Diplomatic Community Calls for Stricter Sanctions Against Russia to End Siege on Ukraine

By: Michael Mike

A call has been made for stricter global sanctions against Russian Federation to compel it to stop the continued attacks of Ukraine.

Members of the Diplomatic Community in Nigeria who spoke to our correspondent insisted that the condemnation of Russian attacks on Ukraine has not shown to be sufficient to put an end to the attacks, insisting that something heavier needed to be done to make Russia stop the siege.

The European Council had recently adopted a sweeping 19th package of further 69 individual listings and numerous economic restrictive measures targeting key sectors which allegedly fuel Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including energy, finance and the military industrial complex.

The Council is also strengthening control over the movement of Russian diplomats across the EU and taking further measures against those responsible for the abduction of Ukrainian children.

As part of the package, the Council also imposed further measures on Belarus to restrict the latter’s support for the Russian war effort.

The package is said to have come in response to Russia’s escalating aggression against Ukraine, in particular the recent brutal military campaign deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy, water and health facilities. These attacks, which have inflicted severe suffering on the civilian population, are seen to further underscore Russia’s unwillingness to pursue peace.

Some of the diplomats who spoke to our correspondent insisted that though the world has shown to be against the invasion with United Nations resolutions but extra actions need to be taken to twist the arms of Russian.

They stated that such action should include stop of diplomatic relations, trading, among others.

Ukrainian authorities have recently drawn the attention of the international community to the large-scale, deliberate, targeted, and systematic use of cluster munitions by Russia during its aggression against Ukraine.

Among the numerous documented cases, it alleged the killing of 22 people and injury of 31 in Chernihiv on 17 March 2022, following an MLRS Uragan strike; the attack on Kramatorsk on 8 April 2022, with a Tochka-U cluster missile that hit the railway station during the evacuation of civilians, resulting in the killing of 54 and 135 wounded; the missile strike on Kyiv on 17 June 2025, with a Kh-69 missile, after which 29 objects resembling cluster submunitions were discovered.

It claimed this is far from an exhaustive list of Ukrainian cities where the Russian Federation has used cluster munitions, alleging that Russian perpetrators deliberately and systematically use cluster munitions to maximize civilian casualties and destruction.

It decried that this is an element of Moscow’s broader policy of terror against the Ukrainian people, noting that such actions by Russia constitute a flagrant violation of fundamental norms of IHL.

The Ukrainian authorities further alleged that Russian troops apply the devastating practice of repeated air strikes in the same places to cause casualties among unarmed medics, police and rescuers who arrive at the scene of the attacks.

It said: “The nature of Russian double strikes has become much more brutal and targeted against members of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine, who are protected persons under IHL. Since February 2022, at least 105 rescuers have been killed in the line of duty, and more than 500 have been injured. We are recording a further increase in the number of attacks by Russia on humanitarian personnel, transport, and cargo. This is targeted terror against emergency services.

“Russia openly publishes videos showing how it deliberately targets rescuers with drones — people who are not fighting, who are unarmed and who are saving lives after Russia’s own shelling. This is not just terror — it is blatant inhumanity. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale military invasion, 105 employees of the State Emergency Service have been killed and 502 wounded. These actions fall under the category of war crimes.”

Diplomatic Community Calls for Stricter Sanctions Against Russia to End Siege on Ukraine

COAS recounts personal battle injury during fight with Boko Haram, assures wounded troops of full support in maiduguri

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, on Thursday, visited wounded soldiers receiving treatment at the Maimalari Cantonment Medical Centre, Maiduguri, with a strong message that the Nigerian Army will not abandon troops injured in the line of duty.

Shuaibu’s visit followed growing concerns among injured personnel and internally displaced persons (IDPs), who fear that recent intensified insurgent activities in parts of Borno may signal a renewed wave of attacks.

Addressing the wounded soldiers, the COAS disclosed that he was once admitted to the same hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds while fighting Boko Haram in the North East.

