Headlines
US Govt Advises Citizens to Stay Off Abuja Roads Till Further Notice
By Eric Elezuo
The government of the United States of America has advised its citizens in Nigeria to avoid Abuja roads till further notice following anticipated demonstration by the religious sect, Islamic Movement of Nigeria, better known as Shiites.
This is contained in a release by the American Embassy in Abuja, made available to The Boss.
The release read:
“The U.S Embassy in Abuja advises U.S. citizens that large demonstrations in Abuja by protesters affiliated with Islamic Movement of Nigeria have been reported on July 10. Protests by this group on July 9 became violent, including exchanges of gunfire between protestors and Nigerian Police. U.S. Government personnel have been advised to avoid roads in and around Abuja until further notice. The U.S. Embassy is also advising its personnel to remain at work or home until further notice.”
The instruction specifically asked that the Central Business District, including the area between the Hilton and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs be avoided.
The Mission further asked its citizens to adhere to the following:
· Avoid demonstrations and large crowds.
· Be aware of your surroundings.
· Monitor local media for updates.
· Carry proper Identification, including a U.S. passport with a current Nigerian visa.
· Review your personal security plans.
It will be recalled that the Shiites invaded the National Assembly in a violence demostration on Tuesday. Many were reportedly injured.
They were asking for the release of their leader. El-Zakzaky, who had been held incommunicado since December 2015.
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.”
