Troops rescue two female kidnap victims in Kogi

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued two female kidnap victims after suspected bandits invaded a farmland in Ajodomodo Village, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, when the suspected bandits reportedly invaded the farmland and abducted the two victims before fleeing the area.

Troops of the 21 Battalion Quick Reaction Force swiftly responded to the incident and pursued the fleeing criminals along their withdrawal route towards Agbodakodo Forest.

According to sources the pressure from the troops forced the abductors to abandon the victims in the forest.

The victims, identified as 15-year-old Miss Mohammed Rahinat and Mrs Hassanatu Mohammed, 30, were subsequently rescued unharmed.

The two women were evacuated to the 21 Battalion Medical Reception Station for medical attention and further assessment.

The military said troops have continued operations in the area to track the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks on farming communities.

The rescue illustrates the importance of rapid military response and timely information sharing in countering kidnapping and other criminal activities in rural communities.

Troops rescue two female kidnap victims in Kogi

Nigeria Rejects Alleged Support for Niger Coup, Reaffirms Commitment to Democracy

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has rejected claims that Nigeria or the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) backed the recent failed coup attempt in Niger Republic, describing the reports circulating on social media as false, mischievous and intended to damage Nigeria’s image.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said Nigeria had never supported, and would not support, any military coup or unconstitutional change of government in any country.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Enikanolaiye said Nigeria remained a defender of constitutional order, democracy and regional stability, stressing that the country would not endorse illegality “no matter who is involved or which country is concerned.”

He recalled the ministry’s August 30 statement on the situation in Niger, in which Nigeria expressed concern over developments in the neighbouring country and called for a peaceful, inclusive and participatory return to stability and constitutional order.

According to him, Nigeria’s position on unconstitutional changes of government remains unequivocal, adding that the use of force to resolve political differences was contrary to the country’s longstanding foreign policy.

“While Nigeria is a proud and committed member of ECOWAS, it is unfair, mischievous and entirely false to suggest that Nigeria endorses or condones the military coup,” the minister said.

He urged Nigerians at home and abroad to disregard videos and narratives circulating online which, he said, were aimed at sowing discord and misleading the public.

Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance as well as the African Union’s zero-tolerance policy on unconstitutional changes of government.

He said Nigeria would continue to work with ECOWAS, the AU and the international community to defend democracy, uphold the rule of law and promote peace and stability across West Africa, the Sahel and the wider African continent.

Nigeria Rejects Alleged Support for Niger Coup, Reaffirms Commitment to Democracy

FG moves to protect Nigerian investments in Angola

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has pledged to protect Nigerian-owned investments in Angola and strengthen support for Nigerians living and doing business in the country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, gave the assurance during an inspection of the Cidade De Motores (City of Engines) auto spare-parts market in Golf 2, Luanda, established by Nigerian auto parts dealers.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who visited the facility on the sidelines of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, expressed satisfaction with the scale of investment by Nigerian entrepreneurs, describing the project as evidence of the pioneering spirit of Nigerians abroad.

“We are very proud of you, having seen the worth of the enormous investment you have put on ground. We do not want a situation where people will invest and later some phony stories would be told about their investment,” she said.

The minister said the protection of Nigerian businesses in Angola would receive priority in future bilateral discussions, particularly at the next Nigeria-Angola Joint Commission.

She added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to the welfare and protection of Nigerians wherever they lived, assuring the traders that the government was taking steps to address challenges confronting Nigerians abroad.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, however, urged the traders to obey Angolan laws and conduct their businesses in ways that would enhance Nigeria’s image.

She also warned against ethnic discrimination in the management of the market, stressing that the facility should remain inclusive.

“There should be no room for tribalism,” she said.

Earlier, the President of the United Auto Parts Dealers Association, Chuks Ukachi, thanked the minister for visiting the market and explained that the project was established after Angolan authorities stopped Nigerian traders from conducting business along the roadside.

According to him, the restriction left many Nigerian traders without businesses for nearly two years, prompting the association to establish a formal market where they could operate legally.

Ukachi said the facility was open to Nigerians and Angolans, describing it as an investment designed not only to create business opportunities but also to project a positive image of Nigeria in Angola.

“This is an open market; it is open for every Nigerian. In fact, it is for all of us,” he said.

The association appealed to the Federal Government to assist in securing the market and protecting the substantial investments made by Nigerian entrepreneurs in Angola.

FG moves to protect Nigerian investments in Angola