Dan Karami, a notorious banditry kingpin operating in Katsina and Zamfara, stopped communities from using the Dauran weekly market a week after two Fulanis were reportedly killed extra-judicially. Dauran, a commercial town in Zurmi Local Government of Zamfara, has one of the biggest markets in the state’s north which is open every Sunday. Premium Times quoted three unnamed local traders who said the market was near empty on Sunday. Though all three sources said soldiers and policemen have taken over strategic places to forestall an anticipated attack, they said traders stayed away for safety reasons. A local youth leader in Zurmi told the news site that Karami on Saturday evening informed some residents around his camp that they shouldn’t go to the market. The terrorists’ leader is said to be enraged over the killing of two Fulani men by vigilante members in the market last week. Mr Karami, who is not Fulani, has taken it a duty to protect Fulani, with his fighters reportedly all Fulanis.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police operatives have rescued 58 kidnap victims, held hostage at Udulu Forest in Gegu LGA of Kogi State, bordering Sardauna Forest in Nasarawa State and other identified kidnappers’ dens in communities contiguous to the FCT. FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, who confirmed the development, said one of the victims, Tama Jonathan, died from the injury he sustained during the rescue operation. In contrast, the other 58 rescued victims were being stabilised in a hospital and would be reunited with their families thereafter.
The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) says Ghana recorded $8 billion for trade in services export in 2022. Some of the services exported include medical doctors, nurses, teachers, insurance, information technology solution, information services, computer services, telecommunications, and audio-visual and related services, as well as research and development services. GEPA Chief Executive Officer Afua Asabea Asare said the total export of services from Ghana in 2022 amounted to $8.24 billion compared to $9.17 billion in 2021, Dr Asare said. On revenue GEPA received from Non-Traditional Export in 2022, Dr Asare said, it recorded a six percent increase in the country’s Non-Traditional Export (NTE) earnings in 2022. It earned $3.5 billion from NTE earnings in 2022, compared to $3.33 billion recorded in 2021.
Mali’s military government, last Friday, set a new date for a delayed constitutional referendum meant to pave the way for presidential elections next year. The vote, initially scheduled for 19 March, is the first in a series of polls meant to restore democracy in the West African country after two military takeovers since August 2020. It was delayed days before that date to give electoral management authorities more time to set up in Mali’s 19 administrative regions. Government spokesman, Abdoulaye Maiga, announced on state television that the referendum would take place on 18 June.