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Kabul hotel gunmen ‘waved through without checks’ before assault

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The deputy head of security at Kabul’s Intercontinental Hotel says guards were ordered to wave through a car later revealed to be carrying militants and explosives ahead of a deadly assault one month ago.

His account reinforces earlier speculation from survivors that the terrifying hours-long assault at the government-owned hotel, which killed at least 25 people including 15 foreigners, had inside help.

It comes in the face of official silence over how the attack on the hilltop hotel unfolded on January 20.

At 7:23 pm that day the hotel’s security chief was told by management in a series of text messages seen by AFP that a car with licence plate 14-14 was approaching. “Please kindly assist this VIP,” the final SMS read.

The car, later revealed to be loaded with militants and explosives, duly passed through hotel security without being searched, according to B. Tamas, the deputy chief of security at the hotel, who saw the messages after they were sent to his boss.

Roughly an hour later the gunmen opened fire, going from room to room in search of foreigners to kill as frantic guests climbed out of windows on ropes made of bedsheets in a bid to escape.

The account by Tamas, employed by Kabul Balkh Safety & Security (KBSS) and who asked AFP not to identify him by his full name, comes a month after the attack while official details are still sparse.

Even the death toll remains uncertain. At least 15 foreigners have been confirmed killed. Beyond that, statements from Kabul authorities vary, with one official telling AFP the total toll numbers 25 while there are unofficial fears it could be as high as 40.

Nasrat Rahimi, an interior ministry spokesman, told AFP the investigation team was still working on a report for President Ashraf Ghani, saying only that details will be publicised “very soon”.

Management at the state-owned hotel have also declined to answer any queries over the attack.

Faced with this silence, Tamas, a 42-year-old former Hungarian soldier who served in Kosovo under the NATO flag, told AFP in a Skype interview from an undisclosed location that the hotel — even in the best light — had failed to cooperate with KBSS on security.

His boss — an American named as “Kenny” to protect his identity after he was banned by the attorney general from leaving the country — received the texts from the hotel’s sales manager.

The car, which Tamas said had three or four people on board, was later found in the hotel parking lot stuffed with weapons and explosives.

Long planned 
KBSS received such requests to waive security searches from the sales manager, Ahmad Haris Ayab, “every day”, Tamas said.

Haris, currently detained by authorities along with 10 other suspects and unable to comment on the claims, was the main contact at the hotel for KBSS, a private security company which had taken over the hotel contract from Afghan police on January 1.

But, Tamas and other KBSS officials have said, it was only responsible for the hotel’s external security, with the interior protected by what he described as unarmed and untrained guards.

Tamas and Kenny, who both carried small arms, lived on the second floor.

When the attack began, the highly trained pair survived the onslaught by barricading themselves in stairwells for more than half an hour before help arrived in the form of Afghan commandos backed by Norwegian special forces, Tamas said.

In that time, he told AFP, the militants’ evident knowledge of the hotel layout made it clear that the operation had been planned for some time.

Complicity
Tamas’s statements have added fuel to speculation over how the attack was planned and carried out.

A witness and a security source had earlier told AFP that at least two of the gunmen were armed and inside the hotel before the attack began, and questions have been raised — including by the country’s interior minister — over whether the militants had inside help.

Fears of negligence and complicity in attacks by the Taliban and other militant groups are common in Afghanistan.

Mistrust of the government is also high, as authorities routinely understate death tolls and anger surges over the state’s inability to protect civilians.

Tamas is still struck by the basic lack of security procedures in place, even after a 2011 attack on the Intercontinental — which is not part of the global InterContinental chain.

Inside, where his company was not responsible for security, the building had no panic button to shut down the elevators and no fire alarm, while X-ray machines had “simply never worked”.

Other survivors have also described the lax measures, telling AFP that bags were not checked, scanners did not work and body searches were non-existent.

Every request that KBSS made to the management to tighten security was denied, Tamas said. “They were not listening to us. It was always tomorrow, tomorrow.”

 

AFRICAN

Ghana Leads The Front At The WAEC Excellence Awards

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Ghana Leads The Front At The WAEC Excellence Awards | fab.ng

Ghana dominated the West African Examinations Council’s (WAEC) recent International Excellence Awards for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). All three top awards went to Ghanaian students in a ceremony held last Tuesday at the Council Meeting in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The outstanding young men hail from St. James Seminary Senior High School. Two of the awardees are proud alumni of St. James Seminary, further solidifying the school’s academic excellence. A total of 2,327,342 students from the five WAEC member countries participated in the 2023 WASSCE, making this Ghanaian achievement even more impressive.

The ceremony itself was a moment of national pride. Ghana’s Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr. Eric Nkansah, congratulated the winners for their exceptional performances. He highlighted their consistent success, mentioning that Ghana claimed two out of the top three spots last year and achieved a clean sweep this year.

Meet the Ghanaian heroes:

  • Amo-Kodieh Leonard Kofi Marton (St. James Seminary)
  • Dzandu Selorm (Labone Senior High School)
  • Daniel Asenso-Gyambibi (St. James Seminary)

Ghana's performance in WAEC Excellence Award testament to Akufo-Addo's legacy, says Adutwum - Asaase Radio

Mr. Amo-Kodieh beamed with pride as he addressed the crowd, expressing his immense honor at being named the overall best student of the 2023 WASSCE. He attributed his success to his dedication to academic excellence. Throughout his journey, he actively pushed his intellectual boundaries, embraced challenges, and thrived in dynamic learning environments.

