Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has contributed a seven-million-Naira house to the family of the late Mohammed Ali, who tragically lost his life in August when a mine-resistant vehicle owned by the Nigerian Army accidentally crushed him in Damaturu. The presentation of the financial aid and house documents to the children was conducted by the Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Shehu Hashimi II, Ibn Umar Al-Amin El-Kanemi, representing Governor Buni. Ustaz Baba Gana Kyari, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Affairs, expressed condolences to the family and offered prayers for the deceased’s soul.
Kyari conveyed Governor Buni’s commitment to sponsoring the education of late Isa’s children and providing for his pregnant wife. He emphasized that the monetary and other assistance was not intended as compensation for the loss of their provider but as a means to alleviate their difficulties, particularly in light of the removal of the petroleum subsidy in Nigeria.
The Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Dr. Shehu Hashimi II Ibn Umar Al-Amin El-Kanemi, remarked that death is inevitable for every living being. He expressed gratitude to Governor Mai Mala Buni for the compassionate gesture and offered prayers for the repose of the departed soul.
The event, held at the Palace of the Emir of Damaturu, was attended by Brig. Gen. Dahiru Abdul-Salam (Rtd), the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, and Lt. Col. G. Abdul, the Commanding Officer of 233 Battalion, among others. Mohammed Ali, survived by his pregnant wife, four children, and a stepmother, met a tragic end that sparked reactions on social media, with Damaturu residents demanding a thorough investigation and compensation for the victim’s family. Allegations of reckless driving and traffic rule violations by the soldiers were cited as contributing factors to the accident.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reported that a joint operation involving Nigerian military troops and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives resulted in the elimination of 52 terrorists and the apprehension of a leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Bauchi State.
The ISWAP leader was captured in a sting operation at Tarum, a village outside Bauchi Metropolis, as disclosed by Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, in a statement on Friday.
While the DHQ did not disclose the name of the arrested ISWAP leader, it revealed that the individual held a significant role in the North Central and North West zones.
The military high command emphasized that targeting terrorist leadership is crucial in ensuring the safety and security of citizens, with ongoing operations consistently diminishing the fighting force and capacity of these groups.
Maj.-Gen. Buba noted that Nigerian Air Force airstrikes played a key role in destroying terrorist leaders’ enclaves in the North West and North Central zones in the past week.
The week’s operations resulted in the neutralization of 52 terrorists, the arrest of 204 individuals associated with terrorism, and the rescue of 234 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, in the South-South zone, troops recovered stolen crude oil and illegal refined products, destroyed various equipment and sites used for illegal activities, and seized a substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and other items associated with criminal operations.
Solomon Arase, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, has expressed distress regarding the escalating violence against security personnel, particularly police officers, in the South East region.
The former Inspector General of Police highlighted the growing number of police officers’ wives becoming widows due to attacks by gunmen in the area. In a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations, Arase conveyed his apprehension during a courtesy visit by leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, in Abuja.
Arase emphasized that it’s essential to communicate to the assailants that the police are not their adversaries and have committed no wrongdoing. He lamented the loss of numerous serving officers in the South East, urging the perpetrators to recognize the police as friends and cease making widows out of officers’ wives, who are essentially their sisters.
Furthermore, Arase assured that the Commission has addressed the perceived marginalization of the South East in police representation nationwide.
Elder Onwu Arua, the leader of the Ohanaeze delegation, expressed concern about the lack of interest among people in the South East regarding the ongoing police recruitment exercise. He urged the Police Service Commission to devise strategies to address this issue.
On Friday, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) alleged that Governor Peter Mba was facing pressure from “Aso Rock” to discredit the Supreme Court ahead of the judgment on its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, scheduled for December 15. IPOB based this claim on Mba’s characterization of the group as a proscribed organization, a statement he made after visiting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
IPOB cautioned the governor against making a “costly mistake” by using the group’s name to gain favor from Tinubu’s administration. In a statement by Powerful, a spokesperson for IPOB, it was emphasized that Mba’s comments were deemed reckless and unguarded. The statement alleged that Mba, under pressure from the federal government, accused IPOB of being responsible for the sit-at-home protest and insecurity in the Southeast.
The statement pointed out that Mba had previously condemned Simon Ekpa, who was associated with the enforcement of the Monday sit-at-home. IPOB expressed skepticism about the governor’s motives and suggested that his statements were influenced by the Tinubu administration.
IPOB urged the public to dismiss the governor’s remarks, describing him as a “cowardly governor” making unfounded accusations. The statement reminded Mba that IPOB is not easily intimidated and warned against attempting to use the group’s name for political advantage.
The statement concluded by calling on the Nigerian Supreme Court Justices not to succumb to blackmail, urging the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who was acquitted by the Court of Appeal. IPOB reiterated its commitment to the cause of self-determination and emphasized that the movement would not yield to blackmail or pressure.
