One Week After Black Monday in Maiduguri, Police Headquarters Count Losses

By: Bodunrin Kayode

As Maiduguri residents continue to count the cost of casualties from last Monday’s IED explosion, the Nigerian Police Command headquarters has said that one of its men, Sergeant David Samuel has lost his life in the tragedy.

The Command which has been very careful in the way the death of the sergeant was managed announced through their spokesman Nahum Daso that it has been established that a police sergeant serving the country in the state paid the supreme sacrifice after being inflicted with multiple wounds at the Monday market explosion.

Until his death, the tall Sergeant David Samuel was one of the guards securing the Monday market against insurgents who have a penchant for penetrating multi billion naira crowded areas like the Monday market.

Though Police Sergeant Samuel did not die on the same Monday evening the tragic incident occurred, he died two days after possibly due to the resultant injuries which led to excessive bleeding.

While many others survived due to the innate resilience of residents of the city to survive, Sam however died two days after the blast on wednesday last week due to what hospital sources described as complications at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) were he was finally admitted after the blast.

Spokesperson of the Police Command who disclosed the sad news to this reporter noted that Sergeant Samuel had reported for duty that day not knowing that last monday would be his last assignment for his country.

“He actually died of multiple injuries not on the spot but in the hospital. The injuries in many parts of his body obviously led to complications coupled with the trauma which would have dealt a heavy blow on him” said ASP Daso.

Sergeant Sam who hails from Askira Uba is survived by his parents, siblings and family members and has since being buried at the Dala cemetery in Maiduguri after the church service held at EYN tanki

Maiduguri had witnessed a lull in such violent active by these criminals until recently when troops embarked on clearance operations dealt heavy blows in the insurgent hideouts inside the Timbuktu triangular and beyond.

One Week After Black Monday in Maiduguri, Police Headquarters Count Losses

Strong Bilateral Ties, Trade, Others Top Agenda As VP Shettima, Swiss Counterpart Meet

By: Our Reporter

Switzerland to return Benin bronzes, artefacts to Nigeria, pledges support to combat insecurity in North East

Nigeria and Switzerland have agreed to actively strengthen their bilateral relations, focusing on a multi-faceted approach that spans trade, economic cooperation, skills acquisition, migration, security and cultural exchange.

This was the outcome of the meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Vice President of Switzerland, Mr. Ignazio Cassis, on Tuesday.

The Nigerian Vice President received his Swiss counterpart and his spouse, Paola Rodoni Cassis, at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International, Abuja, where they met behind closed doors.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Vice President Cassis, who is also the Foreign Minister of Switzerland, disclosed that discussions dwelled on improved bilateral relations, free trade agreement, skills acquisition, migration, cultural exchange, and support for Nigeria in tackling the security situation in the North East region.

He said, “We are considering improving our bilateral relations. We are considering to analyse the opportunity of making a free trade agreement with the AfCFTA family and Nigeria. Secondly, we are working together very much in diplomatic efforts to address the many different conflicts in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.

“Thirdly, we are contributing to vocational training in Nigeria, with the Swiss companies in Nigeria creating the best conditions for young people to peacefully live together by being skilled enough to have jobs for the future.”

Vice President Cassis noted that the two countries also agreed to improve cultural cooperation, including restitution of cultural materials, even as he said, “We also have cooperation in migration issue, and every year, we are meeting together, where we explore every facet of this cooperation.”

He expressed gratitude to Nigeria for its continuous presence in the World Economic Forum (WEF) held annually in Davos, just as he congratulated the nation for the Nigeria House commissioned in Davos this year.

Shedding more light on the outcome of the meeting, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, said the discussions were a continuation of the old relationship between both countries that dates back to 1961.

He said, “Vice President Cassis expressed keenness to see Nigeria and Switzerland sign a free trade agreement, and this is a very welcome development. There were other discussions about Swiss businesses and investments. There are so many of them, and that is why from here he goes to Lagos to engage with the private sector.”

The Minister disclosed that the Swiss government also agreed to return bronzes and artefacts belonging to the Benin Kingdom in Edo State, as part of efforts to strengthen cultural ties between both countries.

“There was a general assurance that we need to strengthen the relationship between the two countries not just when it comes to business but also cultural aspect of the relationship.

“So, there are Benin bronzes that are going to be returned from Switzerland. He informed the Vice President that the Swiss Minister of Culture will be visiting Nigeria shortly, and this was something that was highly appreciated,” Tuggar stated.

He said Vice President Shettima welcomed the developments “and assured that Nigeria will continue to engage with Switzerland and continue to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos because there were some uncertainties as to whether it will remain in Davos or not.”

Other members of the Swiss delegation included Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Ambassador Patricia Danzig; Head of the Africa Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Philip Stalder; Head of the Peace and Human Rights Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tim Enderlin, and Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Patrick Egloff,” among others.

Strong Bilateral Ties, Trade, Others Top Agenda As VP Shettima, Swiss Counterpart Meet

Troops detect, detonate IED along Ngoshe–Pulka road in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team of 82 Division Task Force Battalion have successfully detected and detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) along a major supply route in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.

Security sources said the device was discovered at about 9:42 a.m. on March 22 during a routine scan of the Main Supply Route (MSR) between PAPA 4 and PAPA 5 along the Ngoshe–Pulka road.

The IED, suspected to have been planted by terrorists to target troops and commuters, was safely recovered and detonated in situ by the EOD team without causing any casualties.

Military sources said the operation was part of ongoing counter-IED measures aimed at ensuring the safety of movement along critical routes in the North-East.

Residents and road users have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects or activities to security agencies for prompt action.

Troops detect, detonate IED along Ngoshe–Pulka road in Borno