20 Kidnapped Nigerian Corps Members Rescued as Bishop Demands Improved Security

Nigerian Bishop Welcomes Release of Kidnapped Corps Members

The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. James Olusola Odedeji, has thanked God for the release of the kidnapped prospective corps members, but said Nigerians still live in fear because the government has not done enough to secure lives. [1] The 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members were abducted on October 1 on the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State while travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. [1] Police said they were rescued on Wednesday. [1] Odedeji spoke on Friday, October 9, after commissioning St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Ofin, Ikorodu. [1] “The life of every Nigerian matters… it’s sad that we are still not making headway when it comes to the security of lives. There is fear everywhere, and Nigerians are not happy that they cannot move freely in their country,” he said. [1] “But then, we still have cause to thank God for the release of the corps members. We have had cases in the past where ransoms were collected, yet the kidnappers still went ahead to kill their victims. We are praying that God will touch the hearts of these wicked people and cause them to repent,” he said. [1] The bishop also called on the government to attend to the welfare of Nigerians. [1] “People are hungry. The purchasing power of the average Nigerian is weak. We want the government to be more responsive to the plight of the people. We cannot continue like this as a nation,” he said. [1] “As church leaders, we see people on a daily basis who are in pain and financial distress. The average Nigerian simply wants an environment that enhances their livelihood. They are not asking for too much,” he said. [1] At the dedication service, Odedeji urged believers not to lose focus on the work of faith committed into their hands. [1] “We have been saved to save others. We should not lose focus. Our goal and desire should be to do the will of the Master. God has called us to go into the world and preach the Good News,” the bishop said. [1] He charged the vicar in charge of the parish, Rev. Olumuyiwa Ogunsanya, and his wife, Olusola Ogunsanya, to be steadfast and remain committed to the doctrine of Christ. [1] “The dedication of this parish is a call to be more committed to the task of evangelism. This is a time to renew your dedication and trust God for more of His grace to do His bidding,” the bishop said. [1]

NIA Launches Probe Into Cockpit Attack on Flydubai Flight

The National Investigation Agency has registered a case to investigate the September 30 attack on Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit of a flydubai flight, officials said on Saturday. [2] The case was registered on October 9 under relevant provisions of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, according to officials quoted by PTI. [2] Machchhar was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot inside the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073 while the aircraft was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, officials said, citing the FIR. [2] The attack was allegedly carried out in an attempt to hijack the aircraft or cause it to crash. [2] Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing others to overpower the attacker and helping avert a potential disaster. [2] The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the injured pilot received emergency treatment before being shifted to Abu Dhabi for further care. [2] Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Machchhar soon after the incident and praised his courage and presence of mind. [2] His actions also drew appreciation from Indian officials and authorities in Israel (including PM Netanyahu) and the UAE. [2] Machchhar underwent surgery and has been recovering in Abu Dhabi. [2] The ministry of external affairs reported that his condition was improving. [2]

US Missionary Detained in Haiti Over Child Abuse Claims

Haiti Police in Haiti on Friday said a United States missionary accused of running an illegal orphanage has been detained following allegations of child abuse. [3] Arold Jean, a spokesperson for the Cap-Haitien police department, said US authorities arrested Thomas Osbeck there on 30 September. [3] Jean said members of the public brought the American citizen, who runs an orphanage in the Morne Rouge area, to the police. [3] “Upon investigation, the police discovered that he lacked the necessary authorization to operate the orphanage,” he said. [3] Osbeck was subsequently detained and a review of the suspect’s mobile phone “revealed explicit messages sent to children”, he said. [3] Following this, 12 children, including 11 girls aged between 7 and 17, underwent medical examinations, he said. [3] It was not immediately clear if Osbeck had an attorney, but Jean said he expects him to be extradited to the US. [3] Another American missionary, Maylon Foshee, returns to a US federal court on Monday after being charged with illicit sexual conduct with minors in Haiti, US authorities allege the 23-year-old Louisiana man sexually abused children while working as a missionary in Gonaïves. [3]

Broader Context of Recent Global Crime Incidents

Papua Police foiled an attempt of smuggling 10 kilograms of drugs from Papua New Guinea near the Holtekamp area of Jayapura City on Friday (Oct 9). [4] Director for Drug Crimes Investigation in Papua Police, Senior Commissioner Alfian, said that police officers found the drugs abandoned during an inspection in Holtekamp. [4] “We found suspicious individuals near the area where we later found marijuana in rice sacks. However, they escaped when our officers approached them,” Alfian said here on Saturday. [4] The drugs were smuggled through illegal pathways along the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border. [4] The location was suspected to be a transit area for the drug smugglers, Alfian said, as he highlighted the presence of an unfinished wooden hut at the site located some 500 meters away from the nearest road. [4] “The location makes it easy for them to escape into the forest when they hear anyone approaching the hut, as we found during the Friday operation,” the police officer noted. [4] Alfian said the raid was carried out as part of "Operation Drug Den" to uncover drug smuggling, trade, and abuse cases in the region. [4] The operation involves 75 personnel and is taking place until November 9. [4] During the same operation on Friday, police officers also took action against four minors who were found abusing drugs and intoxicated from sniffing glue and consuming alcoholic beverages. [4] “They will undergo drug rehabilitation,” he said. [4] A man was arrested in Miami after being caught trying to smuggle rare live birds in his underwear. [5] According to charging documents, a man identified as Alberto Hernandez Castillo had 10 birds stuffed into his underpants. [5] He was intercepted last Sunday after customs officers noticed an “unexplained bulge on the

What to watch next: Osbeck is expected to be extradited to the US while Operation Drug Den continues until November 9 with further actions against smuggling and abuse cases.