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Military repel terrorist attack, suffer casualties- Defence HQ

Amos ABBA
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Military repel terrorist attack, suffer casualties- Defence HQ

OFFICERS of the Nigerian military repelled attacks by the Islamic States for West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists at a remote Army base on the border with the Niger Republic, Defence spokesperson has revealed.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Defence Headquarters, Director of Information Benjamin Sawyer said the military foiled the attack on the Forward Operation Base (FOB) at Burkusuma, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

“The aggressive operations of troops of the FOB as witnessed in recent months in the North West region had been a thorn in the flesh of ISWAP terrorists and bandits,” he said.

The failed attack, which took place in the early hours of Sunday in the remote border settlement with the Niger Republic, was swiftly repelled by troops.

Sawyer stated that the attackers came in large numbers ‘using telecom networks provided from the Niger Republic when the main troops were out conducting offensive operations within their area of responsibility,” he said.

Sokoto and Zamfara states had announced the suspension of telecommunications networks and banned weekly markets and sale of petrol in jerry cans, saying this would help fight insecurity in the region.

A BBC report revealed that 17 members of the Nigerian military and two civilians were killed in a series of attacks by the terrorists who also raided five towns and set fire to a number of military camps in the Sabon Birni area of Sokoto State.

However, Sawyer disclosed that the troops recorded an undisclosed number of casualties during the encounter.

“However, the swift reinforcement by own troops helped to counter the attack as many of the ISWAP fighters were eliminated, while some scrambled with various degrees of injuries.

“Troops are currently in hot pursuit of the criminals to Bassira in the Niger Republic,” he said.

He assured the general public that Nigerian troops had reinforced operations in parts of the North due to rising attacks from bandits and terrorists on communities.

Terrorists attack Kaduna village, kill 34, injure others

Vincent Ufuoma
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Terrorists attack Kaduna village, kill 34, injure others

GUNMEN suspected to be bandits have killed no fewer than 34 persons following a fresh attack on Madami village in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Samuel Aruwan, who confirmed the incident, said the incident happened in the late hours of Sunday.

Apart from many others who are missing, seven others also sustained various degrees of injuries. Houses were also set ablaze by the terrorists.

Aruwan said that assailants withdrew after engaging in a gun battle with troops of the Nigerian Army.

He disclosed that two suspects were being questioned about the attack.

“The troops mobilised to the location and also came under fire, before forcing the assailants to withdraw after an intense exchange,” he said.

“Some houses were set ablaze by the attackers at one end of the village. The troops put out the fire at three of the burning houses and rescued six locals from the infernos.

“As of the time of this update, 34 residents have been confirmed dead following the attack. Seven others sustained injuries, and were rushed to a hospital in Plateau State.”

Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has condemned the attack, describing it as an unspeakable display of wickedness, meriting the severest form of punishment.

El-Rufai said the state government would bear the total cost of injured victims’ treatment. He has also ordered an urgent assessment of the area by the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency to assist the affected households.

He, however, appealed for calm and charged security agencies to intensify their efforts in the campaign against the gratuitous killing of innocent citizens.

He further tasked security agencies to ensure urgent and precise investigations into the horrific incident.

APC’s goal is to rule Nigeria for the next 40 years -Ali Modu Sheriff

Vincent Ufuoma
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APC’s goal is to rule Nigeria for the next 40 years -Ali Modu Sheriff

FORMER Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff has said it is the goal of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) to rule Nigeria for the next 30 to 40 years.

Sheriff, who is one of the aspirants looking to clinch the party’s national chairman during its forthcoming convention in December, stated this to newsmen on Sunday.

He said that the party’s future after the exit of President Muhammadu Buhari from office solely rested on its ability to continue to earn the trust of Nigerians through the hard work of members.

“Today, as a party, we are only six years in government. Our aspirations are for the APC to be in government in the next 30 to 40 years,” he said.

“He (Buhari) brought that to the table and what are we going to face after the exit of His Excellency, the President? It is we, the APC members, that will tell the world that we are capable of getting their trust even when he finishes his tenure.

“Doing that doesn’t come on the platter of gold; we need to put in hard work. You need everybody.”

