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200 soldiers from Nigeria, other countries arrive Benin for cleanup after failed coup

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Benin’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari said about 200 West African soldiers, mostly from Nigeria and Ivory Coast, were sent to Benin to support the government after a failed coup on Sunday.

The coup attempt collapsed after Nigeria sent fighter jets, which forced the rebel soldiers out of a military base and the state television station, where they had announced they were taking power.

This is the first time officials have confirmed the number of foreign troops involved. It is still unclear whether some of them have since left Benin.

The minister said on Thursday that some regional troops were still in the country to help with “sweep and clean-up” operations.

Security forces are now hunting down those involved in the plot. The leader of the failed coup is believed to have fled to neighbouring Togo.

The rebel soldiers said they acted because they were unhappy with President Patrice Talon’s leadership. They accused him of failing to deal with worsening insecurity in northern Benin.

The West African regional body, Ecowas, sent troops from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast to protect key locations and stop any further violence.

Nigeria, which borders Benin to the east, said its troops arrived on Sunday and described the coup attempt as a serious attack on democracy.

An Ivory Coast security source told some newspapers that about 50 Ivorian soldiers were part of the regional force.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja alongside Nigeria’s foreign minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar Bakari said the coup had already failed by the time Benin asked for help.

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He explained that Benin’s forces had already pushed the rebels back, but needed targeted air support to hit key rebel positions without harming civilians.

Tuggar said quick diplomatic, military and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and Benin helped stop the coup.

Talks are ongoing about how long the regional troops will stay. Bakari said any decision would be made together with Benin’s security forces, whom he praised for their courage.

It is unclear whether French special forces, who reportedly helped loyal troops, are still in the country.

After several successful coups in West Africa in recent years, Ecowas is under pressure and is now showing it will not tolerate the removal of elected governments by force.

Bakari described Ecowas as a vital body for defending democracy in the region.

Benin’s army has suffered losses in recent years near its northern borders with Niger and Burkina Faso, where jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda have been active.

President Talon, seen as an ally of Western countries, is expected to step down next year after completing his second term. Elections are scheduled for April.

If the coup had succeeded, it would have been the ninth successful takeover in West Africa in the past five years.

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PHOTOS: NESREA Investigates Suspected Chemical Spill On Kaduna-Abuja Expressway

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The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has launched an investigation into a suspected chemical spill on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway following the appearance of a white, foamy substance believed to have resulted from a road accident involving a heavy-duty truck.

A statement issued by the agency’s Assistant Director (Press), Nwamaka Ejiofor, said a team from the NESREA Kaduna State Field Office, led by the State Coordinator, Mr. Hena Dangari Emmanuel, visited the scene to commence investigations.

During the visit, the team met with the Police Commander for Jere, ACP Sani Zubairu, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Commander for the area, and the community leader as part of efforts to gather information on the incident.

According to the statement, “Preliminary findings indicate that a heavy-duty truck was involved in an accident leading to the spillage of its contents at the location.”

NESREA said investigators also gathered information from relevant officials and residents, while samples of the foamy substance, surrounding soil, and water from a nearby stream were collected for laboratory analysis to determine the nature and possible environmental impact of the spill.

The agency appealed to residents and road users to exercise caution pending the outcome of the investigation.

“Members of the public are strongly advised to avoid contact with the foamy substance, the water, and the surrounding soil until the investigation is concluded, to prevent possible exposure to hazardous materials,” the statement said.

NESREA said the laboratory analysis would help establish the composition of the spilled substance and guide any necessary environmental response, adding that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.

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MURIC Rejects Life Imprisonment For Terrorists, Advocates Capital Punishment

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‎The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has rejected the life sentence given to the two notorious terrorists jailed last week, insisting that terrorists must receive capital punishment in order to deter others.

‎In a statement issued by the executive director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Wednesday, MURIC averred that it was dangerous to keep terrorists in prison custody because of their deadly networks which they use to organize jailbreaks.

‎MURIC recalled that wo notorious terrorists were given life sentence on Monday, 20th July, 2026.
Justice Emeka Nwite handed down the sentence after convicting Abubakar Abba, popularly known as Abu Baraa, and Mahmud Usman, also known as Mahmuda for terrorist activities.

However, the group rejected the judgment, saying, “We reject this judgement for being too lenient, too dangerous and too disproportionate.
“These are hardened and merciless criminals who should be eliminated with the speed of light. A good surgeon will not hesitate to amputate a rotten limb from the anatomy.

‎”We are of the opinion that terrorists who execute their captives, traumatize families as well as whole nations and subject their victims to inhuman treatments deserve capital punishment.
“It is dangerous to keep terrorists in prison custody temporarily or ad infinitum because of their deadly networks which they use to organize jailbreaks.

‎”They are no longer human beings. It is dangerous to keep them with other inmates if we don’t want them to convert ordinary prisoners into terrorists like them.

‎”It appears the Nigerian authorities are yet to learn their lessons. The terrorists who staged the kidnap of school children and teachers at Oriire, Oyo State recently had demanded the release of the same two terrorists who were sentenced two days ago as a condition for releasing their innocent victims.

‎”That should have sent a red alert to the authorities that terrorists are taking advantage of the democratic environment to abuse our values.
Those who rob others of the dividends of democracy do not deserve to enjoy same. Terrorists have no right to claims of fundamental human rights.

‎”We, therefore demand the death penalty for any terrorist found guilty of active participation in terror attacks.

‎”In view of several audacious attacks on prison facilities and the tendency of terrorists to plan attacks from prison, we also demand that terrorists sentenced to death must be executed within seven days of the judgement.

‎”The federal government should put all necessary legal niceties in place to ensure that due process is followed in this regard,” it added.

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PHOTOS: Woman burnt to de@th in the home of a man she met at a club in Uyo

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An unidentified woman was d!ed early Tuesday morning, July 21, after a fire gutted a residential building along Ikpa Road in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

According to accounts shared online by a social media user, Frank Tochukwu Fidelis, the victim had accompanied a male companion to the residence after the duo met at a local nightclub earlier in the night.

Reports indicate that the fire broke out at approximately 5:30 AM, destroying properties worth millions of Naira. While the male resident managed to escape the burning structure unharmed, the woman was trapped inside and suffered fatal burns.

‘’If you have a friend or relative who went clubbing in Uyo last night and has not returned home, please contact the appropriate authorities or visit the relevant hospital or police station for confirmed information, rather than relying solely on social media posts.” Tochukwu wrote in the caption

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See also  UK to replace paper documents with eVisas from February 25
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