Paradise News

Category: Security

  • Travis King was racially abused in the U.S., says North Korean Media

    Army Pvt. Travis King is currently in the custody of the United States of America but reports from the media in North Korea where he was detained for roughly five years have another interesting story you wouldn’t expect.

    King, 23, was the first American to be detained in North Korea in roughly five years. The private was stationed in South Korea and crossed over the border during a civilian tour of a border village. The unexpected escape came as he was awaiting a transfer back to the U.S. amid possible discipline for an assault conviction in South Korea.

    Pyongyang was silent for weeks until confirming he was in custody in August. On Wednesday, North Korean state media suddenly announced King would be released after another period of uncertainty.

    North Korean media has claimed that under questioning, King said he fled because of racial discrimination in the U.S., a claim Pyongyang also aired earlier this year.

    Meanwhile, a statement from Senior administration officials says “King, who is currently headed back to the U.S. mainland, is happy to return and is looking forward to seeing his family.”

    U.S. officials said they worked for months to bring King home, and the past few weeks involved close coordination with North Korea to ensure the service member was safe and could soon return home.

    The successful diplomatic effort is also a positive sign for future communication channels with North Korea.

    “This incident to our minds demonstrates that keeping lines of communication open, even when ties are strained, is a really important thing and can deliver results,” a U.S. official said, adding they were “ready for any further diplomacy that might be possible.”

    In the process, the Biden administration also connected with Sweden, which has an embassy in Pyongyang, and with China.

    Sweden played a vital role, constantly keeping in contact with the Biden administration during negotiations. While there was a real fear that Pyongyang might hold King to extract concessions, that changed earlier this month when officials working on the case learned from Sweden that North Korea wanted to release King.

    Beijing also played a “very constructive role” in the process, officials said. North Korea transferred King to China, where he was picked up by U.S. officials Wednesday.

    National security adviser Jake Sullivan thanked the “dedication of the interagency team that has worked tirelessly out of concern for Private King’s wellbeing.”

    “In addition, we thank the government of Sweden for its diplomatic role serving as the protecting power for the United States in the DPRK and the government of the People’s Republic of China for its assistance in facilitating the transit of Private King,” he said in a statement.

    Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder also thanked “the hard work of personnel in the Army, United States Forces Korea, and across the Department of Defense, along with our State Department colleagues, to bring Private King back to the United States.”

  • Joby Aviation delivers first electric air taxi to U.S. Air Force

    Joby Aviation, a California-based startup company, announced on Monday that it had delivered its first electric air taxi to the U.S. Air Force, becoming the first company in the United States to deliver a fully electric air taxi.

    The battery-powered, oddly shaped six-rotor aircraft was delivered to the Emerging Technologies Integrated Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and is the first of nine total to be delivered under a contract with the company. In its press release, the company stated that the value of the company’s contract with the Pentagon is US$131 million (IT Home Note: currently approximately 958 million yuan).

    The aircraft was delivered six months ahead of schedule and was developed through the Air Force’s Agile Prototyping Program, according to the company. Sponsored by AFWERX, the Air Force’s innovation arm, the program works with a variety of industry players to develop proven electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology. Like the tilt-rotor V-22 Osprey, Joby’s electric aircraft can take off and land vertically like a helicopter, but it can also spin its propellers to fly like an airplane.

    The company and the U.S. Department of Defense say the plane’s dual civilian and military uses could help revolutionize the aviation industry, which relies heavily on gasoline for propulsion and produces large amounts of carbon emissions. Joby said its aircraft provides a range of 100 miles (approximately 160.93 kilometers), a top speed of 200 miles per hour (approximately 321.87 kilometers) per hour, and can carry four passengers and a pilot.

    The eVTOL market could be worth more than $22 billion by 2030, according to analytics firm GlobalData. As part of its partnership with the Air Force, NASA will also try to use the Joby aircraft for other uses, with some focus on autonomous driving and is expected to complete a range of missions including cargo and passenger transportation.