He said he was consulting with leaders across the party to tell them what the party needed to stay in power after Buhari, who he said was “a rugged captain; you don’t need a captain that will capsize.”

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Sherriff’s comments are coming weeks after he told newsmen that Nigerians had lost confidence in the APC.

The former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had noted that his party must work harder than ever before to gain Nigerians’ confidence to retain power beyond 2023.

As Nigerians are warming to face the polls in 2023 with calls for the South to produce the next president of the country irrespective of the party the candidate emerges from, there are also opinions that Nigerians should be presented with another choice of political parties other than the present two dominant parties they have known since the country returned to democracy in 1999.

Bandits attack Sokoto military base, kill nine soldiers, three mobile policemen

Vincent Ufuoma
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Bandits attack Sokoto military base, kill nine soldiers, three mobile policemen

BANDITS have killed nine soldiers, three mobile policemen and three personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) during an attack on a military base in Sokoto State.

Multiple security sources familiar with the incident told newsmen on Sunday that it happened at Burkusuma camp in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to them, the terrorists arrived in the military base in large numbers on Friday and started shooting sporadically.

A former Chairman of Sabon Birni LGA Idris Muhammad Gobir, who confirmed the attack, said many security operatives in the military base were still missing.

“We received the report on the attack from a resident of the area using Nigerien network. But I will still contact him for more updates on the attack and get back to journalists,” Gobir said.

He said the bandits burnt down two patrol vehicles during the attack.

Also, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly Aminu AlMustapha Gobir, confirmed the attack, adding that 12 security personnel were killed in action.

The state’s Commissioner for Carriers and Security Matters Garba Moyi confirmed the attack.

He added that the number of casualties had not been ascertained.

The State Police Spokesperson Sanusi Abubakar did not respond to calls and a text message sent to him by this reporter for comments.

2023 Elections: Fashola distances self from presidential campaign posters

Olugbenga ADANIKIN
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2023 Elections: Fashola distances self from presidential campaign posters

MINISTER of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, on Sunday, distanced himself from groups sponsoring political campaigns in his name ahead of the 2023 general election.

Fashola described those behind the campaign as mischief-makers and ‘unsolicited support groups.’

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Communication Hakeem Bello, he asked members of the public to disregard the political group.

The social media was awash at the weekend with posters from the group allegedly presenting the minister and the Governor of Borno State Babagana Zulum as presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively, of an unnamed political party.

The group shared the poster under the platform ‘The Nigeria Project 2023.’

However, Fashola disclosed that no such group approached him to kick-start a campaign on his behalf.

The ICIR also sighted the campaign poster with Nigeria’s coat of arms at the top left corner and the ‘Nigeria Project 2023’ at the right. Fashola’s photograph took  prominence on the posters, seconded by Zulum.

“A new Nigeria and prosperous Nigeria is possible. Join us as we inaugurate the support group,” the group said.

The set date for the launch was October 2 at 1pm. One of those who saw the post said that about seven of her friends had already sent  similar posters.

“Ordinarily, the poster and the various social media reports almost instantly orchestrated on its account would have been ignored as the handiwork of mischief-makers. However, it became necessary to issue this disclaimer for two key reasons,” Bello said.

“The first of such was to answer with a strong negative to the numerous inquiries from right thinking and well-meaning Nigerians on whether the minister had been contacted or if the Groups had his consent in issuing the invitation,” he stated in his reaction.

“Without equivocation, no individual or group has contacted the Minister for or on behalf of The Nigeria Project 2023. As Minister, Fashola is currently focused on leading his dedicated Team in the Ministry of Works and Housing to deliver on the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari for an expanded and upgraded road transport infrastructure; and affordable Housing nationwide in order to achieve economic growth and prosperity for the citizenry.

“Secondly, is the fact that entities unknown to a political party cannot present candidates on behalf of such a political party. As a ranking and loyal member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the individual and groups cited as promoters of The Nigeria Project 2023 are unknown to the APC and the Minister.

“Against the backdrop of the foregoing, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola SAN urges members of the public to be wary of the antics of unsolicited individuals and Support Groups whose real intentions remain questionable. Every support possible should be given to the efforts of the current administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver a better nation for all.”

