The Nigeria Police Force has said the wanton destruction by protesters on the first day of the hunger protest was mind blowing.

This is as the Police said hoodlums were let loose in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Borno, Niger, Yobe, Jigawa, Gombe and Bauchi.

Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun disclosed this on Thursday while addressing journalists.

On Thursday protesters hit the streets in major parts of the country rioting against rising hardship in Nigeria.

However, IGP Kayode said after day-1 of the protest, “the destruction so far has been mind-boggling”.

He said that there were attempts to take over government houses, and looting of government infrastructures.

Egbetokun revealed that several warehouses and shops have so far been looted and, in several instances, destroyed.

“There has been destruction in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT Abuja, Niger, Jigawa. Police stations have been destroyed, there have been attempts to take over government houses, looting of government infrastructures, several warehouses and shops have so far been looted and, in several instances, destroyed”, he said.

The Police boss warned against causing anarchy in the country under the guise of exercising rights to protest.

He appealed to citizens to remain calm and cooperate with the police.

“We appeal to all citizens to remain calm and cooperate with the Police and other security agencies during this challenging period”, he said.

No fewer than 269 suspects have been arrested by the Kano State Police Command for looting during the Thursday’s EndbadGovernance protest in the state.

This was disclosed in an update by the command in a Facebook post.

The Command said the hoodlums attacked a supermarket at the Nasarawa Quarters in the state.

According to the Command, operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle around the high court area of the state.

It also disclosed that a large quantity of looted properties was also seized from the suspects.

The post reads: “At approximately 10:00 am today, groups of hoodlums, under the guise of participating in the nationwide protest, launched attacks on several establishments in Kano state.

“In a swift and efficient response to these criminal activities, a total of 269 suspects responsible for destruction, looting, and instigating chaos under the guise of the nationwide hunger protest were arrested.

“These incidents have disrupted public order and safety, necessitating immediate action by the Kano state police command.

“Arson at NCC office: Multiple motor vehicles at the NCC office, Audu Bako secretariat, along Government House Kano, were set ablaze.

“The fire has since been brought under control through swift intervention.”

Meanwhile, Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, had imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state to ensure the safety of residents.

Chelsea star, Cole Palmer has shown solidarity to Nigerians amid the #EndBadGovernance protest in the country.

Thursday marked the commencement of the #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria.

The movement reflects the voice and will of the Nigerian people.

Nigerian youths commenced a 10-day nationwide protest against economic hardship in the country.

Several states, including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, participated in the protest.

Destruction and vandalization of properties broke out in some states like Kano, Borno and Yobe, which resulted in their governors declaring curfew.

However, reacting to the development, Palmer, in a tweet on his X account wrote: “In support of our Nigerian brothers and sisters.
#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.”

On the first day of the ten-day protest against bad governance in Nigeria, some journalists and activists were assaulted, handcuffed and arrested to an undisclosed destination.

It would be recalled that the State government had held a series of sessions with different groups for many days dissuading people from coming up to protest.

It was climaxed yesterday with a press conference by the chairman of the ruling party in the State, APC, Alphonsus Eba insisting the party will conduct a solidarity march against the planned protest and would hand over anyone or persons found protesting against the government because it would amount to attempt to torpedo the state and federal governments.

The managing editor of an online newspaper, CrossRiverWatch in the State, Mr Jonathan Igbal was one of the known journalists arrested.

Those arrested were beaten up and dragged by security personnel into waiting buses and SUV cars to an undisclosed destination.

The journalists had followed some activists around the popular Mary Slessor circle in Calabar where a handful of them had gathered to mark the first day of the 10-day planned protest against alleged bad governance.

Names of other activists arrested were not immediately known.

Before his arrest and torture, Ugbal had posted a video in the morning which showed that the surrounding roads to the Mary Slessor roundabout had been deserted.

He had made other commentaries about governance in the state.

Reacting, James Ibor, a human rights activist said the arrest and torture of the activists and journalists was condemnable and reprehensible.

