News

Soldiers killed 10 terrorist leaders, 964 fighters in February – DHQ

Published

10 months ago

February 29, 2024

By Francesca Hangeior

The Defence Headquarters has said that troops on operations across the country neutralized 10 terrorist leaders and 964 fighters in February.

The troops also arrested 621 terrorists, and rescued 466 kidnap victims, while 1,157 Boko Haram terrorists and their members of their families surrendered to troops.

The military high command said this through the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, at a briefing at the Defence Headquarters Abuja on Thursday, February 29.

The Defence spokesperson also said troops recovered 1,573 weapons, 23,345 ammunitions, 8,993,245 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,062,635 litres of diesel, 18,950 litres of kerosene, and 45,950 litres of petrol.

Giving details of the success of troops in the different battlefields across the country, Gen. Buba said troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the northeast killed 242 terrorists neutralized, arrested 57 suspects, and rescued 42 kidnap victims. He also said 1,157 Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters and their families surrendered to the troops.

“Troops also covered 198 AK47 rifles, 61 fabricated, 30 dane guns, 45 assorted arms, 3,692 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,854 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 339 assorted ammunitions,” Buba said.
On troops’ successes in the North Central zone, the military high command said troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN and Operation WHIRL STROKE killed 131 terrorists, arrested 254 suspects and rescued 72 kidnap victims.

He said the troops also recovered 113 rifles, 205 fabricated and assorted weapons, and 5, 619 ammunition.

Speaking on troops’ successes in the northeast in February, the military high command said troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI and Operation While Punch killed 495 terrorists, arrested 241 others, and rescued 333 kidnap victims.

He said: “Notable terrorist warlords killed during the month of February in Operation Hadarin Daji are ASHIRU and KACHAMBI, neutralized early Feb 24 by troops in conjunction with vigilantes around Faru, Maradun local government area of Zamfara State, DOGON RAƘUMI neutralized by troops on February 3, during operation in Ƙungurki area of Ƙaura Namoda LGA.

“Others are Sulen NAGALA, LAUSHI and BANGIS neutralized on February 11 during an encounter at Gandaya area of Bingi District of Maru, MALAM was eliminated on 18 February 18 along Koluwai Road in Zurmi LGA, Alhaji BALDU, Baban YARA and Alhaji KABIRU killed on February 24 during rival gang clash in Hayin Alhaji area of Tsafe LGA.”

On operation DELTA SAFE in the South-South, Gen. Buba said troops killed 10 terrorists and neutralized and arrested 359 oil thieves and other suspected violent extremists.

The Defence spokesperson said troops in the South East Operation UDO KA in February killed 106 terrorists, arrested 69 suspects, and rescued 19 kidnap victims.

He said troops also recovered 19 AK47 rifles, 46 pump action guns, 1,717 rounds of 7.62mm special, 586 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 864 live cartridges, 263 assorted ammunitions, and 60 other equipment.

News

Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day

Published

15 minutes ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.

Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.

This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.

News

Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget

Published

24 minutes ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.

This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.

During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”

The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.

Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:

Federal Medical Centre, Bida
Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
Federal College of Education, Yola
Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
Federal University of Technology, Minna
Cross River Basin Development Authority
Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
National Examination Council (NECO)
Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
Presidential Amnesty Programme
Galaxy Backbone
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals

Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.

The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.

News

Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability

Published

33 minutes ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called for the revitalization and strengthening of the National Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC) to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance across Nigeria.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, stated this at the joint sitting of Public Accounts Committees of Senate and House and inauguration of an Adhoc Committee for the reconvening of NAPAC at the National Assembly on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of collaboration among Public Accounts Committees at both federal and state levels.

Formed in 2014, NAPAC comprises 38 chapters nationwide, including the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and all 36 State Houses of Assembly, Rep. Salam noted that the Association has been dormant in recent years, necessitating urgent action to restore its relevance.

He stated, “This Association is a pivotal platform for promoting transparency and accountability in governance. However, in recent times, the Association’s activities have been dormant, necessitating the need for a quick revitalization.

“It is in this context that we are inaugurating this Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with the vital responsibility of reconvening the meeting of NAPAC.”

Salam outlined committee’s objectives, including reviving NAPAC’s activities, adopting innovative strategies to combat corruption, and collaborating with anti-corruption agencies, civil society, and the media.

He also stressed the importance of leveraging partnerships with continental and regional associations such as AFROPAC, WAPAC, and SADCOPAC for capacity building and knowledge sharing.

“The task ahead is daunting, but with collective effort, unwavering commitment, and an unshakeable faith in our nation’s potential, I am confident that we shall succeed,” he added.

In an interaction with journalists, thr Committee chairman, stressed plans to engage with the Auditor General of the Federation and Accountant General of the Federation to address delays in submitting reports on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“Of course, Nigerians should expect that we’re going to have more productivity, especially in consideration of the report of the Auditor General,” he said.

He noted that only the 2021 Auditor General’s report is currently before the National Assembly, a situation he described as inconsistent with constitutional provisions. Salam expressed the committee’s determination to ensure Nigeria catches up with the 2022 and 2023 reports by next year.

He added, “We’ll also be able to bring more of these agencies of government in line to ensure that all monies appropriated by the National Assembly are spent judiciously, efficiently, and in a lawful manner.”