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Gunmen Kidnap 10 Residents In Fresh Attack On Kwara Communities

Gunmen have stormed Ifelodun Local Government in Kwara State, kidnapping 10 people in Ahun and Oro-Ago communities.

According to information, all the kidnappings were carried out early Wednesday morning, whisking six in Ahun and another four in Oro-Ago and Oyate combined.

The wife of a victim informed that her husband, a sawmill operator, Clement Emmanuel and his apprentice, Solomon, were seized while cutting trees in the farm in Ahun village.

Another female source (names withheld) hinted that two others, Adewole and Adebayo, were kidnapped while about to start burning felled trees to produce charcoal.

Mrs Emmanuel, however, told Channels Television on the phone that the kidnappers have reached her, demanding ₦10m ransom for two of the victims.

“Please oga reporter, help plead with them to release my husband, sir, where will I get the N10m they asked for?” She asked.

READ ALSO: Bandits Kidnap Four In Fresh Attack On Kwara Community

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Adekimi Ojo, told journalists at a media briefing that he had yet to be officially briefed.

He, however, explained that his men carried out a coordinated joint intelligence-led operation in Oro-Ago, following intercepted communications revealing plans by a suspected kidnapping syndicate to infiltrate the area to service and refit motorcycles intended for criminal operations.

“The operation resulted in the arrest of ten suspects, including a mechanic and a logistics operative allegedly supplying fuel and other operational support to the syndicate.

“Ten Bajaj Boxer motorcycles reasonably suspected to be operational assets for kidnapping and banditry activities were recovered as exhibits,” he said.

Meanwhile, the State Police Command has arrested kidnappers of the construction workers and engineers at a construction site along Owu Falls Road, in the same Ifelodun LGA.

The CP said his men at about 2100hrs, February 26th, acting on actionable intelligence, “operatives successfully traced and apprehended the suspects after one of the victims’ stolen mobile phones was detected in active use, enabling digital tracking, identification, and precise location of the culprits,” adding that sustained investigative and operational efforts are ongoing to identify, track, and arrest other accomplices.

Alleged $4.5bn Fraud: Omoile Admits Lying In Statement To EFCC

Henry Omoile, who is standing trial alongside former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, over an alleged $4.5 billion fraud, on Friday, March 6, 2026, told the court that the statement he earlier made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was not truthful.

Omoile disclosed while testifying during a trial-within-trial before Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

The trial-within-trial was initiated by the court to determine whether the statement made by Omoile to EFCC investigators was given voluntarily.

According to him, the statements marked as Exhibits TWT 1–4 did not contain a genuine confession, claiming that he wrote what investigators allegedly asked him to write.

“The statement exhibits in trial-within-trial 1–4, I did not confess in that statement. I lied in my statement. EFCC threatened me that if I did not write what they wanted, they would charge me to court,” he told the court.

READ ALSO: EFCC Witness Links Fund Transfers To Ali Bello, Co-Defendant

Emefiele is currently facing a 19-count charge filed by the EFCC bordering on receiving gratification and making corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN Governor.

Omoile is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

During cross-examination by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Omoile admitted that he was cautioned before making the statement and that he signed the cautionary words.

When asked whether the EFCC had filed a counter-affidavit to oppose the allegations he raised, Omoile responded in the affirmative. However, he admitted that he did not produce the document before the court.

He also told the court that he had discussed with his lawyer about filing a fundamental human rights enforcement suit and confirmed that the motion ex parte was tendered before the court that morning.

Under further questioning, he acknowledged that the ruling he tendered had no direct bearing on Exhibit D4, although he insisted that both issues were connected.

“I just wanted to go home,” he said while responding to questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the statement.

When asked by the prosecution whether he had filed any complaint or petition against the EFCC investigative team over the alleged threats, Omoile answered in the negative.

Earlier in the proceedings, Omoile had alleged that EFCC investigators attempted to pressure him into implicating Emefiele.

According to him, the head of the investigative team, identified as Alvan, allegedly promised that he would be granted bail and might not be charged if he cooperated by providing incriminating evidence against the former CBN governor.

Suspected Gunmen Attack Amaechi’s Convoy During ADC Registration In Rivers

Suspected gunmen on Friday reportedly attacked the convoy of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, shortly after he arrived to formally register as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

READ ALSO: Electoral Act: Amaechi, Others Opposed Electronic Transmission Under Buhari – Wike

Witnesses said indiscriminate gunshots were heard in parts of the Ubima community as the former minister’s convoy approached the registration venue, creating panic among residents and supporters who had gathered for the event.

Security operatives were said to have quickly moved in to restore calm, preventing the situation from escalating further.

Despite the incident, Amaechi went ahead with the registration exercise in his hometown before addressing supporters and residents.

The Rivers State Police Command has yet to react to the incident.

But speaking after the event, the former governor condemned the attack but commended security agencies for their swift intervention and professionalism in handling the situation.

