News
Gaza war: Envoy Calls for Immediate Ceasefire, Address of Root Cause of Crisis
Gaza war: Envoy Calls for Immediate Ceasefire, Address of Root Cause of Crisis
By: Michael Mike
The Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh has asked Nigeria and other countries to call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, even as he insisted that the only acceptable solution to the ongoing war is to address the root cause of the conflict between the Palestine and Israel.
Shawesh while noting that the attack on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023 was a smoke as the fire was long ignited by United Kingdom who handed over Palestinian land to European Jews in 1917, noted that to have a lasting truce it has become imperative to institute the two state solution backed by United Nations.
He also declared the two sides should be made to return hostages in their custody, noting that apart from Palestinian hostages held by the Israeli government before the ongoing impasse over 1,600 hostages have been taken from Palestinian soil by Israeli military, adding that while Hamas is being asked to return the hostages, Israel should also be told to do same.
The envoy while addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday said the two-state solution calls for establishing an independent state for Palestinians alongside that of Israel, while insisting that the underlining issue in the present crisis was not the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas but rather the occupation of Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem.
He claimed that the 7 October attack on Israeli territory was a natural reaction against the oppression of the Israeli forces, who he alleged has incessantly arrest, torture and detained Palestinians without any provocations.
The envoy who gave a historic perspective to the issue, blamed the Western world, especially United Kingdom who he said handed over their land to European Jews in 1917.
He also accused the Western world of playing lip service to the call for ceasefire, alleging that without the support of the West the Israeli would not have been able to sustain the war.
The envoy also accused the media of cover-up, saying most of the atrocities against the people of Palestinians are not reported, noting that the urgent need right now is cessation of hostility and not the humanitarian.
He said: “This current war would not have continued without the unconditional and unequivocal support of the Western countries to Israel. We all witnessed the mass visits by Western leaders not only to provide their full military and political support for the current genocide, but also have used extremely unbalanced language in commenting on the current ongoing war against the Palestinian people, which was interpreted by the Israeli as the green light to commit more massacres.
“One of the goals of this war is to forcefully transfer the Palestinian people to Sinai Peninsula, to implement the old Israeli dream, that we have been fighting against since 1956.
“Many are still trying to divert the discussion from the unconditional ceasefire to the humanitarian aids and how many trucks need to enter to Gaza and many other logistical details, this is a trap to pave the way to the Israeli occupation to continue with their genocidal and war crimes.
“No one should be trapped, we all should address the roots of the current humanitarian crises in Gaza, which is the frenzy Israeli war, what we need urgently is the ceasefire.
“All the world streets are flooded of the decent demonstrators calling for an immediate ceasefire.”
The envoy also added that there should be equality in the application of international law, insisting that: “All human being are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
The applicability of the international law should not be selective.”
Israel has been bombing Gaza since the 7 October Hamas attacks that killed 1,400 people with 239 people kidnapped as hostages.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 8,700 people have been killed since Israel’s retaliatory bombing began.
Police recover 15 rustled cows in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Zamfara says its operatives have recovered 15 cows rustled by armed bandits during an attack on Gidan Kwagiri village in Damba District of Gusau Local Government Area.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 15 when the bandits invaded the community and carted away cows and sheep belonging to residents.
According to the sources, upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Damba Division mobilised personnel alongside patrol teams from the Department of Operations to pursue the attackers.
The team was said to have successfully recovered 15 cows, which were subsequently handed over to their owners.
Efforts, however, are ongoing to track down the suspects and recover the remaining rustled animals, while security patrols have been intensified in the area to forestall further attacks.
Police recover 15 rustled cows in Zamfara
Operation Whirl Stroke arrests cow rustling suspects fuelling violence in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation WHIRL STROKE have arrested suspects linked to cattle rustling in Benue State, following two separate security incidents in Guma Local Government Area.
Security sources said that on Feb. 15, troops responded to an attack on herders at Amua Village, located between Daudu and Umenger/Ukpiam. The attack left one herder dead, while another sustained gunshot wounds and was evacuated to Keana in neighbouring Nasarawa State for urgent medical attention. The remains of the deceased were handed over to community representatives for burial according to local customs.
In a related operation on the same day, troops stationed at Ukpiam acted on intelligence provided by vigilant youths concerning suspected cattle rustling. The troops arrested a 23-year-old suspect, Terngu Aondohemba, who reportedly confessed to killing two cattle belonging to Fulani herders. He also implicated two accomplices, Akpehe and Ashinge, who are still at large.
Further investigation led security operatives to Korje Village in Daudu, where Mrs. Mercy Onban, wife of the alleged buyer of the stolen meat, was apprehended along with the recovered meat exhibits. Both suspects remain in custody pending further investigation.
The Force Commander of the Joint Task Force, Major General Moses Gara, condemned the attacks and criminality, affirming the commitment of Operation WHIRL STROKE to halting killings and cattle rustling in the Joint Operations Area.
He urged community leaders to strengthen collaboration with security agencies, stressing that timely intelligence sharing is critical to restoring lasting peace. Major General Gara also reassured law-abiding residents of the strong resolve of the Joint Task Force to protect lives and property across the region.
Operation Whirl Stroke arrests cow rustling suspects fuelling violence in Benue
Federal Government arraigns Nasir El-Rufai over alleged phone interception
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Government has charged former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged unlawful interception of phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Court documents showed that El-Rufai, 65, appeared as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme on Feb. 13, 2026, where he reportedly admitted to involvement in the interception and to knowing individuals who carried out the act without reporting them to security agencies.
The charges, filed under TABU DET CR/99/2026, include: Count One, Allegedly admitting during the television interview that he and his associates unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, contrary to Section 12 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Two, Allegedly stating that he knew individuals who unlawfully intercepted the same communications but failed to report them, in violation of Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024. Count Three, Allegedly using technical systems to compromise public safety and national security, and instilling apprehension among Nigerians, in breach of Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The case, filed by a team of Federal Government lawyers led by ME Ernest, OM Owan, UM Bulla, CS Eze, and VE G. Orubor, is set to proceed with investigations and trial proceedings.
Authorities said the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, where the accused will be required to respond to the charges.
The trial is expected to attract significant public attention given the high-profile nature of the accused and the sensitive security issues involved.
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