A 30-year-old man, Hussaini Salihu, has been nabbed by the police in Adamawa State for allegedly defiling a minor.

The Adamawa State Police Command said in a statement on Thursday evening that its operatives arrested the suspect on Wednesday, July 24, for sexually assaulting the 12-year-old girl, whose name could not be disclosed because she is a minor.

The statement, signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said the suspect lured the victim into his house, had carnal knowledge of her, and then gave her N2,000.

The statement said the suspect ran away when he sensed that he would not be allowed to get away with his act.

“He was later trailed and apprehended by the police following a report from the victim’s mother,” the statement said.

It added that the suspect had voluntarily made a statement confessing to doing what he was accused of, and he will be charged in court.

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested two men who specialised in the purchase of stolen phones in Warri, which are then sold into the market in the Niger Republic.

The suspects were apprehended at Hausa Quarters, Warri, based on credible intelligence.

Abibu Haruna, 37, and Sanusi Huruna, 22, both residents of Hausa Quarters, Warri, were apprehended in possession of a bag containing 55 iPhones, one HP laptop, two Android tablets, and 33 Android phones.

A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, clarified that the suspects were arrested on July 14, 2023, at approximately 4:45 pm

According to the statement: “During further questioning, the suspects admitted to purchasing the aforementioned phones and laptops from two suspected armed robbers, Nasiru and Ghala, whose full names are unknown, and who operate in Hausa Quarters, Warri.

“They disclosed that they usually transport the phones to Niger Republic using a trailer carrying scraps, with a certain Agaji, whose full name is unknown, residing in Niger Republic, acting as their sponsor.

The immediate past president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed sadness over the death of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

The elder statesman died on Thursday in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, after a brief illness.

Reacting, Buhari, in a statement on Thursday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, extended his condolences to the family, friends and associates of the deceased.

The former president described Iwuanyanwu’s death as a sad event for the nation, highlighting his contributions to journalism, sports, politics and nation-building.

The statement added: “He was a visionary who revolutionised the nation’s media and sports. He made notable strides in the media industry, construction, sports, business, and politics.

“I had several opportunities to interact with him to learn about his passionate commitment to the unity, peaceful coexistence, and development of Nigeria.

“His rich contributions have left indelible memories in the media, sports, politics, and business, where he made extraordinary achievements.”

Two-time gold medallist, Andy Murray has withdrawn from singles at the Paris Olympics but still plans to compete in doubles alongside Daniel Evans in his final Olympic appearance.

Speaking at Thursday’s draw, Murray said, “I’ve taken the decision to withdraw from the singles to concentrate on the doubles with Dan. Our practice has been great and we’re playing well together. “Really looking forward to getting started and representing GB one more time.”

Murray, who will retire at the end of the Olympics, has not played singles since retiring in the second round of the cinch Championships in Queen’s. He underwent an operation on his back before Wimbledon, where he was restricted to playing doubles with his brother Jamie.

Murray will finish his career with a 739-262 record in singles. He earned 46 titles, including 2016 Rio and 2012 London Olympic gold medals.

Donald Trump’s would-be assassin, Thomas Crooks flew a drone 200 yards from the rally stage two hours before the sh0oting.

FBI Director, Christopher Wray told lawmakers the 20-year-old gunman flew a drone 200 yards from the stage just two hours before he opened fire in Butler, Pennsylvania, and had three explosives in his car.

The bombshell revelations from the bureau’s chief give more insight into Crooks’ preparation before he sh0t the former president, including his online research on the sniper who took out JFK in 1963.

Wray said Crooks had been ‘interested in public figures’ and ‘somewhere around July 6 or so he became very focused on former President Trump and his rally.’

The director said an analysis of Crooks’ laptop revealed he had searched on Google on July 6 ‘how far away was Oswald from Kennedy.’ It was the same day he registered to attend the Butler rally.

Lee Harvey Oswald shot and killed former President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

Crooks was flying a drone above the rally site two hours before the shooting and just 200 yards away from the stage, Wray has also revealed.

Wray made the bombshell revelation to Congress on Wednesday during a grilling by lawmakers on the investigation into the assassination attempt on the former president and the massive security failures.

Crooks shot Trump in the ear just 400 feet away from the stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13 from the roof of a nearby building just outside the security perimeter of the event.

Wray revealed that investigators found Crooks had a drone that he used to survey the scene hours before the event started, which was recovered from his car parked nearby.

He flew the drone around 4 p.m. over the area of the rally close to ‘200 yards’ from the stage to survey the scene. Trump took the stage around 6:03 p.m., over two hours later.

