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Atsu’s corpse flown to Ghana as NFF, Benitez lead tribute for late star

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The remains of former Ghana international footballer, Christian Atsu, who died in a devastating earthquake in Turkey, were flown home yesterday, the country’s foreign ministry confirmed.

Atsu, 31, was caught up in a 7.8-magnitude quake that rocked Turkey and Syria on February 6, killing more than 44,000 people in both countries.

There were initial reports the former Chelsea and Newcastle player had been rescued a day after the quake, but these turned out to be false and his body was found on Saturday.

“The remains will be accompanied by his family and Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey on a Turkish airlines flight and will arrive in Accra (Ghana’s capital) at 7:40 p.m. Sunday,” the foreign ministry said.

On Saturday, the ministry said that Atsu’s older brother and twin sister were present at the site of the rescue when his body was recovered.

His widow, Marie-Claire Rupio and their three children were in the stands at St James’ Park in London on Saturday to join a tribute to the player before Newcastle’s Premier League match against Liverpool.

Atsu scored the last of his 33 career goals for Hatayspor in Turkey’s Super Lig on February 5, hours before the quake struck.

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He previously played for his national team the Black Stars and Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo said, “football has lost one of its finest ambassadors, one who will be difficult to replace.”

On Saturday at St. James Park, a minute’s applause was observed ahead of Newcastle’s game against Liverpool after news of Atsu’s passing broke on Saturday morning.

The winger played 121 games for Newcastle during a five-year spell.

As Newcastle fans applauded their former hero, Marie-Claire was spotted fighting back tears and consoling her two sons. Liverpool fans joined in with the tribute by singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ to show support to those grieving Atsu’s passing.

Former Newcastle Manager, Rafa Benitez, was among the first to pay tribute to his former player.

Benitez said: “It’s really sad because he was a nice, nice, special person. He was a good professional. I don’t talk about if he’s a good player or not, he was a nice lad and a good player, but especially a really nice person. So a special person and you can see the pictures, always with a smile playing or not playing.”

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Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin added: “It’s a really sad day for Newcastle and the players. Most of the players know him well – he was a great guy and we had a nice time with him. It’s very painful. Some things are difficult for me – I will never forget him.”

Several current Newcastle players played alongside Atsu at St James’ Park.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially commiserated with the Ghana Football Association over Atsu’s demise in the tragic Turkey earthquake.

In a letter signed by the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the NFF said it was devastated by the news about one of Ghana’s standout performers on the pitch, and prayed earnestly for God to comfort the family, friends, the GFA and the entire Ghanaian football family for his demise.

“The Nigeria Football Federation, and indeed, the Nigeria Football family has on Saturday, February 18, 2023 received with much sadness news of the death of Black Stars’ player Christian Atsu, who has reportedly been found dead in the rubble of the recent earthquake that ravaged Türkiye.

“Our collective grief knows no bounds for a highly dedicated professional who was one of the very best at his craft, a super patriot who served Ghana to the best of his abilities and a stellar talent of the beautiful game. We remember Atsu as that rare talent who was the overwhelming choice for Player of the Tournament at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea, and also won the Goal of the Tournament award.

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“His 65 caps and nine goals for the Black Stars make him one of the sterling individuals in Ghana’s international game in the past two decades. His sense of dedication to duty is underscored by his eye-catching 90th minute goal that won the game for his club, Hatayspor, in a Turkish league game less than 24 hours before the earthquake happened.

“We mourn a true Black Star who gave his all to the game, but we are consoled by the giant footprints he left in the sands of time, and pray that God Almighty will grant him eternal rest, and also grant his family, friends, the GFA and the Ghana Football family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

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Woman jumps into Lagos lagoon, rescued by boat operators

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A yet-to-be-identified woman has been rescued after reportedly jumping into the lagoon from the Idumota end of the Carter Bridge in Lagos state.

The incident, which reportedly drew the attention of passersby and local boat operators, occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, nearby boat operators responded and brought the woman back to safety.

video circulating on social media showed the woman, seated in a rescue boat shortly after she was brought out of the water.

The footage, shared on X by a user identified as CHUKS, also showed people gathered on the bridge expressing concern about the woman’s condition.

Some bystanders could be heard appealing to the boat operators to ensure that she received appropriate care.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm the woman’s identity and condition.

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Police seize truck-load of fake drug warehouses in Lagos, arrest two

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The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered two warehouses allegedly used for repackaging counterfeit pharmaceutical products and arrested two suspected members of a syndicate involved in the interstate and cross-border distribution of fake drugs.

Fatai Tijani, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command,  disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen at the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit in the Ijora Olopa area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Eze Okwudilichukwu, 52, and Chukwudi Mba, 42, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by detectives attached to the unit.

The police boss said the suspects were apprehended at a warehouse located at Number 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to various parts of Nigeria.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.

According to the police commissioner, “The suspects, Eze Okwudilichukwu ‘m’ 52 years, and Chukwudi Mba ‘m’ 42 years, were arrested at their warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were found repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to different parts of Nigeria.

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“Following their arrest and interrogation, the suspects led detectives to another warehouse, where a duly executed search warrant was carried out. During the search, a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products, bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina), was recovered alongside other exhibits.”

The police boss said items recovered during the operation included about 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole; six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton, and other pharmaceutical products; and about 10 cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra, and other drugs.

The CP noted that more than 300 empty printed packs and cartons were used to repackage counterfeit medicines.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated drugs for over two years.

He added that detectives uncovered evidence suggesting that the products were supplied to different parts of Nigeria, while large consignments were also destined for Lomé, Togo, indicating the existence of a transnational distribution network.

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“The investigation also suggests that the suspected adulterated drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State.

“While the production facility has not yet been located, detectives have intensified efforts to identify and dismantle the factory, arrest all those connected with the operation, and bring them to justice,” Fatai said.

The commissioner also alleged that attempts were made to compromise the investigation after the suspects were arrested.

“It is pertinent to state that since the arrest of the suspects, desperate attempts have been made through different channels to induce officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit to release both the suspects and the recovered exhibits.

“I wish to categorically state that these attempts were firmly resisted. The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, integrity, and the rule of law, and no amount of pressure or inducement will derail the course of justice,” he added.

Tijani said the suspects, recovered exhibits, and case file had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and possible prosecution.

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He explained that the handover was necessary because the case falls within the regulatory mandate of the agency.

The CP commended operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit for what he described as a professional and intelligence-driven operation while urging members of the public to provide useful information on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products and other criminal activities.

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NDLEA uncovers cocaine hidden in wooden mortar, backpack bound for China, Italy

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have uncovered fresh attempts by drug syndicates to export cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar and a specially modified backpack destined for China and Italy.

This was contained in a statement released by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, and shared on X on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, one of the consignments involved cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar, a local tool commonly used for pounding yam and grains, which was being shipped to China.

The agency added that another cocaine shipment destined for Italy was discovered concealed in the false bottom of a backpack hidden among lace materials.

He wrote, “Mortar is a traditional local wooden tool commonly used for pounding yams or grains but was used to conceal cocaine consignment heading to China in one of the latest seizures by #ndlea_nigeria officers who also discovered another shipment of cocaine going to Italy in the false bottom of a backpack hidden in lace materials.

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“Beware of every parcel you’re given to deliver. Remember the key word for liability is possession!”

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