Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with an attempt to disrupt the announcement of results during the Student Union Government election at the Ebonyi State University.
The incident occurred while the election results were being announced, and the suspects allegedly fired gunshots to disperse the crowd.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, said this in a statement on Tuesday.
“Unfortunately, the bullet struck a student, who was immediately rushed to Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, for medical attention.
“The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Adaku Uche-Anya fdc assures members of the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to maintaining peace, law, and order across the state,” the statement read partly.
In July, several students sustained injuries when the Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, Students’ Union Government election degenerated into chaos.
A viral video seen by PUNCH Online showed students scaling the institution’s fence while gunshots rang out in the background.
Smoke was also visible at the venue, suggesting the use of tear gas. In addition, some youths were spotted wielding knives to scare away voters and disrupt the process. (Punch)
The Ebute Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday remanded the leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Shamsideen Oladiti aka Shameleon, at the correctional centre, pending the legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
PUNCH Metro reported that the Lagos State Police Command arrested Oladiti over allegations of assault and murder.
The 55-year-old man, according to a statement by the command’s Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, allegedly attacked a dispatch rider on Lagos Island, using a helmet and fists to inflict serious injuries.
The command’s deputy spokesman also explained that a separate complaint had earlier been lodged against the suspect over an incident on August 28, 2025.
He noted that during an altercation, Oladiti allegedly used a metallic ring to repeatedly strike another man on the head and face, leaving him with severe injuries.
Oluseyi said that despite medical care, the victim died on September 17, 2025, and his remains had since been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.
The suspect had since been held at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba.
The police, however, arraigned him on a three-count charge, after which the court ordered his remand.
The case was also adjourned to October 28, and the case was ordered to be duplicated to the state Directorate of Public Prosecutions for advice.
It was gathered that the death of the deceased, identified as Imam Ramon, triggered protests at the suspect’s office in Sandgrouse Market, Lagos Island.
Sympathisers were also said to have set two of Adio’s motorcycles ablaze, heightening tension in the area.
The incident again brought to the fore the high-handedness of some NURTW officials in the country, as residents called on the government to curb their excesses. (Punch)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the ARISE Television News Anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, who died during an armed robbery attack at her residence in Katampe, Abuja, on Monday.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu described the late 29-year-old Maduagwu, fondly called “Sommie” by colleagues, as a fast-rising star in broadcast journalism.
The governor noted that the deceased discharged her duties diligently and passionately while on air.
He also commiserated with the deceased’s family, friends, colleagues, and the management and staff of ARISE News, especially the founder, Nduka Obaigbena, over the tragic loss.
The condolence message read in part, “On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, we commiserate with ARISE News over the death of one of its anchors, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu. She was a diligent and thorough professional.
“Her death was a big shock considering the circumstances, but we take solace in the Almighty God that she lived a fulfilled life and made positive impacts in the media industry.
“She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, associates, colleagues, and the entire ARISE News team. I pray that God will comfort everyone who was close to her and grant her eternal rest.
“My thoughts are with her immediate family and the Chairman of ARISE TV, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena. May God grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Also, the Nigerian Guild of Editors has expressed sadness over the death of Maduagwu.
In a statement signed on Tuesday by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the guild described Somtochukwu’s death as a huge loss to journalism in Nigeria.
“By Somtochukwu’s untimely death, journalism has lost not just a good professional who was committed to shedding light on important issues and giving voice to the voiceless but also one who represented the future of journalism in the country,” the guild said.
The editors noted that the incident underscored the dangers posed by insecurity in the country.
“The loss of this dedicated journalist from an armed robbery incident is a stark reminder of the dangers Nigerians face daily in their homes and on the street. We cannot help but reflect on the issue of insecurity that plagues our nation. The increasing frequency of armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, insurgency and other violent crimes has created an environment of fear and uncertainty for both citizens and professionals like journalists,” the statement added.
The NGE called on the government to address insecurity and bring those behind the reporter’s death to justice.
“We demand action from the government to address the root causes of insecurity and take measures to ensure the safety and security of all citizens. We demand that those responsible for Somtochukwu’s death be fished out by security agencies and made to face the full weight of the law,” it said.
The guild also commiserated with Arise News and the journalist’s colleagues.
