Television Nigerian

Covid-19: Defence Industries unveil PPEs, digital ventilator, other medical equipment

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April 21, 2020

Covid-19: Defence Industries unveil PPEs, digital ventilator, other medical equipment

The Defence Industries Corporation Nigeria has initiated and produced locally made medical equipment meant to control and contain the spread of the ravaging novel global COVID-19 pandemic.

The equipment include, digital mechanical and rechargeable ventilator, face masks, 1500 dozens of DICSanz (hand sanitizers) ,amongst others to serve Nigerians for the protection and treatment of the satanic monster that is inflicting a devastating effect on Nigerians and its economy.

The locally produced digital mechanical ventilator also known as DICOVENT which was designed and manufactured by DICON engineers, consultants and medical team. The newly designed low-cost machine is a simple mechanical ventilator that can deliver positive pressured ventilation using a volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) system.
The ventilator can be recharged using any electrical power supply.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, (DMOs) DHQ, Maj. Gen. John Enenche during the unveiling of the products in Abuja.

Gen. Enenche explained that, this wonderful, pragmatic and unprecedented feat by the DICON that is result oriented was in response to the directive given by the Chief of Defence Staff directing the DICON to come up with intervention measures that will help contain, treat and curtail the spread of the virus in the country.

Gen. Enenche speaks.. “the devastating pandemic of COVID 19 has brought a lot of hardship, agony and pains across the globe. The national response to the fight against this virus is not without challenges, ranging from a thorough understanding of the disease to the astronomically high demand for personal protective equipment, mechanical ventilators and other materials to manage the Pandemic.

“Therefore, in response to the CDS directive to the Armed Forces to articulate strategic intervention to support the FGN fight against the COVID 19 Pandemic, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has taken the lead among others, to provide a local content driven response to address the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Nigeria.

“Additional to its primary responsibility to produce defence equipment, DICON has succeeded in diversifying its human, equipment, machinery as well as research and development capacity, to support a much-needed strategic intervention to cushion the effects of the highly dreaded COVID 19 in the country.

“Consequently, DICON, under the visionary leadership and result oriented leadership of Maj. Gen. Victor Ezugwu, has mobilized its management and staff to research, develop, produce and produce several COVID-19 essential and life saving equipment.
First is the production of over 1500 dozens of DICSanz, a high-quality hand sanitizer produced under very strict environmental conditions, requested by the COAS Lt Gen TY Buratai for supply to troops of the Nigerian Army. This product is at the last stage of NAFDAC registration in line with extant due diligence provisions”. He stated.

The Coordinator also added that, the DICON has also produced thousands of high quality non permeable Personal Protective Equipment kit each comprising of standardized gowns, face shield and nose for the medics also in response to another directive by the Honorable Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd). which stated the need for the Armed Forces supporting , DICON has responded to the directive by Honorable Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd) to be used by Kaduna State Government and other national stakeholders.

He however expressed hope that wonderful innovative interventions by the institutions of all components of military including Nigerian Defence Academy have given bright hope that Nigeria can win fight against Covid-19.

He maintained that the production of those equipments by DICON was properly assessed, commended and approved by the relevant authorities.

He therefore urged all the stakeholders including the federal and state governments to support and patronise DICON and other military institutions on its effort to stop the spread of the virus

The CDS has therefore directed all the Armed Forces to liase with DICON for mass production of all prototypes of COVID-19 PPEs for national application.

Female Immigration officers face sack over viral ‘Bop Daddy’ video challenge

Entertainment

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April 21, 2020

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Female Immigration officers face sack over viral ‘Bop Daddy’ video challenge

Three female Nigerian Immigration officers are to face disciplinary action after the service concluded that a video they featured in constituted misconduct.

Priscilla Irabor, Catherine Bakura and Blessing Udida were queried last week and asked to report at the service headquarters for flouting personnel guidelines. Five women appeared in the video, but only three were immediately identified and queried in documents posted online.