Amaechi noted that operatives of the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) responded promptly and helped stabilise the situation.

“I want to commend the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the DSS for their cooperation. They showed a lot of professionalism. Immediately I made contact with them, they responded. In fact, I wasn’t expecting that level of cooperation,” he said.

“All of us will agree that the police came out, the NSCDC came out, and the DSS also came out. We are grateful to them,” he added.

However, he insisted that those responsible for the attack must be identified and prosecuted to prevent a recurrence.

“They must show that this will not continue by prosecuting those involved in this crime. I have been a governor, and I know the consequences of not protecting the lives of people.

“When people feel unprotected, they may begin to defend themselves because they don’t want to die,” Amaechi said.

He also appealed to residents and supporters to remain calm and avoid actions that could further heighten tensions in the area.

“For now, everybody should calm down and remain peaceful. We should thank the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the DSS, and the Commandant of the NSCDC. Our goal is to remain calm and peaceful,” he stated.

‘I Am Hungry’ 

Amaechi further used the occasion to criticise the current economic situation in the country, saying worsening hardship and hunger had pushed citizens to demand accountability from those in power.

“We are marching to Aso Rock. What I do may not put food on your table, but the truth is that we are hungry. If you are not hungry, tell them that I am hungry.

“People are dying every day because of hunger, yet a few individuals are stealing our money and expect us to keep quiet. We can no longer keep quiet,” he added.

The former minister also called on supporters of the ADC to mobilise and register in large numbers ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that the strength of the party would depend largely on the size of its membership.

“The more we are, the more difficult it will be for them to intimidate us. Let the people choose who they want. What democracy provides is an opportunity for the people to decide who the right leaders are,” he said.

Amaechi further challenged the current administration to present tangible achievements comparable to projects executed during his tenure as Minister of Transportation.

Leeds condemn boos and urge respect for Ramadan break

Leeds United have urged supporters to show respect when players who are observing Ramadan break their fast during Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round match against Norwich City.

Loud boos were heard when play was paused to allow fasting players to take on fluids and energy supplements during last weekend’s match against Manchester City at Elland Road.

The club said the booing was “disappointing and unexpected”, but added there were “several mitigating circumstances”, including their own failure to properly explain the interruption to fans before it happened.

“To be clear, Leeds United explicitly condemn any supporters in the home or away sections who actively boo players observing Ramadan and use the protocol in place to break their fast,” said the Premier League club in a statement issued on Friday.

Leeds said they should have been “more proactive with our communications in advance of the Manchester City fixture, to explain to supporters that this was going to happen”, as “this was the first time a game at Elland Road has ever been paused to allow players observing Ramadan to break their fast”.

The club added: “There was a clear lack of awareness by some attending the fixture. Whilst we displayed a message on our big screen at Elland Road to explain why the game had been paused, this was not visible for approximately 25% of the stadium.”

As a further explanation to why some fans may have reacted as they did, Leeds pointed to an incident during the away fixture against Manchester City in November, when Farke accused goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to “bend the rules” and allow Pep Guardiola’s side to hold a tactical timeout on the touchline.

Leeds say it is important “for respect to be shown” when the Norwich game pauses for players observing Ramadan to break their fast – including the club’s striker Joel Piroe – following sunset on Sunday.

Sunset, which is when Muslims break their daily fast during Ramadan, is expected to fall around the 75th minute of a game that kicks off at 16:30 GMT.

Leeds also condemned discriminatory and tragedy chanting at football grounds, as well as continuing taunts referencing Leeds-born Jimmy Savile, one of the UK’s most prolific sexual predators, aimed at the club’s supporters by opposition fans.

“Football still has a long way to go in eradicating stains on the game, including racism, homophobia, tragedy chanting and the sickening Jimmy Savile taunts our own supporters are subjected to at every match from opposition fans,” Leeds said.

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Challenges are Celtic ‘wake-up call’ – O’Neill

The possibility of Celtic ending the season without a trophy “should be a wake-up call for the football club”, according to interim manager Martin O’Neill.

Last season’s beaten finalists face a difficult trip across Glasgow to play city rivals Rangers in a Scottish Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

They have already lost to St Mirren in this season’s League Cup final, while the reigning champions sit five points behind long-time leaders Heart of Midlothian in a four-team race for the Premiership title along with Rangers and Motherwell.

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O’Neill recalled that Celtic finished without a trophy when he led his side to the Uefa Cup final in 2003 and yet fans still regarded it as “a great season”.

However, he said: “You could say that in recent years the fans have maybe been spoiled with no real challenges in many aspects and been able to coast home in the last six or seven games of the season.

“Here, Hearts have arrived, maybe a few years before they thought they would do. Rangers have come strongly and spent some money in getting good players in.

“It has been a challenge all season and certainly been a challenge in my couple of spells in here when you’re winning some matches and you’re still trying to peg teams back.

