By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Seven notorious Boko Haram members have surrendered to troops of the Multinational Joint Taskforce in Borno State.

A statement on Wednesday by the Chief Military Information Officer of the MNJTF, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba said the effort was facilitated by Multinational Joint Task Force, operating under Sector 3 Mongunu.

Boko Haram suspects
According to the statement, the terrorists who have been operating in the Damasak axis of the state laid down their arms to embrace peace.

The statement reads in part, “In a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad Region, troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), operating under Sector 3 Mongunu, have successfully facilitated the surrender of 7 suspected notorious Boko Haram terrorists with large cache of arms who have been active in the Damasak axis of Borno State, Nigeria.”

He said, “The suspected Boko Haram terrorists identified as Mallam Baba Ibrahim (19), Malam Bamai Ali (20), Mallam Jundu Ali (19), Mallam Abba Ali (25), Mallam Abubakar Mohammed (20), Tijjani Ali (20 yrs) and Mallam Ali Mommudu (25) voluntarily turned themselves into MNJTF troops at Walada village in Damasak after sustained offensive operation by own troops.”

Recovered items
He stated that suspected terrorists confessed to having been involved in numerous terrorist activities across Northern Borno.

They expressed their exhaustion with the conflict,though they previously feared they will be killed if they surrendered,” he added

The substantial arms cache and equipment surrendered by the suspected terrorists included 2 RPG tubes, 4 RPG bombs, an AK-47 rifle, an HK 21 German machine gun, and 8 empty magazines. Additionally, they handed over 2 horses, 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 715 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 51 NATO rounds, 12 mobile phones, 6 small solar panels, 2 bandoliers, and 4 knives, among other items. The former insurgents are now providing valuable intelligence to the MNJTF.”

Recovered arms
Osoba urged other terrorists to follow suit and surrender their arms in exchange for peace.

“The MNJTF wishes to encourage other terrorists to take this opportunity to surrender as laying down arms is a crucial step towards achieving lasting peace in the Lake Chad Region,” he said

He reiterated the MNJTF’s commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and restoring stability throughout the area.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to show cause why the mandate of the Chief Dan Orbih led South-South zonal executive should not be upheld.

Justice I Ekwo gave the order upon a motion ex-parte filed by Chief Orbih and his 22-member zonal executive against the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and members of the caretaker zonal executive as announced by the PDP national publicity secretary, Hon Debo Ologundagba.

Justice Ekwo in the 5-point order also gave an instruction for substituted service on the PDP through a national newspaper and on the national secretariat.

Recall that the order follows the decision of a section of the national leadership to appoint a caretaker executive for the zonal chapter of the party following the zonal congress that produced Chief Orbih.

In their prayers, the plaintiffs are asking among others an order to restrain the 2nd to the 11th defendants or their privies or agents from “invading, breaking into or taking over the offices of the plaintiffs at the South South Zonal Secretariat,” or “howsoever taking any steps to oust the Plaintiffs from their offices, pending the hearing and determination of the Plaintiffs Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.”

The plaintiffs are also asking the court for an “order of Injunction directing the parties to maintain status quo ante bellum and not to take any steps to prejudice the hearing and determination of the substantive originating summons before this Honourable Court.”

The court action follows the decision of a section of the National Working Committee, NWC to appoint Chief Emma Ogidi as chairman of a caretaker committee for the South-South Zone of the party despite the zonal congress in Calabar that produced Chief Dan Orbih as zonal chairman.

Orbih and the 21 other members of his zonal committee are plaintiffs while the INEC, PDP are the first and second defendants. Emma Ogidi and other members of the caretaker committee as appointed by the NPS are the 3rd to 9th defendants, the PDP acting national chairman, Amb Iliya Damagun is the 10th defendant while Hon Ologunagba is the 11th defendant.

By Francesca Hangeior

The presidential compressed natural gas initiative (PCNGi) says a “thorough investigation” will determine the cause of a tanker explosion on the Abuja-Keffi expressway.

The tanker exploded  on Wednesday evening near the Karu bridge in the federal capital territory (FCT).

While several cars have been reportedly burnt in the explosion, it was unclear if there were casualties.

PCNGi in a statement expressed grief over the “tragic accident”, saying it may have been caused by possible brake failure. 

“Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this devastating incident,” the statement reads.

“While initial reports suggest the involvement of a Bi-Fueled Petrol Tanker, we urge the public to await the outcome of a thorough investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

“Preliminary accounts indicate a possible brake system failure leading to the explosion of the petrol storage tank, but it is crucial to avoid speculation until all facts are established.

“The PCNG Initiative remains committed to promoting the safe and sustainable use of CNG as a cleaner energy alternative.

“We will continue to work closely with relevant authorities, including the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Fire Service, and other stakeholders, to ensure that safety standards are upheld and incidents like this are prevented in the future.

“We commend the swift response of the emergency responders, including FEMA, the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who are on the ground working tirelessly to rescue victims and manage the situation.”