JUST IN; Nigeria willing to work with U.S. to eliminate terrorism – Fed Govt
JUST IN; Nigeria willing to work with U.S. to eliminate terrorism – Fed Govt
The Federal Government says it remains open and willing to work closely with the Government of United States and others to eliminate terrorism in Nigeria.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.
He explained the progress made so far on fight against terrorism by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the past two years.
According to him, terror suspect, Khalid Al‑Barnawi, accused of being the mastermind of the August 26, 2011, bombing of the UN’s Complex in Abuja, in which 20 people were killed and more than 70 others injured, is facing prosecution.
“Captured in 2016, Al Barnawi is facing trial along with four other terror suspects – Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello aka Datti, Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu aka Bello Maishayi.
“On Aug. 11, five terror suspects were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
“Also undergoing trial are the suspects arrested in connection with the Yelwata massacre in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on June 13, where dozens of people were killed and 107 injured.
“On June 24, 26 suspects in connection with the massacre were arrested.
“In August, terrorism-related charges were filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja against the suspects.
“However, the government of Nigeria remains open and willing to work closely with the Government of the U.S., other friendly nations and partners, to eliminate terrorism on Nigerian soil,” Idris said.
He further explained that the cooperation between Nigeria and the U.S. has already resulted in the delivery of a dozen Super Tucano aircraft, which have been of tremendous impact in the anti-insurgency fight.
Idris added that another dozen AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters were in the process of being acquired by the Nigerian Air Force.
“We call on our American friends and partners to approach the Nigerian situation with an understanding of its complex realities.
“Nigeria is a vast, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious nation making significant strides in economic reform and in the bolstering of its security architecture,” he said.
The Minister noted that, constructive engagement is the surest and most effective way to achieve peace and stability.
According to him, Nigeria welcomes dialogue, cooperation, and support from foreign nations, including the U.S. in addressing shared security concerns.
“We warmly invite all our partners, both domestic and international, to join us in this noble endeavour, anchored on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect.
“The President Tinubu administration remains ever faithful and committed to its duty of securing our nation and its peoples.
“As the President himself has reassured, Nigeria stands firmly on the constitutional guarantees on citizens’ liberty and freedom of religion.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the country is in capable and steady hands with President Tinubu.
“He is leading the charge to boost our economy, strengthen our military and intelligence capabilities and leading the country towards greater and shared prosperity.
“On the current misreading and misjudging of the reality of Nigeria’s true security situation by the U.S., Tinubu is taking the lead to resolve all areas of misunderstanding through all available diplomatic and political channels,” he said. (NAN)
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Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
The police in Lagos on Friday, charged two men before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling an 11- year-old girl.
The defendants are: Prince Tomnyie, 40, a businessman, who resides at Agege, and Micheal Adenuga, 24, a furniture maker, who resides at Atere Street in Lekki.
They are standing trial on charges of defilement, and had each pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji told the court that they committed the offence sometimes in December 2024, and September 2025, at Langbasa Ajah and Igbara Lekki, Lagos .
The prosecutor alleged that the victim’s father, had taken his daughter for medical check and it was discovered that the minor had been defiled.
The prosecution alleged that the victim had told her father that his friend, Tomnyie, defiled her sometimes ago.
Ademigbuji alleged that the victim also mentioned the second defendant’s name who lives in their neigbourhood.
The offence contravenes the provisons of section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr L. A Owolabi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of of N600,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case until March 5, for mention. (NAN)
News
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has insisted that bail is free, and called on the public to report any officer asking for money to release a suspect on bail.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Adeh spoke in reaction to public outcry that some police officers were demanding money to release suspects on bail in the territory.
She said the report of the erring officers would serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was fraudulent to demand for money to release a suspect on bail.
Adeh blamed the yielding to such fraudulent demand on ignorance on the part of the victims who refused to stand on their rights.
“A similar case was reported where an officer demanded money to release a suspect on bail and when the matter was reported, we requested for evidence from the victim.
“The evidence was provided because the money was transferred to the officer’s account and actions are being taken on the issue.
“So, I encourage the public to take advantage of the FCT Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) lines on 08107314192 to report such misconduct with evidence,” she said.
Adeh urged the public to always insist on their rights and refuse any form of payment to release a suspect on bail.(NAN)
News
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison for obstruction of justice.
The Seoul Central District Court found that the 65-year-old conservative, with the help of the presidential security service, had tried to prevent his own arrest and deleted multiple documents related to the investigation against him.
Yoon shocked the nation by imposing martial law on December 3, 2024, amid a budget dispute with the opposition, plunging the country into a political crisis.
He justified the drastic measure as necessary to protect South Korea’s democratic order and accused the left-leaning opposition of being infiltrated by communists with ties to China and North Korea, though he provided no evidence for these claims.
In a separate trial, prosecutors have sought the death penalty for Yoon on charges of incitement, with a verdict expected on February 19.
While the death penalty remains legally in force in South Korea, it has not been carried out for nearly 30 years.
Yoon’s actions previously alarmed international investors and led to withheld investments, damaging the reputation of South Korea as a political and economic model for the region.
Since last summer, South Korea has been led by President Lee Jae Myung, a left-leaning centrist and long-time political rival of Yoon. (dpa/NAN)
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