The contest towards the 2023 election is gradually gathering momentum.

Members of opposition political parties are already decamping from one party to the other, especially from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At least three state governors from the PDP have decamped to the APC.

Latest in the wave of defection is the former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani Kayode, who moved to the ruling party from PDP.

 

Police deny attack on stations in Zamfara

Lukman ABOLADE
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Police deny attack on stations in Zamfara

THE Zamfara State Police Command has denied reports that its stations were attacked in Shinkafi town.

This was contained in a statement by the Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer Mohammed Shehu on Sunday.

Shehu said the report by a newspaper on Saturday titled ‘Bandits attack Police stations, Shinkafi town’ was misleading.

He insisted that there was no attack on any Police station in Shinkafi Local Government Area or any part of Zamfara State as reported.

However, he confirmed that at the early hours of Friday, armed bandits in large number attempted to attack Shinkafi, but were repelled by the Joint Police and military operatives stationed in the town.

He said there was no loss of life either from the security forces or the Inhabitants and nobody was abducted.

“The security situation in the town is very calm, with communities going about their legitimate business, while new security measures are being enforced effectively,” the statement read in part.

A report had said bandits in the state, on Thursday evening, attacked Shinkafi town, including two Police facilities and shot sporadically into the air.

The newspaper said details of the incident were sketchy at of time of press because contacts in the state could not be reached by phone due to the shutdown of the telecommunication network.

The newspaper said a resident of the town, who spoke from Sokoto, confirmed the initial social media report on the attack.

Osinbajo, Obasanjo, Dogara, Okorocha, others bag awards at CAN’s 45th anniversary

Vincent Ufuoma
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Osinbajo, Obasanjo, Dogara, Okorocha, others bag awards at CAN’s 45th anniversary

CAN awards
THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has given an award of excellence to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at its 45th anniversary on Saturday.

Others who bagged various awards were: former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara.

The CAN also gave awards to several state governors, faith leaders, including its past presidents and general secretaries.

Muslim Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, who saved the lives of over 200 Christians during an attack in Barkin Ladi Plateau State in 2018, was also given an award at the event.

Speaking during the event, Osibanjo called on religious leaders and various groups to always preach fairness and equity relentlessly among their followers.

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According to a statement by his Media and Publicity Assistant Laolu Akande on Sunday, the vice president also enjoined leaders to use their positions and privileges to advocate for freedom of worship, justice, and the rule of law.

He noted that fairness, equity and respect for the rights of others were fundamental to peace and security in the country.

“We must continue to let the important truth be known that Christ did not come to establish a religion or to condemn men, but to show all men that his own righteousness, not our righteousness or performance, is the qualification for eternal life,” he said.

“That the gospel commands consideration for the views of others, treating them as we would wish to be treated; non-violent communication, that our words must be words of grace seasoned with salt.

“We must, as an organisation and as individuals, remain constant and relentless advocates of freedom of worship, respect for human rights, fairness, justice and the rule of law.”

He noted that CAN had not only been continually faithful to its founding vision but had also become a veritable force for peace, unity and social justice.

The vice president stated that the current and past leadership of CAN had acted in full realisation and recognition of their roles as pivotal stakeholders alongside the government and the private sector in nation-building.

Osinbajo praised CAN President Supo Ayokunle and his team for the enormous work they were doing to promote peace across the country.

“We are proud of the role of the moral compass of society and interlocutor for peace among the different faiths that CAN has played and continues to play in our nation.”

“I am aware of your collaboration with the leadership of the Islamic and other faiths, to reconcile where there are conflicts, to pacify where there has been the offence, and to reprimand where there have been misdeeds. Well, done, and congratulations,” he said.

Residents groan as tanker drivers’ protest over worsening FG roads continues in Minna

Vincent Ufuoma
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Residents groan as tanker drivers’ protest over worsening FG roads continues in Minna

RESIDENTS of Bida town in Niger State have lamented the continued blockade of major roads leading to the town by tanker drivers protesting the deplorable state of Federal Government roads connecting the state to other parts of the country.

The drivers had embarked on the protest last Thursday. Among several of their demands is the opening of the Bida-Minna Road by the state government.

