9News Nigeria

Republic of Benin’s Minister of Agriculture, Gaston Dossouhoui, shed tears as President Patrice Talon announced that the country has officially become the leading cotton producer in Africa.

The announcement, made during a national address on agricultural progress, marked a historic milestone for the small West African nation, which has steadily risen through the ranks over the past decade. 

Benin, once overshadowed by regional giants like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria, has now taken the top spot; a feat credited to policy consistency, modernized farming techniques and strong partnerships with local producers.

President Talon praised the resilience and hard work of Beninese farmers, noting that agriculture remains the backbone of the country’s economy. 

“This achievement is not just about numbers.

“It is about dignity, discipline, and the proof that with focus, even a small nation can lead the continent.” He said.

In contrast, some of Benin’s West African peers have struggled to sustain growth in their cotton sectors due to political instability, erratic climate conditions and insufficient investment in rural infrastructure. 

While countries like Mali and Burkina Faso previously dominated the market, recent challenges have slowed their production output.

With cotton now serving as a symbol of national pride, Benin’s success story is being hailed as a model for other African nations seeking to unlock the full potential of their agricultural economies.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

La publication d’actualités de la 2e conférence annuelle biannuelle de la All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship de la région occidentale tenue à la République du Bénin impliquant 200 délégués à travers le Nigeria, la République du Bénin, le Togo, la Côte d’Ivoire, le Libéria, la Sierra Leone, le Mali et le Niger.

The News Publication of the All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship Western Region 2nd Bi Annual Conference held at Republic of Benin involving 200 Delegates across Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali and Niger.

La All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship Western Region organise sa 2e conférence annuelle biannuelle en République du Bénin sur le thème - Me voici, envoie-moi (Isaïe 6: 8)

The All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship Western Region organises her 2nd Bi Annual Conference in Republic of Benin Themed- Here I Am Send Me (Isaiah 6:8)

La 2e Conférence semestrielle des jeunes de la All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship Western Region a débuté du 24 au 28 août 2022 avec l'inscription et l'arrivée des deux délégués locaux, les Benielels avec d'autres délégués internationaux de 7 pays différents d'Afrique de l'Ouest, du Togo, du Ghana et du Nigéria. , Libéria, Sierra Leone, Niger, Côte d'Ivoire

The 2nd Bi- Annual Youth Conference of the All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship Western Region commenced August 24 – 28 2022 with registration and arrival of both local delegates, The Benielels with other International Delegates from 7 different countries in West Africa, Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Niger, Ivory Coast

Le programme de la Conférence biannuelle de la jeunesse permet aux jeunes des pays africains, en particulier de la région de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, de servir Dieu à différents titres, de réseauter et de créer des synergies avec d'autres délégués d'autres pays africains, l'utilisant ainsi pour l'édification du corps du Christ

The Bi Annual Youth Conference program affords youth across Africa countries particularly the West African region to serve God in different capacities, network and synergize with other delegates from other African countries thereby using it for the edification of the body of Christ.

Le programme de conférence de 5 jours pour les jeunes propose des activités de qualité comme l'étude de la Bible, des sessions de formation, des visites

The 5 days youth conference program features quality activities like bible study, training sessions and sightseeing

Le président de la région de l'Ouest, Fr. Gideon S. Washington du Libéria déclare la conférence ouverte, encourage tous les délégués à participer activement afin de profiter du meilleur du programme. Il a réitéré l'importance de cette conférence, particularité dans la belle ville de la République du Bénin. Il encourage les délégués à travailler ensemble pour construire une organisation meilleure et plus brillante, plus efficiente et efficace qui fait une différence rédemptrice pour le Christ devrait être la priorité absolue

The Western Region President , Bro.Gideon S. Washington from Liberia declare the conference open, encourages all delegates to participate actively in order to enjoy the very best of the program. He reiterated the importance of this conference, particularity in the beautiful city of The Republic of Benin. He encourages delegates that working together to build a better and brighter, more efficient and effective organisation that makes a redemptive difference for Christ should be utmost priority.

Le Président de l'Union des Eglises Baptistes du Bénin, le Révérend Kakpo Marc Gabriel dans sa courte exhortation a exprimé sa joie de voir cette année la conférence se tenir dans son pays.

The President Union of Benin Baptist Churches, Rev Kakpo Marc Gabriel in his short exhortation expressed his delight in seeing this year conference being held in his country.

