Crime
NAF Probes Alleged Civilian Casualties In Zamfara Airstrike
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched an investigation into reports of accidental civilian casualties following an airstrike conducted in Zurmi Local Government Area, Zamfara State, as part of Operation Fansan Yamma.
The operation, targeting bandits in the region, reportedly claimed the lives of 16 residents, including members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard and local vigilantes.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, has drawn widespread attention.
READ MORE: Los Angeles Wildfires: Death Toll Climbs As Firefighters Battle On
The NAF initially described the operation as successful, claiming it neutralized key associates of notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji and rescued several kidnapped hostages.
However, the Air Force’s initial statement omitted mention of civilian casualties.
In response, Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, confirmed on Sunday that members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and vigilantes were among those killed in the airstrike.
Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, NAF spokesperson, addressed the controversy in a statement issued later on Sunday, reiterating the operation’s success but acknowledging reports of civilian deaths.
“The Nigerian Air Force, in the recent airstrikes at Tungar Kara in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, dealt a decisive blow to bandits terrorising villages in the area,” Akinboyewa said.
“However, while the operation successfully eliminated several bandits and led to the recovery of some kidnapped victims, the NAF views with grave concern reports of the loss of civilian lives in the course of the operation.”
He assured the public that a comprehensive investigation was underway to verify the allegations, emphasizing the military’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“As a responsible and professional custodian of airpower for the nation’s security, the NAF believes in the absolute value of the life of every Nigerian,” he said.
“Accordingly, a comprehensive investigation is in progress, to ascertain the veracity of the reports, the outcome of which will be duly communicated to inform and reassure the public.”
Akinboyewa further reiterated the NAF’s commitment to safeguarding civilians, combating banditry, and restoring peace in the North West.
“Our mission in the North-West remains to combat banditry and restore peace. The safety and well-being of all Nigerians are of utmost importance,” he said.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the hearing of a N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by detained singer, Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington, against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
The case, presided over by Justice Musa Liman, was adjourned to January 27.
During Monday’s proceedings, counsel for the IGP, CSP Audu Garba, requested additional time to review a further affidavit served on him in court by Speed Darlington’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshal.
Justice Liman granted the request, allowing Garba more time to determine if the affidavit raised new legal or factual issues.
Marshal informed the court that the matter was initially scheduled for hearing but explained that while the police had served their counter affidavit on Friday, his team had only just filed their further affidavit on Monday morning. With the court’s permission, Marshal served the document to Garba in open court.
READ MORE: Police Rescue Kidnapped Akwa Ibom Ministry of Justice Director
Garba objected to proceeding immediately, stating that he needed time to study the new affidavit thoroughly before responding.
The court granted the adjournment, setting January 27 as the date for the adoption of arguments.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, Speed Darlington is challenging his arrest and detention, which he claims violates his fundamental rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. Filed by human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, the suit seeks several orders, including the immediate and unconditional release of the singer or his production in court to justify his detention.
Additionally, Speed Darlington is demanding N300 million in damages, citing his alleged unlawful and continued detention since 2024.
The case highlights concerns over rights violations and has garnered significant public attention.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully rescued a director in the state’s Ministry of Justice and his niece, who were kidnapped by five armed men in December 2024.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, disclosed this during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Uyo on Monday, detailing how the victims were abducted and taken to a forest in Ikot Ukpong Village, Abak Local Government Area.
“On December 2024, a distress call was received that a Director with the Ministry of Justice, Akwa Ibom State, and his niece were kidnapped by five armed men.
READ MORE: FG Set To Launch Three Major Cancer Treatment Centers
Our operatives immediately swung into action and busted the kidnappers’ den in a thick forest located within Ikot Ukpong Village, Abak Local Government,” CP Azare explained.
The victims were found unharmed inside an abandoned soak-away within the forest. The operatives also recovered the victims’ car, which had been abandoned along Etinan Road, and a Toyota Sienna vehicle used in the abduction.
“Two of the suspects were neutralized during the operation. Further investigation led to the arrest of two others identified as Ability Etim Samuel, aged 45, and David Vincent Samuel, aged 36,” the commissioner added.
CP Azare urged the public to remain vigilant and provide timely information to assist the police in maintaining law and order.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has apprehended four suspects in connection with the theft of four fire service trucks belonging to the state government.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, during his inaugural press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Uyo on Monday.
According to CP Azare, the suspects were arrested after a tip-off from a Good Samaritan revealed that the trucks had been stolen and moved to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
READ ALSO: NWFL Kicks Off Qualification For Women’s World Club Cup 2026 With Premiership 2024/2025
Investigations revealed that the vehicles were leased out to multinational companies under a dubious arrangement.
“Based on credible information from a Good Samaritan, four of the state fire service trucks were stolen and taken to Port Harcourt, Rivers State by some officials of the service.
The Command moved to recover the said trucks, and further investigation revealed that the fire trucks were leased out to some multinational companies at the rate of ₦140,000 per truck per day for an initial period of three years,” Azare said.
He explained that the deal, initiated in 2021, was supposed to expire in 2024, with ₦80,000 of the daily rate going to the link company and ₦60,000 to the fire service officials.
However, two months before the agreement’s expiration, the police intervened, recovering the trucks and arresting four suspects.
The suspects, according to the commissioner, will soon be charged in court.
The vehicles, Azare assured, will be returned to the government for public use, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend others involved in the scheme.
Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence: SYNLAB Nigeria’s Journey in Diagnostics Care
Court Adjourns Speed Darlington’s N300m Lawsuit Against Police
Police Rescue Kidnapped Akwa Ibom Ministry of Justice Director
Police Arrest Four Over Theft Of Akwa Ibom Fire Service Trucks
Senate, House of Reps Exclude JAMB From 2025 Budget
Gospel Singer Arrested With Severed Head Of Girlfriend
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