He alleged that the security agents who tortured the journalists came in four vehicles and were heavily armed.

“We challenged the authorities to produce any evidence that Ugbal and others were violent.

“I strongly suspect that the security agents are those attached to the state governor Senator Bassey Otu.

“But we know that Gov Otu, being a people-centric leader, cannot allow his agents to be this brutal..”

“This is very sad. It is a disappointment and we call on Gov Otu to order the release of these journalists and activists whom I strongly believe are in government custody. “

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police command has debunked reports making the rounds that photojournalist, Jide Oyekunle was arrested during the protest.

There are reports that Jide was picked up by operatives of the command while covering the ongoing protest in the nation’s capital.

However, SP Josephine Adeh, Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command told DAILY POST that the report was false.

According to her “Jide Oyekunle was rather taken away from the perceived unsafe environment for his own safety after being advised to leave where he was standing in a safer location and he declined, as some of the protesters had suddenly become violent.

“While the protest is ongoing, it remains the duty of the police to protect lives and property”.

Economic activities in most parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital were on Thursday paralysed as a result of the nationwide protests against hunger and scarcity of essential commodities across the country.

The nationwide protests commenced in Ibadan Thursday morning. It was learnt that some groups and organisations organised the protests which started at various locations within the ancient city.

One of the groups started its protest in front of the University of Ibadan while another one started at Iwo Road while another protest started at the Mokola roundabout and another at Dugbe.

It was observed that commercial banks, petroleum stations, shopping malls, markets and shops, schools, government establishments and other public infrastructures.in major parts of Ibadan were under lock and key.

It was gathered that traders at the spare parts market at Araromi Gate have warned their colleagues not to open their shops today.

A similar incident was reported at Bodija and other markets in the ancient city.

Major roads in Ibadan were deserted as a result of the protests.

It was observed that the Eleyele -Eruwa Road, Eleyele -Dugbe Road, Sango -Eleyeye Road, and Challenge- Ring Road were deserted with only a few people passing the roads.

A similar situation was observed in areas such as Bodija, Ojoo, Mokola, Total Garden, Agodi Gate and Iwo Road.

The Borno State Government has announced an immediate 24-hour curfew across the state.

This is in response to the tragic detonation of an improvised explosive device in Kawori Market, Konduga area of Borno State on Wednesday night.

The explosion suspected to be carried out by a Boko Haram suicide bomber resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals and critical injuries to several others.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, disclosed this in a Thursday press release obtained by PUNCH Online.

Titled, “Imposition of Curfew,”, the statement noted that the bomb explosion prompted Governor Babagana Zulum, to consult with top security officials before implementing this measure.

According to the statement, the curfew aims to restore law and order and ensure public safety.

It read, “In view of the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security and law enforcement agencies toward the preservation of law and order in the state. You are all aware of the incident that took place at Kawori which was the detonation of an improvised explosive devices ordinance device which led to the death of (16) persons while several others were critically injured and on admission across various Government hospitals in the state.

“In line with our constitutional mandate towards the restoration of law and order his Excellency the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum in consultation with heads of security in the state, finds it’s expedient to declare 24hrs curfew in the state with immediate effect.

The PPRO urged residents to stay calm and adhere to the curfew. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.

“I, therefore, wish to call upon the good people of Borno State to remain calm and law-abiding. Further developments will be communicated to you accordingly, please,” it concluded.

Officers of the Nigeria Police stationed at the Eagles Square in Abuja have dispersed protesters with canisters and pepper spray.

At 10:30 am, police shot canisters after first firing warning non-lethal shots at the ground.

Following the warning shots, an angry protester confronted the police officers, holding up a baby and daring the officers to shoot.

Things quickly escalated as other protesters joined her, confronting the officers and daring them to shoot. In response, the police fired pepper spray, immediately followed by teargas canisters to disperse the protesters.

As of the time of filing this report, it is unclear whether the police have arrested the unidentified lady who confronted the officers with a baby.

