Security

CDS, COAS Honour Troops at Christmas

By Web News 289

By Mary Fatile (Lagos) 

The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Olufemi Oluyede, alongside the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has honoured frontline troops of Operation Fansan Yamma with a special Christmas luncheon at Giginya Cantonment, Sokoto State.

The operational visit to the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North West), Operation Fansan Yamma, aimed to boost morale, recognise the sacrifices of troops, and reinforce strategic directives guiding ongoing security operations across the North West.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station

Addressing officers and soldiers, General Oluyede conveyed warm Yuletide greetings and commended the troops for their courage, discipline, and unwavering commitment to duty, particularly while many Nigerians marked the festive season with their families.

The CDS praised the operational gains recorded under Operation Fansan Yamma, noting that the troops’ efforts have helped restore public confidence and stabilise the North West geopolitical zone and neighbouring states.

He called for sustained collaboration with other security agencies, federal and state authorities, and continued engagement with local communities to consolidate peace.

General Oluyede assured the troops that their welfare remains a top priority, pledging improved living and working conditions, enhanced healthcare delivery, and sustained support for personnel families.

He also urged heightened vigilance during the festive period, warning that criminal elements often seek to exploit such occasions.

The CDS expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his consistent support for military operations, reaffirming the Armed Forces’ resolve to combat terrorism and all forms of criminality nationwide.

In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, described the Christmas luncheon as a long-standing tradition to honour the sacrifices, resilience, and professionalism of troops in operational theatres.

He noted that the season offers a time for reflection, thanksgiving, and remembrance of fallen heroes whose sacrifices continue to secure the nation.

Lieutenant General Shaibu assured troops that the Nigerian Army would continue to support families of fallen personnel and uphold their legacy.

He reiterated his command philosophy of building a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient Army, with strong emphasis on personnel welfare, rewards for excellence, and operational readiness.

Both Service Chiefs reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to safeguarding national peace, unity, and democratic stability, while wishing the troops a Merry Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous New Year 2026.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

Follow us on Telegram and YouTube, and join our WhatsApp Update Group for more news updates.

Crime

Police Recover Guns in Raids on Party Premises

By Web News 761

The Police in Sokoto State have recovered 3 AK-47 Rifles, a locally-made gun and “other dangerous weapons” at the surroundings of a political party’s secretariat in Isa Local Government Area.

The state commissioner of Police, Muhammad Usaini Gumel announced the seizures to newsmen while parading eight suspects for “various crimes” in the state.

Mr Gumel, who did not disclose the identity of the Political party, said the police “suspected” that the weapons were being stored by thugs ahead of political campaigns, adding that no arrest was made during the operation.

He warned that the police was not ready to “compromise its mandate” of ensuring a peaceful electioneering process, with a view to protecting the lives and property of the public.

He also warned “perpetrators of violence” that the command would not allow “blood-letting during campaigns or elections” in the state.

Radio Nigeria Correspondent in Sokoto reports that the eight suspects arrested by police stand accused of carrying out acts of “banditry, kidnapping and robbery” over the last month.

Mr Gumel said the arrests and recoveries were made in Gwadabawa, Isa, Wamakko and Sokoto south local government areas.

He hinted that the Command arrested one Abdullahi Bello, who, in collaboration with Ibrahim and Aliyu, all of Tudun Kwangi village, conducted acts of banditry in a community in Gwadabawa local government. The police recovered from him an AK-47 rifle, COP Gumel stated.

In the same vein, one Mohammed Umar of Bado Quarters, Sokoto, who stole a Toyota car and took to flight, was sighted and arrested in Bakori, Katsina state.

The CP also told the reporters that the Command, upon receiving a complaint from one Suleiman Musa that some persons conspired and kidnapped his son for a N4 million ransom, swung into action and subsequently arrested one Haliru Usman with his accomplices, Abdullahi Umar and Farouk Usman, indigenes of Plateau and Sokoto states, respectively.

The suspects have since been arrested and the sum of N2.5 million was recovered out of the N4 million paid as ransom by the father of the kidnapped child.

Mr Gumel also disclosed that the prime suspect is a neighbour to the father of the kidnapped child.

He attempted to reassure the public, pointing out that the “recently improved friendly relationship between the Police and the public” enhances peaceful conduct of socio-economic activities within the business circles in Sokoto metropolis and environs.

Nasiru Malali

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Politics

3 APC Guber Aspirants Cross To PDP in Sokoto

By Web News 646

No fewer than three governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the recent gubernatorial primary of the party have so far defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Sokoto state.

Among those who have so far defected from the APC to the PDP include a member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Abdullahi Balarabe Salame.

Salame, who represents Ilella/Gwadabawa Federal Constituency, is a three-term member of the House of Representatives, having spent two terms in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, where he served as the Speaker as well as acting governor of the state.

Also, the former Minister for Transportation, Hon Yusuf Suleiman, on Saturday obtained his PDP membership card from the Sokoto State PDP chairman.

In a post on his official social media handle, the Isa Local Government-born politician said he is now a bonafide member of the party in the state and promised to work for its success.

Another aspirant who defected to the PDP is a renowned Sokoto-based businessman, Alh Abdullahi Abubakar Gumbi.

One of his aides confirmed that the businessman-turned-politician had informed Governor Aminu Tambuwal, of his intention to join the party and all arrangements has been concluded.

The source, however, said there will soon be an elaborate ceremony to welcome the defector to the party.

It was gathered that at least five out of the seven governorship aspirants under the All Progressive Congress, have shown their displeasure over how the candidate of the party, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu emerged.

It would be recalled that two of the aspirants, Abdullahi Balarabe Salame and Alhaji Abubakar Gada, had withdrawn from the exercise while the trio of Honourable Yusuf Suleiman, Abdullahi Abubakar Gumbi and Honourable Faruk Malami Yabo left the venue in the middle of the exercise.

They all cited irregularities and favouritism by the leaders of the party in the state, alleging that they are working for the candidate supported by the former governor, Aliyu Wamakko, who eventually emerged as the candidate.

Punch/Maxwell Oyekunle

Politics

Journalists Boycott Sokoto State Government’s Activities

By Web News 651

The correspondents’ chapel of Sokoto State council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has declared a boycott of all government activities with immediate effect.

A statement signed by the Chapel’s Secretary, Mr. Ankeli Emmanuel said members have also been barred from using press releases emanating from the Government House, groups or individuals related to the government.

It also states that the unanimous decision was taken during an extraordinary congress held at the chapel’s secretariat following what it described as recent unwarranted harassment and intimidation of journalists by security agents at the government house.

The statement further advised heads of security outfits in the state to sensitise their personnel about good media/security relationship.

Yahaya Balarabe