Ronaldo returns, inspires Juventus to sensational win

 

Cristiano Ronaldo at 35-years continues to show why he remains one of the greatest footballers as he comes off the bench to inspire Juventus to a 4-1 win against Spezia.

The Old Lady were having a hard time keeping the newly-promoted side at bay at half time. The home side forced a 1-1 draw in the first half after Morata opened scoring.

However, Ronaldo who came in as a substitute in the 56th minute needed only three minutes to rescue the old lady. The 35-year-old received a through ball from Morata, runs at Spezia defense, creates a one on one with the goalkeeper, and simply put the ball in the net.

Adrien Rabiot who also came in as a second-half substitute doubled Juventus lead putting them 3-1 ahead.

Ronaldo scored the final goal in the match from the penalty spot after Paolo Bartolomei tripped Federico Chiesa.

Juventus who celebrate their 123-year-old birthday got the perfect gift from Ronaldo.

- PM NEWS

End SARS unrest: Protect yourselves, policemen can’t guarantee security – DPO to Nigerians

 

A police officer (name withheld) has informed Nigerians that it would be difficult for Force personnel to provide adequate security for now.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in a chat with PRNigeria, advised citizens to protect themselves from hoodlums ahead of yuletide.

He spoke at the weekend after a joint meeting of law enforcement agencies in Southern States worst hit by the violence that followed the End SARS protests.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Nigerian military, security, intelligence and response agencies.

It analysed how the assaults on security manpower dampened the morale of many of servicemen and women.

The DPO said: “In these ember months, up to Christmas and New Year, I doubt if any of the services can guarantee maximum security. There is no way we can discharge our statutory responsibilities when we have become soft targets.”

The DPO declared that it would be over his dead body to allow any of his subordinates to be drafted to risky situations anytime soon.

“Our destroyed facilities are yet to be reconstructed; looted armouries are yet to be restocked. Our men and women are yet to get over the atrocities committed by the same people we are charged to protect. How can we return to duty posts?”

On Friday, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, regretted that 22 policemen were killed and 205 stations and formations destroyed during the nationwide violence.

Adamu, however, directed police personnel to protect themselves against onslaught.

“If anybody touches or assault you, you can also protect yourself, he said while assessing state of security in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

But policemen are still off the roads. Those who move about do so in plain clothes. Operatives are sceptical on return to places of assignment, especially volatile areas.

Nigerians have been lamenting their fate as several locations are unprotected and exposed to attacks.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) said it would not force personnel to return to work due to the recent unrest.

The spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement, denied that PSC threatened to dismiss officers who fail to resume.

“The commission is pained that policemen were killed and stations set ablaze throughout the country. It will be very insensitive at this point for anyone to say that the commission will dismiss any policeman who didn’t return to work”, he noted.

Ani said the PSC can only plead with the officers to, in the spirit of nationalism, go back to work while government finalizes plans for their protection and welfare.

- DAILY POST

Lagos curfew now from 10pm to 6am

 The government of Lagos has reviewed the restriction of movement in the state.

The curfew, which allows movement from 8am to 6pm, has now been reviewed to 10pm till 6am.

Gbenga Omotosho, commissioner for information, broke the news on Friday.

“The Lagos State Government has announced a further relaxation of the curfew imposed after the breakdown of law and order, following the hijack of the peaceful #EndSARS protests. The curfew will now be from 10pm till 6am,” the statement read.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praises Lagosians for observing the curfew, which is expected to restore normalcy in our communities. He urges all Lagosians to go about their businesses in peace, even as they shun actions that can threaten our unity.

“The Governor advises purveyors of fake news to stop causing disaffection among Lagosians, who are well known for being peace-loving and friendly.”

A 24-hour curfew was imposed in the state last Tuesday following the outbreak of violence during the #EndSARS protests.

The curfew was eased on October 24 with movement allowed from 8am to 6pm.

It was later reviewed the next day and movement was allowed from 6am to 8pm.

- THECABLE

Bobby Charlton, football legend diagnosed with dementia

 

Sir Bobby Charlton, Manchester United and English national team legend has been diagnosed with dementia, his wife Lady Norma confirmed on Sunday.

“Everyone at Manchester United is saddened that this terrible disease has afflicted Sir Bobby Charlton,” said his former club Manchester United in a statement on Sunday.

