- More terrorists neutralised in Northeast, 67 victims rescued
By Musa Umar Bologi, Abuja
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has assured that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will not relent but will reclaim every inch of territory occupied by terrorists.
He gave the assurance, on Friday, during an operational visit to the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA Sector 2/213 Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Katsina, on Friday.
The NAF boss charged personnel to intensify efforts in fulfilling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to decisively eliminate all threats to the safety and security of Nigerians.
“We cannot relent for a moment. The nation is counting on us to restore peace and reclaim every inch of territory challenged by insurgents and criminals,” he said.
The CAS noted that Nigeria’s security environment has become increasingly complex, with ruthless non-state actors spreading violence and causing significant loss of innocent lives. He urged personnel to remain “agile, innovative, and ruthlessly precise” in confronting security threats.
Aneke emphasised the unprecedented support the NAF has received from the federal government, including the acquisition of modern platforms, advanced weaponry, and enhanced professional training, which, he said, has placed a solemn responsibility on the Air Force.
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The NAF boss commended the troops for their courage, precision, and professionalism in striking the adversaries despite the operational challenges in the region, assuring the total elimination of security threats in all parts of the country.
“We will not rest until every threat to our sovereignty is neutralised,” he said.
“Wherever they hide, whether in forests, valleys, or remote villages, our forces will find them, and we will strike with precision.
“Our mission is clear: to hunt them down and to protect our people.”
The CAS urged personnel to sustain the operational momentum and ensure that every mission reflects the NAF’s core values of discipline, service, and patriotism.
He assured that welfare of personnel remains the NAF’s top priority, stressing that the fight against insecurity must go hand-in-hand with the well-being of personnel.
“A force that fights hard must also live well. Under my leadership, your welfare, training, and equipment will match your courage in the field.
“You are the nation’s shield, and your safety and morale are non-negotiable,” the said
The NAF boss said the service would continue to invest in modern capabilities, intelligence systems, and technology-driven operations to secure lasting dominance in the air and impact on the ground.
Troops kill scores of terrorists, rescue 67 victims, nab 94 suspects – DHQ
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have intensified operations across the country, neutralising scores of terrorists, rescuing 67 kidnapped victims and arresting 94 criminal suspects in two weeks.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Olatokunbo Bello, disclosed on Friday in Abuja, while giving an update on military operations conducted between November 3 and 14.
Bello said troops recovered large quantities of arms and ammunition, including automatic rifles, machine guns, RPG tubes, locally fabricated weapons, and IED-making materials, in addition to destroying criminal camps and logistics bases.
In the Northeast, he said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained offensive actions in Borno and Adamawa States, killing several Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters.
According to him, troops also apprehended 45 terrorists’ informants, collaborators and logistics suppliers, and rescued one kidnapped victim.
Bello said the troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, in the Northwest, killed several terrorists across Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi and Kano States during the period.
He added that troops arrested two suspects and rescued 13 kidnapped victims while recovering weapons, vehicles and livestock.
In the North Central, Bello said the troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to multiple attacks in Plateau and Kaduna States, killing extremists, arresting 16 suspects, and rescuing five kidnapped victims.
According to him, a notorious criminal, Ibrahim Wakili, was also arrested in the Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Nov. 9.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke recorded further successes in Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States, killing several criminals, arresting 10 suspects, and rescuing 48 kidnapped victims.
“Additionally, two gunrunners and two extremist collaborators were arrested in Nasarawa State,” he said.
The defence spokesman further disclosed that troops of Operation Delta Safe foiled oil theft worth over N15.8 million in the Niger Delta region during the period.
He added that several illegal refining sites were discovered and destroyed, as well as the arrest of nine suspected oil thieves in Bayelsa and Delta States.
In the Southeast, Bello said the troops of Operation Udo Ka had sustained pressure on criminal elements, killing one terrorist and arresting seven others in operations conducted in Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
He commended the troops for their resilience and urged the media to continue disseminating accurate and verified information in support of national security efforts. (NAN)
Muslims were first victims of Boko Haram in Nigeria – AU chair
Mahmoud Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, has said that there are no targeted Christian killings in northern Nigeria.
Speaking with reporters at the United Nations in New York, Youssouf said the complexity of the security situation in northern Nigeria cannot be described as Christian genocide.
He said the first victims of Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria were Muslims and not Christians.
“The first victims of Boko Haram are Muslims, not Christians. And I’m saying it with documented references,” he said.
“The complexity of northern part of Nigeria should not be taken that easily. So, what we are saying to those statements (Christian genocide claims) is that the African continent is very complex.
“It is not that easy to describe these situations with such very easy words that can be used in not reasonable way.
“That is why the AU commission is very clear about that. We have made it clear in our statement and communique and we would like to stress again that there is no genocide in northern Nigeria.”
“What’s going on in northern part of Nigeria has nothing to do with the kind of atrocities we see in Sudan or in some part of eastern DRC.
“Think twice before… making such statements…The first victims of Boko Haram are Muslims, not Christians,” said Youssouf.
