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BREAKING: Boko Haram terrorists dislodge Nigerian Army, burn down military base

Members of Boko Haram’s Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) faction on Sunday night infiltrated Gamboru-Ngala in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria.

It was learnt that the terrorists launched an offensive attack at the military base in Gamboru Central Primary School, dislodged men of the Nigerian Army (NA) and proceeded to burn down the security facility.

It is believed that this latest attack by ISWAP insurgents is a reprisal for the devastating offensive of Nigerian troops which led to the killing of many commanders and fighters in Lake Chad Basin (LCB) and Sambisa forest.

Recall that recent Nigerian Armed Forces’ airstrikes eliminated Amir Buba Danfulani and four other notorious ISWAP commanders in Tumbuns and Sambisa axis.

Danfulani was a senior ISWAP Commander saddled with indoctrinating Fulanis and herdsmen in joining a terrorist group. He also coordinated activities of the terrorists ranging from the deployment of spies as well as tax collectors.

It was gathered that the terrorists got upset, and targeted military base. They were said to have fired explosives into Ngala town at the weekend which also resulted to the killing of one civilian while six persons were injured.

Full details are still skechy on aftermath assessment.

Photos: Moment Tinubu, Obasa Arrive Agege, Visit Home Of Late Prof Samuel

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and presidential hopeful of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Sunday evening paid a condolence visit to the home of late Professor Tunde Samuel, a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), who passed on recently.

Asiwaju, who arrived Lagos from a visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, moved straight to the home of the deceased ally, accompanied by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

The duo had earlier expressed sadness at the demise of the academic, who was 73.

In the Speaker’s condolence message, he had described the death of Prof Samuel as “a blow, a pain that would take long for us to bear both as people of Agege, the APC as a family, the GAC and the entire Lagos State.

“His importance to Lagos State can never be under-emphasised. He was a passionate Lagosian whose thoughts, actions and activities were all geared towards strengthening democracy in Nigeria and the creation of an egalitarian state where individuals would live their lives in peace.”

Obasa, who visited the family of the deceased on Wednesday, added: “We will continue to miss his wisdom, knowledge and understanding of how Lagos and Nigeria should be run for the utmost good of the people. We will miss his advice and productive efforts to keep a united APC in Lagos.

“I, on behalf of my colleagues at the Lagos State House of Assembly, pray that God grant him peace and give his immediate family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear this huge loss, amen.”

APC Members Protest Against Aregbesola In Alimosho For ‘Betraying’ Tinubu

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has come under attack from members of the All Progressives Congress in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State following the minister’s attack against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Some members of the APC in the local government which is the political base of Aregbesola staged a protest to denounce the minister for ‘ disrespecting Tinubu.”

This came a day after Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, trounced Aregbesola’s man, Moshood Adeoti, and Lasun Yusuf, who contested the APC governorship ticket against the governor.

Aregbesola had openly campaigned against Oyetola ahead of the primary election and he said the governor should be given the same treatment given to former governor of Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode, who lost the APC ticket to Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Alimlsho youths had on Sunday carried banners expressing their support for Tinubu while mocking Aregbesola’s political death in Osun State.

Some of the protesting youths also carried a mock coffin which they said symbolised the political death of the minister in Lagos and Osun states.

Some of the youths placed the coffin on the ground and mimicked the Muslims way of praying on corpses before their burial.

Some of the youths said Aregbesola would be banished from Alimosho while calling him a traitor and many unprintable names.

The minister has also come under attack on various social media platforms with many mocking him after the defeat of Adeoti, his preferred choice.

NDLEA Arrest man with fake $4.7million Cash, Apprehend Nursing Mum For Drug Offence

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have foiled attempt by a syndicate to steal at least N2.7 billion from the Nigerian economy by pushing into circulation fake $4.7 million cash.

According to Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, the operatives had in the early hours of Friday 18th February 2022 intercepted a consignment sent from Lagos to Abuja at Abaji area of the Federal Capital Territory.

Babafemi, in a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, a controlled delivery of the parcelled counterfeit US dollars totalling $4, 760, 000.00 led to the arrest of a principal suspect, 52-year-old Abdulmumini Maikasuwa.

The seizure followed intelligence received by the FCT Command of the Agency detailing the movement of the cash and the vehicle conveying it. Meanwhile, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has directed that both the cash and the suspect in custody be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for further investigation.

In Kwara state, barely three weeks after a nursing mother, Mrs. Rashidat Adebayo, 38, was granted administrative bail following her arrest for dealing in illicit drugs, operatives have again arrested her in Offa with assorted drugs such as Tramadol, Swinol, Diazepam and Pentazocine injection ampules.

Before her latest arrest on Thursday 17th February, the nursing mother had been arrested and granted bail on 24th January 2022 for dealing in similar drugs.

In the same vein, NDLEA officers have arrested two drug dealers: Sani Isa (aka Bilaz) and Bala Yerima in Hong, Adamawa state with 239 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 209kg, just as operatives of the Bauchi state Command have intercepted a truck marked FFF 422 XB coming from Lagos to Maiduguri, at Azare, Bauchi. A total of 164.8kg of cannabis sativa concealed in peak milk cartons was recovered from the truck.

