…Deny knowledge of demand for ransom
Kwara State Police command has declared it is working assiduously to ensure the safe release of the abducted Turkish nationals in the state.
Armed bandits on Saturday abducted four Turkish expatriates at a local drinking joint in Gbale village, Edu local government area of the state.
The abductees are Yasin Colak (33), Senerapal (40), Ergun Yurdakul (35) and Seyit Keklik (25).
The victims were said to be working with Instabul concrete limited in the village.
Police Command spokesperson Ajayi Okasanmi also denied any knowledge of demand for ransom for the release of the victims.
Okasanmi added the “police have advised abductee family members not pay ransom for the release of their abducted members.
“For now the police is working round the clock to make sure the abductees are release unhurt and alive.
“That is what I can say for now. We don’t want to give out information that will jeopardize the safe release of the Turkish nationals.”
However, an online report said the suspected kidnappers have demanded for a ransom of N16 million for the release of victims.
The report quoted Shaaba of Lafiagi, Abdulrahaman Manzuman
Manzuman as expressing his dissatisfaction on the matter, adding such development is an eyesore to the community.
He said: “We are very disturbed concerning the incident. I heard that the kidnapper have contacted the company demanding for N4 million per head. I can’t say much on it because I am not in town presently.”
Recalling the incident he said: “On that fateful evening, we were told by other people who had scampered for their safety that some gunmen who looked like herdsmen had taken the Turkish to unknown destinations.”
Tag: Turkey
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Police vow to ensure speedy release of abducted Turkish nationals
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Turkey upset world champions France with 2-0 win
World champions France were given a cold shower on Saturday in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Turkey, losing 0-2.
Turkey kept up the pressure throughout the game for a home win which helped to place them in the lead in Group H.
Turkey started the game strong, scoring their first goal in the 30th minute with a header from Kaan Ayhan following Cengiz Under’s free kick into the penalty area.
Under then raised the difference in the 40th minute, slipping the ball past Hugo Lloris after a sprint down the right wing to the French goal.
Les Bleus upped the pressure in the second half of the game, but missed several chances to score due to strong defending by their opponents.
A solid performance by goalkeeper Mert Gunok also kept the world champions at bay.
Burak Yilmaz missed the chance to put Turkey further ahead in the 85th minute, sending the ball narrowly past the right post after a one-on-one with Lloris.
In other games in the group on Saturday, Iceland earned a 1-0 home win against Albania, while Moldova beat Andorra
1-0 at home.Turkey now lead Group H with nine points, having won all three games so far.
They are followed by France then Iceland, both at six points.
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Saudi prosecutor reveals who gave order for Khashoggi’s killing
Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor said on Thursday the person who had ordered the killing of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi was the head of the negotiating team sent to repatriate him
The prosecutor, Shaalan al-Shaalan , also said that the whereabouts of Khashoggi’s body remained unknown.
The prosecutor told reporters in Riyadh that investigations were still ongoing to locate the remains of the slain journalist.
The public prosecutor had earlier said he was seeking the death penalty for five out of 11 suspects charged with the murder of Khashoggi.
He said 11 out of 21 suspects had been indicted and that their cases would be referred to court, while the investigation with the remaining suspects would continue in order to determine their role in the crime.
Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi policy, was killed in the country’s Istanbul consulate on Oct. 2.
He was killed after a struggle by a lethal injection dose and his body was dismembered and taken out of the building, Shaalan told reporters in Riyadh.
Riyadh had offered numerous contradictory explanations for Khashoggi’s disappearance before saying he was killed in a rogue operation.
The case sparked global outcry, opened the kingdom to possible international sanctions and tarnished the image of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Turkish officials had accused Prince Mohammed of ordering the murder while President Erdogan said the killing was ordered at the “highest levels” of the Saudi government.
U.S. President Donald Trump had suggested ultimate responsibility lay with the prince as de facto ruler.
A travel ban had been imposed on a top aide to the crown prince, Saud al-Qahtani, while investigations continued over his role, Shaalan said.
He said Qahtani had met the team ordered to repatriate Kashoggi ahead of their journey to Istanbul to brief them on the journalist’s activities.
Qahtani has already been fired from the royal court.
