šļø Where thereās money, thereās fraud.
++ Kenya & Rwanda go visa-free for Africans; Terrorist attacks and attacks on terrorists ; A doctor arrested for trafficking children; Emefieleās legal battles
Hey everyoneĀ
Letās begin this issue with some mush. Thank you all for reading, opening and sharing this newsletter. I know itās going well not only because of the 40% open rate. But also because every other week, someone drops me a DM to let me know they've found these summaries helpful.
I am kicking it up a notch (or trying toā¦ again) with (another attempt at š) a podcast. After multiple attempts, I believe we finally have the idea that will stick (itās brilliant. I promise).Ā
I am very excited to tell you about it in a few weeks when we have the first episode. But FOR NOW, if know of any (or you are a) development reporter/researcher focused on social issues in Nigeria/Africa, or know of someone who runs an impact-driven company, please reply to this email with details (this is related to the podcast, if that wasnāt clear)!
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This newsletter was written with support from the musical stylings of King Krule and Gus Dapperton. Read listening to Gusā DitchĀ
In this episode
Kenya & Rwanda go visa-free for Africans
Terrorist attacks and attacks on terroristsĀ
A doctor arrested for trafficking childrenĀ
Emefieleās legal battlesĀ
This edition is 1,895 words (approx. 6 mins read)
Travel easierĀ
Ready your passports, friends. Weāre going to Kenya!Ā
Kenya's President William Ruto and Rwanda's Paul Kagame have declared their countries will become visa-free for Africans, with Kenya aiming for this change by December 31st. The goal is to boost trade and tourism in the region, following the lead of Gambia, Benin, and Seychelles, where Africans can already travel without visas.
Insecure, unsafe, very worriedĀ
Air force āneutralisesā terroristsĀ
The Nigerian Air Force's Operation Hadin Kai Air Component conducted air strikes in Borno that they say killed 22 terrorists. The operation was based on intel they received about terrorists in a gun truck and motorcycles near Marte. - Guardian ng
The governor Babagana Zulu, commended the agentsā dedication to security in the state. He also said the security situation in the state has improved.Ā
Kidnappers abduct priestĀ
A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Tarhembe was abducted by unidentified kidnappers from his parish in Ibi Local Council of Taraba State, Nigeria. - Guardian NG
This incident follows a recent trend of kidnappings targeting clerics and their family members in the state, as noted by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).Ā
The priest was taken from the Rev. Father's rectory of St. Ann's Parish, Sarkin Kudu, early on a Sunday morning.Ā
He was released the next day, but no one seems to know who did it or if the priestās family paid a ransomĀ
Human trafficking
The Rivers State Police Command says they have arrested a doctor, Happiness Enyinnaya Iheukwumere, for trafficking four children to various parts of the country- Guardian ng
The arrest followed a case of abduction reported by a mother, Ijeoma James, whose four-year-old son was taken on August 18.Ā
The police, upon investigation, found evidence that linked the doctor to the crime.Ā
They rescued Ijeomaās son, and rescued 3 more children in various parts of Port Harcourt and apprehended the doctor.Ā Ā
Happiness confessed to the crime, claiming he did it to help childless couples, without any ritual intentions.Ā
The police are however still looking to locate Angel Shimeson, who is believed to have supplied the children to Dr. Happiness.Ā
Strange arrestsĀ
NLC chairĀ
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, was arrested in Owerri, Imo State, during a statewide protest and strike organised by the NLC.Ā
He was apprehended by heavily armed police officers who took him to an undisclosed location.Ā
The arrest was reportedly due to Ajaero's alleged disobedience of a court order by the National Industrial Court, which restrained the NLC and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) from conducting protests in the state.Ā
The police stated that Ajaero was in āprotective custodyā to āensure his safety and well-beingā, following a scuffle during the protest
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) soon alleged that the police had beaten up Ajaero. They demanded immediate release.
The police released Ajaero later that day and according to NLC reps, he was taken to receive medical attention due to injuries sustained, including a shut right eye.Ā
The reps said Ajaeroās personal belongings were confiscated and not returned.Ā
The Imo State Government denied involvement in Ajaero's arrest, but they stated that the planned strike was illegal due to the court order.
EFCC arrests OAU studentsĀ
At 2 AM on Wednesday morning, EFCC officers stormed Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Osun State and arrested 69 students from their hostels. - FIJ
Many students initially thought they were being kidnapped until they later realised they were EFCC officials.Ā
Some students reported that the officials destroyed property, harassed students, and arrested one of the hostel caretakers, who was taken to Ibadan along with the students.Ā
The EFCC injured students during the operation. Concerns were raised about the motive behind the operation and the lack of intelligence regarding fraud. EFCC claimedĀ
Later that evening, EFCC returned 58 out of the 69 students. They believe the 11 are conducting fraudulent activities. But not before parading the non-suspects as criminals and having their names associated with fraud on the notoriously permanent internet (no decorum, no care. Just aggression and vibes)
Following the general outrage, including student protests, the EFCC decided they had gone too far. The chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede has now banned them from sting operations at night.Ā
Hospitals are ready to treat gunshot victims with some empathy? Hmm?Ā
The acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, has issued a directive that gunshot victims must be treated without requiring a police report.Ā
Backstory: when people get shot and go to a Nigerian hospital, they refuse to treat them. They ask the gunshot victim, bleeding out, to leave and get a police report. Even though every single person in this country knows police reports in Nigeria are exhaustingly slow, they reject emergency patients without one.Ā
The new directive is not exactly new. Nigeria launched the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017 to combat this issue. The act mandates all health facilities to provide immediate treatment to gunshot victims without the need for a police report.Ā
The IGP says the directive aims to change this and prioritise life-saving care.
