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Army Ambushes Boko Haram, Recovers Cache Of Arms In Gamboru

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Army Ambushes Boko Haram, Recovers Cache Of Arms In Gamboru
Some of the recovered arms
Some of the recovered arms

The Nigerian Army on Sunday said it had recovered cache of arms and ammunition in Gamboru.

The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Sani Usman, made this known in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja.

The statement said the troops conducted raids at Gamboru town early on Sunday morning following a tip off.

“The troops recovered 3 AK-56 rifles and 2 AK-L rifles with registration numbers; AK-L-AGB 1172, AK-L PU2879, AK-56-2556688, AK-56-22622832 and AK-56-22622315, respectively.

“They also recovered 235 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and 7 AK-56 rifle magazines.

The Army commended the good citizens that alerted supplied them with timely and useful information that led to this recovery.

“This is the type of cooperation and support we always require from citizens of this country to enable us clear the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists. We wish to reiterate the need for all to be more vigilant, security conscious and report any suspicious movements or persons to the nearest security agency,’’ the statement said.

The army spokesman also said that troops on Operation LAFIYA DOLE on Saturday night carried out successful ambush against Boko Haram terrorists at a crossing point off Damboa road.

“The ambush party decisively dealt with the terrorists riding on bicycles at a crossing point off Damboa-Kubwa road towards Multe village axis. The team killed one terrorist, while others escaped with gunshot wounds,” Usman stated.

“The troops recovered 1 AK-47 rifle with registration number 565907530 and14 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, a wooden Dane Gun shaped to the resemblance of an AK-47rifle, 1 fabricated double-barrelled pistol and 4 bicycles.”

 

Army Pounds Militant’s Base In Ogun state

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Army Pounds Militant’s Base In Ogun state

arepo bombardment

Dozens of militants have been reportedly killed in the Arepo area of Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria over the weekend as the military intensified aerial bombardment of the area which is the base of militants and pipeline vandals.

It was reported that the heavy aerial attack lasted for about 30 minutes and no less than eight missiles were fired by a fighter jet across the creek at intervals, bringing all activities to a halt and sending shivers down the spines of residents.

A resident of the area who spoke toTHE PUNCH newspaper on condition of anonymity, said that he lay flat in his apartment during the attack.

He said, “I was alone in the house with my son. The boy shook with fright every time a missile landed. I carried him and lay flat on the floor. The missiles shook the whole ground. I am not sure if I would  continue to live here because of this. My landlord left with his family yesterday.”

Another resident in the area asked the military to intensify attacks on the militants, adding that the men could regroup and cause greater havoc if given a breathing space.

He said, “The military should deploy secret officials in Ibafo, Pakuro, Wawa and other villages. I believe those places will be their next hideouts. They must not be given any breathing space. If they are allowed to regroup, there will be serious problems.”

The acting Director of Defence Information, Rabe Abubakar, a Brigadier-General, confirmed the air strikes.

“The joint operation will continue until the area is secure and free from all forms of unwanted and criminal gangs whether they are militants or vandals. We have taken some camps. The casualties cannot be confirmed but I know that we were able to target some of their camps and locations,” he said.

He assured that the military would ensure the destruction of more camps in the ongoing operation.

FG Embarks On  Series Of Cost-Cutting Measures

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FG Embarks On  Series Of Cost-Cutting Measures
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

In continuation of the on-going cost-cutting and efficiency drive in the utilization of public funds by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the federal government has banned the procurement and distribution of conference bags, T-shirts and other souvenirs at events and activities such as Conferences, Workshops and Seminars organised and funded by Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.

This was contained in a press release by Salisu Dambatta, the Director of Information in the federal ministry of finance.

Dambatta said the new measures were approved by President Muhammadu Buhari following recommendations by the Efficiency Unit of the finance ministry, and has been conveyed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Ministers of Finance and Budget and National Planning, by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, for implementation.

Dambatta explained that in a period of lean financial resources in the face of huge national infrastructural deficit, wasteful and unnecessary expenditure on overheads such as on souvenirs and conference bags were luxuries that the government must eliminate to release funds for infrastructure and services such as health and education that would have direct positive impact on the wellbeing of the citizenry and promote economic development.

The directive also contained specific guidelines that would reduce the cost of printing Invitation Cards, Programme of events, Brochures, Folders and Note Pads. Among the guidelines are that they should be in black and white and limited to only one page and in the case of Brochures they should be streamlined to contain only essential information.

Similarly, the directive has banned the printing of unnecessary publications and books of short shelf life which have no real value to the concerned public institutions or the citizens.

The MDAs were directed to save costs by uploading information of their activities, programmes and initiatives on their websites as that would guarantee wider visibility, and print only limited number of hard copies of such publications.

The efficiency unit in the finance ministry was established by the present administration to promote fiscal prudence on overhead expenditure thereby releasing resources for the development of vital national infrastructure.

