Crime Facts

Gaza Communications Down As Israel Searches Main Hospital

  Israeli troops carried out building-by-building searches at Gaza’s main hospital, as a new communications blackout in the territory on Friday compounded fears for Palestinian civilians trapped inside the facility.   Al-Shifa hospital has become a focal point for Israeli operations in northern Gaza since soldiers raided the complex on Wednesday, hunting for a command centre they say militant group Hamas operates there. Hamas and hospital managers deny that charge, and there has been international concern about several thousand people — including wounded patients and premature babies — believed to be trapped inside. Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas in response to the group’s October 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and saw about 240 taken hostage, according to Israeli officials. Israel’s air bombardment and ground operation has killed 11,500 people, including thousands of children, according to Hamas-run local authorities in Gaza. Thick dark smoke rose over the northern Gaza Strip on Friday, an AFPTV live camera showed. Israeli authorities have defended their operation, and the military said Thursday it found rifles, ammunition, explosives and the entrance to a tunnel shaft at Al-Shifa. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged hostages may even have been held at the medical facility. ADVERTISEMENT “We had strong indications that they were held in the Shifa Hospital, which is one of the reasons we entered the hospital,” he told “CBS Evening News”. “If they were (there), they were taken out,” he said. Allegations about the hospital have not been verified, and on Friday communications with the Gaza Strip were severed once again. ADVERTISEMENT Network provider Paltel group said all telecommunications were down because “all energy sources sustaining the network have been depleted, and fuel was not allowed in”. The UN warned that the blackout would compound the misery of civilians, complicating efforts to distribute aid and possibly triggering looting of its supplies. “When you have a blackout and you cannot communicate with anyone anymore… that triggers and fuels even more the anxiety and the panic,” said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. Israel said its forces were searching Al-Shifa “one building at a time,” and the army announced Friday that troops had recovered the remains of kidnapped woman soldier Noa Marciano, 19, “from a structure adjacent to Al-Shifa hospital”. The army had confirmed earlier in the week the death of Marciano, without giving the cause. Hamas said she had been killed in an Israeli bombardment. On Thursday the army said soldiers near Al-Shifa had found the body of another hostage. Yehudit Weiss, 65, was kidnapped from her home in the border kibbutz community of Beeri, one of the areas worst hit by the brutal Hamas assault. Her husband was killed in the attack, a hostage support group said. On Thursday, Jews and Arabs came together for the funeral of another casualty of the Beeri attack — peace activist Vivian Silver, who was hailed as an “extraordinary woman”. Negotiations are ongoing for the release of the hostages, some of them just infants, in exchange for a pause in fighting. Qatar, where Hamas has political offices, and Egypt have been mediating what Egypt’s foreign minister described Thursday as “very delicate” discussions. “We are hopeful that our efforts and the efforts of others will bring about the speedy release,” Sameh Shoukry said. On the ground, conditions are rapidly deteriorating for Palestinian civilians, UN agencies have warned. More than 1.5 million people have been internally displaced, and Israel’s blockade of the territory means “civilians are facing the immediate possibility of starvation,” World Food Programme executive director Cindy McCain said. Food and water have become “practically non-existent,” the agency added. Lazzarini described children sheltering at a UN school “pleading for a sip of water, or for a loaf of bread”. Israel’s ground operation has so far focused on the north of the Gaza Strip, where it has announced the seizure of the parliament building, government offices, Hamas police headquarters and a key port. It says 51 of its troops have been killed in the fighting. Hospitals have become a particular target, with Israel saying it has found tunnels or military equipment at the Al-Shifa, Rantisi and Al-Quds facilities. Palestinian health officials said Thursday that the Al-Ahli hospital was under attack, with the Palestinian Red Crescent saying medical staff were unable to reach casualties in the courtyard because of explosions and gunfire. Washington has backed Israel’s allegations that Hamas is using hospitals as command centres, while urging that operations be “incredibly careful”. More than half of Gaza’s hospitals are no longer functional, due to either combat, damage, or shortages, and Israel’s raid on Al-Shifa left extensive damage to the radiology, burns and dialysis unit, the Hamas-run health ministry said Alongside the war in Gaza, there is growing concern about violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians has surged. In an attack claimed by Hamas, three gunmen on Thursday killed an Israeli soldier and wounded five others at a checkpoint leading into Jerusalem from the West Bank. Overnight, a large deployment of Israeli troops raided the Jenin refugee camp, AFP reporters there said, prompting clashes. Israel’s military did not immediately comment. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday urged Israel to take “urgent” action to “de-escalate tensions in the West Bank, including by confronting rising levels of settler extremist violence,” the State Department said. Elsewhere, Israeli warplanes again hit targets near the Syrian capital, Syria’s state news agency reported. The strikes caused damage but there were no reports of casualties. AFP

