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Diplomatic Community Calls for Stricter Sanctions Against Russia to End Siege on Ukraine
Diplomatic Community Calls for Stricter Sanctions Against Russia to End Siege on Ukraine
By: Michael Mike
A call has been made for stricter global sanctions against Russian Federation to compel it to stop the continued attacks of Ukraine.
Members of the Diplomatic Community in Nigeria who spoke to our correspondent insisted that the condemnation of Russian attacks on Ukraine has not shown to be sufficient to put an end to the attacks, insisting that something heavier needed to be done to make Russia stop the siege.
The European Council had recently adopted a sweeping 19th package of further 69 individual listings and numerous economic restrictive measures targeting key sectors which allegedly fuel Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including energy, finance and the military industrial complex.
The Council is also strengthening control over the movement of Russian diplomats across the EU and taking further measures against those responsible for the abduction of Ukrainian children.
As part of the package, the Council also imposed further measures on Belarus to restrict the latter’s support for the Russian war effort.
The package is said to have come in response to Russia’s escalating aggression against Ukraine, in particular the recent brutal military campaign deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy, water and health facilities. These attacks, which have inflicted severe suffering on the civilian population, are seen to further underscore Russia’s unwillingness to pursue peace.
Some of the diplomats who spoke to our correspondent insisted that though the world has shown to be against the invasion with United Nations resolutions but extra actions need to be taken to twist the arms of Russian.
They stated that such action should include stop of diplomatic relations, trading, among others.
Ukrainian authorities have recently drawn the attention of the international community to the large-scale, deliberate, targeted, and systematic use of cluster munitions by Russia during its aggression against Ukraine.
Among the numerous documented cases, it alleged the killing of 22 people and injury of 31 in Chernihiv on 17 March 2022, following an MLRS Uragan strike; the attack on Kramatorsk on 8 April 2022, with a Tochka-U cluster missile that hit the railway station during the evacuation of civilians, resulting in the killing of 54 and 135 wounded; the missile strike on Kyiv on 17 June 2025, with a Kh-69 missile, after which 29 objects resembling cluster submunitions were discovered.
It claimed this is far from an exhaustive list of Ukrainian cities where the Russian Federation has used cluster munitions, alleging that Russian perpetrators deliberately and systematically use cluster munitions to maximize civilian casualties and destruction.
It decried that this is an element of Moscow’s broader policy of terror against the Ukrainian people, noting that such actions by Russia constitute a flagrant violation of fundamental norms of IHL.
The Ukrainian authorities further alleged that Russian troops apply the devastating practice of repeated air strikes in the same places to cause casualties among unarmed medics, police and rescuers who arrive at the scene of the attacks.
It said: “The nature of Russian double strikes has become much more brutal and targeted against members of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine, who are protected persons under IHL. Since February 2022, at least 105 rescuers have been killed in the line of duty, and more than 500 have been injured. We are recording a further increase in the number of attacks by Russia on humanitarian personnel, transport, and cargo. This is targeted terror against emergency services.
“Russia openly publishes videos showing how it deliberately targets rescuers with drones — people who are not fighting, who are unarmed and who are saving lives after Russia’s own shelling. This is not just terror — it is blatant inhumanity. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale military invasion, 105 employees of the State Emergency Service have been killed and 502 wounded. These actions fall under the category of war crimes.”
Diplomatic Community Calls for Stricter Sanctions Against Russia to End Siege on Ukraine
Troops ambush terrorist group, recover bicycles in Marte–Dikwa axis
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army under the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have repelled suspected terrorists during an ambush operation along the Marte–Dikwa axis of Borno.
Security sources said the encounter occurred late on March 13 when troops of the 50 Task Force Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade, in conjunction with personnel of the 134 Special Forces Battalion and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, laid an ambush along the main supply route between Marte and Dikwa in Borno State.
According to the sources, the troops made contact with a group of terrorists moving on bicycles at about 10:15 p.m.
The troops immediately engaged the insurgents forcing them to withdraw into nearby bushes.
During exploitation of the area, the troops recovered the corpse of one suspected terrorist, four bicycles and other sundry items believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing insurgents.
Troops ambush terrorist group, recover bicycles in Marte–Dikwa axis
Oshodi will represent Africa’s interest at WTT, says Mailantarki
The Vice President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, has hailed the appointment of Nigeria’s foremost table tennis administrator, Wahid Oshodi to the Board of World Table Tennis (WTT).
Hon. Mailantarki described the appointment as a “round peg in a round hole,” noting that Oshodi’s elevation to the game’s apex commercial body is a testament to his track record of excellence.
Oshodi, who is the current President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) and Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), was appointed as a Director to represent the ITTF on the WTT Board alongside ITTF President Petra Sörling.
“This is a proud moment for Nigeria and a victory for the African continent,” Mailantarki stated.
“Barrister Oshodi has risen through the ranks from the national level to the continental stage with a vision that has transformed the sport.
“Having him as a decision-maker at the highest level of World Table Tennis ensures that African interests are well-represented.”
The NTTF Vice President further congratulated the Nigerian sports community, emphasizing that Oshodi’s presence in the WTT inner circle will serve as a catalyst for the continued growth and commercialization of the game globally.
Oshodi will represent Africa’s interest at WTT, says Mailantarki
Troops rescue six kidnapped victims after gun battle with terrorists in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 1 Division Nigerian Army under Operation FANSAN YANMA have rescued six kidnapped victims after engaging suspected terrorists in a gun battle in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the rescue operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of armed terrorists suspected to be transporting abducted victims through forest routes in the area.
According to the sources, troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gurara, under Sub-Sector 4 of Operation FANSAN YANMA, responded swiftly to the intelligence at about 7 a.m. on March 14.
The troops subsequently laid an ambush at a suspected crossing point used by the terrorists around Sabon Kurutu Village in Kachia LGA.
“During the operation, troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them in a fierce gun battle. The criminals, overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the troops, fled into the surrounding bush, abandoning some items,” the source said.
Following the engagement, troops combed the general area and successfully rescued six kidnapped victims. However, a seventh victim, a minor, was reported to have died during the crossfire between the troops and the fleeing terrorists.
Troops also recovered three motorcycles believed to have been used by the terrorists during the movement of the abducted victims.
Preliminary interrogation of the rescued victims revealed that they were abducted earlier on March 14 from Janjala Village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The victims said they had been moved through forest routes by the terrorists before the troops intercepted them.
The rescued victims and the body of the deceased minor were evacuated to Katari Hospital for medical attention and other necessary procedures.
Military sources said families of the rescued victims had been contacted.
The Military said the troops 1 Division Operation FANSAN YANMA and other task force has continued sustained offensives and intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist and bandit networks across the North-West region.
Troops rescue six kidnapped victims after gun battle with terrorists in Kaduna
Troops arrest two suspected drug peddlers in Abia raid
Troops arrest suspected local arms fabricator in Sokoto
Troops ambush terrorist group, recover bicycles in Marte–Dikwa axis
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