Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Five sisters kidnapped in Abuja, Nigeria, have been rescued in a joint police-army operation. The incident, which occurred earlier this month, resulted in the death of their uncle and three police officers. One sister was killed after kidnappers demanded a ransom. The notorious Abuja kidnapper, Chinaza Phillip, has been arrested by the Kaduna State Police Command and handed over to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command. The case underscores the ongoing issue of widespread kidnappings by criminal gangs in Nigeria, particularly in the north-west. Phillip was apprehended following a distress call, and a gun duel ensued during the rescue operation, resulting in the arrest of one kidnapper and the escape of three others. Calls for intensified efforts to address the security crisis and a plea to refrain from contributing to ransom payments have been made.
2. Senator Ireti Kingibe has stated that the Senate will summon FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and security agencies to discuss the growing insecurity in Abuja. Kingibe emphasized the need for a comprehensive security plan from the FCT chief security officer and urged collaboration with the police commissioner and the head of the DSS. The senator, previously concerned about insecurity, commended security efforts but stressed the importance of addressing root causes. The summon is scheduled for the Senate’s resumption later in the month.
3. Dangote Petroleum Refinery plans to supply fuel to 150,000 retail outlets operated by IPMAN after a successful meeting. Regulatory assessments are ongoing, and major oil marketers, including 11 Plc and Total Nigeria Plc, have registered for product distribution. The refinery, operational since January 12, 2024, will provide diesel and aviation fuel. IPMAN’s president is optimistic about resolving fuel scarcity, with expectations of slightly lower prices. The refinery, with a capacity to load 2,900 trucks daily, aims to meet Euro V specifications.
4. A warehouse in the Mandilas Building on Broad Street in Lagos Island caught fire, starting from the first floor and spreading to the fourth floor. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reached the scene, with firefighting operations following. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and there have been no reported casualties. The incident led to traders attempting to salvage their goods, but emergency workers worked to control the situation.
5. Girona reclaimed the top spot in La Liga with a 5-1 home victory over Sevilla, thanks to Artem Dovbyk’s first-half hat trick. The win, coupled with an all-time club points record, propelled Girona to the summit with 52 points, one ahead of Real Madrid. Despite an early lead from Sevilla’s Isaac Romero, Dovbyk equalized and then secured his hat trick within 19 minutes. The victory strengthens Girona’s European competition aspirations, as they now eye a Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Mallorca and a La Liga clash with Celta Vigo.
6. Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka discussed his life, emphasizing pursuing one’s aptitude despite negatives like public attention. He clarified his approach to assessing the President and expressed concerns about societal issues, particularly the incarceration of Mubarak Bala. Soyinka encouraged young writers, discussed his activism, and criticized attempts to annul the 2023 elections, emphasizing the importance of consistency and morality in accepting arbitration panel decisions in a democracy. He also expressed optimism about seeing another Nigerian or black African win the Nobel Prize before he turns 100.
7. The 66th annual Grammy Awards will feature performances by Burna Boy, Luke Combs, and Travis Scott, joining artists like Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Olivia Rodrigo. The event, airing live on CBS and Paramount+ on Feb. 4, will take place at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena. Burna Boy, a previous Grammy winner, is nominated in four categories. Combs and Scott are also nominated. Eilish and Rodrigo, with six nominations each, are among the most nominated, while SZA leads with nine nominations.
