Crime
Tinubu’s aide demands probe of Nigerian student’s killing in Canada
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Students Engagement, Sunday Asefon, has called for investigation into the killing of a Nigerian student who was studying in the University of Manitoba Canada, Stephen Afolabi Opaso.
The 19-year-old was killed by the Winnipeg Police Service in Manitoba, Canada, on December 31, 2023.
Asefon, who described the killing as barbaric and heartless, in a statement on Saturday, urged the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to ensure that the incident was not swept under the carpet.
He said, “The impression in the public as gathered during an interaction with the official National Association of Nigerian Students earlier on the case is that the killing was racially motivated as the demised student was not welding a gun at the time of the incident and that the police officers would have acted differently if he were to be a white.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of NIDCOM should ensure that the incident is not swept under the carpet.
NANS and the entire Nigerian students should remain calm. We will follow the case up diligently until the Canadian authorities give a true account of the death of the Nigerian Student and compensate his family accordingly to avoid a diplomatic row that may lead to the closure of their embassy in Nigeria by Nigerian student Apex body NANS as earlier threatened if no action is taken by Federal Government of Nigeria within 3 working days.”
Supporting the SSA to the President, a human rights lawyer, Tolu Babaleye, called on the Federal Government to ensure justice was served on the matter, saying the threat the boy posed was not proportional to the defence method employed by the Canadian police.
He said, “The force applied by the police officer involved was too excessive. Assuming the boy was holding a gun, it would have been justified. The boy was said to be holding a knife; he would have looked for another means of disarming him instead of shooting him.
“I agree with the SSA that the issue should be investigated properly, but again, it depends on Canadian law. If it is under our criminal law in Nigeria for you not to be culpable in this kind of situation, the force you applied must be proportional to the threat the guy constituted at the time of the incident.
“You know this one has to do with diplomacy between the two countries because Nigeria and Canada have a very good relationship. I believe this incident will have to also be handled with wisdom because Canada is one of the countries that have opened its doors to our youths.”
Crime
Ebonyi: Gunmen Assasinate Another Traditional Ruler
The latest incident brings to five the number of traditional rulers killed in Ebonyi in recent times, deepening concerns over rising insecurity and targeted attacks on community leaders.
• Ebonyi map
Gunmen have assassinated another traditional ruler in Ebonyi State, in what residents describe as a brazen and targeted attacks.
The victim, HRH Eze Jehoshaphat Ikegwu of Ishinkwor community in Onicha Local Government Area, was reportedly shot dead at his private residence after the assailants gained access under the cover of darkness.
Eyewitnesses said that the attackers fired through a window before forcing their way into the building, and killed the monarch in his bedroom in the presence of his wife.
The Chairman of Onicha LGA, Ikechukwu Ogbofia, has condemned the killing as barbaric, confirming that security agencies have launched an investigation.
Police spokesman, SP Joshua Ukandu, also said that the command has commenced a full probe.
The latest incident brings to five the number of traditional rulers killed in Ebonyi in recent times, deepening concerns over rising insecurity and targeted attacks on community leaders.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received a detailed briefing on the recent deadly attack in Jos, Plateau State, and approved additional security measures to restore lasting peace in the affected areas.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State disclosed this after meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
The governor described the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North, which claimed over a dozen lives and left many injured, as “an act of terrorism.”
He said security forces have since restored calm following fresh disturbances involving looters on Wednesday morning.
“Additional security measures have been approved by the President in conjunction with state security architecture, while investigations continue to unravel the identities and motives of the attackers, who are yet to be fully apprehended,” Governor Mutfwang stated.
The governor also revealed that President Tinubu may visit Plateau State soon to commiserate with victims and affected families.
The meeting followed President Tinubu’s earlier high-level session with top security and intelligence chiefs to review the situation and chart a coordinated response to the violence.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, on Wednesday arrived at the Federal High Court in Kaduna for the hearing of his bail application in an ongoing alleged corruption trial.
The court premises witnessed a heavy security presence, with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies deployed to maintain order and control access to the facility.
Movement around parts of the court complex is restricted, reflecting heightened public interest and sensitivity surrounding the case.
El-Rufai, who has been in custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), is facing multiple charges, including allegations bordering on money laundering, possession of public property, and related offences.
More details later…
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