The women had recorded a video in which they used ‘Bop Daddy’, a recent song by Falz, to change themselves from their immigration uniform to casual outfit which they felt better projected their beauty.

A host of Nigerian women had been using the video to transform from a seemingly awkward look to a gorgeous outfit. Some men also made similar videos to relish the trend, which started when Falz released the video early last month.

A similar video uploaded on YouTube showed American service members changing their outfits while a soundtrack “don’t rush” played in the background, but there was no news they faced any disciplinary action.

But the Nigerian immigration women violated public service rules against immoral behaviour, sabotage and any other act unbecoming of a public officer, according to a query dated April 15, 2020.

“To state the obvious, your act has caused a lot of embarrassment to the NIS and in line with our standard as a paramilitary organization is considered scandalous,” the query from the comptroller-general’s office said, adding that the women violated public service rules 030301 and 030402, which deal with immoral behaviour and sabotage, respectively.

“This is serious misconduct liable to dismissal from service,” it added.

The query was preceded by a summon that was sent to the women’s respective departments from the comptroller-general’s office, in which they were asked to report at the human resources manager immediately.

Both the query and summon letters were first posted on Twitter Monday afternoon by a user, @Dondekojo, who did not disclose additional details.

The video was first posted on a WhatsApp group of immigration officers three weeks ago, but it did not cause trouble until it was forwarded to the service’s main WhatsApp group where the comptroller-general, Muhammed Babandede, saw it, sources said.

The video did not seem to have gained any traction on mainstream social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Many social media users interviewed by PREMIUM TIMES said they were unaware of the until its fallout began trending on social media shortly after @dondekojo’s post.

One of the women was attached to the Immigration office in Ikoyi, Lagos, while the other two were based at the headquarters in Abuja, sources said. The sources pleaded anonymity to avoid being punished for making unauthorised disclosures to the media.

Other than the public service rules that apply generally to most federal agencies, it was unclear whether the immigration has specific rules on personnel conduct on social media.

The Defence Headquarters has a stringent social media guideline for active service members, which had been applied against hundreds of errant personnel of the armed forces. The immigration, although considered a paramilitary group, is not part of the armed forces.

But some commentators said it was inappropriate to throw away beret or use uniform to perform casual video shoot for online audience.

Protest erupts in US over COVID-19

Covid-19

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April 21, 2020

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Hundreds protested in cities across America against coronavirus-related lockdowns — with encouragement from President Donald Trump — as resentment grows against the crippling economic cost of confinement.
An estimated 400 people gathered under cold rain in Concord, New Hampshire — many on foot while others remained in their cars — to send a message that extended quarantines were not necessary in a state with relatively few confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The crowd included several armed men wearing military-style uniforms, with their faces covered.

In Texas, more than 250 people rallied outside the State Capitol in Austin, including far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, founder of the Infowars site, who rolled up in a tank-like truck.

“It’s time to reopen Texas, it’s time to let people work, it’s time for them to let voluntary interaction and good sense rule the day, not government force,” said Justin Greiss, an activist with Young Americans for Liberty.

Stay-at-home mother Amira Abuzeid added: “I’m not a doctor but I’m an intelligent person who can do math and it looks like at the end of the day, these numbers are not that worrisome.”

Few if any observed social distancing recommendations.

Demonstrators outside Maryland’s colonial-era statehouse in Annapolis stayed in their cars but waved signs with messages like “Poverty kills too.”

Dolores, a hairdresser, told AFP she is not eligible for unemployment because she is a business owner, not an employee.

“I need to save my business. I need to work to live. Otherwise, I will die,” she said.

Other demonstrations took place across the country in cities such as Columbus, Ohio and San Diego, California, as well as the states of Indiana, Nevada and Wisconsin.

Few practiced social distancing but many of the protesters waved American flags.

