Division
Wilfred Ndidi reveals how he became a midfielder
Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has credited former Genk manager Peter Maes for switching his playing position from centre-back to midfield. Last season, the Nigeria international was drafted into the heart of the Foxes’ defence on several occasions and he delivered some impressive performances. His initial knowledge as a centre-back has also helped him shine in the Premier League as one of the best defensive midfielders in the division. The 24-year-old, who moved to King Power Stadium in January 2017, disclosed that his role was changed at Genk after he played for Nigeria’s youth teams and his former side Nath Boys as a defender. “I started my career as a central defender during my days in Nath Boys. Even in the U-17, U-20, national team…I was a defender,” Ndidi told the Guardian ...
Victor Oye remains suspended as APGA national chairman – party scribe
The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Mr. Okechukwu Chukwuyere, has insisted that Chief Victor Oye, remains suspended as the National Chairman of the party. Chukwuyere, disclosed this to Journalists, on Thurday, in Awka, shortly after the party’s factional Primary that produce Honourable Michael Chukwuma Umeorji as the APGA candidate for the November 6th, 2021 Anambra governorship election. He insisted that Oye had ceased to function as the National Chairman following an order of court that sacked him from office as APGA National Chairman. He said that the only recognised and authentic National Chairman of APGA known by Nigerians is Chief Jude Okeke. He claimed that Victor Oye had become a threat to the future of the party. The APGA National Publici...
Mikel Obi leaves Stoke City, joins Kuwaiti club
Former Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has joined Al Kuwait SC, the Kuwaiti Premier League side on a year’s deal. The announcement was made by the club on Thursday, after Mikel and Stoke City cancelled their contract by mutual consent. Mikel’s new club finished third in the division last season behind Al-Qadsia and champions Al-Arabi. The Nigerian spent 11 years and made 372 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea. After Chelsea he played for Trabzonspor and Middlesbrough, before heading to China to spend two years with Tianjin Teda in the Chinese Super League. Mikel returned to UK in August 2020 to play Stoke City. Stoke boss Michael O’Neill told the club’s official website: ‘Although John triggered the second year of his contract, we always had an agreement in place whereby we wou...
Settlers in occupied West Bank agree to evacuate illegal outpost
Israeli settlers who constructed an unapproved outpost near Beita in the occupied West Bank said they have agreed to withdraw from the site. Tensions in the occupied West Bank reached new highs in the past months with the Evyatar settlement being one of the focal points of clashes as settlers refused to evacuate the land and Palestinians demonstrated against their presence. Several Palestinians have been killed and dozens wounded by Israeli forces supporting the illegal settlers. According to a statement on Wednesday by the Samaria Regional Council, a settlers’ organisation, the Israelis are due to leave by Friday following a compromise offered to them by the Israeli government. The Samaria Regional Council also reportedly said the settlement’s structures will not be demolished, but rather...
Appeal court affirms sentence of Gombe ex-commissioner
The Court of Appeal, Gombe Division, has affirmed the conviction of a former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism and Chairman of Shangon Local Government Area, Samuel Bulus Adamu. The ex-commissioner had on July 23,2020 been convicted and sentenced to 32 years imprisonment over a case of fraud, cheating and money laundering brought against him by Gombe Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The lower court had ruled that the EFCC proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently convicted and sentenced Adamu to a cumulative 31 years imprisonment on the seven count charge preferred against him. Adamu, was convicted for awarding N97.64 million contract to a non-existing company, inflation of contract and payment of contractor above his threshold. But diss...
PDP cautions Zamfara governor, lawmakers over plan to defect to APC
The Peoples Democratic Party has cautioned the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, and those of the National Assembly from the state against defecting to the All Progressives Congress. Newsmen reported that Matawalle will dump the PDP for the APC tomorrow. Reacting, the PDP stated that Matawalle defecting to the APC amounts to a decision to vacate office. According to the party, “No law allows him to cross over to any other party with the governorship mandate statutorily given to the PDP through the ballot box.” This was disclosed in a statement titled, ‘Zamfara: PDP Cautions Matawalle, NASS, SHoA Members Against Defection,’ signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan. It read, “The PDP is watching developments i...
