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More than 80 bandits killed as troops, vigilantes ambush Kebbi students’ kidnappers

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Troops

 

 

 

Gallant troops of the Nigerian Army have responded in harsher language to bandits and terrorists operating in the Kebbi/Zamfara/Niger axis.

Recall that a yet to be determined number of students of Federal Government College (FGC), Yauri, Kebbi State, were abducted by bandits o Thursday.

The troops took the battle to the abductors in their enclaves in the forests of Sakaba Local Government area of Kebbi State, and by the time the smoke from the guns settled, as many as 80 of the bandits were feared killed.

One of the abducted students was, however found dead yesterday during the military raid, although five other students and two of their teachers were rescued.

Governor Atiku Bagudu last night confirmed the rescue of some of the students and their teachers.

He said the others would return safely soon.

The police, in an update on Friday, said the gunmen hijacked the official vehicle of a high court judge in the state for use during the abduction.

The police said the actual number of students seized during the attack was yet to be ascertained.

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According to reports, on Friday that soon after the Thursday attack on the school, security personnel supported by Yansakai vigilance group members went in pursuit of the bandits, raiding their hideouts in forests and villages located in the state and neighbouring Niger State.

The enclaves raided include Uddu, Rijau, Sabon Gari Ushe, and Warari.

The Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), which detected the bandits’ enclaves, facilitated the smooth coordination of the troops’ operations.

Some suspected gang leaders were also arrested.

The bandits reportedly tried to resist the military attack, but could not withstand the superior firepower.

Apart from those killed, some others were injured while the rest fled.

In its own account of the raid of the bandits’ enclaves, the army confirmed that troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued two teachers and five of the abducted students.

It also said one of the female students was found dead.

The Director Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement in Abuja that the rescue of the captives followed an encounter with the abductors.

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His words: “Nigerian Army troops operating under the auspices of Operation Hadarin Daji, who have been on a hot pursuit of kidnappers and bandits following an unfortunate abduction incident in Federal Government College, Birnin Yawuri yesterday 17 June 2021, have so far rescued two teachers and five students after a fierce exchange of fire with the criminals.

“The rescue followed an initial encounter with the abductors in the early hours of today 18 June 2021 after trailing the kidnappers from Yawuri through Riyao to Sombo community, where the kidnappers who had split into two groups fled, with one group conveying the abducted children while the second group conveyed rustled cattle.

“The land troops in conjunction with elements of the Nigerian Air Force, who provided close air support during the rescue mission, intercepted the two groups at about 2.30 am and engaged them in a fire fight, leading to the successful rescue of the teachers and students.

“The troops also recovered 800 cattle rustled by the bandits.

“The gallant troops are still on the heels of the kidnappers in order to rescue the remaining abductees still in captivity.

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‘Sadly, a casualty was recorded during the exchange. A female student was found to have given up the ghost as a result of exhaustion.

“The rescued teachers and students will be handed over to the Kebbi State Government.

“The Nigerian Army appreciates the cooperation so far from good spirited citizens and wishes to solicit for more.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen Faruk Yahaya, has directed the Commander to spare no effort until all the abducted persons are safely rescued and reunited with their loved ones.”

Also speaking on the encounter, the Deputy Force Commander, Joint Taskforce of Operation Hadari Daji, Air Commodore Abubakar Abdulkadir, said the bandits were forced to abandon seven of the abductees by the heat of the gun battle.

Abdulkadir said: “In the early hours of this morning, we came across the kidnappers. They came to our blocking point and we engaged them.

“At that point, they abandoned five of the students and one of the teachers. Unfortunately, I think we lost one of the students.”

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FULL LIST: Multichoice increases DStv, GOtv subscription

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Broadcasting company Multichoice has jacked up the prices of its offerings in Nigeria four months after its last increment.

 

The company reviewed prices in its packages across the board. The new prices will take effect from May 1, 2024.