“At this difficult time, we stand in solidarity with Arise News and the broader journalism community. We pray that the memory of this talented young journalist who died at her prime inspires excellence in journalism, even in the face of adversity. May the memory of this vibrant journalist be a blessing to all who knew her.” (Punch)
Scientists said Wednesday they have turned human skin cells into eggs and fertilised them with sperm in the lab for the first time – a breakthrough that is hoped to one day let infertile people have children.
The technology is still years away from potentially becoming available to aspiring parents, the US-led team of scientists warned.
But outside experts said the proof-of-concept research could eventually change the meaning of infertility, which affects one in six people worldwide.
If successful, the technology called in-vitro gametogenesis would allow older women or women who lack eggs for other reasons to genetically reproduce, Paula Amato, the co-author of a new study announcing the achievement, told AFP.
“It also would allow same-sex couples to have a child genetically related to both partners,” said Amato, a researcher at the Oregon Health & Science University in the United States.
Scientists have been making significant advances in this field in recent years, with Japanese researchers announcing in July that they had created mice with two biological fathers.
But the new study, published in the journal Nature Communications, marks a major advance by using DNA from humans, rather than mice.
The scientists first removed the nucleus from normal skin cells and transferred them into a donor egg, which had its nucleus removed. This technique, called somatic cell nuclear transfer, was used to clone Dolly the sheep in 1996.
However, a problem still had to be overcome: skin cells have 46 chromosomes, but eggs have 23.
The scientists managed to remove these extra chromosomes using a process they are calling “mitomeiosis”, which mimics how cells normally divide.
They created 82 developing eggs called oocytes, which were then fertilised by sperm via in vitro fertilisation.
After six days, less than nine per cent of the embryos developed to the point that they could hypothetically be transferred to the uterus for a standard IVF process.
However, the embryos displayed a range of abnormalities, and the experiment was ended.
While the nine per cent rate was low, the researchers noted that during natural reproduction, only around a third of embryos make it to the IVF-ready “blastocyst” stage.
Amato estimated the technology was at least a decade away from becoming widely available.
“The biggest hurdle is trying to achieve genetically normal eggs with the correct number and complement of chromosomes,” she said.
Ying Cheong, a reproductive medicine researcher at the UK’s University of Southampton, hailed the “exciting” breakthrough.
“For the first time, scientists have shown that DNA from ordinary body cells can be placed into an egg, activated, and made to halve its chromosomes, mimicking the special steps that normally create eggs and sperm,” she said.
“While this is still very early laboratory work, in the future it could transform how we understand infertility and miscarriage, and perhaps one day open the door to creating egg- or sperm-like cells for those who have no other options.”
Other researchers trying to create eggs in the lab are using a different technique. It involves reprogramming skin cells into what are called induced pluripotent stem cells — which have the potential to develop into any cell in the body — then turning those into eggs.
“It’s too early to tell which method will be more successful,” Amato said. “Either way, we are still many years away.”
The researchers followed existing US ethical guidelines regulating the use of embryos, the study said. (Punch)
The Federal Government has announced the cancellation of the parade earlier scheduled to celebrate the country’s 65th independence anniversary on October 1.
This was announced in a statement on Monday by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen.
According to the statement, the Federal Government apologised for the inconvenience caused by the cancellation.
“The cancellation is in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary, and the government remains committed to celebrating Nigeria’s 65th year of independence with dignity and enthusiasm,” the statement reads.
“Accordingly, all other programmes slated for the Independence Anniversary will remain in effect.
“The Federal Government appreciates the understanding, support and cooperation of all Nigerians, members of the diplomatic community, and invited guests, and urges Nigerians to support the reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in making Nigeria a greater nation.”
Independence Anniversary parade is one of the activities lined up for the celebration tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation.”
This comes after the government declared Wednesday as public holiday to mark the nation’s 65th independence anniversary. (Channels)
A Ryder Cup emcee has stepped down after heckling and cursing were aimed at golf players during the championship game over the weekend, the PGA of America said on Sunday.
Actress and comedian Heather McMahan, who hosted the first tee at Bethpage Black Golf Course on Long Island, N.Y., was heard on videos posted to social media chanting expletives against golfer Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland.
“F*** you, Rory,” McMahan could be heard saying into the microphone, before some in the crowd recited the jeer.
