October 18, 2021

[GIST] 'Please Pray For Us'—One Of 17 American Missionaries Kidnapped In Haiti Pleads In WhatsApp Message

[GIST] 'Please Pray For Us'—One Of 17 American Missionaries Kidnapped In Haiti Pleads In WhatsApp Message

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No fewer than 17 American missionaries have been reported kidnapped by gang members in Haiti

The incident occurred on Saturday. 

The victims comprised at least 14 adults and three minors, a source in Haiti's security forces told CNN.

The source said more information would be available on Sunday as investigation is ongoing.

The missionaries were travelling by vehicle Saturday to Titanyen, north of the capital Port-au-Prince, after visiting an orphanage in the Croix des Bouquets area. They were abducted along the route between the two places. 

According to CNN, it reached out to the Haitian Justice Ministry and the National Police but got no comments. 

An Ohio-based Christian aid group called Christian Aid Ministries confirmed the missionaries and family members abducted in Haiti are affiliated with it, according to a report in the Washington Post. 

The report quoted a minute-long "prayer alert" from the organisation and a person familiar with the abduction.

The "prayer alert" obtained by the paper stated that "men, women and children" associated with the group were being held by an armed gang.

The minute-long recording confirms those abducted include organisation staff as well as family members who were returning from a site visit to an orphanage in Haiti, according to the report.

"The mission field director and the American embassy are working to see what can be done," the voice on the recording stated, the Washington Post reported. "Pray that the gang members will come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ."

CNN said it had reached out directly to the Christian Aid Ministries via email and through the number listed on their website, but had yet to hear back.

One of the abducted missionaries, an American citizen, also posted a call for help in a WhatsApp group as the kidnapping was occurring, the Washington Post reported, quoting a person familiar with the abduction who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

"Please pray for us!! We are being held hostage, they kidnapped our driver. Pray pray pray. We don't know where they are taking us," the message said.

It is unclear whether the message was a video or a text sent to the WhatsApp group, neither is there any information on the WhatsApp group itself in the Washington Post's reporting.

CNN said it could not independently verify the authenticity of the message or the report.

A spokesperson for the US State Department said late Saturday it was aware of the reports.

"The welfare and safety of US citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State. We are aware of these reports and have nothing additional to offer at this time," the spokesperson said.

Kidnappings have surged in Haiti throughout 2021, with numbers rising nearly 300% since July.

At least 628 kidnappings have taken place since January, of which 29 are of foreigners, according to data released earlier this month by the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, a non-profit based in Port-au-Prince.

Earlier this month, Haitian Foreign Minister Claude Joseph called on the United Nations Security Council to strengthen the mandate of the UN special political mission in his country to help ensure security and protection for civilians, according to a UN news release.

"These are the legitimate expectations of the people who have suffered enough from gang violence, kidnapping and widespread crime," Joseph said.

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October 17, 2021

[GIST] Viral Video: Nigeria's Police Inspector-General Orders Investigation Into Police Assault On Passenger Along Express Road In Kogi

[GIST] Viral Video: Nigeria's Police Inspector-General Orders Investigation Into Police Assault On Passenger Along Express Road In Kogi

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The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered an immediate investigation into the alleged assault by a police officer against a young man in Kogi State. 

This was made known in a statement issued on Saturday by the Force's spokesman, Frank Mba.

The IGP reportedly directed the Commissioner of Police, Idris Dauda to launch an investigation to ensure justice is served. 

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command to immediately carry out discrete investigations into the incident depicted in the attached trending video from a location believed to be in Kogi State. 

”The IGP calls for calm, noting that at the end of the investigations, justice will be done to the victim of the incident and police personnel found guilty, brought to book.”

The development comes after a video showing the assault had now gone viral. 

The video shows the moment an armed police officer slapped a passenger travelling in a commercial bus.

In the video, a man explains that a team of police officers stopped a commercial bus to carry out a search. 

During their search, they found a laptop with a man who said he was a student and used the laptop for his assignments. The man claimed the officers did not believe the student and demanded a bribe of N25, 000.

In his account, one of the officers removed his uniform and took the student to a point-of-sale operator where they made the student withdraw N25, 000 and handed it over to them as they did not want it transferred to any of their accounts to avoid detection. 

He further claimed that when one of the passengers frowned on the intimidation, extortion, and threat by one of the officers to shoot, the officer got angry and slapped the man. 

The officer further threatened that if he cocked his gun, nothing would happen.

The man claimed the police officer threatened that blood would flow if they did not caution themselves.

He said, “Look at what Nigerian police is doing to the citizens of this country, they forced a fellow passenger to get into their car to the ATM to withdraw money. All the drivers parked and condemned it. He has come now and started slapping. He slapped a passenger because the man asked him why will they follow a passenger to the POS. 

“Look at his face, he said he will kill, he said blood will flow if they don't take time. We are here in Kogi State.” 

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[GIST] Nigeria’s Unity Negotiable Just As Marriage Is Negotiable— Buhari’s Appointed Envoy To Chad, Kingibe

[GIST] Nigeria’s Unity Negotiable Just As Marriage Is Negotiable— Buhari’s Appointed Envoy To Chad, Kingibe

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Nigeria’s envoy to Chad and the Lake Chad basin region, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe has said the unity of the country is negotiable.

He stated this during The Sun Newspapers 2020 Awards in Lagos, on Saturday.

Ambassador Babagana Kingibe

The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said even the union between a husband and wife is negotiable.

