Terrorists ambush gov convoy, kill 15 soldiers, policemen, others – Newstrends
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Terrorists ambush gov convoy, kill 15 soldiers, policemen, others

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Terrorists suspected to be Boko Haram members on Friday killed 15 security personnel in an ambush on the convoy of the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.

Sources told AFP that eight policemen, three soldiers, and four members of a government-backed militia were killed in the attack on vehicles carrying the Borno governor near the town of Baga on the shores of Lake Chad.

The insurgents reportedly opened fire on the convoy with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades as the governor’s team was passing through a village close to the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force, a military coalition of troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

“The governor escaped unhurt but 15 security men on the convoy were killed in a fierce battle with the terrorists,” one source said.

Zulum was on an assessment tour of Baga in preparation for the return of thousands of residents displaced from the town by the jihadists in 2014, the sources said.

The governor flew on a helicopter into the garrison town of Monguno, 60 kilometres (40 miles) away, and headed to Baga in a convoy under tight security, one of the sources said.

The IS-affiliated Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) group maintains most of its camps on islands in Lake Chad and the region is known as a bastion for the jihadists.

The militant group has recently intensified attacks on military and civilian targets in the region.

In July, Zulum’s convoy came under gun attack from ISWAP outside Baga, forcing him to cancel his trip to the town.

Last week, the group killed a Nigerian army commander along with three soldiers in an ambush near the town of Damboa.
Civilians plying highway linking Monguno and the regional capital Maiduguri said the jihadists set up daily checkpoints, robbing, killing and abducting passengers.

The decade-long insurgency in northeast Nigeria has killed about 36,000 people and forced over two million to vacate their homes.

Most of the displaced have been housed in squalid camps where they depend on food handouts from international charities.

Local authorities have been encouraging the displaced people to go back home despite concern from aid agencies of the security risks to which the returnees would be exposed.
Last week, Zulum said feeding the displaced was not financially sustainable, insisting the only option was for them to return and rebuild their homes and live a “dignified” life.
ISWAP splintered from the main Boko Haram group in 2016 and has gone on to be the dominant insurgent force in the region.

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National grid collapses again, second time in three days

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National grid collapses again, second time in three days

 

For the second time in three days, the nation has been thrown into darkness as the national electricity grid experienced another collapse on Thursday.

This was announced on the official X handle of the National Grid, with a caption ”Another Grid Setback Experienced.”

The grid first collapsed this week on Tuesday as reported by many media including newstrends.ng. plunging the nation into a total darkness for almost 24 hours before it was restored.

The latest incident was also confirmed by many electricity distribution companies.

A statement signed by the JosDisco’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Friday Adakole, read, “The current outage being experienced within our franchise states is a result of a loss of power supply from the national grid. “The loss of power supply from the national grid occurred this morning at about 11:28 AM on Thursday, 7th November 2024, hence the loss of power supply on all our feeders.

“We hope to restore normal power supply to our esteemed customers as soon as the grid supply is restored to normalcy. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we strive to serve you better.”

The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) also confirmed the latest collapse in a message to customers.

The DisCo said, “Please be informed that we experienced a system outage today, 07 November 2024, at 11:29 hours, affecting supply within our network.”

IKEDC said efforts to restore power were underway in collaboration with key stakeholders.

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Nigeria needs divine intervention for economic Stability – Tinubu Support Group

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Nigeria needs divine intervention for economic Stability – Tinubu Support Group

The Disciples of Jagaban, a group supporting President Bola Tinubu, has defended the upcoming national prayers, emphasizing the need for divine intervention to help address Nigeria’s economic challenges.

The prayers, set to be led by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, have sparked mixed reactions from the public.

While some, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have criticized the plan, others see it as necessary given current economic struggles.

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Adegoke Alawuje, National Coordinator of Disciples of Jagaban, stressed that President Tinubu’s administration faces complex economic issues that require more than just policy measures. He urged Nigerians to recognize the president’s accomplishments rather than focus on criticism.

“President Tinubu’s policies are not punishments but survival strategies,” Alawuje said. “Just like a caring doctor who continues treatment despite the patient’s discomfort, the president knows these efforts will ultimately bring relief.”

Alawuje also praised Tinubu’s administration for reducing Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio by 32% within 17 months, calling it a significant accomplishment. He encouraged Nigerians to continue praying for the president and his efforts to stabilize the economy.

Nigeria needs divine intervention for economic Stability – Tinubu Support Group

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Lagbaja: National flag at half-mast as Remi Tinubu visits widow

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Lagbaja: National flag at half-mast as Remi Tinubu visits widow

 

President Bola Tinubu has directed that the national flag must be flown half-mast as Nigeria mourns its Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who died after a brief illness.

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has paid a condolence visit to the widow of the departed Chief of Army Staff.

Secretary to the of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said President Tinubu gave the directive of the flag flying at half-mast on Wednesday.

A statement signed for Akume by Mr Segun Imohiosen, Director, Information and Public Relations Office of SGF (OSGF) read, “The President has directed that National Flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army Chief.”

In another statement, the First Lady expressed condolences, praising the COAS for his exemplified valor.

She stated, “It is with a heavy heart that I received the sad news of the demise of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja. ”Throughout his career, the late Chief of Army Staff exemplified valor, patriotism, and unwavering dedication to the service of our dear country.

“I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Mrs Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja, children, family, friends, colleagues and associates.

“May Almighty God comfort and grant them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.

“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”

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