Nigerians in Cameroon deported in cattle trucks...

According to reports, about 2,500 Nigerians illegally living in Kousseri, Cameroon, were today July 30th rounded up and escorted back to Nigeria.

No country can succeed alone in the war against terror - Buhari

Press statement from the presidency...

President Buhari has said that Nigeria and neighboring countries must stand together to defeat and degrade Boko Haram terrorists in the sub-region. Speaking late Wednesday at a state dinner at the Unity Palace in Yaounde, during his two-day working visit to Cameroon, President Buhari said countries in the sub-region cannot afford to falter in their resolve to get rid of the evils of terrorists.

``We recognize that none of us can succeed alone. In order to win this war we need the collective efforts of each one of us, standing together as a formidable force for good, to defeat and end these acts of terror against our people,’’ he said. The President told guests at the dinner hosted by President Paul Biya that the security situation in the region presented an opportunity for Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin to work together for their common security, peace and socio-economic development. 　

`` Let me assure all of my relentless pursuit of all possible means to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity, protect the lives and property of our citizens as well as my commitment to continue to collaborate with Cameroon and our neighbors, within the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission. ``The Federal government of Nigeria is committed to respecting international norms to resolve this matter and to restore normalcy to all the affected areas as soon as possible,’’ he said.

`The Federal government of Nigeria is committed to respecting international norms to resolve this matter and to restore normalcy to all the affected areas as soon as possible,’’ he said. 　 　

The President, who had earlier on his arrival　on Wednesday　held a closed-door session with his host, thanked President Biya for providing refuge to Nigerians who had fled their homes because of the insurgents. He also commended Cameroon for its support to Nigerian military and security personnel in the fight against terrorism and offered his condolences to the families of the victims of terror in both countries.

President Buhari used the occasion of his speech to announce Nigeria's willingness to expand economic partnerships with Cameroon, through increased joint ventures in infrastructure development, transport and commerce, among others. He welcomed the achievements so far recorded by the Nigeria-Cameroon Joint Commission and all the landmark agreements signed between both countries.

The President, who described the relations between both countries as excellent, recognized the roles played by past and present leaders and Nigerian citizens in sustaining friendly relations with Cameroon. In his remarks, Biya while congratulating President Buhari for a successful inauguration into office said his electoral victory has provided an opportunity for him to preside over the ``destiny of Nigeria.''

``Mr President, a dark cloud is looming over our countries even as we welcome you; we are facing the same threat, which may rock the foundation of our two nations.

``This danger bears the name of Boko Haram, its atrocities and crimes are jeopardizing peace around Lake Chad and especially in our two countries. ``The number of dead and victims are rising, economic activities have been crippled in affected areas, the number of refugees and displaced persons are ever increasing. ``We cannot allow this cancer to spread, we must pool our resources and forces and share our experiences,’’ he said.　　

 President Biya, who reaffirmed Cameroon’s commitment in the fight against terror, welcomed the ``fresh push’’ on economic ties between both countries through easing of trade.

``I strongly believe in your readiness to work towards that goal and your visit to Cameroon as well as the discussions we have had have strengthened my conviction,’’ he said.

Man goes on stabbing spree at Jerusalem gay parade

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man, who stabbed at least six people, was convicted of a similar attack 10 years ago.

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man has lunged into a group of revelers leading Jerusalem's annual gay pride parade and stabbed six of them as they marched in the city, Israeli police and witnesses said.

The alleged attacker, Yishai Schlissel, had recently been released from prison after serving a term for stabbing several people at a gay pride parade in 2005, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said, adding that he was arrested at the scene of Thursday's attack.

Eli Bin of Israel's emergency service said six young people were wounded in the attack, two of them seriously.

The annual parade was proceeding as planned when the crowd's joyful chants gave way to screams. Panic ensued, and a bloody woman fell to the ground, an Associated Press photographer at the scene said.

A man with blood seeping from his back wandered around with a dazed look before collapsing. Another man with his shirt off also had blood dripping down his back. Medics quickly surrounded them both and applied pressure to stop the bleeding.

Buhari Makes Statement On Bakasi Peninsula

President Muhammadu Buhari, says Nigeria will obey the International Court of Justice’s ruling on the Bakassi peninsula.

