SARS official kills pregnant woman in Lagos (Guardian)
A pregnant was killed in a Lagos suburb on Saturday when a bullet fired by an official of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigerian police hit her. The officer and another were said to be chasing cybercriminals, also known as yahoo boys, when one of them mistakenly discharged a bullet, hitting the woman in Ijegun area of Lagos. The pregnant woman, a tailor, was in her shop when the bullet hit and killed her. Read more
Peter Obi not denied Visa – Aide (Punch)
The Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the February 2019 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has not been denied visa by any embassy in Nigeria including that of the United States, his media adviser, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, said on Saturday. Obienyem in a statement in reaction to information on social media said Obi was presently in the US on the invitation of highly-placed officials who were supposed to have denied him the said Visa. He said, “Obi is a good brand such that organisations and countries are satisfied to associate with him because he has proven to be a highly responsible person and politician. Read more
Army detains suspected Abia killer soldier (Guardian)
The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army has detained one Lance Cpl. Ajayi Johnson suspected to have killed a commercial cyclist at Umuokereke Ngwa in Abia. Umuokereke Ngwa is in the Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia. In a statement on Saturday in Enugu, the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations in the division, Col. Aliyu Yusuf, said the army had commenced investigations on the killing. Read more
Security: Miyetti Allah bans herders without family in South-East from grazing (Punch)
The Northern Leaders, Livestock and Perishable Goods Market traders and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria rose from a meeting on Saturday and resolved to ban herdsmen whose families are not living in the South East from grazing their cattle in the zone. They also announced the shutting down of four livestock and perishable goods’ markets in Enugu State between Wednesday, August 14 and Thursday, August 15 to enable them to embark on the sensitisation tour of the markets and 14 Fulani settlements in the state. Read more
We’re creating more economic opportunities to reverse illegal migration – Obaseki (Nation)
Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that his administration is creating more economic opportunities for residents of the state to reverse illegal migration and human trafficking. According to the governor, creating such opportunities in areas most prone to irregular migration and human trafficking, would discourage people from undertaking risky journeys and provide the needed incentives for them to realise their dreams at home. Read more
NAF destroys terrorists command control centre in Dusula, Borno (Guardian)
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has successfully destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorists’ (BHT) Command and Control Centre in Dusula, on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest in Borno. The ATF successfully carried out the operation through Operation GREEN SWEEP III which aimed to target some identified terrorists’ positions in Borno. Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said the operation was conducted on Friday. Read more
Nigeria ‘ll come out great, overcome present challenges – Adeboye (Nation)
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has prophesied that Nigeria would come out great, marched forward and overcome present numerous challenges. Adeboye also declared, “There will be an end to emptiness, materially, spiritually and economically in Nigeria.” He made the prophetic declarations in his sermon at the 67 Holy Ghost Congress held at the Redemption Camp, KM 46, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, however, urged Nigerians to return to God. Read more
NAHCON to investigate abandonment of 400 pilgrims in Kano (Punch)
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has said it would investigate the alleged failure of some Private Tour Operators to airlift intending pilgrims in Kano. About 400 intending pilgrims were said to have protested at the Aminu Kano Airport over the inability of the PTOs to airlift them to Saudi Arabia for the 2019 Hajj. While empathizing with the affected individuals, the Commission regretted the situation in which the innocent pilgrims found themselves. Read more
NAHCON sponsors Air Force officer, Plateau Imam to Hajj (Punch)
An officer of the Nigeria Air Force, Corporal Bashir Umar, who recently found and returned €37,000 belonging to a pilgrim at Kano Hajj Camp, has been sponsored by National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to the ongoing pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Umar was selected by NAHCON as a member of the National Security team for the Hajj. NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Muhammed, disclosed this at a pre-Arafat meeting in Makkah on Saturday. Read more
Group demands justice for minor allegedly defiled by 60-year-old man (Punch)
A group, Genius Eyes International Foundation For The Hopeless has called for the prosecution of a 60-year-old man, Onyekwere Umunna, who allegedly defiled a seven-year-old girl (name withheld). Umunna, who was arrested by the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Imo State Police Command, had confessed to the crime, according to a statement made available to journalists by the police spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu. Read more
Tanzania fuel tanker blast: At least 60 killed (BBC)
At least 60 people have been killed and 70 injured in a fuel tanker explosion in Tanzania, police say. Pictures posted online show flaming wreckage scattered over a wide area and charred bodies lying on the ground. Police said people were trying to recover fuel from the vehicle, which had overturned on a major road some time earlier, when the blast happened. Read more
Car bomb kills two UN personnel in Libya’s Benghazi (Guardian)
A car bombing in Libya’s eastern city of Benghazi killed two United Nations staff on Saturday, a security official said. “Two members of the UN mission, one them a foreigner, were killed and at least eight others wounded including a child, by a car bomb” in a shopping area of the Al-Hawari district, the official said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, which happened as a UN convoy was passing through the area. Read more
Typhoon Lekima: 22 dead and a million evacuated in China (BBC)
