metro
Presidency attacks Ortom over comments against Buhari on Arise TV
ABUJA—THE Presidency last night attacked the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom over his comment when he appeared on Arise television programme where he said that Nigerians are regretting voting for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
The Presidency accused Ortom of blaming the President where he has allegedly done nothing to improve the welfare of the Benue state people.
In a statement issued by Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, the Presidency said Nigeria has had enough of failed politicians who blame others as a diversion for their inability to improve citizens’ lives.
The statement read: “There are two types of politicians in Nigeria today. The first are politicians who are leaders that offer solutions to the challenges facing the voters and the country. They bring forward policies, and implement them, to improve the lives of others.
“The second, politicians who offer excuses for the challenges voters face. They avoid ideas and instead blame others for problems they have either not solved or have themselves created.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is a leader. He inherited a treasury that had been emptied by previous administrations – and he sought and succeeded in repatriating billions of dollars of stolen funds from overseas. His administration discovered more than 500,000 bank accounts operated by Ministries, Agencies and Departments. In these accounts, the money belonging to the government was kept.
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“Same government agencies went to the banks to borrow money kept by sister agencies at exorbitant interest rates. What is more, some of the signatories had left the service or were “unknown” and so no one had access to the funds.
“MDAs are now compelled to use the Treasury Single Account, TSA, domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria. And the President brought forward the first and only plan to address farmer-herder clashes in 100 years, supporting states to rediscover grazing reserves and create ranching lands that have successfully reduced tensions while increasing harmony and saving lives.
“Governor Samuel Ortom, office holder, is that other politician. He inherited unpaid salaries and pension arrears – and rather than find a way to raise the funds to pay them, he has blamed the President.
“This is a President who has not failed to pay the salary of those working for the federal government and declared the failure of states to do so “a national disaster.”
“To avert this, he had, at various times lent money to the states in excess of N1.682 trillion, and Benue, Mr Ortom’s state did not miss out on all occasions: Salary Bailout, Excess Crude Loan and Budget Support loan, each repayable in 20 years. Lagos for instance didn’t collect any of the loans.
“A few other states declined to take one or two. Mr Ortom, an office holder who collected on all occasions, currently holds the country’s longest record of unpaid salaries and pensions, has no reason, absolutely no reason, to blame President Buhari for the mess in which he put his state and its workers.
“Having first come claiming that his predecessors created the arrears, it was his business to prove that he was better by paying. Instead of doing that, he joined them! And while he runs up even further salary and pension debts on top of those he was bequeathed, instead of respecting the voters who elected him to office, he publicly attacks them in unprintable words and has raised his own thuggish militia to harass and violate them.
“The Governor now claims the voters wish to be “rescued by the PDP” and “regret voting for Buhari.” The voters, of course, will not be asked to vote for the President again because – as a leader – President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC respect term limits and the constitution, and will stand down next year at the end of his second democratically elected mandate.
“It seems unlikely, however, that any voter would seriously consider it possible to be “rescued” by a party that would today, allow a politician such as Governor Ortom in its ranks.
“What is certain, however, is that Nigeria has had enough of failed politicians who blame others as a diversion for their inability to improve citizens’ lives.”
Vanguard
metro
14-Year-Old British-Nigerian Boy, Fatally Shot in London
14-Year-Old British-Nigerian Boy, Fatally Shot in London
A 14-year-old British-Nigerian boy, identified as Eghosa Ogbebor, has been fatally shot in the Woolwich area of London, prompting a major police investigation and the arrest of three teenagers. The tragic incident has sparked shock and grief in the local community and among the Nigerian diaspora in the UK.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers responded to reports of a shooting on Lord Warwick Street at around 3:40 p.m. on Thursday, 2 April, near Woolwich Dockyard. Emergency responders attempted to save the boy’s life, but he was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have identified the suspects as two teenage boys aged 14 and 16 and an 18-year-old man, all of whom have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody. Detectives are urging members of the public with information, CCTV footage, or dashcam recordings to come forward to assist with ongoing inquiries.
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Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, leading the investigation, expressed condolences to Eghosa’s family, stating that they are being supported by specialist officers and have requested privacy during this difficult time. She acknowledged the concern the incident has caused across Woolwich and confirmed an increased police presence in the area to reassure residents.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with multiple gunshots heard and panic among pedestrians in the vicinity. The shooting took place near local community areas, heightening the shock and fear among residents.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, condemned the killing and emphasized that “there is absolutely no place for this heartbreaking violence in our city.” He confirmed close collaboration with the police to ensure safety and support for the community.
This tragic event highlights ongoing concerns about youth violence in London and the urgent need for community-based interventions to prevent such senseless acts. Authorities have promised a thorough investigation and are working to uncover the circumstances that led to the death of the young British-Nigerian boy.