“We continue to offer our love and support to Sir Bobby and his family,” the club added.

English Football Association (FA) also shared a post on Twitter to send best wishes to Charlton and his family.

Charlton, 83, lifted three league titles and a European Cup with Manchester United while he was also a part of 1966 World Cup winner England squad.

- PM NEWS

End SARS: End all street protests, dialogue with my govt on police – Buhari begs youths

 

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday urged Nigerian youths to shun street protests and engage his government in meaningful discussions on police reforms.

Buhari said Nigerian youths should engage his administration in discussions that would bring about comprehensive reforms to end all forms of police brutality against.

He spoke in his message to the maiden National Youth Day celebration, observed on November 1, which coincided with the African Youth Day celebration.

Represented by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, Buhari assured that his administration has heard the pleas of Nigerian youths.

A statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu quoted the President as the Federal Government ‘‘now wants to hear concrete and practical ideas.

”You must realize that protests cannot last indefinitely. My government will not lift a hand to stop or suppress you.

”However, the fact of the matter is that other forces and actors will seek to take over your protests that they may redirect them in ways you did not intend and perhaps do not agree with.

”Every successful protest movement the world over has understood that there comes a time when activity must move from the street to the negotiation table. That time for you has come. Do not be afraid of this reality. You should welcome it.”

- DAILY POST

How Boko Haram burnt down Borno village after air force ‘ignored rescue call’

 

The Nigerian Air Force did not respond to calls for support when suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Takulashi village in Shikarkir ward, Chibok local government area of Borno state, military sources have told TheCable. 

Around 10am on Sunday, the insurgents descended on the village, shooting sporadically and setting houses ablaze. 

Sources said not less than 11 of the villagers had been killed before the Nigerian Army’s 28 task force brigade headquartered in Chibok attempted to repel the attack. 

“The insurgents came with six gun trucks, three other vehicles and some heavy weapons. They had also killed some vigilantes who first engaged them and had collected their Hilux vehicle,” a source said. 

“When they came in, the head of the vigilantes immediately called the army brigade. From the information he gave, the army brigade started calling the air force for air support as soldiers from the 117 battalion under the brigade were mobilised to advance to the area.

“Unfortunately, there was no response from the air force. The whole village was brought to ashes, and after about an hour of gunshot exchange with troops, the insurgents left.” 

Another source said the insurgents who came in large numbers would have been dealt with “if air support came on time. One or two air strikes would have decimated them.” 

TheCable gathered that most of the villagers ran into the bush, while some are making their way to Chibok which is about 15 kilometres away.  

When contacted, Ibikunle Daramola, spokesperson of the air force, asked that TheCable reach the defence headquarters as he couldn’t comment on the development. 

John Enenche, coordinator of the defence media operations, however, did not immediately pick calls placed to his telephone. He had not responded to a message at the time of filing this report. 

In February, residents of Garkida, Adamawa state and Korongilum, Borno state, had accused the air force of refusing to open fire on suspected Boko Haram insurgents when they attacked their communities.

But the air force had said it did not fire “in order not to kill innocent people.” 

- THECABLE

Paul Pogba to Man United fans: I am sorry

 

Paul Pogba has apologised after conceding the crucial penalty during Sunday’s Premier League defeat of Manchester United by Arsenal at Old Trafford.

The Frenchman tripped Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin in the box midway through the second-half, allowing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to tuck home and give the Gunners all three points at Old Trafford, for the first time since September 2006.

When speaking to MUTV after the final whistle, Pogba was visibly gutted, but owned up to his error and also said he and his team-mates could have done better to react to the setback.

“My mistake, I shouldn’t do that,” said Pogba. “I have to be better in the box defensively. When you run forward and back, a player runs behind you.

“When you get in the box, you have to be… not more clever – in French, the word is lucid. I don’t know the word in English but I have to be fresher in the box, on my feet.

“Details made us lose the game and we have to be better. We have to do better with the ball because we weren’t dangerous with the ball today.

“We didn’t create chances, as we should, and we didn’t win at home. That’s what we need to do. We need to win at home, you know?”

It’s now four Premier League games in M16 without a league win this season for United – six, if you go back to the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

Although he repeated his regret at giving away the spot-kick, Pogba struggled to explain why the Reds are having issues getting results on home turf – the midweek demolition of RB Leipzig aside.

*Reported by Man United website