Metro

Nigerian troops launch manhunt for new jihadist group Lukarawa as COAS vows annihilation

Published

3 weeks ago

November 11, 2024

Nigeria’s acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, has vowed to dislodge the new Islamist jihadist group, Lukarawa, which has been causing havoc in Sokoto and Kebbi States in the northern region of the country.

Oluyede, who made the vow when he visited the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto on Sunday, assured that the military had launched a manhunt for members of the sect and in no time, they would be decimated.

Oluyede, who spoke with journalists at a press conference,
called on residents of the affected states to always give accurate and timely information to the troops to help them in the fight against insecurity.

“I am here to assess my troops. You see, there will always be challenges. The issue is how we react to these challenges. One of the reasons I am here is to charge up my soldiers to rise to the challenge, and that we shall do,” the army chief said.

“My charge to the community people is for them to support us. If we don’t get their support we can’t succeed. And if we don’t succeed that means the country won’t be secured. We need the support of Nigerians so that we can have economic prosperity in the country.

“I am here to see my soldiers to assess their state of readiness and to charge them to continue to do what they have been doing best to secure the country in general.”

While also speaking with the troops, Oluyede ordered them to crush the new terror group to send a warning to other such groups that may spring up in future.

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had last week, confirmed the emergence of the Lukarawa sect as a new terror group operating in Kebbi and Sokoto States.

The DHQ spokesman, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement, had said the terror group is affiliated with the IS and other jihadist factions in Mali and Niger.

“The emergence of the group is linked to political instability in Mali and Niger, which has fuelled the spread of extremist elements into Nigeria. He explained that this group is a direct fallout of the political instability in these neighbouring countries,” the DHQ spokesman said.

But later information claim the group allegedly comprises renegades from the Sahel region including Mali, Chad, Libya, Niger and Burkina Faso and have been actively recruiting local youths in Sokoto and Kebbi through financial inducement running into millions of naira.

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Metro

Zambian Police thwart attempt to traffic 13 Ethiopians in Lusaka

Published

2 hours ago

December 3, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A human trafficking syndicate has been busted by the Zambian Police while attempting to traffic 13 Ethiopian nationals en route to South Africa.

The National Police Spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, who revealed this in a statement on Monday, said the police intercepted the operation in Lusaka during routine patrol.

Hamoonga said officers from the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Police Station set up a screening point at Hellensdale Junction, near Kalimba Farms, and stopped a suspicious vehicle with registration number ABF 4650 with fully tinted windows and a red number plate painted black which drew suspicion by the patrol team.

The police spokesman said upon inspection, officers discovered individuals lying on top of one another inside the van.

“When questioned, the driver and two accomplices abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Although officers pursued them, they escaped into a nearby farm,” Hamoonga said.

He added that inside the vehicle, police found 13 Ethiopian men who appeared frail and weak.

“Preliminary interviews revealed they had traveled from Ethiopia, passing through Kenya and Tanzania, before heading to South Africa to meet an unidentified individual.

“Reinforcements were called, and all 13 victims were taken into protective custody for further questioning.

“Two suspects, the driver Siaumpe Kaumbe and Patrick Kombe, an unlicensed driver, were later apprehended, while a third suspect remains at large,” the statement said.

“The Zambia Police Service remains committed to combatting human trafficking and ensuring the safety and dignity of all individuals,” Hamoonga said and urged the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station, while assuring that investigations were ongoing to dismantle the trafficking network responsible for facilitating the crime.

Metro

Nigeria seeks SA’s support for G20, BRICS membership

Published

6 hours ago

December 3, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigeria has sought the support of South Africa in its bid to attain full membership in the G20, BRICS and the BRICS New Development Bank.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who made the request at the ministerial session of the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) held in Cape Town on Monday, also pleaded with the South African government to support Nigeria’s bid to assume leadership roles in thematic discussions of interest under South Africa’s G20 presidency which commenced on December 1.

While delivering her speech,
Ojukwu said President Bola Tinubu, who is a member of the ad hoc mediation committee established by the African Union, had prioritised resolving crisis in Africa to foster peace and stability in Sudan and other conflict-affected parts of the continent.

‘‘We are strongly committed to seeking a resolution of the crisis in Sudan and in this guise, we seek South Africa’s support to further accelerate the peace process and to ensure that within our region, conflicts are de-escalated,” she said.

‘‘We can hope that with peace, greater progress and development can be achieved across all spheres,’’ the ambassador added.

She lauded the officials of both countries for working hard to present a draft communique facilitating amendments and submissions raised at the ministerial session of the BNC which will be presented to President Tinubu and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the presidential BNC session later on Tuesday in Cape Town.

In his response, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Roland Lamola, also affirmed that his country would amplify Africa’s voice during its G20 presidency.

“We will count on Nigeria’s wise counsel as we assume this major responsibility.

‘‘Our people expect South Africa and Nigeria, given our common roots, to continue working together and more closely in order that their conditions and prospects are improved and the quality of life enhanced,’’ Lamola said.

He further highlighted priority areas of collaboration, including trade, investment, tourism, health, education, agriculture, ICT, artificial intelligence, arts and culture, climate change, defense, and security, and stressed the importance of expediting the finalisation and implementation of outstanding agreements under the BNC framework.