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How swift intervention by troops prevents mass murder as irate youths kill 7 in plateau
How swift intervention by troops prevents mass murder as irate youths kill 7 in plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Swift intervention by gallant troops of the Nigerian Army on Friday evening prevented what could have been a large-scale massacre after irate youths attacked innocent travellers in Mangun community, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The victims peaceful citizens of Hausa extraction were en route Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area to attend a wedding ceremony when their 18-seater bus mistakenly veered off course into Mangun via the Panyam–Kerang–Mangun road at about 6:00 p.m. on June 20.
Instead of helping the confused travellers, the assailants driven by deadly assumptions descended on the bus, viciously attacking the occupants, killing seven on the spot, injuring 21 others, and setting the vehicle ablaze.
It was the urgent and decisive response by troops under Operation Lafiyan Jama’a that averted a massacre of unimaginable scale. The troops rushed to the scene, engaged in a rescue operation under high tension, and successfully evacuated the survivors to safety. The injured were administered emergency treatment before being taken to the General Hospital in Mangu.
Preliminary findings confirmed the travellers were unarmed civilians, peaceful Nigerians who had only lost their way on a journey of joy.
Zagazola in the strongest possible terms, condemns this senseless, barbaric, and bloodthirsty attack on innocent souls whose only “offence” was their identity and wrong turn into a volatile community. This was not self-defence. It was cold-blooded murder, and the perpetrators must be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
Enough of this ethnic profiling and mob justice that continues to claim the lives of Nigerians across the country. Plateau State has seen too much bloodshed, and this latest atrocity is a painful reminder that hate continues to fester where justice is denied.
We commend the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their timely, courageous, and life-saving response. But it must not end there. Security agencies, traditional leaders, and government authorities must rise above lip service and ensure that every single individual involved in this heinous act is brought to book. Silence or delay would only embolden future attackers.
As troops continue to dominate the general area to prevent escalation, the nation watches and waits, not just for peace to return, but for justice to prevail.
How swift intervention by troops prevents mass murder as irate youths kill 7 in plateau
Breaking: Kanu fails to open defence, cites former counsel’s retention of case file
By: Zagazola Makama
The detained leader of the proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday failed to open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu attributed his inability to present his defence to the failure of his former legal team, led by former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Kanu Agabi, to hand over his case file, preventing him from adequately preparing.
The defendant was initially slated to open his defence on Thursday but instead announced the sacking of his legal team and requested a short adjournment until Friday.
On Friday, the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), informed the court that the case was scheduled for Kanu to open his defence. When called, Kanu informed the court he could not proceed as those responsible for delivering his case file to the Department of State Services (DSS) facility, where he is being held, had failed to do so.
Kanu prayed for an adjournment until Monday, October 27, to access the case file and familiarise himself with its contents. He further stated he was expecting witnesses from the United Kingdom, the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia, and requested an order allowing him to meet with them over the weekend for preparation.
The court granted his request, instructing the DSS to allow Kanu receive visitors on Saturday and Sunday. Justice James Omotosho adjourned the trial till October 27 for Kanu to open his defence, warning that the six days initially granted for his defence, which began on October 23, will not be extended.
Breaking: Kanu fails to open defence, cites former counsel’s retention of case file
Farmer injured in herders’ attack in Konduga
By: Zagazola Makama
A farmer has been hospitalized after sustaining severe machete wounds in an attack by suspected herders at Jakana Village, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when a group of herders reportedly led their cattle into a beans farm belonging to locals and grazed on the crops.
During an attempt by Mohammad Ali Fantami, 30, of Kadamari Lamboa bush, to drive the cattle away, one of the herders allegedly attacked him with a machete, severing his left hand and inflicting deep cuts on his neck before escaping.
The victim was evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), where he is said to be responding to treatment.
Efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the perpetrators as investigations continue into the incident.
End
Troops repel another ISWAP ambush, recover arms, motorcycles in Magumeri
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have foiled a series of ambush attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists along the Damasak–Gubio road in Magumeri axis of Borno State.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the troops, who were on a fighting patrol as part of Operation Desert Sanity IV, came under fire from suspected terrorists on arrival at Binduldul.
Sources stated that the troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee in disarray. Reinforcements led by the Commanding Officer of the Battalion later exploited the scene, recovering two motorcycles, one AK-47 rifle, five blankets, three praying mats, a spare motorcycle tyre and two gallons of engine oil.
The sources added that one terrorist was neutralised during the encounter.
Furthermore, at about 3:05 p.m. on the same day, while withdrawing from the area, the troops encountered another ambush involving an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack followed by heavy gunfire from ISWAP fighters near Kardio village.
The soldiers successfully repelled the assault, safely detonated another IED along their main supply route, and returned to base without any casualty.
Photographs from the operation indicated successful recovery of items and neutralisation of threats in the area.
Troops repel another ISWAP ambush, recover arms, motorcycles in Magumeri
Breaking: Kanu fails to open defence, cites former counsel’s retention of case file
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