Get the latest and greatest updates right away! Join our exclusive WhatsApp channel and never miss out on exciting news again.

Mr. Amo-Kodieh acknowledged the government and all stakeholders who played a crucial role in his achievement. “Their immense support,” he declared, “was instrumental in turning this path to success into a reality.”

Extending his appreciation further, Mr. Amo-Kodieh spoke on behalf of all awardees at the (WAEC) Excellence Awards. “We are incredibly grateful,” he emphasized, “to the government, the GES, the Ministry of Education, the WAEC, and especially our families. Each of you played an indispensable part in shaping our education.”

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MOVIES

Onyeka Onwenu Set To Chronicle Her Music Journey In Upcoming Film

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Onyeka Onwenu To Chronicle Her Music Journey In Film | Fab.ng

Nigerian veteran musician Onyeka Onwenu is making a movie about her long music career! She recently told the News Agency of Nigeria that the film will cover her decades of experience in the music industry. Onwenu is known as the “elegant stallion.” She started her career in the 1970s and is excited to share her perspective on how Nigerian music has changed over the years.

Onwenu said,

“I am currently working on a film that will chronicle my experiences in the music industry from the 70s to the present day. Having been a part of this narrative for decades, I have a wealth of stories to share.”

Onyeka Onwenu also has another exciting project in the works! She plans to release a compilation of her classic songs with a fresh twist—collaborations with up-and-coming artists. This means fans can look forward to both a movie and a new music collection from her later this year.

“I am rebranding my old songs and collaborating with new talents. My aim is to offer listeners a fresh perspective on timeless classics,” she explained.

Onyeka Onwenu is a woman of many talents! Besides working on the movie and music project, she recently released a new single called “Abu Otito” (Songs of Praise). This song has a special meaning: Onwenu is donating the money earned from streams of the song to the Rose of Sharon Foundation, which helps widows.

“I am passionate about using music to address social issues. From supporting widows to promoting education among rural children, I strive to make a positive impact through my art.”

Onyeka Onwenu’s generosity extends beyond music. She’s passionate about helping others, especially children. Onwenu has already set up programmes to provide educational opportunities for underprivileged kids in Abia State. And she’s not stopping there; she plans to expand these initiatives to Imo State as well.

“We not only pay school fees directly to schools but also offer civic education to instill a sense of cultural identity. These efforts represent my dedication to empowering future generations,” the musician noted.

Onyeka Onwenu also has some advice for other musicians. She says they need to be persistent and take charge of their careers, especially during tough economic times.

“Hang in there and create opportunities for yourselves,” she urged, highlighting the need for proactive approaches in navigating the ever-evolving music industry landscape.

Onyeka Onwenu’s work in music, film, philanthropy, and education makes her a true role model for future generations.

“I have been part of the story right from time, and I am still moving forward, so I have a lot of stories to tell,” she remarked.

Onyeka Onwenu is giving her fans a double treat this year! Besides working on a new movie, she’s also releasing a collection of her classic hits with a modern twist—collaborations with up-and-coming artists.

Onwenu’s music has always been about more than entertainment. She’s used her powerful voice to promote Nigerian culture and social issues. Remember the evergreen duet “Wait for Me” with King Sunny Ade? It tackled population control, a relevant message even today.

Another one of her classics, “African Woman,” celebrates the strength and beauty of African women facing challenges. Songs like “Sodom and Gomorrah” explore biblical themes, while others like “Iyogogo,” “One Love,” “Dancing in the Sun,” and “Choices” cover a range of topics that continue to resonate with fans.

Check out more news updates here.

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MOVIES

Zack Orji Is Alive – AGN President Shuts Death Rumours

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Zack Orji: AGN President Confirms He Is Alive | Fab.ng

Rumours are going around that Nollywood actor Zack Orji has passed away. But that’s not true. The president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, said on his Instagram page on Tuesday, March 26th, 2024, that these rumours are false. He asked people to stop spreading this misinformation.

His post read,

“Mr Zack Orji is alive 💯💯💯💯💯💯Please ignore mischief makers who enjoy circulating fake news. This is to show how wicked some people can be. It is totally unacceptable. He will not die but live to declare the good works of God in Jesus’ name.”

 

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A post shared by Emeka Rollas Ejezie (@emekarollas)

A concerned commenter said,

“Thanks a lot for the update sir. I don’t know why some people prefer to disseminate unconfirmed information. May he not die. Wish him a quick recovery.” 

In December 2023, the public learned about the actor’s health struggles, leading to concern among his fans. On December 31st, he collapsed in his home’s toilet and was quickly taken to the hospital.

He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for further treatment due to the severity of his condition. Reports indicated that he couldn’t speak or walk at that time. Fans became even more worried when a video surfaced showing the actor in a hospital bed.

During his recovery, he received visits from prominent figures including the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, the Vice President’s wife Hajia Nana Shettima, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the wife of the Minister for Works, Rachael Umahi, and the wife of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, among others.

In January 2024, there was relief among Nigerians as reports confirmed the actor’s recovery at a private hospital in Abuja following brain surgery.

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