McMahan has apologized to Mcllroy and the Ryder Cup Europe team, according to PGA of America. NPR reached out to representatives for McMahan for comment on Sunday.
Some of the golf at this year’s Ryder Cup has been overshadowed by interventions from passionate and unruly fans, as Americans tee off against Europeans in one of the sport’s biggest events.
McIlroy has faced the brunt of the insults from spectators, who also jeered and yelled at his wife throughout the weekend. At one point, McIlroy was seen pushing back against jeering by telling unruly spectators to “shut the f*** up” in videos posted on social media and live television. He later also refused to putt until the jeering stopped.
“I don’t mind them having a go at us, that’s to be expected, that’s what an away Ryder Cup is,” McIlroy said on Saturday, according to BBC Sport. “Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that’s the tough thing. You know, look, in between shots, say whatever you want to me. That’s totally fine. But just give us the respect to let us hit shots. Give us the same chance that the Americans have.”
Two spectators were ejected from the Ryder Cup on Saturday after a verbal altercation, according to Beau Duffy, a spokesperson for New York State Police, in a statement to NPR on Sunday.
“Yesterday, additional State Troopers were placed along the course for player and public safety. Additional adjustments will be made today as needed,” Duffy also said.
A Westbury, N.Y., man was also charged with two misdemeanors for stealing a golf cart used for the event — unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and criminal possession of stolen property, according to Duffy.
Luke Donald, captain of Team Europe at the Ryder Cup, said behavior by some fans had “crossed the line,” during a press conference on Saturday.
“It was loud. It was raucous, you know. What I consider crossing line is personal insults and you know making sounds, you know, when they’re trying to hit on their back swings or you know, very close to when they’re trying to go into their routines,” Donald said. “That did happen a little bit. It’s happened to other Ryder Cups, too … something we prepared for and I can see, you know, I think how well they’ve dealt with it.”
Keegan Bradley, captain of Team USA, defended fans during the press conference.
“I thought the fans were passionate. I mean, their home team is getting beat bad,” Bradley said. “The fans of New York have — all I’ve seen, have been pretty good. You’re always going to have a few people that cross the line and that’s unfortunate. I really was happy to see our players trying to quiet down some people that were like that. But, you know, part of it is our fault. You know, we’re not playing up to the standards that they want to see, and they’re angry, and they should be.”
On Sunday, jeers and screaming continued to be hurled against McIlroy, even as he putted the ball in a match against Scottie Scheffler.
Europe defeated the U.S. in the Ryder Cup 15-13 Sunday evening. (NPR)
Social media platform X said on Monday it plans to appeal an Indian court order that would allow over two million police officers nationwide to issue arbitrary takedown requests via a secretive online portal called the Sahyog.
“We will appeal this order to defend free expression,” X said in a post on the platform, in its first statement since the High Court of Karnataka ruled last week that there was no legal merit to the company’s legal challenge to quash India’s content removal mechanisms, according to Reuters.
“The Sahyog enables officers to order content removal based solely on allegations of “illegality,” without judicial review or due process for the speakers, and threatens platforms with criminal liability for non-compliance,” X said on Monday.
X has locked horns with New Delhi in the past, equating the government’s mechanisms with censorship. The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the new system tackles a proliferation of unlawful content and ensures accountability online.
X owner Elon Musk has clashed with authorities in several countries over compliance and content takedown demands.
However, the company’s Indian lawsuit targeted the entire basis for tightened internet regulation in the world’s most populous nation.
Modi’s government has ramped up efforts to police the internet since 2023 by allowing many more officials to file takedown orders and submit them directly to tech firms through a website launched in October. (Channels)
It’s another chart week, another chart double for KPop Demon Hunters (Republic/Universal) in Australia.
The soundtrack to the hit animated Netflix film is flying at the top of the ARIA leaderboard for a ninth non-consecutive week. Among soundtracks, ARIA reports, that effort equals the nine week run by the 1997 soundtrack for Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet.
Since the ARIA Charts were first published in 1983, only four soundtracks have logged more weeks at the top, according to the charts compiler: the Australian cast recording of Jesus Christ Superstar (10 weeks in 1992); plus Titanic (1998), Moulin Rouge (2001) and A Star Is Born (2018), which each led for 11 weeks.
