RRS arrests 5 suspected Awawa Boys cult members in Lagos (Punch)
Five suspected members of Awawa Boys cult gang have been arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos State.
This was during an all-night raid on spots believed to be the hideouts of the cult gang in Mulero, Orile Agege, Abule Egba areas of the state.
The RRS had on Wednesday arrested three suspected members of the cult gang and handed them over to the divisional police units in those areas.
The RRS, in a statement, said, “Using the intelligence gathered as result of civil disturbances unleashed in Mulero and part of Iyana Ipaja on Tuesday night, the Commander RRS, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, working on the directives of new Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, deployed a convoy patrol im all the affected communities before the night raid on the suspected hideouts of the miscreants. Read more
Customs intercepts 17 truckloads of foreign rice, arrests 23 suspects (Sun)
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), yesterday said it intercepted 17 truckloads of foreign parboiled rice smuggled into the country from neighbouring countries along the Papalanto area of Ogun State.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, the Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the unit, Hussein Ejibunu, said 9,697 bags of 50kg rice; 3,173 cartons of Basmati rice at 5kg each and 297 bags (25kg) foreign parboiled tice were intercepted in five weeks.
According to him, the unit intercepted seizures worth N4.6 billion in January 2022 eve as he also said the unit recovered N192 million from under declaration of cargoes by clearing agents at the Apapa and Tin-Can Island seaports.
“The Federal Operations Unit Zone A of Nigeria Customs Service has continued its vigorous anti-smuggling exploits in January 2022 with seizures and Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N4.6 billion and recovered N192 million as revenue within 5 weeks.”
“However, 23 suspected smugglers were arrested. The unit’s anti-smuggling and revenue recovery activities will increase this year due to the support and logistics upgrade it received from the service management,” he added. Read more
MTN allocates 661.3m shares, says 85% of subscribers on app are youths (DailyTrust)
MTN Nigeria has allocated an additional 86.25 million shares following the initial sales of 575 million shares held by the MTN Group in MTN Nigeria.
The additional shares were added to ensure that retail shareholders received full allotment despite an over-subscription of about 139.47%.
As a result, 661.25 million MTN Nigeria shares were allotted, comprising the 575 million Offer shares and the 86.25 million greenshoes.
A further additional 4.28 million shares will be allotted to qualifying retail investors who hold the shares allotted to them for 12 months till January 31, 2023.
This is in line with the innovative incentive structure of one free share for every 20 shares purchased subject to a maximum of 250 free shares per investor. Read more
Lagos to divert traffic Friday for Shonekan’s burial (Punch)
The Lagos State Government says it will be diverting traffic along Inner Marina to Outer Marina by Oando Filling Station from 5.00 a.m. till 6.00 p.m. on Friday due to the burial service of the Late former Head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.
The state Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, made the disclosure in a statement signed on Wednesday in Lagos.
Oladeinde explained that all adjoining and feeder roads leading to inner Marina road to Nitel building would be cordoned off.
He advised motorists to utilise JK Randle street through Force road to connect Broad street and continue their journey as inner Marina road/Odunlami Street from Outer Marina road would be barred from vehicular movement. Read more
Kano withdraws Hanifa’s murder case before Magistrate Court, approaches High Court (Tribune)
Kano State Director, Public Prosecution, Aisha Mahmoud, has informed the Magistrate Court trying three suspects in connection with Hanifa’s death that it would terminate the trial following the successful filing of a fresh case before a Kano High Court.
It will be recalled that the school proprietor, Abdulmalik Tanko; 37-year-old Hashimu Isyaku and 26-year-old Fatima Musa were arraigned over a four-count charge of culpable homicide, conspiracy, kidnapping and concealing/keeping in confinement of five-year-old Hanifa Abubakar.
The Chief Magistrate, Muhammad Jibril, consequently ordered the remand of the suspects in a correctional centre and adjourned its sitting on the matter to February 9, 2022.
But on Thursday, Mahmoud who also doubles as the prosecution counsel said the state is withdrawing the matter before the magistrate because offences committed are not triable by the court. Read more
ISWAP must not be allowed to grow, Zulum warns (Sun)
The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has urged the Federal Government to do all it can to stop the growth of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The governor advised the government to request external help in fighting insurgency, saying there is nothing wrong because big countries including the United States and the United Kingdom ask for external help.
