Lifestyle

Two wanted terrorists killed in Katsina- Police

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The police said its operatives killed two terrorists and arms smugglers on the wanted list in Katsina.

This is contained in a statement by the police spokesman in Katsina, Abubakar Aliyu, on Thursday.

“On May 29, at about 0300hrs, terrorists/bandits in their numbers, armed with AK47 rifles, attacked the residence of one Yahaya Usman of Tani village, Bindawa local government area of the state,” the police statement said.

“They inflicted a deep knife cut to his head in an attempt to kidnap him.” The police said the Katsina command’s operatives attached to the Bindawa divisional headquarters led by the DPO “engaged the suspected terrorists in a fierce gun duel and successfully foiled the kidnap attempt and rescued the victim.”

The police said two corpses of the suspected terrorists were recovered, and one AK47 rifle with five rounds of 7.62mm was seized.

“During the course of investigation, the corpses were later identified to be those of Sani Kokaya and Ummara, all of Kaita local government area of the state.

They are notorious terrorists/bandits and arms smugglers who have been on the command’s wanted list,” the statement added.

Lifestyle

11 terrorists killed, weapons seized in Kaduna

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The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Whirl Punch with special forces killed 11 terrorists in Kaduna.

The DHQ spokesman, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, said this in a statement on Sunday, revealing that the troops on Saturday conducted clearance operations in the terrorists’ enclaves at Bagoma, Rema, Bilugai, Dagara, Sabon Lay, Gagumi, Katakaki and Randagi villages all in Birnin Gwari local council area.

The statement said the terrorists were overpowered by the troops at Kakangi and Katakaki villages during a gunfight, forcing several of them to flee.

According to the statement, troops exploited the “general area” and recovered two AK-47 rifles, two AK-47 magazines, 57 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, seven machetes and six motorcycles.

“The military high command commends troops and encourages the general public to avail troops with credible and timely information on criminal activities,” stated the DHQ.

Lifestyle

17 Boko Haram terrorists and family members surrender to Nigerian Army in Borno

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Seventeen Boko Haram terrorists including their family members have surrendered to the Nigerian Army in Borno State.

The terrorists surrendered with their weapons to troops of 151 Task Force Battalion deployed at Banki-Junction in Bama Local Government Area of the state.

The Army in a statement on Tuesday, September 20, said the terrorists surrendered due to renewed military onslaughts by gallant troops of Operation Hadin Kai.

“Profiling of the surrendered terrorists is ongoing,” the statement added.

The latest develoment is coming days after a chief executioner from Shekau’s faction, Bashir Bulabuduwaye, recently surrendered to the Nigerian troops.

Bulabuduwaye, alongside his wives and children, surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai stationed in Baking, Bama.

Lifestyle

Terrorists killed as police repel attack in Katsina

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Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command have repelled an attack along Sabuwa – Mararabar Yakawada road, in Sabuwa Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Gambo Isah, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, said many of the terrorists are feared to have been killed while others may have been wounded.

“Today 14/09/2022 at about 01445hrs, a distress call was received that terrorists numbering thirty (30), on motorcycles, armed with AK 47 rifles, blocked Sabuwa – Mararabar Yakawada road, Sabuwa LGA of Katsina state, with intent to commit armed robbery and kidnapping,” the statement read.

“On receipt of the report, DPO Sabuwa Division, led tactical unit to the area and engaged the hoodlums into a fierce gun duel. The team successfully repelled the terrorists from their heinous mission.

“In the course of scanning the scene, a terrorist was neutralized, one (1) AK 47 rifle and four (4) of their operational motorcycles were recovered.

“It is feared that many terrorists were neutralized and/or escaped the scene with gun shots wounds. Investigation is ongoing.”

Politics

Why we killed lawmaker and former DPO – Terrorists arrested in Bauchi state confess

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Four terror suspects arrested in Bauchi State by the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have said they murdered a former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) CSP Garkuwa because he gave them a tough time while they carried out their nefarious activities.

