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Boko Harram Attacks Military Base …Kills 2 In Adamawa
A blast suspected to be from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) yesterday claimed two lives in Dahlehi Community in the Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa.
The Chairman of the Local Government, Alhaji Mohammed Jibrilla, who confirmed the development in an interview with newsmen in Yola, said the incident occurred when some youths lit fire to warm themselves because of hammatan cold but mistakenly added a leather object they picked by the roadside containing a strange object.
He said the leather object suspected to be an abandoned IED exploded, killing two of the youths.
“The development was followed by an explosion which killed one person on the spot while the second died shortly before admission at the Yola Specialist Hospital. “Two other injured youths are now on admission in the hospital.”
Jibrilla advised the public to be vigilant and to report any strange object to the authorities.
Maiha Local Government was one of the Local Governments recovered recently from insurgents by the military.
When contacted, the Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP. Othman Abubakar, confirmed the incident but did not give details.
Boko Haram, had on Saturday night attacked Babbangida town, the headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe state.
Speaking on phone to our correspondent on Sunday morning, a resident of the town Mohammed Hassan said the insurgents came strong on the town at about 6:30pm, engaging security forces in a gun battle.
According to him, the places of battle include the military base located north of the town, the police station at the southern part, as well as the local government secretariat, the Government Lodge and the boarding primary school, “all of which the terrorists have the intention of destroying.”
He said: “The security forces from what we have seen so far have been able to repel them, but we are still entertaining fear that the battle may continue today.”
Hassan said the number of casualties still remains unknown as most of the places of heavy battle were still cordoned off by the military.
Saturday’s attack makes it four times major Yobe towns that have been attacked by the insurgents within the last one month as the sect has lately attacked Damaturu, Damagum and Geidam, all in December.
But the attack on Babbangida is the first in the new year. Babbangida is 50 kilometres north of Damaturu, the Yobe State capital and has always been attacked by the insurgents.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
