NAF airstrikes kill 70 terrorists in Borno, says DHQ

The air component of Operation Hadin Kai has killed more than 70 terrorists in air strikes conducted on November 6 at Kwallaram and Arainna Ciki islands in Borno.

This is contained in a statement by the director of defence media operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, on Saturday in Abuja.

Mr Buba said that while more than 70 extremist members were eliminated at Kwallaram, several more were killed at Arainna Ciki.

He said the troops had intensified offensive against terrorists and insurgents across the country, dislodging them from their enclaves and killing scores in synchronised airstrikes and ground operations.

According to him, troops neutralised 169 terrorists, arrested 641 others as well as 40 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 181 kidnapped hostages.

He said the troops recovered 192 assorted weapons and 2,970 ammunition comprising 106 AK47 rifles, 38 fabricated rifles, 26 Dane guns, one FN rifle, three fabricated revolver pistols and 11 locally made pistols.

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Other weapons recovered, according to him, include five pump action guns, one dummy AK47 rifle, one unexploded RPG bomb, 1,410 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,074 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 67 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 130 rounds of 108mm, 101 rounds of 9mm ammo among others.

Mr Buba said the troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 20 crude oil cooking ovens, two dugout pits, 42 boats, seven reservoirs, five drums, 50 storage tanks and 83 illegal refining sites.

“Other items recovered include three pumping machines, three outboard engines, one generator set, one speedboat, eight motorcycles and three vehicles, among others.

“Troops recovered 914,445 litres of stolen crude oil, 537,325 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,285 litres of PMS.

“On the whole, troops operations have severely depleted the ranks and files. Consequently, the terrorists are forced into a desperate recruitment drive on social media, particularly the ISWAP terrorist group.

“Troops will sustain the offensives to eliminate all threats,” he added.

NAF airstrikes kill 70 terrorists in Borno, says DHQ

(NAN)

Sanwo-Olu inaugurates Banana Island projects, warns residents against flooding

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has called on residents of Banana Island to continue obeying the building and environmental laws of the state, in order to mitigate the effects of flooding in the area.

Sanwo-Olu made the call on Saturday at the inauguration of some projects undertaken by Banana Island Property Owners and Residents Association, Lagos (BIPORAL).

The projects inaugurated include the Banana Island Administrative Office, a recreational park, Banana Island Club House, a fire fighting truck, a tennis court and an astroturf five-a-side football pitch.

Sanwo-Olu decried the lack of maintenance culture and urged the residents to maintain the facilities for the benefit of the public and future generations.

He, however, commended them for compliance with the state environmental and building laws, urging continuity.

The governor also lauded the efforts of the outgoing executives of the association, led by Mr Frank Aigbogun, and the new executive of Mr Abidemi Sonoiki for a good working relationship with government officials.

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Residents had earlier appealed to the governor for immediate intervention over persistent flooding of the area, particularly whenever it rains, apparently due to drainage challenges, especially on the road leading to the estate.

Sanwo-Olu pledged that the Ministry of Environment would inspect the road to find lasting solutions.

He noted that the flood is caused by houses built on the water channel around the area, adding that the government would not hesitate to demolish such houses after inspecting the area.

“Somebody has built a house on a channel of water that is supposed to be flowing to the sea.

“I plead with you to work with us. I don’t have an interest in demolishing people’s houses or making life uncomfortable for them, but we have to do what we have to do.

“Meanwhile, I will direct the Commissioner, Ministry of the Environment, and Office of Drainage, as well as Waterfront Infrastructure to look at what the issues are and come up with possible and permanent solutions to the problem.

“I know that the challenge on that road is a major outfall. It needs to be able to discharge that water, right, onto the canal out on the right and see how we can also navigate some canal and get it on the left,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu inaugurates Banana Island projects, warns residents against flooding

NAN

Zamfara govt gets five-day ultimatum to rescue stranded students in Cyprus

A Zamfara-based CSO, ‘Zamfara Circle Community Initiative’, has lamented the situation of the stranded Zamfara students in Cyprus and called on the state government to take tentative steps to address the problem.

The Chairman of the organisation, Dr Al-amin Tsafe, made the call at a press briefing in Gusau on Saturday.