Some angry protesters on Thursday pelted stones at the Gombe State Government House, while the rest wreaked havoc at the Jekadafari axis of the Gombe Local Government Area.

Recall that on Tuesday Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, had a meeting with critical stakeholders, where they assured him that they would not participate.

Yahaya had urged interested protesters to register with the Commissioner of Police, following the Inspector General of Police’s order.

The Public Relations Officer ASP Buhari Abdullahi confirmed the breakdown of law and order in the state.

He said “The situation is under control. We are managing the situation the situation now is relatively calm. We are trying to talk to them so that they can consider dialogue.”

Asked why the protest in Gombe turned violent Abdullahi added, “As you know it’s everywhere but the commissioner of police is on the ground and other security heads are on the ground managing the situation.”

Students of tertiary institutions in Ogun State, on Wednesday distanced themselves from the nationwide protest against hunger and poor governance scheduled to begin today.

The students, under the auspices of the National Association of Nigerian Students and National Association of Ogun State Students said, although they were not against any group protesting, they would not be participating in the protest.

The protest, tagged #EndBadGovernance, is scheduled to take place in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory from August 1 to 10, over the rising economic hardship in the country.

But, the students while staging a rally against the planned protest in Abeokuta, the state capital on Wednesday, expressed concerns that the planned protest may be hijacked by hoodlums to cause chaos and disrupt the peace of the country.

Addressing journalists during the rally, National President of NAOSS, Thomas Kehinde, called on students not to join any protest and to shun any calls to participate in anyone under the guise of nationwide protests.

Kehinde said, “We, the leaders of the collective students structures in Ogun state have staged this rally to emphasise that, students community in Ogun state will not be part of the planned nationwide protests.

“As you are aware, the organisers of the protests are mobilising across the country in preparation for the march against the current economic hardship in the country. Though, we are not against any group or groups protesting, we are using this avenue to declare our intention and readiness not be part of these protests.

“To this end, we are calling on students in Ogun State not to join any protest and to shun any calls to participate in anyone under the guise of nationwide protests.

“Though planners of the protests said that they would be organised in a peaceful manner; that is easier said than done. We want to caution that such protests could be hijacked by the hoodlums to perpetrate looting, robbery, vandalisation of both public and private infrastructure as well as attacks on targeted personalities.”

Similarly, he said clandestine factors could come into play and thereby escalate the situation from just a peaceful protest to violence and ill wind which blows anybody good.

“As Nigerians, the bitter experience of the EndSARS protests is still lingering in our memories. Therefore, to avoid the replay of the wanton destruction and alleged killings that accompanied the EndSARS protests, we hereby emphasize that students in Ogun should stay away from the nationwide protests.

“Leaderships of students associations in Ogun State as organised associations dedicated to serving the interests of students will never drive their members to participate in activities that have high propensity of leading in violence and destruction.

“Therefore, we urge students in the State to remain calm and continue to believe in the ability of their leaders to champion the cause of their welfare and well-being in manners devoid of violence,” he urged.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two suspects and recovered a large cache of weapons in the Mushin area of the state.

According to a statement released by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, on Thursday, the tactical team responded to a call about armed men on Agoro Street, Mushin, around 1 am.

The team arrested Sherrif Mustapha, 42, and Suturat Lateef, 28, while one other suspect escaped.

The statement read, “This morning at about 1am, responding to a distress call about the presence of armed men on Agoro Street, Mushin, our tactical team based in Surulere swiftly moved in and arrested Sherrif Mustapha ‘m’ aged 42 and Suturat Lateef ‘f’ aged 28 while one other escaped.

