The Benue state acting chairman of the Board Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Emmanuel Agema, has confirmed that hoodlums intercepted two trucks of palliative and manhandled the drivers in the process. Agema stated that the hoodlums posed as revenue officials at a collection point close to Aliade, Gwer East Local Government Area in Benue state when the unsuspected drivers conveying palliative from Adamawa to the eastern part of the country ran into their ambush. Addressing members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue led by the chairman, Emmanuel Anstwen, Agema said: “The hoodlums stopped the vehicles, broke their windscreen and stole the sum of #200,000 from one of the drivers at the illegal tax collection point. He said two persons have been arrested and transferred to the DSS on the governor’s directives that a thorough investigation be carried out to fish out those behind illegal tax collection in the state. He stated: “Since I assumed duty as acting Chairman of BIRS, my biggest challenge is the activities of illegal tax collectors and so far 35 persons have been charged to court. “On assumption of duty, we also terminate revenue contract, close revenue leakages about 90 percent, we are now using our staff making us generate more revenue for the state.”

  No fewer than 21 suspected Yoruba Nation agitators, including a female and two elderly men in their sixties, are currently being paraded at the Oyo State Police Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan. These individuals were apprehended for their involvement in the forceful invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat on Saturday. The suspected agitators were arrested by joint security operatives at the state government Secretariat while attempting to take over the State House of Assembly after hoisting Yoruba Nation flags. Addressing the media, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Adebola Hamzat, confirmed the arrest of the 21 suspected agitators and sent a stern warning to other individuals with criminal intent to leave the state. He emphasized that the offence committed is treasonable felony and highlighted that the investigation is still ongoing. The CP Hamzat clarified that there were no casualties during the exchange of gunfire with the agitators, although one Amotekun officer sustained injuries.

  Caroline Celico, the former wife of Brazilian football legend, Ricardo Kaka, has debunked reports making the round that she broke up with the football star because he was too “perfect for her”. According to her, she broke up with Kaka on mutual grounds, and they have been nurturing their two kids together. Kaka and Celico married in December 2005, and their marriage produced two children: a son, Luca Celico Leite (born June 10, 2008), and a daughter, Isabella Celico Leite (born April 23, 2011). 10 years after their marriage, they parted ways with none of them saying the reason for their divorce until Sunday after a fake quote suspected to be a statement from Celico went viral. The statement read, “Kaka never betrayed me; he always treated me well, and he gave me a wonderful family, but I was not happy; something was missing. The problem was that he was too perfect for me.” It has since sparked speculations from fans across the world, with some condemning her and others saying that she probably was not happy being with the 2007 Ballon d’Or winner. However, taking to her Instagram story, Celico debunked the viral statement on her divorce from Kaká, labelling it as not only ‘false’ but also ‘fake’, while speaking on her future with her current husband, Eduardo Scarpa Julião. The chef and food content creator wrote, “For those who haven’t heard from me for a long time… or have never heard before.   “And are UNFORTUNATELY hearing some fake news and FAKE quotes. Let me update you: “I got divorced almost 10 years ago, from those 14 years of relationship there are 2 lovely teenagers. “It’s been almost 8 years. I am with my husband Eduardo, and we are having our first child next month. “I have a lot of respect for my lifetime story, and I am very grateful for everything I have lived so far. My ex-husband and I found a healthy way to raise our children, and I’m so grateful for this. “Please be welcome to my social media, which is a place I share about many subjects, such as family, work and spirituality, with a lot of respect and love. “Thank you.” Recall that the former AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder remained a single father for about four years before deciding to marry a Brazilian model named Carolina Dias. Meanwhile, Kaká’s ex-wife and her husband are also expecting their first child together.

  Homes and businesses were left without power supply for several hours yesterday after the nation’s national grid collapsed twice in less than one month. The latest collapse came barely a week after the controversial review of Band A power consumers increased tariffs by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC.   The last collapse occurred on Thursday, March 28, 2024, making it the second time in less than one month. Data supplied by the National System Operator, a semi-autonomous unit in the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, showed that the grid collapsed around 3 a.m. The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, was still battling to restore the grid as supply rose to 250 MW, with Abuja and Lagos Disco having the highest load of 80 MW, Ibadan Disco with 50 MW, and Benin Disco with 40 MW. The generation trend with plants on the grid had only Ibom Power and Okpai Gas with 59.50 MW and 117.00 MW, respectively. Efforts to reach the General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, Mr. Ndidi Mbah, to speak on the latest development proved abortive, as calls and text messages were not replied.

  UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has warned members not to further escalate tensions with reprisals against Iran, saying that the Middle East is already “on the brink”. Speaking at the Security Council on Sunday, he said: “The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate. Neither the region nor the world can afford more war.” At the same meeting, Israel’s UN envoy urged the Security Council to impose “all possible sanctions” against Iran after the nation’s unprecedented attacks. More than 300 drones and missiles were fired at Israel overnight on Saturday, which Iran said was in response to a 1 April strike on its consulate in Syria. Almost all were shot down before reaching their targets. “Today the council must take action (and) condemn Iran for their terror,” said Israel ambassador Gilan Erdan at the heated meeting. Guterres, in a statement, urged maximum restraint by all parties and warned that neither the region nor the world could afford another war. According to the latest reports, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles from its territory toward Israel, with most intercepted on Saturday. Several missiles reportedly struck within Israeli territory, one of which damaged an Israeli military facility in the south of the country. “I call for an immediate cessation of these hostilities,” he urged. The UN chief said that he was deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. “I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East. “I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war,’ he said. Tensions have been ratcheting up in the region since Hamas’ deadly October 7 terror attack and mass hostage-taking and Israel’s subsequent full-scale assault on the Gaza Strip, which has left thousands dead and pushed the population to the brink of starvation. On his part, the President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, also expressed deep concern about the unfolding situation in the Middle East, “involving the launch by Iran of drones and missiles against Israel.” In a separate statement, Francis noted that Iran had explained its action “in the context of article 51 of the UN Charter, following the recent Israeli attack on the Iranian Embassy in Damascus.” “The Iranian response compounds the already tense and delicate peace and security situation in the Middle East,” the Assembly President said. He strongly called upon all parties to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid further escalation of tension in the region. “This is a moment that calls for wise and prudent judgement, in which the risks and extended risks are very carefully considered. “I expect that the Iranian authorities will honour their word that by their action today, the matter can be deemed concluded.” Francis stressed that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to resolve differences. Francis warned: “A vicious cycle of attack and counterattack will lead to nowhere, but inevitably, to more death, suffering and misery.”

  Aisha Galadima, a female politician and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, was reportedly arrested on Sunday by security agents believed to be operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), DailyTrust reports. The arrest was said to be related to a negative social media post about the state governor, Uba Sani. According to sources, Galadima criticised Sani’s last comment against the former governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai in a post on her Facebook page. A neighbour said she was arrested in her community in the Tudun Wada area of Kaduna on Sunday afternoon, and another friend stated that Galadima’s phone was switched off after the arrest. How 3 sisters were crushed in Nasarawa A/Ibom employs deceased make-up artist’s sister However, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Muhammad Lawal Shehu, said he was not aware of the arrest and directed inquiries about the matter to the DSS for further clarification. “I’m not aware that a woman was arrested for posting a negative comment against His Excellency. In any case, you should direct your enquiries to the DSS, not the Kaduna State Government,” he said.

  Officials of the Edo state security network (ESSN), alongside members of the public works volunteers (PUWOV), have demolished the security post at the residence of Philip Shaibu, former deputy governor of Edo state. Armed police officers provided cover for the demolition squad on Sunday. The demolished security post sat at the entrance to Shaibu’s residence, which is located in GRA, Benin city. The structure shared a wall with the Benin golf course, and served as temporary shelter for security operatives who watched over the residence. Video clips showing the demolition exercise have been making the rounds on social media. In one of the footage, a bulldozer could be seen demolishing the structure, while residents and police officers looked on. The demolition of the structure came days after Shaibu was impeached as the deputy governor of Edo by the state house of assembly. Last Monday, Shaibu was impeached after members of the Edo assembly adopted the report of a seven-member investigative panel. The panel was set up by Daniel Okungbowa, chief judge of Edo, and was headed by S. A. Omonuwa, a retired justice. Shaibu was accused of “misconduct, perjury, and disclosure of government secrets”. Subsequently, Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, picked Omobayo Godwins as his deputy. Shaibu said he was impeached because of his desire to contest the 2024 Edo governorship election. Obaseki and Shaibu have been at loggerheads since the buildup to the Edo governorship election.

