United States President, Joe Biden has described Japan and India as “xenophobic” countries that do not welcome immigrants.

Biden’s remark at a campaign fundraising event came just three weeks after the White House hosted Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, on a lavish official visit, during which the two leaders celebrated what Biden called an “unbreakable alliance.”

At the fundraiser where the donor audience was largely Asian American, Biden said the upcoming US election was about “freedom, America and democracy” and that the nation’s economy was thriving “because of you and many others.”

“Why? Because we welcome immigrants, Look, think about it. Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they’re xenophobic. They don’t want immigrants.

“Immigrants are what makes us strong. Not a joke. That’s not hyperbole, because we have an influx of workers who want to be here and want to contribute,” he said.

The executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has urged Nigerians to ensure “compliance” with the rules and regulations of society.

He noted that a lack of compliance with given rules is the root of corruption in the country.

QIn a statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale on Thursday, Olukoyede made the assertion when a delegation from the Compliance Institute, Nigeria, CIN, led by its President, Pattison Boleigha, paid him a courtesy visit at the corporate headquarters of the commission in Abuja.

He explained that the essence of their work is compliance and enforcement, adding that the Commission will not hesitate to apply the force of law to people who fail to play by the rules.

According to him: “The success of any process or procedure in any society is based on the issue of compliance. The difference between developed countries and underdeveloped ones is simply compliance. If you take compliance out of developed countries, they would be as terrible and as poor as the underdeveloped countries. If we get it right with compliance, we have gotten it right with governance and corporate governance in Nigeria.”

Earlier in his address, Boleigha, disclosed that the visit was an offer to the commission for collaborative engagement and to foster a mutually beneficial relationship on matters pertinent to compliance.

He thanked Olukoyede for his extensive contributions to the fields of compliance management, corporate intelligence and fraud management, adding that the EFCC chairman’s track record of undertaking anti-corruption surveys and reviews for various law enforcement agencies, government institutions and corporate organisations, as well as his commitment to manpower development, was a testament to his dedication and expertise.

Shehu Sani, a former Kaduna Central senator, said on Thursday that the mastermind of the 2022 Kaduna-Abuja train kidnapping must be made to face justice.

Sani expressed pleasure that the mastermind of the train kidnapping was arrested.

Police had disclosed the arrest of the mastermind behind the killing of passengers on the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.

The mastermind was identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, also known by the ominous moniker of Mandi.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Kaduna, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, made this known on Thursday.

He informed the media that the suspect had also participated in the abduction of students from Greenfield University in 2021.

Reacting, Sani wrote on X: “It’s pleasing and commendable to learn that the Nigerian Police have finally arrested the masterminds of the 2022 Kaduna Abuja Train kidnappings. They killed and destroyed the lives of others. Justice must be done.”

The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has launched the Schools Protection Squad, SPS, in Kano State.

The 60-man squad was inaugurated by the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Gumel, on Thursday at the police command headquarters in Kano.

The squad is to protect schools, learning facilities, students and pupils as well as their teachers from kidnappers and armed bandits.

Gumel said the SPS was an initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Ebegtokun to adequately provide a safe environment for schooling and protect both the students and teachers as well as the schools’ facilities and their critical infrastructures.

“The SPS comprised 60 adequately trained police personnel who have been provided with the necessary kits and tools for the task.

“They will from today, Thursday, May 2, 2024, be dispatched to intensify robust patrols around all primary and secondary schools, including all vulnerable tertiary institutions in all locations across each senatorial district of the state,” he said.

The police commissioner explained that the 60-officer squad was trained from Abuja on the tactics of school policing and protection and had been given operational vehicles and hi-tech tracking gadgets for the prevention of invasions and attacks by intending terrorists.

According to Gumel, the 60 personnel are not enough to protect schools in the 44 local government areas and the metropolitan city of Kano but such squads will be replicated to get enough personnel for the protection of schools as directed by the police inspector general.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi said operatives in the state have arrested a 24-year-old woman, Sofia Nkwor for dumping her one year and a month old baby in a well along the Araya Community’s road in Isoko South Local Government Area.

CP Olufemi disclosed this at a press briefing today.The State Police boss said children who went to play around the tree discovered the abandoned child floating in the well.

According to CP Olufemi, “The mother Sofia Nkwor ‘f’ aged 24yrs was immediately arrested and she stated that she dumped the child on 26th April 2024.”

