The Armed Forces of Nigeria says it’s synergy both land and air components with other security agencies and local collaborators is achieving the desired results in crushing armed bandits, terrorsits and other criminals across the country.
Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche has equally assured that the issue of insecurity in Nigeria will soon be a thing of the past
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on other political parties to take the place of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the main opposition in Nigeria.
APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, made the call in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
He said it was not a surprise that those he described as progressive-minded members of the PDP were defecting from the opposition party to the ruling party.
“For a party unable to run its secretariat, pay staff salaries, and its leadership grappling with a crisis of confidence, it will be unfair to expect its progressive-minded members to remain in the PDP which has failed woefully as the supposed ‘main’ opposition party in Nigeria,” he claimed.
The APC spokesman added, “It is disheartening that the PDP is pushing Nigeria into a largely one-party state. As a party that believes in democracy and progressive politics, the APC does not subscribe to this.
“We, therefore, challenge other opposition political parties to take the place of the PDP because even as the governing party, we recognise the importance of rigorous and intelligent interrogation of our policies and programmes by the opposition which the PDP has woefully failed to do.”
Nabena noted the recent defection of Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, as well as the lawmaker representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Senator Elisha Abbo, from the PDP to the APC.
According to him, this is in addition to the earlier return of many prominent party members and leaders such as a former PDP National Chairman, Senator Barnabas Gemade; a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and former governorship candidate, Alex Otti, among others.
The APC spokesman stated that the party was delighted with the development, saying the returnees have come to work with the present administration to improve the lives of Nigerians.
He added the effort of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to reposition the party by accommodating all interests and ensuring peace, unity, fairness, equity, justice, inclusion, and internal democracy was appreciated.
“The Governor Mai Mala Buni-led CECPC is working assiduously and has achieved great success in ensuring that the party is repositioned, united, and conducts the planned membership registration, update, and revalidation exercise to produce a clean, credible and authentic national membership register, ahead of the planned National Convention,” Nabena said.
He alleged, “For now, the PDP and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who has begun early 2023 campaign on the PDP’s presidential candidature he is poised to purchase, are engrossed with their Dubai meetings to plot their hallucinatory return to ensure their bid to sell off the remainder of our national assets.
“Nigerians are wiser.”
The operatives of Department of State Services DSS, Katsina State Command, have arrested a couple, Usman Shehu and his wife Aisha Abubakar of Rimi Local Government Area, conveying large cache of ammunitions to the state metropolis.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, John Enenche, made the disclosure on Thursday during the weekly briefing on military operations.
According to him, the suspects were intercepted at Abukur village 14 magazines, 61 rounds of 9.6mm caliber ammunition and 399 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
He said: “In another feat recorded on 22 November 2020, operatives of Department of State Service, Katsina State Command arrested a couple Usman Shehu and his wife Aisha Abubakar of Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
“The suspects were intercepted at Abukur village conveying large cache of ammunitions to Katsina Metropolis including 14 magazines, 61 rounds of 9.6mm caliber ammunition and 399 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has lamented over the lingering insecurity in the Northern part of the country, saying that bandits now go into houses to kidnap people.
Mr Abubakar, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, made the lamentation on Thursday during the 4th quarter 2020 meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, in Abuja.
The Sultan said: “How much an onion costs in Nigeria today is an insight into the current economic hardship in the country.
“We do not lack recommendations and solutions to our problems. What we lack is the sense of purpose.”
Argentine football legend Diego Maradona will be buried Thursday on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, a spokesman said.
Maradona, who died of a heart attack Wednesday at the age of 60, will be laid to rest in the Jardin de Paz cemetery, where his parents were also buried, Sebastian Sanchi told AFP.
Maradona, one of the greatest footballers of all time, died on Wednesday, November 26 at the age of 60, plunging his sport and his native Argentina into mourning.
Renowned along with Pele as one of the greatest players ever to play the game, the Argentine World Cup-winning captain died of a heart attack, having undergone brain surgery earlier this month, a member of his entourage told AFP.
Maradona will forever be known for his “Hand of god” goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico when he appeared to use his hand to push the ball into the net before later swerving through the English defenders for a memorable second goal that sealed the victory.
Pele said Maradona had been a “dear friend” and said he hoped they would “play together in the sky” one day.
Gary Lineker, who was in the England team defeated in 1986, tweeted that Maradona was “arguably the greatest of all time” but made a reference to that infamous goal by adding: “After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully, he’ll finally find some comfort in the hands of God. #RipDiego”
Lionel Messi, the Argentine considered one of the world’s greatest modern-day players, said Maradona was “eternal”.
