The Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Kuku, has threatened that when she is tired of her role as the boss of the agency, she will throw in the towel.

Kuku said this while fielding aviation industry-based questions on Television Continental on Thursday evening.

The FAAN MD who said she had stepped on toes and would step on more people’s toes although with caution, stated “If I am tired, I will get out of the job.

“I have stepped on toes and I am still stepping on toes and I know that I need to do that with caution but definitely not at the jeopardy of the airport system.

“If I have to, I will step down, I will resign if I see that it is not working but what is important is to make sure that I do what is right.”

She also responded to criticisms that have greeted her claim that N580bn is required to fix obsolete runways across the country.

Kuku who confirmed the barrage of critics questioning what FAAN needed such a humongous amount for, appealed to all who care to understand the need for the money to find out what it takes to take care of aviation infrastructures.

She said, “I would like to clarify two things; First we have a number of runways in Nigeria today, we have mentioned to you that there are 22 airports that are owned by the Federal Government and we also support some that are state-owned.

“I also made specific reference to airports with runways that have exceeded their lifespan. The average lifespan of a runway is about 20-25 years and a lot of our runways in Nigeria have actually exceeded that time. Meaning that we had them for 30 to over 35 years.

“What it means is that we have to reconstruct those runways. The N580bn that I initially mentioned was for over 17 runways and it is not just runways but also includes some perimeter fencing and so on.

“I have seen commentaries where people asked what we would be needing those monies for. Just look it up in Google to understand what it means to build runways, taxi expansion and all that is needed to be done.”

While speaking on what she had done within her first 100 days in office, Kuku topped her achievement with the level of sanity that has been restored to Nigerian aerodromes in the last 90 days.

“We have spent too much time talking about the decay and it is time for us to start fixing things and that is exactly what we are doing. And what is more critical is the continuity, meaning that wherever we stop, somebody needs to pick that up and that is the biggest challenge that we see. Because we have a new administration we tend not to complete or continue old projects.

“Now to what we are doing; I think what to do is to block some immediate gaps which is what we have done. If you have been a traveller in the last 90 days, you will observe that the airports are cleaner and more friendly in terms of the atmosphere.”

A corps member has died in a road crash on way to the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp in Ebonyi State.

The Federal Road Safety Corps Sector Commander in the state, Henry Igwe, made the disclosure in Abakaliki on Thursday.

Mr Igwe said that the crash occurred on Wednesday at about 2 p.m. on Amasiri-Okigwe Road, Amenu village in Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

He said, “It involved two vehicles – a 14-seater Toyota commercial bus, grey colour and a commercial Mercedes Benz tipper. From our preliminary findings, it might have been caused by speeding on the part of the commercial bus. The identities and details of the number of those injured have yet to be ascertained because the victims were actually rescued by bystanders in the area.’’

The sector commander said that the injured had been taken to David Umahi Federal Hospital in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area, adding that they were currently in stable condition.

The Court of Appeal, Akure Division, on Thursday, upheld the death sentence passed on Dr Rahmon Adedoyin for the murder of Timothy Adegoke, a postgraduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State.

Adegoke was killed between November 5, 2021 and November 7, 2021, while he lodged at Hilton hotel in Ile-Ife, owned by Adedoyin.

Adedoyin and two of his hotel staff members, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, were found guilty of the murder by the Osun High Court and sentenced to death by hanging in May 2023.

Adedoyin, however, appealed the decision of the trial court.

Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, said the appellate court unanimously upheld the lower court’s decision on the charges of conspiracy to kill and unlawful killing by the three convicts.

Omoleye said that the court, however, set aside the judgment that the Estate of Adedoyin should be responsible for payment of the school fees of the children of Adegoke.

Also the court set aside the forfeiture order of Hilton hotel and the Hilux pickup used to transport Adegoke’s corpse from the hotel to where it was buried to the Federal Government.

According to her, the court is limited to the statutory provisions as to the penalty provided by the law.

Speaking to journalists after the judgment, Counsel to the Osun State government, Femi Falana, hailed the judgment of the court.

Mr Falana, represented by Fatima Adesina, said that the lower court’s verdict had been substantially upheld.