– ‘Live Free or Die’ –
Protesters have drawn encouragement in certain Democratic-led states from tweets by Trump, who has said he favors a quick return to normal, though protests have also taken place in Republican-led states like New Hampshire and Texas.

The US has seen more coronavirus cases and deaths than any other country in the world — with more than 734,000 confirmed infections and 38,800 fatalities as of Saturday evening.

The vast majority of Americans are under lockdown orders restricting public movement and keeping all but essential businesses closed.

In Concord, demonstrators carried signs with slogans like “The numbers lie” and “Reopen New Hampshire.”

Their common demand was that the stay-at-home order for the state of 1.3 million people be called off before its scheduled May 4 end date.

Others, amid a sea of American flags, chanted the state’s Revolutionary War-era slogan, “Live Free or Die.”

“People are very happy on a voluntary basis to do what’s necessary,” one demonstrator, 63-year-old Skip Murphy, told AFP by phone.

He added, however, that “the data does not support the egregious lockdown we are having in New Hampshire.”

As of early Friday, New Hampshire had reported 1,287 confirmed coronavirus cases and 37 deaths.

– ‘Free country’ –
“All over the country, a lot of people are saying, ‘We will do our part, but at the same time, this is supposed to be a free country,’” Murphy said.

“When that gets transgressed, people start to say, ‘Wait a minute, this is wrong.’”

Most Americans — by a two-to-one margin — actually worry about virus restrictions being lifted too soon, not too late, a recent Pew survey found.

But demonstrators found encouragement Friday from the president, who in a series of tweets called to “LIBERATE” Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia — all states with Democratic governors — from stay-at-home orders.

Trump has repeatedly called for the earliest possible return to normality as virus-related closings have had a crushing impact on American workers and businesses.

“I really think some of the governors have gotten carried away,” Trump said at a White House news conference on Saturday.

He welcomed the reopening of some businesses in Texas and Vermont on Monday “while still requiring appropriate social distancing precautions.”

The largest protest against stay-at-home rules so far took place Wednesday in the Michigan capital of Lansing, which drew some 3,000 people.

Murphy said he had voted for Trump, but insisted his motives were not partisan. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu is a Republican, he noted.

“This has nothing to do with Trump or the Democratic and Republican governors,” Murphy said.

“It is a case of one size not fitting all — the lockdown should cease where it does not make sense.”

Deceased COVID-19 aid worker has no travel history beyond Borno state -UN

Covid-19

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April 21, 2020

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Deceased COVID-19 aid worker has no travel history beyond Borno state -UN

The Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon; has said
that the health aid worker that contracted coronavirus disease
(COVID-19) had no travel history outside Borno state before his death
last Saturday.
According to him, the health worker was devoting his life to treating
vulnerable Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who lost everything
during decade long Boko Haram insurgency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe
states.
Kallon in a statement Monday in Maiduguri, lamented that; “I am very
saddened to confirm the death of 56-year old health aid worker who had
contracted coronavirus disease.
“Our sincerest condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues
who are all deeply affected by the loss.”
According to him, the deceased health aid worker made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Aid organisations, led by World Health Organisation (WHO), are
working closely with National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Borno
state government, Federal Ministries of Health and Humanitarian
Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, to trace anyone
whom the nurse may have been in contact with in Borno,” he said.
He said they are also to bolster measures to prevent the spread of the
virus and protect IDPs and host communities in the state.
Kallon assured that all actors are doing their utmost to reinforce
protection and prevention measures against COVID-19.
Preventive measures, the said that aid workers are following NCDC
guidance and all staff that arrived from abroad before the airport
shut down has gone into self-isolation.
Humanitarian actors, according to him, have adapted their way of
working to prevent the spread of the virus by setting up quarantine
facilities across the state.
While supporting the state government, he said: “The quarantine
facilities are set up at all entry points of Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
“A COVID-19 treatment facility and a testing laboratory have been
established in Maiduguri and a second treatment facility is being
developed,” he said; noting that hand-washing stations had been
installed with supply of clean water in IDP camps and communities.
He said that soap and chlorinated solution, were provided; where water
is not available.
He added that functional health facilities are scarce; with three
million people urgently need food assistance.
Nearly 8 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian aid in the
conflict-affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, with many
depending on assistance to survive.
Functional health facilities, especially in remote locations in Borno
State, are scarce and over 3 million people urgently need food
assistance. With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting many areas in
Nigeria, it is essential for the most vulnerable to continue receiving
humanitarian aid, including water and soap or substitute solutions.