The FBI has also recovered three ‘explosive devices’ in possession of Crooks.

They were ‘relatively crude devices’ but had the ability ‘to be detonated remotely,’ Wray said.

The FBI director also revealed the weapon used had a ‘collapsible stock,’ which he said ‘could explain why it might’ve been less easy for people to observe.’

Wray could not say whether Crooks carried the gun up to the roof with him before he fired the shots or had stashed it there prior. He said the gunman did not use a latter to get onto the roof but rather some sort of ‘vertical piping.’

He said Crooks and his family owned a combined 14 guns and Crooks had visited a shooting range one day before the rally. He used an AR-style weapon that had been purchased legally by his father.

Wray said eight bullet cartridges had been recovered from the roof where Crooks fired off his shots toward the former president.

And he wouldn’t rule out that Crooks did not have any accomplices to the crime, saying it’s still being looked at by law enforcement.

Wray faced questions about why the president was allowed on stage despite the ‘threat’ being identified 20 minutes before the shots were fired.

Wray said, ‘we don’t know the answer to that.’

But he insisted his investigation was not focused on the security breach and the Secret Service failures.

‘Our investigation is focused on the shooter and all things related to his attack.’

His hearing comes days after the former Director of Secret Service Kimberly Cheatle was forced to resign after evading answering rounds of questioning by punting to the FBI in another congressional hearing earlier this week.

Wray promised his agency would leave ‘no stone unturned’ and emphasized that he wanted to provide all the information he had at this point of the ongoing investigation.

‘The shooter may be deceased but the FBI’s investigation is very much ongoing.’

He also made a reference to the warnings he has been giving Congress for years now about the threats of domestic terrorism.

FCT minister Nyesom Wike says Abuja will not be available for protesters on August 1.

Mr Wike gave the warning while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the FCT security council meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

He said that August 1 had been set aside for the chairpersons of the six area councils of Abuja to give out certificates of recognition to their traditional rulers.

“That is the day FCT has set aside for the entire area councils to jubilate, to give out certificates of recognition for their traditional rulers. We will not allow that day that FCT has set aside to honour their traditional rulers for their people to rejoice, and then somebody will come and disrupt that day. We will not allow it.

“We want people to come out and celebrate, as part of the achievement of the current administration. That day is not available for those who want to protest and FCT is not available for the protesters,” the FCT minister said.

Mr Wike said the security council was aware of the threat of the protest and what some people may call the “end bad governance.”

Noting the right of people to protest or demonstrate, the minister said that such rights must be done within the ambit of the law.

“This period, we think that all Nigerians should work collectively to salvage our country. I am aware that there are challenges, but President Bola Tinubu and his team are working right now to ensure that these challenges facing our country are addressed.

“We know that it is a very difficult period for citizens; Tinubu has come out clearly to say that there are challenges; there are problems, but these challenges and problems will be tackled,” Mr Wike said.

The minister, who expressed confidence in Mr Tinubu’s capacity to address the challenge, urged all Nigerians to be patient.

“For instance, in FCT, we have seen the changes. We have seen that the government is working. Tinubu is giving FCT so much support that all of us can attest to the fact that there are a lot of changes going on in FCT.

“Therefore, we will not allow anybody to set us back. We are looking forward to making sure that we take FCT to where it is supposed to be as one of the major cities, not only in Africa but in the world.

“So, we will not allow anybody to disrupt peace and set us back. For those who want to protest on August 1, or thereabout, FCT is not available for such protest,” Mr Wike said.

Operatives of the Tafawa Balewa Divisional Police Headquarters (C) of the Bauchi State Command have arrested a 30-year-old
man, Aminu Mohammed, for allegedly impersonating personnel of the Nigerian Army for two years.

The arrest occurred on July 22, 2024, following a complaint that Mohammed had collected N210,000 from an individual under the false pretense of securing a job for him with the Nigerian Army.

The suspect, a resident of Magaji Quarters in Bauchi Local Government Area, had allegedly directed the victim to meet an accomplice (currently at large) to facilitate entry into a military training school in Zaria.

However, after spending eight days in Zaria, the victim was unable to locate the individual who was supposed to assist him.

A statement issued by the spokesman of the Command, SP Ahmed Wakili, on Thursday, revealed that after preliminary investigations, it was discovered that Mohammed had never served in the military, thereby violating sections 110(1) and 251 of the criminal code.

He had, however, obtained a pair of camouflage trousers from a friend who is a serving military personnel.