Mr Falana said, “Substantially, the judgment of the lower court has been upheld. For the killing, they have been convicted by the trial court for conspiracy to kill, and unlawful killing. Those convictions were upheld by the court. So the only aspect of the judgment that was set aside was in respect of the various decisions of the trial court which stated that the convicts would be responsible for the education of the children of the deceased. And the Appeal Court has also set aside the lower court’s judgment on the forfeiture of the convicts’ properties.’’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces as the nation’s heroes while pledging his administration’s unwavering commitment to their welfare.

Speaking on Thursday during the commissioning of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks and other newly constructed facilities under the Nigerian Army Special Projects in Abuja, the President expressed profound gratitude for their service.

“You are our heroes, and I thank you for what you have been doing for this country,” he said.

President Tinubu emphasized the significance of the military’s contributions to the nation, reiterating his administration’s resolve to support the troops.

“What you are doing for Nigeria is remarkable. The only way to appreciate you is to continue to show support to the men and women in uniform,” he stated.

Highlighting the importance of the newly constructed facilities, the President noted that the project aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of military personnel.

“Knowing that the federal government is always ready to provide what the troops need is essential for winning battles,” Tinubu remarked.

He assured the troops that their welfare would remain a priority, saying “it is your welfare we are not going to compromise.”

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks is equipped to address the acute shortage of accommodation for personnel of the Army Headquarters and other Army establishments in Abuja.

The project, conceptualized by Major General Philip Eromosele, commenced on November 26, 2022, and was fully funded under the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

The current Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, oversaw the project’s completion on January 9, 2025, ensuring it meets the urgent needs of the Nigerian Army.

The state-of-the-art facilities include 16 Major General Quarters, 34 Brigadier General Quarters, 60 Major-Colonel Flats, 60 Lieutenant-Captain Flats, and 180 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Flats.

Additionally, 264 Corporal-and-Below Flats, worship centres, sports facilities, and a powerhouse are part of the barracks. The facility is secured by a perimeter fence with three entry and exit gates.

Earlier in the day, President Tinubu performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Armed Forces Complex behind Lungi Barracks in Asokoro, Abuja.

The commissioning was attended by several dignitaries, including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Forces, AbdulAziz Yar’adua.

World Trade Organisation chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged nations Thursday to keep calm over tariffs, warning that a tit-for-tat trade war would be “catastrophic” for the world economy.

Okonjo-Iweala issued her appeal during a panel discussion on tariffs at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in a week that saw US President Donald Trump threaten tariffs against China, the European Union, Mexico and Canada.

The WTO director general urged cooler heads to prevail, quipping: “Please let’s not hyperventilate. I know we are here to discuss tariffs. I’ve been saying to everybody: could we chill, also. I just sense a lot of hyperventilation.”

She recalled the fallout from the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act in the United States during the Great Depression in 1930, which prompted retaliation and worsened the global economic crisis at the time.

“We are very much saying to our members at the WTO: you have other avenues. Even if a tariff is levied, please keep calm, don’t wake up and without the necessary groundwork levy your own,” she said.

“If we have tit-for-tat retaliation, whether it’s 25 percent tariffs, 60 percent, and we go to where we were in the 1930s, we are going to see double-digit global GDP losses, double-digit. That’s catastrophic.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday adjourned the trial of an alleged terrorism suspect, Abubakar Abdulkadir, also known as Julde, to February 17, 2025.

The adjournment was for the response of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, in the ongoing trial.

Abdulkadir and six others are being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police on 19 counts of terrorism and kidnapping.

The accused, according to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/417/2023, include Abdulkadir, Adamu Musa, aka Dan Anacha; Muhammed Haladu, Sale Gagare, Musa Muhammadu, Babawuro Mukawo, Saidu Abubakar and others said to be at large.

The prosecution alleges that between February and November 2022, in Sabon Gida village of Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, the defendants “conspired to commit acts of terrorism by attacking and kidnapping Alhaji Maidabo Zide and several other innocent residents of Taraba State.”

