NEWS
Army Foils Bandits’ Attack in Kano Communities
Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), after a prolonged gun battle, successfully foiled an attempted incursion by bandits into some communities in the Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State.
The clash, which started late Thursday night and lasted until the early hours of Friday, occurred in Yankwada, Babanduhu, and other neighbouring villages in the area.
Confirming the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Nigerian Army’s spokesperson in Kano, Maj. Zubair Babatunde, said the bandits attempted to invade the communities on motorcycles while firing sporadically.
Babatunde said the attack was a revenge mission following the loss of some of the bandits’ fighters to superior military firepower during an earlier encounter last week.
According to him, the assailants stormed the affected villages at about 1:00 a.m., prompting a swift response from the troops.
“The bandits were effectively engaged and dislodged by the military,” he said.
Babatunde added that the timely intervention of the JTF prevented casualties and significant damage to property in the affected communities.
He reassured residents of the area of the military’s commitment to protecting lives and property, urging them to continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information.
The army spokesperson said the military remained on high alert to prevent further attacks and sustain peace across the state.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Shanono/Bagwai Community Security Forum, Alhaji Yahya Bagobiri, confirmed the incident, saying the bandits came on a revenge mission after losing nine of their members to military firepower last week.
“The bandits, riding over 50 motorcycles, each carrying three persons armed with bazookas and other heavy weapons, raided Yankwada, Babanduhu, and other villages, opening fire from around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday to 5:00 a.m. on Friday, resulting in the killing of a civilian,” he said.
He, however, commended the military for preventing the bandits from penetrating the main towns.
“The bandits were dislodged by the military’s tactical fighting despite the fact that they came with heavy arms, but succeeded only in stealing 100 cows and killing one civilian,” Bagobiri said.
Bagobiri called on the Federal Government to provide more arms and deploy additional personnel to complement the gallant officers on the ground.
He assured that with more arms and the cooperation of the Nigerian Air Force, the bandits would be contained and the four local government areas — Shanono, Bagwai, Tsanyawa, and Gwarzo — would have peace.
“The intention of the bandits was to penetrate Kano, but the redeployment of more military personnel and provision of more arms would stop their criminal missions,” Bagobiri added.
When contacted, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, Capt. Zubairu Babatunde, confirmed the attack via a WhatsApp message.
“All the details are true except they did not kill anyone and there was no rustling of cows,” Capt. Babatunde said in the WhatsApp message.
Recall that last week, no fewer than nine bandits were reportedly killed during a heavy exchange of gunfire between bandits and the Nigerian military at Bakaji and Unguwar Garma in the Goron Dutse area of the Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State.
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Similarly, one vigilante member was said to have lost his life, while another was wounded during the encounter.
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation MESA, led by the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, had in October in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State neutralised no fewer than 19 bandits during an encounter.
NAN
Panic broke out in Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday after a vehicle crashed into a gas dispensary outlet at Liberty Junction on Arab Road, triggering a fire.
According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle was travelling from Arab Road towards Liberty Junction when it reportedly lost control following a brake failure.
The vehicle subsequently skidded off its lane, crossed the road and plunged into the gas station, resulting in a fire outbreak.
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The fire was quickly brought under control following a coordinated response by operatives of the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The occupants of the vehicle were rescued unhurt by passers-by and witnesses who responded to the incident.
However, several makeshift shops adjoining the gas outlet were destroyed in the fire.
The prompt intervention of the emergency responders helped to curtail the spread of the fire and prevent further damage.
Financial expert Nnaemeka Onyeka Obiaraeri has defended former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi against comparisons with former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, citing what he described as differences in the financial records of the two states during their respective tenures.
Obiaraeri made the remarks in a post on X on Sunday while responding to comparisons involving the two former governors.
According to him, Akwa Ibom State, under Akpabio between 2007 and 2015, received an estimated ₦2.06 trillion, which he said was equivalent to about $15.5 billion at the time.
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He further claimed that the amount would be worth more than ₦21.7 trillion in today’s naira value.
