ISWAP militants roared into a northeastern Nigerian village on motorcycles, opened fire on a market and set shops and homes ablaze, killing at least 37 people, according to a military official.

Residents said the death toll could be even higher, with villagers still missing and feared dead after fighters chased them into the bush.

The attack took place on Sunday afternoon in Yobe, one of three states at the frontline of an insurgency that has lasted 15 years. Thousands of Nigerians have been killed and more than 2 million displaced.

Yobe police spokesperson Dungus Abdulkarim said the attack in Yobe's Mafa village was apparent retaliation for the killing of two suspected Boko Haram fighters by local vigilantes.

After shooting at the market and torching buildings, the militants chased other residents into the bush and shot them, Abdulkarim added.

"The terrorists killed many people, but we are yet to ascertain the actual number of casualties," Abdulkarim said.

A military official who accompanied the army's commanding officer for Yobe to Mafa on Monday evening said the route to the village had been rigged with explosives, which troops managed to defuse.

"We recovered 37 corpses and brought them to Babangida General Hospital," said the official, who declined to be identified because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

Modu Mohammed, a resident, said several more residents were missing and estimated the death toll at over 100. He said some corpses were still in the bush.

Reuters

US charges Hamas leaders over Oct. 7 attack on Israel

The United States announced criminal charges on Tuesday against Hamas' top leaders over their roles in planning, supporting and perpetrating the deadly Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel.

The charges against Yahya Sinwar, the militant group's chief, and at least five others accuse them of orchestrating the Oct. 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people, including more than 40 Americans.

That attack triggered an Israeli assault on Gaza that has killed more than 40,800 Palestinians and laid waste to much of the territory.

"As outlined in our complaint, those defendants -- armed with weapons, political support, and funding from the Government of Iran, and support from (Hezbollah) - have led Hamas’s efforts to destroy the State of Israel and murder civilians in support of that aim," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

The complaint names six defendants, three of whom are deceased. The living defendants are Sinwar, who is believed to be in hiding in Gaza; Khaled Meshaal, who is based in Doha and heads the group's diaspora office; and Ali Baraka, a senior Hamas official based in Lebanon.

The deceased defendants are former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who the group says was assassinated in July in Tehran; military wing chief Mohammed Deif, who Israel says it killed in a July airstrike; and Marwan Issa, a deputy military commander who Israel said it killed in a March strike.

Iran has blamed Israel for Haniyeh's death. Israeli officials have not claimed responsibility.

U.S. prosecutors brought charges against the six men in February, but kept the complaint under seal in hopes of capturing Haniyeh, according to a Justice Department official.

The Justice Department decided to go public with the charges after Haniyeh's death.

Reuters

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Russian missiles kill 50 in strike on Ukrainian military institute

At least 50 people were killed and 271 wounded when Russia hit a military institute in Ukraine's central town of Poltava with two ballistic missiles on Tuesday, the war's deadliest single attack this year.

Photographs posted on social media showed several bodies of young men on the ground covered in dust and debris, with the badly damaged side of a large building behind them. Reuters could not immediately verify the images.

"The Russian scum will definitely be held accountable for this strike," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app.

He ordered a prompt investigation, saying the strike damaged a building of the Military Institute of Communications.

In his nightly video address, delivered later in the evening, Zelenskiy put the death toll at 51.

"It is known that there are people under the rubble of the destroyed building," he said. "Everything is being done to save as many lives as possible."

The emergency service gave a death toll of 50. Poltava Regional Governor Filip Pronin said 15 people may still be under the rubble.

Ukraine's land forces said military personnel had been killed. They did not specify how many of the victims were from the armed forces, but the attack was a major blow to Kyiv as it tries to bolster its ranks to hold off a more powerful enemy.

"The Land Forces Command is conducting an investigation to determine whether enough was done to protect the lives and health of the soldiers at the facility," a statement said.

The use of ballistic missiles - which hit targets hundreds of kilometres away within a few minutes of their launch - meant the victims had little time to find cover after the air raid siren sounded, the foreign ministry said.

