News
Joint troop waste top terrorists commanders, Turji desperate to flee
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, has said the relentless military onslaught against terrorists in Zamfara State has thrown notorious terrorist kingpin Bello Turji into a desperate scramble for escape.
Musa also said the elimination of two of his top commanders, Kachalla Gwammade and Kachalla Shehu on Thursday night has sent shivers down the spine of Turji.
He stated this on Friday at the closing ceremony of the CDS Joint Task Force Commanders Conference in Abuja.
“In a follow-up operation, troops advanced into Tufan and Mashima villages, further dislodging armed groups and pushing them deeper into the forest.
“In a symbolic strike against banditry, the security forces also returned to the once-cleared area of Bello Turji.
“The remaining portions of his camp, previously targeted in past offensives, were obliterated in a final suit to erase his presence from the region.
“Reports indicate that both Turji and Sani Black are now in this area desperately seeking escape routes as the pressure mounts,” he said.
The defence chief said the ongoing offensives had shown no signal of a shift in the government’s approach to tackling banditry in Zamfara and the wider Northwest.
He said that the security forces had sent a strong message to all armed groups in the country that the era of impunity was over.
“For years, bandits, terrorists and criminals have exploded the difficult terrain within our country, creating well-fortified hideouts and lodging deadly raids on communities.
“However, with the current operations gaining momentum, the tide appears to be turning as troops start their drip and air assaults continue precision strikes.
“Special forces from the land, the maritime and the air are working assiduously to ensure that we secure the entire nation,” he added.
Musa reaffirmed that the military will sustain its momentum until all terrorist factions are neutralized.
“The past three days have been filled with engaging discussions, insightful presentations, and invaluable knowledge-sharing. This conference has provided us with the opportunity to reflect on our collective efforts and the challenges ahead,” he said.
Musa said the conference provided an opportunity to generate ideas on how to ensure the effectiveness and success of all joint operations.
Some of the key takeaways, according to him, are the importance of effort, resourcefulness, and the need for the political class to show more commitment to addressing the security challenges.
“Nevertheless, as an armed force, we must foster a culture of cooperation, collaboration, and synergy among our troops.
“By breaking down barriers, sharing our resources, and leveraging on each other’s strengths, we can maximize our collective impact and achieve our shared objectives.
“Let us therefore bring the spirit of jointness back to our respective task forces and integrate it into our daily operations,” he added.
The CDS charged commanders to remain committed, dedicated, and focused in all their activities and to understand the enormity of the task ahead.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu has given them a mandate to secure Nigeria and urged them to be innovative and adapt to the changing environment.
He said the ever-evolving security landscape, requires them to continuously assess and improve their strategies, tactics, and capabilities to effectively counter the emerging threats.
The management of Kaduna Electric has agreed to review its past actions after the two in-house labour unions promised to restore electricity to Kaduna State and all its franchise States with immediate effect.
The resolutions were reached after Governor Uba Sani convened a meeting, which ended around 8pm with both parties on Friday at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.
The labour unions of Kaduna Electric embarked on industrial action since last Sunday, following the decision of the management to sack 444 workers, plunging Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States to darkness.
At the end of the meeting which lasted into Friday night, Governor Uba Sani promised to be the guarantor as he would ensure fairness to both sides after the parties agreed to sit down and take a joint decision.
‘’The unions praised the Governor for his intervention. They also commended the Management, ably led by Dr Hashidu, for moving Kaduna Electric forward,’’ the resolution stated.
The unions also ‘’noted that the Management is operating under stringent conditions, given the prevailing economic situation in the country but promised to help it to succeed.’’
The parties also noted that the Management of Kaduna Electric and the labour unions are partners in progress, adding that what happened was as a result of a breakdown in communication.
The meeting also argued that ‘’there must be a give-and-take on the side of both the Management and Labour in order to find an amicable settlement of the dispute.’’
The resolution was signed by Dr Umar Abubakar Hashidu, the Managing Director of the electricity company, Comrade Wisdom Nwachukwu, the Vice President(Distribution) of National Union of Electricity Employees(NUEE), Comrade Rilwanu Shehu, Deputy President North of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).
Other union members that signed the resolution include Comrade Muhammed Musa, Deputy President North of NUEE and Comrade Haruna Ahmed Tinau, Deputy Secretary General(North).
Engr Idris Ahmed Idris, the Managing Director of Kaduna Power Supply Company also signed the resolution.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), yesterday, said there was no explosion at the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC).
Its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr Olufemi Soneye disclosed this in a rejoinder which stressed that any contrary report was utterly false.
Soneye said routine maintenance was in progress in the plant.
The statement said, “NNPC Ltd wishes to clarify that there was no explosion at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC). Any reports suggesting otherwise are completely false.”
NNPCL recalled that on January 25, 2025, operations at WRPC Area 1 were intentionally curtailed to carry out necessary intervention works on select equipment, including field instruments that were impacting sustainable and steady operations.
According to the statement, “The intervention works are essential to ensure the production of on specification finished and intermediate products, particularly Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Kerosene (Kero).”
Nigerian passport holders can travel to 45 countries worldwide without needing a visa, according to a recent travel update.
This offers a convenient option for those looking to travel without the hassle of visa applications.
Of these 45 countries, 27 allow visa-free entry, while others provide options like visa-on-arrival or require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The entry requirements vary by country, making international travel easier for Nigerians.
This update, sourced from Visaindex, highlights the growing opportunities for Nigerian citizens.
With access to countries across different continents, Nigerians can travel for tourism, business, or family visits with less red tape.
The Gambia
In 2019, The Gambia declared itself a visa-free zone for all African travelers. The policy extends to visitors from Commonwealth nations, the European Union, and even select Baltic states. This openness has significantly boosted tourism and trade in the West African nation.
Benin
Inspired by Rwanda’s openness, President Patrice Talon announced in 2019 that Benin would eliminate visa restrictions for all Africans. This decision has strengthened Benin’s position as a hub for West African commerce and travel.
Kenya
In October 2023, Kenyan President William Ruto declared that by the end of the year, Kenya would eliminate visa restrictions for all African travelers. The goal? To enhance trade, strengthen economic ties, and position Kenya as a leader in African interconnectivity.
Rwanda
In November 2023, Rwanda announced its visa-free entry policy for all African nationals. President Paul Kagame emphasized that any African could now travel to Rwanda without paying a fee, reinforcing the nation’s reputation as a top tourist destination in Africa.
Ghana
Ghana recently joined the ranks of visa-free African nations, opening its doors to travelers from across the continent. This decision aligns with Ghana’s vision of becoming a major hub for trade, investment, and tourism in West Africa. The move is expected to attract business professionals, entrepreneurs, and tourists alike, strengthening Ghana’s economic position.
Barbados
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Chad
Cook Islands
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Dominica
Fiji
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Haiti
Kiribati
Liberia
Mali
Micronesia
Montserrat
Niger
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Togo
Vanuatu
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