The Defence Headquarters has said a notorious terrorist kingpin in Jigawa State known as Mai Hijabi has been killed in an operation conducted during the week. For instance, one of the notorious terrorist commanders in Jigawa State known as Mai Hijabi, was eliminated from the battlefield during the week. Other items recovered include 13 cooking ovens, 35 drums, one motorcycle, one tricycle, 4-speed boats, 13 vehicles, and 65 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 789,200 litres of stolen crude oil and 64,950 litres of illegally refined AGO,“ he added. Buba noted that troops recovered 153 assorted weapons and 2,182 assorted ammunition.

A female secondary teacher in Imo state, Mrs Blessing Emmanuel, has been arrested by the police for dehumanising a 12-year-old girl, Amarachi Emmanuel. Okeoma confirmed the arrest of the woman in Owerri on Thursday and said that he took the girl to Umuguma General Hospital in Owerri, where she is receiving intense medical attention currently. He said: “Amarachi Emmanuel is 12 years old. The activist and journalist told our Correspondent in Owerri that he personally took the girl to Owerri Area command and got the woman arrested immediately. He said, “I have involved the National Human Rights Commission, the Owerri Municipal Council Welfare Department, and the Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller voiced concerns over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. His comments were in response to a question about a video released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday. “We are incredibly concerned about the humanitarian situation in all of Gaza, and particularly concerned about the humanitarian situation in north Gaza, and I can tell you, it has been the subject of some very urgent discussions between our two governments,” he said. “We have been making clear to the government of Israel that they have an obligation under international humanitarian law to allow food and water and other needed humanitarian assistance to make it into all parts of Gaza,” Miller said. “We fully expect them to comply with those obligations,” Miller added, while also warning Israel against “conducting operations in Gaza in perpetuity.”AFPREAD MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

The Federal Government has introduced a portal that allows users to convert their petrol-powered vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG) and a pay-later.This is contained in a statement by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) via its official X handle. According to the statement, the payment option allows drivers to convert their vehicles now and pay later through affordable monthly instalments at competitive rates. “Switching to CNG is now more accessible than ever. With flexible payment plans tailored to fit your budget, transitioning from petrol to CNG has never been smoother or more affordable. These payment options allow you to convert your vehicle now and pay later with affordable monthly instalments at competitive rates.

Determined to enhance safety, efficiency and awareness in ground operations, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is set to embark on Surface Movement Radar (SMR) sensitization. The aviation-wide Surface Movement Radar (SMR) sensitization is a specialized programme organised by NAMA to enhance the knowledge and operational capabilities of airport personnel and aviation professionals in the use and management of surface movement radars. The objective of the sensitization programme is to educate participants on the fundamental principles and workings of surface movement radar systems and highlight the importance of SMR in maintaining safety and efficiency in airport ground operations. NAMA disclosed that the Surface Movement Radar sensitization is a comprehensive programme combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills that will ensure that participants are well-equipped to maximize the benefits of SMR technology. By enhancing their understanding and operational competence, it aims to significantly improve ground movement efficiency and safety across airports.

Some stakeholders in oil industry, known as ‘Concerned Energy Consumers In Nigeria’, CECIN has renewed the call for total deregulation of the petroleum industry in the country as the way forward. Nigerians, again on Wednesday were surprised by the new increase in pump price of petroleum product from N885 to N1,030 by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited NNPCL, third time in the past two months. Speaking to newsmen on the latest increase, Agwa who insisted that total deregulation of the oil industry is the best way to go called for the cooperation of every Nigerian to champion the campaign for full deregulation of the petroleum market to save the nation. “True competition, independent market regulator, consumer protection and investor protection will strive in the atmosphere of fully and totally deregulated petroleum market sector. “So, there is need for all of us to join hands together and champion the campaign for full deregulation of the petroleum market to save our nation”, Agwa said.

The Minister of Defense,, has said that the Operation “Delta Safe” action in the South South region of the country was yielding results as Nigeria’s oil production has increased. The minister commended the operations of the Division/ Land Component Joint Task task of the operation for their continued fight against oil theft and other forms of criminality in the region. According to him, the increase in oil production is a testament to the sustained fight by the special task force. “What we are doing today is to commend the troops and encourage them to do more and put an end to oil theft in the region,” he said. Oil production has increased and it will continue to increase and I assure you that before the end of this year you will see tremendous increase in oil production,” he addedHe therefore urged the Operation Delta Safe to intensify and enhance extant measures in the Niger Delta region to ensure increased oil production .

