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Troops Kill 108 Bandits in Northwest Nigeria in One Week – Official
The Defence Headquarters says troops have eliminated no fewer than 108 bandits in the North-west and scores of terrorists in the North-east in the last one week.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, John Enenche, a major-general, disclosed this while giving weekly update of military operations across the country between November 19 and 25 on Thursday in Abuja.
In the North-west, Mr Enenche said that troops of Operation Hadarin Daji and other subsidiary operations have sustained aggressive operations with tremendous successes within the week.
He said the troops carried out series of raids, aerial ambushes, clearance operations and confidence building patrols leading to killing of several bandits and arrest of some of their collaborators.
Mr Enenche disclosed that the troops had on November 24 eliminated 82 bandits in air interdiction missions at Birnin Kogo forest in Katsina State and Ajjah forest in Zamfara.
He said that 17 bandits were also neutralised at Dunya forest in Katsina State through air strikes during the period.
He said the raids were sequel to credible intelligence and confirmatory surveillance missions indicating that dozens of Ansaru terrorists group-linked bandits had established a camp at the location where scores of rustled cattle were also being kept.
He also said that a total of 11 illegal miners as well as a number of bandits’ collaborators and gun runners were also apprehended during the period.
According to him, troops continue to dominate the general area kinetically in order to deny bandits freedom of action.
“Thus, the locals are requested to continue to cooperate with the security agencies and provide necessary information that will be useful to our collective objective of eradicating criminality from the zone,” he said.
In the North-east, Mr Enenche said the troops of Operation Laftya Dole maintained aggressive and responsive postures throughout the North-east theatre, killing scores of terrorists and rescueing kidnapped victims.
He said the troops on November 19 intercepted terrorists who were on the verge of receiving a N2 million ransoms from relatives of kidnapped victims and rescued two women and three children from them.
According to him, troops neutralised one terrorist, while others escaped with gunshot wounds as well as recovered one AK-47 rifle and a motorcycle from the terrorists during the encounter.
He also disclosed that the Air Task Force had on Nov.22, knocked out an ISWAP logistics base and neutralised several of their fighters at Tumbun Rego in Borno.
In North Central, the coordinator said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke had continued to conduct raids operations on identified criminals’ hideouts in the zone with maximum results.
He said the troops on November 19 raided a hideout of militias at Tor Donga in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue killing three bandits with several others fatally injured.
Mr Enenche also disclosed that the troops arrested 36 suspected cultists and illegal miners in Jos and recovered arms and substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, among others.
(NAN)
The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has debunked reports about an ongoing recruitment in the Commission, saying it is not true.
The Public Relations Officer of the FCSC, Mr. Taiwo Hassan, quoting the Chairman Tunji Olaopa on Monday night, clarified that there is no fresh recruitment currently going on at the commission.
“The attention of the FCSC has been drawn to information making the rounds on various media platforms about advertised vacancies and recruitments in the commission.
“The commission unequivocally declares that the information containing the commission’s website and the name of the Director (Recruitment and Appointment) did not emanate from the commission.
“It is fictitious and should be disregarded,” Hassan said.
He warned members of the public to be wary of activities of fake recruitment syndicates and racketeers.
He said the commission would officially announce to the public on national dallies and through its website whenever such recruitment exercise commenced.
Nigeria has extended invitation to foreign investors with the assurance that the electricity sector is ripe for investment and transformative growth.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, extended the invite during his address at the African Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Speaking to a gathering of selected investors and development partners ahead of the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit, Edun noted the government’s commitment to achieving macroeconomic stability, advancing clean energy goals, and ensuring universal energy access.
He described Nigeria’s power sector as a pivotal area for investment and collaboration, aligning with the country’s broader energy transition goals under the “Mission 300” initiative.
A statement from the ministry said Edun detailed the Federal government’s focus on ensuring energy security while pursuing the global shift toward sustainable energy solutions. According to the minister, the Nigerian electricity sector offers vast opportunities for foreign and domestic investors. With a focus on clean energy transition and grid modernization, the government aims to increase the capacity and reliability of the power sector, unlocking its potential to drive economic growth.
Edun also informed the audience that President Bola Tinubu would personally participate in the summit, signifying Nigeria’s commitment to leading conversations on energy access and clean energy in Africa. The president’s attendance is expected to strengthen collaborative efforts among African nations, investors, and development partners toward achieving the continent’s energy and climate goals.
“Nigeria’s electricity sector is poised for transformative growth, and investors are invited to be a part of this exciting journey,” Edun said. He expressed optimism that Nigeria’s robust investment climate, supported by the government’s economic reforms, would attract global stakeholders to help drive progress in the energy sector.
“With one of the largest populations in Africa, Nigeria’s demand for reliable electricity continues to grow, presenting immense opportunities for investment. The federal government has already taken steps to reform the power sector, focusing on expanding access to renewable energy sources, encouraging private-sector participation, and ensuring regulatory stability to attract investors.
“As President Tinubu is set to join the discussions, Nigeria aims to build on its energy ambitions, securing investments that will empower its citizens, strengthen the economy, and contribute to Africa’s clean energy future,” he said.
Impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has described the corruption allegations against him as “fictitious and unsubstantiated”.
Speaking during a welcome rally at his residence in GRA, Ikeja on Saturday, Obasa maintained that he was not afraid of being impeached but emphasised that due process was not followed.
The former Speaker alleged that his removal was orchestrated while he was away, and accused the state commissioner of police of aiding the process.
He claimed security agents, led by the police commissioner, invaded the assembly complex and his homes in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family indoors with over 200 officers present.
Obasa dismissed allegations of misappropriation.
He mocked claims that a gate construction had cost N16 billion, saying, “Is it the wall of Jericho?”
He said: “I am not afraid of being removed, after all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.
“They did the removal all because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place, we cannot denigrate the state.
The former Speaker cited the case of the former speaker, Rt. Hon Jokotola Pelumi.
He said when Pelumi was removed, he was in the assembly and “we did not invite policemen.
“When my sister, former deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho was removed, we did not invite the police.”
Obasa said an innocent person should not be discredited, and there must be proof of allegations showing exactly what he has done.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly is above common standard of excellence.
“I appreciate the members of the governance advisory council and Governor Babajide Olusola Aanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother and he always calls me his younger brother.”
Obasa was impeached on January 13 by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.
His Deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected the new speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the State.
