Rudy Rochman: My Time in a Nigerian Prison | Wine with Adam

May 3, 2023 | Host Adam Bellos sat down with special guest and close friend Rudy Rochman, an Israeli-American activist and filmmaker, to talk about his time in prison in Nigeria. In July 2021, Rudy was detained along with three others and spent several weeks in jail while filming the Igbo Jewish community in Nigeria. Automatic weapons, men in ski masks, fear of execution, unmarked vehicles, Shabbatm. Chabad, Kosher food - it is a harrowing story that you won't want to miss.

Filming the Jewish community of Nigeria is part of a larger project called 'We Were Never Lost", a documentary film series highlighting the Jewish roots and heritage of various communities in Africa. Rochman hopes the film series can revitalize Jewish identity and story even for Jews who are not from these communities.

The conversation was accompanied by a tasting of Shilo Mosaic 2019, a red blend from the Shilo Winery in Israel.

EXMNA: Mubarak Bala - A Nigerian Humanist's Imprisonment

Nov 3, 2022 | The crime? Insulting Islam. The means? Humanist activism. The effort to silence of one of Nigeria’s most prominent defenders of human rights and secular values, Mubarak Bala, began from the moment he declared his apostasy from Islam—and it continues today as he suffers an unjust, heinous, and outrageous imprisonment.

Exposing Nigerian Online Love Scammers | 60 Minutes Australia

Jul 16, 2019 Most of us have figured out by now, that transferring our life savings into a Nigerian bank account is a mug's game. We know there's no royal fortune. No multi-million dollar return. In fact, no hope of ever seeing our money again. Maybe that's why the men behind those dodgy emails have moved on to scams that are more sophisticated and far more callous. Now they don't just bankrupt their victims, they break their hearts as well. So we decided to take them on at their own game. We set up a sting of our own and it wasn't long before the sharks took the bait.



ROYALLY SCREWED OVER: Glasgow woman convinced she was flirting with billionaire Dubai prince who wanted to visit her scammed out of £3,800: A GLASGOW woman convinced she was flirting with a billionaire Dubai royal was actually talking to scammers who conned her out of £3,800. »

Drei Männer wegen Homosexualität zum Tod durch Steinigung verurteilt

NIGERIA
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Die Männer, darunter ein 70-Jähriger, hätten ihre Vergehen gegenüber der Religionspolizei gestanden, hieß es. Jedes von einem Scharia-Gericht gefällte Todesurteil muss vom Gouverneur des jeweiligen Bundesstaates gebilligt werden.

In Nigeria sind drei Männer wegen homosexueller Kontakte zum Tod durch Steinigung verurteilt worden. Das Urteil sei von einem islamischen Scharia-Gericht gefällt worden, teilte der Chef der Religionspolizei der regionalen Verwaltung in Ningi im Bundesstaat Bauchi, Adam Dan Kafi, am Freitag mit. Die drei am 14. Juni festgenommenen Männer, darunter ein 70-Jähriger, seien geständig. Gegen das Urteil könne während einer 30-Tage-Frist Widerspruch eingelegt werden. Jedes von einem Scharia-Gericht gefällte Todesurteil muss vom Gouverneur des jeweiligen Bundesstaates gebilligt werden. » | Quelle: Reuters | Samstag, 2. Juli 2022

Dozens of Worshippers Feared Dead after Nigeria Church Attack • FRANCE 24 English

Jun 5, 2022 • Gunmen opened fire on worshippers and detonated explosives at a Catholic church in southwestern Nigeria on Sunday, leaving dozens feared dead, state lawmakers said.

Justin Welby Condemns Nigerian Archbishop's Gay 'Virus' Comments

THE GUARDIAN: Archbishop of Canterbury says Henry Ndukuba’s comments that homosexuality should be ‘expunged’ are unacceptable

The archbishop of Canterbury has issued a rare public condemnation of a fellow Anglican primate who described homosexuality as a “deadly virus” which should be “radically expunged and excised”.