    In addition to the support of the US military, Joby Aviation has also received substantial financial support from Intel, Delta Air Lines, Toyota Motor and other companies. Toyota is currently the largest external shareholder of Joby Aviation and has invested approximately US$400 million in the latter. In June of this year, Tetsuo Ogawa, CEO of Toyota North America, also joined the board of directors of Joby Aviation.

  • Ayade meets IGP, seeks end to kidnapping in CR

    In a bid to stem the tide of kidnapping and other crimes in Cross River State, His Excellency the Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade friday, met with the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu in Abuja.

    The meeting which held in the office of the IGP, Force Headquarters Louis Edet House was aimed at rejigging strategies and security architecture of the state for a more effective policing.

    Expectedly, the menace of kidnapping in the state would be drastically curbed, with efforts concerted at returning the state to her glory of being the most peaceful in the country.

    Speaking briefly after the meeting, His Excellency Governor Ben Ayade reiterated his commitment towards ensuring that acts of kidnapping and other crimes in the state were nipped in the bud.

    He maintained that the peace and security of the citizenry was paramount in the agenda of his administration, assuring that kidnapping would soon be a thing of the past in Cross River State.

    He averred that security was critical to his administration’s industrialization and investment drive, adding that no investor would risk doing business in an unsafe environment.

    Recall that His Excellency Governor Ayade earlier before meeting with the IGP in Abuja had a meeting with service commanders in Calabar aimed at arresting the security challenges faced by the state.

  • CR MSMD TO SYNERGIZE WITH NIGERIAN ARMY ON SECURITY

    By: Achiane Adams, CRS-MOI Officer reporting from Min. of Solid Minerals Development

    Cross River State Ministry of Soild Minerals Development and the Nigerian Army have agreed to work together in curbing insecurity in the mining sector of the State.

    This was made known when the Commissioner, Rt. Hon. George O’Ben-Etchi, paid a courtesy call on the  Commander, 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye, at Akim Barracks, Calabar.

    Rt. Hon. O’Ben-Etchi said the presence of illegal miners in the State is on the increase such that armed colonies have set up camps and are engaging in mining which are against international best practices.

    “Even when authorised government personnel went to inspect a site after getting information that illegal mining activities was going on at a certain location in the Central Senatorial District of the State, they were dared to proceed with arms pointed at them. Of course they did not proceed and were chased out even by the Community because traded conscience.

    These Communities are easily lured by petty gifts to grant consent to foreigners and before they know it, the foreigners start grabbing lands and in a lot of cases it leads to ethnic/tribal wars.
    Also, both the Federal and State Governments are losing resources as these illegal activities thrive” he added.

    He acknowledged that in the past, measures such as the sensitization of Communities not to grant Letters of Consent and the engagement of other security agencies have been used in ensuring peace and order at different locations but that synergizing with the Army will be a plus for the whole process.

    The Commissioner further commended the Officers of the Nigerian Army and fallen heros, for their unwavering commitment to ensuring the peace and safety of Nigerians.

    Responding, the Commander, 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye, welcomed the Commissioner and his team and pledged the 13 Brigade’s readiness to work with the Ministry to ensure illegal mining is not used as an avenue to fine-tune insecurity.

    Brig.Gen. Olatoye emphasized that the unauthorized possession of arms anywhere in the world, is illegal and criminal. And as such the Army will do its best to ensure that those who are perceived to be treats are checked.

    However, the Brigade Commander advised that the Ministry, put into writing its proposal to the Brigade for prompt attention, involve other security agencies in the fight against illegal mining activities, reorient the Communities on the dangers of granting consents and revalidate registered mining companies operating in the State.

    Other issues discussed include; the control and regulations for blasting explosives and the upcoming Solid Minerals Stakeholders meeting.
                 #

  • Communal Clash: Usumutong, Ebom, Ebijakara Communities Seek Permanent Peace To Prolonged Disputes

    By Beatrice Akpala, SSA Communication and Advocacy 

    It is no longer news the recurring communal clashes of over fourteen years between Usumutong, Ebom and Ebijakara Communities of Bahumono tribe in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    Representatives of the three disputing communities have called on the State Government to wade into the matter as they are all set to embrace peace and peaceful coexistence.