 

With the latest price hike, the DStv Premium package increased from N29,500 to N37,000. Similarly, the DStv Compact+ went up from N19,800 to N25,000 while the Compact package increased from N12,500 to N15,700.

The Comfam package moved from N7,400 to N9,300. Yanga package moved up from 4,200 to N5,100 while Padi package increased from N2,950 to N3,600. HDPVR was increased from N4,000 to N5,000, the Access Fees package from N4,000 to N5,000, and XtraView moved from N4,000 to N5,000.

 

Meanwhile, the Gotv Supa+ package moved from N12,500 to N15,700, Supa package from N7,600 to N9,600, and Max package from N5,700 to N7,200.

 

While the Jolli package was jacked up from N3,950 to N4,850, the Jinja package moved from N2,700 to N3,300, and Smallie package from N1,300 to N1,575.

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It will be recalled that the company implemented an upward review of prices in December 2023, days after announcing a $72m loss in its financial statement for the third quarter of the year.

 

Checks on the company’s reviewed price list then showed a 20 per cent per cent hike in the company’s packages across the board.

 

 

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NCAA grounds all Dana Air operations

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The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been directed by Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation, to suspend the operations of Dana Air, TheCable understands.

 

The directive followed the incident involving a Dana Air plane at Lagos airport on April 23, which veered off the Lagos airport runway.

 

This forced aviation authorities to divert flights from the local airport to the international terminal.

 

In a letter to the NCAA director general dated April 24, signed by Emmanuel Meribole, permanent secretary, ministry of aviation, and seen by TheCable, the ministry said Keyamo’s attention has been drawn to the “serious concerns” that followed the incident.

 

The ministry said the incident has raised concerns regarding both the safety and financial viability of Dana Air operations.

 

“In light of these incidents and with the paramount priority being the safety and well-being of our citizens and travelers, the Honourable Minister has directed that you immediately initiate the suspension of Dana Airline’s fleet until a comprehensive audit can be conducted. This audit should encompass all aspects of safety protocols, maintenance procedures, and financial health to ensure full compliance with our aviation regulations,” the ministry said.

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“The recent incidents have underscored the urgency of this matter, and it is imperative that swift and decisive action be taken to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders involved. I trust in your expertise and diligence in carrying out this audit thoroughly and expeditiously.”

 

On April 23, Dana Air said all 83 passengers and crew onboard the flight disembarked safely without injuries or scare.

 

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Yahaya Bello took $720k from state coffers to pay his child’s school fees – Olukoyede

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The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, withdrew $720,000 from the state’s coffers to pay his child’s school fee in advance.

 

Olukoyede spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during an interactive session with media executives.

 

The EFCC boss alleged that the former Kogi governor transferred money from the state coffers to a bureau de change operator, and used the money for his child’s school fee in advance.

 

Olukoyede added that Bello made the payment in anticipation that his tenure was gradually coming to an end.

 

“A sitting governor, because he knew he was leaving office, moved money directly from the government to bureau de change and used it to pay his child’s school fee in advance,” the EFCC boss said.

 

“Over $720,000 in anticipation that he was going to leave the government house. In a poor state like Kogi, you want me to close my eyes under the guise of ‘I’m being used’. Used by who? At this stage of my life.”

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Olukoyede said he inherited the case file of the former Kogi governor, noting that he did not initiate the investigation against Bello.

 

On April 17, EFCC operatives laid siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja to arrest him over alleged N80 billion fraud.

 

While the EFCC operatives were at Bello’s residence, Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, came to visit his predecessor.

 

Shortly after Ododo departed from the residence, the EFCC operatives also left the house.

 

Bello was reportedly rescued by Ododo when he departed his residence located in the Wuse Zone 4 district of Abuja.

 

Subsequently, the anti-graft agency declared the former governor wanted.

 

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has also placed Bello on a watchlist.

 

The anti-graft agency alleged that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Ododo; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

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