Troops Rescue 6 Kidnap Victims, Neutralise One Bandit In Kaduna

The 1 Division Nigerian Army says its troops have rescued six kidnapped victims and one bandit neutralised in Kaduna State. The acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Musa Yahaya, who confirmed the development in a statement issued in Kaduna, saod that the victims where rescued on Friday. Yahaya said that the ongoing clearance operation by the troops of the division had continued to yield positive results. He said, “The troop acted on credible and timely intelligence on the kidnap of 6 persons at Hayin Tsando general area of Maraban Jos, in Igabi Local Government Area of the state. “The gallant troops quickly mobilized, embarked on a search and rescue operation. The troops made contact with the bandits and criminal elements and a heavy fire fight ensued. “During the operation, troops successfully rescued six kidnapped victims, captured two AK 47 rifles and neutralized one bandit while others escaped with several degrees of gunshot wounds. “The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander operation Whirl Punch Maj.- Gen. Valentine Okoro, has commended the troops for their resilience.” Yahaya also charged them to continue the aggressive tempo until all criminal elements in the division’s ‘Area of Responsibility’ are completely eradicated. He also appealed to all paramedics to be on lookout for persons with gunshot wounds, report to the Nigerian Army and other sister security services for prompt action.

Army Conducts Field Training Exercise to Address Insecurity in Akwa Ibom

The 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army on Friday inaugurated Exercise Still Waters III in Essien-Udim Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom, to tackle all forms of security threats in the state. Brig.-Gen. Ken Chigbu, Commander, 2 Brigade, described the exercise as an annual field training event aimed at bringing together all the security agencies in the state to sharpen their skills on the rudiments of internal security operations. Chigbu expressed hope that it would provide an opportunity for joint efforts to tackle the emerging security threats in the state especially during yuletide. He said that the 2 Brigade in collaboration with other sister security agencies in the state have supported the State Government through both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to effectively tackle the threats be-devilling the state. According to him, “the event could not have come at a better time than now when there are growing concerns about the several security challenges confronting our dear state and nation at large’’. The commander said that the brigade, under the leadership of the General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam was currently undergoing unprecedented changes. He noted that the brigade and indeed the Division have continued to benefit immensely from the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force. He thanked the heads of other security agencies for their synergy and support in fighting insecurity in the state as well as the Akwa Ibom Government for the support given to security agencies. In his remarks, Gov. Umo Eno commended the brigade for collaborating with other security agencies to ensure adequate security in the state especially in the area of intelligence sharing. Eno represented by his Deputy, Sen. Akon Eyankenyi, also commended the brigade for siting its base in Ikot Afanag, “a volatile area ravaged by the activities of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)’’. He said that the presence had restored peace and normalcy in the area and many displaced persons had returned to their communities. He pledged commitment to deepening cooperation with the brigade to ensure that Akwa Ibom people and other residents enjoy maximum security and maintain its status as one of the most peaceful and secured states in the country. The highlight of the event were crowd dispersal drills, aerial surveillance/support for the flag-off event by the Nigerian Air Force, presentation of souvenirs and medical outreach. 

Police Initiate Inquiry Into Political Clashes, Violence In Kogi

The Kogi Police Command on Sunday launched investigation into alleged reports of political clashes and violence in Kogi as the Governorship election draws closer. The Police action was sequel to a report of alleged attack on the SDP Campaign train at Koton-Karfe where some persons were said to have been injured in the process through political violence. The Kogi Commissioner of Police, Onuoha Bethrand, in a statement issued in Lokoja by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, said that the police would not tolerate any act of lawlessness in the state. The worried commissioner directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to commence a thorough, diligent and wholistic investigation of all acts of political violence, accusations and counter-accusations on all the political parties and actors with a view to bringing all offenders to book. Bethrand condemned some politicians whose stock-in-trade is violence and who have taken it upon themselves to cause mayhem and heat up the state through their unguarded utterances and unregulated activities. “I hereby sternly warn all the Political Parties in the state and their supporters to play by the Rules and stop heating up the state or face severe sanctions. “You should all desist from all forms of violence as anyone caught disrupting the prevailing peaceful environment in the state will be made to face the full wrath of the Law. “Moreso that the Governorship election is fast approaching, we are appealing to all political actors to give peace a chance by conducting themselves in peaceful manner and shunning all acts capable of truncating the peace, tranquility and unity of Kogi. “Therefore, for the last time, I wish to warn would-be trouble-makers to have a change of heart and desist from acts of intolerance as the Police is ever determined to deal decisively with anyone who will not give peace a chance in the state,” he warned. The police boss also assured of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of all lives and property in the state before, during and after the Nov. 11 governorship election. He, however, attributed some the crises or violence to the failure of most of the political actors to honour invitations and partake in series of stakeholders’ parleys/interactions, where issues bordering on security and the need to conduct political activities as enshrined in the Electoral Act are discussed. “Again, not all the Chairmen and Candidates of the other Political Parties honour Police Invitations to discuss petitions and/or allegations with the Police, and other salient issues germane to peaceful campaigns, and that of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security. “For the record, several invitations extended to the SDP and ADC Candidates for interaction and consultation with the Police to shed light, provide explanations and give their own side of the story on Petitions written against them, but to no avail. “While these other parties have been carrying the police along in their activities, the SDP candidate has consistently and vehemently refused to honour any of police invitations for investigation, or inform the me nor the command while embarking on political rallies to enable the police provide adequate security coverage. “His (SDP Candidate’s) refusal to deal with the police is undermining peace in the State, has been impeding efforts to streamline and regulate political activities. “It has in turn, greatly contributed to the pockets of political violence being witnessed in the State presently. His riding roughshod and engaging in political brinkmanship and brigandage is an illwind that blows no one any good,” he noted. The police commissioner, however, expressed his sympathy to victims of last Friday’s Koton Karfe political violence that left some people wounded. 

