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A Mercedes Benz was seen burning to aches in Kaduna State,  no casualties of life was recorded and the cause of the fire is unknown.  video

A 20-year-old student of the University of Ilorin, Sanni Hameedat, reportedly committed suicide after lending a boy she met on the social media platform, Snapchat, the sum of N500,000.   Rubiks, the private hostel management she resided in before her death confirmed the incident to  Punch  in a statement on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.    According to the management, Hameedat was undergoing her SIWES programme before the incident happened.   The management asserted that the cause of her death was not unrelated to the pressure from the app agents, who were demanding fast repayment, coupled with her brother’s inability to assist her financially, which led to depression.    “The cause of suicide was traced to financial misappropriation. She was entrusted with a significant sum of money by her mother. She crossed paths with a guy on Snapchat and developed a friendship," the statement said.    "When the boy claimed that his mother...

Burkina Faso's military leaders have signed a deal with Russia to build a nuclear power plant to increase electricity supplies. "The government of Burkina Faso has signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of a nuclear power plant," the government said in a statement.  The agreement was signed at the Russian Energy Week in Moscow, which was attended by Burkina Faso's energy minister Simon-Pierre Boussim.  The document "fulfills the wish of the president of [Burkina] Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore, expressed [in] July at the Russia-Africa summit during a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin," the statement said.  Russia's state atomic energy agency Rosatom said in its own statement that "the memorandum is the first document in the field of the peaceful use of atomic energy between Russia and Burkina Faso."  The nuclear power plant will enable the country to meet its energy needs, it said, adding that the ...

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked a Benue Links bus conveying passengers to Otukpo en-route Naka road in Gwer West Local Government Area of the state at Tyolaha village.    The assailants, said to be heavily armed attacked the vehicle on Thursday, October 12, 2023, killing one passenger.    Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, who confirmed the incident on Friday, said three people including women were injured and one person died.    Gwer West State Assembly Member, Hon. Gyila Solomon Terlumun, in a statement issued by his Senior Legislative Aide/Media Aide, Akem Peter, said three persons were killed in the attack while several others are still missing.    “Gwer West State Assembly Member, Hon. Gyila Solomon Terlumun, condemns the massacring of a Benue Links bus conveying passengers to Otukpo en-route Naka road Gwer West LG at Tyolaha village by suspected heavily armed Fulani herdsmen killing three perso...

Gaza civilians have vowed they would rather die than leave their homes after Israel gave them 24 hours before launching an all-out assault.  While some heeded the call to leave, by Friday afternoon there was little sign of a mass exodus, despite the UN warning the area is 'fast becoming a hellhole'.  Death is better than leaving,' said Mohammad, 20, standing in the street outside a building reduced to rubble in an Israeli air strike two days ago near the centre of Gaza. 'I was born here, and I will die here, leaving is a stigma.'  With power supplies cut and food and water in the Palestinian enclave running short after a week of retaliatory air strikes and a full Israeli blockade, the U.N. said Gaza's civilians were in an impossible situation.  'The noose around the civilian population in Gaza is tightening. How are 1.1 million people supposed to move across a densely populated warzone in less than 24 hours?' U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths w...

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has taken himself off penalty-taking duty for Napoli after a now infamous series of TikToks were posted to the club’s social media channels in recent weeks, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Nigerian had been left furious after two seemingly insulting videos were posted to the club’s TikTok account, one of which had mocked him as begging for a penalty then his miss from the spot in a Serie A match against Bologna at the end of September. The videos caused an uproar for Osimhen and his supporters alike, eventually leading to the departure of one of Napoli’s social media executives. Since the incident, Napoli have played three matches and been awarded penalties in every one of those games, yet Osimhen has not taken any of them. Instead, Piotr Zielinski took on the responsibility against Udinese as well as against Real Madrid in Wednesday night’s Champions League clash at the Maradona. Matteo Politano took the injury-time kick against Lecce in the...

The leadership of the Labour Party has asked the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to leave out its candidate, Peter Obi, from his feud with President Bola Tinubu, saying the former Anambra governor is solely focused on reclaiming his ‘stolen mandate’ at the apex court. The party however said it will welcome any interest that amplifies its quest for a nation where true justice shall reign. The response was a reaction to the call by the PDP candidate for Obi and the presidential flag bearer of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to join his crusade in exposing the alleged dirty secrets of the president. In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday by the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, the party appealed that they would appreciate if their candidate is allowed to concentrate on his case at the apex court. The statement read, “The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi is presently in the Supreme Cou...

