Belgian Teens arrested in Kenya with 5,000 Smuggled Ants

 

Two Belgian teenagers have been charged with wildlife piracy in Kenya after authorities found them in possession of 5,000 live ants packed in test tubes — a case that officials say highlights a growing trend in trafficking lesser-known species.

Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, both 19, were arrested on April 5 at a guest house in Nakuru County. During their court appearance at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Law Courts in Nairobi, the visibly distressed teens were consoled by relatives. They claimed they were collecting the ants "for fun" and were unaware that their actions were illegal.

Authorities said the ants, including the species Messor cephalotes — a large, red harvester ant native to East Africa — were being smuggled to international markets where they are sold as exotic pets.

In a separate but related case, Kenyan national Dennis Ng’ang’a and Vietnamese national Duh Hung Nguyen were also charged with illegal possession and trafficking of 400 ants found in their Nairobi apartments.

According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the cases mark a shift from the traditional trafficking of large, iconic species such as elephants and rhinos to smaller, ecologically important creatures. KWS warned that the illegal export of ants undermines Kenya’s biodiversity and deprives local communities and research institutions of ecological and economic benefits.

"The export of these ants not only violates Kenya's sovereign rights over its natural resources but also threatens ecological balance," KWS said in a statement.

The 5,000 ants were discovered in 2,244 test tubes stuffed with cotton wool, which allowed them to survive long periods during transportation. Kenyan authorities estimated the total value of the insects at 1 million Kenyan shillings (approximately $7,700), though prices vary based on species and destination.

Philip Muruthi, Vice President for Conservation at the African Wildlife Foundation, emphasized the ecological role ants play in maintaining healthy environments.

"Ants enrich soils, aid seed germination, and serve as food for various species such as birds," he said. "When you see a thriving forest like Ngong, it’s not just the trees — it's the relationships between organisms, from bacteria to ants to larger animals.”

Muruthi also cautioned that smuggling insects across borders risks introducing diseases that could damage ecosystems and agricultural industries in importing countries.

“Even if there is trade, it should be regulated. No one should be taking our resources without consent or control,” he added.

18-year-old Nigerian-American girl accepted into Harvard, Yale and four other Ivy League universities

18-year-old daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Osariemen Unuigbe, has been accepted into six Ivy League universities in the United States, including Harvard and Yale. 

Unuigbe, the daughter of Dr. Augustine Unuigbe and Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Unuigbe, from Edo State, attributed the recognition to her dedication and excellent academic record.

"We are elated, surprised, but absolutely delighted. We can only give all the glory to God for this great miracle,” her family remarked.

Unuigbe, who is currently a senior at Egg Harbor Township High School in New Jersey, boasts a strong academic background and an unwavering commitment to advanced studies.

She was also accepted into the highly selective Governor’s School of New Jersey and has held several leadership positions. 

Beyond the classrooms, she plays lacrosse and has a passion for dancing, painting, and drawing.

In recognition of her achievements, she has been selected as a 2025 “Rising to the Top” scholar by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Southern New Jersey Chapter.

According to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, enrollment of Nigerian students at U.S. colleges and universities rose to 20,029 in the 2023/2024 academic year, marking a 13.5 per cent increase from previous years. 

“Nigerian students bring a wealth of diversity, perspective, and academic excellence to U.S. campuses, enriching the educational experience for all,” the report stated. 

Army denies targeting Igbos in troop deployments as it decries low enlistment from south-east

 

The Nigerian Army has expressed concern over the low participation of south-east youths in its ongoing recruitment exercise, warning that the region risks losing out on its rightful representation within the military.

Speaking during a town hall meeting in Enugu, Chima Ekeator, leader of the 2025 army recruitment enlightenment team, said the south-east was gradually being underrepresented due to poor application rates.

“Our people are losing what rightly belongs to them. Each year, whenever a slot is being allocated to our people, we keep noticing that the number of applicants from our side is usually very poor,” Ekeator said.

He cited Enugu State as an example, stating that although the state had about 200 recruitment slots this year, fewer than 100 applications were received.

“Take, for example, Enugu State was given about 200 slots, but the people who made it were never up to 100 due to poor application. This has also become a recurring decimal in other states in the south-east.”

Ekeator urged youths in the region to take advantage of the recruitment window and fill their quotas, pointing out that other states were recording significantly higher interest. He revealed that Kaduna State had already received over 3,000 applications.

“Today’s statistics on the number of applicants show that Kaduna has about 3,000 applicants, while Enugu is still battling with about a hundred; and by the time we will be through with screening, you will not have enough to recruit from the state,” he said.

He also dismissed widespread rumours suggesting that Igbo recruits were deliberately sent to dangerous battlefronts, resulting in higher casualties among them. According to him, these claims are unfounded.

“There are a lot of falsehoods out there stating that the Igbo are being killed because they are the first to be sent to the battlefield. These things are not true. After all, we that are here have risen high in the Army, and we are telling you that they are lies.”

Ekeator highlighted that individuals from the south-east hold key positions in the Nigerian Army. “Today in the Nigerian Army, our brother is one of the top commanders in charge of equipment. His name is Chibueze Ogbuabor,” he said.