Day: July 30, 2023

Self-styled general Shiyntum Augustine, a separatist commander in Kumbo, Bui Division in the North West region, has been accused of torturing the civilian population.

After taking a long break from kidnapping, receiving ransom, and beating up more than 60 victims of Kumbo Center, ‘general’ Shiyntum Augustine is back with his harsh treatment of the population.

In less than a week, he ordered his boys to molest 5 civilians in Kumbo. The alarming case is the abduction of an old woman who sells corn beer, popularly called ‘Mami Ward 1’. She was accused of having the phone contacts of Mayor Sendze Evans of Kumbo. The old woman was taken to Shiyntum’s camp and severely beaten under her feet.

There is another case of a bar owner called Manjo Gerald whom Shiyntum’s boys got severely beaten, seized money and his phone. The population of Kumbo is on their knees begging for the powers that be to call Shiyntum and his terrorizing boys to check.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

On Monday, July 24, 2023, a man and his woman were heading to a hospital in Acha Tugi, when armed men alleged to be Fulani militias attacked them with cutlasses.

They were hacked, tortured, and left to die in their pool of blood.

Someone with knowledge of the incident said it happened in Kob village, 1KM from Tad market.

The husband died on the spot, while the attackers thought the woman had also died, left the scene.

But hours later, passersby discovered the bodies and rushed the woman to the Bamenda regional hospital.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The Department of State Services (DSS) has not released Nnamdi Kanu, the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a competent source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The source said on Sunday that contrary to reports in a section of the media, the IPOB leader was only granted access to his personal doctors under the supervision of the Service.

Some sections of the media had reported that Kanu was on Saturday, released for the first time, since his incarceration two years ago to meet with his personal physicians in an Abuja hospital outside the facility of the DSS.

According to the DSS source, access to doctors for suspects in DSS custody is routine in line with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Service.

The DSS source said the IPOB leader was granted access to his personal doctors under the supervision of its operatives.

The source said such access under the supervision of personnel of the service was not only applicable to Kanu but every other suspect in DSS custody.

The source further said Kanu’s access to his personal doctors was also in line with the order of Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

According to the source, even before the order, Kanu had always been given access to medical services.

“Apart from being routine, Kanu was also granted access to his personal doctors in line with the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

“Reports that Kanu was released to see his personal doctors is baseless because the access granted him was under the supervision of the DSS.

“The DSS is an organization that believes in the rule of law and so, will continue to comply with orders of court,” the source said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ogun State Chapter, on Sunday emphasised the need to combat trafficking in persons by addressing its root causes and tackling the systemic factors that allow it to flourish.

Mrs Taiwo Olusesi, Chairperson, FIDA Ogun Chapter, said this in a statement to commemorate the 2023 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons with theme: “Reach Every Victim of Trafficking, Leave no One Behind”.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, which holds on July 30 every year was first observed in 2014.

It was enacted to educate people and nations on the scourge of human trafficking, the plight of victims and their relations, the need to protect and preserve the rights of such victims, and ultimately, the urgent interventions required to put an and to incidents of human trafficking.

Olusesi stated that addressing trafficking in person required collaboration, cooperation, and a multi-faceted approach involving governments, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, and individuals.

She noted that the annual event was a solemn occasion that brought to remembrance the grave injustices perpetrated against fellow human beings.

She said the day called for reflection, action, and a united commitment to eradicate this heinous crime from the world.

The FIDA Ogun Chairperson, acknowledging the presence of human trafficking within close communities, said it was our duty to expose it, to confront it head-on, and to bring those responsible to justice.

She said : “We `Leave People Behind’ when we fail to play our part in putting an end to exploitation, refuse to support victim-survivors and their affected families, and leave individuals and groups vulnerable to traffickers and trafficking.

“We must recognise that human trafficking is not an isolated issue.

“It is intertwined with global economic crises, poverty, inequality, gender discrimination, socio-economic inequalities and other social injustices that have left several communities and nations vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers and their sponsors.

“Human trafficking; a modern-day form of slavery, preys upon the vulnerability of individuals, exploiting their hopes, dreams, and aspirations.

“It knows no boundaries, affecting men, women, and children from every corner of the globe and is an affront to our shared humanity and an assault on the principles of justice and equality.

“In line with the theme of the 2023 World Day Against Trafficking in Person, we stand together to raise awareness, to amplify the voices of survivors, and to shine a light on the dark corners where this evil thrives,” she said.

Olusesi said education and awareness were powerful weapons in the battle against human trafficking.

She said that by educating ourselves and others, we empower communities to recognise the signs of human trafficking, to protect the vulnerable, and to report suspicious activities.

“We must also work tirelessly to dismantle the networks that facilitate trafficking, disrupt the illicit trade, and bring traffickers to justice.

“This necessitates strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing international cooperation, and providing comprehensive support to survivors.

“We stand in solidarity with survivors, offering them our unwavering support, compassion, and a pathway to healing and rebuilding their lives.

On this World Day Against Human Trafficking, let us reaffirm our commitment to justice, equality, and the inherent worth of every human being,” she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and those of a private security firm have jointly uncovered a major illegal refining site in Delta.

Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated on Sunday in Abuja that the operation was undertaken by troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion.

The battalion operates in 6 Division Area of Responsibility at Owahwa community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta.

Nwachukwu stated that the operation was in continuation of the sustained effort to deny oil thieves the freedom of action and to protect the oil sector from economic saboteurs.

He explained that the sting operation on Saturday followed a surveillance report on the activities of illegal oil refiners in the area.

He explained that the troops stormed the site and discovered 35 modular ovens used for illegal oil refining; three fabricated reservoirs; 30 dugout reservoirs and 75 galvanised pipes.

“The operatives have since clamped down on the illegal refining site.

“The Nigerian Army enjoins all law-abiding citizens to continue to support on-going anti-oil theft operations by reporting suspected illicit refining and illegal bunkering in their areas to security agencies,’’ Nwachukwu stated.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria