Why we invited Dakolo, wife —Police (Punch)
The Nigeria Police Force says it is not arresting popular musician, Timi Dakolo, and wife, Busola, but merely inviting them for questioning. The clarification was made barely minutes after the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, called the attention of the Inspector-General of Police to the purported attempt to arrest the couple. In a letter of invitation which was posted on his Instagram page, Dakolo alleged that the Police were attempting to arrest him and his wife for making “false allegations” against Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, the Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly. Read more
Airport intruder: Union leader calls for overhaul of airports’ security (Nation)
To avoid further breach of security at airports nationwide, Secretary General Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Comrade Abdulrasaq Saidu has called on government to immediately commence total overhaul of security at airport. Saidu who spoke in apparent reference to an intruder – a Nigerian who climbed an AZMAN Air aircraft at the Lagos Airport last Friday said the development not only embarrassed the country, but put Nigerian aviation under global spotlight. Read more
FG consulting traditional rulers to improve security, says Osinbajo (Guardian)
Nigeria’s vice president Yemi Osinbajo said the government is engaging traditional rulers on modalities to employ in improving security in the country. The ongoing consultations with the traditional leaders was disclosed in a statement by the Nigerian government. “Determined to develop and reinforce effective strategies towards addressing security concerns around the country, FG has begun a series of consultations with a number of leading traditional rulers with the aim of securing the peace and effective maintenance of law and order,” the government said in a statement. Read more
Army renews call to Boko Haram insurgents to surrender (Nation)
Maj.-Gen. Bulama Biu, the General Officer Commanding 7 Div, Nigerian Army, has renewed call to Boko Haram insurgents to surrender their arms. Biu made the call at a feast organized in his honour on Saturday at the Command Guest House Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri. President Muhammad Buhari had last week approved accelerated promotion of Biu and other officers in view of their contributions in the counter-insurgency campaign. Read more
Nigeria abductions: Four Turkish nationals kidnapped in Kwara State (BBC)
Four Turkish nationals have been abducted in western Nigeria, local police have told the BBC. The four, who are construction workers, were kidnapped by gunmen at a bar in Kwara State on Saturday night. An operation to try to rescue them is under way. No group has said it carried out the abductions. Last week pirates attacked a cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria and kidnapped 10 Turkish sailors. Their fate remains unknown. Read more
Herders should embrace modern way of doing their business — Jibrin, Chairman, PDP BoT (Punch)
Chairman, Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Walid Jibrin, who is also Chairman of the Concerned Fulani Leaders, speaks with SUCCESS NWOGU on the killings, kidnappings and other criminal activities linked with the Fulani herders, the Ruga controversy and how to restore peace and stability in Nigeria. Read more
RUGA: Ganduje, Kano Igbos reject call for relocation of Fulani from South (Nation)
Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje alongside Igbo leaders from Kano has rejected calls from some notable Northern political leaders that all Fulani herdsmen living in the Southern part of the country should relocate to the North the idea, describing it as divisive and retrogressive. Ganduje in his remarks said, “Those who are calling on the Fulani to leave South, we don’t share the same feeling with them. People have a choice, as far as Nigerian constitution is concerned, to live wherever they chose to. But they must respect laws and cultures of those they are living with.” Read more
Odigie-Oyegun urges Oshiomhole to stop interfering in Obaseki’s government (Guardian)
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has urged his successor, Adams Oshiomhole, to desist from interfering in the affairs of Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo. Odigie-Oyegun gave the advice in a statement signed by his Public Affairs Adviser, Chief Ray Morphy, on Sunday in Abuja. “I appeal to him (Oshiomhole) to stop disgracing the governing party APC and Edo state. Read more
Ruga: Abia monarch lauds state government’s restriction on land sales (Guardian)
A prominent Abia monarch, Prof. Sunday Owualah, has expressed joy over the state government’s resolve to henceforth regulate the sale of land above five hectares in any part of the state. Owualah, who is the Traditional Ruler of Umuobasi Autonomous Community in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia, stated this in a statement he made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Sunday. Read more
