Paradise News

Blog

  • Study Reveals Teens’ Concerns Over Social Media’s Mental Health Impact

    Of more than 1,000 US teens surveyed by the Pew Research Center last year, nearly half say they’ve cut back on their smartphone and social media use amid concerns about technology’s impact on teens’ mental health. (iStock)

    By Clare Duffy, CNN

    New York (CNN) — The impact of social media on young people’s mental health and well-being is a growing topic of concern among parents, educators, health care professionals and regulators. And now, nearly half of US teens say social media has a mostly negative effect on people their age — and almost the same proportion say they’re cutting back on social media use.

    That’s according to a Pew Research Center report published Tuesday that asked American teens and parents about their attitudes around social media and smartphones. It offers an updated glimpse into how teens view their own social media use, following a separate Pew study from December that found nearly half of US teens say they’re online almost constantly.

    The report comes as parents and regulators have called on social media companies to do more to keep young people safe — and prevent them from spending too much time — on their platforms.

    Last year, then-Surgeon General Vivek Murthy asked Congress to require a label on social media apps warning of risks to young people, similar to those on alcohol and tobacco. Australia also passed a world-first law banning teens under 16 from social media. And in March, Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed a landmark bill requiring app stores to verify users’ ages and share that data with app developers, in a bid to protect teens from accessing age-inappropriate content online.

    To conduct the study, Pew surveyed 1,391 US teens ages 13 to 17 and their parents during September and October of last year.

    Of the teen respondents, 48% said they think social media has a “mostly negative” effect on people their age, up from 32% when Pew asked the same questions in a different survey in 2022. Just 11% of teens today say they think social media is “mostly positive” for their peers.

    But just 14% of teens say social media has a mostly negative impact on themselves, although that figure has jumped from 9% in 2022.

    Still, teens are seemingly trying to rein in their own social media use; 45% say they spend too much time on social media, up from 36% in 2022. And 44% of teen respondents said they have cut back on time spent on social media and their smartphones.

    “The overuse of social media in our society seems to be the main cause of depression among those in my age group,” a teen boy quoted in the report wrote. “People seem to let themselves be affected by the opinions of people they don’t know, and it wreaks havoc upon people’s states of mind.”

    .The report suggests that the effects of social media vary somewhat by gender and race and ethnicity. Teen girls, for example, are slightly more likely than teen boys to say social media has hurt the amount of sleep they get, their productivity, their mental health and their confidence.

    Those findings are consistent with research from 2019 that has suggested the link between social media and depression may be stronger in teen girls than boys, and that social media may harm girls’ mental health by increasing their exposure to bullying and decreasing activities that have a positive impact on wellbeing, such as sleep.

    In 2021, internal documents from social media giant Meta, made public after a whistleblower disclosure, showed that the company’s research found that Instagram makes “body image issues worse for one in three teen girls.” Meta has since introduced new policies and practices aimed at improving teen safety, including updated AI tools announced Monday designed to catch teens lying about their age on the app.

    Girls (48%) are more likely to say they’ve cut back on social media use than boys (40%), according to Tuesday’s report.

    General mental wellbeing among teens is a broader concern; 89% of parents and 77% of teens reported being either “somewhat” or “extremely” worried about the issue.

    But parents are still more anxious about how social media is impacting their children than the teens themselves, the report suggests. Social media (44%) and technology generally (14%) ranked highest as the one thing parents believed negatively impacted teens’ mental health, whereas only 22% and 8% of teens, respectively, said the same.

    “Technology, which is making them more afraid to try things, makes them less creative and makes them less likely to figure out how to solve their own problems, whether relationally or physically,” a mother of a teen said in the survey.

    However, it’s not all bad.

    Nearly six in 10 teens said social media gives them “a place to show their creative side,” and even more said it helps them stay connected to what’s happening in their friends’ lives.

    The-CNN-Wire
    & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

    Source: Seattle Medium

  • Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United future stance revealed

    Manchester United’s final matches of the campaign could have massive implications beyond the race for European football.

