Soldiers, youths may clash as army rolls out Crocodile Smile Tuesday - Newstrends
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Soldiers, youths may clash as army rolls out Crocodile Smile Tuesday

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The stage may be set for another showdown between the youth and security agents, this time round with the military, as the Nigerian Army has announced its intention to launch Exercise Crocodile Smile IV on Tuesday.

A statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, which was made available to journalists on Saturday, said the operation would commence from the 20th of October to the 31st of December 2020.

This is coming when youths protesting in many parts of the country against police brutality and demanding an end to all forms of injustice in the last two weeks are yet to be pacified to stop the street demonstration and blocking of vital roads and operational areas.

There were hints last week that the military might be called upon to halt the street protests which had been causing hours of gridlock and disruption to socio-economic activities in Lagos, Abuja and other major cities in the country.

The statement said, “The Nigerian Army is set to start its annual Exercise Crocodile Smile which is traditionally conducted in the last quarter of the year. This year’s Exercise Crocodile Smile V1 is scheduled to commence from the 20th of October to the 31st of December 2020.

“The Exercise is deliberately intended to be all encompassing to include cyber-warfare exercise designed to identify, track and counter negative propaganda in the social media and across the cyberspace.

“This is the first ever cyberwarfare exercise to be conducted in the history of the African Armed Forces. Accordingly, the exercise will also include positive identification component aimed at identifying Boko Haram terrorists fleeing from the North-East and other parts of the country as a result of the ongoing operations in the various theatres of operations especially in the North-East, North-Central and North western parts of Nigeria.

“The Nigerian Army, once again, reassures all well meaning Nigerians of its commitment to the sustenance of peace and security in Nigeria and urges members of the public for their support and understanding throughout the period of the exercise.”

But a former senator and rights activist, Shehu Sani, said it was a dangerous coincidence that the Army’s operation would be staged when the youth were still protesting.

A group of civil societies, in a reaction to the issue, has also warned against drafting in the soldiers to quell the peaceful protests by the youth.

The group made up of 16 societies said in a statement released in Abuja on Saturday that such action posed a serious threat to the peace of the society.

The coalition said, “We reject in its entirety the move to draft in the military to quell the protests, even where there has been no violent conduct on the part of protesters.

“The military should remain in their barracks and at their duty posts, defending the territorial integrity of the country, and not deployed in a dangerous anti-people and anti-democratic operation to crush a people who are exercising their right to freedom of association, freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly.”

Those that are part of the group are listed as the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), Enough is Enough (EIE), Partners for Electoral Reform, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), YIAGA Africa, Global Rights, among others.

Sani, in a tweet, warned that “the Army should not intervene to crush peaceful protesters,” adding that “we have enough bandits and insurgents in our forests and deserts that need their attention.”

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Oyo Police Free Four Kidnapped Passengers on Igbeti–Kishi Road

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Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka
Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka

Oyo Police Free Four Kidnapped Passengers on Igbeti–Kishi Road

The Oyo State Police Command has successfully rescued four passengers abducted along the Igbeti–Kishi Road in the early hours of March 5, 2026, following a swift and coordinated security operation. The incident occurred when armed hoodlums emerged from nearby bushland and blocked a commercial bus, forcefully taking four passengers into the surrounding forests.

Upon receiving reports of the abduction, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Femi Haruna, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officers in Igbeti and Kishi, alongside tactical units and security stakeholders, to deploy all operational resources for a rescue mission.

A joint security team comprising Oyo Police operatives, members of the Amotekun Corps, Operation Burst, and other local security agencies conducted intensive bush combing operations in the forests surrounding the area. The sustained operation forced the kidnappers to abandon the victims and flee, allowing the authorities to rescue all four passengers unharmed. The victims have since been reunited with their families.

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The police spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, commended the professionalism and bravery of the combined security forces, highlighting that collaboration among security agencies is vital to ensuring safety across the state. The command also appreciated the Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde for promptly mobilizing resources and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for strategic guidance in the ongoing fight against crime.

Investigations and intelligence-led operations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and ensure they are brought to justice. Members of the public have been urged to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to support security efforts.

The incident underscores the continued commitment of the Oyo State Police and security agencies to protect travellers on vulnerable highways, particularly areas with increased reports of highway abductions and criminal activity. Patrols and security presence along the Igbeti–Kishi corridor and other vulnerable routes have been intensified to prevent future attacks.

Oyo Police Free Four Kidnapped Passengers on Igbeti–Kishi Road

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BREAKING: Tinubu Posts Yakubu, Omokri, Fani-Kayode, 62 Other Ambassadors (Full List)

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Femi Fani-Kayode and Reno Omokri
Femi Fani-Kayode and Reno Omokri

BREAKING: Tinubu Posts Yakubu, Omokri, Fani-Kayode, 62 Other Ambassadors (Full List)

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the posting of 65 Nigerian ambassadors and high commissioners to diplomatic missions across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s foreign policy and international engagement.

The announcement was made on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed that the list comprises 31 non-career diplomats and 34 career ambassadors whose appointments were earlier confirmed by the Senate.

The newly posted envoys include prominent politicians, retired military officers and seasoned diplomats tasked with representing Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic and strategic interests abroad.

Among the notable postings, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmud Yakubu, has been posted to Qatar, while former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode will serve as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany.

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has been deployed to Mexico City, while former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has been assigned to Spain.

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Businessman and senator Jimoh Ibrahim will serve as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

According to the Presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already begun securing diplomatic approval, known as agrément, from host countries. The United Kingdom has granted agrément for Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu, while France has approved the posting of Ayo Oke.

President Tinubu has also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately begin the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and high commissioners, after which they will proceed to their respective missions once final approvals are secured.

