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20 Boko Haram Killed, capture 4 gun trucks in Borno – Army
The Nigerian Army says its troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on Saturday killed more than 20 Boko Haram terrorists and captured equipment in an attempt to attack Askira Uba in Borno.
The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 7 Division Maiduguri, Col. Ado Isa, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Isa said the terrorists who mounted on 15 gun-trucks suspected to have come from Sambisa Forest, approached the town from different directions simultaneously.
He said the troops responded and engaged the criminals with superior fire power, with the terrorists suffering huge losses both in men, materials and equipment.
“Specifically, the troops captured four gun trucks from the criminals while some additional gun trucks were also destroyed by the Air Task Force that responded swiftly.
“Scores of the terrorists were killed and over 20 terrorists’ dead bodies were counted.
“Additionally, three boxer motorcycles, three Anti-Aircraft Guns, two PKT Machine Guns, 10 AK 47 Rifles and 13 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Bombs as well as large cache of ammunition and other weapons were captured.
Isa said that one soldier was killed while two others were wounded during the encounter, adding that the wounded were stable and responding to treatment.
“May God grant repose to the soul of the dead soldier and quick recovery to the two wounded in action.
“Troops under the guidance of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, will continue to sustain the aggressive, offensive posture to rid the entire North East of remnants of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists,’’ he said.
December 13, 2020
FG plan to build 300,000 affordable housing units for Nigerians
The presidency said on Sunday the Federal Government’s plan to build 300,000 affordable housing units for Nigerians.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said the housing units would be built under the Social Housing element of the government’s Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP).
He added that 20 state governments had declared their intention to participate in the scheme.
The states are Osun, Ogun, Enugu, Delta, Bauchi, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The presidential aide disclosed that Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Cross River, Sokoto, Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Borno, and Yobe States are also interested in the programme.
According to Akande, the government will provide houses at low prices of between N1.8million and N2million to Nigerians under the scheme.
He said: “This week, the portal to invite Nigerians interested either as beneficiaries of the Social Housing or as delivery partners would be launched by the Family Homes Fund, the Federal Government agency designated to implement the scheme.
“Under the ESP Social Housing Plan, 300,000 low-cost houses would by itself create 1.8 million jobs in the housing sector and beyond, while as indicated under the ESP approved by the President and the Federal Executive Council, the Central Bank of Nigeria has now committed N200bn facility for the Social Housing Plan.
“Under the programme, the federal government will offer one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units at low prices.
“The one-bedroom unit will cost between N1.8m and N2m, while financial assistance would be available for Nigerians to pay the mortgage.
“The form of financial assistance that will be made available to Nigerians include mortgageloans at low-interest rates.
“Financing will be arranged through the designation of a Homes Warehousing Agent that will purchase the completed housing units from the developers.”
December 13, 2020
NAF strikes eliminated Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa
1. The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has recorded more successes in its air campaign against Boko Haram Terrorists in the North East of the Country.
3. The latest of these according to a statement by
4. Major General John Enenche the coordinator Defence Media Operations was achieved through air strikes executed on 10 December 2020 at Njimia on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
6. The attack, which resulted in the neutralization of several terrorists as well as damage to their structures, was conducted after series of aerial surveillance missions showed uptick of activities in the settlement.
8. Consequently, the ATF dispatched an appropriate force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships to engage the location. The NAF attack aircraft delivered accurate hits in the target area resulting in the neutralization of several terrorists.
December 13, 2020
Kinsmen disagree with Army on cause of death of General Irefin, call for probe
The Aiyetoro-Gbede people in Kogi State have rejected the claims by the military authorities that their kinsman, the late Major General John Olubunmi Irefin, died of COVID-19-related complications.
They have therefore vowed to investigate the real cause of his death.
Their rejection was contained in a statement signed on behalf of the Ayetoro-Gbede Traditional Council and the Ayetoro Development Association on Saturday by Chief A.A. Aminu
Senator Dino Melaye, who is from the town, confirmed the authenticity of the press statement when contacted.
Aminu said he issued the statement on behalf of the Olu of Ayetoro Gbede, Oba D.S Ehindero, the Ayetoro Development Association, and the Ayetoro Gbede Traditional Council.
The late general was pronounced dead by the military authorities on December 10, 2020, as a result of COVID-19.
His kinsmen however said the circumstances which surrounded his sudden death was suspicious.
