SR SahelReporters

Raphael Job, Abuja. In the prevalence of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic, Representative Bamidele Salam has enjoined the Muslim community and his constituents to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival with deep appreciation to Allah, but with great caution and strictly in line with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols to avoid escalating the prevalence of the deadly virus. Salam who represents Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo federal constituency of Osun state in the House of Representatives said it was important to have a low key celebration and stay safe than to have a wild celebration that will lead to unforeseen circumstances. This was contained in his Eid-el-Kabir festival message released in Abuja today.  While appreciating the socio-economic challenges posed by the ravaging pandemic, Salam said, as much as the Covid-19 has caused an untold hardship on the economy of individuals and the country at large, hope is still not los...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Audu Bala Mohammed has said that malaria death in sub-sahara Africa could double by end of year. The Coordinator gave the hint during the 2020 first bia-annual media chat held at Petrus hotel in Abuja. Represented by the Head ACSM, Mr. Chukwu Okoronkwu, said under the worst case scenario presented in an analysis the death toll in sub-saharan Africa in 2020 would exceed the total number of malaria deaths reported globally in the year 2000. According to him, it is critical Nigeria and other malaria pendemic countries minimize any disruptions of malaria prevention and treatment during the COVID-19 response given that failure to do so could lead to catastrophic loss of life.  He noted that malaria has been consistently highlighted as one of the key health challenges that Nigeria has to deal with.  According to him, there have been some progress most especially a reduction in ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja. The Armed Forces of Nigeria says, the National Chairman, National Democratic Party (NDP), Chidi Chukwuanyi, is calling for is a combination of unpopular acts of insurrection and mutiny, which cannot be taken for granted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The Defence Headquarters disclosed this in a statement on Monday by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, DHQ, in Abuja. The military also frown at the National Chairman's unguided utterances said, it does not wish to join issues in anyway, saying that it is instructive to observe that the unguided utterance targeted at the Nigerian Military is inciting and instigative.  The statement read in full;  "The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a newspaper publication in the Sunday Tribune of 26 July 2020 captioned “Nigeria Needs a Rawlings Now – NDP”.  "In this publication, the national chairman of National Democratic Party (NDP), Chidi Chukwuanyi, “says the state of...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The National Coordinator,  All Progressives Congress Professional Forum, Comrade Akin Akintayo, has commended President Mohammadu Buhari and other stakeholders on their reconciliation moves which have saved the party from the recent crises that engulfed  her. The group stated this a press briefing on Monday at the party's Secretariat in Abuja, appreciated the president for being a listening leader. According to Akin, Pres.Buhari's prompt intervention culminated in the summoning of NEC that constituted the National caretakers committee headed by His Excellency Governor Buni. He said, much has been achieved towards the attainment of peace and unity of the party since the emergence of His Excellency Governor Buni led National Caretaker Committee. "we pledge our total support and loyalty to attain their set objectives of reconciliation of party members across the country and conduct of a credible election for new NWC later in the year...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja. The Armed Forces of Nigeria says, its Air Components of Operation Hadarine Daji has eliminated several armed bandits in Doumborou Forest area of Zamfara State.  In a statement signed by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, DHQ, Maj. Gen. John Enenche on Saturday in Abuja. The military said,  the Air interdiction missions yielded more positive results with the destruction of a new camp belonging to the armed gang headed by the bandit leader known as “Dangote" in the Doumborou Forest area of Zamfara State.  According to him, The air strike, which also resulted in the killing of several armed bandits, was executed on 23 July 2020 after Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports as well as series of confirmatory aerial surveillance missions established that members of the gang, along with their logistics items, motorcycles and hundreds of rustled livestock, had relocated from their erstwhile position to new area by a rocky high ground with...