Nigeria Not Expected To Deploy Super Tucano To South-East – US Warns Buhari Government

The United States has said the Nigerian government is expected to deploy the Super Tucano aircraft only in the northern part of the country where Boko Haram terrorists have engaged in a decade-long insurgency, killing thousands and displacing millions.

According to Punch, the US Principal Deputy National Security Advisor, Jonathan Finer, at an event attended by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said the terms of the agreement during the sale of the 12 Tucano aircraft were explicit.

Reacting to a question on whether the Tucano fighter planes might be deployed against secessionists in the South-East, Finer said the planes were an important platform for security, particularly in the North, expressing pleasure over the conclusion of the deal.

Finer said, “We are pleased to deepen our security cooperation with the Nigerian government. I think we made it very clear our expectations about this platform where it would be used and in the right way and we are always raising concerns when we have them and that it’s true with all our security partners around the world.

“This is an important platform for security, particularly in the North and we are pleased the transaction is finally concluded.”

The Federal Government had proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra in the South-East and despite public outcry, designated the agitation group as terrorists, fuelling fears that the Super Tucano might be deployed to harass the residents.

On Wednesday, it had also been reported that the military had not been able to deploy the Tucano planes to crush the bandits in the North-West because the agreement signed with the United States was that the aircraft, bought from the US, would be deployed against terrorists and not bandits.

This implies that the fighter planes have only been deployed to fight Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East.

It was gathered that the complaints by the service chiefs led to the recent recommendation to by the Senate and the House of Representatives that bandits should be designated as terrorists, so the planes could be deployed against the bandits.

The Federal Government had ordered 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to aid its war against Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East. The aircraft were said to have cost $423million.

On July 22, 2021, the Nigerian Air Force said in a statement by its spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, that the first batch of six of the Tucano aircraft arrived at Kano at about 12:34pm.

Also, on October 18, 2021, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the remaining six had been received and had been deployed to the North-East.

[Saharareporters]

Man Puts Self Up For Sale In Kano

Aliyu Na Idris, a 26-year-old man from Kaduna State, has become a social media sensation for putting himself up for sale in Kano.

Idris, who claimed to be a tailor, has been roaming the streets of Kano State carrying a placard that reads “This man is for sale for N20 million.” 

It was gathered that the young man has been on the streets for five days looking for who will buy him.

In an encounter with Daily Trust, he said he had decided to sell himself due to hardship.

He said his family was aware that he had offered himself for sale, adding that he had initially presented himself for sale in Kaduna but when he could not get a serious buyer, he decided to try Kano State with the hope that someone will pay the required price.

“Even though many people have offered me various prices of N10m, N5m and N300,000 in Kano, I refused because the amount is less than what I expected,” he said.

The young man said he was operating a tailoring business which failed due to the financial crisis and as such, he lost his customers and became financially handicapped. 

He explained that he had no money to survive, not to talk of investing in another business, hence, he decided to present himself for sale at N20m only.

When asked what he intends to do with the money, he said, “I will give my parents N10m; I will give N5m as tax to the state where I was bought, the person who helped in advertising me will be rewarded with N2m while the remaining N3m will be kept for me under the care of the person who buys me for my daily upkeep.”

He further stated that he knows that he would lose his freedom after being purchased but he’s not worried as he has made up his mind to do the bidding of his master.

He said if nobody buys him in Kano, he would move to another state to sell himself. 

[Dailytrust]

BREAKING: Gunmen storm Oyo prison, free over 1,000 prisoners

Not less than a thousand prisoners have reportedly escaped from the Abolongo prison in Oyo town after some gunmen attacked the correctional centre and freed all inmates.

A TVC News report said that the gunmen arrived in their numbers around 11:00 O’clock last night (Saturday, October 22, 2021) and started shooting sporadically, and released the inmates who fled to their various destinations.

“A source told TVC News that there was a little bit of panic around the prison vicinity during the time of the escape, as residents around thought it was a robbery attempt,” the report said.

As at the time of this report, the Oyo state police command was yet to release an official statement to ascertain the actual number of the escapees.

[News Express]

Bandits kidnap youth corpers on way to NYSC camps

The Police Command in Zamfara on Friday confirmed that bandits had abducted two prospective corps members deployed from Benue to Kebbi and Sokoto states.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mohammed Shehu, disclosed this in a statement in Gusau, Zamfara.

