Terrorists planning to attack public gatherings in Kano – Police (Sun)
Kano State Police Command stated on Friday that they, in liaison with other security agencies, have received intelligence reports of suspected terrorists planning to launch attacks on public gatherings in strategic locations within Kano State.
A statement on Friday by the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said that in response, a team of experts from the Command’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear units have been deployed to strategic locations and are on high alert in the state.
The police advised residents to exercise caution and to avoid crowded areas and environments until further notice. Read more
Nigeria ramps up military armaments production capacity (ThisDay)
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, yesterday said the 16 years of counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism operations, and anti-banditry war have enabled the military to build local capacity in manufacturing military armaments.
He also revealed that military engineers and mechanics can now pick up completely burnt Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAP), fix it, and put it back into use.
Musa, who spoke during an interview monitored on a national television further noted that in a few years, Nigeria would be a super-power in producing military hardware.
According to him, “What this 16 years war has done for us is that it has enabled us to build the capacity of our engineers and mechanics. Read more
Tinubu praises Finland for Simon Ekpa’s arrest (Nation)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Finnish government for its intervention in the case of Simon Ekpa, whose actions and statements have been deemed divisive.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja on Friday while receiving the Letters of Credence from Finland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Sanna Selin, President Tinubu emphasised that the federal government will not tolerate divisiveness or activities threatening the nation’s unity.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, the president commended the Finnish authorities for the timely intervention that safeguarded the nation’s integrity and mitigated an action that threatened peaceful coexistence. Read more
Sanwo-Olu extols late Oba Sanusi Olusi (Tribune)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has extolled the life of the Late Oba Sanusi Matiku Olusi, whose 80th Year Remembrance was observed on Friday, stressing the significance of teaching children the fundamentals of religion and the importance of spiritual growth and moral development in young individuals.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said this at the remembrance event, which took place at the Lagos Central Mosque, Nnamdi Azikwe Street, Lagos Island, and had in attendance the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) leaders, religious faithful, and crew of Lagosians, who all showed support for the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) Leader, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, the son of the Olusi dynasty.
The governor said teaching children the fundamentals of religion and the importance of spiritual growth and morals would enable them to have a positive impact on society, as epitomised in the life of the Late Oba’s children. Read more
Bello Turji says he is ready to surrender — CDS (Channels)
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Friday disclosed that notorious terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji, has declared that he is ready to surrender.
With his second in command and other lieutenants recently taken out by the military, the Chief of Defence Staff said that Turji has been forced to discard most of those under him, signalling his willingness to lay down his arms.
“They (terrorists) are within the communities; the people know them. So, sometimes when they see them, before you get the information, it’s like two hours – the man has moved. So, when the information gets to you before you move, he has left that area. Read more
Police arrest Kano anti-Graft agency chair, Muhuyi Magaji (DailyTrust)
The Chairman of the Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, has been arrested.
A source within the commission, confirmed the arrest to our correspondent, saying, “It is true. He was arrested today (Friday) and he would likely be taken to Abuja.”
The arrest reportedly followed the arrival of police operatives led by one ASP Ahmed Bello, who insisted that he had instructions to detain Rimingado. Read more
Stop disrupting road projects, FG warns Niger Delta youths (Punch)
The Federal Government has warned youths in the Niger Delta region to refrain from disrupting ongoing road projects in the area.
The government criticised the entitlement mentality of some youths who believe the region’s oil production gives them the right to harass contractors and demand money.
It emphasised that such behaviour does not occur in other parts of the country. Read more
35-year-old man, teenager arrested for raping 2 minors in Adamawa (Leadership)
The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested two (2) persons for allegedly raping two underage girls at Sangere Futy in Girei local government area of the state.
Spokesman of the Command, SP Suleiman Nguroje who confirmed the arrest, gave the identities of the suspects as 35-year-old Bala Muhammed, and Usman Abdullahi, 17, both residents of Sangere Futy.
SP Nguroje said the suspects raped two girls, ages 11 and 14 respectively. Read more
Anna Faris and Rick Edwards to host ‘‘Love Takes A Village’’ dating show pilot for NBC (Deadline)
NBC is looking for love.
The network has ordered a pilot for a new dating format – hosted by Mom and Scary Movie star Anna Faris and Rick Edwards, who previously hosted The Courtship for the network.
“Love Takes A Village” will see singletons go on a series of blind dates with people looking to win a second date. While the two people on the date know they’re on a dating show, what they don’t know is that the date, which they think is at a restaurant, is actually taking place inside a studio with a live audience watching in secret. At the end of the date, the couple find out who’s been watching them. Read more
Endangered tortoises returned to Tanzania as evidence in wildlife trafficking case (AfricaNews)
Over 100 endangered tortoises have been repatriated to Tanzania from Thailand to serve as evidence in an ongoing case against a wildlife smuggling network, Interpol announced on Friday.
The 116 tortoises were initially discovered more than two years ago, concealed in the luggage of a Ukrainian woman at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Tragically, 98 of the reptiles have since died, though the surviving tortoises were handed over to assist in criminal proceedings, Interpol reported. The cause of the deaths was not disclosed.
The rescued tortoises included several endangered or vulnerable species, such as pancake tortoises, radiated tortoises, and Aldabra giant tortoises, all of which are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Read more
Michael Jackson biopic needs major reshoots after discovery of past legal agreement with molestation accuser: Report (People)
Michael, the upcoming movie about Michael Jackson made in cooperation with his family, is reportedly in need of a major overhaul due to unforeseen legal reasons.
