Metro

Islamic State claims responsibility for devastating bomb attack in northern Nigeria, says 30 killed

Published

3 years ago

April 21, 2022

The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), affiliated to the Islamic State terrorist group, has claimed responsibility for a devastating bomb explosion that occured on Tuesday at a market in the north central Nigerian State of Taraba.

Though the Nigerian government and military authorities said seven people were killed in the blast, the terrorists say more than 30 people lost their lives while dozens of others were injured in the explosion.

The explosion took place at a local market in a rural community known as Iware, with local police initially saying only three people were killed and 19 injured, before the military said the death toll had risen to seven.

However, the extremist group said it killed 30 people at a drinking joint in the market where alcohol was sold, marking an expansion of its operation beyond the north east into the north central of Nigeria.

In a statement posted on Thursday on a Telegram channel used by Islamic State to distribute its propaganda, the insurgents said it was responsible for the attack and described those who detonated the bomb in the market as “soldiers of the caliphate in central Nigeria.”

“Soldiers of the caliphate struck a gathering of infidel Christians and sent them to hell,” part of the statement said.

Residents and eyewitnesses said a local drinking spot selling beer and local brew was targeted in the attack, with one resident saying he counted nine dead bodies, while another said he had seen several dead including two women.

The northeast of Nigeria, especially Borno and Yobe States, have been the epicenter of the Islamist insurgencies for over a decade, beginning first with Boko Haram, before the infiltration of the IS-affiliated ISWAP.

And with the attack in Taraba which is located in Nigeria’s middle belt central region, the Islamic State insurgents are gradually expanding into other territories.

Related Topics:Featured Islamic State ISWAP Terrorism

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

7 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

12 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.