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) today,  laid to rest the body of late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the NAF’s first female combat helicopter pilot, who died on 14 July 2020.  In a statement singed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore, IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA, on Thursday in Abuja. The NAF said the Burial Ceremony, which was conducted with full military honours, was held at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja with restricted attendance in compliance with COVID-19 protocols.  The Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd), represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Mr Sabiu Zakari, presided over the Ceremony, also had in attendance the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, amongst other dignitaries.  Speaking at the Ceremony, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, stated that the NAF was still in palpable shock and intense grie...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Armed Forces of Nigeria says, its Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI has destroyed armed Bandits camp in the Kagara Forest, neutralized some of their fighters in Zamfara state.  In a statement signed by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, DHQ, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, on Wednesday in Abuja.  The military said that, the mission was conducted on 20 July 2020 pursuant to Human Intelligence reports indicating heavy presence of the armed bandits, along with a large number of rustled livestock, in a portion of the forest.  According to him, "this was later confirmed by series of aerial surveillance missions". He said "Accordingly, the Air Component dispatched Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to engage the location, with their munitions hitting the targets leading to the killing of some of the armed bandits.  He also said that, Some of them who were seen attempting to escape camouflaged in between the livestock were t...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja. The Defence Headquarters says, one brave officer and 2 gallant soldiers paid a subprime price, while 4 other soldiers were wounded, as troops of troops of Combat Team 1, Operation SAHEL SANITY with the support of Air task force,  neutralized 17 Armed Bandits in a forest in Jibia LGA of Katsina State known as Dangote Camp In a statement signed by the Ag Director, Defence Media Operations, DHQ, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, on Sunday in Abuja. The military said "it was in line with the troops noble mission to rid the North-West zone of armed bandits, cattle rustlers, Kidnappers and other sundry criminals". Onyeuko disclosed that, on 18 July 2020 gallant troops of Combat Team 1, Operation SAHEL SANITY with the support of Air Task Force advanced and captured one of the notorious armed bandits strongholds located deep in the forest in Jibia LGA of Katsina State known as Dangote Camp. He said that, Initial resistance...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Defence Headquarters have disclosed that its troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, has killed 6 top Boko Haram and ISWAP Commanders and several of their fighters along Cameroon Border. This was contained in a statement signed by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, DHQ, Maj. Gen. John Enenche on Sunday in Abuja. The military said, Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have continued to conduct intelligence-based operations which continues to degrade Boko Haram /Islamic State of West Africa Province across the Theatre.   He said, "Following credible intelligence, the gallant troops of of Operation LAFIYA DOLE on 17 July 20 targeted the terrorists on their market activities and undercover movement around Kolofata, a border town with Cameroon where troops of Strong Response Area (SRA) Pulka neutralized 6 Boko Haram terrorists attempting to cross from Cameroon Border towards Sambisa Axis".  According to him, weapons and equipment captured from ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja. The Armed Force of Nigeria says its troops of WHIRL STROKE have rescued 34 kidnapped victims, 2 suspect arrested, while caches of arms and ammunition recovered in Benue state. In a statement signed by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche in Abuja. The military said it was "In continuation of the  aggressive clearance operation to rid criminal elements out of the North-Central region of the country which recorded tremendous successes against Kidnap kingpins. He said "Following credible intelligence on the activities of a notorious kidnap syndicate operating in the general area of Igbom village in Nenzev council ward of Logo LGA, troops of Sector 2 and 4, on 16 July 2020 carried out a raid operation on a suspected kidnappers den location at Tomayin village in Logo LGA of Benue State. "Troops had contact with the bandits leading to exchange of fire as troops closed in on the hideout ....