L'interprétation du thème était très explicative, ce qui a été fait par le pasteur Ahoga Augustin, un vaste prédicateur baptiste. Il souligne l'importance que les jeunes se rendent disponibles pour la propagation de l'évangile de Jésus-Christ car nous avons encore un domaine non atteint, d'où la moisson est abondante, les ouvriers sont peu nombreux.

The Theme Interpretation was very expository which was done by Pastor Ahoga Augustin a vast Baptist preacher, . He emphasises the importance of young people make themselves available for the propagationof the gospel of Jesus Christ as we have yet unreaached domain, hence the harvest is plentiful the labourers are few.

La réunion du jeudi 25 août comprend des sessions de formation sur le développement du leadership, en particulier sur la vie spirituelle d'un leader chrétien, animées par le révérend Dr John B. Laba. Il a mis en évidence certaines caractéristiques qui facilitent la croissance d'un leader chrétien et les vertus pour le vérifier. Il a analysé les différents styles de leadership ainsi que les traits de personnalité sur la manière dont un leader et ses partisans peuvent travailler en harmonie. Il a répondu aux questions des délégués sur le sujet.

The Thursday August 25 meeting features some training sessions on Leadership development particularly on spiritual life of a Christian leader facilitated by Rev Dr John B. Laba he highlighted some features that facilitate the growth of a Christian leader and virtues to ascertain it. He gave analysis of different leadership styles alongside personality traits how a leader and followers can work in harmony, he dealt with questions from the delegates addressing the subject matter.

Le directeur régional du programme Horizon de l'Alliance baptiste mondiale, Evang Koffi Soko Kpomgbe, le vendredi 26 AOÛT, a pris le temps d'expliquer en détail la nécessité pour laquelle chaque jeune baptiste en Afrique devrait suivre la formation. Il a donné crédit au président All Africa Baptist Fellowship, le révérend Dr Elias Apetogbo, qui se trouve être le premier diplômé du programme Horizon, il a ensuite été diplômé au niveau exécutif de l'AABYF. Il a réitéré certaines caractéristiques du programme car il pense qu'elles impliquent des modules bien structurés pour éduquer chacun profondément dans toutes les ramifications de la vie.

The Area Director for the Baptist World Alliance Horizon Program Evang Koffi Soko Kpomgbe on Friday AUGUST 26 took time to explain comprehensive the need why every Baptist Youth in Africa should undergo the training. He gave credence to the President All Africa Baptist Fellowship Rev Dr Elias Apetogbo who happens to be the first graduate of the horizon program he further instances of graduate at the executive level of the AABYF. He reiterated some features of the program as he believes they entails modules that are well structured to educated everyone deeply in all ramifications of life

Le trésorier de la région d'Afrique de l'Ouest de l'AABYF, le frère Babatunde Adejumobi, a relayé l'importance de l'offrande missionnaire collectée depuis le début du programme, il a souligné que l'argent collecté est projeté pour des projets de développement en ce qui concerne la propagation de l'évangile de Jésus-Christ dans les zones rurales et communautés difficiles à atteindre

The Treasurer of the AABYF west African region Bro Babatunde Adejumobi relayed the importance of the Mission Offering been collected since the inception of the program, he emphasized that money collected are projected for developmental projects with regards to propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ in rural and hard to reach communities

La session se poursuivra comme d'habitude le samedi avec une étude biblique coordonnée par le secrétaire général de la communauté des jeunes de la région de l'ouest, le pasteur Mazuli gadzo, un prédicateur togolais qui a partagé des idées spirituelles en particulier lors de la dévotion. où les délégués ont pris leur petit-déjeuner puis se sont dirigés vers la belle ville de la république du Bénin comme prévu.
La vue présente des lieux remarquables comme l'ancien temple de Pyton, connu pour être le centre traditionnel et touristique de visite, la plus ancienne église établie par le maître colonial français vers 1909 A.C, d'autres lieux visités étaient le lieu de non-retour étaient l'exportation d'esclaves ont été faites qui ont maintenant un monument pour se souvenir des personnes qui ont traversé des difficultés, le bureau présidentiel et l'aéroport ont été visités simultanément.