The suspects, Hashimu Galadima alias Kan Wuka, Abduwahab Abdulhassan alias Emeka, Hamidu Saleh, and Abdulwahab Ahmed alias Dan Mama were arrested by the DCP Tunji Disu-led elite squad following an investigation into high-profile murders, kidnappings and armed robbery incidents in the State.

The Nation reports that three members of the gang were arrested at Dass Local Government area of Bauchi State and their confessions to the police led to the arrest of the fourth suspect.

In his confessional statement, Hashimu, 48, who’s the gang leader said all members of his gang hated the DPO because he usually arrested them and prevented their operations within his jurisdiction.

He said the lawmaker’s murder was masterminded by Abdulwahab Alhassan because he offended them. The ex-convict said the lawmaker usually gave people money but never gave him even when he requested.

“My gang killed Honourable Mante and kidnapped three of his family members. He offended me but I am not the only one that he offended.He used to give people money but he never gave me. That is why I don’t like him. I have begged him for money many times.

He did not give me but he was giving other people money.I did not want to kill him but Abdulhassan also told me that he hated the honourable and we should kill him. It was even Abdulhassan that facilitated how we located him and gained entrance into his house” he said.

Hashimu who said he served two-year jail term for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnapping, said he continued the acts when he was released from prison. Alhassan claimed that he did not follow them to the lawmaker’s residence but provided the gang with information.

“I am into sale of hard drugs. I know most of these criminals and sell hard drugs to them. My problem with Honourable Mante is that he refused to help me when I had problem with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Bauchi.

I sent people to him with the hope that he will assist me by using his position to facilitate my release from the NDLEA but he ignored me. I spent one year in prison and I was released to go and unite with my family” the suspect said

The spokesperson of the state police command, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the arrest of the suspects, assuring that the service under Inspector General (IG) Alkali Usman was committed to the protection of lives and properties in all parts of the country.

Lifestyle

‘Terrorists in helicopter’ kill 32, shell houses, church in Southern Kaduna

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SOKAPU warns political parties against all-Muslim ticket

Inhabitants of Adara community in the southern part of Kaduna State have said that about 32 persons lost their lives in an alleged helicopter-aided attack by terrorists, who razed houses, including Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in the area.

Adara leaders said more bodies were discovered in bushes around the villages attacked by terrorists in helicopters.

The National President of Adara Development Association (ADA), Awemi Maisamari, stated, yesterday: “The pogrom against Adara nation rages on. In the latest tragedy, Ungwan Gamu, Dogon Noma, Ungwan Sarki and Maikori villages near Maro in Kajuru Local Council were attacked on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

“The death toll this morning (Wednesday) is 32, as villagers comb surrounding bushes for more bodies. Seven were found this morning decomposing.”

According to him, the attack started around noon and lasted until around 06:00 p.m. unchallenged by the state. It was carried out by Fulani terrorists on 150 motorcycles carrying three armed persons each.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Mohammed Jalige, did not respond to telephone calls from The Guardian for comments on the Adara attack.

MEANWHILE, Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has told all political parties in Kaduna and the state government not to encourage a Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket in the 2023 general election.

According to the group, the promotion of such tickets by Governor Nasir el-Rufai has divided the people and hindered socio-economic development, noting that Southern Kaduna people will resist any political arrangement devoid of political balance in 2023.

In a statement, yesterday, SOKAPU Political Committee congratulated governorship candidates of the various political parties.

“While we are glad that the events leading to their emergence as candidates were successfully carried out devoid of any form of violence. We look forward to meeting them soon for fruitful deliberations on how we can build bridges in our dear state for development,” the group stated.

Secretary of the committee, Simon Musa, explained: “There has been no better time than now for all parties and both zones to work towards enthroning inclusiveness across the various parts of Kaduna.”

“Despite the tension and animosity prevalent along ethnoreligious divides, the Southern Kaduna people are committed to the welfare and security of all citizens of the state. In this regard, the attention of SOKAPU has been drawn to subtle threats mounted on governorship candidates to appoint their running mates without regard to the ethnoreligious divide in the state.”

