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Boko Haram Kills Three Soldiers, Injures Eight
The Nigerian Army, yesterday, said three soldiers died while eight others sustained injuries during a fierce encounter between troops of Sector 3 of Operation Lafiya Dole attached to Super Camp Munguno and Boko Haram terrorists on Saturday.
The troops were said to have encountered the terrorists while on patrol along Monguno-Mairari-Gajiram axis of the North-East region.
But the Army said the troops dealt a ‘devastating blow’ on the terrorists by killing “countless number while a few escaped with gunshot wounds going by blood trails in the general area.”
The acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, in a statement, said, “the patrol team came in contact with the terrorists and engaged them with heavy volume of fire that neutralized countless number while a few escaped with gunshot wounds going by blood trails in the general area.”
The statement read in full: “Troops of Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole attached to Super Camp Monguno on Friday, 30th August, 2019 while on patrol dealt a devastating blow on Boko Haram terrorists along Monguno-Mairari-Gajiram axis.
“The patrol team came in contact with the terrorists and engaged them with heavy volume of fire that neutralized countless number while a few escaped with gunshot wounds going by blood trails in the general area.
“The gallant troops also recovered some weapons and equipment from the terrorists.
“Sadly, during the encounter three of our gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while eight other soldiers sustained injuries.
“The bodies of the fallen heroes and those that sustained injuries have since been evacuated.
“The wounded are being treated and are in stable condition.
“The highly motivated troops have continued combing the general area with a view to clear remnants of hiding terrorists.
“The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, along with some Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters, Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole and other commanders, have visited the troops and those wounded in action.”
Also, suspected members of Boko Haram sect, yesterday, invaded Yimirmugza near Kautikari community of Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, sacked community members, destroyed and set houses on fire.
They equally looted some foodstuffs.
The insurgents stormed the community at the time most panicking residents have fled into the bush for safety.
According to an elder statesman from Chibok, Mallam Abga Pogu said, “Reports coming from Yimirmugza, Kautikari in Chibok LGA indicates that houses were burnt, stores broken provisions looted, cars burnt and people injured”.
At the time of going to press, there was no official confirmation on the attack from the police or military authorities, as all effort proved abortive.
However, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said its attack aircraft attached to its Air Task Force, of Operation Lafiya Dole, killed scores of Boko Haram terrorists in an air strikes carried out last Saturday, in Yuwe area of Borno State.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, in a statement, yesterday morning, said the air raid which was executed in continuation of Operation Green Sweep 3, followed a “credible Human Intelligence, HUMINT reports, which were also corroborated by series of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), missions, that the settlement was being used as a hideout for the Boko Haram terrorists.
“The ATF, therefore, detailed two Alpha Jets and an L-39ZA aircraft to attack the target area. As the aircraft arrived overhead the target area, several Boko Haram terrorists were seen attempting to flee while many others concealed themselves in the structures and dense vegetation of the area.
“The jets took turns attacking the target, scoring crucial hits on the hideout leading to the neutralization of several Boko Haram terrorists fighters”, the statement said.
It read in full:”Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack aircraft of the Air Task Force (ATF), Operation Lafiya Dole have neutralized scores of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in air strikes conducted yesterday, 31 August 2019, at Yuwe ‘C’ in Borno State.
“The air raid was executed in continuation of Operation Green Sweep 3 after credible Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports, which were also corroborated by series of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, established that the settlement was being used as a hideout for the BHTs.
“The ATF therefore detailed 2 Alpha Jets and an L-39ZA aircraft to attack the target area. As the aircraft arrived overhead the target area, several BHTs were seen attempting to flee while many others concealed themselves in the structures and dense vegetation of the area. The jets took turns attacking the target, scoring crucial hits on the hideout leading to the neutralization of several BHT fighters.
“The NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, will sustain its operations against the terrorists in the North-East”.
Meanwhile, the confidence of the Nigerian Army troops in the front line of the Operation Lafiya Dole in Borno has been boosted following a visit by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.
The visit which took place between Friday and Saturday, followed an ambush by the Boko Haram terrorists at Gasarwa village, along Gajiram-Monguno road in Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno, last Saturday.
Buratai, who arrived Maiduguri on Friday, proceeded to the scene of the incident in the company of some Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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