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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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Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina

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Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and Police Command in Katsina State, have foiled an attempted attack by armed bandits in Malumfashi Local Government Area.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 7:35 p.m. following credible intelligence that armed bandits on motorcycles were heading towards Gora village.

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and other security operatives, intercepted the bandits and engaged in a fierce gun duel.

The bandits fled in disarray under superior firepower. No casualty was recorded, and calm has since returned to the area,”said sources.

The sources added that aggressive patrols and clearance operations had been intensified to track down the fleeing criminals.

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina

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4 arrested over attack on Sokoto Deputy Governor’s convoy

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4 arrested over attack on Sokoto Deputy Governor’s convoy

By: Zagazola Makama

At least four persons have been arrested over an attack on the convoy of the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State who was returning from a condolence visit in Shagari Local Government Area.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the deputy governor had visited Shagari town to commiserate with victims displaced by recent bandits’ attacks on their villages when angry displaced persons attacked him.

“On his way back around 1 p.m., the convoy was obstructed by displaced persons who blocked the road and vandalised some vehicles in the entourage.

“Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, swiftly cleared the obstruction and restored order.

“Four suspects were arrested at the scene and transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for discreet investigation,” sources said.

The sources added that calm had since returned to the area, while security had been reinforced to forestall further disturbances.

4 arrested over attack on Sokoto Deputy Governor’s convoy

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20 feared dead in Niger boat mishap

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20 feared dead in Niger boat mishap

By: Zagazola Makama

Twenty persons, including the village head of Tungan-Sule in Malale District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger, have drowned in a boat mishap.

Sources said the tragedy occurred at about 1:45 p.m. on Sept. 2 when a locally made wooden boat carrying the victims capsized while on transit between Tungan-Sule and Toduga villages.

According to the sources, all the passengers were drowned before the arrival of the rescue team.

“The bodies were later recovered and buried at the riverbank according to traditional rites,” said the sources.

The sources said that police and local authorities had visited the community to commiserate with the families of the deceased.

20 feared dead in Niger boat mishap

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