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Aljazeera journalist killed during Israel west bank raid

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An undated handout photo released by the Doha-based Al-Jazeera TV shows the channel’s veteran journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh during one of her reports from Jerusalem. AL JAZEERA / AFP

Veteran Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh was shot dead Wednesday as she covered an Israeli army raid on Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. 

The Qatar-based TV channel said Israeli forces shot Abu Aqleh, 51, deliberately and “in cold blood” while Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said it was “likely” that Palestinian gunfire killed her.

Abu Aqleh, a Palestinian Christian who also held US citizenship, was a prominent figure in the channel’s Arabic news service.

Another Al Jazeera journalist, producer Ali al-Samudi, was wounded in the incident, the broadcaster added.

An AFP photographer at the scene said Abu Aqleh was wearing a press flak jacket when she was shot. The photographer reported that Israeli forces were firing in the area and then saw Abu Aqleh’s body lying on the ground.

The Israeli army confirmed it had conducted an operation in Jenin refugee camp early Wednesday but firmly denied it had deliberately targeted a reporter.

The army said there was an exchange of fire between suspects and security forces and that it was “investigating the event and looking into the possibility that journalists were hit by the Palestinian gunmen”.

“The (army) of course does not aim at journalists,” a military official told AFP.

A statement from Al Jazeera said: “In a blatant murder, violating international laws and norms, the Israeli occupation forces assassinated in cold blood Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Palestine.”

It called on the international community to hold the Israeli forces accountable for their “intentional targeting and killing” of the journalist.

 ‘Palestinian Gunmen’

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said Israel was seeking a “joint pathological investigation into the sad death of journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh”.

“Journalists must be protected in conflict zones and we all have a responsibility to get to the truth,” Lapid added.

The US ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, tweeted that he was “very sad to learn of the death of American and Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh” and called for “a thorough investigation into the circumstances of her death”.

The Israeli prime minister said Palestinian gunmen in the camp were likely responsible for Abu Aqleh’s death.

“According to the information we’ve gathered, it appears likely that armed Palestinians — who were indiscriminately firing at the time — were responsible for the unfortunate death of the journalist,” Bennett said in a statement.

The wounded Al Jazeera producer, Samudi, said there were no Palestinian fighters in the area where Abu Aqleh was shot.

“If there were resistance fighters, we would not have gone into the area,” he said in testimony posted online, stating that the Israelis “fired towards us”.

In recent weeks, the army has stepped up operations in Jenin, a historic flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Several of the assailants blamed for deadly attacks on Israelis in recent weeks were from the area.

The army said that during its operation in the camp, “massive fire was shot toward Israeli forces by tens of armed Palestinian gunmen”.

People in the camp “also hurled explosive devices toward the soldiers, endangering their lives. The soldiers responded with fire toward the sources of the fire and explosive devices. Hits were identified.”

 Rising Tensions

The fatal shooting comes nearly a year after an Israeli air strike destroyed a Gaza building that housed the offices of Al Jazeera and news agency AP.

Israel has said the building also hosted offices for key members of the Hamas Islamist group, which controls the Israeli-blockaded Gaza strip.

The Palestinian Authority called Abu Aqleh’s killing an “execution” and part of an Israeli effort to obscure the “truth” about its occupation of the West Bank.

Hamas called the incident “a premeditated murder”.

Qatar’s assistant foreign minister Lolwah Al Khater said Israeli troops had killed Abu Aqleh “by shooting her in the face” in what she called an act of “state sponsored Israeli terrorism”.

Tensions have risen in recent months as Israel has grappled with a wave of attacks which has killed at least 18 people since March 22, including an Arab-Israeli police officer and two Ukrainians.

A total of 30 Palestinians and three Israeli Arabs have died during the same period, according to an AFP tally, among them perpetrators of attacks and those killed by Israeli security forces in West Bank operations.

 

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ICPC Recommends Prosecution of Alleged Fake Agency DG, Submits Report to Tinubu

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has submitted an interim report to President Bola Tinubu on its investigation into the alleged fictitious Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, recommending the prosecution of its alleged Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi.

ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, disclosed this on Thursday after a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, exactly 30 days after Tinubu directed the anti-graft agency to investigate the activities of the council.

Aliyu said preliminary findings showed that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government, adding that the appointment letter, gazette and other documents used to present the council as a government agency were forged.

According to him, the investigation also uncovered lapses in government verification and oversight mechanisms, which were allegedly exploited to create the impression that the PFIPC was a legitimate agency.

“Our interim report found weaknesses in verification, inter-agency oversight and government processes. Those weaknesses were exploited by Adeniyi, with some level of negligence,” Aliyu said.

He added that the commission found no evidence that any Federal Government funds were approved or released to the purported PFIPC or its related entity.

The ICPC chairman further disclosed that investigators uncovered two other agencies allegedly floated by Adeyemi — the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public Private Partnership. He alleged that forged legislative instruments presented as enabling laws were used to facilitate the opening of bank accounts for the organisations.

