Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Kurnari in Buratai, recover weapons

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), North East Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have repelled a Boko Haram/ISWAP attack on Kurnari village in Buratai District, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred at about 1:34 a.m. on Monday when a large number of terrorists invaded the village.

According to the source, a patrol team deployed in the village engaged the insurgents in a gun battle, while reinforcements led by the Commanding Officer of 135 Battalion swiftly joined to support the troops.

“The attack was successfully repelled. Our troops also executed two direct fire missions along the terrorists’ withdrawal route from their base.

“During the encounter, one house was partially burnt by the terrorists, but there were no casualties recorded among civilians or troops.

“Although the number of terrorists killed could not be immediately confirmed, bloodstains littered the scene of the attack, indicating heavy casualties on their side,” the source said.

The terrorists reportedly destroyed an electricity pole supplying power to Kurnari and Buratai villages before the attack, plunging the communities into darkness to achieve surprise.

During exploitation after the encounter, troops recovered four belts of PKT ammunition containing 306 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, five RPG bombs, three AK-47 magazines with 30 rounds each, a yellow blanket, syringes, bandages, painkiller injections and the sum of N2,000.

The source added that normalcy had since returned to the community, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained high.

Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Kurnari in Buratai, recover weapons

Cuba rejects US deployment of military in Caribbean Sea

…Seeks UNGA intervention in American Blockade

By: Michael Mike

Cuba has rejected the current deployment of United States military forces in the Caribbean Sea.

Cuba equally asked that the United States should be compelled at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to lift the longstanding blockade imposed on her.

Member of the National Assembly of the People’s Power of Cuba (ANPP) and President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples (ICAP), and Hero of the Republic of Cuba, Hon. Fernando Gonzalez Llort, made the call in Abuja.

Gonzalez Llort who led a delegation of members of the institute to Nigeria on the occasion of the centenary celebration of Cuba Revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro in Abuja, said the deployment is a violation of the sovereignty and self-determination of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.

He said: “We strongly reject the current deployment of U.S. military forces in the Caribbean Sea. This dangerous act represents a serious threat and an aggressive show of force that violates the sovereignty and self-determination of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean. It also ignores the commitment of the 33 member countries of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States to proclaim the region as a Zone of Peace.”

On the economic blockade, the parliamentarian said: “It is essential to continue demanding the total, unconditional, and immediate lifting of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States Government against Cuba.”

He also called for the removal of Cuba from the list of terrorist sponsors, stating that:

“Likewise, we must renew efforts to achieve the removal of Cuba from the list of nations falsely accused of sponsoring terrorism.”

He also added that: “Similarly, it is a priority to dismantle attacks on the international medical collaboration that Cuba provides to other nations. This solidarity work reflects the altruistic spirit of the Revolution and has saved lives, restored health, and renewed hope for millions of people in beneficiary countries. Its defense is not only an act of justice but also a commitment to preserving essential humanitarian programmes.

“As Nelson Mandela said: “Cuba is an inspiration for all freedom-loving peoples.” And that inspiration has a name: Fidel.”

He also said “Cuba reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the Sahrawi people and supports the search for a definitive resolution to the question of Western Sahara, allowing them to exercise their right to self-determination and live in peace in their territory.

“Today, as we remember Fidel, let us renew our commitment to his principles. May Africa, Latin America, and all just peoples of the world continue raising their banners of struggle, because “a better world is possible.”

Former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola in his remarks on behalf of the Nigerian Movement of Solidarity with Cuba, described as one of the most outstanding leaders of contemporary history.

He said: “He was one of the most outstanding leaders of contemporary history.

“Fidel was simply a humanist who sought to make the world a better place and strived to do so by his personal example.

“Under his leadership, he built Cuba into a medical superpower that, since the 1960s, has sent over 10,000 Cuban doctors, nurses and medical personnel across the world, caring for about four million people. The Cuban medical system is so good that during Covid-19, while various countries shut their borders, Cuba not only left its own open to the needy but also sent medical teams to various countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North America, Latin America and Africa.

“We Africans particularly remember Cuba as the only country which, in our most trying times when Apartheid South Africa invaded Angola and threatened to overrun African countries, sent soldiers to our defence. The Cubans’ defeat of the seemingly invincible Apartheid forces was so crushing that on December 22, 1988, Apartheid South Africa signed a peace treaty committing to the independence of Namibia and South Africa.

“Today, as we join in the commencement of the Fidel Centenary, we remember and salute not just Commandante Fidel, but also Ernesto Che Guevara, who came out to fight in Africa in defence of the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo against neo-colonialism and died under Bolivian skies fighting for the poor and the repressed. We also remember the over 5,000 Cuban youths who laid down their lives under African skies for the continent to be fully liberated.”

He also said the United Nations General Assembly should demand that the United States end its 63-year economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba.

Cuba rejects US deployment of military in Caribbean Sea

Police recover body of woman from Jabi Lake in Abuja

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in the FCT has recovered the body of an unidentified woman from Jabi Lake in Abuja.

Sources said that the incident was reported to Jabi Division at about 10:37 a.m. on Saturday, following a distress call from Jabi Lake Recreation.

According to the sources, detectives dispatched to the scene discovered the lifeless body of a woman, estimated to be about 60 years old, floating on the lake.

The source added that no marks of violence were found on the body, while a pair of green slippers was recovered on the bank of the lake.

The sources explained that due to the decomposed state of the body, the Environmental Health Department was contacted for evacuation to prevent health hazards.

The sources said investigation was ongoing to establish the identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding her death.

Police recover body of woman from Jabi Lake in Abuja