DEFENCE
Niger Youths Beg Military on Planned Withdrawal

From Dan Amasingha, Minna.
In the Aftermath of killing of seven security personnel, Shiroro youths have pleaded with the Military not to abandon then to their fate.
Following the daring bandits attack on the camp of the Joint Security Task Force in Allawa in Shiroro Local Government area of Niger state, which resulted in the death of five Soldiers , one Civil Defence Officer and one Vigilante and the forced withdrawal of the services of the Security Task Force from the epic centre, the Youths in Shiroro local government areas are currently pleading with the joint security task force not to withdraw their personnel as it would leave the communities vulnerable to the bandits, who have become more daring as the days goes by.
The youths said that the withdrawal of the Joint Security Task Force would lead to more deadly attacks as the communities would be at the mercy of the criminals.
The President of Lakpma Youths Assembly, Jubrin Allawa in a press statement made available to the media said that the decision to withdraw security personel around Lakpma axis of shiroro local Government area of Niger State is an unhealthy decision.
“This is an unhealthy decision equivalent to government ceading the entire land constituting eight political Ward to this miscreants (Bandits).
“We have been Left at the mercy of the bandits therefore Lakpma Youths Assembly will go to any length to fight for the right of its people.’
Sympathizing with the military and other security agencies for the loss of their officers, the Youth President appealed on the relevant authorities to rescend their decision to save the lives of the poor law abiding citizens of Lakpma and the entire shiroro local Government.
In a similar statemet the Concerned Shiroro Youths noted that the Joint Security Task Force stationed in Allawa and Bassa towns of Shiroro local government area have been withdrawn.
The Youths through its Co-convener, Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki stated that no reason was advanced for the withdrawal of the security personnel.
“But we believe it will not be unconnected with the casualties suffered by the JSTF during Thursday’s invasion by heartless, venomous and hydraheaded terrorists.”
Kokki stated that the withdrawal of the Security Agents will make the affected communities prone to more deadly attacks.
“These areas will become porous and inhabitants therein will become soft targets and vulnerable to these criminals”, he said.
The youths also called on all the authorities concerned to rescind the decision in a bid to give Shiroro local government area a semblance of sanity and a place where someone can live in.
DEFENCE
Zulum Offers N5m Each to Families of 8 Slained CJTF Members

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has donated N5 million each to the families of eight members of Civilian Joint Task Force ( CJTF) who recently died in an explosion on the Dikwa to Marte road.
Zulum who made this known on Friday during a condolence visit to the families of deceased in Maiduguri, also granted scholarship to their children.
The Civilian CJTF is a volunteer security group that supports military operations against insurgents in Borno State and other parts of the North-East.
” I want to announce a financial assistance of N5 million to each of the bereaved families to cater for their immediate needs.
” Furthermore, the Borno Government will provide full educational scholarship to all children of the deceased CJTF members.
” For those who left no children, we shall extend assistance to their close family members,” he said.
The governor said the gesture was part of his administration’s commitment to assisting the families of security personnel and members of the CJTF who paid the supreme price of defending his people
Zulum described the deceased as martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their communities and assured that their bravery would always be remembered.
He prayed for the repose of their souls of the deceased and urged the bereaved families to take solace in the heroic legacy left behind by their loved ones.
The CJTF operatives died on Tuesday after they ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the area.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Nab 5 Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has arrested five suspected cultists and recovered firearms at Ibesikpo Asutan area of the state.
DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Uyo.
John said the arrests took place at the cultists’ hideout in Ikot Etuk village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area on Wednesday.
She said that the operatives of the command, based on credible information, arrested the cultists.
John said that during the operation, operatives recovered one locally made pistol, one fabricated single-barrel gun and assorted charms.
According to her, the suspects have voluntarily provided useful information to the police regarding their criminal activities.
“This includes their involvement in a recent attack on Fulani herdsmen, which resulted in the killing of two cows.
“The stolen cows were reportedly shared among various cult groups within Ibesikpo Asutan,” she said.
John said that efforts were currently underway to apprehend other fleeing gang members and recover their operational weapons.
The spokesman further said the developments would be communicated to the public as they unfold. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Arrest 4 Suspects, Recover Stolen Property in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said it had arrested four suspected criminals in Udi Street in Uyo and recovered numerous stolen items.
DSP Timfon John, the Command’s Public Relations Officer said this in a statement in Uyo on Monday.
John said that the suspects were arrested base on credible intelligence and in compliance with the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare’s directive.
She said that an operation which was inaugurated last Friday at exactly 1:15 a.
m., led to the arrest of the four suspects.”In a significant intelligence-led operation, operatives of the command raided a location in Udi Street, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of numerous stolen items.
The raid also resulted in the arrest of another two suspected receivers of stolen property,” she explained.
The command’s image maker said that exhibit including 14 sewing machine heads and a generator were recovered from the suspects.
According to her, two complainants have come forward and identified their stolen machines among the recovered items.
She added that investigation into the matter was ongoing. (NAN)