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Group Lauds Military Over Successes Against Banditry, Terrorism
A pressure group, Northern Youth Network (NYN), has lauded the Nigerian Military over what it described as renewed success in the war against terrorism and bandits in recent times in Sokoto, Borno, Zamfara, Kaduna and other states in the North East.
Spokesman of NYN, Mallan Abdulrahman Ahmed in a statement made available to newsman commended the Nigerian military and other security agencies involved in the fight against terrorists in the country.
He particularly commended the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for properly coordinating intelligence and sharing same with the armed forces which has led to precision in the ground operations and Airstrikes by the air component of the operation Hadin Kai.
The group maintained that the success of the war in recent times against insurgency is as a result of the intelligence gathered nothing that the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, has yielded positive results.
“Recently, the Airforce supported by ground troops have dealt a deadly blow on the terrorists and bandits, destroying their camps, armoury and eliminating several of them including their top commanders and their families. This kind of success would not be possible except for the Impeccable intelligence gathering by the DIA”, the statement added.
It further explained that the success of the airstrikes can be seen in the bombardment of the compound of a notorious bandit leader, Alhaji Zaki in Bayan-Magari forest Birnin Magaji in Zamfara State stressing that the attack led to the elimination of all members of his family.
Relatedly, a Joint Operation by the Nigeria and Niger Republic military forces around Diffa and Mallam Fatori Axis lead to the elimination of scores of Boko Haram insurgents and destruction of 5 gun trucks were destroyed and cache of weapons recovered.
Mallam Abdulrahman Ahmed, stated that Nigerian military airstrikes killed most wanted ISWAP commander, Modu Kime Aka Abou Maryam and his group of insurgents along the borders of Lake Chad In Borno State. NAF airstrikes targeted the Gun Truck Which sheltered Abou Maryam during the battle and destroyed It at the River banks of Bisko and Tumbum Tawaye in Abadam local government area of the state. Abou Maryam who has been On the wanted list for a long time due to his attacks on Damasak, Nganzai and Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to the spokesman of the Northern Youth Network, troops have rescued all 48 victims who were attacked and kidnapped by bandits while commuting to Kano on the Kaduna Birnin -Gwari highway after intense gun battle .
“The military has also arrested several other bandits informants and many others supplying drugs and other logistics to the terrorists. A large number of insurgents have surrendered to the Military in the last few months.
“The aforementioned success can only be achieved through intelligence gathering and processing into actionable intelligence for the conduct of operations. The group while commending the security forces tasked them to garner the needed cooperation and synergy to finally defeat criminality and restore normalcy in the affected areas”, the statement noted.
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
News
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Anambra State Government to either charge to court or release individuals allegedly detained for the past five weeks without trial.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor criticized what he described as “violations of citizens’ rights,” emphasizing that the detainees have not been presented before any court or formally charged with a crime.
“Today, March 15, 2025, marks five full weeks since several citizens of Anambra State were arbitrarily arrested and detained in a private facility controlled by the state government. Shockingly, they have not been charged with any offense or brought before any court of law. This is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights,” Ejiofor stated.
He expressed concern that the detainees were not held by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, but instead in an undisclosed facility, without any official explanation from the government.
Ejiofor, who has previously supported the government’s security efforts, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the rule of law is upheld.
“I have always championed active citizen participation in combating insecurity and have publicly urged the government to act against criminal elements. However, this must be done legally and transparently,” he said.
While commending the efforts of the state’s Agụnechemba security outfit, Ejiofor insisted that professionalism and adherence to due process are crucial.
He reaffirmed his support for lawful measures to combat crime but warned that arbitrary detentions could erode public trust in the government’s security strategy.
The Osun State Amotekun Corps has denied allegations of nepotism in its ongoing recruitment of 1,000 cadets, following claims by some dismissed recruits that they were removed in favor of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.
Some affected candidates, seen outside the NYSC camp venue in Osogbo, alleged they were removed due to their affiliation with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the group, a dismissed cadet, Usman, claimed that they had been in camp since Sunday before being replaced by PDP members, some of whom, he alleged, were unfit for training.
However, Amotekun’s Board Chairman, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wale Abass, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He explained that those removed from the training camp either failed to meet the required standards or did not follow the proper recruitment process.
“The 1,000 cadets invited for training went through a rigorous selection process. They submitted applications online, underwent document verification, and passed physical fitness tests before being invited to camp,” Abass stated.
He further revealed that some unqualified individuals managed to gain access to the camp, while some selected candidates failed to meet the reporting deadline. Those with health issues were also disqualified.
Abass reaffirmed that the Amotekun Corps remains committed to fairness and impartiality in its recruitment process. He described the allegations as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the security outfit’s credibility.
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