Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack: Bombard terrorist enclaves, Senate cries out to military 

Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack: Bombard terrorist enclaves, Senate cries out to military 

The Senate has called on the Army and Airforce to, as a matter of urgency, bombard terrorist enclaves with a view to restoring peace and stability in the country.

The call was made on Tuesday amid resolutions reached, following a point of order raised on “the continuing attacks on Communities and public facilities in Kaduna State.”

The point of order was raised by Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna Central). 

The lawmaker, noted that terrorists have in recent times stepped up attacks on some communities and public facilities in Kaduna State. 

According to him, “the latest attacks by these murderous elements took place in some communities in Giwa Local Government, namely Angwan Sarki Yahya, Tashar Shari, Bare-Bari, Tsaunin Natal, Dillalai, Durumi and Jatin Kanwa, all on Yakawada Ward. 

“Other places affected include Kaya community, Mai kyauro and Fatika. They killed 50 persons and kidnapped o 100 people. They also made strategic roads in Giwa Local Government no go areas.

“Not done with their devilish acts, they made an attempt to penetrate the Kaduna International Airport. 

“Although the attack was foiled by vigilant security operatives, one person lost his life. When people were trying to come to grips with a week-long wanton destruction of lives and property, the terrorists struck again.”

He bemoaned the attacks by bandits on a Kaduna bound train carrying over 970 passengers around Kateri – Rijana axis in Kaduna, just a few kilometers to the Rigasa Train Station in Igabi Local Government Area of the State. 

“The train derailed after the first wave of attacks. Grenades and RPG were used. They rained bullets on all the coaches. Some passengers were killed, while many sustained bullet wounds. 

“There are reports that some of the passengers were abducted. The terrified passengers only breathed a sigh of relief when security agencies arrived and secured the train and the area. It’s been a reign of undiluted terror”, Senator Sani said.

He noted that, “these latest attacks are aimed at instilling fear in the people and destroying the economies of our local communities. 

“It is disheartening that these enemies of the people are getting emboldened by the day. They are becoming more brazen. These blood cuddling vampires have no regard for human life. They have no place in a civilized society.”

He expressed concern that the unrelenting attacks calls to question the strategies and tactics being adopted by our security forces. 

“We expected that with the declaration of bandits as terrorists by a court of competent jurisdiction, they will be degraded in no time. 

“This appears not to be happening. The security forces must reassess their strategies and come up with workable and effective solutions to the menace of terrorists in Kaduna State”, he added.

Sani observed that the forests where the terrorists hold sway are not impregnable, adding that, “a comprehensive operational plan, executed with high sense of professionalism and responsibility, total commitment on the part of our security forces and the support and cooperation of the local communities will rid Kaduna State forests of these murderous elements.”

He explained that the advocacy for creation of State Police would bring law enforcement closer to the people. 

“Effective gathering of intelligence and sustained security operations at the local level will make life uncomfortable for terrorists. 

“They will have no operational base; and Once again draw the attention of the Federal Government, particularly security agencies comprising the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Army and other relevant security agencies to the grave security situation in Kaduna State and other states of the federation”, he said.

Contributing, Senator Gabriel Suswam lamented that Kaduna had become the new theatre of insecurity.

He said the lingering activities of terrorists in the state makes it imperative for the appropriate authorities to take decisive action. 

The lawmaker attributed the inability by the military to curtail growing incidents of terrorism to “a clear failure of leadership.”

On his part, Senator Danjuma La’ah, said if the security situation in the country is not nipped in the bud, political leaders would become the main targets of terrorists. 

The Senate, accordingly, in its resolutions, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to declare full scale war against terrorists, so as to fully secure all our national territory from them in whatever guise.

It urged the Army and the Air Force to carry out sustained bombardment of terrorist enclaves with a view to flushing them out and restoring peace and stability to our communities.

The Senate further directed security agencies to always take steps to prevent the occurrence of similar incidence in the future. 

It added that the Military should, as a matter of urgency, monitor the construction and inhabitants of new shanty buildings around the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

The chamber urged the relevant agencies of government to step up their information gathering mechanism to, forestall these incessant attacks. 

It also called on the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant government agencies to assist the affected communities with relief materials.

The chamber, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to security operatives.

The Senate, thereafter, held a minute silence to mourn the deceased in Monday’s attacks.