The charge stated that this constitutes an offence contrary to Section 26(1)(a) and punishable under Section 24(2)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

The defendants are also accused of killing residents, demanding and collecting ransom from their victims, and stealing livestock, motorcycles, and vehicles belonging to the victims, among other offences.

Count 19 of the charge read, “That sometime in December 2022, at Bali LGA of Taraba State, while armed with guns, machetes, knives and other dangerous weapons, you committed acts of terrorism by invading Jatau village in Bali LGA of Taraba State, attacking and killing Muhammadu Umar (m) and Bagudu Umar (m) by shooting sporadically, and stealing 26 cows and food items belonging to Muhammadu Abubakar. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2(2)(a) and punishable under Section 24(2)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.”

At Thursday’s sitting, the IGP’s counsel, Audu Garba, informed Justice Emeka Nwite that the case was scheduled for cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.
However, he added that the case file had been handed over to the AGF who is now the prosecutor.

Garba said, “My Lord, the matter is for the cross-examination of PW-2. The AGF has requested the case file and it has been transferred to the AGF’s office.”

Justice Nwite acknowledged receiving a letter from the AGF’s office, requesting a short adjournment until January 29.

However, due to the court’s schedule, the matter was adjourned till February 17.

Counsel for the other defendants did not oppose the adjournment.

However, Manjok Agom, the lawyer for the 1st, 2nd and 4th defendants, informed the court that an application for the withdrawal of the case was already before the court.

Agom said, “My Lord, I believe the application is for the case to be struck out. The AGF should be in court today, not the IG prosecuting the case. We are applying for the matter to be struck out.”

Justice Nwite clarified that the case could not be struck out since it had been handed over to a new prosecutor who was not present in court, saying, “Why are we striking out? The AGF wrote a letter requesting an adjournment.”

Justice Nwite said, “The matter is adjourned till February 17 for a report from the Honourable Attorney-General.”

The Lagos State Government has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to traders operating under the Apongbon Bridge and along drainage setbacks in Lagos Island to vacate the areas.

The directive is part of the state’s urban regeneration initiative aimed at improving infrastructure and tackling environmental challenges.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, announced this during an inspection of the Savage/Elegbata/Bombata Drainage Channel on Thursday.

In a statement made available by the Director of Public Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, Wahab highlighted the impact of human activities in the area, including flooding and threats to lives and property.

“I have instructed that the shop/stall owners be served abatement notice. We are going to clear these infractions and keep the maintenance work going while ensuring that the contract is revisited to accommodate these two collectors,” he said.

The commissioner noted the illegal conversion of spaces under the Apongbon Bridge into livestock markets and ordered the immediate relocation of traders to designated areas.

He said, “What we saw is not something that we are happy about. People have fully built on setback and drainage channels and when you build structures on these infrastructure, how do you expect these infrastructure to be maintained?

“We have abused these infrastructure and I have given directives to the appropriate department to serve notice of abatement and if compliance is not carried out enforcement will commence.”

Wahab warned that the state would enforce environmental laws if compliance is not achieved.

He emphasised that all affected traders would be monitored after the 48-hour deadline, with violators facing penalties.

In addition, two buildings under construction on Alakoro Martins Street and in Ebute Ero Market were sealed for illegally stacking materials on drainage systems.

Wahab stated that offenders must clear the blockages and restore the drainage system before the buildings can be unsealed.

“The buildings were sealed because they stacked their building materials on the drainage system and this is illegal because they block the drainage system in the process. Such offenders will be required to remove the materials and clean the drainage system before they are unsealed,” Wahab stated.

Wahab reaffirmed the state’s commitment to working with local governments to maintain market spaces and enforce environmental laws.

He also stressed the importance of public cooperation in preserving infrastructure and preventing illegal activities such as refuse dumping and trading on drainage channels.

Addressing concerns raised by the Lagos State House of Assembly on stolen manhole covers, Wahab noted that the Ministries of Environment and Works are collaborating to resolve the issue.

Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, urged traders to use designated market spaces and avoid defacing the environment.

He called on residents to take ownership of public infrastructure and maintain a sustainable environment.

