News
Former President Koroma of Sierra Leone gets asylum in Nigeria on medical treatment
Former President Koroma of Sierra Leone gets asylum in Nigeria on medical treatment
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Former President Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone arrived in Abuja on Friday for medical treatment which may ultimately culminate into an asylum.
Koroma who was fingered in a recent failed coup in Freetown was released from house arrest after a court in Freetown permitted him to travel to Nigeria to seek medical treatment for three months.
The Former President was arrested and charged with treason, with others now in custody and was equally slammed with two counts charges of harbouring suspects believed to be involved in the botched attempt to over throw President Mada Bio.
He was later granted bail on the condition that he could not leave his house except permitted by the Inspector-General of Police.
The Former President flew to Nigeria aboard a Nigerian Air Force plane and was received by the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the President of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Omar Touray.
Koroma finally arrived Nigeria Friday with his entire family after series of meetings within the ECOWAS and Nigeria and an agreement that he will move to Abuja if all the charges against him were dropped.
Sources within the ECOWAS said the sub-regional bloc (ECOWAS) had quietly arranged an agreement for the former President to go into exile in Nigeria if the charges were dropped.
Notice of demand for the ex President by ECOWAS
Sierra Leone’s foreign minister, Tim Kabba had confirmed receipt of a letter written by the President of the ECOWAS Commission detailing arrangements to allow for the temporary relocation/exile of former President Ernest Bai Koroma who has been facing treason charges.
Kabbah said that his government did not however countenance the content of the said letter “because it is a unilateral proposition by the President of the ECOWAS Commission”.
Under the terms of the letter, Koroma was to be flown to Nigeria on 4 January with all legal and administrative procedures against him dropped, keeping his full entitlement as a former President.
Koroma a veteran insurance broker widely seen as the economic messiah of the corporate world was the first minority President of Sierra Leone who served for 11 years after winning in a landslide elections.
Koroma won 54% of the popular votes under the banner of the All Peoples Congress (APC) beating Solomon Barewa of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) to become the 4th President of the country in 2007, coming green from the corporate world.
He was succeeded by the current President Julius Maada Bio who has had several security and economic challenges since assumption of office trying to stabilize the country which is still struggling from the scars of a brutal Civil war suffered by the small west African country.
Former President Koroma of Sierra Leone gets asylum in Nigeria on medical treatment
Army, DSS arrest notorious cultist, gunrunner in Cross River, recover weapons
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 13 Brigade, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected cultist and gunrunner during a raid operation in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 1:10 a.m. on April 3 along Effangha Spring Road in Ikom.
The sources disclosed that the suspect, who hails from Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, was apprehended during the coordinated raid.
According to the sources, troops recovered one revolver pistol, one sword, two laptops, four mobile phones, one digital camera, one wristwatch, three identity cards, and a sack of garri allegedly used to conceal the weapon.
The suspect and recovered items have since been handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Security authorities said the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb cult-related violence and illegal arms circulation in the South-South region.
Army, DSS arrest notorious cultist, gunrunner in Cross River, recover weapons
Gunmen kill village head, wife in Adamawa, son hospitalised
By: Zagazola Makama
Unknown gunmen have killed a village head and his wife in Tunga Waja community, Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 8:50 p.m. on April 2, when the assailants attacked the residence of the village head and opened fire on him, his wife and their son.
The sources disclosed that the village head died on the spot, while his wife and son sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated to a medical facility in Tingno for treatment.
According to the sources, the wife later died at the hospital, while the son is currently receiving treatment.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
The incident has heightened concerns among residents, as security agencies intensify efforts to restore calm and prevent further attacks in the area.
Gunmen kill village head, wife in Adamawa, son hospitalised
Three soldiers injured in road accident during pursuit of bandits in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Three soldiers have sustained injuries following a road traffic accident during an encounter with suspected armed bandits in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on April 2, when troops of 2 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base Dogon Dawa were returning from an administrative patrol.
The sources explained that the troops reportedly sighted a group of armed bandits attempting to block the road at Ngede Allah and engaged them, forcing the criminals to flee.
During the pursuit, however, three soldiers fell off a military gun truck and sustained varying degrees of injuries, including fractures to the hand and leg.
The injured personnel were immediately evacuated to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna, where they are currently receiving treatment and responding positively.
Security operations in the area have continued as troops maintain pressure on criminal elements within the axis.
Three soldiers injured in road accident during pursuit of bandits in Kaduna
Man O’ War personnel reports abduction of female colleague in Bayelsa
Army, DSS arrest notorious cultist, gunrunner in Cross River, recover weapons
Gunmen kill village head, wife in Adamawa, son hospitalised
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