News
Military airstrike: Shettima condoles with Sokoto over deaths of civilians
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has expressed heartfelt condolences and an apology to Sokoto State’s government and people following the tragic loss of lives during a joint military operation against the Lakurawa terrorist group.
The operation targeted terrorist hideouts in the Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesperson, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima expressed deep sympathy to the families of those mistakenly affected by the military onslaught on the terrorist group.
He noted that it was one of those rare, sorrowful moments when innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire during the ongoing efforts to rid the country of all forms of terror
“I would like to extend my deep sympathies and condolences to the government and people of Sokoto State, particularly to the families of those who lost their lives in this joint operation.
“The operation, conducted by both the air and land components of Operation Fansan Yamma, was aimed at neutralising the Lakurawa terrorist group at their hideouts in the Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities,” Shettima said.
Shettima expressed regret for the civilian casualties incurred and the pain felt by the affected families.
“I must say that we are sorry and dismayed by the civilian losses and the immense suffering that follows in such difficult times,” he added.
The Vice-President called for understanding, highlighting the sacrifices made by the military in their efforts to protect civilians.
“Our gallant men and women of the Armed Forces are paying the ultimate price to protect the lives of those caught in the crossfire.
“My thoughts and prayers go out particularly to the relatives of those who perished in this tragic event.
“May the Almighty God ease your pain and grant you the courage and patience to bear the loss.”
Shettima, on behalf of the military, expressed regret over the incident and called for continued support for the troops.
He emphasised that with valuable information from the local population, the military would be able to carry out operations with greater precision, targeting terrorists while minimising harm to innocent civilians.
“President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicating terror groups and other criminal elements from the country.
“We will not rest until these threats are completely eliminated.
“On behalf of our brave officers, I apologise for this tragic loss. I urge you to continue supporting our troops as they work to ensure a safer nation for us all,” Shettima assured.
The Vice-President stressed that security was a collective responsibility, calling on all Nigerians to unite in the fight against terrorism.
“Together, we will make a difference. The courage and dedication of our troops, along with the resilience of the Nigerian people, will prevail against such monstrous evil.”
Shettima also reassured the public that President Tinubu was fully committed to ensuring a peaceful Nigeria, where citizens could go about their daily lives without fear of attacks from terrorists and other criminal elements.
He further emphasised that the government would continue its efforts to eliminate the remaining pockets of terror across the country.
In related news, the Defence Headquarters clarified that the death of 10 civilians in Gidan Bisa and Gidan Ruutuwa in Sokoto State was due to secondary explosions, not direct military airstrikes.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, explained that the joint operation by the Air and Land components of Operation Fassan Yamma on December 25 was a response to confirmed terrorist activity in the region.
Buba, who made the clarification while briefing newsmen on Friday in Abuja, explained that although the airstrikes targeted terrorist hideouts, the secondary explosions caused civilian casualties in the surrounding villages.
“The operation successfully neutralised the Lakurawa terrorist group’s hideouts.”(NAN)
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
Less than 24 hours after former Kaduna Central Senatorial District lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, openly declared support for Governor Uba Sani’s re-election bid, former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Sources reveal that the recent return of prominent politicians such as Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, Senator Danjuma Laah, former Governor Ramalan Yero, and others to the APC has unsettled El-Rufai.
Senator Shehu Sani, in his declaration, stated that his main political objective for 2027 is to ensure Governor Uba Sani’s re-election.
Unwilling to face the emerging political dynamics, El-Rufai announced his resignation from APC in a Facebook post, stating:
“Today, 10th March 2025, I have submitted my resignation letter to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately. Before this decision, I consulted extensively with my mentors, colleagues, and loyalists across the country about the future. I have now decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as the platform for our future political engagements.
“As a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us. Together, we can unify under a strong democratic platform to challenge the APC in upcoming elections and by-elections before 2027, by the grace of God.
“I, therefore, call on all our supporters and those concerned about Nigeria’s future to join us in SDP as we work towards making Nigeria a beacon of hope for Africa and the Black race.”
In reaction to El-Rufai’s defection, Shehu Sani dismissed the move, saying it would have little impact.
“Leaving APC for SDP makes no difference for someone with no political relevance anymore. But one thing is certain—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani will be re-elected
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Former governor of Sokoto State and now Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal while flagging off distribution of ramadan fast assistance to the people of the state, Monday reassured that, his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will Reclaim their mandate come 2027.
Tambuwal, who divulged that the Ramadan gesture is targeted at 30,000 households in the state, added, “‘it is aside the thousands of other foodstuff and multiple assistance given by all lawmakers elected under the platform of the PDP in the state”.
According to him, the PDP lawmakers both at he state and federal levels are equally flagging off the distribution of thousands of bags of rice and other grains to all youth and women led organizations to help compliment their ease of fasting.
“”As you aware, many people have lost their lives and they are no more with us. It is by His grace that we are alive and here observing another Ramadan and witnessing the distribution of foodstuff to our people once again.
“We continue to pray to Allahi to grant us continued good health and longevity, for us to witness many more of this blessed month.l of Ramadan. I also would like to take disadvantage of this opportunity to thank our chairman and the leaders of our party in the state for their continued hard work in organizing the party, in mobilizing the people and making sure that our party remain strong and united in Sokoto
“”We are one big united family. And we shall continue to work together towards reclaiming what has been taken away from us. As you know, in the last elections, our mandate was forcefully stolen. But now, we are restrategizing and organizing.
“”And by the grace of Allah, what has been taken away, will be given back to us by come 2027″”. Tambuwal assured.
Speaking earlier, Sokoto state PDP chairman, Comrade Bello Goronyo expressed heartfelt appreciation to all members of the PDP in Sokoto for keeping hope alive and faith with the party, saying the PDP is the only party that truly meant well for the generality of Nigerians.
This according to him could be proven by the current hardship been experienced by Nigerians which where hitherto not the case when the PDP held sway.
Comrade Goronyo therefore appealed to the people of the state and Nigerians to liberate themselves from the grip of APC’s mis- governance come 2027.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said on Monday that the United States was cancelling 83 per cent of programmes at the US Agency for International Development.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January demanding a freeze on all US foreign aid to give his administration time to assess overseas spending, with an eye to gutting programs not aligned with his “America First” agenda.
“After a six-week review we are officially cancelling 83% of the programmes at USAID,” Rubio said on social media platform X.
“The 5,200 contracts that are now cancelled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States,” he added.
USAID distributes US humanitarian aid around the world, with health and emergency programs in around 120 countries.
USAID: Experts forecast improved pharma sales
The State Department, which oversees USAID, announced on February 26 its intention to cut 92 per cent of the agency’s program funding, identifying 5,800 grants to be eliminated.
Rubio on Monday notably thanked the Department of Government Efficiency, which billionaire Elon Musk is leading in a drive to slash costs and cut jobs across government departments.
Trump and his allies have argued that foreign assistance is wasteful and does not serve US interests.
But aid groups argue much of the assistance supports US interests by promoting stability and health overseas, and warn that cutting aid threatens the lives of vulnerable people.
AFP