Governor Zulum also took a swipe at the recruitment process into the armed forces and other security agencies, saying unless it is addressed the situation will continue to get worse.
The Borno governor also stressed that while early preparation is key towards the 2023 elections, that should not be done at the expense of losing focus on insecurity.
Governor Zulum said all these at the 28th briefing by the Presidential Communication Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, attributing the successes record against insurgents in the state to free access he has to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The governor who listed various successes recorded by his administration said before now the advent of the All Progressive Congress (APC), the insurgency has triggered the acute humanitarian and post-displacement crisis with a devastating social and economic impact on the population, further deepening fragility and poverty in the Northeast region. Read more
FG uncovers 96 Boko Haram sponsors (Punch)
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit has uncovered 96 financiers of terrorism, including 424 associates/supporters of the financiers.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made this known during a briefing on the anti-corruption fight of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)’s regime on Thursday.
The minister also said the fraud unit unmasked 123 companies and 33 bureaux de change linked with terrorism in the country.
However, Mohammed did not give the names of the sponsors and companies linked with terrorism. Read more
Okorocha reports EFCC to Buhari over ‘harassment’ (Vanguard)
Former governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, yesterday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, to seek his intervention on his alleged “unjust harassment” from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Okorocha, who is the senator representing Imo West senatorial district, has also accused the people he described as cowards of being behind his ordeal.
This is as the proponent of ‘Iberiberism’ has said that the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB is a terrorist organisation, accusing some powerful forces in Imo state to have engineered the branding of the group, a terrorist organization.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting with President Buhari, Senator Okorocha said he also formally apprised the president on his decision to vie for the 2023 presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the 2023 elections. Read more
Many injured as protest breaks out over use of Hijab in Kwara school (Guardian)
A number of persons on Thursday sustained various degrees of injuries as protest over the use of Hijab thickened in Oyun Baptist High School, Ijagbo, in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a man in his early 20s was seen being rushed to a nearby hospital after he was reportedly shot at.
NAN recalls that the use of Hijab had generated controversy in some missionary schools in the state over the past few months.
The State Government had on Jan. 25, restated its policy and directed management of schools in the state to allow the use of Hijab by willing Muslims without forcing it on anyone or turning them back for using it.
Some Muslim parents and their wards were seen on some major streets of Ilorin on Wednesday protesting against the management of Oyun Baptist High School for turning back some students for wearing Hijab. Read more
Bafta nominations 2022: The Power of the Dog, Dune, Benedict Cumberbatch, Lady Gaga and Stephen Graham lead the nods (Metro)
Benedict Cumberbatch and Lady Gaga have led the Bafta nominations 2022 with films including The Power of the Dog and Belfast among those to receive nods.
This year’s nominations were announced during a live-stream on Thursday hosted by AJ Odudu and Tom Allen at BAFTA195 Piccadilly.
Competing for leading actress are Lady Gaga, Emilia Jones, Tessa Thompson and Alana Haim, while Benedict Cumberbatch, Leonardo DiCaprio and Will Smith are among those to receive leading actor nods.
Dune, directed by Denis Villeneuve and based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, has swept the board with a staggering 11 nominations, including original score, casting, cinematography and best film, but none in the performance categories.
The epic blockbuster boasts a star-studded ensemble cast including Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson and Oscar Isaac. Read more
Rihanna blesses fans with pregnancy shot on Instagram (PageSix)
Shining bright like a diamond.
Rihanna is giving fans another look at her pregnant self, posting a shot of her bare belly to Instagram Wednesday.
“how the gang pulled up to black history month,” Rihanna captioned the picture, which preceded several snaps from her pregnancy announcement shoot that was published Monday.
The comments were duly flooded with a range of supportive comments and emoji, with one early poster being “Shahs of Sunset” star Golnesa “GG” Gharachedaghi, who wrote simply, “Beautiful” along with a heart emoji.
Rihanna, 33, and the father of her child, A$AP Rocky, also 33, made their announcement with a stylish photo shoot in Rocky’s hometown of Harlem, for which she bared her bump through the buttons of a vintage Chanel coat worth in the five figures.