He said, “Suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.”

No fewer than nine members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have been killed as they confronted armed bandits in Sokoto State.

It was gathered that many of the Civilian Joint Task Force members sustained various degrees of injuries during the incident.

It was also learnt that three CJTF members were abducted by the bandits during the ambush which occurred on Sunday at Isah Local Government Area of the state.

According to a resident, Ibrahim Muhammad, who spoke to newsmen on the phone, Isah Local Government Area has been a stronghold of bandits in the state.

“Nine members of the CJTF were neutralized on Sunday in an ambush in Isa LGA, many others sustained various degrees of injuries”, he added.

“Three other people were kidnapped in the attack after the CJTF member received a distress call to assist the conventional support security agencies”

This is the second time that the bandits have ambushed and attacked the CJTF members in Sokoto State.

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old actor identified as Praise for an alleged abduction and defilement of a 14-year-old girl.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

The statement partly read, “The Divisional Police Officer of Mowe Division has arrested one actor, Praise, a 30 year old “m” for alleged defilement of a 14-year-old “f”.

“The arrest came following a report on the 1st of May at about 14 05 hours from the grandparents of the teenager that their granddaughter got missing since the 27th of April 2024.”

The statement further read that the girl’s grandparents alleged that the suspect defiled their granddaughter, stating that she was bleeding profusely upon being found.

It added, “The grandparents of the abducted teenager also alleged the suspect of having unlawful carnal knowledge of their granddaughter, who, under careful observation, was discovered to have been bleeding profusely.

“Medical forms have been issued for examination and treatment in a government hospital for more credible evidence.”

A preliminary investigation was reported to have commenced at the Mowe Divisional Headquarters; however, the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for “discreet investigation.”

“No child in Ogun State should be subjected to such inhumane treatment, sexual assault, and sexual abuse,” Odutola added.

Lagos State’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Wednesday said the government discovered 86 partitioned rooms, sized 10×10 and 12×10, under the Dolphin Estate Bridge, Ikoyi, on Lagos Island.

Tenants are said to be paying N250,000 per annum for the makeshift apartment under the bridge.

Wahab shared this information via a post on X.com on Wednesday, along with videos.

He added that the enforcement team of Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources had successfully removed all structures, including a container utilised for various illegal activities, from beneath the Dolphin Estate bridge.

Sharing videos he wrote, “A total number of 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container used for different illegal activities were discovered under the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

“They have all been removed by the enforcement team of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

“A Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, further confirmed the eviction of squatters from beneath the bridge towards Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi over illegal settlement and environmental violations.

Rotimi-Akodu mentioned that 23 individuals were arrested during the eviction, which was carried out by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, popularly known as KAI on Tuesday.

He wrote, “Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi were evicted today Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024 by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI).

“These people created their illegal settlement under the bridge, thereby exposing the critical infrastructure to impending destruction. 23 persons have so far been arrested and MoE/KAI will continue to monitor the place. The law will take its course.

“He also confirmed that the bridge has hitherto housed 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10 with squatters paying an average rent of N250,000 per annum.

“Continuation of the removal of abode under Dolphin bridge. 11 more persons were arrested. It is important to note that wood materials were used to construct the shelters, some occupants used gas cylinders, and some had stored fuel for their generators, these are recipes for disaster,” he added.

Court has granted former President Donald permission to attend his son’s high school graduation in Florida next month.

Trump had pushed for weeks to attend his son’s high school graduation on May 17.

“(Barron’s) a great student and he’s very proud of the fact he did so well and was looking forward for years to having his graduation with his mother and father there, and it looks like the judge isn’t going to allow me to escape this scam. It’s a scam trial,” Trump said.

However, a decision on the matter was left in limbo until Tuesday, with Trump speculating earlier this month he would be denied leaving Manhattan for the event.

On Tuesday, Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the case said, “I don’t think the May 17 date is a problem.”

It is unclear if trial proceedings will pause on May 17 or if Trump will simply be absent from the courtroom that day, which falls on a Friday.

The former President is currently on day nine of his ongoing trial in Manhattan.Trump is facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

No fewer than 14 male and two female adults lost their lives when their vehicle crashed into a fence and caught fire along the Enugu/Opi/Nsukka road late Tuesday.

The Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe disclosed this in a statement shared on the X page of the command on Wednesday.

