The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the killing of three of its officers by unknown gunmen at a checkpoint at Egbe, in the Yagba West Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, who confirmed the incident to journalists in Lokoja, the state capital, stated that the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday.
Aya said that the policemen were on duty when they were killed by the attackers.
Awa explained that the hoodlums emerged from the bush and attacked the team when they arrived for their routine patrol.
According to him, the policemen were killed before the reinforced team arrived at the scene, while the attackers fled.
READ ALSO: Notorious Bandit Commander Kachalla Bala Killed In Kogi
He, however, stated that the command was on the trail of the gunmen as the Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, had deployed the police tactical team to the area.
“I can confirm to you that three of our officers on duty were killed today in Egbe, a border community with Kwara State.
“The Commissioner of Police has deployed a tactical squad to the area. We are currently on the trail of the unknown gunmen, and I am assuring you that the perpetrators of the killings will be arrested
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Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland at Wentworth
BMW PGA Championship
Venue: Wentworth, Surrey Dates: 11-14 September
Robert MacIntyre has no fears about taking abuse from Team USA fans at the Ryder Cup in New York this month.
The 29-year-old from Oban, who will be playing in his second Ryder Cup, has been the subject of jibes from US fans when playing on the PGA Tour but says he has learned how to cope when it comes his way.
Last year, MacIntyre taunted his American hosts at the Valspar Championship in Florida by labelling his caddie’s bib with Europe’s Ryder Cup-winning score.
“I’ll probably be getting abuse from my 12, 13 mates that are out there and all, so no, it’s going to be fun,” MacIntyre said.
He added: “For me, going into this one, I feel far more comfortable. I feel far more comfortable in the people, in the team, the players, the staff. I know them far better.
“I just can’t wait to get there and give it our best and try to keep that Ryder Cup in Europe.
“I feel like I’m excited to be here. When you can be excited to play (…) it’s a massive help because you’re not scared to do the graft.”
MacIntyre’s rise in world golf over the past few years has made him one of the most recognisable figures in the game.
Last year he managed to win twice, with the Scottish Open victory at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian the standout.
And that success has carried on into this season with six top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour. Having started the year in 14th in the world rankings, he has now moved up to ninth position and is the first Scot to reach the top 10 since Colin Montgomerie in 2005.
“It has been a great year,” he told BBC Scotland. “The only thing I’ve not done is win. I’ve done a lot of things this year, I feel I’ve progressed massively in the game of golf.
“One of my main goals this year was to really compete in a major. I feel I competed in three of them till almost the end.
“PGA, I didn’t. After two rounds, I was in a great position. Didn’t finish it off. Obviously, US Open was a close call. The Open, I was still in there with a chance.
“The year’s been a massive improvement from a whole perspective but statistically, I’m just getting better. As golfers, we can just ask for just that little bit better every year.”
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland at Wentworth
BMW PGA Championship
Venue: Wentworth, Surrey Dates: 11-14 September
Robert MacIntyre has no fears about taking abuse from Team USA fans at the Ryder Cup in New York this month.
The 29-year-old from Oban, who will be playing in his second Ryder Cup, has been the subject of jibes from US fans when playing on the PGA Tour but says he has learned how to cope when it comes his way.
Last year, MacIntyre taunted his American hosts at the Valspar Championship in Florida by labelling his caddie’s bib with Europe’s Ryder Cup-winning score.
“I’ll probably be getting abuse from my 12, 13 mates that are out there and all, so no, it’s going to be fun,” MacIntyre said.
He added: “For me, going into this one, I feel far more comfortable. I feel far more comfortable in the people, in the team, the players, the staff. I know them far better.
“I just can’t wait to get there and give it our best and try to keep that Ryder Cup in Europe.
“I feel like I’m excited to be here. When you can be excited to play (…) it’s a massive help because you’re not scared to do the graft.”
MacIntyre’s rise in world golf over the past few years has made him one of the most recognisable figures in the game.
Last year he managed to win twice, with the Scottish Open victory at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian the standout.
And that success has carried on into this season with six top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour. Having started the year in 14th in the world rankings, he has now moved up to ninth position and is the first Scot to reach the top 10 since Colin Montgomerie in 2005.
“It has been a great year,” he told BBC Scotland. “The only thing I’ve not done is win. I’ve done a lot of things this year, I feel I’ve progressed massively in the game of golf.
“One of my main goals this year was to really compete in a major. I feel I competed in three of them till almost the end.
“PGA, I didn’t. After two rounds, I was in a great position. Didn’t finish it off. Obviously, US Open was a close call. The Open, I was still in there with a chance.
“The year’s been a massive improvement from a whole perspective but statistically, I’m just getting better. As golfers, we can just ask for just that little bit better every year.”
