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One Killed As Kidnappings Wreck Havoc In Kaduna’s Lere
The alarming rise of kidnappings in Kaduna’s Lere area has let to a tragic incident, with the killing of Mr Micah Maikarfi, which call for effective solutions to tackle this growing menace.
Over the years, Kaduna’s Lere Local Government Area has witnessed a distressing surge in kidnapping incidents, leaving residents in fear and despair.
In the latest harrowing incident that occurred on July 24, 2023, at Fadan Kahugu, the kidnappers unleashed terror in the village, resulting in the loss of a life and the abduction of three individuals.
At approximately 3am on July 24, 2023, Fadan Kahugu fell victim to the ruthless kidnappers’ onslaught.
Armed with AK47 rifles, the perpetrators laid siege to the village and unleashed a barrage of sporadic gunshots, leaving the unsuspecting natives in shock and terror.
The Tragic Loss
In the wake of the horrifying incident, the community mourns the loss of a respected individual, Mr Micah Maikarfi.
As the Treasurer of Kaguu (Kahugu) National Development Association, Chairman of St Peter’s Catholic Church Fadan Kahugu, Chief Coach of Kawere-Kahugu FC, and a former Councillorship aspirant of Gure/Kahugu Ward, Maikarfi impact on the community was profound.
Tragically, he sustained a gunshot wound to the chest during the attack and was rushed to Jos University Teaching Hospital, where he passed away on July 28, 2023.
The Abductions
Adding to the sorrow, the kidnappers also succeeded in abducting three innocent souls – Damaris Ezekiel, a married individual, Lucky Samson, a 17-year-old, and Dominic, whose fate now rests in the hands of their captors.
Their families endure unimaginable anguish and anxiety, desperately hoping for their safe return.
Historical Patterns Of Kidnappings
The menace of kidnapping has plagued various communities within the Kahugu region for years.
Since 2016, several communities have faced these heart-wrenching incidents, leaving behind a trail of sorrow and despair.
The communities that have suffered from this horrifying trend include Kuduru-Kahugu, Bundu-Kahugu, Kawere-Kahugu, Karimbu ‘A’-Kahugu, and most recently, Fadan Kahugu.
Addressing The Crisis
The escalating rate of kidnappings in Kaduna’s Lere demands urgent attention and effective action.
The safety and security of the residents hang in the balance, requiring proactive measures to curb this growing menace.
Local authorities, law enforcement agencies, and community leaders must come together to devise comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of these abductions and ensure the protection of lives and property.
Empowering Communities
Beyond immediate law enforcement measures, empowering communities with education, awareness, and support networks can play a pivotal role in countering kidnappings.
Engaging in community-driven initiatives and promoting cooperation between residents and authorities can foster a united front against criminal elements.
Advocating for ChangeCreating a safer environment requires a collective effort from both citizens and policymakers.
Engaging in advocacy for improved security measures, resource allocation, and stricter laws against kidnapping can be instrumental in safeguarding the region from further atrocities.
The tragic incident at Fadan Kahugu serves as a stark reminder of the urgency to address the escalating kidnappings in Kaduna’s Lere.
By shedding light on the historical patterns, mourning the loss of valuable lives, and emphasizing the need for collective action, we hope to ignite a movement towards a safer and more secure future for the region.
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has engaged in a high-level security meeting with a leading Chinese manufacturer of advanced anti-terrorism and high-tech defence equipment, aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s defence capabilities.
The meeting, which took place in China, underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising the nation’s security apparatus to combat insurgency and other threats.
According to a statement signed by the minister’s Personal Assistant (Media), Ahmad Dan-Wudil, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the engagement focused on formalising a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chinese firm and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
The collaboration is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s security sector, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s defence framework.
The MoU outlines a robust partnership, with the Chinese company committing to significant investments in Nigeria’s defence infrastructure.
According to the statement, Key components of the agreement include the transfer of cutting-edge defence technology, the establishment of local manufacturing capabilities for advanced military equipment, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the technical skills of Nigerian personnel.
“This move is seen as a step towards building a self-reliant and globally competitive military-industrial base.
Dr. Matawalle emphasised that the partnership represents a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s defence modernisation agenda.
“This collaboration will not only strengthen our fight against terrorism but also position Nigeria as a regional leader in defence technology,” he stated.