"This is a stunning tragedy for all of Ukraine. The enemy hit an educational institution and a hospital," Ukraine's first lady, Olena Zelenska, wrote on X.

Some Ukrainians left worried messages on the institute's Facebook page seeking information about their loved ones.

"One of the institute's buildings was partially destroyed, and many people were trapped under the rubble," the defence ministry said on Telegram.

"Thanks to the coordinated work of rescuers and medics, 25 people were rescued, 11 of whom were taken from the rubble. The rescuers are currently continuing their work."

Russia did not immediately comment on the attack.

INCREASE IN MISSILE STRIKES

Russia has intensified its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine 2-1/2 years into the full-scale war.

Last week Ukraine was pummelled with the heaviest bombardment to date, and on Monday ballistic and cruise missiles targeted Kyiv causing loud explosions.

Ukraine targeted Russia with more than 158 drones during the weekend, damaging an oil refinery near Moscow and a power station.

Fighting has intensified over the past month, with Russian forces advancing in eastern Ukraine, while Kyiv's troops have mounted their first large-scale cross-border assault into Russia. Moscow has vowed to retaliate for the incursion into the Kursk region.

Zelenskiy repeated calls for more Western air defences and urged allies to allow their long-range weapons to be used for strikes deeper into Russian territory.

"We keep telling everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: Air defence systems and missiles are needed in Ukraine, not in a warehouse somewhere.

"Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not some time later. Unfortunately, every day of delay means loss of life."

In Poltava, some 300 km (186 miles) southeast of Kyiv and 120 km (75 miles) to the nearest Russian border, Governor Pronin said about 150 residents had donated blood for the wounded.

Defence Ministry spokesman Dmytro Lazutkin told national TV that classes at the institute were underway at the time of the attack. He said the alarm sounded at 09:08 local time (0608 GMT) prompting people to rush to the shelter.

"A few minutes after the air alert, explosions sounded," he said, adding that there were no parades going on at the time.

It was not the first time Russia has struck military facilities away from the frontlines, causing mass casualties. Russia said in May 2022 that it hit a training ground for reserve forces in the town of Desna where Ukraine said 87 people were killed. In March that year, 35 people died in a Russian strike on a military base in the country's west.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Russian forces shoot down Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet, 37 drones in past day

Russian forces shot down an MiG-29 fighter jet of the Ukrainian Air Force and 37 unmanned aerial vehicles in the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said in its bulletin.

Here are the details of the combat actions that took place over the past day, according to the bulletin.

Battlegroup North

Units of Battlegroup North delivered strikes on the forces of the 36th Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces and the 103rd and 114th territorial defense brigades near Liptsy, Dergachi and Volchansk in the Kharkov Region. The Ukrainian army lost over 150 troops, a tank, an armored combat vehicle, three motor vehicles and a Grad multiple rocket launcher.

Battlegroup South

Units of Battlegroup South continued advancing deeper into enemy defenses, inflicting losses on Ukraine’s 24th, 32nd, 100th, 117th mechanized, 46th airmobile, and 10th assault brigades and 116th Territorial Defense Brigade. The Ukrainian army lost up to 710 troops, six motor vehicles, a US-made Paladin 155 mm self-propelled artillery piece, a US-made M777 155-mm howitzer, an Akatsiya 152-mm self-propelled artillery piece and a D-30 122-mm howitzer. Five field ammunition depots and an Anklav-N electronic warfare system were also eliminated.

Battlegroup Center

Battlegroup Center hit the troops and equipment of the Ukrainian army’s 31st and 53rd mechanized, 142nd infantry, 95th air assault and 109th territorial defense brigades near Druzhba, Panteleimonovka, Rozovka, Selidovo, Grodovka and Zavetnoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic. They repelled seven counterattacks by assault teams of the 59th motorized infantry, 144th infantry, 25th airborne, 12th and 14th National Guard brigades. The Ukrainian army lost up to 490 personnel, four armored combat vehicles, three pickup trucks, a US-manufactured M109 Paladin 155mm self-propelled artillery system and a D-30 152mm howitzer.