According to a Jan. 23 report from Puck, the producers behind the already-filmed project are facing a “nightmare scenario,” working to rewrite and do reshoots after lawyers realized a clause in a settlement made with one of Jackson’s former accusers presented an issue.
Jackson, who died in 2009 at age 50, was accused in 1993 of sexually abusing 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. The musician settled with the Chandler family out of court for a reported $25 million. Read more
Israeli drone attack kills 2 in expanding occupied West Bank operation (AlJazeera)
An Israeli drone attack on a vehicle near the occupied West Bank town of Qabatiya has killed two people, the Palestinian Ministry of Health says on the fourth day of a large-scale Israeli operation in and around the nearby city of Jenin.
The Israeli military said the air attack on Friday in the Jenin governorate hit a vehicle with what it said was a “terrorist cell” inside, but it gave no further details.
The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that it was a drone attack that happened just before Israeli forces stormed Qabatiya and began “sweeping operations”. Read more
A$AP Rocky gun trial to begin in Los Angeles (NBC)
The shooting trial against popular rapper A$AP Rocky began Friday with opening statements in Los Angeles.
The 36-year-old hip-hop rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, is accused of firing a gun at a former friend and bandmate during a heated exchange in 2021 in Hollywood.
Mayers has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Prosecutors say he shot in the direction of fellow rapper Terell Ephron, who went by the name A$AP Relli. Read more
‘I do regret it a bit’: Stubborn grandfather has motorway built around his house after refusing £180k to move (Independent)
A stubborn grandfather had a motorway built around his house in China after refusing to move for £180,000.
Huang Ping’s two-storey home in Jinxi, China, is living surrounded by a construction site with constant dust, noisy builders and vibrating walls.
He now regrets not taking the Chinese government’s money and fears what living in his property will be like once the expressway opens in Spring. Read more
NJ healthcare facility, CEO plead guilty to fraud, tax conspiracy (UPI)
The Justice Department announced on Friday that a health care company and its CEO pleaded guilty to one count of fraud and one count of tax conspiracy.
KBWB Operations LLC and its CEO Kevin Breslin, of Hoboken, N.J., entered guilty pleas to the single count of health care fraud and one count of tax conspiracy related to the operation of numerous skilled nursing facilities.
The case is related to investigations in which Breslin was accused of diverting Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services funds meant for the operation and management of facilities for personal expenses and other uses. Read more
Nigeria awarded hosting rights for 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships (ThisDay)
Nigeria has made history by being awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 Commonwealth Senior and Veterans Fencing Championships, becoming the first African country to host this prestigious event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation (CFF) conditionally approved Nigeria’s bid, with certain conditions to be met for the 2026 tournament.
This achievement follows Nigeria’s successful hosting of the Fencing World Cup last year, the first time a Sub-Saharan African country hosted such an event. Over 10 countries participated in the World Cup hosted by Charter House Lagos, with Egypt and Saudi Arabia dominating. Read more
Sabalenka aims to ‘join legends’ in Keys showdown (BBC)
Aryna Sabalenka will aim to become the first woman in 26 years to win three successive Australian Open titles when she meets Madison Keys in Saturday’s final.
Victory would make Sabalenka only the sixth woman to win the title three times in a row in the Open era, and the first since Martina Hingis in 1999.
World number one Sabalenka is the heavy favourite to secure a fourth Grand Slam title and goes into the final on a 20-match winning streak at Melbourne Park. Read more
Kyle Walker breaks silence on Man City exit in emotional message to fans and wife Annie (Mirror)
Kyle Walker has opened up for the first time about his move to AC Milan as he paid tribute to his teammates in an emotional message
Kyle Walker has broken his silence about his departure from Man City in an emotional message to fans – and to wife Annie.
The defender, who is joining AC Milan on a £4.2million loan, also paid tribute to manager Pep Guardiola and his teammates. Read more
Gary Neville urged to make sensational Man Utd return to replace Ruben Amorim (Metro)
Gary Neville should consider a remarkable return to management to replace Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.
That’s according to former Match of the Day host Des Lynam who believes the Sky Sports pundit remains the best man for the job despite his last managerial post ending in March 2016.
Despite scrapping a win in the Europa League against Rangers in midweek, the pressure remains on new boss Amorim. Read more
Mikel Arteta confirms double Arsenal injury boost to pave way for star’s Gunners exit (Mirror)
Mikel Arteta has confirmed both Myles Lewis-Skelly and William Saliba could be fit for Saturday’s clash with Wolves, paving the way for Oleksandr Zinchenko to leave Arsenal.
Lewis-Skelly missed the win over Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday after suffering an injury in the draw with Aston Villa. While he completed that game, the 18-year-old was unable to train on Tuesday and left out of the visit of Zagreb as a result.
Saliba meanwhile has missed Arsenal’s last two games due to a hamstring injury. But in a much-needed boost for Arteta, it appears the duo are closing in on a return to full fitness. Read more
Alejandro Garnacho: Chelsea considering move for Manchester United winger before January transfer window closes (SkySports)
Ruben Amorim addressed Alejandro Garnacho’s future with the Manchester United winger subject of continued interest from Chelsea in the January transfer window.
Garnacho played the full 90 minutes of Man Utd’s late 2-1 win over Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday, and was one of their brightest performers as one of five changes from Sunday’s miserable defeat by Brighton.After the game, Amorim would not be drawn one way or the other on whether Garnacho will remain at Old Trafford beyond the end of this month, but praised his improvement since he dropped the winger for poor performance ahead of the Manchester derby just over a month ago. Read more