    Ruben Amorim is already being backed ahead of a crucial summer rebuild, with the Red Devils expected to be active in the transfer market once again.

    Big-name exits are on the table as Manchester United aim to clear space on the wage bill and rejuvenate their underperforming squad.

    Several loanees are also unlikely to return to the fold next season, with the club instead looking to cash in on unsettled talent and invest in players more suited to Amorim’s system.

    And now, plans are being quietly laid for a major summer transfer — with one current outcast’s future potentially holding the key.

    Marcus Rashford is currently on loan at Aston Villa, and the Midlands club hold an option to sign him permanently for £40million.

    But despite that clause, Manchester United could reportedly receive a higher fee if the England international is sold elsewhere, and interest is already building from clubs in Spain.

    CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CENTRE DEVILS WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!

    With Marcus Rashford earning around £365,000 per week and still having three years left on his contract after this season, selling him would not only generate a large transfer fee but also save United approximately £56million in wages.

    That would give the Red Devils nearly £100million to reinvest — and one name high on their list is Matheus Cunha.

    The Wolves star is believed to earn around £90,000 a week, but if United can offer him a significant pay rise on a five-year deal, Rashford’s departure could effectively fund most of Cunha’s transfer.

    Cunha has impressed this season with his dynamic displays in the Premier League, and his profile aligns with the kind of forward Amorim wants to lead United’s line.

    The relationship breakdown between Rashford and Amorim, along with key figures at boardroom level, makes it highly unlikely the 27-year-old will ever play for Manchester United again, as per Jamie Jackson.

    As a result, his exit this summer seems inevitable — and it could prove crucial in unlocking United’s next marquee signing.

    CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CENTRE DEVILS WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!

    Source: Centred Devils

  • OPINION: How Nigeria’s Worsening Security Impacts Economic Growth

    The recent upsurge in insecurity, which is now posing a threat to our national unity and cohesion, is making a mess of any assessment one could make on the growth of the Nigerian economy.

    Incessant killings as a result of banditry and terrorism are some of the most obvious causes of insecurity in Nigeria today, with religious and ethnic extremism and intolerance serving as their primary underpinnings.

    Doing an assessment of the number of lives lost and property destroyed is becoming a herculean task as days go by. And without doubt, the importance of security in ensuring sustainable long-term economic growth and development cannot be overemphasised. Like any other modern nation, Nigeria’s economic stability is closely tied to its national security.

    Lately, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State cried out that Boko Haram has taken over three local governments in the state at a time when we all assumed the Boko Haram insurgency was coming to an end.

    The destruction of lives and property in the north-central region remains unresolved, and no one knows whether it is ethnic, religious, or herder farmers’ issues. Instructively, we all know the drivers of insecurity in Nigeria.

    Whether it is communal clashes, as happened in Osun lately over land boundaries, kidnapping for ransom payment, or rituals in the southwest and southeast, insecurity has continued to rage in our land. Meanwhile, government efforts to combat insecurity have been ongoing for over a decade and have produced mixed results.

    Today, insecurity has constrained the ability of many farmers to access their farmlands, while some are forced to pay bandits and terrorist groups to gain access to their farmlands for planting and harvesting. This translates to suboptimal agricultural output, scarcity, and higher food prices.

    This eventually impedes our ability to attain self-sufficiency in food production, which is fuelling increased food importation and piling on the pressure on the external reserves. In addition, the rising level of insecurity constitutes a major drag on investor confidence, which is negative for foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows.

    Nigeria recorded $699 million in FDI inflows in 2024, the lowest level since 2013.

    The widespread insecurity in the country has led to the disruption of agricultural activities, which are the largest employer of labour and the largest economic sector in the country (25.9% of GDP in 2021). The country’s level of insecurity and the implications for business activity cannot be overstated.

    Heightened uncertainty and instability hinder business operations, including production, marketing, and distribution. Agriculture also provides input for various manufacturing companies.

