Sanwo-Olu pledges support for Operation Crocodile Smile IV (Punch)
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pledged his support for the Operation Crocodile Smile IV of the Nigerian Army, saying it was a right move to ensure peace and security in the South-West and the South-South regions.
Sanwo-Olu, who spoke during the inauguration of the Nigerian Army 81 Division’s Operation Crocodile Smile IV for Lagos and Ogun states held at Takwa Bay, Lagos, said his administration would help the army to intensify security duties in the state.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, for his foresight which brought about the exercise. Read more
Apapa-Oshodi expressway of refuse (Guardian)
With the return of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) after Visionscape failed to provide the needed clean up of Lagos streets and roads of refuse and dirt, the thinking that the city would experience cleanliness again might be a mirage.
This is because almost two years after the recall of LAWMA, heap of refuse still dot many parts of the city for days with nobody clearing them.
For instance, on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, virtually every bus stop has a heap of waste, with signs that those tasked with duty of clearing the refuse had not been around to clear it in the last one week. Read more
Lagos car snatcher suspects nabbed in Anambra (Nation)
Police in Anambra has confirmed the arrest of two persons in connection with alleged stolen of a Lexus 330 Jeep from the owner in Ajangbadi, Lagos State.
The Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
He said, “At about 4:pm, following intelligence report, Police detectives attached to Awada Division recovered a Lexus 330 Jeep, Reg No AKL 189 NH which was allegedly snatched at gun point from one Anselm Enwereji ‘m’ sometime in Dec, 2018 at Ajangbadi, Lagos State. Read more
21-Year-Old Girl Found Emaciated In Ajah Finally Speaks (Guardian)
About a month ago, the social media space went agog with photos and videos of a young girl identified as Ineka who was found naked and emaciated in Ajah, Lagos State.
A narrative that she is a ‘runs girl’ and was used for money ritual purpose by internet fraudsters (yahoo boys) quickly spread like wildfire with some thoughtless Nigerians even going ahead to stone and make mockery of her.
But for the timely intervention of some Nigerians, it is feared that the crowd around her might have even lynched her due to their perceived thoughts of what led to her deplorable state. Read more
Seven men of Nigerian origin arrested for romance scam in US (Guardian)
Seven men of Nigerian origin have been named and charged with conspiring to launder illegal proceeds from romance scam operations targeting multiple victims.
Although ten people were charged for the scam, only seven names, all of Nigerian origin, were listed by the Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S.
A few of the indicted persons are also citizens of the United States. Others are legal permanent residents. Read more
NCC working on cheaper data services, says Danbatta (Punch)
The Nigerian Communications Commission says it has begun moves to avail Nigerians with massive data Internet connection across the country at cheaper rates.
The commission noted that it had licensed and supported infrastructure development companies in deploying fibre optic cables across the country to enable data-based start-ups in harnessing and achieving their objectives.
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, stated these in Port Harcourt on Tuesday during an ICT innovation forum, themed ‘Developing Nigeria’s tech eco-system, imperative for improving local content.’ Read more
Man gets life imprisonment for trafficking in Indian hemp (Nation)
Justice Joyce Abdulmaleek of the Federal High Court, Ibadan on Wednesday sentenced a drug kingpin, Tajudeen Tela to life imprisonment for trafficking 37 kg of Indian Hemp.
In her judgment, Abdulmaleek said that Tela was convicted and sentenced based on the evidence before her and the fact that he pleaded guilty to the crime.
“In view of the overwhelming evidence against Tela, I cannot but apply the full weight of the law on him. Read more
Kogi West: Melaye storms INEC office with 21 video clips, demands cancellation (Punch)
A former chairman, Senate Committee of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Dino Melaye, on Wednesday protested at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja where he demanded cancellation of the Kogi West Senatorial election.
The flamboyant Senator was received by INEC Secretary, Rose Orianran-Anthony and National Commissioner/Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye.
Melaye who came with 21 video clips containing details of violence and indiscriminate shootings by alleged agents of Kogi State government told journalists that his determination to retrieve the stolen mandate “is a battle of no retreat, no surrender.” Read more
Man poses as pilot to dodge airport queues (Punch)
Police on Wednesday said a man who posed as a Lufthansa pilot so that he could enjoy quick boarding and upgrades has been arrested in New Delhi.
Deputy Commissioner of police, Sanjay Bhatia, said Rajan Mahbubani, 48, was wearing a Lufthansa airlines pilot’s uniform and was carrying a fake ID card when he was detained at the airport in the Indian capital.
Mahbubani was detained at the departure gate of a flight to Kolkata after the chief security officer of Lufthansa at IGI Airport reported a suspicious movement of a passenger in the uniform of Lufthansa airlines. Read more
Babcock Lady: A Victim Of Revenge Porn Or Decadence? (Guardian)
Nigerian law has been reworked and updated; however, some parts meant to curtail some sexual offences have been left untouched.