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez immediately announced three days of national mourning in the South American country.
***Upscale synergy with other security agencies, local collaborators
The Armed Forces of Nigeria says it’s synergy both land and air components with other security agencies and local collaborators is achieving the desired results in crushing the menace of armed banditry and other forms of violent crimes across the country.
Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche disclosed this Thursday while briefing newsmen on the operational activities of the Armed Forces at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
General Enenche noted that the upscale in clearance operations is in line with the Presidential Directive to end all forms of insurgency and banditry within the shortest possible time.
The full text of the briefing reads below;
In line with our weekly schedule, this morning I will be briefing you on operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in conjunction with other security agencies across the Country from 19 to 25 November 2020. The various operations have progressed satisfactorily with significant results.
NORTH-WEST ZONE
Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI and other subsidiary operations have sustained various aggressive operations in the North-West zone of the country with tremendous successes. The gallant troops within the period carried out series of raids, aerial, ambushes, clearance operations and confidence building patrols.
Notably, on 21 November 2020, troops of Operation ACCORD while on covert operation at Galadi village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State neutralized 2 bandits and recovered 2 AK 47 rifles. In another development, still on same 21 November 2020, troops while on routine patrol at Gobirawa village made contact with armed bandits. During the encounter, 6 bandits were neutralized while 4 AK 47 rifles, 3 Dane guns and 2 motorcycles were recovered. In the same vein, following credible intelligence on activities of illegal miners at Kadauri general area in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, troops swiftly mobilized to the scene and apprehended 11 suspected illegal miners. The suspects have been handed over to the appropriate prosecuting authority for further action.
Additionally, troops of Forward Operating Base Kwatarkwashi arrested one Shafiu Suleman, a wanted bandit’s informant at Kwatarkwashi Market. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was the mastermind of recent kidnapping of some Locals within Kwatarkwashi district of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Furthermore, following distress call on presence of suspected bandits at Gidan Ruwa along Rukudawa axis of Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State on 22 November 2020, troops swiftly responded and pursued the bandits as they fled on sighting the approaching troops. However, one bandit was neutralized, while one AK 47 rifle and one magazine loaded with 29 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition were recovered. Equally, 2 bandits were arrested in the process. In another feat recorded on 22 November 2020, operatives of Department of State Service, Katsina State Command arrested a couple Usman Shehu and his wife Aisha Abubakar of Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State. The suspects were intercepted at Abukur village conveying large cache of ammunitions to Katsina Metropolis including 14 magazines, 61 rounds of 9.6mm caliber ammunition and 399 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
Similarly, between 23 and 25 November 2020, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI arrested several bandits’ collaborators in Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States. Notably, on 23 November 2020, following credible Human intelligence, troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Dankurmi District of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State arrested one Tasiu Shehu. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect has been supplying bandits with logistics. Relatedly, on 24 November 2020, following credible intelligence on movement of cattle rustlers, troops swiftly moblised to the area and successfully arrested 3 suspects and 300 cattle. The suspects are currently in custody for necessary action. Equally, still on same 24 November 2020, following credible information, 2 suspected bandits’ collaborators were apprehended at Tsayau village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State by the gallant troops of Forward Operating Base Gurbin Baure. The suspects are currently in custody for further action.
Meanwhile, within the period in focus, the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI neutralized 82 armed bandits in air interdiction missions executed at Birnin Kogo Forest in Katsina State and Ajjah Forest in Zamfara State. Both air strikes were carried out on 23 November 2020, sequel to credible Human Intelligence reports as well as aerial surveillance missions that led to the identification of the 2 forest hideouts, which housed scores of the armed bandits along with hundreds of rustled cattle. The Nigerian Air Force fighter jets and helicopter gunships dispatched by the Air Component to attack the 2 locations took turns in engaging the target areas, scoring accurate hits on the caves, used by the armed bandits to shield themselves from air strikes. This is in addition to 17 armed bandits that were earlier neutralized at Dunya Forest area of Katsina State. This was achieved through air strikes executed on the heels of credible Human Intelligence reports and confirmatory surveillance missions indicating that dozens of Ansaru terrorist group-linked armed bandits had established a camp at the location, which also housed scores of rustled cattle.
The gallant troops have continued to dominate the general area kinetically, to deny bandits freedom of action. Thus, the locals are requested to continue to cooperate with the security agencies and provide necessary information that will be useful to our collective objective of eradicating criminality from the zone.