Lifestyle

Terrorists kidnap unspecified number of people along Brinin-Gwari-Kaduna highway

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Terrorists have kidnapped an unspecified number of motorists along Kuriga and Manini, near Udawa, along Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway on Monday.

Ibrahim Abubakar Nagwari, Chairman, Brinin-Gwari Vanguards for security and good governance, in a statement on Monday, explained that, “Today 31st May, 2022, terrorists along Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway intercepted a convoy of motorists, with security escorts between Kuriga and Manini near Udawa.”

He said they abducted an unspecified number of people and took them into the bush.”

He further explained that, “in the last four days, terrorists laid siege on motorists on Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway, abducting as well as killing and wounding many innocent citizens, yet our people are reduced to silent mode with no reportage of the ugly situation nor any move by the authorities to show concern on the deteriorating security around Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway,” he lamented.

The chairman stated that on Monday, eight vehicles were set ablaze by the terrorists, saying that unaccounted number of innocent motorists mostly women and children were waylaid into the bush by the terrorists for ransom.

He explained that with all the security challenges the people were going through, no politician cared to visit Birnin-Gwari to either see delegates, but rather called delegates to Kaduna for consultations.

Lifestyle

120 terrorists killed, 38 kidnapped victims rescued in three weeks —DHQ

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the military has killed over 120 terrorists including Boko Haram/ISWAP commanders, rescued 38 kidnapped victims as well as arrested over 50 criminals in several operations conducted in the last three weeks.

The Director General, Defence Media Organisation, Major General Bernard Onyeuko, who made this disclosure at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday on the activities of the Nigerian troops in the operation theater in the North-East, said sophisticated and assorted weapons and ammunition, gun trucks and other dangerous weapons, were recovered within the same period.

According to the Army spokesman, over 965 terrorists, their families and 550 children surrendered to soldiers at different location including Gamboru, Tumbumma, Kukawa, Baga, Gwoza, Mallam Fotori, Damboa, Kirta Wulgo, Bun Yadi, Gujiba, Madiya, all in Borno and Yobe State, during the same period.

According to the Army spokesman, over 965 terrorists, their families and 550 children surrendered to soldiers at different location including Gamboru, Tumbumma, Kukawa, Baga, Gwoza, Mallam Fotori, Damboa, Kirta Wulgo, Bun Yadi, Gujiba, Madiya, all in Borno and Yobe State, during the same period.

“In the past three weeks, operations were recorded in all theatre of operations within the country which recorded significant results. This brief will cover the operational activities of own troops and other security agencies conducting operations to tackle insecurity in the country between 20 January – 10 February 22.

“Our troops consolidated their operational success against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province Terrorist (ISWAP) in the last 3 weeks.

“Some of the areas which the operations were conducted are; Bama, Gwoza, Monguno, Kanduga, Damboa, Damasak, Gudumbali and Nganzi Local Government Area. Kukawa, Chibok as well as Sambisa Forest, Kirta Wulgo in Marte Local Government of Borno State.

“Troops also recorded significant results at various locations in Adamawa and Yobe State around Goniri in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Notably, the air interdiction eliminated several ISWAP Commanders and their fighters during the encounter. An ISWAP senior commnander Mallam Ari, the Amirul Fiya in charge of Kirta Wulgo and some foreign mercenaries fabricating Improvised Explosive Device for the terrorist were killed during the airstrike.

“Relatedly, the Air Component conducted air strikes on ISWAP enclaves at Abbaganaram, Bukar Mairam, Chukum Gudu and Jubilaram in Marte Local Government Area neutralized scores of terrorists including high profile Commanders while about 25 Terrorists got drowned in the lake in an attempt to escape the bombardment.

The ISWAP armoury and warehouse were also destroyed and arrest of several terrorists recovery of assorted arms, ammunition and captured their gun trucks and other weapons. Also, livestocks and other items of security concern were recovered as well as rescued abducted civilians.

Cumulatively, the troops within the period under review, neutralized 120 fighters, arrested 50 of the terrorists, 5 gun trucks, 50 assorted arms and 200 rounds of different calibers of ammunition were captured from the terrorists.

