News
Troops foil attack on military base, kill eight jihadists
Troops of the Nigerian Army killed eight suspected Islamic State-allied jihadists after preventing a raid on a military base in central Niger state, where hundreds of militants are being held, two military sources said on Monday.
According to reports, dozens of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters tried to break into the Wawa military cantonment in the remote New Bussa village near the border with the Benin Republic late on Saturday to free more than 1,000 of their comrades detained there.
The Wawa attack underscores the threat ISWAP poses to Nigeria as the group expands outside its traditional northeast stronghold, where the army has battled jihadists for more than a decade.
“The terrorists attacked the base around midnight in large numbers but they were pulverised with air support, leading to the death of eight of them,” one military officer said.
Three of the attackers, including their commander, were captured in the fight, the officer said.
The army has still not officially commented on the attack.
Troops at the base had received intelligence militants were preparing an attack and waiting for them, said a second officer who gave the same toll.
The jihadists tried to blast their way through the gates of the base with dynamite and heavy guns, but met “stiff resistance” from troops at the base, said the second source.
“It was obvious they wanted to free other terrorists being held in the facility as they did in Kuje Prison,” said the officer.
He was referring to the jailbreak at the Kuje prison near Nigeria’s capital Abuja in June where ISWAP fighters blasted their way into the prison, freeing hundreds of inmates, including more than 100 high-profile jihadists.
That attack was a major embarrassment for Nigeria’s security forces and was just 20 kilometres from the city’s international airport.
Nigeria’s police on Friday said they had beefed up security especially in the capital after the United States and Britain warned of a high “terror” threat in Abuja.
The US has given no details but has ordered diplomats’ families to leave Abuja due to what it called a “heightened risk of terrorist attacks.”
The Wawa base houses around 1,700 jihadist suspects that have been in detention for the past five years.
The base was used between 2017 and 2018 as a court to try some of the 2,500 Boko Haram and ISWAP suspects.
More than 40,000 people have been killed and over two million more displaced from their homes by the conflict in Nigeria’s northeast.
Increasingly ISWAP has claimed attacks far from the northeast, including in Kogi and Niger states that both border the Federal Capital Territory, where Abuja is located.
The Wawa attack is the latest pointing to the group’s growing influence in Niger state where officials and security analysts have been expressing concern over growing ties between the jihadists and criminal gangs called bandits.
Troops foil attack on military base, kill eight jihadists
Headlines
FRSC warns truck drivers against speeding, reckless driving
Mr Joshua Ibitomi, the Area Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC),
Ibeju-Lekki, Epe Division, Lagos State, has warned truck drivers against speeding and reckless driving.
He gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibeju-Lekki on Tuesday.
The FRSC official, who blamed speeding on the ghastly vehicle accident that occurred at Aiyetoro market in Epe
which claimed several lives and left some injured, said that with careful driving, such accident could be avoided.
He added that “the accident was as a result of speeding, reckless driving and loading of truck beyond its capacity.
“All these are factors responsible for accident when drivers are not conscious of the driving rules.
“Vehicle can develop technical fault at any time, therefore, speed limit and caution need to be applied while driving.”
He said FRSC had been sensitising drivers on the need to install speed limit device and be road conscious while driving, in line with the mandate to instill decent use of road.
Ibitomi also advised passers-by and the public to be safety conscious while walking on roadsides to avoid falling victim of accidents.
He attributed major road crashes on roads to speed limit violation, urging drivers to respect the sanctity of human life by obeying traffic rules.
He added that the FRSC had evolved measures to ensure accident-free yuletide and new year festivities in 2024
Headlines
Trump Victory Sparks Celebration in Florida, Disappointment for Harris Supporters
Jubilant supporters celebrated Donald Trump’s apparent victory in Florida early Wednesday as he claimed a return to the White House, despite most major news networks holding off on officially calling the race.
At an event in Palm Beach, Trump supporters reveled in the win projected by Fox News, cheering as the former president declared a “political victory that our country has never seen before.”
“I feel extraordinary,” said 68-year-old supporter Ted Sarvanis, dancing with arms in the air. “This is the greatest American political story in the history of the country.”
Joined by running mate J.D. Vance, Trump took the stage, celebrating his projected win. The atmosphere at the convention center was electric, with supporters sporting “Make America Great Again” caps and mingling in formal attire and Trump-themed clothing.
“I feel relieved. I was a little bit scared because you never know how things are going to turn out,” said Stacy Kurtz, 45.
In contrast, a far different scene unfolded for Vice President Kamala Harris’s supporters at Howard University in Washington, where they were hoping for a Democratic win.
As the night wore on and Trump gained electoral votes in key battleground states, disappointment swept through the crowd.
“I am scared, I am anxious now,” said Charlyn Anderson earlier in the evening.
Democratic watch parties in places like Atlanta and Pennsylvania grew somber as results rolled in, with Lynn Johnson, 65, expressing concern, “It’s going to be dangerous if he wins. I don’t feel safe.”
While Trump’s supporters celebrated a comeback, the mood among Democrats was marked by worry and disbelief.
“He’s a terrible candidate, so it just doesn’t make sense,” said Harris supporter Ken Brown.
The contrasting scenes highlighted the nation’s deep political divide on election night.
Headlines
Tinubu Congratulates Trump on Historic Re-Election, Eyes Stronger U.S.-Nigeria Ties
President Bola Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States, expressing optimism for stronger ties between Nigeria and the U.S. in an era of global challenges.
The congratulatory message, issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasises the Nigerian leader’s hopes for a renewed partnership between the two nations.
Following his victory on Wednesday, Trump pledged to “heal” the country, marking a stunning political comeback as he edged past Kamala Harris in a closely contested election.
Tinubu, in his message, affirmed, “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”
Tinubu highlighted that Trump’s return to the White House reflects the trust and confidence of the American people in his leadership, praising their commitment to democracy.
Given Trump’s experience from 2017 to 2021 as the 45th President, Tinubu foresees a new era of “earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.”
The Nigerian President also expressed confidence that Trump’s leadership will contribute to peace and prosperity worldwide, acknowledging America’s significant influence on global affairs.
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