According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police, Auwal Musa Mohammed, has ordered a thorough investigation by the state criminal investigation department to uncover more facts that will aid in the suspect’s prosecution.

The Executive secretary of the National Education Research Development Council, NERDC, Prof. Ismail Junaidu, is dead.

Junaidu reportedly died in early hours of Thursday in Damaturu, Yobe State, where he was attending the Joint Consultative Committee on Education, JCCE, meeting.

Details of his death are unknown as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, his corpse is being conveyed to Katsina for burial, later on Thursday.

Argentina U2 manager, Javier Mascherano has reacted to his team’s defeat to Morocco in their opening game of the Paris 2024 Olympics football events.

The coach was particularly concerned about La Albiceleste’s late equalizer which was ruled out by VAR.

The match ended in a 2-1 defeat for the 2024 Copa America champions on July 24, 2024, at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in France.

The Africans were 2-1 up at the end of 90 minutes and officials added a 15-minute injury time.

During the added time, Cristian Medina scored a late equalizer for Argentina, which would have ended the match in a 2-2 draw.

However, the game was interrupted as angry Moroccan fans entered the stadium.

The match was temporarily suspended and after about two hours, a VAR check ruled out Argentina’s equalizer, declaring it to be offside.

After the situation was under control, the remaining three-plus minutes were played as players re-emerged in an empty stadium.

The clash finally ended in a 2-1 win for Morocco.

Mascherano said (via @AlbicelesteTalk on X): “The biggest circus I’ve ever seen in my life.

“I don’t know what happened. We were in the locker room for almost an hour and a half. At no point were we informed about what could happen.

“As a player, I’ve never experienced security failing seven times in a match at this level. It was a disgrace.

“Today, they invaded the pitch seven times and then threw fireworks at us. They told us the match finished 2-2. Neither we nor Morocco wanted to continue playing.”

The Niger State Government has announced it will subsidise the cost of transportation for civil servants in the state following the receipt of 50 new CNG buses.

A statement signed by Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Media and Strategy, said the latest addition to the fleet of vehicles brings the total number to 250.

The statement said 100 of the buses will operate on the Suleja-Abuja route at discounted prices, while the others will provide intra-state services, also at discounted prices.

The buses, according to the state government, will offer free services to schoolchildren within the state capital.

The statement said: “Civil servants will also have access to the buses at discounted prices, moving to and from the state secretariat from designated bus stops within the state capital.”

Ebbo further affirmed that the NNPC is already constructing CNG-LPG stations in Lambata, Tafa, Bida, and Mokwa, while the state government has undertaken to construct one in Kontagora.

A banker, Kamaluddeen Lawal, and three businessmen have been arrested in Kano, over their fraudulent engagement in recycling and manipulating the specific amount of cash deposited in the bank for savings.

The three alleged accomplices include Ismail Ibrahim Ilu, Lamido Bala and Abba Mohammed, who had been arrested by operatives of the Kano Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, over their shady bank transactions.

The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, who confirmed the arrest in a statement late Tuesday night, disclosed that the suspects were nabbed on Unity Road, Kantin Kwari Market, Kano, following credible intelligence on the activities of some individuals, suspected to be trafficking huge sums of money in cash.

The suspects, according to the statement, specialised in sourcing mutilated naira notes from different banks to remove a few notes from each bundle and deposit them in their bank accounts, with a particular bank where their banker accomplice would receive the money as the original amount.

“The suspects were perpetrating the fraud by going to their respective banks, requesting a certain denomination (in this case N200 notes) and carefully removing a few notes from each bundle. Thereafter, they would hand them over to their accomplice at the bank.

“The accomplice will collect the money and make entries as filled in the tellers without counting them on the agreement that they would later give him his share of the money they removed,” Oyewale said.

According to the statement, a total sum of N7.5m was recovered from the suspects as of the time of their arrest.

The EFCC spokesperson said as soon as investigations were completed, the anti-graft agency would charge the suspects in court.

The Cross River/Akwa Ibom Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has auctioned off 26,625 litres of seized petrol to the public in Cross River State at a discounted rate of N9000 per 25-litre keg.

Recall that the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind; Controller HK Ejibunu, had at Cross River/Akwa Ibom/FTZ Area Command headquarters in Calabar, on Tuesday 16th July 2024, showcased huge seizures of petroleum products.

He reiterated the exercise was in continuation of efforts to disrupt and dismantle the network of cartels and smugglers of Premium Motor Spirit, especially in the riverine areas.

Ejibunu noted that the operation was jointly coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser and the NCS in synergy with NMDPRA, the regulatory authority in the oil and gas sector.

