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AFCON qualifier: DSTV staff heading to Uyo shot dead during attack

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A crew of DSTV journalist going to Uyo for the coverage of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match were attacked and kidnapped on October 10, 2024, while one of them has been confirmed dead.

The Anambra State Police Command had earlier reported that joint security forces led by the command rescued six sports journalists who were kidnapped in the state while traveling to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the rescue of the abducted journalists.

SP Ikenga said that the media crew were kidnapped along Isseke-Orlu Road in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state when they were travelling from Lagos to Uyo.

He had earlier pointed out that Joint security forces successfully rescued 6 members of the media crew.

The police spokesperson added that operations are still ongoing for the possible rescue of the seventh crew member.

Further development, he assured will be communicated later.

7 journalists killed

It was gathered that the sports journalists were travelling to Uyo ahead of the Super Eagles’ match with Libya in Uyo in the ongoing African Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday.

It was, however, learnt that 7th member of the crew yet to be rescued has been killed by the kidnappers.

A source said: “The DSTV crew heading to Uyo for AFCON match coverage was attacked and kidnapped.

“A victim was shot dead as the army rescued seven persons.

“One of them is Kay, a technical crew member, and he is now confirmed dead.”

How the game ended

Super Eagle will hope to continue with their fine start to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they host Libya in the third round of the qualification series at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday .

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The Super Eagles aim to extend their unbeaten start to the series, the Mediterranean Knights will be aiming for their first win.

The Super Eagles started the qualifiers with a commendable 3-0 victory over Benin Republic before playing a goalless draw away at Rwanda a couple of days ago in Kigali.

What coach Eguavoen said before the match

Mr. Austin Eguavoen, the coach, said that Eagle is currently top of Group D with 4 points and are the only team yet to concede a goal in the group.

A doubleheader victory over Libya will see them move clear and edge closer to securing qualification, a scenario that the interim coach hopes will play out.

Eguavoen noted that the boys are ready to fight for those three points.

He said: “Every minute counts, and we know what it means to get the job done and over with as early as possible.

“It is going to be tough, but I think at the end of the day, with the boys we have in the team, they will deliver, the coach said ahead of their encounter with the Libyans.”

The meeting between Nigeria and Libya made it 5 times both countries face each other.

The Eagles won all four previous encounters, including two games in the AFCON qualifiers back in 2018.

Eguavoen, whose side have only lost one of their last 14 AFCON qualifying matches, will hope to maintain their impressive form and continue their dominance of the visitors.

Tasked with the duty of guiding Nigeria to the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco, the interim coach knows his side must be wary of the Libyans who are yet to pick up a win in their qualifying campaign.

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“The are down, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t rise because they have a couple of games to play.

“I know they will come here and fight, and we are also going to fight too.

“Let’s forget about the past games and look ahead to the Libya game, and our focus is on the home game in front of us,” he added.

Nigeria headed into the encounter without talisman Victor Osimhen but showed they have enough quality in the team to get the job done against the visitors, who arrived in Uyo with a new coach.

Unimpressed by their first two results and in search of their first AFCON ticket in 12 years, the Libya FA sacked much-travelled Serbian coach Milutin Sredojevic and shortly after engaged Nasser Al-Hadiri as his replacement.

Libya were held to a 1-1 draw by Rwanda in their opening match of the qualifiers before losing 2-1 to Benin in their second match.

The Mediterranean Knights took the lead in the ninth minute from the spot via Faisal Al Badri, but a 12-minute spell in the second half saw them concede two goals that cost them to loose the game.

Newly appointed head coach Al-Hadiri hoped his side picks up valuable points against Nigeria as they look to end their 12-year AFCON absence.

Libya’s last appearance in the continental showpiece came in 2012.

Meanwhile, they are currently bottom of Group D with one point and will have to quickly turn things around if they are to end this run.

Super Eagles won the match

Mr. Simon Moses assist and Mr. fisayo Dele Bashiru shot on targets was able to keep Nigeria eagles on top of group D table in a tough match that ended 1 – 0 in the favour of the eagles.

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See the table below:

Position Team Played Goal Difference Points
1 Nigeria 3 4 7
2 Benin 3 1 6
3 Rwanda 3 -3 2
4 Libya 3 -2 1

Who will win 2024 African Footballer best Of The Year?

Brahim Diaz of Morocco or Ademola Lookman of Nigeria

The Moroccan FA believes that Brahim Diaz will win the African Footballer Of The Year award ahead of Nigeria Super Eagles and Atlanta winger, Ademola Lookman.

Morocco dreams of having an African Ballon d’Or again, something that has not happened since Mustapha Hadji won it in 1998.