The session continue as usual on Saturday with bible study coordinated by the General Secretary of the Youth fellowship western region Pastor Mazuli gadzo, a Togolese Preacher who have been sharing spiritual insights particulary at devotion time. which delegates took their breakfast then head for the sightseeing across the beautiful city of the republic of Benin as planned.
The sight seeing features notable places like the Ancient Temple De Pyton, known to be the traditional and tourist center for visitation , the oldest church established by the French colonial master around 1909 A.C, other places visited were The Place of No Return were exportation of Slaves were done which is now had a Monument to remember people who went thru hardship , The Presidential Office and Airport was visited simultaneously.

La visite s'est terminée glorieusement dans la soirée avec une cérémonie de clôture avec une session de louange et d'adoration électrisante, des remarques de clôture du prix et de la reconnaissance des dirigeants continentaux, le rapport du comité de résolution présidé par le vice-président de la région ouest de la communauté, Bro Melvin Bombay de sirrealeone, dans lequel le rapport met en évidence quelques nouvelles le développement sur le prochain pays hôte sera la Côte d'Ivoire en 2024 en date de la première semaine de septembre puis le Nigeria Provisoirement 2026 même période.

The sight seeing ended gloriously in the evening with closing ceremony featuring electrifying praise and worship session, closing remarks from continental leaders award and recognition , Resolution Committee report chaired by The Fellowship Western Region Vice President Bro Melvin Bombay from sirrealeone in which the report highlights some new development onthe next hosting country to be Ivory Coast in 2024 dated first week in September then Nigeria Tentatively 2026 same period.

AABYF Executive present.

Pastor Enunuaye Onajite(Nigeria)Gen.Sec.
Bro. David Agogo(Nigeria)Soc./Pub.Sec.
Treasurer from Ghana.
VP (Southern Region).

AABYFWR Executive present.

Gideon Washington (Liberia)
Melvin Bambay Kamara (Sierra Leone).
Muwuli Gadzo (Togo).
Jacquse Lokonon (Bènin)
Babatunde Adejumobi (Nigeria)
Olayode Olawoore (Nigeria).
George Sannah (Liberia).
Arnaud Assogba (Niger).

Other Ministers of GOD present were
Pastor Enunuaye Onajite from Nigeria (General Secretary, AABYF), Rev’d Owei Owei (Nigeria), Rev’d Bunmi (Nigeria) and the National Youth Coordinator, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev’d Joshua IbunkunOluwa,Also present were, Rev’d Dr John B. Laba; Rev’d Comar Codjia Kokou (Bènin); Please Arnaud Assogba (Niger);
Former WMU Chairperson of Western Region (Bènin).

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, has assured his followers that he is coming home.

Speaking with the leader of the Ilana Omo Oodua, Prof Banji Akintoye, and his Deputy, Prof Wale Adeniran, Igboho said he will return home soon and will ensure that the Nigerian Government pays him N20 billion as compensation.

He dismissed insinuations that he was sick.

He also hinted at continuing the struggle for the Yoruba Nation.

Igboho said: “Yoruba struggle will remain, and it will be stronger. Yorubas are suffering and smiling. They are killing, kidnapping, and doing all sorts in Yorubaland and we are not talking.

“I’m coming back home soon. I’m a true son of the soil. One cannot be scared of his father’s home. Nothing will happen and no one will be scared of anyone.

“All that I’ve asked the Federal Government they are yet to answer, and the court has ruled in my favor. Asides from the judgment in the Benin Republic, I’m coming to follow up with my judgment in Nigeria. Federal Government must pay my money. It is 20bn.

“When I get back to my base in Ibadan, I will thank everyone especially again. You will see me well. Dear Yorubas, don’t be scared, Igboho is back.”

Igboho was locked up in jail in the Benin Republic after he was arrested at a Cotonou airport while traveling to Germany, after he was declared wanted by the Department of State Services, DSS.e

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

A video has emerged showing how ODUDUWA REPUBLIC Activist, Sunday Igboho was arrested by the members of the Benin Republic security agents while he was on his way to board a flight en route to Germany.

In the video made available to 9News Nigeria, a man believed to be Sunday Igbo was carried by the Security Agents who manhandled him and threw him into a military pick-up truck.

The News of Sunday Igboho’s arrest broke Tuesday morning, weeks after he was declared wanted by the Nigerian authorities. Igboho was allegedly arrested on Monday night in Cotonou as sources noted that he was heading for Germany.

