Kidnapping Of Students: Atiku Insists On Government Declaring State Of Emergency

March 15, 2021

Former Nigerian Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has repeated his call on the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the education sector to address the incessant kidnapping of students in the nation’s schools.

In a statement today, March 15, reacting to the latest Kaduna school kidnapping, Atiku said: “I repeat my call for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency, and to post 24 hour armed guards at every school in the affected and neighbouring states. No expense must be spared to keep our schools safe.”

He said that with 13.5 million children already out of school, the recent spate of kidnapping could only make things worse.

It behooves on us as a nation to act decisively and excise this cancer of school abductions from our polity with clinically precise policies.

“We must also stop paying ransom at random. It is a short term solution that will cause much long term destruction. We must as a nation impose law and order now, or we will bequeath lawlessness and disorder to the next generation. And may God forbid that.”

Air Force Helicopters Kill Dozens ISWAP/Boko Haram Fighters In Borno

Editorial staff

March 15, 2021

Aerial bombardments executed by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Fighter Helicopters have killed dozens of ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists at Damasak, the headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.

It was gathered that the armed terrorists with sophisticated ammunition, stormed Damasak town yesterday, March 14 in gun trucks to attack residents and that their attempt was foiled by the swift response of NAF helicopters, deployed to engage the Boko Haram elements.

A military intelligence officer, who craved anonymity, said the aerial bombardments of the NAF fighter aircraft eliminated over a dozen of the terrorists, and also shattered their gun trucks ‘terribly’.

“Aside the air raids by the NAF helicopters, the ground troops also succeeded in neutralizing the remaining insurgents who attempted to escape after the destruction of three guntrucks, and one Canter Truck.

“The latest well-coordinated joint air and ground operations is quite encouraging as we have so far counted more than 30 dismembered corpses of the terrorists.”

It was further gathered that the ground troops, led by Lt. Col Steven Nammu of 195 Battalion Super Camp in Damasak, recovered sophisticated weapons including AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and other lethal arms, from the insurgents.

Source: PRNigeria

Libya Arrests ISIS Commander, Abu Omar

Editorial staff

March 14, 2021

Libyan National Army has arrested ISIS commander, Mohammed Mailed Mohammed, also known as ‘Abu Omar’ in Ubari, South Libya.

Libya Review reported this today, March 14 in a move seen as a major victory in the war against terrorism.

ISIS made incursions into Africa, especially through the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), a splinter of Boko Haram, which has affiliation to it.

According to the DCAF (Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance), ISWAP is growing in power and influence.

“From its territorial base on the banks and islands of Lake Chad, this jihadist group is waging a guerrilla war across north-eastern Nigeria and elsewhere on the lake’s periphery.

“By filling gaps in governance and service delivery, it has cultivated a level of support among local civilians that Boko Haram never enjoyed and has turned neglected communities in the area and islands in Lake Chad into a source of economic support.

“If Nigeria and its neighbouring Lake Chad states want to sever the bond between ISWAP and these communities – and they should – then they cannot stop with countering ISWAP in battle. They will need to complement military action by filling the service and governance gaps that ISWAP has exploited.”

Public Office Is Loan Of Shorter Tenor From God, Osinbajo Reminds Leaders

Editorial staff

March 14, 2021

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reminded politicians and leaders that public office is a loan of shorter tenor from God.

He said: And so, my brother, life is a loan and public office is a loan of an even shorter tenor.”

Professor Osinbajo, who spoke today, March 14 in Owerri, Imo State capital at a special interdenominational thanksgiving service to mark the first anniversary of the administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma, reminded the governor: “you are here today by the Grace of God.”

The Vice President, who also delivered the felicitations of President Muhammadu Buhari to the governor, asked him to stay focused on delivering quality leadership in service to the people.

“Some may say that you are here because you are the smartest, I am sure you know that being the smartest doesn’t mean you will get here.”

Army Chief Storm Borno, Vows To Eliminate Boko Haram In 7-Day

Editorial staff

March 14, 2021

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru has vowed to eliminate Boko Haram within the next one week as he arrived the State capital for operation

General Attahiru, who spoke to news men today, March 14 said: “I am here on an operational visit; I will be here for one week.

“The essence is to enhance operations, raise morale and motivate the soldiers, to ensure we achieve better results towards the total annihilation of Boko Haram and indeed the insurgency.” .

Already, COAS had visited troops of Sector 1 and Sector 2 of Operation Lafiya Dole in Borno and Yobe states.

He had also inspected some building projects at the headquarters of 7 Division, Maiduguri. Source: NAN

Police Kill 2 Kidnappers In Abuja After Exchange Of Gunfire

Editorial staff

March 14, 2021

Officers of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have killed two members of a notorious kidnapping gang terrorizing communities in Abaji Area Council of the FCT.

The kidnappers were killed early today, March 14 during an exchange of gunfire.

Report said that the two kidnappers, together with their colleague-criminals, had stormed Naharati village in Abaji, raided the community, and were about to abduct some residents, before their attack was thwarted by the Police.
The two kidnappers died from injuries after being taken to the hospital for treatment while the Command has launched a manhunt to arrest the fleeing suspects
Source: PRnews.

A “Hellish” Night After Taking AstraZeneca Vaccine, By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Editorial staff

March 14, 2021

It was pomp and ceremony on Friday, March 12, 2021 when the Lagos State Government officially rolled out the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, first for the frontline health workers and others in the frontline of the battle against the dreaded Coronavirus.

