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Curfew imposed after Nigeria scholars kidnapped

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from EMEKA OKONKWO in Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
ABUJA, (CAJ News) – A NIGERIAN state synonymous with abductions and banditry has implemented a curfew after the recent kidnapping of eight students.

The curfew is with immediate effect in Kaduna State following the abduction of the pupils from Awon Government Secondary School in Kachia local government area.

The curfew is being implemented in place from 7pm to 7am.

“The Government advises residents of the community to comply with the curfew and maintain orderly conduct as security agencies continue to work in the affected areas,” said Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State.

The state government has verified that the students were not kidnapped within the school premises but on their way home from school, when they came in contact with the bandits, who had abducted other residents.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai has condemned the abduction as unfortunate, and has received assurances of efforts being exploited to rescue the eight students and other kidnapped citizens.

Kaduna has meanwhile relaxed a 24-hour curfew imposed on Sabon Garin Nasarawa area of Chikun local government area.

Kidnappings are also rife there.

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest nation, estimated at 219 million people, is experiencing violent crime including kidnappings.

– CAJ News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partnership enables outward remittances throughout Africa

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from OKORO CHINEDU in Lagos, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
LAGOS, (CAJ News) – MFS Africa has partnered with Access Bank, Nigeria’s largest bank, to expand Access Africa remittance corridors.

MFS is the largest digital payments network in Africa, operating in over 35 countries. Access operates across 17 markets. Access Africa is the bank’s service that allows customers to transfer and receive money across the world.

The partnership aims to provide simplified transfers for AccessAfrica customers, enabling real-time, cost-effective cross-border payments for individuals and businesses who want to send financial support to their families abroad or facilitate trade transactions.

Access Africa customers are said to be able to receive payments from all over the world through MFS Africa partners.

Robert Giles, MFS Africa, Senior Banking Advisor, Retail, Access Bank said the partnership with MFS Africa and access to hundreds of millions of people in the new markets would help customers pay and be paid, facilitating greater economic inclusion through trade as well as helping families across borders.

“Critically this propels us closer towards being ‘Africa’s gateway to the world’ and democratizing access to payments through affordable, safe and reliable platforms,” Giles said.

Dare Okoudjou, Chief Executive Officer at MFS Africa, said through this partnership, they will be expanding Access instant outbound remittance reach to potentially 400 million mobile wallets and more than 130 banks across over 35 African countries.

This would enable thousands of people and businesses throughout the continent to receive payments in real time from Nigeria, and improve convenience for and facilitating trade with the neighbouring countries and beyond.

“Uplifting the African continent through sustainable and accessible financial services has always been at the center of what we do at MFS Africa. Partnering with Access Bank, who shares this ethos, made complete sense,” Okoudjou said.

– CAJ News

 

Over 400 human rights defenders murdered

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by TINTSWALO BALOYI 
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – SOME 401 human rights defenders were killed in 2022, a year these activists showed courage and persistence in advocating for more democratic, just and inclusive societies.

They were killed in 26 countries, according to the Front Line Defenders, in its Global Analysis 2022.

This is compared to 358 human rights defenders killed in 35 countries in 2021.

“In a grim milestone, for the first time we saw more than 400 targeted killings of human rights defenders in 2022,” said Olive Moore, Interim Director of Front Line Defenders.

While Latin America remained the deadliest region in the world for human rights defenders, there also was a more dangerous landscape for defenders in the context of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.

“These human rights defenders were deliberately targeted and killed because of their human rights work. Because they choose to speak out and challenge injustice, they paid for it with their lives,” Moore said.

Five countries – Colombia, Ukraine, Mexico, Brazil and Honduras – accounted for over 80 percent of killings, according to HRD Memorial data.

Colombia alone accounted for 46 percent of the total, with at least 186 killings documented and verified by HRD Memorial partner Somos Defensores to date.

Defenders working on land, indigenous peoples’ and environmental rights were the most frequently targeted sector, accounting for almost half (48 percent) of the total killings.

The main threats reported to Front Line Defenders in 2022 included arrest or detention (19,5 percent); legal action (14,2 percent); physical attack (12,8 percent); death threats (10,9 percent); and surveillance (9,6 percent).

The five most targeted sectors of human rights defence were environmental, land and indigenous peoples’ rights (11 percent); freedom of expression (10 percent); protest movement/ freedom of assembly (9 percent); women’s rights (7 percent); and impunity and access to justice (6 percent).

– CAJ News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fastjet resumes flights to Hwange, Kariba

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from MARCUS MUSHONGA in Harare, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Bureau
HARARE, (CAJ News) – FASTJET Zimbabwe, has launched additional domestic flights to Kariba and Hwange National Park.

The new service routes bring to five the domestic destinations that the value-based airline now operates in the country.

Flights to Kariba and Hwange National Park are part of the airline’s domestic route development strategy aimed at improving air connectivity in Zimbabwe. Flights to these resorts will be operated by a 30-seater Embraer EMB120 aircraft.

“We are incredibly excited to expand our footprint along the Zambezi Basin”, said Nunurai Ndawana Fastjet Zimbabwe spokesman.

“We have presented new opportunities to unlock the development of Kariba and Hwange National Park. These scheduled flights will be a catalyst for an increase in the arrival of tourists to these resorts. The joint launch of these flights demonstrates our commitment and contribution to the Zimbabwean economy,” Ndawana said.

Vivian Ruwuya, Fastjet Zimbabwe Chief Commercial Officer, said the airline is committed to connectivity.

“We are offering something completely unique with these routes. Through our network of flights, Kariba and Hwange National Park are now connected to Johannesburg with scheduled flights through our tourism hub of Victoria Falls,” added Ruwuya.

Customers can now explore Victoria Falls and beyond to Hwange National Park and Kariba.

Both destinations are known for their diverse landscapes and season-long sunshine and abundant wildlife.

“Fastjet is delighted to make these connections and experiences possible,” Ruwuya concluded.

– CAJ News

 

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