News
Bomb Explosion Rocks Kano, Many Feared Dead
A vehicle laden with bomb was detonated last night in Sabon Gari area of Kano State and has left a lot of residents dead . An eyewitness affirmed that the explosion occurred at about 10pm, while many residents were returning from the Sunday outings.
Sabon Gari is inhabited mainly by Nigerians from other parts of the country. The unexpected explosion was said to have razed a crowded entertainment spot, located on an ever busy road.
The explosion, which resonated several kilometres from the scene resulted in vehicular stampede and multiple accidents.The police spokesperson in the State, Musa Majiya, confirmed the incident to our correspondent but refused to give details.
At the time of filling this report, a team of police officers and the Joint Task Force have barricaded the scene and rescue effort is on going.
Meanwhile, Boko Haram gunmen Saturday launched a fresh onslaught on a market in Ngurosoye village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, killing no fewer than 29 persons.
Ngurosoye village is about 56 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and is also a gateway into the dreaded Sambisa forest. This is the third time the village would be attacked since the Boko Haram insurgency started five years ago.
The insurgents, who came in their usual large numbers, were said to have stormed the village in motorcycles and six Hilux van , shooting sporadically and throwing rocket launchers at the market during which some of the traders met their untimely death.
Local sources in the area told our correspondent that the attack left no fewer than 29 persons dead as 29 lifeless bodies were counted immediately the confusion was over.
“The attacks of the insurgents on the state rather than decreasing is seriously increasing and the killings these days are in greater number. I think it is time government allowed us to cordon off this Sambisa and destroy all these evil people,” a local security operative craving anonymity said.
According to a source in the village, the terrorists had been planning to attack the village for the past two weeks before they finally came on Saturday.
The attack came on a day 10 Chinese construction workers were also abducted by Boko Haram gunmen around Kusuri village in Gwoza Local Government Area of the state . The gunmen were also said to have destroyed a bridge linking the various villages in the area where the Chinese construction workers were working.
A few days ago, about 17 persons were killed while property worth millions of Naira were destroyed by the gunmen who attacked some villages around Gwoza town.
The state Commissioner for Tourism, Dr. Vilita Bashir, who paid a condolence visit to the area, disclosed that Governor Kashim Shettima was very worried by the recent attacks. The commissioner who gave the residents some relief materials however urged them to continue to pray for the return of peace to the troubled region.
The Commissioner, Borno State Police Command, Lawal Tanko, and the spokesman of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Col. Muhammad Dole, could however not be reached for official confirmation of the attacks when filing this report.
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.
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