Griezmann, Coutinho to get pay cuts at Barcelona

 

Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho are in talks with Barcelona over new contracts, that will see them get pay cuts, ESPN reports.

It is understood this is a part of short-term cost-cutting measures at Camp Nou.

Sergi Roberto and Sergio Busquets who share the same agent, are also in talks over renewed terms.

Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Frenkie de Jong have already agreed new deals.

Barca confirmed on Tuesday, that the quartet’s new contracts “include a temporary salary adjustment due to the current circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 induced crisis.”

Griezmann and Coutinho, whose deals run until 2024 and 2023 respectively, are also negotiating a similar adjustment to their deals.

- DAILY POST

Lekki shooting: No one can explain Buhari’s silence, says Kukah

 

Matthew Kukah, bishop of the Catholic diocese of Sokoto, has expressed surprise over President Muhammadu Buhari’s “continued silence” on the shooting in Lekki, Lagos state.

On Tuesday, the #EndSARS protest took a violent turn when men dressed in military uniform fired live bullets at unarmed protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos.

The president has not addressed the nation on this issue.

Speaking during a Channels TV programme on Wednesday, the cleric said it is the responsibility of the president to communicate his feelings to citizens and set the country on a particular path.

“I really cannot understand this. I feel totally helpless in the sense that I cannot find any reason and I don’t think any Nigerian in the right frame of mind can find a reason to why the president has remained so silent on this crisis,” he said.

Kukah said the apology rendered by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo was to compensate for the president’ silence.

On Friday, Osinbajo had apologised to Nigerians for the slow response of the federal government to the issues raised by the protesters, adding that judicial panels of inquiry would be set up in all states to ensure justice is served.

According to Kukah, youth are putting their lives on the line by going out to fight for their rights and the only way out is to “let them know someone feels their pain.”

He added that religious bodies have no authority and can only function as voices of restraint.

Osinbajo later commented on the tragic shooting incident which attracted global attention.

- THECABLE

End SARS: Your wickedness will consume you – MFM’s Olukoya reacts to killing of Lagos youths

 

The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) has strongly condemned the shooting and killing of peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate on Tuesday.

The church, in a statement by its Public Relations Taskforce Committee Chairman, Collins Edomaruse, said it was deeply saddened by the unwarranted, unnecessary, callous, brutal and inhuman use of live bullets by the security forces on Nigerian youths in Lagos, who were on peacefully protesting.

MFM noted that the blood of those who shed innocent blood, will certainly be shed and their wickedness will consume them.

The statement reads, “It was indeed a Black Tuesday in the annals of Lagos and Nigeria. This is least expected in this century. While youths all over the world are contributing their quota to good governance, the security forces are shooting their own in cold blood, devoid of human feelings and empathy.

“Biblical principles of the Almighty God says that the wickedness of the wicked will consume the wicked. Those who shed innocent blood, their blood will undoubtedly be shed. Let it be known that whatever is done under cover of darkness with the belief that nobody sees it, will surely be brought to light and God the Ultimate Judge, will judge speedily.

“For it is written in Psalm 10.18 ‘You will hear the cries of the oppressed and the orphans; you will judge in their favour so that that mortal man may cause terror no more.”

It also commiserated with the parents and guardians of the victims of the incident and prayed for other Nigerians negatively affected by the unfortunate and avoidable situation.

MFM advised the federal governemnt that utmost care and caution, and divine wisdom, should be employed in bringing a lasting solution to the problem at hand.

- DAILY POST

DEAF AND DUMB TYRANT !! Fayose to Buhari: No true president will wait to be compelled to speak to his people

 

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has attacked President Muhammadu Buhari, saying no true president of a nation will wait to be compelled to speak to his people at this critical time.

He said one was getting convinced that something must be wrong somewhere.

Fayose tweeted: “Is this really the Gen. Muhammadu Buhari that Nigerians elected as their President?

