Crime Facts

Prince Harry says he killed 25 Taliban fighters in Afghanistan

  The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry says he killed 25 Taliban fighters in Afghanistan during his time as an Apache helicopter pilot. Harry served first as a forward air controller in air attacks from 2007 and 2008, and later flew the attack helicopter between 2012 and 2013. The 38-year-old Royal spare made this known in his forthcoming autobiography ‘Spare’ according to the United Kingdom’s media on Friday. According to Harry, there were six missions he undertook as a pilot that led to “taking human lives”, the Daily Telegraph reported. He further revealed that he was neither proud nor ashamed of the action. He also described eliminating the targets as like removing “chess pieces” from a board. “My number is 25. It’s not a number that fills me with satisfaction, but nor does it embarrass me,” he wrote in Spare. Britain’s Prince Harry also revealed yesterday through his highly-anticipated memoir that his elder brother, Prince William physically attacked him during a squabble that ensued over his wife, Meghan Markle.

29 killed in arrest of El Chapo’s son

  Ten soldiers and 19 suspected criminals were killed in an operation to arrest a son of jailed drug trafficker Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, Mexico’s government said Friday, with a dramatic shootout sowing terror at an airport. Thousands of soldiers retook control of the Sinaloa cartel stronghold of Culiacan, which resembled a war zone after furious gunmen went on the rampage to try to free their boss. Ovidio Guzman was captured in the northwestern city on Thursday and flown to Mexico City before being transferred to the high-security Altiplano prison in central Mexico from which “El Chapo” once escaped. The 32-year-old, nicknamed “El Raton” (The Mouse), had allegedly helped to run his father’s operations since the former Sinaloa cartel boss was extradited to the United States in 2017. A colonel who commanded an infantry battalion was among those killed after his team came under attack following the arrest, Defense Minister Luis Cresencio Sandoval told reporters. Another 35 soldiers sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital, while 21 gunmen were arrested. Sandoval said a civilian airliner that was about to take off from Culiacan International Airport, as well as two Mexican Air Force aircraft, were hit by gunfire as cartel henchmen tried to free Ovidio Guzman. The military planes “had to make an emergency landing” after receiving “a significant number of impacts,” said Sandoval. No injuries resulted from the plane attacks and Culiacan airport resumed operations on Friday. – Multimillion-dollar bounty – The United States had issued a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Ovidio Guzman’s capture. It accuses him of being a key player in the Sinaloa cartel founded by his father. The arrest came as Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador prepared to welcome his US counterpart Joe Biden for a North America leaders’ summit next week where security is expected to be high on the agenda. The drug trafficker’s detention was “not an insignificant accomplishment by Mexican authorities,” US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. “And we’re certainly grateful for that,” he said, adding that the United States would keep working “in lockstep” with Mexico, notably to tackle trafficking of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl. Mexico denied that the United States had been involved in the operation to catch Ovidio Guzman. “We act autonomously, independently. Yes there is cooperation and there will continue to be, but we make the decisions as a sovereign government,” Lopez Obrador told reporters. Ovidio Guzman secured a court order blocking his immediate extradition to the United States. In any case, Mexico’s government ruled out a fast-track extradition, saying the proper legal process would be followed. – Cocaine, meth and fentanyl – Authorities said calm had returned to Culiacan, where security forces removed dozens of stolen and burnt out vehicles scattered throughout the city of 800,000 people. Videos on social media Thursday had shown passengers and Aeromexico airline employees ducking behind counters as gunfire rang out at Culiacan airport. Cartel gunmen set cars and trucks ablaze at several intersections in the city, and authorities reported 19 roadblocks. El Chapo is serving a life sentence in the United States for trafficking hundreds of tons of drugs into the country over the course of 25 years. However, his cartel remains one of the most powerful in Mexico, accused by Washington of exploiting an opioid epidemic by flooding communities in the United States with fentanyl, a synthetic drug about 50 times more potent than heroin. Ovidio Guzman and one of his brothers are accused of overseeing nearly a dozen methamphetamine labs in Sinaloa as well as conspiring to distribute cocaine and marijuana, according to the US State Department. Ovidio Guzman also allegedly ordered the murders of informants, a drug trafficker and a Mexican singer who refused to perform at his wedding, it said. He was captured briefly once before in 2019, but security forces freed him after his cartel waged an all-out war in response. His release prompted sharp criticism of Lopez Obrador, who said the decision was made to protect civilians’ lives.