    They made this position known in yet another reconciliatory meeting set up by the State Government between the stakeholders of the three communities and members of some security apparatus in the State.

    Speaking at the meeting which held at the Council of Chiefs’ Chambers Governor’s Office Calabar, the convener and Permanent Secretary Special Services, Dr. Alfred Mboto  urged speakers from each villages to avoid the use of provocative words while speaking, as the meeting is intended to arrive at a consensus on the way forward on how to restore peace to the troubled areas.             Dr Mboto further Stated that Government will do all within her powers to implement  recommendations made to the letter, he however, blamed the traditional institution for not stepping into the matter the way they should have, adding that majority of the crimes perpetrated are carried out by unguarded youths who have been tolerated and protected over the years.

    Also speaking, the State Security Adviser for  Central, Mr. Ransome Odey, while trying to pacify the already building tensions, advised all parties involved to sheathe their swords and embrace peace, adding that land is an umerited gift from God, and therefore shedding of anyone’s blood for it is an “act of Ingratitude.”

    He also expressed his worry over the failure of the traditional institutions which he said “is fast decaying,” adding that “communal disputes are first the failure of traditional institutions, which was considered as the first form of social control institution.”

    He therefore called on the traditional rulers to speak to their youths, warning them of the dangers involved in killing a human being or destroying properties, with sanctions of  barnishment.

    On the way forward, some of the recommendations made by representatives from the three communities were :

    1, The three disputing communities resolved to end hostilities and embrace peace forthwith  2,The three communities agreed to forgive themselves irrespective of whatever must have transpired between them. 3, Ebijakara People will be resettled at a place agreed by all with a buffer zone between Ebom and the place of resettlement

    4, “That the state Government should extend the social housing scheme to Ebijakara and Ebom.                             

    5,Ebijakara people Should Stop attacking Ebom community.   6,That Government should Implement the white paper on Ebom and Ebijakara Crisis, as well as that of Usumutong and Ediba land Crisis.  Meanwhile, the Spokesperson for Ebom, Elder Robert Etu
    faulted the State Government for not keeping to her side of the agreement. He said that Governor Ben Ayade In many fora has said categorically that if anyone from any of the communities picks up arms against his follow brothers that such a person will be arrested and prosecuted. But for whatever reason Governor Ayade has failed to fulfill his promise by “not arresting and prosecuting the actual culprits fuelling the persistent crisis as he had threatened “

    He finally submitted that although they are ready to receive back the Ebijakara people however, a clear boundary line be made to avoid future occurrences of encroachment.

    Also, the leader of the Ebijakara delegation, Engineer Linus Etu submitted; “That the unconditional release of two boys in detention from Ebijakara community must be enforced.

    Speaking, The Security representatives charged warring communities to avoid unnecessary outbreak of war and embrace dialogue at all times, stating that “societal development is stalled when there is ongoing war.”
    A joined peace and reconciliatory Committee was constituted with membership drawn from the three communities and coordinated by the state security adviser central. The committee was charged with the responsibility of driving the peace and reconciliatory process.

    In conclusion, the Convener, Dr. Mboto thanked all three communities present who attended the strategic meeting to dialogue towards achieving permanent peace in the three respective Communities. He categorically promised  to reach out again to them as soon as a final decision is reached by the State Government on the disputing communities.

  • Obubra Chairmanship Crisis : Cross River State Government Sues For Peace and Normalcy In the Area

     Following the recent attack on the offices of the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) and that of the Chairman in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State, the State Government through the Permanent Secretary, Special Services and the State Security Advisers, yesterday 10th February 2020 called a stakeholders’ meeting in Calabar.

