News

Ronaldo agrees to move to former club, Manchester United

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has today agreed to move to his former EPL club, Manchester United, after being in Juventus since 2018.

This is contained in an official statement released by the EPL giant on their website.

The statement reads: “Manchester United is delighted to confirm that the club has reached [an] agreement with Juventus for the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo, subject to agreement of personal terms, visa and medical.

“Cristiano, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has so far won over 30 major trophies during his career, including five UEFA Champions League titles, four FIFA Club World Cups, seven league titles in England, Spain and Italy, and the European Championship for his native Portugal.

“In his first spell for Manchester United, he scored 118 goals in 292 games.

“Everyone at the club looks forward to welcoming Cristiano back to Manchester.”

DSS disrupts Saudi Arabia’s job interview in Abuja, disperses doctors, nabs journalist

Men of the Department of State Services Thursday stormed Sheraton Hotels in Abuja, where the Saudi Ministry of Health was interviewing doctors for recruitment.

The DSS operatives arrived at the interview venue, dispersed the medical doctors and arrested Marcus Fatunde, a journalist that works with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting.

However, the journalist was later released, and the interview exercise has been suspended.

Most of the doctors at the interview venue were either unemployed or poorly paid.

Doctors in Nigeria have on several occasions embarked upon industrial action due to bad working conditions and underpayment.

Hushpuppi: IGP receives panel report on DCP Kyari

By Ishaka Mohammed

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has received the NPF Special Investigation Panel (SIP) report on the alleged indictment of DCP Abba Kyari. 

In a statement signed by the public relations officer of the Nigerian Police Force, CP Frank Mba, the IGP received the report on Thursday, August 26, 2021.

The IGP commended the panel and assured the general public that appropriate actions would be taken after carefully reviewing the report. “[IGP] reiterated as always the commitment of the Force to justice for all,” the statement reads.

According to the chairman of the panel, DIG Joseph Egbunike, “The report presented contained the case file of the probe, evidences and findings as well as testimonies from DCP Abba Kyari and other persons and groups linked to the matter.”

Recall that the panel was inaugurated on August 2, 2021, to probe the alleged indictment of DCP Abba Kyari by the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The case centres on Mr Kyari’s involvement in a multimillion-dollar transnational fraud involving Ramon Abbas, aka “Hushpuppi”, who is currently in the custody of the US authorities.

ISWAP suffers heavy casualty as 43 members die in gun duel with troops

By Muhammad Sabiu

The ISWAP terror group in the northeastern part of Nigeria has suffered a heavy casualty on Wednesday as at least 43 of its members were killed in a gun duel with troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

Unfortunately, a military official said that seven soldiers also lost their lives during the battle.

Sources in the know of the incident stated that the troops came under a heavy attack by members of the terror group in Diffa province of Niger Republic.

A spokesman of the joint task force, Colonel Mohammed Dole, praised the soldiers for preventing the insurgents from attacking them.

The colonel, in a statement, said, “Troops of the Sector deployed in Baroua came under heavy attack by suspected BHT/ISWAP criminals in the small hours of Wednesday 25 Aug. 2021.”

“At the end of the encounter, a total of Forty-Three (43) dead bodies of BHT/ISWAP insurgents were scattered around the engagement areas.”

Colonel Dole also disclosed that an unnamed leader of the terrorists was captured alive. 

He added that a “large cache of arms, ammunitions were recovered, and four enemy gun trucks were destroyed.”

Kaduna signs MOU with NNPC and GACN on gas utilisation and expansion

By Sumayyah Auwal Ishaq

The Kaduna State Government, under the leadership of Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on gas utilisation and expansion with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN).

During the signing ceremony today in Kaduna, the governor said the MoU has brought nearer the availability of a significant additional energy source for businesses and residents in Kaduna State.

“For the Kaduna State Government, this project is a welcome boost to our investment and job creation strategy. It will create jobs and provide skills for artisans who will work on the gas pipelines and associated infrastructure. Beyond that, this project will power the industries that have responded with enthusiasm to our investment promotion campaign,” El-Rufai said.

On his part, the General Managing Director, NNPC, Mele Kyari, said the management of NNPC would make sure the partnership work. He also commended the governor for his excellent leadership skills.

Matawalle advises FG to declare state of emergency on security

By Muhammad Sabiu

The governor of Zamfara State, Muhammad Bello Matawalle, has advised the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security.

Mr Matawalle made the recommendation when he hosted Ali Janga, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, in charge of Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi on Wednesday.

