Gunmen believed to be members of ‘Mahmuda’ group on Sunday attacked Karongi town in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, killed one person and burnt many houses in the community.
The bandits, who invaded the town early in the morning, killed a resident before setting some houses ablaze.
It was gathered that the bandits took advantage of the absence of the local vigilantes in the community who had earlier traveled to attend a training workshop while others had traveled out to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir outside the community.
It was further gathered that the gunmen who were unchallenged between 6am and 11am were, however, dislodged from the community by the combined team of soldiers and vigilantes mobilised from the adjoining settlements in the area.
Though the police said they were not aware of Sunday’s attack in Karongi, the Nigerian Army confirmed the incident.
The Emir of Yashikira Emirate in the same local government, Umoru Sariki, also confirmed the incident.
A graphical illustration of gunmen
The emir said that one person was killed during the attack while many houses were burnt by the bandits.
READ ALSO: Police Launch Investigation Into Killing Of UNIPORT Student
Umoru said, “The bandits from Mahmuda group struck at about 6am on Sunday. They attacked Karongi town in my Emirate. They killed one person and burned many houses in the community.
“They took advantage of the absence of vigilante men who have travelled for Sallah while some had also gone for training. They invaded the town for hours from 6am to 11am. We had to go to the surrounding communities in the Emirate to mobilise local vigilantes who chased them away.
The emir appealed to the Federal Government and the military to establish a security base in Karongi or neighbouring communities to safeguard the lives of people living in the area.
When contacted on Sunday, the police spokesperson in Kwara State, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said that she was not aware of the attack.
The Public Relations Officer of the 22 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Sobi, Ilorin, Lt Stephen Nwankwo however confirmed the attack on Monday.
The Dancing On Ice judge, 34, visited a neonatal clinic for the first time since her daughter was born two months premature in 2023 and needed intensive care
Former Strictly star Oti Mabuse today re-lived the traumatic early birth of her baby – after jetting 3,000 miles to west Africa to meet stricken mums nursing premature tots. The pro dancer, 34, returned to a neonatal unit for the first time since she endured a 16-hour labour with her daughter, who arrived two months early, weighing 3lbs, in 2023.
The baby spent the next six weeks in intensive care at University College London Hospital after she was born with an infection and Oti developed sepsis. Baby and mother recovered, but the Dancing On Ice judge has revealed her trauma after visiting a UNICEF-funded specialist clinic in Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) in Africa.
Oti visited the Kangaroo Mother Care Unit at Treichville Hospital in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, west Africa(Image: UNICEF/Dejongh)
In the city of Abidjan she saw how premature babies are receiving critical life-saving treatment and daily care including a UNICEF programme called “Kangaroo Mother Care” which promotes the importance of skin-on-skin contact.
Oti met Ajam and her newborn baby ahead of this weekend’s Soccer Aid for UNICE fixture(Image: UNICEF/Dejongh)
Reflecting on her own experience, Oti said: “I remember the only way I could touch my child and have skin-on-skin was through this glass window – there’s no mother who wants to experience that.”
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According to UNICEF, globally in 2024 an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday, including 2.3 million newborns who died within the first 28 days of life1. In Cote D’Ivoire, lack of access to specialised care is one of the reasons that prematurity is the leading cause of death for children under five.
Oti Mabuse visited Côte d’Ivoire to see first-hand how donations raised through Soccer Aid for UNICEF can help children (Image: UNICEF/Volpe)
In Abidjan, the UNICEF team provides breastfeeding support clinics and regular check-ups until the babies are school age alongside locally made loin cloth slings, so mothers remain in close contact with their babies.
At the hospital, Oti – married to fellow dance champ Marius Iepure, 42 – met Ouattara, a mother whose first baby was born prematurely and needed critical care. Sadly, without access to specialised support, her baby died six days later.
Oti met Zenab’s newborn baby as she learned about Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), or skin-to-skin contact, which has significant benefits for both mother and baby(Image: UNICEF/Dejongh)
Thankfully, her second baby, Abdul, although born prematurely again, was rushed to the UNICEF centre where they stayed for three weeks to get the care and attention they needed.
Two years later, Abdul is a healthy and happy little boy. Oti also visited a UNICEF-supported foster care home, where the organisation supports children providing food and ensuring they stay in education or have vocational training. There, Oti met Madame Massandje, who has been trained by UNICEF to identify children living on the streets and offer them safety in her own home.
Oti met a mum called Outtara, whose first baby was born prematurely(Image: UNICEF/Dejongh)
As a result, she currently has 15 children in her care – four girls and eleven boys aged three to fifteen. Speaking about her inspiring trip ahead of Soccer Aid for UNICEF, Oti said: “Visiting Côte d’Ivoire with UNICEF UK showed me the first-hand impact of the importance of vital care for children and their parents – especially for those that are born prematurely.
Oti visited the Kangaroo Mother Care Unit at Treichville Hospital(Image: UNICEF/Volpe)
“My own baby was born prematurely, so seeing the work and meeting mums like Ouattara brought everything home. I know how vital that care and support is in those early days. Worldwide an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2024 – deaths that were mostly preventable.
