Gambo Isah, the spokesman for the police in Katsina, told Xinhua on the telephone that the armed attackers invaded the local farm on Sunday in Kampani Mailafia village in the state’s Faskari local government area, taking away the victims to an unknown location.
“They (the gunmen) took away a total of 21 farm workers between the ages of 15 and 19. Most of them were ladies, and only four among them were men,” Isah said, noting the gunmen had already contacted some of the victims’ families for ransom.
The police spokesman said the farm manager had previously made a deal with the gunmen, who demanded “protection money” from farm owners to allow harvesting without disturbance.
Isah said the police, upon receiving a distress call from the village, had swung into action to rescue the victims and apprehend the fleeing gunmen.
Kidnapping for ransom is not uncommon in Nigeria, especially in the northern region where it has become an enterprise. Victims typically are released unharmed after ransom is paid.
The number of ships leaving Ukraine’s ports reached 426, and the amount of grain transported exceeded 9.7 million tons, Akar said in a statement.
“We will intensify our efforts on the extension of the grain initiative, which will expire on Nov. 19,” he added.
The Turkish minister underlined that while using the model of consensus reached in the grain initiative, Türkiye wanted to establish a ceasefire and open the road to peace in the coming days between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia on Wednesday announced its return to the implementation of a grain export deal via the Black Sea, saying Ukraine has promised not to use the humanitarian corridor for military attacks.
The joint coordination center for the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative on Tuesday received a written guarantee from Ukraine of not using the shipping route defined in the deal and Ukrainian ports designated for grain export to conduct military operations against Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The Ukrainian side officially assured that the maritime humanitarian corridor will be used only in accordance with the provisions of the grain export deal and related regulations of the joint coordination center, it added.
On July 22, Russia and Ukraine separately signed a document in Istanbul with Türkiye and the United Nations on grain and fertilizer exports from Ukraine and Russia to ensure supplies to global markets amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Margaret Muhanga, minister of state for health in charge of primary health care, told the parliament that the budget for the response plan was presented to the Cabinet and submitted to the Ministry of Finance for funding.
Muhanga said that as an emergency, the ministry has cut back on its spending and reallocated 2 billion shillings within its budget to support affected districts in carrying out response activities.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization Director General, in a tweet on Oct. 28 said adequate resources are urgently needed for scaling up the Ebola response in Uganda, as well as supporting neighboring countries to prepare.
Tedros said while 67.9 million dollars are needed for the Ebola response in Uganda, the current gap stands at 58.2 million dollars. He said the regional strategic readiness and response plan requires 133 million dollars to ramp up preparations in neighboring countries.
Uganda is grappling with the spread of the deadly disease. Some counties have started issuing travel advisories in fear of importing the disease.
Ministry of Health figures show that as of Oct. 26, the country has registered 115 confirmed Ebola cases and 32 deaths since the outbreak was announced on Sept. 20.
The omnibus vehicle registration number RAB 987A, was intercepted on Wednesday, November 2, in Nyagatare II, Rwempasha Sector.
The Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana said that three people, who were aboard the vehicle belonging to Speranza Group Limited, a local liquor manufacturing company, were also taken into custody.
They include the driver identified as Bosco Nsengiyumva, 45, Scovia Mukakayonde , 37, also an employee of Speranza Group Limited, and one Berine Uzamukunda, 40.
“The RPU mounted a checkpoint at about 10 a.m in Nyagatare II along Nyagatare -Kayonza road following credible information on a vehicle which had loaded smuggled used clothes attempting to transport them to unknown destination in Kigali,” SP Twizeyimana said.
He added that when Police officers searched the vehicle, they recovered nine sacks of smuggled second-hand clothes weighing 509kgs.
The sacks were covered with 65 boxes of liquors in an attempt to beat security.
Uzamukunda is the alleged rightful owner of the clothes, which were smuggled into Rwanda from Uganda through a porous border point.
SP Twizeyimana lauded the impact of the public in fighting smuggling and fraud.
Tax evasion under article 87 of the law on tax procedures provides an imprisonment of between 2 and 5 years.
Under the East African Community Management Act, goods and a vehicle intercepted transporting smuggled goods, are auctioned. The driver is also slapped a fine of US$5000.
