DHQ confirms terrorists attack on Kaduna military camp, expecting details – Newstrends
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DHQ confirms terrorists attack on Kaduna military camp, expecting details

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3 years ago

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Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor

•Lawmakers meet service chiefs, IG, ministers behind closed doors

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the attack the fresh mindless attack on a military camp in Kaduna on Tuesday where they killed about 15 soldiers and three civilians at Poll Wire, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Meanwhile, the principal officers of the House of Representatives and Chairmen of Security Committees, yesterday, met behind closed doors with the service chiefs, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Inspector General of Police, Usman Akali Baba; and the Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, over the recent terrorists’ attack on Kaduna airport and train.

This is as the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, has said Nigeria was currently at a critical crossroads and that the people must elect the right leaders in 2023 to take the country to the next level.

In the same breath, presidential hopeful and one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC),  Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said an attack on one Nigerian was an attack on all Nigerians.

However, yesterday’s attack came a week after a commercial train was bombed in Kaduna, killing eight passengers, injured 26 while scores other passengers remained unaccounted for.

The terrorists, who were said to be traveling from Niger State to Zamfara in large numbers via Birnin Gwari, reportedly launched a deadly attack on the military camp.

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Sources in Birnin Gwari, who confirmed the incident in a telephone chat, said the attack occurred at about 5pm on Monday, and that the terrorists, who were carrying sophisticated weapons, engaged the soldiers in a fierce gun battle at the camp.

The said the terrorists might have overpowered the soldiers due to their large numbers and went on to burn a military armoured tank at the camp.

“The attack took place at a military camp at Poll Wire at about 5pm on Monday. They were in large numbers. They took more than an hour passing through the Kaduna highway. They were on their way from Niger State to Zamfara state.

“They over powered the soldiers after a fierce gun battle probably because of their large numbers and the kind of weapons they carried.

One of the military armoured tanks was burnt.

“I am not in a position to confirm how many soldiers were killed, but information available to me said that 15 soldiers and three civilians were killed. Two of the civilians are members of a vigilante group while one was a traveller.

“You can contact the military authorities to confirm the figures. The attack lasted for hours. These people were many and they have very sophisticated weapons. How do you expect maybe about 40 or 60 or even less soldiers manning a camp to face terrorists numbering about 100 or 200 and carrying deadly weapons?”

Spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, Mohammed Jalige, did not respond to calls when contacted.

However, the spokesman at Defence Headquarters, Maj Gen Jimmy Akpor, confirmed the attack but said he was still awaiting further details.

Also, the Director, Directorate of Defence  Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Bernard Onyeuko, confirmed the development and spoke in the same vein.

Lawmakers Meet Service Chiefs, IG, Ministers Behind Closed Doors

However, at the resumed meeting of security stakeholders with the House of Representatives, the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who presided over the session, said the House was hoping to explore other options to tackle insecurity in Nigeria.

Some identified government officials had last week shunned the invitation of the House at its last hearing. Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase, who presided at the session, refused to allow the representatives to speak on behalf of their principals and bemoaned their absence, which compelled an adjournment.

Speaking on behalf of the Service Chiefs, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, expressed readiness to answer questions from the lawmakers and said, “We are ready to answer the questions you have for us to proffer solutions to Defence and security issues across the country.”

Thereafter, Gbajabiamila moved that the meeting be held behind closed doors and journalists were asked to leave the room.

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Addressing journalists five hours later, Gbajabiamila said they made good headway in their discussion but couldn’t disclose what was discussed as security matters were not for public consumption.

“We had an extensive deliberation. A lot of the issues were discussed there. Unfortunately, as defence matters, they were not things for public consumption. But I can assure you that there was a lot of collaboration. All ideas came together in terms of how our security agencies can work together and speak together in one voice as opposed to different voices.

“Talking about the all-important issue of whether or not there are elements within the military itself that we need to deal with – issues of moles like some have stated. We talked about training and retraining, issues of capacity and allowances. We talked about several things, a lot of them like I said touched on security.

“I am not at liberty at this point, but for us to have been in there for 4 to 5 hours, you must know that we made some good head way and extensive decisions were made. I am not happy going into the meeting, but I am happy coming out,” the Speaker said.

El-Rufai: Nigeria at Crossroads, We Must Get Leadership Right in 2023

Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, yesterday, concluded that Nigeria was at the moment at a critical crossroads, but that the people must elect the right leaders in 2023 to take the country to the next level.

The governor spoke, when one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national leaders, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, visited him in Kaduna to commiserate with him over the recent attack on a Kaduna-bound train.

He said the challenges presently bedeviling the country were human, and that they were not intractable, because they could be solved.

