News
B/Haram IED commanders, others surrender as troops intensify bombardments
Boko Haram terrorists and some of their commanders in the North East, including Amir Abu in charge of Improvised Explosive Device making, have surrendered.
Many of the surrendered terrorists were said to be coming out from the Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad axis following relentless land bombardments by the Nigerian Army with artillery and infantry firepower while the Nigerian Airforce is dropping sorties with precision and levelling their hideouts in caves and enclaves.
Nigerian Navy gunboats and platforms deployed at the Lake Chad, supported by Airforce jets, are also said to be smoking out the terrorists’ bases in the Tumbus and tributaries through which they carry out occasional attacks on communities in Borno and Yobe states
The military is simultaneously intensifying its non kinetic operations and giving communities which had been traumatized for years that with their support through valuable information and cooperation, the criminal elements will be quickly smoked out.
A senior military source told Vanguard that aside the impact of the fire-power from troops, “Our kinetic and non kinetic lines of operations are paying off. That is why about 300 BHT surrendered. Moreover, those that have surrendered are treated within the ambit of international best practices.
“We believe that the feedback of how those who surrendered are treated is getting back. The role of intelligence is massive but as you know, intelligence successes are not visibly seen when inserted but the outcomes are currently manifesting.
“This unfolding mixed technique and humane handling of surrendered members are tangible steps towards ultimate success. The media also has been key to shaping and boosting troops resolve to continue their aggressive posture.
The senior source urged the media and citizens to continue to maintain their confidence on the military efforts and condition the insurgents towards accepting defeat as we progress.
In keeping to international best practices, the source pointed out that within the last one month, over 150 insurgents who renounced their criminal involvement in the warped belief of the group were released to government.
It would be recalled that Vanguard reported that some notorious bandits’ led by Kingpin Dan Maraki & Associates were also planning to surrender but were shopping for prominent citizens to help them approach the authorities to appeal for amnesty.
The bandits involved are said to be those terrorizing states in the North West of the country, particularly Katsina, Niger and Kaduna states.
A top security source had stated that two of the most wanted and notorious bandit leaders, ‘Samaila’ and his Associate ‘Dan Maraki’ have been orchestrating the plan for the possible appeal for the amnesty, to enable them surrender.
“In fact, the signal we are getting is that these two bandits’ commanders are seeking a way to surrender with their gang members and if all goes well for them and government keeps its promise, other bandit groups in Zamfara and other parts of the North West would come out and toe the same line”.
It was learnt that the underground moves by the bandit leaders which intelligence agencies intercepted is fueled by the current sustained combined military onslaught by troops of operation Hadarin Daji comprising the Army and Airforce, on the bandits camps scattered around the many forests in Kaduna, Katsina and Niger states.
The security source added that “the intended plan by the bandit leaders (Samaila and Dan Maraki) to surrender with their gangs and plea for amnesty if accepted and handled by the federal government, could signal an end to banditry, collaboration of their cohorts while boosting the morale of troops.”
The heat from the troops on ground offensive is further enhanced by the rapid and highly impactful non-kinetic line of the operation which is giving affected communities confidence and belief in the army to cooperate against the criminal elements.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Farouk Yahaya, during his visits to troops in the battle areas in the forests, spent time with the troops and assured them of all the necessary support with regard to the onslaughts against the bandits, no matter who they are or where they come from”, a source said.
It was gathered that in the past, some bandits leaders gave their gang members the impression that they were untouchables based on who they know in the society which is responsible for the ‘lack of political will’ to really go after them (bandits) and bring the menace of the criminal gangs to an end.
However, the Chief of Army Staff, is said to have put his foot down and told his troops to ignore any such belief, ‘if it ever existed’, directing troops to smoke out the bandits and assuring them that it is in line with the express resolve to clear out the criminal elements.
News
Why governors’ forum is silent on Rivers emergency, by DG
Why governors’ forum is silent on Rivers emergency, by DG
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) yesterday attributed its neutral position on the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State to the need to steer clear of taking positions that may alienate members with varying political interests.
Taking positions on contentious partisan issues, the NGF said, would not augur well for it, especially in view of its past experience in fundamental division.
Notwithstanding, the declaration of the state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu yesterday generated more kudos and knocks from across the country.
Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, said the action of the president was meant to ensure protection of lives and restoration of law and order in the state, while the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said his principal was required to “avert needless harm and destruction .”
National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, said Tinubu, by his action, cleared what had manifested as a constitutional crisis in Rivers state.
But former President Goodluck Jonathan saw it from a different perspective.
