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B’Haram: Some Borno residents sabotaging our efforts, says DHQ
Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. John Enenche, has accused some residents of Borno State of sabotaging efforts of the military by providing information on its movement and activities to Boko Haram.
He spoke on Monday while answering questions on the killing of 45 farmers at Zabarmari in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by the insurgents when he featured on a Channels Television programme Sunrise Daily.
He said information gathered from the attack showed that some of the insurgents were already cohabiting with the villagers before they struck.
Asked how the military had no prior intelligence on the attack, Gen. Enenche said the army needs information from locals to aid its operation.
He said, “That has been our worry. It’s a concern to us. You need a guide, you need information. Will they tell us? That’s a question that we have to ask. Yes, sometimes. And most times, no. And that was one of the issues we have been ensuring to overcome, with civil-military cooperation activities, reaching out to them, even sending people by proxy to talk to them.
“Those are the things that have been one of the banes of the final success in the whole of this operation. Our patrols will pass through a route, in a village.
“By the time you are going, some people are looking at you. When you are coming back, the next thing is that you meet an IED planted on the road. And people saw them, they won’t tell you. So, that’s the area I think we are all working together as stakeholders.
“And it is not possible to force information out of people. It’s not possible, just like they say you force a horse to the river, but not to drink water. So, all we are trying to do is to build up their confidence in the system and encourage them that look, this is not good for you. Now they do not expect that this will happen, even those ones that they deceived, that they are preaching to them.”
On the actual number of casualties from the attack, Enenche said contrary to the UN’s statement that over 100 people were killed, the military has so far identified 43 corpses.
According to him, the field commandants “gave me a synopsis of what happened. When the governor was to go and after they had recovered the dead, the troops had to move in there and they counted 43.
“Probably, we may count up to the figure he (Kallon) gave in the future but as it is now, what we have counted with the locals is still 43 and we are hoping that we don’t get beyond that.
“This is the real situation. I did not sleep. We had to follow it because this is very relevant coming from the United Nations.”
Speaking on how to enhance the military’s performance and the role the service chiefs play in that regard, Gen. Enenche said though the military is in need of new ideas, it is better they are from lower-ranking officers.
“Of course, we need fresh ideas. Like I was at the graduation of Army War College on Friday last week, incidentally, I was the commandant there before and what we do in from time we now play; there is what we call exercise star ride, we have the similar one at the National Defence College even at the armed forces command and staff college, we now play real lifetime exercise to the participants and students. They see where there are areas that they could improve upon and they bring out their reports. Those are fresh ideas because it is dynamic.
“So, we get input from the war colleges and then the NDC and also we have planning teams and those are the people that come up with these ideas. I can assure you that the things we do progressively are never in the past. So, fresh ideas, that is how we generate them from the various components that I have mentioned.
“My training is bottom-up approach. That is the intercontinental system. It comes from the bottom-up then you will now look at it at the top. I have been a commander and I have been a commandant so that is the way it works.
“You don’t look down on your subordinates and junior commandants. Those are the people on the field. You’ll get it better with the bottom-up approach. That is better from my experience because if you now go and bear on them, that means you are lording it over your subordinates. They bring up their ideas then you now look at it.”
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JUST IN: Tinubu arrives Abu Dhabi for sustainability week
JUST IN: Tinubu arrives Abu Dhabi for sustainability week
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Sunday to participate in the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).
President Tinubu touched down at 2:14 a.m. local time and was received by Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Themed “The Nexus of Next: Supercharging Sustainable Progress,” this year’s ADSW summit will see President Tinubu highlighting Nigeria’s achievements and reforms in energy sufficiency, transportation modernization, public health improvements, and economic development.
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His presence underscores Nigeria’s commitment to tackling global challenges through sustainable and cooperative strategies.
During the summit, the President is expected to hold bilateral discussions with UAE leaders, focusing on strengthening ties and exploring shared opportunities.
President Tinubu is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and other senior officials.
He is slated to return to Nigeria on Thursday, January 16.
