Boko Haram Releases Wife Of Cameroonian Deputy Prime Minister, 10 Chinese Workers

Boko Haram militants have released the wife of Cameroonian Vice Prime Minister Amadou Ali, ten Chinese workers and district heads kidnapped a few months ago.

Boko Haram militants have released the wife of Cameroonian Vice Prime Minister Amadou Ali, ten Chinese workers and district heads kidnapped a few months ago.

Cameroon Troop

The kidnap victims were released today after intense tripartite negotiations involving Cameroon, Chinese interests, and representatives of the Islamist group. A source in Cameroon disclosed that a hefty but undisclosed ransom was paid to the Islamist militants.
 
SaharaReporters confirmed that Mrs. Ali, who was abducted by the militants in July, had arrived in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, following her release.

Our Cameroonian sources also disclosed that Boko Haram militants also released at least 10 Chinese workers abducted in Cameroon as well as a district head and his children.
 
Mrs. Ali was abducted in July in Kolofata, a town in the far north region of Cameroon. The terrorist group  killed three persons in the operation to abduct the wife of such a major Cameroonian government official.

 Although the Cameroonian government had given the impression that the Vice Prime Minister's wife had been rescued by the country's military, the woman remained in captivity until today.

  Cameroonian government officials are expected to address the media tomorrow regarding the release of Mrs. Ali and several other victims of abduction.

SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK

Alleged mutiny: EU rejects death sentences on Nigerian soldiers

By The Citizen

The European Union (EU) has rejected the death sentence handed to 12 Nigerian soldiers by the General Court Martial in Nigeria for alleged mutiny.

The EU in a statement issued yesterday on the occasion of the World Day against Death Penalty condemned all death sentences especially after mass trials as was the case with the Nigerian soldiers.

The union, headed by Secretary-General, Mr. Thorbjørn Jagland, argued that execution had stopped in that region of the world for close to two decades

According to the statement: 'On the European and World Day against the Death Penalty, the European Union and the Council of Europe reaffirm their strong and absolute opposition to capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances, and their commitment to its worldwide abolition.

'We are deeply concerned about setbacks in some countries, such as recent mass trials leading to a vast number of death sentences. No execution has taken place in our member states in the last 17 years.

The European Union and the Council of Europe welcome the fact that all Member States of the European Union have now ratified both Protocols 6 and 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights, and urge all other European States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify these instruments which aim at the abolition of the death penalty.' - Vanguard.

I'm not desperate for Eagles job, says Keshi

By The Citizen

Embattled out-of-contract Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi has told SL10.ng that he isn't desperate to remain as the Super Eagles coach, as speculations over his immediate future continues.

Keshi's future has come under intense scrutiny after Nigeria's slow start to the qualifying campaign for the Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. His future was also under scrutiny before the qualifiers began, with the immediate past board of the Nigeria Football Federation led by Aminu Maigari seemingly unwilling to offer him fresh terms.

And now, just like he said before and after the World Cup, the 52-year old has reiterated that he isn't desperate to retain the job, saying it isn't a 'do-or-die' affair.

'It is not a do or die affair with me and Nigeria because I am not one of those coaches who finds it difficult to coach outside of Nigeria, I'm not,' he said.

The 'Big Boss' also refused to confirm or deny whether or not he has received any assurances from the Nigeria Football Federation on a new contract offer, but says his immediate focus is on beating Sudan on Saturday and next Wednesday.

'No I don't need to talk about that now, the most important thing right now for me in my career is to win in Sudan. After that, if there's anything called a contract or not, it's up to the NFF and whoever is concerned. But me, let me win my games on Saturday and Wednesday and if Nigerians are happy, we'll see what happens.'

The former Eagles of Mali Coach however claims there are several offers on the table for him, but admits he would love to continue with Nigeria.

'I thank God that I have other options, so if it is not here (Nigeria), which I love because it's my country, no shaking,' he said confidently. - Vanguard.

Kwakwanso turns up heat on Jonathan over cash-for-arms seizure by South Africa

By The Citizen

Governor Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso of Kano State has accused President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government of not being sincere over its defence of the seized $9.3m and another $5.7m by the South African government.

He said the seized money by the South African government under the guise of procuring arms and ammunition to fight insurgency, contravened established rules and guidelines.

The governor, who served as Minister of Defence during the Obasanjo administration, said it was a clear violation of the due process in the procurement.

Kwakwanso spoke in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday after the public presentation of two laws-Ekiti Magistrate Court Law 2014 and Administration of Criminal Justice 2014-by his counterpart from Lagos, Raji Fashola (SAN).

Fashola, who described laws and constitutionality as the bedrock of any nation, said the application of the Cremation and Public Health Laws gave the state a breakthrough in its fight against the Ebola Virus Disease that broke out in the country recently.

Kwakwanso, who had earlier inaugurated the Ire Burnt Brick Industry revamped by Governor Kayode Fayemi, said Nigerians must rise up to protect judiciary for the sustenance of the country's democracy.

The governor said, 'As a former Minister of Defence, I am very conversant with the way and manner, and the due process that is required to procure any arms, ammunition or equipment, there are rules and guidelines. Arms and ammunition are not rice and beans that you can just go to the market and purchase.

'Many of us were concerned when the information filtered in. In fact, we didn't believe it initially, but along the line, based on the defence of what happened, we realized that it was a bitter truth that such a thing happened: that money of that magnitude in an aircraft flown to another nation, I think so many things have gone wrong. I think it is high time for the Federal Government to sit up to its responsibilities to ensure that things are being done correctly.

'Yes, we need arms and ammunition; yes, we need security in this country, but even under that circumstance, there are rules and guidelines that must be respected.

'While we are trying to tackle insurgency, we must follow the due process. Even in the operation there are rules of engagement; they are very important to protect the lives and properties of innocent people.'

Kwakwanso wondered why it took the Federal Government three weeks to accept that over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok.

He said so many things were wrong under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

'That is why we are confident that by 2015 the APC will take over because all that we have seen in insecurity, unemployment, education…There are so many schools closed down in the North. Our children cannot go to school because some are being stolen,' he lamented. - Punch.