14-Year-Old British-Nigerian Boy, Fatally Shot in London
metro
Gunmen Attack Zamfara Governor’s Aide Convoy, Escape Unhurt
Gunmen Attack Zamfara Governor’s Aide Convoy, Escape Unhurt
Gunmen on Thursday evening ambushed the convoy of Mouktar Lugga, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Zamfara State, in a brazen attack along the Funtua–Gusau highway.
The incident occurred at about 6:16 p.m. near Kucheri village as Lugga was returning to Gusau from an official engagement in Funtua.
According to security and local sources, the attackers—suspected to be armed bandits—launched a coordinated ambush from both sides of the road, opening heavy gunfire on the convoy in what appeared to be a targeted assault.
The vehicle conveying Lugga, his driver, and two other occupants came under direct attack, with bullets reportedly hitting the windscreen. One of the shots narrowly missed the driver, while another assailant attempted to fire at close range but his weapon malfunctioned.
Despite the intensity of the нападение, the driver maintained control and successfully navigated the vehicle out of the kill zone, preventing what could have been a fatal outcome. All occupants escaped unhurt.
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Security sources said the convoy had minimal escort at the time of the incident, raising concerns about the vulnerability of public officials travelling along high-risk routes in the North-West.
Following the attack, security operatives launched a search operation in surrounding bush areas, while patrols along the Funtua–Gusau corridor were intensified to prevent further incidents.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement, but government sources confirmed that Lugga is safe and has since returned to base.
The highway where the attack occurred is known for frequent bandit ambushes, kidnappings, and armed robberies, linking parts of Zamfara and Katsina states—two regions heavily affected by criminal gangs.
Security analysts note that such attacks are often carried out by loosely organised armed groups seeking to kidnap high-profile individuals for ransom or to assert territorial control.
The latest incident underscores the persistent insecurity in Zamfara State, despite ongoing military operations and recent deployments aimed at securing major roads and rural communities.
Authorities have urged commuters to exercise caution, avoid night travel where possible, and report suspicious movements to security agencies as efforts continue to restore safety across the region.
Gunmen Attack Zamfara Governor’s Aide Convoy, Escape Unhurt
metro
NAF Airstrike Destroys Terrorist Enclave, Kills Scores of ISWAP Fighters in Borno
NAF Airstrike Destroys Terrorist Enclave, Kills Scores of ISWAP Fighters in Borno
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its counter-insurgency campaign in Nigeria’s North-East, carrying out a precision airstrike that destroyed a terrorist enclave and killed several fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province in Borno State.
The operation targeted Kangarwa in the northern Tumbuns axis—an area long regarded as a stronghold for insurgent groups operating around the Lake Chad basin.
In a statement issued on Friday, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, said the strike was conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on April 1 at about 12:05 p.m.
According to him, the mission followed credible intelligence reports indicating increased террорист activity in the area. Subsequent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions confirmed the presence and movement of fighters within the enclave prior to the strike.
“The precision strike was carried out based on credible intelligence, reinforced by earlier ISR missions which confirmed the massing of terrorists and sustained hostile activity within the enclave,” Ejodame said.
“Following positive identification and target confirmation, NAF air assets conducted successive aggressive strike passes, delivering accurate fires on the identified locations.”
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He added that the bombardment obliterated key structures, including command posts and logistics hubs, significantly degrading the operational capacity of the террорист network.
“The strike neutralised scores of fighters, destroyed critical infrastructure, and left the enclave severely degraded, with its operational utility significantly diminished,” he said.
Military sources indicated that Kangarwa serves as a strategic transit and coordination hub for insurgents moving across the Tumbuns and Lake Chad fringes. The destruction of the enclave is expected to disrupt planned attacks and weaken supply chains for fighters in the region.
The NAF spokesman further noted that the operation has created favourable conditions for ground forces to advance and conduct clearance operations, as troops of Operation Hadin Kai continue to sustain pressure on fleeing insurgents.
He stressed that the strike dealt a significant blow to ISWAP elements, particularly affecting their command structure and mobility.
“The operation is assessed to have eliminated several ISWAP fighters with devastating impact, while the enclave’s command and support structure suffered a major setback,” Ejodame stated.
Security analysts say the latest strike highlights improved coordination between air and ground forces, a strategy increasingly adopted by the Nigerian military to dismantle insurgent networks more effectively.
The renewed offensive comes amid sustained efforts by the Armed Forces to clear террорист enclaves across Borno and the wider North-East, where insurgency has persisted for over a decade.
Authorities reaffirmed that air interdiction missions and ground assaults will continue in a bid to eliminate remaining террорист elements and restore lasting stability to affected communities.
NAF Airstrike Destroys Terrorist Enclave, Kills Scores of ISWAP Fighters in Borno
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