The District Police Commander (DPC), Superintendent of Police (SP) Roger Muhodari made the call on Wednesday, November 2, while addressing commercial cyclists in Bwishyura Sector, Kiniha Cell in Maryohe Village.
This was after a public exercise to dispose of assorted counterfeit goods, which were seized in Karongi during Usalama VIII-2022 operations conducted in September.
The disposed of products include 1500 litres of juice, 300kgs of animal foods, biscuits, hair products and soft drinks.
Some of the counterfeit and smuggled goods are sneaked into Rwanda and transported to different destinations by cyclists.
Counterfeit goods worth over Rwf76 million were seized countrywide in the joint operations conducted by Rwanda National Police (RNP), Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Rwanda Foods and Drugs Authority (RFDA) and other institutions.
SP Muhodari warned the cyclists against facilitating smugglers and drug traffickers.
He urged them to instead report those, who try to hire them to transport their unlawful goods.
The DPC further reminded them to operate safely on road to avoid causing or involving in accidents.
Cyclists and among the majority victims of road accidents.
BPR Bank Rwanda Plc is the second largest bank in Rwanda created out of the merger of KCB Bank Rwanda plc and Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR) last year while ADHI Corporate Group is a real estate company which uses modular parts pre-made in a factory for faster and more affordable construction.
This method addresses climate change concerns while providing homes that are well-suited to African climates.
ADHI Rwanda runs a Rwf100 billion eco-friendly housing project dubbed ‘Bwiza Riverside Homes’ whose first phase was launched in February this year in Karama, Kigali sector of Nyarugenge District in Kigali City.
The estate expected to give a boost to urban settlement in Kigali, is part of a project to build 2700 affordable housing units.
The project to be completed in five phases came at a time when the government of Rwanda seeks to address low and middle-income communities’ housing challenges with an aim to create 150,000 new dwellings annually to meet the projected demand of 5.5 million dwellings by 2050.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held in Kigali City, the Managing Director of BPR Bank, George Odhiambo said that the agreement aligns with the lender’s ambitions to create an impact to the community it serves.
He underscored that the partnership will last as long as ADHI will be constructing houses.
“BPR Bank is the bank of people. Our customer base is diverse. One of the challenges the country face is decent and affordable housing. This means that many of our customers need houses and we want to come in between and support them,” he said.
“Housing or ownership is something that some people live a life-time without acquiring. One of the greatest impacts we can create in a society is to provide decent houses. We are the bridge where we give them money to acquire the house and pay us over many years.
Our mortgage loan stretch up to 20 years. So, someone whose income is not so high can acquire a house and pay gradually. This is the contribution want to make in partnership with ADHI,” added Odhiambo.
He disclosed that the bank has engaged with many partners from various parts of the world for the last few years to help the growing population own homes but many of them died at the point of concept.
Odhiambo commended ADHI Rwanda for having reached a great milestone to break the ground and begin implementation, which has become a key enabler for the deal to materialize.
Odhiambo further stated that the MoU gives relief to customers who would hardly build houses.
“We are pleased to know that you have made this a reality. This is something that many of our customers that we fund for their personal development do not necessarily come to buy houses because they are out of their reach, To know that there is someone in town who can just deliver a house in a few weeks, or months is a big achievement for us and our customers” said Odhiambo.
As Odhiambo revealed, BPR Bank has over 1.5 million customers of whom ten thousands are rightfully qualified to start getting those houses for staying in or for investment.
ADHI Chairman, Soleman Idd said that BPR Bank becomes the only regional partner for the ongoing project and encouraged the lender to get involved in more relevant activities including training offered to young people to construct ecofriendly buildings.
Normally, an individual willing to buy a house at Bwiza Riverside was required to pay 10% upfront.
According to ADHI Chairman Vice President, Mme Soleiman Sadiya, the MoU removes the barrier as the mortgage loan can be provided without down payments.
“BPR is coming as the only bank that can finance the full ownership. You will only start paying your mortgage, the moment you have your keys. It is like you are having a house as a rental that will become yours in 20 years. This is the difference from other banks. What BPR is doing is very important for us as developers and for the customers,” she said.
The first phase of Bwiza Riverside estate is expected to be completed in July next year and will be comprised of 270 housing units.