Troops kill 13 terrorists, capture 2 gun trucks in a failed attempt to attack Geidam

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April 20, 2020

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Troops kill 13 terrorists, capture 2 gun trucks in a failed attempt to attack Geidam

Thirteen terrorists have been killed after troops of 159 Battalion in Sector 2 in conjunction with the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE on Monday intercepted and engaged some elements of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists who attempted to attack Geidam town, of Yobe State following a heavy exchange of fire.

The terrorists who succumbed to superior fire power from the troops were forced to retreat, scampered in disarray into different locations and within surrounding bushes while troops continue in pursuit of the fleeing terrorists.

Items recovered during the encounter include; two gun trucks with DUSHKHA Guns and Six AK 47 rifles.

According to the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche: ”The terrorists have been subdued while the situation in Geidam town and environs has been normalized and troops are currently on a follow up/exploitation operation”.

He added that there was no casualty or loss of equipment on the part of the troops.

Nigerian Army’s successes over Boko Haram have sent foreign agents, fake activists into coma, says CAFA

Defence

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April 20, 2020

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Nigerian Army’s successes over Boko Haram have sent foreign agents, fake activists into coma, says CAFA

The Citizens Against Fake Activists (CAFA) believes the Nigerian Army’s recent victory over Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Yobe State has sent fake activists in the country as well as their collaborators outside the shores into a prolonged state of deep unconsciousness.

CAFA said this is apparent as these so-called social crusaders and their international allies have suddenly gone AWOL and lost their voices following the troops’ clearance operation in Buni Gari that left over 150 insurgents dead.

The Nigerian Army, led by Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has received massive adulation from all and sundry for turning the tides in its final clearance operation in the Northeast.

The COAS’ decision to relocate fully to the Theatre of Operations until the fleeing terrorists are flushed out has endeared him further to Nigerians but even more importantly, the international community.

However, some activists, with a long history of criticising the troops, have bizarrely turned blind eyes and dumb, failing to acknowledge this latest feat.

In a statement signed by the Interim Secretary General, Abu David, on Monday, CAFA said it had waited for over 24 hours to see if these activists would at least react.

The group, however, concluded that the likes of Oby Ezekwesili, Ahmad Salkida, Omoyele Sowore, Aisha Yesufu and Deji Adeyanju are in mourning at the moment as the Army’s feat spoilt their livelihoods.

CAFA, therefore, called on Nigerians to condemn this nauseating hypocrisy of mischievous elements who only celebrate when they perceive the country is losing in the anti-terrorism war and become mute when there’s a win.

The anti-fake terrorists group advised these questionable Nigerians to have a rethink and repent as the country belongs to everyone and it is only wise that citizens come together to build the Nigeria of our dreams.

Read full statement below:

The Citizens Against Fake Activists (CAFA) has waited for over 24 hours after the Nigerian Army carried out decisive attacks that has killed over 105 Boko Harm/Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists to see the kind of treatment the compromised activists in the country and their collaborating international media circuit will give to the event.

Not surprisingly, the gang of compromised activists and the international media have maintained a loud silence on the neutralization of these terrorists, which has now confirmed that the activism of these identified saboteurs has more to do with the monetary gains they can make off other people’s suffering than a zeal to improve the country.