Tinubu meets UK Foreign Secretary on economy, security

President Bola Tinubu is expected to meet UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, who is on a 4-day African visit, on Wednesday. Cleverly, who will spend two days in Nigeria, is on a three-country visit where he is prioritising future-focused, mutually-beneficial partnership. A statement from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office disclosed that a number of funding would be unveiled during Cleverly’s visit to make Nigeria’s agriculture sector more resilient to climate change. It said that the funding would help more than four million people develop better farming practices and reduce harmful carbon emissions. Cleverly’s meeting with Tinubu and the National Security Adviser,  Nuhu Ribadu will focus on the UK-Nigeria partnership and key common priorities. ‘’It will also include how to increase bilateral trade and investment, economic development, regional issues, and strengthened security cooperation.’’ Total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Nigeria was 7.6 billion pounds in the four quarters to the end of the first quarter of 2023. This is an increase of 48.4 percent or 2.5 billion pounds in current prices from the four quarters to the end of the first quarter of 2022.

West Africa Defence Chiefs meet Wednesday to discuss Niger coup

Defence chiefs from West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS will meet in Nigeria’s capital Abuja for two days beginning Wednesday to discuss last week’s coup in Niger, the bloc said in a statement on Tuesday. On Sunday leaders of the Economic Community of West African States slapped sanctions on Niger and warned they may use force as it gave the junta a week to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum. The leaders gave the junta seven days to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, who is being held captive. Earlier, the junta warned it would resist any “plan of aggression against Niger” by regional or Western powers. Meanwhile hundreds of coup supporters protested outside the French embassy in the capital Niamey. A statement read out after the Sunday summit in Nigeria said that Ecowas had “zero tolerance” for coups. The regional bloc said it would “take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order” if its demands were not met within a week. “Such measures may include the use of force,” and military chiefs are to meet “immediately” to plan for an intervention, the statement added. The Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel was at the meeting, and said Ecowas had taken a decisive action because events in Niger were concerning. “Niger is playing a key role in fighting terrorism. If Niger stops playing this role this will give more space and more leeway to terrorists to expand in the region,” Dr Leonardo Santos Simao told BBC’s Newshour programme. He added that “no official negotiations” were taking place between ECOWAS and the country’s military junta. This is the first time ECOWAS has threatened military action to reverse the coups that have taken place in the region in recent years. It last sanctioned military intervention in 2017, when Senegalese troops were deployed to The Gambia to force long-serving ruler Yahya Jammeh to leave office after he refused to accept defeat in elections. Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno has gone to Niamey to tell the junta to step down, Chad’s government said. He met junta deputy leader Gen. Salifou Mody. It is unclear whether he will hold talks with Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of the presidential guards unit who has declared himself Niger’s new ruler. The West African leaders also announced the immediate enforcement of a no-fly zone over Niger for all commercial flights, the closure of all land borders with the country, and the imposition of financial sanctions against the junta. Ahead of their meeting, Gen. Tchiani warned ECOWAS and unnamed Western nations against stepping in. “We once again reiterate to ECOWAS or any other adventurer, our firm determination to defend our fatherland,” the statement, which was read out on TV, said. The coup has prompted concern that Niger, a former French colony, could pivot towards Russia. The ousted president had worked closely with both regional and Western nations to fight militant Islamists. Burkina Faso and Mali moved closer to Russia after their own coups. In Niamey, some of the protesters outside the French embassy chanted “Long live Russia”, “Long live Putin” and “Down with France”, AFP news agency reports. They also set fire to the walls of the embassy compound. France would not tolerate any attack on its interests in Niger, and would respond in an “immediate and intractable manner”, President Emmanuel Macron’s office said in a statement. 

Eid-el-Kabir: Police assure FCT residents of adequate security

The Police Commissioner in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Garba Haruna, says adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful Eid-el-Kabir Sallah celebration in the FCT. Haruna gave the assurance in Abuja shortly after the monthly FCT Security Committee Meeting, chaired by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola. The commissioner urged residents to go about their businesses during the Sallah period without fear of any breakdown of law and order. According to him, arrangements have been concluded for the FCT residents to have a peaceful Sallah celebration. He added that police officers have been deployed and put on alert a day before the Sallah celebration. “All the praying grounds will be covered. The DPO Area Commanders have been alerted. “Also, the Explosive Ordinance Disposal officers will scan and screen the areas where people are supposed to gather. “I want to assure residents of the FCT that they are safe and secure. “They should move about their lawful businesses. Those who expect to go to the praying ground should go and have their worship. “We will be there to support and secure them. There will be no problem,” he assured. The meeting had in attendance the heads of various military and para-military formations in the FCT, religious and traditional leaders as well as relevant officers of the FCTA. 

Tinubu appoints 8 new Special Advisers

*Dele Alake, Nuhu Ribadu get appointments President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dele Alake as Special Adviser Special Duties, Communications and Strategy. According to a statement signed by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director Information, State House on Thursday, seven others also got appointments in the new government of President Bola Tinubu. The statement reads: President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the following as Special Advisers: Mr. Dele Alake(Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy); Mr. Yau Darazo (Special Adviser, Political and Intergovernmental Affairs); Mr. Wale Edun (Special Adviser, Monetary Policies) and Mrs. Olu Verheijen(Special Adviser, Energy). Others are: Mr. Zachaeus Adedeji (Special Adviser, Revenue); Mr. Nuhu Ribadu (Special Adviser, Security); Mr. John Ugochukwu Uwajumogu(Special Adviser, Industry, Trade and Investment) and Dr (Mrs.) Salma Ibrahim Anas as(Special Adviser, Health).