Three of our members died in police custody — Shiite members (Nation)
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) yesterday said three of its members who were shot and held in police custody had died. The sect explained that the deceased were arrested during the Monday clash between its members and the police during which about 13 persons, including a Deputy Commissioner of Police, died in Abuja. The President, Media Forum of IMN, Ibrahim Musa, in a statement in Abuja said the three detainees died as a result of bullet wounds they sustained during the incident. Read more
Ministerial screening: Drama as Melaye tells Keyamo to recite national anthem (Punch)
There was a mild drama on Friday when the senator representing Kogi West, Mr Dino Melaye, asked the Director of Strategic Communication for the All Progressives Congress Campaign Council, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), who is a ministerial nominee, to recite the second stanza of the national anthem. The scene played out on the floor of the Senate when Keyamo, a ministerial nominee from Delta State, appeared for screening. While asking the nominee questions during the screening, Melaye started by describing Keyamo as his good friend and that their relationship dated back to years. Read more
Shiite protests: IGP orders security beef-up nationwide (Nation)
Police Inspector-General Mohammed Adamu has ordered the immediate beef-up of security in all the States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in response to the series of protests by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as Shiites. Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) nationwide were directed to put in place customized security arrangements in their Area of Responsibilities (AORs) to checkmate the activities of criminals and any possible threat to public peace. Read more
Visa restrictions may affect family members of culpable Nigerians – US (Punch)
The United States has said it may extend its visa restrictions to the family members of individuals, especially politicians believed to have undermined democracy in Nigeria during the 2019 general elections. The US also said the American visas issued to politicians and others affected by the restriction had been revoked by the Department of State. The US Department of State had in a statement on Tuesday announced visa restrictions as consequences for persons believed to be responsible for election-related violence and rights abuses before, during and after the 2019 polls. Read more
Conduct your elections peacefully, LGSC tells Lagos NULGE (Nation)
he Lagos State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) has warned members of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the state to conduct themselves in a peaceful and responsible manner during the forthcoming union’s elections across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas (LCDA) in the state or face stiff sanctions. The commissioner representing the Badagry Division on the commission and leader of this year’s monitoring delegation to the local governments in the state, Mr Babs Akinyanmi, gave the warning during the delegation’s visit to the Badagry Local Government during the week. Read more
NYSC DG meets family of slain corps member (Guardian)
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, yesterday, commiserated with the family of late corps member, Precious Owolabi, a staff of Channels TV, who was recently killed by gunshot in Abuja while covering a protest by Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shiites. Presenting a condolence message to parents and siblings of the deceased in Zaria, Kaduna State, Ibrahim said Precious’ death was a gross loss not only to his immediate family, but also to the NYSC family and the entire country. Read more
Court dismisses Ortom, PDP, INEC appeals against APC (Nation)
The Appeal Court sitting in Makurdi, the Benue state capital Friday dismissed appeals filed separately by the trio of Governor Samuel Ortom, Independent National Elections Commission (INEC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against Emmanuel Jime and the All Progressive Congress (APC). The court also awarded N200, 000 each as cost against the appellants. The trios are respondents in Emmanuel Jime and the All Progressive Congress (APC) petition at the tribunal holding at Makurdi. Read more
Wike launches new security outfit to fight crimes in Rivers (Guardian)
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday launched Operation Sting to tackle criminal elements and reduce crime in all parts of the state. The state has suffered major security challenges in form of kidnappings, cult clashes, killings, armed robbery and community conflicts. The state government had made similar move last two years when it attempted to launch the Neigbourhood Watch, but it was foiled by the military, which described it as a local militia. Read more
Diaspora Day: SGF calls for unity amongst Nigerians abroad (Nation)
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, has called for unity among Nigerians in Diaspora. Boss spoke at the opening of the ongoing National Diaspora Day, 2019 in Abuja. July 25th of every year has been set aside by the Federal Government in recognition of the contributions of Nigerians in Diaspora to national development and to celebrate Diasporans who have achieved feats in various fields of endeavour. Read more
Four abducted Turkish nationals regain freedom in Kwara (Nation)
The four Turkish nationals abducted in Kwara State have regained their freedom. The construction workers were received yesterday by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Kayode Egbetokun,six days after they were seized at a local bar at Gbale village in Edu Local Government Area of the state. They are Seyit Keklik (25), Yasin Colak (33), Ergun Yurdakul (35), and Senerapal (40). Read more
US Supreme Court gives go-ahead for Trump wall funding (BBC)
The US Supreme Court has said that President Donald Trump can use $2.5 billion (£2 billion) of Pentagon funds for a section of wall on the southern border. The court ruled by five votes to four to block a ruling by a federal judge in California that barred the president from spending the money on the wall. The wall, dividing the US and Mexico, was Mr Trump’s major campaign promise during the 2016 election. Read more
