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Scores killed as NAF jets hit terrorists’ hospital in Sambisa

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2022

NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet

A hospital and other healthcare facilities in the Sambisa forest where wounded and sick terrorists and their family members are treated have been bombarded by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets.

The hospital located at ‘Somalia’ area of the Sambisa forest was razed by the air component of the Operation Hadin Kai, following credible intelligence.

Many of the terrorists were said to have been killed in the air interdiction.

The attack at the Sambisa forest was followed by coordinated bombardment of identified terrorists enclaves across the Northeast.

A military source said intensive air and ground operations have persisted unabated across all the joint operating theatres interdiction, “despite the challenges that weather, as occasioned by rainstorms and low clouds, has continued to pose to the Nigerian military”.

According to the source: “In the Northeast, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, while acting on credible intelligence struck a target at Somalia in Sambisa Forest suspected to be a terrorist hospital and health care facility on 9 September 2022. Somalia, a location near SAMBISA Forest, was believed to be where the terrorists have a medical facility where wounded fighters as well as those critically ill were.

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“After the air strikes, several structures were observed destroyed and numerous terrorists neutralized. Air Interdiction missions were also carried out at Abdallari, a terrorist enclave located Northeast of Maiduguri on 10 September 2022. Several terrorists were also neutralized, and structures destroyed after the strike, hence degrading their capacity to attack troops.

“In Niger and Kaduna State, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch has continued to carry out onslaught on the terrorists’ hideouts/safe havens to decimate, degrade and deny them freedom of action. For instance, strikes were undertaken in Kaduna on 7 September 2022 following series of intelligence from various sources on terrorists’ hideouts at Gidan Waya, in Chikun Local Government Area (LGA).

“There, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch discovered terrorists’ structures hidden under clusters of trees at the location with terrorists’ activities noticed within the vicinity. Subsequently, the targets were acquired and attacked with bombs. Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) footages and feedback from locals as well as Nigerian Army troops deployment within the location revealed that the terrorists’ hideouts were destroyed while several terrorists were neutralized or suffered varying degrees of injuries”.

It continued that, ‘Air Operations were also carried out on 8 Sep 22, at Gaude, a terrorists’ hideouts at Shiroro LGA after series of intelligence confirmed that terrorists usually gather at the location for planning of their nefarious activities. Intelligence also disclosed that most attacks around Shiroro axis were mostly being orchestrated from Gaude and Kurebe.

“Consequently, the target was acquired with several terrorists observed at the location. Sources revealed that the hideouts were destroyed while scores of terrorists feared killed.

“Similarly, the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) has sustained its onslaught against terrorists’ locations in the Northwest region. These has led to the decimation of large numbers of terrorists led by a terrorist kingpin simply known Babaru at Gidan Guga axis in Faskari LGA of Katsina State.

“Intelligence had revealed that the Babaru-led had reportedly dislodged the locals from the village and occupied it. Accordingly, ISR aircraft of the Air Component on 9 September 2022, were dispatched for confirmatory ISR and subsequent BDA over the location. Overhead the location, several terrorists were sighted within the buildings with lots of human activities. Consequently, the location was struck with bombs, rockets and cannons.

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“An assessment of the location afterwards revealed the settlement to be in ruins with no movement in sight. In Katsina State, similar successes were also recorded same day as the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji recorded major feat with the decimation of large number of terrorists at Kawari axis in Dan Musa LGA. The strikes became expedient after intelligence revealed plans by terrorists to plant improvised Explosive Devices for troops deployed at Dunya Village and along Dunya – Maidabino road in Dan Musa LGA of Katsina State.

“The intelligence further revealed that the terrorists are based West of Kawari village. Consequently, the strikes were authourized. The Battle Damage Assessment later revealed the location in flame with few surviving terrorists seen fleeing. Reports from several sources revealed that scores of terrorists were killed in the attack.

NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the strikes in all the operating theatres.

According to him, “for the NAF, its ability to continually dominate troubled parts of the country in collaboration with the surface forces in order to eliminate terrorist elements and restore normalcy should never be in doubt.

“Nigerians are enjoined to continue to provide security agencies with credible intelligence that will enable the agencies track and neutralize the terrorists and all criminal elements especially as schools across the nation prepare to resume”.

The Nation

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BREAKING: Many injured as 2 Edo council chairmen impeached

Published

2 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Trends Admin

BREAKING: Many injured as 2 Edo council chairmen impeached

THE crisis in Edo state local government areas continued on Tuesday as two chairmen have been reportedly impeached by their elected councillors in Uhunmwonde and Orhionmwon local government areas.

This is their Owan East counterpart; Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadirihas said that his purported impeachment and that of his Vice, Hon Clement Ojebuovbo was unconstitutional and illegal.

In Uhunmwonde, several people were injured as gunmen allegedly attacked bystanders injuring many of them in the process.

The chairman of the council, Kenneth Adodo alleged that the people who came to shoot were policemen from the government house.

The councillors in Orhionmwon on Wednesday impeached the Leader of the house, Hon Daniel Osariemen and replaced him with Hon Chuks Isan as they got wind that Osariemen was being mobilized to impeach the chairman, Hon Newman Ugiagbe and his Vice Midwest Ogbebor.