The Chicago State University (CSU) has confirmed in an affidavit that the Diploma President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is valid. Atiku, the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25 election, had requested the documents to back his allegation of forgery of the CSU certificate against Tinubu. According to the affidavit obtained by the Nation, CSU  confirmed the certificate and that of 1979 it presented to the President on graduation is valid.   CSU, in the affidavit it presented to the court in Chicago, said: ” Chicago State University provided a Diploma to Bola Ahmed Tinubu and subsequently provided a certified copy of that Diploma. Both are valid and authentic Diplomas of the Chicago State University. ”There are certain differences between the Diploma and the certified copy because all diplomas are signed by the current President/Board Chairman. There are also...

The Supreme Court has fixed December 15 to deliver its judgement on the appeal filed by embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB seeking to compel the Federal Government to release him from detention.   A five-member panel of the apex court headed by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, okayed the matter for judgement, after counsel for both FG and the detained IPOB leader, adopted their final briefs of argument.   While FG was represented by a team of lawyers that were led by an Acting Director, Civil Appeals at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. T. A. Gazzali, SAN, Kanu’s legal team was led by a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Kanu Agabi, SAN.   Represented by one of his legal consel, Prof. Mike Ozehkome, SAN,  Kanu prayed the court to not only order his immediate release from detention, but to equally award “very heavy and punitive cost” against FG.   “We urge my lords to uphold our Cross-Appeal in ...

Nigeria's minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has stated that Nigerians would have to wait more than two weeks for an international passport anymore.   The minister, on September 7, gave the NIS a two-week deadline to remove all passport application backlogs. He added that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had cleared all the 204,332 passport application backlogs. Speaking on Wednesday, October 4 in Abuja while updating Nigerians on the status of the passport backlog in the country,Tunji-Ojo said: “No one will ever wait for two weeks to get passports again. If you apply and have been captured, you will get your passport within two weeks.” He noted: “Immigration service did three shifts to make sure that we clear the backlogs and to ensure that never again in the history of Nigeria, are we going to have a backlog. This is not a temporary relief but a permanent solution.” The minister stated that NIS and its partners would enhance their systems in order to impro...

Morocco, Portugal and Spain will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup tournament, world football ru0ling body, FIFA has announced.   According to a statement on FIFA’s website on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, the decision was taken by the FIFA Council. “Following extensive consultation with all confederations and given the importance of marking the centenary of the FIFA World Cup the FIFA Council took key decisions in relation to the bidding and hosting of the Centenary edition of the FIFA World Cup in 2030 during its meeting held by videoconference from the Home of FIFA. “In 2030, the FIFA World Cup will unite three continents and six countries, inviting the entire world to join in the celebration of the beautiful game, the Centenary and the FIFA World Cup itself. “The FIFA Council unanimously agreed that the sole candidacy will be the combined bid of Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, which will host the event in 2030 and qualify automatically from the existing slot allocation su...

The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has said Nigerians should pray that the country’s refineries do not work. Oyedele said this when he spoke at The Platform’s Independence Anniversary event, held in Lagos on Monday, October 2. Oyedele said should Nigerian refineries produce petroleum, inefficiencies in the management might make a litre of petrol the most expensive in the world. “Nigerians would say if only our refineries were working, then we’ll be fine. Nothing can be farther from the truth than that. In fact, Nigerians should come together and say please make sure that our refineries don’t work. We should sell them. The National Assembly said we have spent over N10tn maintaining our refineries even when they have not produced anything. The time that they were producing, the GMD of NNPC at the time who is now the CEO of NNPC limited, said We had to shut down the one that we were producing because they took crude of $100 and prod...

Headteachers in the UK will be told to ban pupils from using mobile phones during the entire school day under new government guidance. The Department for Education wants children to be barred from using devices on breaks as well as in class. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will announce the plans at the Conservative Party conference on Monday, October 2.   The government already encourages head teachers to limit phone usage and many schools have restrictions in place.   Gillian Keegan will ban smartphones from classrooms both during lessons and in break times to ensure pupils can concentrate, the Daily Mail reported. Sources close to the discussions say that Ms Keegan will issue new guidance to schools requiring them to put new measures in place to stop pupils from using their phones. A source told The Daily Mail: “Gillian believes that mobile phones pose a serious challenge in terms of distraction, disruptive behaviour, and bullying. It is one of the biggest issues that children an...