The governor also expressed his concern over the incessant attacks of bandits on communities in the northwestern part of the country, which, according to him, are what call for the declaration of a state of emergency on security.

A statement made available by Zailani Bappa, Special Adviser, Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, indicates that the governor said: “No one feels safe anymore, and the only way to return the country on the path of sanity is to act out of the box.”

He also praised the federal government and security personnel for their diligence in the fight against killings in the region.

Nevertheless, he said, “extra effort is required to contain the growing security problems that are mounting by the day.

“The problem in Zamfara State is quite unique from those in other places and therefore require very careful and constructive solutions to control it.”

The state has, over the years, suffered killings and kidnappings, which lead to the death and displacement of countless people.

Many insurgents killed as Boko Haram, ISWAP battle each other

By Muhammadu Sabiu

In what would be tagged as “tremendous success” in the fight against insurgency in the northeastern part of Nigeria, members of the two terrorist groups operating in the region, Boko Haram and ISWAP, have engaged in a deadly battle, which left many dead.

The incident occurred in northern Abadam, Borno State, last weekend (Sunday, August 22, 2021), when some members of Boko Haram, who attempted to surrender, came under a heavy attack by irate members of the ISWAP in the Dumbawa community.

Angered by the decision of Boko Haram members to surrender to Nigerian troops, the leadership of the ISWAP “placed a death sentence on any fleeing member in the Lake Chad axis,” an intelligence source in the know of incident disclosed.

PRNigeria quoted the source as saying, “The deadly attack was coordinated by one Abba-Kaka, a self-acclaimed ISWAP Governor of Tumbumma, Commanding Marte, Abadam, Kukawa and Magumeri, leading to a heavy gun battle that lasted for hours which resulted in the killing of over 25 terrorists including three Commanders while many other militants, who ran in different directions with their families were left with bullets wounds.”

According to PRNigeria, the rift between the two groups has deteriorated following the execution of Boko Haram members by ISWAP members and the refusal of the latter to include the former in the appointment of some key positions.

Another source was also quoted as stating, “Some high ranking Commanders bearing the titles of ‘Amir’ and ‘Khaid’ (Chiefs) at under the Shekau’s Caliphate in Sambisa were reduced to ordinary militants fighters after paying allegiance to the ISWAP leadership.

“Some JAS Commanders and their loyalists were already contemplating pitching their tents against the ISWAP by joining forces with the Bakura and Krimima Led-JAS Factions that have been battling the ISWAP around the axes of Lelewa, Duwa, Wallal and Hauwa Bulumwa villages in the Niger Republic.”

Recall that in the past weeks, scores of members of Boko Haram have laid down their arms and surrendered to Nigerian troops.

30 people reportedly killed in fresh Plateau violence

By Muhammad Sabiu

Fresh violence has reportedly erupted in Yelwan Zangam community, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

A report by the Daily Trust and other sources has indicated that about thirty people have been killed.

Meanwhile, security personnel have been deployed in the affected area.

Recall that a few days ago, suspected Igwere youths butchered about 30 Muslim travellers who were on a religious visit from Bauchi to Ondo State.

As of the time of filing this report, no comment from the Police or any official of the Plateau State government has reached The Daily Reality.

Details shortly…

NDA deadly attack: Abducted officer found dead

The military officer identified as Major Dalung abducted Tuesday at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, was reportedly found dead.

The officials of the Academy or the Army Headquarters, Abuja, have yet to confirm the murder of the officer.

The Chronicle, among other news channels, reports that other victims of the daring attack include a Lieutenant Commander, Wulah and a Flying Lieutenant, CM Okoronwo. They were shot dead during the invasion of Afaka barracks of the NDA. Another victim, 2nd Lieutenant Onah, sustained is currently at the NDA hospital with injuries from gunshots.

Recall that the Defence Academy earlier promised to track the shooters and rescue the kidnapped officer after the attack.

The attack was the first of its kind, which the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) described as “embarrassing” to the nation.

Rape suspect slumps, dies in Yola court

By Muhammad Sabiu

A 57-year-old suspect standing trial on rape charges mysteriously died on Tuesday at the Chief Magistrate Court II in Yola.

The suspect, identified as Mohammed Sani, was a butcher, and he was from Wauru Jabber in Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

A report by Punch has indicated that the suspect had been detained in prison for a year following his alleged involvement in sexually assaulting a minor.

The incident occurred after the suspect had been seriously sick.

Men of the NCS had since taken the body to the mortuary.