Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Author: Tobiloba Kolawole

  • Nigerian Air Force strikes ‘scores’ of Boko Haram Terrorists, tear-down base

    Nigerian Air Force strikes ‘scores’ of Boko Haram Terrorists, tear-down base

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed scores of Boko Haram terrorists (BHTs ) in Tongule and Bukar Meram areas of Borno State.

    In a statement issued on Saturday by the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, it was confirmed that the NAF airstrikes, which were carried out on June 25 after a series of surveillance missions indicated a resurgence of terrorists’ activities at the two settlements.

    Enenche noted that this latest military action is “another set of successful air interdiction missions executed by the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole under the subsidiary Operation Long Reach.

    The defence spokesman explained that: “At Tongule, where recent credible intelligence indicated frequent convergence of BHTs, about 35 terrorists were spotted by the NAF surveillance aircraft in different parts of the settlement as it vectored the fighter jets to attack the target area.

    READ ALSO: Just In: Suspended APC Chair, Oshiomhole accepts Buhari backed NEC’s decisions

    “The munitions from the jets hit designated areas within the settlement, destroying some structures and taking out many of the terrorists.

    “Similarly, at Bukar Meram, a BHT logistics hub on the fringes of the Lake Chad, the airstrikes, which were carefully timed and executed in multiple waves for maximum effects, resulted in the obliteration of designated portions of the terrorists’ facilities.

    “Several of their fighters were also killed in the process”, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations said.

    Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has commended the Air Task Force for their dedication and professionalism.

    This comes as the Defence Headquarters equally asked them to “intensify the air offensive against the terrorists and all other criminal elements threatening the peace and security of our beloved country.”

    Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrike pictures:

    A screen grab from the Air Force video shows the scene of the airstrikes on Boko Haram Logistics Base in Borno State. Credit: Defence Headquarters.
    A screen grab from the Air Force video shows the scene of the airstrikes on Boko Haram Logistics Base in Borno State. Credit: Defence Headquarters.
    A screen grab from the Air Force video shows the scene of the airstrikes on Boko Haram Logistics Base in Borno State. Credit: Defence Headquarters.
    A screen grab from the Air Force video shows the scene of the airstrikes on Boko Haram Logistics Base in Borno State. Credit: Defence Headquarters.
  • APC was hanging on a cliff but for Buhari – says former spokesman

    APC was hanging on a cliff but for Buhari – says former spokesman

    A former National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu has advised warring members of the party to accept the actions of President Muhammadu Buhari and other executives at Thursday’s controversial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

    The former spokesman of the party in a personal statement stated he has declared support for President Buhari after a reflection of events happening in the APC.

    “I have reflected on the events of the past few days and the outcome of Thursday’s NEC meeting and as a party man, I declare my support for the actions taken by Mr. President.

    “Like the President said, the party was ominously hanging on a cliff and as expected, something had to give way because the APC could not have continued along that obvious path of destruction”, Onilu said.

    He therefore called on other member of the APC to rally round the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) led by Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni and other eminent members of that committee.

    READ ALSO: APC Crisis: Oshiomhole camp fights back, dismisses NEC meeting as PDP mocks Buhari

    In his appeal for cooperation, Onilu, who described Buni as an experienced party administrator, adding that other members of the caretaker committee are compatriots noted reiterated that party members should consider collective interest and lend support “as they embark on the process of rebuilding our party to the height we all desire”.

    He said: “Ours must be a party that is strong and truly progressive; one that can provide our government the support it requires to deliver more dividends of democracy.

    “We all have the obligation to subordinate our individual interests to the collective interests of our government and country.

    “The task of preserving President Muhammadu Buhari’s unprecedented legacies is not negotiable”, he added.

  • Company demands release of ‘wrongly’ seized estates by EFCC

    Company demands release of ‘wrongly’ seized estates by EFCC

    The Management of Trademore International Holding Limited has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) a 48hour ultimatum to unseal its property, which was ‘wrongly’ seized.

    In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its legal representative, Nwoke Kalu, the company accused the EFCC of lacking due diligence in their operation that led to the sealing of its estates that include Luxury Apartments, Millennium Apartments, and Ogwumabiri Event center located along Bank Road and Finbars Road, Umuahia, Abia state.

    The company in its demand called on the EFCC to immediately remove the notice of seizure placed on all its estates.

    According to the statement, the Trademore estates are owned by a private businessman and have been wrongly marked as properties of a PDP chieftain under the agency’s investigation.

  • APC Crisis: Buhari directs litigations be suspended to avoid self destruct

    APC Crisis: Buhari directs litigations be suspended to avoid self destruct

    President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja advised members of the governing party, All Progressives Congress (APC), to withdraw all pending litigations against one another, and settle for internal reconciliation, warning that the mutating disagreements could lead to self-destruction, with dire consequences.

    In his remarks at the emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the APC held on a virtual platform, the President said the gains of the party could be reversed as conflicts overshadow the primary objective of service to the people.

    While urging members to refocus on the larger picture, he admonished placing more emphasis on uniting the party.