  The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for restraint from all sides involved in the fresh conflict in the Middle East.   In a statement on Sunday, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria joins other members of the international community to call on Iran and Israel to exercise restraint, as diplomatic efforts are ongoing to ease tension and avoid a wider conflict in the Middle East. “In this critical period, it behoves the two countries to reflect on the universal commitment to peaceful resolution of conflicts, for the advancement of global peace and security.” Meanwhile, world leaders have also urged restraint after Iran launched an unprecedented wave of missiles and attack drones against its arch foe Israel overnight, at a time the Gaza war has inflamed Middle East tensions. Leaders of G7 nations on Sunday “unanimously condemned Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel” and pledged to continue efforts to work towards de-escalation. “Ending the crisis in Gaza as soon as possible, notably through an immediate ceasefire, will make a difference.” ADVERTISEMENT The leaders offered their full support for Israel, saying they were ready to “take further measures” in response to “further destabilising initiatives”. Iran launched the attack, its first ever to directly target Israeli territory, in retaliation for a deadly air strike widely blamed on Israel that destroyed its consular building in Syria’s capital early this month. Israel and its allies intercepted the vast majority of the incoming projectiles, the Israeli army said, reporting 12 people injured and no deaths, but the attack sharply heightened fears of an Israeli counterstrike. Israel’s top ally the United States also urged caution and calm. We don’t want to see this escalate,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told NBC. “We’re not looking for a wider war with Iran.” President Joe Biden reaffirmed “ironclad” US support for Israel, but also appeared to guide its ally away from a military response against their common adversary Iran. News outlet Axios reported that Biden had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he should “take the win” and that Washington would oppose an Israeli counterattack. Before Tehran attacked, Israel’s military had warned Iran it would suffer the “consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further”. Netanyahu was on Sunday meeting his war cabinet, put in place amid the Gaza conflict sparked by the October 7 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas. Through the night, air raid sirens wailed and Israeli citizens sought cover in bunkers and shelters, as missile defence systems and fighter-jets intercepted drones and missiles in the night skies. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday warned Israel against a “reckless” retaliation, warning that this would spark “a decisive and much stronger response”.

  Sunday 15 April 2024 Banks’ recapitalization weighs down stock market, investors lose N633bn Yoruba Nation: Security beefed up in South West Govt Houses Edo govt demolishes Shaibu’s residence security post PDP: Plot to unseat Damagum thickens as Atiku backs Suswam Army probes personnel’s role in Abia hotel manager’s death Global condemnation trails Iran’s attack on Israel Okuama: Allow entrapped residents access to their homeland — Ewu Kingdom begs Tinubu, Army I’m fulfilled Edwin Clark varsity is gaining recognition — Clark High cost of drugs, orthodox services: Pregnant women return to traditional ante-natal care Diesel gulps 80% of manufacturers’ profits — MAN Tariff Hike: TCN, DISCOs bicker over failing 20-hrs supply Israel yet to decide scope of retaliatory attack against Iran, says Offical ‘Middle East on the brink’- UN chief condemns Iran’s attack on Israel 10 Years After Chibok Abduction, Parents Pray For Safe Return Of 92 Girls Humanitarian Affairs Ministry: We Are Investigating Intricate Web Of Fraudulent Practices — EFCC Three Dead, Others Injured As Soldiers, Tricyclists Clash In Yobe G7 Condemns Iran Attack On Israel, Calls For Restraint Pope Warns Against ‘Spiral Of Violence’ After Iran Attack ‘21 Chibok Girls Return With 34 Kids; 48 Parents Die Of Trauma’ Abducted Varsity Students, Corps Members Rescued In Zamfara Inflation records marginal rise at close of Q1 Publish loan agreements by Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, Buhari, SERAP tells Tinubu Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…