Nigerian state passes law to castrate child rapists

ABUJA - Lawmakers in Nigeria’s Kaduna State have approved surgical castration as punishment for those convicted of raping children under the age of 14. State governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai needs to sign the bill for it to become law in the north-western state. Nigeria’s federal law provides between 14 years and life imprisonment as punishment, but state legislators can set different sentencing rules. In June Nigerian governors declared a state of emergency over rape and violence against women and children. – BBC.

Explain ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero arrest - HRW

KIGALI - Human Rights Watch said yesterday that the shadowy arrest of the hero of the “Hotel Rwanda” film amounted to an “enforced disappearance”, demanding a full account of how he returned to the country. Paul Rusesabagina had been living in exile in the United States until he suddenly appeared under arrest in Rwanda 10 days ago, accused of murder, terrorism and financing rebels. – AFP.

Nigerian doctors suspend strike

ABUJA - Nigerian resident doctors on Thursday suspended a strike to allow the government time to meet its demands over pay and working conditions amid the spread of the coronavirus, the head of the doctors’ union said. The strike, called by the National Association of Resident Doctors began on Monday, and included 16, 000 resident doctors out of a total of 42, 000 doctors in the country, including those who worked in Covid-19 treatment centres. – REUTERS.

Scores of Senegalese troops test positive for Covid-19

DAKAR - The Senegalese army says about 100 of its soldiers from the peacekeeping mission in The Gambia have tested positive for coronavirus. The military contingent composed of 600 soldiers was returning home. They have been quarantined in Toubacouta, on Senegalese territory near the border with The Gambia, as a precautionary measure. Those who tested positive are asymptomatic and more tests are being done. - BBC