“But we’re in with a chance anyway – that’s the point.”

Celtic came from two goals down to draw with Rangers in the league on Sunday and went on to overtake their city rivals in the table after beating Aberdeen on Wednesday.

“We’ve had three games in six days, which has been a tall order for us, all away from home,” O’Neill said. “We withstood that, which was a great effort.

“Because of that, we were able to withstand the game at Pittodrie. That was never going to be easy, but it was one we had to win to stay in the competition.

“If we play like we did in the first half [at Ibrox], we shouldn’t turn up, but the second half gave us great confidence.

“It is testament to the players’ character as much as anything else.”

O’Neill is not sure how much the quarter-final result will affect the league title race.

“Naturally, taking the game on its own, it would be a big boost for us getting to the semi-final,” he added.

“Will it eventually have a bearing on how the league will pan out? I don’t think it will have a serious bearing, but in terms of confidence building, of course it matters.

“There are tough matches ahead for us, tough matches ahead for the other sides concerned, so I really don’t know.

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    • 18 June 2023
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Wilkinson salutes Wales’ World Cup bid ‘finishers’

Gareth Vincent

BBC Sport Wales
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Rhian Wilkinson says the impact of her “finishers” is evidence of the increased options at Wales’ disposal as they plot a path to the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

Wales’ bid to reach Brazil began with a creditable 2-2 draw in the Czech Republic on Tuesday thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from Elise Hughes.

Crystal Palace forward Hughes came off the bench along with the likes of Carrie Jones, Mared Griffiths and Mia Ross to help Wales salvage what may prove to be a vital point.

Wilkinson, whose side play their second Group B1 game against Montenegro in Llanelli on Saturday, says she is “learning more and more” about the “depth of our squad”.

Wales v Montenegro

Women’s World Cup qualifying

Saturday, 7 March at 16:30 GMT

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Hughes headed in her fifth international goal from Gemma Evans’ cross to prevent a costly opening defeat against the Czechs, who are expected to be Wales’ main rivals in the race to finish top of the group.

Hughes, 24, came on midway through the second period in Uherske Hradiste, replacing first-half goalscorer Hannah Cain.

“This is where we’re at now with Wales, that a player of Elise Hughes’ calibre is coming into a game and you saw her skillsets,” Wilkinson added.

Hughes will hope for more game-time as Wales take on Montenegro in their first competitive home fixture since the 4-1 Nations League defeat by Italy in Swansea last June.

Manchester United’s Safia Middleton-Patel will replace Olivia Clark – who suffered an injury scare in training on Friday – in goal for Wales, with Wilkinson hinting that further changes are possible.

Captain Angharad James says the impact of Wilkinson’s substitutes in midweek proves that numerous players are “ready to go” if required.

“We are a squad now – it’s not just an XI,” the 140-cap midfielder said.

“Elise and other players came into the [Czech Republic] game and changed the game for us.

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Wilkinson enjoys players’ ambition

On paper, Wales’ first fixture in this campaign was their toughest, given that the Czechs are ranked 31st in the world, one place higher than Wilkinson’s team.

Montenegro are 84th in the Fifa list, while the fourth nation in the group, Albania, are 71st.

Hughes said following the Czech Republic draw that Wales should aim to win their five remaining games in the group phase of qualifying.

Though Wales have won only one of their past 14 internationals, many of which have been against high-class opposition, Seattle Reign’s James says Hughes is right.

“I think within this group, I have every confidence that we can go out and perform and win every game.”

Wilkinson, who led Wales to a first women’s major tournament in the nation’s history last year, says she is excited by the belief within her squad.

“I like that my players are so freely and so confidently saying what our ambitions are and not being frightened to do that,” she said.

“We’re all clear that we’re on a journey to improve and to get better and to challenge top nations, and to be probably more consistent in delivering to that standard.

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’90 minutes to show our fans a new performance’

With no automatic qualification place available because they are in League B, Wales are targeting top spot in their group as that would mean a more favourable play-off path later this year.

Finishing first would mean Wales face a first-round play-off against a side who finish second or third in a League B pool.

If they come second or third, however, they would take on a team who finish in fourth place in League A or a Group B winner.

The second round of the play-offs is seeded and should Wales get that far, they would be likely to face League A opposition.

Even a win at that stage may not mean the job is done, because the lowest-ranked of the eight European sides who get through the play-offs – which could be Wales – will go into inter-confederation play-offs in February 2027.

For the moment, the focus is the short term – and anything other than a win against Montenegro would be a heavy blow to Wales’ prospects.

Having won promotion after an unbeaten Nations League campaign at League C level last year, Montenegro were beaten 2-1 at home by Albania on Tuesday.

Nevertheless, Wilkinson insists there is no room for Welsh complacency against opponents who are “filled with pride”.

“Every game is 90 minutes and that’s where you get upsets and that’s where you get a team that doesn’t show up and a team that has luck or whatever it is,” she added.

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