Connect with us

NEWS

Coup: Excitement As Gabon Reopens Border

Published

on

 

An official from the Gabonese military announced that Gabon has reopened its borders on Saturday, ending a three-day closure implemented during a recent military coup that led to the removal of President Ali Bongo.

 

The coup, orchestrated by military officers under General Brice Nguema, saw Bongo placed under house arrest and Nguema assuming the role of Head of State. This event marked the conclusion of the Bongo family’s 56-year rule in the country.

 

This coup, the eighth in West and Central Africa within the past three years, has sparked concerns about the potential spread of military takeovers throughout the region, jeopardizing the democratic progress achieved over the last two decades.

 

While there has been international pressure on the coup leaders to reinstate civilian government, they have indicated that they do not intend to rush into holding elections.

 

In a televised statement, an army spokesperson explained that Gabon’s land, sea, and air borders were reopened by the junta due to their commitment to upholding the rule of law, maintaining positive relations with neighboring countries, and honoring international commitments.

 

Ali Bongo, who assumed the presidency in 2009 after succeeding his late father, Omar, who held power since 1967, has faced criticism from his opponents for not effectively distributing Gabon’s wealth derived from oil and mining resources.

 

The takeover in Gabon is part of a wider trend of coups in West and Central Africa, including those in Guinea, Chad, and Niger, along with two each in Mali and Burkina Faso since 2020. This situation has raised concerns among international powers with strategic interests in the region.

 

NEWS

Kano Businessman’s Daughter Kidnapped After ₦8m Ransom Payment

Published

on

In a shocking incident on Sunday morning, unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers invaded the home of Alhaji Auwal, a prominent businessman, in Garo Town, Kabo Local Government Area of Kano State.

The gunmen, estimated to be around 10 in number, forced their way into the residence, breaking down a door to gain entry.

An anonymous source revealed that the attackers were heavily armed, with three carrying firearms and the rest wielding other weapons.

READ MORE: Tinubu Urges Stakeholders To Join Forces To Restart Oil Production In Ogoniland

They quickly gathered the entire family in one room, instilling fear and panic in the household.

According to the source, Alhaji Auwal pleaded with the assailants to spare his family and agreed to meet their demands.

The kidnappers, who were determined to extort money, received ₦8 million from the family.

Despite this payment, the gunmen took the businessman’s eldest daughter, Zainab, a secondary school graduate, before fleeing the scene.

The whereabouts of Zainab remain unknown, and as of now, the kidnappers have not contacted the family.

This abduction comes just 48 hours after the tragic kidnapping and subsequent murder of former Gombe State Permanent Secretary, Atiku Mu’azu, who was killed by gunmen after a ₦10 million ransom was paid.

The two incidents have left the residents of Kano in shock and fear, prompting calls for increased security measures in the area.

Attempts to reach the spokesperson for the Kano Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, for comment were unsuccessful as his phone remained unreachable.

Authorities have yet to make any official statements regarding the investigation.

Continue Reading

International News

Colombia Blocks US Deportation Flights Over Migrant Treatment

Published

on

In a bold move, Colombian President Gustavo Petro declared on Sunday that he would not allow US deportation flights carrying Colombian migrants to access his country’s airspace.

The left-wing leader took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his strong stance, stating, “The United States cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals. I forbid entry to our territory to US planes carrying Colombian migrants.”

Petro made it clear that such flights would only be accepted once Washington established a protocol to ensure the “dignified treatment” of deported migrants.

READ MORE: How Trump Plans To Grow American Economy By $1 Trillion Daily

The president later confirmed in a separate post that he had already turned back US military planes that were en route with Colombian migrants on board, although he did not provide further specifics on the matter.

While AFP sought confirmation from US authorities regarding the blockade of deportation flights, no immediate response was forthcoming.

Petro’s statements come just a day after Brazil’s government voiced similar outrage over the treatment of deported Brazilians.

Brazil condemned the US administration under President Donald Trump, citing instances where Brazilian migrants were deported while handcuffed on flights, describing it as a “flagrant disregard” for their basic rights.

In his remarks, Petro emphasized that he would be open to allowing civilian US flights to transport deported migrants as long as they were not subjected to treatment “like criminals,” signaling a broader call for humane treatment of migrants under international deportation policies.

Continue Reading

NEWS

Four Dead, Many Injured As Explosion Rocks Niger State Mining Site

Published

on

An explosion at a mining site in Sabon Pegi, Mashegun Local Government Area of Niger State, claimed the lives of four individuals and left several others injured on Sunday morning.

The blast occurred as miners resumed operations, sending shockwaves through the community.

While the exact cause of the explosion remains undetermined, local residents have pointed to the poor handling of explosive devices by mining companies as a possible factor.

READ MORE: Thisday Awards: Diana Ross Arrives In Nigeria

The incident has sparked concerns about safety practices within the mining sector.

Community sources confirmed the recovery of four bodies, but authorities fear the death toll could rise.

Investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the blast and assess the full extent of the damage.

One resident, Aminu, described the chaos that followed the explosion. “The sound was so loud that many of us thought it came from the hydroelectricity dam nearby. People panicked and ran into the bush for safety,” he recounted.

Another community member highlighted the potential role of mining operations in the tragedy.

“Mining companies here frequently use explosives during their activities, and this seems like an operational issue, not something related to terrorism,” the resident said, dismissing concerns about a security threat in the area.

As of the time of reporting, neither the state government nor security agencies have released an official statement regarding the explosion.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.