The statement read in part, “The sequence of events before the death of General Irefin and the main cause of his sudden death as propounded by the military authority, which they claimed was COVID-19 made the highest decision organs of Ayetoro-Gbede community namely, Ayetoro-Gbede Traditional Council and Ayetoro-Gbede Development Association to interrogate the main cause of his death as propounded by the military authority.
“We should not forget that General Olubunmi Irefin was in Ayetoro Gbede two weeks ago for the burial ceremony of his late mother.
“During the brief period of his stay at home, he was full of life, and, observers of the general will agree that every movement of his, was with military precision.
“Suddenly, a signal came to him from Abuja to attend Chief of Army Staff Conference which started last Monday (December 7, 2020).
“We did not hear of his sickness until the sad news came to us yesterday, 10th December, 2020 that the General died of Covid -19; and the sudden rush for his burial tomorrow (Sunday) 13th December, 2020.
“The mouthpiece of Ayetoro-Gbede community namely, Ayetoro-Gbede Traditional Council and Ayetoro-Gbede Development Association were not happy with the military establishment over the reason it claimed was responsible for the death of General Olubunmi Irefin for the following reasons:
“If the incubation period of COVID-19 is two weeks after which the victim will start to show symptoms like high fever, severe headache etc, is that the case for late General Olubunmi Irefin?
“Even if the symptoms mentioned above manifest in the general, does it also kill it victim instantly?
“At an advance age of 80 years, the former Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the late Abba Kyari, battled COVID-19 for weeks before he died.
“Common logic should tell us that General Irefin at younger age, even if it is true that he contracted COVID -19 should be able to battle it for a longer period of time.
“Except there is C0VID-20 which we doubt, COVID-19 does not kill its victims within three days.
“Why the sudden haste in the burial of the general by the military authority?
“Not until convincing answers are provided by the military authority for the above questions, the Ayetoro-Gbede community will not be happy with the military establishment over the reason they claimed was responsible for the death of our son, General Olu Irefin.”
December 13, 2020
Anthony Joshua’s Victory Is A ‘Worthy Christmas Gift’, Says Ogun Governor
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has congratulated world boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, in his title defence against his Bulgarian opponent, Kubrat Pulev in London on Saturday.
The governor in a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Kunle Somorin, in Abeokuta said Joshua displayed the “Ogun standard of excellence.”
According to Governor Abiodun, the victory is a well-deserved Christmas gift, adding that the victory will inspire others to do more.
“All of us in the state, irrespective of our religious affiliations prayed for his success. That the feat happened in London, last night can be regarded as a worthy Christmas gift from God and AJ to all of us in Ogun State. God answered us,” he said.
“God still answers prayers. We return all glory to God Almighty for granting our hearts’ desire for our brother, Anthony Joshua, to retain the IBF, WBA and WBO titles.”
Abiodun said the Ogun-born Joshua made Nigerians proud and restored confidence that in spite of the country’s challenges, the nation will overcome.
The governor also commended Joshua for his determination, hard work, resilience and focus, which he described as virtues ingrained in the DNA of Ogun people.
“May he, continue with the winning streak ad infinitum. My joy is unquantifiable. Our government has always dimensioned sports as not only a unifying factor but a socio-economic imperative.
“He has made us proud by exhibiting these traits and the can-do spirit of Ogun people. On our path, we would provide the necessary incentives to all our ambitious young men and women to become World Champions in all considerable areas of sports, not only in boxing.
The Ogun governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to developing sports in the state, noting that doing so would pull more people out of poverty and tame insecurity, social strife and crimes.”
“We are poised to fix our stadia, upgrade facilities, train sportsmen and women, motivate coaches and develop talents starting from the grassroots,” the governor added.
December 13, 2020
Parents of students abducted in Katsina stage protest, demand quick rescue of their kids
Parents of the abducted students of the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in the Kankara Local Government Area of the state, staged a protest today Sunday, December 13 to call on the Federal government to promptly rescue their children.
Armed bandits stormed the school in the early hours of Saturday, December 12 and abducted the children. Unconfirmed reports claim 600 of the students are yet to be accounted for.
Some of the parents carried placards with the inscription ‘Government must speak out’, ‘We want our children back’ and ‘We want security in Kankara’.
December 13, 2020
Kankara GSS attack: 333 schoolboys still missing, says Masari
Governor Aminu Masari on Sunday said 333 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara are yet to be found.
He made the disclosure in Katsina State when the Minister of Defence, Gen. Salihi Magashi (retd.), led the nation’s service chiefs on a sympathy visit to the state over Friday’s bandits’ abduction of the students of the school.
Those on the entourage included the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Air Staff, and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency.