An “extraordinary” security boost will accompany the final two stages of the Vuelta in the Madrid region, Spanish authorities said, as pro-Palestinian protests rock one of cycling’s grand tours.
The demonstrations, which have targeted the Israel-Premier Tech team over the devastating war in Gaza, have affected several stages of the 21-day race and cast doubt on organisers’ ability to see it through to its completion.
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The central government’s representation in Madrid said in a statement on Wednesday that more than 400 extra Civil Guards will protect the penultimate stage on Saturday, and 1,100 police officers will deploy for Sunday’s finale.
The “extraordinary deployment” would be the police’s largest security effort since Madrid hosted the 2022 NATO summit, the statement added.
“With this reinforcement, the aim is to make compatible the unfolding of the sporting event in the two Madrid stages … and the legitimate right to protest,” the authorities said.
Race organisers had denied they were weighing whether or not to cancel the final stages, but have suggested that Israel-Premier Tech withdraw for the other teams’ safety.
Police office look on at protesters with the flag of Palestine during stage 11 [Pankra Nieto/Reuters]
Protesters have burst onto the course and caused crashes, while last week’s stage 11 was neutralised before the finish in Bilbao with no winner declared due to demonstrators disrupting the run-in.
On Tuesday, hundreds of protesters blocked a road close to the finish and faced off with police, forcing stage 16 in the northwestern region of Galicia to be shortened.
Riders have said they will neutralise stage 17 on Wednesday if further protests disrupt the competition.
“We decided that if there is an incident, we would try to neutralise the race and then that would be it,” Australia’s Jack Haig told reporters. “In the end, racing to an undefined finish line is not really fair sport,” the Bahrain Victorious rider added.
Israel-Premier Tech, owned by Israeli-Canadian property developer Sylvan Adams, is a private outfit and not a state team, but was hailed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for continuing to compete despite the vehement protests.
The Palestinian cause enjoys widespread support in Spain, whose poor relations with Israel nosedived even further this week, leading Madrid to recall its ambassador from Tel Aviv and bar two far-right Israeli government ministers.
Riders pass protesters with Palestine flags during stage 13 [Pankra Nieto/Reuters]
Stacey Solomon posted a furious statement on Instagram after being snubbed at the BAFTAs earlier this year, but now she’s up for Best Presenter at tonight’s National Television Awards
Stacey Solomon has issued a statement ahead of tonight’s NTAs
Stacey Solomon has issued a statement ahead of tonight’s NTAs following her epic rant after her BAFTAs snub. The 35-year-old, who is up for Best Presenter at the star-studded ceremony this evening in London, was fuming in May when she lost out on two gongs for her BBC show, Sort Your Life Out.
The X Factor star admitted she didn’t take the loss well four months ago, however she seems in a brighter mood ahead of tonight’s NTAs as she shared a measured message on social media.
Posting a snap of an elegant black dress hanging up in the bathroom of Pickle Cottage as well as two adorable girls’ floral dresses alongside suit jackets and trousers, Stacey told fans she was grateful to be nominated.
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Stacey Solomon told fans she was grateful to be nominated for an NTA(Image: Instagram/staceysolomon)
She posted a furious statement on Instagram after being snubbed at the BAFTAs earlier this year(Image: Instagram)
Revealing she was going to the star-studded bash in the capital with all her family, she wrote: “It’s NTA day. Just got home from work, now it’s time to get ready. Just wanted to say, no matter what, I’m so grateful to be nominated for an NTA.
“The fact that we are going tonight with our whole family is so special, I can’t even put it into words. It’s voted for by YOU so thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving us this moment. We will never forget it and NEVER take it for granted. To the moon and back everyone x.”
Her poignant post is a far cry from her response to not winning a BAFTA when she took to social media with an uncharacteristic rant.
Stacey admitted she was ‘devastated’ after losing out on a gong after being nominated for Entertainment Performance for her show, Sort Your Life Out, which was awarded to Joe Lycett. The BBC One show was also nominated for Factual Entertainment, but was pipped to the post by Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour.
Tending to her garden at Pickle Cottage, Stacey filmed herself the morning after the awards, saying: “Good morning from the veg patch, about to do the morning water. We didn’t win a BAFTA and I know I’m supposed to take it gracefully like a champ but I’ll be honest I’m devastated.
“I’m not handling it very well, I’m not taking it very gracefully. I’m devastated for our whole team like I’m so gutted for our team. Everyone got dressed up and were really hopeful because I think because they work so hard.
“It’s not an easy show to make, Sort Your Life Out, and the team work so hard to make it happen and they so deserve a BAFTA. The Sort Your Life Out team deserve a BAFTA and I’m devastated.”
