Reps to probe attack on Abuja-Kaduna train, summon Amaechi, NSA, others – Newstrends
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Reps to probe attack on Abuja-Kaduna train, summon Amaechi, NSA, others

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The House of Representatives says it will investigate an attack on an Abuja-Kaduna train that occurred on Monday night leading to many casualties.

The lawmakers say they will also investigate the attack on the Kaduna airport which resulted in the death of a security guard on Saturday.

The invitation followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Nnaji Nnolim, a lawmaker from Enugu state.

The train was on its way from Abuja to Kaduna when it was attacked by gunmen in the Kateri-Rijana area of Kaduna State on Monday night. It was about 30 minutes away to Rigasa, its final stop.

The gunmen were said to have blown up the rail track after which they launched an attack on the passengers.

Contributing to the motion during plenary on Tuesday, Aminu Suleiman, a lawmaker from Kano, said, “I never believed that this incident really happened.

“It surprises me and truly troubles me as a person that this thing could happen in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This thing that happened – that truly happened – actually challenged us as a nation.

“I think these bandits have taken these deliberate killings to the sovereignty of this country, far beyond what we can comprehend. So, we must accept a collective failure. We must present a very formidable front as a house to ensure that these things do not happen again. And for it not to happen, somebody somewhere must be held responsible.”

Onofiok Luke, a lawmaker from Akwa Ibom, said too much priority had been paid to “political activities” while little attention was given to the security of lives and properties.

“It is saddening that we can have a security breach to a point of infraction in the airport. It is quite saddening,” he said.

“We have had our train and our rail affected just some few hours ago. We seem to be involved in so many political activities as of present but there are critical issues affecting the lives of Nigerians. We seem to be involved in 2023 (general elections).

“My call this morning is for every one of us, from the executive to the legislature, from the federal to the state and local governments, to come together for us to proffer solutions and provide security for Nigerians, which is the primary objective of government. Those who used to go to Kaduna by road became challenged because of kidnappings on the Abuja-Kaduna road. Then, the railway and trains came but they are being challenged today.”

To investigate the matter, the lawmakers have invited Babagana Monguno, national security adviser (NSA); Bashir Magashi, minister of defence; Isiaka Amao, chief of air staff; Yusuf Bichi, director-general, Department of State Service (DSS); Alkali Baba, inspector-general of police (IGP); Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation and Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation.

The director-general, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority; managing director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), managing director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), general manager and Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) are also expected to appear before the lawmakers.

The government officials are to appear before the leadership of the house and committees on aviation, national security, police, army, airforce, defence and land transport.

The sitting of the committees is expected to commence on Wednesday, March 30.

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Updated: Owner of Abuja Chinese supermarket flees with family 

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Updated: Owner of Abuja Chinese supermarket flees with family 

Cindy Liu Bei, owner of an Abuja-based Chinese supermarket accused of discriminating against Nigerians, has fled the premises with her family.

The facility workers disclosed this on Monday when the officials of the Federal Competition and Consumer and Protection Commission (FCCPC) visited the place.

The supermarket situated at the China General Chamber of Commerce is said to only allow Chinese and not Nigerians to shop there.

This has created an uproar since the development was made public on Sunday.

When the FCCPC team visited on Monday, the workers said Bei, a Chinese lady that owns the facility, left the place in the morning around 8:26am with her family.

This was confirmed on the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera.

The FCCPC officials subsequently shut the supermarket.

Nigerians had expressed outrage over the discriminatory policy implemented by the Chinese supermarket.

The facility manager of the complex Shaibu Sanusi confirmed that Nigerians from outside the complex were not allowed to shop but only those within could access it.

While the supermarket remains shut, the consumer protection agency felt some people were hiding inside in a bid to avoid confrontation with the agency.

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How gunmen killed Babcock university lecturer, abducted two – Police

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Yinka Olowojobi

How gunmen killed Babcock university lecturer, abducted two – Police 

The police authorities have confirmed the killing of a lecturer with Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, in the Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, Yinka Olowojobi.

He was said to have been shot dead by some gunmen at a relaxation centre in the Iperu area of Ogun State.

The spokesperson for Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said this in a statement.

She said Odutola, Olowojobi was among three persons shot by the gunmen who invaded Ajadeh Event Centre on Sagamu Road, Iperu, around 9.20pm last Friday.

“The lecturer was taken to Babcock University Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead,” he stated.

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She said about eight men dressed in black and armed with guns emerged from an unknown place into the relaxing lounge and opened fire.

Olowojobi was said to have been shot in the chest for refusing to go with the armed men, while a manager of a car stand, simply identified as Dare and another yet-to-be-identified person were abducted.

“Efforts are underway to apprehend the culprits and rescue the kidnapped victims. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops,” the statement added.

How gunmen killed Babcock university lecturer, abducted two – Police

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ISWAP bread factory found in Borno

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ISWAP bread factory in Borno

ISWAP bread factory found in Borno

Troops from Operation Lake Sanity III, part of Operation Hadin Kai, have reportedly uncovered an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist bread production factory concealed within their hideout in Maisani, Timbuktu Triangle, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, quoting intelligence sources, disclosed that on Monday, the combined forces of 199 Special Forces Battalion, Hybrid Forces, and Civilian JTF (Joint Task Force) discovered the bread factory during a mission into the terrorists’ hideout on Sunday.

“The sources said that the factory was destroyed while items recovered include 2 Lister generating plants, 1 baking machine, and several baking materials,” Makama reported.

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According to the report, the discovery came amidst a week-long clearance operation aimed at decimating the terrorists from their stronghold in the Timbuktu Triangle, an area comprising Buk 1, 2, and 3, Talala, Ajigin, Dusula, Abulam, and Gorgi – a region notorious for harbouring these extremist groups.

“These groups of terrorists are mostly responsible for attacks, ambushes, and IED/mine incidents targeting the Damboa roads, Damaturu-Maiduguri MSR (Main Supply Route), attacks towards Askira, Buratai, Buni Yadi, as well as the destruction of the high-tension transmission line connecting Borno and Yobe State.

“Despite the complexity of the terrain, characterised by highly fortified camp mostly located under thick foliage and IEDs planted in several locations within the Timbuktu Triangle, the troops continued to maintain high fighting efficiency,” Makama stated.

ISWAP bread factory found in Borno

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