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja   Troops of Nigerian Army and Defence Headquarters Special Operations Forces deployed in Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states to fight banditry under Operation SAHEL SANITY, have killed seven bandits in several encounters, arrested six bandits and informant and recovered 30 motorcycles which the bandits abandoned. The troops also recovered several rustled cattle, sheep and goats some of which were about to be sold off by the bandits before they were overpowered in gun battle. Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja. Onyeuko said, “In continuation of the robust clearance operations against armed bandits and other sundry criminals in the North West, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY, a subsidiary operation to Operation HADARIN DAJI have continued to achieve successes throughout the Theatre of operation. Relatedly, on 14 July 2020 acting on credible intelligence troops arrested o...

The Social Democratic Party have distanced it selves from the purported endowment of the Incumbent Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the PDP for the September 19, 2020 Edo governorship election SDP also urged the general public and members of the party in Edo state to disregard the claim, describing it as untrue. The party disclosed this in a statement Signed by the Director Of Publicity, Amb. Rufus B. Aiyenigba , on Saturday in Abuja, said, this notice served as a disclaimer to that effect. The statement read in full.... "The attention of the national leadership of our great party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) under the leadership of Prof.Tunde Adeniran OFR, has been drawn to a statement that had just been released and credited to one Collins  Oreruan, to the effect that the SDP has endorsed Governor Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the PDP for the September 19, 2020 Edo governorship election.  "This public notice serves as a disclaimer of the pur...

Disclaimer ... To whom it may concern... The Edo State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has disowned claim of Merging with other 34 political parties to support incumbent Governor Obaseki of the People Democratic Party in fourth coming governorship election in Edo State. The party which described the claimed as false also disclosed that, 15 parties out of 18 are participating in the Edo gubernatorial election. A letter of disclaimer signed by Edo state SDP Secretary of the party, Hon. Matthew Onaivi Michael, along side the State Publicity Secretary: Dr. H.E. Esangbedo, under the leadership of Professor Tunde Adeniran and Alh Shehu Musa Gabam as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively says no to the so claimed SDP and 34 other political parties merging with PDP to support Obaseki ahead of the September 19th gubernatorial election. According to the letter of disclaimer..... "Social Democratic Party (SDP) Says No to The False Claim of SDP Merging...

By Aviaahima Toom, Abuja. NAF has announced the death of Nigeria's first female combatant helicopter pilot, Tolulope Arotile Arotile died at the age of 23 in Kaduna on Tuesday after suffering multiple head injuries from a road crash The flying officer was winged as NAF first female combatant helicopter on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has announced the tragic loss of its first female combatant helicopter pilot, Tolulope Arotile, who died barely eight months after she was winged and conferred with a special recognition. Arotile's death, which was described as "unfortunate" was announced on Tuesday, July 14, by NAF in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunke Daramala, The late officer was said to have died in a road crash in Kaduna. The 23-year-old flying officer gave up the ghost after suffering head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at NAF Base Kaduna. ...

By  Aviashima Toom, Abuja. The Armed Forces of Nigeria says its troop of Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed Boko Haram Camp, while Several of their fighters where also Neutralized in a massive air strikes executed at Ngwuri Gana along the Gulumba Gana - Kumshe axis in the Northern part of Borno State.  In a statement signed by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, DHQ Maj. Gen. John Enenche on Thursday in Abuja. The military said it feet's waa In continuation of the sustained offensive against terrorist elements in the North-East of the Country.  Enenche said the operation was carried out on the heels of Human Intelligence reports indicating that the settlement was one of the locations from where the BHTs launch attacks against own troops’ positions and villages around the general area of Kumshe. According to him, Aerial surveillance missions also confirmed the heavy presence of a large number of BHTs in the settlement, some of whom wer...

  By Aviashima Toom, Abuja. The Defence Headquarters have disclosed that, the troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY, has neutralized 6 armed bandits. The troops also foiled the criminals attempts to rustled livestock's in Zamfara state. In a statement signed by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, DHQ, Maj. Gen. John Enenche on Wednesday in Abuja. The military said, it is in continuation of their operational mandate to stamp banditry and untoward activities out of North-West zone of the country. According to the DMOs Coordinator, acting on credible Human Intelligence, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY backed by helicopter gunships of the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI stormed the bandits' enclave at Komani Hills within Rukudawa general area of Zamfara State and made contact with the criminals elements. He said, the gallant troops overwhelmed the bandits with superior fire power killing 6 of them while others fled with grave  gun sho...

