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Boko Haram: ISWAP abducts travelers along Maiduguri, Damaturu Highway Less than 24 hours After DSS Issues Warning

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Boko Haram: ISWAP abducts travelers along Maiduguri, Damaturu Highway Less than 24 hours After DSS Issues Warning

Boko Haram: ISWAP abducts travelers along Maiduguri, Damaturu Highway Less than 24 hours After DSS Issues Warning

By: James Bwala, Maiduguri

Fighters of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) have abducted an unspecified number of passengers along Damaturu / Maiduguri highway on Saturday.

This is coming less than 24 hours after the Department of State Security Services, DSS was said to have brought a sitrep to the Headquarters Theatre Command that ISWAP elements were gathering around Minok village along Damaturu, Maiduguri the highway.

According to a security source, the commuters were heading to Maiduguri in Borno State from Damaturu in Yobe state, when they were intercepted a few kilometers after Benishiek town.

Benishiek is the headquarters of Kaga Local Government Area of Borno and is about 75 km to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Also Read: Nigeria: Between The Media and The DSS

“Yes, there was an attack on motorists this morning along Damaturu/Maiduguri highway; these senseless people abducted an unspecified number of passages around Benishiek and Mainok axis. We don’t have more details than this.” the source said.

The Chairman Northeast Network of Civil Organization, Amb Ahmed Shehu, told newsmen that he also received reports of the abduction.

“There is still an abduction on the Damaturu -Maiduguri route this morning. Why can’t we have a sustainable solution to this reoccurring misfortune?” Amb Shehu queried.

NEWSng learnt that the incident happened around 8:30am on Saturday.

Residents of Maiduguri whose relatives had traveled were thrown into confusion as many who could not get their relations on phone have called for prayers.

This is also coming on the heels of reports filtering within the city that some many of the surrendered Boko Haram elements have escaped from camps where they are kept and awaiting rehabilitation and transformation before they are integrated back into the society.

Residents said this has further confirmed the fears of residents as well as confirmed the position of the Theater Commander Operation Hadin Kai that some of the surrendered Boko Haram fighters may not be sincere in their approach to government as they are suspected to have ulterior motives.

But in a reaction to the incident, the Nigeria Army, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) described the reports as unsubstantiated.

According the a statement from Col Ado Isa, Deputy Director Public Relations 7 Division Nigerian Army/Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI the reports making rounds today, 11 December 2021 on social media and some pages of newspapers on the purported abduction of Maiduguri bound commuters by members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) along Mainok and Borgozo in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State is not true.

The Army said the alleged incident is false, misleading and with the sole intention to smear the glaring good efforts and achievements of OPHK.

“The fact is that members of the terrorists group emerged through the Dole/Bari villages on some vehicles with the intent to mount snap  road blocks in order to cause havoc and apprehension in the hearts of villagers and commuters. Troops on mobile patrol within the general area foiled the attempt without any delay. There was no abduction of any commuter today. It was just the imagination of mischief makers who are not happy that peace is gradually returning to the North East.

“Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI will continue to sustain the peace efforts by ensuring the Maiduguri – Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR) is not only fortified to frustrate the evil intentions of the terrorists but the Theatre will continue to ensure all locations are adequately manned by highly trained troops ready to defeat any criminal act against the peace loving citizens.

“Members of the general public are requested to disregard all forms of reports in the media regarding the recent abduction of commuters alleged to have occurred along the MSR today.

“We crave for understanding and cooperation from every well-meaning member of the public. We should all remain calm and verify issues with the military authority as an unsuspected group of persons are planning to cause apprehension and anxiety especially as the yuletide season is already here.” The statement added

Boko Haram: ISWAP abducts travelers along Maiduguri, Damaturu Highway Less than 24 hours After DSS Issues Warning

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

By: Bodunrin Kayode

President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.

The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.

From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.

A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.

“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.

“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.

“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.

Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.

These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001

This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.

And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.

The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.

President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.

This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.

The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).

The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).

Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.

Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.

He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.

“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.

“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.

Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.

He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.

NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

By: Michael Mike

The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.

The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.

In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.

The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.

During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.

His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.

In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.

He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.

The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.

Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.

Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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