NNPC records N6.33bn trade surplus in May —Report (Punch)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation said it recorded a trade surplus of N6.33bn for the month of May, 13 per cent higher than the N5.60bn surplus made in April. The corporation disclosed this in its Monthly and Operations report released on Sunday in Abuja. It attributed the rise to the increase in gas and power output and surplus recorded by the corporation’s downstream entities like NNPC Retail, Petroleum Products Marketing Company, Nigerian Pipelines Security Company and Duke Oil. Read more
Nigerians decry ban on sale of Sniper (Guardian)
Nigerians have decried the recent ban on the sale of pesticide, especially Sniper and other agricultural formulations in open market following increased cases of suicide and misuse of the products. They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the ban might not help in reducing incidences of suicide, adding that it would affect the daily bread of some people who depend on the sale of the insecticide. According to them, the ban will not tackle suicide as there are other ways to end one’s life. Read more
UK ‘didn’t take eye off ball’ over tanker (BBC)
The UK government did not take its “eye off the ball” over the seizure of a UK-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf on Friday, the chancellor told the BBC. Philip Hammond said the UK has been working closely with US and European partners in response to Iran’s actions. But ex-Tory party leader Iain Duncan Smith said the Stena Impero’s capture was a “major failure” for the UK. Read more
Eight die, 22 injured as Taliban bombs Police checkpoint, hospital (Punch)
Twin attacks claimed by the Taliban hit a Police checkpoint and hospital in north-western Pakistan on Sunday, killing eight people, including four policemen. Militants first opened fire at a checkpoint in the city of Dera Ismail Khan. A suicide bomber then detonated their explosive device outside a hospital gate upon the arrival of an ambulance carrying two Police officers wounded in the first attack. Read more
SOS Méditerranée resumes Mediterranean migrant rescues (BBC)
Migrant rescue charity SOS Méditerranée has resumed operations off the coast of Libya with a new ship, after the last one was forced to stop its work by European governments. Its new vessel, the Ocean Viking, is flying the Norwegian flag. The crew of 31 includes nine health workers from the charity’s partners, Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Read more
Citizen journalist among 11 civilians killed in northwest Syria (Guardian)
The White Helmets, rescue workers in rebel areas named after their distinctive hard hats, said the group “mourns the fall of a hero Anas al-Dyab, a volunteer and media activist with the Syrian Civil Defence Centre in Idlib,” in a Twitter post. An AFP journalist saw White Helmet members gather to bid farewell to their friend, whose body was laid on a thick red blanket. Read more
Hong Kong protests: Police fire tear gas at demonstrators (BBC)
Riot police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters in Hong Kong following a large pro-democracy rally in the city. Officers charged demonstrators who threw objects at police lines. The clashes came after marchers ignored a designated finish line, continuing on to China’s central government offices and throwing eggs at the building. Organisers of Sunday’s protest say over 430,000 people took part however police put the figure at 138,000. Read more
Portugal wildfires: Huge blazes force evacuations (BBC)
Hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to central Portugal where several wildfires have forced people to flee their homes. One person has suffered serious injuries. At least seven firefighters have also been hurt. Helicopters and planes have been used to douse three blazes in the mountainous Castelo Branco region, where one village has been evacuated. On Sunday, officials said two of the fires had been brought under control. Read more
Costa Rica on alert after 19 die from tainted alcohol (Punch)
Alcohol tainted with potentially toxic levels of methanol has killed 19 people in Costa Rica, where authorities issued an alert against drinking some half-dozen brands. The Ministry of Health issued the national warning Friday while also updating the death toll. Of 34 people who have been poisoned, 14 men and five women, age 32 to 72, have died since the first week of June, the ministry said. Read more
Avengers: Endgame set to pass Avatar as top box office movie (BBC)
Avengers: Endgame is set to pass Avatar this weekend to become the highest-grossing movie of all time. The weekend take of the Disney and Marvel Studios’ sequel should push it past the record held by James Cameron’s epic of $2,789.7bn (£2,231.3bn). Marvel chief Kevin Feige hailed the achievement at Comic-Con in San Diego on Saturday, although it was still officially $500,000 short at the time. Read more
