their motorcycles.
The action led to a protest by okada riders with support of street urchins, who unleashed mayhem in the area, destroying cars and properties worth millions of naira.
The raid was part of the task force’s continued measure to put an end to okada riders’ penchant to disregard traffic rules and regulations in Lagos metropolis. Read more
Fani-Kayode’s estranged wife sues ex-husband, IGP, demands N800m (Punch)
The crisis between Precious Chikwendu, estranged wife of Femi Fani-Kayode, has taken an interesting dimension with a fundamental rights enforcement filed by her at a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The plaintiff in the suit filed against Fani-Kayode, Inspector-General of Police, his officers and men (joined as defendants), wherein she is claiming the sum of N800m as damages.
Other respondents were the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force CID, Commissioner of Police, FCT, CSP James Idachaba (OC Legal CID), FCT Command.
The plaintiff said she was demanding the said amount because of the roles of the respondents in intimidating and harassing her during the pendency of her custody suit. Read more
LASEMA averts another petrol explosion in Lagos (Guardian)
Prompt intervention by Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), on Tuesday, September 21, prevented another petrol explosion at the Abule Ado area of the state.
A quick response to a distress call through LASEMA’s 767/112 toll free lines, averted the ugly incident, following an upturn of a petroleum tanker loaded with 50, 000 litres of petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS).
The Guardian learnt that recovery operation of the 50, 000 litres capacity tanker, which commenced at 4:59p.m. with quick security of the incident site and public enlightenment, LASEMA and its primary stakeholders saved the day.
The upturned petroleum tanker with unknown registration number, which was filled to capacity, fell and spilled its contents a few metres away from two schools (one public and the other private), which were visited by the LASEMA Response Teams for preventive and protective purposes. Read more
Sanwo-Olu, Anyim, Adesina, Kyari win Zik Prize for Leadership (DailyTrust)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim; President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwunmi Adesina and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, have won the Year 2020 Zik Prize in Leadership.
The announcement was made yesterday in Lagos by the Chairman of the selection committee, Prof Pat Utomi, on behalf of the members of the board of Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PRAC).
Sanwo-Olu was honoured with the Year 2020 Zik Prize in Good Governance in recognition of his strong commitment to transforming Lagos into a Mega City.
Anyim and Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, were both honoured with the Zik Prize for Political Leadership; Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule (Good Governance). Read more
Pensioners’ hardship worsens as states owe backlogs of gratuities (Punch)
State governments including Kano, Benue, Osun, Delta, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Rivers and Kwara are currently owing pensioners many of whom are dying without receiving their entitlements.
Labour leaders and officials of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, who spoke to The PUNCH in separate interviews on Thursday, said besides failing to remit the contributory pensions, retirees on the defined benefit scheme were being owed.
But state officials attributed the delay in paying pensions and gratuities to the poor economy of the country and assured that the entitlements would be paid as soon as their cash flow improved.
The defined benefit scheme is the pension scheme that was in effect before the adoption and payment of pensions to new retirees under the CPS as stipulated by the Pension Reform Act. Read more
We have no mandate to zone president, vice president positions – PDP Zoning Committee (Tribune)
The meeting of the Zoning Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for national offices of the party ahead of the October 30-31 National Convention ended in Enugu on Thursday without any decision taken on the contentious issue of zoning of the positions of president and vice president.
The committee, therefore, adjourned the meeting till next week for the conclusion of their work.
Addressing newsmen after the closed-door meeting held at the Government House, Enugu, the Chairman of the Committee and Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, said that “we had a fruitful meeting and we adjourned to conclude next week”.
Earlier in his welcome address, Governor Ugwuanyi clarified that the committee had no mandate to zone political offices such as President or Vice President of Nigeria. Read more
Family kills, buries son for being stubborn in Imo (Guardian)
One, Lambert Osundu, 54 and his daughter, Rachael Osundu, 24 from Umueze 11 in Ehime-Mbano Council Area of Imo State have been arrested for killing their son, Chukwuebuka Osundu, 20 years.