Justin Welby, who is the leader of the global Anglican church, said the comments made by Henry Ndukuba, the archbishop of Nigeria, were unacceptable and dehumanising.

His criticism was endorsed by senior Church of England colleagues, including Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York, and Sarah Mullally, the bishop of London.

In response to a statement on the pastoral care of gay people issued by the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) in January, Ndukuba said: “The deadly ‘virus’ of homosexuality has infiltrated ACNA. This is likened to a yeast that should be urgently and radically expunged and excised lest it affects the whole dough.” » | Harriet Sherwood | Saturday, March 6, 2021

Boko Haram Is Now a Mini-Islamic State, with Its Own Territory

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Boko Haram controls about 20,000 square miles of territory and is fast becoming a terrorist state razing villages and killing innocent victims, writes David Blair

After days of razing villages and pitiless massacre, Boko Haram finished the week with its most chilling atrocity.

As people bustled through the Saturday market in the Nigerian city of Maiduguri, a device borne by a ten year-old girl exploded near the entrance.

A witness said the girl probably had no idea that a bomb had been strapped to her body.

The explosion just before lunch killed 20, including the girl, and injured 18, according to the police.

Boko Haram did not immediately claim the attack, but the Islamic insurgents have increasingly used young girls as human bombs as they carve an African “Caliphate” from the plains of northern Nigeria.

Today, Boko Haram controls about 20,000 square miles of territory - an area the size of Belgium.

Within this domain, the black flag of jihad flies over scores of towns and villages scattered across the neighbouring states of Borno and Yobe.

The latest conquest was the fishing town of Baga on the shores of Lake Chad, which fell to the Islamists last Wednesday. » | David Blair | Saturday, January 10, 2015

Harte Zeiten für Christen in Nigeria

Die Stadt Jos liegt im Herzen Nigerias. Im Norden der 900'000-Einwohner-Stadt ist die islamistische Bewegung Boko Haram aktiv. Die Stadt selber und der Süden galten bis vor kurzem als sicher. Inzwischen hat sich das geändert. Der 46-jährige Markus Gamache arbeitet in Jos für eine Partnerkirche der Basler «Mission 21». Wie gefährlich ist das Leben in Jos für Christen?

Africa Leaders Declare 'War' on Nigeria Boko Haram

BBC: African leaders meeting in Paris have agreed to wage "war" on Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamic militants.

President Hollande of France, who hosted the summit, said regional powers had pledged to share intelligence and co-ordinate action against the group.

Last month it abducted 223 schoolgirls in north-eastern Nigeria, where it is based. Fresh attacks were reported in Nigeria and Cameroon overnight.

Thousands of people have been killed by Boko Haram in recent years.

The Paris summit brought together President Francois Hollande, Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan, and their counterparts from Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

Afterwards, Mr Hollande said participants had agreed on a "global and regional action plan". (+ video) » | Saturday, May 17, 2014

British-born Boko Haram 'Ringleader' Was 'Radicalised at UK University'

Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche was held in Sudan on an
international arrest warrant

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, arrested on suspicion of carrying out bomb attacks in Nigeria, threatened to cut off hands of non-believers while living in Britain

A British-born "ringleader" of the Islamist group responsible for the kidnapping of hundreds of school girls in Nigeria was radicalised while studying at a UK unversity, according to friends.

Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, 29, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with two recent bombings carried out by Boko Haram in the Nigerian capital Abuja that killed nearly 100 people.

He is suspected of co-masterminding the attacks - one in the suburb of Nyanya that killed 75 people on April 14 and a second attack just yards away which killed 19 earlier this month.

Interpol put out an international arrest warrant for Mr Ogwuche, who was discovered after a reward of £100,000 led to his discovery in Sudan.

Mr Ogwuche, who is the son of a retired Nigerian colonel, was said by fellow students at University of Glamorgan in Wales to call himself "The Lion of God" and threatened to cut the hands and feet of non-believers while living in Britain. » | Josie Ensor, and Colin Freeman | Friday, May 16, 2014

Islamisten greifen Nigerias Hauptstadt an

DIE WELT: Drei Attentate der extremistischen Terrorsekte Boko Haram innerhalb von 48 Stunden erschüttern Nigeria. Erstmals seit zwei Jahren sterben wieder Zivilisten in Abuja durch einen Selbstmordanschlag.