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He described “abuse of office and power by the three arms of government in the country“ as a dent on Nigeria’s image.
The NGF, in a statement by its Director General Abdulateef Shittu, said it is essentially “an umbrella body for sub-national governments to promote unified policy positions and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in pursuit of sustainable socio-economic growth and the well-being of the people.”
It added: “As a technical and policy hub comprising governors elected on different platforms, the body elects to steer clear of taking positions that may alienate members with varying political interests.
“In whatever language it is written, taking positions on contentious partisan issues would mean a poor sense of history — just a few years after the forum survived a fundamental division following political differences among its members.
“Regardless, the Forum is reputed for its bold positions on governance and general policy matters of profound consequences, such as wages, taxes, education and universal healthcare, among others.”
It asked for “the understanding of the public and the media, confident that appropriate platforms and crisis management mechanisms would take care of any such issues.”
Why governors’ forum is silent on Rivers emergency, by DG
News
Rivers: Tinubu acted to save state, economy, says Karimi
Rivers: Tinubu acted to save state, economy, says Karimi
Chairman of the Senate Services Sunday Karimi has hailed President Bola Tinubu for the decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
He told reporters on Friday in Abuja that the President acted in the best interest of the State and Nigeria, having taken his decision in compliance with the Constitution.
“No President or government worth a name, will fold its arms and watch a political situation deteriorate to what we saw unfolding in Rivers State.
“We saw that bombing of pipelines had begun, and the security situation was getting worse with the tension everywhere”, Karimi stated.
Karimi, who represents Kogi-West on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), recalled the “fatherly role” Tinubu had played in the crisis since 2023 in a bid to get the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara to reach an understanding, to no avail.
He explained: “We were all here in 2023 when Mr President called that truce meeting at the Aso Rock Villa. There was the eight-point agenda for settlement reached between the factions.
“When Nigerians expected that progress should be made to achieve peace, things started deteriorating considerably to a point where the governor demolished the House of Assembly building and administered the state with only three legislators.”
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Karimi observed that with the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, which gave the upper hand to the 27 lawmakers loyal to the camp of the FCT Minister, matters merely got worse in the State as the lawmakers were set to impeach the Governor.
“What did you expect would be the implications? There would have been more destruction, killings and economic losses for the country.
“With the bombings that had already started, it was a matter of time before the whole state would be engulfed in flames. No responsible President would sit, arms folded, and allow that to happen “ he added.
The senator further argued that it took “painstaking efforts” by the administration to raise daily crude oil production to around 1,800 barrels, noting that Nigeria’s economy was already “witnessing a rebound under the renewed hope projects of the government.”
“Allowing the situation in Rivers to get worse before he would act, wouldn’t have helped the state or Nigeria as a country in any way.
“Mr. President intervened at the right time, and his actions are covered by law,” he said.
Karimi also spoke on the emergency declaration in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and a couple of other states by former President Goodluck Jonathan without removing the Governors from office or suspending the state assemblies.
According to him, the case with those States was not generated by political crises but rather security concerns.
“So, I will advise those comparing the two scenarios to remember that one was purely about security threats resulting from the insurgency caused by Boko Haram, while that of Rivers is clearly political.
“It was the proper thing to do to suspend the political actors in the two factions to allow for tensions to diffuse. Nigerians should appreciate the President for the action he has taken so far,” he stated.
Sen. Karimi also noted that there was no cause for alarm as the National Assembly had indicated that the emergency rule could be reviewed as soon as there were signs that things could quickly normalise in Rivers State.
Rivers: Tinubu acted to save state, economy, says Karimi
News
Just in: Tinubu swears in Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas
Just in: Tinubu swears in Rivers Sole Administrator Ibok-ete Ibas
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Vice Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (Retd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The administrator was sworn in on Wednesday after a short meeting with the President.
Tinubu announced the appointment of the retired naval chief at a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, when he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly members.
The President said his decision was based on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, saying he could not continue to watch the political situation in Rivers escalate without taking concrete action.
The suspension of Fubara and other elected representatives has been rejected and condemned by many eminent Nigerians, legal luminaries, groups such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Femi Falana, the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigerian Bar Association.
However, the emergency rule has been praised by the pro-Nyesom Wike Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule, accusing Fubara of contravening the Supreme Court ruling on the political situation in the state.
Ibas was the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021.
He is from Cross River State where he had his early education.
The new sole administrator went to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1979 from where he proceeded to have a successful career in the Navy, rising through the ranks to the very top.
He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
President Muhammadu Buhari who appointed him as Chief of Naval Staff conferred him with the National Honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2022.
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