At least 22 people have been killed and more than a million forced from their homes as Typhoon Lekima hit China, according to state media. Officials said the deaths were caused by a landslide triggered by the storm. Ten others have been reported missing. Lekima made landfall in the early hours of Saturday in Wenling, between Taiwan and China’s financial capital Shanghai. The storm was initially designated a “super typhoon”, but weakened slightly before landfall. Read more
One person hurt in Norway mosque shooting, suspect arrested (Guardian)
One person was injured in a shooting inside a mosque in a suburb of the Norwegian capital Oslo on Saturday, police said, adding that a suspect had been arrested. “One person is shot. The severity of that person’s injuries is unknown. One suspect is arrested. The police are working at the location,” Oslo police said on Twitter. The shooting occurred at the al-Noor Islamic center in the town of Baerum, an Oslo suburb. Read more
Copenhagen police station hit as Danish capital sees second blast (BBC)
An explosion has hit a police station in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, the second blast to hit the city this week. The building was damaged but no-one was injured in the incident early on Saturday, which took place just outside the city centre. On Tuesday, there was a powerful explosion outside the national tax agency, in what the authorities say was a deliberate attack. Read more
North Korea tests ‘short-range ballistic missiles’ (BBC)
North Korea has fired two missiles into the sea, its fifth such launch in recent weeks. The missiles are thought to be short-range ballistic missiles, South Korea’s military says. If the use of such missiles is confirmed it would be a breach of 11 UN Security Council resolutions. The launches come after US President Donald Trump said he had received a “very beautiful letter” from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Read more
Moscow protests: Tens of thousands attend huge rally (BBC)
Tens of thousands of demonstrators have taken part in a rally in Moscow to demand fair elections. It is the fourth major protest over the banning of opposition candidates in local elections in the Russian capital in a month. It was authorised by the city authorities, unlike the last two rallies which ended in violence and arrests. Organisers say nearly 50,000 people took part despite heavy rain. Read more
Missouri Walmart panic caused by armed man testing gun rights (BBC)
A man who sparked panic by walking into a Walmart with a rifle and body armour told police he was testing his right to bear arms in public. Dmitriy Andreychenko entered the shop heavily armed, days after a mass shooting at another of Walmart’s stores. “I wanted to know if that Walmart honoured the second amendment,” the 20-year-old told police after his arrest. Prosecutors have charged him with making a terrorist threat. Read more
Hat-trick hero Sterling hails ‘joy’ of scoring after Man City romp (Guardian)
Raheem Sterling said it was a “joy” to score for Manchester City after his hat-trick in the Premier League champions’ opening 5-0 demolition of West Ham on Saturday. Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring midway through the first half in London before Sterling took over, scoring three goals in the second half as the champions started their title defense in ominous form. Sergio Aguero was the other goalscorer, opening his account for the season from the penalty spot in the closing minutes of the game. Read more
Mauricio Pochettino explains Jan Vertonghen absence from Aston Villa clash (Metro)
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino admits it was a tactical decision to leave Jan Vertonghen out of his squad for their Premier League opener against Aston Villa. The Belgian was a notable absentee in Spurs’ 18-man squad for the clash in north London, with Pochettino pairing Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld in defence. Vertonghen managed just 22 league appearances last term during an injury-hit campaign but he’s a regular starter when fit. Read more
Zaha comes off bench as Palace and Everton draw (BBC)
Jordan Pickford made two crucial saves as 10-man Everton and Crystal Palace played out a goalless draw at a very windy Selhurst Park. The England goalkeeper, who endured a mixed 2018-19 campaign, blocked efforts from Jordan Ayew and then Max Meyer as Palace put the visitors under pressure in the second half. German Meyer also went close in the first half when his goalbound effort looped behind off the foot of Seamus Coleman. Read more
Sharp earns Sheff Utd daw at Bournemouth on top-flight return (BBC)
Billy Sharp’s 88th-minute equaliser saw Sheffield United snatch a point at Bournemouth as the Blades drew in their first top-flight match since 2007. Sharp, who had only been on the pitch for six minutes, bundled the ball home from close range after Oliver McBurnie’s mishit shot bounced off Nathan Ake and into the striker’s path. Chris Mepham’s first Premier League goal, when he smashed in a rebound after Callum Wilson’s shot on the turn had been parried by away goalkeeper Dean Henderson, had looked like giving Bournemouth the three points. Read more
Neymar: Exit talks ‘more advanced’ says PSG sporting director Leonardo (BBC)
Forward Neymar will not play for Paris St-Germain in their opening Ligue 1 fixture against Nimes, with the French champions suggesting the Brazilian could be set to leave the club. Leonardo, PSG’s sporting director, said that talks about the the 27-year-old’s exit were “more advanced than before”. But the club were not ready to give their approval to a transfer, he said. Read more
Celtic come from behind to rout Motherwell (BBC)
Celtic recovered from the loss of an early goal to thrash Motherwell and consolidate their rampant start to the Scottish Premiership season. They had been held on their last three visits to Fir Park and had to survive a torrid start, with Scott Bain letting Liam Donnelly’s shot squirm in. But Kristoffer Ajer quickly levelled and Leigh Griffiths’ free-kick nudged Celtic ahead at the break. Goals from James Forrest, Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie then eased the visitors clear before a late Donnelly consolation. Read more
Bryson DeChambeau criticised for slow play at Northern Trust (BBC)
American golfer Bryson DeChambeau has infuriated fellow professionals with his slow play at the Northern Trust event in New Jersey. The defending champion, 25, took over two minutes to hit a 70-yard chip, and a similar time for an eight-foot putt. England’s Eddie Pepperell said: “Slow players do this to their partners, making the game less enjoyable. “Problem is, the unaffected single-minded twit in this instance doesn’t care much for others.” Read more