Six-year-old boy shoots teacher in US

  A six-year-old boy opened fire in an elementary school classroom in the eastern US state of Virginia on Friday, seriously injuring a teacher, police said. No students were hurt in the incident at Richneck Elementary School in the coastal city of Newport News. “The individual is a six-year-old student. He is right now in police custody,” local police chief Steve Drew told a news conference, adding that “this was not an accidental shooting.” Police said that the victim was a teacher in her 30s and her injuries were believed to be life-threatening. “I’m in shock, and I’m disheartened,” said the city’s superintendent of schools, George Parker. “We need the community’s support to make sure that guns are not available to youth.” School shootings plague the United States, with recent tragedies including the killing last May of 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas, by an 18-year-old gunman. There were an estimated 44,000 gun-related deaths in the United States last year, about half of them murder cases, accidents and self-defence, and half of them suicides, according to the Gun Violence Archive database. AFP

Prince Harry faces growing criticism over memoir revelations

  Prince Harry faced a backlash Friday over his memoir “Spare”, with criticism from the media, commentators, army veterans and even the Taliban, while Buckingham Palace kept silent on its widely leaked contents. Days before the official publication on Tuesday, disclosures from the book dominated headlines and airwaves after a Spanish-language version of the memoir mistakenly went on sale in Spain. Revelations, including an alleged physical attack on him by heir to the throne Prince William, how he lost his virginity, took drugs and killed 25 people in Afghanistan, have prompted both condemnation and derision. Writer A.N. Wilson called the ghostwritten tome — the biggest royal book since Harry’s mother Princess Diana collaborated with Andrew Morton for a 1992 biography — “calculated and despicable” and a work of “malice”. Describing his decision to go public “idiotic”, Wilson said the book had merely succeeded in making the public sympathise with the royal family, “not with him”. – ‘Idiotic’ – The book is the latest broadside from Harry and his American wife Meghan after they quit royal duties and moved to California in 2020. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as they are formally known, have since cashed in on their royal connections with several lucrative contracts for tell-all books and programmes. The Spanish-language version of the book was hurriedly withdrawn from shelves after the blunder on Thursday but not before it had been purchased by media outlets, wrecking the publisher’s strict worldwide embargo. The Sun tabloid said public sympathy for Harry over losing his mother as a child could not “justify the destructive, vengeful path he has chosen, throwing his own family under a bus for millions of dollars”. In an editorial, it pointed to “countless discrepancies” in his claims and advised him to listen to friends who have urged him to “stop for his own good”. The Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff said the book had moved beyond issues of “awkward public interest” into the “washing of dirty linen” in public. The US edition of the left-leaning newspaper was the first to publish a leaked extract of the book this week, in which Harry described his physical altercation with William. “The details of the brothers’ alleged punch-up in a palace cottage are at once almost ridiculously trivial and heartbreakingly sad,” she wrote. – ‘Trashed’ – Harry’s claim to have killed 25 people in Afghanistan and likening his actions to removing “chess pieces” from a board, has been seen as boastful and inappropriate, and enraged some veterans. Retired colonel Tim Collins, who led a British battalion in Iraq in 2003, condemned a “tragic money-making scam”, adding: “That’s not how you behave in the army. It’s not how we think. “Harry has now turned against the other family, the military, that once embraced him, having trashed his birth family,” he added. Another high-ranking veteran who served in Afghanistan, colonel Richard Kemp, said his comments would “feed jihadist propaganda”. Senior Taliban official Anas Haqqani tweeted: “Mr Harry! The ones you killed were not chess pieces, they were humans; They had families who were waiting for their return.” – Jealousy claims – As the hashtag #ShutUpHarry began trending on Twitter, The Sun quoted sources close to his father, King Charles III, as saying he had been saddened by the book. But there was no official palace comment. In fresh claims in the memoir reported by the Daily Telegraph late Friday, Harry alleges that his father wanted to avoid supporting him and Meghan financially because he was jealous of her. The duke writes he realised Charles feared “a novel and resplendent” royal who would “dominate” the limelight after the now-king raised concerns about the monarchy supporting the couple monetarily after their 2018 wedding. “He had experienced that before and he had no interest in letting it happen to him again,” Harry writes, referring to Diana, the Telegraph said. Craig Prescott, a constitutional expert at Bangor University in north Wales, told AFP the “scale” and “ferocity” of the current royal rift was unprecedented but the royal family would probably “ride this out”. But any moves to remove Harry and Meghan’s royal titles would require political intervention and new legislation. The royals would likely regard that as “pouring fuel onto the fire” at a time when they wanted to focus on Charles’s looming coronation on May 6, he said.