Die islamistischen Fanatiker der nigerianischen Gruppe Boko Haram verschärfen ihren Krieg gegen Christen, Zivilisten, gemäßigte Muslime und staatliche Institutionen. Mit einem schweren Bombenanschlag auf den Busbahnhof Nyanya Motor Park in der nigerianischen Hauptstadt Abuja töteten die Extremisten zahlreiche Menschen. Die Zeitung "Premium Times Nigeria" berichtete von mindestens 200 Toten. Viele seien bis zur Unkenntlichkeit zerrissen worden, überall hätten Leichenteile gelegen. Journalisten, die kurz nach der Explosion vor Ort waren, zählten 60 Leichen. » | Von Dietrich Alexander | Montag, 14. April 2014

Inside a Nigerian Private Jet

BBC: Nigerians have spent $6.5bn on private jets, making it the largest market in Africa for luxury aircraft and one of the fastest growing in the world.

More than 100 private planes are said to operating in there - many of them owned by the country's growing number of rich businessmen and women.

Tomi Oladipo reports from Lagos airport. (+ BBC video) » | Sunday, March 02, 2014

Nigeria: Dozens of Students Shot and Burned Alive in Islamist Attack on School

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Most of the victims appeared to be between 15 and 20 years old and all of them were male

Islamic militants have set fire to a locked dormitory at a school in northern Nigeria, then shot and slit the throats of students who tried to escape through windows during a pre-dawn attack Tuesday. At least 58 students were killed, including many who were burned alive.

They "slaughtered them like sheep" with machetes, and gunned down those who ran away, said one teacher, Adamu Garba. » | Wednesday, February 25, 2014

Locals Help Police Target Homosexuals in Bauchi State, Nigeria

BBC: People in Nigeria who are suspected of being gay could face the death penalty, as parts of the country crack down on practices not consistent with Islamic law.

Homosexuality has long been illegal in the country, with a recent law extending the penalty for those convicted to 14 years in prison.

But in Bauchi State in northern Nigeria, some of those standing trial could face the death penalty.

Will Ross reports. (+ BBC video) » | Thursday, February 06, 2014

Uganda Archbishop Responds to Welby on Anti-gay Laws

BBC: The head of the Anglican Church in Uganda has given a critical response to a letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York warning that gays and lesbians should not be victimised.

Their letter was sent to all presiding archbishops of the Anglican Communion.

It was also sent to the presidents of Uganda and Nigeria, which have recently introduced anti-gay legislation.

Archbishop Stanley Ntagali responded that "homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture".

He said he hoped the Church of England would "step back from the path" it had set itself on "so the Church of Uganda will be able to maintain communion with our own Mother Church".

In the letter, Archbishops Justin Welby and John Sentamu said they were responding to questions asked about the Church of England's attitude to laws penalising "people with same-sex attraction".

Homosexuals were loved and valued by God and deserved the "best pastoral care and friendship", they said. » | Friday, January 31, 2014

Related »

Archbishops Criticise Nigerian and Ugandan Anti-gay Laws

Archbishop Welby is on a five-day tour of four African countries

BBC: The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to the presidents of Nigeria and Uganda, after being asked about laws there penalising gay people.

The letter said homosexual people were loved and valued by God and should not be victimised or diminished.

Nigeria and Uganda have both passed legislation targeting people with same-sex attraction.

The letter is also addressed to all primates (heads of national Churches) in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Archbishops Justin Welby of Canterbury and John Sentamu of York said the letter was a result of "questions about the Church of England's attitude to new legislation in several countries that penalises people with same-sex attraction".

The letter comes as Archbishop Welby starts a five-day tour of four African countries. » | Thursday, January 30, 2014

Nigeria: Les gardiens de la charia promettent de punir l'homosexualité

Goodluck Jonathan

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Le président du Nigeria a approuvé lundi une loi punissant l'homosexualité. Les gardiens de la charia de la ville de Kano ont promis de «travailler sans relâche» à son application.

