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Six repentant Boko Haram terrorists ‘escape’ from reconciliation programme in Borno

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The Borno state government says six repentant Boko Haram insurgents have escaped.

In a statement on Thursday, Usman Tar, the state’s commissioner for information and internal security, said the escapees, who surrendered through the state’s reconciliation programme, fled without weapons.

 

“Only six insurgents escaped, contrary to claims from certain media outlets quoting 13,” he said.

He noted that the escapees were among more than 20,000 militants recently processed and categorised as low risk.

 

“These individuals had been thoroughly documented, profiled, and evaluated for their mental condition, susceptibility to extremism, and risk of relapse,” the statement reads.

“The insurgents fled without any weapons and are currently being pursued. Initial findings indicate that reports suggesting they absconded with government arms are untrue.

 

“Historically, terrorists have sourced arms from covert channels and often display these in propaganda videos, but this should not be interpreted as government-issued weapons.”

 

He said the number of escapees is minuscule when juxtaposed with the 20,000 who have successfully undergone the reintegration programme.

READ  Nasarawa police arrest fleeing Boko Haram suspect

Tar urged the public to avoid sensationalising the matter, adding that doing so would empower terrorists and hinder ongoing counter-insurgency measures.

 

“The government remains steadfast in its commitment to restoring peace and security across Borno state,” he added.

 

“Residents can rest assured that all necessary steps are being taken to maintain peace.”

 

He further encouraged residents to stay on the alert and avoid falling for terrorist propaganda, which “could lower the morale of both the security forces and the citizens”.

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13 dead as mining site collapses in Plateau

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At least 13 persons have been reported dead after a mining site collapsed in Bassa LGA of Plateau. 

Joshua Riti, chairman of the LGA, said the incident occurred on November 10. He added that seven of the deceased hail from Bassa LGA

The collapsed mining site is conterminous with Jos south and Jos north LGAs.

“This is an unfortunate incident. These young people were only out in search of a means of livelihood,” NAN quoted Riti as saying.

“They went out to put their energies to good use to sustain and meet up with the current economic hardship in the country but met their untimely death.

“I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy.”

Majority of the victims were said to be aged 18-30.

Mining accidents are becoming a recurring decimal in resource-rich Nigeria.

In June, a mining site collapsed in Niger state following a downpour. Seven persons were eventually rescued. 

READ  FCT not under attack by terrorists —Police

In January, two people were killed and 77 injured in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, due to the activities of “illegal miners”. 

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US lists Nigerian among 15 most wanted criminals, places $25,000 bounty on his head

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The United States of America has offered a $25,000 reward for anyone who could provide it with information that could facilitate the arrest of a Nigerian, Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, who is reportedly facing trial for the alleged murder of his child.

It was gathered from a statement credited to the Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal, Don Freeman, and obtained from the agency’s website on Monday, that Olawusi has also been named among the 15 most wanted fugitives in the US.

Freeman noted that Olawusi, who lived in Rhodes Island, US, was arraigned on two counts bordering on first-degree murder caused by inflicting bodily injury to a child and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

He added that the incident occurred on April 3, 2017, after police operatives and firefighters found the three-month-old child and rescued him at the hospital where it was discovered that the child had suffered injuries in 18 parts of his body. The discovery was said to have led to the arrest of Olawusi.

READ  17 Boko Haram terrorists surrender to Nigerian Army

 

Upon his arrest, Olawusi was charged in court on April 20, 2017, but his whereabouts became unknown after he was released the same day while the trial was pending.

 

Freeman added that the infant died six months after being hospitalised as a result of the injuries he had allegedly sustained from his father’s abuse which prompted the prosecuting department to include a murder charge in the ongoing trial.

He said, “A man wanted in Rhode Island on charges of murder, inflicting serious bodily injury to a child and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution has been added to the U.S. Marshals Service 15 Most Wanted fugitives list with an up to $25,000 reward being offered for information leading to his arrest.

“Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, 48, was charged in Providence with first-degree murder and two counts of inflicting serious bodily injury to a child after Providence Police and Fire personnel found his three-month-old son bleeding from the mouth and nose at a residence on April 3, 2017.

READ  Two female suicide bombers arrested over Borno explosions

 

“The child was transported to the hospital in cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated to regain a pulse. An examination at the hospital noted 18 injuries at various stages of healing, indicating a pattern of long-term abuse. These injuries included a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, significant brain injury, and fractures of the child’s ribs, clavicle, legs and arms. He was placed on life support but died six months later.

 

“Providence police arrested and charged Olawusi on April 20, 2017, with first-degree child abuse. He was released the same day and subsequently fled. The murder charge was added following the infant’s death on October 31, 2017.”

The US Supervisory Deputy Marshall noted that after frantic efforts to locate Olawusi, it was discovered that he had fled the country on June 20, 2017, while stressing that further investigation revealed that he was receiving assistance from family members in Nigeria.

 

He added that the suspect has been placed on the wanted list because he could pose a danger to children and other members of the public and the US would deploy all its resources to ensure that he faces justice.

READ  Maiduguri attack: Troops, repel attack, neutralise Boko Haram fighters

 

“Olawusi is wanted for the abuse and murder of an innocent child and has fled the country to avoid justice. We have placed Mr Olawusi on our 15 Most Wanted list due to the heinous crimes he’s committed and the threat he continues to pose to the public. The USMS will exhaust all resources necessary to bring him to justice for his family and the community.

 

“Olawusi, who uses the alias Olekun Olawusi, stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs approximately 185 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Information regarding his whereabouts may be reported to the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or via the USMS Tips App,” Freeman concluded.

 

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Two killed in Ogun ‘armed robbery attack’

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The Ogun police command says suspected armed robbers have reportedly killed two persons during an attack in Abeokuta, the state capital.

A statement on Monday by Omolola Odutola, police spokesperson in the state, said the incident occurred in the parking lot of Diamond Dumplings, GRA, in Abeokuta.

The police spokesperson said that three armed individuals, traveling in an unregistered black Toyota Hilux, stopped a black Mercedes Benz GLE 350 and demanded its keys.

“The incident occurred at about 12:30a.m in the parking lot of Diamond Dumplings, GRA, Abeokuta,” Odutola was qouted as saying.

“Three armed men in an unregistered black Toyota Hilux confronted the occupants of a black Mercedes Benz GLE 350 with a DLA license plate, demanding the car keys.

“The assailants opened fire, hitting one Ola (surname unknown) and one Shobanke Oluwatimileyin and two others.

“The Divisional Police Officer from Ibara, responding to distress calls, arrived the scene and ensured the area was secure before transporting the victims to the hospital.

READ  Boko Haram terrorists kill 20 in gruesome attacks in Niger State

“Upon their arrival, the attending doctor confirmed two fatalities, while the other two individuals are receiving medical attention at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba, Abeokuta.”

Odutola said a probe has begun to uncover the circumstances surrounding the double fatalities and possible “cult” involvement connections.

She added that efforts to capture the suspects would continue, and the public would be kept abreast of developments in the investigation.

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