We are already effectively in Trump impeachment probe – U.S. Democrats (Nation)
The U.S. House Judiciary Democrats told newsmen on Friday that they do not need to launch a formal impeachment inquiry they are essentially conducting one already with their investigation into President Donald Trump. “In effect,’’ Judiciary Chairman, Jerrold Nadler, said when asked if the panel’s ongoing probe is effectively the same as an impeachment inquiry. The only difference, the New York Democrat said, is that with a formal impeachment inquiry the panel would only be considering impeachment. Read more
Guatemala signs migration deal with US after Trump threats (BBC)
The US and Guatemala have signed a migration agreement, days after US President Donald Trump threatened the Central American country with tariffs. Under the deal, migrants from Honduras and El Salvador who pass through Guatemala would be required to stop and seek asylum there first. Migrants who failed to do so would then be ineligible for asylum in the US. Mr Trump said that in exchange Guatemalan farm workers would get easier access to work on US farms. Read more
Nightclub collapse kills two in South Korea (BBC)
Two people have died and more than 17 were injured, after an internal balcony collapsed at a nightclub in the South Korean city of Gwangju early on Saturday, the local fire service says. Several athletes at the World Swimming Championships were slightly injured, Yonhap news agency reported. They are from the US, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Italy and Brazil. Read more
Philippines earthquakes kill at least eight (BBC)
At least eight people have been killed and dozens more injured after two earthquakes struck a province in the Philippines. The earthquakes, magnitudes 5.4 and 5.9, hit the province of Batanes, an archipelago in the north of the country early on Saturday. Mayor Raul de Sagon said around 60 people were hurt. Many people were in their homes when the earthquakes struck. Read more
Newlywed wife rescues husband after volcano fall (BBC)
A newlywed man is recovering in a US hospital after he fell into a dormant volcano during his honeymoon and had to be rescued by his wife. Clay Chastain fractured his skull while hiking on the Caribbean island of St Kitts. His wife, Acaimie, climbed down to reach him and helped drag him out. He leaned against her, vomiting and in pain, as they hiked for two miles (3.2km) to the mountain’s base. Read more
Chloe Grace Moretz gets ‘permanent restraining order’ against man who broke into her house twice (Metro)
Chloe Grace Moretz has been granted a permanent restraining order against a ‘stalker’ who broke into her house twice. She’d been targeted in June by obsessed fan Justin Alexander Behr, 18, who was arrested twice in a day after allegedly jumping the gate of her LA home and knocking on the door. The 22-year-old actress’ motion will last for three years, according to The Blast. Read more
Udeze urges Rohr to check his temperament, scout for better players (Guardian)
Former Super Eagles’ defender, Ifeanyi Udeze has advised Coach Gernot Rohr to work on his temperament if he desired to make a success of his team in the remaining years of his contract. Speaking with The Guardian on Thursday, Udeze said the Eagles manager’s inability to forgive players when they make mistakes on the pitch has over the years ruled out some quality talents playing in and outside the country from playing for the senior national team. Read more
Adepoju, Lawal react to Super Eagles’ latest FIFA ranking (Guardian)
Former Internationals, Mutiu Adepoju and Garba, Lawal have reacted differently to the latest ranking by the world football governing body, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)’s release on Thursday, after the just concluded Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by Egypt. Nigeria amassed 1481 points from 1433 points in the new rating, to climb up 12 spots to 33rd from 45th in the world. Read more
Vincent Enyeama begins three-day trial with Dijon (Guardian)
Super Eagles’ former captain, Vincent Enyeama has joined French second-tier club Dijon on a three-day trial, reports goal.com. Enyeama has been without a club since he left Lille at the end of his contract in 2018, and is set to prove his fitness in an attempt to earn a deal ahead of the 2018-19 season. His last competitive match dates back to March 2018, when he played for Lille’s reserve team in the Championnat National 2. Read more
Nigeria rugby team storm Ghana for west Africa championship (Guardian)
The Nigeria National Rugby team, Black Stallion, will storm Ghana tomorrow for the West Africa Regional Series Rugby Championship. The Nigerian team is made up of 24 players and four officials, and the championship will hold in the town of Elmina, Ghana from July 29 to August 3. The Nigeria Rugby 15s team, which had been intensifying preparation for the championship since last week under the supervision of South African tactician, Bronson Weir is hopeful of excelling in the three-nation championship. Read more
Raheem Sterling: ‘I’m happy Liverpool won Champions League’ (BBC)
Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling says he was happy to see his former club Liverpool win the Champions League. However, the 24-year-old said that for City the Premier League was the more important trophy to win. The England international left the Merseysiders in 2015 in acrimonious circumstances. “I was really happy for them, happy for some of the players I know to lift the Champions League,” he said. Read more
Bale set to leave Real Madrid for China (BBC)
Gareth Bale is set to leave Real Madrid to join Chinese club Jiangsu Suning on a three-year deal. Sources close to Wales’ record goalscorer confirmed reports in Spain that although not yet finalised, a move is “very close.” Real boss Zinedine Zidane had said Bale, 30, was “very close to leaving” after he was left out of their 3-1 pre-season defeat by Bayern Munich. Read more
What Jurgen Klopp told Manchester United transfer target Bruno Fernandes after Liverpool friendly (Metro)
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp told Manchester United target Bruno Fernandes that he’s a ‘top player’ after the Reds’ 2-2 draw with Sporting Lisbon this week. The 24-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford but is valued at £60m by the Portuguese giants and United are not willing to stretch that far for the midfielder. Read more