CAFA noted that the lack of comments more than 24 hours after the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists met their waterloo is sharply at variance with the timeframe within which the so-called activists usually issue statements and troll from their social media accounts whenever the military recorded any kind of casualty in the anti-terrorism war.

Nigerians should at this time no longer be in doubt that the feeble condemnation that these activists usually direct at the military is in reality a commendation of terrorists hence their inability to properly recognize the success that the army just recorded against the insurgents. We urge Nigerians to condemn this nauseating hypocrisy of mischievous elements who only celebrate when they perceive country is on the losing side in the anti-terrorism war and become angry when Nigeria is making progress.

The impression CAFA formed from this development is that the likes of Oby Ezekwesili, Ahmad Salkida, Omoyele Sowore, Aisha Yesufu, Deji Adeyanju and other paid activists are in mourning because of the large-scale death visited on the terrorists whose crimes they usually exploit as leverage to blackmail the military and incumbent government. These pseudo activists are apparently in mourning because a key component of their livelihood, terrorism, is about being taken off the table.

CAFA urges these questionable activists to have a rethink and repent as Nigeria belongs to everyone and it is only wise that citizens come together to build the nation envisioned by founding fathers especially as time is running out to put up a united front against the enemies of Nigeria. Hunger or the need to earn money, even in foreign currency, will never be an acceptable justification for siding with the enemies of Nigeria.

In this regard, CAFA equally condemns the activities of a section of the international media organizations that hysterically report the activities of Boko Haram/ISWAP while disregarding the successes of government troops, first in holding the terrorists at bay and more recently in decimating them on a scale that is soon to make terrorism a thing of the past in Nigeria. We are aware that they exploit the desperation of these paid activists, whom they use as resource persons in the futile attempt to give credibility to the lies they tell about the true state of affairs in Nigeria’s war against terrorism. We find it odd that these international media organization can follow every single activity of Boko Haram but have not been able to inform their audience about the terrorists’ source of funding and weapons as well as the recruitment and radicalization programs that had allowed them recover from previous degradation by the military. Organizations that know the truth and hold back on them in order for terrorism to remain strong are themselves guilty of terrorism.

CAFA wholeheartedly lauds the Nigerian Army for the blow it dealt Boko Haram/ISWAP, which is consistent with the prowess of Nigeria’s military as we know it. We are confident that without external or third-party nation interference by way of weapons, funding, propaganda and training support to Boko Haram/ISWAP, the Nigerian Army will continue to defeat all these charlatans and their conspiracies against Nigeria.

We urge the Army to ignore the so-called plea for a truce by the disoriented terrorists. Troops should continue to show them the might of the Nigerian military until such a time it is apparent that all Boko Haram/ISWAP components – fighters, commanders, cyber warriors, NGO arm, paid activists, international media and others are truly ready to allow Nigeria to exist in peace.

Coronavirus: “Africa needs at least $114bn to fight pandemic” – IMF

Covid-19

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April 20, 2020

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Coronavirus: “Africa needs at least $114bn to fight pandemic” – IMF

As the world continues to battle Coronavirus, African countries including Nigeria need at least $114bn to fight the pandemic, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says.

The statement on the agency’s website was issued on Sunday after a meeting of African leaders, bilateral partners and multilateral institutions, which was jointly convened by the World Bank and the IMF.

So far, the statement said official creditors have mobilised up to $57bn for Africa in 2020 alone – including upwards of $18bn from the IMF and the World Bank each.

The fund is meant to provide the front-line health services, support the poor and vulnerable, and keep economies afloat in the face of the worst global economic downturn since the 1930s.

It was also disclosed that private creditor support to the continent in 2020 could amount to an estimated $13bn.

“This is an important start, but the continent needs an estimated $114bn in 2020 in its fight against COVID-19, leaving a financing gap of around $44bn,” the statement said.

More so, creditors have been asked to suspend debt repayment at a crucial point.