Russian president Vladimir Putin is poised to announce he will seek another six-year term as Russian president paving the way for the Kremlin chief to stay in power until 2030.   Officials suspect that Putin may announce he will take part in the election in March 2024, Kommersant reported, citing unidentified sources close to the presidential administration.   The newspaper said there were, however, other scenarios for what Putin might do at the conference and the final decision rested with him. The Kremlin did not immediately comment. Putin, who was handed the presidency by Boris Yeltsin on the last day of 1999, has been leader for longer than any other Russian ruler since Josef Stalin, beating even Leonid Brezhnev's 18-year tenure.   While many diplomats, spies, and officials have said they expect Putin to stay in power for life, there has yet to be any confirmation of his plans to run in the 2024 presidential vote.   Putin said last month he would make an announcement on his pla...

Knuckleballer and 2x World Series champion, Tim Wakefield is dead. The former Boston Red Sox star passed on at the age of 57, days after former teammate Curt Schilling revealed that the longtime starting pitcher was battling brain cancer. Ex-Boston Red Sox knuckleballer, Tim Wakefield is dead Announcing his death, the Boston Red Sox said in a statement;  "Our hearts are broken with the loss of Tim Wakefield. Wake embodied true goodness; a devoted husband, father, and teammate, beloved broadcaster, and the ultimate community leader. He gave so much to the game and all of Red Sox Nation. “Our deepest love and thoughts are with Stacy, Trevor, Brianna, and the Wakefield family.” Wakefield won 200 games and retired with a 4.41 ERA. Tim struck out over 2,100 batters and earned a trip to the All-Star Game in 2009. He won two World Series in 2004 and 2007. Wakefield retired in 2011 and was later inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame.

Headteachers in the UK will be told to ban pupils from using mobile phones during the entire school day under new government guidance. The Department for Education wants children to be barred from using devices on breaks as well as in class. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will announce the plans at the Conservative Party conference on Monday, October 2. The government already encourages head teachers to limit phone usage and many schools have restrictions in place. Gillian Keegan will ban smartphones from classrooms both during lessons and in break times to ensure pupils can concentrate, the Daily Mail reported. Sources close to the discussions say that Ms Keegan will issue new guidance to schools requiring them to put new measures in place to stop pupils from using their phones. A source told The Daily Mail: “Gillian believes that mobile phones pose a serious challenge in terms of distraction, disruptive behaviour, and bullying. It is one of the biggest issues that children and te...

The memorandum opinion and order read in part:  “For the foregoing reasons, the court overrules President Tinubu’s objections to Magistrate Judge Gilbert’s recommended ruling, and therefore, adopts the ruling in full. “Mr Atiku’s Application is, therefore, granted. In light of the pending Supreme Court of Nigeria deadline, represented to the court as October 5, 2023, and based on CSU’s representations that it is ready to comply with the discovery requests and produce a witness, the court sets an expedited schedule for completion of discovery. “Respondent CSU is directed to produce all relevant and non-privileged documents in response to Requests for Production Nos. The Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of CSU’s corporate designee must be completed by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Given the October 5, 2023, filing deadline before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the court will not extend or modify these deadlines. However, the judge stressed that his verdict “is express...

I lebaye wins big brother Naija all stars 2023

Casualty figure in the road accident involving some students of the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, on Thursday rose from the initial three to six, following the death of another three passengers at the hospital where they were being treated after the crash. The PUNCH  earlier reported that three occupants of the bus travelling along Osogbo/Ifon/Oyo boundary road late on Wednesday were burnt to death in the road crash. But six other occupants were reportedly rescued by the operatives of Osun Ambulance Scheme that responded to the distress call from the scene of the accident which occurred near Ojutu Bridge, Ilobu. A resident of Okinni, identified as Adeyanju, who spoke to PUNCH Metro on Thursday, said the driver of the bus conveying the victims had hit a commercial motorcyclist in the town, and was making attempt to escape the rage of some angry residents chasing after him. “Few meters from Ojutu Bridge, the driver lost control of the vehicle and the bus somersaul...

Terrorists have reportedly killed six persons in the Takanai community of Atyap Chiefdom in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.  The attack occurred on Tuesday night, September 26, 2023, barely five days after gunmen attacked a village in Kaura, killed a woman and kidnapped two of her children.   The acting Secretary to the District Head of the Community, Mr. Samson Markus, who confirmed the sad incident to  Punch  on Wednesday, said the terrorists invaded the village at around 7:pm and opened fire, killing four people in the same compound while two in another family.   According to Markus, two children were also victims of the deadly attack.   "We were going about our normal businesses when we heard gunshots, we thought it was the military at first until we saw it was the Fulanis who came in from Zango Urban,” Markus alleged.   Before the military arrived, they had succeeded in killing six persons, including 2 children....