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Showing posts from April 19, 2013

Catholic church bombing: Kabiru Sokoto pleads not guilty, seeks bail

The State Security Service (SSS) on Friday arrested an alleged Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Umar aka Kabiru Sokoto, at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Mr. Umar was arrested in connection with the Christmas Day bombing of the St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State in 2011. Several people were killed in the bombing. After his initial arrest, the suspect fled from police custody but was later re-arrested. 'Kabiru Sokoto' was alleged to have had information about the bombing but failed to inform law enforcement agents. The accused was charged for allegedly being a member of a terrorist group known as Boko Haram between 2007 and 2012 at Mabira Sokoto in Sokoto State. He was also allegedly found to have facilitated the execution of a terrorist act within the period. The charge read that the suspect committed an offence contrary to Section 4(1) (a) of the Terrorism and Prevention Act 2011 and punishable under Section 33(1) (b) of the same Act. He also committed an

World's oldest person celebrates his 116th birthday in Japan

KYOTO (Reuters) - The world's oldest living person, Japan's Jiroemon Kimura, celebrated his 116th birthday on Friday with congratulations from around the world and from Japan's prime minister. Kimura was crowned the world's oldest person by Guinness World Records last December after the death of 115-year-old Dina Manfredini of Iowa in the United States. "I truly congratulate you on your 116th birthday," Prime Minister Shenzo Abe said in a video message. "I'm 58 years old, still a young man at only half your age. Thanks to your generation's efforts, Japan could overcome several difficult times and achieve the prosperity we enjoy today. Your healthy existence becomes our confidence and pride." The Mayor of Kyotango City, Yasushi Nakayama, visited Kimura at his home in Kyotango, western Japan, to present him with messages from around the world. Kimura is living with his 60-year-old granddaughter-in-law and has a three-meal-a-day d