News
How Troops’ Tactical Retreat Led To Bandits’ Access To Military Vehicle In Zamfara – Sources
Contrary to reports that terrorists loyal to notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji captured a military Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) in Zamfara State, fresh facts have emerged revealing a more nuanced situation.
Credible local security sources in the North-Western state have informed PRNigeria that the terrorists did not forcefully seize the military vehicle.
Instead, the sources explained that the APC became stuck in a marshy area while troops responded to a distress call after a failed high-level reconciliatory meeting between bandits and locals in Zurmi.
The troops were forced to abandon the vehicle temporarily and return to their base for reinforcement and a suitable vehicle to tow the APC.
Recall that an online amateur video showed Bello Turji and his gang celebrating their recent capture of an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) belonging to the Nigerian Army.
The footage also displayed the gang boasting about their acquisition of a significant cache of ammunition.
However, one of the sources, with substantial evidence to support his assertion, narrated to PRNigeria how the military vehicle got into the hands of Turji’s bandits.
He said: “This is what happened. The Nigerian military was alerted by a distress call about a high-level reconciliatory meeting between Balleri banditry gang and some Zamfara locals in the Zurmi axis. But by the time the Baleri boys arrived at the meeting venue, they were attacked by another group also invited to the truce meeting.
“The meeting was called to resolve the differences between the locals and the bandits, similar to the same truce working in the Shinkafi area where there is relatively peaceful coexistence.
“So, it was in the process that troops swung into action. Unfortunately, the APC vehicle they boarded to the area became stuck in a marshy area. As a result, they could not move. Therefore, they had to temporarily abandon the military vehicle, return to their base for adequate reinforcement, and bring in another truck that could tow the APC.
“So, the military APC was not captured by Bello Turji and his terrorists. They only took over the vehicle after noticing that troops had withdrawn for formidable reinforcement to avoid being ambushed. You know it would be foolhardy for the troops to remain with their stranded vehicle. Their adversaries could easily launch a deadly ambush attack. So, the reports that Bello Turji captured a military vehicle in Zamfara yesterday were baseless,” the source said.
PRNigeria gathered that the incident occurred on Thursday evening.
By PRNigeria
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has began airlifting the sensitive election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Benin, Edo State, ahead of the upcoming governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Kabiru Ali.
The operation is part of the NAF’s efforts to ensure the timely and secure delivery of materials necessary for a smooth electoral process.
This development reinforces the collaboration between NAF and INEC to facilitate logistics and ensure a peaceful election in Edo State.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, had previously reiterated NAF’s commitment to providing airlift support for the swift movement of electoral materials during a meeting with INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
This airlift operation is a crucial aspect of NAF’s constitutional responsibility to provide Military Aid to Civil Authority, underscoring the force’s dedication to supporting democratic processes in Nigeria. With the election just days away, the NAF’s timely intervention will help ensure the successful conduct of the governorship elections in Edo State.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State had earlier accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hunt the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and supporters in the state and force them into hiding ahead of September 21 governorship election.
Obaseki, who made the allegation when a delegation led by the former Head of State, Abdusalam Abubakar, met with him to get the governor and his party to sign peace accord, said that the IGP had made nonsense of his (Obaseki’s) role as the chief security officer of the state.
The governor had said that the police chief obtained a warrant to arrest 60 members and supporters of PDP in Edo and that the IGP sent an armed “gang” of policemen who invaded the state, attacked PDP members, shot at a local government chairman and arrested 10 persons who are currently being detained in Abuja without charges.
Asked by the former head of state if his party would sign the peace accord, Obaseki said, “The person who is supposed to enforce the peace accord is now an active participant in creating a destructive environment.
“We are now in a situation where from the Inspector General’s office, there are armed gang policemen who came into Edo State, invaded, arrested and took away PDP members.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has given reasons why he loves dancing.
The ‘Dancing Governor’, as he is fondly called, revealed this on Wednesday while responding to a tweet on X.
An X user, @Iwogoke, while praising the governor, stated that Adeleke has been busy fulfilling his electoral promises to the people of Osun State, while his political opponents believe he is only good at dancing.
Iwogoke tweeted, “I’m not flattering you, Your Excellency, your opponents think you can only dance but while they are busy shouting and calling you ‘Dancing Governor’, you are busy fulfilling your electoral promises to the people.”
Responding to the tweet via his verified X account, Adeleke explained that he loves dancing because it brings him joy.
Speaking further on his love for dancing, Adeleke highlighted that while dancing brings him immense happiness, his greater fulfilment comes from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Osun.
Outlining his administration’s efforts to enhance the state’s infrastructure, he noted that primary health centre rehabilitation is underway in at least 200 out of the 332 wards across Osun State, adding that road construction projects are also progressing in every local government area.
He wrote, “Dancing gives me joy, but delivering on my electoral promises and providing the dividends of democracy to the good people of Osun gives me even greater joy. Rehabilitation of primary health centers is ongoing in at least 200 out of 332 wards, and road construction is progressing in every Local Government!”
Ecoparl: Speaker Ibrahima Reaffirms Parliament’s Dedication to Regional Unity
Air Force Begins Moving Electoral Materials For Edo Guber Election
“Dancing gives me abundant joy and peace of mind”-Gov Adeleke
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