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Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Death Toll Nears 10,000 As Rescuers Race Against Time

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About 9,457 people have been confirmed dead from the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday.

While the death toll in Turkey has risen to 6,957, Syria says about 2,500 people have died in the country.

Rescuers are racing against time, battling freezing weather conditions as low as -5c, and exhaustion to find survivors of the double quake.

“I see people here complain about the scarcity of rescue efforts, but maybe it is because there are 10 cities affected by the quake and many, many rescue teams are needed,” Reuters quoted a rescue worker from Istanbul, who declined to be named, to have said.

“But we are doing our best, trying to save people.”

Abu Malik al Hamawi, a volunteer said the situation was difficult as there was limited equipment to facilitate quick responses.

“We are here to help. There is no state, no equipment to help people, there are no excavators or hard equipment. Everything is done by our hands,” he said.

“Whole families are still trapped under buildings.”

On Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Erdoğan announced a three-month state of emergency in the country to enable rapid search-and-rescue operations.

He said the state of emergency would affect the 10 provinces hit by the earthquakes, adding that seven days of mourning had also been declared.

SYRIA SITUATION

Melinda Young, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) senior emergency advisor for Syria, says getting aid into the country’s north is very difficult at the moment.

The earthquake which damaged many roads, especially at the main border crossing, has hampered efforts to transport supplies sent across from Turkey to organizations working in the country, Young said.

She said the situation has been particularly difficult for children who have already gone through years of conflict, with many displaced during that period.

So far, 70 countries including Nigeria and 14 international organizations have offered aid.

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BREAKING: Oyo Governor Approves Appointment Of Canadian-Based Businessman Prince Abimbola As New Alaafin

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After a two-year dispute over the vacant Alaafin of Oyo stool, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the appointment of Abimbola Owoade, a young Canadian-based businessman, as the new monarch of the kingdom.

 

More to come…

 

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Dismissed Kano SSG Abdullahi Bichi Threatens To Expose Government, Political Figures

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The recently dismissed Secretary to the Kano State Government, Abdullahi Bichi, has threatened to reveal what he described as “explosive evidence” against political figures, accusing them of deceit and betrayal.

Bichi, who was removed from office in December 2024, made the declaration upon his return from Saudi Arabia.

In a viral video shared on Thursday, he addressed his supporters and accused the leaders of betrayal and deceit, saying, “I’m happy I left the office in peace, but let me be clear: this is not the best time to talk. At the right time, we will expose them.”

“I have documents, videos, and voice notes that will show everyone who they really are,” Bichi added.

The former SSG’s strained relationship with Governor Abba Yusuf and his mentor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, became evident after his suspension from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) on October 14, 2024. Bichi described the leaders as “masters of betrayal,” claiming his evidence would expose their true nature.

Political observers and residents of Kano are speculating on whether Bichi will follow through with his threats, and how it may impact the political landscape in the region.

Bichi was accused of attempting to sever Yusuf’s ties with Kwankwaso’s political influence. He was subsequently suspended from the party alongside then-Transportation Commissioner, Muhammad Diggol.

The State NNPP Chairman, Hashimu Dungurawa, stated that the suspension followed multiple complaints from party leadership at the ward and local government levels.

Dungurawa emphasized that the actions of the suspended officials undermined the party’s leadership and structure.

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DSS Arrests Blogger For Cloning Its Website, Posting Fake Recruitment Notice

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Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested the man responsible for cloning its website and posting a false recruitment notice.

It was gathered that 32-year-old Sylvester Victor Augustus, a native of Abak Local Government Area in Akwa-Ibom State, was apprehended on Thursday at his residence on Akpan Eno Lane in Abak, Abak LGA.

Augustus, who claimed to be a graduate of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) and worked as a blogger and content creator, had created a fake online recruitment notice on the cloned DSS website, likely intending to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The DSS has labeled the notice “fake” and urged the public to avoid falling victim to such fraudulent schemes. Augustus is expected to be arraigned in court soon.

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