The Guardian learnt the victim was beaten to death by his father and his elder brother, Ndubuisi Osundu, who is currently at large.
They subsequently buried his corpse in a shallow grave beside their house in the night. To cover the crime, the suspects were said to have told the victim’s friends and villagers that the deceased had travelled to Ghana in search of greener pasture,” a reliable source said. Read more
Army vows to deal with female soldier who dehumanised corps member (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Army has vowed to sanction the female officer who assaulted a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) publicly in Calabar, Cross River State capital.
In a viral video, the soldier was seen pouring dirty water on the corps member who was fully kitted.
Agba Jalingo, a citizen journalist, had shared the video, asking social media users to reshare until it gets the attention of the army authorities.
The video generated outrage on social media as many Nigerians shared experiences of brutality by some military personnel.
But in a statement on Thursday night, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relation, said the officer had been identified. Read more
Gabby Petito case: FBI issues arrest warrant for boyfriend Brian Laundrie (BBC)
The FBI has issued a federal arrest warrant for Gabby Petito’s boyfriend for his “use of unauthorized devices” following her death.
The indictment says Brian Laundrie used a debit card and PIN number for accounts that did not belong to him between 30 August and 1 September.
Ms Petito’s body was found on Sunday inside a park the couple had visited.
Mr Laundrie is currently missing. His family say he was last seen on 14 September. Read more
Harry Potter star Tom Felton stretchered off golf course after ‘collapsing’ in medical emergency during celebrity Ryder Cup game (Metro)
Harry Potter actor Tom Felton was seen being stretchered off a golf course following an incident during a celebrity game.
The 34-year-old actor took part in a practice day ahead of the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on Thursday.
Tom, who plays Draco Malfoy in the blockbuster wizarding franchise, was seen sitting on the floor surrounded by colleagues as a medical team rushed to help him up. He was then carried to a stretcher laid out on the back of a cart and driven away.
It’s not clear what caused the medical emergency but reports suggest he collapsed. Read more
Wendy Williams ‘on the mend’ and ‘ready to get back to work’ after health issues (PageSix)
Despite recent images of a frail and lonely-looking Wendy Williams being pushed around Manhattan in a wheelchair, insiders tell Page Six the daytime talk diva is ready to get back to work.
“Wendy is on the mend, and doing well. There was a meeting this week, and [execs] assured staff the show will return on Oct. 4., and Wendy is ready to get back to work,” a source familiar with the production told us.
In the past few weeks, Williams has postponed the premiere date of her show due to ongoing health issues, announced that she tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19 and reportedly checked into a hospital for a mental health check. Read more
Netherlands Covid: Boy wins court battle for right to jab (BBC)
A 12-year-old boy in the Dutch city of Groningen has won a court battle to get vaccinated against Covid-19 so that he can visit his dying grandmother, despite his father’s objections.
A judge ruled the jab would reduce his chances of passing on any infection to the woman, who has advanced cancer.
Vaccines have been approved for Dutch 12-17-year-olds but under-17s need the consent of both parents.
Vaccine scepticism is increasing in the country. Read more
Jason Derulo announces split from girlfriend Jena Frumes months after welcoming baby boy (Metro)
Jason Derulo has shocked his fans after announcing he has split from girlfriend Jena Frumes.
The Savage Love singer shared the surprising news in a short statement on his Twitter account on Thursday.
It read: ‘Jena and I have decided to part ways.
‘She is an amazing mother but we feel being apart at this time will allow us to be the best versions of ourselves and the best parents we could be. Pls respect our privacy in this time.’ Read more
Tennessee Kroger shooting: Gunman kills 1, injures 12 before shooting self as people hid in freezers (NYPost)
Mayhem unfolded in the aisles of a Tennessee supermarket Thursday afternoon, with people hiding in freezers to escape gunfire that killed one and injured 12 others.
The “horrific” shooting occurred inside a Kroger store in Collierville in suburban Memphis around 1:30 p.m. when police received a call of shots fired, according to Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane.
