‘Terrorists in helicopter’ kill 32, shell houses, church in Southern Kaduna (Guardian)
Inhabitants of Adara community in the southern part of Kaduna State have said that about 32 persons lost their lives in an alleged helicopter-aided attack by terrorists, who razed houses, including Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in the area.
Adara leaders said more bodies were discovered in bushes around the villages attacked by terrorists in helicopters.
The National President of Adara Development Association (ADA), Awemi Maisamari, stated, yesterday: “The pogrom against Adara nation rages on. In the latest tragedy, Ungwan Gamu, Dogon Noma, Ungwan Sarki and Maikori villages near Maro in Kajuru Local Council were attacked on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
“The death toll this morning (Wednesday) is 32, as villagers comb surrounding bushes for more bodies. Seven were found this morning decomposing.” Read more
Police debunk planned attack on Lagos (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has debunked the claim in a trending WhatsApp voice-note that some persons are planning to launch an attack on Muhammadu Buhari Estate, in the Badagry area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Wednesday, said the content of the voice-note was entirely false and mischievously designed to cause unnecessary panic in the state.
He said, “The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to a viral WhatsApp voice-note claiming that Fulanis have camped in Muhammadu Buhari Estate, Agemowo, Badagry, in readiness for a massive attack on Badagry.
“The command wishes to state in unequivocal terms that the content of the voice-note is entirely false and mischievously designed to cause unnecessary panic within Lagos State. Read more
We sweat to get water, Lagos community laments (DailyTrust)
Some residents of Jakande Ilasan community in Lagos have lamented the scarcity of water in their neighbourhood, saying they go through a lot to get potable water.
Most of them said they usually buy water and when they are financially incapacitated, it is always hard for them to get any source of water.
The residents spoke with our reporter on the sidelines of the commissioning and donation of a borehole to the deprived community by The Love Water Project, a humanitarian organisation that provides clean water solutions to families and communities in need.
According to Naomi Alabi the project founder, “this borehole will provide not just any water, but will give the community especially Women access to clean, clear and safe water. This will create lasting community health and sustain the growth and development of the residents.”
She said under the “Clean Water is a Human Right” campaign, more disadvantaged communities across 36 states of Nigeria will be identified and provided with access to clean water. Read more
Passengers panic as LASTMA officer, driver scuffle in motion (Punch)
There was pandemonium at the CMS Bus-Stop, Lagos Island, on Friday, when an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, later identified as N. Bolarinwa, dragged the steering with a commercial driver, who was in motion.
The driver of the Sienna minibus was on the CMS/Obalende route when the incident happened around 11 am.
Our correspondent, who was on the bus, observed that Bolarinwa entered the seat beside the driver and dragged the wheel while trying to force the vehicle to a halt.
The action resulted in confusion as passengers, who were afraid for their lives, shouted for help. Read more
I’ll relocate to Ghana if Tinubu, Atiku become president — Charly Boy (Vanguard)
Songwriter and social activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has said he will leave Nigeria if the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, or his counterpart of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, wins the 2023 presidential election.
Tinubu won the APC presidential primary election with 1,271 votes at the just-concluded primary at the Eagle Square, Abuja, on Wednesday.
He defeated his arch contenders, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who came second with 316 votes, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who secured 235 votes.
Reacting on Wednesday via his Twitter handle, Charly Boy tweeted with the pictures of the politicians: “If any of these two wins, I go just leave una waka go Ghana, go beg dem for citizenship. Buhari will look like a saint.” Read more
Lockdown: Court strikes out suit challenging Funke Akindele’s conviction (Punch)
The Ikoyi Federal High Court has dismissed a suit seeking to overturn the conviction of a popular actress, Funke Akindele, and 237 others convicted for violating the state’s lockdown and social distancing regulations against COVID-19 spread in 2020.
Akindele; her husband, Abdul-Rasheed, and 236 others were convicted on April 6, 2020 at the Ogba Magistrate Court for organising and attending a crowded birthday party a few days before, contrary to the Lagos State Social Distancing Order.
At the hearing, presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko, in 2020, Olukoya Ogungbeje, representing the actress and others, challenged the constitutionality of the Lagos State Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations, 2020 which was applied in the conviction and, hitherto, used in sentencing of Akindele, her husband, and 236 others.
Other respondents to the suit included the Lagos State Government, Attorney-General of Lagos State, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, and Inspector-General of Police. Read more
Bello, Amaechi felicitate with Tinubu as APC candidate (Guardian)
Chairman, North Central States Governors’ Forum (NCSGF), Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State, has congratulated former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, on his emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APCs) presidential candidate.
The governor, in a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Berje, said the choice of Tinubu among other qualified candidates was an expression of confidence in the APC leader by the delegates.
According to him, the victory represents confidence in Tinubu’s ability and capacity to rework the country, re-establish the waning confidence of the people and propel the turnaround of the nation’s dwindling economy in the shortest possible time.
The governor, in a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Berje, said the choice of Tinubu among other qualified candidates was an expression of confidence in the APC leader by the delegates.