“Can a father keep silent for this long when his children who are only agitating for food are being killed by his own security guards?

“Honestly, no true President of a nation will wait to be compelled to speak to his people at this critical time. One is getting convinced that something must be wrong somewhere. Sad!”

However, Fayose said his heart was heavy and that like every other concerned Nigerians, he was worried.

“My heart is heavy. Like every other concerned Nigerians, I’m worried. I’m sad that soldiers were sent to shoot at our youths, who were only expressing their anger against the system.

“I sympathize with families of those who lost their lives and pray that God will heal the injured.

“However, the sad reality we must face now is that the current situation in our nation is as result of allowing a clearly incompetent man to ascend to the highest office in the land.

“I saw all these coming and I warned Nigerians. You can’t wear a white robe on a pig,” he said.

- PM NEWS

End SARS: Lagos police lists places looted, set on fire by protesters, issues strong warning

 

The Police in Lagos State have counted losses following the riots that happened in the State on Wednesday.

The police vowed never to allow hoodlums throw the State into anarchy.

This was contained in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and made available to newsmen in Lagos.

“We will not allow the present situation degenerate into anarchy that can cause general insecurity in the state,” the police said in a statement signed by its Spokesman, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

“Hoodlums will not be allowed to have free days to kill, destroy and loot people’s property with impunity,” he added.

The PRO alleged that the hoodlums had killed two policemen at Orile Police Station and wounded many at various stations, setting ablaze 10 police formations all in the name of protests.

“They also looted the affected stations and carted away some valuables,” he said.

He listed the affected stations to include: Idimu, Igando, Layeni, Denton, Ilenbe Hausa, Ajah, Amukoko, Ilasa, Cele Outpost under Ijesha.

Others are Ajegunle, Ebute-Ero, Mushin (Olosan), Ojo and Ajegunle, where two patrol vans were set ablaze.

He said that those he described as criminally minded and violent protesters had also attacked three new generation banks and carted away unspecified amount of money,.and set some banks on fire.

Furthermore, he said the hoodlums have also burnt the Secretariat of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Council and some other private medical and commercial centres were attacked.

He listed the Oba of Lagos palace, Shoprite Ajah; Nigerian Ports Authority; the Governor’s mother’s house at Akerele; VIO/Federal Road Safety Corps offices at Ojodu, Lagos State; Magistrate Courts, Igbosere; TVC station; the Nation Newspapers office and many others as places looted and set ablaze by the hoodlums.

- DAILY POST

Surulere residents under attack, Shoprite mall burgled

 

Suspected thugs are currently breaking into some houses in the Surulere area of Lagos state.

At least two residents confirmed the attack to TheCable over the phone.

“Yes it is true that armed robbers are attacking us right now. They breaking into homes,” the resident said amid sounds of gunshots in the background.

Lagos recorded a high wave of crime on Wednesday as suspected hoodlums set at least 10 police stations ablaze.

Malls and stores were also looted in different parts of the state.

TheCable understands that the attackers have broken into the Shoprite mall in the area.

A combined team of soldiers and policemen later chased the suspects from the area and normalcy was restored.

Earlier in the day, shops and malls around Lekki and Ajah were robbed while some places were set on fire.

- THECABLE

Heavy gunfire as security operatives descend on Lekki #EndSARS protesters

 

Security operatives have invaded the Lekki toll gate where thousands of protesters have been demonstrating against police brutality for the past 13 days.

One Wale Adetona, a Twitter user, said at least three protesters have been killed at the scene.

“From the videos I’ve seen which I can’t share on my page, they’ve killed at least 3 protesters at the Lekki Toll gate right now. This is not right! This is not right!!!! This is sad!!!” he wrote.

It is unclear if it is the police or soldiers who opened fire on the protesters.

Earlier in the day, some Twitter users raised the alarm that closed circuit television (CCTV) at the toll gate had been disconnected.

- THECABLE