“I was once like you. I was brought to this same hospital when I was wounded in battle. I understand what you are going through,” he said.

Shuaibu assured them of the Army’s commitment to ensuring their full medical recovery and welfare, insisting that their sacrifices would never be forgotten.

“I want to assure you of our total support to enable you recuperate fully. Your sacrifices will not be in vain,” he added.

The COAS said the renewed offensive operations being planned by the military would place troops’ safety and welfare at the centre of decision-making, noting that the Army under his leadership would prioritise timely evacuation, improved medical response and adequate compensation for injured personnel.

He also urged them to remain courageous, stressing that their resilience inspires ongoing and future operations.

Some wounded soldiers who spoke expressed relief and said the visit restored confidence that they were not forgotten.

COAS recounts personal battle injury during fight with Boko Haram, assures wounded troops of full support in maiduguri

Idris Says Nigeria Has Chosen to Resolve Misinformation of Genocide Through Diplomatic Channels

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has said that the genocide debacle with the United States will be resolved through diplomatic channels.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said this on Thursday at the 50th Anniversary of Angola, stating that the government will continue to explain the true situation of things in the country.

Idris while acknowledging that there are challenges in the country, insisted that the terrorist attacks are not targeted at one religious group.

He noted that both Christians and Muslims are victims of terrorists, arguing that the narrative about killings of Christians held by the U.S government is not one that would be resolved through press briefings.

The Minister revealed that: “We are trying as much as possible to make sure that this is resolved through diplomatic channels.”

He said that: “You all know how some people are helping to shape the narrative of who we are as a country.

“We know who we are. We know what Nigeria is.

“I could relate to that. So to think about what is happening now, I think some people are trying to shape the narrative for us.

The truth is that yes, we have security challenges in our country. Yes, we have Christian skills. No doubt about that.

“Yes, we also have Muslim skills. We have security challenges. All of us are aware of that.

“But to characterise Nigeria as a country that does not erase religious freedom, I think it’s wrong. We will continue to say that. We will continue to dig in.”

He expressed joy with the statements made by some partners and regional groups.

“I’m glad the statements we are hearing from the Economic Community of West African Commission, from the African Union, and the solidarity of the European Union, and the solidarity that everyone is showing together at this challenging time and when some narratives that we know are not really very correct about who we are as Nigerians.”

As I was sitting here I am receiving torrents of information still, fresh information coming out of the U.S. on this matter. And I’ve been bombarded by foreign journalists to respond to some of them. “We are trying as much as possible to make sure that this is resolved through diplomatic channels.

“But we have a duty to explain who we are as a country. We have a duty to also call on all Nigerians to come together, to think together.

“This is not a time for politics. This is not a time to say what you believe and what you don’t. This is a time to think and behave as a Nigerian.

“And I think that is what all of us should do. We must challenge the Nigerian media for reciprocation. And I want to challenge once again that all of us need only to put forth those things that promote our political existence as Nigerians, not the things that divide us.”

He assured Nigerians and the diplomatic community that “the government of Nigeria is functioning. It is listening to some of these very strong messages coming from all around the world and all the concerns of people from this country and outside. We are listening.

“But also keeping our cool and inviting all those that can help us to really navigate through this. When you shoot a bullet, it doesn’t mean you fall. You have a good identity.”

The commended the honoured former general for shaping the African continent and keeping the continents together.

The four Generals are : Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Major. Gen. Chris Garuba, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa and Big.Gen. Saleh Bala.

“And we are happy that you are recognising that. Nigeria is not just Angola. Nigeria is indeed a big brother to Africa,” Idris said.

“And we know all about this. And we want to take this energy, but also ask all Africans, and indeed the whole world, to also recognise what Nigeria is and what it truly represents. Let us not be characterised by what we are not,” he added.

Idris Says Nigeria Has Chosen to Resolve Misinformation of Genocide Through Diplomatic Channels