Herve Renard: Morocco coach steps down after Africa Cup of Nations (BBC)
Herve Renard is standing down as Morocco head coach after their early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations. Morocco were one of the pre-tournament favourites for Egypt 2019 but suffered a shock penalty shootout defeat by Benin in the last 16. Renard, who won Afcon with Zambia (2012) and Ivory Coast (2015), had been in charge since February 2016. Read more
Kane stunner earns Spurs victory over Juventus (Guardian)
Harry Kane scored a stunning 93rd minute winner from the halfway line as Tottenham Hotspur edged Juventus 3-2 in an entertaining pre-season friendly in Singapore on Sunday. The England captain latched onto Lucas Moura’s short pass and launched a first-time shot high over a scrambling substitute keeper Wojciech Szczesny as Spurs rallied past new manager Maurizio Sarri’s Italian champions in front of a delighted National Stadium crowd. Read more
Mauricio Pochettino refuses to rule out Gareth Bale returning to Spurs from Real Madrid (Metro)
Mauricio Pochettino has refused to rule out Spurs re-signing Gareth Bale from Real Madrid this summer but stated that Daniel Levy is in charge of the club’s transfer business. Ahead of Spurs’ 3-2 win over Juventus in the International Champions Cup in Singapore, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane confirmed that Bale would be leaving the club imminently. ‘Bale did not play because he is very close to leaving,’ Zidane said after Real’s 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich. ‘We’ll have to see what happens in the coming days. Read more
Gareth Bale: Real Madrid forward ‘very close’ to exit – Zinedine Zidane (BBC)
Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale is “very close to leaving” the Spanish club, says boss Zinedine Zidane. The Wales international, 30, was left out of Real’s 3-1 pre-season defeat by Bayern Munich in Houston, USA. Speaking after the game, Zidane said: “We hope he leaves soon. It would be best for everyone. We are working on his transfer to a new team. Read more
Paris Saint-Germain considering swapping Neymar for Gareth Bale in stunning deal (Metro)
Paris Saint-Germain have held discussions about a potential swap deal for Neymar and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, reports say. Neymar is determined to leave PSG this summer, but has heavily been linked with a return to Barcelona. The Brazilian infuriated PSG when he returned late to pre-season and the Independent claim the player’s team is trying to convince the club to push for a swap deal which would see Bale join the French champions and Neymar sign for Real. Read more
Sheffield United break club record to sign Mousset (Guardian)
Premier League newcomers Sheffield United broke their club transfer record to sign France Under-21 striker Lys Mousset from Bournemouth on Sunday. Mousset agreed on a three-year contract with the newly-promoted Premier League side, who are reported to have paid £10 million to complete the deal. “For the third time this summer, the Blades have smashed the club’s transfer record,” United announced on their official website. Read more
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny agrees personal terms with Rennes over controversial summer transfer (Metro)
Laurent Koscielny has agreed personal terms with Rennes as he continues to push for a move away from Arsenal this summer. Frenchman Koscielny has made over 350 appearances for Arsenal since joining the club from Lorient in 2010 and was made club captain following the retirement of Per Mertesacker last year. Despite holding that position, the defender refused to travel with Arsenal on their pre-season tour of the United States, opting instead to remain in London to force through a summer transfer. Read more
Arsenal set to fail with £25m bid for Kieran Tierney as Celtic think add-on clauses are unrealistic (Metro)
Arsenal’s pursuit of Kieran Tierney has taken another twist as Celtic are unhappy with their latest offer of £25m due to the inclusion of unrealistic add-ons. The 22-year-old is one of Unai Emery’s top transfer targets this summer but Arsenal have so far failed to agree to a fee with Celtic over the left-back. According to Sky Sports News, Arsenal’s most recent bid for Tierney contains add-ons related to the Champions League, which Celtic feel are unrealistic. Instead, they are looking to recoup more of the fee up front. Read more
Australia outclass England to retain Women’s Ashes (Metro)
Australia have regained the Women’s Ashes after drawing the sole Test match against England in Taunton. After winning all three one-day internationals to lead the multi-format series 6-0, Australia only needed to draw this four-day Test to retain possession of the Ashes. Meg Lanning’s side dominated from the outset and, while they decided against pushing for an unlikely victory on day four, the draw sees the score move to 8-2 in their favour. Read more