“This pandemic has already had a devastating impact on Africa and its effects will deepen as the rate of infection rises.

“It is a setback for the progress we have made to eradicate poverty, inequality and underdevelopment,” he said while noting that “large financing gaps remain” despite the assistance so far extended to African countries.”

The World Bank is deploying up to $160bn in financial support – $55bn of which will be for Africa – over the next 15 months to help countries protect the poor and vulnerable, support businesses, and bolster economic recovery.

The IMF is also leveraging its $1tn lending capacity to provide comprehensive support for member countries.

COVID-19: FRSC Begins production, distribution of customized face masks for personnel nationwide

Covid-19

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April 20, 2020

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COVID-19: FRSC Begins production, distribution of customized face masks for personnel nationwide

The Federal Road Safety Corps has commenced the production and distribution of customised face masks for its personnel across the country. This development came in response to the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government to procure and distribute locally made face masks for use by their staff as part of established efforts to quell the spread of the virus.

According to Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Education Officer, to ensure a timely response to this directive, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has directed the tailoring unit of the Corps to commence immediate and speedy production and distribution of customised face masks for Officers and Marshals of the Corps nationwide due to the critical role the Corps plays in the ongoing enforcement of the National restriction order.

Kazeem noted that FRSC personnel being at the front line in the enforcement of the Presidential restriction order on Covid-19, they have every tendency of coming in contact with different categories of people including carriers of the infectious disease, and as such deserve to adopt all precautionary measures, especially the constant use of face masks while discharging their statutory functions.

He further stated that the produced facemasks to be distributed to personnel have been certified by medical experts to be fit for use by all Staff.

The Spokesperson recalled that in the wake of the pandemic, the Corps Marshal had proactively supervised the distribution of alcohol based sanitizers and the conventional medical face masks to staff at the National Headquarters and other formations including the National Driver’s Licence capture centres.

BREAKING: Imo state Government speaks on renaming University after late Abba Kyari

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April 20, 2020

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BREAKING: Imo state Government speaks on renaming University after late Abba Kyari

The Imo state government has reacted to reports that the Governor, Hope Uzodinma is planning to rename the Imo State University, Owerri after late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that the rumour originated from a press statement reportedly the state government announcing the governor’s decision. The statement read;

“Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has hinted that plans are in place to rename the state-owned Imo State University to Mallam Abba Kyari University. The Governor made this call when the management staff of the university led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adaobi Obasi paid him a visit at the Executive Chambers of the Imo State Government House.”

“The Governor went on to say that Mallam Abba Kyari played a pivotal role in the liberation of Imo State and no gesture is too big for a man who died as a patriot. The Governor also said that consultations are underway with relevant stakeholders both in the education sector and in the State to critically look at the situation and take a decision.”

“The Governor urged the management staff of IMSU to live up to expectation while pointing out that his administration is very committed to quality education in the State and that Imo State University as the epicentre can not be left behind.”

“The University management through the VC commended the Governor for a job well done so far. She also called on all and sundry to support His Excellency to succeed.”

However, when POLITICS NIGERIA reached out to the chief press secretary to Governor Uzodinma, Oguwuike Nwachukwu, he described the report as ‘fake news’.

He confirmed to this paper that the statement was not issued by the Imo state government.

Buni Gari 105: Intensify onslaught against fleeing terrorists, Arewa youths beg Nigerian Army

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April 20, 2020

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Buni Gari 105: Intensify onslaught against fleeing terrorists, Arewa youths beg Nigerian Army

The Arewa Action for Change and Peace (AACP) has urged the Nigerian Army to sustain its momentum against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists following a successful onslaught in Buni Gari, Yobe State that left 105 casualties on the side of the insurgents.

AACP made this plea in a statement signed by its President, Hon. Haske Abdulmuminu, on Monday.

The gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, on Saturday, neutralised an attempted attack by terrorists on Buni Gari Village in Gujba Local Government Area of the state.

