Nigeria News
Three Chinese nationals abducted, three others killed by bandits
Three Chinese nationals have been reportedly abducted and another shot dead at the site of the Zungeru Hydro Electric Power Dam project in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State by armed bandits.
It was gathered that the gunmen killed two local security guards, in the attack, which occurred on Tuesday at about 4pm at the dam site.
It was learnt that the workers were working on the connection of high-tension extension from the Zungeru Hydro Electric Power Dam to Gusase community, when the bandits invaded the area.
The armed bandits arrived in the community, it was learnt in their numbers on motorcycles, shooting sporadically, thereby sending residents to various directions for safety.
An eyewitness told said that during the operation, the bandits conducted their attack unchallenged.
According to the source, “During the attack by the bandits, which took us by surprise, a Chinese worker was shot dead as well as two of our internal security guards. They left with two other Chinese workers, among others, to an unknown destination”.
The Secretary to the Niger State Government SSG, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Matane, confirmed the incident and the abduction of the foreign nationals, but was not certain on the number of persons killed during the attack.
Our correspondent further gathered that the state government team led by the SSG and Commissioner for Local government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal security, Emmanuel Umar with some security agents had visited the area to assess the situation.
Also, confirming the incident, the state police command through the Public Relations Officer, PRO, DSP Wasiu Abiodun explained that the bandits attacked the workers while working on a transmission line tower along Gussase village.
According to him, ” Police tactical team attached to the facility engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel while four of the expatriates were rescued with one of them and a local staff sustaining bullet injuries.
“In the process of scampering for safety during the gun duel, three of the expatriates could not be accounted for presently.”
He revealed that a joint police/military tactical teams at Zungeru are already on aggressive manhunt of the hoodlums and rescue of the missing and abducted expatriates.
Nigeria News
Guinness World Record: Davido Adorns Chess Master, Tunde Onakoya With 30BG Chain
Afrobeat sensation, David Adeleke, popularly called Davido, has placed his 30BG chain around the neck of chess master, Tunde Onakoya, who strives to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
According to PUNCH Online reports, Davido was among those who came out to support Onakoya at Times Square in New York City.
A post on Onakoya’s X handle, which revealed the chess master wearing the chain, read, “30 billion for the children as #davido places his chain around my neck. Thank you very much for stopping by after your successful outing at #TheGarden. Keep streaming. Keep sharing. Keep donating.”
Onakoya, who at the time of this report had surpassed 40 hours of his 58-hour chess marathon, appreciated supporters for the love they had shown him so far.
He wrote, “The love from different corners of the world is incredible, and my gratitude is beyond words. Let’s continue spreading the word until we hit the 58-hour and $1 million milestone for the education of children with the gift of chess.”
Onakoya and his United States counterpart, Shawn Martinez, are both attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
According to the Guinness World Records, the longest chess marathon for 56 hours, 09 minutes, and 37 seconds was achieved by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad from Norway on November 11, 2018.
Nigeria News
BBC Releases Report Addressing Chris Oyakhilome’s ‘Conspiracy Theories’ On Malaria Vaccine
The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) has released a publication addressing the condemnation of the malaria vaccine in Africa by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the Christ Embassy.
In the report published on Wednesday, April 17, the BBC tagged the clergyman a strong advocate against the vaccine, quoting him as saying “…there was never a proof that vaccines ever worked”.
Citing one of Oyakhilome’s YouTube broadcasts, the online media outfit said he believes everyone has been lied to about the vaccine.
The Broadcast company stated that some medical practitioners have concerns that the pastor’s sermons against the vaccine might negatively affect Africa in the fight against the disease.
As reported by the paper, in August 2023, the pastor had warned in a sermon of “an evil agenda that has been long in the making”, apart from alleging that “malaria was never a problem to those in Africa.”
According to the platform, a World Health Organisation (WHO) spokesman, while reacting to the cleric’s submission, said, “Spreading false information about vaccines, especially from influential figures like religious leaders, can contribute to the perpetuation of myths and misconceptions, further fuelling vaccine hesitancy. “This can have devastating consequences for public health, particularly in the WHO African region where vaccine-preventable diseases occur frequently.”
Even more, it was gathered that Pastor Oyakhilome’s remarks were included as one of the disinformation trends “to watch” ahead of the malaria vaccine rollout in a report released in March by The Africa Infodemic Response Alliance backed by WHO.
BBC said it asked (via mail) Oyakhilome about his statements against vaccination but got no response.
In a video that has been trending online, the pastor said that one cannot say they believe in Jesus Christ and be afraid of viruses, adding that Jesus healed the sick by touching them in the bible.
Nigeria News
AGF asks Yaya Bello to submit to EFCC
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called on the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to follow the path of decency and submit himself for probe.
Bello is being wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corrupt practices while in office as governor of Kogi State.
Galaxy TV reports reports that in the last 24 hours, there have been dramas and hide and seek game between both parties over the move to arrest the former governor for arraignment this Thursday.
According to the AGF, in a statement he personally signed on Thursday, EFCC is empowered by law to invite any Nigerian for interrogation.
He also described the action of the incumbent governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, who used his immunity to prevent Bello’s arrest on Wednesday as ‘disquieting’, adding that embarking on a temporizing self-help and escapism that can only put Nigeria in bad light before the rest of the world is not the way to go.
According to him, he stands for the rule of law and will ensure no right of any Nigerian is trampled upon.
The AGF said a situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting.
He declared his support for the rule of law and called on EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies adding that institutions of State should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently.
Fagbemi said Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.
He therefore encouraged anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporizing self-help and escapism that can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world.
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