Pour les gardiens de la loi islamique à Kano, la plus grande ville du nord du Nigeria, la nouvelle loi approuvée lundi par le président Goodluck Jonathan, qui punit l'homosexualité, est «une évolution bienvenue». Ils promettent de «travailler sans relâche» à son application.

«Dorénavant, nous irons dans chaque recoin de l'Etat de Kano pour contrôler que l'interdiction de la prostitution, des mariages de même sexe et la consommation d'alcool (...) est pleinement appliquée», a affirmé le chef adjoint de la Hisbah (police islamique des mœurs) de l'Etat de Kano, Usman Nabahani.

Comme bon nombre de pays africains - 38 sur 54 en juin 2013, selon Amnesty International -, le Nigeria bénéficiait déjà d'une législation réprimant l'homosexualité.

Mais la nouvelle loi promulguée lundi, qui prévoit une peine de 14 ans de prison en cas de mariage homosexuel et 10 ans d'emprisonnement pour les personnes de même sexe affichant publiquement leur relation, risque d'encourager une répression encore plus sévère envers les homosexuels, notamment dans le Nord musulman. » | ats/Newsnet | samedi 18 janvier 2014

Nigeria Criminalises Same-sex Relationships

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: Abuja: Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill that criminalises same-sex relationships, the presidency said, defying pressure from Western governments to respect gay and lesbian rights.

The bill, which contains penalties of up to 14 years in prison and bans gay marriage, same-sex "amorous relationships" and membership of gay rights groups, was passed by the national assembly last May but Jonathan had delayed signing it into law.

Two similar bills have been proposed since 2006 but failed to make it through parliament.

"Yes, Mr President had signed the bill into law, a statement will be issued on it within the week," presidency spokesman Reuben Abati said.

As in much of sub-Saharan Africa, anti-gay sentiment and persecution of homosexuals is rife in Nigeria, so the new legislation is likely to be popular. Jonathan is expected to seek re-election in 2015 but is under pressure after several dozen lawmakers and a handful of regional governors defected to the opposition in the past two months.

Under existing Nigerian federal law, sodomy is punishable by jail, but this bill legislates for a much broader crackdown on homosexuals and lesbians, who already live a largely underground existence. » | Felix Onuah | Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Islamic Police Arrest 150 in Nigeria Accused of Indecent Dress, Prostitution and Cross-dressing

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Religious police in northern Nigeria detain scores of people for flouting Shariah law including 45 at a birthday party due to "indecent dress that is against the practice of Islam"

Religious police in Nigeria's northern city of Kano on Tuesday publicly paraded scores of people arrested for flouting Islamic law, including transvestites and people wearing clothing deemed too tight or revealing.

They also publicly shaved off the supposedly overly long hair of several men.

Mohammed Yusuf Yola, spokesman for the board that polices implementation of Shariah law, told The Associated Press that 45 men and women were detained at a birthday party in a hotel Sunday because of "indecent dress that is against the practice of Islam."

He said the recent arrests of 150 people, including 55 alleged prostitutes, is part of a new campaign to enforce Islamic law, which officially governs nine of Nigeria's 37 states. All those arrested were Muslims, Yola said.

"Our agency will not relent in its efforts to ensure compliance of Shariah legal system; the agency will do its best to make sure that society is free from all social vices," he said. » | AP | Edited by Steve Wilson | Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Boko Horror: Islamists Storm Dorm, Shoot Sleeping Students in Nigeria

Dozens of students have been shot dead by Islamist militants in Nigeria - who stormed a dormitory early on Sunday morning and started killing people. The gunmen are believed to be from the terrorist sect Boko Haram - that recently stepped up its attacks on civilians. This latest incident showing the scale of terror engulfing Africa, comes shortly after the deadly shopping mall attack in Kenya. Ayo Johnson, founder of the Viewpoint Africa website, explained why the continent has become a hub for terrorist cells.

Viewpoint Africa »