This comes barely a week after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai relocated to the Theatre of Operations, promising not to leave until the Northeast is rid of fleeing terrorists.

With the recent development, Arewa Action for Change and Peace believes this mission is closer than envisaged, especially with the charismatic, dogged and resilient COAS on ground.

However, the group said even more can be achieved with acknowledgement and the right motivation from citizens.

While urging the nation to rally behind the troops, ACP assured of its unflinching support, especially in dampening the work of Boko Haram sympathizers to disconcert Nigerians by purveying fake news on social media.

On its part, the Arewa youths appealed to the troops to intensify efforts to flush out the remnants of insurgents and also be mindful of the dynamics of how COVID-19 interplays with the military operations.

AACP, though, advised the troops to approach the remaining operations without the intention of taking captives to avoid the Chadian situation where 44 of 58 captured terrorists committed suicide.

Read full statement below:

The Arewa Action for Change and Peace (AACP) has called on troops of the Nigerian Army to intensify the ongoing war against Boko Haram to ensure that the final defeat of terrorism as ordered by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai is actualized on a timely basis and with lasting results.

The catchment area of Arewa has been on the receiving end of Boko Haram’s murderous acts and lawlessness, which makes the defeat of the terrorists of key importance to us. With the success of the army, we envisage that our economy in the north of Nigeria and our way of life can be restored to levels that are consistent with our aspiration as a people.

It is on this note that we describe the war efforts of the Army as impressive even as we are citing the recent neutralization of 105 terrorists during an operation in Yobe state as proof that the Army would have completely wiped out Boko Haram if they were not finding safe havens within the borders of Nigeria’s neighbors to the northeast. We will like to see more unrepentant Boko Haram fighters bite the dust, the ideology that drives them is in no way related to the Arewa way of life or the religious piety they are using to brainwash their members to take up extremism.

Now that the terrorists are no longer free to escape across the border, beyond Nigeria’s jurisdiction, we can see that troops led by Lt. General Buratai, who relocated to the theatre of operations, have made enormous gains beyond the expectations of Nigerians. The troops could do more with acknowledgement and the right motivation from citizens and AACP will not be found lacking in providing this non-material and non-monetary incentives to the troops. They have found in us a cheerleading group that is confident of their capacity to deliver victory.

We consequently want to assure the troops and the leadership of the Nigerian Army that Nigerians are fully and in total support of all their efforts. Citizens will continue to pray for the troops to vanquish the evil represented by Boko Haram. AACP will on its part dampen the efforts by Boko Haram sympathizers to disconcert Nigerians by purveying fake news in the social media. We will as part of our support regularly appraise citizens about the efforts the Army is making to restore peace to our region.

AACP is however appealing to the troops and the leadership of the Nigeria Army to be mindful of the dynamics of how COVID-19 interplays with the military operations. The pandemic makes it imperative that the Army finishes this war once and for all especially at a Time that the enemies are in disarray whilst their cyber assets are in hiding for fear of Covid-19. The other imperative is the need to mop up the remnant of Boko Haram during ongoing COVID-19 lockdown so that they will not be in a position to spread virus later on account of trying to escape into other major Nigerian cities.

While not being insensitive, AACP is of the view that the current onslaught should be merciless on the account that previous instances where troops showed mercy were abused by terrorists who later storm detention centres to free their members in captivity. Captured terrorists that regain freedom have proven to be more vicious and disproportionately more bloodthirsty than those that have never been captured.

It is also important that troops approach the remaining operations without the intention of taking captives in order to avoid the kind of mess in which the Chadian authorities have now found themselves after 44 of 58 Boko Haram terrorists they captured during battle committed mass suicide while in custody. Boko Haram NGO assets are now using the incident to criminalize the Chadian government; and it is on record that the international NGO conspiracy against Nigeria is more intense so it will be catastrophic for Nigeria to fall into such situation where captured terrorists die in captivity.