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Troops of Operations Fansan Yamma and Hadin Kai have rescued three kidnap victims, foiled an attempted abduction, arrested six suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and neutralised a terrorist in separate operations across Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi and Yobe states.

The troops also recovered 10 new motorcycles allegedly meant for terrorists, as well as weapons, ammunition and other logistics items, according to separate military statements issued on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Col Aliyu Danja and the Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt Mohammed Goni.

In Zamfara State, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma responded to a distress call on July 20 after terrorists attempted to abduct civilians from a residence in Shiyan Abiyola, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.

The swift intervention of the troops forced the assailants to flee without carrying out the abduction, while troops subsequently dominated the area to prevent further attacks.

In a separate operation on July 19, troops on patrol in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State rescued three kidnap victims who escaped from a terrorist hideout during a heavy downpour while their captors were asleep.

The victims were abducted on July 14 while working on their farms in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The victims were subsequently handed over to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families.

Meanwhile, troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, arrested six suspected logistics suppliers allegedly linked to a terrorist network in Kebbi State and recovered 10 new Honda motorcycles.

The operation began when troops intercepted a white commercial bus along the Biu-Kangiwa axis in Arewa Local Government Area of the state on July 20.

Two suspects, identified as Salisu Mohammad, 35, and Bashir Musa, 36, were arrested while transporting the motorcycles, which were concealed in cartons.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the motorcycles were being transported to a known terrorist leader identified as Mallam Gehowa, who operates around the Amogoro axis.

Acting on intelligence obtained from the initial arrests, troops conducted a follow-up operation that led to the arrest of four additional suspects allegedly sent by the terrorist group to receive the consignment.

The six suspects, the recovered motorcycles and the commercial bus were handed over to the Department of State Services, Kebbi State Command, for further investigation.

In Yobe State, troops of Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised a suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province terrorist and recovered weapons and other logistics items after foiling an attempt by the insurgents to collect illegal levies from communities.

The troops, acting on credible intelligence, engaged suspected terrorists travelling in two Volkswagen Golf vehicles and motorcycles along the Paya Kafiya axis on July 19.

During the ensuing firefight, one of the vehicles was immobilised, and its driver neutralised, while four other terrorists reportedly fled into the bush with gunshot wounds.

Follow-up operations along the Paya Kafiya–Garin Gada axis on July 20 led to the recovery of the abandoned vehicle, 25 rounds of belted PKT ammunition, one loaded AK-47 magazine, 15 empty PKT ammunition cases, assorted drugs and mechanical tools believed to support terrorist logistics activities.

The military authorities commended the troops for their vigilance, professionalism and swift response, while urging residents to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies.

They said the operations demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven offensives in disrupting terrorist networks, their sources of funding and logistics across the North-West and North-East theatres.

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The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), has advocated mandatory drug screening for intending couples.

Marwa made the call on Tuesday at the launch of the Campaign Against Drug Abuse and the signing of Executive Orders establishing the Jigawa State Task Force on Drug Abuse Control and Mass Mobilisation for Social Reorientation at the Government House, Dutse.

He said the screening should become as important as HIV and genotype tests before marriage.

According to him, many marriages are disrupted shortly before wedding ceremonies after one of the intending couples is found to be abusing illicit drugs, a situation he described as avoidable through early screening.

“Today, when our children are preparing for marriage, families routinely request HIV test results and genotype compatibility tests. Why shouldn’t we also request a drug-free certificate? This should apply to both the bride and the groom,” he said.

The NDLEA boss noted that no parent would willingly give out a daughter in marriage to a known drug addict, stressing that drug screening before marriage would help families make informed decisions and protect homes from the devastating effects of substance abuse.

He urged the Jigawa State Government to consider adopting the initiative as part of its strategy to combat drug abuse, adding that the campaign had continued to gain acceptance in different parts of the country.

Marwa disclosed that the NDLEA handles cases almost daily involving marriages cancelled just days before the wedding because one of the intending couples tested positive for illicit drug use.

He reiterated that drug abuse remains a major threat to families, communities, and national development, calling on parents, religious leaders, traditional institutions, and civil society organisations to support efforts aimed at preventing substance abuse among young people.

The NDLEA Chairman commended Governor Umar Namadi for establishing the Jigawa State Task Force on Drug Abuse Control, describing the initiative as a proactive step that other states should emulate in the fight against illicit drug use.

Commenting after the signing of the two executive orders, Governor Namadi urged members of the newly inaugurated task forces to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, dedication, and patience.

He described the fight against drug abuse and societal reorientation as long-term assignments requiring sustained commitment rather than short-term interventions.

Governor Namadi commended NDLEA Chairman Marwa for the agency’s continued partnership with the state and praised the Jigawa State Command of the NDLEA for its operational achievements, including the seizure of nearly 2,000 kilograms of illicit drugs worth over N2.8 billion and securing 136 convictions.

He appealed to the NDLEA leadership to provide additional operational support to the Jigawa Command to ensure the effective implementation of the newly signed Executive Orders.

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has threatened to sue the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, over what it called defamatory claims.

In a statement by Acting Director, Department of Development Control, Bashir Madaki Sunusi, the FCTA asked AEDC to withdraw the allegations and apologize or face legal action.

It rejected AEDC’s claim that its officials unlawfully encroached on the C2 Maitama Substation, describing it as false and an attempt to undermine officials carrying out their duties.

According to the FCTA, the visit followed a complaint by a lawful land allottee with a valid Certificate of Occupancy who alleged his property access was blocked.

It said the team, accompanied by surveyors, carried out boundary verification and beacon identification to determine whether there had been any encroachment, insisting that no electricity infrastructure was tampered with and that power supply remained uninterrupted after the exercise.

It further alleged that AEDC invited its officials to a meeting after the inspection but failed to honour the appointment, despite the team waiting for several hours.

It accused the electricity distribution company of attempting to intimidate and blackmail its personnel through a defamatory public statement, maintaining that it would continue to enforce development control regulations without fear or favour.

The FCTA demanded that AEDC immediately withdraw the publication from all platforms and issue an unreserved public apology to the Department and the affected officials.