Former President Goodluck Jonathan has arrived in Nigeria after departing Guinea-Bissau in the wake of a military takeover in the country that left him stranded, with the incident highlighting the dangers surrounding West Africa’s unstable elections.
In Abuja, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced that 11,566 policemen have officially been removed from working with VIPs to instead deal with the nation’s growing insecurity.
Meanwhile, the Founder of Kingsway International Christian Centre, Matthew Ashimolowo called on the Federal Government to have young people from the National Youth Service Corps trained to fight against insecurity and crime, comparing it to Israel’s mandatory service for young people.
In another development, Niger State Governor Umar Bago announced in a recent BBC interview, that 11 students out of over 300 kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School in his state have been rescued, despite claiming that the number of students kidnapped was exaggerated.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka issued a statement clarifying that Fr. John Igwebueze, who had been ill since 2012, died peacefully on the 21st of September, while Fr. Matthew Eya was shot and killed on September 19th by unknown assailants contrary to earlier reports.
In another story, Apostle Michael Olowookere raised alarm about the arrest of Evangelist Daniel Ukpo, the pastor who posted a video about a Nasarawa church crusade that was allegedly stormed by herdsmen. But in a twist of events, Evangelist Ukpo, claimed that he was never arrested nor did herdsmen ever invade his crusade, raising questions about the motivations behind his latest video.
It comes as the Nasarawa State Police Command stated that no herdsmen attack occurred anywhere in Nasarawa State, and that the published reports, including the video in circulation, do not reflect the situation in Agboda.
In Edo State, a new video has surfaced showing a husband and his pregnant wife being held at gun point by terrorists in the middle of a forest, with the couple saying the kidnappers are demanding N50 million Naira for their release.
In another story, the New York Times put out a new investigation on how lead recycling for car batteries has significantly impacted communities in Ogijo, Ogun State, where more than half of the children there have lead in their blood associated with lifelong brain damage.
The Ogun State government has now advocated for a temporary ban on the export of lead with immediate effect after an inspection led by the Commissioner for Environment.
In our Good News report, we celebrate Akwa Ibom’s Victor Attah Airport in Uyo, which has now been upgraded to international status by the Federal Government as it prepares to receive international passengers.
In Lagos State, the government criticised the Nigerian Ports Authority for its decision to shift operational focus from Lagos ports to the Warri Port Complex, arguing that the problem lies in the authority’s policy flaws.
Meanwhile in Thailand, a court issued an arrest warrant for Anne Jakrajutatip, the co-owner of the Miss Universe Organisation, after she failed to appear at a scheduled hearing in connection with allegations of fraud amounting to $930,000.
This new arrest warrant adds to the turmoil of this year’s Miss Universe pageant, including the winner, Fatima Bosch, staging a public walkout during a pre-pageant ceremony.
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