All articles tagged with #kidnappings
Militant attacks on Nigerian schools have left more than 80 children missing, officials say, with abductions traced to late April; some abductees have been released, but dozens remain unaccounted for as violence disrupts education.
Nigeria's Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar resigned due to health reasons amid escalating security crises, including mass kidnappings attributed to criminal gangs and jihadist groups. He was succeeded by General Christopher Musa, a seasoned military strategist. Nigeria faces multiple security challenges, with efforts hampered by corruption and underfunding, prompting a national security emergency and international concern, including US involvement.
South Korea has banned travel to parts of Cambodia due to a surge in kidnappings linked to cyber-scam centers, where victims are often forced into online fraud operations, with diplomatic efforts underway to address the crisis and sanctions imposed on a Cambodian criminal network.
In Nigeria, Christian communities face severe persecution with over 19,100 churches destroyed since 2009, hundreds of priests kidnapped or murdered, and at least 15 million displaced, amid violence from jihadist groups, criminal gangs, and alleged involvement of security forces.
Two Minnesota men, Benedict Nwana Kuah and Pascal Kikishy Wongbi, were indicted for allegedly funding and directing violent acts including kidnappings, bombings, and killings in Cameroon, operating from the U.S. to support separatist militias, with potential life sentences if convicted.
The Bitcoin Family has enhanced their security measures by splitting their seed phrase across four continents and abandoning hardware wallets due to rising crypto-related kidnapping threats, reflecting increased caution among crypto investors.
An American missionary couple, Davy and Natalie Lloyd, along with a local director, were killed by gang members in Haiti's capital. David Lloyd, Davy's father, recounted a phone call during the attack where his son described being trapped and shot at. The area is heavily controlled by gangs, complicating any investigation. The couple had recently moved to Haiti for full-time missionary work.
Haitian Americans in Florida are anxiously awaiting news from their relatives in Haiti as violence and kidnappings by gangs continue to escalate. Many are unable to reach their loved ones and fear for their safety, with some family members forced into hiding to avoid being kidnapped. The recent turmoil in Haiti follows the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 and has led to widespread lawlessness, prompting a state of emergency and the evacuation of nonessential U.S. Embassy personnel. The Biden administration has committed humanitarian aid for Haiti, but the situation remains dire, with millions facing food insecurity and little access to clean water. Florida lawmakers are preparing for a potential influx of Haitian migrants fleeing the violence, while some are concerned about the governor's response.
Nigeria has been shaken by two mass kidnappings within a week, with hundreds of women and children abducted in separate incidents in Borno and Kaduna states. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has condemned the abductions and directed security agencies to rescue the victims. The first incident involved about 200 people, mainly women collecting firewood, while the second saw at least 100 students abducted from a school. The UN and local officials have expressed concern over the frequency of such attacks and called for immediate action.
Monique Olivier, the widow of French serial killer Michel Fourniret, has been charged with aiding and abetting in three additional murders. Her husband, who was previously convicted of multiple murders, died in 2021 before facing trial for these cases. Olivier is accused of involvement in the disappearances and killings of Marie-Angele Domece in 1988, Joanna Parrish in 1990, and Estelle Mouzin in 2003. She had previously been convicted of complicity in four of her husband's murders and sentenced to life in prison. Olivier's attorney claims that she played a lesser role compared to her husband and does not derive pleasure from the victims' pain.
Israel continues its war against Hamas, with almost 10,000 people killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since the deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. Demonstrations calling for a cease-fire and humanitarian end to the violence took place globally. The week in photos showcases scenes from the ongoing conflict, including destroyed buildings, rescue efforts, rallies in solidarity with Israel, and the funeral of Israeli soldiers killed in the fighting.
Gang violence in Haiti has killed at least 187 people and injured over 150 others in less than two weeks, with hundreds of people displaced and farmers abandoning fields due to starvation. The surge of violence has been largely blamed on a gang called "Baz Gran Grif," and nearly 260 kidnappings have been reported since the start of the year. The UN in Haiti has expressed concern for children who are often subjected to armed violence, including forced recruitment and sexual violence. Prime Minister Ariel Henry is seeking to mobilize Haiti's military to help fight the unrelenting gang violence.
Gang violence in Haiti has killed at least 187 people and injured over 150 others in less than two weeks, according to the UN. The violence has also displaced hundreds of people and forced farmers to abandon fields, worsening the country's starvation crisis. Gangs have grown more powerful since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 and now control an estimated 60% of Port-au-Prince. Prime Minister Ariel Henry is seeking to mobilize Haiti's military to help fight the unrelenting gang violence.