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Ondo Governorship Election: IPCR Calls For Violence-Free Election
Ondo Governorship Election: IPCR Calls For Violence-Free Election
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called for violence-free Ondo State gubernatorial election.
The Institute said as the preparations for the conduct of the election has reached an advanced stage with the date fixed and logistical arrangements concluded, there’s need for a robust sensitization campaign focused on the achievement of a peaceful process, adding that the imperative for peace in electoral systems, irrespective of locations and geographies, is very critical because it guarantees viability and ultimately, sustainability.
The Institute said it is very important, aside being peaceful that the election is also credible and acceptable by the local and International community.
It would be recalled that the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), the Nigerian government agency responsible for the promotion of peace and conflict management, has since inception in 2000 been playing the pivotal and nation-building role of mobilizing and sensitizing the Nigerian citizenry towards the pursuit of, and conduct of peaceful elections devoid of acrimonies and impliedly, any form of volatility.
A statement signed on Monday by the Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu read: “On the imperative of violence-free elections in Ondo state, the IPCR said that ‘Peace’ remains the stimulating and sustaining energy driving the socio-economic and political development of all organized states.
“It can be argued that it is the relative peace attained in the democratic space over these years – as fostered by IPCR and other Peacebuilding actors – that has guaranteed the stability of the Nigerian electoral system beyond its shaky beginnings. This notable achievement is no doubt connected to the recently celebrated twenty five years of unbroken democratic culture in the country.”
The statement further read that: “The Nigerian democratic experience is unique because it pursues the overall interest of the public, in addition to guaranteeing citizens’ rights to demand accountability from elected officials in honour of the tenets of the social contract covenant as universally prescribed by classical socio-political and moral thinkers like Grotius, Kant, Hobbes and Gentili. No doubt, this is what justifies and gives credence to the system. Also, this necessitates the urgency for securing the process by ensuring that nothing related to violence occurs during the Ondo elections.”
Ochogwu said: “In order to ensure a smooth and violence-free electoral process, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolutions proffers the following recommendations;
“All stakeholders to the Ondo state elections should collaboratively ensure that the space is detoxified so that characteristically provocative utterances and accompanying hate speeches that fly across political party divides during important electoral cycles like the forthcoming elections are checked.
“The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) equally considers it necessary to request that the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) rise to their responsibility by ensuring an effective monitoring of the Ondo electoral spaces towards guaranteeing that arms proliferation before, during and after the elections are indeed controlled.
“In the same spirit, the NDLEA and the NAFDAC should work assiduously while heading-towards the achievement of their noble goal of cutting-off access to illicit drugs flow whiles at the same time severing the networks that service the drug needs of would-be violent actors before, during and after elections.”
The IPCR however, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its role in the conduct of elections so far.
Ondo Governorship Election: IPCR Calls For Violence-Free Election
Troops storm bandit leader’s camp in Zamfara, neutralise 20, destroy stronghold
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 8 Division, Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have stormed the camp of a notorious bandit leader, Gwaska Dan Karmi, in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, neutralising 20 terrorists and destroying the stronghold.
A military source told Zagazola Makama that the decisive, well-coordinated offensive followed credible intelligence that over 100 bandits had converged at the camp to plan coordinated attacks on communities and logistics movements.
According to the source, the troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilantes, conducted week-long surveillance before moving to intercept the terrorists.
“Contact was established on Jan. 31, 2026, as the terrorists advanced. They engaged the troops in a fierce firefight and attempted a flanking manoeuvre, but this was repelled by superior firepower,” the source said.
He said 20 terrorists were neutralised in the encounter, while several others fled with gunshot wounds. Follow-up operations, the source added, were ongoing to assess further casualties and recover additional items.
The raid yielded significant recoveries, including assorted weapons and ammunition, bicycles, food supplies, medical drugs, clothing, detergents and other logistics materials.
“The Gwaska Dan Karmi camp was completely destroyed,” the source said.
He noted that troops remained highly motivated, with combat efficiency assessed as strong and unwavering.
Troops storm bandit leader’s camp in Zamfara, neutralise 20, destroy stronghold
Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Army troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in collaboration with the Zamfara State Police Command, have rescued an abducted man in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said that the incident occurred on Jan. 29, when armed bandits invaded the residence of Abdullahi Isah Nagari on the outskirts of Tsafe town and abducted him to an unknown destination.
According to the source, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in collaboration with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Tsafe Division promptly mobilised to launch a coordinated rescue operation.
“During a thorough search of the surrounding bushes, the victim was successfully located and rescued. He was found tied to a tree with a machete cut injury on his hand,” the source said.
The sources added that the victim was immediately taken to the General Hospital, Tsafe, where he was receiving medical attention.
The source said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the perpetrators, while security patrols had been intensified in the area to prevent further occurrences.
Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara
U.S. official heads to Mali to reset ties, boost Sahel cooperation
By: Zagazola Makama
A senior official of the United States Government, Nick Checker, is travelling to Bamako to convey Washington’s respect for Mali’s sovereignty and explore a new course in bilateral relations between the two countries.
This is according to a statement issued by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs.
The statement said Checker, a Senior Bureau Official at the State Department, would engage Malian authorities on ways to move past previous policy missteps and rebuild cooperation.
It added that the United States was looking forward to discussing next steps for enhancing U.S.–Mali relations, particularly in the areas of security and economic development.
“The United States also plans to consult with other governments in the region, including Burkina Faso and Niger, on shared security and economic interests,” the statement said.
It noted that the visit underscored Washington’s desire to strengthen engagement with Sahelian countries amid ongoing regional security and political challenges.
The Bureau said the discussions would focus on practical ways to promote stability, respect for sovereignty and mutually beneficial cooperation across the Sahel.
U.S. official heads to Mali to reset ties, boost Sahel cooperation
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Troops storm bandit leader’s camp in Zamfara, neutralise 20, destroy stronghold
Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara
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