Fulani Militants Kill Nine in Christian Village in Nigeria

The International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Fulani militants once again have attacked the Adara natives in Kajuru LGA, Kaduna State, Nigeria.


Militants Continue Recent Spate of Violent Attacks

The International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Fulani militants once again have attacked the Adara natives in Kajuru LGA, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

The attack on the Christian village took place while many were still mourning the loss of loved ones, property, and their means of livelihood following a series of coordinated attacks on at least five villages and 12 settlements over the past month.

The militants launched this most recent attack on Tudu-Doka Avong along Kaduna-Kachia road, killing nine people and injuring several others. Confirming the incident, a community representative, Usman Stingo, said, “It happened at about 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. The gunmen arrived [at] the village and started shooting sporadically.  They entered into some homes and burnt household stuff. The situation is very, very pathetic.”

Those killed in the latest attack include Kefas Yusuf (30), Richard Yusuf (25), Fidelis Wada (40), Kachia Simon (30); Rose Soja (39), Genesis Soja (11), Rahap Soja (9), Victoria Gyata (50), and Lovette Akayi (10).

Further confirming the attack, the Kaduna State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Joseph Hayab, said, “Nine persons were killed, including women and children. The photos are not good to look at.  The mood in the entire Kajuru area is gloomy. People are living in fear.”

The CAN chairman further disclosed that some pastors were also affected in the recent attacks and are suffering in silence. 

He, however, acknowledged good-spirited individuals who are assisting with food distributions to help the displaced, but lamented that the need is very large.  He expressed concern with the attitude of the government, saying, “The government seems to be living in pretense and looking away from the colossal impact of the attacks on the population.”

The recent attacks on the Adara communities spreading across Kajuru and Kachia local council areas in southern Kaduna impacted approximately 537 households with approximately 20,000 people displaced.

ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, Nathan Johnson, stated, “Kajuru Local Government Area has now been attacked nearly a dozen times in the past month. Despite this, the government has not taken any clear or decisive steps to stop the violence. They have not caught any of the perpetrators, saved any lives, or assisted any of those who have suffered. This continued inaction is costing many people their lives, homes, and loved ones. It is time that the government in Nigeria is held accountable for the many lives that they have failed to defend. They are either completely incompetent and must be removed, or they are complicit and need to be thrown in jail.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org

Persecution.org (June 2020) Fulani Militants Kill Nine in Christian Village in Nigeria

Chinese Nationals Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Photography of U.S. Naval Installation in Key West, Florida

Three People’s Republic of China (PRC) foreign nationals were sentenced today to prison terms for illegal photography of military installations at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Key West, Florida (NAS Key West).


On Friday, Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office announced that three People’s Republic of China (PRC) foreign nationals were sentenced today to prison terms for illegal photography of military installations at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Key West, Florida (NAS Key West).  

Lyuyou Liao,27, was sentenced to the statutory maximum term of 12 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release, after pleading guilty to illegally entering NAS Key West on December 26, 2019, and taking photographs and video footage of property on the Truman Annex of the station.

This included taking images of vital military equipment. (Case No. 20-10002-CR-KMM ).

In a separate case, Jielun Zhang,25,and Yuhao Wang,24, were sentenced to 12 months and nine months in prison, respectively, to be followed by one year of supervised release, after pleading guilty to illegally entering NAS Key West on January 4, 2020, and taking photographs of military and naval infrastructure located on the Sigbsbee Park and Trumbo Point Annexes of the station. (Case No. 20-10005-CR-KMM).  

U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the South Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). 

She also commended the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Key West Police Department for their assistance.   Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Kobrinski prosecuted this case. 

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Justice.gov (June 2020) Three Chinese Nationals Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Photography of U.S. Naval Installation in Key West, Florida

CBP Helicopter Experiences Dangerous Situation after being Targeted by Laser from Canada

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (AMO) AS-350 helicopter was struck by a laser beam while conducting operations over protests in Detroit.


On June 3, 2020, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (AMO) AS-350 helicopter was struck by a laser beam while conducting operations over protests in Detroit.

At approximately 10 p.m. on Wednesday evening, a Great Lakes Air and Marine crew operating near the Renaissance Center, detected their aircraft was being targeted by a green laser.

The crew immediately positioned the aircraft camera system on the point of origination, which was being emanated from Windsor, Ontario, and contacted the Windsor Ontario Control Tower to report the incident.

The Air Interdiction Agent in command of the aircraft was able to relay the exact location of the perpetrator, which the Control Tower relayed to Windsor Police.

The crew was then able to maneuver the aircraft along the Detroit River while keeping a constant visual on the subject until Windsor Police arrived and took the subject into custody.

“The Windsor Control Tower acted as a continuous relay to the police as the aircrew vectored them to the subject’s position which was critical to making this apprehension,” said Marc Sledge, Director, Air and Marine Operations, Great Lakes Air and Marine Branch. “I am very thankful that our pilots were not injured in this incident and that our Canadian counterparts were there to assist us at a moment’s notice.”

The public is reminded that lasers present a serious risk to aviator safety and can cause pilots to suffer flash blindness and other sudden vision problems, as well as permanent vision damage. Laser incidents also threaten the safety of innocent people on the ground.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection would also like to remind residents that owning a hand-held laser isn’t illegal, but shining it into a cockpit of an aircraft is a federal crime.

Someone convicted of interference with an aircraft can face 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

CBP.gov (June 2020) CBP Helicopter Experiences Dangerous Situation after being Targeted by Laser from Canada

Tennessee Citizen Faces Federal Charges in Connection to Metro Courthouse Fire During Protest

A criminal complaint issued today charged Wesley Somers, 25, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, with arson and with malicious destruction of property using fire or explosives.