It condoled the families of the victims of the attacks and the government and people of Kaduna State.

NRC Suspends operations indefinitely on Abuja-Kaduna Rail corridor by Ada Nkong

Following Monday night attack on an Abuja-Kaduna train,the Nigerian Railway Corporation has suspended train operations along the Abuja-Kaduna route indefinitely.

In a post on its official Twitter handle @Official_NRC on Tuesday morning,the NRC said the suspension is due to unforeseen circumstances.

Meanwhile the NRC is yet to release information on the number of passengers injured or kidnapped in Mondays incidence at the time of this report.

An Abuja-Kaduna train was attacked by terrorists Monday night between Kateri and Rijana. Gunmen detonated explosives destroying the rail track and causing the train to derail.

Thereafter they reportedly shot sporadically into the air scaring and leaving some passengers injured. Passengers who posted updates on their social media platforms on the attack later said the army were with them and they were safe.

Though the NRC MD Engr Fidet Okhiria confirmed the attack, no details were given as to the number of passengers injured or kidnapped.as feared.

CECPC: Lawan Eulogises Buni For Successful Completion Of Onerous Assignments

CECPC: Lawan Eulogises Buni For Successful Completion Of Onerous Assignments

…. Says Yobeans are proud of their Governor, list achievements

Abuja – The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has eulogised Governor Mai Mala Buni and his exco members for a successful completion of those onerous assignments given to him, for resetting the footings of the party and restoring it to the path of greatness.

This is also as he has said the people of Yobe State are extremely proud of Governor Mai Mala Buni for his achievements while he was chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee(CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress(APC).

Lawan’s commendation was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media), Ola Awoniyi made available to newsmen.

Recall that the Governor Buni’s committee which was put in place in June 2020 to stabilise the party, handed over in the early hours of Sunday to a newly inaugurated National Working Committee(NWC) during the national convention of the party.

In a congratulatory message on his success as CECPC chairman, Lawan, an indigene of Yobe State, said his fellow Yobeans are proud of Governor Buni’s performance while he held sway as the head of CECPC.

“I heartily congratulate His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni, Governor of Yobe State, my brother, on the successful completion of his crucial assignment as the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary , Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“When Governor Buni was called to the assignment in June 2020, the APC was by all appearances in dire straits.

“The CECPC was principally tasked with resolving disputes that were pushing the party to the edge of the precipice in many states and at the national level, and with organizing congresses and the National Convention that would produce new leaders for the party at all levels.

“Governor Buni and his team have successfully completed those onerous assignments, reset the footings of the party and restored it to the path of greatness.

“Notable achievements of the Committee include the reconciliation of agrieved members, membership registration and revalidation exercise which raised our membership strength to over 41 million, up from 11 million; record high-powered defections into the party, conduct of congresses at ward, local government and state levels and review of our party’s constitution to remove ambiguities and provide the missing lines.

“These are wonderful achievements worthy of commendation by all party faithful. In providing leadership and direction for these accomplishments by the CECPC, His Excellency Governor Buni proved himself a worthy leader.

“We Yobeans are extremely proud of our Governor for so giving a good account of himself for the period he held sway as the chairman of the CECPC.

“We will also continue to give our maximum support and cooperation to his administration of our dear state,” Lawan.

Buhari Hails Adamu-led New APC Leaders, Commends Party Members For Show Of Unity

Buhari Hails Adamu-led New APC Leaders, Commends Party Members For Show Of Unity

Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari has formally congratulated the Abdullahi Adamu-led 79-member National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), that emerged at the just concluded convention in Abuja, saying that the unity of members put on display puts the party on a firmer footing for victory in next year, 2023, General Elections.

The President who returned to the Convention ground at the Eagle Square, Sunday morning, along with the Vice President and the Senate President to witness and celebrate the inauguration of the elected party executives, remarked that the smooth conduct of the election raises the prospect of a mouth-watering APC victory next year.

The Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the President, Garba Shehu disclosed this on Monday in a statement released via his twitter handle.

According to him, the APC Convention hosted this weekend sets the scene for an APC victory in the presidential and general elections next year. It is a victory over naysayers who believed the party was divided but are now disappointed,” said the President.

“We believe that it is equally a victory for the president who has ensured unity across all party positions; and it is a victory for the voters of Nigeria who can now be assured of a smooth succession to new leadership in 2023.

