Nigeria

Malian singer Rokia Traoré may face house arrest in Rome

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Malian singer and composer Rokia Traoré has been held in Italy for two months following a European arrest warrant issued by Belgium. This arrest is related to a long-standing custody dispute with her ex-partner, Belgian playwright Jan Goossens, dating back to 2019, over their daughter. On Thursday, August 22, the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation may decide to place Traoré under house arrest in Rome. Traoré was detained on June 20, just before a scheduled performance at a music festival at the Colosseum, and has since been held in a women’s prison in Civitavecchia, near Rome. In October 2023, a Belgian court sentenced her to two years in prison for not presenting their daughter to Goossens, following allegations of sexual abuse against Goossens that were later dismissed. Two hearings have been held in Rome’s Court of Appeal since her arrest. On July 13, Traoré’s lawyer, Maddalena Claudia Del Re, challenged the procedural aspects of the Belgian sentence. The Italian judges have decided to refer the case to the European Court of Justice to determine whether Traoré should be released or extradited to Belgium. The Court of Cassation is expected to review the request for house arrest on August 22, which would improve Traoré’s current conditions.

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Floods in Nigeria claimed 28 lives

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In Nigeria’s Bauchi State, 28 people have died due to floods caused by heavy rainfall. Reports indicate that excessive rainfall in villages within the Gamawa region of Bauchi State has led to severe flooding over the past few days. The floods have resulted in 28 deaths, numerous injuries, and displaced about 100 people from their homes. Last week, flooding in Jigawa State, also in Nigeria, resulted in 30 deaths. Nigeria’s Ministry of Water Resources had issued warnings for severe rainfall and flooding in some regions of the country.

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Four soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack in Nigeria

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It was reported that four soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack in Sokoto State, Nigeria. In a written statement, Edward Buba, Director of Media Operations at the Nigerian Ministry of Defense, stated that terrorists ambushed a military unit near the Niger border, close to the Bachaka Kurya Forest in Sokoto State. Buba noted that four soldiers lost their lives in the attack. Following the assault, Buba reported that a significant number of terrorists were killed in the ensuing clash with the soldiers. “Important ammunition belonging to the terrorists was seized. The remaining terrorists fled to Niger,” he added.

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ECOWAS seeks return of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to regional bloc

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is working to reintegrate Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger into the regional bloc. According to the Nigerian News Agency (NAN), the ECOWAS Parliamentary Joint Committee Meeting was held in Abidjan, the former capital of Côte d’Ivoire. Benjamin Kalu, Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives and chair of the meeting, stated that the departure of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS would exacerbate security issues in the region. Kalu noted that ECOWAS Parliament is using diplomacy to resolve the issues with these three countries, saying, “We will keep the doors open for them to return to this family. We need them.” He also mentioned that committee members from the ECOWAS Parliament will soon visit Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s Departure Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger withdrew from ECOWAS in February, forming the Sahel States Alliance (AES) and held their first summit in Niamey, Niger, on July 6. At the summit, a joint declaration was signed to establish the “Confederation of Sahel States” consisting of the three countries, and Malian President Assimi Goita was elected as the rotating president of AES for one year.

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A ransom is demanded for 20 students kidnapped in Benue State, Nigeria

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In Nigeria’s Benue State, a ransom has been demanded for 20 medical students kidnapped on April 15. Adeniran Adebanjo, spokesperson for the Student Union Government (SUG) at Jos University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, revealed that the armed kidnappers have reached out to the families of the abducted students. The kidnappers are demanding 50 million Naira (around 30 thousand USD) for the students’ release. The students were abducted in the Otukpo area of Benue State. Benue State Police spokesperson Catherine Anene confirmed that efforts are underway to rescue the kidnapped students. The armed assailants targeted a bus carrying medical students traveling from Benue State to Enugu State on April 15, resulting in the kidnapping. Despite the death penalty for kidnapping in Nigeria, ransom abductions remain common. Armed groups frequently target northern villages, schools, and travelers to demand ransoms.

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Gunmen abduct over 20 medical students in Nigeria

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At least 20 university medical students were kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria’s north-central Benue State on Thursday evening, police confirmed on Friday. The students, traveling on two buses, were ambushed while en route to a religious event in the state, according to police spokesperson Catherine Anene. The incident occurred near Otukpo, a town in Benue State.   Anene stated that the police are currently investigating the matter and have launched a search for the abducted students. The identities of the universities the students attend have not been released.   The kidnapping of students has become a recurring issue in Nigeria, with armed groups targeting schools and universities for ransom. The incidents have sparked widespread outrage and calls for increased security measures to protect educational institutions.   Authorities have yet to provide further details on the abduction, including the identities of the kidnappers or their motives.

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