馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Indonesian baby trafficking ringleader sentenced to seven years in prison
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Lie Siu Luan, 70, the leader of a baby trafficking ring operating in Indonesia and Singapore, has been sentenced to seven years in prison. Presiding judge Gatot Ardian Agustriono stated that Lie was found guilty of committing crimes for exploitation. The sentence is less than the 10 years prosecutors had sought. Lie had previously admitted to the court that she sent at least 12 babies to Singapore. According to the indictment, she trafficked a baby to Singapore for adoption in 2022, earning approximately S$17,000. Another defendant, Astri Fitrinika, received a sentence of six years and seven months for a similar charge. The arrests occurred last year after a parent reported a baby kidnapping in West Java province. Police rescued several infants held by the syndicate before they could be sold, while other children, rejected by clients in Singapore, were sold within Indonesia, including to adoptive parents in Jakarta.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The United States has invested $1.2 million over the past five years in cultural heritage preservation across 21 Nigerian states, according to Keith Heffern, Charge d鈥橝ffaires of the U.S. Embassy. This investment, primarily through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, is described as a strategic initiative benefiting both nations. The project has digitally preserved over 250 Nok artefacts, upgraded a museum, trained 50 Nigerian youths in advanced digital skills, and reached more than 50,000 people nationwide. The system also incorporates Non-Fungible Token-based artefact tracking technology to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property and strengthen law enforcement cooperation. Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, noted that this initiative delivers a key component of a cultural preservation agreement signed between Nigeria and the United States. She highlighted the importance of digital preservation in making Nigeria鈥檚 history accessible and plans to extend this approach to other cultural heritage sites. Gen. Christopher Musa retd., Minister of Defence, emphasized that preserving cultural heritage is vital for national security, unity, and identity. The Wheyham Foundation, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, Yale University, and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, commissioned the Wheyham Project, which has digitally catalogued over 250 Nok artefacts, refurbished the Nok Museum, and introduced immersi
Dennis Amachree, a former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services, has stated in his memoir, "DSS @40: My Journey Behind the Shield," that former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, died from a cardiac arrest during an intimate encounter. Amachree, who was Assistant Director of Operations and Intelligence at the Lagos DSS Command at the time of Abacha's death in June 1998, claims the incident occurred around 4:05 a.m. at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He alleges that a woman, described as a pharmacist, was with Abacha when he became unresponsive. According to Amachree, this woman, who had accompanied her elder sister Abacha's girlfriend to Aso Rock, panicked and left the Presidential Villa before security officials were aware of the situation. She reportedly left Abuja on an early morning flight before she could be questioned. Amachree claims he was later directed to locate and interrogate her in Lagos, where she stated, "I did not kill him, he died on top of me." Amachree asserts that this account contradicts various conspiracy theories surrounding Abacha's death, which has been a subject of speculation since he died in office in November 1993.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State welcomed 13-year-old Chimdiebube Onwubiko Victor, an International STEM Olympiad champion, after his performance at the 2026 International STEM Olympiad in Rome, Italy. Chimdiebube secured a gold medal in Mathematics and a silver medal in Science. Governor Mbah announced this on social media, highlighting the achievement as a proud moment for Enugu State and Nigeria. He commended Chimdiebube, his Mathematics teacher Chisom Unachukwu, and Evergreen Schools for nurturing the young talent. The governor reiterated his administration's dedication to enhancing education through the Smart Green Schools initiative, aiming to provide opportunities for children in Enugu to realize their potential. Chimdiebube was one of three Nigerian students who excelled at the Olympiad, which took place from July 2 to 8 and featured participants from over 150 countries. Other Nigerian medalists included Don Anele Munachimso Marvelous, who won double gold in Mathematics and Science and was named the World's Best in Science, and 11-year-old Egejurum Onyedikachi Ethan, who won gold in Mathematics and was recognized as the World's Best in Primary Mathematics.