As part of the crackdown, no fewer than 63 suspected thugs were arrested in Kano on Thursday after hoodlums attacked the New Nigeria Peoples Party supporters.

It was learnt that at least four persons were killed while 10 vehicles were destroyed during the attack which occurred at noon along Naibawa-Zaria Road.

It was learnt that the NNPP supporters were on their way to Kwanar Dangora on the outskirts of the city to receive the party’s presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso when the incident happened.

Kwankwaso was on his way to Kano for the grand finale of his presidential campaign rally.

The NNPP, the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressive Congress had mobilised their members to drum up support for their presidential and national assembly candidates but their plans were scuttled by the violence.

The Public Relations Officer of the state Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ibrahim Abdullahi confirmed the arrest of 63 suspects.

He said 40 suspected thugs were initially apprehended and handed over to the police but another set of 23 suspects were also arrested in connection with the attack.

“We have arrested about 63 suspected thugs for disrupting public peace, wielding dangerous weapons, burning vehicles and snatching handsets from people. They are going to be investigated before being arraigned in court, “ Abdullahi said.

Meanwhile, the state police command has ordered the immediate suspension of the presidential campaign grand finale planned by the APC, NNPP and the PDP in the state.

The police authorities also summoned the leadership of the three political parties to an emergency meeting on Wednesday evening, where they were cautioned against engaging in acts that could cause a public breach.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mu’azu Mohammed, in a statement, advised the parties to “postpone the planned presidential/national assembly rallies to a later date after the February 25 elections.”

Femi Adesina, Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, made this known on Tuesday.

According to the statement, Buhari was honoured by the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum with ‘The award for Strengthening Peace in Africa’.

In his remarks at the African Conference for Peace 2023 in Mauritania, Buhari stated that Africa and the rest of the world are working hard to deal with existential threats to humanity’s existence.

“When I became President in 2015, Boko Haram held about two-thirds of Borno State, half of Yobe State, and a couple of Local Government Areas in Adamawa State, all in the North-East of Nigeria.

“We have been able to retrieve these territories by investing over $1 billion to acquire hard and software weaponry from the US and other friendly countries to carry out sustained operations against insurgency since 2015.”

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance today while speaking at the Parade and Laying of Wreaths ceremony to commemorate the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island.

The Governor, who was represented at the ceremony by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, promised that his administration would do everything possible to guarantee that the military fulfills its original mission of providing safe direction and maintaining national peace.

He said, “Serving military members should rest assured that the Government of Lagos State will support and do everything it takes for them to achieve their aims and aspirations”.

While commending and appreciating the fallen heroes for laying their lives to protect the country and ensure peace, Sanwo-Olu said, “for without them people cannot be safe and for that, we must appreciate and always remember them for their sacrifices to the country”.

He, therefore, prayed for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes and that God should grant their families the fortitude to bear the loss.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Olanrewaju Anofiu Elegushi stated that the government will continue to render necessary assistance and support to the families of the fallen heroes in terms of empowerment and well-being.

Elegushi also reiterated that the government would ensure that it meets the needs of the families of the fallen heroes.

Trading Economics provides data for 20 million economic indicators from 196 countries including actual values, consensus figures, forecasts, historical time series and news.

The organisation disclosed this in a report published on its website on Monday.

It also said military expenditure in Nigeria increased to $4.5bn in 2021 from $2.7bn in 2020.

It read, “Military expenditure in Nigeria was expected to reach $2bn by the end of 2022, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations.

“In the long-term, Nigeria’s military expenditure is projected to trend around $2bn in 2023, according to our econometric models.

“Military expenditure in Nigeria averaged $1.2bn from 1960 until 2021, reaching an all-time high of $4.5bn in 2021 and a record low of $23.4m in 1960.”

A security expert, Timothy Avele, said the current regime has spent much on security, stressing that there has been a lack of proper implementation and monitoring of the funds.

He said, “Truth be told, I think this administration spent the biggest budget in the security and defence sector. However, I score the administration 35% in proper implementation and monitoring of the huge funds budgeted and released for security and defence.

“The funding was spent but the results on the ground indicated poor usage by those concerned and sadly, no questions asked by those who were supposed to ask questions.”

According to the Government, Reuter’s story alleging that the Nigerian military carried out a covert mass abortion operation during the fight against Boko Haram is false information intended to mislead and divert the combat forces.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the 10th edition of the (PMB) Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023).

