Nigerian police order investigation into the murder of cross-dresser, ‘Abuja Area Mama’

Published

1 month ago

August 9, 2024

The Nigerian Police has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the murder of a famous cross-dresser known as Abuja Area Mama.

The transgender TikToker cross-dresser was reportedly killed by unknown persons, with her corpse discovered on a highway in Abuja, the Nigerian capital city, on Thursday.

News of the death has led to an outpouring of grief on social media, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Nigeria, despite legal protections against discrimination.

The 33-year-old who had a strong following on social media with her posts particularly on Instagram always eliciting thousands of comments.

She often posted about life as a transgender woman and sex worker and often referred to herself as Ifeanyi, but never disclosed her full name.

In some posts, she had expressed fears for her life, citing Nigeria, a conservative society which frowns same-sex relationships and the LGBTQ+ community.

Last year, Abuja Area Mama shared that she had been attacked and feared for her life and asked her followers to pray for her.

In her final Instagram post on Wednesday, she mentioned plans to meet one of her boyfriend.

Hours later, her body was found badly beaten and bruised along the Katampe-Mabushi expressway in Abuja, in what police suspect is a murder.

The Commissioner of Police for the Abuja Command, Benneth Igweh, who gave the order in a statement on Friday, said a “thorough and discreet” inquiry into the incident has begun.

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Crocodiles eat South African man during hunt in Zimbabwe

Published

19 hours ago

September 9, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A 44-year-old South African man, Scott van Zyl, has been eaten by crocodiles after he went missing during a safari hunt in Zimbabwe.

Authorities say van Zyl who owns a professional hunting company in South Africa, reportedly disappeared on Friday on the banks of the Limpopo River in Zimbabwe.

Local media reports that the dogs he was hunting with returned without him and his rifle and personal items were intact in his pickup truck while a search team traced his tracks to the banks of the river and found his backpack.

“Police and park authorities decided to shoot two suspected Nile crocodiles and found what could possibly be human remains in them”, a member of the search party told reporters.

“The remains are reportedly being tested by forensic experts to verify if they belong to Scott van Zyl,” a Zimbabwean tabloid reported.

“Crocodile attacks are common near river banks with at least four people killed in Zimbabwe in the past month. In March, a 19-year-old Mozambican football player Estevao Alberto Gino was killed by a crocodile along the Zambezi river in western Mozambique.

“The crocodile came out of the water abruptly and took him by the waist. After that, the animal ran back into the water.”

Culture

Algeria to host Afreximbank’s CANEX 2024

Published

3 days ago

September 7, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced that the 2024 edition of its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX 2024) will hold in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, with the theme, “One People, United in Culture.”

According to a statement from the bank, the CANEX 2024, which is a premier event that showcases Africa’s vibrant creative and cultural industries, will be the major focus of the four-day event taking place from October 16-19.

“CANEX 2024 offers a unique platform for creatives from across the continent and beyond, to showcase their work, network with industry leaders, and explore business opportunities, including exhibitions, roundtable discussions, masterclasses, live performances, gastronomy showcases, music, dance, poetry, and other artistic expressions,” the statement said.

“Since the event was launched in 2020, it had committed a $1bn facility for Africa’s creative and cultural industries, and has deployed specialised products for financing some CCI sectors, including the Film Financing Development Facility and the Music Development facility.

“The bank has also identified key gaps in creative production value chains, and created interventions to bridge those gaps, with a focus on access to markets.

“The event will be a gathering of creatives, investors, and industry professionals from across the continent and the world over.

“CANEX WKND 2024 will feature an exhibition and market, roundtable discussions, masterclasses, live performances, and networking opportunities. The event is open to industry professionals, individuals, corporate investors, and governance bodies. It provides a unique platform for creatives to showcase their work, connect with industry leaders, and explore business and investment opportunities,” the statement added.