18 Nigeria teens, liberated from traffickers in Ghana

9th June, 2024

African News

By Oyenike

18 Nigeria teens, liberated from traffickers in Ghana

In Ghana, more than 18 Nigerian girls, aged 16 to 18, were rescued from human traffickers. They were promised a better life but ended up being forced into prostitution. The girls were from different states in Nigeria and were subjected to physical abuse and exploitation without pay. A local security guards and NIDO, an organisation for Nigerians in Ghana, collaborated to rescue them.

The rescue operation sheds light on the serious issue of human trafficking in Nigeria. The country serves as a source, transit, and destination for this heinous crime. Victims are often coerced into prostitution, forced labour, and other forms of exploitation. This incident emphasises the need for increased vigilance and stronger measures to combat human trafficking.

Parents, activists, and concerned citizens are calling for action to protect our children from these predators. While the Nigerian government has pledged to fight human trafficking, more needs to be done to address the root causes of this problem. Establishing a task force is a step in the right direction, as it will work towards identifying and prosecuting traffickers, as well as providing support to victims.

Currently, the rescued girls are receiving medical and psychological care. Efforts are underway to reunite them with their families. Although they are grateful to be rescued, they acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. They hope that their experience will serve as a lesson to others and that the government will take further steps to protect vulnerable individuals.

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Nigeria Federal Government plans for Democracy Day

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a series of events to celebrate Democracy Day in Nigeria. The details were released by Abdulhakeem Adeoye on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The celebrations will kick off on Tuesday, June 11, with a symposium at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja at 9am. It will be followed by a youth conference at Ladi Kwali Memorial Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel, at 6:00pm.

On Wednesday, June 12, there will be a grand parade at Eagle Square, Abuja, starting at 8:00am. The day will conclude with a dinner at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, at 6:00pm.

The notice mentioned that only accredited Villa correspondents will be allowed to cover the events held at the Presidential Villa. So, it seems like there will be limited access for media coverage.

The notice also mentioned that further updates will be provided as the celebration approaches.

The President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu

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Soldiers raid IPOB Camp and neutralise six members in Abia, Nigeria

The Nigerian Army conducted a raid on an IPOB camp in Igboro Forest, Abia State. The raid aimed to arrest the individuals responsible for killing five soldiers at Obikabia Junction in Aba the previous week.

According to the Army’s statement on Twitter, the operation was successful in clearing the camp and recovering weapons. During the operation, a firefight ensued, resulting in the neutralization of six IPOB members. Some others managed to escape with gunshot wounds.

The troops encountered Improvised Explosive Devices during their advance, and one soldier sustained a minor injury. However, the Army’s superior firepower subdued the terrorists’ resistance.

The recovered weapons included locally fabricated rocket-propelled grenade launchers, artillery guns, and bombs. Additionally, Biafran flags, Dane guns, and vehicles were seized and the camp was destroyed.

The Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA called on residents of Abia State to provide credible information to aid in eliminating criminals in the state and the wider south eastern region. The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, increased the bounty on the killers of the soldiers to N30 million and assured that the government is working with security agencies to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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Nigeria President appoints Climate Change Council

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe as the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council on Climate Change. She will also be the Co-Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Committee on National Carbon Market Activation Plan.

Dr. Maduekwe has a lot of experience in climate policy, and she’s going to do a great job in her new role.

Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe is an energy and environmental policy specialist, with over ten years’ experience in research and training relating to energy, environment, and climate change. Since childhood, she is passionate about environmental sustainability and sharing knowledge on the process.

Dr. Nkiruka is a Solicitor and Barrister of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a Facilitator and Project Supervisor with the National Open University of Nigeria, and currently serves as a member of the following working groups: the Nigeria Working Group on Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, the Nigeria Circular Economy Working Group, and the Nigeria Climate Change Legal Working Group.

In addition to that, President Tinubu has also appointed Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Shelleng as the Senior Special Assistant on Climate Finance & Stakeholder Engagement. He will be responsible for handling climate finance and building relationships with stakeholders and donors. This is a positive step towards addressing climate change in Nigeria.

It’s really important to tackle climate change, and these appointments show that the government is taking it seriously. They’re bringing in experts like Dr. Maduekwe and Mr. Shelleng to help develop policies and strategies to combat climate change. It’s great to see Nigeria taking proactive measures in this area.

Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, the newly appointed Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council on Climate Change in Nigeria

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Police burst bandits hideout, and apprehend suspects in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory FCT Police command, along with the special forces of Guard’s Brigade and Department of State Service DSS hunters, conducted a successful operation against criminal activities in the FCT. Acting on credible intelligence, they raided kidnappers’ camps in Gidan Dogo and Kweti Forest, located in Kaduna State near the FCT border.

During the operation, four suspects were arrested: Yahaya Abubakar, Mohammed Mohamed, Umar Aliyu, and Nura Abdullahi. These individuals confessed to being part of a notorious bandit syndicate called ‘Mai One Million’. They were responsible for various kidnappings and other serious crimes in the FCT and its surroundings.

The security operatives engaged in a shootout with the bandits, leading them to flee and allowing the rescue of the victims. The illegal structures erected by the kidnappers in the camps were destroyed. The rescued victims have been reunited with their families and loved ones.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, commended the efforts of the security operatives in combating crime in the Nation’s Capital. He emphasized the commitment of the command to ensuring the safety and security of FCT residents. He urged the residents to remain vigilant and make use of the available resources to enhance their personal security.

The joint operation by the FCT Police command, Guards Brigade, and DSS hunters led to the arrest of four suspects involved in a notorious bandit syndicate. The victims were rescued, and the kidnappers’ camps were dismantled. The Commissioner of Police expressed appreciation for the efforts and reiterated the commitment to maintaining the security of the FCT. Stay alert and utilise the resources provided to enhance your personal safety.

The arrested suspects in FCT, Abuja Nigeria

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