“We need a society that can be just and equitable, where no group of people will lord it over others,” the governor said.

Governor el-Rufai, who also harped on the presidential aspiration of Asíwájú Tinubu, said, “We are aware of your aspiration to lead this country. We look forward to further engagements on this.”

He thanked Asíwájú Tinubu for the visit and for coming to commiserate with the state, saying, “We appreciate you. Thank you.”

Attack on One Nigerian is Attack on All, Says Tinubu

A Presidential hopeful, Bola Tinubu, yesterday, said in Kaduna, Kaduna that an attack on one Nigerian was an attack on all in the country.

Speaking when he visited the state to commiserate with the government and people over last week’s attack on an Abuja-Kaduna train, Tinubu urged all Nigerians to contribute their quota to efforts to rehabilitate the victims and prayed for a repose of the soul of those, who died in the incident.

“I’m here to sympathise with Governor Nasir el-Rufai and the people of the state over the train attack. It is a national disaster. It’s a blow to all of us. Nigeria bleeds. We need to fight terrorism with all we have. I understand some people were killed while some others are missing. It is frustrating.

“The governor is a symbol of our unity. Once in a while, we still remember the first stanza of our old national anthem – although tongues and tribes may differ, in brotherhood we stand. If enemies of peace and progress think they can deter us as a nation, we must together stand against them and say no,” he stated.

He, however, donated the sum of N50million to cushion efforts to rehabilitate the victims of the attack and later visited the St Gerald’s Hospital to see some of the victims.

In his responce, el-Rufai expressed gratitude to Asíwájú Tinubu for taking time to come and commiserate with the state and said the visit preempted his plan to come to Lagos to thank Asíwájú for honoring the people of Kaduna State by canceling his 70th birthday on the day of the event because of the train disaster.

“This gesture is a powerful show of leadership and empathy unprecedented in our national history. The government and people of Kaduna State will not forget this. We are grateful to you for your sacrifice and commitment to the greatness of our country,” he said.

THISDAY

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MURIC condemns demolition of two mosques in Ekiti

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18 hours ago

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April 7, 2025

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MURIC condemns demolition of two mosques in Ekiti

 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the demolition of two mosques in Aramoko, Ekiti State.

The Islamic human rights organization described the action as an onslaught on Islam in Ekiti State.

While no explanation was given for demolishing the first one, the second was pulled down to give way for a market which is a constituency project of the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.

The group queried the Senate Leader for embarking on war against Muslims in Ekiti State as his constituency project. MURIC charged the politician to reach out to the Muslim community at Aramoko with a view to rebuilding the mosque or remain in the bad books of Nigerian Muslims forever.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday, 7th April, 2025 by the Executive Director of the faith-based civil liberties organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads, “The authorities of Aramoko, Ekiti State, have pulled down two mosques in the town in recent time. The principal actors include the Alara of Aramoko, Oba Adegoke Olu-Adeyemi, the Chairman of Ekiti West Local Government, Hon. Moses Omojola, his Vice, Hon. Isaac Fatoyinbo, a former deputy speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gbenga Odebunmi and Hon. Muyiwa Olabode, the Secretary of the council.

 

“A short notice was given to the Muslims to vacate their mosque situated at Sabo in Aramoko town for a constituency project of the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele. Every trick in the books was employed to ensure that the mosque was demolished on 26th March, 2025.

 

“MURIC strongly decries the destruction of Sabo Central Mosque, Aramoko, Ekiti State. This action smirks of religious intolerance. It is a confirmation of renewed hostility against Yoruba Muslims and reinvigorated onslaught on the religion of Islam in the region. It is a hate action aimed at eliminating Islam not only in the city of Aramoko and Ekiti State but in the entire Yoruba geographical space.

 

“In particular, we are surprised that a politician of immense exposure at the federal level in the person of no less a personality as Opeyemi Bamidele who has risen to the status of Senate Leader in Nigeria could give the green light to the perpetration of such a dastardly act against a section of his constituents simply because they are Muslims.

 

“Muslims of Aramoko have been heart-broken since the incident. They are hugely disappointed in the person of the Senate Leader whom they had voted into senate to represent them but who had turned round to deprive them of their place of worship.

 

“Man is body, soul and spirit. The material provisions of this world can only meet the needs of the body. Our souls and spirits will only be at rest when we commune effectively with Allah. To demolish our mosques for any reason whatsoever without immediate replacement is to deprive our souls and spirits of that much needed spiritual shelter. It is a declaration of war against Allah, our Creator.

 

“MURIC affirms that the demolition of Sabo Central Mosque for Opeyemi Bamidele’s constituency project breaches Allah-given fundamental human rights of the Muslims of Aramoko. It is also a violation of Section 38(i)&(ii) which guarantees freedom of worship.