According to Pelumi Olajengbesi, one of the counsels of the Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho was not captured by the Benin Republic Authority but had willingly surrendered himself to the authority.

READ ALSO: Sunday Igboho’s Lawyer Finally Breaks Silence, Reveals How His Client Surrendered Himself To DSS In Cotonou

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday morning, Olajengbesi said, “Truly he was arrested and I have confirmed that. We are making efforts to ensure that he is fine. You know the Department of State Services declared him wanted. We just believe that Sunday Igboho is not the problem. He is someone who believed that the Yoruba people and Nigerians generally should live in peace wherever they are.

“As a matter of fact, let me tell you now. That Sunday Igboho was arrested simply because he wanted to make himself available to the government. If not, Sunday Igboho is not someone who can be arrested that way. grin grin grin grin But because he believes that the journey to justice for the Yoruba people and for the Nigerian state to be able to live in peace may be needed for him to be available, that was why.”

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

Chief Yomi Alliyu (SAN), the lead counsel for Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has said that the arrested rights agitator cannot be extradited from Benin Republic to Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, Alliyu explained that the 1984 Treaty and an African Charter would prevent the government of Benin Republic from giving Igboho to Nigeria.

It was earlier reported that Igboho was arrested in Benin Republic on Monday night while attempting to leave the country for Germany.

Igboho was earlier declared wanted by the Department of the State Services after he escaped during a raid of his residence on July 1.

Alliyu said, “The Extradition Treaty of 1984 between Togo, Nigeria, Ghana, and Republic of Benin excluded political fugitives. It also states that where the fugitive will not get justice because of discrimination and/or undue delay in prosecution the host country should not release the fugitive.

“Now, Article 20 of African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which the four countries are signatories made agitation for self-determination a fundamental right to be protected by all countries.

This made Chief Sunday Adeyemo a POLITICAL OFFENDER who cannot be deported and/or extradited by the good people of the Republic of Benin for any reason.

Secondly, that he cannot get justice or even be killed is apparent in how those arrested in his house were detained for more than 21 days now without access to their lawyers. Even the wife among them could not change her undies for 21 days! Which inhuman treatment can be more this?

“We urge the good government of the Republic of Benin and the international community, especially Germany, to rise up and curb the impunity of the Nigerian Government by refusing any application for extradition of our Client who already has an application before ICC duly acknowledged.”

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

Information shared on 9News Nigeria platform has revealed that Police in Togo has discovered 2,000 human bodies dried like stock fish and another 500 bodies that were allegedly buried alive in shallow graves after raiding Togolese Voodoo witchdoctor’s shrine.

It was gathered that the voodoo witchdoctor has been practicing the act of human rituals for many years resulting to killing and sacrificing of over 5,000 victims in the name of “Money rituals”

According to further details contained in the information, The voodoo witchdoctor from Togo have been patronised by Nigerians especially the Yorubas and others who troupe to his shrine for money rituals.

Police also discovered thousands of skeletons in the witchdoctor’s compound all used for money rituals.

The witchdoctor was working with over 30 servants who were assisting him in the human sacrifices, rituals and disposal of the victims’ bodies as the case may be. Some of the victims’ bodies were dried like stock fish and left in the compound while other decomposing bodies were recovered from shallow graves and some thrown in certain places in the compound of the witchdoctor.

Togolese police got a tip off about the dodgy dealings of the witch doctor and after investigations, raided the compound and apprehended the witchdoctor and his accomplices after making the shocking discoveries.

It was also learnt that over 5,000 patrons mainly Nigerians, Togolese, Beninise and other nationalities were in queue waiting for their turn to get the Money Ritual sacrifice from the voodoo witchdoctor. These people have already paid in money to secure human bodies for their money rituals before police raided the compound.

It is high time government authorities in Nigeria and other Western African countries should interfere in this inhuman and barbaric act that has continued to thrive in the region leaving thousands dead and missing every month.

WARNING: Below Images are gory, fearful, and terrifying – viewers discretion is highly advised

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

The trio of Nigeria , Republic of Benin and Niger Republic have established a joint border patrol

team comprising the Police , Customs , and Immigration of the tripartite countries to recommend a date for the reopening of the borders.

The three countries agreed in a resolution on Thursday in Abuja at the end of the Tripartite Anti – Smuggling Committee Meeting of Nigeria , Benin and Niger .