Major League DJz’ wildly successful “Balcony Mix” is a private and intimate experience showcasing Amapiano, the new genre taking the world by storm. This genre coming straight from improvised studios in the townships of South Africa is best described as new age “Kwaito”. From its humble beginnings this sound is now moving people all over the world, and now it’s Kigali’s turn.
For this event, BK Arena will be transformed to a nightclub, called 17th Avenue after the address of the venue. QA Venue Solutions, BK Arena’s management company is continuing to provide Kigali with unprecedented experiences one event at a time. Kigalians can look forward to dancing the night away to the world’s top DJs at least once a quarter in the coming year with Amapiano To The World being the first of many 17th Avenue Pop Up Nightclub experiences in the pipeline.
The event is proudly brought to you by Heineken, Momo by MTN, Ubumwe Grande Hotel, Forzza, BK Arena and EAP. Tickets are 20 000 RWF Early Birds, exclusive to BK Arena Prepaid Card holders and 30 000 RWF, both include 3 free Heinekens. Tickets on sale now at www.ticqet.rw
{{About BK Arena}}
BK Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Kigali, Rwanda, it has hosted basketball, volleyball and martial arts tournaments as well as concerts and conferences. Built and finished in 2019, it is the biggest indoor arena in East Africa.
On May 24th, 2022, the biggest naming rights partnership on the continent was announced. The deal was struck between the government of Rwanda (GoR), BK Group and QA Venue Solutions, BK Arena’s management company. The partners are working hand and hand to position BK Arena as the hub of sports and entertainment on the continent.
One of the main objectives of the partnership is youth development, on their part, BK has come up with an innovative digital financial solution, the BK Arena Prepaid Card. This VISA-backed card will not only provide the holder with access to online services globally and be a useful budgeting tool, it will also allow owners to get BK Arena – related benefits; including discounts on event tickets and food and beverage.
Dr. Habumuremyi and Bizimana were not present in the court but the businessman was represented by his defence lawyer.
“Concerned parties have reached consensus and we are here to request for cancellation of the court case,” he said.
The defence lawyer revealed that they took the decision based on article 123 of the law determining processes to handle civil cases.
He explained that Bizimana got in negotiations with the daughter of Dr. Habumuremyi with whom they agreed to cancel the court case on condition that the plaint can be filed again in case the pledge is not honoured.
“That is why Pierre Damien was not present in the court. He was aware of this consent,” disclosed the defence lawyer.
Dr. Habumuremyi is a former politician who served as Rwanda’s Prime Minister between 2011 and 2014.
After serving as Prime Minister from 7th October 2011 to 23rd July 2014, he was named as the chairman of Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decoration of Honour from February 2015 prior to his arrest in 2020 over issuance of unguaranteed cheques.
Dr. Habumuremyi was released on 14th December 2021 after spending a year and three months in jail.
During trial proceedings, the prosecution said that Dr. Habumuremyi had Rwf1.5 billion in debts.
The clemency granted to him nullified the three-year jail term and Rwf892 fine that he was handed by Nyarugenge Intermediate Court on 27th November 2020.
He had to clear all debts owed to plaintiffs but experienced hurdles to clear them as his university (Christian University) which dragged him into debts was also closed owing to irregularities.
It is reported that Dr. Habumuremyi paid some individuals in installments but others did not receive a single coin.
According to sources, Dr. Habumuremyi recently told plaintiffs during negotiations that he is unable to pay pending debts because all his properties were auctioned.
He however promised them to pay them gradually within one year.
The court’s ruling on the request will be read on 10th November 2022.
The incident happened in Nyaruhanga Village, Karurama Cell, Rushaki Sector of Gicumbi District on 1st November 2022.
It is said that the young man stabbed the old woman on the arm and throat which resulted in her death. Sources indicate that the violence is related to property.
Following the incident, residents apprehended Maniragaba and took him to Rushaki Police Station.
The Executive Secretary of Rushaki Sector, Cyriaque Ndizihiwe has confirmed the death noting the suspect first fought with his uncle who escaped with a wound on the arm.
“It is true that the incident happened. The young man stabbed his uncle who immediately ran away. He also stabbed to death his grandmother who could not run ,” he said.