Rumors about the state of the “Love on the Brain” singer’s womb date back to November, when she accepted the National Hero award from her native Barbados and fans took note of the fit of her gown. Read more
Jeff Bezos’ superyacht will see historic bridge dismantled (BBC)
Rotterdam has confirmed it will dismantle a historic bridge to allow a superyacht built for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to fit through.
The record-breaking luxury yacht is being built by Dutch firm Oceanco and was linked to Mr Bezos last year.
The vessel is reported to be 417ft (127m) long and too tall to fit through the Koningshaven Bridge.
A spokesman for the mayor confirmed the plan to reporters, with Mr Bezos set to foot the bill through Oceanco.
Reports emerged in Dutch media on Tuesday that the middle section of the Dutch city’s bridge, known locally as De Hef, would be temporarily removed to allow the 130ft (40m) high boat to sail through. Read more
Biden says IS leader killed in US military raid (Guardian)
US special forces carried out a brazen nighttime airborne raid in northwestern Syria during which the head of the Islamic State group was “taken off the battlefield”, US President Joe Biden said on Thursday.
The operation, in which Kurdish forces also took part, was conducted in the Idlib region where his better-known predecessor Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in similar raid in 2019.
“Last night at my direction, US military forces in the northwest Syria successfully undertook a counterterrorism operation to protect the American people and our Allies, and make the world a safer place,” Biden said in a statement.
“Thanks to the skill and bravery of our Armed Forces, we have taken off the battlefield Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi — the leader of ISIS,” he said, using another acronym for IS.
A US official said Qurashi blew himself up during the raid. Read more
Netflix’s new feature gets rid of an annoying problem (Metro)
Tired of being constantly reminded of TV shows and movies you gave up on every time you open Netflix?
A new feature will finally let you edit your ‘Continue Watching’ queue on the home page.
Netflix just added the option for users to delete titles from their ‘Continue Watching’ list.
You can now delete all those half-finished shows and movies from your homepage.
The new feature will be available on computers, TVs, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android devices with the latest version of the Netflix app. Read more
Yellowstone renewed for season 5 (Variety)
Yeehaw! Paramount has greenlit a fifth season of its neo-western, ratings-wrangling hit “Yellowstone.”
The highly-acclaimed SAG and PGA-nominated series from MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios is set to begin production in May 2022 with the ensemble cast, as well as Jen Landon and Kathryn Kelly, who have been upped to series regulars.
Yellowstone, created by Taylor Sheridan and fronted by grizzled rancher gazillionaire Kevin Costner, stars Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Luke Grimes, Kelsey Asbille, Gil Birmingham, Wes Bentley, Brecken Merrill, Jefferson White, Forrie Smith, Denim Richards, Ian Bohen, Finn Little and Ryan Birmingham, all of whom will return for Season 5.
“Yellowstone’s record-breaking performance proves we’ve tapped a cultural nerve and unleashed a passionate audience from the center of the country to each of the coasts,” Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of ViacomCBS Media Networks, said in a statement. Read more
South Africa uncovers $1.8b gold scam –Report (Punch)
South Africa’s tax authority has uncovered a $1.8billion gold scam, in which coins and jewelry were illegally smelted into gold bars for sale overseas, a watchdog said on Thursday.
Between 2012 and 2020, the scammers bilked the government for 24.4 billion rand (1.8 billion dollars, 1.4 billion euros) by defrauding the tax system, the amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism said.
In the scam, companies illegally smelted gold coins, old jewelry, and nuggets from small-scale miners into gold bars for export, amaBhungane said.
Sale of gold within South Africa carries a tax, but gold exports do not. Read more
IOC would back Peng Shuai inquiry if she wants one: Bach (Guardian)
The IOC would support an inquiry into the allegation of sexual assault made by Peng Shuai against a top-ranking Chinese politician — if she calls for one, its president Thomas Bach said Thursday.
Speaking on the eve of the Beijing Winter Olympics opening ceremony, Bach confirmed he would meet the tennis star while he is in the Chinese capital and said he hoped to find out more about her “physical integrity and her mental state”.
Peng, a former Grand Slam champion doubles player, was not heard from for nearly three weeks after alleging that former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli had forced her into sex.
She reappeared in public and conducted a video call in November with International Olympic Committee president Bach.
