President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigerian Army for their successful counter-insurgency operations in the north-west.

In a statement on Saturday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the President, quoted Tinubu as saying that the army should sustain their efforts to achieve lasting peace and security.

On Friday, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) killed Kachallah Buzu, a notorious bandit kingpin and several of his fighters, in Mayanchi village of Zamfara state.

On Wednesday, personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) thwarted a terrorist attack, killing at least 28 bandits in air strikes on Department of State Services facilities in Niger’s Shiroro LGA in Niger.

Tinubu asked security forces to maintain momentum while commending them for enhanced national security, urging persistence until all threats are eradicated completely and permanently.

“President Bola Tinubu receives with relief the news of the strings of successful operations against security threats in the north-west by troops of the Nigerian military,” the statement reads.

“He says the success of the operations gives further assurance that our security operatives are up to the task of ensuring the peace and security of the nation.

“Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, on Thursday, neutralised a wanted bandit leader, Halilu Sububu, who had been unleashing terror on citizens in Zamfara, Sokoto, and other parts of north-western Nigeria. The troops also killed another terrorist Sani Wala Burki in a Joint Operation in Katsina, and busted a terrorist enclave in Kaduna, where 13 kidnapped students were freed.

“The successful operations follow the President’s directive to the service chiefs to relocate to the zone until normalcy is restored.”

The president lauded the military’s bravery, intelligence agencies’ expertise, and troops’ dedication, assuring them of his continued support to ensure the nation’s safety and security.

Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, has arrived in Benin City, Edo, for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) final rally ahead of the gubernatorial poll on September 21.

Atiku was joined by Siminialayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state.

Godwin Obaseki, Edo governor, received the group.

Asue Ighodalo is the PDP governorship candidate in the state.

Five people have reportedly died in an accident that involved the campaign convoy of Monday Okpebholo, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Edo.

According to reports, the accident occurred on Thursday at Warrake road in Uzebba of Owan west LGA, Edo state.

It was learnt that one of the vehicles in Okpebholo’s campaign convoy hit a Toyota Camry conveying five persons, killing the occupants, including the driver.

The victims were said to be returning home after attending a burial ceremony.

The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at a mortuary in Edo State University, Uzaurie, in Etsako west LGA of the state.

One of the victims was identified as Emmanuel Edionwe.

It was gathered that a relative of Edionwe, who did not want to be named, said the family is devastated about the news of their son.

“We just learnt that five of them have died after the collision with Okpebholo’s convoy. There is just one of them who is in critical condition and is now being nursed to life at the hospital,” the family member said.

“We are devastated beyond words. Emmanuel was a good, easy-going boy who should not have died.”

A source said the lone survivor of the accident is in critical condition at the Irrua Specialist Hospital., adding that a delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state will pay the families of the victims a condolence visit today.