Turkey says it has a recording related to the killing which it has shared with Western allies.
President Tayyip Erdogan said the recordings are “appalling” and shocked a Saudi intelligence officer who listened to them.
Reuters/NAN
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Saudi must punish all Khashoggi’s ‘savage’ killers – Turkey demands
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday dismissed attempts by Riyadh to blame Jamal Khashoggi’s “savage” killing on rogue operatives.
Erdogan also said that the person who ordered the death of the prominent Saudi journalist must “be brought to account”.
Erdogan, in a speech to parliament about a case that has sparked outrage around the globe, did not mention Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who some U.S. lawmakers suspect ordered the killing.
However, he said Turkey would not complete its investigation into Khashoggi’s death until all questions were answered and Turkey was told the identity of a local collaborator Riyadh says disposed of the body.
“Intelligence and security institutions have evidence showing the murder was planned.
“Pinning such a case on some security and intelligence members will not satisfy us or the international community.
“The Saudi administration has taken an important step by admitting to the murder.
“From now on, we expect them to uncover all those responsible for this matter from top to bottom and make them face the necessary punishments.
“From the person who gave the order, to the person who carried it out, they must all be brought to account,” he said.
A Saudi cabinet meeting chaired by King Salman said Riyadh would hold to account those responsible for the killing and those who failed in their duties, whoever they were.
Erdogan said the whereabouts of Khashoggi’s body were still unknown and he demanded Saudi Arabia reveal the identity of a “local cooperator” who purportedly took the body.
Erdogan’s speech coincided with the opening in Riyadh of an investment conference which Western political figures, leading international bankers and company executives boycotted because of the furor around Khashoggi’s death.
Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist, a sharp critic of the crown prince, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, disappeared few weeks ago after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage.
Turkish officials suspected Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the consulate by Saudi agents.
Turkish sources say authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the killing of the 59-year-old.
However, Erdogan made no reference to any audio recording in his speech.
Riyadh initially denied knowledge of his fate before saying he was killed in a fight in the consulate.
That version of events was greeted skeptically by several Western governments, straining relations with the world’s biggest oil exporter.
Erdogan said three operatives arrived in Istanbul the day before Khashoggi’s killing on an apparent reconnaissance mission.
The next day 15 people came to the consulate, including security, intelligence and forensic experts, while consulate personnel were given the day off.
“Why did these 15 people meet in Istanbul on the day of the murder? We are seeking answers to this. Who are these people receiving orders from?” Erdogan said.
He added that he wanted Saudi Arabia to send the suspects to Turkey for trial.
However, the White House and the U.S. Department of State did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Erdogan’s remarks.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly played down any suggestion that the crown prince was involved in the killing however also warned of possible economic sanctions.
Trump has also repeatedly highlighted the kingdom’s importance as a U.S. ally and said Prince Mohammed was a strong and passionate leader.
For Saudi Arabia’s allies, the question will be whether they believe that Prince Mohammed, who has painted himself as a reformer, has any culpability.
The media report said King Salman, 82, had handed the day-to-day running of Saudi Arabia to the 33-year-old prince.
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Buhari congratulates Turkish President on re-election victory
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday evening spoke with his Turkish counterpart, Mr Recep Erdogan, via telephone, and congratulated him over his re-election.
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Friday.
The presidential aide stated that Buhari in the telephone conversation with Erdogan said he looked forward to the strengthening of relations between Nigeria and Turkey.
President Buhari expressed the hope that the results of the recently held elections would strengthen democracy and lead Turkey towards more economic prosperity.
He also welcomed his invitation to the July 9 inauguration but regretted his inability to be personally present.
He told the Turkish President that he would be sending the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Muhammed Bello to represent him.
Shehu observed that Presidents Buhari and Erdogan had enjoyed a great relationship and had met a number of times since their coming into office.
President Erdogan emerged winner of the June 25 Turkish presidential election with 52.5 per cent of the total votes cast during the exercise.
Erdogan’s closest challenger, Muharrem Ince, who got 31per cent, had since conceded defeat.