Vote-buying, violence during off-cycle polls disturbing – Abdulsalami C’ttee

  The National Peace Committee led by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Thursday, decried cases of violence, intimidation, and vote-buying, among other practices during last Saturday’s off-cycle governorship elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa states. In a statement on Thursday, the peace committee said, “We are not unaware of the glitches recorded during the elections. Sadly, we have noted that some of the old ways remain and ordinary people continue to collude with corrupt members of society to stall the processes of our elections. “The persistence of the culture of vote-buying, intimidation, and voter apathy, among others are disturbing. A democratic culture will only grow if we participate in cleaning up the process of our elections because, in the end, we are the victims. The corruption of the process will lead to the emergence of corrupt leaders if we collude with merchants of corruption.” The body, however, said was “grateful to all critical stakeholders who worked round the clock to ensure that the elections are free, fair and credible.” It said, “Our appreciation goes to the staff of INEC, security agencies, traditional rulers, leaders of political parties, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, the media and others who ensured the success of the elections in the three states. “We express our gratitude to voters in the states for defying obstacles and threats by performing their civic duties. We encourage our people to remain resilient and to use our experiences to correct the mistakes in the process of our elections.”

Jigawa Assembly suspends LG chairs over foreign trips

  The Jigawa State House of Assembly has suspended three local government council chairmen for allegedly travelling outside the country without seeking permission from the state executive or legislature. The suspended chairmen are Mubarak Ahmed of Yankwashi LGA, Rufai Sunusi, Gumel LGA and Umar Baffa of Birniwa LGA, who was said to have travelled to Rwanda. The House took the decision after the Chairman, Committee on Local Government Affairs, AminuTsubut, presented a motion for the suspension of the affected council chairmen. He explained that prior to their trip, the House had given an order for the local council chairmen in the state not to travel anywhere due to the preparation of the 2024 state appropriation bill and its presentation to the Assembly by Governor Mallam Umar Namadi.   Tsubut said, “This is an act of insubordination and nonchalant attitude to the primary responsibility which must be investigated immediately.” The members representing Malam Madori and Guri constituencies, Usman Abdullahi Tura and Hamza Guri, respectively, seconded the motion moved by Tsubut. The House then unanimously approved the suspension of the three local government chairmen and directed the vice chairmen of the affected councils to take over. Meanwhile, the House had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Muhammad Dansure to investigate the matter and report back to the House within four weeks for further action.

Two AfDB workers assaulted, arrested ‘without explanation’ in Ethiopia

  The African Development Bank (AfDB) has kicked against the assault of its staff in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital. According to a statement released by the bank on Thursday, two staff members were “unlawfully arrested, physically assaulted, and detained for many hours by elements of the security forces without any official explanation” on October 31. AfDB said it has since lodged a formal complaint with the Ethiopian government which addressed the incident promptly. “We are pleased that the Prime Minister of Ethiopia immediately acted when he learnt of the incident, ordered the immediate release of the affected staff and promised to order an immediate investigation into the incident,” the statement reads. “This is a very serious diplomatic incident, and the African Development Bank has since lodged a formal complaint with the Ethiopian authorities. “For their part, the government has formally acknowledged our complaint, recognised the gravity of the incident, and reassured us that all those involved in breaking the law will be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice, ensuring transparency and full accountability.” The statement added that the Ethiopian government reassured the AfDB that its staff and those travelling to the country on mission would continue to enjoy full respect of their rights, privileges and diplomatic immunities under the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations as well as the bank’s host country agreement with Ethiopia. The African Development Bank values its excellent relations with the government of Ethiopia and is currently engaged with the authorities, through diplomatic channels, concerning the incident,” the bank said. “The African Development Bank’s management would like to reiterate its commitment to the safety, security, rights and privileges of all its staff in all countries where the Bank operates.” AfDB assured its partners that its operations in Ethiopia continue and have not been affected by the incident.

