Six killed as flood submerges Lagos communities (Punch)
The recent release of water from the Oyan Dam in Abeokuta has plunged residents of some communities in Lagos into untold hardship as their houses, shops and places of worship have been submerged.
Residents of the God First, Ajegunle and Itowolo communities in the Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Areas of Lagos State, alleged that some persons had drowned in the flood water.
PUNCH Metro gathered during a tour of the affected areas on Monday that the victims were a man identified simply as Baba Ibeji; one Baba Michael; a yet-to-be-identified Egun man; a woman who was bitten by a snake; and a mother and her baby, whose names could not be immediately ascertained. Read more
Lagos plans canal lining to control flooding (Nation)
Lining of canals and cleaning all the drainage channels to allow free flow of water across the metropolis are parts of measures being planned by the Lagos State government to curtail flooding.
The government, through the Environment Commissioner Tunji Bello, also cautioned residents against indiscriminate discharge of refuse and refrain from patronising truck pushers for the disposal of their tenement waste.
Mr. Bello, accompanied by the Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Joe Igbokwe and top officials of the ministry visited some flood-prone communities for on the-spot-assessment of the situation. Read more
NCS probes alleged bribery, sodomy in Ikoyi (Punch)
The Nigerian Correctional Service has begun investigations into allegations of drug abuse, sodomy, bribery, and pimping in Ikoyi Custodial Centre, Lagos.
The Controller-General, Ja’afaru Ahmed, said on Tuesday that a panel had been set up to establish the authenticity of the report, identify and bring the culprits to book.
The CG, in Abuja, stated that the service was willing to work with the general public as well as relevant stakeholders in the justice sector to actualise the policy objectives of transforming the Nigerian Correctional Service into a modern reformatory institution that operates in line with best international practices. Read more
Kidnappings: Civil servants cut travel to home towns (DailyTrust)
Following the upsurge in cases of kidnapping and killings by armed men within the last one month across some rural communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), some civil servants working in the city and area councils’ headquarters have cut down travelling to their villages for the weekend for fear of falling victims, findings by Aso Chronicle have revealed. Also, teachers posted to some rural primary schools, especially in some communities under Kuje, Kwali and Abaji area councils where kidnappers have been terrorizing residents, now close early for fear of being caught up in any likely attack. Read more
Nine women, seven men make Abdulrazaq commissioners’ list (Punch)
The Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, on Tuesday, sent another list of six commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly to complete the list of 16 nominees sent to the legislature for screening.
According to the final list read on the floor of the Assembly by the Speaker, Yakubu Danladi, during Tuesday plenary, nine were women and seven were men.
The women in the nominees list are Hajia Saadatu Modibbo-Kawu, Miss Joana Kolo, Hajia Arinola Lawal, Hajia Aishat Ahman-Patigi, Mrs Afolabi Adenike, Ahmad Fatima, Aremu Deborah, Oyedun Juliana and Oyeyemi Florence. Read more
2,000 affected by Onitsha fire, says NEMA official (Guardian)
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says that at least 2,000 traders suffered huge losses in the fuel tanker fire that destroyed major parts of the Ochanja Market in Onitsha.
The South-East Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr Fred Anusim, disclosed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, while speaking on the extent of damage by the fire.
Anusim said that from the “rapid assessment” conducted by the agency, over 50 storey buildings were affected.
He said that the assessment was not comprehensive but rapidly done due to the prevailing anger amongst residents of the commercial city. Read more
FRSC increases centres for driving licence production in Lagos zone (Guardian)
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Zone RS2 Command, Lagos on Tuesday said that it had increased the number of centres for driving licence production in Lagos zone to 43.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the zone comprises of Ogun and Lagos States.
The Acting Zonal Public Education Officer, DRC Ijeoma Ajuzie made this disclosure in a statement in Lagos.