“The suspects led the police to 1, Moshalashi Street, Mushin where the following were recovered:

1. Two AK 47 rifles
2. ⁠One K2 Assault rifle

3. ⁠One Red Rufer rifle

4. ⁠Three pump action rifles

5. ⁠Two locally made single barrel pistols

6. ⁠Five magazines

7. ⁠57 live cartridges

8. ⁠70 5.56 live ammunition

9. ⁠ 27 9mm ammunition

10. ⁠One expended 5.56 ammunition

11. ⁠One dagger

12. ⁠Three walkie talkies

13. ⁠Nine international passports

“Investigation is ongoing! If you see something, say something. Security is everyone’s business!”

Some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State have declared that it is dangerous to protest in the state during this period.

The APC chieftains made this declaration while addressing youths in the state at an event held in Ibadan, the state capital.

The APC chieftains who addressed the youths included Kolawole Raji and former members of the House of Representatives Muraina Ajibola, Dapo Lam, Sunday Adepoju, and Segun Odebunmi.

The APC chieftains while addressing the gathering appealed to the youths not to join the protest slated for tomorrow.

The APC chieftains noted that it is dangerous to protest in the state at this time.

Raji, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, emphasised the dangers of the planned protest.

He maintained that Tinubu has recorded some achievements in the areas of local government autonomy, student loan and infrastructural development .

He added that the aim of the meeting with the youths was to sensitise them about the dangers of the protest.

“The meeting aimed to sensitise members of the APC to the potential ills of the planned protest and to discuss the state of the nation.

“President Tinubu met significant challenges upon taking office but is committed to addressing them methodically.

“We are very sympathetic towards the people and we are very aware that things are tough at this time, but we implore our people to give the president more time to put Nigeria back in shape.

“These things we complain of did not happen at once; it was gradual. We are confident Nigeria would be great under President Bola Tinubu,” he said

The Ogun State Government under the state e-mobility programme launched 2,000 electric motorcycles on Wednesday.

The state governor, Dapo Abiodun said the programme aims to reduce the cost of transportation in the state and ensure a cleaner environment by reducing carbon emissions.

Abiodun, who spoke at the first phase of the launch held at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said the e-mobility initiative marks another milestone toward a sustainable and green future for the state.

He said : “Our administration is committed to mitigating the impact of the subsidy removal and the high cost of diesel fuel while reducing transportation costs for our citizens.

“We will be realizing about 2,000 e-bikes in the first phase. These commercial motorbikes can ride up to 75-80 kilometres on a full charge, and the vehicles can travel up to 200 kilometres, thus reducing transportation costs by 40 per cent.”

The governor also announced the groundbreaking of a new facility, named Giga Facility, at the Special Agro Processing Zone located in Iperu-Remo, noting that the facility, with a total investment of $40 million, would serve as an assembly plant for electric bikes, two-wheelers, tricycles, commercial buses, electric cars, and swap stations.

“This investment will be implemented in three phases, beginning with phase one, focusing on our E-Okada bike assembly, and of course, phase two with our tricycles, and phase three with our e-vehicles. It will create over 10,000 direct jobs and 50,000 indirect jobs for assembly line operators,” he said.

Abiodun however appealed to the people, particularly the youth, to engage the government constructively instead of embarking on unnecessary protests, which often do not yield positive results.

Also speaking, the Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali, lauded the state for being the first to launch the E-Mobility initiative, adding that with this development, Ogun has joined other African countries that are currently using more than 15,000 e-bikes in their transportation sectors.

Alkali appealed to other state governments to take a cue from Ogun State in partnering with the federal government in CNG usage, just as he encouraged the public to support the programme to create jobs and make transportation cheaper, more efficient, and environmentally friendly.

In his remarks, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, represented by the Executive Vice President of NNPCL, Mr. Lekan Ogunleye, lauded the state for always being the first in any innovation that would benefit the people.

Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Olugbenga Dairo, in his welcome address, said the launch of the programme was a follow up to the conversion of the CNG buses last year which is aimed at addressing the increase in transportation fare occasioned by the subsidy removal.

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has condemned the Federal Government for allegedly funding counter protests to oppose the plan by some aggrieved Nigerians to stage peaceful protests against bad governance in the country.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Uzodinma, the group said “it was a clear show of shame that the same government that opposes the protests by persons opposed to bad governance has now begun funding protests against the end bad governance protests”.