Garden egg vendor defiles 9-year-old orphan in Kano

  A nine-year-old girl has been defiled allegedly by a garden egg vendor, Auwalu Abubakar, in Kumbotso LGA of Kano State. The crime, which happened on November 9, left the victim bedridden for a week before being discharged from the police clinic in Bompai, Kano, where she spent three days on admission. Speaking on the crime, the victim’s sister, Aisha Auwal, said, “She was first brought back home crying after school hours; that she fell into a drain and sustained injuries. “I received her and she said she was fine, but later we saw that she was walking abnormally and breathing heavily. We asked her and she refused to say anything. It was when we insisted and checked her properly that we discovered her trousers and pants were stained with blood from her private part.” She added that the girl was then pressed to reveal who did it to her before she was rushed to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital where she was confirmed to have been raped. She further said, “After she revealed that it was Auwalu, the garden egg seller, he was arrested by the police.” Calls to the spokesman of the police in Kano State, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, were not answered. Sources said the girl is an orphan and therefore called on the authorities to ensure that the culprit was punished. “It’s only when the state government take charge of the case that justice will be done,” the source said.

Dollar hits 1,105 at official market

  There is no respite yet for the nation’s currency as the naira recorded the biggest fall in recent times exchanging for N1,105 at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) approved official market. The currency depreciated by over N200 within hours after it opened earlier in the day at N830. However, the fall would not last as the currency bounced back, closing at 841.14 yesterday. According to Reuters, the sharp depreciation of the currency yesterday brought “The official exchange rate within touching distance of the parallel market rate.” At the parallel market, Daily Trust reports that dollars opened at N1,135 and closed at N1,150 to N1,200. One of the Bureau De Change (BDC) operators at a popular market in Lagos, Alhaji Hassan Sabo said, “Today we are buying at N1,100 and selling at N1,150.” Asked on the prospect of the rate dropping, he said, “It cannot come down like that because the dollar is not available, some are not even selling at the rates I just gave you. It might even go up tomorrow.” A capital market analyst, Samuel Showunmi said the government should return to multiple exchange rates to push the dollars into the market through the BDC. “What we are seeing now with the banks is currency racketeering within the banking sector as well,” he said.

Two Feared Dead As Security Operatives Clash With Shitte Protesters In Kaduna

  At least two people are feared killed in the Kaduna state capital on Thursday as police operatives attempted to disperse the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shittes, during a protest over the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian war. Pandemonium broke out following the alleged killing of two passers-by as security operatives tried to disperse the IMN members who were holding a procession along Waff Road in the Kaduna metropolis. An eyewitness told Channels Television that the Shittes holding banners with the photograph of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, were marching towards the office of the National Human Rights Commission to submit a letter in support of the people of Gaza in Palestine when they were resisted by security operatives, and during the process, a commercial motorcyclist and another passer-by were reportedly killed. Commenting on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mansir Hassan, blamed the IMN members for the crisis, accusing them of killing an innocent motorcycle operator, Sani Aliyu. Hassan explained that the Shittes had unlawfully blocked the road during a protest, and refused motorists from passing. He said upon the arrival of policemen to the scene, the Shittes who were armed with dangerous weapons including locally made guns, catapults, and arrows, opened fire on the police. The police spokesman stated that two policemen were injured by the rampaging Shitte members who also shot a 40-year-old motorcycle operator, Sani Aliyu to death. Hassan further disclosed that an investigation into the incident has commenced with a view to arresting and prosecuting those behind the crisis.