Battlegroup East

Battlegroup East moved to more advantageous positions, defeating the forces of the 31st and 72nd mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces and the 129th Territorial Defense Brigade near Bogatyr, Vodyanoye and Ugledar of the Donetsk People’s Republic. Russian servicemen repelled three counterattacks by the 72nd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy lost three motor vehicles and two Polish-made Krab 155 mm howitzers.

Battlegroup West

Units of Battlegroup West repelled an attack by the 30th Mechanized Brigade. The enemy lost up to 450 troops, two motor vehicles, a Polish-made Krab 155 mm howitzer, a UK-made FH-70 155 mm howitzer, and two D-20 152 mm howitzers. Nine field ammunition depots were destroyed.

Battlegroup Dnepr

Units of Battlegroup Dnerp hit the troops and equipment of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade and the 141st Infantry Brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces, the 37th Marine Brigade and the 39th Coast Guard Brigade near Novodanilovka in the Zaporozhye Region, Berislav, Tokarevka and Kazatskoye in the Kherson Region. The Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 60 troops, two motor vehicles and a Msta-B 152 mm howitzer.

Air Force and air defenses

Russian air defenses shot down an MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force, three US-made HIMARS rockets and 37 unmanned aerial vehicles.

Russian strategic aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile units and artillery forces eliminated an aviation munitions depot and delivered strikes on enemy troops and military hardware in 149 areas.

Tally of destroyed equipment

A total of 642 planes, 283 helicopters, 30,987 unmanned aerial vehicles, 575 missile systems, 17,811 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,435 multiple rocket launchers and 13,985 field artillery mounts and mortars, as well as 25,539 special military motor vehicles, have been destroyed since the start of Russia’s special military operation.

Reuters/Tass

Founded in the year 578, Japan’s Kongo Gumi construction company is recognized as the oldest continuously operating company in the world.

Thousands of companies are founded and liquidated daily around the globe, many of which only operate for a few years, maybe even months. The world’s most valuable companies have only been around for a few decades and with technology changing the business landscape at breakneck speeds, who knows how long they’ll be around.

Today, there are only a few thousand companies older than 200 years, and even those seem relatively new compared to the world’s oldest continually operating company, Kongo Gumi. Founded in the 6th century by a Korean carpenter specializing in Buddhist temple construction, the Japanese construction company has been operating for a whopping 1446 years.

The history of Kongo Gumi can be traced back to Japan’s very first Buddhist temple, the Shitenno-ji in Osaka. In the late 6th century, Buddhism was spreading fast around Japan, and even though the Asian archipelago was mainly Taoist, the royal family was directly involved in the mass adoption of the new religion.

Building a Buddhist temple was an important step towards that goal, but the country had no craftsmen familiar with Buddhist temple architecture, so three such Miyadaiku were invited to Japan from Baekje, a kingdom on the Korean peninsula.

Kongō Shikō, one of the three miyadaiku invited to Japan to build Shitennō-ji, the country’s first Buddhist temple, founded the Kongo Gumi construction in the year 578. Records of its work on Shitennō-ji in modern-day Osaka can be found in “Nihon Shoki” (“Chronicle of Japan”), the oldest official history of Japan, so it is officially recognized as the country’s oldest continually operating company.

After completing Shitennō-ji in 593, Kongo Gumi remained actively involved in the building and restoration of Buddhist temples and shrines throughout Japan for almost a millennia. The Shitennō-ji temple played a big part in its success, but it wasn’t enough to ensure its survival for such an incredibly long period pf time. According to Hidekazu Sone, an associate professor at the Shizuoka University of Art and Culture, Kongo Gumi owes its longevity to the skill of its craftsmen and the management ability of its leaders.

Records show that throughout its existence, Kongo Gumi employed several groups of Japan’s most skilled carpenters and craftsmen, and it was precisely the competition between these different groups that led to the discovery and improvement of different techniques which in turn allowed the company to be several steps ahead of any competition.

