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BREAKING: Troops gun down many terrorists, capture others

Published

12 months ago

November 26, 2023

Nigerian Military Troops

BREAKING: Troops gun down many terrorists, capture others

In a series of successful operations, the troops of Operation Haderin Daji in the Northwest zone have made significant strides against suspected terrorists eliminating many of them.

The spokesperson of OPHD, Captain Yahaya Ibrahim in a detailed statement, reported that the troops neutralized terrorists in various locations, showcasing their commitment to tackling insecurity.

On November 13, 2023, following a tip-off, five suspected terrorists were arrested in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. These individuals were linked to an attack on Sayaya village earlier in the month. Additionally, on November 13 and 14, the troops intercepted and rescued 11 kidnapped hostages in Faskari and Batsari Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

Further engagements on November 15 resulted in the neutralization of a terrorist in Batsari LGA of Katsina State. A firefight ensued, leading to the recovery of an AK47 rifle, magazines, and motorcycles. In separate operations between November 18 and 19, the troops responded to bandit activities in Maru, Malumfashi, and Danmusa Local Government Areas of Zamfara and Katsina States. Four bandits were neutralized, and two kidnapped hostages were rescued.

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On November 20, the troops conducted a fighting patrol in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, neutralizing four terrorists and recovering weapons and motorcycles. Another successful operation on November 21 in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State led to the rescue of 52 kidnapped hostages.

Notably, on November 17, the air component of Operation Haderin Daji conducted air interdiction on a targeted terrorist leader’s enclave in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State. The airstrike neutralized 20 terrorists, arrested 20 others, and rescued 83 kidnapped hostages.

Various weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, and communication devices were recovered during these operations. All items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authorities for further actions, including prosecution. Captain Yahaya Ibrahim emphasized the troops’ dedication to maintaining peace and security in the region.

BREAKING: Troops gun down many terrorists, capture others

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Court orders varsity to pay lecturer N40m compensation for wrongful dismissal

Published

4 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Court orders varsity to pay lecturer N40m compensation for wrongful dismissal

The National Industrial Court in Akure has ordered the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), in Ekiti state, to pay the sum of N40 million to Professor Niyi Akingbe, the former Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts, of the institution as compensation over wrongful dismissal.

According to the court documents made available to Vanguard Correspondent in Ilorin the judgement in suit no NICN/AK/58/2018 dated 29th October 2024 was given by the Presiding Judge, Hon Justice K.D Damulak in the case between the Claimant Dr Oniyide Ajisafe Akingbe and Federal University of Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

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Worry over cash scarcity in banks as farmers mop up naira

Published

12 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Worry over cash scarcity in banks as farmers mop up naira

There is rising complaints by bank customers and Point of Sale (POS) operators in some states across the country over alleged cash squeeze just as citizens try to meet their increasing demands for notes especially as yuletide shopping begins.

The states where these concerns are being raised include Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Taraba, as well as some satellite towns of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The scarcity, which has lasted over a week in the reported states, is coming amidst data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), revealing that the total currency in circulation has reached N4.14 trillion, with N3.87 trillion of this amount currently outside the banking system.

The recent CBN data indicates that 93.34 per cent of the nation’s currency is in the hands of individuals and businesses, while only 6.66 per cent remains within the banking sector.

The gap between currency outside banks and the total currency in circulation suggests that Nigerians, especially those living in the northern part of the country, still heavily rely on cash for daily transactions, despite the rise of digital banking services.

Also, the CBN data revealed that currency in circulation in Nigeria has added N1.48 trillion or 55.8 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) to N4.14 trillion as of August 2024, from N2.66 trillion in August 2023.

Cash squeeze pronounced in the North

Daily Trust findings revealed that the northern states are mostly affected by the current scarcity largely due to the onset of harvest and the fewer numbers of financial institutions in the rural areas of the North.

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Findings by our reporters in Borno State indicate that some businessmen buying up grains on a large scale were said to be mopping up cash.

A POS operator, Hamza Abdullahi, said operators no longer get the required cash in banks, therefore, depend on traders and petrol stations.

Hamza attributed the scarcity to the harvest and yuletide period that is fast approaching.

He said: “Traders are busy buying the new harvests and to do this, they need cash because farmers in our rural areas do not use electronic payment channels. Some do not even have bank accounts”.

