- Atleast 10 people drown, 20 missing after a Nigerian boat sinks off the shore of Gabon
- Kidnappers abducted fourteen in Anka, Zamfara
- Nigerian police officer, ex-administrator, Olasunkanmi Oduoye (AIG-Rtd)’s demise
- Gunmen killed two soldiers in Plateau, stole guns
According to C. Wright Mills, neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both.
In today’s society, history is essential. It has two crucial functions in life. It offers a place for introspection and education. We must recognize that it is our responsibility to actively consider our history when making decisions for the future.
Atleast 10 people drown, 20 missing after a Nigerian boat sinks off the shore of Gabon
On this date, 21st of March in 2013, 10 people drowned and another 20 remain unaccounted for after a boat carrying West African clandestine migrants sank off the coast of Gabon.
The boat had left Nigeria and was within 15 minutes of arriving in Gabon’s capital Libreville when it went down late on Tuesday night.
Gabonese authorities rescued 23 survivors and the search continued into Friday.
“Last night we had six bodies and since this morning we have found four more, which makes a total of 10 recovered bodies. The immigrants drowned,” said a member of the nautical brigade of Gabon’s national police, who asked not to be named.
Police said the survivors – from Benin, Nigeria and Burkina Faso – claimed to have each paid the boat’s crew up to 500,000 CFA francs ($1,000) to take them to Gabon, where they hoped to find work.
Local newspapers reported that the human traffickers attempted to extort more money from the immigrants and had begun throwing those who could not pay overboard.
Gabonese authorities said they were investigating the cause of the sinking.
Kidnappers abducted fourteen in Anka, Zamfara
On this day, 21st of March in 2020, armed men suspected to be kidnappers reportedly abducted fourteen (14) people in Anka, Zamfara.
Zamfara Commissioner of Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Dauran also confirmed the kidnap of the District Head of Wuya in Anka Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking in Gusau on Saturday, Dauran said, “it is lamentable that these unrepentant bandits can still come into communities to carry out criminal activities in the state.
“It is true the district head, of Wuya, Alhaji Umar was kidnapped today (Saturday), and immediately on receipt of the unfortunate incident, we mobilised security personnel comprising the army and the police to the bushes in the area.
Olasunkanmi Oduoye (AIG-Rtd)’s demise
On this date, 21st of March in 2014, Nigerian police officer and administrator of Niger and Ebonyi states, Simeon Olasunkanmi Oduoye died.
Simeon Oduoye was born on 13 April 1945. He obtained the West African School Certificate in 1964 from Akinorum Grammar School, Ikirun. He enlisted in the Nigeria Police on 1 July 1965. He became an Assistant Inspector General of Police, retiring in 1999. He was Administrator of Niger and Ebonyi States 1996–1999.
He was chairman of NSPRI (2005–2007). He is Chairman and Managing Director of Layo Woodmill Nigeria Ltd.
Simeon Oduoye was elected senator for Osun Central in April 2007 on the (PDP) platform. He was appointed to committees on Security & Intelligence, Power, Land Transport, Interior Affairs, Drugs Narcotics Anti Corruption and Air Force.
In May 2008, as Vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Security and National Intelligence, Oduoye said the Senate was about to approve the establishment of a special court for financial crimes.
Gunmen killed two soldiers in Plateau, stole guns
On this date, 21st of March in 2020, two soldiers were allegedly killed by gunmen in Miango community, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to eyewitnesses, the two deceased soldiers were on patrol of the community along Ancha Road when the gunmen attacked them.
A villager, Mr Yohanna Gado, said the victims died on the spot while their rifles were carted away by the gunmen during the ambush which occurred on Friday evening.
Gado said, “We heard gunshots around 6:15pm which lasted until around 7:45pm. When the sound of the gunshots ceased, we came out only to discover the body of two soldiers lying dead on the ground. Their rifles have been taken away.
“The soldiers were from our community, I don’t know their names but they were friendly and loved our people. They always patrolled the village on their motorbikes and they normally gave us tips on security.
“The community feels too bad about the loss of the soldiers who came to serve their fatherland.”