​Zulum passes night in attacked Damasak, meets soldiers, re-equips security with 12 APC, patrol vehicles

… Confirms 18 deaths, destructions 

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum was in Damasak, from Thursday to Friday, after the town was attacked on Tuesday, by Boko Haram insurgents, killing 18 persons and injuring 21. 

Zulum traveled alongside Senator Abubakar Kyari representing Borno north, who hails from Damasak, member of house of representatives, representing  Mobbar, Guzamala, and Abadam, Bukar Gana Kareto and some officials. 

As part of measures, the Governor held operational meeting with soldiers and other security forces after which he presented 12 security vehicles which include an armoured personnel carrier (APC), and 11 patrol vehicles, to strengthen armed forces and volunteers made up of trained youths in the civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes, helping in the fight against insurgents. 

Damasak, headquarter of Mobbar local government area in northern Borno, is located in the fringes of Lake Chad, and it shares border with communities in Niger Republic. The town used to be a producer and exporter of vegetables to target markets within Nigeria, Niger republic and other neighboring countries. Boko Haram had occupied Damasak in 2014 as one of their caliphate, and the insurgents seem interested in the town, apparently for strategic access to raising funds through agriculture and for land routes to Niger republic.

Zulum, spending the night at Damasak, ends speculation that the town had fallen to insurgents’ occupation. 
During his stay in Damasak, Zulum had interactions with soldiers and others forces involved in counter insurgency operations.

The Governor interacted with residents, empathized with them and assessed destructions caused by insurgents. Thousands of residents who had fled to border communities in Niger republic returned on Friday. 

Governor Zulum confirmed from residents, that 18 people had died, 21 injured, and he saw several property destroyed. 

The UN humanitarian hub, private residential houses, a police station, palace of the district head, a primary healthcare centre, and a GSM village were among property destroyed. 

The insurgents attacked the town with three gun-trucks, residents told Governor Zulum. 

Tuesday’s attack on Damasak was the sixth in two weeks, by the Boko Haram/ISWP groups, residents recalled. 
Zulum assured of robust measures being put in place to avert future attacks on Damasak town, by the insurgents. 
The Governor directed the strengthening of agricultural activities in Damasak, and he assessed a rice farm which his administration facilitates, to enhance food security.

​IPOB’s allegation against DSS, childish — Security Operative

…DSS beefs up security; asks Nigerians to be wary of outlawed group

The allegation by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra that the Department of State Services is planning to attack banks and blame its members for the act has been dismissed as childish and outlandish.

The claim by IPOB leadership came just as elements suspected to be members of the banned group attacked a branch of a first-generation bank in Abagana in Anambra State on Tuesday night.

A top security operative told Vanguard on Friday that the IPOB leadership was mischievous by attacking the bank and trying to blame its destructive action on the law enforcement agency.

“These outlawed elements and their leadership are just trying to be clever by half by what they are trying to say after attacking the bank in Anambra State last night and coming out on Friday to blame the DSS,” the security official said.

Another official described the antics adopted by IPOB in attacking the bank and blaming the DSS for it, as ridiculous and puerile as no security agency in Nigeria has ever done that.

The source described the allegation by IPOB as an act that has never been heard of in the history of law enforcement in Nigeria and warned members of the illegal group not to test the will of security institutions in the land.

“”What IPOB has said against the DSS is nothing but an attempt at blackmailing the security agencies in a desperate bid to distract the public and indeed, the international community from what has become its pattern of violent attacks, retreat and feigning of nonviolent dispositions.

” The public should however be wary of the antics of IPOB which hides under these methods to wreak havoc on innocent people and targets.

When contacted, Peter Afunanya, the Public Relations Officer of the DSS, described the agency as a responsible organisation that is working round the clock to protect the interest of all Nigerians and will never allow any individual or group to threaten the peace, safety and wellbeing of Nigerians.

Afunanya said the DSS would continue to work with other sister agencies to maintain law and order; protect lives and property.

He called on citizens and corporate bodies to be security conscious and beef up protective measures around them.

​Ahmed Musa hopes to help Kano pillars win 2020/21 NPFL

The Nigerian Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa said he is back to his former club, Kano pillars on a mission to help the club emerge victorious at the ongoing 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPLF.

Musa stated this when he formally penned down a short term deal with Kano Pillars Football club at the club Secretariat in Kano.

A statement by the club’s spokesperson, Rilwanu Idris said Musa promised to do his possible best to see that Pillars Fc win the league season.

“I left pillars over ten years ago without winning the league by then but now by God’s grace I will make a special record to win it this time around.

“People don’t know why I am back to the club. I am back on a mission and it would be accomplish sooner or later.”

Musa however thanked the management, players and fans of the club for their cordial relationship since his first registration with the club in 2009 till date which prompted him to come back to the club.

On his part, the Chairman of the club, Alhaji Surajo Shaaibu Jambul expressed delight with Ahmed Musa’s decision to rejoined the club urging him to feel free and at home at all times.

Jambul urged him to use his vast experience to move the club forward and assured that the club would release him any time he get offer outside the country.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Musa was unveiled to the board and management of the club and is to wear his former jersey number seven throughout the time he will be in the club.

APC reconciliation in Zamfara yields positive results

The ongoing reconciliation of All Progressive Congress APC members in Zamfara state is yielding positive results .

The former governor of the state, Alhaji Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi said this in a media chat in Kaduna .

According to following the intervention of the party leaders, the crises among some APC supporters in the state have been settled .

He pointed out that as a result of such intervention the principal actors in the state party crisis have indicated their willingness for reconciliation towards the upliftment of APC in Zamfara state.

Mahmuda Shinkafi therefore identified politics as not a d0 or die affair but a game of numbers which reuired maturity and understanding to succeed .

On the registration of APCmembers in the state, the former governor described the exercise as comnendable and worthy of supper by all Party card carryin b members

Commenting on the banditry activities in Zamfara state, Alhaji Mhmud liyu Shinkafi Aaroni said bandits in the state are very poweful, but commended the him military for trying to bring to an end their activities.

The former governor also decried that despite the efforts of the government to reconcile with the bandits to stop such illegal acts, they refused to change their ways or Life.

He further expressed worry that some sections of the media are not helping matters towards bringing to an end the armed banditry.