Shehu said the Zamfara Police Command had received report of their abduction from the State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Zamfara State, Namalam Taura, in Gusau.

According to the PPRO, the report indicated that two prospective corps members deployed from Benue to Kebbi and Sokoto states were among the victims abducted along Tsafe  – Gusau road on Tuesday Oct. 19, 2021 at about 22.30 hours.

Shehu said the command received the report on Friday, October 22, 2021 when the Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Elkanah, visited the Orientation Camp at Tsafe, Tsafe Local Government Area.

He said that Elkanah had visited the NYSC orientation camp to assess the existing security emplacement to ensure safety and security of the prospective corps members arriving at the camp for the two weeks orientation exercise.

“It could be recalled that on Oct. 19, 2021, at about 2230 hours, a vehicle with registration number GBK 339 ZY was blocked by armed bandits along Tsafe-Gusau road while travelling from Benue to Sokoto State.

“The vehicle was attacked while passing through Wanzamai Village in Tsafe LGA.

“And that resulted to the abduction of some passengers whose identities and number remained unknown,” Shehu said.

He said that the Command had commenced investigation into the incident with a view to establishing the actual number of persons abducted.

He said the command had deployed a team of security forces on search and rescue operation to rescue the victims.

Shehu said that CP Elkanah assured the NYSC coordinator and the corps members of police commitment to safeguard their lives.

The commissioner, however, enjoined them to be security conscious and restrict their movement while in the camp.

Meanwhile, effort to get details from the NYSC was not successful due to suspension of mobile network in Tsafe local government area.

(NAN)

FG Exposes Sunday Igboho’s Link With Boko Haram Sponsors

The Federal Government has exposed the “link between Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, and convicted terror sponsors.

At a briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), spoke on the financial transaction involving Igboho and suspects in the Joint Terrorist Financing Investigation.

Malami said the findings were made by a committee set up by the Federal Government.

“Investigation reveals that Adesun International Concept Ltd (belonging to Igboho) transferred the sum of twelve million seven hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N12, 750,000) to Abbal Bako & Sons.

“It might be recalled that Abbal Bako & Sons and its promoter Abdullahi Umar Usman are suspects in the on-going Joint Terrorist Financing Investigation. Abdullahi Umar Usman is by way of financial transaction connected to SURAJO ABUBAKAR MUHAMMAD (who was sentenced to life imprisonment in UAE on charges of financing terrorism [Boko Haram]).

“This report shows the nexus between separatists’ agitation, terrorism financing and disruptions of peace in the country.

[Dailytrust]

NRC Announces Resumption Of Abuja-Kaduna Train Services

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the resumption of the Abuja-Kaduna Train Services (AKTS).

This is coming 24 hours after an attack on a section of the 186-kilometer railway track led the corporation to suspend its services.

In a statement on Friday night, NRC announced the resumption of operations.

Daily Trust learnt that this was sequel to the fixing of the damaged portions of the railways.

“The Board and Management of the Nigerian railway corporation (NRC) hereby inform the general public, particularly our valued passengers that Abuja – Kaduna Train Services (AKTS) resume tomorrow, Saturday, 23rd October, 2021 as follows,” the statement read.

“From, IDU, Abuja (AK3) at 0950am. From RIGASA, Kaduna (KA4) at 1035am. Subsequent trains services continue. NRC, once again sincerely apologises for the inconvenience.”

[Dailytrust]

Teenage ‘Bandit’ Who ‘Murdered Two Persons’ Arrested In Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a teenager over his alleged involvement in banditry.

The boy aged 14 was paraded at the command headquarters.

According to Isah Gambo, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, the minor confessed to killing two persons during one of his operations.

Gambo said the boy confessed taking part in the operation at Mallamawa in Jibia Local Government Area of the state where the persons were killed.

“The boy has confessed to us that he has participated in several attacks on villages within and outside the state where he said he could remember killing two people in Mallamawa.”

“The boy has confessed to us that he has participated in several attacks on villages within and outside the state where he said he could remember killing two people in Mallamawa.”

“He also participated in attacks on Dankulumbo and Kukar Babangida, all in Jibia local government area. He has also rustled an unspecified number of animals during several attacks,” Gambo said.