More than 79 million women and girls across sub-Saharan Africa have experienced rape or sexual assault during childhood, according to a report by UNICEF released on Thursday. UNICEF estimates that worldwide, around 370 million girls and women have endured sexual violence, with approximately one in five in sub-Saharan Africa suffering abuse before the age of 18. “Sexual violence against children is a stain on our moral conscience,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. Regions facing conflict and insecurity, such as Sudan, see the highest rates of sexual violence. “Children in fragile settings are especially vulnerable to sexual violence,” added Russell.

The Nigerian Army has suspended the immediate past Commander 3 Brigade Kano, Brigadier General MA Sadiq to ensure a thorough investigation after allegedly being involved in the diversion of rice palliatives, and selling of military equipment, including generating sets and operational vehicles, to scrap yards. This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema NwachukwuThe statement explained that ” this is necessary for a thorough investigation, guaranteed that the process will be fair, impartial, and in line with Nigerian Army established procedures.”It stated that the Nigerian Army being a self-regulatory institution founded on the bedrock of discipline, justice, and accountability, has zero tolerance for indiscipline and would therefore not condone any form of misconduct or illicit actions and inactions that could undermine the threshold of its values and principles. The Army assured both its internal and external publics that the allegations would be thoroughly investigated and appropriate administrative action would be taken, saying that its commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency remained unwavering. ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNEIGP approves N10m payment to families of officers killed in Kano accident

Eunisell Interlinked Plc, an electrical and electronic solutions provider, has announced remarkable growth in key performance metrics for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Profit after tax saw an astonishing rise, exceeding 1000 per cent, jumping from N8.8 million in 2023 to N100 million in 2024. Profitability margins demonstrated significant growth, with the net profit margin rising to 13.85 per cent from 3.19 per cent in the 2023 financial year. Furthermore, the return on capital employed (ROCE) increased to 44.24 per cent, up from 4.66 per cent reported in the previous year. Earnings per share (EPS) also saw substantial growth in the 2024 fiscal year, climbing to N42.28 from N3.74 reported in 2023.

The Federal Government has launched an application portal for Nigerians willing to convert their vehicles from the use of Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol to Compressed Natural Gas. The statement also highlighted flexible payment plans, noting that applicants will receive support through the process to ensure it is hassle-free. With flexible payment plans tailored to fit your budget, transitioning from petrol to CNG has never been smoother or more affordable. “These payment options allow you to convert your vehicle now and pay later with affordable monthly installments at competitive rates. With an easy online application and quick approval process, you’ll receive support every step of the way to ensure a hassle-free experience”.

SIR: As I contemplate the state of our nation, I feel compelled to highlight a pressing issue that poses a threat to the very foundation of our society: Drug trafficking. Drug traffickers see these fines as insignificant deterrents. The current NDLEA Act must be reviewed to eliminate the option of fines for drug trafficking offences. We must also address the root causes of drug trafficking, including poverty, lack of education, and unemployment. In conclusion, leniency towards drug traffickers must end now.

A group of transporters, Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, has vehemently opposed Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya’s (MC Oluomo) bid for the presidency of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group cited MC Oluomo’s lack of qualifications and questionable leadership style as reasons for their opposition. “MC Oluomo’s leadership style is unacceptable. The group urged members from Ondo and Ekiti states not to be swayed by propaganda and to consider more qualified candidates from the South West region. No single person or individual from Lagos state council would pray to have the kind of Oluomo leadership at the national headquarters of the union.

For the easy sustainability of the country’s aviation sector, the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo and other key players have identified innovation funding models, including concession, joint ventures and the setting of a development fund as the only way to achieve the goal. The minister who was represented by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku argued that for the sector to improve there is an urgent need to enhance capacity through strategic partnership of private sector players. According to Kuku, there is a need to review the funding models to pave the way for concession, joint ventures and other interventions that will boost private sector investment. The present efforts by the Minister to engage aircraft manufacturers and aircraft leasing companies according to Najomo has engendered more confidence for Nigerian operators. He canvassed the liberalization of air transport policies, relaxed regulatory restrictions to attract private sector investment into the sector.

The US Justice Department has informed a federal judge that it is contemplating recommending that Google divest certain parts of its operations to address the harm caused by its monopolization of the online search market. This potential move could result in a historic antitrust breakup of the tech giant, according to Bloomberg. In a court filing on Tuesday, antitrust enforcers indicated that Judge Amit Mehta could also compel Alphabet Inc.’s subsidiary to grant access to the underlying data it utilizes to generate search results and develop its artificial intelligence products.