A criminal complaint issued today charged Wesley Somers, 25, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, with arson and with malicious destruction of property using fire or explosives.

“The Department of Justice will vindicate the First Amendment rights of all Americans to speak, assemble and seek a redress of grievances from their government,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers.  “We cannot tolerate, however, those who would take advantage of moments of real anguish to endanger the innocent and destroy their property.”

“We will always vigorously defend the right of every individual to assemble and protest,” said U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.  “This is one of our most sacred liberties guaranteed by the First Amendment of our Constitution.  We will also vigorously pursue those who choose to exploit such assemblies and use violence and intimidation in order to change the dynamics of an otherwise peaceful protest.”

The criminal complaint alleges that on the afternoon of May 30, 2020, protesters gathered in downtown Nashville following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Later in the evening, a number of persons gathered in front of Nashville City Hall, also known as the Metro Courthouse, and using various tools, including crowbars and other objects, began smashing the windows of the premises and spraying graffiti on the Courthouse facade.  

One or more fires were also set inside of the Courthouse at this time.

Numerous video clips and photographs of the destruction at the Courthouse were posted on social media websites, on the websites for news outlets, and on other Internet sites.  

Somers is depicted in video clips and photographs from that evening, shirtless and wearing beige cargo shorts.  In those clips and photographs, Somers—whose distinctive chest tattoos portraying the words “WILD CHILD” and “HARD 2 Love,” among others, are occasionally visible — is depicted attempting to smash windows of the Courthouse with a long object. 

One photograph in particular, depicted Somers holding an unknown accelerant, which had been set on fire, and placing the accelerant through the window of the Courthouse.  

Somers is also depicted in a video clip setting fire to an accelerant and placing it inside a window located on the exterior of the Courthouse. 

Somers was identified by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department – Specialized Investigation Division, after receiving numerous tips from citizens, and was arrested on state arson charges on May 31. 

If convicted, Somers faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison.

Assistant Attorney General Demers and U.S. Attorney Cochran commended the actions of concerned citizens and the efforts of the law enforcement agencies and prosecutors who worked to quickly identify and bring these charges, including the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department; the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Schrader; and Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the Department’s Counterterrorism Section.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.     

Justice.gov (June 2020) Tennessee Man Faces Federal Arson Charges in Connection to Metro Courthouse Fire During Protest

FBI remembers Special Agent Robert R. Hardesty

Today, the FBI remembers Special Agent Robert R. Hardesty (1965 – 2005), who died on June 2, 2005, as a result of an accident during SWAT training at the FBI Academy on May 25, 2005 in Quantico, Virginia.


Today, the FBI remembers Special Agent Robert R. Hardesty (1965 – 2005), who died on June 2, 2005, as a result of an accident during SWAT training at the FBI Academy on May 25, 2005 in Quantico, Virginia.

Special Agent Hardesty, 40, was assigned to the Springfield FBI Office at the time of his death and was a member of that office’s SWAT team.

Robert S. Mueller, III, Director Federal Bureau of Investigation, spoke at the funeral service for Robert R. Hardesty, of Portage, Indiana on June 08, 2005.

“We have come together today to honor Rob Hardesty: the Rob Hardesty you have known over many years and whom I have come to know over the past two weeks.

I have come to know Rob Hardesty by learning about his life–for his is a life story of service. Service to his family. Service to the Porter County Sheriff’s Office. Service to the FBI. Service to his country. Service to his Lord.

I also came to know Rob Hardesty personally; but only for a few moments. It was a day or so after the accident. Rob was in bed and unable to move. I told him he had one of the best Marine Corps haircuts I had seen in a while. And his entire face lit up. He smiled. And that smile gave me a glimpse of his vitality, his passion. I learned from that smile what all of you know so well.

I also came to understand Rob through his family, who I have come to know and respect over the last two weeks. You can learn a great deal about a person from knowing his family, and particularly the person he chooses to marry. Hardened, grizzled veterans of the FBI–veterans of HRT, SWAT–stand in awe of Toni–stand in awe of her strength and the strength of Rob’s family.

In a very short time I came to know Rob Hardesty–know him as an FBI agent; know him as a husband and father; and know him as a servant.

We look up to persons such as Rob, whose life work is service. We hold them up as examples. They earn our deepest admiration and respect because of the actions they purposefully take…in the name of service.

They are the ones who say, yes, I am ready without knowing when. Who say, yes, I will go, without knowing where. Who say, yes, I do, without always knowing why.

It is the rare quality of those who go forward without looking back and without asking what price, who show us the true meaning of courage, of devotion, and of sacrifice. It is the legacy Rob leaves us that his was a life lived to the full measure of those ideals.

We thank God for holding Robert Hardesty in His hands and we ask Him to look after Rob with great care, for he was truly the very best of the best. Each of us will carry Rob in our hearts, until that time when we meet again and come to be close to him once more. May God bless you, and may God bless Rob Hardesty.”

Springfield Office Dedication in Honor of Robert R. Hardesty, Springfield, Illinois, December 15, 2005

Memorial Service Held Honoring Fallen Special Agents

Prior to joining the FBI three-and-a-half years earlier, he served in the Porter County, Indiana Sheriff’s Department. In his honor, the Springfield FBI Office now bears his name.

FBI.gov (June 2020) Special Agent Robert R. Hardesty died on June 2, 2005