Police: Jigawa man foils kidnap attempt by fake NDLEA operatives
The Police Command in Jigawa has arrested three kidnap suspects in Hadejia Local Government Area of the state, the command spokesperson, ASP Lawan Shiisu, has said. Shiisu, in a statement in Dutse on Wednesday, said the suspects were arrested after they allegedly attempted to kidnap one Cyprian Okechukwu on May 31. He explained that the suspects allegedly disguised as personnel of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and attempted to forcefully take the victim to their office. “On May 32, 2021 at about 1000hrs, one Cyprian Okechuku of Quarters reported at Hadejia ‘A’ division that on the same date at about 0800hrs, some hoodlums numbering about three in Volkswagen Golf car, light green in colour, came to his house, disguised as NDLEA personnel and forcefully tried to take him to th...
Kwara governor: Let’s fight terrorism, poverty, not ourselves
Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has called on Nigerians to unite in the fight against terrorism, banditry and mass poverty. AbdulRazaq made the appeal at the closing ceremony of 2 Division Inter-Brigade Corporals and Below Competition 2021, at the Sobi Barack Ilorin on Friday. The governor described these challenges as “our common enemies” and urged citizens to stop seeing one another as enemies. According to him, these are elements bent on terrorising the people and tearing the nation apart. He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his patience and support for the security agencies to discharge their duties as well as commitment to national peace and security. “The security agencies, particularly the military will continue to symbolise the unity of the people and the strength of t...
Police arrest 10, recover firearms, ammunition in Enugu
The Police Command in Enugu says operatives attached to `Operation Restore Peace’ have arrested 10 criminal suspects for alleged kidnapping, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearm and fighting in the state. The operatives recovered two firearms, four live ammunition of .9mm calibre, one expended cartridge, two vehicles, one tricycle, one machete and other incriminating items. The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, said in a statement on Thursday in Enugu that the feat was in pursuance of `Operation Restore Peace’ mandates. Ndukwe said, “On May 28 at about 7am, operatives attached to Nimbo Police Division in synergy with Neighbourhood Watch Group, arrested Nnamdi Okweli, 26; Victor Nwakor, 23 and Chisom Nwankpa, 22 for suspected kidnapping, while others escap...
Justice Adah: Nigerians must work hard to ensure the country remains one
A legal luminary in the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, Justice Steve Adah, has stressed the need for all Nigerians to work hard to ensure that the country remains one indivisible entity. Justice Adah who stated this on Saturday at the 35th anniversary celebration of the Faith Women Fellowship in Makurdi, Benue State capital recalled that on May 29, 1999, Nigeria returned to democratic rule but has had little or nothing to show for it 22 years after. While speaking on the theme, “Defy Limitations to Soar Higher”, Adah noted that God had ordained Nigeria as the most populous black nation in the world to remain one indivisible country despite the numerous tribes, religion and political affiliation of the people. ‘May 29th of every four years, our presidents take oath of office. This is a da...
Police arrest two ‘armed robbers’, recover stolen firearms in Ebonyi
The police in Ebonyi have arrested two suspected armed robbers and recovered firearms and ammunition in Isu in Onicha Local Government Area of the state. Police spokesperson in the state, DSP Loveth Odah, said in a statement issued in Abakaliki on Monday that the suspects, Eluu Emmanuel, was arrested alongside the gang leader only known as “Blood’’. “Emmanuel made useful statement to the police and led police operatives to the house of “Blood’’ “He also led the police to the houses of other gang members who were alleged to have been terrorising the area and the master minder of the various attacks on three Police Divisional Headquarters in Onicha, Abaomege, and Ohaozara. “Emmanuel and his cohorts on sighting the police, opened fire on the operatives who gallantly fought back. “In the proce...
Gunmen burn INEC office, attack police station in Anambra
The Police in Anambra State have confirmed attacks on the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission and Police B’Division in Awka, the State capital on Sunday night. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, who confirmed the incident said he had scanty information on the development. He said, “Please, I will get back to you as soon as I get the full details.” Gunmen had around 9pm on Sunday invaded B Division Police Station and the INEC office in Awka. Some police officers were feared dead in the attack. Eyewitnesses said the attack lasted for about two hours with gunshots. “The gunmen set the police station and INEC office ablaze. It was followed by what looks like mass robbery in the area with gunshots everywhere. It was like we were in Sambis...