Brahim Diaz last season performance

– 12 Goals
– 9 Assists
– Laliga winner
– Champions League winner (but he wasn’t instrumental to Real Madrid C.F. success in UCL.)
– Joined Morocco 6 months ago
– Never participated in AFCON
– Was not remembered for Ballon d’Or

Ademola Lookman last season performance

– 21 Goals
– 11 Assists
– Europa League final best player
– 16 MOTM awards
– Atlanta Player of the Season
– AFCON best 11
– Europa League winner
– Ballon d’Or nominee
– AFCON silver medallist
– Coppa Italian medallist
– The first player to score a hat trick in a UEFA Final.

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VIRAL VIDEO: Moment Yahaya Bello Orders Kogi State House Members to Sit on Floor, Gives Strict Directives

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IGP withdraws all policemen attached to Kogi ex-gov, Yahaya Bello

A viral video circulating on social media has captured former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello making newly elected State House of Assembly member, Hassan Shado, and his supporters sit on the floor during a meeting in Abuja.

The meeting took place at Bello’s residence on Monday, where he received members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to discuss party unity and responsibilities.

Shado, who won the Dekina-Okura II State Constituency by-election on August 16, was formally presented to the former governor.

INEC declared Shado the winner after he polled 55,073 votes, defeating Godwin Meliga of the PDP, who garnered 1,038 votes.

During the session, Bello emphasized that Shado must strictly obey the directives of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in all legislative matters.

He drew his ear to stress the importance of cooperation, warning the lawmaker to align with Assembly decisions even when he did not fully understand them.

Bello said, “Go and cooperate with the Speaker and other members of the House of Assembly. Support Governor Ododo in everything that comes to the Assembly, even if you don’t understand it.”

Bello also reminded Shado that political victories are collective achievements.

He stated, “No candidate wins an election alone. Your people worked tirelessly from nomination to election day. Do not let them down.”

He urged inclusivity, consultation, and collective leadership, emphasizing that unity remains the key to APC’s continued success in Kogi State.

The former governor praised the people of Kogi East for demonstrating unity, which he said had been lacking in the past.

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He further expressed confidence that APC would retain all major political positions in upcoming elections, declaring, “Our President, Bola Tinubu, will be re-elected.

Governor Ododo will be re-elected. All our candidates will continue to win on our great party’s platform.”

Bello’s post-governorship period has been marked by controversy.

The EFCC accused him of diverting over N110 billion from Kogi State coffers during his tenure.

He evaded multiple court summons and even a failed arrest in Abuja that led to a shootout. Ultimately, Bello surrendered to the EFCC on November 26, 2024, after months of avoiding legal proceedings.

Despite his legal troubles, Bello maintains influence over APC lawmakers in Kogi and continues to assert political authority, as shown in the recent video with Shado.

Watch the video below.

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Africa

Why Every Nigerian Should Learn Combat Skills — CDS

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The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has urged all Nigerians to acquire combat skills such as Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo to protect themselves in the face of increasing danger.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, August 21, General Musa likened learning martial arts to other essential survival skills, including driving and swimming.

“That one should be taken as learning driving, learning how to swim.

Whether we have war or not, it is a survival instinct,” he said.

He added that in Europe, swimming and basic security education are compulsory because citizens must understand and practice personal safety.

The defence chief emphasised that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should incorporate unarmed combat training into its programme to prepare graduates for real-world threats.

He explained, “That’s what the NYSC is supposed to do, but the NYSC has been watered down to three weeks. Self-defence is very important.

Unarmed combat, swimming, driving these are critical aspects of human survival. We should never take them for granted because they prepare us for the future.”

General Musa further encouraged Nigerians to remain situationally aware of their environment, alerting authorities to any suspicious activities or individuals.

He said, “The world we are in now is dangerous. We have individuals who don’t mean people well. They kill for whatever reason.”

Highlighting evolving threats, General Musa disclosed that terrorists increasingly use gold to finance their operations.

He noted that complex international networks make it difficult to immediately expose or prosecute these financiers. “Gold is the main source.

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They circulate it through various channels, including foreign links, which complicates intervention,” he explained.

General Musa acknowledged that bad roads and challenging terrains hinder rapid military response to attacks.

He said, “Many Nigerians expect immediate intervention from the Armed Forces without understanding the logistical challenges. By the time information reaches us, terrorists have already struck and vanished because they move more quickly in these regions.”

He added that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the North-East further slow troop movement.

Regarding the Southeast, General Musa noted that the arrest of pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland in November 2024 has improved security in the region.

He said, “Troops are actively pursuing Ekpa’s lieutenants in Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Abia states. We will continue operations until all threats are neutralised.”

The CDS also praised the synergy among the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Navy, which led to the arrest of Ansaru terrorist leaders, describing it as a major success in the fight against terrorism.

General Musa concluded by announcing an African Chiefs of Defence Staff conference to foster continental collaboration and enhance regional security efforts.

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Health

Police Arrest Fake Doctor as Woman Dies During Abortion

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Detectives from the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a man posing as a medical doctor following the death of a 35-year-old woman, Blessing Sunday Etim, during an alleged illegal abortion.