NORTH EAST ZONE
In continuation of our efforts in the fight against terrorism in the North-East zone, several land and air operations were conducted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies with significant results. During the period, troops recorded laudable successes in both land and air operations. Between 19 and 25 November 2020, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE maintained their usual aggressive and responsive postures throughout the North East theatre of operation. The operations include; aggressive fighting patrols, clearance/ambush operations and artillery bombardments as well as comprehensive air operations involving aerial surveillance and air interdiction missions as well as decisive air strikes. These operations resulted in the neutralization of scores of the terrorists in various locations, rescue of kidnapped victims, destruction of terrorists’ enclaves and recovery of arms and ammunition from the terrorists.
Notably, on 19 November 2020, own troops acted swiftly on the heels of credible intelligence to intercept terrorists who were on the verge of receiving a Two Million Naira ransom from relatives of their kidnapped victims. The gallant troops with superior firepower engaged and overwhelmed the criminal elements that eventually aborted the collection of the Two Million Naira ransom and abandoned the victims; including 2 women and 3 children. During the encounter, troops neutralized one terrorist, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and a motorcycle from the terrorists.
In another development, on same day, troops on aggressive fighting patrol in the general area of Zaye Ngusa in Borno State neutralized one terrorist as others fled with various degrees of gunshot wounds. Similarly, in well-coordinated ambush operations conducted by troops at Pulka – Sabon Gari – Kirawa road intercepted BHT criminal elements’ logistics convoy. The superior firepower of the gallant troops forced the criminals to abandon their consignment consisting 8 bicycles, several bags of grains, assorted packets of drugs and other food items.
Meanwhile, the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has not relented in its efforts to rid the North East zone of BHT/ISWAP criminal elements. During the period in focus, the Air Task Force maintained the tempo in its role of dominating the airspace with appropriate Nigerian Air Force fighter jets and helicopter gunships. The Air Task Force conducted series of aerial surveillance missions and offensive air strikes on terrorists’ enclaves as well as provided appropriate air support to ground troops. On 22 November 2020, the Air Task Force knocked out an ISWAP logistics base and neutralized several of their fighters at Tumbun Rego in Borno State. This feat was achieved through air strikes executed on the heels of credible intelligence reports, indicating that the location, with its makeshift structures camouflaged under dense vegetation, was being used by the terrorists as a hub for their logistics items conveyed via the Lake and its tributaries for onward transportation using trucks and motorcycles.
The troops are hereby encouraged by Military High Command to build on the successes. The general public is equally assured of the determination of the High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to stamp out the criminal elements from the North East zone.
NORTH-CENTRAL ZONE
In continuation of intensive kinetic operations against armed bandits and other criminals in the North Central zone, troops of Operations SAFE HAVEN and WHIRL STROKE conducted raids at identified criminals’ hideouts successfully. Notably on 19 November 2020, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE raided a criminals’ hideout of armed militias at Tor Donga in Katsina – Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. During the raid, 3 bandits were neutralized with several others fatally injured. One locally made pistol was also recovered during the operation.
In a related development, following an upsurge of cultist-related activities in Jos metropolis, troops of operation SAFE HAVEN, between 19 and 23 November 2020, raided several suspected cultists’ hideouts at Jenta Adamu, Rukuba road and West of Mines in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, and the Amusement/Wildlife parks in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. These meticulously executed raid operations resulted in the arrest of 36 suspects (including some suspected illegal miners) and the recovery of one locally fabricated pistol, 5 wooden saw blades, and a large amount of substances suspected to Cannabis Sativa, amongst other items.
Furthermore, on 23 November 2020, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN, acting on a tip-off arrested a notorious bandit, one Mallam Usaini Mohammed who was recuperating at Mainasara clinic in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. The suspect fled with gunshot wounds following an encounter with troops during a foiled armed robbery at Saminaka earlier in July 2020. A similar tip-off also led to the arrest of another group of 3 armed robbers at their hideout at Dogo village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on same day.
SOUTH-SOUTH ZONE
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have sustained the fight against economic sabotage in the zone successfully. Within the period in focus, Forward Operating Base IBAKA gunboats while on routine patrol around Ikang waterways, intercepted and arrested one medium size wooden boat laden with 30 drums of 300 litres of product suspected to be PMS with 2 suspects, two 40 HP outboard engines and 2 pumping machines. Items and suspects are currently in troop’s custody to be handed over to the relevant security agency.