Throughout most of its 1446-year history, Kongo Gumi was run by 40 generations of Kongo descendants, but Hidekazu Sone claims that family never allowed tradition to come before the good of the company. During the Edo Period (1603 – 1868), Kongo Gumi had serious competition from other groups of carpenters, so to ensure the survival of the family business, it only selected leaders with the necessary carpentry skills to inspire employees and good management skills. Documents show that the Kongo family didn’t always put its firstborn in charge of the construction company if they lacked the required qualities, and didn’t shy away from replacing leaders if they failed to display a commitment to their position. When the family had no male heirs, it made sure that the daughters married great carpenters and leaders for the good of the company.

Kongo Gumi faced many challenges throughout its existence, with some of the most notable being the Showa Depression of the 1920s, when Kongo Haruichi, the 37th leader of Kongo Gumi took his own life due to financial difficulties, and World War II, when demand for Buddhist religious buildings declined dramatically. However, it managed to stay afloat until 2006, when it was acquired by a much younger construction company from Osaka. At that point, it had accumulated large debts and could no longer operate independently.

Even though today Kongo Gumi operates as a subsidiary of the Takamatsu Construction Group, its impressive history is still an inspiration for its parent company and many others in Japan. No descendants of the Kongo family are involved in the management of the company, and only one descendant is currently employed by Kongo Gumi. The Kongo clan is still very much respected among Japan’s carpenters.

Oddity Central

The Incorporated Trustees of Computer Village Market Traders and Stakeholders Joint Management, representing a coalition of market associations within the Computer Village, Ikeja, have issued a cease and desist notice to the Iyaloja-General of Lagos, Mrs. Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, over an alleged imposition of levies on the market. 

The notice dated August 28, 2024, a copy of which was seen by Nairametrics, was formally served by Falana and Falana’s Chambers on behalf of the association. 

The legal notice addresses multiple grievances that the traders have against Tinubu-Ojo, who is President Bola Tinubu’s daughter, particularly her alleged involvement in the unlawful collection of levies and disruption of market activities through the use of thugs.  

According to the notice, this was despite a previous court ruling restraining her from such activities, the traders allege that she has continued to meddle in their operations, causing significant disruptions. 

Background and allegations 

The Incorporated Trustees of Computer Village Market Traders and Stakeholders Joint Management is a legally registered entity under Part “C” of the Company and Allied Matters Act. The association comprises several groups, including the Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (PAPDA), the Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association (COMTEAN), and the Association of Mobile Communication Devices Engineers and Technicians (AMCODET), among others. 

• According to the letter, the traders secured a favourable ruling from an Ikeja High Court in December 2020 under Suit No. ID/9039MFHR/19.  
• The court order permanently restrained Tinubu-Ojo and her agents from imposing and collecting any levies within Computer Village, citing a lack of legal basis for such actions. 
• Despite this ruling, the traders claim that Tinubu-Ojo has continued to engage in actions that infringe on their rights.  
• These actions allegedly include instigating thugs to disrupt lawful gatherings and pressuring the traders’ business partners to make payments directly to her. 

“Our client is not unaware that you have contacted our client’s several partners to make their commitments to you.  

“We have instructions to warn against any further demand or communication to our client’s partners including but not limited to Oppo, Proview, Samsung, Big and Bold et al because the commodity association of the Women and Men Market Association which is the basis of your appointment by the Lagos State Government has no membership in Computer Village,” the notice signed by Taiwo Olawanle and Adebayo Oniyelu of Falana and Falana’s Chambers read in part. 

The traders have also raised concerns about Mrs. Abisola Azeez, who was appointed as the Iyaloja of Computer Village under Tinubu-Ojo’s sanction. The traders assert that Mrs. Azeez has no shop or stake in Computer Village, further questioning the legitimacy of her role. 

Legal implications  

The notice draws attention to the limitations of Tinubu-Ojo’s powers under the Lagos State Market Advisory Council Law.  

