Gunmen, on Thursday evening, reportedly shot and killed an Inspector of Police and also abducted two Chinese nationals in a bloody operation at Quarry Camp in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River.

The Police Public Relations Officer in charge of Zone 6, SP Nelson Okpabi, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Calabar and made available to newsmen on Friday.

Okpabi further stated that a Nigerian was abducted alongside the two Chinese.

According to the statement, the armed men, who allegedly wore military camouflage, also made away with the AK-47 of the killed officer.

It added that the hoodlums gained entrance into the quarry “after a worker accidentally allowed a security breach at the gate”.

He disclosed that the AIG in charge of the zone, Jonathan Towuru, has ordered a thorough search for the armed attackers, promising that they must be brought to book.

“The Police hereby appealed to the people to be on the lookout and provide any useful information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators,” he stated. (NAN)

The leaders of all eight of Australia’s states and territories have endorsed the prime minister’s plan to ban children younger than 16 from using social media.

Anthony Albanese announced on Friday that legislation for the world-first ban would be introduced to parliament in November after the leaders of all six states and two territories endorsed the plan.

Speaking after meeting with the state and territory leaders on Friday, Albanese said that the government of the island state of Tasmania expressed a preference to set the minimum age limit at 14.

However, they ultimately agreed with the proposed 16 to guarantee a uniform nationwide approach.

“The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority, and my government will do all that we can to protect our young Australians.

“Government will also provide support for parents and teachers who are dealing with these issues,’’ he told reporters in Canberra.

Albanese on Thursday committed to setting the minimum age limit at 16, having previously pledged to introduce a minimum age limit without specifying a cut-off age.

Under the proposal, the onus to ensure compliance with the minimum age limit will fall on social media companies, not parents, guardians or children.

The laws would be enforced by the office of the government’s eSafety commissioner.

Albanese and Michelle Rowland, the minister for communications, said on Friday that the ban would take effect at least 12 months after the legislation is passed by both houses of the federal parliament.

The passage is to give industry, governments and the eSafety commissioner time to implement systems and processes.

Rowland said that 16 was chosen as the cut-off age following extensive consultation to minimise harms experienced by young people during a critical development period. (Xinhua/NAN)

Israel has sent two planes to evacuate fans from Amsterdam after violent clashes between Israeli supporter and pro-Palestinian demonstrators on the fringes of Ajax  versus Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa Cup match.

“The Prime Minister has directed that two rescue planes be sent immediately to assist our citizens,.

“The harsh pictures of the assault on our citizens in Amsterdam will not be overlooked’’ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office posted on X on Friday morning.

The Israeli leader’s office called the incident horrifying and demanded that the Dutch government and security forces take vigorous and swift action against the rioters, and ensure the safety of our citizens.

This clash was however unclear and yet to be unfolded.

The exact events remain unclear. The violent disturbances occurred around the Europa League football match between Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday evening. Ajax won 5-0.

There were clashes in several locations in the centre of the Dutch capital; though it was not specified which side started the violence.

Around 60 people were detained temporarily on Thursday evening, the police said.

Amsterdam TV station AT5 reported that demonstrators threw chairs at Maccabi fans.

The police’s mobile units reportedly shielded the Israelis and escorted them to their hotels.

There were also clashes in the afternoon between Israeli football fans and security forces in the city centre.

According to police, about a dozen people were arrested for disturbing public order and illegal possession of fireworks.

Even before the match, there were isolated altercations near the stadium in the south-east of the city, the police said.

More than 200 demonstrators attempted to reach the venue, according to the police.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned these “unacceptable antisemitic attacks on Israelis’’ on X and said he had since spoken with Netanyahu.

Far-right Dutch leader Geert Wilders called it a pogrom.

“We have become the Gaza of Europe,’’ he said, adding that Muslims with Palestinian flags were hunting down Jews.

Israel’s UN ambassador also referred to the incident on X as a pogrom.

Steffen Seibert, Germany’s ambassador to Israel condemned the incident.

“Chasing and beating up Israeli soccer fans is not anti-war protest.

“It is criminal and intolerable and we must all stand against it. As a European I am ashamed to see such scenes in one of our great cities,’’ he wrote on X.

However the Reaction from the United States (U.S.).

In New York, Jonathan Greenblatt, the head of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), described itself as the world’s largest anti-hate organisation.

He demanded that the Dutch government ensure the safety of Israeli fans, apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators and apologise for the violence.

“This is exactly what ‘globalise the intifada’ looks like,’’ Greenblatt wrote on X, saying there were mobs of hate-filled people who had attacked Israelis who came to Amsterdam to enjoy a football game.

Even New York Attorney General Letitia James chimed in on X, calling the attacks against Jews in Amsterdam “deeply disturbing and horrifying.’’

New York State, particularly metropolitan New York City, has a large Jewish population.

“We must do everything in our power to protect Jews in America and across the world.

“This anti-Semitism and violence must end now,’’ she wrote. (dpa/NAN)