Reading the communiqué at the end of the meeting, Nigeria ’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama , said the meeting took note of all concerns raised and agreed to establish a monitoring and evaluating committee of the three countries.

Onyeams said that the committee will comprise of Ministers of Finance, Trade , Foreign Affairs , Customs , Immigration and National Security Adviser .

He said that the Committee is with a mandate to ensure actions that would facilitate and enhance the suppression of smuggled goods and other related matters .

“ The meeting agreed that the monitoring and evaluation committee will ensure the full implementation of the adopted mandate of the Joint Anti – Smuggling Human Trafficking Committee.

“ Nigeria , Benin also agreed on the establishment of trade facilitation committee among the three countries, comprising of Ministers of Finance and Trade .

“ To promote intra- regional trade among the three countries, as well as put in place, sanctions against smuggling of goods .
“ The governments agreed to ensure persons from the three countries to enter/exit each other’ s state with valid ECOWAS recognised travel documents through recongnised controlled posts .

“ Establishment of Joint Border Patrol Team comprising the Police , Customs , Immigration of the three countries.

“ The team is to hold its first meeting in Abuja from Nov. 25 to Nov. 27, 2019.

“ The patrol team is to agree on the modality to carry out its operation and recommend a date for the opening of the borders,” Onyeama said.

On the anti- smuggling issues , Onyeama earlier said the meeting deliberated on the myriad of challenges faced by the three countries.

Onyeama added that more importantly, the meeting dwelt on the areas of smuggling of goods and services that were not approved under the Protocols on ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme .

He said that the meeting also proffered to address issues as regards Free Movement of Persons without valid ECOWAS travel documents , as well as plethora of illegal warehouses along the border corridors .

“ In this regard, the meeting acknowledged smuggling of goods , as well as human trafficking as collective violation of ECOWAS Protocols on ETLS and Free Movement .

“ That pose severe eononomic and security threats to intra- regional trade and free movement ,” Onyeama also said.
Onyeama said that Niger and Benin Republic however appealed for the reopening of the land borders.

Responding to the attack of Nigerian traders in Ghana, Onyeama said that the Nigerian High Commission was engaging with the Ghanaian government and the leadership of the Nigerian traders in Accra.

Onyeama said that there was however no threat to the physical safety of Nigerian traders in Ghana , adding that the tripartite meeting have agreed on modalities for the way forward.
(NAN )

9News Nigeria

The federal government has said that the Embassy of Nigeria in Cotonou, Benin Republic, has not been attacked.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ferdinand Nwonye, in a statement issued Sunday said that the video circulating on social media purportedly showing an attack on the Nigerian embassy is an old video.

He therefore called on the general public to disregard the fake news being spread by mischief makers to whip up sentiments and cause unnecessary tension between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

Nwonye stated: “The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to a video circulating on the social media purportedly showing an attack on the Embassy of Nigeria in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

“The Ministry wishes to inform that the video is an old video of an attack on Nigerian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal and the incident under reference occurred on the 4th of March, 2013.”

Nwonye stressed that the ring leaders of the unwarranted attack in Dakar were arrested by Senegalese authorities and jailed for six months.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

Benin music diva, Angelique Kidjo has succeeded in securing the princely sum of $251 million for budding female entrepreneurs in the continent of Africa.

Kidjo pulled the feat at the ongoing G7 Summit taking place in the French resort in Biarritz, where she convinced leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK to part with the sum.

According to her, the funding is about helping women into business and then helping them grow their businesses.

Speaking in her capacity as the ambassador of the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa, an agency of the African Development Bank, Kidjo said the priority is for small-scale entrepreneurs in Africa to get access to the funds.

She said; “My primary focus is women in the rural areas, the women of the market and the women who are not easy to reach out to… Women of the markets don’t trust banks because they are not welcome in any banks.”

According to a report by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2016/17 Women’s Report, Africa has the highest percentage of female entrepreneurs in the world, meaning one in four women start or manage their own business at a point in time.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

For more than 250 years, people have been living on the water in what’s thought to be Africa’s largest lake community.

Homes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes – including some on stilts, perched precariously over a lake in Benin .

The African fishing community on the edge of Lake Nokoue has managed to preserve its lifestyle and traditions for more than two centuries.

Al Jazeera’s Ama Boateng reports from the village of Ganvie.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

Benin reclaims colonial-era artifacts from France
Benin is asking France to return thousands of artifacts looted from the country during the colonial wars.