 

Budget Minister Optimistic About Funding From China

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Budget Minister Optimistic About Funding From China
Minister of Budget and National Budget, Udoma Udo-Udoma
Minister of Budget and National Budget, Udoma Udo-Udoma

Budget and National Planning Minister, Udoma Udo Udoma, at the weekend, in Beijing, made a strong case why the Chinese government should assist Nigeria financially in funding critical major infrastructure projects in the country.

Udoma who was in China for the Coordinator’s meeting on the implementation of the follow-up actions of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, FOCAC, also used the opportunity to discuss issues of vital economic interest with the country’s Vice Minister for Commerce,  Qian Keming; and officials of China EXIM bank, where he stressed the mutually beneficial relationship the two countries will enjoy if Nigeria’s economy is assisted to grow rapidly.

At the Johannesburg Summit in South Africa in December 2015, China had agreed to Assist African countries in ten strategic areas that will help their economy. It pledged $60 billion in aid, grants and concessional loans.

A statement issued on Sunday by Akpandem James, Special Adviser on Media to the minister, said Nigeria was trying to get as much of the Chinese funding for projects in the form of grants, aids, investments and loans. The loan component will however be within the country’s debt sustainability limits.

Projects proposed for the facility by Nigeria is in the region of about $20 billion, and the minister said Nigeria will be in a better stead if the Chinese government will assist with a substantial part of the funds required.

During the various meetings, Udoma stressed the need for special consideration for Nigeria given its strategic relationship with China, its economic potentials, and its capacity to redeem its part of the transaction obligations.

The Minister said following the meetings, both countries expressed satisfaction with the proposals and are very anxious to take proceedings to the next level.

During the Cooperation meeting attended by ministers from various countries in Africa, China’s President Xi Jinping said the meeting was an important step taken by China and Africa to implement the consensus of Chinese and Africa leaders and the outcomes of the FOCAC.

“It is a significant measure to boost China-African cooperative development. The meeting demonstrates to the world once again that no matter how the international landscape may change, the resolve of China and Africa to pursue unity and win-win cooperation will never change”, Jinping said.

At the plenary session, China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, was pleased that both China and the African countries have attained a high level of implementation of the outcomes of the summit, have acted promptly to take forward the five pillars and ten plans of cooperation and have made substantial progress in enhancing friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation across board.

He added that China has delivered on its commitments and made every effort to advance follow-up actions.

Be Wary Of Fleeing Terrorists, Military Warns

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Be Wary Of Fleeing Terrorists, Military Warns

MNJTF1

The Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, engaged in clearance operations against Boko Haram terrorists in the North east has warned citizens especially those living in the insurgency ridden region to be security conscious as some remnants of the insurgents fleeing from the troops are relocating to remote settlements along the borders of neighbouring countries.

The fleeing insurgents are said to be disguising as normal civilians.

This was made known in a statement by Muhammad Dole, a colonel and the Chief Military Public Information Officer of the Multinational Joint Task Force Headquarters, in N’Djamena, Chad.

Dole added that the Commander of the MNJTF, Lamidi Adeosun, also wants the law abiding and good citizens residing along the borders to always report the arrival of new persons or settlers in their domains, as well as unusual movement of persons to the nearest security agencies.

Dole assured that troops have successfully linked up and are currently consolidating their defences in the recaptured town of Damasak, Borno State, and stabilising the general area.

The town of Damask was recently captured from insurgents by troops of Sector 4 of the MNJTF.

Again, Atiku Makes Case For Restructuring Nigeria

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Again, Atiku Makes Case For Restructuring Nigeria
Atiku Abubakar
Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has restated his support of the restructuring of Nigeria along federating units, reasoning that the country  is not working as it should because the centre has more powers than the federating states.

He made the remark in Kaduna State during the memorial conference for late General Hassan Usman Katsina.

The former Vice President said that restructuring would foster national unity and integration, as well as bring to an end the continuous agitation for resource control and creation of more states by different geo-political zones.

According to him, while Nigeria must remain a united country, the unity which most citizens desire should never be taken for granted or taken as evidence that Nigerians are contented with the current structure of the federation.

Atiku also argued that the current presidential system of governance has thrown up so many issues in the polity such as struggle for power rotation at the centre, and overbearing control of resources by the federal government with limited resources going to the states and local governments.

The conference which had the theme: ‘Challenges of National Integration and the Survival of Democracy in Nigeria’, gathered dignitaries who came to celebrate the former military governor of the defunct Northern Region, Retired General Hassan Katsina.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahaman Danbazau, said that the time to achieve national unity was now, considering the numerous security and economic challenges confronting the nation.

He also stated that good governance remains the key for the sustenance of national integration, adding that the federal government under his leadership is making effort to enthrone political stability and protect the lives and property of every citizen.

Ango Abdullahi, a former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, cautioned the agitators for control of oil deposits in the Niger Delta region to have a rethink.

