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Saudi Arabia to arrest its citizens who comment against Israel on social media

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Despite Riyadh’s lack of ties to Israel, Saudi Arabia is allegedly increasing the number of its residents who are arrested for making remarks critical of Israel about the Gaza War. 

According to Bloomberg, one of the recent detainees was an executive of a business associated with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 economic plan. The CEO’s opinions on the war were deemed offensive by the local authorities. 

Bloomberg is told by unidentified sources that two people have asked for a boycott of American fast-food establishments in the kingdom and that a media figure has stated that Israel should never be forgiven. 

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According to a person acquainted with Saudi Arabia’s thinking, the arrests are intended to discourage people from making statements about the war online that could jeopardise national security.

One of the nation’s maximum-security prisons has seen a significant increase in inmates within the previous six months, according to a second Saudi source with knowledge of the situation. Several Saudi diplomats and human rights organisations confirmed this, claiming that since October 7, there has been an increase in arrests for offences relating to social media. However, according to the sources, a large number of the incarcerations might be for posts unrelated to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Fearing that pro-Palestine demonstrations will spark new uprisings against their governments, Riyadh and its regional allies, Egypt and Jordan, have clamped down on domestic protests.

The study was released when Saudi Arabia and Israel proceeded with an accord mediated by the United States.

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Prior to October 7, the Biden administration had been in talks with Saudi Arabia and Israel about a possible peace deal. These conversations continued during Israel’s Gaza war, but it seems that obstacles remain in the way of an agreement.

As the discussions with Riyadh continued, an accord might see the US providing technologies to support Saudi Arabia’s nuclear power development in exchange for normalisation relations with Israel.

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First Lady denies leading national prayer

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The First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday, refuted reports that she will be leading a seven-day national prayer for Nigeria.

This followed a report last week that Mrs Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Mrs Nuhu Ribadu, will spearhead a national prayer session to tackle the country’s numerous challenges.

The reports quoted the Director-General of the National Prayer Forum, Segun Afolorunikan, announcing the event in Abuja.

Afolorunikan had said the initiative, coordinated with Christian and Muslim religious leaders, intends to seek divine intervention for the country’s socio-economic and security issues, under the theme ‘Seeking the Intervention of God in Nigeria’s Affairs.’

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“Christians will meet at the National Ecumenical Centre for a week of intense prayer, with prayer warriors from various denominations focusing their efforts on the nation’s adversities,” said the convener.

However, the First Lady has denied knowing any such arrangement saying a call for prayer must be done “willingly, conscientiously and correctly.”

Mrs Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Busola Kukoyi, conveyed this in a statement she signed Saturday titled ‘First Lady of Nigeria Oluremi Tinubu, CON refutes organising national prayer.’

It read, “This is to clarify and inform the general public that the First Lady of Nigeria is not organising a national prayer.

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“The news making rounds in some conventional and social media platforms is unfounded and misleading.

“Consequently, anyone who might have come across the purported news of the joint National Prayer for Nigeria should disregard it as false.”

Kukoyi said the First Lady, a Christian and strong advocate of prayer and praying for Nigeria, believes that prayer is an act that must be done willingly, conscientiously and correctly.

“She also believes that praying for Nigeria is the responsibility of every Nigerian, irrespective of religious belief, political affiliation, tribe or tongue.

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“Members of the public are advised to verify the authenticity of any news or event involving the First Lady of Nigeria or her office through official channels,” the statement concluded.

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25 Shops destroyed as fire guts building in Ilorin

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A building of 25 shops has been gutted by fire in the early hours of Saturday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.

According to the state fire service, the incident occurred at Adeta roundabout at about 02.39 hours.

A statement in Ilorin on Saturday by the spokesman of the service, Hassan Adekunle, said the firefighters, upon arrival, found a block of about 25 shops engulfed in flames.

“Thanks to the swift action and bravery of the Kwara State fire service officers, only three shops suffered damage, including a soft drinks and alcohol shop.

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“Preliminary investigations indicated that the fire was caused by a power surge,” the statement disclosed.

The Director of the State Fire Service, Prince John Falade Olumuyiwa, expressed sympathy for the affected shop owners, offering prayers for the restoration of their losses.

He also urged the public to prioritize safety and ensure all electrical appliances are unplugged when not in use.

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New terror group Lakurawa offers N1m incentives to recruit Sokoto youths + Video

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The newly emerged terror group known as Lakurawa, is reportedly offering as much as one million naira to young men in exchange for their allegiance.

This was made known on Saturday by Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert, in a post on his X handle.

Makama disclosed that an impeccable source informed him that Lakurawa, allegedly composed of individuals from Mali, Chad, Libya, Niger, and Burkina Faso, was actively recruiting local youths in Sokoto through substantial financial incentives.

He stated that according to witnesses’ accounts, the financial lure is part of an aggressive recruitment campaign aimed at attracting followers to their cause.

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The security expert said that Lakurawa, unlike traditional criminal gangs, reportedly adhere to extremist ideologies linked to the Khawarij sect, similar to the beliefs of Boko Haram.

Makama added: “Local sources suggest that they employ a combination of financial incentives and ideological influence to gain support among vulnerable communities.

“Beyond the recruitment, the Lakurawa reportedly confront and expel bandits and confiscate their cattle in areas under their control.

Watch video below:

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https://twitter.com/ZagazOlaMakama/status/1855319733282758848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

 

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