Author: Rareview

By Ali Elias Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday ignited a wave of criticism after declaring that Nigeria is “perfectly safe,” a pronouncement many observers say glosses over the country’s grave security challenges and raises questions about his intentions for visiting at this delicate moment in the nation’s international reputation. Johnson made the remark in Owerri while speaking at the inaugural Imo Economic Summit organised by Governor Hope Uzodimma. According to him, nothing in his brief itinerary — flying into Lagos, spending a night in a hotel, and travelling to Owerri — suggested that Nigeria was unsafe. “I feel perfectly safe. The streets are also safe,” he told attendees, adding that he had pushed ahead with the trip despite attempts by advisers to di...

Photo courtesy: NTA By Ali Elias COTONOU — An attempted military takeover in the Republic of Benin was decisively thwarted on Sunday, as defender forces loyal to the government regained control within hours of the mutiny that saw a small group of soldiers seize the national broadcaster and declare a change of power. The events unfolded early Sunday morning, when at least eight soldiers—identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) — appeared on the state-run television station and announced they had ousted Patrice Talon, dissolved state institutions, suspended the constitution, and closed Benin’s borders. The group proclaimed Pascal Tigri its leader Gunfire reportedly broke out near the president’s residence and other parts of the economic capital, Cot...