Headlines
Security Team Repels Attack on Imo INEC Office, Kills Three Gunmen
Gunmen on Monday morning launched an attack on the Independent National Electoral Commission office in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Part of the building was damaged after it was torched by a firebomb.
The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mike Abbatam, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent, said three gunmen were killed while two firebombs were recovered from the scene.
This is happening eight days after an INEC office was attacked in the Orlu Local Government Area of the state.
Suspected hoodlums had similarly torched the commission’s offices in Ebonyi, Osun and Ogun States within the past four weeks, sparking fears that some people were plotting to derail the conduct of the 2023 elections.
The Owerri attack, which was carried out around 3am this morning, was, however, repelled as three of the perpetrators, including their commander, were gunned down.
Also, AK47 rifles and some pump action guns and eight vehicles were recovered from the hoodlums.
An impeccable source said, “This morning, gunmen launched a vociferous attack on the INEC office in Owerri, Imo State but the joint security team was able to repel them and killed three of the attackers, including their commander.
“Seven vehicles were recovered, including seven AK47 and pump action rifles. Many of the gunmen escaped with bullet wounds. But one police vehicle was burned by the hoodlums.”
But Abattam said only three AK47 rifles and vehicles were recovered.
He stated, “We killed three of the attackers and recovered three AK47 rifles and pump action guns. We also recovered two explosives and three of their vehicles.”
It was gathered that security had been beefed up in parts of Owerri, following the incident.
The first hostages freed from Gaza under a long-awaited ceasefire agreement are back in Israel. The news sparked jubilant scenes in Tel Aviv where large crowds gathered ahead of their release.
The three freed Israeli hostages – the first of 33 to be released over the next six weeks – are Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari. They are said to be in good health and are receiving treatment at a medical center in Tel Aviv.
In exchange, 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are set to be released by Israel from Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli military withdrew from several locations in southern and northern Gaza after the truce began earlier on Sunday, an Israeli military official told CNN.
Displaced Gazans have started returning to their homes, while the aid trucks laden with much-needed supplies have crossed into Gaza. Here’s what we know about how the ceasefire deal will work.
Hamas, despite suffering devastating losses, is framing the Gaza ceasefire agreement as a victory for itself, and a failure for Israel.
One of Hamas’ main goals for taking some 250 people during its brazen October 7, 2023, attack on Israel was to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. As Israel pounded Gaza in response, Hamas vowed not to return the hostages until Israel withdrew its forces from the enclave, permanently ended the war, and allowed for rebuilding.
Source: CNN
The leader of UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has said she doesn’t want Britain to be like Nigeria that is plagued by “terrible governments.”
Speaking on Thursday at an event organised by Onward, a British think tank producing research on economic and social issues, Badenoch expressed fears that Britain may become like Nigeria if the system is not reformed.
“And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it,” Badenoch told the audience.
“I don’t want Britain to lose what it has.
“I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation.
“I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life.
“So I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here.”
Badenoch has been in the news of late after she dissociated herself from Nigeria, saying she has nothing to do with the Islamic northern region.
She also accused the Nigeria Police of robbing citizens instead of protecting them.
She said: “My experience with the Nigeria Police was very negative. Coming to the UK, my experience with the British Police was very positive.
“The police in Nigeria will rob us (laughter). When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well…I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch.”
