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DHQ warns communities harbouring terrorists will be targeted

DHQ warns communities harbouring terrorists will be targeted
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has issued a stern warning that those harbouring terrorists risk making themselves a target for attack.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Musa gave the warning on Thursday when he visited troops in Giginya Cantonment, Sokoto, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said there was no mistake in the Christmas Day airstrikes targeted at the Lakurawa terrorist group in Sokoto State.
A fighter jet bombed two communities in the Silame Local Government Area of the state, targeting suspected terrorists.
But the Sokoto State government said 10 civilians were mistakenly killed in the bombing.
Gen. Musa said, “We have individuals that still harbour those people (terrorists) and once you do that, you make yourself a target. Our appeal is please do not allow them hang around you. Do not give them any support in whatever means.
“The incident that happened yesterday is an operation we conducted. We followed up and ensured we avoided mistakes as much as possible. If there were other mistakes that came up, we will investigate.
“From what we have seen, there were criminals in that place. Anybody that toyed with them was part of them. We want to appeal to the media, always understand that those guys want to use the media to send their message across.”
Gen. Musa stated that regardless of the controversy surrounding the airstrikes, the military would continue with its operations and would not relent in fighting criminal elements but would avoid civilian casualties.
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He explained that the military “would avoid civilian casualties as long as even they do avoid staying where the criminals are. It makes the job extremely difficult if we say wherever they are with the criminals, we avoid.
“If you are not with them, please leave their area and come out so that it gives us the ability to deal with them decisively.”
The CDS took advantage of his visit to have Christmas lunch with the troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, an operation aimed at ridding the state of bandits.
In a statement, Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, the joint media coordinator for the operation, corroborated the CDS, saying that the airstrikes targeted locations confirmed to be associated with the Lakurawa terrorist group.
According to Lt Col. Abdullahi, all military operations are based on “thorough intelligence and reconnaissance missions” to ensure precision and protect civilian lives.
“These reports have raised concerns; however, it is crucial to clarify that all military operations are conducted based on thorough intelligence and reconnaissance missions.
“This rigorous process is particularly important when targeting groups like the Lakurawa terrorist organisation, as it aims to ensure precision and protect civilians.
“There is a significant risk that terrorist groups may attempt to undermine military successes through media disinformation, necessitating caution concerning unverified claims, especially in the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry.
“Importantly, the targets that struck in the vicinity of Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa have been positively identified as associated with the Lakurawa group, reinforcing the justification for the military action taken.”
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Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), also confirmed that the airstrikes were conducted based on credible intelligence from multiple sources and confirmatory aerial surveillance.
“Nevertheless, reports of possible harm to civilians will be thoroughly investigated, and we will update you appropriately,” Air Commodore Akinboyewa said.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, who visited the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in the state, Senator Aliyu Wamakko and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, emphasized that the troops mistakenly bombed villagers.
He admitted that the troops were on a mission to rid the state of insurgents.
Aliyu stated that a thorough investigation would be conducted to find out what led to the avoidable mistake, so as to guard against its recurrence.
He also prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased and give their families the strength to bear the loss.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Muhammad Bello Sifawa, announced the donation of N20 million and 100 bags of assorted foodstuff to the families of the deceased.
The SSG added that the state government would settle the medical bills of those hospitalised as a result of injuries they sustained from the bombardment.
Aliyu, who defied the difficult terrain of the two communities, joined other residents for the funeral of the diseased.
The governor sympathised with the community and described the incident as unfortunate.
DHQ warns communities harbouring terrorists will be targeted
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Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him

Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him
Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has credited President Bola Tinubu with playing a key role in the victory of the late Chief MKO Abiola during the annulled 1993 presidential election.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Omokri argued that Tinubu’s influence and political acumen stretch far beyond recent elections, noting that opposition figures such as former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi lack the momentum to challenge Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.
“The recent seismic political realignments in Nigeria in favour of President Bola Tinubu should not surprise students of history,” Omokri wrote.
“Historical context is required to understand President Bola Tinubu. He did not start winning almost impossible-to-win elections in 2023. He is a veteran of such odds stacked against you elections.”
Omokri emphasized Tinubu’s pivotal role in Abiola’s 1993 campaign:”Many people forget or do not even know that then-Senator Bola Tinubu was Chief MKO Abiola’s right-hand man, helping him strategise and win the famed June 12, 1993 election upset.”
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He continued, “For roles requiring trust, with perhaps the exception of his son, Kola, and his late wife, Kudirat, there was nobody Chief Abiola looked to politically above then-Senator Tinubu. Even his political foe, Alhaji Sule Lamido, recently and grudgingly admitted it during an interview.”
Omokri described Tinubu as a uniquely skilled politician:”Hate him or love him, President Bola Tinubu is the best politician in Nigeria. He understands human nature, anticipates betrayal before it happens, and plans ahead for it.
“He also forgives easily, where there is repentance, and is able to work on the basis of no permanent enemy or friend but permanent interests.”
According to Omokri, Tinubu’s strength lies in his personal approach to politics:”But perhaps his biggest selling point is his relationship building abilities. The man knows how to reach out and touch people at the point of their need instead of waiting to get them by appealing to their greed, like his opponents.”
Looking ahead to the next general election, Omokri expressed confidence in Tinubu’s political future:”As long as God spares his life, I do not see anyone who can stop his reelection in 2027. Certainly not Nasir el-Rufai, who could not deliver his state to the APC when he was in office, how much more now that he is an out of office has been.”
He concluded with sharp criticism of Obi’s political approach:”And neither can Peter Obi, who has been exposed as an Islam-hating ‘Yes Daddy’ opportunistic politician.”
Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him
metro
US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship

US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship
Oladapo Fadugba, a Nigerian-born United States citizen, faces 27 years in jail for his alleged involvement in a $690,000 wire fraud operation and making false representations to earn US citizenship.
Chronicle NG gathered this in a statement by the US Attorney for the District of Florida, Gregory Kehoe, obtained on Wednesday.
According to Kehoe, Fadugba was charged with various counts, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false claims throughout his naturalisation process.
According to Kehoe, between October 2020 and July 2023, the suspect allegedly stole $690,000 in money from the US Department of Veterans Affairs that was intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider.
It was also stated that Fadugba utilised another person’s identity to arrange transfers to various bank accounts under his control.
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The statement read, “According to the indictment, beginning on October 30, 2020, and ending no later than July 11, 2023, Fadugba had more than $690,000 of Department of Veterans Affairs funds, intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider, transferred to his personal bank accounts.
“Fadugba then wrote cheques to himself or to businesses associated with him, which were subsequently transferred to other bank accounts under his control. It is alleged that he used the identification of another individual to carry out these transfers.”
In addition, Fadugba is accused of lying under oath during his US naturalisation proceedings by falsely claiming that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested.
According to Kehoe, if the defendant is convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum term of 27 years in federal prison and a forfeiture of $400,000, which represents proceeds from the alleged offences.
“The indictment further alleges that Fadugba, a naturalised US citizen from Nigeria, made a false statement under oath during his naturalisation proceedings by claiming he had not committed any offence or crime for which he had not been arrested.
“If convicted on all charges, Fadugba faces up to 27 years in federal prison. The indictment also includes a notice that the United States is seeking a forfeiture order of $400,000, which reflects the approximate proceeds of the criminal conduct charged,” the statement added.
Kehoe concluded by mentioning that “an indictment is merely a formal accusation of criminal conduct, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship
metro
Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue

Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue
The solemnisation of holy matrimony between a groom, Henry James, and Miss Afiniki Ibrahim was reportedly called off few days to the occasion.
The wedding scheduled to have been held on the 12th of April, 2025, in Saminaka, Lere Local Government of Kaduna State, was called off after the bride was discovered to be pregnant.
Our correspondent gathered that the bride was discovered pregnant after a series of tests were conducted by the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA).
It was gathered that the doctrine of the church stipulates that every couple is mandated to carry out several tests by the church medical team in a bid to ascertain their compatibility and to ascertain if the ”bed has been defiled”.
A source who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity revealed that Miss Afiniki was discovered pregnant after the tests were carried out.
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However, the groom-to-be distanced himself from the pregnancy, saying he did not have any knowledge of her throughout their courtship.
The discovery prompted Henry to call off the wedding.
In a dramatic twist, it was gathered that the secretary asked the disgruntled groom to marry Miss Godiya, a member of the church who had once rejected his love advances.
The secretary it was gathered, spoke to Godiya, who, in turn, expressed her readiness to marry Henry.
With her acceptance, Henry and Godiya tied the nuptials on the same date, same venue he was to marry his pregnant ex-fiancée.
Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue
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