News
How DSS Operations Fostered a Peaceful Yuletide in Niger State, South-East
By Nathaniel irobi, Abuja
The heightened sense of security experienced during the Yuletide season in various regions of the country can be attributed to a series of covert operations conducted by the Department of State Services (DSS). These initiatives aimed to curb the violent actions of bandits and other criminal factions, according to security sources who informed ELANZANEWS on Thursday.
Sources revealed that the DSS’s actions resulted in the neutralization of members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the South-East and bandits in Niger State, among other areas.
Elaborating on these developments, a source disclosed to ELANZANEWS that a significant operation was executed on December 30, 2024, targeting armed bandits in the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State. During this operation, numerous bandits, who had invaded Rafi LGA on motorcycles armed with AK-47 rifles, were neutralized by DSS operatives. Additionally, the operatives seized an array of weapons and motorcycles from the bandits.
This operation marked the second major offensive launched by the DSS against bandits within a week, following an earlier engagement on December 27, 2024, when three bandits were killed in Dogon Dawa, Mairiga LGA of the state.
Just three weeks prior, DSS operatives apprehended notorious bandits terrorizing regions in the North-East and North-West, specifically in the Janyau Fulani Area of Gusau, along the Gusau-Kaura Namoda Road in Zamfara State, and in the Dalori quarters of Maiduguri, Borno State.
Reports indicate that the bandits in Niger State, who had recently attacked Uregi village in Rafi LGA, were convening for a meeting, unaware that DSS operatives had them under surveillance. The operatives launched their attack during this gathering.
A source familiar with the situation noted that three DSS operatives sustained injuries during the engagement but are currently recovering in an undisclosed medical facility.
Reflecting on the security landscape during the Yuletide, a security expert commended the new leadership at the DSS for adopting what he termed “increased synergy.” He emphasized that the overall security situation across the country has significantly improved due to timely intelligence sharing with the military and other security agencies.
He stated, “For instance, it is noteworthy that prior to Christmas, the DSS identified multiple IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra) and ESN camps across various southeastern states. Collaborating with the DSS, we effectively addressed the threats posed by IPOB and ESN leaders who were disturbing residents of the Southeast. Thanks to this collaboration, we dismantled IPOB and ESN strongholds in Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, and Orlu LGA in Imo State, where numerous AK-47s and IED-making materials were destroyed.”
He further mentioned that in Enugu, the DSS led an operation to clear the Imilike Agu forest in Udenu LGA, resulting in the destruction of various weapons and the neutralization of several IPOB/ESN commanders.
According to him, similar operations were conducted in Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi States.
“This is why residents in the Southeast were able to celebrate Yuletide in peace for the first time in several years,” he concluded.
Nollywood star Annie Idibia opens up about life after her separation from music legend 2Baba. The actress reveals her daughters, Isabella and Olivia, are her strongest source of strength and emotional support.
She expressed her feelings during a red carpet interview at the Headies Awards, the actress spoke openly about how her daughters, Isabella and Olivia, have become her greatest pillar of strength during this emotional transition.
Her candid conversation sparked widespread admiration from fans, especially for the way she continues to prioritise her family and remain grounded amid personal turmoil.
During the emotional exchange at the prestigious awards show, Annie made it clear that her daughters are not just her children but the centre of her universe. She described Isabella and Olivia as her “only family” and her “backbone”, highlighting the deep bond she shares with them.
Annie shared her message in Pidgin English: “My children dey Kampe. The first one dey Yankee, she dey go school. No play with that girl o. I don’t play with my kids. Na them be my backbone.”
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced plans to establish a centralised system for the authentication and verification of all travel documents in Nigeria.
He made this known during a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday with the United Kingdom’s Minister of State, David Hanson.
In the company of Hanson were delegates from the UK Home Office, National Crime Agency, and the British High Commission.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the initiative aims to tackle immigration and document fraud, particularly those associated with border control.
“We discovered that one of the key drivers of rising document fraud is the absence of a centralised, real-time verification system,” he said.
“Currently, if someone submits 20 documents, you may need to contact 20 different issuing agencies to verify them. That breeds inefficiency.”
He explained that the proposed system would allow real-time verification of all documents—such as bank statements, passports, and certificates—at a single centre.
The minister also said Nigeria was ready to take the lead in formulating a regional strategy for border control, noting that regional differences required customised approaches.
“To tackle a heterogeneous problem with a homogeneous approach will not work,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
“That’s why we’re planning a regional border conference to allow for the development of unified yet adaptable strategies to combat migration and border-related challenges.”
He further disclosed that Nigeria’s EU visa solution platform would go live on May 1.
According to him, this will allow for more efficient processing and international cooperation while safeguarding national security and promoting investment.
“We now have a policy that ensures a response—approval or rejection—within 24 to 48 hours of applying for an EU visa,” he said.
Speaking on President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, Tunji-Ojo emphasised the administration’s commitment to preventing corruption rather than merely reacting to it.
“Our performance will be judged not by the number of convictions or recoveries but by how many crimes or frauds we prevent,” he said.
In his remarks, Hanson expressed the UK’s readiness to continue collaborating with Nigeria to improve criminal justice outcomes.
Hanson noted that the UK was reviewing its e-visa system and migration policies while exploring ways to expand trade, business, and skills development opportunities with Nigeria.
“My colleagues at the High Commission are eager to maintain strong engagement with the Nigerian government,” he said
According to him, the UK looks forward to enhancing cooperation in tackling crime and fraud.
“You can rest assured that the National Crime Agency, the High Commission, and the Home Office are ready to extend a hand of partnership,” he said.
….Says Atiku on his way out of PDP
…It was against my people’s will
Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has revealed that ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar is preparing to leave the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Recall that, Atiku was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, with Okowa as his running mate.
On March 20, 2023, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, a former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and others jointly announced the creation of a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
The move has sparked ongoing discussions about the potential for a united opposition, with political leaders expressing varied opinions.
Speaking on Arise News on Tuesday, Okowa—who officially joined the All Progressives Congress on Monday—expressed regret for not aligning with his people in supporting a southern candidate in 2023 instead of accepting the role as Atiku’s running mate. He said, “Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power.
“But the decision had already been taken at the federal level by the party, and I had been nominated. Still, in retrospect, I now believe I should have gone with the will of my people.”
He added that the election of the current Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, proves that the people still have confidence in their leadership.
Okowa added, “That showed the people still believed in us, believed in me. They said you’ve done well, and we will support the governor you have chosen. And they did.”
When asked about his communication with Atiku before leaving the PDP, Okowa responded, “I actually did communicate with him that we were going to have stakeholders meetings this week (in the last week) and that it was going to be a leadership meeting and the outcome of that meeting was going to determine our next path because we were no longer comfortable with the PDP.
“And I also know that he is already heading out of the PDP from the communications he has passed on to me, and that Nigerians know already.”