He added that the boy said he was trained as a bandit, kidnapper and cattle rustler.

The boy reportedly said he regretted his actions and wanted to be reformed.

Katsina is one of the North West States where there is a high level of insecurity.

[DailyTrust]

Buhari should sign HND/BSc dichotomy bill: Nigerian Polytechnics

he Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor’s Degree (BSc) dichotomy bill, recently passed by the National Assembly.

Adebanjo Ogunsipe, SSANIP National President, said this in a communique issued at the end of the quarterly meeting of the union’s General Executive Council, on Thursday, in Abuja.

Mr Ogunsipe said expediting action on the bill would be in the interest of the growth and development of polytechnic education.

“Council wishes to commend the National Assembly for painstakingly seeing the HND/BSc Dichotomy Bill, to a logical conclusion, while it is currently before the president of the country, awaiting his assent,” he said.

He described the non-payment of salaries of some state polytechnic workers as “insensitive,” adding that they were unhappy with the persistent refusal of many state governments to implement the new minimum wage.

Mr Ogunsipe identified some of the polytechnics owed salaries as Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo (11 months’ unpaid salaries), the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Osun (30 months’ unpaid half salaries), College of Technology, Esa-Oke in Osun (30 months unpaid half salaries) and Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, (28 months’ unpaid salaries).

The unionist added that ”council-in-session, for the umpteenth time, wished to express her displeasure at the unrepentant and seeming deliberate poor funding of Polytechnic education by some state governments in the country.”

(NAN)

Gunmen Set Imo Police Station Ablaze, Free Suspects

Gunmen on Thursday night set ablaze the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area Divisional Police Headquarters in Imo State, situated at Umuelemai.

According to Punch, the attackers invaded the station and also set some suspects free during a heavy rainfall.The gunmen struck around 7pm.

Fleeing gunmen had on March 19, set the same Divisional Police Headquarters on fire.

Apart from freeing suspects in detention, the attackers kidnapped one of the female cops on duty on that day.
On arrival on Thursday, the hoodlums opened fire on the government facility before setting it on fire.

The cops on duty were said to have fled, making the attackers have a field day.

An indigene of the area told Punch that the hoodlums shot repeatedly at the police station.

He said “The gunshots were terrifying. We were terribly tense owing to the gunshots. They supervised the burning of the place before living.”

The police spokesperson in the state, Mike Abattam, had yet to confirm the attack but a senior official who pleaded anonymity confirmed the incident and disclosed that the authorities had commenced an investigation in the latest onslaught.

(Saharareporters)

Nigeria Announces Killing Of ISWAP Leader Who Succeeded Al-Barnawi

The Nigerian government has announced the killing of a leader of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), Malam Bako.

Bako succeeded Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, the late leader and son of Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf.

The announcement comes some days after the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor confirmed that the death of ISWAP, Abu Musab Al-Barnawi.

Al-Barnawi was the son of Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, who was also killed by security forces in 2009 when he launched a war against the Nigerian state.

He was previously the spokesperson for the Islamists before he later became ISWAP leader following the death of Abubakar Shekau.
 
Addressing journalists at the State House on Thursday, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno said Bako was killed by Nigerian troops alongside an ISWAP commander.

“In one month, we have been able to take out the leadership of ISWAP, that is Abu Musab Al-Barnawi.
 
“Two days ago, the man who succeeded him, Malam Bako, one of ISWAP Shura Council, was also taken out.”
 
According to Monguno, the military operations against the terrorists is putting pressure on them.

Sahara Reporters earlier reported in September that Abu Musab Al-Barnawi was killed in Borno State.
Al-Barnawi sustained vicious attacks especially on military facilities and troops in the Lake Chad region while at the same time strategising on how to subdue Shekau.
 
He controlled large swathes of territory in Northern Borno, imposed taxes on the local population and earned income from fishing aside from the financial and material support he got from ISIS.
 
Al-Barnawi’s fighters had also destroyed many military camps in Dikwa, Monguno, Abadam and Marte in Borno; and other military facilities around Geidam in Yobe State.
 
He equally established many cells on the Lake Chad islands and surrounding villages from where his fighters launched attacks on Nigeria, Niger and Chad.
 
His death in August, after that of Shekau in May 2021, was seen as a turning point in the war against terror.

(Saharareporters)