    Nigeria’s high food inflation rate, which stood at 23% in April 2025, is largely attributed to the increasing scourge of insecurity in the country’s northern region. Communal clashes and banditry, in addition to the farmer-herder disputes, have raged unabated throughout Nigeria’s North-Central zone, spreading to neighbouring states, including the South-West zone.

    In many cases, the country’s security situation has resulted in the suspension of commercial operations and expansion plans, thereby increasing unemployment and poverty levels. Lower-income earners are more vulnerable to reductions in purchasing power, job losses, and a lack of access to basic financial services that can help mitigate disruptions during periods of conflict.

    Security concerns in the country have also hampered access to raw materials in certain locations, thus disrupting production cycles and driving up costs. Many transportation and logistics providers are charging higher fees to specific regions, as security risks are being factored into the fares.

    According to the NBS, the average air fare charged for specified routes is up 28.26% in the last year, while the average charge for intercity bus journeys is up 35.65% within the same period. We are confronted with addressing Nigeria’s worsening security impact on the economy, which is key to stimulating investments that would support long-term economic growth and stimulate job creation.

    The central point of this piece, having interrogated these critical issues, is that we must proffer solutions. Let’s begin to look at a possible solution.

    First, it’s crucial to put Nigeria firmly on a path of sustainable growth; the economy is suffering, and we need to tackle insecurity to attract FDI, FPIs and others.

    Although there is a school of thought that believes the military and the police need major reforms and restructuring because the existing security structure has shown little progress in the fight against all the menaces impacting the economy in the form of insecurity. So, if reforming our security is the way to go about it, we should embrace it now.

    For instance, it has been proposed that state police or regional policing is the best approach to our insecure context. It has also been suggested that the state police be married with local vigilantes and hunters. These are bright ideas we need to work on.

    Top security experts in the country have also muted the idea of expanding the nation’s anti-terror capabilities, as well as improvements in reconnaissance and surveillance. This, they believe, would help in identifying and blocking funding channels for terrorists.

    The call for intelligence gathering, in addition to improving the relationship between the citizens and security agencies, is also critical in resolving the current quagmire. On the other hand, we cannot forget the human angle or what is referred to as the human face, in tackling insecurity. This includes tackling poverty and unemployment at their root causes.

    Moreover, it is also said that we must allow the private sector to contribute either in kind or cash. Although security experts are divided on this, as some argue that the private sector’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is enough in this regard.

    Lastly, we need to strengthen institutions and invest in infrastructure, with a clear priority for the judiciary and the rule of law.

    – Adefolarin A. Olamilekan is a Political Economist and Host of The Market Report Show, ADBN Television, Abuja

    OPINION: How Nigeria’s Worsening Security Impacts Economic Growth is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

    Source: The Whistler

  • As controversies pile up, Trump allies increasingly turn on one another

    By CHRIS MEGERIAN and ZEKE MILLER, Associated Press

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The infighting and backstabbing that plagued President Donald Trump’s first term have returned as a threat to his second, with deepening fissures over trade, national security and questions of personal loyalty.

    The latest turmoil threatens to engulf the Pentagon, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pushed out top advisers and faces fresh controversy over sharing sensitive information about airstrikes in Yemen outside of classified channels. A former Pentagon spokesperson who was ousted last week wrote in Politico that Trump should fire Hegseth for presiding over a “full-blown meltdown.”

    The interpersonal drama is not — at least yet — a dominant plot line of Trump’s return to the White House. But its reemergence after a period of relative discipline in his ranks reflects a turbulent management style that has been suppressed or papered over, not reformed.

    Trump’s national security team was recently rattled by an Oval Office visit from Laura Loomer, a far-right conspiracy theorist who has been questioning his staff’s trustworthiness. The Republican president fired some of the officials, emboldening Loomer to continue scrutinizing people across the administration.

    In an interview with independent journalist Tara Palmeri released on Monday, Loomer mocked the idea that the White House is “one big happy family.”