“Additionally, troops rescued 38 abducted civilians. Similarly, a total of 965 terrorists and their families and 550 children surrendered to own troops deployed at different location including: Gamboru, Tumbumma, Kukawa, Baga, Gwoza, Mallam Fotori, Damboa, Kirta Wulgo, Bun Yadi, Gujiba, Madiya all in Borno and Yobe State.

“It is noteworthy to state that out of the 965 terrorists that surrendered within the period under review, 104 are from ISWAP Camp that surrendered to our troops at Marte.

“The surrendered terrorist have been properly documented and handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary action,” Onyeuko said.

Politics

Again, Buhari assures Nigerians his govt will crush terrorists, bandits

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President Muhammadu Buhari, has once again, reassured Nigerians of the resolve of his government to eliminate and crush terrorists, bandits and other criminals operating in different parts of the country before the expiration of his administration.

Buhari, who gave the assurance on Friday at a State Banquet organized in his honour by Governor Nasir El-Rufai at the end of the President’s two-day official visit to Kaduna State, said the deadly and worrisome activities of bandits in the state and other parts of the country would soon be a thing of the past.

‘‘I wish to assure the people and government of Kaduna State and Nigerians in general that the Federal Government is doing its utmost to contain and crush the terrorists menacing our citizens and their property in parts of the country.

On behalf of the Federal Government, I commend the efforts of the Kaduna State Government to respond to the demands of development and its prompt response to the security challenges in the state.

‘‘The relationship between our tiers of government represents an instance of successful collaboration between the national and State governments for progress, peace and prosperity.

“I urge Malam Nasir El-Rufai to push on and not relent in his efforts to accelerate change and progress in Kaduna State,” the President said.

Politics

Court ruling designates bandits as terrorists

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The Federal High Court, Abuja, has, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by the Federal Government, designated bandits in the country as terrorists.

In the ruling on Friday, the president of the court, Justice Taiwo Taiwo specifically declared the activities of the bandit groups like “Yan Bindiga Group” and the “Yan Ta’adda Group” and other similar groups in any part of the country, especially in the Northwest and Northcentral geo-political zones, as “acts of terrorism and illegality.”

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar, who filed the motion ex-parte, told the court that President Muhammadu Buhari gave approval for the motion, with the objective of proscribing the “Yan Bindiga” and “Yan Ta’adda” groups, and other terrorist groups in the country.

Justice Taiwo said he was convinced that such orders were necessary in view of the nefarious activities of bandits and their effects on the people and the nation’s economy.

The ruling equally proscribed the “Yan Bindiga Group and the Yan Ta’adda Group as well as other similar groups in any part of Nigeria, especially in the Northwest and Northcentral geo-political zones, either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called.”

The court also restrained “any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever, in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the Yan Bindiga Group and the Yan Ta’adda Group under any other name or platform however called or described.”

Justice Taiwo also ordered the Federal Government to publish the prosecution and prescription order in the Official Gazette of the government and two national dailies.

The judge also proscribed all other groups in the country, “irrespective of their names, but whose activities and objectives are similar to those of Yan Bindiga Group and the Yan Ta’adda Group.”

The judge listed terror activities to
“include, but not limited to banditry, kidnappings for ransom, kidnapping for marriage, mass abductions of school children and other citizens, cattle rustling, enslavement, imprisonment, severe deprivation of physical liberty, torture, rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, other forms of sexual violence, attacks and killings in communities and commuters and wanton destruction of lives and properties in Nigeria.

“The activities of Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda groups and other similar groups constitute acts of terrorism that can lead to a breakdown of public order and safety and is a threat to national security and the corporate existence of Nigeria,” Justice Taiwo ruled”.

Politics

Under Buhari, bandits, terrorists now on the run – Femi Adesina

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The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, on Thursday gave his principal a pass mark in the ongoing efforts to rid the country of its security challenges.

In an article titled: “They said nothing was happening…How about these?” the presidential aide said the Boko Haram insurgents and bandits pillaging communities in the Northern part of the country have been put on the back foot by troops through relentless assaults on their hideouts in the region.

He stressed that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was on the right path to achieving multi-sectoral progress.

