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Car Bomb Kills 17 AU Troops As Somali Islamist Calls For More Suicide Attacks
Barely four days after a twin bomb attack killed 21 people, including 17 African Union, (AU) Peace Keepers in Mogadishu, a top radical Islamist leader in Somalia, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, has called for more suicide attacks in the country.
“I… call upon the people to carry out more attacks against the African forces; they came to Somalia to assist our enemy, kill them (…) in any way possible and use suicide attacks to kill them,” he said.
The Hezb al-Islam official was speaking at a public prayer at Elashabiyaha, about 18 kilometres (10 miles) west of Mogadishu on the Muslim Eid al-Fitr festival, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Twenty-one people, including 17 AMISOM peacekeepers, died in Mogadishu Thursday in twin car bomb attack which dastardly act was claimed by another Somali insurgent group. It was the deadliest strike on AU forces since their deployment in Somalia in 2007.“They (African peacekeepers) must leave our country otherwise there will not be peace,” added Aweys, who is wanted by the United States for his suspected ties with Al-Qaeda.
“The enemy of Allah is targeting Muslims all over the world, it is not only Nabhan that they killed recently but they are targeting many others, such attacks will only increase hate and violence.”
He was referring to Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, a top regional Al-Qaeda leader and Kenyan citizen wanted by the FBI over the 2002 anti-Israeli attacks in Mombasa. He was killed last week when his vehicle was targeted by US helicopters in southern Somalia, according to US officials and Western security sources.
Thursday’s attack on AU peacekeepers followed a pledge by the Shebab Islamist movement to avenge Nabhan’s killing.
It has also heightened fears in Kenya that the unrest in Somalia could spill over into neighbouring country and intelligence officials in the Kenyan capital have warned of a high risk of extremist attacks.
Kenyan military officials said yesterday they have stepped up surveillance of the northern border with Somalia.
“The recent development and attacks cannot be taken lightly and that is why we have asked our officers manning the border points to be vigilant,” Ongeri said.
The radical Islamist Shebab and Aweys’s group have launched a vast offensive against the UN-backed transitional government of Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
Sharif and his former comrade in arms Aweys were at the head of the Islamic Courts ousted in late 2006 when Ethiopian troops intervened in Somalia to bolster the fledgling government forces.
Two years later, after the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces, Sharif was named Somalia’s president last January, when he was seen as a leader who could bring together the different factions within the lawless country.
But the insurgents have turned on Sharif — an Islamic cleric — accusing him of selling out to the West and have targeted the African peacekeepers, demanding their departure from the country.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene