CRIME
Thugs Attempt Setting AblazeZamfara APC Chieftain’s Residence

From Abba Kabara, Gusau.
Some persons suspected to be political thugs at the weekend attempted to set ablaze, the personal residence of one of the prominent Zamfara APC stake holders, Hon Ibrahim Danmalikin Gidan Goga.
Part of the residence, according to eyewitness, was already in flames when one of the occupants of the house suddenly got woken by a strange sound of heavy object hitting the zinc roofing of the house.
Narrating the incidence to some newsmen in Gusau, Gidan Goga disclosed that he was bed – ridden from malaria attack when he begun to hear distress cries from members of his house hold, running helter skelter within the compound.
He said when he managed to walk out of his bedroom to see what was happening, he sighted flesh of flames raising up, while the youths who also reside in the house were busy trying to put off the flames.
Danmaliki further narrated that on inspection after the fire was put off, a motorcycle tyre, evidently thrown in from the back of the house, was still in flames roasting a bicycle belonging to his child.
He said the situation was so alarming but, for the timely action of the youths, the fire would have escalated into a serious inferno that would gulped the whole residence, and possibly killed the over twenty occupants of the house.
Suspecting that the attack might have been masterminded by agents of a rival political party in the state, Danmaliki who was once a commissioner of Information in the state, regreted that the action was a new phenomenon in the history of politicking in the state.
He said this unwholesome attitude was very risky as it may provoke political tension with resultant consequence of on the fragile peace in the state.
”I have already reported the incidence to the relevant authorities to lodge a complain about the incidence with hope that they may decide to wade into the case for investigation and fair action,” he stated.
Business News
IGP Orders Full Enforcement Against Naira Note Hawking

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Baba, has ordered full enforcement of the CBN Act, 2007 that criminalises the hawking and selling of naira notes.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
He ordered the arrest and prosecution of all individuals engaged in the sale or abuse of the Naira notes issued by the CBN.
Baba said the order was in line with the provisions of Sections 20 and 21 of the CBN Act, 2007 that criminalises amongst others, the hawking, selling or otherwise trading on the naira notes.
He directed all supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police in charge of Commands and Formations to carry out the full enforcement.
The I-G also ordered the placement of officers and men of the Force Criminal Investigations Department and the Force Intelligence Bureau on high alert.
He directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence Bureau to effect the order.
According to him, the order is in furtherance of the Federal Government’s policy and drive to uphold the provisions of the CBN Act, 2007 and dignify Nigeria’s currency.
He reiterated the mandate of the Nigeria Police Force to enforce all laws and regulations without prejudice to the enabling Acts of other security agencies.
Baba called on the public to cooperate with the Nigeria Police Force in the enforcement of the CBN Act against violators. (NAN)
CRIME
MNJTF Troops Eliminate Dozens, Capture 40 Terrorists in Lake Chad

