News Reports

Iran’s judiciary says three people have been sentenced to death after a court found them guilty of spying for Israel and involvement in the killing of a top nuclear scientist. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed when his car was ambushed on a highway outside the capital in November 2020. “The preliminary legal proceedings took place in Urmia, where these individuals were sentenced to execution; the case is currently in the appeals process,” Asghar Jahangir, spokesman of the Iranian judiciary, told a news conference in Tehran on Tuesday.

“After some investigations, three people out of eight arrested in West Azarbaijan province, were accused of committing espionage for the occupying regime of Israel,” Jahangir said. He added that the three are also “accused of transporting equipment into Iran for the assassination of martyr Fakhrizadeh under the guise of smuggling alcoholic beverages.” The decision came following a “comprehensive investigation”, the Iranian official said, adding that charges against four other suspects are under review.

Fakhrizadeh was widely seen by Western intelligence as the mastermind of clandestine Iranian efforts in the early 2000s to develop nuclear weapons behind the facade of a declared civilian uranium enrichment programme – a claim rejected by Iran. Iranian officials say the killing took place when a weapon using an advanced camera and controlled by a satellite zoomed in on the scientist while he was driving outside the Iranian capital. Tehran blamed the assassination on Israel, which has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.

Tensions between Iran and Israel have soared since the war in Gaza started in October last year. The Islamic Republic has been supporting a network of allies across the region, including Hamas and Hezbollah, that are in confrontation with Israel in Gaza and Lebanon, respectively. The regional rivals have also engaged in direct confrontations, with Iran launching a barrage of telegraphed missiles and drones towards Israel in April in response to an air strike widely attributed to Israel that killed senior Iranian officials in Damascus, Syria. In October, Iran launched 180 ballistic missiles at targets in Israel in what it says was a response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. Israel responded with three waves of attacks aimed at military targets in three Iranian provinces.

Source: Al Jazeera

A court in Kenyan has sentenced two men to 35 years each for the murder of Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat at the end of last year. The Olympic steeplechaser was stabbed to death on New Year’s Eve in the town of Eldoret, known as a top training centre for athletes. “Your actions were cruel to a defenceless person whose life you cut short,” Justice Reuben Nyakundi told Peter Ushuru Khalumi and David Ekai Lokere during the sentencing hearing in the High Court in Eldoret. Kiplagat’s murder shocked people in Kenya, which has seen the killing of a number of other elite athletes in recent years. The judge said that Khalumi and Lokere had followed Kiplagat, who was in his car, and then CCTV footage showed that they had intentionally killed him in a premeditated act. The exact motive for the murder was not clear but at the time of the arrests the police had said it was robbery. On Monday, in an emotional request to the court, the athlete’s mother had asked Justice Nyakundi to hand down life sentences.

The Principal Medical Officer of Snakebite Hospital and Research Centre Kaltungo, Dr Nicolas Hamman, has disclosed that the facility treats no fewer than 2,600 snakebite cases annually. Hamman made this disclosure at the facility when members of Rotary International Kaltungo District made a presentation of free anti-snake venom, totalling 80 vials. The PMO, who doubles as the lead epidemiologist at the centre, called for more support from the government, while reminding that “the hospital is a major research hospital.” He added, “We are requesting more Federal Government support, especially as we are the largest consumers of this anti-snake venom in this country.

In fact, we regard ourselves as the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, with over 2,600 cases per year. “So, because we consume more anti-snake venom, as such, it is important that we become a site where these anti-snake venoms are produced.” While explaining the challenges involved in treating snakebite patients, Hamman disclosed that the donation would bring the needed succour to patients, saying that the 80 vials would cater to about 120 patients. “On the average, we can say 40 patients technically but based on the advancement of the work that our research and clinical committee in the hospital has been doing, there’s a possibility that we can actually extend treatment to 100 to 120,” he said.

He added, “we are requesting more Federal Government’s support, especially as we are the largest consumers of this anti-snake venom in this country. In fact, we regard ourselves as the largest in sub-Saharan Africa with over 2,600 cases per year. “So, because we consume more anti-snake venom, as such, it is important that we become a site where these anti-snake venoms are produced.” While explaining the challenges involved in treating snakebite patients, Hamman disclosed that the donation would bring the needed succour to patients, saying that the 80 vials would cater to about 120 patients.

“On the average, we can say 40 patients technically, but based on the advancement of the work that our research and clinical committee in the hospital has been doing, there’s a possibility that we can actually extend treatment to 100 to 120,” he said. The PMO added that between six and eight patients were admitted daily, stressing that 34 were on admission at the moment. “It happens usually during harvesting periods when they are harvesting ground nuts, beans, and during the planting season when they are clearing their farms and also during the period of August and September. But because the rainy season of this year got extended to some point, so, we tend to have more cases during the harvesting period. “

We have 34 patients currently on admission. When someone is brought here, we diagnose the patient to be certain it’s snakebite and the type of snake before we administer anti-snake venom,” he added. On his part, Mohammed Ndus, the Past Assistant Governor of Rotary International, noted that the charity-oriented international organisation assessed the needs of the hospital and it necessitated the donation, adding, “We realised that there are some problems like the shortage of ASV and our people are suffering because there are no drugs to administer to snakebite victims. “In fact, there were no specific drugs in the country for such purposes. That is why this drug is coming in; to meet up with the need assessment, which necessitated this donation.”Reacting to the cost implication involved in the procurement of the 80 vials, Ndus added, “You heard the medical personnel that received the drug say it is over N12 million.

