NEWS
Tragedy, as Bandits kill 15 farmers, abduct dozen others in Niger
By John Danjuma
It was another tragedy on Sunday when Gunmen suspected to be armed bandits attacked two farming communities in Lapai local government area of Niger State killing 15 farmers and dozens of locals were abducted.
The gunmen invaded Ebbo and Evuti communities in the early hours of Sunday killing 15 of the farmers who were working on their farms.
The armed men invaded the two communities in large numbers on motorcycles numbering 75 with each conveying three passengers.
It was further gathered that the daredevil armed bandits took over both communities and started shooting sporadically resulting in the killing of the 15 locals.
The armed men had laid siege on the communities in the last three days before wreaking havoc in the early hours of Sunday
Findings revealed that the armed men had invaded the communities through the Logo and FCT axis which share common boundaries with Lapai, the headquarters of the two communities.
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They were said to have escaped the massive onslaught launched against them by the combined team of security forces in FCT.
Before the current attack, some other farming communities in the State had their fair share of attacks by bandits in the last two weeks killing several of the farmers and abducting many locals.
Two weeks earlier a traditional ruler in Mariga local government area was killed by a gang of armed bandits over his refusal to allow his subjects to pay the ransom of N50 million demanded from the communities who are mostly farmers
The commissioner for security and home affairs in Niger State Mr Emmanuel Umar could not be reached for his comments, at the time of filling the report.
However, the secretary to the government of Niger State (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane who neither confirmed nor denied the report only, said “I will get back to you when I receive a detailed report. For now, I cannot really make any official comment as I’m yet to receive a detailed report. I will get across to you please”
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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