By Gom Mirian, Abuja

The Nigerian Army has during the weekend reported that its troops had killed no fewer than 26 Boko-Haram (BHTs) terrorists and those of the Islamic states of West Africa Province(ISWAP), who infiltrated Kala Balge town mounted on gun trucks and motorcycles.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen by the Army spokesperson, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu in Abuja

According to Nwachukwu, the feat was achieved by troops of sector 1 joint Task Force (JTF) North – East of Operation Hardin Kai (OPHK) on December 3.

He explained that the insurgents attacked troops deployed at the Forward Operational Base (FOB) Rann, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon, adding that troops gallantly engaged the marauding terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their mission and withdrew in disarray.

“The fierce battle for Kala Balge, troops defended the town and neutralized 26 Boko-Haram and Islamic State of West Africa province terrorists.

“The gallant troops also captured terrorists’ combat vehicles, 18 AK 47 rifles and one M-21 rifle with large quantity of ammunition. Several other equipment were also destroyed by troops.

“Regrettably, two officers and five soldiers paid the supreme price, while three personnel who sustained gunshot wounds are currently receiving medical attention.

“The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has paid tribute to the departed heroes, who paid the supreme price in defending their fatherland. He has also commended troops for their gallantry in the North East, especially with the recent successes recorded in Gajiram and the Tumbus,” Nwachukwu said.

Lagos Police Confirm Death of Eight Children Inside Car

The Police in Lagos yesterday confirmed the death of eight children who mistakenly locked themselves in an abandoned car while playing at Adelayo Street, Agunlayo, Jah Micheal, near Magbon area of Badagry.

Spokesman for the Lagos Police Command, Mr Adekunle Ajisebutu, in a statement, said the incident occurred on Saturday.

Ajisebutu said that their bodies had been recovered and deposited at the Badagry General Hospital’s morgue for autopsy so as to determine the actual cause of death.

“Notwithstanding the report made to the Police, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered a thorough and speedy investigation into the circumstances surrounding their death.

“The CP also commiserates with the families of the victims,” he said.

The eight children were found dead in vehicle parked in front of the owner’s house.

Mr Suru Avoseh, Commissioner, Lagos State Civil Service Commission, told NAN that the abandoned car belonged to a retired LASU staff who is now late.

According to him, the car was was forced opened by one of the children who was the grand child of the owner while the other seven are Nigerians residing in the area.

“The other seven kids are children of Bureau De Change Operators living in the community.

“The children forced the door of vehicle opened, entered and closed the door.

“No ventilation and nobody knew something was wrong and they suffocated and died.

“It wasn’t a kidnapping incident or any foul play by anyone. It is unfortunate,” he said.

In another development, the Medical Director, Badagry General Hospital, Dr Tunde Bakare, said that the children were brought dead to hospital.

“While we told them to leave them so that we could carry out autopsy one Moslem cleric that followed them disagreed with our staff and said burial should not exceed Saturday.

“Unfortunately, the Police that brought the corpse supported the cleric so we had to release the corpses to them. (NAN) 

Fire Burns Six Shops, Destroys Properties Worth Millions of Naira in Ilorin

From Alfred Babs Ilorin

Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed as fire disaster gutted six shops, opposite the Kwara State Art and Culture Centre at Geri-Alimi area in Ilorin, Kwara state capital yesterday morning.

It was gathered that the incident which happened at midnight had destroyed all goods in the shops before the operatives of the State Fire Service could get to the scene on a rescue mission.

Speaking with our reporter, one of the victims, Mrs Anifat Adetoro, who sells unisex ready-made clothes, fashion accessories and claimed to have restocked goods two days ago to enable her to sell the December market met her shop totally destroyed.

“I just bought new goods a few days ago to enable me to meet up with December demands, I received a call from one of my neighbours around 5:23 am when I woke up to perform early morning prayer, and I was told that fire was burning our shops and we met operatives of Fire Service on ground trying to quench the inferno as at the time we got here, if not for them, almost all shops in this building would have destroyed,” Mrs Adetoro said.

She added that “goods in my shop alone worth three million-plus; because I also sell jewelries and I just got a jewelries order to deliver to a client in Saki, Oyo state by Monday and all these were destroyed. I want government and well to do people in the society to please come to my assistant because this is all my life, our kindhearted governor should please come to our rescue” she appealed.

Another victim, Mr Owolabi Akeem, who sells animals drugs, feed and poultry equipment said “I got a call around 5:30 am and I was devastated with what I met. I don’t even know what’s next in my life, we will be grateful if the government can come to our support in terms of financial aid to pick up ourselves again. Added that my goods in the shop valued N4 million above, and on the cause of the inferno, we cannot say precisely, it’s only God that knows the cause”

Confirming the incident, HOD, Media and Publicity, Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle said “today, 5th December, 2021 Kwara State Fire Service saved Shopping complex located at Gari-Alimi Opposite Art and Culture Ilorin”

“It was DPO ‘B’ Division of the Nigeria police Force Kwara State Command Ilorin, who quickly summoned the Brigade to the scene of occurrence at about 05:35hrs this Morning”

“However, firemen were able to eliminate the ravaging fire on time. And out of 41 shops, only 6 shops in the shopping complex were affected,” Adekunle said.