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SAD! 13-yr-old brutalized by soldier -civillian JTF commits su3cide as family demands justice
The family of Mr and Mrs Saul Hashimu, residents of Ungwan Maigero Community in the Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, are demanding justice over the death of their 13-year-old son, Wisdom, whose death was caused by an alleged brutality by a soldier and members of the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in the area.
The deceased, who until his death, was living with his parents on Lafiya Sarki Street in the same LGA was said to have committed suicide inside their compound, after he was falsely accused of stealing N10,000 from a neighbour and allegedly tortured by a soldier and civilian JTF members.
The teenager was said to have committed suicide on Friday, June 6, 2024.
Before his mysterious death, Wisdom, who was writing his Junior Secondary School examination, was on June 1, 2024, severely beaten to a pulp by a soldier and members of the civilian JTF.
Wisdom was accused of stealing the sum from a 16-year-old neighbor known as Hope, who reportedly invited her boyfriend, one Segun Samson who is a serving soldier at Bodi Camp in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Rather than reporting to the police, the soldier was said to have dragged Wisdom and Hope’s brother — both accused of stealing the money — to the civilian JTF office.
At the civilian JTF office, Wisdom was said to have been severely beaten to the point where he was unable to walk.
He returned home after receiving medical attention but the story changed for the worse on Thursday, June 6th, 2024 as Wisdom’s lifeless body was found hanging on a noose at the back of their compound when his parents were not around.
Parents Seek Justice
The death of Wisdom has left his parents distraught as his grieving father narrated what happened.
“On 1st of June, 2024, I was in Zaria when I received information that Wisdom was alleged of stealing my neighbour’s daughter (Miss Hope Danladi)’s N1000,” he said.
“I was further told that the Civilian JTF took the law into their own hands and beat Wisdom. But, beyond my wildest imagination, the Civilian JTF only beat Wisdom to a point of coma while Hope’s younger brother was spared and returned home unscathed.
“After interrogation at home, her (Hope’s) younger brother confessed to the crime. When he was searched, N9000 was found in his pocket, and he said he had spent N1000 already.”
I was also told that Hope called her boyfriend, Segun Samson, who identified himself to the Civilian JTF in Dokaji Street in Narayi as a serving soldier at Bodi Camp in Port-Harcourt after brandishing his ID Card for validation.
“This was after Hope called Samson, and he bundled Wisdom and Hope’s younger brother to the civilian JTF office, and he prevailed on the Civilian JTF to discipline the boys.
“My son was severely beaten by the Civilian JTF to the point that he was unable to walk. We took him to the hospital where he received medical attention while we reported the matter to the police station.
“On Thursday, while I was away, I was told to rush back home, that my son was dead, that he hanged himself with a rope at the back of our compound.
“Though my son is dead, I can’t question God. He is gone. But I want the authorities to ensure that justice is served, and those that brutalised my son be brought to book. This will serve as a deterrent to others.”
Police React
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command said it was aware of the incident, and has commenced full investigation into it to ensure that justice is served and those behind Wisdom’s death are apprehended and prosecuted accordingly to the law.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday swore in Engr. Dr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
Darma was appointed following the resignation of Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.
Darma is a distinguished Nigerian scholar, administrator, and development expert who holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the University of Liverpool and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Atlantic International University, USA.
He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bayero University, Kano, and later earned a Master’s in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Benin.
A member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institute of Management, Dr Darma served as Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund from 2008 to 2012. Thereafter, he held key positions, including Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, and Commissioner for Rural and Social Development in Katsina State, among others.
He has also contributed to academia as a lecturer at Bayero University, Kano.
News
Boko Haram Faction Selects 68 Women From Over 400 Captives For Distribution Among Fighters –Borno Group
A faction of Boko Haram, officially known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), has reportedly selected 68 women from a group of 416 abducted victims, with plans to distribute them among its members.
The alarming disclosure was made on Thursday by the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, who told SaharaReporters that he was directly contacted by one of the insurgents detailing their next line of action amid what they described as government inaction.
According to Kaigama, the contact occurred around 8:00 PM on April 23, when individuals identifying themselves as members of JAS reached out regarding the abducted Ngoshe victims.
“During the communication, they claimed that they have selected 68 women out of the reported 416 captives and intend to distribute them among their members, similar to previous abduction cases,” Kaigama said.
He added that the insurgents issued a threat, indicating that some of the captives could be harmed or killed based on their internal selection process.
The terrorists also indicated that between 50 and 60 individuals could be targeted for execution.
The development has heightened concerns over the fate of hundreds of women, children, and other vulnerable individuals still held by the insurgents in Borno State.
Kaigama described the situation as a grave humanitarian emergency, urging immediate intervention from Nigeria’s security architecture, including the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and military authorities.
“Given the seriousness of these claims and the immediate danger to innocent lives, we strongly believe that all relevant security agencies should urgently become involved,” he said.
He called on authorities to deploy all lawful means to gather intelligence, verify the threats, and secure the safe release of the captives.
“This is beyond politics. This is a humanitarian emergency involving innocent citizens whose lives may depend on urgent intervention,” Kaigama stressed.
The BOSYA president reaffirmed the group’s commitment to advocating for the safe return of all abducted Southern Borno indigenes through lawful and peaceful means.
However, on Thursday, Daily Trust reported that at least 12 of the victims had reportedly escaped captivity following a military offensive on the insurgents’ hideout.
Out of the 416 abducted persons, 404 are still believed to be in captivity.
A community source from Pulka said the escapees, 10 men and two women, regained freedom amid the chaos triggered by the bombardment.
Kaigama also confirmed the development, noting that the victims escaped on Wednesday and were safe.
More than 16,000 workers are set to lose their jobs at Meta and Microsoft as both companies ramp up spending on artificial intelligence and continue cost-cutting measures.
According to CNBC, Meta, the parent company of Instagram and WhatsApp, said it would lay off about 8,000 employees, representing around 10 per cent of its workforce, as it seeks efficiency savings while increasing investment in AI.
The company also said about 6,000 vacant positions would remain unfilled.
Meta had earlier told investors that its spending would top $160 billion during 2026, up from just under $120 billion last year.
The social media giant is competing with rivals to hire AI experts while also facing huge costs for data centres needed to power the technology.
Microsoft, meanwhile, said it was offering a voluntary redundancy programme that the Associated Press reported would affect about 8,750 workers within its core United States workforce.
That figure represents about 7 per cent of the company’s total staff.
CNBC had earlier reported that the scheme would be rolled out early next month.
The broadcaster said workers were informed in a memo from Microsoft chief people officer Amy Coleman.
“Our hope is that this program gives those eligible the choice to take that next step on their own terms, with generous company support,” she wrote.
The latest announcements continue a wave of job cuts across major US technology firms as investment in artificial intelligence accelerates.
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