The inspection covered areas including Savage Lane, Cole Street, George Street, Abu Lane, Apongbon Underbridge, Olowogbowo, and Alakoro Martins Street.

Officials present included the Permanent Secretaries of the Environment Ministry, representatives from the Lagos Waste Management Authority, Lagos State Waste Management Office, and other agencies

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued the wife of the former Assistant Inspector General, Hakeem Odumosu.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed this on his official X handle on Thursday morning.

Adejobi added that the abductors of the former AIG’s wife were killed, and ransom was recovered from the culprits.

Adejobi said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the police operatives and the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, for a good job.

Mrs Odumosu was abducted last Thursday at the entrance of her residence in the Arepo area of Ogun State.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two suspects linked to a recent burglary and recovered stolen items valued at millions of naira.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in Uyo.

According to the statement, the suspects, identified as Moses Godwill Ndiong and Abraham Udo, were apprehended on Monday, January 20, 2025, at approximately 4:00 PM, following credible intelligence provided by a concerned citizen about a burglary at the residence of a man (name withheld) in Okpokpong, Eket Local Government Area.

“Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully apprehended two suspects, Moses Godwill Ndiong and Abraham Udo, in connection with a recent burglary incident on January 20, 2025, at approximately 0400 hours,” the statement read.

The Public Relations Officer revealed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, promptly dispatched a team of officers to the scene upon receiving the tip-off. Their efforts led to the swift arrest of the suspects, who confessed to the crime during interrogation.

“Upon receiving this information, the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, immediately dispatched a team to the scene. Upon interrogation, both suspects confessed to their involvement in the burglary.

“The following items were recovered from them: cutter and pliers used in the burglary, one 65″ LG Smart TV, one 2900 SUMEC Generator, one 42″ LG LED TV, one 32″ LG LED TV, one set of Sony Home Theatre System, one Toyota Camry car with registration number KY984EKY, six pairs of shoes, and electrical cables,” the statement continued.

While noting that investigations are ongoing, the PPRO commended the vigilant citizen, whose timely information played a pivotal role in apprehending the suspects.

The PPRO also encouraged other residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies promptly.

United States President Donald Trump has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an immediate peace deal with Ukraine, warning of harsher economic sanctions if the conflict persists.

In a statement posted on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump pressed for a swift resolution to the ongoing war, which he claimed would not have started under his administration.

The president stressed his intent to fulfil his campaign promise of ending the conflict before his second term gains momentum.

“If we don’t make a ‘deal,’ and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States and various other participating countries,” Trump stated.

Trump said he was “not looking to hurt Russia” and had “always had a very good relationship with President Putin,” a leader for whom he has expressed admiration in the past.

“All of that being said, I’m going to do Russia, whose economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR. Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous war! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.”

Trump added, “Let’s get this war, which never would have started if I were President, over with. We can do it the easy way or the hard way – and the easy way is always better. It’s time to make a deal.”

The statement comes as Trump seeks to resolve the protracted conflict, which has had significant global economic and humanitarian consequences.

The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Mojisola Adeyeye, has said that about 14.3 million Nigerians are victims of drug abuse.

Adeyeye stated this at the inaugural ceremony of the agency’s youth programme, tagged ‘Catch Them Young,’ held at the Government Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

According to her, research findings show that one out of every four high-risk drug users has been arrested for drug-related offences.

She said that the arrest included 73 per cent for drug possession, 12 per cent for theft, five per cent for sex work, four per cent for burglary, and two per cent for shoplifting.

“Note that this data only shows the number of arrests; if we consider that most crimes are unreported, then we will see that we have a huge problem on our hands,” she said.

Adeyeye, however, noted the negative effects of drug abuse on families, society, and the nation’s socio-economic development.

She explained that the situation caused NAFDAC to initiate a comprehensive, coordinated, and intensive programme, designed to reduce the prevalence of drug abuse among secondary school students.

According to the DG, drug addiction can arise from both legal such as prescribed medicines and illicit drugs.

“This programme is not designed to scare anyone but to have honest conversations with you.

“This will help you to make informed decisions with regards to illicit drug use, including alcohol consumption,’’ she said.