But the IG reiterated it in an internal memo dated October 25, 2023, and was addressed to various police officials. The directive comes in response to low compliance attributed to a lack of awareness among police (lol).
Healthcare workers say theyāve heard and theyāre ready to take gunshot emergencies. Weāll seeĀ
Boat accident in TarabaĀ
The police are still looking for the 73 people who went missing in the Taraba boat accident on the 29th of October - Guardian ng
Where thereās money, thereās fraud.
Emefiele
Recall that last week, when the CBN's former governor, Godwin Emefiele was released from DSS custody, the EFCC apprehended him hours after. The Federal High Court in Abuja demanded his immediate releaseĀ
The court also granted Emefiele, until January 25 to appear in court and explain the circumstances surrounding a $53 million judgement debt from the Paris Club refund.Ā
Paris Club refund: The Paris Club refund was for Nigeria's overpayment of debt service payments between 1980 and 2005.
The court had ordered Emefiele to appear several times, and his counsel indicated that he was still in custody.Ā
The judge reiterated that court orders must be followed and set a new date for Emefiele's appearance. If he fails to appear by then, a warrant for his arrest will be issued. The case involves efforts to recover a judgment debt of $70 million.
Speaking of refunds, France will return $150 million of funds stolen by General Sani Abacha, former Nigerian military leader
Nigerian President Tinubu commended this move and expressed appreciation for France's cooperation.Ā
The repatriation of the looted funds follows the completion of legal processes.Ā
Abachaās loot always coming at dire times is a little creepyā¦Ā
Reps summon CBNĀ
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned the CBN and 11 Electricity Distribution Companies DISCOs regarding loans of $321 million and N18.2 billion intended for transmission and distribution infrastructure projects. - Premium Times
The loans were granted to enhance the power sector but have allegedly not been used appropriately. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) explained that the money was given directly to the DISCOs by the CBN.Ā
The committee has requested the CBN and the DISCOs to appear before it on November 8 to clarify the use of the loans.
Oyo farmers fundĀ
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has approved a N1 billion grant for farmers in the state through the Sustainable Actions for Economic Recovery (SAFER) Programme.Ā
The chairman of the Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State (ACCOS), Sheikh Taofeek Akeugbagold, revealed this as part of efforts to enhance food security in Oyo.Ā
The grant will be distributed to farmers in all 33 local government areas of the state, and ACCOS has divided the state into seven zones for efficient grant administration.Ā
The grant distribution method will be unveiled during town hall meetings in the highlighted zones, and micro-finance banks will facilitate disbursements to farmers involved in various areas of agriculture.
More on food: Food insecurity meets tribalismĀ
The Northern Consensus Movement of Nigeria threatened to halt the supply of food from the North to the southern part of the country.
This was in response to a recent ultimatum issued by Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, demanding Fulani communities to vacate āYorubalandā within 10 days.Ā
The group has also warned that they will compel Yorubas living in the northern region to evacuate their area if the threat persists.Ā
They have issued a four-week ultimatum to demand compensation for victims of various incidents, and if not met, theyāll block food supply. They have called on the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, to intervene in the situation.
Everyoneās getting impeached in Rivers
In Rivers State, Nigeria, a political crisis escalated as members of the state House of Assembly initiated impeachment moves along partisan lines.Ā
Eight lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara impeached the Speaker and his deputy, while also suspending the Chief Judge.Ā
In retaliation, 24 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike signed a notice of impeachment against Governor Fubara.Ā
In the fight, one side seems to have set the state House of Assembly complex on fire. No one knows who šĀ
Leaders and groups from different parts of the country have called for intervention and expressed concerns about the situation.- Leadership
The president intervened and, according to The Nation, it seems some peace has been restored.
Conflicts in AfricaĀ
Terrorists affiliated with ISIS (the terrorist organisation) killed two Ugandan soldiers in an attack in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).Ā
The attack also resulted in the deaths of two civilians and one suspected terrorist.Ā
This attack marked another act of violence in the ongoing conflict between Ugandan and DRC forces against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant group linked to ISIS.Ā
The ADF, with origins dating back to the 1990s, is accused of killing numerous civilians in the region. The situation remains complex and volatile despite joint offensives against the ADF.
Due to the escalating violence, the DRC has experienced a record-high number of internally displaced people. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is intensifying its efforts to address the complex crisis and the urgent humanitarian needs.
Remember DRCĀ
In this article, Siddharth Kara highlights the issue of cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where many artisanal miners endure hazardous conditions, making just a few dollars a day. These miners extract cobalt used in rechargeable batteries, crucial for modern technology, including smartphones, computers, and electric vehicles. Kara argues that the DRC's supply chain for cobalt is fundamentally flawed, involving both industrial mining companies and artisanal miners, often working together. The exploitation of these artisanal miners and the environmental damage caused by mining has led to a humanitarian crisis in the DRC. Read Karaās article on NPR here.
Other news:Ā
The FG begins a three-month comprehensive rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge on November 1, including the installation of solar-powered lights and HD CCTV cameras for security. To minimize disruption, the bridge will be blocked on weekends and between 12 am and 4 am on weekdays - Guardian Ng
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, said the government needs to import construction equipment worth ā¬1.2m to effectively rehabilitate the Eko Bridge in Lagos State - Punch