He, however, informed separatist agitators that the land they reside in would not be carved out and taken to anywhere else if the country breaks up.

“I was born in Nigeria. I was groomed in Nigeria. I believe in Nigeria. People of my generation believe in Nigeria. We have no doubt about the fact that we have no option, but Nigeria.

“However, I think that a few of my colleagues believe that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. Of course, it is negotiable. Even the unity of a family is negotiable. Even the constitution of husband and wife is negotiable.

“The moment either party feels this union is no longer bearable, that he or she will rather go his/her way, you help them to sit down, consider their condition after a careful and rational examination of the pros and cons of how to be married that they take the decision which suits them best.

“When we ever say we want to go away, I do not think they realise the going away. It is not that you carve out the piece of land, take it up and put it on other side of Ghana. The piece of land will be here. You will be here. Everybody will be here. And we all want to prosper. My appeal to everyone is, please, let us be respectful of one another. Let us not demonise one another. Let us respect the views of everybody.”

Kingibe, who received the newspaper’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award,’ advised those seeking to leave Nigeria to consider the implications.

“Are you sure where you are going? Are you sure of the consequence of where you are going? Do you really feel that the grass is greener on the other side?”

“If you do, sit with your partner in respect, in mutual respect, in love if possible, but without demonising your husband or your wife because you will always remain the ex of the other person. But discuss quietly so that even if you separate in the future you can inter-relate with love and respect,” he added.

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[GIST] #FreeMaziNnamdiKanu Initiative Clarifies Reliefs Sought By Biafra Leader, Nnamdi Kanu In Lawsuit Against Buhari Government

[GIST] #FreeMaziNnamdiKanu Initiative Clarifies Reliefs Sought By Biafra Leader, Nnamdi Kanu In Lawsuit Against Buhari Government

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An initiative called #FreeMaziNnamdiKanu has clarified the reliefs sought in the lawsuit filed by Aloy Ejimakor, one of the counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on behalf of the separatist leader before the Abia State High Court. 

On September 7, 2021, Ejimakor filed a suit before a state High Court to press for Kanu’s release to get adequate medical treatments, among other rights entitled to him. 

Nnamdi Kanu

The suit seeks to enforce Kanu’s right to life and dignity, liberty, fair hearing, and freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention and unlawful expulsion. 

While Kanu is the applicant, there are eight respondents: Federal Republic of Nigeria; Attorney-General of the Federation; Chief of Army Staff; Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia State; Inspector-General of Police; Commissioner for Police, Abia State; Director-General, State Security Service (SSS) and Abia State Director, State Security Service. 

The clarification comes amid negative campaigns against the suit which is allegedly being sponsored by Kanu's enemies. 

A statement sent to SaharaReporters by the #FreeMaziNnamdiKanu initiative reads: “For the avoidance of any doubt, the Suit filed by Barr. Aloy Ejimakor on behalf of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the High Court of Abia State is requesting the following:

“A declaration that the military invasion of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s home in Abia State in September 2017 by the Nigerian government is illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amount to infringement of his fundamental rights to life, the dignity of his person, his personal liberty and fair hearing as guaranteed under the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

“A declaration that the arrest of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Kenya by agents of the Nigerian government without due process of law is arbitrary, illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amounts to infringement of his fundamental rights against arbitrary arrest, to his personal liberty and to fair hearing as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

“A declaration that the torture and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Kenya by agents of the Nigerian government is illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amounts to infringement of his fundamental rights against torture and to fair hearing, as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

“A declaration that the expulsion of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria by the Nigerian government and his consequent detention and planned prosecution in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 (Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Nnamdi Kanu) is illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amount to infringement of his fundamental rights against unlawful expulsion and detention, and to fair hearing, as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

“An order of injunction restraining the Nigerian government from taking any further step in the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 (Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Nnamdi Kanu) pursuant to his unlawful his expulsion from Kenya to Nigeria.

“An order mandating and compelling the Nigerian government to forthwith release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention and to restore him to his liberty, same being his state of being as of 19th June, 2021; and to thereupon repatriate him to Britain, his country of domicile and citizenship.

“An order mandating and compelling the Nigerian government to issue an official Letter of Apology to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for the infringement of his fundamental rights and publication of said Letter of Apology in three (3) national dailies and for such order or further order(s) as the Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this Suit.”

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[GIST] Nigerian First-class Emir Regains Freedom From Kidnappers After 32 Days With Support Of Herders' Union

[GIST] Nigerian First-class Emir Regains Freedom From Kidnappers After 32 Days With Support Of Herders' Union

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The Emir of Bungudu in Zamfara, Hassan Atto, has regained his freedom 32 days following his abduction by bandits. 

 

The monarch was abducted on September 14 by gunmen along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, with one police officer killed and two other people injured.

The Bundugu Emirate on Sunday announced that the Emir had regained his freedom and was undergoing clinical and psychological treatment following his ordeal in the hands of kidnappers. 

 

The statement reads: “The Emir of Bungudu (Sarkin Fulanin Bungudu) Alhaji Hassan Attahiru has regained his freedom after 32 days in captivity. On behalf of the family and Bungudu Emirate, we wish to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this trying time.

 

“We appreciate all the efforts of Kaduna State Government throughout this challenging period. Our immense gratitude to the Zamfara State Government for playing a key role to see our father returned home safely.

 

“We salute the Nigeria Police Force and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria for the support in facilitating the release of the Emir. 

 

“We wish to plead with the public to respect the privacy of the Emir in the coming weeks as he receives medical attention and post-trauma management.” 

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