Tension has gripped communities in the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone as gunmen enforcing the outlawed sit-at-home order unleashed terror on Monday morning.

The coordinated attacks, which occurred between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. in Abatete, Abagana, and Ukpo communities, left at least five people dead and several others injured.

According to information obtained by pressmen the casualties were predominantly members of the Anambra Vigilante Services, who were targeted in the brazen attacks.

The first incident took place in Abatete town, where gunmen ambushed security personnel attached to the town’s President-General (PG).

Three vigilantes were shot dead in the hail of gunfire, and the PG sustained critical injuries.

He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.

Separate attacks were reported in Abagana and Ukpo communities. At the Ukpo roundabout in Dunukofia Local Government Area, a member of the local Vigilante Group and a motorcycle rider lost their lives in the violence.

Eyewitnesses described the scenes as chaotic, with the attackers arriving suddenly and shooting indiscriminately.

The violent incidents have plunged the affected communities into fear and uncertainty, with residents left panicked by the proximity of the attacks to the state capital, Awka.

A voice note circulating on social media has urged residents in Awka to remain indoors, warning that the attackers could strike nearby.

“We are praying for the recovery of our President-General,” a member of the Abatete community said. “This senseless violence has left our community shaken and in mourning.”

A resident of Ukpo expressed the community’s anguish on Facebook: “It was chaos.

The attackers came out of nowhere, shooting and shouting, ‘No Biafra, no freedom.’ We are still trying to process the shock and loss.”

The police have confirmed awareness of the incidents but are yet to provide comprehensive details.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP __, stated, “The details are still sketchy, but our operatives are currently at the scene. I will get back to you with facts as soon as I can.”

The wave of violence attributed to sit-at-home enforcers has continued to wreak havoc in parts of the Southeast, despite efforts by state governments and security agencies to curb their activities.

As investigations into the latest attacks begin, residents of Anambra Central remain on edge, fearing further violence. Many are calling for enhanced security measures and immediate action to restore peace to the affected communities.

Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has paid tribute to the late Rashidi Yekini, declaring him Nigeria’s greatest striker of all time, regardless of whether he surpasses Yekini’s record as the nation’s top scorer.

Osimhen, currently with 23 international goals, is just 14 shy of breaking the legendary Yekini’s record of 37 goals for the Super Eagles.In a video shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Osimhen expressed his admiration and respect for Yekini, emphasizing that achieving or surpassing the record will not diminish Yekini’s legacy.

“I have a lot of respect for Rashidi Yekini. He’s the greatest striker Nigeria has ever produced, and no record I break or set will change that fact,” the Napoli star stated.

Osimhen, who has been in sensational form for both club and country, clarified that his primary focus is not on personal achievements but on contributing to the success of the Super Eagles. “For me, it’s not about breaking records or competing with anyone.

I just want to do my job, help the team win games, score goals, and create chances for my teammates.

That’s what matters most to me,” he explained.Despite being widely regarded as one of the best Nigerian forwards of his generation, Osimhen has consistently demonstrated humility in acknowledging the impact and legacy of those who came before him.

Yekini, who passed away in 2012, remains a revered figure in Nigerian football history.

Renowned for his clinical finishing, Yekini represented Nigeria in multiple international tournaments, including the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where his iconic celebration after scoring Nigeria’s first-ever World Cup goal became a defining moment in African football.

Osimhen’s comments have drawn praise from fans and pundits alike, with many lauding his humility and team-oriented mindset.

His contributions to the Super Eagles have been instrumental in their recent successes, and he remains a pivotal figure as Nigeria prepares for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

While Osimhen’s trajectory suggests he is on course to etch his name in Nigeria’s football history, his declaration solidifies his admiration for Yekini and the values he upholds as a player.

As the race to break the record continues, Osimhen’s focus remains steadfastly on achieving collective glory with the Super Eagles, underscoring his belief that true greatness is not just about individual accolades but about lifting the team and inspiring the next generation.

U.S. President Joe Biden has given Ukraine the green light to use American-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.

This authorization allows Ukraine to deploy Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which have a range of up to 190 miles, for high-impact operations.

According to two American officials, Kyiv is expected to launch its first strikes using these weapons in the coming days. However, operational security concerns have kept further details under wraps.

This development coincides with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s push for increased support for Ukraine at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Starmer, who has ruled out any direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the summit, reaffirmed his stance on standing firmly with Kyiv.

He indicated that bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities remains a priority for the international community.

The U.S. decision to ease restrictions on ATACMS follows reports of Russia deploying North Korean ground troops to reinforce its ranks in the conflict.

These missiles are expected to provide Ukraine with a critical advantage, enabling it to target strategic locations far behind enemy lines.

In response to speculation about the impending strikes, Ukrainian officials remained tight-lipped. “Missiles will speak for themselves,” one Ukrainian spokesperson stated, adding, “Such things are not announced.

Strikes are not carried out with words.”

Meanwhile, the move has sparked intense debate in international political circles. Critics, including prominent figures in the U.S., have warned of the potential for the situation to spiral into a global conflict. Donald Trump Jr., the son of the former U.S. president, condemned the decision on social media platform X, writing, “The Military Industrial Complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives… Imbeciles!”

This comes as the Biden administration faces increasing scrutiny over its commitment to Ukraine, especially in light of the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

Former President Donald Trump, a leading candidate for the Republican nomination, has vowed to scale back U.S. support for Ukraine and negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

Analysts suggest Biden’s decision to authorize long-range missile use may be influenced by concerns over Trump’s potential shift in policy should he return to power.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously warned that lifting the ban on long-range missile use would be interpreted as NATO’s direct involvement in the conflict, raising the stakes in an already volatile situation. With tensions escalating, the coming days may prove pivotal in determining the trajectory of the war.