He observed  that it was the proceeds from the North that was used in developing the country before the advent of oil.

13 Escape From Kogi Prison

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13 Escape From Kogi Prison

koton-karfe-prisons

Thirteen inmates are believed to have escaped in a jailbreak that occurred at the Koton Karfe Prison in Kogi State on Saturday morning.

The prison has the capacity to accommodate 180 inmates but about 263 prisoners were being incarcerated in the facility as at the time of the jailbreak.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reported that one of the escaped inmates was re-arrested almost immediately.

It was gathered that Comptroller–General of the Nigeria Prison Service has sent a representative to prison to assess the situation.

There had been two jailbreaks in the prison facility in 2010 and 2013 respectively before the prison was refurbished and reopened in 2014.

Saturday’s jailbreak occurred about a month after two prisoners escaped in a jailbreak from a maximum security prison in Kuje, Niger State.

UNICEF Resumes Aid Supply To North-East

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UNICEF Resumes Aid Supply To North-East
UN suspends aid
Victims of insurgency queuing for relief items at an IDP Camp in the North-East

UNICEF said on Saturday that it will continue providing aid in the northeast despite attack on humanitarian convoy last Thursday which left aid workers injured.

The group however added that travel by staff of the organization to high risk areas has been temporarily suspended.

In a statement by UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Jean Gough which was made available to journalists, the UN organ said “UNICEF continues to provide assistance to millions of conflict-affected children in northeast Nigeria, despite yesterday’s attack on a humanitarian convoy.

“As a result of the attack, in which one UNICEF staff member was injured, travel by UN staff to high risk areas has been temporarily suspended.

“We are working at full strength in the Borno state capital Maiduguri.”

“We continue to call for increased efforts to reach people in desperate need across the state.

“We cannot let this heartless attack divert any of us from reaching the more than two million people who are in dire need of immediate humanitarian assistance.

The statement added that “UNICEF has called on donors and humanitarian organizations to scale-up the response to the emerging disaster in Borno state, which is the most affected by the conflict with Boko Haram.

“Before the attack, security conditions had been improving in several areas. Our teams were finding people living on the brink of disaster,”

“The violence has disrupted farming and markets, destroyed food stocks, and damaged or destroyed health and water facilities. We absolutely have to reach more of these communities.”

UNICEF also warned that “244,000 children will suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year in Borno state alone and if they are not reached with treatment, one in five of them will die.”

The statement added that the group has “provided two million people with health services and treated 56,000 children for malnutrition in the three conflict-affected states of northeast Nigeria.

“A quarter of a million people have improved access to clean water, and over 200,000 children have been able to go back to school.

“Despite the temporary suspension of travel to high risk areas, UNICEF plans to scale-up its response in Borno state substantially,” it concluded.

2016 Hajj: Airlift Begins August 8

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2016 Hajj: Airlift Begins August 8
File: Intending Hajj pilgrims awaiting airlift
File: Intending Hajj pilgrims about to be airlifted

The Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar, Sa’ad II has announced that the 2016 airlift for intending Hajj pilgrims will commence on 8 August.

He made the disclosure at a Hajj Stakeholders Conference at the National Mosque, Abuja, adding that intending pilgrims from Zamfara State would be the first to be airlifted.

The Sultan, who was represented by the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, urged intending pilgrims to stick to the rules as set out by the Saudi Arabian authorities, specifically warning them against carrying kolanut and other products considered as contraband in the holy land.

“In preparing for this exercise, there is need to look at several critical areas especially in terms of movement from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia and other local runnings in the holy land.

“I advise all intending pilgrims to adhere to the regulations. Do not carry any type of kolanut or bitter kola in order to avoid hitches right from the airport.”

The airlift would kick-off at the Sokoto International Airport.

Saraki Urges UN To Lift Suspension On Aid

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Saraki Urges UN To Lift Suspension On Aid
Senate President, Bukola Saraki
Senate President, Bukola Saraki

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has appealed to the United Nations International Children’s Fund, UNICEF, to lift its suspension on aid deliveries in Nigeria.

UNICEF announced that it has suspended its humanitarian intervention in the Northeast region of the country after three of its workers were wounded in an attack by Boko Haram terrorists while travelling from Bama to Maiduguri in Borno State.

In a statement by his spokesman, Saraki condemned the attack, saying that it was unacceptable to endanger the lives of aid workers who were only trying to assuage the situation in Nigeria’s North east.

He called for an immediate review of the security situation in the region by the relevant authorities in order to alleviate the concerns of international partners who are set to help rebuild the crisis-torn areas.

The Senate President called on the Presidential Initiative for the North East, PINE, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and other relevant agencies to immediately address the shortfall that could arise from the cessation of delivery of food and medicines by UNICEF.

He appealed to the UN to resume its activities in North east as soon as possible, while reassuring Nigerians and the international community that the Senate would fast-track the passage of the North East Development Commission, NEDC, Bill.

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