    The meeting which took place at the Council of Chiefs’ Chambers,  was presided over by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Alfred Mboto had in attendance, State Security Advisers for Central and South,  Ransome Odey and Ani Esin, the Commissoner for Industry, Peter Egba, House of Assembly members representing Obubra 1 & 2, Rt. Hon. Friday Okpechi and Hon. Frank Ovat, the Obubra HOLGA, Chief Bari Inyang, the two contending candidates, Dr. Bassey Tom and  Abri Theophilus, and  other prominent Obubra sons And daughters.

    According to Dr. Mboto, the purpose of the meeting was to deliberate on possible ways to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly act and to bring them all to book, to serve as deterrence to others and also to resolve amicably any animosity in the minds of the aggrieved and to consolidate on the way forward for the party ahead of the 2020 elections.

    Dr. Mboto enjoined all the candidates to embrace peace for the sake of the People’s Democratic party and support whosoever has been put forward, in order to ensure that development and good governance reach the good people of Obubra, irrespetive of faction or party affiliations.

    Dr. Alfred also called on both candidates present as well as all those absent to call to order their supporters,advising them on the need for peaceful coexistence, without which no meaningful development can reach the Obubra Nation.

    The Honorable members also jointly condemned the wanton destruction of properties by the perpetrators, reffering to it as “barbaric and a show of weakness.” Hon. Okpechi said that the Local Government Area is lacking in many things already as compared to the other Seventeen Local Government Areas,   therefore it is pertinent to  unite to foster growth and development, rather than division that brings about decrease, stagnation and backwardness.

    Hon Okpechi continued by saying that politics is a matter of interest, and that interest is backed by God. He therefore called on the aggrieved  to accept the will of God and work to support the candidate who emerged , in order to build a greater Obubra Nation.

    His associate, Hon. Ovat on the other hand called on the party to outline a bargaining strategy to accommodate the interests of the aggrieved, saying that this will go a long way to pacify their supporters. He used the opportunity to appeal to the candidates to sheathe their swords and meet more often, so as to restore peace and harmony amongst their supporters.

    The Honorable Commissioner for Industry, Peter Egba also lend his voice to the cry for peace and harmony amongst the people. He said that no meaningful progress can take place in an atmosphere of crisis. He reiterated that for the sake of a new Obubra they must be a deliberate effort towards the consolidation of Governor Ben Ayade’s developmental plan of situating one Industry in each Local Government Area of the State and any form of impunity and animosity will truncate this process and Obubra will lose out from the scheme of things.

    The State Security Advisers for Central and South,  Ransome Odey and Ani Esin reiterated that power comes from God and no man can fight whom God has chosen, hence the need to embrace the will of God at all times.

    Mr. Ransome added that the State Party Chairman, Ntufam Inok Edim Inok should create a social media platform for all party members across the state, where grievances and complaints of members can be channeled, before escalating into serious security breach.

    The emerged winner, Dr. Bassey Tom and one of the aggrieved candidate,  Abri Theophilus, both promised to work together and they also pledged their unflinching support  to the peace initiative. They further gave their words to call their supporters to order to guarantee the attainment of law and order before and during the March 2020 Elections.

    Finally, as part of their resolutions, they were all tasked to provide in the next two weeks, the names of the perpetrators of the evil act, and a communique to the office of the Permanent Secretary on Special Services, as part of the modalities to restore peace and normalcy back to Obubra Nation.

    BEATRICE AKPALA – SSA COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY

  • Cross River State Speaker blames communal crisis on ego

    The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo has blamed the outbreak of Communal clashes in the State on egotism.

    Lebo made the remarks when the people of Ofutop community in Ikom Local Government Area paid him a courtesy visit to register their displeasure against their brothers from Okom in Obubra , on what they described as wanton destruction of property and their farmland.

    The Speaker said that Crises develop from the ego of political leaders who see themselves as champions but however commended the people of Ofutop for their maturity and their peaceful approach to the resolution of the problem.