Police in central Thailand said they barricaded themselves into their own station over the weekend after a menacing mob of 200 escaped monkeys ran riot in the town.

The human inhabitants of Lopburi have long suffered from a growing and aggressive monkey population and authorities have built special enclosures to contain groups of unruly residents.

But on Saturday, around 200 of the primates broke out and rampaged through town, with one posse descending on a local police station.

“We’ve had to make sure doors and windows are closed to prevent them from entering the building for food,” police captain Somchai Seedee told AFP on Monday.

He was concerned the marauders could destroy property, including police documents, he added.

Traffic cops and officers on guard duty were being called in to fend off the visitors, the Lopburi police said on Facebook on Sunday.

Around a dozen of the intruders were still perched proudly on the roof of the police station on Monday, photos from local media showed.

Down in the streets, hapless police and local authorities were working to round up rogue individuals, luring them away from residential areas with food.

While Thailand is an overwhelmingly Buddhist nation, it has long assimilated Hindu traditions and lore from its pre-Buddhist era.

As a result monkeys are afforded a special place in Thai hearts thanks to the heroic Hindu monkey god Hanuman, who helped Rama rescue his beloved wife Sita from the clutches of an evil demon king.

Thousands of the fearless primates rule the streets around the Pra Prang Sam Yod temple in the centre of Lopburi.

The town has been laying on an annual feast of fruit for its population of macaques since the late 1980s, part religious tradition and part tourist attraction.

But their growing numbers, vandalism and mob fights have made an uneasy coexistence with their human neighbours almost intolerable.

Lopburi authorities have tried quelling instances of human-macaque clashes with sterilisation and relocation programs.

President Bola Tinubu has landed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the 19th Heads of State and Government Summit of the G20.

The President arrived on Sunday at 11:03 p.m. local time (3:03 a.m. on Monday in Nigeria) and was welcomed by Ambassador Breno Costa from Brazil’s Ministry of External Relations.

He was joined by several officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha; and the Minister of Art, Tourism, Culture, and Creativity, Hannatu Musawa.

Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, and Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, Director General of the National Intelligence Agency accompanied him.

Tinubu is anticipated to engage in bilateral discussions during the summit to further Nigeria’s socio-economic development initiatives.

Brazil’s President, Lula da Silva, is presiding over the 2024 G20 summit, having assumed the group’s rotating leadership on December 21, 2023, with his term concluding on November 30.

The summit, themed “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,” will center on three aspects of sustainable development—economic, social, and environmental—and the transformation of global governance systems.

It will also emphasize the increasing global temperatures and the fundamentals of the digital economy, among other topics.

The Brazilian leadership will prioritize addressing the Israel–Hamas conflict and the growing geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the outcomes of the work undertaken by the nation holding the rotating G20 presidency are typically presented at the annual summit.

Here’s the paraphrased version of the sentences:

It marks the occasion when heads of state and government endorse agreements formed over the year and outline strategies to address global issues.

NAN further notes that the Leaders’ Summit represents the culmination of the G20’s year-long efforts through Ministerial Meetings, Working Groups, and Engagement Groups, with their outcomes to be finalized at the summit.

The event will bring together 19 member nations, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, and Indonesia.

The other participating countries are Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Reflecting the summit’s theme, Da Silva outlined a three-point agenda to tackle hunger, poverty, and inequality during the event set to take place from November 18 to 19.

Tinubu is participating in the 2024 G20 summit after being invited by the organizers, who also invited representatives from the African Union and the European Union.

On August 29, the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Areias, formally invited Tinubu to the 2024 G20 summit on behalf of Da Silva while presenting his Letter of Credence.

Areias mentioned that Da Silva was eager to host Tinubu at the G20 Leaders’ Summit, highlighting food security as the primary focus of the Brazilian presidency to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030.

NAN

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will go all out for victory against Rwanda on Monday, even with leadership of group D and a ticket to the 35^th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco secured, says Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen.

The three-time African champions are determined to sustain their recent form and spirit ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers that resume in four months, and Coach Augustine Eguavoen believes the absence of grieving goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Olaoluwa Aina and in-form forward Ademola Lookman will not stop their momentum.

First-choice goalkeeper Nwabali has been excused from camp to visit family and relations following the demise of his father, and English Premier League side Nottingham Forest begged for wing-back Olaoluwa Aina to be allowed to fly back to the United Kingdom for a crucial tie, with Nigeria already qualified for the AFCON.

Rapid-raider Ademola Lookman, with two goals in the qualifiers like team mate Victor Osimhen, suffered a knock in the front end of this window’s double-header, against Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in Abidjan on Thursday, and left camp on Saturday.

The Super Eagles are not unaware of the fact that the Amavubi are in the same 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group with them, and that they (Rwanda) are the next opponents when the World Cup qualifying campaign resumes in March 2025.

Monday’s encounter will see the return of former number one safe hands Maduka Okoye, and Bright Osayi-Samuel could start at right wing-back in the absence of Aina, with Bruno Onyemaechi at left wing-back, and Captain William Ekong and Calvin Bassey at centre-back.

Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika are still the options in the middle.

Victor Osimhen, whose goal earned the one point in Abidjan that took Nigeria to the top of the pool, will hope to score against the Amavubi, having come quite close a number of times when he joined the fray as a second-half substitute in Kigali in September.

He also has the target of overtaking former captain Olusegun Odegbami on the goals’ tally for Nigeria.

The absence of Lookman means so much will be expected from fit-fighting and usually-dependable Moses Simon, with Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar, Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Boniface all in the race for slots in the fore.