US announces $3bn in military assistance for Ukraine

  The United States on Friday announced a major military assistance package for Ukraine that is valued at more than $3 billion and includes 50 Bradleys and dozens of other armored vehicles. The assistance — $2.85 billion drawn from US inventories and $225 million in foreign military financing — does not include advanced Western tanks sought by Kyiv, but will still provide significant additional firepower for its forces. It is “the largest security assistance package in total value that we have committed so far,” Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper told journalists. The marquee items in the package are the Bradleys, which come with 500 TOW anti-tank missiles and 250,000 rounds of ammunition for their 25mm autocannons. “The Bradley vehicles will further enhance Ukraine’s ability to conduct complex maneuvers in almost all weather conditions and terrain, especially in the south and the east of the country,” Cooper said. Also included in the package are 100 M113 and 55 MRAP armored vehicles, 18 155mm self-propelled howitzers, as well as artillery ammunition, mortar rounds, air defense missiles, and various small arms. The self-propelled howitzers “will provide greater protection and maneuverability” than previously provided artillery pieces that must be towed by vehicles, Cooper said. The equipment will complement expanded US training for Ukrainian forces starting this month that will focus on larger-scale maneuvers, she said. “We are positioning Ukraine to be able to move forward and retake territory,” Cooper added. – Zelensky welcomes US aid – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the new package as “timely and strong.” It brings total US military assistance since Russia invaded in February 2022 to more than $24.2 billion. “For the first time, we will get Bradley armored vehicles — this is exactly what is needed. New guns and projectiles, including high-precision ones,” he said in his evening address. Washington and Berlin announced the previous day that they would provide armored vehicles — Bradleys from the United States and Marders from Germany — but did not provide details. Berlin said Friday that it would send about 40 of the Marder vehicles to Ukraine within weeks, and that training on them would be provided in Germany. Ukraine has long pushed for heavier weaponry, including tanks, that would aid its operations. Western nations have been reluctant to send them, citing fears of becoming further drawn into the war or provoking Russia. But the Ukrainians have built momentum and Western nations have been expanding the weapons they send them. The US-German announcement on the armored vehicles came after France promised to deliver its AMX-10 RC light tanks, which are wheeled rather than tracked but have a much heavier cannon typical of a tank. The French move put Germany under fresh political pressure to do more to help Ukraine. Germany also said Thursday that it would follow the United States in sending a Patriot missile battery to Ukraine, meaning Kyiv’s forces are slated to receive two of the advanced air defense systems.

DAILIES TOP STORIES: CBN bans over-the-counter withdrawal of new notes

  Saturday 7 January 2023 Police work not slavery, cops can drink responsibly – Lagos PPRO New notes stain white surfaces, says NSPM Six-year-old boy shoots teacher in US Why Lagos has many uncollected PVCs – INEC Republican McCarthy named US House speaker Hold me responsible if I don’t change Nigeria —Peter Obi Politicians after Yakubu, out to rig 2023 elections US announces $3bn in military assistance for Ukraine Prince Harry faces growing criticism over memoir revelations 29 killed in arrest of El Chapo’s son Prince Harry says he killed 25 Taliban fighters in Afghanistan Why police killings persist — Investigation Fuel subsidy is not fair to the poor —Tinubu 2023 Elections: Borno Is 90% Safe, Zulum Assures Voters We Are Not In Court Against INEC Chairman – DSS Wike Gives Commissioner 24 Hours To Begin Road Project Or Get Sacked Beware Of Fraudsters Using IBB’s Name On Social Media, Aide Tells Nigerians World Food Prices Hit Record High In 2022 – UN Polls: NYSC Members’ Role ‘Most Critical,’ Says INEC Chairman Amid Security Concerns Appeal Court Reinstates Dauda Lawal As Zamfara PDP Governorship Candidate Presidency 2023: Buhari To Attend Tinubu’s Campaign In 10 States – APC LG Autonomy A Big Challenge Facing Constitutional Review – Omo-Agege 2023: Get Your PVCs, Peter Obi Appeals To Nigerians Guinea-Bissau Renames Stadium In Honour Of Pele FG sacks over 500 ‘illegal’ employees of labour ministry Court convicts Akwa Ibom PDP governorship candidate over cheating, orders arrest 14 Years After: Govt Has No Direction On Boko Haram Leader’s Enclave Elections: NYSC Wants Improved Allowances For Corps Members Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