Under Section 233 D (1) of the Criminal Code Act,” any person who, whether for gain or not, distributes or projects any article deemed to be obscene for the purposes of this Chapter, commits an offence punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding four hundred naira or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or by both.”
Revenge porn also known as non-consensual pornography, is the distribution of one or more sexually explicit photos of someone else, without the subject’s permission. Women usually make up the overwhelming majority of the victims of this crime. Read more
Number of Nigerian students in US rises to 13,423 – Report (Punch)
The number of students from Nigeria currently studying in the United States increased to 13,423 in the 2018/2019 academic session, a new report has said.
The number of international students in the US set an all‐time high in the 2018/19 academic year, the fourth consecutive year with more than one million international students, according to a statement on the website of the US Embassy & Consulate in Nigeria.
The total number of international students, 1,095,299, is a 0.05 percent increase over last year, according to the 2019 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. Read more
Mysterious £2,000 cash bundles left on the streets of UK village (CNN)
Residents of a small village in northern England have been left mystified by the regular appearance of bundles of bank notes on its streets.
Left in plain sight around Blackhall Colliery, bundles of £20 notes usually totaling £2,000 ($2,581) have been found 12 times since 2014.
The latest discovery was made on Monday and police have praised residents who have been handing the money in. Read more
Two US service members killed in Afghan helicopter crash (Punch)
Two American service members have been killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, US forces there said Wednesday, adding that the crash appeared to be an accident, though the Taliban claimed they had shot it down.
A statement from US Forces Afghanistan said the crash on Wednesday was being investigated, “however preliminary reports do not indicate it was caused by enemy fire”.
It did not reveal the crash location and said it was withholding the names of those killed until next of kin could be told. Read more
Rohr’s contract extension lies with NFF —Sunday Dare (Punch)
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare says the issue of a contract extension for Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr lies with the Nigeria Football Federation.
The minister gave the clarification on Wednesday in Abuja at a brief meeting with Rohr before dashing for the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting at the presidential villa.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the media have been awash with news of a log jam on the extension of the coach’s contract. Read more
Tokyo 2020: Ex-Olympian Pledges Assistance to Athletes (ThisDay)
Preparation by Team Nigeria ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has received a boost with a former Olympian, Isaac Uche, offering to assist the athletes through the 1st Uche Isaac Sprint/Relay Athletics Championship scheduled for next year in Lagos.
The maiden championship, which would hold on April 11, 2020 at the Yaba College of Technology Mini-Stadium, would see athletes compete in the 100m, 200m, 400m, relays and other activities.
According to the sponsor, Uche Isaac, the competition will help to prepare Team Nigeria athletics contingent for both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic games. Read more
Jose Mourinho’s in-tray: Five key issues at Spurs (Guardian)
Jose Mourinho is back in the Premier League, replacing Mauricio Pochettino as manager of Tottenham.
The Portuguese former Chelsea and Manchester United boss inherits a side packed with quality players but currently 14th in the Premier League table.
AFP looks at five of the most pressing issues in his in-tray. Read more
Brazil End Winless Streak with Korea Victory (ThisDay)
Brazil ended their five-game winless run with a comfortable victory over South Korea in Abu Dhabi.
Tite’s side, who lost to Argentina on Friday, had not recorded a win since lifting the Copa America in July.
But Lucas Paqueta’s early header and Philippe Coutinho’s superb free-kick put the five-time World Cup winners in charge at the break.
Juventus full-back Danilo rounded off the scoring with a powerful drive from the edge of the penalty area.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and his club colleague Fabinho both appeared for the Selecao, with Everton’s Richarlison and Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus also starting. Read more
Ugbade, Agali, Udeze to grace Zenith Bank Delta Principals’ Cup final (DailyTrust)
At least three former Super Eagles players, Nduka Ugbade, Victor Agali and Ifeanyi Udeze are expected to grace the final of the 2019 edition of the Delta State Principals’ Cup sponsored by Zenith Bank.
The tournament is for post-primary schools in Delta State and is sponsored annually by the financial institution. Read more
FCV Gladiators Football Camp to Unearth Fresh Talents’ (ThisDay)
Director of UK-based FCV Academy, Martin Harris, has said that the second edition of the FCV Gladiators Football Camp holding in Port Harcourt next month will help to unearth talents for Nigeria.
Harris, who described Nigeria as a nation with talents said creating connection between sports and education is one of the core values of the camp.
The annual camp is being organised by the Dynaspro Sports Promotion and Advanta Interactive Ltd, in collaboration with the UK-based Football CV Academy and will be hosted by Bloombreed Schools, Port Harcourt. Read more
Doncic joins LeBron in NBA record books (DailyTrust)
Luka Doncic has joined LeBron James in an exclusive statistical club after firing for a 42-point triple-double in the Dallas Mavericks’ win over the San Antonio Spurs The Dallas Mavericks needed everything Doncic delivered in a sensational performance on Monday night. Read more