ADSW 2025, a globally recognized event for sustainability innovation, brings together business leaders and civil society representatives to advance sustainable development and foster economic progress.
Over its 15-year history, the summit has established itself as a key platform for forging partnerships and driving impactful initiatives in clean energy and global growth.
JUST IN: Tinubu arrives Abu Dhabi for sustainability week
News
Delta Gov Oborevweri sacks commissioner for information
Delta Gov Oborevweri sacks commissioner for information
Delta State Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevweri, has sacked his Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza.
The governor has reportedly directed the state Commissioner for Works (Rural roads), Charles Aniagwu, to take over the affairs of the ministry.
Director General, Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communication, Dr. Fred Latimor Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development.
“Charles Aniagwu will take over the two ministries (Works and Information) for the meantime,” he stated.
It was learnt that Osuoza was sacked after a series of complaints of alleged incompetence.
Aniagwu had served as Chief Press Secretary (CPS) and Commissioner for Information during ex-Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s eight year tenure.
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Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support
Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has assured Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Dramani Mahama, that he can count on Nigeria’s support.
The remark was made on Tuesday during Mahama’s inauguration ceremony at the Black Star Square in Accra.
He noted that Ghana has answered the question of whether Africa is capable of democratic and productive endeavors, and that it is time for Africa’s critics to stop asking the continent to prove itself.
The Nigerian president emphasized the importance of African unity and cooperation, adding that the legacy of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah is a guiding spirit for African progress. Tinubu urged African nations to avoid conflict and choose peaceful dialogue to resolve differences while resisting external forces that seek to divide them.
Addressing Mahama, Tinubu said, “My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support at any given time you call on me. We are your brothers and sisters. We shall always be there for you.”
Tinubu’s remarks read:
It is always good when a friend and brother can visit the home of a close neighbour to celebrate his success and progress with him.
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We celebrate African Democracy today as Ghana and her beloved people mark the transition from one democratic government to another. This moment does more than symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society. It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly. It is time that Africa’s critics stop forgetting the strides your nation, Nigeria and others have made by continuing to ask us to prove ourselves. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have found the critical path to our success. We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace.
Today, I am here not only as the President of Nigeria but also as an African in resolute support for Ghana and her people. This moment is a source of pride and honour for you, the entire Continent, and its Diaspora.
The sun is out, and the sky says daylight, but I see today a Black star rising high in the African sky. This black star shines over this nation, and its rays spread across this Continent with a sense of shared history, hope, compassion, unity, and devotion to our common welfare.
While others may seek to demean Africa and keep brother pitted against brother, that shining star reminds us of who we are. Better yet, it reminds us of who we can be. That star means that we shall always strive to work together. Even when we disagree, we shall dialogue and discuss until we reach an agreement. Never, never shall we harm others and never allow any outsider to hurt us or disrupt the unity for which so many of our heroes gave their sweat, blood, and very lives to achieve.
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The spirit of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is here today, lifting that star higher and higher. Just as Ghana draws inspiration and a well of strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the close relationship between our two nations.
May we always walk in the way and the spirit of these enlightened leaders.
Ghana is in harmony with that spirit, and President John Mahama’s inauguration today reflects that.
Your new president is a man of patriotic vision and substance. He loves his nation and its people to the core. He believes that your nation has a mission and intends for you all to fulfil it. No one can ask more of a leader than that.
President John Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken.
May your administration be a profound success and progress for you, Ghanaians, and our entire region.
I am confident that the new government, under the leadership of President John Mahama, will work with Nigeria to strengthen this powerful bond, leading to greater shared prosperity for our people. I have no doubt that your administration will bring about positive change and progress.
Your ascension to power should also mark a new and invigorated momentum in pursuing subregional integration and progress. With laser focus, we can tackle our people’s most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress.
May Ghana’s democracy continue to grow stronger. May progress and prosperity be your portion. Let us all look forward to a future filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity.
God bless Ghana and its Beloved People.
God bless Nigeria and its Beloved People
God bless ECOWAS
God bless our Beloved Africa.
I thank you for your kind attention.
Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support
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