A popular TikToker, Kesari Okala, has been brutalised by some suspected cultists in the Ikola area of Lagos State. PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident happened on Sunday. According to a video obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday, Kesari was seen writhing in pain while rolling on the floor. In the video, the social media influencer said he was standing at a bus stop in the area when some suspected cultists who were returning from their meeting attacked him on the spot. While narrating what happened to a supposed relative who recorded the video, the teary Kesari said, “You see the Aye in your area. See what they did to me. I was waiting for a bike at the bus stop, and you know I told you they were having a meeting down the street. It was when they were returning from their meeting that they did this to me. See what they did to me. Did they want to kill me? I am fed up with all this. What happened now?” Kesari was stabbed on the head with an unknown object, as his body could be seen with blood stains. PUNCH Metro gathered that a male adult was hacked to death in the community a day before the incident. A source privy to the incident told our correspondent on Thursday that a rival cult group attacked the deceased while his hand was severed in the process. “A man was killed on Saturday here in our area. We were told that some cultists attacked him. His hand was also cut off and taken away. Although we could not identify the guy because he does not live in this area.” PUNCH Metro reported in July that three residents were killed in a suspected cultists’ attack in the Ebute Meta area of the state. The victims were identified simply as Agbara, Butcher and a plumber whose identity had yet to be ascertained. According to a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity, Agbara was attacked and killed in the Lagos Street area of the community. Another resident confirmed that Butcher was killed in the Makoko area. While speaking on the killing of the third victim, the resident said Butcher was dragged to a location on Abeokuta Street and stabbed to death on the spot, the same day.

Kawthar Abdulazeez, a mother of two, is demanding accountability from Exel Medical Diagnostics after discovering that her genotype is SC, contrary to the AA result she received from the center 12 years ago. Married to an AS partner based on that report, both their daughters have now been diagnosed with sickle cell SS. Armed with proof of the original test card, Kawthar is calling on the diagnostic center to take responsibility for what she describes as a life-altering mistake.

Liverpool and Manchester United keen on RB Leipzig winger Xavi Simons, Liverpool set to holds talks about the futures of Luis Diaz, Ibrahima Konate and Diogo Jota, and Moise Kean could stay at Fiorentina despite interest from Premier League clubs. Netherlands forward Xavi Simons could leave RB Leipzig this summer and the German club will want about £70m if they are to sell the 21-year-old. (Sky Sports Germany), external Liverpool and Manchester United are among the clubs that have been monitoring Simons, who has a contract until 2027 with RB Leipzig. (Sport Bild - in German), external Liverpool are planning talks to determine the futures of 28-year-old Colombia forward Luiz Diaz, Portugal striker Diogo Jota, 28, and 25-year-old France centre-back Ibrahima Konate as they head into the summer transfer window. (Football Insider), external Saudi Arabia's minister of sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal says Egypt forward Mohamed Salah "fits the identity of playing" in the country's top league but there were no discussions about signing him prior to the 32-year-old extending his contract with Liverpool. (ESPN), external Real Madrid are keen on Spain midfielder Rodri but any move is unlikely as the 28-year-old is settled at Manchester City and has no plans to leave. (Sport Bild - in German), external Fiorentina striker Moise Kean has a £45m release clause in his contract which can be activated from 1-15 July but, despite being linked with a number of clubs, the 25-year-old could stay with the Viola to help his chances of making Italy's squad for the 2026 World Cup. (Tuttomercatoweb - in Italian), external Everton will allow English centre-back Michael Keane, 32, to leave the club when his contract runs out at the end of June. (Football Insider), external Barcelona sporting director Deco has suggested Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny, 35, will sign a new one-year deal to stay at the Catalan club. (Marca - in Spanish), external

The Ballon d’Or, on Thursday, officially unveiled the 30-player shortlist for the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or, spotlighting the world’s finest footballers who have delivered exceptional performances over the past year. Among the top contenders are Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr., and Harry Kane, all of whom had standout seasons for club and country. The list also features experienced names such as Mohamed Salah, Robert Lewandowski, and Virgil van Dijk, alongside emerging stars like Lamine Yamal, Joao Neves, and Cole Palmer. Other notable nominees include Alexis Mac Allister, Désiré Doué, Scott McTominay, Raphinha, Florian Wirtz, Declan Rice, Achraf Hakimi, and Pedri. The Ballon d’Or remains the most prestigious individual award in world football, recognising extraordinary talent, consistency, and influence on the global game. The winner will be crowned at the annual Ballon d’Or ceremony later this year. Full list
Jude Bellingham
Ousmane Dembélé
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Désiré Doué
Denzel Dumfries
Serhou Guirassy
Viktor Gyökeres
Erling Haaland
Achraf Hakimi
Harry Kane
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Robert Lewandowski
Alexis Mac Allister
Lautaro Martinez
Kylian Mbappé
Scott McTominay
Nuno Mendes
Joao Neves
Michael Olise
Cole Palmer
Pedri
Raphinha
Declan Rice
Fabian Ruiz
Mohamed Salah
Virgil van Dijk
Vinicius Jr.
Vitinha
Florian Wirtz
Lamine Yamal