“In a bid to serve the public better and respond effectively to the numerous applicants seeking to obtain the National Drivers Licence, the Federal Road Safety Corps Zone RS2 Lagos has increased the number of Driving Licence production centers to 43. Read more
3 Nigerians injured in fresh xenophobic attacks in South Africa (Guardian)
Three Nigerians are among other foreign nationals who on Tuesday suffered from fresh xenophobic attacks on foreigners in different locations of Witbank, Mpumanlaga Province, South Africa, the Nigerian community has said.
The National Spokesperson of the Nigeria Union, South Africa (NUSA), Mr Odefa Ikele, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Witbank, that the attacks started in the early hours of the morning.
Tuesday’s attacks are coming on the heels of efforts by Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure they found amicable and lasting solution to the xenophobia in the latter’s country.
Such peace efforts saw Buhari visiting Ramaphosa and holding a town hall meeting with the Nigerian community. Read more
Botswana president says ex-leader’s exit good for ruling party (Guardian)
Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi said Sunday that the defection of his predecessor and former mentor Ian Khama would boost the ruling party’s performance in the upcoming general election.
The dramatic falling out between the former president Khama and his former deputy and hand-picked successor Masisi has shaken the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) ahead of Wednesday’s vote.
The BDP, which has ruled the diamond-rich southern African country since independence in 1966, may face its toughest election yet due to dwindling support and political fragmentation.
Last year, Khama reached the end of his two five-year terms — the constitutional limit — and passed the BDP leadership and the presidency to Masisi. Read more
Donald Trump branded ‘grotesque’ for comparing himself to black victims of racist lynchings (Metro)
Donald Trump was branded ‘grotesque’ for comparing an investigation into his alleged misconduct to racist lynchings meted out to black Americans.
The President of the United States hit out at the lower house of the US Congress – the House of Representatives – plans to hold a formal investigation, or impeachment, after Trump suggested the Ukrainian government investigate rival Joe Biden’s son.
He tweeted: ‘So some day, if a Democrat becomes President and the Republicans win the House, even by a tiny margin, they can impeach the President, without due process or fairness or any legal rights. Read more
Trump impeachment: US envoy condemns ‘irregular’ pressure on Ukraine (BBC)
A top US diplomat says President Trump made the release of military aid to Ukraine conditional on a pledge they would investigate a political rival.
Ambassador Bill Taylor testified before an impeachment inquiry that he was told Mr Trump wanted Ukraine to probe ex-Vice-President Joe Biden’s dealings.
Mr Taylor said relations with Ukraine had been “fundamentally undermined” for “domestic political reasons”.
President Trump insists there has been no quid pro quo in Ukraine policy. Read more
Russian & Syrian forces to deploy to northeastern Syria outside Turkey operation zone (RT)
Russian military police and Syrian servicemen will be deployed to northeastern Syria, while Turkey’s operation ‘Peace Spring’ will continue in a limited area, presidents Putin and Erdogan have agreed after lengthy talks.
Moscow understands the reasons behind the ongoing Turkish military incursion into Syria, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said, though he stressed it must not play into the hands of terrorists and that the territorial integrity of Syria must be preserved. Ultimately, the country must be freed from all “illegal foreign military presence,” the president added, reiterating Moscow’s long-time position. Read more
Brexit bill ‘in limbo’ as MPs reject timetable (BBC)
Boris Johnson has hit the pause button on his Brexit legislation after MPs rejected his plan to get it through the Commons in three days.
MPs backed his Withdrawal Agreement Bill – but minutes later voted against the timetable, leaving it “in limbo”.
After the vote, EU Council President Donald Tusk said he would recommend EU leaders backed an extension to the 31 October Brexit deadline.
But a No 10 source said if a delay was granted, the PM would seek an election. Read more
Transit only: US troops pulled out of Syria & moved to Iraq are now asked OUT of the country (RT)
US forces that crossed into Iraq after pulling out from Syria can only use its territory for transit and do not have permission to stay, the Iraqi military said on Tuesday.