 

“Our question to the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele is this: How can Allah give us one thing and you, a homo sapien, take the same thing from us? Not even in the name of a constituency project should this happen because that mosque has been on that spot at Sabo for donkey years and the Senate Leader knows it.

 

“It is unacceptable. It is an anti-Muslim act. We are shocked that at your level and with your exposure, you will still embark on war against Muslims in your comfort zone. By their actions, you shall know them.

 

“But it is not too late. MURIC urges the Senate Leader to reach out to the Muslim community at Aramoko with a view to rebuilding the mosque or remain in the bad books of Nigerian Muslims forever.

 

“Nigerian Muslims have special regard for their mosques. It is part of their anatomy and their soul. An attack on one mosque is attack on all mosques in the country because they know that anyone who demolishes one mosque will be ready to destroy all other mosques if he has the chance to do so.

 

“That is why Muslims will be waiting for Opeyemi Bamidele if he ever seeks a federal position unless he rebuilds our Central Mosque at Sabo, Aramoko, Ekiti State. A Senate Leader who cannot protect Muslims and their cherished properties in his constituency cannot be expected to protect the interest of Muslims in Nigeria if he becomes a minister or gets to Aso Rock.

 

“Meanwhile we appeal to Muslims in the state to remain calm and unperturbed. Islam is a religion of peace and we expect every Muslim to be a good ambassador of his or her religion.”

 

MURIC condemns demolition of two mosques in Ekiti

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Police fire tear gas at protesters in Abuja, Port Harcourt

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20 hours ago

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April 7, 2025

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Police fire tear gas at protesters in Abuja, Port Harcourt

Police on Monday fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the Maitama district area of Abuja and Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The demonstration, which also held Lagos, is part of a larger nationwide action led by the Take It Back Movement (TIB).

In Abuja, the protesters had assembled to air their frustrations on the state of the economy and the emergency rule in Rivers State.

They were however thrown into panic as the police operatives came and deployed several cannisters of tear gas.

The smoke filled the air, forcing many to scamper in different directions for safety.

In Port Harcourt, the protesters had converged at the Isaac Boro Park when the officers stormed the area, deploying tear gas to send the demonstrators in different directions.

Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2023, led the protest.

“We have informed the political authorities that we will not accept any laws that infringe on our fundamental human rights. We will continue to speak out,” Sowore said.

“The police are aware that we are marching today. They claim to have their own event as well, but we’ve made it clear that theirs cannot interfere with ours.

“We have also informed them that we are heading to the National Assembly. If they wish, they can mobilise and march alongside us.

“In fact, we’ve told Nigerian police officers that the time has come for the people and the police to unite. Together, we can fight to improve both their living and working conditions.

“Nigerian police are among the most mistreated globally, yet they continue to harm those advocating for their welfare. We will not tolerate this any longer.

“While we protest here, Tinubu is busy enjoying himself in France. We will not sit idly while the president continues to suppress our rights.

“We’ve also made it clear that the current inspector general of police, who is leading the programme at Eagle Square today, holds the position unlawfully.

“He has overstayed his tenure after 16 years in power. This is one of the main reasons we are marching today. No one can suppress a powerful idea.

“As we march here today, similar protests are happening in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

“These are just the early signs. Very soon, all Nigerians will rise up, and no force will be able to hold them back.”

National Coordinator of TIB, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the core demands of the protesters include the repeal of the cybercrime act and the end of emergency rule in Rivers state, which the group described as a “form of military dictatorship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration”.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had urged the organisers to shelve the protest and encouraged them to dialogue with relevant government institutions.

The demonstration also coincides with the National Police Day celebration on April 7.

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Lakurawa terrorists kill 13 vigilantes in Kebbi

Published

1 day ago

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April 7, 2025

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Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, Nafi’u Abubakar

Lakurawa terrorists kill 13 vigilantes in Kebbi

The Lakurawa terrorist group on Sunday killed 13 members of a vigilante group as they attacked Morai community in Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The 13 vigilantes were reportedly killed when they tried to resist the Lakurawa as they attacked and rustled cattle from the community.

A local, Malam Ibrahim Augie, told our correspondent that vigilante members in their numbers had come out to repel the terrorists’ attack when they were informed of their incursion into the village, but the terrorists had already encircled them and killed 13 of them.

He said, “The vigilantes hid to attack and recapture the rustled cattle, but they didn’t know the Lakurawa had already seen them and they were shot and killed,” he said.

The police spokesman, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, could not be reached at the time of filing this report as his line was not going through.

Lakurawa terrorists kill 13 vigilantes in Kebbi

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