World
Austria: Villach knife attacker identified as 23-year-old Syrian man
Villach, Austria – A 23-year-old man went on a stabbing spree in the southern Austrian city of Villach on Saturday afternoon, fatally wounding a 14-year-old boy and injuring four others before being detained by authorities, police confirmed.
According to Austrian police, the suspect—a Syrian national with legal residence in Austria—attacked five passersby in an unprovoked assault in the city’s downtown area.
The victims, all male and between the ages of 14 and 32, sustained varying degrees of injuries.
A 42-year-old man, who was driving past the scene, intervened by using his vehicle to block the suspect’s movement, helping to prevent further harm, police spokesperson Rainer Dionisio told Austria’s public broadcaster ORF.
Despite efforts by emergency responders, the 14-year-old victim succumbed to his injuries, while two others sustained serious wounds, and two suffered minor injuries.
Law enforcement has yet to establish a clear motive behind the attack and is actively investigating the suspect’s background and potential connections.
“We have to wait until we get secure information,” Dionisio stated.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional suspects and are continuing their search for any potential accomplices.
The stabbing spree has left the residents of Villach in shock, with local officials expressing deep concern over the incident.
Carinthia Governor Peter Kaiser extended his condolences to the family of the teenage victim, calling the attack “an outrageous atrocity that must be met with harsh consequences.”
He further emphasized that “those who live in Carinthia, in Austria, must respect the law and adhere to our rules and values.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are expected to release further details as they become available.
SAGAMU, Ogun State, Nigeria — The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the fatal motor vehicle collision that injured British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua and killed two passengers, has been formally charged in court.
Police officials stated that Kayode, 46, was arraigned on Thursday, January 2, 2026, before the Sagamu Magistrate Court, where he faces charges of reckless and dangerous driving.
The case has been adjourned until January 20, 2026, for further proceedings.
According to police, the crash occurred earlier in the week along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, a major highway in southwestern Nigeria.
The Lexus SUV was transporting Anthony Joshua and two of his close associates, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, when it collided with a stationary truck parked along the roadway.
Both Ayodele and Ghami sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
Police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed that the defendant was granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million (approximately $3,480 USD), with two sureties, and was remanded in custody pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.
The Ogun State Police Command reiterated in a public update that the arraignment followed a comprehensive preliminary investigation into the circumstances of the collision.
Authorities emphasized that investigations remain ongoing.
Anthony Joshua, a former world heavyweight boxing champion, survived the crash but reportedly suffered significant emotional trauma as a result of the incident.
Ayodele and Ghami were described as long-time friends, training partners, and key members of Joshua’s professional support team, regularly accompanying him before, during, and after major fights.
Ayodele was notably present ringside during Joshua’s recent bout, where he was seen holding the Nigerian flag.
The remains of the two deceased men were transported to a mortuary in Sagamu.
Both were reported to be Muslims, and arrangements for burial in accordance with Islamic rites are pending. Officials have not yet confirmed when their bodies will be repatriated to the United Kingdom.
Authorities have also renewed calls for improved road safety enforcement, particularly concerning the illegal and prolonged parking of heavy-duty trucks along highways, which has been cited as a recurring hazard on Nigerian roads.
The Ogun State Police Command urged motorists to exercise caution, adhere strictly to speed limits, and ensure proper judgment when overtaking or maneuvering on highways.
Further updates are expected as the case proceeds through the court system.