The accident, according to Ndukwe, occurred when an 18-seater bus with a Bauchi number plate DAS 215 XA crashed into the fence of Maduka Maduka and went up in flames.

The impact of the crash and the intensity of the fire that occurred during the accident were said to have led to the death of 16 passengers while two others were rescued alive.

Ndukwe added that further investigation revealed that the vehicle was speeding before it lost control and rammed into the fence.

The statement read, “The Enugu State Police Command wishes to inform the public that a lone fatal motor accident occurred today, April 30, 2024, around 5:20 p.m., at Ekwegbe, along Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road, claiming the lives of yet-to-be-identified 14 males and two females who burned beyond recognition.

“The accident involves an 18-seater white-coloured Toyota Hummer bus with a Bauchi State commercial registration number DAS 215 XA and the inscription “Masha Allah”, said to have been driven at high speed, lost control, and plunged into the fence of Maduka University along the road.

“A preliminary investigation reveals that the vehicle unfortunately burst into flames burning beyond recognition, the 16 deceased individuals, who were taken to the hospital and confirmed dead.

However, two other passengers were rescued alive and taken to the hospital for medical attention by police officers, soldiers and public-spirited citizens, who immediately responded to the incident.”

The PPRO stated that further investigation revealed that the vehicle which was also loaded with vegetables, food items, and the luggage of the passengers, was heading towards Nsukka from the Enugu axis of the road but the point of take-off and final destination of the vehicle was yet to be ascertained.

Ndukwe, however, urged members of the public to come forward with information that can help in identifying the victims.The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, in the company of officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, has visited the scene to assess the situation and described the accident and the carnage therein as sad.

The CP further called on individuals that can help in identifying the victims or with information to trace the family members of the deceased to come forward with such information or call 08098880172 or 08086671202,” the statement concluded.

Enyimba have been deducted two points by the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, for the disruption of their game against Doma United.

The points’ deduction was sequel to the NFF disciplinary committee’s decision to upturn the victory that Enyimba had over Doma United.

The match was disrupted after 88 minutes with the scoreline at 0-0. Then Enyimba scored a goal which was initially admitted, then the referee consulted with the Assistant Referee 1 who raised his flag for an offside.

The referee agreed that the goal was scored from an offside position.

The referee was faulted for using an unorthodox means of consulting an Outside Broadcasting Van outside the Enyimba International Stadium to arrive at a decision.

The NFF has therefore ruled that the result of the match at the point of the restart of the game after over ruling the goal scored as offside is hereby upheld at (0-0).

Enyimba dropped to third position following the verdict.

The Aba giants are expected to appeal the ruling.

A senior Islamic State, ISIS, commander, Abu Huzeifa who had a $5 million bounty on his head has been killed by a joint force including troops from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Huzeifa had been linked to several high-profile raids in the Sahel region which includes a 2017 attack that killed four US soldiers and several troops from Niger.

He was killed on Sunday in an operation in the Northern town of Indelimane in the Menaka region.

Mali state TV described it as “a victory against a bane of evil”.Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have all suffered from relentless attacks by jihadist fighters.

All three countries are under military rule and have been developing close links with Russia while cutting ties with Western allies including the US.

They have been welcoming Russian military help while forcing troops from other countries to leave.

The report said Huzeifa, who was also known as Higgo, was a Moroccan national and a commander in IS’s self-styled Sahel Province.

The US government said Hufeiza was wanted in connection to an attack on a US Special Forces team in Niger in 2017 which led to the deaths of four American and four Nigerien soldiers.

President Bola Tinubu has sympathized with victims of the gas explosion at Ita-Oshin, Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

An explosion from a solitary gas truck occurred in the community, resulting in loss of lives and property.

Commiserating with the victims, the President sympathizes with the Ogun State Government and residents of the state over the tragedy.

The President, through a statement by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale on Tuesday, commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for his efforts to arrest the situation and immediately restore calm to the community.

The President assured the people of Ogun State, particularly the victims of the incident, of his fervent support in their moment of grief.

The Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has granted amnesty to three prison inmates as part of efforts to decongest correctional facilities across the state.

Justice Dipeolu who paid a visit to the Ilaro Correctional Centre in Ilaro, Yewa South local government area of the state on Tuesday, said the exercise would further decongest the facility.

She decried the dire conditions plaguing correctional facilities in the country, saying that the state cannot afford to lose inmates as a result of overcrowding.