..... Commences investigation on the Purported viral video -DHQ  By Aviashima Toom, Abuja. The Armed Forces of Nigeria has Denied maltreatment of one Seaman, Haruna Goshut (a naval rating) by a Senior Naval Officer. This was contained in a statement signed by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, DHQ, Maj. Gen. John Enenche in Abuja,  Enenche said the Military High Command has already commenced investigation on the viral video with a view to unraveling the true state of affairs.  He assured that the general public would be notified the true outcome of the investigation when concluded. The statement read said.... "The attention of the Nigerian Military has been drawn to  a video trending in some quarters alleging maltreatment of one Seaman Haruna Goshit (a naval  rating) by a senior naval officer. "In the  viral video, the said naval rating stated how he was unjustly maltreated by a superior senior naval  officer.  "However, in lin...

By Aviashma Toom, Abuja.  The Nigerian Army has approved the postings and appointments of some senior officers. The posting which was approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General TY Buratai is a routine and normal exercise intended to reinvigorate the system for greater professional effectiveness and efficiency. In a statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations,  Colonel Sagir Musa on Tuesday in Abuja said, the postings include the postings and appointments of Major General LE Irabor from Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Abuja Department of Training and Operations to Training and Doctrine Command Minna and appointed Commander, Major General FO Agugo from 6 Division NA Port Harcourt to Headquarters NA Signal Corps Apapa Lagos as Corps Commander Signals, Major General M Mohammed from Headquarters  NA Signal Corps Apapa Lagos to Office of the COAS and appointed Special Adviser NA University Biu.  Col. Sagir said, Major General AM ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja. The Chief of Defence Staff General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, has commanded Leadership of the Nigerian Army, as he paid a scheduled operational visit to the Nigerian Army Super Camp 4 in Faskari Katsina state In a statement signed by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Hen. John Enenche on Monday in Abuja, said  during the visit, the CDS received information and operation brief on Operation SAHEL SANITY. According to him, the CDS later addressed the troops participating in the operation.  Accompanied on the visit by the representatives of the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff. Enenche said, the Chief of Army Staff Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai welcomed the CDS to the Army Super Camp 4 Faskari.  He also said, the COAS informed him of the tremendous achievement of Operation SAHEL SANITY within the short period of its flag off.  The COAS also mentioned the rescue of kidnapped victi...

By  Abu Ada ms   Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio with the sacked Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Joi Nunieh at the VIP lounge of Port Harcourt International Airport on January 27, 2020 Joy Nunieh, former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), says she slappped Godswill Akpabio, minister of Niger Delta affairs, for sexually harassing her. Speaking on Monday during an interview on Arise TV, Nunieh said the incident happened at the minister’s guest house in Abuja. She said her reaction to the alleged harassment proved her intolerance for “nonsense” as a woman from Rivers state. “Why did he not tell Nigerians that I slapped him in his guest house at Apo? I am the only woman that slapped Akpabio. He thought he could come up on me. He tried to harass me sexually,” she said. “I slapped him. He tried to come on me. I am an Ogoni woman and nobody jokes with us. I showed Akpabio that Rivers women do not tolerate nonsense...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja   ‌ The Federal Government has released guidelines ahead of the planned resumption of schools at every level in the country but failed to disclose the dates. The guidelines outlined actions, measures and requirements needed for the safe reopening of schools after the COVID – 19 pandemics. According to the guidelines released by the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja on Monday, the safe distancing measures in the new guidelines required that in schools and other learning facilities, learners should be supported to stay two meters apart. The guidelines which were signed by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu and Minister of State (Education), Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba was developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Ministry of Health and health safety experts in the country. The document reads, “However, there are exceptions where the two-meter rule cannot be reasonably applied and other risk mitigation strategie...