The minister highlighted the government’s determination to leverage international partnerships to address the nation’s evolving security challenges.
Under the terms of the agreement, new production lines will be established for various ammunition types, including 7.62x51mm ball cartridges, 7.62x51mm blank cartridges, 9x19mm pistol cartridges, and machine gun ammunition.
Additionally, manufacturing workshops and facilities will be set up in Kaduna and Kachia, Kaduna State, to produce essential defence components such as brass casings and bullet jackets.
The partnership extends beyond production, encompassing the maintenance and upgrading of existing military hardware, servicing of battle tanks, and the provision of military engineering services.
These efforts are expected to enhance the operational readiness of the Nigerian Armed Forces, enabling them to respond more effectively to security threats within the country and across the region.
The minister’s visit to China follows a series of engagements with international partners, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, as part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to strengthen bilateral defence ties.
In a recent meeting with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Dr. Matawalle called for increased support in intelligence sharing and counterterrorism efforts, underscoring the need for global cooperation to tackle insecurity.
The agreement with the Chinese firm has been hailed as a critical step towards achieving President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises security, economic development, and private-sector involvement.
The minister reiterated the government’s openness to foreign investment in critical sectors such as defence, steel, and energy to drive technological advancement and job creation.
Gamblers are staking millions of dollars to predict who will emerge as new pope as betting sites place odds on the candidates as the Catholic Church cardinals sweat to pick a new pontiff.
Polymarket, an American cryptocurrency-based betting site, has placed odds on candidates who will emerge.
Similarly, Kalshi, another American betting site, is coordinating predictions on who emerges as the new Catholic pope.
On Polymarket, over $21 million worth of bets have been staked in the conclave election, in which Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are considered the leading candidates.
Mr Parolin leads with 27 per cent odds, while Mr Tagle comes second with 23 per cent odds. Matteo Zuppi, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Peter Erdo came third, fourth and fifth with 11, 10 and 7 per cent odds, respectively.
On Kalshi, where over $8milliom has been staked, Mr Parolin leads with 29 per cent odds, followed by Mr Tagle’s 22 per cent odds and Mr Pizzaballa’s 10 per cent odds.
This comes as 133 cardinals from across the globe commenced a conclave to decide who would emerge as the new pope on Thursday.
Though conclave elections have been highly unpredictable for years, gamblers throw in thousands of dollars for a possible kill should their candidate emerge.
In 2013, contrary to projections on the possible emergence of Cardinal Angelo Scola, who was then regarded as the favourite, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio emerged as Pope Francis.
On Wednesday, thick black smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel chimney at the end of the first meeting of the cardinals, signalling that no pope has been elected.
The election of the 267th pope, which commenced on Wednesday. A new pope will poll a two-thirds majority to emerge during the election process.
Then, white smoke will be released from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
President Bola Tinubu has mandated the formation of a Presidential Task Force aimed at eliminating numerous checkpoints that impede free movement.
Ambassador Musa Nuhu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, revealed this initiative during a visit to the Nigeria-Benin Republic border in Seme on Wednesday.
“We are commencing with the Seme-Badagry Corridor. A committee has been established under the auspices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and we will soon begin addressing this matter.
“We have taken note of all the concerns raised, and I assure you that the Nigerian government will tackle the other issues mentioned subsequently.”
Numerous complaints have surfaced regarding the excessive checkpoints along the Badagry-Seme corridor, which adversely affect the seamless movement of individuals and goods between Nigeria and the Benin Republic.
Ambassador Nuhu emphasized, “This is the most trafficked border in West Africa regarding the flow of goods, people, and services. If free movement is to be effectively implemented in West Africa, it will be evident at this border.”
Motorists attending the meeting expressed their frustrations about the numerous checkpoints and the extortion practices by security personnel along the route.
In response, Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, stated that any fees paid by motorists should be accompanied by official receipts.
He expressed concern that the proliferation of checkpoints and the extortion of citizens within member states undermine ECOWAS’s goal of fostering a more integrated region.
“While we must inspect passengers and road users, we should move beyond arbitrary charges that lack receipts. If payments are necessary, they should be properly documented.
“It is one thing to request that someone open their bags for inspection, but it is entirely different to demand payment that is not receipted.”