“This doesn’t make any logical sense at all,” the group added.

HURIWA stated that it is a manifestation of bad governance that Federal Government officials are hiring fake protesters in the nation’s capital at the alleged cost of N3,000 per head.

Besides, HURIWA said it was ludicrous that a Lagos State High Court could actually issue an order against some defendants listed by the Lagos State Government, including ‘unknown protesters’ or those identified as ‘unknown persons’, to stop the protesters from holding their rallies outside the avenues approved by the government.

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced a new visa services provider for its Abuja and Lagos consulates, expected to take effect from August 26, 2024.

The announcement was made on its website and its official X account on Wednesday.

This comes amid complaints from Nigerian applicants over late appointment dates and racketeering at its consulate general office in Lagos.

Following the development, the embassy announced a change in its service providers.

“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos are moving to a new visa services provider on August 26, 2024,” it said.

The embassy explained that applicants in Nigeria who had already booked an appointment date would no longer have access to the U.S. travel website from August 16.

“This means you will not be able to cancel or reschedule your appointment from August 16, 2024, and will have no access to customer service. You should print your appointment confirmation letter before August 16, 2024, and we strongly encourage you to attend your visa interview if possible – if you fail to appear for your scheduled interview, please check here on or after August 26, 2024, for instructions on rescheduling your appointment,” the announcement stated.

According to the announcement, a “new visa appointment website goes live” by August 26 to ease visa services.

Recall that in the past weeks, many Nigerians applying for a U.S visa have lamented over the difficulty in getting appointment dates despite charging and paying visa fees.

The Management of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, has postponed its ongoing 2023/2024 second-semester examinations due to the planned nationwide protest from Thursday to Aug. 10.

The Head of the Communication Unit of the institution, Mrs Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday.

Alaga-Ibraheem said all examinations scheduled for Thursday and Friday had been postponed till further notice.

“A new schedule for all the papers initially listed for these two days will be announced in due course.

“Members of the university community are, hereby, advised to remain calm, safe and security conscious at all locations,” she said.

She said the management had put in place precautionary measures to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of staff on the three campuses of the university.

“Security is everybody’s business.

“All members of the university are, therefore, enjoined to go about their legitimate business and not hesitate to report anything or anyone suspicious on campus to the security unit.

“The university recognises the right of citizens to lawful and peaceful assembly.

“However, members of the institution, particularly staff and students, are implored to remain civil, orderly and responsible in their utterances and behaviour, offline and online,” she said.

The killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in an air strike in Tehran on Wednesday blamed on Israel has stunned the international community.

Israel has not commented on the death but many countries have warned that it could help turn the Gaza war into a regional conflict.

Here are some key reactions:

– Iran leader vows ‘harsh punishment’ –

Haniyeh had been in Tehran to attend the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “harsh punishment” for Israel.

“With this action, the criminal and terrorist Zionist regime prepared the ground for harsh punishment for itself, and we consider it our duty to seek revenge for his blood as he was martyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Khamenei said in a statement carried by the IRNA official news agency.

Pezeshkian said that Iran “will defend its territorial integrity, honour, pride and dignity, and make the terrorist invaders regret their cowardly action.”

– Palestinian president calls killing ‘cowardly’ –

Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas is a rival of Haniyeh but slammed the killing as “a cowardly act and a serious escalation,” his office said in a statement. “He urged our people and their forces to unite, remain patient, and stand firm against the Israeli occupation.”

– Qatar and Turkey warn of ‘chaos’ –

Haniyeh was based in Qatar, which has been a mediator in the Gaza conflict but also spent time in Turkey after going into exile. Qatar’s foreign ministry called the killing a “heinous crime” and “shameful assassination”.

The ministry said: “This assassination and the reckless Israeli behaviour of continuously targeting civilians in Gaza will lead to the region slipping into chaos and undermine the chances of peace.”