The governor said, “The children so far kidnapped cut across the state because the boarding school houses all children from all parts of the state and some even from outside the state.
“It has a population of 839 and so far we are yet to account for 333 students. We are still counting because more are coming out from the forest and we are calling those parents that have phone numbers to find out whether or not their children have gone back home.
“Based on the available record we have, we are still searching for 333 students through either the forest or their parents to ascertain the actual number that has been kidnapped.”
Masari said the bandits were yet to contact either the government or anybody on the abduction.
He assured that efforts were being made to ensure the students’ release.
He said, “We, as a government, are yet to be contacted by any group or person responsible for the kidnap of the students.”
General Magashi, in his response, assured the state of the Federal Government’s assistance.
He said, “I was here around August on the same kind of mission to sympathise with the government regarding the farmers-herders’ clashes. Today, we are here also to sympathise with you over the recent abduction of secondary school students which is a more or less ruthless exercise conducted to temper with the education of the students.”
The meeting later went into a closed-door session.
December 13, 2020
Council Elections: APC Wins All 21 LGAs, PDP, SDP Kicks In Kogi
By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kogi State on Saturday swept all the 21 local government councils polls held.
The election was contested by other political parties in the state as voters turned out to vote for their respective candidates.
It was gathered that though there was low turnout in some places, but it was peaceful through out the state as crisis was not witnessed during the election.
The elected chairmen according to information made available to press are expected to be swear in on Monday at government house Lokoja.
However, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kogi state chapter has faulted the council polls across the 21 Local Government councils of the State describing it as a big mockery to the nations nascent democracy.
The State Publicity Secretary of the Party, Mr Bode Ogunmola in a statement on Saturday, described the entire process as a scam.
He said the State Government should have opened up to the entire Kogite that they were not ready to conduct any council election rather than wasting the precious time of electorates who were willing to express their anger through the ballot on the maladministration of the present All Progressive Congress, (APC), in the last five years in the state.
Ogunmola noted that the information made available to him from across the state polling booths showed that there was no election conducted anywhere in the State.
The Party spokesperson alleged that some thugs loyal to the ruling party, invaded the headquarter of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, (KOSIEC), on Friday night, to snatch ballot boxes into an unknown destinations.
Also, the state chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP) Alhaji Muktar Atimah has condemned the outcome of the election.
Speaking with newsmen on Sunday, he pointed out that having received assurances from the SIEC Chairman of conducting a credible polls, he lamented that the council election lacked the minimum standard, as it was an abberetion to known democracy.
The State SDP Chairman called on the members of the party to observe a month of mourning as a way of registering there displesure to the conduct of the concluded Kogi State Council election.
December 13, 2020
Terrorists kidnap groom and best man in Borno
Suspected members of Boko Haram sect have kidnapped a groom and his best man as they were returning from his wedding in Borno State.
According to the Nation, the groom is an employee of the UN World Food Programme, and the best man a colleague from the International Committee of the Red Cross. They were reportedly abducted by the Islamic State West Africa Province on Wednesday, at a checkpoint near Jakana village.
They had gone to the wedding in neighboring Adamawa State and were stopped at an illegal checkpoint at about 12.30 pm.
The UN in an internal memo released on Wednesday, informed its staff about the abduction of a “UN national staff embarking on a private trip… by NSAG (non-state armed group)”.
ISWAP said on Friday that it seized “two Christians working for the Red Cross organisation”. The group said the incident occurred at a checkpoint between the village of Mainok and Maiduguri.
December 13, 2020
Edo State Police Command uncovers plot to rob banks, commercial centres
The Edo State Police Command said it has uncovered a plot by suspected armed robbers to to rob banks, commercial centres and shops across the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Johnson Kokumo, who disclosed this on Saturday, December 12, said intelligence gathered suggested that these bandits had procured sophisticated weapons to unleash terror on the state.
He, however warned that the men and officers of the command had the capacity to deal with anyone or group who might plan to cause mayhem before, during and after the yuletide.
“We have uncovered plans by bandits to attack banks and throw the state into panic. But I can assure that adequate security had been put in place to towards a hitch-free Christmas and New year celebrations,” the CP assured.

“Already, Armoured Personnel Carry and other equipment have been put in place to combat any security breach in the state.” he added.

While lamenting that the release of 2000 prisoners by hoodlums who hijacked the #ENDSARS protest had compounded the security challenges in the state, he urged the citizens to work with the police by reporting suspicious characters to the command.
December 13, 2020