Speaking earlier, State Coordinator, NAFDAC, Rivers, Mr Onogwu Emmanuel, stated the reason behind the sensitisation and capacity building programme being moved to secondary schools.

He explained that the secondary students were most vulnerable, adding that the youths, as future leaders, should actively participate in preventing drug abuse.

He, however, said that two schools were selected from each of the state’s three senatorial zones for the project’s pilot phase.

In her remark, the Principal of the school, Gladys Iheumamme, commended NAFDAC for the project and urged it to sustain it to save the future of the Nigerian youth.

Sierra Leone National carrier, Air Sierra Leone, has resumed its scheduled flight operations between Lagos and Freetown after over 15 years of inactiveness.

Air Sierra Leone returned to Nigeria in partnership with a Nigerian airline, XEJet.

While XEjet provides technical support to the airline, it also provides three operational aircraft for the airline to return to the country.

While speaking with journalists at the sideline of the inaugural flight ceremony, on Wednesday, at the Lagos airport, Air Sierra Leone General Manager, Edgard Lacle, expressed joy for the return of the airline to the country.

Lacle told journalists that the airline has secured permission to operate in the country three times weekly; on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Promising that the schedule will be increased as the number of passengers increases.

For the inaugural flight to Lagos, the airline boss said its aircraft conveyed 36 passengers into the country.

He said, “The connection between Sierra Leone and Nigeria is strong, especially in terms of trade and we have a market and everybody is trying to part in that market.

“The trade is top, tourism is part of it and the connection between Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

“The partnership is a technical one and they provide aircraft. The aircraft suits the market and movement of passengers. The moment we see the market changes we will adjust.”

Also speaking the Chief Executive Officer of XEJET, Iza Emmanuel, describes the event as a rebirth of the Air Sierra Leo in Nigeria.
He added that the airline was created as a beacon of hope, progress, and resilience for Sierra Leone.

He said “After over 15 years, the Sierra Leonean flag again takes to the skies. To our dignitaries and guests from Sierra Leone and Nigeria, your presence here today is a testament to the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation that unite our nations. It is also a reflection of the shared vision of growth, connectivity, and opportunity for our people. We are truly honored to have you join us in celebrating this remarkable milestone.”

The air component of Operation Fansan Yamma says it killed scores of bandits and dismantled their logistics base in a series of airstrikes at Alawa Forest in Shiroro LGA of Niger.

This was announced in a statement on Wednesday.

The operation was carried out on Tuesday, following credible intelligence and confirmatory aerial surveillance efforts that indicated an influx of armed terrorists into the forest, according to the statement.

“These criminals were linked to widespread violence, including two improvised explosive device attacks on 19 December 2024 in Bassa, Shiroro LGA, which sadly claimed some innocent lives.

“In response, NAF launched a three-day sustained air operation, code-named ‘Konan Daji’, to degrade the terrorists’ capabilities and render the forest uninhabitable for them.

“To this end, the air component dispatched a formation of fighter aircraft to execute air interdiction missions in the area. Upon arrival, the jets swiftly engaged the identified targets with precision strikes,” said the air force.

“They neutralised numerous armed fighters and destroyed their logistics base, as confirmed by multiple secondary explosions,” the statement added.

It said sustained efforts were underway to eliminate all criminal elements from Alawa Forest and surrounding areas, ensuring lasting peace and security for communities in Niger and beyond.

The statement noted that the operation was a significant blow to the bandits and a major achievement for NAF in its efforts to combat terrorism and insecurity in the region.

Despite the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, several violent encounters have occurred involving armed or masked Palestinians.

An Israeli military spokesman disclosed late on Wednesday.

In one such encounter, a man was killed, with the military identifying him as a fighter for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

In other cases, soldiers fired warning shots to keep masked suspects at a distance, the spokesman said.

The army said it was determined to adhere to the ceasefire agreements while taking all necessary measures to protect its soldiers from potential threats.

It has urged Palestinians to steer clear of military personnel.

In line with the agreed terms, Israeli troops on Wednesday withdrew their vehicles from Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip.