This drug in the market now if you are buying it from a proper channel, it is about N170,000 but if you are buying through the wrong channel it could be upto N200,000 and the reason behind this is because the drug is not on ground.” He disclosed further that efforts were on to partner with Bayero University Kano in the local production to improve accessibility in the country, “Bayero University Kano is working on having the drugs to be supplied that is why we are also partnering with a university invitation London on how to get this drugs so we believe that if our plans and strategies come true, it is possible that the drugs will become available in the near future and the prices will drop but for now, there’s absolute scarcity of it and that is why we emphasised on the accountability of the ones that we just brought,” he added.

The Rotary leader maintained, “We have been engaging in this exercise just as we did with polio. There are people that when they take this vial of polio, they empty the content and then do not administer it. “The strategies, I can tell you openly is the one that has to do with the accountability of the containers. We will make sure we come to this place to check the containers that are empty, and we’ve already given them a counter book that will take the register of those that will be administered with the drug. This drug, even though it is 80, it is possible for two patients to have one of it and still get treated because of the effectiveness of the anti-snake venom. So, for accountability, we have the medical personnel who have assured us that they will check and make sure that it has not been taken to anywhere.”

The Police in Ebonyi State have arrested two men for allegedly stripping two teenage girls and flogging them on an allegation of theft. The police vowed to prosecute the suspects to serve as a deterrent to others against taking the laws into their own hands. The teenage girls in a video, which has since gone viral, were stripped naked and made to undergo various dehumanizing treatments over allegations of stealing fowl. They were flogged and forced to parade the community naked with the fowls they allegedly stole.

The incident happened in Ojiegbe, Ngbo community in Ohaukwu local government area of the state. The incident was gathered in November 2023, but the video started circulating during the week. Its circulation drew wide condemnation from the public, who described the treatment meted out to the two girls as dehumanizing. They called on security agencies to investigate the incident and prosecute all those involved in the inhuman treatment of the teenage girls.

“Share it until it gets to the government authorities. These girls were subjected to inhuman treatment.  Criminal cases have legal punishment stipulated in the criminal code. “Anyone caught in this situation should be handed over to the police; this treatment is too much for those small underage girls,” a resident said in the video. On receipt of the complaints, the Police in Ebonyi swung into action and arrested. Dennis Ali and Ituma Sunday, in connection to the incident.

Police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu, in a statement, said the duo was the primary suspect in the dehumanizing treatment of the girls. “The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested Dennis Ali and Ituma Sunday, the primary suspects in a disturbing viral video where two teenage girls were stripped, flogged, and dehumanised.  “The incident occurred in November 2023 at Ojiegbe Ngbo community in Ohaukwu LGA”, he said. The spokesperson noted that the arrest is in keeping with the promise by the new Commissioner of Police, Anthonia Uche-Anya, to eradicate trial by ordeal, jungle justice, and self-help in criminal justice.“She reaffirms the command’s commitment to rooting out such practices in Ebonyi State with stakeholder support,” he said.

Source: The Nation 

The Niger Delta Development Commission has announced the commencement of the channelisation of Kolo Creek, spanning 17 communities from Okarki-Otuogidi to the Ogbia communities in Rivers and Bayelsa states. Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony in Okarki, Ahoada West Local Government Area, Rivers State, NDDC Managing Director Samuel Ogbuku said the project aims to reduce flooding in surrounding communities and mitigate its impact on the Ahoada axis of the East-West Road.

This was disclosed in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday by the Director of Corporate Affairs, NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama. Ogbuku stated that the channelisation project would also enhance commercial activities in the area, improve aquatic life, and reduce the threat of water-borne diseases to rural communities. The NDDC chief noted that while the project is costly, the benefits for the communities far outweigh the expense, stating, “We have started the project, and we will complete it on schedule.”

Ogbuku explained that the channelisation of Kolo Creek, which serves several communities in Bayelsa and Rivers states, was initiated in response to an appeal from local leaders seeking urgent intervention to clear blockages that could cause severe damage if left unaddressed.NDDC Executive Director of Projects Sir Victor Antai described the channelisation of the creek as a significant achievement of the current Commission management under the Managing Director.

Antai added that the NDDC exemplifies President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda through impactful projects like this one. The Traditional Ruler of Okarki, King Elijah Harry Aduan, commended the NDDC leadership for taking decisive action to resolve the issue of Kolo Creek’s blockage. As a gesture of appreciation, Aduan awarded the NDDC Managing Director a chieftaincy title, naming him “Itonji Oka-Akie I” (light of the people) of Okarki Kingdom.

