COVER
Intensify War Against Bandits, Terrorists-COAS Orders Troops
Army Neutralises 14 Niger Gunmen on Sallah Day
.Vows to Bring Killers of Military Couple in Imo to Justice
By Gom Mirian, Abuja and Dan Amasingha, Minna
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya has reiterated his matching orders to troops of the Nigerian Army to intensify the elimination of bandits and terrorist from every part of the country.
COAS Faruk gave the order yesterday shortly after laying the foundation for a Forward Operations Base Army Barracks in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The FOB Barracks, which is strategically located in Isa LGA, when completed will strengthen operational responses to insecurity in local governments of areas of Isa, Sabon Birni and parts of Zamfara State.
“The Forward Operation Base in Isa will enable us to have more enabling ground for us to be able to carry the fight to their hideouts until they have no were to run to.
“My Sallah gift to all of you our gallant troops is to neutralize more of these terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and all other violent criminals anywhere they are,” Gen. Yahaya said.
To the troops of the Operation Hadarin Daji in the Eastern flank of Sokoto State, the COAS said, “I encourage you all not to rest on your oars until we defeat and eliminate all of them.
“You must bring back all their weapons for me. What we can do is to continue to support you with equipments, arms and ammunitions and all other enablers that will help you overcome these challenges.
“We must not relent until we defeat them all. We must also continue to appreciate all other neighbours that continue to support us towards having a peaceful country”.
Speaking further, the COAS said, the terrorists are living among the people, and not from the Outer Space.
“They sometimes come to relax in the cities. Let’s continue to pursue them, eliminate them and recover all their weapons.
“Therefore, I reiterate once again that, “We must not relent on our gallantly until we conquer the evil ones amongst us.
“I also want to appreciate the support of our President, Muhammadu Buhari for the support and confidence. I want to assure him that we will not let him down. I want Nigerians to have more confidence that we will overcome these criminals.
“I came here to appreciate all of you for the job you are doing and urge you not to relent.
“Until we bring an end to this insecurity, there will be no resting for all of us. With the support of other security agencies, we shall get there soon,” the COAS said.
JTF Neutralises 14 Niger Bandits on Eid -el-Fitr
Meanwhile the Joint Security Force combating banditry in parts of Niger State, foiled an attempt by bandits to abduct some residents of Rafi Local Government Area of the state celebrating the Eid-el Fitri by neutralising about 14 of them.
Eye witness said the attempt by terrorists to disrupt the peaceful Eid-el-Fitr celebration was met with stiff resistance as the Joint Security Force, who engaged and neutralised the hoodlums in Rafi LGA of the State.
Niger State Commissioner of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Mr Emmanuel Umar, who confirmed the incident, said the incident happened on Monday evening around 7pm.
“On Monday at about 7pm, armed bandits on motorcycles attempted to attack Kawo, Uregi villages in Rafi LGA to disrupt Sallah celebration in the State.
“On the receipt of this information, Joint Security Tactical Teams responded swiftly and mobilised to the area where the hoodlums were engaged around Uregi, Kiribo villages and as a result, about ten among bandits were neutralized,” Umar said.
He explained that the gallant troops were also able to rescue 14 kidnapped citizens and recover seven motorcycles and arms from the bandits.
According to him, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello commended the gallant efforts of the security personnel, including the local vigilante members.
The Commissioner noted that instead of celebrating the Sallah with their loved ones, the conventional and local vigilantes were putting their lives on the line for the security of others.
“They are supposed to be with their families and loved ones to celebrate Sallah, but rather chose to keep vigil in the forest to provide security for Nigerlites.”
The Governor appreciates this uncommon sacrifice and encouraged the security agencies not to relent in their efforts towards mitigating against terrorism/banditry and other criminality in the State.
He equally thanked Nigerlites for their community resilience against banditry and urge them to continue to cooperate with the Government and security agencies in the State in order to encourage them in this service to humanity for a more secured Niger State.
He reassured them of his commitment and determination
to ensure peace is restored in all the troubled communities.
Army Vows to Nab Killers of Military Couple
In another development, the Nigerian Army, yesterday, vowed that the murderers of the military couple in Imo State will never go unpunished.
The innocent couple are strongly suspected to have been murdered by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network, ESN.
Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General, Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement said the dissident groups have continued to live in denial, while masquerading as “unknown gunmen” in their criminal violent campaign in the region.
According to him, the Nigerian Army will ensure the perpetrators of this dastardly act unleashed on its personnel do not go unpunished.
The Army, described the gruesome and barbaric murder of its officers as most despicable.
The Army said that the wickedness of the murder was beyond description as the killers did not even consider the child.
According to the Army, “the manner in which IPOB and ESN, murdered Audu Matthew Linus and Private Gloria Matthew, was a callous act of terrorism.
“The Army condole with the families, relations and close associates of the victims”. It stated that the NA has commenced investigation to unmask and bring the criminals to book.
“The Nigerian Army, therefore, appealed to the members of the public to oblige security agencies necessary information that would lead to the arrest of the criminals,” he stated.
The statement further said the dastardly acts are becoming too many stressing that it clearly portends the deep seated hate, desperation and lawlessness of the groups.
“The Nigerian Army (NA), on Saturday 30 April 2022 received information on the gruesome, barbaric and most despicable manner in which members of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network(ESN) murdered in cold blood, two soldiers: Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Audu M Linus (retd) and Private(Pte)Gloria Matthew, who were on transit to Imo state for their traditional wedding.
“Apparently, the soldiers had embarked on the trip to fulfill the traditional rites of conjugating their matrimony, as the very well respected and cherished Igbo tradition demands.
“Ironically, the fact that one of the soldiers, Pte Gloria Matthew who hails from Nkwerre LGA of Imo state, has an ethnic affiliation with the good people of South East Nigeria did not prevail on the sensibility of the dissidents.
“This dastardly act, one too many, clearly portends the deep seated hate, desperation and lawlessness with which foot soldiers of IPOB/ESN have being unleashing terror on Ndigbo, whom they claim they are on a mission to protect and emancipate, as well as other innocent Nigerians who are resident or transiting the South East.
“This gruesome murder, in which they did not spare even their own child, clearly depicts callousness, impenitence and is indisputably, a brazen act of terrorism perpetrated by IPOB/ESN.
“Though the dissident groups have continued to live in denial, while masquerading as unknown gunmen in their criminal violent campaign in the region, the NA will ensure the perpetrators of this dastardly act unleashed on its personnel do not go unpunished.
“While we deeply condole with the families, relations and close associates of the victims, the NA has commenced investigation to unmask and bring the criminals to book.
“Members of the public are please enjoined to oblige security agencies actionable information that will lead to the arrest of these criminals,” the Army said.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils. The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face a team of interrogators at its office daily throughout December.A credible source in the EFCC said on Monday that the daily appearance was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged 490 million dollars Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request.
The source said that Malami, who was summoned for interrogation by the EFCC on Saturday, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next one month.According to the source, one of the conditions for his release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.The source said Malami would have to appear daily at the anti-graft office due to the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st.He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him,” the source added.According to the source, a fact sheet on the former minister revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.“We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”The commission cited the large volume of documents he must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.The source said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, on Monday in Abuja, however, described the EFCC investigation as a political witch‑hunt.He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on Nov. 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical and devoid of substance, insisting they collapse under factual scrutiny.
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