Lifestyle

Police repel terrorists’ attack in Katsina, kill one

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Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command have repelled a terrorist attack at Kesassa village in Danmusa Local Government Area of the state.

The operatives also killed one terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle with 22 rounds of 7.62MM live ammunition during the encounter on Monday, March 27, 2023.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Gambo Isah, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, said the police had received a distress call that the terrorists had Danmusa – Yantumaki Road and were shooting indiscriminately.

“On 27/03/2023 at about 1430hrs, a distress call was received that terrorists in their numbers, shooting sporadically with AK 47 rifles, blocked Danmusa – Yantumaki Road, Danmusa LGA of Katsina state.

Consequently, DPO Danmusa Division led a team of Policemen to the area, engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel and successfully repelled them,” the statement read.

“In the course of scanning the scene, one of the terrorists-bandits was neutralized and one AK 47 rifle was recovered with twenty-two (22) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

“Many of the terrorists were reasonably believed to have been neutralized and/or escaped the scene with gunshot wounds. Search parties are combing the nearest bushes with a view of arresting them and/or recovering their dead bodies.

“The is appealing to members of the communities around the area to report to the nearest police station any person found or seen with a suspected injury.

The Command appreciated the efforts of the Police for the display of uncommon courage, gallantry and professionalism in dealing with the hoodlums.”

Lifestyle

Terror alert: No cause for alarm – NSA assures Nigerians

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The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno has described as false and irresponsible, the terror threats recently issued by the US and UK embassies in Nigeria.

Speaking to statehouse correspondents after the Security Council meeting presided over by President Buhari today, October 31, Monguno assured Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm.

He insisted that the alert was for American and British citizens and that the way it was released complicated the situation.

The alert, he underscored, was simply an unnecessary distraction and nothing untoward so far. He advised Nigerians to go about their daily activities without fear, saying that the security agencies are in control and that Nigeria is safe.

”The issue of Nigerians being made to panic is unnecessary. The situation in various areas of the Federal Capital Territories have been brought under control and we are trying as much as possible to work with our neighbors and within the domesitic situation, to work with our foreign partners in a responsible way without giving the impression that Nigeria is skating on thin ice or we are about to implode.

That I would want to dispel any Illusion about heightened sense of insecurity. It is false, it is irresponsible for anybody to give that signal. We are working with our foreign partners in a responsible way and Nigerians should go about their normal daily undertakings without being put in a situation of fear.” he said

In attendance at the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar, as well as the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd); Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor led the service chiefs including the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao to the meeting.

World News

Leave Abuja now – US issues fresh warning to employees’ family members

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The United States government on Thursday October 27, ordered its non-emergency diplomatic staff and their families to leave Abuja.

The US Consulate in Nigeria cited “heightened risk of terrorist attacks” as reason for the directive in its latest travel advisory.

The US State Department did not specify the threat, but its country summary for Nigeria warns that “terrorists may attack with little or no warning,” targeting malls, markets, hotels, restaurants, bars or schools.

It read;

“The Travel Advisory for Nigeria has been updated due to a heightened risk of terrorist attacks in Abuja.

“We recommend U.S. citizens do not travel to Abuja at this time.

“In addition, on October 27, 2022, the Department ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government employees from Abuja due to heightened risk of terrorist attacks, following on the October 25 authorization of departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members from Abuja due to heightened risk of terrorist attacks.

“U.S. citizens should consider departing Abuja using available commercial options. U.S. citizens who wish to depart but are unable to secure commercial options to do so can contact the U.S. Consulate in Lagos at LagosFM@state.gov for assistance.

“The U.S. Embassy Abuja is only able to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Abuja. The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. U.S. Citizens in Nigeria who require assistance should contact LagosACS@state.gov or +234 1 460 3410.”

World News

US authorizes evacuation of non-critical staff in Nigeria over risk of terror attacks

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Barely 48 hours after its embassy in Nigeria issued a security alert of a possible terrorist attack in Nigeria, especially Abuja, the United States government (US) has authorized the evacuation of “non-emergency” employees and their family members in Nigeria.

The US state department announced the approval in an update on its Nigeria travel advisory on Tuesday evening, October 25.

The update noted that the US embassy in Abuja will have “limited ability” to provide emergency assistance to US citizens while the consulate in Lagos is still providing routine and emergency services.

“On October 25, 2022, the Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks.

The U.S. Embassy Abuja continues to have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. The U.S. Consulate in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria.”

The advisory also indicated that Nigeria is rated Level 3 which means citizens should reconsider traveling to the country. It advised Americans to shelve travel plans “due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime”.

Although Nigeria is a Level 3 country, some states are said to have a higher risk of attacks, and as such, are Level 4 — which means Americans should not travel to such places.

Americans were warned of possible terrorist attacks and kidnapping in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states. Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states — with the exception of Port Harcourt — were also listed as Level 4 “due to crime, kidnapping, and maritime crime”.

The US state department warned that terrorists may attack with little or no warning, and will target public places like shopping centers, malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, schools, government installations, and transportation hubs.

World News

UK warns of possible attack in FCT, restricts access to British high commission

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Just like the United States, the United Kingdom (UK) has also issued a terrorism alert to citizens in Nigeria.

UK warned of an increased threat of terrorist attack in the federal capital territory (FCT) and also admonished its citizens to stay alert, “consider movements carefully, follow the local news and the advice of security authorities”.

UK citizens were warned against visits to markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, football viewing centres, displacement camps, transport terminals (including train networks), government buildings — and schools.

The British High Commission in Abuja also said that from Monday, October 24, only critical staff will be allowed access to its facility.

Parents were also warned against sending their children to school.

Lifestyle

DSS calls for calm, says nothing new in US warning

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has reacted to the security alert issued by the US Embassy in Nigeria to Americans alerting them of possible attacks in Abuja.

The United States embassy in Nigeria had on Sunday October 23, warned Americans in the country to be cautious of their movement in response to “elevated risk of terror attacks,” specifically in Abuja.

“There is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja. Targets may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations.”

“The U.S. Embassy will offer reduced services until further notice. Actions to Take: Avoid all non-essential travel or movement. Stay alert. Avoid crowds.

In a security alert issued on Sunday, the US advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel or movement, stay alert and avoid crowds,” the embassy said in a statement posted on its website.

Reacting to the security alert, the DSS in a statement released by its spokesperosn Peter Afunanya, said it has repeatedly issued similar warnings in the past, while advising Nigerians to be cautious and work with other security agencies to maintain the peace.

“The Department of State Services (DSS) has received several enquiries relating to the security advisory issued by the US Embassy in Abuja, 23/10/22. The public may recall that the Service had variously issued similar warnings in the past.

While advising that necessary precautions are taken by all and sundry, the populace is enjoined to remain alert and assist security agencies with useful information regarding threats and suspicious criminal acts around them.

Meanwhile, the Service calls for calm as it works with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to maintain peace and order in and beyond Abuja,” the statement read

World News

Terrorists planning to attack Abuja – US govt raises alarm

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The United States embassy in Nigeria has warned Americans in Nigeria to be cautious of their movement in response to elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja.

In a security alert issued today October 23, the US embassy advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel or movement, stay alert and avoid crowds.

The security alert in part reads

“There is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja. Targets may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations.

The U.S. Embassy will offer reduced services until further notice.

Actions to Take: Avoid all non-essential travel or movement. Stay alert. Avoid crowds.Review your personal security plans and keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency. Carry proper identification.”

Several attacks including the attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre as well as the one on the Presidential Guards Brigade in Abuja, have been recorded in recent times.

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