
News
Pope Francis laid to rest after historic funeral
Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, was buried Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major after dying one week ago at 88 years old.
Francis, who took his name after Saint Francis of Assisi, was known for his outreach to the poor and those in poverty and that will be reflected in his minimalist burial at Saint Mary Major.
He is the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in over a century and the first to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore in more than 300 years.
Pope Francis had said he wished to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore, a basilica to which he felt deeply connected and often visited to pray.
The head of the Roman Catholic church died on Easter Monday at age 88, after a prolonged battle with bilateral pneumonia.
On Saturday, Catholic faithful, world leaders, politicians, and royalty from all over the world gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their last respects to the Pope.

Francis was laid to rest in a simple wooden casket lined with zinc, honoring his wish to forgo the elaborate tradition of his predecessors, who had been buried in three nesting coffins of cypress, lead, and oak.
The late pontiff’s requiem mass was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the college of cardinals, joined by patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, and priests from around the world.
Following his burial, the church will commence a nine-day mourning period, after which the college of cardinals will elect a new pope.
US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Prince William were among the dignitaries present at the funeral.
On Friday, President Bola Tinubu sent a delegation led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alongside Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, minister of state for foreign affairs; Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, to pay tribute to the late Pope.
Other delegates include Matthew Kukah, archbishop of the Sokoto diocese, and Ignatius Ayua Kaigama, archbishop of the Abuja diocese.
They will formally deliver a letter to the acting head of the Vatican conveying Tinubu’s condolences.
News
Popular TikToker detained over boyfriend’s death in Kano
The Kano State Police Command has arrested and detained popular TikTok personality, Fati Cele, following the death of her boyfriend, Isma’il Makaye, at her residence in Kano.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the development to The PUNCH via a WhatsApp message on Saturday.
Haruna, however, declined to provide further details, saying investigations were ongoing.
“Yes, it’s true, the TikToker is currently being detained over the death of her boyfriend, Isma’il Makaye,” he said.
Fati Cele, a native of Borno State, lives in a rented apartment in the Danbare area of Kano and has more than 32,000 followers on TikTok.
A source close to the deceased, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the TikTok personality raised an alarm from her residence, claiming there was a fire.

The source added that Makaye was rushed to Nassarawa Hospital for treatment but later died.
News
Generator emission kills two in Cross River
CALABAR — A young man and his girlfriend have reportedly died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Calabar, Cross River State capital, after inhaling fumes from a generator used overnight.
The incident occurred on Friday night at Poultry Farm Road in Calabar South Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the deceased had recently moved into a new apartment and brought in his girlfriend to stay with him. Due to power outage, he reportedly switched on a generator and kept it inside the room before going to bed.
A source in the area, identified as Akong, said the generator ran throughout the night, leading to the tragic deaths of the occupants.
“He packed into the house newly and on Friday night due to unavailability of power supply, he turned on his generator and placed it inside the room throughout the night. By this morning, he and his girlfriend could not wake up,” she said.
The source also said a newly purchased puppy in the apartment died from the same fumes.

According to her, the bodies of the deceased were later evacuated to the mortuary, while the dog was buried by neighbours in the compound.
Residents described the incident as tragic, lamenting that what was meant to be a peaceful night turned fatal.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report. (Vanguard)
News
Ex-Bauchi deputy governor dies at 69
Former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Audu Sule-Katagum, is dead. He was 69.
His death was announced on Saturday by Shamsuddeen Lukman Abubakar, who served as his digital and creative media aide.
Katagum passed away in the early hours of Saturday. His death has drawn condolences from political leaders and traditional institutions across Bauchi State.
He served as deputy governor between 2018 and 2019 under former Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. Before that, he was Chief of Staff at the Bauchi State Government House.
“Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’un. It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Arch. Audu Sule Katagum, Wazirin Katagum and former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State,” Lukman said in a statement.
“The deceased passed away in the early hours of today after a life of dedicated service to his community, Bauchi State and the nation,” he added.

Lukman said funeral arrangements would be announced by the family. He also prayed for the late deputy governor.
“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and give his family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear this great loss. Ameen,” the statement read.
Beyond politics, Katagum held the revered traditional title of Wazirin Katagum, a position that gave him strong influence within the Katagum Emirate.
He was the son of the late Alhaji Sule Katagum, Nigeria’s first Chairman of the Federal Public Service Commission, who also once held the Waziri title.
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