Author: News Room

No fewer than eight people have been confirmed killed as rival cult clashes spread across Benue State. The spokesperson for the state police command, Udeme Edet, earlier on Thursday, disclosed that two people were killed in a rival cult clash in Jato Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of the state. Our correspondent reliably learnt on Thursday that the death toll has risen to eight as the clashes spread to the Otukpo, Makurdi and Gboko Local Government Areas of the state in the last few days. Findings by PUNCH Metro revealed that the rival gang fights, which earlier in the week…

A 46-year-old Nigerian man, Osemwengie Irorere, has been shot and killed inside a bus at the Yorkdale GO Bus Terminal, located on the Yorkdale Road and Allen Road area of Toronto, Canada. PUNCH Metro learnt on Thursday that the incident occurred last Sunday at about 7 p.m. Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Toronto Police Service said a 40-year-old suspect, identified as Tyrel Gibson, has been charged with first-degree murder. In a statement, the police said, “On Sunday, January 4, 2026, at approximately 7 p.m., police responded to a report of a shooting at the Yorkdale GO Bus Terminal in…

Before the raving hawk disappeared into the sunny afternoon sky, the mother hen caught a glimpse of it just in time. Squawking and clucking, the brown mother hen sounded a throaty alarm, frantically calling on her 11 chicks, who sprinted into the sanctuary of her warm wings, where they brooded, peeping through the safety of feathers. Like witches, hawks on predatory flights don’t make a noise. The screaming and scampering of mother hen after an attack is the first telltale of tragedy. The second telltale is the sight of a dangling chick in clutchy claws, rising helplessly skywards. On that…

The credit rating company, Agusto & Co., has assigned a Long-Term Rating of ‘A’ and a Short-Term Rating of ‘A1’, both with a stable outlook, to Stanbic IBTC Insurance, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings. This new rating was announced in the credit ratings for the 2025–2026 financial year. The credit rating upgrade reflected stronger confidence in Stanbic IBTC Insurance’s financial resilience, governance standards, and long-term sustainability. Commenting on the rating upgrade, the Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Insurance, Akinjide Orimolade, said, “We are delighted with this upgrade as a reflection of our progress and the trust we’ve earned from…

The Nigeria Women’s Football League has fined Ibom Angels N2.5m and ordered the club to play three home matches behind closed doors following crowd violence and the assault on Bayelsa Queens players and officials after their premiership fixture in Uyo on Wednesday, The PUNCH reports. The sanctions were announced on Thursday, after the league reviewed match officials’ reports and video evidence from the matchday five encounter. Supporters of Ibom Angels were found to have encroached onto the pitch and attacked members of the visiting team, an incident the league said breached its regulations and the principles of fair play. Under…

The Induze Tech Foundation is set to operate a Computer-Based Test Centre at Government Secondary School, Gwarimpa Life Camp. The centre will support JAMB and WAEC computer-based examinations, while also providing broader digital assessment services for secondary school students across the FCT. Founder of Induze Tech Foundation, Nwabueze Chilaka, said the CBT centre is expected to ease pressure on existing examination facilities, reduce travel and logistical stress for candidates, and improve students’ familiarity with computer-based testing. Nwabueze said, “We received official approval from the FCT Secondary Education Board. “This approval reflects the confidence of the FCT Education Board in our…

I fully believe that once someone hears Dolby Atmos music in their car, they won’t want anything else. The sonic envelopment turns your car cabin into an immersive, engaging experience. Every time I hear a demo — be it in a Rivian, Cadillac, or Mercedes — it leaves me energized and excited. But up to this point, Dolby Atmos has only been available in luxury vehicles that have a whole array of speakers.Pioneer is changing that with the Sphera, an aftermarket in-dash receiver with a 10.1-inch capacitive screen that enables Dolby Atmos playback in Apple CarPlay. And it works with…

New York Assemblyman Clyde Vanel has reintroduced legislation to the US state’s lower house that aims to restrict what event contracts prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket can offer.Vanel resubmitted the Oversight and Regulation of Activity for Contracts Linked to Events, or ORACLE Act, to the New York State Assembly on Wednesday, which was first introduced in November and aims to ban certain markets tied to politics, sports, the stock market and others.Prediction markets have gained popularity over the past year and offer bets on a range of events, but markets on sports are a particular money maker, with…

In the throes of the dead of winter, it’s the perfect time to embrace the chill with a good thriller Streamers like Netflix, HBO Max and Peacock have a fantastic selection of thrillers to watch, and Watch With Us wants to highlight three new additions to streaming platforms that we think you should watch in January 2025. Our picks include the twist-filled erotic thriller Wild Things and the Coen brothers’ classic black comedy Fargo. ‘Wild Things’ (1998) — Netflix In the elite Miami suburb of Blue Bay, notorious wealthy teen Kelly (Denise Richards) falls for her handsome high school guidance counselor, Sam…

The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, CP Joseph Eribo, Thursday, officially received the 31 newly passed-out Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Cadets Officers of the 7th Regular Course from the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano. They were recently posted to the command following their presidential commissioning. Addressing the Officers, the CP charged them to uphold discipline, professionalism, integrity, fairness, respect for right of citizens and ensure strict adherence to the rules of engagement while discharging their statutory duties. He added that they must be dedicated to the job, shun all forms of corrupt practices, while prioritizing the security of…