In December she denied ever making the allegation but it remains unclear how free and safe the three-time Olympian really is. Read more
India boycotts Beijing Olympics over Chinese choice of torchbearer (RT)
Indian diplomats will boycott the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics after a row over a torchbearer who previously fought in a skirmish between the two countries.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the development on Thursday, saying it was “regrettable” that China “has chosen to politicize the Olympics.”
“The Indian envoy will not attend the opening or closing ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics,” stated spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.
The fallout began on Wednesday after a Chinese People’s Liberation Army soldier, Qi Fabao, took part in the traditional torch relay.
Qi was a regiment commander for the PLA, and among the troops who fought in a clash in the Galwan Valley which is part of the Ladakh region disputed by the two nations and Pakistan. Read more
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says Mikel Arteta was his only problem at Arsenal (Metro)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang claims Mikel Arteta was his only problem at Arsenal and insists he ‘never wanted to do anything bad’ during his time at the Gunners.
The striker completed his move to Barcelona in the final hours of the January transfer window after Arsenal agreed to terminate his £350,000 a week contract.
Aubameyang’s transfer came several weeks after Arteta decided to strip the striker of the Arsenal captaincy following a series of disciplinary breaches.
The 32-year-old did not feature for Arsenal after the armband was taken away from him, while he was also excluded from the team’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai this week.
And Aubameyang says he is ‘better’ after deciding to push ahead with his switch to La Liga. Read more
Football club says rapist will not play for them (BBC)
David Goodwillie will not play for Raith Rovers and the club is reviewing his contract after admitting it “got it wrong” by signing him.
The club sparked an outcry on Monday by signing the striker, who was ruled to be a rapist and ordered to pay damages in a civil case in 2017.
Two directors resigned in protest, sponsors withdrew and its women’s teams moved to sever ties with the club.
Chairman John Sim said he had “learned a hard but valuable lesson”.
He said the Scottish Championship club “bitterly regret” signing Goodwillie, adding that the 32-year-old would not be selected to play and that talks would begin with him about his contract. Read more
Cameroon vs Egypt: Things to know about Indomitable Lions, Pharaohs’ historic semi-final clash (Punch)
There are no teams that won Africa Cup of Nations titles than Cameroon and Egypt.
Between them, they lifted the Holy Grail of African Football twelve times, seven for the Pharaohs and five for the Indomitable Lions.
On Thursday, they will be seeking a place in the 2021 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations final when they lock horns in Yaoundé.
The Pharaohs seem to own almost all of AFCON historic records, but there’s one that they are desperate to extend, winning their eighth title.
After a sluggish group stage campaign, Egypt rose to the expectations to oust Cote d’Ivoire and Morocco and reach the semifinals in style. Now they have to face another tough hurdle in the form of their hosts. Read more
Frank Lampard explains decision to bring fellow Chelsea legend Ashley Cole to Everton (Metro)
Frank Lampard says Ashley Cole will bring a ‘wealth of enthusiasm and game-play experience’ to Everton after he added the Chelsea legend to his backroom staff.
Cole, who won three Premier League titles and the Champions League, joins Everton as first-team coach.
The former England defender joins from Chelsea’s academy and further strengthen Lampard’s backroom team of assistant managers Joe Edwards and Duncan Ferguson and first-team coach Paul Clement.
Cole has his first experience of coaching at Derby County after finishing his glittering career with the Rams, before following former Chelsea team-mate Lampard to Stamford Bridge as academy coach in October 2019.
In 2021, the 41-year-old took part in the launch of England Football Learning’s International Player to Coach programme, which works with former and current international stars as they transition into coaching and management.Read more
Boxing icon Klitschko signs up for Ukraine reserve army amid Russia tensions (RT)
Vitali Klitschko has warned Russia against attacking Ukraine amid rising tensions between the two neighbors, with his brother Wladimir enlisting for their homeland’s reserve army and vowing to defend Kiev.
“Before our enemies make an attack against Ukraine they have to see we are strong, they have to see how strong we will be, it will be a very painful price for everyone,” Kiev mayor Vitali said on Wednesday to CNBC.
Revealing that he hoped diplomats both in Ukraine and other countries could “stop this aggression [in a] diplomatic way,” Vitali stressed that Ukrainians will otherwise have to “be prepared for any scenario” and “have to prepare to take weapons in our hands.”
That is something that self-proclaimed “activist” Wladimir is supposedly willing to do after enlisting for his homeland’s reserve army. Read more