    He advised that the solution to their problem lies with the heads of the communities, the chiefs and Youths who must reject wars.
    Earlier, the leader of the group and Chief Medical Consultant, County Hospital Ikom, Dr. Mike Nkwam, said the situation has become worrisome and unbearable, nothing that the Ofutop people are counting so much loses as a result of the destruction.

    Nkwan said they came to make peace and also seek the intervention of the government in order to facilitate peaceful co-existence between the Okom and Ofutop communities.

    The Member representing Ikom 1 State constituency, Hon. Fred Osim, commended his colleagues for their time and contribution to the amicable resolution of his constituency issues and assured that peace would reing.

    Also, the Member representing Obubra 2 State Constituency, Hon. Elucate Okora Ekom, said they would broker peace between the two communities having listened to the Ofutop and Okom communities.

    Watch Video Below…

  • CRSHA calls on State Government to urgently intervene in the Odukpani crisis

    The Cross River State House of Assembly has called on the State Government to urgently constitute a Judiciary Panel of inquiry made up of seasoned Crossivarians to establish the remote and immediate cause of the crisis that has led to the loss of lives and properties in Odukpani Local Government Area with a bid to finding lasting solution.

    The resolution was reached at the Plenary of the State House of Assembly following a motion by Hon. Bassey Akiba, member representing Odukpani State Constituency.

    The resolution called on the State Security Adviser to urgently constitute a joint security task force to patrol the areas in Odukpani where the crisis is going on to safeguard and protect further loss of lives and properties of the people.

    It further directed that the Chiefs, Community leaders, youth leaders, appointees of Government and heads of security agencies should be invited to meet with the House on Monday 17th October, 201 at 10 am.

    The State Emergency Management Agency SEMA was also to urgently avail displaced persons in the area with necessary assistance to ameliorate.

    Contributing earlier to the motion, the Deputy Speaker and member representing Calabar South State Constituency, Rt. Hon Joseph Bassey, said the House needs to urgently meet with security agencies in the State to restore peace in the area pointing out that Odukpani is the main gateway into the State Capital.

    The Deputy Speaker said he was pained and sad at the level of violence going on in the State, particularly, Calabar South where cultism thrives, denoting that “every cultists is a potential kidnapper and armed robber”.

    Bassey opined that security agencies are yet to live up to their responsibilities even when they have been empowered by the passage into law of the anti kidnapping law and home land security law.

    Rt. Hon Ogana Lukpata, member representing Yala II, Rt. Hon. Etang Williams, representing Yakurr and Hon. Christian Agbor decried the crisis situation in their constituencies where lives and properties are being threatened.

  • Many feared injured as two vehicles clashes leaving the Calabar Highways blocked

    Affected vehicles at the scene 

    A ghastly car accident between two vehicles has got the whole of Murtala Mohammed Highway choked up as vehicle are now turning in circles without a destined direction.

    The accident happened between an Infiniti Jeep and a Honda Concerto at the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) Secretariats in Calabar. The Jeep was the actual cause of the accident as the driver was trying to take a One-way drive from the Summit Hills roundabout to Esuk Utan area – peradventure he was trying to save time instead of going down to Army Junction to take the available U-turn.

    The Infiniti Jeep with number plate, Lagos – JJJ-960BZ was said to be on high speed even when taking the wrong way. The Jeep later collided with the Honda Concerto with number plate, Enugu – CN513-ENU where the passengers where left badly injured.

    A source told Calabar Reporters that the fault was from the Infiniti Jeep driver and that the incident was so alarming as they came out that night to rescue the Honda Concerto which was severely damaged. He added that a couple of persons were fearsomely affected and were taken to the nearby Bakor Clinic that night.

    Another person present at the scene said, the issue of trucks parking along the Highways is not helping matters as they usually see such incidents – as vehicles try to maneuver themselves through the road.

    When alerted the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), they responded with immediate effect and are trying to dispatch the vehicles off the road to reduce traffic congestion around the area.

    Provision for recognition of the affected vehicles owners, drivers and passengers is been made as the FRSC said they’d follow up until the family of the affected persons know about the incident.

