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CoronaVirus:Xu Zhiyong arrested for criticizing President Xi’s handling of virus outbreak in China
A prominent Chinese activist who criticized President Xi Jinping’s handling of the coronavirus epidemic while in hiding has been arrested, a rights group said Tuesday.
Xu Zhiyong, an anti-corruption activist was arrested on Saturday after being on the run since December, according to Amnesty International.
Another source, who spoke to AFP on the condition of anonymity, said Xu had been arrested in the southern city of Guangzhou.
On February 4, Xu released an article calling on Xi to step down and criticised his leadership across a range of issues including the US-China trade war, Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests and the coronavirus epidemic, which has now killed nearly 1,900 people.
‘Medical supplies are tight, hospitals are filled with patients, and a large number of infected people have no way to be diagnosed,’ he wrote. ‘It’s a mess.’
Prominent activist arrested for criticizing President Xi
‘The coronavirus outbreak shows just how important values like freedom of expression and transparency are – the exact values that Xu has long advocated,’ Yaqiu Wang, China researcher at Human Rights Watch.
‘That he was a fugitive for so many days while continuing to speak out, that in itself was… a kind of challenge to (Chinese authorities),’ said Hua Ze, a long-time friend of Xu who told AFP she lost contact with the Chinese activist on Saturday morning.
According to Mail Online, Xu went into hiding after authorities broke up a December gathering of intellectuals discussing political reform in the eastern coastal city of Xiamen in Fujian province, prior to the coronavirus crisis.
Since President X took power in 2012, China’s ruling Communist Party has arrested several rights lawyers, labour activists and even Marxist students.
The Wuhan coronavirus death toll has reached 1,900 people, with more than 71,000 infected worldwide.

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Photos: Dakore Akande And Timini Lay Father To Rest
Nollywood siblings Dakore Akande and Timini Egbuson have finally laid their father to rest.
Earlier this year, actor, Timini Egbuson, had announced the passing of his father. He said he never thought he would start the year by saying RIP to his dad, and promised to continue to make him proud.
His sister, Dakore Akande, expressed how heartbroken she is, yet glad that he was free from pain. She expressed gratitude for the memories and laughter, the legacy of excellence that he instilled in them, and his love for music and looking stylish.

Taking to his Instagram page, Timini shared photos from his low-key burial ceremony, which was attended only by family.
In his caption, he revealed that they said their final goodbyes as he bade his father farewell. The popular actor said his father’s strength and love will always guide them.
“We said our final goodbyes. Rest well, Papa. Your strength and love will always guide me”.

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US Mission Decries Horrific Kwara Massacre, Pledges Support For Tinubu’s Security Strategy
The United States Mission in Nigeria has condemned the horrific and senseless attacks in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State that reportedly claimed over 160 lives.
In a statement released on February 6, 2026, the U.S. expressed its condolences and backed President Bola Tinubu’s immediate security and humanitarian response.
JomogNews reports that while the Nigerian Police Force said 75 persons were confirmed killed in the assault on Woro and Nuku communities, local sources and international observers put the death toll significantly higher.
In a statement on X on Friday, the US Mission in Nigeria described the attack as “horrific,” saying more than 160 people were feared dead, with many still unaccounted for.
“The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara state in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence,” the statement read.
It welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to deploy security forces to protect affected communities.
“We welcome President Tinubu’s order to deploy security forces to protect villages in the area and his directive to federal and state officials to provide aid to the community and bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice,” the statement added.
The reaction adds to international condemnation of the attack, which had earlier drawn rebukes from the United Nations and the Republic of Türkiye.
Tinubu had ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the creation of a new military command to lead the operation, following the assault on Woro and Nuku communities.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had also ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence teams to Kaiama and surrounding communities to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the deployment of troops under Operation Savannah Shield would help deter further violence, adding that security forces were already on the ground.
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Nigeria Will Not Bow To Extremism Following Kwara Attacks – President Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has vowed that Nigeria will never surrender its people to terrorism or extremism following a deadly massacre in the Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State.
Tinubu gave the assurance on Thursday in a statement he personally signed and issued to State House correspondents.
The President, who described the attack as particularly disturbing, vowed that those responsible would be “pursued and brought to justice, just like other terrorists before them. They will not go scot-free.”
His statement read:
“Today, I met with the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq @RealAARahman, to be debriefed on the incident in Kaiama LGA.
“I condemn in the strongest terms this cowardly and beastly attack. The gunmen are heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror. Their actions offend our humanity, our faith, and our shared values as a nation.
“Yesterday, I directed the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following the horrific attack on innocent villagers in Worro. This new military command will spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate these barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities.
“It is particularly disturbing that the victims were killed because they rejected an attempt at forced indoctrination. As I said, “It is commendable that the community members, even though Muslims, refused to be conscripted into a weird belief that promoted violence over peace and dialogue.” Nigeria will never surrender its people to extremism and terrorism masquerading as faith.
“I have further directed close collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide immediate support and relief to the affected community and to ensure that those responsible for this atrocity are pursued and brought to justice, just like other terrorists before them. They will not go scot-free.
“I pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. I also sympathise with the people and government of Kwara State. The Federal Government stands with you. We will protect our communities, defend our values, and defeat those who seek to divide us through terror.”
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