“What the Convention made clear was how the media has been peddling fake news of division, when the hard reality of unity, cohesion, and indeed personal warmth between members of the party’s leaders – incoming and outgoing – was evident for all to see.

“Of course, the blame for this mindset ought rightly to go to the opposition who in all these years had done the work to only divide the country, leading to all manner of separatist agitations. But this is not the wish, nor is it in the character of the citizens, as was clear for everyone to see at the Eagle Square. When their fake news of disunity was undone by the facts, some in the opposition could not help themselves but take to the newspapers and the airwaves to find another way to shore up their reputations.

“That some of the APC’s new leadership were once in the opposition was the new line to take to the media, somehow suggesting that those who have left one party should not hold positions in another. Yet, do the Scriptures not teach us of the virtue of sinners who repent and change their ways?

“What the Scriptures say less is of sinners who repent, change their tune, and then choose to re-sin in full public view by returning to their former ways.

“Given that most important leaders of the opposition PDP first left the party before they returned to it, we might expect the media to ensure criticism of them is damning and absolute. It is incredulous that anyone would consider them trustworthy or acceptable candidates for any public office. The stage is now set for the APC primary elections later this year when the party’s new flag bearers will emerge.

“No doubt some will attempt to argue the impossible – that an APC primary election is a source of division while an opposition primary election is a source of consensus.

“But the good voters of Nigeria can see through such acrobatics and know the facts that, when the contests for 2023 come, APC offers a track record of success and leadership, while the opposition has only decades of failure and complicity in response.

2023: PDP South East Insists Presidency Must Be Zoned To South (Photos)

2023: PDP South East Insists Presidency Must Be Zoned To South (Photos)

Abuja – Earlier today His Excellency, the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (#PDP) Pdp Southeastzone , Chief (Dr. Ali Odefa led the Southeast Caucus of the party at a critical ZEC meeting hosted by Gov of Enugu State, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi where far reaching decisions and resolution were reached.

The Caucus agreed on the following:

The Southeast Caucus aligned itself with the position of the Southern Governors’ Forum that the next president of Nigeria should come from the southern part of the country.

The Caucus directed that the existing zoning patterns in all the states and constituencies of the zone must be strictly observed and adhered to in every state and constituency of the zone.

In attendance at the meeting include the Leader of the PDP in the Zone and Governorof EnuguState, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi #Ugwuanyi, his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, the National Secretary of the Party, Senator Sam Anyanwu, members of the State and National Assemblies, members of PDP National Executive Committee (NEC), Board of Trustees (BOT) members, among others.

Chief Dr Ali Odefa who briefed the press after the meeting reiterated that the party is set for the coming elections.

He disclosed that the PDP will give special attention to members of the PDP who didn’t defect to other parties in Anambra State.

Earlier Governor of Rivers State in company with the former Gov of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke stopped over on their way to Makurdi and pledged their support for the Southeast PDP.

Falconets beat Senegal to qualify for 2022 FIFA World Cup

Nigeria U-20 girls, the Falconets on Saturday in Benin City grabbed a ticket to the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after thrashing Senegal 4-1 to earn a 7-2 aggregate victory.

Flourish Sebastine, scored a brace, on the 8th and 19th minutes to halt any hope of a dramatic comeback for Senegal,at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

Midfielder Esther Onyenezide made it three on the 25th minute , after converting from the penalty spot.

The Young Lionesses of Teranga however scored from the spot, after one of their strikers was turned in the Nigerian box.

In the second half, just before the final whistle of Eswatini referee Letticia Antonella Viana, Joy Jerry made it four goals for the two-time FIFA World Cup runners-up.

The result sends the Falconets straight to the World Cup holding from 10th to 28th August, in Costa Rica.

The victory came barely 72 hours before the Super Eagles will trade tackles with the Black Stars of Ghana in Abuja, on Tuesday 6:00 pm, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

How Buhari’s Candidate, Adamu, Omisore, Others Emerged

How Buhari’s Candidate, Adamu, Omisore, Others Emerged

…..Nnamani lost to Enaukwu as the Deputy National Chairman (South), others

After days of negotiations and disagreements, the preferred candidate of President Muhammadu Buhari for the position of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, was ratified as the new party chairman late Saturday night.

