Today's Headlines: Macron demands Junta’s exit, ECOWAS orders fresh talks, Gunmen kill soldier in Be
Niger: Macron demands Junta’s exit, ECOWAS orders fresh talks
French President Emmanuel Macron, on Thursday, demanded the release of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum who was detained on July 26, 2023, in a military coup led by the former commander of Niger’s presidential guard, Abdourahamane Tchiani.
Source: Punch papers
Macron, also called for a return to democratic order in Niger, a former French colony whose elected leadership was toppled in a military coup in July. Leaders in the Economic Community of West African States bloc said that they would keep all options on the table for a peaceful resolution to the crisis and ordered the activation of an ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger.
Former colonial ruler France and the European Union suspended security cooperation and financial aid to Niger following the coup, while the United States warned that its aid could also be at stake.
Gunmen kill soldier in Benin, steal bags of money
Gunmen suspected to be armed on Wednesday attacked an Army patrol van in Edo State, killing a soldier and carting away sacks believed to have been loaded with cash.
Source: Punch papers
Three soldiers were said to have been in the military vehicle that was heading towards Ikpoba Hill when the robbers struck at the traffic lights along Akpakpava Road by First Junction around 2.10 pm. The suspects drove an unmarked Toyota Camry car against the traffic facing the military vehicle as two of the four occupants allegedly alighted and opened fire on the soldiers
The three soldiers were said to have abandoned their patrol vehicle and the sacks as they took to their heels. Eyewitnesses said the armed men took the bags from the patrol van after the soldiers had fled. A shop owner said, “One of the three soldiers fell while running away, he tried to get up, but he couldn’t, he was bleeding. Later, his two other colleagues came to meet him but they were helpless.”
Agege LG transforms criminals’ hideouts into mini-markets
Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State has transformed a criminal hideout at the Moshalashi Alhaja area of the council into a modern mini-market.
Source: Punch papers
The Executive Chairman of the council, Alhaji Ganiyu Egunjobi, said that the development would reduce crime and add value to the socio-economic development of the council area. Egunjobi, who spoke during a news conference on Thursday at the council secretariat, explained that the development was in fulfillment of his pledge to the residents.
“This is the fulfilment of the promise I made to the good people of the council area on several occasions; that all criminals’ hideouts in the council area will be transformed into meaningful use for the good people of Agege.
12 die in Nasarawa boat mishap
No fewer than 12 persons reportedly lost their lives in a boat mishap on River Kogi Kungra Kamfani, in Arikiya, Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Source: Vanguard
The victims were said to be going to the farm when the incident occurred, leaving 12 persons dead out of 19 on board the boat. Reacting to the mishap, the state House of Assembly described the incident as unfortunate, saying the death of the 12 persons was a great loss to the state.
The lawmakers condoled with the state government, Lafia local government, and the families of the deceased over the death of 12 people at the river Kogi Kungra Kamfani in Arikiya, Lafia Local Government Area of the State. Lawmakers through their Speaker, Ibrahim Abdullahi said: “It is very sad that we lost 12 people, comprising men and women in a boat mishap in Arikiya, Lafia LGA. On behalf of myself, members, staff, and the entire Nasarawa people we condole with the bereaved families, Lafia LGA, and the state government over their death.
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