The appointments are part of the administration’s broader effort to reinvigorate Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, attract foreign investment, strengthen bilateral relations and expand trade and security cooperation globally.


Non-Career Ambassadors / High Commissioners

S/N Name Mission
1 Senator Grace Bent Lome, Togo
2 Senator Ita Enang South Africa
3 Victor Ikpeazu Spain
4 Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu Tel-Aviv, Israel
5 Mahmud Yakubu Qatar
6 Paul Oga Adikwu Vatican City
7 Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas Philippines
8 Reno Omokri Mexico
9 Abasi Braimah Hungary
10 Angela Adebayo Portugal
11 Olumilua Oluwayimika Ayotunwa Japan
12 Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi Greece
13 Chioma Priscilla Ohakim Poland
14 Aminu Dalhatu United Kingdom
15 Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau China
16 Tasiu Musa Maigari Gambia
17 Olufemi Pedro Australia
18 Muhammed Ubandoma Aliyu Argentina
19 Lateef Kayode Are United States
20 Joseph Sola Iji Russia
21 Jimoh Ibrahim United Nations
22 Femi Fani-Kayode Germany
23 Isaak Folorunso Adewole Canada
24 Fatima Florence Ajimobi Austria
25 Lola Akande Sweden
26 Ayo Oke France
27 Yakubu N. Gambo Saudi Arabia
28 Nora Ladi Daduut South Korea
29 Joe Okocha (SAN) Ireland
30 Kulu Haruna Abubakar Tunisia
31 Jerry Samuel Manwe Trinidad and Tobago

Career Ambassadors / High Commissioners

S/N Name Mission
1 Nwabiola Ezenwa Chukwumeka Cote d’Ivoire
2 Besto Maimuna Ibrahim Niger
3 Monica Okwuchukwu Enebechi Sao Tome & Principe
4 Mohammed Mahmud Lele Algeria
5 Endoni Syndoph Paebi Burkina Faso
6 Ahmed Mohammed Monguno Egypt
7 Jane Adams Michael Jamaica
8 Alexandra Clark-Omeru Zambia
9 Chima Geoffrey Lioma David Mali
10 Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah Equatorial Guinea
11 Wasa Segun Ige Lebanon
12 Ruben Abimbola Samuel Italy
13 Ogechukwu Kingsley Onaga Mozambique
14 Magaji Umar DR Congo
15 Muhammad Saidu Dahiru India
16 Abdussalam Habu Zayyad Senegal
17 Shehu Ilu Barde Ghana
18 Aminu Nasir Ethiopia
19 Abubakar Musa Musa Chad
20 Haidara Mohammed Idris Netherlands
21 Bako Adamu Umar Morocco
22 Sulu Gambari Olatunji Ahmed Malaysia
23 Romata Mohammed Omobolanle Tanzania
24 Shaga John Shamah Botswana
25 Hamza Mohammed Salau Iran
26 Ibrahim Danlami Kenya
27 Ibrahim Adeola Mopelola Benin
28 Ayeni Adebayo Emmanuel Belgium
29 Wahab Adekola Akande Switzerland
30 Esther Arewa Adedokun Namibia
31 Gergadi Joseph John Gabon
32 Luther Ogbomode Ayo-Kalata Sierra Leone
33 Danladi Yakubu Nyaku Sudan
34 Bello Dogon-Daji Haliru Thailand

BREAKING: Tinubu Posts Yakubu, Omokri, Fani-Kayode, 62 Other Ambassadors (Full List)

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US Releases Additional Epstein Files Containing Allegations Against Donald Trump

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U.S. President Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump

US Releases Additional Epstein Files Containing Allegations Against Donald Trump

The United States Justice Department has released additional FBI documents from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including interview records from a woman who alleged that U.S. President Donald Trump sexually assaulted her after being introduced to him by Epstein.

The newly disclosed documents were made public on Thursday as part of the ongoing release of records related to the Epstein investigation. According to the Justice Department, the materials were not included in earlier congressionally mandated disclosures because they had been incorrectly labelled as “duplicative” records during the document review process.

The files include summaries of several 2019 interviews conducted by the FBI with the woman, who claimed she was between 13 and 15 years old when she was sexually assaulted by Epstein in the 1980s.

According to the interview summaries, the woman told investigators that Epstein once took her to either New York or New Jersey and introduced her to Trump in what she described as a tall building.

She alleged that during the encounter, Trump attempted to force her to perform oral sex, but she resisted and bit him, causing the alleged assault attempt to stop.

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The woman further told investigators that Epstein had abused her repeatedly over several years and had sometimes arranged encounters with other men.

During the interviews, she also said that she and people close to her had received threatening phone calls over the years warning her to remain silent, which she suspected were connected to Epstein.

Despite the allegations, the FBI did not bring charges related to the claims, and records indicate that investigators eventually stopped communicating with the woman later in 2019.

Justice Department officials have cautioned that the allegations contained in the newly released documents are uncorroborated and noted that some materials submitted during the Epstein investigation included “untrue and sensationalist claims” involving President Trump.

President Trump has repeatedly denied any misconduct linked to Epstein or the allegations contained in the documents.

The release of the additional files has sparked renewed political scrutiny in Washington, with Democrats questioning how the administration handled the disclosure of the Epstein records.

Lawmakers argue that key materials may have been withheld or mishandled during the earlier releases.

In response, a House committee has voted to summon Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files and explain why some documents were not initially disclosed.

The Justice Department maintains that the omission resulted from administrative errors in the massive document review process, which involves millions of pages of records tied to the Epstein investigation.

The disclosures are part of a broader transparency effort following congressional legislation requiring the government to release large volumes of records connected to Epstein, whose high-profile criminal case exposed an extensive network of abuse involving underage victims.

US Releases Additional Epstein Files Containing Allegations Against Donald Trump

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