DHQ prepares 2 battalions for Niger’s invasion, directs service chiefs to compile war items – Newstrends
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DHQ prepares 2 battalions for Niger’s invasion, directs service chiefs to compile war items

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DHQ prepares 2 battalions for Niger’s invasion, directs service chiefs to compile war items

In compliance with the directives of the Economic Community of West African States, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has commenced build-up preparations for the possible mobilisation of troops and equipment for a possible confrontation with the junta in Niger Republic.

However, the ECOWAS Parliament is divided over the use of military might to force the junta, which overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, out of power and to reinstate the Nigerien President.

The Nigerian military high command, it was gathered, had directed the service chiefs to compile and submit war requirements such as the number of personnel, equipment, logistics and financial costs to the Chief of Defence Staff.

It was gathered on Friday that this was the preliminary stage in the planning process of amassing human and material resources required for the planned military intervention in Niger.

A leaked memo indicated that about two battalions would be required to prosecute the war against the junta in Niger Republic.

A battalion is a military unit typically consisting of 300 to 1,000 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain).

But a military source said the total number of troops should be at least “10 times more than that of the enemy.”

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Apart from Nigeria, Senegal, Benin and Ivory Coast, other ECOWAS member states are expected to commit troops to the standby force.

ECOWAS had on Thursday activated its standby force for military action against the junta in Niger Republic.

The decision was taken at an extraordinary summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government hosted by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

The summit was attended by top diplomats from the United Nations, African Union and the regional bloc.

The junta led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani had defiantly refused to yield to entreaties and diplomatic pressure to reinstate Bazoum, who has been in detention at his residence since the takeover on July 26.

Following the coup, the ECOWAS imposed a battery of sanctions on the francophone country to compel the military leaders to reinstate the ousted president.

But the coup plotters ignored a one-week ultimatum to restore democracy issued by ECOWAS and also refused to meet with a delegation led by former Nigerian military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, last week Thursday.

On Monday, the junta similarly denied the acting United States Deputy Secretary of State, Victoria Nuland, access to the coup leader and Bazoum.

Also, plans by a joint UN/AU/ECOWAS delegation to visit Niamey on Tuesday were aborted after the coup leaders said they were unavailable to meet with the mission.

On Tuesday, presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, announced that more sanctions had been imposed on the individuals and entities relating with the Niger military junta.

The new sanctions imposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria will prevent Nigerien banks from carrying out financial transactions with their Nigerian counterparts.

The restriction also applied to the coup plotters and their collaborators.

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In reaction to the planned military intervention authorised by the sub-regional body, the Niger military leaders threatened to kill Bazoum should the ECOWAS attempt any military operation to restore democracy in the francophone country.

However, giving an update on the ECOWAS resolution on Friday, reliable military sources said the Nigerian military authorities had started activating the necessary levers to give full expression to the resolutions of the West African leaders.

A source noted that the Defence Headquarters would coordinate the deployment of troops and equipment for the operation.

‘’No deployment has been made for now, but the build-up is ongoing. Services are to forward requirements such as the required number of men, equipment as well as funds that would be needed to mobilise troops to Niger. The DHQ will coordinate the deployment of troops for the operation in Niger,” the source stated.

When asked about the total number of troops that would be deployed, another source stated, “Military deployments are shrouded in secrecy, but it depends on how many men would be contributed by all members of ECOWAS. The total force should be at least 10 times more than that of the enemy.”

However, the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, assured Nigerians that the participation of the country in the military operation in Niger would not affect the ongoing war against insecurity in the country.

His reaction followed concerns by security experts that military involvement in Niger might impact the ongoing operations against criminal elements across the country.

Asked if the ongoing operation against members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Eastern Security Network, Boko Haram terrorists and bandits would not suffer setbacks with the planned deployment of troops to Niger, Gusau said, “I want to assure you that it will not in any way.”

The DHQ spokesman declined to speak on the preparations for the planned military intervention in Niger.

DHQ prepares 2 battalions for Niger’s invasion, directs service chiefs to compile war items

(PUNCH)

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Yahaya Bello: Prosecute US school over advance tuition fee payments, Sowore tells EFCC

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36 mins ago

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April 27, 2024

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Omoyele Sowore

Yahaya Bello: Prosecute US school over advance tuition fee payments, Sowore tells EFCC

Omoyele Sowore, a prominent Nigerian activist, has called for the prosecution of the American International School (AIS) in Abuja for alleged money laundering involving former Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello and his former Chief of Staff, Ali Bello.

In a post on X, Sowore alleged that Bello and his aide laundered close to $1 million under the guise of paying “future school fees” for their children at AIS.

He argued that similar to the American justice system, the AIS should face charges instead of simply refunding the money.

He further urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure that the school discloses all such payments made by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). Sowore believes that investigating such payments could reveal widespread financial misconduct and calls for AIS to be converted into a public school if found guilty.

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His words: “The American International School @AISAbuja , where fugitive former Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello @OfficialGYBKogi and his former Chief of Staff, Ali Bello, laundered close to $ 1 million in the name of paying “future school fees” of their wards should be charged and prosecuted for money laundering instead of being allowed to refund the money.

“This is the way the American justice system treats such cases on US soil, the @officialEFCC must also ensure the school discloses all such school fees paid by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).