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Turkey uses state of emergency to ‘shrink’ opposition, says Amnesty
Turkey needs to stop using its ongoing state of emergency as justification for locking up human rights activists, journalists and civil society leaders, Amnesty International said in a report released on Thursday.
“The Turkish government continues to use the state of emergency to shrink the space for dissenting or alternative views,” read the report, titled “Weathering the Storm.’’
Turkey has been under a state of emergency since July 20, 2016, days after members of the military launched an ill-fated coup.
Since then, according to the report, more than 107,000 public sector employees have lost their jobs and more than 100,000 people have faced criminal investigations.
More than 50,000 remain imprisoned awaiting trial.
Turkish President Recep Erdogan has long blamed former ally and self-exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen for the coup attempt, a charge which Gulen denies.
Many of those forced out of work or facing charges have been accused of having ties to Gulen.
But Amnesty noted that many of them had no ties to Gulen and were merely activists or journalists demanding accountability or democracy.
“It is time for Turkey to lift the current state of emergency and the draconian measures that came with it that go beyond legitimate measures to combat threats to national security, before there is no independent, critical civil society left in Turkey,” read the report.
Two of those under investigation are leaders of Amnesty’s Turkey division, Taner Kilic and Idil Eser.
Eser is free awaiting trial, but Kilic has been in detention for nearly a year. -
28 soldiers sentenced to life over failed coup
A total of 28 soldiers were handed life sentences on Tuesday in three separate cases related to a failed military coup in 2016, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
The soldiers were charged with “violating and attempting to overthrow the constitution’’ in relation to incidents in Istanbul and the south-eastern towns of Mus and Sirnak during the failed putsch on July 15, 2016, according to Anadolu.
Turkey remains under a state of emergency, which was imposed after the coup attempt.
This week, the Turkish parliament will vote on extending the state of emergency by another three months, which – if completed – would mean the country has been under emergency rule for two years.
More than 50,000 people are under arrest in connection with the coup, and some 150,000 people have been purged from the civil service and the military.
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Turkey increases security in Ankara, U.S. embassy closes over threat
Turkish authorities were increasing security around the capital to thwart possible attacks, the Ankara governor’s office announced on Monday, as the U.S. embassy in the city said it was closed due to a “security threat.”
At the same time, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu News Agency reported security forces had detained 12 alleged members of the Islamic State extremist group.
It added that they were seeking to capture eight additional suspects, in line with warrants from a prosecutor.
The governor’s office said it had received intelligence from U.S. sources on possible terrorist threats and was upping security around the embassy and locations used by U.S. citizens in the Turkish capital.
“Embassy Ankara informs U.S. citizens that the U.S. embassy in Ankara will be closed to the public on March 5, 2018, due to a security threat.
“The embassy will announce its reopening, once it resumes services,’’ a security alert from the mission said.
The capital saw a wave of attacks in 2015 and 2016 in which hundreds were killed.
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Panic as jet with 168 passengers skids off runway in Turkey
Panic broke out on a passenger jet when it skidded off the runway at a Turkish airport and plunged down the side of a cliff overlooking the sea.
The Pegasus Airlines Boeing 737-800 with 168 passengers and crew had flown from Ankara and landed at Trabzon on the Black Sea coast late on Saturday.
Everyone on board was evacuated safely, provincial governor Yucel Yavuz said. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the accident is being investigated, officials said.
State-run Anadolu news agency said there was panic on board as the plane went out of control.
Pictures show the jet lying nose down on a muddy slope just metres from the water’s edge.
“We tilted to the side. The front was down while the plane’s rear was up. There was panic, people shouting, screaming,” passenger Fatma Gordu was quoted as saying.
Mr Yavuz said the airport was closed for several hours while investigations took place.
In a statement Pegasus Airlines said the plane “had a runway excursion incident” as it landed at Trabzon.
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Buhari returns to Abuja after 4-day working visit to Turkey
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday returned to Abuja after a successful four-day working visit to Ankara and Istanbul in Turkey.
The President’s official aircraft which took off from Ataturk airport, Istanbul at about 12 p.m (Turkish time) local time, landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 4.05p.m.
Buhari, accompanied by his wife, Aisha, was received at the airport by senior government officials, including his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, Inspector-General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Mohammad Bello and other presidential aides.