“The conditions here at the correctional centre have not improved, It is evident that overcrowding is rampant, even without official statistics, this overcrowding particularly concerns those awaiting trial, as they suffer without having been found guilty”, she said.

She, however, promised to take action against decongestion, noting that while courts work to expedite cases, the root cause of congestion must be addressed.

Justice Dipeolu identified some inmates who had been awaiting trial since 2018, a situation that, according to her, was unacceptable.

Joseph Apan, Nureni Oladosu, and Babatunde Fagbayi were released during her prison visit and jail delivery exercise.

In his remark, the Controller of the Correctional Centre, Saliu Adepoju, appreciated the chief judge and her entourage for the exercise, extolling her adherence to the ethics of the judiciary.

King Charles III will be returning to public duties after the positive effect of his cancer treatment.

King Charles has been on cancer treatment since he was diagnosed early February this year.

According to NAN, in spite of the welcome news of responding positively to the treatment, the king still has cancer.

He will continue to be treated for the undisclosed form of cancer even while performing public duties.

Charles and Queen Consort Camilla have been scheduled to visit a cancer treatment centre on Tuesday (today) to meet medical specialists and patients.

The event aims to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and to highlight innovative research, supported by Cancer Research UK, taking place at the hospital.

In January, King Charles spent three nights in hospital for a procedure on an enlarged prostate, during which the cancer was discovered.

After his diagnosis was announced on February 6, he postponed all public engagements but continued with his duties as head of state behind palace walls, conducting audiences and Privy Council meetings.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, on Monday, released the results of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, showing that 1,402,490 candidates out of 1,842,464 failed to score 200 out of 400 marks.

The number of candidates who failed to score half of the possible marks represents 78 per cent of the candidates whose results were released by JAMB.

Giving a breakdown of the results of the 1,842,464 candidates released, the board’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, noted that, “8,401 candidates scored 300 and above; 77,070 scored 250 and above; 439,974 scored 200 and above while 1,402,490 scored below 200.”

On naming the top scorers for the 2024 UTME, Oloyede said, “It is common knowledge that the board has, at various times restated its unwillingness to publish the names of its best-performing candidates, as it considers its UTME as only a ranking examination on account of the other parameters that would constitute what would later be considered the minimum admissible score for candidates seeking admission to tertiary institutions.

“Similarly, because of the different variables adopted by respective institutions, it might be downright impossible to arrive at a single or all-encompassing set of parameters for generating a list of candidates with the highest admissible score as gaining admission remains the ultimate goal. Hence, it might be unrealistic or presumptive to say a particular candidate is the highest scorer given the fact that such a candidate may, in the final analysis, not even be admitted.

“However, owing to public demand and to avoid a repeat of the Mmesoma saga as well as provide a guide for those, who may want to award prizes to this set of high-performing candidates, the Board appeals to all concerned to always verify claims by candidates before offering such awards.”

Oloyede also noted that the results of 64,624 out of the 1,904,189, who sat the examination, were withheld by the board and would be subject to investigation.

He noted that though a total of 1,989,668 registered, a total of 80,810 candidates were absent.

“For the 2024 UTME, 1,989,668 candidates registered including those who registered at foreign centres. The Direct Entry registration is still ongoing.

“Out of a total of 1,989,668 registered candidates, 80,810 were absent. A total of 1,904,189 sat the UTME within the six days of the examination.

“The Board is today releasing the results of 1,842,464 candidates. 64,624 results are under investigation for verification, procedural investigation of candidates, Centre-based investigation and alleged examination misconduct.”

Oloyede also said the board, at the moment, conducts examination in nine foreign centres namely: Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Buea, Cameroon; Cotonou, Republic of Benin; London, United Kingdom; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Johannesburg, South Africa.

“The essence of this foreign component of the examination is to market our institutions to the outside world as well as ensuring that our universities reflect the universality of academic traditions, among others. The Board is, currently, fine-tuning arrangements for the conduct of the 2024 UTME in these foreign centres,” he said.

Cameroonian fighter, Francis Ngannou, says he has been left devastated after losing his 15-month-old son, Kobe, the former Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC) said in a statement on Monday.

Without stating the circumstances surrounding the demise of his son, Ngannou said “his little joy” was gone too soon, stating he shouted Kobe’s name repeatedly but did not respond as he was laying lifeless.