    “Fellow party members, this is a very crucial moment in the life of our party and it is with a deep sense of concern that I stand before you today to speak as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has been elected on the platform of our great party – the All Progressives Congress.

    “The issues currently confronting our party at this time are such that should worry every party member. At the moment, our great party is faced with internal wrangling; there are on-going litigations amongst some party members and we cannot clearly ascertain the status of certain National Working Committee (NWC) members”, the President said.

    Buhari also expressed worry over the shifting loyalty within the party and inconsistency in leadership, which had opened the governing party to mockery.

    “There are also other associated disputes as to the legitimacy or otherwise of holders of certain National Offices of the Party. The Party is also contending with Judicial claims and counter-claims, Orders and Counter-Orders and indeed Judgments and Counter-Judgments that are predominantly at cross-purposes.

    “Confronted with these issues, it is obvious that the fortunes of the party are currently in jeopardy, administration of our party is becoming impossible and there is consequently an urgent need for intervention to immediately arrest further drifts and internal wrangling which may lead to total disintegration.

    “What we see clearly emerging, is that we are beginning to self-destruct. This, my dear party members, is not just regrettable but utterly gut wrenching’’, he stated.

    To find a solution to the impasse within the party, President Buhari proposed that: “The meeting may adopt the developed resolution as contained in the agenda and pass resolutions including: approving the immediate discontinuation of all pending litigations involving the party and its members; ratifying the primary election conducted in Edo State; dissolving the current National Working Committee, and appointing caretaker/Extra-ordinary Convention Planning committee for the party.’’

    Furthermore, he reiterated the need to discontinue all litigations involving members of the party, which were connected to issues of the party.

    He added that: “The directive had been issued before, unfortunately some members failed to heed the directive. Thus, at this time, it must be made a Resolution of the Party which must be effectively enforced with dire consequences for members who choose to ignore the directive.’’

    The President emphasised that in order to return to the “winning ways’’, the APC must maintain cohesion by closing its ranks.

    “We must be alive to the time and the task that is before us. As we all know, we are immediately confronted with the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo States. Therefore, this is the time to get our acts together”, he said further.

    The emergency NEC meeting adopted all the recommendations by President Buhari, and appointed the Governor of Yobe State, Mallam Mai Buni, as Caretaker National Chairman, while Senator John Akpanudoede was designated Caretaker National Secretary.

  • Just In: APC NEC dissolves National Working Committee

    Just In: APC NEC dissolves National Working Committee

    The current National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been dissolved.

    This formed part of decisions taken on Thursday at the ongoing meeting of the APC National Executive Council at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    The party took the decision to dissolve its NWC based on the recommendations of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The President also called for the immediate suspension of all pending litigations involving the party and its members, as well as the ratification of the party’s governorship primary election recently conducted in Edo State.

    He condemned the recent crisis within the party, stressing the need for members to enforce party discipline.

    President Buhari, therefore, appointed Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, to head the new Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee for the party.

    The governor was immediately sworn in at the meeting by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami.

  • APC: Buhari, Osinbajo and some Governors attend NEC meeting

    APC: Buhari, Osinbajo and some Governors attend NEC meeting

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Council (NEC) meeting has commenced in Abuja.

    The meeting is ongoing at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa has some party chieftains participate in the session virtually.

    READ ALSO: Police seals off APC national headquarters again

    Those in attendance at the venue are President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, some state governors and members of the National Assembly, as well as the acting APC National Chairman, Victor Giadom.

  • Police seals off APC national headquarters again

    Police seals off APC national headquarters again

    Officers of the Nigerian Police Force have taken over the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

    This comes two days after a team of security operatives sealed off the party’s office in the nation’s capital, purportedly on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

    Thursday’s incident also comes ahead of the APC National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled to take place at the Presidential Villa.

    As early as 9am, two Toyota Hilux patrol vans and two Peugeot 604 cars were stationed at strategic positions around the party’s secretariat.

    Members of staff at the secretariat who had arrived early were asked to move out of their offices.

    The APC National Working Committee (NWC) led by Mr Victor Giadom had on Tuesday got the Presidential backing to convene the National Executive Committee meeting expected to hold virtually from the Presidential Villa.

    However, the other NWC led by Senator Abiola Ajimobi faulted the convocation of the meeting which was described as illegal.

    In a statement jointly signed by the National Vice Chairman (South South), Mr Hillard Eta, and the acting National Secretary, Mr Waziri Bulama, the NWC said they would not attend the NEC meeting convened by Mr Giadom.

    Just as the incident on Tuesday, the seal off is also alleged to be at the instance of the Inspector General of Police who directed the Commissioner of Police at the FCT Command to ensure that nobody is allowed into the secretariat.

    Shortly after arriving at the APC secretariat, Bulama who was also denied entry into the premises said the police sealed off the place, based on orders from above.

  • APC Crisis: How Amaechi’s intervention made Buhari to recognise Giadom’s faction

    APC Crisis: How Amaechi’s intervention made Buhari to recognise Giadom’s faction

    Idowu Sowunmi

    It’s no longer news that President Muhammadu Buhari has recognised Victor Giadom as Acting National Chairman, with a promise to attending the virtual meeting called by Giadom tomorrow afternoon.

    Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari admitted that he has been well schooled and legally advised accordingly on the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “The President has received very convincing advice on the position of the law as far as the situation in the party is concerned and has determined that the law is on the side of Victor Giadom as Acting National Chairman. Because he will always act in accordance with the law, the President will be attending the virtual meeting Giadom called for tomorrow afternoon.

    “We urge the media to stop promoting manufactured controversies and to not give any further room for mischievous interpretations of the law on this matter.

    “In addition to the President, the Giadom meeting will, hopefully, be attended by our Governors and the leaders of the National Assembly,” said a statement by Shehu, in response to enquiry by some journalists.

    Sources at the Presidency said Buhari’s new position was made possible by the intervention of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

    Amaechi’s singular effort has made some political analysts to describe him as the new kid on the block of Nigerian politics.

    “He (Amaechi) understands the game of power. He practises politics with so much dexterity and sagacity. His influence looms larger than life in the Presidency. When he speaks and analyses politics, every one is often taken awe.

    “That’s how he succeeded in winning President Buhari and other key people in Presidency to accept the candidacy of Victor Giadom as the Acting National Chairman of APC. The deal is done. Welcome to a new era in the ruling party,” said the source.

    Amaechi’s intervention was coming after Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, and Giadom made unsuccessful frantic efforts to meet Buhari over the APC crisis.

    Though the duo visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday night, they could not see the President. Instead, the President’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, attended to them.

    Earlier, Amaechi claimed he had decided to keep out of the crisis rocking APC because he did not want to get involved in politics, noting that he’s not sure what the cause of the crisis was.

    He had said: “What is happening in APC, I don’t know; what is happening in Rivers State, I don’t know. What I’ve done is to keep away from politics. Even if I’m bothered, it’ll be internally.

    “There’s nobody there (in the party) who is a child; we’re all adults. I don’t want to get involved in politics.

    “Nigerians know me for being blunt and honest. Some see it as arrogance, some see it as being brash, whatever it is. What do I need to say that I have not said before? It’s internal dynamics of politics, it’s internal struggle.

    “So, I have said it several times. When we fought in 2015, I said this country cannot continue the way it is going. I’m not helpless, but I’m doing what they call ‘siddon look (sit down and look).”

    But, on Wednesday his politics of “siddon look” took flight to unknown destination as he moved in to save the party from further crisis.

    With Giadom’s recognition, it may be politically difficult for Adams Oshiomhole and his sympathisers to return to the leadership mantle of APC.

    As APC supporters and Nigerians await the official statements of Mr. President tomorrow afternoon during the party’s virtual meeting called by Giadom, one thing seems to be certain for now: there’s a new sheriff in town and the ruling party may not be the same again.

  • PDP Primary: Court stands down suit seeking to stop Obaseki

    PDP Primary: Court stands down suit seeking to stop Obaseki

    As the political standoff within the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State unfolds, there is indication that embattled Governor Godwin Obaseki may finally participate without hindrance, in the party’s governorship primary election scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday.

    This comes after the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt granted the request by one of the governorship aspirants, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, to have the matter stood down to enable an out of court settlement.

    Ogbeide-ihama had filed a suit seeking the court to bar any member of the party that has purchased forms but not screened within the time stipulated to contest the PDP primary.

    Ogbeide-ihama’s suit was granted accelerated hearing by the court yesterday. However, before the hearing on the application today, Wednesday, Ogbeide-Ihama’s counsel requested that the court stood down the case for some time.

    The presiding judge, Justice Emmanuel Obile, granted the prayers after the counsel to all the defendants aligned with the request.

    Governor Obaseki, having defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) got a waiver of the PDP to join the race under its party.

    Meanwhile, a High Court of Justice in the Ekpoma judicial division on Tuesday restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from excluding Governor Godwin Obaseki and the other cleared aspirants from participating in the Edo State governorship primary.

    The court ordered that the PDP and the electoral umpire should not exempt any of the aspirants who have been cleared by the party from participating in the gubernatorial primary slated for the 25th June 2020.

  • Ondo: Armed robbers attack petrol station, kill attendant

    Ondo: Armed robbers attack petrol station, kill attendant

    Suspected armed robbers who on Tuesday night attacked a petrol station in Akure, Ondo State have killed an attendant.

    The identity of the deceased attendant who worked in the filling station which is located along the Oba-Ile Road area of the city could not be ascertained due to the pandemonium that resulted in people scampering for safety.

    READ ALSO: Nigerian Air Force foils bandit attack

    According to the Public Relations Officer of Ondo State Police Command, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro who confirmed the incident, the suspects did not, however, succeed in robbing the filling station.

    Ikoro disclosed that two suspects have been arrested not far from the scene of the incident in connection with the crime, while police are on the trail of two other suspects who fled.

    The State Police PRO revealed that a rifle, a Dane gun, some cartridges and live ammunition were recovered from the two arrested suspects.

    The Police spokesperson added that the command will ensure all criminals in the state are apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law.

    READ ALSO: Police takes over APC headquarters, seals premises

    He also assured residents of the State that the police are committed to providing adequate security for their lives and property.