The auctioned off of the seized 1,065 25-litre kegs of PMS, totaling 26,625 litres of PMS together with one mode of conveyance; with a total DPV of N40,054,125 only were seized in different dates and locations across Agbaragba-Ikom, Akansoko road, Ikom-Ogoja road and other places within the zone.

The Area Controller, Chukwudi Gabriel Ogbonna, disclosed that the auction was conducted in strict adherence to existing laws and with the approval of the Controller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.

Urging members of the PMS smuggling cartels to have a re-think and better go into legitimate businesses because “we will continue to go after them as economic saboteurs, as there’s no place for their illegal activities, Ogbonna said, “NCS remains resolute in our mission to disrupt illegal trade activities. We will continue to enforce the law and ensure that those engaged in smuggling face the full consequences of their actions.”

Former Spokesman to former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Daniel Bwala has cautioned those planning to stage protests over prevailing economic hardship that it may not end peacefully in the long run.

Bwala who is perfecting a defection move to the ruling All Progressives Congress, said just like what transpired in Kenya, the government in power will continue to run while the people will end up being the victims of the mass protest.

“For those who are planning to go and protest. The issue with the protests is that everybody has the right, you know, to show his dissent right, to protest is constitutional.

“But if you look at the situation that we are facing today, and you look at the talking point, even in social media, you will understand that this protest is not built to end in peace. If you go to a protest that turns violent, you are likely to find that the people who claim to be fighting for you end up destroying and looting shops, and burning government infrastructure. At the end of the day, we will be taken aback and the government will start all over again.

“If you look at Kenya that is what is happening. Government will continue to run but then we have gone backwards because our people will continue to be in hunger and deprivation, I’m glad that the President is making all the effort to meet with the needs of the Nigerian people,” he stated on Wednesday.

Leading Polish high jumper Norbert Kobielski has received a provisional suspension for doping just three days before the start of the Olympic Games in Paris.

The 27-year-old tested positive for the prohibited substance pentedrone, according to the Athletics Integrity Unit, an independent organisation set up by the sport’s governing body, World Athletics.

Kobielski was in Poland’s Olympic squad after finishing 10th at the 2023 Athletics World Championships in Budapest

.He now faces a provisional ban prior to a final decision at a hearing

New Zealand’s Olympic Committee (NZOC) says it has lodged a report with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about a team from Canada.

It said this was because its women’s football team had their training session disrupted by a drone flown by a staff member of the Canadian team.

New Zealand face Canada in a Group A match of the competition on Thursday.

“On Monday, a drone was flown over the New Zealand women’s football team training session in St Etienne,” the NZOC said on Tuesday. “Team support members immediately reported the incident to police, leading to the drone operator, who has been identified as a support staff member of the wider Canadian Women’s football team, to be detained.”

The incident was immediately reported to the IOC integrity unit, and Team Canada has since apologised and was said to be investigating, the NZOC said.

“The NZOC and New Zealand Football are committed to upholding the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games and are deeply shocked and disappointed by this incident,” the statement said.

The incident occurred just three days before the sides are due to face each other in their opening game of the Paris Games.

“At this time, the NZOC’s main priority is to support the New Zealand women’s football athletes and wider team as they start their campaign,” the Committee said in a statement.

The Canadian Olympic Committee, on its part, said it was informed of the incident involving “a non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team.”

It added that it was “reviewing next steps with the IOC, Paris 2024, Canada Soccer and FIFA.”

“The Canadian Olympic Committee stands for fair play and we are shocked and disappointed.

“We offer our heartfelt apologies to New Zealand Football, to all the players affected and to the New Zealand Olympic Committee,” it said in a statement.

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has lambasted the federal lawmakers, especially those from the north, for supporting the call for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The call for the freedom of the IPOB leader has become louder as prominent Nigerians, including lawmakers, have added their voices.

However, CNG described the call as treacherous, saying that lawmakers joining such a move were unpatriotic

The Coalition said it may easily forgive the governors and lawmakers from the Southeast, who they accused of being Nnamdi Kanu’s supporters from the beginning, but could not imagine why a northern lawmaker should support the call.

It said the demand for Kanu’s release was an affront to those who died in the heat of Nnamdi Kanu’s secessionist ambitions and a slap in the face of the Nigerian people.

Recall that the Northern Coalition had on 7th August, 2017, reported Nnamdi Kanu to the United Nations, accusing him of carrying out acts of terror against innocent Nigerians.

CNG also advocated for declaring the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as a terrorist organization.

“We reject this legislative rascality…”, the group said in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi.