Meanwhile, the top track from KPop Demon Hunters, “Golden,” reigns over the ARIA Singles Chart for a ninth consecutive week. That’s closing in on the all-time mark for a hit from an animated film, currently set at 12 weeks by Pharrell Williams’ 2014 single “Happy” from Despicable Me 2.
Back with the ARIA Albums Chart, Ocean Alley’s Love Balloon (via Community Music) lifts off for a No. 3 debut, the highest start for any new release on the current frame, published Friday, Sept. 26.
Recorded in three stints over about three months, Love Balloon is Ocean Alley’s fifth studio album, and first recorded with legendary American rock producer Nick DiDia (Bruce Springsteen, Rage Against The Machine).
With that bright start, Love Balloon is the Sydney indie-rock outfit’s third consecutive collection to hit No. 3, following 2020’s Lonely Diamond and 2022’s Low Altitude Living. Their breakthrough second album from 2018, Chiaroscuro, which housed the triple j Hottest 100 leader “Confidence,” reached No. 11 on the national survey.
Ocean Alley scores silverware as Love Balloon is crowned on the ARIA Top 20 Australian Albums chart, a feat they celebrated Saturday at London’s Alexandra Palace, with a headline show for more than 8,000 fans.
Also debuting in the top tier is Cardi B‘s sophomore studio album, Am I The Drama? (Atlantic/Warner), new at No. 8. Drama is the followup to the Bronx rapper’s 2018, Invasion Of Privacy, which peaked at No. 5.
Trent Reznor’s Nine Inch Nails bags a top 10 with the soundtrack to TRON: Ares (Interscope/Universal). It’s new at No. 10 for the American industrial rock act’s sixth top tier effort in Australia, a tally that includes a best of No. 2 for 1999’s The Fragile. Daft Punk’s soundtrack to TRON: Legacy reached No. 17 in 2011.
Lola Young just misses out on a top 10 berth with I’m Only F—ing Myself (Island/Universal), her third album. It’s new at No. 12, for the British singer’s first ARIA Albums Chart appearance.
Further down the list, published late Friday, September 26th, Brisbane band Platonic Sex crack the top 40 with their debut album Face To The Flywire (Orchard). It’s new at No. 31. (Billboard)
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has mourned victims of the mining pit collapse in Kadauri, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, describing the incident as a national tragedy that highlights Nigeria’s weak regulatory framework in the solid minerals sector.
In a statement released on Sunday on X, Obi said he was deeply saddened by the collapse, which trapped several miners underground.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident at the Kadauri mining site in Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State, where about 100 people are feared dead, with 15 miners already rescued and 13 people sadly confirmed dead,” he said.
The former Anambra governor extended condolences to the families of the victims while praising local rescue efforts.
“My heartfelt prayers and condolences go to the bereaved families and to the good people of Zamfara at this difficult time.
“I commend the Governor and the State rescue teams for the efforts made so far,” Obi added.
He urged urgent reforms in the solid minerals industry, and said the disaster should serve as a wake-up call for the government to urgently secure the industry, enforce global safety standards by prioritising the protection of lives.
“This unfortunate disaster is yet another reminder of the urgent need to secure and properly regulate our solid minerals industry with strict licensing, adherence to global safety standards, and well-equipped rapid response systems.
“The safety and transparency of operations of our mining sites must be prioritised so that tragedies like this are prevented in the future. I pray that many more are rescued alive and may the souls of those departed rest in perfect peace,” Obi added.
PUNCH Online had reported that Zamfara State Government confirmed that only 10 people lost their lives in the incident.
Speaking to our correspondent, the Special Assistant to Governor Dauda Lawal on Media and Communications, Mustafa Kaura, said only one person was rescued alive while 10 bodies were evacuated.
Kaura described illegal mining as a major threat, warning that unchecked activities could worsen insecurity and trigger further disasters.
“It is disheartening to note that there are over 20,000 illegal miners currently in the state looking for gold, which is worrisome,” he said. (Punch)
Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
According to a statement on Sunday by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany where he is scheduled to hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank to explore areas of intervention and partnership in Nigeria’s developmental initiatives.
Nkwocha said that during his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.
The Vice President delivered President Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, even as he demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.
He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
The statement noted that Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.
He will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany, it added. (Channels)
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