Anambra North Elders Rejects Oduah’s Third-Term Bid

  The ambition of Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah to return to the upper chamber for the third time in 2023 elections has suffered a major setback after a group under the aegis of Anambra North Senatorial Zone rejected her bid. Rising from the general meeting the group held at Otuocha on January 2023, they said that Senator Oduah having represented the Anambra North Senatorial zone, has taken her fair share in this political dispensation. The chairman of Anambra North Elders Forum, Chief Nathaniel Onuora, who spoke after the meeting said their position is even supported by the fact that Oduah did not effectively represent the zone in the last seven years. She said that her voice was not clearly and loudly heard in the red chamber defending her people as others were doing or proposing human-angle bills that would benefit her constituent. “She did not perform. How many bills and motions did she sponsor in the upper chamber in the last eight years? She failed woefully to empower people even with the huge money that accrued to her on behalf of Anambra North Senatorial Zone. She has this culture of use and dump” said Onuora. He said that Oduah allowed over 100 tricycles allocated to her for her constituents to get rotten in her country home. The chairman said: ” She paid a Forklift operator N20,000 to remove each of the tricycles from her compound which has been parked since 3 years ago and was submerged by ranging flood That is the height of wickedness and insensitivity ever exhibited by political leaders”. The group also accused Oduah of being arrogant and being embroiled in corruption charges. “People hardly come near Oduah. She is not accessible. We don’t want somebody who would be distracted because of her constant attendance of corruption cases with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)” he said. Onuora said Senator has never organised a town hall forum for the people of Anambra North to tell them how she has been representing them, alleging that she only showed up each time there is an election to confuse and deceive people to vote for her. She will use people during an election, and after that, she will dump them and recruit fresh people who don’t know her. That is not the type of person that will continue to o represent us” said Chief Onuora.

Seven APC Members Perish In Fatal Accident

  Seven persons from Kwanar Dangora town in Kiru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State, have died in a road accident. It was gathered that the deceased persons were returning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign mega rally in Kano on Wednesday. The accident occurred around 6 pm when their Golf car collided with an oil tanker along Kano-Zaria road. Ten people were reportedly aboard when the accident occurred. This newspaper learned that five people died on the spot while two others were pronounced dead at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano. The deceased are Bala Kariya, Barau Kariya, Musbahu Gidan Diraman, Yakubu Gidan Diraman, Hamza Huntu, Danladi Gidan Algaita, and Lawan Gidan Diraman. They have been buried in their different villages in accordance with Islamic rites. Members of the national and state assemblies, among them, the senator representing Kano South, Kabiru Gaya, attended the funeral prayers, as well as other political office holders.

Obasanjo can’t show way forward, Tinubu slams ex-president

  The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, slammed former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his recent endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi. According to him, Obasanjo who he claimed does not know the way cannot show others the way. Tinubu spoke during the party’s presidential campaign rally at the University of Benin Sports Complex in Benin City. Recalling what Obasanjo did to his administration as the Lagos State Governor, the former governor said, “Obasanjo seized our salaries, local government monies. Do you call that person a good or a wicked man? “So, if he says he endorsed somebody, is it not poison that he is giving to you? “One who doesn’t know the way cannot show the way. He is endorsing Obi but he doesn’t know the road.” Tinubu appealed to Nigerians to vote for him, assuring them that he will bring prosperity, create jobs and secure Nigerians when elected. Ngige says Buhari not responsible for hunger, poverty Obasanjo: Buhari ahead in ‘backwardness’, tweep blasts presidency Tinubu will take over from Buhari — APC chieftain He said he was familiar with the route considering his records as governor of Lagos. He said, “I know how to perform. I did it in Lagos and I will do it in Nigeria. I will bring an economic hub to Edo State, give skills to the boys, start credit lending, empower small-scale industries so that they can be able to be on their own and get rid of estimated billing. “We will turn this state into an energy state. We will turn the so-called yahoo boys into experts in the manufacturing and creation of chips. We will bring long-term reforms. “We can break the shackles of poverty, ignorance and homelessness. We will do it together. We have the knowledge and the brain. Trust me, I am an expert in finding the way where there is no way. I found a way to tame the Atlantic Ocean and turned it into a money-making machine. I found a way to stop the killing drainages to channelisation and prosperity. I have done many things. I have the power of thinking and doing. “If you want prosperity, elect me. If you want skills to become rich, elect me. If you want security, elect me. If you say I should retire, you will retire knowledge, diamond and gold.” In his remarks, a former National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, solicited votes from Edo residents, saying that the former Lagos State governor has good track record and was instrumental in the fight against a single-party system.

DSS Denies Plot To Remove INEC Chairman Via Court

  The Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday said it has no court case against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. The DSS, in a statement by its Spokesman, Peter Afunanya blamed the misconception on a newspaper, which reported a court order out of context. The statement reads: “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to a 5th January, 2023 online publication in which it reported that “Court Stops DSS from Arresting INEC Chairman”. “The Service has discovered that the newspaper skewed what transpired in the Court and reported it out of context,” the statement by the DSS reads. “It is against this backdrop that the Service pointed out its disapproval to the Editorial authorities of the Newspaper. The outfit, which though, argued that what was reported in its online version was different from the hard copy, promised to address the concerns raised but did not. “This statement, however, becomes important to guide public understanding and perception, especially that the said report is misleading. “It falsely left an impression that the Service went to Court against the INEC Chairman.”