News
Troops eliminate 391 bandits, arrest scores in N/W, NC
The Defence Headquarters says troops eliminated no fewer than 391 bandits and arrested about 60 including bandits’ informants and collaborators in various operations across North West and North Central in one month.
The Acting Director, Defence Media Operation, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed this while giving update on the military operations across the country between Sept. 2 and Sept. 30 on Thursday, in Abuja.
Under operation Hadarin Daji, Onyeuko said the troops intensified their offensive operations on bandits’ enclaves in the North West Zone leading to the killing of 240 bandits within the period
He said that the Air component conducted air bombardments on criminal enclaves in different locations in Zamfara leading to the killing of no fewer than 53 bandits, while several others escaped with varying degree of gunshot wounds.
He also disclosed that troops recovered 125 assorted arms including AK-47 and FN riffles, dane guns and 1,166 rounds of 7.62mm special/NATO ammunition.
According to him, a total of 1,304 livestock and 54 motorcycles among other items were also recovered during the period.
Onyeuko further disclosed that a total of 47 bandits, informants and bandits’ collaborators were arrested within the period.
He said the operations had drastically degraded their operational capabilities and denied them freedom of action, frustrated movement of arms, ammunition and other illegal items and at the same time built confidence among locals.
Under Operation Safe Haven, Onyeuko said that troops arrested 15 suspects including two drug peddlers, two armed herdsmen and 11 bandits were involved in an attack on Angwan Thabo village in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He said troops also rescued some civilians who were kidnapped at Jakko Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government t of Plateau and arrested two kidnappers on Sept. 9.
“A gun runner and impostor named, Saliu Ibriahim, was arrested at Mailafiya village in Jama’a Local Government Area with a total of 14 locally fabricated rifles, 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 14 cartridges and 44 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition among other items,” he said
“Under Operation Whirl Stroke, Defence Spokesperson said troops and other security operatives arrested a notorious militia leader named Keffas Aondofa aka Azonto at Jalingo Metropolis in Taraba.
He said that Azonto, who took over leadership of the late Gana’s militia gang, had been on wanted list for terrorising and imposing levies on locals in the state.
According to him, a total of 15 bandits were neutralised, while 23 AK-47 rifles with magazines as well as 66 rounds of 7.62mm special and 39mm ammunition were recovered during the period.
“Under Operation Thunder Strike/whirl Punch, troops maintained their highway and fighting patrols to dominate and provide security in major and minor roads as well as deny armed elements freedom of action.
“ Sept. 5, offensive air strikes were executed, using a force pack of Nigerian Air Force platforms, on a bandits’ camp at Kuza Hills, which led to the destruction of some of the criminals’ hideouts and logistics facilities.
“No fewer than 43 bandits were neutralised in the process.
“In same vein, over 40 bandits were neutralised at Fadaman Kanauta in Kidandan forest under Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“This feat was achieved when the Air Component carried a 3-day intensive air offensives on bandits’ enclaves at the location between Sept.13 and Sept. 15,” he said.
News
Late COAS Lagbaja gets CFR honour, buried amid tributes
Late COAS Lagbaja gets CFR honour, buried amid tributes
The late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, was on Friday laid to rest in Abuja, amid tears and tributes.
President Bola Tinubu conferred a posthumous award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the late Chief of Army Staff.
The burial took place at the National Cemetery in Abuja to end two days of funeral rites that began in Lagos earlier in the week.
His body was lowered into the grave at exactly 4:41pm after the ceremony that lasted over two hours.
Lagbaja’s casket, draped in Nigeria’s green and white colours, arrived at the cemetery around 3pm in a white funeral wagon after a funeral service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
Dignitaries were led to the event by President Bola Tinubu. Others are Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, and other top government officials and military brass.
President Tinubu announced the conferment of the CFR on the late COAS during the interment at the National Cemetery in Abuja.
The President extolled the virtues of the late warrior, especially his contributions to national security.
According to him, the appointment of Lagbaja as the COAS was one of his finest made so far.
“As an eternal symbol of our appreciation, I have granted the late Chief of Army Staff, the posthumous national honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic of the Niger (CFR),” Tinubu declared.
He thereafter invited the wife of the late COAS, Mariya, to collect the award on behalf of the Lagbaja family amid applause from the congregation.
News
Supreme Court dismisses 16 govs suit challenging EFCC legality
Supreme Court dismisses 16 govs suit challenging EFCC legality
The Supreme Court has dismissed the suit by 16 states challenging the constitutionality of the acts establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and two others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the other agencies are the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
In the lead judgment by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji delivered on Friday, the Supreme Court resolved the six issues raised for determination in the suit against the plaintiffs.
The court held that the laws establishing the anti-corruption agencies were validly enacted by the National Assembly within its legislative competence.
It faulted the claim by the plaintiffs that the EFCC Act, being a product of the United Nations convention on corruption, ought to be ratified by majority of the state houses of assembly.
Delivering judgement on Friday, Justice Abba-Aji ruled that “the EFCC Act, which was not established from a treaty but a convention, does not need the ratification of the houses of assembly.”
News
Executive Secretary FCDA Hadi Ahmad suspended indefinitely
Executive Secretary FCDA Hadi Ahmad suspended indefinitely
Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, has been suspended indefinitely.
His suspicion was on the order of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister, Lere Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday evening.
No reason was given for the suspension.
Ahmad was directed to hand over to the Director, Engineering Services in the FCDA.
The statement read: “The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, has been suspended indefinitely.
“According to a statement on Thursday, by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, the suspension of Engr Hadi Ahmad is with immediate effect.
“The suspended Executive Secretary has consequently been directed to hand over to the Director of Engineering Services, Engr in the FCDA.”
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