“I am sure there are a lot of discoveries that would be uncovered such that the school could be converted to a public school instead of its criminal connivance with financial criminals fleecing the Nigerian public across board, these must necessary apply to these ultra-expensive private schools in Nigeria.”

Yahaya Bello: Prosecute US school over advance tuition fee payments, Sowore tells EFCC

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Why we praised Aviation minister Keyamo after Dana Air incident – Northern group

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52 mins ago

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April 27, 2024

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Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo

Why we praised Aviation minister Keyamo after Dana Air incident – Northern group

The Coalition of Northern Patriots (CNP) has hailed the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, for prioritising the safety and well-being of air travellers.

The group stated this in a statement signed by its president Kudu Mohammed in reaction to the suspension of the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Dana Airlines.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Wednesday, announced the airline’s suspension after its aircraft (MD82 with registration marks 5SN-BKI) skidded off the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos runway.

In reaction, Mohammed said Keyamo is restoring dignity and confidence to the sector with innovative reforms in line with global best practices, always promoting national security interest as a patriot.

Mohammed said in the aviation business that there is no margin for error. Hence, all protocols must be strictly adhered to, and that is what Keyamo has done.

“The suspension of the operations of Dana Airlines is a welcome development,” the statement said. “As we all know, this is the second time within two years that Dana Air’s AOC has been suspended over safety violations.

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“In 2022, the airline’s operation was halted after the outcome of a financial and economic health audit carried out on the airline by the regulatory authority came out negative.

“This time around, though, thankfully, we have an Aviation Minister whose priority is the safety and well-being of travellers unafraid to make painful decisions for the good of the nation.

“We have a man who never compromises and strongly holds on to his principles. Mr Keyamo has already introduced some innovative reforms in line with global best practices. He has carried out a thorough cleansing of the polluted sector he inherited.

“We, therefore, pass a vote of confidence on his leadership. Of course, we are aware that he is not the most-loved minister due to his transparent and resolute approach.

“However, we want to let Mr Keyamo know that the masses are with him.”

The group, therefore, urged him to remain a fearless advocate of the masses and never to allow himself to be silenced by detractors.

Why we praised Aviation minister Keyamo after Dana Air incident – Northern group

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Fuel scarcity bites harder in Abuja, Ondo, Osun, others

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1 hour ago

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April 27, 2024

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Fuel scarcity bites harder in Abuja, Ondo, Osun, others

There is no succour yet for motorists and other petrol end users despite the Thursday statement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) that it had resolved the logistic problems that sparked the supply crisis.

Reports from across the country yesterday showed that many filling stations had no fuel to sell.

Some sold over and above the threshold of N650 per litre while motorists and other buyers besieged the few ones that sold within the range of N600 per litre.

While many petrol stations in Lagos sold fuel at the normal price and queues were not noticeable, it was a different story in the industrial town of Ota, Ogun State where some filling stations hiked their pump price to N799 per litre.

In Abuja, over 80% of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) retail outlets shut down their operations yesterday, creating an opportunity for a massive black market around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Although the price remained unchanged at N617 per litre at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) filling stations while major marketers sold it for between N680 and N690 per litre, some independent marketers vended the product for as high as N750 per litre.

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Black marketers sold one litre for as much as N1,200 to desperate motorists.

Some drivers who ran out of fuel in hot spot were ready to pay N1,300 per litre just to exit the danger zone.

Meanwhile, there was a sign of hope that the situation would improve at weekend as The Nation could see more retail outlets getting opened to customers at 5:45pm.

Many civil servants who had a tough time returning home from work on Thursday did not bother to turn up at their workplace yesterday.

Epileptic fuel supply in Ondo

The epileptic supply of fuel was no better in Ondo State yesterday with many filling stations also shut down.

The price ranged between N600 and N670 in the few filling stations that opened for business.

Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Ore depot, Shina Amoo, said NNPCL was not selling to IPMAN members.

Amoo said IPMAN members had to resort to buying from third parties at high prices.

He said fuel marketers are shutting down operations in the state due to low or non-profit margin.

Long queues   in Enugu

The crisis was characterised by long queues at filling stations in Enugu while the price hovered between N600 and N725 per litre.

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It was N660 in some Total, Enyo, Masters Energy, Rainoil and Northwest filling stations and N660 per liter in NNPC filling stations.

Osun residents, motorists groan as petrol stations hoard fuel

Residents and motorists in Osun State accuse petrol dealers in the state of hoarding and profiteering.

The Nation observed long queues at major marketers petrol stations with price ranging between N625 and N640 per litre.

Independent marketers sold theirs for between N700 and N750.

Human rights activist Comrade Waheed Saka asked the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the State government to check the situation.

A motorist, Saheed Salako, claimed that many of the petrol stations had fuel but refused to sell.

 Crisis worsens in Plateau as a litre goes for N800

Many car owners in Jos, the Plateau State capital have been forced by the hike in fuel price to park their vehicles at home.

A litre sold for between N760 and N800 at some filling stations yesterday.

The NNPCL had attributed the tightness in the supply of PMS currently being experienced in some areas across the country to logistics issues but said the issues “have been resolved.”

It urged Nigerians to “avoid panic buying as there is sufficient product in the country.”

Fuel scarcity bites harder in Abuja, Ondo, Osun, others

The Nation

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