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Plateau attacks: Group Urges Tinubu to Reintroduce Forest Guards

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he Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to fulfill his campaign promise of reintroducing forest guards.

The call was contained in a statement signed by Mr Isaac Abrak, President of NCYP and issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Kaduna.

Abrak said the call followed a recent attack on Christmas eve which allegedly claimed the lives of 115 innocent individuals in the communities of Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to Abrak, the reintroduction of the guards initiative, which aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.

According to him, it is a critical step towards bolstering the efforts of the Nigerian military, police, and other security agencies in safeguarding lives and properties.

“The NCYP has long advocated for the recruitment of individuals, particularly youths residing in communities at the fringes of forests that have become hotbeds for terrorist activities,” he said.

Abrak said that the relentless wave of violence against the communities, particularly during festive seasons, was deplorable and unacceptable in every conceivable sense.

“The Northern Christian Youth Professionals mourn with the families affected by this tragedy and extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Plateau State.

“It is disheartening that the wanton attacks and killings of innocent people have persisted for far too long in Nigeria,” he added.

Abrak said that the NCYP emphasised that such acts of violence must not be tolerated any further, adding , “we call on the Nigerian government and relevant authorities to take decisive measures to ensure the safety and security of our citizens.

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“These communities have been targeted for many years, and it is imperative that we empower the youths to take an active role in securing their own environments.

“Our belief is grounded in the understanding that these youth, intimately familiar with their forested surroundings, can effectively identify law-abiding citizens and distinguish them from criminals.

“Their vast knowledge of the terrain equips them to monitor and track the activities of these nefarious elements, thereby contributing significantly to the efforts against terrorism.

“It is evident that terrorist groups in Nigeria exploit festive seasons such as Christmas, Sallah, and Independence Days to perpetrate heinous acts for cheap popularity,” Abrak said.

The president said NYCP stood resolute in her commitment to advocating peace, justice, and the protection of human lives.

He said; “We call upon all Nigerians to join us in denouncing these acts of violence and in demanding swift and effective measures to address the security challenges facing our nation.” (NAN)

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NAF eliminates scores of terrorists in multiple airstrikes in Borno

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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has eliminated scores of suspected terrorists during multiple airstrikes at Warawara, near Wajiroko, and Chinene in the Mandara Mountains area of Borno.

The Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Group Capt. Kabiru Ali, disclosed this in a statement issued n Thursday in Abuja.

Ali said that the NAF had sustained its counterterrorism operations tempo in the North-East, executing decisive airstrikes in multiple waves on Wednesday and dealing a severe blow to insurgent activities.

He said that the NAF, guided by painstaking Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, identified a number of terrorists stockpiling logistics and planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) around Wajiroko.

According to him, surveillance later tracked their movement to a concealed location housing a gun truck, ammunition stockpiles, and fuel reserves.

”In response, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) executed multiple waves of air interdiction missions.

”The first wave struck the terrorists’ logistics hub, destroying gun trucks and critical supplies.

”The other followed with sustained rocket and cannon attacks, ensuring the complete annihilation of terrorist’s assets.

”Later that day, NAF aircraft targeted another terrorist enclave at Chinene in the Mandara Mountains.

”Intelligence reports indicated that insurgents had relocated there following a previous air raid on Degbewa on March 16.

”Overhead reconnaissance confirmed the presence of active structures, prompting the execution of strikes that set terrorist hideouts ablaze.”

Ali added that the fleeing insurgents were subsequently engaged and neutralised, further crippling their operational capacity.

According to him, battle damage assessment and corroboratory intelligence confirmed the neutralisation of scores of terrorist fighters.

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He said the airstrikes also destroyed four terrorist gun trucks, two Toyota Hilux vehicles, and several makeshift shelters, forcing the insurgents to abandon their positions degrading their operational capabilities.

”These successful air interdiction missions underscore the NAF’s unwavering commitment to neutralising insurgents, disrupting their logistics, and denying them safe havens.

”With sustained pressure on terrorist elements, the NAF remains resolute in its mission to restore peace and security in the country,” he said.

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NYSC to female corps members: “Go to your parents, not your boyfriends”

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The Bauchi State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs Rifkatu Yakubu, has urged female Corps members to return home to their parents after completing their service.

Yakubu, made the call on Thursday in Bauchi during the distribution of National Service certificates to corps members.

While specifically addressing the 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream 11 female corps members, she said, “Ladies, please remember that your boyfriends are not your parents.

“Do not say that after collecting your certificates, you are heading to your boyfriends’ houses,” she advised.

“Go back home to your parents and celebrate with them. You have just completed your national service, and this is a moment to share with your family.”

She also encouraged corps members to put their skills to good use, particularly those acquired through the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.

“Even if you haven’t learnt anything from the SAED programme, it’s not too late.

“Instead of going home to sit idle, find something to do to support your parents. Use this last allowance wisely; invest in learning a trade,” she said.

Yakubu further cautioned corps members against engaging in fraudulent activities such as internet fraud (yahoo yahoo), kidnapping, or ritual killings in pursuit of quick wealth.

“These are not the values NYSC has instilled in you. You have served to become responsible members of society,” she said.

“Represent your family well, be a good ambassador of Nigeria, your institution, and the NYSC.”

She also advised the corps members to carefully check their National Service certificates for errors before laminating them.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 1,652 corps members passed out in Bauchi State, comprising 1,118 males and 534 females.(NAN)

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Russia opposes Western peacekeepers in Ukraine, warns of clash with NATO

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Moscow is “categorically against” the potential deployment of Western peacekeepers in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on Thursday.

She warned that such a move could lead to a direct clash between Russia and NATO.

Zakharova also accused London and Paris of plotting a “military intervention in Ukraine” under the guise of a peacekeeping operation.

These remarks came as France hosted a summit of a “coalition of the willing” to discuss future support for Ukraine, following a similar meeting in Britain, where military leaders from around 30 countries convened to discuss the coalition’s next steps.

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