NAIJAFEED

Thursday, July 23, 2009

512 kidnappings in Nigeria this year

Minister of Police Affairs Ibrahim Yakubu Lame disclosed that 512 people were kidnapped this year alone and 30 out of the 512 died in the hands of their kidnappers. In 2008, 353 people were kidnapped and only 2 captives lost their lives.

Kidnappings in Nigeria began rising in 2006 when militants in the Niger Delta started kidnapping expatriates for ransom.

This sharp increase in Kidnappings in Nigeria is said to have been brought by politicians using militants for their own political agendas according to the minister:

"The question of militants started as a political move. Politicians use them. Gradually it degenerated from mere agitation to militancy. It became very disheartening to government that money has now become the central point for criminal situation in the Niger Delta."

"We have realized that most of the cases of kidnapping are internally generated especially within the family. The action which started from kidnapping of oil expatriates, moved to men of God and children. The police is very concerned about the life of those kidnapped."

The minister added a bill providing stiffer punishment for kidnappers has been submitted to the National Assembly. N7.45 billion ($49.33 million) has also been budgeted this year to provide special security for Lagos, Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Kano, Abuja, Maidugri and Kaduna. Plans are on the way to build six forensic laboratories in each of the six geo-political zones and also provide mobile forensic labs.

DailyTrust

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Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Nigerian militants release kidnapped sailors

Six foreign crew members of an oil tanker kidnapped by Nigerian militants MEND (Movement for the emancipation of the Niger Delta) three weeks ago have been released.

MEND said the release of the hostages was part of the 60-day cease fire announced. They are hoping "the Nigerian government would reciprocate."

The militant group also wants the Nigerian military to withdraw its troops from the Gbaramatu community in Delta State, and allow displaced people to return home.

BBC

Related stories:MEND kidnap crew from oil tanker

10 minute video recap of the oil war in the Niger Delta of Nigeria from Ken Saro Wiwa to Present

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Nigeria ranked 15th in the 2009 index of failed states in the world

ForeignPolicy.com in collaboration with The Fund for Peace have released The Failed States Index for 2009. Nigeria is ranked 15th in the list of failed states in the world.

Somalia tops the list with Zimbabwe, Sudan, Chad, and Democratic Republic of Congo rounding up the top 5 failed states in the world. For the complete list that consists of 60 countries click here.

Forensics show that Stella Obasanjo's death was avoidable

The death of former first lady, Stella Obasanjo was avoidable with suitable treatment administered during the liposuction operation that lead to her death as declared by a Spanish forensic scientist during the criminal prosecution case being deliberated in Spain.

The physician noted that Stella Obasanjo had perforations in her liver and abdomen and the quantity of liquids given to her after an intervention was "insufficient", she also had symptoms of shock.

According to the expert, the evidence of shock could have been detected "hours earlier" and with a blood test and an ultrasound scan it would have been possible for the doctor to detect the symptoms of a shock. The accused doctor could have detected the complications approximately 10 hours before her death.

The accused is a plastic surgeon from a Molding Clinic in Marbella, Spain. He is charged with the 2005 death of Mrs. Obasanjo and faces two years in prison and a five year ban from practicing if found guilty.

AllAfrica

Monday, July 20, 2009

Nigerian Philanthropist gives 5,000 students scholarships

Alhaji Lawan Umar Shakka gave scholarships to about 5,000 students in Kano State, Nigeria. The philanthropist explained that the scholarship will help the students cushion the cost of pursuing an education:

"It's part of my policy to ensure that students of Ungogo Local Government Area and it's environs benefited from the gesture."

Alhaji Shakka added that the President's 7-point agenda is in dire need of people to support the government's policy and that his scholarship program will help President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's administration by assisting people to find employment, which will improve the country economically.

This Day

New American TV Show The Philanthropist starts in Nigeria