Insisting that the winners deserved their BAFTAs, she concluded: “I’m not saying that everyone else didn’t deserve their BAFTAs, they absolutely did. People think making TV is really easy and it’s not so everyone deserves recognition but I’m just gutted for the whole Sort Your Life Out family because I do feel like they deserve a BAFTA, I’m going to say. I’m gutted.”
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All 20 Premier League clubs had at least five players on international duty, with 59 different countries represented by top-flight stars.
Arsenal
Players on international duty: 17
Forward Mikel Merino is yet to get off the mark for the Gunners this season but scored in Spain’s World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria before netting a hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Turkey.
Winger Noni Madueke started both of England’s World Cup qualifiers and impressed Thomas Tuchel, scoring his first international goal in the 5-0 victory over Serbia, while midfielder Declan Rice netted in the 2-0 victory over Andorra.
Getty Images
Aston Villa
Players on international duty: 11
Poland full-back Matty Cash scored a late equaliser to earn a point against the Netherlands before finding the net again in a 3-1 win over Finland.
Cash came off injured at half-time but reports suggest it is nothing serious.
Bournemouth
Players on international duty: 13
Brentford
Players on international duty: 18
Brentford’s club record summer signing Dango Ouattara scored two goals in Burkina Faso’s 6-0 win over Djibouti.
Brighton
Players on international duty: 11
Yakuba Minteh scored his sixth international goal as Gambia beat Kenya, though fellow Seagulls winger Kaoru Mitoma was rested in Japan’s 2-0 defeat by USA, coming off the bench with half an hour to go.
Burnley
Players on international duty: 14
Midfielder Hannibal featured twice for Tunisia as they secured their place at next summer’s World Cup, beating Liberia and Equatorial Guinea.
Chelsea
Players on international duty: 14
Spain full-back Marc Cucurella scored in a 3-0 win over Bulgaria while Reece James’ fine cross set up Declan Rice’s England goal against Andorra.
Getty Images
Crystal Palace
Players on international duty: 12
Marc Guehi was a stalwart in England’s defence across their two World Cup qualifiers, scoring and setting up Ezri Konsa’s first international goal in the 5-0 win over Serbia.
Everton
Players on international duty: Eight
Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye were part of the Senegal side who staged a dramatic 3-2 win over DR Congo, having fallen 2-0 down in Kinshasa, while striker Beto came off the bench to help Guinea-Bissau beat Djibouti and keep their slim hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive.
Fulham
Players on international duty: 11
Nigeria defender Calvin Bassey scored his debut international goal in a 1-1 draw against South Africa while Mexico forward Raul Jimenez was on target in a 2-2 friendly draw against South Korea.
Leeds United
Players on international duty: Five
Liverpool
Players on international duty: 21
British record transfer Alexander Isak made his first appearance of the season following a transfer saga between former club Newcastle United and Liverpool – coming on as a substitute in Sweden’s 2-0 defeat by Kosovo.
Getty Images
Manchester City
Players on international duty: 12
Positives and negatives for Manchester City as striker Erling Haaland scored five goals and set up two more in Norway’s 11-1 thrashing of Moldova but Egypt winger Omar Marmoush has been ruled out of Sunday’s Manchester derby after picking up a knee injury.
Marmoush scored in his country’s 2-0 win over Ethiopia on Friday but went off injured in Tuesday’s goalless draw against Burkina Faso.
Manchester United
Players on international duty: 14
Getty Images
Newcastle United
Players on international duty: 12
Summer signing Yoane Wissa scored two and assisted one across his two matches for DR Congo, though the new arrival was taken off after 74 minutes in the 3-2 loss to Senegal, while Anthony Elanga was on target for Sweden in their 2-2 draw with Slovenia.
Nottingham Forest
Players on international duty: 13
Striker Chris Wood perhaps has the furthest to travel for international duty and was on target in New Zealand’s 3-1 defeat by Australia.
Sunderland
Players on international duty: 14
Tottenham Hotspur
Players on international duty: 20
Senegal’s Pape Sarr scored an 87th-minute winner in a dramatic 3-2 victory over DR Congo.
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West Ham
Players on international duty: 10
Despite West Ham’s tricky start to the season, Lucas Paqueta has scored two goals in three games for the Hammers and continued that fine form into international duty, netting for Brazil in a 3-0 win over Chile.
England midfielder Jarrod Bowen came on as a substitute against Serbia but was unused against Andorra while Czech Republic captain Tomas Soucek was a surprise omission from his country’s friendly against Saudi Arabia.
Wolves
Players on international duty: 13
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde came through the academies in France but switched allegiance to play for Haiti and made his debut in a goalless draw against Honduras on Friday, impressing enough to earn a second start against Costa Rica.
