DEFENCE
Troops Eliminate 8 Terrorists, Rescue 40 Hostages – Army

The Nigerian Army says its troops have eliminated eight terrorists and rescued 40 abducted individuals in a series of coordinated operations across the country.The army, in a post on its official X Handle on Monday, said the recent victories had further tightened the noose around the necks of unrepentant terrorists and their collaborators.
The post added that the troops also apprehended a notorious arms courier found with a large cache of ammunition, striking a major blow against arms proliferation by criminal elements. According to army, troops, acting acting on genuine intelligence on Sept. 28, conducted a strategic stop-and-search operation along the Lafia-Keffi Road in Nasarawa State.“This resulted in the arrest of a firearms courier and the recovery of 303 live rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition concealed in a bag.“The suspect and the vehicle were immediately taken into custody, and further investigations are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices.“In another operation in Kaduna State, troops executed precision strikes in the forests near Danmari and Saulawa villages in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, where one terrorist was eliminated.“Additional engagements in Ankwa village of Kachia Local Government Area also led to the annihilation of two more terrorists and the recovery of a locally made firearm, 11 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition, and a motorcycle used by the terrorists,” it said.The post also revealed that troops in an encounter with fleeing terrorists at Faayijiwa Fandanari village in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno, recovered two AK-47 rifles, 61 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO), 51 rounds of 7.62mm (special ) ammunition, hard drugs and various supplies.It said the terrorists abandoned the firearms and ammunition after succumbing to the troops’ superior firepower.According to the post, further operations in Gwoza Local Government Area resulted in the neutralization of three terrorists near Ashigashiya village, while vigilant troops responding to credible intelligence, pursued and intercepted a convoy suspected of transporting logistics to terrorists at Gubio.“Three vehicles loaded with food supplies intended for terrorist camps were seized, and the sum of N2,400 recovered.“The efforts in Kukawa Local Government Area yielded another victory as troops, acting on intelligence, intercepted terrorists attempting to relocate abducted victims from Cijin village.“The terrorists fled upon sighting the troops, abandoning 38 hostages, including six men, eight women, and 24 children, who were safely rescued by the troops.“Meanwhile, in Yobe, troops responding to reports of terrorists extorting civilians staged a successful ambush in Sasawa village in Damaturu Local Government Area.“The troops neutralized one terrorist and recovered one AK-47 rifle along with a motorcycle.“The Chief of Army Staff has commended the troops for their bravery and relentless fight for peace. He also expressed gratitude to the citizens whose continuous provision of credible information has been instrumental in these successes.“The Nigerian Army remains steadfast in its mission to obliterate terrorism and safeguard the lives of all Nigerians,” it added. (NAN)DEFENCE
FG Introduces New Online Citizenship, Business Management Platform

The Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform.
This is contained in a statement by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani on Friday in Abuja.
Ajani said that the new digital platform was designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround time and improved user experience.
The platform is aimed at managing citizenship applications, processing business permits, and administering regulations related to businesses and foreign workers.
The permanent secretary explained further that the initiative was part of the ministry’s ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency thereby significantly improving service delivery to the public.
“Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are hereby expected to access the platform through the following official channels: Ministry of Interior’s website: https://interior.gov.ng.
Direct portal access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng, candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support or inquiries.
“The ministry remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Road Construction: Gov Mbah Meets UN Road Safety standards- FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says the ongoing road reconstructions in Enugu State by the Gov Peter Mbah led administration, meet the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals on road safety.
The Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, made the observation on Wednesday in Enugu during a press briefing for the commemoration of the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week in the state.
The theme for the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week is: ‘Make Walking Safe, Make Cycling Safe’, and it runs from May 12 to May 18, 2025.
Agbakoba noted that with the spacious walkways and putting other necessary road furniture such as well-designed bus stops and lighting, the Gov.
Mbah led administration had achieved one of the major goals of the UN.According to him, with new road design with spacious walkways and other furniture made compulsory in all roads, Gov. Mbah has prioritised the safety and security of pedestrians walking in all major roads within the state.
Agbakoba noted that during the event, the FRSC stakeholders and the Command awareness would be focusing on education that dealt with safety of vulnerable road users, who were those walking and cycling within roads in cities and communities.
He explained that the event was meant to reinforce collective responsibilities in making road safer for everybody as
established in 2007 by the UN General Assembly as efforts would spotlight the need to prioritise non-motorised transportation safety.
“As a Corps, we have continued to generate strategies to meet these glaring challenges. We have intensified our public enlightenment campaigns both in the state and nationwide.
“The establishment and sustenance of road safety clubs in schools to catch-them-young and ensured walkways, Zebra Crossing and cycling lanes are incorporated into new and existing road projects.
“FRSC is also monitoring drivers’ behaviour in high-risk routes, enforce speed limits and also ensure well-structured safety education for children and youths to imbibe positive road culture and habits,” he said.
He urged road safety stakeholders in the state to sustain the call for action meant to build a road environment and culture where pedestrians and cyclists were protected and where no life was lost needlessly on the roads.
“As a lead agency in road safety administration and traffic management, FRSC will continue to drive interventions to save lives, but we cannot do this on our own; we needed everyone’s support and cooperation,” he added.
The week long event included: a press briefing, sensitisation rally and distribution of fliers, strategic visit to selected schools for safety education and Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association (ROSOWA) visit to fleet operators.
Others are: commemorative juma’at prayer on Friday, ROSOWA visitation to orphanage homes and commemorative church service on Sunday among others. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Fatal Road Accident Claims Lives Of 4 Pedestrians in Port Harcourt

At least four individuals lost their lives, and two others sustained life-threatening injuries in a fatal road accident that occurred along G.U Ake Road in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The spokesperson for the Police Command in Rivers, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed this development in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Iringe-Koko attributed the collision, which occurred at about 11:42 p.
m. on the day, to excessive speeding, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.“The driver of a Toyota Camry, with registration number ABJ 10 EM, lost control and struck six pedestrians.
“Tragically, four of the pedestrians died at the scene, while two others sustained injuries and were immediately taken to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) for medical attention,” she explained.
She further stated that the vehicle had another occupant, identified as Benson Michael, aged 36.
According to the police spokesperson, the driver was promptly arrested and is currently undergoing interrogation.
“The accidented vehicle has been recovered and taken to the police station.
“The case will be transferred to the State Traffic Department for further investigation,” she noted.
She added that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) mortuary.
Iringe-Koko extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that justice would be served. (NAN)