However, underground horse-trading, negotiations and assurances from different camps were said to have delayed the commencement of the convention slated for 1 pm, as different camps were said to have kicked against the emergence of some of the aspirants as consensus candidates.

The ratification of Adamu and other members of the incoming National Working Committee and Zonal Leaders of the party was part of activities at the convention of the party, which commenced on Saturday and ended in the early hours of Sunday at the Eagles Square, Abuja.

Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa State, who had emerged as a consensus candidate, was not among those who initially expressed interest in the chairmanship position. However, he was later drafted into the race by the Presidency and some governors.

The persuasion and insistence by the President for Adamu’s emergence forced other aspirants for the national chairmanship position to grudgingly step down on Saturday.

Meanwhile, facts emerged on Saturday night on how leaders of the party across the country arrived at the consensus candidates for the various party positions.

The candidates, who made the Unity List compiled by the party leaders and various stakeholders, were ratified at the convention.

The list emerged shortly before the President arrived at the convention. The most prominent on the list was Adamu.

The consensus candidates, who were assured of the support of the party leadership, would form the National Working Committee of the APC for the next four years.

One of the main tasks awaiting the new NWC is to plan and oversee the party’s primaries ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, arrived at the event at 7:59 pm; the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan at exactly 7.06 pm, while the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, arrived at 7.03 pm.

Confronted by the delegates’ restiveness over the delay, Gbajabiamila said it was better to start late and get things right.

However, the event did not commence until around 8:23 pm when the President arrived at the convention ground. His late arrival was said to have been a result of prolonged discussions with relevant stakeholders on the sharing formula for the different offices.

Our correspondent learnt from sources close to the party leadership that party leaders who successfully persuaded national chairmanship aspirants to step down for the President’s choice leveraged the opportunity to insist on their candidates being chosen for other positions.

Apart from Adamu, a former deputy governor of Osun State, Iyiola Omisore, was named as the party’s national secretary.

The ratified executives include Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno State) as the Deputy National Chairman (North), Emma Eneukwu (Enugu State) as the Deputy National Chairman (South), Festus Fuanter (Deputy National Secretary), Muhazu Rijau (National Vice Chairman, North-Central), Mustapha Salihu (National Vice Chairman, North-East), Salihu Lukman (National Vice Chairman, North-West), Ijeoma Arodiogwu (National Vice Chairman, South-East), Victor Giadom (National Vice Chairman, South-South), and Isaac Kekemeke (National Vice Chairman, South-West).

Others are Ahmed El-Marzuk (National Legal Adviser), Uguru Ofoke (National Treasurer), Bashir Gumel (Financial Secretary), Suleiman Argungu (National Organising Secretary), Beta Edu (National Woman Leader), Abdullahi Israel (National Youth Leader), Tolu Bankole (Special Persons Leader), F.N Nwosu (National Welfare Secretary), Felix Morka (National Publicity Secretary), Abubakar Maikafi (National Auditor), Bashir Gumel (National Financial Secretary), Ibrahim Salawu (Deputy National Legal Adviser) and Omorede Osifo (Deputy National Treasurer).

Earlier on Saturday, six national chairmanship aspirants: George Akume (Benue State), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Abdul’Aziz Yari (Zamfara), Sani Musa (Niger), Saliu Mustapha (Kwara) and Etsu Muhammed (Niger) stepped down for Adamu.

Two members of the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee, Ken Nnamani, a former Senate President, and Ismail Ahmed, a former National Youth Leader, both of whom were to contest positions at the convention lost out.

Nnamani lost to Enaukwu as the Deputy National Chairman (South) while Ahmed lost the National Organising Secretary position to Argungu from Kebbi State.

Enaukwu, a former national officer with the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party and the Congress for Progressives Change, was the National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the APC under Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole leadership.

It was learnt that some members of the three political parties that merged to form the APC complained about the “too many members of the new-Peoples Democratic Party bloc” in the incoming NWC.

The three legacy political parties that formed the APC were the Action Congress of Nigeria, ANPP and CPC. However, factions of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and a breakaway group in the PDP, known as the nPDP, were among the founding fathers of the APC.

A minister, who spoke with newsmen on condition of anonymity, said, “We are gradually becoming a branch of the PDP with the way we are going. The incoming national chairman and the national secretary were members of the PDP. There are others as well with solid PDP background.

