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Bomb threat stokes fear in Ohio’s Springfield after Trump amplifies pet-eating rumours

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Evacuation of government buildings came days after the former president falsely claimed that Haitian immigrants were harming pets

Government buildings and a junior school in Springfield, Ohio were evacuated on Thursday after an emailed bomb threat, police said, rattling the small US city at the heart of an anti-migrant conspiracy theory amplified by Donald Trump.

Springfield has been thrust into the spotlight in recent days after an unfounded story of Haitian migrants eating pets went viral on social media, with the Republican ex-president and current White House candidate pushing the narrative despite it being debunked.

Democrats have accused Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, of fanning racial tensions as they use the Springfield conspiracy theory to elevate immigration as a campaign issue ahead of November’s election.

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Trump doubled down on the rhetoric during a campaign rally in Tucson, Arizona on Thursday, saying that “migrants are walking off with the town’s geese”.

Immediately after mentioning Springfield in his speech, Trump added: “I’m angry about young American girls being raped and sodomised and murdered by savage criminal aliens,” though provided no specific details.

Springfield authorities said there were no credible reports of pets being harmed by members of the immigrant community – accusations that Trump also repeated in his Thursday debate against Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris.

The White House condemned the claims on Thursday as “filth” and said they were endangering people’s lives.

On Thursday, Springfield police said that city hall and several other government buildings had been evacuated after a bomb threat sent by email at 8:24am (local time).

“Authorities investigated and cleared all facilities listed in the threat with the assistance of explosive detecting canines,” the force said in a statement.

Fulton junior school and Springfield Academy of Excellence were also listed in the threat and evacuated, according to the statement.

“We are currently partnering with the Dayton office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to identify the source of the email,” it added.

Arriving at the school to retrieve his child, Haitian immigrant Mackenso Roseme said that the current tensions in the community were “worrying”.

“I’m a little stressed. I think something might happen,” he said.

A sign in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole informed Roseme and other parents that the students had been moved to a high school.

A man carries an AI-generated image of Donald Trump carrying cats away from Haitian immigrants during a campaign rally in Tucson, Arizona, on September 12. Photo: AFP

 

Mayor Rob Rue told the Springfield News-Sun that the person who sent the bomb threat claimed to be from the city and mentioned Haitian immigration issues.

Despite the bomb threats, Trump was still reposting memes related to the conspiracy theory hours later on his Truth Social platform.

He claimed Ohio was being “inundated with illegal migrants, mostly from Haiti, who are taking over Towns and Villages at a level and rate never seen before.”

Springfield, with a population of about 58,000, has seen an increase in Haitian immigrants in recent years – 10,000 to 15,000 according to the Springfield News-Sun.

Social services, schools and housing have been stressed in the city for years, with some pointing to migration as a factor.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine – a Republican like Trump – gave some context to the situation in Springfield during an interview on Thursday.

DeWine said 15,000 immigrants from Haiti live in Springfield, “a dramatic change” for the city, and added they were there under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows foreign nationals to live and work in the United States.

“Why did they come? They came for jobs,” DeWine told Fox News reporters. “There’s nothing wrong with us being welcoming.”

A multiracial group of pastors called a press conference on Thursday in Springfield, joining hands in prayer and calling on the community to come together.

“Today there were some things that happened, some threats of violence,” Wes Babian, a former pastor of First Baptist Church, said.

“That is part of what motivated the quick calling of clergy to come together to express our support for the Haitian community and our concern for the well-being of the entire community.”

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Politics

Imo State Government Announces New Appointments to IROMA

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Owerri, Imo State – The Imo State Government has announced the appointment of new members to the Imo State Road Maintenance Agency (IROMA).

According to a statement signed by Hon Declan Emelumba, Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has approved the appointments.

Ekwutosblog gathered that Barr. Kingsley Ononuju has been appointed as the Chairman of IROMA, while Engr. Egbuka Edwin will serve as the Managing Director. Barr. Chikodi Onyeanwuna has been appointed as the Secretary of the agency.

Other members of the agency include Dr. Emeka Enyinnaya, Engr. Ikenna Anyasodo, Harrison Amaechi Ejianya, Engr. Nwaobi Williams C., and Pascal Ojiaku.

The new appointments are expected to bring fresh perspectives and expertise to the agency, which is responsible for maintaining and improving the state’s road network.

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Jeremiah useini Abachas bossom friend is dead, the iroko of middle belt has fallen

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The news of the passing of General Sani Abacha’s close friend has sent shockwaves throughout the nation. This departed leader was not only a dear friend to General Useni but also a trusted ally and associate of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

General Useni, a renowned military strategist and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has lost a trusted confidant and partner in the corridors of power. The two shared a bond forged in the heat of battle and the intricacies of statecraft.

As a close associate of General Abacha, the late leader played a significant role in shaping the country’s history during a tumultuous period. His counsel and guidance were invaluable to General Abacha, and his passing marks the end of an era.

As the nation mourns the loss of this iconic leader, we offer our condolences to General Jeremiah Useni, his family, and the entire nation. May the soul of the departed rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire future generations.

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EWI-IN-COUNCIL ORDERS SUSPENSION OF SHARI’AH ARBITRATION PANEL IN ADO EKITI

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The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, on Saturday, ordered the dissolution of the Sharia panel set up at the Central Mosque, Ado Ekiti in the interest of peaceful coexistence and law and order in the community.

Adejugbe spoke in Ado Ekiti during a meeting he held with the chiefs and indigenes of the community and the Chief Imam and President of the League of Imams and Alfas in the Southwest, Edo and Delta states, Sheik Jamiu Kewulere; and other Muslim leaders in Ado Ekiti over tension in some quarters over the sharia panel issue.

This came barely two days after the state government said that the existing legal structure in the state did not recognise the Sharia Court or Sharia Arbitration Panel.

The state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dayo Apata, (SAN) had spoken in reaction to news reports stipulating the first public sitting of a Shari’ah Panel in the state which resolved two marriage disputes.

He had said that the legal structure in Ekiti State (i.e. Customary Court, Customary Court of Appeal and High Court) had been handling issues relating to Islamic, Christian and traditional marriages and inheritance without any rancour or agitation.

Adejugbe said, “Based on this Sharia issue, I summoned the Chief Imam and his lieutenants, members of the Ewi-in-Council, the president of Ado Progressives Union and Ado sons and daughters to discuss the matter because it is a sensitive issue.

“We all listened and it appears they set up a committee at the Central Mosque with the intention to listen to disputes. According to them, they have good intentions and it was an internal arrangement that has nothing to do with any external person or somebody influencing them.

“I told them the mood of the nation will not allow such to happen now, that they should revert to how the founding fathers of the mosque had been settling disputes in the past without setting up a committee.

“I told them that there is no need for the committee and they should dissolve the committee henceforth. That is the decision of the Ewi-in-Council and that is the position of all Ado sons and daughters.

“The panel stands dissolved. If we should allow such committees, the Christians too will want to set up committees in their various churches, the traditional worshippers too and before you know it, it will lead to crises.”

Speaking earlier, the Chief Imam, Kewulere, who confirmed setting up the committee, which he said had resolved a marriage dispute and adjourned on a second matter, dismissed all insinuations that it was set up for sinister motives.

Kewulere, who said that Muslims and adherents of other religions had been enjoying cordial relationships, said, “Basically, the committee is to look into matters of inheritance in the interest of our members.”

He dismissed insinuations that it was to create crisis and he dismissed any external influence or link.

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