Additionally, Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH in conjunction with SECTOR 2, Operation DELTA SAFE carried out a dawn operation on 21 November 2020 around Gbaran Community. In the course of the operation, 2 armed pirates, one with an AK 47 and the other with a pump action rifle were sighted as they tried engaging own personnel while escaping. However, one of the pirates was neutralized while the one with AK 47 sustained gunshot wounds and jumped into the river. A further search led to the discovery of 2 more locally made guns and cartridges in the apartment where the pirates reside.
Meanwhile, Operations CALM WATERS II and SWIFT RESPONSE have continued to record more successes. Within the period under review, about 774 bags of 50kg of foreign parboiled rice as well as 2 suspects were arrested and handed over to Nigerian Customs Service. A wooden boat laden with 11,375 litres of PMS was also intercepted.
Overall, the Military High Command encourages the troops and personnel of other security agencies to remain resolute and sustain the tempo in all the theatres of operation. The Military High Command also reassures the general public of its unwavering dedication to securing the country for all human activities to strive. Members of the general public are enjoined to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the nearest military and other security agencies location for prompt and effective action. Thank you.
The Senator representing Adamawa North, Elisha Abbo, has defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan announced Mr Abbo’s defection in a letter he read during Wednesday’s plenary session.
In the letter, Mr Abbo explained that his decision to defect to the APC is because of the mismanagement of the PDP in Adamawa State by Governor Umaru Fintiri.
Senator Ishaku Abbo’s letter titled, ” Movement of God’s People from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC, read, “I write to formally inform you Sir, the Senate and indeed Nigerians of my defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This is as a result of the mismanagement of the PDP by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in Adamawa State which led to the crisis in the party that in turn led to the polarization of the party in the state (PDP and rPDP). “Today I join the APC and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhamadu Buhari to build the Nigeria of our dreams.
“The journey may be long, but we are on the right track as I strongly believe that by the end of the tenure of Mr President, Nigeria will be a better place.
“My Senate President Sir, it is worthy of note that in the history of Nigeria’s Nascent democracy, specifically from 1999 till date, no President has paid attention to the welfare of Nigerian Citizens like President Muhamadu Buhari as it is evident in packages such as:i. Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT); ii. Homegrown School Feeding Program (HGFP); iii. Trader Money; iv. Market Money; v. Farmers’ Money; vi. nPower; vii. Special Public Works Programme, currently employing 1000 persons from each of the 774 local Government Areas; viii. National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA): Buhari Young Farmer’s Network; ix. Artisans and Transportation Grants; x. Guaranteed Off-take Scheme; xi. CAC Business Formalization Scheme; xii. Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Grants among others.
“Thus, in living up to the expectation of the good people of Adamawa North Senatorial District, I hereby defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with effect from today being Wednesday, the 25th day of November, 2020. “Accept Distinguished SP Sir, the assurances of my highest regards.”
The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has faulted the plan by the state government to demolish Ikokwu Market for the construction of the seventh flyover in the state capital, which would traverse Azikiwe Street to Ikokwu Market area in Mile 2 Diobu, Port Harcourt.
The opposition party in the state pointed out that such a move would destabilise the traders at the spare parts market.
The party in a statement by the spokesman, Ogbonna Nwuke, said appropriate steps were not being taken to relocate the traders.
The statement read in part, “In our view, these traders should be given a little time to move to alternative places. We are aware that the government has offered a spot at Iriebe to the traders. How ready is the place in terms of security and the provision of other infrastructure required to receive the embattled traders?
“We have a lot of regard for all those who are struggling to earn a living. They contribute to our GDP as a nation and take care of the family unit which is the bedrock of any country.
No fewer than 67 bandits, armed with very high calibre weapons, including Anti-Aircraft (AA) Guns, have been crushed and several others injured in air interdiction missions executed by the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI at Birnin Kogo Forest in Katsina State.
In the same vein, about 15 armed bandits were eliminated in air strikes conducted by the Air Component at Ajjah Forest in Zamfara State.
In a statement by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations Major General John Enenche, both air strikes were carried out on 23 November 2020, sequel to credible Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports as well as aerial surveillance missions that led to the identification of the 2 forest hideouts, which housed scores of the armed bandits along with hundreds of rustled cattle.
”The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships dispatched by the Air Component to attack the 2 locations took turns in engaging the target areas, scoring accurate hits on the caves, which are used by the armed bandits to shield themselves from air strikes.
He on behalf of the Military High Command commended the troops and other security agencies operating in the North West zone for their professionalism and urged them to remain resolute in order to eradicate all armed bandits.
He further called on members of the public within the affected areas to promptly report any persons with suspicious injuries to the nearest security or law enforcement agency post.