Aliyu said the commission had recommended Adeyemi’s prosecution and called for administrative sanctions against public officers whose negligence allegedly allowed the fake agency to operate. He also urged the Federal Government to strengthen internal control systems across Ministries, Departments and Agencies to prevent similar incidents.

He, however, stressed that the report submitted to the President was only an interim one, noting that investigations were ongoing to identify other collaborators and build a stronger criminal case capable of withstanding judicial scrutiny.

The PFIPC controversy came to public attention after the Presidency disowned the council, insisting it was never established by the Federal Government despite appearing in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a budget allocation of ₦1.3bn. The Federal Government has since filed criminal charges against Adeyemi over alleged forgery, impersonation and fraudulent misrepresentation, while separate investigations by the House of Representatives and the ICPC are continuing into how the purported agency operated within government institutions.

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Oyo South: Tegbe, Others Named Oseni Students’ Movement Exco

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A students’ leader, Comrade Tegbe Stephen, has been named Coordinator of the Remi Oseni Students’ Movement ahead of its formal inauguration.

The appointment is part of efforts to strengthen the students’ support base for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Oyo South Senatorial candidate, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, across tertiary institutions in the district.

Also named into the executive are Comrades Wale Ajibike (Bosslee), Isiaka Hammed (General), Salami Olatunji, Adetunji Sultan Adekunle, Oluwatobi Ojo and Onifade Victor.

The announcement was made during a strategic meeting with student leaders in Ibadan. The meeting was attended by the Oyo South APC Youth Leader, Com. Olalekan Olowe, and Oseni’s Personal Assistant, Com. Ibrahim Alabi, popularly known as “Otunba Poly.”

Addressing the gathering, Olowe described the movement as a platform to mobilise students across Oyo South, urging the newly named executive to live up to the confidence reposed in them.

He said: “Students remain one of the strongest forces in any democratic society. We expect you to build a vibrant movement that will unite your colleagues and advance the vision of Hon. Aderemi Oseni across our campuses.”

Olowe added that the executive would be formally inaugurated in the coming weeks, after which the movement would commence full activities across the senatorial district.

Also speaking, Ibrahim Alabi urged the student leaders to remain committed, united and focused on the responsibility entrusted to them.

“This is a call to service. Your duty is to mobilise, educate and inspire students to play active roles in the democratic process. We believe you have the capacity to justify this confidence,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the executive, Tegbe thanked Oseni and the students’ leadership for the opportunity to serve, assuring them of their commitment to the assignment.

“We appreciate the confidence reposed in us and will not take it for granted. Our resolve is to build a formidable students’ movement across Oyo South and ensure that students on every campus are actively mobilised ahead of the election,” he said.

The formal inauguration of the executive is expected to be held soon.

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Oseni celebrates Oyo APC Publicist,  Sadare, extols loyalty, commitment to progressive cause

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the Oyo State Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Wasiu Olawale Sadare, on the occasion of his birthday, describing him as a loyal progressive, effective communicator and committed party stalwart whose contributions have continued to strengthen the party in the state.

Oseni, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, said Sadare has remained a consistent and dependable voice of the party, discharging his responsibilities with professionalism, integrity and an unwavering commitment to the ideals of the All Progressives Congress.

He noted that the Oyo APC spokesman has distinguished himself through responsible public communication, constructive engagement and an enduring commitment to promoting the party’s vision, values and programmes.

According to the chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Sadare’s humility, calm disposition and ability to articulate the party’s position with clarity have earned him the respect of party leaders, members and stakeholders, while also contributing to the unity and stability of the APC in Oyo State.

“Alhaji Wasiu Olawale Sadare is a committed progressive whose loyalty and dedication to our great party have remained steadfast over the years. He has served with uncommon diligence and has continued to project the ideals of the APC with dignity, courage and sincerity,” Oseni said.

The lawmaker added that the publicist’s birthday presents another opportunity to celebrate a man whose service has gone beyond official responsibility, noting that his contributions to strengthening internal cohesion and fostering constructive engagement within the party deserve commendation.

“As you mark another year today, I join your family, friends, political associates and the entire progressive family in celebrating God’s faithfulness in your life. Your commitment to duty, humility and sense of responsibility continue to inspire many within our party.”
Oseni prayed for greater accomplishments for the celebrant, asking Almighty Allah to bless him with good health, wisdom and renewed strength to continue serving the party and humanity.

“I pray that Almighty Allah grants you many more years in sound health, abundant grace and greater accomplishments. May He continue to guide your steps, enlarge your coast and reward your selfless service to our great party, Oyo State and our nation. Happy birthday, and many happy returns.”
The statement added that Oseni wished Sadare a memorable celebration and expressed confidence that his wealth of experience, dedication and leadership would continue to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the APC and the advancement of progressive politics in Oyo State.

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