Nigerian leader made the statement on Wednesday in Cameroon while in an interactive session with Nigerians living in the nation.

“Since Nigeria allowed the case to go to court (ICJ), and we lost, we have to abide by it,” the President said in response to a question from a Nigerian on the issue.

He told them that his administration would implement the Green Tree Agreement, which regulates the ceding of the Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon.

President Buhari also vowed to expedite the safe return and rehabilitation of over 40,000 Nigerians in Cameroon, who fled their homes as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency in the oil-rich nation’s north-east.

In a statement released by a spokesman for the President, Femi Adesina, President Buhari stated that his administration would soon produce a more articulated foreign policy that would further strengthen Nigeria’s relations with other countries.

Patience And Vigilance

On the issue of security, the President said: “The defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria and protection of lives and properties of Nigerians and all those who live in the country are top priorities”.

President Buhari assured Nigerians that the current security challenges were not insurmountable.

He said Nigeria was working with all neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, to fight and stand firm against all forms of terror and
trans-border crimes.

He appealed for patience and vigilance from Nigerians to ensure that youths were not lured into joining “misguided groups”.

“We are determined to end this callousness against our innocent citizens. We shall explore all reasonable options to enable us to bring this rebellion to an end,” he vowed.

‘The Future Is Bright’

Responding to a question on the voting rights for Nigerians in the Diaspora, the President promised that his administration would revisit the issue, which would require legislation from the National Assembly.

The President further pledged to do everything possible toward bringing positive change to Nigeria.

“Despite the numerous challenges confronting us, the future of our country is bright.

“You all know very well that your fellow Nigerians are resilient, hardworking and patriotic.

“These qualities have always seen us through our most difficult national challenges and they will do so now,” President Buhari stated.

The President is expected to return to Nigeria tomorrow, after addressing a joint press conference with his counterpart, President Paul Biya in Yaounde.

Taliban elects new leader after Mullah Omar's death

The Taliban has elected Mullah Akhtar Mansoor as its new leader, Taliban sources have told Al Jazeera, as the group confirmed the death of their founder Mullah Omar.

The election, which was reported on Thursday, has not been officially confirmed by the Taliban. But a commander present at the meeting to elect Mansoor confirmed the report to Reuters news agency.

Reports said the election was held in Pakistan's city of Quetta. 

The news comes as a Taliban representative and the group's Twitter account confirmed the death of Omar, Al Jazeera's Qais Azimy, reporting from Kabul, said. However, the group refused to give information where and when Omar had died.   

Mansoor will be only the second leader the Taliban have had since Omar, an elusive figure rarely seen in public who founded the group in the 1990s.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Yehia Ghanem, a journalist who covered the Taliban for years, said the way Mansoor's election was announced, "it is obvious that it is true."

Mansoor is a "key figure" in the Taliban organisation, serving as the governor of Kandahar before the American invasion, he said. 

"He actually led many intelligence operations, very important and major ones, in which he beat the biggest intelligence apparatus in the world," Ghanem added. 

Mansoor's leadership and intelligence experience in Kandahar, the birthplace of Taliban, make him a logical successor of Omar, he added.   

The Afghan government said on Wednesday that Taliban leader Omar died more than two years ago, in a hospital in Karachi. Ghanem, however, said that the report was "doubtful."

Following the announcement, a second round of peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government have been postponed.

Al Jazeera's Qais Azimy, however, said that despite the postponement of the talks, the Afghan government is optimistic that Mansoor would be more open to negotiations.

Controversial South African pastor prays g^y spirit into man

Remember the pastor who made his members swallow snakes and eat cloth during one of his deliverance services? Well he is in the news again. Last Sunday while preaching in his church, he prayed the g^y spirit into the young man pictured above. See more photos after the cut...

Police arrested 9 suspects over the killing of 4year old boy in Lagos

9 people have been arrested in connection with the July 27th murder of a four-year old boy by 16 year old Tajudeen Azeez (pictured above) in Ijaniki, Lagos.

The Lagos state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Patricia Amadin, said the suspects were arrested following a confessional statement by Azeez who is currently in police custody. She added that the police is still investigating the matter and more arrest will be made.

