Crime
Tinubu’s aide demands probe of Nigerian student’s killing in Canada
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Students Engagement, Sunday Asefon, has called for investigation into the killing of a Nigerian student who was studying in the University of Manitoba Canada, Stephen Afolabi Opaso.
The 19-year-old was killed by the Winnipeg Police Service in Manitoba, Canada, on December 31, 2023.
Asefon, who described the killing as barbaric and heartless, in a statement on Saturday, urged the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to ensure that the incident was not swept under the carpet.
He said, “The impression in the public as gathered during an interaction with the official National Association of Nigerian Students earlier on the case is that the killing was racially motivated as the demised student was not welding a gun at the time of the incident and that the police officers would have acted differently if he were to be a white.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of NIDCOM should ensure that the incident is not swept under the carpet.
NANS and the entire Nigerian students should remain calm. We will follow the case up diligently until the Canadian authorities give a true account of the death of the Nigerian Student and compensate his family accordingly to avoid a diplomatic row that may lead to the closure of their embassy in Nigeria by Nigerian student Apex body NANS as earlier threatened if no action is taken by Federal Government of Nigeria within 3 working days.”
Supporting the SSA to the President, a human rights lawyer, Tolu Babaleye, called on the Federal Government to ensure justice was served on the matter, saying the threat the boy posed was not proportional to the defence method employed by the Canadian police.
He said, “The force applied by the police officer involved was too excessive. Assuming the boy was holding a gun, it would have been justified. The boy was said to be holding a knife; he would have looked for another means of disarming him instead of shooting him.
“I agree with the SSA that the issue should be investigated properly, but again, it depends on Canadian law. If it is under our criminal law in Nigeria for you not to be culpable in this kind of situation, the force you applied must be proportional to the threat the guy constituted at the time of the incident.
“You know this one has to do with diplomacy between the two countries because Nigeria and Canada have a very good relationship. I believe this incident will have to also be handled with wisdom because Canada is one of the countries that have opened its doors to our youths.”
Crime
DSS Cracks Down on Plateau Violence, Arms Recovery
The Department of State Services has recorded another breakthrough, arresting a man believed to be a major supplier of weapons to armed groups.
This comes Three months after arraigning suspects in the Yelwata and Plateau massacres.
In a significant breakthrough, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Musa Abubakar, a suspected arms manufacturer, in a targeted raid on November 12th.
The operation took place at his workshop in Mista Ali, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The arrest followed weeks of meticulous surveillance and the gathering of credible intelligence.
According to investigators, Abubakar confessed to manufacturing and distributing high-caliber weapons and ammunition.
These weapons were allegedly supplied to groups responsible for the recent violent attacks in Plateau State and other northern states.
Authorities seized a cache of evidence during the raid, including components of improvised explosive devices, various chemicals, and equipment used in the manufacturing process.
The DSS is continuing its investigation, aiming to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the arms supply chain and bring them to justice.
Crime
Army confirms death of two soldiers in Borno ambush
Boko Haram terrorists on Friday night ambushed troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade during a routine patrol around Wajiroko in Azir Multe, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing four security operatives.
The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday, noting that the attack occurred as the troops were returning from a successful patrol around the fringes of Sambisa Forest.
“Troops of 25 Task Force Brigade, on routine patrol to secure communities around Wajiroko in Azir Multe, Damboa LGA of Borno State, came under a sudden and heavy insurgents’ fire while returning from a successful patrol within the fringes of Sambisa Forests,” the statement said.
Anele explained that the patrol team, led by the Commander of the 25 Brigade, Brigadier General M. Uba, included soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). She said the team fought through the ambush with “superior firepower,” forcing the terrorists to retreat.
However, two soldiers and two CJTF operatives were killed in the attack.
While commending the troops for their gallantry, Anele said the Army high command commiserates with the families of the fallen personnel and praised their sacrifice.
She also dismissed reports circulating online alleging that the Brigade Commander had been abducted during the ambush.
“The Army Headquarters wishes to debunk the fake narrative… alleging the abduction of the Brigade Commander,” she said, urging the public to disregard the misinformation.
She added that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, saluted the bravery and resilience of the troops, describing their commitment as a reminder of the daily sacrifices made to keep Nigeria safe.
The incident comes barely a month after Boko Haram terrorists killed the Commanding Officer of the 202 Tank Battalion, Lt. Col. Aliyu Paiko, along with several soldiers, during an attack in the Kashimri area of Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Crime
BREAKING: DSS Recaptures Ansaru Terrorist Commander Linked to Church Massacre
The Department of State Services (DSS) has successfully recaptured a high-ranking commander of the Ansaru terrorist group, Abdulazeez Obadaki.
He is believed to be the mastermind behind the horrific mass shooting at a Deeper Life Bible Church near Okene, Kogi State, which took place on August 7, 2012.
This recapture marks a significant step in bringing those responsible for the tragedy to justice. The attack on the church, a deeply sorrowful event, resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 19 worshippers, including the pastor, and left many others with varying degrees of injuries.
The DSS’s efforts to apprehend Obadaki demonstrate their commitment to combating terrorism and ensuring the safety of citizens.
Security sources disclosed that the suspected terrorist leader confessed to orchestrating the Kuje Custodial centre jailbreak following his transfer from Kabba Custodial Centre in June 2022.
According to the sources, after over three years of being on the run, DSS operatives in a, well-oiled intelligence operation recaptured Obadaki aka Bomboy, on Friday morning.
This arrest comes barely two months after the secret police arraigned five suspects linked to the 2022 Catholic Church attack in Owo, Ondo State.
During the February 2022 daylight bank robberies in Uromi, Edo State, which instilled widespread fear across the region, several policemen and bank customers were killed, while hundreds of millions of Naira was reportedly carted away.
The secret police has, of recent, been recording a chain of successes in the capture of terrorists and criminal elements across the nation, with its new leadership fast-tracking the trial of the arrested suspects.
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