The purportedly suspended Leader, Osariemen was alleged to have led unknown persons to take over the secretariat of the council in Abudu where he purportedly resumed as the Acting Chairman of the local government area.

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But Ugiagbe in a statement by his Press Secretary, Roy Osariemen said the action in Abudu was illegal and that Ugiagbe remained the chairman of the local government area.

Addressing journalists in Benin City on Thursday, the chairman of Owan Owan East, Okodo-Kadiri said his purported impeachment processes were fraught with irregularities which, according to him, violated provisions of the law.

He referenced the Edo State Local Government Law of 2000 (as amended in 2002) which outlined specific procedures for the removal of council executives.

Okodo also argued that the councillors failed to establish a seven-member investigative panel as mandated by the law even as he was denied the opportunity to defend himself before such a panel.

BREAKING: Many injured as 2 Edo council chairmen impeached

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JUST IN: NNPCL invites Obasanjo for tour of Port Harcourt Refinery

Published

2 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Trends Admin

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

JUST IN: NNPCL invites Obasanjo for tour of Port Harcourt Refinery

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has extended an invitation to former President Olusegun Obasanjo for a tour of the Port Harcourt Refinery to verify its operational status.

This development follows Obasanjo’s recent interview with Channels Television, where he cited advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) suggesting the refinery would not function effectively.

According to the former president, SPDC, which was approached to acquire equity in the refinery, expressed concerns about corruption impeding its operations.

Obasanjo further alleged that NNPCL has been misleading Nigerians about the refinery’s functionality.

Responding to the claims, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, respectfully invited the former president to visit the facility, emphasizing the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Soneye said: “Furthermore, we extend an open invitation to President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to witness firsthand the progress made under the new NNPC Limited.”

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Soneye also invited Obasanjo to join the NNPCL in its determination to guarantee the country’s energy security.

“We invite our esteemed former president to join us in this effort as we continue to deliver energy security for our nation and provide tangible benefits to Nigerians.

“His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we assure him that his advice will always be welcomed and appreciated,” he said.

Soneye explained that the NNPCL did not only carry out a turnaround maintenance on the plant but it embarked on a complete overhaul of the refinery.

He said: “As part of this transformation, NNPC Limited has gone beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company.

“One of our notable achievements is the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PhRC) and Warri Refinery.

“This process was not merely the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the past but a full-scale overhaul designed to meet world-class standards. Similarly, we are currently conducting the same comprehensive rehabilitation of the old Port Harcourt Refinery and Kaduna Refinery.”

He added that NNPCL has evolved from being a government corporation to a private entity with limited liability.

He said owing to the transition, NNPCL has also moved on from being a loss-making organization to profit -driven international energy firm.

The new NNPC Limited, he said, is committed not only to enhancing these refineries but also to maintaining them to global standards.

Soneye noted that NNPCL will ensure their sustainable operation and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s energy security.

He said: “Regarding his recent comments, we would like to respectfully clarify the current state of the NNPC.

The NNPC has undergone a transformative journey, evolving from a government corporation into a private entity—NNPC Limited.

“This transition has marked a significant shift from being a loss-making organization to a profit-oriented global energy company.”

“We deeply respect and hold President Obasanjo in the highest regard as a distinguished statesman who has contributed significantly to the progress of our nation.

“He has every right to share his perspectives on national issues, and we value his insights and counsel.”

He said: “We remain grateful for his leadership and enduring commitment to the growth and development of Nigeria. Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for our great nation.”

Soneye, who was also requested to react to a media report that NNPCL was to stop the supply of crude oil to Dangote Refinery said, “No need to respond to falsehood.”

JUST IN: NNPCL invites Obasanjo for tour of Port Harcourt Refinery

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El-Rufai’s ex-CoS Bashir arrested for alleged financial misconduct

Published

2 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai’s ex-CoS Bashir arrested for alleged financial misconduct

Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu, a former Kaduna State Commissioner for Finance and Local Government, has been arrested on allegations of money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds.

The Nigeria Police Force confirmed the arrest and stated that an investigation is ongoing to uncover the extent of the alleged misconduct.

Sa’idu, who once held a critical role in managing the state’s finances, now faces serious accusations that could have far-reaching implications for governance and accountability in the region.

According to a security source, a petition received by the police, Sa’idu is accused of laundering N3.96 billion and misappropriating N244 million during his tenure in the Kaduna State government between 2015 and 2023.

The allegations include the sale of $45 million in state-owned foreign currency at an undervalued exchange rate of N410 per dollar, instead of the parallel market rate of N498 per dollar, causing a loss of over N3.96 billion to the government.

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Police sources say this transaction breaches Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Additionally, Sa’idu is accused of failing to account for proceeds from the sale of government houses in Marafa Estate, Kaduna, amounting to approximately N244 million. This constitutes a breach of trust under Section 300 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

Reports indicate that the Kaduna State House of Assembly previously investigated Sa’idu’s financial dealings and forwarded its findings to anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). As part of the investigation, Sa’idu’s international passport has been seized.

Critics have attempted to frame the arrest as politically motivated, claiming it was orchestrated through Operation Fushin Kada, a unit established to combat banditry. However, the police have dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the arrest is based on credible allegations of financial crimes.

Sa’idu, who served in various capacities in Kaduna State, including as Chief of Staff and Commissioner of Finance, remains in detention as investigations continue.