He said many people are also buying goats and other animals that are transported to the South ahead of Christmas, adding that these are largely cash transactions contributing to the scarcity.

He said for N50,000, POS operators now charge N1, 000 as against N500 previously.

Kano

Abubakar Sadiq Danzaria, said POS operators are milking customers, raising charges because of the scarcity.

Another POS operator in Rijiyar Zaki Motor park, Adamu Salisu, who said he visited Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) in Murtala Mohammed road said, “Banks give only N50,000 a day and that is not enough to cater to the needs of our customers. Therefore, we source the cash from traders or filling stations.”

On his part, the chairman of Singer Market Development Association (SIMDA), Alhaji Junaidu Muhammad Zakaria, agreed with the POS operators that cash scarcity exists.

Speaking, a businessman, Muntari Aliyu said: “if you go to the rural markets, you can withdraw N3 million from the POS operator. They have the cash.

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“People there don’t do business with our modern means of transactions; they don’t trust it that’s why they are not taking the money to the bank. It’s not in circulation the way it should”, he said.

Abdullahi Haruna, a grain merchant said it was tough for him to get N10 million that he needed to visit the grains market in Sumaila, on Wednesday.

“I had to use traders at the ‘Yankura and other markets in the Kano metropolis. This took me more than one week,” he said.

Zainab Almu, an entrepreneur, said the cash scarcity is as a result of the harvest season, and not necessarily a policy matter.

“Farmers who are bringing the grains from the villages are still sceptical about bank transfer. They want to collect their money in cash and go back home.

“There is the need for more sensitisation in this part of the country. Again, some of them have been duped in the past, especially during the cash crunch ahead of the 2023 elections.

“Many of them lost their fortunes because they received fake credit alerts from some dubious Nigerians. A lot of sensitisation must be done to convince such people to trust the system again,” he said.

She said she has accounts in Access, Zenith and GT banks. “All the banks are facing some challenges of notes. When you go to withdraw, there is limit to what they will give you,” she said.

Worry over cash scarcity in banks as farmers mop up naira

Daily Trust

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We didn’t arrest Hamdiyya Sidi for criticising Sokoto governor – Police

Published

38 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Governor Ahmed Aliyu and Hamdiyya Sidi

We didn’t arrest Hamdiyya Sidi for criticising Sokoto governor – Police

The Sokoto Police Command has refuted claims circulated by an online platform alleging that Hamdiyya Sidi was arrested and detained for criticizing Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

Labeling the reports as baseless, police officials clarified that Sidi was detained following a complaint lodged against her for allegedly inciting public unrest.

In a statement issued by the Sokoto State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Ahmed Rufai, the police detailed that Sidi allegedly admitted to inciting residents to violence during questioning.

According to the statement, Sidi allegedly presented herself as a humanitarian seeking to assist local residents with donations, but later used the platform to incite them, prompting law enforcement action.

The statement read: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force, Sokoto Command, has been drawn to the ongoing falsehood and misinformation circulated by social media handles on the purported story that the Nigeria Police, Sokoto Command, secretly arrested and arraigned a woman who lamented on the recent rise in killings in Sokoto for embarrassing Governor Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto. This is false and misleading.”

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The statement continued to clarify the situation, explaining: “On the 3rd of November 2024 at 1700hrs, Marafa Yakubu, the village head of Sabon Birnin Daji village in Wurno Local Government Area, reported to the police that a woman, later identified as Hamdiyya Sidi from Munki village in the same local government, had visited the area, claiming to represent a charity aimed at assisting women and youth. She reportedly requested to address women in the community, intending to distribute aid to those in need.

“However, instead of distributing relief items as promised, she began encouraging the women to forcibly seize government properties in Wammako Local Government Area, claiming ownership rights over them.”

Yakubu observed the rising tension among community members and alerted local guards, who detained Sidi and subsequently handed her over to the police. “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the offence and was charged to court within 24 hours for the offence of inciting disturbance,” the statement added.

The Sokoto Police emphasized, “One of our constitutional responsibilities is to investigate crimes, both minor and major, and the case of Hamdiyya is no exception.”

The Commissioner of Police advised residents to carefully consider the information they share publicly, warning against the spread of misinformation that could disrupt the state’s peace.

“Sokoto State Police Command remains committed to protecting fundamental human rights while carrying out its duties,” the statement concluded.