Daily News Roundup

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, on Friday, ordered the State Urban Development Board to immediately unseal the Maiduguri headquarters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The board sealed the headquarters of NNPP on Thursday and arrested a senatorial candidate of the party.

-. A two-storey building under construction has collapsed in the Kubwa area of Abuja, leaving workers trapped. Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) carried out a rescue operation at the scene.

-. The recent surveillance contract awarded to ex-leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo has continued to create tension across the Niger Delta as a group of ex-militants has demanded inclusion. The multi-million naira contract awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and targeted to curb the perennial oil theft is to cover the Niger Delta region.

-. Some groups and associations in the South-East have rejected the so-called order on burial of the dead within three days issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), saying such an order was impracticable. IPOB had, in a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful on Wednesday, attributed the problems facing Igbo in recent times to the long period spent before burying their loved ones.



-. Soothing news came the way of foreign airlines on Friday, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has released $265 million to them to repatriate funds accrued from ticket sales. With Friday’s release, it is expected that operators and travellers will heave huge sighs of relief, as some airlines had threatened to withdraw their services in the face of unremitted funds for outstanding sale of tickets.



-. Presidential flag-bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has dismissed reports of any merger or alliance with any political party in the 2023 presidential election. Adebayo disclosed this at a parley with media executives in Abuja, yesterday.



-. Indication has emerged that the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, is currently under immense pressure from his loyalists following reports that he has yielded to the demand by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for the removal of the PDP National Chairman, Iyiochia Ayu.



-. The Naira on Friday appreciated against the dollar at the Investors and Exporters window, exchanging at N430.33. The figure represented an increase of 0.08 percent, compared with N430.67 it exchanged for the dollar on Thursday.



-. The Police in Bauchi State have arrested nine kidnap suspects and rescued one victim at Maina Maji Village, in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the State. Police spokesman in the State, SP Ahmed Wakil, stated in Bauchi on Friday that the raid on the kidnappers’ hideout was conducted by police operatives in collaboration with some vigilantes.

- Arsenal is the only team yet to drop any points so far in the Premier League.

What a surprise.

Only last year, many pundits and supporters were calling for manager Mikel Arteta’s head, after the Gunners lost their first three fixtures.

After playing Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City, they had conceded nine goals and scored none.

This year, Arsenal have flown out of the blocks.

After three matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded only twice.

This Saturday, they welcome Fulham to the Emirates. Marco Silva’s men are actually unbeaten so far, having drawn two games and won the last time out against Brentford.

It will probably be a tough one for Arteta’s men, as his defence would have to find ways to keep out Aleksandr Mitrovic, who has netted three times in as many matches.

However, with the rearguard of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, you expect Arsenal to be able to handle the Serbian frontman comfortably.

With Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard in hot form, they should go ahead and win the match and remain top of the table until the midweek games swing by.

- A 45-year-old man from Benue State has been arraigned at a Makurdi Magistrate Court for cannibalism.

Jeremiah Ode, from Igwe Ochekpo in Oju Local Government Area, who was caught eating the head of a woman he allegedly killed on her farm, is being prosecuted at a Makurdi Magistrate Court, for the gruesome murder of Priscilla Adoga, 65.

Inspector Omaye Ujata, the Prosecuting Police Officer, told the court that the incident which occurred on Friday, August 19,2022 was reported to the police by Silas Igiri of Oju Local Government Area.

According to Igiri’s report, the accused went to the farm where his uncle’s wife, Priscilla, was working and killed her using a machete.

After severing Priscilla’s head, he prepared pepper soup with it right there on the spot and was eating it when he was caught.

Sources in the community told newsmen that, when Priscilla did not return from the farm at the normal time, her relatives went in search of her, only to find Jeremiah, known in the community to be mentally deranged, having a meal of the woman’s head.

When asked why he did that, Jeremiah reportedly said he only started with the head after which he would proceed to her body.

When asked by the Police to give his account of the incident, Jeremiah reportedly narrated how he and Priscilla fought each other with their machetes until he overpowered her.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Regina Alagh, therefore, ordered that the accused be remanded at the Federal Correctional Centre, Makurdi.

The case has been adjourned to November 11, for legal advice from the State Ministry of Justice.

from daily post