• It notes that the law, particularly under Section 8, does not grant her the authority to collect levies or interfere in the internal affairs of markets such as Computer Village.  
• The traders argue that even if her office had such powers, Computer Village is not covered under the referenced law. 
• Falana and Falana’s Chambers, on behalf of the traders, warned Tinubu-Ojo against any further interference, emphasizing that continued violations will result in the pursuit of all available legal remedies, including claims for costs incurred. 

What you should know 

This development marks the latest chapter in the ongoing struggle for control over one of Lagos State’s most significant commercial hubs.  

The market traders had vehemently kicked against the appointment of an Iyaloja for them in 2019. According to them, the technological and commercial hub had been regulated by the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation, and no Iyaoloja was needed to regulate their activities.  

They also argued that the Computer Village is a modern market and there was no relationship between technology and traditionalists. However, the appointment was not rescinded.  

The Computer Village is adjudged as the largest ICT market in West Africa and adds over N300 billion to the economy yearly.  

Nairametrics

Dangote Oil Refinery has begun processing petrol after delays caused by recent crude shortages, an executive said on Monday.

The $20 billion refinery on the outskirts of Lagos, built by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, began operations in January with output of products including naphtha and jet fuel.

With a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, Africa's largest refinery promises to ease oil producer Nigeria's costly reliance on imported oil products.

"We are testing the product (gasoline) and subsequently it will start flowing into the product tanks," said Devakumar Edwin, a vice president at Dangote Industries Limited.

He did not say exactly when the gasoline would hit the local market.

Edwin said state-oil firm NNPC Ltd, Nigeria's sole importer of gasoline, would buy its gasoline exclusively.

"If no one is buying it, we will export it as we have been exporting our aviation jet fuel and diesel," Edwin said.

The delivery of gasoline into the Nigerian market will ease NNPC's struggleto supply the local market. The company is reeling with debts of $6 billion to oil traders for supply since January.

This has affected its ability to supply the local market where fuel queues have persisted since July.

Prices have jumped by 45% from the official price of 617 naira ($0.3942) announced after subsidies were removed last year.

“The news that Dangote is processing gasoline couldn’t come at a more crucial time given NNPC’s statement about its difficulties securing imported supply due to financial strain," said Clementine Wallop, director, sub-Saharan Africa at political risk consultancy Horizon Engage.

She said this "prompts the question of how NNPC will manage purchasing from Dangote, and impresses the need for greater transparency in its finances".

Nigeria is Africa's top oil producer yet it imports almost all its fuel due to years of neglect of its national refineries.

($1 = 1,565.0000 naira)

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) has long been a symbol of mismanagement, corruption, and inefficiency, despite being the custodian of one of the world’s largest oil reserves. The persistent fuel shortages, mounting debts, and inability to fulfill its basic mandate of ensuring energy security have underscored the need for urgent reforms. The recent admission by NNPCL that it is struggling financially—owing international oil traders over $6 billion—highlights the severe crisis facing the company and, by extension, the Nigerian economy.

The NNPCL, now existing under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as a limited liability company, was intended to operate independently of government interference, driven by principles of profitability, transparency, and efficiency. However, it remains shackled by political influence and remains a de facto extension of the government, an "ATM" for the Federal Government, as Atiku Abubakar aptly described it. This state of affairs not only contravenes the PIA's provisions but also perpetuates the same inefficiencies and corruption that have plagued the company for decades.

The Case for Privatization

Listing the NNPCL on the Nigerian Stock Exchange—and possibly on international exchanges—is not just an option; it is an imperative for the revitalization of Nigeria's oil industry and the broader economy. Privatization would bring numerous benefits:

1. Enhanced Transparency and Governance: As a publicly listed company, NNPCL would be subject to rigorous disclosure and governance standards. This would reduce the opacity that has allowed corruption to flourish within the company, fostering a culture of accountability.