While in Ankara, Buhari was hosted by the Turkish President, Recep Tayyeb Erdogan for “a fairly long one-on-one meeting’’, on Thursday, before the bilateral meeting that involved their ministers and members of their delegations.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the President’s Spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, said the outing was Buhari’s first visit to Turkey since his election in 2015, but the second meeting with Erdogan who as Prime Minister visited Abuja in March, 2016.
He said that Buhari’s objective during both visits focused on issues of security and anti-terrorism; agricultural cooperation and trade cooperation.
Others were education and health; transport and connectivity; energy sector cooperation and increased private sector participation.
Shehu noted that the visit had achieved quite a lot on the stated objectives.
Buhari, who participated in the 9th D-8 Summit in Istanbul on Oct. 20, also held bilateral meetings with some member-countries.
“The meetings have also helped to enhance momentum in ties between Nigeria and the rest of the `D-8’ member-countries and the establishment of a positive working relationship, especially between Buhari and Erdogan,’’ Shehu said.
The presidential aide noted that Nigeria and Turkey, during the visit, had agreed to support each other in the fight against terrorism, human, drugs, and arms trafficking.
“Turkey specifically mentioned the menace of the Fethullah organisation “FETO” which they accused of terrorism and involvement in the abortive coup plot in 2016, which the Turkish population gallantly resisted.
“There are more than 1,000 Turkish citizens in Nigeria, many of them accused of belonging to this organisation and for which reason their passports have been declared invalid by their country.
“Nigeria has her own problems with the Boko Haram terrorist organisation which claims ties to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS and (possibly) Daesh, (two international terrorist organisations which Turkey is up against) in the fight of which we get support from Turkey and we desire more.
“Both countries also have issues with domestic terror organisations for which they need each other’s help.
“There is equally the burning issue of the smuggling of illicit arms allegedly from Turkey, which their authorities effectively debunked but nonetheless agreed to enter into agreement with Nigeria that their ports, harbors, airports and territories will not ever again be used as transit points for such trafficking originating from other lands.’’
On the issues of the suspected terrorists of Turkish origin in Nigeria, Shehu said that Erdogan received the best assurances from the Nigerian leader that the country would not allow any person or organisation to use her territory for any subversive activities.
He stated that President Buhari used every given opportunity to denounce the July 15, 2016 failed coup attempt in Turkey.
“The Turkish citizens who have sought and already obtained assistance from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR) since they became stateless persons have been warned not to engage in any political activities while they are in Nigeria.
“Turkish authorities on their part gave all assurances that no subversive activities against Nigeria will be permitted of their citizens or on their territory.’’
Shehu also said that Nigeria and Turkey discussed the possibility of working together on the challenges brought about by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees in the Northeast.
According to him, Turkey has the experience in handling about five million refugees in her territory.
On the issue of arms smuggling, Shehu stated that Nigeria reached conclusions with the Turkish authorities on how to avert future smuggling of illicit arms into Nigeria.
It would be recalled that Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.), the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), had on Sept. 21, at a briefing in Lagos, said that a syndicate based in Turkey had been discovered to be behind illegal arms imports into Nigeria.
Ali was part of Buhari’s entourage to the just concluded four-day working visit to Turkey.
The Tin-Can Island Command of the NCS, had in September, intercepted 2,671 pump action rifles imported from Turkey, making the seizure the fourth at the Lagos port within eight months.
Shehu revealed that Nigeria would in the coming weeks sign an agreement with Turkey against trafficking in weapons, humans and drugs.
“Our team which included the Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) and the Comptroller-General of NCS Ali reached conclusions with the Turkish authorities on how to avert future occurrence and to that effect, a negotiated agreement is to be signed by both sides after vetting by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice as a requirement of our own administration.’’
Others on the President’s entourage included the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama; Defence, Brig-Gen. Mansur Dan Ali (rtd); Education, Adamu Adamu and Industry, Trade and Investment Okechukwu Enelamah.
The National Security Adviser, retired Maj-Gen. Babagana Munguno (NSA), the acting Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Arab Yadam and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Turkey, Ilyas Sulaiman Paragalda also accompanied Buhari to the occasion.