According to him, the victory represents confidence in Tinubu’s ability and capacity to rework the country, re-establish the waning confidence of the people and propel the turnaround of the nation’s dwindling economy in the shortest possible time.
“We wholeheartedly congratulate and rejoice with him. It is an affirmation of his wide acceptance and a clear demonstration that the APC national leader is credible, capable and has the ability to spearhead a march towards the country’s rebirth,” the governor said. Read more
Slain Kaduna Reverend Father buried without corpse (Vanguard)
Rev Father Joseph Bako Aketeh who was kidnapped and later killed by bandits in Kaduna, was buried at the St John’s Catholic Church Kudenda , even without the corpse.
The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso said during the funeral that they hope one day they would be able to see even if it is his bones.
The funeral took place amidst lamentations by family, friends and church members who wept profusely when the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna performed the funeral rites without the corpse of slain Rev Fr Joseph Bako Aketeh.
Vanguard had earlier reported how Re.Fr.Joseph was kidnapped on March 8th, 2022 and later killed by bandits in their captivity. Read more
2023: APC confident of victory with Tinubu as candidate – Lawan (DailyTrust)
Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday said with the emergence of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party is sure of winning the 2023 presidential poll.
Tinubu clinched the party’s presidential ticket at the convention held in Abuja, polling 1,271 votes to defeat other 13 aspirants, including Lawan, who garnered 152 votes.
Lawan, in a letter of congratulation he personally signed, said the outcome of the primary had shown that Tinubu was the popular choice of the party.
He said, “The outcome of the election process has shown that Your Excellency is the popular choice of our party for that assignment.
“I do not have an iota of doubt in the wisdom of that decision by our Party’s delegates from across the country. Read more
Why Johnny Depp was helped out of Birmingham hotel (PageSix)
Security escorted Johnny Depp out of a hotel Monday to protect him from the hordes of fans who have been following him since his trial ended last week.
Photos of the actor being guided out of the The Grand Hotel Birmingham in England holding a coffee mug went viral this week.
A source tells us his security team was keeping him safe and away from the “large crowds.”
“Everywhere he goes, he’s getting mobbed by fans,” our insider says.
In the snaps, the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star, 58, looked distressed while being walked out of the luxury hotel with one man holding onto his right arm and another standing closely behind them. Read more
Harvey Weinstein to be charged with indecent assault in UK (BBC)
Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein will be charged with two counts of indecent assault against a woman in London in the summer of 1996.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge the 70-year-old after a review of evidence gathered by the force.
The Metropolitan Police said it is alleged two offences took place between 31 July and 31 August 1996.
The alleged victim is a woman who is now aged in her 50s, the force said. Read more
Military aircraft ‘carrying nuclear material crashes, killing five people’ (Metro)
DAn aircraft believed to be carrying nuclear material has crashed, and the five people on board are presumed to be dead.
The military airplane reportedly fell on Wednesday in Imperial County, California, near Route 78 and the town of Glamis, which is 150 miles east of San Diego and 30 miles north of the US border with Mexico.
The crash has been confirmed by Naval Air Facility El Centro, which is located about 30 miles from the accident site.
‘We can confirm that an aircraft belonging to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing crashed near Glamis, CA,’ the naval air facility stated on its Facebook page. Read more
La Luz del Mundo megachurch leader jailed for child sex abuse (BBC) Naasón Joaquín García is the leader of the Luz del Mundo megachurch
Naasón Joaquín García, the leader of the La Luz del Mundo megachurch, has been sentenced in a Los Angeles court to 16 years and eight months in prison.
García, 53, pleaded guilty last week to three counts of sexually abusing girls from his congregation.
His plea deal means his sentence is considerably shorter than the life imprisonment he could have faced had he been found guilty in a trial.
To his followers, Naasón Joaquín García is known as “the Apostle”. Read more
Hacked Russian radio station plays Ukraine’s national anthem and anti-war songs (Metro)
The hacked station also played anti-war songs like ‘I don’t need a war’ by the Russian rock band Nogu Svelo (Picture: NurPhoto)
A Russian radio station’s lunchtime bulletin was interrupted by the Ukrainian national anthem and anti-war songs.
On Wednesday, Kommersant FM was taken over by hackers to protest Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. The station was quickly pulled off the air.
‘The radio station has been hacked. The internet stream will soon be reinstated,’ the station said in a statement.
Kommersant FM is the radio offshoot of the Russian state’s Kommersant newspaper. Read more
Thailand legalises cannabis trade but still bans recreational use (BBC)
It’s now legal to grow cannabis plants and buy marijuana-infused dishes in Thailand
People in Thailand can now grow cannabis plants at home and sell the crop after the nation removed marijuana from its banned narcotics list.
The nation is the first to advance such a move in South-East Asia, a region known for its stringent drug laws.
But recreational use is still banned, even though advocates say the easing effectively decriminalises marijuana.
The government is hoping that developing a local cannabis trade will boost agriculture and tourism.