“How then do we abuse the PDP during campaigns? Will people not ask us to differentiate between the PDP then and now? That is why we have to drop some of those proposed for top positions in the incoming NWC. Already, some are already taunting us, referring to us as another arm of the PDP.”

Abdullahi Welcomes new boy ahead of 2nd World Cup Playoff against Ghana

Super Eagles defensive midfielder Abdullah Shehu is the happiest man in the current Super Eagles squad as he welcomes his baby boy ahead of the 2nd Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoff clash against Ghana.

Shehu announced that he and his wife Naja’atu Muhammad Suleiman have welcomed a baby.

The 29-year-old took to his official Instagram account to celebrate the arrival of the new addition to the family.

Along with a photo of him and his wife was a message that said, “We are thrilled to announce our babysitter boy, mother and baby are in good health. We thank Allah!”

It is good news for the Super Eagles camp as several players congratulated Abdullahi on social media.

Abdullahi who plays for Cypriot First Division side Athletic Club Omonoia Nicosia got married to Kannywood actress Naja’atu Muhammad Suleiman back in 2021 and the couple now have their first child together.

US names and sanctions sponsors of Boko Haram

Boko Haram terrorists operating in Sambisa Forest

Barely six months after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) placed six Nigerians on its terror list, the United States said it is sanctioning the backers of Boko haram for their alleged involvement in sponsoring terrorism.

The six Nigerians alleged to have been bankrolling the Boko Haram insurgents include Abdurrahman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad.

According to a statement on Friday made available to the Vanguard by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the six Nigerians are “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Boko Haram”.

In the statement signed by US Under Secretary of the Treasury, Brian Nelson, “ the United States joins the UAE in targeting terrorist financing networks of mutual concern.

“Treasury continues to target financial facilitators of terrorist activity worldwide. We welcome multilateral action on this Boko Haram network to ensure that it is not able to move any further funds through the international financial system.

“As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the individuals named above, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by them, individually, or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons, must be blocked and reported to OFAC.

“Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or otherwise exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.

“Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions with the individuals designated today entails risk of secondary sanctions pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Pursuant to this authority, OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on the opening or maintaining in the United States of a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducted or facilitated any significant transaction on behalf of a Specially Designated Global Terrorist”.

Although the extent to which the public naming and sanctioning translate to ending the Boko Haram insurgency is not clear, it is expected that this development would weaken the financial system of the terrorist network.

Russia shifts focus in Ukraine invasion

As conflicting reports trail the casualty figures for both Ukrainian and Russian forces, Kremlin has announced that it has accomplished the aim of what it describes as “special military operation” in Ukraine. Moscow says it’s attention will now be focusing on gaining total control of Donbas region.  

The Donbas, a region comprising of two provinces, Donetsk and Luhansk, share border with Russia and have been partially controlled by Russian-backed militias since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea.

It is believed that some of the elite Ukrainian fighting squads are in the Donbas region, and Russian’s main concern now would be to try to cut them off either from resupplying them or allowing them to move to other fronts.

Analysts believe that Moscow’s announcement is an admission of guilt and poor pre-invasion plan. Both US and UK intelligence units have suggested that Kremlin is reeling in pains of the ferocious resistance mounted by Ukrainian fighting force. This, they say has inflicted much losses on Moscow and caused low moral on its fighters.

While official report from Russia’s senior military claims that the country has lost 1351 fighters and 3850 injured, Ukraine officials say they have ‘neutralised’ more than 15000 Russian forces. These figures have not been independently verified, but they attest to the dynamics of war rhetoric and claims.

The latest figure from Russia markedly differ from other estimates. For instance, a NATO official told AP on March 24 that the Russian death toll was likely between 7,000 and 14,000. This is akin to the earlier reports  in The New York Times on March 16 which quoted officials as saying that US intelligence estimates put the death toll for Russian soldiers at around 7,000.

In all, the Ukraine is shifting from defensive to offensive strategy in an attempt to regain control of area occupied by Russian forces such Kherson. On the other hand, Moscow is now restrategising and opting for a narrower focus in its quest to conquer Ukraine.

Given the dynamics of this ongoing war in Ukraine, it would be too simplistic to think that Russia is done with its broader aim of invading Ukraine in the first place.