    Watch Video from the incident below… 

    Check out Photos from the incident below including the traffic jam it’d caused….

  • CRS former Deputy Governor, Cobham admonishes Obubra and Yakurr Communities to live in harmony

    School building destroyed during the community clashes

    Communities in Cross River have been charged to consciously and deliberately develop some conflict resolution and reconciliation mechanisms to settle differences peacefully without resorting to violence and wanton destruction of lives and property.

    Barrister Cobham Asuquo, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Cross River State and Chairman, Panel of Inquiry into the Nko, Mkpani, Onyadama/Inyima and Iyamitete/Ababene, all in Obubra and Yakurr Local Government Areas of the state, gave this advice while carrying out an eye witness and on the spot assessment of the damages incurred as a result of the conflicts that had ravaged the communities of Mkpani, Nko, Inyima, Ebo in Onyadama, Ababene and Iyamitete in company of the other members of the panel, on Monday.

    Barrister Cobham Asuquo

    Barr Cobham who expressed displeasure at the level of destruction of both private and public institutions at Mkpani, described the action as callous and uncalled for, especially at this period of economic recession, stressing that certainly this was not the way to move forward and bring development to our communities.

    “I am in deep shock with the level of damage I have seen here, especially against the backdrop of the current economic situation in the country, to have embarked on this level of destruction of sensitive public property that has to do with the future of our children is an untoward character, callous, reprehensive and repulsive. Massive intervention including standard ICT centre, laboratory and library were provided by the administration of Senator Imoke in the destroyed school and all these have gone down the smoke”, Cobham lamented.

    Cobham went further to assert, “I don’t want believe that anybody who had a good education will burn down a school because the entire future of this community, this state hinges on facilities like this. I am a product of public school. When facilities like this are put in place, it should be protected because we don’t know if a president of Nigeria will come from here, and by destroying such facilities, you are tempering with the future of our generation”.

    Cobham who called on all the communities involved to give peace a chance stressed the need for the people to learn to hold their passion, learn to accommodate one another and imbibe the virtue of peace and harmonious living as all the communities involved in the crises have some reasonable relationship with one another, adding that the “anger of a brother should be felt in the flesh and not the bones, but this one has gone even to the bone marrows”.

    The panel chairman also expressed regret that the healthcare facility at Inyima was among property destroyed during the crises while calling on the people to continue to maintain peace and allow the committee to accomplish its assignment and submit the report to the state government, explaining that even boundary demarcation will avail nothing if the people themselves refuse to imbibe peace and evolve conflict resolution mechanisms among them.

    “Boundary does not bring peace, peace can only come from the people’s minds, when they agree to live together in peace and harmony. Even if government demarcate a boundary, it will not bring peace, instead, the leadership of the various communities involved should come together to seek for an amicable solution to the lingering problems with their neighbours, live within the bound of law, control your youths.

    “Myself and other members of the committee are not happy with what we have witness right from Mkpani, Nko, Inyima, and here in Ebo/Onyadama. These are not the progressive ways of doing things, but moving one step forward and five steps backward. We do not come to address you but to assess first hand evident in addition to your written and oral evident to enable write our report. People have lost their lives, property destroyed, but I want to let you know that the problem all of us collectively share is greater than the issues that causes us to fight one another.

    We are faced with poverty, hunger inadequate infrastructure, the need for our children to attend good schools. Let us face problems that collectively confront us, start thinking progressively. Elders should control their youths, the youths should listen to their elders because the elders you see today were once youths not far back, nobody enjoys monopoly of youth; the dry leave you see today was once a fresh budding one. The transformation from youth to old school is so rapid that you won’t know when you have turned into old school”.

    Cobham said that people should learn to forgive one another as two wrongs cannot make a right, maintaining that it is not the desire of the committee nor the state government to have a state which people cannot live in peace with their neighbours, but to ensure a state that peaceful co-existence is the watchword, adding that if we live together peacefully, we will develop faster than our present rate of growth.
    More photos from the clashes scenes….