NEWS
Brave taxi driver rams into bandits blockade, kills three in Niger
Some bandits terrorizing communities in Niger State have met their death, as a brave taxi driver rammed into their blockade killing three and zooming off on the ever-busy Minna Gwada highway on Sunday
The courageous driver had no other option but to use the high speed as a defense against the heavily armed men suspected to be bandits killing three of them on the spot.
The bandits were said to have invaded the highway to wreak havoc on motorists when the brave commercial driver who was on top speed ran into them
It was gathered that the bandits had earlier carried out their offensive attacks on some communities in Mutndaya, Shiroro local government where they rustled some cattles and kidnapped dozens of persons among their victims were three pregnant women from the local government
It was gathered that the bandits were armed with sophisticated weapons such as Ak47, and Ak49 among other dangerous weapons with which they had earlier laid siege on the highway waiting for vehicles to attack.
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It was further gathered that the hoodlums extended their operation to some communities in Kafi Koro in Paikoro local government and engaged the local vigilante corps and the military in a gun duel where two of the bandits were gunned down while another two were arrested by the joint operatives of the vigilante and the military.
Having been overwhelmed some of the bandits took to their heels escaping into the bush with gunshot wounds as they abandoned their motorcycles.
Already the locals in their large numbers have deserted their homes as a result of the invasion of the gunmen that held them, hostage, for over 8 hours unchallenged.
Among the communities invaded by the gunmen, are Mutundaya, Gwada, Sikiti, Ishau, and Adunu in Shiroro and Paikoro local governments?
A visit to the affected Communities by our correspondent indicated that women and children were seen in their numbers trekking to the nearby village to take refuge.
However, our reporter was told that some heavily armed military personnel have been drafted to both communities who have been able to repel the terrorists killing two and recovering the rustled animals.
It was also gathered during the gun duel with the soldiers who came into the communities in sixteen Hilux vans, some motorcycles abandoned were recovered as some of the fleeing terrorists escaped into the forest with gunshot wounds.
The Commissioner for local government and internal security in Niger State, Mr. Emmanuel Umar could not be reached for his comments as a series of calls to his cellphone were not responded to.
However, the state commandant of Niger State vigilante corps (NSVC) Yarima Nasir Manta while confirming the report explained that his men and soldiers are already on the trail of the fleeing bandits
Three of the communities are now ghosted towns having been deserted by the locals to take refuge in nearby internally displaced person camps (IDP) in Gwada and a primary school in Chimbi community in Paikoro local government.
A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi yencountered a “hard landing” on Sunday.
According to report, the incident took place near Jolfa, a city situated on the border with Azerbaijan, within Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran.
However, details regarding the incident were not disclosed.
The Associated Press noted uncertainty regarding whether bh Raisi was onboard the helicopter during the incident.
Despite rescue efforts, adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind, have hindered access to the site, according to state TV.
Before the helicopter incident, President Ebrahim Raisi had been in Azerbaijan on Sunday to participate in the inauguration of a dam alongside Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
This dam marks the third joint construction project between the two nations on the Aras River.
Despite Iran’s diverse helicopter fleet, obtaining parts is hindered by international sanctions, with much of its military air fleet dating back to pre-1979 Islamic Revolution era.
Raisi, aged 63, is known for his hard-line stance and previously served as the country’s judiciary leader.
Considered a protégé of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, some analysts speculate that Raisi could succeed the 85-year-old leader in the event of his resignation or demise.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.
According to him, the plot, involving both foreigners and Congolese citizens, unfolded in the early hours outside the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe in the Gombe district, close to the president’s offices at the Palais de la Nation.
General Sylvain Ekenge announced on national television that the defence and security forces had successfully thwarted the coup attempt.
He said “An attempted coup d’etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces. The foreigners and Congolese…including their leader” would “all no longer cause any harm”.
Shots were heard near the Palais de la Nation during the attempted coup, as confirmed by various sources.
General Ekenge didn’t elaborate further on the incident, and AFP’s attempts to get additional information from official sources remain unanswered.
However by late morning, the city appeared calm.
Early social media reports suggested an armed attack on Kamerhe’s residence, with some assailants heading towards the Palais de la Nation.
“This morning, there was an armed attack at the residence of the economy minister,” wrote Japan’s ambassador Hidetoshi Ogawa on X.
He stated that Kamerhe “was not harmed, but two policemen and an assailant were killed according to sources.”
France’s ambassador reported hearing automatic weapons fire in the area and advised French nationals to steer clear of the location.
Videos circulating on social media depicted individuals in military attire at the Palais de la Nation, waving flags of Zaire, the former name of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the regime of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was ousted in 1997.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed all transition committee chairmen in the state’s 21 local government areas.
This decision was detailed in a letter titled “Expiration of Tenure and Handover to Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs),” dated May 17, 2024, and signed by Collins Nwabunwanne, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs.
According to the letter, the directive will be effective starting Monday, May 20, 2024.
The letter read, “Following the expiration of your tenure as Transition Committee Chairman, you are hereby directed to handover the affairs of your Local Government Council to the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), in your respective Local Government Councils.
“This directive takes effect from Monday, 20th day of May, 2024. Thank you for your service to the state. All replies to be addressed to the Honourable Commissioner.”
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