    “The advisers don’t get along with each other,” she said. “The heads of agencies don’t get along with each other.”

    Tariff trouble causes friction for the Trump team

    Much of the tension is connected to Trump’s determination to use tariffs to rebalance the global economy, with officials often contradicting each other and occasionally turning to insults. Trump adviser Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur whose companies could suffer from higher costs brought on by import taxes, sharply criticized Peter Navarro, Trump’s top counselor on trade, as “dumber than a sack of bricks.”

    White House trade adviser Peter Navarro listens as President Donald Trump speaks as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

    White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the idea of growing dissension within the administration, saying there are “far more examples of the president’s team working together enthusiastically and collaboratively to advance the administration’s goals.”

    “The numbers and results of this administration speak for themselves,” she said. “The president and his team are getting work done.”

    Trump has always had a high tolerance for chaos, shunning traditional policy deliberations to entertain divergent opinions and viewing unpredictability as a negotiating tool. He’s spent years fostering a competitive atmosphere among his staff members, who are often chosen for their devotion and penchant for aggression.

    But now the increasing strife underscores the risks for more turmoil in the months ahead, as Trump presses forward with a dramatic overhaul of the federal bureaucracy, international trade, foreign policy and more.

    John Bolton, who served as national security adviser in Trump’s first term before writing a tell-all book critical of the president’s inner circle, said the drama reflects the lack of a consistent ideology and the inexperience of many administration officials.

    “The only thing they have in common is the belief that they should show personal fealty to Trump,” Bolton said. “That got them the job. That may in fact keep them in the job. But it shows how fundamentally unserious they are.”

    The situation is a test for Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff, who helped run Trump’s presidential campaign last year. She earned a reputation for imposing an unusual level of order on Trump’s chaotic orbit — though she carefully avoided trying to control Trump or his impulses — and he praised her as “the ice maiden.”

    During Trump’s first term, he had four chiefs of staff — one of them serving in an acting capacity for more than a year. The second, former U.S. Marine Gen. John Kelly, became a sharp critic of the president after he left the job, describing him as a fascist during the 2024 election.

    White House closes ranks around Hegseth

    With his new administration, Trump has surrounded himself with loyalists, and he’s been reluctant to throw anyone overboard in response to negative coverage from the mainstream media, which he considers to be an enemy. Allies say the hesitance to make personnel changes in this term is meant to deny giving a win to critics, even if it means leaving troubled officials in place.

    On Monday, the president brushed off reports that Hegseth participated in a second group chat to talk about pending airstrikes in Yemen last month. The first chat, which used the encrypted messaging application Signal, involved top administration officials as well as the editor of The Atlantic, who was accidentally included in the discussion.

    The second, first reported by The New York Times on Sunday, included Hegseth’s wife, who does not have a government job, and his brother and his personal lawyer, both of whom work at the Pentagon.

    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives on the South Lawn of the White House before President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll Monday, April 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

    “Same old stuff,” Trump said when reporters questioned him about it during the White House Easter egg roll. He said Hegseth is “doing a great job” and “it’s just fake news.”

    Leavitt, in an appearance on Fox News Channel, defended Hegseth with a swipe at the people who work for him.

    “This is what happens when the entire Pentagon is working against you and against the monumental change that you are trying to implement,” she said. Leavitt’s comment was shared by an official Defense Department social media account.

    Trump loyalists — not just Democrats — are pointing fingers

    However, some of those speaking out were among Hegseth’s top advisers.

    John Ullyot, who served as a Pentagon spokesperson until he was asked to resign, wrote in Politico that “it’s hard to see Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remaining in his role for much longer.” He added that “the president deserves better” and “many in the secretary’s own inner circle will applaud quietly” if Hegseth is fired.

    The disorder extends through the Pentagon’s senior ranks. Three officials — Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll and Darin Selnick — were recently pushed out, and they issued a statement saying people “have slandered our character with baseless attacks on our way out the door.”

