Headlines
We Killed 11 Soldiers in Borno, ISIS Claims
The world’s deadliest terror group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, has claimed responsibility for the attack on soldiers in Borno State last week which took the lives of 11 soldiers, Reutersreports.
ISIS said its men were responsible for the Friday attack of Gajiganna town through its news agency AMAQ.
The terrorist network on Saturday published pictures of burnt barracks and dead bodies it claimed belonged to the soldiers.
Three sources, including one hospital source, confirmed the attack to the Reuters news agency. The sources said the fighters stormed the town on a motorbike at roughly 6.30pm and opened fire on residents and the military in sporadic shootings.
The fighters fled after the military called in air force support and reinforcements from a battalion in a neighbouring town.
Islamic State West Africa Province, an affiliate of ISIS, has carried out a string of attacks in Nigeria in recent months.
The group split in 2016 from Boko Haram, which has waged a decade-long insurgency in North-East Nigeria that has killed some 30,000 people and displaced over two million people.
The Federal Government had declared in December 2015 that it had technically defeated Boko Haram.
While attacks in most parts of the country have ceased, bombings have continued to take place in the North-East particularly Borno State.
A top military officer blamed the recent surge in attacks to the lack of cooperation as well as high wired politics taking place among the top military brass.
The source said, “The attack is true. We lost a lot of men but unfortunately many things are being hidden from the press. Normally, in military operations, when there is a joint mission, the Chief of Defence Staff is supposed to be in charge.
“Unfortunately, that is not the case. The Chief of Army Staff is the one calling all the shots at the moment. And there is a lack of synergy among the services.”
When contacted on the telephone, the Director of Defence Information, Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, declined comment, said the military had recorded several successes.
He said troops of 121 and 192 Battalions of Operation Lafiya in collaboration with Civilian JTF and local vigilantes, have cleared Surdewalla, Ranwa, Baladayo, Sabon Gari and Shetimeri villages in Borno State, in a simultaneous operation code-named, ‘Operation Hardstrike.’
The troops reportedly killed three terrorists at Ranwa 11, while many were wounded and others escaped.
He said troops of 192 Battalion advanced along Sabon Gari and Shetimeri villages where they cleared a scout of Boko Haram terrorists. A makeshift shelter for suspected insurgents was also destroyed.
Nwachukwu added that two soldiers were injured during an encounter with insurgents at Gajigana town by troops of 212 Tank Battalion.
He said, “Additionally, 177 Task Force Battalion in collaboration with the Civilian JTF cleared Mboa, Mboa-Kura, Yarchida, Bombula, Tshata andBamzir villages. At Furfur village, troops exchanged fire with BHTs which led to the death of one terrorist and recovery of one AK47 rifle, three magazines, 50 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and one magazine bandolier.”
The Punch
Former US Vice President Kamala Harris said in a British television interview previewed Saturday that she may “possibly” run again to be president.
Harris, who replaced Joe Biden as the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate but lost to Donald Trump, told the BBC that she had not yet decided whether to make another White House bid.
But the 61-year-old insisted she was “not done” in American politics and that her young grandnieces would see a female president in the Oval Office “in their lifetime, for sure”.
“I have lived my entire career a life of service, and it’s in my bones, and there are many ways to serve,” Harris told the British broadcaster in an interview set to air in full on Sunday.
“I’ve not decided yet what I will do in the future, beyond what I am doing right now.”
The comments are the strongest hint yet that Harris could attempt to be the Democratic Party nominee for the 2028 election.
The interview follows the release of her memoir last month in which she argued it had been “recklessness” to let Biden run for a second term as president.
She also accused his White House team of failing to support her while she was his deputy, and at times of actively hindering her.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the federal government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.
The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.
The President expressed appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership.
The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
All appointments take immediate effect, Special Adviser to the President
Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, said in a statement in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, till Monday, October 27, to enable him to open his defence in the terrorism charges filed against him.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the new date on Friday, after Kanu informed the court that his former legal team, led by former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), had yet to release his case file to him.
At the resumed hearing, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) appeared for the Federal Government and reminded the court that the matter was fixed for Kanu to begin his defence as earlier directed.
However, no counsel represented Kanu.
He pleaded for an adjournment to allow him to retrieve and study the file to prepare adequately for his defence.
He said, “My lord, my counsel left the case yesterday, and I have not received the file from them.”
He also informed the court of his intention to call 23 witnesses, both local and foreign, and requested an order directing the Department of State Services to allow his foreign witnesses access to him.
Additionally, he sought permission for his lawyers to visit him on non-working days — a request Omotosho granted.
Counsel to the Federal Government, Awomolo, however, described Kanu’s complaint as “strange”, noting that the defendant had spent hours in court with his former lawyers. He further urged the court to strictly enforce its earlier directive giving Kanu six days to open and close his defence.
The prosecution said, “I’m aware that there is a standing order for the defendant to defend himself within six days. The defendant wasted yesterday. This is the second day, my lord. I urge your lordship to keep to the standing order of the number of days given to the defendant,” Awomolo said.
In his ruling, Omotosho said while Kanu’s claim about the withheld case file was “strange and difficult to believe”, he would still grant a short adjournment in the interest of justice.
The judge cautioned against unnecessary delays, stressing that several other cases had been affected by the protracted proceedings.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to Monday, October 27, for Kanu to open his defence.
