Author: Chronicle Editor

A traditional chief in Ijan-Ekiti in Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Chief Emmanuel Obafemi and two cocoa merchants have been freed by kidnappers after paying N4 million ransom. They were said to have been released along Ikere Road around 3:00 a.m. yesterday and had been reunited with their families. Obafemi was abducted on his farm located along Ado-Ijan Road last Thursday and taken to an unknown destination. The two cocoa merchants, who are residents of a farmstead called Ilupeju-Ijan, were picked up on Saturday along Ijan-Ise Road. A family source confided in reporters in Ado-Ekiti yesterday that Obafemi…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns about 2023 general, stressing that, unless concerted efforts are made to end insecurity, elections could be in jeopardy. INEC said the fear of deployment to conflict areas by ad hoc staff is worrisome, adding that many of the over one million non-permanent workers, who participated in the 2019 polls, showed apprehension. Threats to peaceful elections highlighted by the commission include communal conflicts, farmer/ herder conflicts, insurgency, secessionist agitations, banditry kidnapping, and “plain criminality”. However, the agency assured that it would find ways of navigating through the challenges. INEC National Commissioner and…

Borussia Dortmund are looking to put together a deal to try to persuade Norway striker Erling Braut Haaland to stay with them, with the 21-year-old’s future at the club set to be decided by the end of February. (Bild, via Mail) Manchester City will wait until the summer to add a striker to their ranks, with the club retaining an interest in Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane and also having Haaland among their list of targets. (ESPN) Barcelona’s hopes of extending France winger Ousmane Dembele’s contract have suffered a blow with talks having broken down. The 24-year-old’s current deal runs out in the summer. (Gerard Moreno, via…

Substitute Danny Welbeck scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser for Brighton to deny Chelsea victory and deal a blow to their hopes of keeping pace with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. Chelsea looked set to move three points clear of fellow title contenders Liverpool when Romelu Lukaku marked his first top-flight start for two months by giving his side a lead, which they held until the 91st minute. Brighton carved out 18 chances in total at Stamford Bridge but looked set for disappointment before Welbeck met Marc Cucurella’s chipped cross. On a bad night for Chelsea, they…

Manchester United have rejected a loan offer from La Liga side, Sevilla for French international, Anthony Martial who wants out in the January transfer window. (BBC) France striker Kylian Mbappe says he will not be moving to Real Madrid in January and will be staying at Paris St-Germain until at least the end of the season. The 23-year-old’s contract with the Ligue 1 side runs out in the summer. (CNN) Leeds United winger Raphinha has been linked with Liverpool and Bayern Munich, but the 25-year-old Brazil international will not push for a move in January. (Mirror) Barcelona have not given…

Lagos State Government will begin offering booster COVID-19 shots to residents who have taken the first and second doses of Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines. Dr. Ibrahim A. Mustafa, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board explained that the mass vaccination campaign will also capture four million persons who are yet to be vaccinated. “Lagos State Government in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and development partners is continuing mass vaccination campaign with the aim of vaccinating four million Lagosians before, during and after the yuletide in the phase 3 COVID vaccination exercise. The Lagos government said…

The Ghana Police Service has warned religious leaders against communication 2022 prophesies that spell doom, noting that, they can be jailed under the Ghanaian law. Supt. Alexander Obeng, director, public affairs in a statement on Monday added that prophesies of death and danger have created tension and panic in the Ghanaian society. “As the year 2021 draws to a close, the Ghana Police Service wishes to draw the attention of Ghanaians, especially religious groups, to the fact that whereas we have the right to religion, freedom of worship and free speech, all of these rights are subject to the respect…

Ademola Lookman scored the only goal as Leicester City beat Liverpool to leave the Reds six points off the top of the Premier League table. Liverpool’s biggest chances came in the first half when Mohamed Salah had a 15th-minute penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel and headed the rebound off the bar. Sadio Mane then missed a couple of opportunities for Jurgen Klopp’s side before they were made to pay by the hosts in the 59th minute. Former Everton forward Lookman, with only his fourth touch after coming on, took Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s pass in his stride, beat Joel Matip and rifled…

The Presidency has explained that President Muhammadu Buhari did not assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021 because it seeks to protect wealthier political parties like the APC. Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) noted that in amending the electoral act, Nigeria comes first, always first for President Buhari. In a statement issued on Monday, Shehu said, “The President’s decision to withhold assent from the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021 has come under scrutiny from media and political circles. This is quite correct because it is a decision that will impact all Nigerians. The…

Mr Emmanuel Babalola, father of late Itunnu Babalola also known as Bekky Paul, who was wrongfully jailed and died in Cote d’Ivoire prison, has formally rejected the autopsy report carried out on the body of his 24-year-old daughter. The apparently worried father made his opinion known when he paid a thank- you visit on the chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa in her Lagos office. He said the autopsy report which was written in French did not reflect the true situation of the cause of death of Itunnu. Babalola, who wept uncontrollably, said he got somebody…