However, several residents of the state have objected to the drivers’ demands due to the adverse effects heavy-duty vehicles would have on the road.

A resident of Bida Usman Suleiman said the protest was worrisome, noting that the drivers’ action had paralysed economic activities in the area.

He insisted that the Minna-Bida Road should not be opened for the trailer drivers because of the adverse effects such would have on the road.

Sulieman blamed the Federal Government for abandoning the dilapidated road for too long.

Another resident Saidu Isah expressed sadness over the development as he decried the effect of their action on the masses.

He called for dialogue among stakeholders to address the issue to avoid the situation from deteriorating into confrontation.

In a statement, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Niger State) and the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations lamented the drivers’ action.

The group noted that the action had brought hardship and uncertainty to motorists plying the road.

It further gave a 48-hour ultimatum to drivers to vacate the road or face mass civil action.

The Niger State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development Mamman Musa had said the state would not open the road except the ongoing rehabilitation work on it was completed.

UK debunks statements on disapproval of vaccines administered in Nigeria

Ijeoma OPARA
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UK debunks statements on disapproval of vaccines administered in Nigeria

BRITISH High Commissioner to Nigeria Catriona Laing has debunked reports that COVID-19 vaccines administered in Nigeria are not approved by the United Kingdom (UK).

She said this while speaking on COVID-19 vaccinations in Nigeria on Saturday.

“The UK strongly supports the work of the Nigerian health authorities and Nigeria’s vaccination campaign and strongly encourages all eligible residents in Nigeria to get vaccinated. Only once we are all vaccinated can we end the spread of Covid-19.

“I would like to emphasise that any statements that COVID-19 vaccines administered in Nigeria are not approved by the UK are completely untrue. The UK recognises the Oxford-Astra Zeneca, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines used in Nigeria, irrespective of where they are manufactured,” she said.

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She said the UK was working towards opening up international travel, and the vaccination certification process would ensure the safety of all intending travellers.

She also noted that the travel process would be made easier for travellers from next week.

“From 4 October, the current system will be simplified. There will be a single red list of countries and territories where stricter rules apply, and there will also be a ‘rest of the world’ list, with simplified travel measures. The ‘rest of the world’ list will include countries currently on the UK’s amber list, such as Nigeria,” she said.

She urged travellers to check for updated requirements on the gov.uk website, as travel rules were being reviewed regularly.

 

Despite court orders, NARD says strike will continue until demands are met

Lukman ABOLADE
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Despite court orders, NARD says strike will continue until demands are met

DESPITE court orders, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has insisted that the ongoing strike action will continue until its demands are met.

President of the NARD Dare Ishaya said this at the end of the association’s 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference in Bauchi State on Saturday.

“After critical appraisal of the performances of both federal and state governments on all the issues that led to the ongoing strike as stated above, the AGM unanimously resolved by vote to continue the total and indefinite strike action until our minimum demands are met,” Ishaya said.

On its minimum demands, the NARD said the Federal Government should ensure the payment of Medical Residency Training within 72 hours and payment of the arrears of salaries of its members on GIFMIS platform within 72 hours while the migration process continued.

The association asked the Federal Government to withdraw the case against NARD in court and pay withheld August and September salaries.

Also, NARD said the Federal Government should prevail on various state governments to urgently pay arrears of salaries and allowances owed its members in the state tertiary health institutions.

The association said the government had delayed the payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund despite claims that the money meant for it was available and the fact that the list of beneficiaries had been submitted.

The NARD also lamented that some of its members employed by state governments, especially in Abia, Imo, Ekiti and Ondo states, were being owed 20 months, six months, four months and four months’ salaries arrears, respectively.

“They also observed that some House Officers are still owed 1-2 months’ salaries and refunds of their illegally deducted accommodation fees. The AGM noted that bench fee for outside postings by Resident Doctors has been abolished, however some chief medical directors are yet to fully implement it,” Ishaya said.

He further said the AGM also frowned at the delay in payment of death in service insurance benefits to the next of kins of its deceased members despite their sacrifices to the country.

The ICIR had reported that the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja had, twice, directed the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend its nearly two-month-old strike.

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