2. Attracting Investment and Expertise: By opening up to private investors, including international oil companies, NNPCL can attract the capital and technical expertise needed to overhaul its operations. Successful examples like the Nigeria LNG and Eleme Petrochemicals—both of which have thrived under private management—demonstrate the potential for a restructured NNPCL to become a profitable and efficient enterprise.

3. Economic Growth and Job Creation: Privatization would likely lead to more efficient management of the company’s assets, including its long-comatose refineries. Revitalizing these refineries and other infrastructure could create thousands of jobs, boost local economies, and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products, thereby improving trade balances.

4. Revenue Generation for the Government: The sale of NNPCL shares would generate significant revenue for the government, providing much-needed funds to address Nigeria's mounting national debt, currently at over N121 trillion. Moreover, a privatized NNPCL that operates efficiently would provide a steady stream of dividends and taxes to the government, rather than being a drain on the national budget.

5. Stabilizing the Oil Sector and Economy: With NNPCL’s financial woes directly contributing to fuel shortages and economic instability, privatization could stabilize the company, ensuring consistent fuel supplies, more predictable pricing, and greater energy security. This stability is crucial for the broader economy, which remains heavily reliant on oil revenues.

The Road Ahead: Privatization with Integrity

For privatization to succeed, it must be carried out with transparency and integrity. The process should involve reputable international institutions to ensure that the valuation, listing, and share distribution are handled professionally and without undue influence. It is essential that politically exposed persons and entities connected to past and present governments be excluded from acquiring significant stakes in the company, to prevent the perpetuation of the very issues that privatization seeks to resolve.

Moreover, the mistakes of past privatizations—such as the power sector, where inadequate investors left the country with underperforming distribution companies—must be avoided. The government must ensure that only credible investors with the necessary capital and expertise are involved in NNPCL’s privatization.

The NNPCL, as it currently operates, is a relic of Nigeria’s past, marred by corruption and inefficiency. Privatization offers a path forward, transforming the company into a profitable and transparent enterprise that can contribute positively to Nigeria’s economy. It is time for the government to muster the political will to divest itself of control, allowing NNPCL to truly operate as a private company, free from the shackles of political interference. The benefits of such a move—to the oil industry, the Nigerian economy, the people, and the government—are too significant to ignore.

Amnesty International has condemned the planned mass trial of #EndBadGovernance protesters by the federal government. 

Nigerians staged a nationwide protest against bad governance and economic hardship from August 1–10.

The protest turned violent in some parts of the country, with looting and vandalism recorded in some states.

Subsequently, the police announced the arrest of perpetrators in some states.

On August 16, Amnesty said over 1,000 #EndBadGovernance protesters were detained nationwide.

In a statement on Sunday, Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said the protesters include minors, adding that they have been denied access to lawyers.

The rights group asked the government to release the protesters, saying the planned mass trial is “a sham”.

“Amnesty International is deeply concerned that the #EndBadGovernaceInNigeria protesters to be arraigned nationwide tomorrow (today) are only going to be subjected to another round of government’s unrelenting intent to punish protesters and demonize protests,” the statement reads.

“We condemn the sham trials even before they begin and call for an end to these endless bizarre attempts to deprive people of the right to peaceful protest.

“What is going to happen to these protesters — who took to the streets last month — seeking good governance is a disguised exercise solely aimed at punishing dissenters.

“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested from 1-10 August for exercising their right to peaceful assembly, instead of resorting to putting them through trumped-up charges just to justify unlawfully detaining them.

“The Nigerian government has been wrongfully placing priority on punishing protesters, without saying even a word on the urgent need to investigate the killing of dozens of protesters across Kano, Katsina, Suleja/Tafa, Jigawa and Maiduguri.

“Many protesters were subjected to horrific violations by security personnel, including excessive use of force and misuse of tear gas.

“Since the arrests of the protesters, Amnesty International has been receiving disturbing reports of violation of the rights of those detained through denial of access to family, legal assistance and medical care where needed.

“That dozens of minors are among those detained and possibly to face trial tomorrow is a travesty of justice.”

Amnesty said the planned mass trial is a “mockery of the rule of law”.

