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Head of UN Counter-Terrorism Office Concludes Visit to Nigeria

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Head of UN Counter-Terrorism Office Concludes Visit to Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter- Terrorism (UNOCT), Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, has concluded a week-long high-level visit to Nigeria.

During his visit which ended on Tuesday, Voronkov held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja; Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector- General of Police and President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)Commission, Omar Alieu Touray.

According to a statement by UNOCT, the visit was marked by fruitful discussions centred on enhancing cooperation on countering terrorism and violent extremism in Africa and advancing preparations for an upcoming African Counter-Terrorism Summit (“Abuja Summit”) planned in Abuja in 2024.

The statement revealed that the Abuja Summit will be organized under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General and the President of Nigeria. It will provide a forum for Member States, International and Regional organisations and Civil Society to review the terrorism landscape in Africa and agree on concrete priorities and measures to address this scourge in a comprehensive manner. A pre-Summit ministerial meeting will take place on 21 September on the margins of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week.

During the high-level visit, Voronkov signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Government, met with Nigerian Youth leaders and took part in a wreath-laying ceremony with Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to honour the memory of 23 United Nations staff and civilians who died in the 2011 terrorist attack on the UN House in Abuja.

Voronkov also travelled to Maiduguri, Borno State, to see first-hand the impact of terrorism on the local population and the international community’s support in its rehabilitation and reintegration processes, as well as to raise international awareness about the persistent insecurity in the Lake Chad region.

In Maiduguri, he visited the Bulumkutu transit center, a UN-supported reintegration centre for women and children formerly associated with armed groups and the Joint Investigation Centre, a multi-agency hub for screening and investigating individuals detained during counter-terrorism operations in the North East and onward referral for prosecution or rehabilitation and reintegration.

Voronkov, while in Maiduguri, emphasized that UNOCT, through its Global Programme on Prosecution, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (PRR), will continue to support Borno State and Nigeria in these efforts.

The Under-Secretary-General and his UNOCT delegation return to New York from Abuja on Tuesday.

Head of UN Counter-Terrorism Office Concludes Visit to Nigeria

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2027: I’ll make Adamawa better with my 10-point agenda- Dr Girei

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2027: I’ll make Adamawa better with my 10-point agenda- Dr Girei

Dr Salihu Girei, a former Director of Research, Development and Centre of Excellence, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund), has formally declared interest to contest the Governorship seat in Adamawa under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Girei made his intention to govern the state known at a press conference in Yola while unveiling a 10-point agenda for the development of the state.

He said if given the mandate he would impact positively in the state especially at the grassroots.

He listed some of the agenda to include: free and quality education at the primary and secondary levels, healthcare service delivery, agriculture, women and youth empowerment, employment opportunities rural development among others.

Girei promised to provide a special salary package for teachers and 100 per cent review of pension for retirees.

He explained that he is presenting himself to the electorate to vote for in order to provide good governance, saying, he has a lot to offer towards improving the wellbeing of citizens of Adamawa State.

According to him, he contributed enormously to the development of the state and country at large for 33 years as a public administrator, and as a policy maker.

“I was Executive Chairman of Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board, where I was privileged to transform the education landscape, especially at the basic education level.

“I built at least 5,500 classrooms record. Were able to recruit at least 17,000 teachers in four years.

“We promoted teachers that were lagging behind in promotion. We trained and retrained teachers. We did a lot in terms of supervision of teachers and schools”, he said.

He said, based on those factors, he knows Adamawa well and its challenges and has the capacity to deliver for the citizens.

“There is no ward in Adamawa that I have not been to. I’ve visited all in my capacity as Chairman of SUBEB and Commissioner for LG Affairs”, he said.

Dr Girei earlier visited the APC Secretariat to formally declare his intentions to the party Executives and congratulated them for their emergence as the new EXCO.

In his remarks, Alhaji Hamza Madagali appreciated the visit and assured the party’s readiness to conduct free, fair and credible primary elections across all political offices.

2027: I’ll make Adamawa better with my 10-point agenda- Dr Girei

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Troops Ambush Terrorist Logistics Suppliers, Recover Items in Borno

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Troops Ambush Terrorist Logistics Suppliers, Recover Items in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have foiled an attempt by suspected terrorist logistics suppliers along the Ngoshe–Ashigashiya road in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the troops of 82 Division Task Force Battalion, deployed at Ngoshe, laid an ambush at a known crossing point along the route at about 2:20 a.m. on April 24.

The sources said the troops made contact with suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics suppliers conveying items to terrorist elements and engaged them with disciplined fire.

The suspects were forced to abandon the items and fled in disarray.

Items recovered during exploitation of the area include 10 pairs of women’s slippers, 28 sachets of 500g salt, 39 sachets of powdered milk, a motorcycle tube, a pair of joggers, two pieces of clothing materials measuring 10 yards each, two one-litre containers of engine oil and a black shirt.

The sources said no casualty was recorded on the side of the troops, while casualties on the part of the fleeing suspects could not be immediately ascertained.

They added that the troops returned to base at about 6:00 a.m. after completing the operation.

According to the sources, the general security situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and combat efficiency remain high.

Troops Ambush Terrorist Logistics Suppliers, Recover Items in Borno

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Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents

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Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist infiltration into Kanama town, neutralising four insurgents during a swift response operation in Borno State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 6:00 p.m. on April 22 when troops of 159 Battalion, deployed in Kanama, responded to sounds of gunfire within the town.

On arrival, the troops reportedly discovered that terrorists had infiltrated parts of the community.

The troops immediately made contact and engaged the attackers with disciplined fire, forcing them to retreat in disarray.

Subsequent exploitation of the general area led to the neutralisation of four terrorists.

One member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sustained injuries during the encounter and has been evacuated for medical attention.

No military equipment was lost during the operation.

Items recovered from the terrorists include two torchlight mobile phones and the sum of ₦21,000.

Security sources said the general situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high.

Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents

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