Troops of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have killed dozens of terrorists and captured more than 40 in recent operations in the Lake Chad Basin.
The Chief of Military Public Information for MNJTF, Lt. -Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, made this known in a statement yesterday in N’Djamena Chad.
Adegoke said the troops also destroyed several terrorists camps during the clearance and stabilisation operations in the region conducted from January 18 to 29.
He added that 87 Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists surrendered within the period.
Adegoke said in Sector 1, Cameroon, the troops conducted ambush operations on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23 in the general area of Kolofata-Kirawa, captured one terrorist alive and recovered significant quantity of assorted foodstuff.
According to him, the Sector has been very active in dominating its area through land and maritime operations especially in areas such as Tchika, Gore Kendi and Kerena, among others.
In Sector 2, Chad, he said the troops had dominated the maritime domain from Bagalam-Kongalam to Koulfoua and denied the terrorists freedom of operation.
The MNJTF spokesman said this had led to the return of about 3,000 civilians in the general area of Bakatorolorom.
Adegoke also said troops of Sector 3, Nigeria, had on Jan. 18 and Jan. 23, intercepted a Boko Haram logistics supplier in Baga in possession of motorcycle spare parts.
He added that the troops on Jan. 27, encountered terrorists along Damasak–Gubio road who fled on sighting the troops and abandoned two motorcycles, two hand grenades and some terrorists uniforms.
Adegoke said a raid operation on terrorists’ camp in Matari on the Niger/Nigeria border was conducted by troops of Sector 4, Niger, on Jan. 21 and Jan 23, with the support of Sector 3, Nigeria, and other partners.
According to him, the well conducted special forces operation led to the destruction of terrorists’ camp, neutralisation of over a dozen terrorists, destruction of their equipment and capture of two high value target criminals.
“There was no casualty on our forces side as they were successfully extricated.
“The courageous troops of Sector 4, Niger, acting on intelligence reports also swooped on three suspected terrorists logisticians in Nguigmi market on Jan. 29 in Niger Republic.
“They were trying to buy supplies for suspected BHT/ISWAP key leaders hiding in the Lake Chad, a total sum of N1.2 million (old notes) and CFA160,000 were recovered.
“The criminals are in custody undergoing further profiling.
“On same day, troops of Sector 4 in continuing offensive operations conducted a special forces raid operation in Afofo forest in Niger Republic and destroyed a terrorist camp and captured 36 suspected criminals.
“In the process of withdrawing from this operations, the troops intercepted a FJ45 Toyota vehicle loaded with assorted pharmaceutical products possibly being ferried to the Lake Chad areas,” he said.
Adegoke said that 77 terrorists comprising fighters and their families surrendered in the last two weeks to MNJTF Sector 4 troops in response to kinetic and non-kinetic activities of the MNJTF.
He added that eight others surrendered in the same period to Sector 1, Cameroon and Sector 2, Chad troops, making a total of 85 surrendered terrorists within the period.
According to him, all the surrendered are being treated in line with International Humanitarian Laws and profiled for further action by relevant state and non-governmental organisations.
Nigerian Ambassador to Chad Hails MNJTF, Pledges More Support
Newly appointed Nigerian Ambassador to Republic of Chad, Amb. Lami Remawa–Ahmed, has commended the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) for their efforts in tackling the scourge of terrorism.
Remawa–Ahmed gave the commendation when she visited the force Headquarters at Camp Farcha in N’Djamena, Chad yesterday.
The Chief of Military Public Information for MNJTF, Lt.-Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.
The ambassador praised the work of the MNJTF and its various Sectors in tackling the scourge of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the region.
Recalling the dark days when the terrorists were operating all over the region and causing havoc, she said the tremendous efforts of the MNJTF and other security outfits had changed the narrative favourably.
Remawa–Ahmed commended officers and men of the force for their commitment, courage and hard work which was largely responsible for the success so far achieved.
She also appreciated the political will of the leaders of the countries of the Lake Chad Basin region who came together to give life to the security outfit.
The ambassador who called on the MNJTF to evolve strategies to end the conflict, paid tribute to officers and men who paid the supreme price in the quest for peace in the region.
She promised to sustain the support of the embassy to the force in its quest for total peace in the Lake Chad region.
Earlier, the Force Commander appreciated the ambassador for the visit and called on the embassy for more support to the MNJTF.
Ibrahim promised to continuously take the fight to the criminals until all terrorists in the region are totally rooted out.
The ambassador was accompanied by Nigerian Defence Attaché to Chad, Col. OU Eke and Minister (Political) in the Nigeria Embassy, Nura Aliyu.
In attendance were the Deputy Force Commander, Brig Gen Assoualai Blama, COS and other senior officers of the MNJTF.
CRIME
Adamawa CP Warns Against Political Thuggery

From Yagana Ali, Yola
The Adamawa state Commissioner of Police SK Akande, has deployed operatives of the Command drawn from the Special Rapid Response Team (SRRT) and other Tactical Squads to carry out a tactical and intelligence – driven 24/7 raid against political gangsters and their instigators that go around to disturb the peace being enjoyed in the state.
The CP made this known while speaking with DAILY ASSET yesterday in Yola, the state capital.
He said the Command is collating pictorial evidence of every event that will be used in prosecuting offenders and their sponsors, even as he warned that all should play peacefully by the rules.
“We direct all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Operational Commanders and their Supervisory Area Commanders to personally lead the operations in their Respective Areas Responsibility (AOR) to ensure total domination of the public space and arrest trouble makers,” he said.
The CP while re-emphasizing the firm determination of the Command in ensuring safety of lives and property sought full cooperation from members of the public particularly political leaders to talk to their supporters to shun all forms of violence and key into the Command’s effort in maintaining peace.
He further called on members of the public to report any suspicious character around them to the nearest police station, especially during the forthcoming general elections.