The military released images showing a convoy of tanks leaving the area along the border fence.

Former Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has sympathised with the people of Jattu-Uzairue Kingdom and the entire Etsako West Local Government Area following a destructive fire that engulfed the Jattu Community Market on Tuesday.

Shaibu also expressed deep sympathy to the traders who lost their businesses and properties. “Your pain is unimaginable, and your resilience in the face of this repeated tragedy is truly inspiring,” he said.

In July last year, a deadly windstorm that claimed lives and uprooted centuries-old trees, rocked the area and left the community in deep grief.

Shaibu’s sympathy was contained in a statement he shared via his X handle on Tuesday, January 21.

The statement reads: “My heart is heavy as I join the people of Jattu-Uzairue Kingdom and the entire Etsako West Local Government Area to grief over the devastating fire that ravaged the Jattu Community Market on Tuesday. This tragic incident, coming so soon after the windstorm that claimed lives and uprooted our century-old trees, has left our community in deep grief.

“To our traders who have lost their livelihoods and properties, I extend my deepest sympathies. Your pain is unimaginable, and your resilience in the face of this repeated tragedy is truly inspiring.

“As one of your own, I feel your sorrow deeply, and I am committed to standing with you in this difficult time. This is not just a loss for the affected traders but for the entire Jattu-Uzairue Kingdom. Our market is not just a place of business—it is a symbol of our unity, hard work, and heritage.

“I urge all well-meaning individuals, organizations, and leaders within and beyond our community to come together in solidarity to provide relief to those affected, rebuild what has been lost, and restore hope to our people. Together, we can overcome this tragedy and emerge stronger.

“May God comfort all who are grieving, and may He grant us the strength and wisdom to rebuild.”

Over 20 people were killed and more than 10 others wounded during two days of fighting between Islamic State fighters and security forces from Somalia’s Puntland region, officials said Tuesday.

In an interview with VOA’s Somali Service, a spokesperson for Puntland security operations, Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, said that 15 Islamic State militants and seven Puntland soldiers were killed in the clashes Sunday and Monday.

Ahmed said IS fighters used improvised explosive devices to protect their hideouts near the Ufeyn area. As soldiers were clearing landmines, one of the devices exploded, killing six soldiers and wounding three, he said.

The spokesperson said that during the operation, soldiers killed eight Islamic State militants.

Ahmed said the latest military operation, which centered around the Cal Miskat mountains in the Bari region, continued through Monday.

“On Monday, our soldiers encountered the terrorist fighters around Laba-Afle area, killing seven of them. One of our soldiers was also killed and four others injured,” he said.

Residents, who requested anonymity fearing for their lives, told VOA they saw the bodies of militants strewn along the roads leading into the Cal Miskat mountains.

Puntland began a military offensive last month against extremist groups in the region following months of preparations.

The region’s leader, Said Abdullahi Deni, appealed to the public to support the operation, which he said is aimed at dislodging the Islamic State militants from their hideouts in mountainous areas.

Puntland has endured terrorist attacks perpetrated by al-Shabab and Islamic State militants, but the ongoing military operation appears to be focused on IS.

The group has a relatively small presence in Somalia compared to the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, but experts have warned of growing activity.

U.S. military officials and Somali security experts reported that IS increased its membership numbers in Somalia last year.

The group was previously estimated to have between 100 and 400 fighters, but Somali security and intelligence experts estimate their current numbers to be 500 to 600 militants.

Most of the newcomers are said to be from the Middle East and eastern and northern Africa.

IS in Somalia was formed in October 2015 by a group of former al-Shabab fighters led by the cleric Sheikh Abdulkadir Mumin, who reportedly pledged allegiance to the late IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Mumin appears to have survived a U.S. airstrike on May 31, 2024.

A United Nations counterterrorism official last year warned of increased attacks by Islamic State affiliates in Somalia, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Saudi Arabia embassy in Abuja has hosted a farewell ceremony for 20 Nigerians selected for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme for Umrah 2025.

A statement by the embassy in Abuja said the ceremony was held under the leadership of Faisal Al-Ghamdi, the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria.

