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DR Congo ex-president Joseph Kabila sentenced to death in absentia for ‘treason’

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Ex-president Joseph Kabila was catapulted to power aged 29 and ruled the Democratic Republic of Congo for nearly two decades, but after two years in self-imposed exile and a surprise reappearance in the restive east this year he now faces the death penalty.

Kabila, 54, who on Tuesday was sentenced to death in absentia for “treason”, succeeded his father, Laurent-Desire Kabila, after the rebel-turned-president was assassinated by a bodyguard in 2001.

“With his timid voice and his youth, he initially gave the impression of being a lacklustre figure,” wrote Belgian historian David Van Reybrouck.

How hard times started My Guinness World Records Journey, 4-time record holder0:00 / 1:00

But the younger Kabila remained at the helm of sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest and most volatile state for two terms, before handing over the presidency to Felix Tshisekedi in 2019.

Out of power, Kabila left the DRC in 2023 but retained his status of senator for life and parliamentary immunity, as well as influence in Congolese politics.

After appearances in South Africa and Namibia, the solitary, secretive figure returned in late May to Goma, which was seized earlier this year by anti-government fighters from the M23 armed group.

Days earlier, the stocky Kabila, shorn of his trademark beard, had declared his successor’s tenure to be a “dictatorship” in an online address.

Kabila’s return set alarm bells ringing nearly 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres) away in the capital, Kinshasa, given the M23’s rapid advance in the long volatile, mineral-rich east and its backing from Rwanda.

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Tsishekedi’s government pushed for his immunity to be lifted, leading to him being put on trial for treason, war crimes and complicity with the M23.

– The outsider –

Joseph Kabila was born on June 4, 1971 in his father’s South Kivu stronghold in the eastern DRC.

He spent most of his childhood from the age of five across the border in Tanzania, before rejoining his father in September 1996 at the start of the First Congo War.

Military training followed in China but he made a swift return at the start of the Second Congo War in 1998 and joined the army.

When his father was assassinated, he inherited a devastated country torn apart by a conflict that would only end in 2003.

At the time, the central government controlled little more than parts of the west and south, and despite the DRC’s vast natural resources, its 100 million people were and remain among the world’s poorest.

With his upbringing in exile and lack of fluency in French and the Lingala language common in Kinshasa, the English- and Swahili-speaking Kabila was viewed as an outsider in the capital.

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Crime

Oyo boxer, KBlaq stabbed to death during street fight

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An amateur boxer identified simply as Kehinde and popularly known as KBlaq has been stabbed to death during a street fight at Olodo Garage in Ibadan, Oyo State.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Monday that the incident occurred on Sunday, sparking outrage among social media users, who called for justice for the deceased.

According to accounts circulating online, the deceased was not initially involved in the fight, while the suspect allegedly appeared after the confrontation had ended and stabbed him in the neck with a broken bottle.

Kehinde, who was described by acquaintances as a boxer, reportedly succumbed to his injuries.

Several social media users expressed shock over the killing, with some claiming that the suspect was not among those involved in the initial fight.

An X user, @MVKAY2, wrote, “The person who stabbed him was not even involved in the fight, and they had stopped fighting already. Just one of those vile men wey the matter no concern came from nowhere and stabbed him.

“Before una start dropping different narratives, I wish he was with Z second. I wish he was never there.”

Another user, @omononaolapo, wrote, “Funny enough, this guy that stabbed him was not even among those that they were fighting.”

Similarly, @Tunde, who described the deceased as his brother, wrote, “Na my brother o. Ajeh. Olodo bike men can be very mean sometimes, and they were all there watching them fight.”

Another user, @Fela, added, “This was why I made this tweet earlier today. This boxer is my younger brother’s friend. I got to church yesterday and my brother told me someone killed his friend. I was shocked when he told me.”

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Also, @Pelumifundz, who described Kehinde as the younger brother of a friend, wrote, “This guy is a twin and my friend’s junior brother. He’s so gentle and doesn’t cause trouble. I would really love to know what happened that made the bikeman stab him in the neck. Anyways, rest in peace, Kenny. I know you won’t go without having justice. We will definitely get it for you.”

Confirming the incident on Monday, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, told our correspondent during a telephone interview that an investigation was ongoing.

Source: punchng.com

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Terrorists abduct 14 Islamic school students in Niger

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Suspected terrorists have abducted 14 students in a Niger State Islamic school.

The incident reportedly happened on Saturday in Pandogari in Rafi Local Government Area.

The PUNCH learnt that the students were abducted while harvesting maize in their teacher’s farm when the terrorists invaded the farm.

The teacher was also reportedly kidnapped during the incident.

The spokesman of the Niger State police command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident on Monday, saying that the number of abducted students was 14 and not 50 as reported.

He also said a joint security mission was on a rescue mission, assuring that the abducted students would be rescued.

“On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30 pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village via Rafi LGA and abducted some persons working on the farm.

“The report further indicated that the abducted victims were about 14 students of an Islamiya helping their Mallam to harvest maize on the farm before the incident.

“However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing; further developments will be communicated,” he said.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Jonathan Vatsa, speaking on the incident, condemned Governor Mohammed Bago over his handling of the security situation in the state.

He lamented that the governor was busy with electioneering and had failed to protect lives and property.

“The security agencies in the state lack operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to confront the situation.

“The government is only there to issue statements either condemning every attack or condole with the people over the death of their loved ones without any cogent step to address the situation,” Vatsa said.

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Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Police hunt killers of Akwa Ibom woman lured to death

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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the killers of a woman, Unwana Okon, who was murdered in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state.

Okon, a resident of Ndot Village, was allegedly lured to Mbiaikot Village under the guise of buying Afang leaves before she was killed.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo on Sunday.

According to the police, the incident was reported at about 3.30pm on November 1, 2026, by the victim’s brother, identified as Eno.

John said Eno reported that his sister had received a telephone call from an unidentified person inviting her to Mbiaikot Village to sell Afang leaves.

She said, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has commenced an intensive investigation and launched a manhunt for the perpetrator(s) of the gruesome murder of one Unwana Okon, a female resident of Ndot Village, Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

“The incident was reported on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at about 1530 hours, by one Eno, who informed the police that his sister, Unwana Okon, had received a telephone call from an unidentified individual inviting her to Mbiaikot Village under the pretext of purchasing Afang leaves.”

The police said Okon honoured the invitation but was later found dead, adding that her mobile phone and an undisclosed sum of money were taken by the assailants.

John said the state Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the killing.

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She added that the commissioner directed the immediate transfer of the case from the Divisional Police Headquarters to the Command’s Violence Crime Response Unit for a specialised investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the unfortunate incident and directed that the case be transferred immediately from the Divisional Police Headquarters to the command’s Violence Crime Response Unit for a thorough, specialised and coordinated investigation, with a view to ensuring the swift identification, arrest and prosecution of all persons found culpable,” the statement read.

The command condemned the killing, assuring residents that all operational and investigative resources would be deployed to apprehend those responsible.

It also urged residents of Oruk Anam and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist the investigation.

“The police further urge members of the public, particularly residents of Oruk Anam and neighbouring communities, to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements, persons or information that could assist the ongoing investigation.

“Anyone with credible information is encouraged to contact the nearest Police station or the Command through its established communication channels.

“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command reassures residents of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and will not relent in its determination to rid the state of criminal elements,” part of the statement read.

Source: punchng.com

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