Benin says it is working with the French government to arrange the return of precious artifacts stolen during the colonial era.

But one of the challenges is the capacity to look after the items once they arrive.

Many of the items are thought to have been taken from the Kingdom of Abomey.

Al Jazeera’s Ama Boateng reports from Abomey.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

The Nigeria Immigration Service, Ogun State Command, has nabbed three Beninoise in Aiyetoro, in the Yewa North Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects – Muheedeen Dikou, Francis Akete and Inyas Akete – were said to be in possession of a locally-made gun and charms, among others.

The Controller of Immigration in the state, Ajibola Bayeroju, said the trio were arrested by the operatives of the command who were on patrol of the border town last Friday.

He said the suspects were illegal immigrants who were allegedly into nefarious activities.

“This is because a locally-made pistol, charms, fake identity cards and two motorcycles, among others, were recovered from them,” the controller added.

He said given the discovery, the command sought and got the approval of the Comptroller-General of Immigration to carry out constant raids on communities around the border areas in the state to arrest illegal immigrants.

Bayeroju advised illegal immigrants in the state to leave the country, saying operatives of the command would continue its raiding. He added that any illegal immigrant arrested would face the full wrath of the law.

He said, “As soon as we conclude our investigation into the activities of the three suspects,  the command will hand them over to the police for other necessary action.”

One of the suspects, Dikou, said the locally-made pistol belonged to his father, who he claimed was a member of a vigilance group.

“But the gun has no licence,” he added.

Akete said the charms were for protection “from any form of harm while riding my motorcycle.”

Source – The Punch

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

ADJARRA, Benin (Reuters) – Five people died from asphyxiation in Benin this weekend and several more were hospitalised after a religious cult told followers to seal themselves into prayer rooms and burn incense and charcoal, residents and a survivor told Reuters.

The group, whose name in French translates as the “Very Holy Church of Jesus Christ of Baname”, has thousands of adherents across the country and has stirred tensions by vehemently opposing the local voodoo culture.

Its young woman leader, Vicentia Chanvoukini, known by her followers as “Lady Perfect”, has proclaimed herself a god.

“With the help of old cloths, we sealed off all of the exits to the prayer room before using incandescent charcoal and incense to prepare for the descent of the Holy Spirit,” said survivor Yves Aboua at the Porto Novo hospital where he was admitted with respiratory problems on Sunday.

Church members were told to stay in their prayer rooms until Sunday so as “not to be held accountable” when the world ended, he said. Several other people remain in hospital in critical condition, according to residents and hospital workers.

In a shady courtyard in the town of Adjarra, five kilometres (3 miles) northeast of the capital, a woman fanned a survivor sitting on a straw mat to resuscitate him while awaiting medical attention. The body of his brother, who died during the prayer ritual, lay beside him.

Local mayor Michel Honga confirmed that the victims were members of prayer groups but declined further comment. Police officials declined comment and Reuters was unable to contact anyone representing the Baname church.

About 40 percent of the West African country’s population follow Voodoo, and Benin has a national holiday to celebrate it. Many Christians and Muslims incorporate some of its beliefs into their faith.

The Baname church, named after Chanvoukini’s hometown, has drawn criticism because it rejects Voodoo entirely.

There have been several violent clashes between Baname followers, who often wear red scarves to identify themselves, and members of other faiths since 2009.

(Reporting by Allegresse Sasse; Writing by Emma Farge; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

COTONOU (Reuters) – Benin security forces seized 54 kilogrammes of cocaine from a container that had arrived at its main port of Cotonou from Brazil, the public prosecutor said on Tuesday.

“There was a sack containing 48 pellets of a suspect product,” which was seized on Monday, Lawani Badirou told a news conference. “Tests revealed that this was cocaine.”

West Africa has for over a decade been a transit point for Latin American cocaine en route to Europe, although improved maritime policing in recent years has helped reduce the volume passing through the region.

It was the second drug bust in Benin in under a month.

Maritime police discovered a haul of 18 kg of cocaine, also at Cotonou, at the end of October.

That shipment was found in a container belonging to one of the companies of wealthy businessman and prominent politician Sebastien Ajavon.

A court, however, this month dropped all drug trafficking charges against Ajavon for lack of proof.

(Reporting by Allegresse Sasse and Samuel Elijah; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Dan Grebler)

9News Nigeria