I also met incredible foster carers like Madame Massandje, who are changing children’s lives and helping give them the start in life they deserve. These experiences showed me the real difference donations make. That’s why I’m so proud to be part of Soccer Aid for UNICEF – to help give every child a safe, healthy start in life.”
Oti and fellow dance champ Marius Iepure, 42, welcomed their first baby in 2023 (Image: Oti Mabuse /Instagram)
A UNICEF appeal film of Oti’s trip will feature during Soccer Aid for UNICEF, which will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player at 6pm on Sunday June 15.
This year, thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, every donation you make to Soccer Aid for UNICEF will be doubled – up to £5 million.
Britain’s Sonay Kartal secured the biggest win of her career as women’s tennis returned to Queen’s Club for the first time since 1973.
The 23-year-old secured a superb 6-1 3-6 6-3 win over world number 16 Daria Kasatkina of Australia to start her grass-court season on a high.
It is the first time a women’s tournament has been held at the iconic venue since 1973, when Olga Morozova lifted the trophy.
Queen’s has been a mainstay on the men’s calendar and a WTA 500 event has been added this year in an attempt to raise the profile of the women’s game and increase the visibility of the sport.
Jodie Burrage will attempt to set up a meeting with doubles partner Kartal in the last 16 when she faces Amanda Anisimova later on Monday.
Meanwhile, British pair Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu overcame China’s Jiang Zinyu and Wu 6-4 6-2 Fang-hsien on their maiden outing as a doubles partnership on a packed Court One.
Kartal has enjoyed a remarkable rise in the past 12 months, moving from outside the top 250 to a career-high of 50 in the world.
Cheered on by a packed partisan crowd, Kartal dominated the opening set against Kasatkina before the Australian bounced back in the second set to level proceedings.
But it was an impressive response from the Briton, who beamed after slamming down a forehand winner to seal victory.
“The nerves hit me a little but to be able to play on this court with you guys cheering me on it was a super special moment,” said Kartal.
“The last few months I’ve played bigger tournaments so I’m handling the bigger occasions better.
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that the case involving the killing of a 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Godwin Akpakpan, has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation.
A spokesperson for the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to Channels Television on Monday.
SP Iringe-Koko said the police are working in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure justice is served.
“(The) case has been transferred to SCID for discrete investigation and a panel has been set up by the military with a representative of all service commanders in attendance on the matter,” she said.
The student, a Computer Science undergraduate, was reportedly shot dead by a security operative in an off-campus incident.
In reaction, the University of Port Harcourt has demanded a thorough investigation into the killing.
READ ALSO: 11 Kidnapped Victims Rescued As Police Foil Attempt In Katsina
In a statement signed by a university spokesman Dr Sam Kpenu, the institution expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss and described Akpakpan as a “bonafide member of our academic community.”
“The University is actively engaging with relevant security authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. We expect that a thorough investigation will be conducted and that appropriate actions will be taken in line with justice and the rule of law,” the statement read.
The university also urged students and staff to remain calm and allow the investigation process to proceed without interference.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this very difficult time,” the statement continued while reaffirming the management’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all students and staff.
Frederick Forsyth, the author of The Day of The Jackal, has died at the age of 86 after a brief illness, his literary agents Curtis Brown said.
The journalist turned novelist is known for works including The Odessa File, The Fourth Protocol and The Dogs of War. His politicial thriller The Day of the Jackal was first released in 1971 and follows a professional assassin known as the Jackal. It notably inspired the film adaptation of the same name in 1973, starring Edward Fox, and more recently a TV show, starring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch.
It’s been announced that Frederick Forsyth (left), pictured with Michael Caine (right) in 1986, has died ( Popperfoto via Getty Images)
It’s just one of his novels to be adapted for the screen, with other examples including the Fourth Protocol. The Cold War novel, which was released in 1984, was followed by a film version in 1987, which starred Michael Caine and Pierce Brosnan.
Although known for his thrillers, Frederick also wrote the Phantom of Manhattan, released in 1999, which is considered a sequel to Gaston Leroux’s Le Fantôme de l’Opéra from 1910. The Phantom of the Opera musical is based on Gaston’s novel and its sequel Love Never Dies is said to have been inspired by Frederick’s novel.
Prior to his career as a novelist, Frederick was a journalist, with him having worked for the likes of the BBC. He was a columnist for the Express for more than two decades and said upon his departure from the role in 2023: “It is now time to step back and retire and that must include saying a fond goodbye to the column.”
The journalist turned novelist is best known for his works such as the Day of the Jackal ( Getty Images)
It was announced last month that Frederick would be among those featured on the new series of BBC Arts’ In My Own Words. The show consists of “intimate” first-person testimony and archive to explore the careers and life stories of its guests.
Frederick said about his involvement: “Having spent my career telling other people’s stories, I now find myself in the unusual position of subject rather than storyteller. It has reminded me of the incredible luck I have had, the fork in the road moments, and the deep gratitude I feel for having been part of it.”
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