Hundreds of military vehicles carrying American troops crossed into the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq in a long convoy on Monday. Read more
Liverpool dominate Ballon d’Or shortlist with seven names (DailyTrust)
Dutch centre back Virgil van Dijk is one of seven Liverpool players on the 30-man shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or, with the Champions League winners dominating the nominations for France Football magazine’s prestigious award. Van Dijk’s club teammates Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Georginio Wijnaldum and Alisson are also on the list, along with Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero. Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, who have won the award 10 times between them, are included, but Messi’s former teammate Neymar, who now plays for Paris St Germain, missed out. Read more
Agege stadium to host NWFL Super 4 tournament (Punch)
The management of the Nigeria Women’s Football League says the 2018/19 Nigeria Women Premier League Super 4 tournament will hold from October 29 to November 3.
Chief Operating Officer of NWFL, Ayo Abdulrahman, in a statement on Tuesday, said the event would hold at the Agege Stadium in Lagos.
Abdulrahman listed the participating clubs as champions Bayelsa Queens, Rivers Angels, Adamawa Queens and Confluence Queens. Read more
Morata makes his point by scoring winner for Atletico (Guardian)
Alvaro Morata came off the bench and rescued Atletico Madrid when his late header gave Diego Simeone’s side a gritty 1-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Morata, dropped after missing chances in Atletico’s draw with Valencia in La Liga on Saturday, played as if he had a point to prove in a match-winning cameo at the Wanda Metropolitano.
“He started on the bench,” said Simeone. “But came on with the motivation of a little boy.” Read more
Mbappe hat-trick ad PSG see off Bruges (BBC)
Second-half substitute Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as Paris St-Germain defeated Club Bruges 5-0 to take a big step towards the Champions League knockout stage.
The France forward became the youngest player to score 15 goals in the competition at 20 years and 306 days.
He watched from the bench as loan signing Mauro Icardi swept home Angel di Maria’s cross to give the French champions a seventh-minute lead. Read more
Red Star Belgrade fans attend Tottenham game despite Uefa ban (BBC)
Stewards intervened to separate Red Star Belgrade fans from home supporters
Tottenham have launched an investigation after more than 200 Red Star Belgrade fans “illegally” attended their side’s Champions League game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Red Star supporters had been banned from buying tickets after being charged for racist behaviour in July.
Uefa will wait for the report from their match delegate before deciding whether to investigate. Read more
Sterling scores hat-trick as Man City trash Atalanta (BBC)
Pep Guardiola hailed Raheem Sterling as an “extraordinary” talent after his 11-minute second-half hat-trick helped Manchester City demolish Atalanta and maintain their 100% start in Champions League Group C.
Sterling is City’s leading scorer with 12 goals in 13 games in all competitions this season and this latest ruthless display demonstrated again what a potent finisher he has become.
Guardiola feels there is even more to his game than just his goalscoring however, explaining afterwards: “His physicality is incredible. He is strong – the day after the game, he could play another game – his regeneration is incredible. Read more
Real win to ease pressure on Zidane (BBC)
Real Madrid collected their first Champions League victory of the season at Galatasaray to ease the pressure on manager Zinedine Zidane.
The La Liga side suffered a shock league defeat against Mallorca at the weekend and had failed to win their opening two group games, with reports in Spain suggesting Frenchman Zidane could be sacked if they lost in Istanbul.
But Toni Kroos’ deflected first-half strike following Eden Hazard’s cutback was enough to seal the three points.
Big money summer signing Hazard should have made it a more comfortable scoreline for the 13-time European champions but somehow struck the crossbar from six yards out with an open goal. Read more
Champions League: Shakhtar, Dinamo Zagreb draw to leave path clear for Man City (Punch)
Brazilian Dodo came off the bench to grab the equaliser and earn Shakhtar Donetsk a 2-2 draw with Dinamo Zagreb in their Champions League clash in Ukraine on Tuesday.
Dodo rounded Dinamo goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic to slot home in the 75th minute after latching onto a pass from Alan Patrick, another member of Shakhtar’s sizeable contingent of Brazilian players.
The result leaves both clubs level on four points after three games in Group C, meaning Manchester City will be five points clear at the top of the section if Pep Guardiola’s side can inflict a third defeat in as many games on Atalanta. Read more