“Too soon to leave but yet he’s gone,” Ngannou said. “My little boy, my mate, my partner, Kobe was full of life and joy. Now, he’s laying without life. I shouted his name over and over but he’s not responding,” he added.

“I was my best self next to him and now I have no clue of who I am. Life is so unfair to hit us where it hurts the most.

“How do you deal with such a thing? How can you live with it? Please help me if you have an idea because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with this,” the statement also said.

Meanwhile, many on social media have been sending condolences and messages of support to the devastated father and his family.

In his message, Afrobeats megastar, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke said, “Be strong my brother… praying for you.”

David had experienced such bereavement recently following the death of his son, Ifeanyi Adeleke, in 2022.

“President Bola Tinubu oversees the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, tasked with directing petroleum resources and activities in Nigeria. At the helm of the NNPCL stands Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), whose tenure has been marked by the worst fuel crisis in recent memory. Nigerian students have never witnessed such prolonged shortages and disruptions to fuel supply, and we refuse to accept this as the new normal.

“The consequences of this fuel crisis are dire, with electricity supply remaining unreliable, prices soaring, and essential services paralyzed. Nigerian students, along with the rest of the population, are bearing the brunt of this crisis on a daily basis.

We demand immediate action from the NNPCL to resolve the fuel crisis and restore stability to our nation.

“This includes transparency and accountability in providing information about the state of fuel supply and distribution. The NNPCL must also improve infrastructure and logistics to ensure the efficient distribution of fuel across the country. Bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the supply chain must be addressed promptly.

“Additionally, the NNPCL should engage with stakeholders, including student representatives, to understand the impact of the fuel crisis and collaborate on solutions. If Mele Kyari fails to take decisive action to resolve the fuel crisis, we call for his resignation or removal from office.

“Nigerian students cannot afford to suffer any longer under ineffective leadership. If the NNPCL fails to act swiftly and decisively to address the fuel crisis, Nigerian students are prepared to take mass action. It is time for the NNPCL to fulfill its mandate and prioritize the well-being of the Nigerian people. The future of our nation depends on it.”

The West African Examinations Council, WAEC Nigeria, has said that the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, for school candidates will commence on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 and end on June 24, 2024.

While speaking on Monday at the WAEC Lagos Office, Head of Nigeria Office, Dr Amos Dangut, said the council was ready to conduct the examination.

He further stated that it would run for seven weeks and six days.

“I am delighted to inform you that WASSCE for School Candidates, 2024 will take place between Tuesday, April 30 and Monday, June 24, 2024, in Nigeria, spanning seven weeks and six days. The examination will be conducted in four WAEC member countries, namely: Nigeria, Gambia, Sierra-Leone and Liberia.”

“We want to intimate candidates of the council’s readiness to conduct WASSCE.

“We are set for the conduct of WASSCE for School Candidates, in 2024 in Nigeria. The Council also, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, the State Ministries of Education, the Nigeria Police, other security agencies and other stakeholders, delivers on its mandate to conduct credible examinations for the Nigerian Child and the general public.

“We remain ever grateful to the Honourable Minister of Education, the Honourable Minister of State, for Education, all the State Ministries of Education, the Inspector-General of Police, and indeed, all our stakeholders, for their usual support and cooperation, even as we count on them once again,” Dangut said.

Cambodia’s anti-drug police have arrested a gang of six local people for allegedly trafficking and possessing illicit drugs, seizing more than 188 kg of narcotics.

The Anti-Drug Department (ADP) said this in a statement released on Monday.

The suspects, two men and four women, aged between 23 and 60, were apprehended on April 24 during raids on five locations in the capital, Phnom Penh.

This took place after a thorough probe for more than three months.

“A total of 188.1 kg of crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, and heroin were seized from the suspects’ possession during the crackdowns,’’ the ADP said.

More than $300,000 in cash and millions of dollars in their bank accounts, as well as their properties and cars, were also confiscated during the raids, the ADP added.

The Southeast Asian country has no death sentence for a drug trafficker.

Under its law, someone found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grammes of illicit drugs could be jailed for life.

According to the ADP, Cambodia arrested 5,489 drug-related suspects, including over 100 foreigners, between January and March this year, confiscating a total of 3.65 tonnes of narcotics.

Most of the seized drugs were ketamine, crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine tablets, heroin, ecstasy, and cocaine.