The government, according to him, has re-assessed and updated the national security strategy, which has contributed to success in fighting insurgents and terrorists and also countering violent extremism.

Adesina said: “Has security not been jigged up in a way that bandits, terrorists, insurgents have been put on the back foot? Are evildoers not being daily sent to God to answer for their crimes? Is the country not being cleaned up, and it is just a matter of time before the sanitation is completed?”

Politics

Northern Elders tell Buhari to declare bandits as terrorists, if it’ll solve insecurity in Nigeria

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The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on Wednesday joined the growing call for President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits as terrorists in the country.

In a statement issued by its spokesman, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the group said such a move would address the various security challenges bedevilling the nation.

NEF urged the federal government to explore all options in order to eradicate the scourge.

The statement read: “The Forum regrets that arguments over labelling bandits as terrorists wastes attention and energy.

“If labeling bandits as terrorists will substantially improve the capacity of the Nigerian state to eliminate this expanding scourge, the Forum supports it without reservation.

In any case, all lawful options in bringing this menace to an end must be pursued. Measures put in place to contain its spread should be diligently monitored and evaluated, and those that merely worsen the condition of living of the law-abiding population should be removed.

Governments should be sensitive to the possibility of severe food shortage in the next few months in many Northern communities, in addition to escalating cost of living which will combine to confront the poor with intolerable conditions of living.”

The National Assembly had in October asked President Buhari to declare bandits as terrorists in the country.

The parliament also asked the President to declare all known leadership of the bandits wanted and track them wherever they are for arrest and prosecution.

Politics

If you can’t declare bandits terrorists, declare them federal civil servants – Shehu Sani tells FG

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Former Nigerian senator, Shehu Sani has condemned the federal government’s refusal to swiftly declare bandits as terrorists.

According to him, if government cannot declare them terrorists, they might as well declare them as federal civil servants.

This comes a week after 36 state Houses of Assembly Speakers called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits as terrorists and enemies of the nation.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has said the need to follow due process is responsible for the delay in declaring bandits as terrorists.

Taking to his verified Twitter handle on Monday to express his displeasure with the delay, Sani lamented that the bandits are killing people regardless of religion and place of worship.

“They killed Muslim worshipers in their mosques in Niger and Katsina states; they killed Christians in their Churches in Kaduna state; if the Government doesn’t want to declare them terrorists, it should declare them federal civil servants,” he wrote.

Lifestyle

Why Nigeria has not declared bandits as terrorists – Defence minister

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The Minister of Defence, Major-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtf) on Friday, explained why the Federal Government has not declared bandits wreaking havoc in the North-West part of the country as terrorists.

The National Assembly and other prominent Nigerians including the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, had a few weeks ago urged the federal government to declare the bandits as terrorists.

Magashi, who made the clarification in a chat with journalists in Maiduguri, Borno State, said the need to follow the right procedure was responsible for the federal government’s delay in declaring the bandits as terrorists.

He stressed that the bandits would be classified as terrorists once the procedure had been completed.

The minister said: “We are not declaring them terrorists because there is a procedure for doing that.

“When the procedure is followed, they will be classified as terrorists. We are waiting for the procedure to be completed.”

Politics

Gumi warns, says declaring bandits terrorists will have consequences

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Kaduna based controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has warned against declaration of bandits as terrorists, saying such action from government will come with a prize.

Ripples Nigeria had earlier reported that speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly in Nigeria on Saturday called on the Federal Government to declare bandits and kidnappers as terrorists, adding that kidnapping and banditry should be dealt with decisively.

The Speakers made the call after the National Assembly and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai had made same demand.

Gumi while reacting to the calls in a statement titled, ‘Declaring Bandits As Terrorists Will Come With A Prize’, said the moment bandits are termed terrorists, the direct foreign Jihadist movements will set in in force.

This, he said may be found palatable and attractive by many teaming unemployed youths.

The statement read in part: “Nobody doubts that sentimentalism today overrides sensibility in our polity. For the sake of posterity, some people will have to speak out.

