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Must Read🇳🇬Punch Nigeria·41 mins ago
Nigerian Senate defends passage of state police bill, citing national consensus and security needs
The Nigerian Senate has defended its passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alteration State Police Bill, 2026, stating that the creation of state police is driven by national consensus and the country’s security needs, not political considerations. The Red Chamber passed the bill on Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support. While many stakeholders, including speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, have welcomed the passage, some groups have raised concerns about potential worsening insecurity and abuse by governors. Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate Leader, described the bill as a "child of necessity" and a "product of national consensus." He explained that the proposal emerged from memoranda submitted to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution and underwent extensive consultations with the Executive, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Police. Public hearings held across the six geopolitical zones in July 2025 showed overwhelming support for state police. Recommendations from the Nigeria Police, particularly on accountability and oversight mechanisms, were incorporated to prevent abuse. Bamidele noted the bill received broad bipartisan backing in both chambers of the National Assembly, with 84 out of 109 senators voting in favor. He emphasized that national security should transcend political affiliations and called on opposi
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🇳🇬Punch Nigeria·1 hour ago
Manchester United confirms Manuel Ugarte knee ligament injury during World Cup match
Manchester United has confirmed that Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte sustained a knee ligament injury while playing for Uruguay in a World Cup group-stage match against Spain. Ugarte was stretchered off in the first half after an awkward twist during a tackle. The 25-year-old is expected to be sidelined for several months. He was initially assessed by Uruguay’s medical staff and will now travel to Manchester for further tests to determine the best course of treatment and rehabilitation timeline. Ugarte joined Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024 and has scored two goals in 69 appearances across all competitions.
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🇳🇬Punch Nigeria·1 hour ago
Drake bets $770,000 on Canada to defeat South Africa in FIFA World Cup
Canadian rapper Drake has placed a bet of approximately $770,000, equivalent to N1.07 billion, on Canada to win against South Africa in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match. The wager, made through betting platform Stake, offers a potential payout of $1 million if Canada is victorious. Drake referenced a conversation with South African DJ Black Coffee in his announcement of the bet. This high-stakes wager has generated significant discussion online, especially among football fans in Nigeria and across Africa. Many social media users have commented on Drake's confidence in his home country, while others have brought up the "Drake curse," a belief that teams he supports often lose. Drake is known for his public sports bets on various events, including the NFL, NBA, and UFC, often sharing these wagers through platforms like Stake. The outcome of this match and Drake's bet is eagerly anticipated by fans, adding a celebrity dimension to the knockout stage fixture.
1 min read