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DHQ reveals how train attack victims were rescued

Published

2 years ago

October 7, 2022

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed how the remaining 23 hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack were released.

It said the victims, who were abducted on March 28, were rescued through a non-kinetic operation by the Nigerian Armed Forces, in conjunction with the security agencies in the country, on Wednesday.

The Director, Defence Media Operation (DMO), Major General Musa Danmadami, who made the disclosure, however, refused to give details on the rescue operations.

Gen Danmadami spoke at the biweekly media briefing on updates of military operations conducted between September 22- October 6, 2022, while responding to questions from journalists on how the hostages regained their freedom.

The DMO spokesman said: “Wanting to know details is not the issue for now. The important thing is that these people have been held captive for six months and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in collaboration with other security agencies, through the committee that was set up by the President and Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, secured their release.

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“When it comes to operations, we normally tell you there are kinetic and non-kinetic operations. This is part of the non-kinetic operation that was conducted. We already know the trauma that the abductees and their family members went through. Giving you more details will subject them and their families to more trauma.”

Speaking on military operations conducted within the period under review, Danmadami said troops conducted several ambushes, clearance operations, fighting patrols, cordon and search, as well as kinetic and non-kinetic operations in the various theatres of operations that yielded tremendous successes.

He said two abducted Chibok school girls, Yana Pogu and Rejoice Senki, with their children, alongside 12 other abducted victims were rescued at Bula Davo village in Bama Local Government Area and Kawur village in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

He further stated that another 418 suspected repentant terrorists, who claimed to have lost interest in the Boko Haram ideology surrendered to troops at different locations with their families. He listed the surrendered terrorists to include 44 adults males, 135 adult females and 239 children.

Danmadami added that 29 Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province logistics suppliers were arrested by soldiers who also nabbed suspected terrorists ammo technician at Gorom village in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State, with 300 empty cases of ammo suspected to be used for fabricating 7.62mm specials, while six terrorists informant and collaborators, including a foreigner were arrested at different locations.

Giving an update of military operations conducted within the period under review, Gen Danmadami said: “Troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North East Zone have sustained operational activities in their general area, as they conducted operational activities in villages, mountains, towns and cities. Between September 22 to October 4, 2022, troops conducted ambushes, clearance operations, fighting patrols and cordon and search as well as other operations at different locations in Biu, Damboa, Kaga, Kukawa and Gubio Local Government Areas, all in Borno State.

“During the operations, troops arrested 29 Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province logistics suppliers. Items recovered from the Boko Haram include 50 big bags of dry fish, two big sacks of fried meat, 55 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit, one big bag of coal, 13 bags of breads, one bag of salt, one bag of beans, five cartons of detergent, three packs of batteries, 50 leathers of mosquito coil, 10 mobile phones, four vehicles, one bicycle and the a total sum of N2,479,740.00, as well as other sundry items.”

Sun

Related Topics:DHQ Featured Rescued Train Attack

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INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Published

5 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan yesterday got a memo from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It is a notification to her of the receipt of petition from voters in her Constituency demanding her recall.

The same notification was sent by the electoral agency to the leadership of the Senate.

The Commission also unfolded plans to scrutinise the signatures of the petitioners to ascertain their authenticity.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed in a statement that the addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of representatives of the petitioners, which were initially not attached, had been submitted to the commission.

On Tuesday, the Commission had picked holes in the petition, pointing out that it failed to meet the standard because the addresses and phone numbers of the petitioners’ representatives were not provided as required by law.

Exuding confidence after INEC’s confirmation that that aspect of recall requirements had been met, the petitioners said the recall request was meant to correct what they described as the error of wrong choice.

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Olumekun said: “Further to the statement issued yesterday, Tuesday 25th March 2025, the Commission hereby confirms that the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, dated today Wednesday 26th March 2025.

“As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address.

“The same letter has been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website.

“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the Constituency.

“This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, is serving a six-month suspension for misconduct and abuse of the Senate rules after her seat was changed.

She went ahead to make allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

On Wednesday, Zubairu Yakubu, who wrote the petition, accompanied by former Education Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions sitting to defend the allegations.

However, the Committee threw out her petition, saying that the matter was already a subject of litigation.

During the meeting, Dr Ezekwesili and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) clashed, exchanging hot words.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been junketing between the United States and Europe, granting interview against Senate president.

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

metro

FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

Published

6 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays in celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the government.

He urged Muslims across the country to use the period for prayers, reflection, and acts of kindness, emphasizing the importance of peace, unity, and national development.

In a statement on Wednesday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, the minister congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, highlighting the significance of the holy month in fostering self-discipline, compassion, and spiritual renewal.

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Tunji-Ojo called on all Muslims to continue embodying the virtues of love, generosity, and peace, emphasising the need for national unity and religious harmony.

He also urged Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the country’s peace, stability, and prosperity.

“As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, let us reflect on the lessons of Ramadan, embrace one another with love and forgiveness, and work together to build a more united and prosperous Nigeria,” the minister stated.

He further encouraged citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly, while extending acts of kindness to the less privileged, in line with the values of Ramadan and Eid.

On behalf of the Federal Government, Tunji-Ojo wished all Muslim faithful a joyous Eid Mubarak and prayed that the blessings of the season bring happiness and fulfilment to everyone.