The acts the bandits are committing now in NW have gradually over time become tantamount to terrorism because wherever innocent people are fatal victims it’s pure terrorism. Yet, innocence these days is relative. We agreed if their children and women are also killed, they are guilty by association or collateral damage, so also the bandits may think the same way. It’s right for vigilantes to lynch Fulanis herdsmen or anyone that looks like them by profiling but wrong for the herdsmen to ransack villages in retribution. They are pushed to believe it is an existential war and in war, ethics are thrown to the winds.

“Yet again, the only helpful part that is against bandits is that no other than them are attracted to join them in the NW because of its ethnic tinge and coloration.

However, the moment they are termed Terrorist – Islamic for that matter, the direct foreign Jihadist movements will set in in force. And many teaming unemployed youths may find it palatable and attractive. Shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ plus AK47 against a ‘secular’ immoral society where impunity reigns are the magnet for extremists and downtrodden – the majority of our youth.

“Already these deadly terrorist groups are fighting for the soul of these bandits. This will give criminality a spiritual cover and remove the stigma of discrediting them with such crimes since now they are fighting a ‘Jihad’ as they will claim.

“In such a situation, does the larger society -as it is, has the moral high ground to fight back? This is the most probable consequence, the price of which is not worth it. Nothing stops the kinetic actions from going on without the controversy of semantics.”

Politics

Ortom asks Nigerian govt to declare herdsmen terrorists

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The Benue State Government, Samuel Ortom, on Monday urged the Federal Government to declare herdsmen killing and destroying property in the state as terrorists.

Ortom, who made the call during the commissioning of the Government Science Secondary School in Gbajimba, Guma local government area of the state, also asked the federal government to recruit more security personnel and inject more funds into security agencies to motivate them to protect Nigerians.

He said: “I will not keep quiet and allow some group of people chase my people away from their homes and continue to make them Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

“Gbajimba has over 500,000 IDPs. I appeal to the Federal Government to stop these herdsmen and declare them a terrorist group.

They should stop the killings and destruction of our property. I will not engage any militia group but I will continue to seek justice for my people.

“Security is a mandatory responsibility of every government. I want to appreciate the recent effort made by the government in nipping insecurity in the bud especially in the state but it should be sustained.

“I also, appreciate the effort of security agencies who are sacrificing their lives to ensure peace in our state. The Federal Government should do massive recruitment and ensure adequate funding of security agencies so that they can put in their best in securing the lives of Nigerians.

Politics

Buhari’s govt not ready to declare bandits as terrorists – Falana

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A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, on Sunday warned Nigerians against branding terrorists as bandits.

The lawyer made the call in a statement in Lagos.

He was reacting to the Federal Government’s refusal to declare bandits as terrorists.

The Senate had last week asked the federal government to declare bandits wreaking havoc in many parts of the North-West as terrorists.

The upper legislative chamber also charged the federal government to go after all known leaders of the bandits with a view to prosecuting them.

In the statement, Falana insisted that the bandits are not different from Boko Haram insurgents who are regarded as terrorists.

He added that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was unprepared to declare bandits as terrorists.

He said: “The failure to ascribe these criminals as ‘terrorists’ as evidenced in the kidnappings of the Chibok and the Dapchi schoolgirls led to the proliferation of the scourge.

It is public knowledge that the dangerous criminal elements who kidnapped the Chibok and Dapchi secondary school girls in the North-East Zone in 2014 and 2017 respectively were not referred to as bandits.

They were called terrorists by the Federal Government and the media. The description was correct as the abductions carried out by the criminal elements were acts of terrorism.

“But for reasons best known to the Federal Government the criminal elements who are currently involved in the brutal killing of innocent people and abduction of thousands of people including primary school pupils in the North-West zone are called bandits and not terrorists.

“Embarrassed by the reluctance of the Federal Government to deal decisively with the so-called bandits, the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, in separate sittings, unanimously passed resolutions last weekend requesting President Muhammadu Buhari to declare the dangerous criminal elements as terrorists and proscribe them in accordance with the provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act as amended without any further delay.