It said the initiative highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting Muslims and fostering spiritual connections through pilgrimage.

The programme, initiated by King Salman Al Saud, allows Muslims to undertake the lesser Hajj with full sponsorship.

The ambassador thanked Mr Al Saud and the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, for their dedication to Islam’s holy sites.

He also praised their providing enhanced services to pilgrims and ensuring their journey to the sacred sites is both spiritually fulfilling and seamless.

“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince have prioritised the well-being of pilgrims, viewing it as a sacred duty and an immense honour.

“Through this programme and other initiatives, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen bonds of brotherhood among Muslims while ensuring their comfort and safety during their spiritual journey,” he said.

According to the statement, Mr Al-Ghamdi said the country had invested over 100 billion dollars in the recent expansion and modernisation of the two holy mosques.

According to him, these ambitious projects, encompassing state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced crowd management systems and cutting-edge technology, reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to accommodating the increasing number of pilgrims.

He added that Saudi Arabia was sparing no effort in mobilising resources to improve the pilgrimage experience for all Muslims.

Mr Al-Ghamdi also emphasised the importance of adhering to the country‘s laws and regulations, which are designed to maintain order and ensure the safety and comfort of all pilgrims.

“The leadership of Saudi Arabia remains fully committed to serving the guests of God. This is a responsibility we hold dear, and we continuously strive to enhance the spiritual and logistical aspects of the pilgrimage experience,” he said.

Guests at the occasion expressed appreciation for the opportunity made available through the sponsorship initiative.

The programme allows pilgrims to perform the lesser Hajj, covering all costs, including travel, accommodation and other logistics.

France’s judiciary on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad on suspicion of complicity in war crimes, specifically relating to the death of a French-Syrian man in 2017.

Investigating judges suspect al-Assad of complicity in murder and attacks on civilians.

The newspaper Le Parisien reported that the 59-year-old man was killed when his house in the southern Syrian city of Daraa was bombed by Syrian army helicopters in June 2017.

Citing investigators, the newspaper stated that France’s judiciary suspects that al-Assad ordered the attack and provided the necessary means for it.

At the time, al-Assad’s government was attempting to regain control of Daraa from opposition forces.

In 2023, the French judiciary issued an arrest warrant for al-Assad in connection with chemical weapons attacks.

This specifically concerned severe chemical attacks in the region of East Ghouta near Damascus in August 2013.

In an attack with the nerve gas Sarin, hundreds of people were killed. Human rights organisations report more than 1,000 fatalities.

Nigeria has condoled with Turkiye over the fire that killed 76 people at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort.

This condolence was made via a statement by the foreign affairs ministry on Wednesday.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to express deep condolence to the Government and People of the Republic of Turkiye over the unfortunate fire incident at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort.

“The fire, which claimed the lives of 76 persons and injured more than 50 others in Bolu Province in Northwestern Turkiye, was reported to have started in the early hours of Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria sympathises with the Government of the Republic of Turkiye and the families of the victims of the fire incident and also wishes a speedy recovery of the injured,” the statement said.

The board chairman of Seplat Energy Plc, Udo Udoma, says the company is committed to partnering with the Akwa Ibom government to drive sustainable development in the state.

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Mr Udoma stated this in Uyo when he led a delegation of the company’s leadership to visit Governor Umo Eno.

He told the governor that Seplat Energy Offshore Limited had recently completed the acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited.

Mr Udoma said the company would now be known as Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited and retain all previous firm’s assets and liabilities.

“As a leading indigenous oil and gas producer, we have a commitment to partner with the Akwa Ibom Government to ensure sustainable development in the state.

“Our objective is to significantly contribute towards meeting Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas aspirations while supporting the socio-economic development of the state,” he said.

Mr Udoma expressed confidence that the company would bring significant economic and social benefits to the state and its host communities through strong partnerships and shared goals.

Mr Eno commended the delegation for the visit and assured them of the state government’s unwavering support and commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

He expressed hope that the collaboration between the state government and SEPNU would yield tangible benefits for the people.

“We are confident that this partnership would also boost the local economy and promote sustainable development,” Mr Eno said.