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Tinubu’s aide demands probe of Nigerian student’s killing in Canada

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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.”

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More Than 23 Terrorists Killed in Boko Haram-ISWAP Clash in Sambisa (Video)

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More than 23 terrorists have been killed in renewed fighting between rival Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) factions in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State, security sources say.

The latest clashes erupted around the Chingolo axis of Bama Local Government Area after Boko Haram fighters attacked ISWAP members advancing into the area. The fighting forms part of a fresh wave of hostilities that began about two days ago.

A video obtained by Zagazola Makama shows sustained exchanges of fire as both groups tried to consolidate positions and block the other from expanding influence inside the forest.

Preliminary intelligence puts the death toll at more than 23 on both sides since the latest round began, though exact figures for each faction could not be independently verified.

The violence underscores the ongoing rivalry between Boko Haram and ISWAP over territory, access routes, resources and control of fighters in Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas. The confrontation has further weakened both groups and disrupted their activities in a long-standing insurgent stronghold.

Security forces are closely monitoring the situation and exploiting intelligence on the factions’ movements. The military continues to target terrorist concentrations, logistics networks and hideouts across the North-East as part of efforts to degrade the insurgents.

Officials have urged communities near the forest to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements. The situation remains fluid, with further clashes possible as both sides seek to reposition and reinforce their fighters.

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10 Out of 15 Abducted NYSC Members Rescued in Kogi (Video)

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The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that 10 of the 15 National Youth Service Corps members abducted by suspected bandits along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area have been rescued.

Commissioner of Police Naziru Bello Kankarofi said security operatives are combing surrounding forests and intensifying efforts to free the remaining victims.

He dismissed reports that the 10 rescued corps members were among the 11 persons freed during a joint security operation last week, clarifying that those earlier rescued were other travellers caught up in the same kidnapping incident.

The commissioner added that several suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack.

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JUST IN: Terrorists kill 4, abduct others in Gorau after boat tragedy

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Suspected terrorists killed four people, abducted four others and injured several more in an attack on Gorau town in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Wednesday night.

The attackers invaded the community around 9pm and shot 11 residents, according to the village head, Alhaji Aliyu Magaji Na-Batsami. Seven of those shot survived and were rushed to hospital for treatment, while four died instantly.

The assault came barely six days after a boat accident claimed 65 lives in the same community. Na-Batsami said the terrorists specifically targeted families of the boat mishap victims over the N1 million relief money donated by the Sokoto State Government to each bereaved family. He said the bandits went from house to house searching for the cash.

Bashir Usman Gorau, the member representing Gada/Goronyo Federal Constituency, confirmed the incident and offered condolences to the affected families.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, were unsuccessful as calls were not returned at the time of filing this report.

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