    Hegseth did not deny the reports about his use of Signal. But he added: “What a big surprise that a few leakers get fired and suddenly a bunch of hit pieces come out.”

    Trump’s tariff plans have also been a source of stress inside the administration, often leading to mixed messages and policy confusion. Navarro insisted there weren’t going to be any negotiations, contradicting Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s insistence that import taxes were about strengthening the White House’s negotiating position.

    The president partially retreated from his plans, but not before Navarro and Musk began openly feuding. Navarro said Musk was “protecting his own interests” by opposing tariffs, and he described Musk’s electric automaker Tesla as a “car assembler” that’s dependent on importing parts from overseas.

    Elon Musk
    Elon Musk arrives on Air Force One at Philadelphia International Airport, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

    Musk, who advises Trump on ways to downsize the federal bureaucracy, responded by saying that Navarro was “truly a moron.”

    Leavitt downplayed the dispute by saying “boys will be boys.”

    “We will let their public sparring continue,” she told reporters. “And you guys should all be very grateful that we have the most transparent administration in history.”

    Trump often appears more interested in fealty than veracity. During part of last year’s campaign, he traveled with Loomer, who has a history of making racist attacks on Trump’s opponents and once claimed the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks were an inside job.

    After Trump won, Loomer became frustrated that she wasn’t allowed to help vet administration personnel. She eventually secured an Oval Office meeting with the president, bringing research on national security officials whom she believed were disloyal.

    After Trump fired some of them, Loomer has continued her work. Last week, she accused Bessent of inviting a “Trump hater” to work with him on financial literacy efforts.

    “I am going to personally tell President Trump and personally show him these receipts,” Loomer wrote on social media, adding “shame on” Bessent.

    Musk shared her post and chimed in with his support — “troubling,” he wrote.

    Originally Published:

    Source: Paradise Post

  • Mega Man X might just have the coolest moveset ever in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with this mod











    The Beefy Smash Doods have covered a number of interesting character mods for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate consisting of Kamek, Funky Kong, Krystal, Shadow the Hedgehog, Phoenix Wright, Shadow Mewtwo, Black Knight, and more.






    However, this mod of Mega Man X by Tofu might just be the coolest yet. Unlike the Phoenix Wright mod, this isn’t simply a port of the character into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate from the Marvel vs. Capcom title that he appeared in.









    Mega Man X’s forward tilt, neutral aerial, and forward smash are pretty identical to that of Mega Man’s. Despite this, Mega Man X’s moveset seems to focus on him fighting more up close and personal. As an example, Mega Man X actually has a completely unique jab attack that doesn’t rely on shooting projectiles.


    It’s Mega Man X’s down special where things get especially interesting. Using this ability, X can cycle through a number of weapons that he’s copied from defeated mavericks over the years.


    In total, X has about seven different transformations that he can cycle between. The form he’s currently occupying will change the mechanics of his neutral special. For example, he’ll fire off a flamethrower while he’s colored red.


    Of course, players will have to be careful as each transformation operates on a weapon energy meter (which essentially acts as X’s ammo count). Once X runs out of a certain ability, he won’t be able to use that attack again until he loses a stock.


    Check it all out below:









    Source: Event Hubs

  • Cross River Introduces “Jesus Carnival” into State Tourism Calendar

    Cross River Introduces “Jesus Carnival” into State Tourism Calendar

    The Cross River State Government has officially introduced a new annual event into its tourism calendar. The event, titled “Carnival Parade of Thanksgiving and Festival of Praise” — popularly known as the “Jesus Carnival” — will be held every Easter season.

    The maiden edition took place on Easter Monday in the state capital, Calabar, and was flagged off by the Governor, Apostle Senator Bassey Edet Otu, alongside his wife, Bishop Eyoawan Bassey Otu. The colorful and spiritually charged event, marked by splendor and cultural flair, is a spiritual offshoot of the globally celebrated Carnival Calabar, traditionally held every December.