“The authorities have an obligation to uphold and protect fundamental human rights,” the statement adds.

“Instead of investing in desperate attempts to rush dissent, the government should listen to critics, and address rampant insecurity, corruption and mismanagement.

“Giving more attention to rescuing millions of Nigerians from the brink of starvation should be the top priority of government, not punishing protesters.”

The Cable

Drew Povey,  a British national declared wanted, has reacted to the allegation of building “a network of sleeper cells to topple” the Bola Tinubu administration “and plunge the nation into chaos.”

On Monday, the police high command promised to reward any Nigerian who facilitates the arrest of Povey.

Apart from Wynne, the Force also declared one Lucky Ehis Obinyan, wanted.

In a Special Police Gazette Bulletin shared with journalists at Force Headquarters, the force accused the duo of terrorism financing, treasonable felony, cybercrime, subversion and criminal conspiracy.

The police said the Briton has fled the country.

It also said the suspect established the bookshop and ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ as a cover for his subversive activities.”

Reacting, Povey, in a statement written on the letterhead of his bookshop, said the mass protests over #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger frightened the government.

“But rather than addressing the people’s demands, the government turned to repression,” he said.

The statement read in part: “PROTEST IS NOT TREASON – release all the detainees! The mass protests over #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger frightened the government. But rather than addressing the peoples’ demands, the government turned to repression. Perhaps 40 people were murdered by the police and other the security forces, thousands were arrested and many still remain in captivity.

“In Abuja, the authorities have attacked the so called leaders and organisers of the protests. Ten people face ridiculous charges including treason, mutiny and levying war against the state. The NLC promised a general strike to protect its President, Joe Ajaero, from arrest and detention in relation to similar charges. Despite the flimsy nature of the evidence against the detainees, they face long years in prison unless the trade union movement is prepared to protect them.

“On 7th August the NLC said it, “condemns in the strongest terms the human rights violations perpetrated by security forces against peaceful protesters.” The first person to be arrested in this case was Eleojo Opaluwa. He is a former colleague of Joe Ajaero, working for NUEE, the electricians union, as an organiser in Abuja. He is also the Vice Chair of the NLC in Kogi State. He has now been detained for over 4 weeks with no tangible evidence. His family was told that he had received a WhatsApp message from one of the other alleged leaders.”

Daily Trust

Hamas says hostage guards in Gaza have been operating under new instructions

Hamas' armed wing said on Monday that since June the group has been operating under new instructions on how to handle hostages should Israeli forces approach their locations in Gaza.

The announcement comes days after the Israeli military recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, saying they had been shot dead by their captors as Israeli forces got close.

Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades, did not provide details on what the instructions were. He said his group holds Israel responsible for the hostages' deaths.

The new instructions, Ubaida said, were given to guards of hostages after a rescue operation by Israel in June. At that time, Israeli forces freed four hostages in a raid in which dozens of Palestinians, including women and children, were killed.

"Netanyahu's insistence to free prisoners through military pressure, instead of sealing a deal, means they will be returned to their families in shrouds. Their families must choose whether they want them dead or alive," he said.

Later on Monday, the Hamas armed wing published a pre-recorded video of one of the six dead hostages. It was unclear when the video was made.

Netanyahu said in a press conference on Monday that the hostages had been shot in the back of the head, and promised that Hamas would pay a heavy price.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said Netanyahu's accusations against Hamas were an attempt to escape responsibility for their deaths.

"Netanyahu killed the six prisoners and he is determined to kill the remaining ones. The Israelis should choose between Netanyahu or the deal," Abu Zuhri said.

Similarly, Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said in a statement published by the group on Monday: "The resistance's hostages can immediately return to their families, the [one] stalling their return and responsible for their lives is Netanyahu."

Israel and Hamas have failed to reach a deal that would end the war and see the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in return for many Palestinians jailed by Israel.

Hamas wants an agreement to end the war and get Israeli forces out of Gaza while Netanyahu says the war can only end once Hamas is defeated.

Reuters