Airpeace Boss Says Nigeria Does Not Need National Carrier

  The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Peace Allen Onyeama has joined the growing list of persons to have faulted the push for a national carrier, describing the idea as moribund and a drain pipe. Nigeria had months back launched a national carrier Nigeria Air. But the move, steeped in controversy, was suspended by the government of President Bola Tinubu about two months after it took over power. Despite the government’s decision, the dust about the ill-fated project is yet to settle as Onyeama insists the country does not need a national carrier owing to the difficulties of running such a business. ‘A Moribund Idea’ onyema allen The Air Peace chief believes the government has no business in having a national carrier. “Does Nigeria actually need a national carrier? It’s an emphatic no,” he said on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today. “The national carrier thing connotes government ownership. The government has no business doing the business of commercial airline operations. The national carrier thing is a moribund idea that has been jettisoned several decades ago by countries,” the Air Peace chief said on the current affairs show. According to him, several airlines that bear country names are just “flag carriers” and not owned by nations as many may have assumed. “In the olden days, they used to be [owned by governments] but they are all divested. They are all flag carriers,” Onyema said about national carriers, asking: “Why is my country going backward? In 2023, talking about national carrier?” He believes the few African countries with national carriers are those “that cannot afford business entrepreneurs with the right funding”. In the wake of the Nigeria Air launch, Sirika (centre and in blue attire) said the project will be private sector-driven. Photo: Channels TV/Sodiq Adelakun. His comment adds to the wave of condemnations that have greeted the launch of the national carrier decades after Nigerian Airways stopped operations. Advertisement Nigeria’s Senate faulted the launch of the Nigeria Air which it says was shrouded in secrecy. Its committee on aviation had waded into the start of the project after several bouts of controversies, raising concerns over the launch. Pushed to find out more about the project, it convened a meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Emmanuel Meribole; the Interim Managing Director, Nigeria Air, Capt Dapo Olumide as well as heads of aviation agencies. The committee wondered why the immediate past Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika hurriedly unveiled Nigeria Air on the last day of Muhammadu Buhari’s government and labelled the project as a fraud. At the event, Captain Olamide admitted that the aircraft used to unveil the national carrier was a chartered flight from Ethiopian Airlines, a revelation that further sparked condemnation.

Banks’ USSD debt to telcos hits N200bn

  Banks now owe telecommunication firms N200bn for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data services. This is following a slowing of negotiations between the banks and telcos. Telecom operators disclosed this on Thursday at the Nigerian Communications Commission industry interactive session with the new Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Dr Aminu Maida. The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, on behalf of telcos, stressed that the debt will not be forgiven. ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo in his goodwill address to the EVC said, “The banks owe us money. The debt is now over N200bn. It won’t go away, no one will forget the debt if the money is not paid.” He highlighted that the debt is negatively impacting the financial technology economy. He continued, “If that problem is not solved, it will continue to haunt progress in the sector. I ask you today to please look at this issue on the debt owed to us by the banks. There is no discussion about forgiving the debt, payment needs to be made.” Adebayo further clarified that while telcos and banks are still engaged in ongoing discussions concerning the matter, it is slow-paced and may not have the required effect when done. Adebayo’s new revelation indicates that USSD debt has jumped by about 66.67 per cent from the N120bn it was earlier in the year. Since 2019, banks and telcos have been at loggerheads over the repayment of USSD debt. As of 2020, the debt was N17bn, but since then its resolution has been besieged by many twists. Earlier in the year, telcos issued disconnection notices to banks after getting approval from the NCC to stop banks from accessing USSD services. Later the NCC through the immediate past EVC of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, noted that banks had agreed to pay telcos following the actions of regulators and stakeholders. Industry insiders, however, told The PUNCH that conversations pertaining to repayment plans were still ongoing. In October, telcos threatened to seek redress in court since there was no resolution in sight. At the time, Adebayo, declared, “I think is just best to withdraw the services. On this issue of USSD debt, if parties have to go to court to get a final resolution, so be it. “This is because every effort that is being made by everyone, where we move one step forward, several steps backward, is not going to work.” USSD is crucial to improving financial inclusion in the country because of the high population of feature phones in the country. The continued quagmire surrounding the payment for this service will threaten digital financial inclusion, the NCC once stated. Meanwhile, Adebayo also revealed that telcos now pay 52 different taxes and levies, making them one of the most taxed in the country. He highlighted that these taxes are impacting how they operate and impeding growth in the sub-sector. Prior to now, telcos paid a little over 41 different taxes. He said, “Today we checked the number of taxes and levies that we face across the country, it is now 52. We are one of the highly taxed sectors of the economy. And it is not just these taxes that are the issue; it is the behaviour of public actors when collecting them. These things have a ripple effect on the things that we want to do. Quality of service and co are all interlinked here too.” While charging the telcos on Thursday, Maida, declared that quality of service and quality of experience must improve in the sector. He noted that telecoms consumers must begin to enjoy the services they pay for. He tasked telcos to be more innovative despite the challenges in their operating environment and hinted that the commission was in talks with Original Equipment Manufacturers to boost job creation in the country.