Headline

US Removes Nigeria From List Of ‘Religious Freedom’ Violators

Published

3 years ago

November 17, 2021

Editor

Nigeria was on Wednesday not mentioned by the United States on the list of countries engaged in or tolerated “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom”

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in a statement titled, ‘Religious Freedom Designations’ said; “The United States will not waiver in its commitment to advocate for freedom of religion or belief for all and in every country.

In 2020, the US designated Nigeria along with “Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, the DPRK, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as countries of concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for engaging systematic, ongoing, egregious religious freedom violations”.

According to the statement, “In far too many places around the world, we continue to see governments harass, arrest, threaten, jail, and kill individuals simply for seeking to live their lives in accordance with their beliefs.

“This Administration is committed to supporting every individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief, including by confronting and combating violators and abusers of this human right.

“Each year the Secretary of State has the responsibility to identify governments and non-state actors, who, because of their religious freedom violations, merit designation under the International Religious Freedom Act.

“I am designating Burma, the People’s Republic of China, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.

”I am also placing Algeria, Comoros, Cuba, and Nicaragua on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated “severe violations of religious freedom.”

“Finally, I am designating al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, and the Taliban as Entities of Particular Concern.

“The challenges to religious freedom in the world today are structural, systemic, and deeply entrenched.

“They exist in every country. They demand sustained global commitment from all who are unwilling to accept hatred, intolerance, and persecution as the status quo. They require the international community’s urgent attention.

“We will continue to press all governments to remedy shortcomings in their laws and practices and to promote accountability for those responsible for abuses.

“The United States remains committed to working with governments, civil society organizations, and members of religious communities to advance religious freedom around the world and address the plight of individuals and communities facing abuse, harassment, and discrimination on account of what they believe, or what they do not believe.

Headline

Nigerian Allegedly Beaten To Death In South Africa

Published

46 mins ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

A 43-year-old Nigerian national, Prince Muoka Ebuka, was allegedly beaten to death by police officers in South Africa.

Muoka, from Obosi, Anambra State, died on Friday morning, May 17, 2024, in Danielskuil, Northern Cape.

It was gathered that police officers raided the deceased’s residence on the allegation that he was a drug dealer

The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) condemned the killing in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Habib Miller on Saturday, May 18.

“This incident highlights a disturbing trend of police abuse targeting Nigerians in the Northern Cape,’ the statement read.

“Since March, there have been similar cases in Kimberley involving drug accusations and police violence. Another Nigerian, Chika Anuino, was killed by police in Springs, Johannesburg, on April 25,” NUSA revealed.

According to the statement, reports from Ebuka’s wife, Joyce, indicated that law enforcement officers stormed their home, forcing her to evacuate to protect their young child from the violence.

Ebuka was then allegedly assaulted and pressured to produce drugs allegedly in his possession. When nothing was found, the officers reportedly took him to a waste dump, accusing him of hiding illegal substances there.

Eyewitnesses alleged serious misconduct, noting that the officers requested pepper spray after exiting Ebuka’s residence.

However, despite using drug detection methods, no drugs were discovered.

The intense interrogation reportedly led to Ebuka’s death, and concerns about the investigation’s integrity have arisen due to the improper preservation of the crime scene

“Reports from Ebuka’s wife, Joyce, paint a harrowing picture of law enforcement officers storming their residence, compelling her to evacuate to shield their young child from witnessing the violence,” NUSA stated.

“Ebuka was then subjected to assault and coerced to produce drugs allegedly in his possession. When their search proved fruitless, they forcibly escorted him to a waste dump, alleging he had concealed illegal substances there.

“Eyewitnesses further allege egregious misconduct, with officers resorting to coercive tactics, including requesting pepper spray after emerging from Mr Ebuka’s residence.

“Despite employing drug detection methods, no evidence was found, yet the relentless interrogation tragically led to his demise. Moreover, the lack of proper crime scene preservation raises grave doubts about the integrity of the investigation.”

Miller noted that further distress was caused by the police’s refusal to issue a statement or allow the family to open a case docket.

He added that Joyce Ebuka faced intimidation when she tried to report her husband’s death.

NUSA further demanded a thorough, impartial investigation into Prince Ebuka’s killing and the broader issue of police abuse in the Northern Cape.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government says it will into the killing.

The spokesperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, who condemned the death of Ebuka, said it was death was too many.

Balogun called for a thorough investigation into the incident and emphasised that anyone found responsible should be held accountable.

“Condemnable and sad. One death too many. We are calling for an investigation, and anyone found culpable should face the music,” he told the punch.

Headline

Bully: Girl, 12, Commits Suicide

Published

53 mins ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

A 12-year-old Las Vegas girl took her own life after being tormented by bullies at her school for months.

Flora Martinez, a sixth grader at Keller Middle School, killed herself on May 7 – eight months and one day after her transfer out of Duane D. Keller middle school was denied.

Her funeral was on Thursday, May 16.

Her parents are now blaming the Clark County School District for not doing enough to protect their daughter.

Las Vegas girl, 12, commits suicide after being bullied at school

Her mother, Alice Martinez told News8: “I feel like the school had a duty to keep her safe, while she was in their care and they just failed miserably.”

The young girl’s parents said their daughter’s mates started bullying her early into the school year. Flora’s mother claimed both she and her child approached the assistant principal for help.

The mom then submitted paperwork for her daughter’s transfer out of the middle school, but her request was denied in October.

Flora’s mother said she had taken her daughter out of school for two weeks early in the school year when the bullying began, but when she returned to school it intensified.

“Everybody that had a hand in that request to transfer her failed her. If you’re a parent and you’re not outraged by this, you’re part of the problem too,” Martinez said.

Flora’s dad Joshua Parker said: “This wasn’t just one incident that happened, and you know, she decided to take her life.

“This was months and months and months of bullying that built up, and finally, she just couldn’t take it no more.”

The heartbroken father added: “Look how hard it was on my daughter. My daughter was literally bullied to death.”

Flora’s parents described their daughter as artistic. Someone who was full of life, and empathetic who loved ice cream and seafood.

The tragic tale comes just days after a 10-year-old boy, Sammy Teusch, killed himself in Indiana on March 5 following relentless bullying at school about his teeth and glasses.

His parents from Greenfield said they complained to his school repeatedly but were ignored. His funeral was on Tuesday, May 14, and attended by hundreds.

Headline

Two Nigerians, Kenyan Arrested For Drug Trafficking In Nairobi

Published

57 mins ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Two Nigerian nationals and a Kenyan woman have been apprehended by officers from the anti-narcotics unit on suspicion of drug trafficking in Kasarani area of Nairobi.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in a statement on Saturday, May 18, 2024, said the suspects Stephen Emenike, Chijioke Andrew and Margaret Wanjiku Kioni, were arrested at their hideout on Friday, May 17.

“Two Nigerian nationals and a Kenyan are in custody for their suspected involvement in the trafficking of cocaine, Heroin and Methamphetamine,” the statement read.

“Stephen Emenike, Chijioke Andrew Maduka and Margaret Wanjiku Kioni were ambushed by anti-narcotics operators at their hideout within Clay City, Kasarani Sub-County yesterday.

“The prohibited drugs estimated at a street value of over Sh1.3 million, three weighing machines and various packaging materials were found.

“Suspects and the seizure taken into custody pending court processes.”