    Organizers explained that the Jesus Carnival is designed as a moment of collective gratitude to God for the success of Carnival Calabar and the continued progress of the state. It blends faith, culture, and thanksgiving into a unique Christian celebration during the Easter season.

    Speaking at the event, Governor Otu declared: “Jesus Christ has taken Cross River State to unimaginable heights within two years of this administration. From inception, I declared this a Godly state, and Jesus the true Governor. Easter Monday has now been set aside to celebrate Jesus and to say, ‘Father, thank You for how far You’ve brought us.’ The story of Cross River State is changing for the better. I’m grateful to all the men and women of God who have continually kept the state in their prayers.”

    Read Also: Hisbah dismantles ‘Holy Site’ where pilgrims trooped to drink mud water following claims the ground bore Prophet’s footprint in Kano (video)

    He called on more Christians to join the effort to pray for Cross River, emphasizing that “no investment in the things of God is ever wasted.” The Governor also thanked the large contingent of clergy who led their congregations in participating in the event.

    The parade route covered several strategic locations across Calabar Municipality and Calabar South, including Millennium Park, Watt Market, Nelson Mandela Street, Target Street, and the Mary Slessor Roundabout, before returning to the main carnival corridor. Prayers were offered at various roundabouts along the way, adding a spiritual dimension to the march.

    Governor Otu and his wife danced and sang alongside thousands of Christian faithful, with gospel music echoing through the streets in a jubilant expression of faith.

    Bishop Mrs. Eyoawan Otu, speaking before the flag-off, said the vision for the Easter event was inspired by a desire to dedicate a significant part of the tourism calendar to Jesus Christ.

    “While Carnival Calabar is a secular celebration, this is a spiritual festival — one created to honor Christ for His sacrifice and celebrate our faith as a people,” she explained.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Event Management, Mr. Effiong Ekpenyong, described the Jesus Carnival as the brainchild of the First Lady, crediting her prayerful support for much of the administration’s success. He coordinated the parade’s logistics and highlighted its significance as a new attraction in the state’s growing tourism offerings.

    “With this spiritually uplifting addition to its tourism calendar, Cross River State has reaffirmed its identity as a place where culture and faith intersect—making Easter not just a religious observance, but a state-wide celebration of divine gratitude and praise,” he concluded.

    The celebration culminated with live gospel music performances, headlined by internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and producer, Cobhams Asuquo, whose electrifying performance left the crowd in awe.

    Prayers were led by prominent religious leaders, including the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. (Dr.) Takis Etim Caiafas; Bishop Josef Bassey; Bishop Emma Isong; Bishop Bassey E. Edem; Apostle Frank Umoh, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Affairs; and several others across various Christian denominations.

  • Marketer at Mozuk HealthCare Group April, 2025

    Click Here To Apply

  • Store Manager PEPhome 5630 Empangeni (Richards Bay) at PEP April, 2025

    Click Here To Apply

  • Hisbah dismantles ‘Holy Site’ where pilgrims trooped to drink mud water following claims the ground bore Prophet’s footprint in Kano (video)

    The Kano State Hisbah Board has dismantled a makeshift pilgrimage site where pilgrims trooped to drink mud water following unverified claims that the location bore the footprint of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

    The site, located around the Dakata Industrial Area, was cleared for railway development recently. However, it attracted public attention after a muddy imprint was spotted on the ground, coupled with water seeping from the site. 

    Some Muslim faithful believed it was the Prophet’s footprint, and hundreds of people trooped to the site to drink, bathe, and collect the water, believing it possessed divine healing powers. 

    Reacting to the development, the Deputy Commander of the Kano moral police, Muhahideen Aminudeen, said the board swiftly intervened after receiving reports of the growing activities at the site. 

    He described the claims as fabricated and dangerous, especially given the absence of any religious or historical basis. 

    “Some mischief makers circulated this bogus story that the place is a holy site where the Prophet set foot,” he said. 