“We are shocked that House of Representatives members, including those from Northern Nigeria, are supporting the release of a terrorist being held on charges before a court of competent jurisdiction.

“This is a blatant attempt to subvert the rule of law and undermine the authority of the Nigerian judiciary. Where were they when Nnamdi Kanu and his people were killing and are still killing the Northerners in the east?

“Where were they when the properties of the Northerners were destroyed by him? Are they elected for their personal benefits or for the interest of the Citizens? It is shameful and disheartening to see a Northern Lawmaker contributing in such an unjust matter.

“This will further demoralize the security operatives seeing the killer of their loved ones celebrated in the NASS instead of apprehended.

“We are not surprised by the position of the southeastern legislators, their governors, religious and traditional leaders, being accomplices and supporters of Nnamdi kanu’s atrocities, but condemn in totality all Northern lawmakers who endorsed this treachery.

“We will not let the blood of our loved ones be in vain. We will not let terrorism prevail,” it stated.

At least 50 people have been killed in landslides in southern Ethiopia, according to local officials.

Two incidents are thought to have occurred on Sunday evening and Monday morning, after heavy rains in a remote mountainous area of the Gofa zone.

The local authority said the search for survivors was “continuing vigorously” but that the “death toll could yet increase”.

Footage showed hundreds of people gathered at the scene and others digging in the dirt in search of people trapped underneath.

In the background, a hillside can be seen partially collapsed and a large patch of red earth has been exposed.

Meskir Mitku, the general administrator of the Gofa zone, said women, children, and police officers were among the casualties.

“There was a heavy rain yesterday (Sunday) night and some people died from a landslide,” government spokesperson for the Gofa district in the South Ethiopia regional state, Kassahun Abayneh, said.

“In the morning (Monday), locals, including police, gathered at the site to save those who were affected by the first landslide. That is when the second landslide happened around 10:00 (07:00 GMT) today and those who gathered there died,” he said in quotes cited by AFP news agency.

Gofa is part of the South Ethiopia regional state and is located around 320km (199 miles) southwest of the capital, Addis Ababa.

South Ethiopia is among the areas of the country that have been hit by particularly heavy rain and flooding in recent months, according to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

But instances of landslides and floods go back further. In May 2016, at least 50 people were killed in floods and landslides following heavy rain across the south of the country.

Many factors contribute to flooding, but a warming atmosphere caused by climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely.

The world has already warmed by about 1.2C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.

No fewer than three persons have reportedly died in Asakio following the collapse of an old building in the main market.

According to reports, two women and a child died as a result of the building collapse in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The tragic incident occurred on Monday afternoon, bringing commercial activities in the market to a standstill.

An eyewitness confirmed that two other individuals were rescued from the debris and rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

An erstwhile Foreign Affairs Minister, Bolaji Akinyemi, says Kamala Harris will be a strong opponent for Donald Trump in the next election, highlighting that she will be a hard nut for Trump to crack.

Joe Biden on Sunday dropped out from the US presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s fresh nominee, shaking up an already extraordinary race for the White House.

In the letter announcing his withdrawal, Biden said it was in the best interest of his party and the country to leave the race.

“It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your president. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden had said.

Reacting to the development during an appearance on Arise News on Monday, Akinyemi praised Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris as his successor.

He said, “President Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris as the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party is a good choice, not necessarily because of her own character but because she is the Vice President.”

“I hope nobody is going to underestimate Kamala Harris. She had to keep a low profile, and I said three weeks ago that when you are the Vice President, you cannot be seen outshining the President. You do what the President tells you to do.”

“Kamala Harris is going to be a hard nut for Trump to crack. Be careful of lawyers, especially someone who has been an attorney general and a prosecutor. She will take you to pieces with the way she will put her own questions and the way she will use you to wipe the floor. She won the Senate seat by 60% from California when she ran, so you see that she is not an easy nut to crack.”

A man killed several people, including his mother, in a retirement home in north-eastern Croatia, media outlets reported on Monday.

Croatian news website index.hr said police confirmed the incident in the small town of Daruvar without offering details on the number of victims.

The media reported that at least five people were killed, including one care worker.

The man is said to have broken into the care home with a weapon and fired it several times.

Index.hr said five people were killed instantly, while several others were injured.

The man was reportedly detained soon after in a café.

The news website mojportal.hr said the man was born in 1973 and was a retired military policeman.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković was due to address the incident later on Monday.

Interior Minister Davor Božinović, Health Minister Vili Beroš and Labour Minister Marin Piletić are all expected to attend the scene.