The venue was the Infectious Disease Hospital, IDH, Yaba where Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was to take the vaccine publicly to re-assure Lagosians that the vaccine is safe.

As I got to the venue early before the governor’s arrival, I made an effort to register to take the vaccine as a journalist.

I consulted with some pressmen at the venue. Many didn’t want to take the vaccine. The fear was boldly written on many faces.

I called my wife to inform her of my decision to take the vaccine and right on the phone, she screamed “Don’t take it, don’t take it.” I laughed.

At exactly 3.00pm, Sanwo-Olu took the vaccine and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Hamzat also took it.

Before the governor’s arrival, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi had taken the vaccine first.

With the governor taking jab, the fear of some was gone.

Along with a couple of journalists, I took the first jab. It was not painful, there was no reaction, I was joyous that I was among the first 100 people to take the vaccine in Lagos.

I worked late on Friday night and decided to go to bed around past 1.00am. I was already feeling pains that I had not felt before. Soon after I hit the bed, sleep vanished. I prayed: “Lord, give me sleep.”

My prayer was answered and I slept. I was rudely jolted out of sleep few minutes later with serious shivering I never felt before. I took the bedsheet and wrapped myself in, but I shook like a leaf.

Aside the shivering, internal high temperature set in. My whole system was aflame. I woke up my wife and said: “dear, touch my body, is it hot?” She said “no.”

But I could feel a hell of fire within me. The temperature was accompanied with sharp body pains. I could not sleep, pains, high temperature, headache and chill set in.

Later in the night, the internal temperature found its way out. But my body was hot outside.

I held my wife and she screamed because of how hot my body was.

I had a hellish night.

Sleep later came early in the morning. I slept till past 1.00pm on Saturday.

Though the headache and pains didn’t disappear, my body temperature normalised.

I called my other colleagues who took the vaccines to inquire if they felt the same way I felt last night. The story was the same with slight variation.

We all experienced the side effect of AstraZeneca vaccine which we were not told.

Later, I got to know that the side effects of AstraZeneca vaccine are: pain or tenderness at the injection site, headache, tiredness, muscle or joint aches, fever, chills and nausea.

I wrote this article, still with the body pains, tiredness and headache yet to disappear.

So if you want to take AstraZeneca vaccine, take note of the side effects, which I learnt will disappear in few days time.

*Ugbodaga is the editor of P.M.NEWS.

How I Hit Kidnapper, Dodged Gunshot And Escaped To Invite Soldiers – Kaduna Student

Editorial staff

March 13, 2021

“When we reached there, they asked us to lie down. One of the gunmen guarding me suddenly ran to pursue one of the girls who ran way. As the commotion ensued, I ran away. While trying to escape, I hit one of them down with my two hands and then fled. As I fled, he started shooting towards my direction.

“Luckily I escaped unhurt to report the matter to the soldiers who immediately rushed to the scene.”

This narration was given today, March 13, by one of the student of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Zakari Musa.

He said about 40 bandits stormed their school and attempted to abduct hundreds of them.

“We were sleeping when they stormed into our dorm and started chasing us out. They asked us where is the female hostel.

Soldiers of the Nigerian Army had in the early hours of yesterday, March 12,rescued 180 people, many of them are students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the rescue of 180 students in a statement on Friday. The bandits however succeeded in abducting 39 students.

According to the statement, the armed bandits in large numbers, attacked the institution at around 11:30pm on Thursday and kidnapped several students.

The armed bandits broke into the institution by breaching a perimeter fence. They then encroached about 600 meters to attack the first facility.

“The Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs on receiving a distress call, alerted the 1 Division Nigerian Army and the Air Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force.

“Troops of the Nigerian Army immediately moved to the school and engaged the armed bandits accordingly.”

Buhari Angry With bandits, Terrorists Over ttempt To Destroy School System In Nigeria

Editorial staff

March 13, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed anger over attempts by terrorists and bandits to destroy public school system through kidnapping of students and workers in schools

In a statement today, March 13 by the senior special assistant to the President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President, stressed that his government will not sit by and watch criminals disrupt the school system.

The President commended efforts of the Kaduna State government and early response of the military which led to the rescue of 180 students, including eight staff members and urged that the others declared missing be found and returned safely to their families.

He also commended efforts and contributions of local intelligence in significantly thwarting the kidnappers’ move.

“Our military may be efficient and well-armed but it needs good efforts for the nation’s defense and the local population must rise to this challenge of the moment.”
This was even as he expressed sympathy with the victims of the incident and hoped for an early end to the ordeal of those still held captive.

No One Can Disintegrate Nigeria, Osinbajo Warns

Editorial staff

March 12, 2021

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has made it clear that no one can cause disintegration of Nigeria under whatever guise.

Professor Osinbajo, who delivered the Convocation Lecture of the Sokoto State University today, March 12, recalled with concern, some groups and a cross section of citizens that have been clamouring for the country’s breakup or regional system of government.

According to him, proponents of the disintegration have been citing issues and challenges such as ethnic clashes, insecurity, resource control, infrastructure deficit, project funding, unemployment, disregard for federal character, among others.

Osinbajo advised citizens to consider the importance of national unity, saying that the country is more than a sum of its many parts.

“Its diversity – ethnic diversity, cultural diversity, religious diversity – is a value-add for our nation. Difference should not mean division.”

The Vice President advocated a culture of tolerance, open-mindedness and acceptance of people of all cultures and creeds, adding that there is unity to be found even in the face of differences.

“There is a Nigerianness that binds us all, there is a shared commitment – no matter how suppressed – to build a better Nigeria for ourselves and future generations.”

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