It’s even giving away one million cannabis seedlings to citizens to encourage pick-up. Read more
Eagles must win ‘solid’ against Sierra Leone, minister tells Peseiro (Guardian)
Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, has told Super Eagles Head Coach, José Santos Peseiro, to ensure ‘a solid’ win against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone today in Abuja. Both teams will clash in a Day 1 encounter of the qualification series for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Dare spoke yesterday at a brief ceremony in Abuja, where the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) formally presented Peseiro to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Sports Ministry.
Dare told the gaffer in no uncertain terms that Nigerians want their national teams to win every game, even though this is impossible in sport. “Whenever the team does not win, it must be clearly seen to have demonstrated high-level commitment, fervour, consistency and discipline on and off the pitch.
“To be able to appreciate the deep love of our people for the game and why they want their team to win all the time, you have to live in our country, enjoy our food, our weather, our hospitality. I want to let you know that the process that produced you was governed by diligence, commitment and spirit of teamwork, and indeed very thorough. I believe that you will use this opportunity to make a mark by leading the Super Eagles to new heights,” he stated. Read more
Eagles seek end to five-game winless run against Leone Stars (Punch)
The Super Eagles will kick off their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on Thursday when they battle Sierra Leone at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja with the aim of ending their five-game winless run, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The three-time African champions, who are gunning for a third consecutive appearance at the continental showpiece, will hope to record their 10th win against their West African neighbours – whom they boast a better head-to-head record from their last 16 matches – behind closed doors in Abuja.
Jose Peseiro’s side has not recorded a win in five months – their last was a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in the group stages of the 2021 AFCON on January 19.
Afterward, the three-time African champions lost 1-0 to Tunisia in the Round of 16 of the tournament before recording two draws against Ghana in World Cup playoff qualifiers. They also suffered back-to-back defeats to Mexico and Ecuador in the United States over the past 10 days. Read more
Jack Grealish: I play with more freedom for England than Manchester City (Metro)
Jack Grealish has insisted he is unconcerned by criticism of his debut season with Manchester City but admits he plays ‘with a lot more freedom’ for England.
Despite winning the Premier League with Pep Guardiola’s side, the playmaker contributed just six goals and four assists in all competitions.
That, plus one goal for England in his 21 caps for his country, has raised questions about the output of the most expensive English player of all time after City paid Aston Villa £100million for him last summer.
But Grealish, who is likely to start Saturday’s Nations League clash with Italy after impressing off the bench in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Germany, stressed he is still a relative new-boy at the top level. Read more
Eagles assistants not ballboys to Peseiro, says Shorunmu (Guardian)
Super Eagles goalkeepers’ trainer, Ike Shorunmu, has dismissed suggestions that the national team’s Head Coach, Jose Peseiro, ignores the assistant coaches employed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to work with him, and instead, subjects the local coaches to ball boys. Peseiro has also been accused of only listening to the coaches he brought with him to the job.
However, Shorunmu, who is one of the Nigerian assistants, has dismissed the claims. Rather, he said the Eagles’ technical crew have had a good working relationship with Peseiro since he took charge of the team, noting that the ‘false information’ that the manager neglected his Nigerian assistants during the recent tour of the United States was fabricated by people who want to cause confusion in the team.
“Before every game, the Eagles technical crew have meetings with Peseiro to spell out our duties during training with the players. Every process is cordial and well figured out before any training session.
“I heard the claim while in America when a friend called me that we were used like ball boys during training sessions and I told him it is a lie. Everybody has his job on the pitch because our objective is to build a quality team,” he said. Read more
Max Verstappen determined to win Azerbaijan Grand Prix after crashing out of last year’s race (Metro)
Max Verstappen says he is out for revenge at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix after he was cruelly denied the victory at Baku last season.
The Dutchman was comfortably leading last year’s race at the Baku City Circuit when one of his tyres punctured on the high-speed main straight, sending his Red Bull into the wall and out of the race with just five laps remaining.
Now, Verstappen is determined to right that wrong and win his first race at a track that has become renowned for chaotic action and big crashes.
‘I’m looking forward to returning to Baku, we have some unfinished business there after last year,’ the reigning world champion said. Read more
Dakkada boost survival hopes with win against Warriors (DailyTrust)
Relegation-troubled Dakkada yesterday snatched a valuable win at death after pulling off a remarkable 2-1 victory against Abia Warriors in a rearranged Match Day 28 fixture of the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League at the Nest of Champions in Uyo.
Dakkada who are faced with relegation got off to a flying start in the 11th minute from the penalty spot.
Umeh Chigozie had upended Friday Bright inside the penalty area and Aniekan Ekpe sent Abia Warriors goalkeeper, Pius Ibrahim the wrong way to open the scoring.
Five minutes later, the role was reversed when Dakkada’s Emmanuel Ogbuagu fouled Godwin Obaje inside the box. The former Wikki Tourists and FC IfeanyiUbah man stood up, dusted himself and got the better of GK Loveday Anuugbuo to level the score. Read more