Obiaraeri wrote: “AKWA IBOM STATE, UNDER GODSWILL AKPABIO, 2007 TO 2015…..
“Between 2007 and 2015, during the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio, the Akwa Ibom State Government received an estimated total revenue of approximately ₦2.06 trillion/$15.5billion…..
“In today’s naira value, Akwa Ibom under Akpabio received over N21.7trillion.”
He also claimed that Akpabio left loan obligations of $334 million, which he put at about ₦467 billion.
Obiaraeri further alleged that there were multiple EFCC files concerning Akpabio, claiming that they documented financial misconduct during his tenure.
Turning to Anambra, Obiaraeri said the state received approximately $4.06 billion, or ₦525 billion, during Peter Obi’s tenure as governor from March 14, 2006, to March 14, 2014.
He wrote: “ANAMBRA STATE UNDER PETER OBI MARCH 14, 2006 TO MARCH 14, 2014
“Total funds and revenues received by Anambra state under Peter Obi was $4.06billion/N525billion.
“In today’s naira term is N5.4trillion.”
According to Obiaraeri, Peter Obi left behind $156 million in savings invested in an investment that generated more than $43 million, bringing the total to $199.8 million.
He added that the figure amounted to approximately ₦279 billion in today’s naira value.
Obiaraeri also claimed that more than ₦36 billion, which he equated to about $240 million, was held in Treasury Bills and other short-term naira investments.
He wrote: “However, Peter Obi left behind a total savings of $156million in an investment that yielded over $43m totaling $199.8m/N279billion in today’s naira money and over N36bn/$240m in treasury bills and other short term naira investments.”
Defending the former Anambra governor against allegations of corruption, Obiaraeri stated: “Peter Obi did not loot a kobo of Anambra monies. HE HAS NO EFCC OR FBI FILES OF CRIMINALITY ON HIM….”
He also compared Obi with other governors who served around the same period, “The Only Governor in the league of PO during his time was Raji Fashola …… Anyway, I am not surprised at some of you, who do this baseless comparison…The difference between LIGHT and Darkness is so clear to DECENT men, who love LIGHT….
“THOSE WHO ARE ROGUES, AND ASPIRING ROGUES, USUALLY LOVE DARKNESS….THEIR HEART IS DARKENED AND MIGRATE TOWARDS DARKNESS ALWAYS.”
He said ‘This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil’.”
He then directly addressed those comparing the two former governors, stating: “I PUT IT TO YOU, who is mischievously comparing Apostle Peter to YOUR BARABASSES, that you are EVIL…QED.”
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from the United Nations General Assembly, contrasting it with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s participation in the 81st UNGA.
Obi raised the question in a post on X on Sunday, while reacting to Mahama’s address at the global gathering.
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The former presidential candidate wrote: “The dynamic President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, delivered a remarkable address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The international community has commended his leadership and the substance of his address.
“It is a reminder of what leadership can produce when competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character come together in the service of a nation.”
Obi then drew attention to Nigeria’s absence at the presidential level, asking why Tinubu had not attended the global gathering.
He wrote:
“Against this background, many are asking: Where is the President of Africa’s most populous nation, a country of more than 200 million people – more than Ghana – whose leader has been absent from the global stage for three consecutive UNGAs?
“Nigeria’s President, who ought to be representing the country and providing leadership for Africa at the international level, has not attended any of these three global gatherings. Where is he, particularly at a time when the country faces significant challenges, both domestically and internationally?”
Obi acknowledged that Vice President Kashim Shettima was present at the UNGA but maintained that questions remained over the President’s absence.
He stated: “Although our Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was present, the question remains: Where is the President?
“Let us continue to pray for his return and for his leadership in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation.”
Obi ended the post with his familiar political message:
Tinubu did not attend the 81st UNGA, with Shettima representing Nigeria at the gathering.
The President’s absence marks his third consecutive non-attendance at the UN General Assembly after he also did not personally attend the 79th and 80th sessions.
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