He remarked, “We are delighted as a people and wish to thank the NDDC for initiating the clearing of the creek blockages to ensure a free flow of water that will enhance our economic activities.”In a related development, the NDDC inspected one of the emergency shelters built by the Commission in Otuokpoti community, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa. Following the inspection, the NDDC Managing Director noted that the Commission is taking proactive steps to alleviate the impact of perennial flooding in the region. Ogbuku explained that the project was developed in response to the recurring flooding challenges faced by Niger Deltans.

He noted that the emergency shelter facilities would include essential amenities such as a school, hospital, cafeteria, police post, and recreation centre, providing comprehensive support to communities during periods of crisis. He added, “We have six of these facilities currently under construction in Otuokpoti and Odi in Bayelsa State, while the ones in Delta State are being built in Patani and Ozorro, with two more in Rivers State.” He also mentioned that the emergency shelters, designed to accommodate over 1,000 people, would serve as temporary refuges during flood emergencies, stating, “When completed, these shelters will offer temporary accommodation and essential services to communities in times of emergency.”

Source: The Punch

A driver identified as Emeka was killed by suspected kidnappers who abducted five passengers on a journey from Kebbi State to Asaba, Delta State. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday between Kwana-Barau and Kundu village in Niger State. The suspected kidnappers reportedly attacked the vehicle, a Toyota with registration number LND 863 YF, and fatally shot Emeka, the driver, before abducting four passengers. In a related operation, the Niger State Police Command announced the rescue of 19 passengers who had been kidnapped while travelling from Sokoto to Bayelsa.

The passengers, who were attacked by kidnappers on November 1, 2024, were in a Toyota Bus with registration number LG 08 DGS when they were intercepted along the Tegina-Zungeru road in Niger State and taken into a nearby forest. The spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incidents in a statement on Monday, noting that the victims in both cases were rescued unhurt. “On November 3, 2024, at about 6 a.m., it was reported that suspected kidnappers attacked a vehicle with registration number LND 863 YF travelling from Yawuri in Kebbi State to Asaba, Delta State.

“The incident took place between Kwana-Barau and Kundu village, leading to the abduction of five persons and the unfortunate death of the driver, Emeka,” Abiodun stated. He explained that a joint security tactical team responded swiftly, combing the Kattako forest in Rafi Local Government Area.“Four of the abducted passengers were rescued unhurt, and efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victim still in captivity,” he added. In the case of the 19 passengers abducted from the Sokoto-Bayelsa journey, Abiodun said that intense pressure by the joint security forces led to the safe rescue of all passengers.

“Immediately after the November 1 attack, security operatives pursued the kidnappers, leading to the recovery of twelve victims on November 2 in the Pangugari forest, Rafi LGA,” he added. Further operations saw the rescue of the remaining seven victims later that evening, bringing the total number rescued to 19.“The victims received medical care at a nearby clinic and were safely returned to Sokoto on November 3,” Abiodun disclosed.

Source: The Punch

The Kano State Government has launched investigation into allegation of assaulting a female doctor at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi. The incident, which occurred on November 1, 2024, has stirred outrage among healthcare professionals with the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Abba Yusuf to dismiss the Commissioner. Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, announced the government’s commitment to resolving the matter, stating that the Ministry of Health has formed a committee to look into the incident and is expected to submit a comprehensive report within 48 hours as directed by Governor Yusuf.“We have formed a committee to investigate the incident, and the case will be resolved amicably,” Dr. Labaran stated.

Leadership reports that in a letter addressed to Governor Yusuf, the NMA demanded the immediate removal of Hajiya Amina, describing the attack as a grave violation of ethical standards.“It is troubling that a public official would assault a healthcare worker who is serving under challenging conditions, including understaffing and limited resources,” the NMA’s statement read. The association further threatened to withdraw its services from the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital if no measures were taken within 48 hours. Dr. Labaran acknowledged the NMA’s concerns and said discussions have been held with the association to address the issue. He assured that the ministry’s findings would soon be presented to the governor while emphasising that the matter was being handled with the seriousness it deserves.

Source: Leadership

Osun State Police Command has arrested a suspect, simply identified as Saudi, for allegedly beheading his father inside a farm. The incident which occurred in Ilusi village left the villagers surprised being the first time such incident will happen in decades.It was gathered that the deceased popularly called Baale went missing on Thursday, having left home for the farm earlier in the day. A source in the village, Ismail Olaolu, told Vanguard that a search team discovered his headless body at the farm the following day, Friday, covered with palm leaves.

“The search team, mainly youth from the village suspected the deceased’s son, with whom he left for the farm the previous day. He was questioned and after some torture, he confessed to having killed his father.“The deceased motorcycle and his cocoa harvest were found beside his body on the farm. The suspect was later handed over to the police for investigation.”When contacted, Osun police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola said she had been briefed and the suspect was still in police detention for further investigation.

Source: Vanguard

Chairman of the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area in Benue State, says the continuous activities of criminal elements within the council left many schools, markets and primary health clinics closed for more than one year. Shaku told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday on telephone that all social infrastructure within the council was also damaged. He explained that “over 20 schools, 23 markets and 13 primary health clinics remain shut, following the continuous activities of criminal elements in the local government.