“We found people hiding in freezers, in locked offices. They were doing what they had been trained to do: run, hide, fight,” Chief Lane told reporters at the scene.
Brignetta Dickerson, a 33-year-old Kroger employee, told reporters that she saw one of her coworkers shot in the head and a customer shot in the stomach after the gunfire began in the deli. Read more
Sampdoria vs Napoli: Osimhen double fires Napoli top of Serie A (Punch)
Victor Osimhen scored twice as Napoli crushed Sampdoria, 4-0, on Thursday to remain perfect in Serie A and return to the top of the table.
Visiting Napoli rode their luck in the first 35 minutes in Genoa.
After 11 minutes home goalkeeper Emil Audero was fooled when Osimhen mishit a close range volley and had already fallen back across the goal line by the time the softly-struck ball floated into his grasp.
Sampdoria responded by besieging the Napoli goal, but David Ospina foiled a series of incisive attacks with a string of acrobatic saves. Read more
Frank Lampard opens up on decision to sell former Chelsea star Fikayo Tomori (Metro)
Frank Lampard believes Fikayo Tomori ‘didn’t really understand’ the circumstances behind the way in which his Chelsea career was effectively ended.
The England international starred at Derby while on loan during Lampard’s spell at the Pride Park helm and again featured prominently upon his return to Stamford Bridge after Lampard rejoined his former club.
Tomori, however, quickly fell down the pecking order following the arrival of Thiago Silva and, having hardly featured during the first six months of last season, joined AC Milan on loan before making the deal a permanent one in the summer.
The 23-year-old has impressed since making the switch to Serie A and although Chelsea haven’t missed their academy graduate, Lampard does harbour an element of regret about the way it ended for Tomori in west London. Read more
Ryder Cup: Europe and United States Friday foursomes pairings at Whistling Straits (BBC)
Friday’s opening match of the Ryder Cup is “big for both sides” said Padraig Harrington after Europe’s Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia were paired against Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.
Garcia has amassed 25½ points, the same as the entire US team combined, although Spieth and Thomas won three of their four matches together in 2018.
“Everybody could have predicted the first,” said Europe captain Harrington.
“They’re putting their best out we’re putting our best out, let’s have a go.” Read more
Aribo’s Rangers ease into Scottish League Cup semis (Punch)
Nigeria’s Joe Aribo club Rangers moved into the Scottish League Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 victory against Livingston on Wednesday.
Romania international Ianis Hagi set up Kemar Roofe to break the deadlock early in the second half at Ibrox.
Alfredo Morelos scored his first goal in six matches following a mistake by Livingston goalkeeper Max Stryjek in the 63rd minute.
Rangers ensured they would go at least one stage further than they did in both cup competitions last season as Steven Gerrard aims to win his first knockout tournament as manager of the Scottish champions. Read more
Arsene Wenger ‘ready to take that gamble’ over new international match calendar (BBC)
Arsene Wenger says he is “ready to take that gamble” over his proposals to overhaul football’s match calendar “to make the game better”.
The former Arsenal boss has suggested fewer international breaks and staging the World Cup every two years.
In an exclusive interview with BBC podcast The Sports Desk, Wenger said: “The risk is to make football better, and I’m ready to take that gamble.”
He added the current schedule offered “no clarity, no simplicity, no modern way to organise a season”. Read more
Furious Ronald Koeman blasts referee after he’s sent off in Barcelona’s draw with Cadiz (Metro)
Ronald Koeman took aim at referee Carlos del Cerro Grande and Spanish officiating after he and Frenkie de Jong were sent off during Barcelona’s goalless draw away to Cadiz.
Barca will have been desperate for a strong performance and a result against newly-promoted Cadiz but it was another lacklustre showing from the visitors, who now find themselves languishing down in seventh place in La Liga.
The disappointing result piles yet more pressure on an already under-fire Koeman, with club president Joan Laporta reportedly scouring the market for the Dutchman’s possible replacement. Read more