By Agency News.

The Nigerian Army’s counter-insurgency operation aimed at flushing out bandits from the Kainji Lake National Park and border communities in Kwara and Niger states has begun.

The General Officer Commanding, GOC, 2 Division, Maj.-Gen Obinna Onubogu, disclosed this in an interview with the newsmen on Saturday in Kaiama, Kwara.

Mr Onubogu said the troops acting on the instruction of the Chief of Army Staff have stormed the forest to dislodge the bandits and other criminal elements.

The GOC said that the men and officers deployed for the operation are not resting on their oars to restore sanity and public confidence.

He assured that the troops would sustain the tempo in collaboration with other security agencies and the locals to strengthen the safety of the park.

The Army, through the operation code named “Park Strike Four” is expected to comb a distance of at least 90 km from kemanji into the Kanji forest.
NAN

By John Audu.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has called for the creation of a system in Nigeria that makes corruption impossible.

During the 9th Oba Sikiru Adetona Annual Professorial Lecture at Olabisi Onabanjo University on Saturday, Ribadu emphasised that fighting corruption requires both strong institutions and a shift in societal attitudes.

“We must fight corruption not by responding, but by building a strong system that prevents corruption itself,” Ribadu stated, urging the need for proactive measures rather than simply prosecuting offenders.

Ribadu pointed out that corruption has undermined Nigeria’s institutions, diverted essential resources, and weakened the state’s ability to address national security challenges.

He added, “We cannot talk about the insecurity in Nigeria without acknowledging that corruption has played a role in eroding public trust, compromising law enforcement effectiveness, and enabling impunity.”

He highlighted how the mismanagement of funds for military equipment has impacted the country’s capacity to tackle security threats effectively.

“We must build a system that will make it impossible for the people to be corrupt even if they want to be,” Ribadu continued, stressing the importance of systemic change over reactive measures.

While acknowledging the scale of Nigeria’s security and corruption challenges, Ribadu expressed optimism, stating that these issues are not beyond resolution.

He called for collective action, where both the government and citizens play a role in tackling corruption. “People must resolve to fight corruption, it cannot only be the government, the people must join in the fight too,” he emphasized.

Nigerian troops under the Headquarters of Operation Forest Yaki (OPFY) Main Strike Team stormed a major terrorist enclave in Katsina State, eliminating several insurgents, seizing a large cache of arms, and demolishing the notorious “Soja Camp.”

The clearance mission kicked off around 5:30 a.m. as troops advanced from Bini in the HAR axis, sweeping through Landal village, Akuzo, and arriving at Yan Wutsiya — the site of the heavily fortified terrorist camp.

A fierce gunfight erupted between the terrorists and the gallant troops. While several terrorists were neutralized, others escaped with serious injuries, as blood trails were found throughout the abandoned camp.

Following the successful engagement, troops conducted an extensive search and recovered a deadly arsenal, including:

Two AK-47 rifles

Ten loaded AK-47 magazines with 300 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition

One 120mm mortar bomb believed to be intended for IED fabrication

One locally fabricated PKT rifle

One locally made pistol

120/88 ammunition links

Military uniforms

One Baofeng radio set with chargers

Troops also destroyed a motorcycle used by the fleeing terrorists, along with vital logistics and life-support structures in the camp, effectively crippling their operations.

Military authorities have vowed to intensify these aggressive clearance operations until all terrorist hideouts across the region are wiped out completely.

••Governor Yusuf Hails State Services, Pledges Continued Support for Security Operations, Intelligence Gathering

The Kano State Government has lauded the Directorate of State Services (DSS) for its successful operation in apprehending five individuals suspected of involvement in the kidnapping and murder of a one-year-old girl, Sakina Mamuda. The victim was abducted from Duhun Bake village in Gwarzo Local Government Area, where the suspects also reside.
According to a statement released by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the suspects allegedly kidnapped baby Sakina and demanded a ransom from her family. Tragically, despite the ransom demand, the perpetrators proceeded to brutally kill the infant and dispose of her body in an abandoned open well.

The five arrested suspects have been identified as Zailani Rabiu, Hafizu Yusuf, Abubakar Abdulkareem, Umar Lawan, and Amadu Salisu. All are reportedly from the same community as their young victim in Gwarzo Local Government Area. They are currently under investigation for criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and homicide.

The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Haruna Isa Dederi, addressed the press at a joint briefing held at the Government House in Kano, alongside the Commissioner for Information and other high-ranking officials. Barrister Dederi reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that justice is served swiftly and decisively in this deeply distressing case.
Governor Yusuf expressed his profound grief over the heinous crime and commended the DSS operatives and other security agencies for their prompt and effective response. He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to bolstering the state’s security infrastructure through increased investment in intelligence gathering, logistical support, and enhanced collaboration among various security agencies.

“This senseless tragedy has shaken us to the core,” Governor Yusuf stated. “I commend the DSS for acting swiftly and decisively in apprehending these suspects. We will continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our people and ensure that those who threaten the peace and security of our state are brought to justice.”
The Governor further assured the public of his administration’s ongoing commitment to equipping all security formations with the necessary resources to combat crime effectively. He also urged citizens to remain vigilant and actively support the efforts of security agencies by providing timely and relevant information.

The brutal killing of the toddler has elicited widespread condemnation from the public, with numerous calls for the swift prosecution of the suspects and the imposition of the full weight of the law against anyone found guilty of harming children. The swift action of the DSS in this case has been seen as a positive step towards ensuring accountability and justice for the victim and her grieving family.