Reuters reported last Wednesday that the Nigerian Army had run a secret, systematic and illegal abortion programme in the country since at least 2013.

The report added that at least 10,000 pregnancies among women and girls, many of whom had been kidnapped and raped by terrorists had been forcefully terminated.

Following the Reuters investigation, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called on Nigerian authorities to investigate allegations against the service.

Contradicting the report, the minister of information said, “A foreign news agency recently released a report on the military. They made these allegations without a piece of singular evidence, citing only anonymous sources and a review of phantom documents.

“The writers deserve an award in fiction writing.”

“The agency claimed that its investigation was based on interviews with 33 women and girls.

“How do they use interviews with 33 women and girls to arrive at the bogus claim of 10,000 abortions?

“And in a further indication that the figure of abortions quoted was arbitrary or possibly conjured, the agency first put the figure at 12,000 before settling for 10,000,” he said.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) spokesman, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola confirmed this in a statement on Sunday.

According to him, the Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crashed while returning to Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure enroute Minna.

Vice Marshal Daramola further stated that first responders were already at the scene, adding that all seven personnel on board died in the crash

According to the NAF spokesman’s statement published on Twitter, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao has ordered an immediate investigation into the accident. 

While urging the general public to remain calm and await the outcome of the investigation, the CAS, on behalf of all Nigerian Air Force personnel, commiserated with the families of the deceased.

This was contained in a statement  quoted him as saying this during his visit to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State to condole with the government and people of Borno over the killing of 43 Zambari farmers’ by the Boko Haram terrorists

The statement was titled, ‘Governors Forum: Security challenges are beyond military’.

The Governor was accompanied by the Governor of Sokoto and the Vice Chairman of the Forum, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, and that of Niger State, Abubakar Bello.

Fayemi said soldiers are overwhelmed and needed support to tackle the security situation affecting many parts of the country – insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.

“But what happened in the last three days is by far beyond any imagination, it was a massacre and it was one that none of us could come to terms easily.

“The reality we can all say, and I personally as security scholar, the reality I can see is that our military is overwhelmed. Our military is no longer in a position to single-handedly tackle this menace effectively.

“It is not a criticism of our military, if one were to suggest a coalition beyond that will even include our neighbouring countries, who are probably more experienced in fighting an asymmetrical war. It will not be a loss of our pride as a country.

“This is not a visit to gratify ourselves, no, it is an expression of also our own frustration.

“We can’t bring back the people we have lost in the last couple of days, but if we do not take the necessary steps the entire nation will be consumed by this insurgency,” Fayemi said.

In a statemet released today, the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, in Charge of the 212 Battalion in the northeast, Col Ado Isa said the incident happened when troops were in hot pursuit of terrorists who came to attack a military base.

He said “Troops of 212 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Jakana, on Wednesday 18Th July 2019 dealt with and neutralised unconfirmed number of Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists when they woefully attempted to infiltrate their base in dire need for logistics. The terrorists came at about 1845 hours in 7 Gun Trucks and fought fiercely to infiltrate the camp, but the attack was thwarted with heavy fire and bombardment by the gallant and patriotic troops who were vigilant and battle-ready. The terrorists couldn’t bear the firepower any longer after losing a significant number of both equipment and personnel in an exchange of fire. They lost initiative and withdrew in disarray along the Benisheikh – Damaturu axis, – abandoning a damaged utility Gun truck which was earmarked to convey looted items. Troops immediately followed in hot pursuit and the following items were captured:1 x Anti Aircraft Gun, 2 x Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Tubes, 2 x AK 47 Rifles, 15 x Machine Gun rounds and 12 x AK 47 NATO rounds. Sadly, a Colonel and a Captain, as well as 3 soldiers on transit from Maiduguri to Damaturu, run into an ambush staged by the routed/fleeing terrorists from the Jakana axis which led to their unfortunate death. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai while commiserating with the families of the fallen heroes reiterated that Personnel of the Nigerian Army will never be deterred in the ongoing noble and patriotic fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North East. He further commended the efforts of the entire troops in the theatre and charged them to remain focus, highly committed and professional in the discharge of their constitutional roles. The sacrifices of the fallen heroes in the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency is no doubt painful to all, but that will further spur us to do more to ensure that our country remains secured, peaceful and free from terrorist activities for the overall interest of the nation.”