Headlines
Kidnap of Kaduna Emir, Wives, Others: IGP Squad, Troops Comb Bushes
Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have confirmed the abduction of the 85-year-old Emir of Kajuru, Alhaji Alhassan Adamu, by bandits in the early hours of Sunday.
The bandits attacked the residence of the monarch in Kajuru, Kajuru Local Government Area of the state, and kidnapped him and 10 of his family members, according to the police.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, said in a statement that the incident occurred around 2.34am.
According to him, bandits in large numbers and wielding weapons, gained access into the emir’s palace, abducted him and 10 members of his immediate family.
The police spokesman said, “The Kaduna Police Command, through the Divisional Police Officer, Kajuru, Kaduna, is in receipt of an unfortunate report on the kidnap of the Chief of Kajuru, Alhaji Alhassan Adamu, in the early hours of today, July 11, 2021.
“The incident occurred around 2.34am when armed bandits in large numbers invaded Kajuru town, shot indiscriminately and gained access into the chief’s residence, where they abducted him and 10 members of his immediate family to an unknown destination.
“Notwithstanding, the joint patrol of the Police Mobile Force, conventional police and the Nigerian Army attached to the Kajuru LGA are currently engaged in search and rescue mission around the forest for a possible rescue of the victims, while the IGP’s tactical units have been contacted for technical support.”
While saying that the command was saddened by the latest attack, Jalige urged members of the public to remain calm and “always support the police and other security agencies with credible information that will enable them curtail any possible attack on innocent citizens before it happens.”
Also, the residence of Mrs Jummai Suleiman, a clinical psychologist at the Department of Psychiatric, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, was attacked around 9pm on Saturday and she and her three children were abducted by bandits.
The names of the children were given as Abdullateef, 10; Amina, six; and Abdulrahman, four.
Similarly, gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted the Provost, Zamfara State College of Agriculture, Bakura, Alhaji Habibu Mainasara.
Also kidnapped were a teacher at the Government Science Secondary School, Bakura, Malam Mohammed Kabi, and one other boy whose identity had yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.
According to a family source, the provost was abducted by the bandits around 2am on Sunday from his official residence within the Government Science Secondary School, Bakura.
The Punch
China, on Tuesday, opposed US President Donald Trump’s threat to carry out military action against Nigeria over the alleged persecution of Christians, as it backed the Nigerian government in leading its people to follow a development path in line with its national conditions.
Trump Saturday said if the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the US will immediately stop all aid and assistance to the West African country, and may go for military action to wipe out the Islamic terrorists.
Asked for her comments on Trump’s threat, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told the media that the Nigerian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, stating that the US’s claims did not reflect the current realities in Nigeria, and the government had remained committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people.
As a comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people to follow a development path in line with its national conditions, Mao said.
“China opposes interference by any country in the internal affairs of other nations under the pretext of religion or human rights and opposes the arbitrary use of sanctions and threats of force,” she said.
On the reports that Venezuela is seeking missiles and drones following a dozen US strikes on the boats in the region on the suspicion that they carried drugs, Mao said China is opposed to the use of force in the name of fighting drug cartels.
China supports enhanced international cooperation in combating transnational crimes, but opposes the use of threats of using force in international relations, and actions that undermine peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean, she said.
China is against unilateral so-called law enforcement operations against vessels of other countries that exceed reasonable and necessary limits, she added.
“We hope the US will carry out normal law enforcement and judicial activities within bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks,” Mao said, without mentioning whether China will support military equipment to Venezuela.
“China’s normal exchanges and cooperation with Venezuela are conducted between sovereign states, without targeting any third party, nor are they subject to interference or influence by any third party,” she said.
Source: orissapost
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday, held a crucial meeting with service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies in the country
The crucial meeting took place at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abuja, followed reports of a directive by the President of United States, Donald Trump to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria over the alleged genocide of Christians in the country.
Security sources hinted that the emergency meeting, which began in the afternoon was aimed at assessing the implications of Trump’s statement accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militant groups.
Trump’s remarks, made late Saturday, stated that the U.S. military was being prepared to “act in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militancy” a statement that had triggered widespread concern across diplomatic and security circles in Abuja.
Reports said that the NSA convened the session to coordinate a unified national security response and review intelligence assessments on the potential fallout of the U.S. president’s pronouncement.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to be communicated through official channels from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (NWC) has suspended the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organizing Secretary, Umaru Bature for one month.
The suspension comes on the heels of the judgement of the Federal High Court On Friday, which stopped the party’s planned national convention.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, told journalists in Abuja on Saturday, that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the national working committee, which was held in Abuja.