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned what he called the “perfidious assassination” of his “brother” Haniyeh.

“This shameful act aims to sabotage the Palestinian cause, the glorious Gazan resistance and our Palestinian brothers’ just fight, and to intimidate Palestinians,” Erdogan added in a social media post.

– US call for ceasefire –

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza war “is the enduring imperative” after the killing of Haniyeh. Germany stressed international calls for restraint to avoid “a regional conflagration”, with a foreign ministry spokesman saying: “The logic of tit-for-tat reprisals is the wrong path.”

– Russia and China condemn –

Haniyeh went to Moscow in September 2022 for talks on the Israel-Palestinian conflict while Hamas and rival Palestinian faction Fatah held talks in Beijing last week.

“It is a completely unacceptable political assassination, and this will lead to a further escalation of tensions,” Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency.

Konstantin Kosachev, the vice-president of Russia’s upper house Federation Council, predicted a “sudden escalation of mutual hatred” in the Middle East.

China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said: “We are highly concerned about the incident and firmly oppose and condemn the assassination.”

– Middle East shock –

The killing reverberated across the Middle East. Egypt’s foreign ministry said that Israel’s “dangerous escalation” in recent days “risks igniting a confrontation in the region that could yield to dire security consequences”. Iraq’s foreign ministry also called Haniyeh’s killing “a threat to security and stability in the region”. Oman also condemned the action.

– Hamas allies rally –

Hamas allies in the region rallied around the Palestinian militants.

“The martyrdom of leader Haniyeh… will increase the determination and stubbornness of the mujahideen resistance fighters on all resistance fronts… and will make their resolve stronger in confronting the Zionist enemy,” Lebanese militants Hezbollah, who are in a growing standoff with Israel, said in a statement.

The group described Haniyeh as “one of the great resistance leaders of our time who stood bravely against the American hegemony project and the Zionist occupation.”

“Targeting him is a heinous terrorist crime and a flagrant violation of laws and ideal values,” said Mohammed Ali al-Huthi, a political bureau member of Yemen’s Huthi rebels, who have staged rocket attacks on Israel. Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers called Haniyeh’s death “a great loss”.

A 29-year-old, Mizanmil Abubakar, has confessed that his hatred for his father pushed him to murder him.

The suspect committed the patricide in the Barin-Sale area of Minna, the capital of Niger State.

The Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed the details of the crime in a statement on July 30, 2024.

According to him, Kpakungu Police Division received information on July 29 at about 10 am, that a certain Abubakar Adawa, 65, was missing from his house in the Barkin-Sale area of Minna.

“Police operatives attached to the Division led by the DPO visited the house and invited Mizanmil Abubakar, 29, and Aisha Abubakar, mother and son, for interrogation,” he stated.

He explained that the whole compound was thoroughly searched, and surprisingly, the severed body of the missing person was discovered buried in a shallow grave within the compound.

The police PRO further disclosed that during interrogation, the son confessed to being responsible for the gruesome murder of his late father, saying he had great hatred for him.

He claimed to have used “a hoe to kill and severe the victim into parts before he buried him in a shallow grave within the compound.”

The police spokesperson said that the preliminary investigation is still ongoing and the suspect will soon be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Minna, for further investigation and diligent prosecution.

Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in Tehran, Iranian state media, Press TV reported on Wednesday, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Haniyeh was the exiled political chief of the militant group and had spent much of his time in recent years in Qatar.

He had acted as a negotiator in the ceasefire talks and liaised with Hamas’s main ally, Iran, during the Israel-Gaza war.

A statement issued shortly after by Hamas said Haniyeh was killed alongside his bodyguard in a “Zionist raid” on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new Iranian president.

CNN reports that it is not clear when Haniyeh was killed, adding that it has reached out to the Israeli military for comment on Hamas’ claim.

Israeli airstrikes also killed three of Haniyeh’s sons and four of his grandchildren in April, according to Hamas.