News
NAF Expresses ‘Concern’ Over Death Of Civilians In Zamfara Airstrike, Begins Probe
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has expressed concern over reports that its airstrikes on terrorist hideouts, including areas linked to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, led to the death of civilians in Zamfara State.
Reports had said the airstrike on the Tungar Kara community under the Gidan Goga district of Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State, on Saturday evening, mistakenly hit members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), local vigilantes and residents, leaving at least 16 people dead.
A lawmaker representing Maradun II Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Maharazu Salisu Gado Faru, who confirmed the report had described the airstrike as an accident, stating that it targeted local vigilantes who mobilised to counter the bandits.
Responding to the incident, NAF spokesperson AVM Akinboyewa in a Sunday statement titled, “NAF Conducts Decisive Air Strikes in Zamfara, Investigating Vigilante Casualty Reports.” said its operations were usually conducted with caution for human lives.
While confirming an investigation is underway to ascertain the truth of these claims, Akinboyewa emphasised that no credible evidence supports reports of civilian casualties.
“The Nigerian Air Force, the recent airstrike at Tungar Kara in Zumi Local Government Area of Zamrafa State, dealt a decisive blow to bandits terrorising villages in the area.
“However, while the operation successfully eliminated several bandits and led to the recovery of some kidnap victims, the NAF views with great concern reports of the loss of civilian lives on the course of the operation.
“A responsible and professional custodian of airpower for the security of the nation, the NAF believes in the absolute value of the life of every Nigerian.
“Accordingly, a comprehensive investigation is in progress, to ascertain the veracity of the report, the outcome of which will be duly communicated to inform and reassure the public.
“Please be rest assured that, while our mission in the North West remains to combat banditry and restore peace, the safety and well-being of all Nigerians are of utmost importance.
“We will therefore, work closely with relevant authorities to unravel the facts and take appropriate steps, as part of our unwavering commitment to prevent, minimise and mitigate any harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure in the course of our operations,” the statement said.
The National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance has warned that it may discontinue the Federal Government’s grant to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in the 2025 budget due to concerns over excessive spending.
This was the resolution after the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, presented the agency’s 2025 budget proposal to the Joint Committee comprising members of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Oloyede disclosed that while JAMB remitted N4 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund in 2024, it also received a N6 billion grant from the Federal Government.
This raised concerns among committee members, including Rep. Abiodun Faleke and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who questioned the justification for allocating government funds to JAMB, which is supposed to be a self-sustaining agency.
News
E-Customs: Absence of Interior Minister, Comptroller General Customs, Immigration Stalls Probe On Trade Mordeniation Project
In his ruling, Chairman Committee on Customs, Rep. Leke Abejide, emphasized that the investigative hearing on customs modernization focuses on enhancing government revenue, while the second aspect concerns national security.
Rep. Abejide noted that despite the lawmakers’ tight schedules, they prioritized this national assignment. However, he stated that the investigative hearing would need to be rescheduled, preferably after the passage of the national budget and at a time when the key stakeholders can be present to address questions from the committee.
The Committee’s mandate includes probing the concession of customs operations to the Trade Modernisation Project and examining why Webb Fontaine, which has been overseeing the collection process, continues to manage the system.
They are also tasked with investigating the due diligence conducted in selecting the Trade Modernisation Project to take over e-customs operations from Webb Fontaine, assessing TMP’s performance under the concession, and reviewing the introduction of modern scanners aimed at expediting goods clearance processes.
By Francesca Hangeior
Suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will receive a scheduled pay rise, official documents showed on Monday, despite an impeachment trial and investigation into his ill-fated martial law declaration.
Yoon suspended civilian rule on December 3, sending soldiers into parliament and plunging South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades. He was forced to backtrack hours later.
He has been impeached by lawmakers and is awaiting a final Constitutional Court ruling that could finalise his removal from office, while separately facing an insurrection probe with investigators seeking to detain him for questioning.
However, Yoon was given a raise, according to the civil servant salary table for 2025, even as he remains holed up in the presidential residence using his security detail to resist arrest.
The document from the Ministry of Personnel Management, seen by AFP on Monday, indicates Yoon’s salary will rise to 262.6 million won ($178,400) — a three percent raise compared with last year.
Yoon is only suspended from duty because the impeachment motion is still being deliberated by the Constitutional Court, so he retains his status as president and will be able to receive his salary and security benefits.
His successor as acting president, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was himself impeached and is now suspended from office, will also receive a salary raise of three percent to 203.5 million ($138,350).
“It makes my blood boil. He’s (Yoon) getting paid for doing nothing,” one user wrote in a post on social media platform X that quickly went viral.
Yoon has refused to meet prosecutors and investigators probing his martial law declaration, and his presidential guard unit thwarted an attempt to arrest him following a tense, hours-long standoff this month.
Investigators are preparing another arrest attempt.
Rival protests for and against Yoon have been staged almost daily in the South Korean capital since the crisis began.
NASS Threatens To Discontinue Funding JAMB, Over N1bn Spending On Refreshment
E-Customs: Absence of Interior Minister, Comptroller General Customs, Immigration Stalls Probe On Trade Mordeniation Project
South Korea’s impeached president gets pay rise
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