    “Unfortunately, many people who lack sound knowledge of Islam were misled. We deployed officers to the scene to educate the people and dismantle the site to prevent further harm.” 

    Aminudeen emphasised that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never visited Africa during his lifetime, let alone Kano. 

    He urged the public to seek authentic Islamic knowledge to avoid falling prey to such deceptive claims. 

    “This kind of misinformation can lead people astray and even pose health risks,” he added. “We call on parents to ensure their children are properly educated in Islamic teachings.” 

    He also cautioned residents against consuming the water from the site, warning that it could be contaminated due to the area’s proximity to industrial activities. 

    The board said it was investigating the origin of the false claim.

     

    See video below.

     

     

     

    Source: Linda Ikeji

  • Nigerian Army Personnel Instead Of Engaging Terrorists Group, Extort Money From Farmers, Motorists — Kwara Communities Cry Out

     

    Residents of several border communities in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State have accused the Nigerian Army personnel deployed to the region of extortion, negligence, and failing to confront the growing threat of terrorism in the area.

     

    Multiple residents who spoke with SaharaReporters lamented that while armed groups continue to terrorise their villages, soldiers stationed there appear more interested in making money through illegal checkpoints than protecting lives.

     

    “They fired so many times, they appear to have presence in most of our communities now,” one community source told SaharaReporters, referring to the latest attack. “Communities like Nanoru, Tumbuyan, and Gwanara are no longer safe. My advice for my people is to remain vigilant henceforth.”

     

    In a shocking twist, locals are now calling for the withdrawal of military forces from their area, claiming the soldiers have become more of a liability than a line of defence.

     

    “We urge that the soldiers deployed to our communities for protection be returned to their barracks,” the source continued.

     

    “Let the government provide our local vigilante with sufficient firearms to empower them, because the soldiers are just here doing nothing.”

     

    A custom personnel who is also a resident of one of the affected communities told SaharaReporters that even though he wears the uniform, he is deeply disturbed by the conduct of the soldiers stationed in the area.

     

    “What is happening is that the soldiers deployed to our communities are not fulfilling their duties properly,” he said. “The group that attacked last night wore soldier uniforms, and there were soldiers at every checkpoint they passed. Some locals even reported seeing these groups dressed in military uniforms travelling back to Ilorin after the attack, mistakenly believing they were real soldiers.”

     

    He questioned how the supposed soldiers on duty could not identify impostors wearing their uniforms.

     

    “My concern is, how come the soldiers deployed could not recognise them?” he asked.

     

    The soldier also recounted his personal experience with extortion by his fellow troops.

     

    “If you visit Chikanda, you will notice that soldiers are present everywhere, stopping innocent farmers and extorting money from them. They will never go after these terrorists. They will not go to Koronji, the area they were deployed to secure.”

     

    “Every night, you will find them parked in the premises of a secondary school in Chikanda with their Hilux van, stopping individuals and asking them to open their car boots. That is not their job. They are doing this to extort people and make money for themselves. They are not fighting the terrorists; they were deployed to our communities to fight. It is like they are here to make money.”

     

    He revealed that he was also targeted for extortion, but pushed back.

     

    “I was stopped for the same reasons. They wanted to extort me too. I informed them that I am also a uniformed officer. I confronted them about their improper behaviour.”

     

    He said the situation would be better if the soldiers were removed entirely.

     

    “It is even better if these soldiers are not here, because without them, we would have been more vigilant as community people. But their presence is not helping us. They are only extorting us.”

     

    “The government should train our local vigilantes and give them sufficient firearms. They will perform better than these soldiers.”

     

    The military insider added that no soldiers are currently deployed to Koronji, a known hideout of the terrorist group operating in the area.

     

    “Currently, as I am speaking to you, in Koronji, the hideout of the terrorists, no soldiers are deployed there. They are only in the main town extorting money from farmers and motorists. Instead, it is only the local vigilantes providing protection.” 

    Source: Sahara Reporters