The NDLEA Chief Executive has commended the officers and men of the FCT Command for their vigilance and preventing counterfeit $4.7 million from going into the streets. He charged them and their counterparts in Adamawa, Kwara, Bauchi and others across the country not to rest on their oars.

Police IG Commends Constable Aina For Clinching WBF Super Bantamweight Female Title Belt

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, on behalf of the entire Police Force, has congratulated the famous Police Constable, Mary Yetunde Aina (aka Iron Abbey), on her victory at the international championship bout against United Kingdom’s Laura Pain, on her soil, to clinch the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) International Super Bantamweight title belt at City Coast Centre in Portslade, East Sussex, London on Friday February 18, 2022.

A statement, signed by Police spokesman, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi and made available to National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, disclosed that, Abbey, who serves in the Lagos State Police Command, has distinguished herself greatly in the boxing sphere by winning several awards and recommendations as a Boxing Referee at the amateur level.

The statement added that she is equally a renowned boxing judge and professional boxer with a clean sheet and several amateur wins to her name.

The IGP, who intends to receive the champion in Nigeria on arrival soon, commended the cop for her courage and giant strides in making the nation and the Nigeria Police Force proud. In the same vein, the IGP called on sports enthusiasts within the Force to be unrelenting in developing their skills and dauntless in charting new frontiers in the world of sports.

Similarly, IGP while applauding the unprecedented feats recorded in the Nigeria Police Sports circle, charged officers of the Nigeria Police Force to develop and diversify their talents towards the advancement of modern policing strategies that are capable of strengthening the internal security of the country as required.

IGP Usman Alkali Baba Congratulates WBF Boxing Champion Constable Yetunde Abbey Aina on Victory Over UK Laura Pain

The statement added that Abbey is equally a renowned boxing judge and professional boxer with a clean sheet and several amateur wins to her name.

I AM NOT INTERESTED IN PRESIDENCY- Gen TUKUR BURATAI

In the past few weeks, speculation has been rife that former Chief of Army Staff, now Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, Rtd, may be lacing his boots, once again, for 2023 political battle and contest the Presidency.

But a statement signed by Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, Rtd and made available to the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, denies such ambition and called on Nigerians to disregard the information.
The statement reads in full:

“The attention of His Excellency, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd), Nigeria’s Ambassador to Republic of Benin and former Chief of Army Staff, has been drawn to calls and dissemination of campaign posters calling on him to join partisan politics and contest for Presidential candidature of one of the political parties by some persons.

However, it is essential to state that Ambassador Buratai never indicated interest, discussed with, or directed anyone on such matters. Therefore, such calls and posters should be discountenance as they did not emanate from him, nor is he interested in them. It is entirely the handiwork of some people for reasons best known to them.

His Excellency wishes to reiterate his contentment and commitment to national service in his present capacity as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Benin Republic. He remains loyal and eternally grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity to serve. He, however, wishes to thank all well-meaning persons, friends and well-wishers who showed concern over this development.”

Covid-19 Positive Queen Elizabeth To ‘Continue Duties’

British Queen Elizabeth (95) has tested positive for the coronavirus, but is expected to carry on some of her duties.

Buckingham Palace disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

The ailment is despite her being vaccinated.

But the royal family said the queen will be given further treatments in view of the latest development.

“The Queen has today tested positive for COVID,Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week.

“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all appropriate guidelines,” the Palace said

2023 presidency: Tinubu storms Oyo, to visit Alaafin

In continuation of his consultations and engagements with critical stakeholders in Nigeria and beyond on his decision to contest for the presidency in 2023, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will on Sunday (today) visit the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.
According to Asiwaju Progressives Oyo, Tinubu will use the visit to hold court with the Alaafin, Obas and chiefs in his domain.

The APC leader had earlier visited the Presidential Villa, where he informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his aspiration.

Since declaring for the race while speaking with State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu had interfaced with Northern leaders led by former Presidential Liaison Officer to former President Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai.

He had visited Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari and Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle to consult and also sympathise with them over the incessant bandit killings in the two states.

He met with Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, also on the same matter.

The consultations has also taken Tinubu abroad, where he met members of APC United Kingdom chapter and Nigerians in the Diaspora among others.

Only last weekend, he visited the four paramount rulers in Ogun State: Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; and Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi.

Kenya Ambassador To Nigeria, Wilfred Machage Slumps, Dies in Abuja

Wilfred Machage, Kenya’s high commissioner to Nigeria, is dead.

Machage was appointed high commissioner to Nigeria in January, 2018.

He reportedly collapsed at his Abuja residence on Saturday, after which he was rushed to the hospital.

Confirming his death, Kenya’s ministry of foreign affairs, in a statement, expressed sadness over Machage’s demise.

The statement reads: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets to announce the sudden death of Hon Dr. Ambassador Wilfred Machage, Kenya High Commissioner to Nigeria, which occurred today.

“Ambassador Machage collapsed at his home and was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after at around 12.30pm, Saturday afternoon, in Abuja, Nigeria.”

His wife was present with him at his residence when he collapsed.