1, June 2021
Southern Cameroons Crisis: Kidnapped Catholic priest freed 0
Father Christopher Eboka who was taken away by unknown gunmen on Friday, May 21, 2021 has been released. Rev Father Eboka’s kidnapping reportedly underscored the need for all the factions involved in the Southern Cameroons conflict to seek ways of reaching a peaceful resolution.
The kidnapping sparked outrage and anger both in French and Southern Cameroons.
Southern Cameroons exiled Vice President Dabney Yerima issued a statement condemning the act while thousands of Ambazonians prayed for his release and against an epidemic of kidnappings sweeping the entire Ambazonian territory.
What we know
The Ambazonia Interim Government announced the release in a statement, saying the priest was unharmed.
The Dabney Yerima statement did not provide information on whether a ransom was paid to the kidnappers.
On May 21, Rev Father Eboka and his rider were abducted while traveling on a road between Mamfe and Eshobi. The kidnappers are suspected members of a criminal gang run by the disgraced Southern Cameroons front line leader Dr Samuel Ikome Sako.
By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai
6, June 2021
Nigeria’s TB Joshua dies of Covid-19 0
The Founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Temitope Joshua, better known as Prophet TB Joshua, died on the way to the hospital, SaharaReporters has gathered.
“He conducted a service yesterday evening. He had been sick for two days. He decided to go to the hospital after the evening programme. He died on the way to the hospital,” a source told Saharareporters.
The church and his family have not officially announced his death. He was 57. Joshua was born on June 12, 1963, in Arigidi, Akoko axis of Ondo State. Plans were underway for his 58th birthday, which is six days away.
News of his demise became a trend on social media in the early hours of Sunday as many Nigerians took turns to mourn the late prophet.
The cause of his death was not immediately disclosed, but sources told Saharareporters he fell ill two days ago. His body is believed to have been deposited at General Hospital in Isolo, Lagos.
TB Joshua’s megachurch runs the popular Emmanuel TV television station from Lagos, followed by many Christians worldwide.
Joshua is famous across Africa, Europe and America. His YouTube channel, Emmanuel TV, had over 1,000,000 subscribers and was the world’s most viewed Christian ministry on the platform before it was suspended.
A rights group had filed a complaint after reviewing videos showing the preacher conducting prayers to “cure” gay people.
He is well known for his controversial prophecies such as the Ghana terror attack, US presidential election, coronavirus and his influence in African politics. He recently predicted Nigeria would remain one despite instability in different parts of the country.
He recently wrote on his Facebook page about plans to celebrate his 58th birthday.
He said, “As things stand, you may have realised it will not be easy for me to celebrate my birthday under the present circumstances. Some of the people who want to come are troubled by the situation all over the world. We see their fear and their worry. I feel their pain; I feel their worry.
“Therefore, let us dedicate this day to prayer and fasting. Don’t forget the needy. By the grace of God, more birthdays are ahead. God bless you! Emmanuel. Jesus is Lord! Happy Birthday.”
Source: Sahara Reporters