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NSCDC Reiterates Commitment to Protect Schools
NSCDC Reiterates Commitment to Protect Schools
By: Our Reporter
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi has assured that its operatives will continue to provide the needed schools’ security to enhance a safe teaching and learning environment in the country.
He gave the assurance at a one-day stakeholders workshop organised by the Corps, with the theme, “Ensuring Schools Security For Sustainable National Development”, at the Corps National Headquarters, Abuja.
The CG hinted that participants were carefully selected from various MDAs who are co-stakeholders in the Safe Schools Initiative programme such as Ministries of Finance and Education, the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Nigeria Governors’ Forum among others.
He stated that the workshop will provide a forum for stakeholders to thoroughly examine the draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) document for the purpose of validation and full national implementation.
Represented by the Assistant Commandant General in charge of Operations, ACG Philip Ayuba, the CG described the Safe Schools Programme of the Federal Government as laudable, reiterating that, it will bring an end to series of attacks on schools and kidnapping of school children in the country.
According to Audi, the workshop also seek to harvest inputs, welcome suggestions and process the various contributions of other stakeholders towards the commencement of Safe Schools Operations in Nigeria.
He pointed out that as the lead agency in the programme, the NSCDC in May 2021, conducted a vulnerability survey of all schools in the country and have published the statistics obtained of all vulnerable schools for necessary action.
The Corps helmsman maintained that in continuation with its resolve to ensure security in schools, the NSCDC with assistance from the Federal Ministry of Finance, flagged off the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre on the 13th of February, 2023 to commence the national implementation of the programme.
He expressed optimism that at the end of workshop, participants will come up with a carefully and thoroughly examined SOP that will serve as a blueprint for the program’s implementation.
The representative of the Minister of Finance and Coordinator of National Safe Schools Programme, Hajiya Halima Iliya, commended the NSCDC for prioritising schools security and also leading in setting up of a Coordination Centre for the Safe Schools Programme at the NSCDC National Headquarters.
She pledged on behalf of the Minister to facilitate the funding of the programme before end of the present administration, as efforts are underway to ensure releases of necessary funds before the government of the day winds off.
In the same vein, the Chairman of the SOP drafting committee, Prof Tyoor Terhemba, expressed confidence in the composition of the participants for the workshop and encouraged them to make the best use of the technical session for useful contibutions to the draft policy document.
Tyoor said the document will be produced, published and made available to key actors who would be trained to carry out major response activities.
NSCDC Reiterates Commitment to Protect Schools
ISWAP evacuates 15 bodies, abandons VBIED after failed attack on New Marte
By: Zagazola Makama
At least 15 dead bodies of suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were hastily evacuated by their comrades after a failed midnight assault on New Marte in Borno State.
Zagazola Makama gathered from impeccable sources that the insurgents, on about 20 motorcycles had launched a coordinated attack on troops in New Marte at about 1:35 a.m. on Tuesday. They arrived on motorcycles and with a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), apparently aimed at breaching the battalion’s defences.
However, the combined firepower of Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Nigerian Air Force Air Component, overwhelmed the attackers. The VBIED, meant to cause maximum damage, was abandoned by the terrorists as they fled under sustained fire and aerial bombardment.
According to intelligence sources, the retreating insurgents made desperate efforts to evacuate their dead and wounded, managing to flee with at least 15 corpses of their fighters while leaving behind several destroyed motorcycles and heavy blood trails at the New Marte airstrip.
“They came in like a swarm, heavily armed, and used a VBIED to lead the charge. But once our troops responded and the air component came in, they were completely overwhelmed. They abandoned the VBIED and began dragging their casualties into the bush. From what we tracked, at least 15 bodies were evacuated. It was a major blow to them.”the sources said.
The source added that aerial surveillance and ground exploitation confirmed that several motorcycles used for the assault were destroyed in the process, while others were left behind due to the rapid counter-offensive.
Two Nigerian soldiers lost their lives during the encounter, while one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle sustained tyre damage and a gun truck was partially hit.
In a related incident, troops also foiled an attempted incursion by ISWAP fighters on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kumshe, where the terrorists were again repelled after a fierce exchange of fire. Some terrorists were believed to have been neutralised during the encounter.
ISWAP evacuates 15 bodies, abandons VBIED after failed attack on New Marte
FRSC staff kidnapped in Jos
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces say it has launched a search-and-rescue operation to free a kidnapped female staff of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Jos South Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that on May 26 at about 5:30 a.m., armed hoodlums invaded the resident in Rantya community and abducted one Kate Jonathan Akpabio, who is a staff member of the FRSC in Jos.
Army troops and other security agencies were mobilised to the scene upon receiving the distress call. A preliminary investigation confirmed that the assailants took the victim to an unknown destination before security forces arrived.
FRSC staff kidnapped in Jos
Gunmen kill two, injure three in fresh Bokkos attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Atleast two persons killed while three others injured during an attack on Mbor village, Mushere District, Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred in the early hours of May 26, when gunmen stormed the village at about 12:50 a.m. and opened fire indiscriminately.
The sources said as a result of the attack, two persons Jephthah Gretchen, and Juliet Jephthah, were shot and killed on the spot,” he said.
“Three others, identified as Mary Ishaku, Ishaku Ngumut and Nanbam Sunday, sustained varying degrees of injuries.” he added.
The injured victims were rushed to Luna Hospital for medical attention.
The corpses of the deceased were released to their families for burial after relatives declined a request for post-mortem examination.
The sources said reinforcement has been deployed to the community to restore calm and track down the perpetrators.
Gunmen kill two, injure three in fresh Bokkos attack
ISWAP evacuates 15 bodies, abandons VBIED after failed attack on New Marte
FRSC staff kidnapped in Jos
Gunmen kill two, injure three in fresh Bokkos attack
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