The suspect, identified as Sunday Okon Akpan, reportedly owns and operates the Full Life Medical Centre (FLMC) in Ikot Obio Odongo, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Timfon John, the spokesperson for the Akwa Ibom Police Command, revealed that police launched a search for the victim after receiving a distress call from her mother.

DSP John stated that operatives acted quickly following the report, which indicated that Blessing had gone to work at the FLMC and never returned.

According to police reports, the suspect attempted to secretly dispose of the victim’s body in her room.

A co-tenant, who witnessed the act, raised an alarm, forcing the suspect to abandon the corpse and flee the scene.

Police quickly arrived at the scene, where detectives discovered a premature foetus, confirming the occurrence of an illegal abortion.

Police traced and arrested Sunday Okon Akpan, a resident of Afaha Offiong village, Nsit Ibom LGA.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect is not a licensed medical doctor or nurse but a community health practitioner who allegedly used his clinic to perform illegal medical procedures, including abortions.

The health centre has since been found abandoned.

DSP John confirmed that the victim’s body has been deposited at a morgue for preservation and autopsy, while investigations continue to uncover more details surrounding the incident.

She also promised to update the public as the probe progresses.

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This shocking incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed medical practitioners operating clinics and offering illegal procedures.

Police authorities are warning residents to verify the credentials of anyone offering medical services and to report suspicious activities to prevent similar tragedies.

As the investigation unfolds, Akwa Ibom police have vowed to ensure that justice is served, and the public remains safe from unqualified medical practitioners operating in the state.

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Trump Orders Review of 55 Million US Visa Holders in Mega Crackdown

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The Trump administration has announced a sweeping review of more than 55 million foreigners holding US visas, aiming to identify potential violations that could trigger visa revocation or deportation.

In a statement to The Associated Press, the State Department confirmed that all visa holders are now subject to “continuous vetting.”

Officials will examine any indicators of ineligibility, including overstaying authorised periods, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engagement in terrorism, or support for terrorist organisations.

If authorities find evidence of such violations, they will revoke the visa, and individuals already in the US could face immediate deportation.

Officials stressed that the review targets both individuals residing in the United States and those holding multiple-entry visas abroad.

Since assuming office, President Donald Trump has prioritized strict immigration enforcement, targeting not only undocumented migrants but also holders of student and visitor exchange visas.

The current vetting process extends far beyond prior reviews, potentially affecting individuals who initially received approval to stay in the US.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, last year the US had 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people on temporary visas.

Immigration policy expert Julia Gelatt of the Migration Policy Institute noted that the 55 million figure likely includes individuals living abroad with tourist or business visas. She questioned whether allocating resources to review people unlikely to return justifies the scale of the initiative.

Alongside the review, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that the US will immediately halt work visas for commercial truck drivers, citing safety risks and threats to American jobs.

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“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio wrote.

The administration recently strengthened English proficiency requirements for foreign truckers following incidents where language barriers contributed to accidents. State Department officials confirmed they are pausing the processing of new work visas to reassess screening and vetting protocols.

“Ensuring that every driver meets the highest standards protects American workers and maintains a secure, resilient supply chain,” the department added.

Experts warn the broader implications of the review could ripple across the US economy. Edward Alden, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, explained that the administration’s policies aim to discourage companies, universities, and hospitals from employing foreign workers.

“The economic consequences will extend far beyond individual visas,” Alden said, emphasizing that employers risk compliance issues if they continue hiring foreign staff.

The review represents the most comprehensive enforcement action in recent US history and signals that the administration will aggressively monitor both legal and temporary visa holders to maintain national security and prioritize domestic employment.

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News

2027: ADC Coalition Deceiving Nigerians – Baba-Ahmed

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Labour Party vice presidential candidate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has warned Nigerians that the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is giving false hope about rescuing the country from underdevelopment.

“They are deceiving us,” Baba-Ahmed said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.

Baba-Ahmed, who ran alongside Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed his willingness to be Obi’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election.

Although Obi has shown interest in the 2027 race and is aligning with ADC coalition figures such as David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir el-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, Baba-Ahmed stressed that he wants Obi to remain in the Labour Party and contest as its presidential candidate.

“I’m in the Labour Party. I’m a Peter Obi man. I still want Peter Obi to come back to the Labour Party and contest the 2027 election,” Baba-Ahmed stated.

When asked about his plans for the 2027 race, Baba-Ahmed confirmed his readiness to serve as a running mate for like-minded leaders committed to restoring Nigeria.

“If Nigeria is still around and there is an electoral system to follow, my love for Nigeria is undying.

I would appropriately associate with groups and individuals aligned with restoring the nation,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed also revealed two potential leaders he would consider deputising, with Peter Obi being his primary choice. “The first one has not said anything.

The second one is Peter Obi. I’m always with Peter Obi until he decides not to,” he added.

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