Azeez had agreed to kill his neighbor's child after a man named Osho promised to give him N50,000 if he can provide human flesh

Israel authorises force-feeding of prisoners

Israel's parliament has passed into law the ability to force-feed prisoners on hunger strike, a move that had met vehement opposition from the country's medical association.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rightist coalition weathered a lengthy parliamentary debate on Thursday, with 46 politicians in favour and 40 opposed in the 120-seat Knesset.

Israel says it is concerned that hunger strikes by Palestinians in its jails could end in death and trigger waves of protests in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The WHO urged Israel to give suitable health care to Palestinian hunger strikers, including their transfer to civilian hospitals

Issa Qaraqe, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Commission, said that the law legalises murder.

"It's against Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, it legalises torture of prisoners who are demanding their rights in a non-violent way," he said.

Qaraqe asked for a meeting of state parties to the Geneva Conventions to take a stand against the law and demand Israel not apply it. 

Israel's Medical Association, which considers force-feeding a form of torture, has also urged Israeli doctors not to abide by the law

President Appointments So Far Shows Deep Hatred For Igbos – Ohaneze

Socio-cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo, said yesterday that it was not surprised at the way the appointments of President Muhammadu Buhari have gone so far as it had shown the president’s deep rooted hatred for the Igbo nation.

In an interview at the state–owned Anambra Broadcasting Service Television in Awka, Anambra State president of Ohaneze, Dr. Chris Eluemuno said the situation would not have changed even if the entire Igbo voted for him.

“I said it during the campaigns that General Buhari does not like Igbo people and it is happening now with all the appointments he has so far made since he came into office on May 29, 2015.

“He appointed five service chiefs and there is no Igbo man, even though Igbo have qualified people to occupy the positions.

“His party has completed the selection of principal officers in the national assembly and despite the fact that the speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara made case to apply the federal character in allocating the offices, the president jettisoned it through his intervention and left Igbo APC lawmakers out.

“He also exhibited his vindictiveness during his recent visit to the United States of America, USA, when he travelled with only governors from his party, leaving out governors from the opposition parties.

“He was also quoted as saying that he would favour those who voted for him and our position is that there is no way the president should expect all Nigerians to vote for him in the last presidential election.That statement contradicted Buhari’s earlier stand that he belonged to everybody and belonged to nobody,” Eluemuno said.

He further argued that Buhari had no reason to discriminate against the Igbo because the Igbonation played prominent roles in the development of Nigeria and should therefore not be discriminated against in the scheme of things.

He pointed out that apart from the Secretary to the Government of Federation, the remaining appointments are ministers and board members, which constitutionally must go to all the 36 states of the federation. Therefore, appointing an Igbo minister would not be a favour.

He called on the Igbos to brace up to the challenge posed to them by the APC-led federal government.

However, he advised President Buhari not to jettison the report of the Constitutional Conference convoked by former President Goodluck Jonathan. According to him, the Constitutional Conference report is key to fighting corruption in Nigeria as it contained recommendations that could help him succeed in his fight against corruption in the country.

Egypt court 'adjourns Al Jazeera trial for ninth time'

Egyptian court is reported to have adjourned the long-running retrial of three Al Jazeera journalists for the ninth time.

Australian Peter Greste, Egyptian Baher Mohamed, and Canadian Mohamed Fahmy were found guilty in June 2014 of aiding a terrorist organisation, a reference to the Muslim Brotherhood, which was outlawed in Egypt after the army overthrew President Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

Greste and Fahmy received seven years, while Mohamed was given 10 years.

In January, an appeals court ordered a retrial, saying the initial verdict lacked evidence against the three journalists working for the Doha-based network's English channel.

The journalists and Al Jazeera have vigorously denied the accusations.

Global support

Greste has already been deported to his native Australia under a law allowing the transfer of foreigners on trial to their home countries but he is still being retried in absentia.

Fahmy and Mohamed had been on bail ahead of the retrial after spending more than 400 days in detention.

Fahmy renounced his Egyptian nationality hoping he too would be deported like Greste.

The three men have received support from governments, media organisations and rights groups from around the world.

The European People's Party (EPP) issued a letter of support earlier this month signed by members of the European Parliament from across the political spectrum and countries.