The federal lawmakers also asked President Buhari to declare all the known leaders of the bandits wanted and track them wherever they are for arrest and prosecution. So far, the Federal Government has ignored the resolutions.

“However, as the Federal Government is not prepared to declare them as terrorists we call on the media and the Nigerian people to stop referring to terrorists as bandits.”

World News

FBI releases first 9/11 document 20 years after terrorist attacks

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The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released the first documents related to its investigation of the September 9, 2001, terrorist attacks, popularly known as 9/11.

The documents which came 20 years after the unprecedented attacks suspected to be the brain child of the Saudi government, followed an executive order by President Joe Biden.

The declassified document released on Saturday, catalogues reports from as early as 2016, which provided details of the FBI’s work to investigate the alleged logistical support that a Saudi consular official and a suspected Saudi intelligence agent in Los Angeles, provided to at least two of the men involved in the hijacking of the planes used in the attacks.

The document, released on the 20th anniversary of the deadly attacks, still contains significant redactions.

It details multiple connections and witness testimony that prompted FBI suspicion of Omar al-Bayoumi, who was purportedly a Saudi student in Los Angeles, but whom the FBI suspected to be a Saudi intelligence agent.

The FBI document describes him as deeply involved in providing “travel assistance, lodging and financing” to help the two hijackers.

The Saudi embassy in Washington, DC, previously said that it “welcomes the release of” the FBI documents and that” any allegation that Saudi Arabia is complicit in the September 11 attacks is categorically false.”

Biden’s executive order came after more than 1,600 people affected by the attacks sent a letter asking him to refrain from going to Ground Zero in New York City to mark the 20th anniversary unless he released the information.

The letter in part questioned the role of Saudi Arabia, suggesting that members of the Saudi Arabian government had been involved in “supporting the attacks.”

Shortly after the letter, the Department of Justice announced it would review what previously withheld information or documents related to the September 11, 2001, attacks it can disclose to the public.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/11/politics/fbi-releases-first-9-11-document-after-biden-order/index.html

Politics

Three soldiers, 7 ISWAP fighters killed as terrorists attack military base in Borno ahead of Buhari’s visit

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Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants on Tuesday invaded a military formation in Kwamdi village, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno state, razing it to the ground.

Damboa LGA is located in Southern Borno with a distance of 87km from Maiduguri.

According to SaharaReporters, three soldiers were killed during the attack while about seven members of ISWAP also lost their lives.

The militants were said to have carted away weapons belonging to the military during a gun duel.

Reports say the fighters stormed the area in 10 utility vehicles, and burnt down one Ammour Personal Carrier (APC) and a gun truck.

According to a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), Hamidu Abu, the deadly group targeted soldiers camp but not residents.

He added that the base was razed down as several valuables were stolen by the assailants.

The attack comes two days to the planned visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the State, which is the first time he will be visiting the state since last year’s incident.

In February 2020, residents of the state booed the President as his convoy drove in and when it was leaving Maiduguri, state capital, during a condolence visit.

Politics

We have what it takes to crush terrorists, bandits, CDS, Irabor boasts

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The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, on Thursday, March 11, revealed that the armed forces had the requisite manpower and firepower to ensure the complete elimination of terrorism and banditry in the country.

He also dismissed insinuations of lack of synergy among the ranks of the troops.

Irabor, during a visit with other service chiefs to the 2 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan said the visit was to demonstrate leadership by example.

The armed forces of today demands that each of the services work together given that the threat that we face required partnership and collaboration. The misconceived ideas or opinions in the town by those who are uninformed to the effect that the armed forces are working in disparity group are not true.

“What we have been doing today is to let you know that disparity does not exist, we have come today to be an encouragement team to work together and let you know the directive of the president,” he stated.

According to Irabor, President Buhari had directed them to ensure they restore peace and security to the country within a few weeks in conjunction with other security agencies.

He lauded the officers for what they have been doing so far and charged them not to rest on their oars.

He also urged them to ensure that they overcome the security challenges facing the country within the shortest time possible.

The CDS assured the officers that much is being done on their welfare while charging them to be disciplined in order to end terrorism.

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