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Troops Foil B’Haram Attack In Niger Republic, Kill 48
No fewer than 48 terrorists belonging to the Boko Haram sect have been killed by troops attached to the Multi-National Joint Task Force in Niger Republic.
During the attack at Tumour, four of the insurgents were also captured alive by troops.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, who briefed journalists at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, disclosed that troops also repelled Boko Haram attacks in Gwoza, Borno State and Sabon-Gari in Madagali Council Area of Adamawa State.
Highlighting activities of the Operation Lafiya Dole, Enenche noted that, “In this theatre of operation, our troops had some encounters with Boko Haram insurgents/terrorists.
“The troops successfully repelled Boko Haram terrorists’ attack at Yamteke in Gwoza LGA of Borno State, in the process four Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized while three AK-47 rifles, two hand grenades and One Tecno phone were recovered.
“Furthermore, Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province attack was successfully repelled by hunters at Sabon-Gari village of Madagali LGA in Adamawa State. During the encounter, two terrorists were killed and One AK47 rifle was recovered”.
He added that, “similarly, troops of Sector Four of Multi-National Joint Task Force successfully repelled a Boko Haram terrorists attack at Tumour in Republic of Niger. During the attack, 48 terrorists were invalidated while four others were captured by the troops”.
Under the Operation Safe Haven, the coordinator hinted that, “The gallant multi-agency troops of operation Safe Haven encountered some gunmen at Kurgwi along Namu – Chibdai road in Quan Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State on March 19, 2020.
“In the process, two notorious gun runners were killed; one AK-47 rifle was recovered among other items. Similarly, same day, four suspected Sara Suka activists were arrested during a cordon and search operation. Seven cutlasses, three knives and substances suspected to be illicit drugs and charms were recovered from them.
“The general public is hereby commended and requested to continue to provide credible information to the troops so as to sustain this trend among other success achieved by troops of the Nigerian military and other security agencies.
“Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as you were informed, could be involved in exercises that can transmute into real life operation. In this regard, during the week, the Nigerian Navy commenced Exercise Treasure Guard 2 at the Western Naval Command area of responsibility to increase confidence of the global shipping community.
“The exercise was approved to transmute to Exercise Obangame Express 2020 (which was supposed to be a multi-national exercise) which was cancelled due to the global health concern. The overall objective of the exercise is to ensure a collective security and protection of our maritime assets.
“Finally, the Chief of Defence Staff wants to seize this opportunity to reassure the general public of the total commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria towards the protection of lives and property across the country.”
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.