Alison-Madueke Family Reacts, Says Diezani Was Never Arrested

Following the ongoing travails of Nigeria's former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, over allegations of money laundering and bribery brought against her by the United Kingdom, UK, National Crime Agency, the family of Rear-Admiral Allison Madueke (Retd), husband of the former minister has finally released a statement to set the records straight.

The statement, entitled: "The Truth Versus The Media Hysteria Against The Madueke Family," signed by Barrister Oscar Onwudiwe, for and on behalf of the Madueke and Agama families, stated that Diezani is currently battling with cancer, which started while she was in office, and that she has been receiving treatment in the UK .

Also adding that her health crisis has unfortunately exacerbated in recent times, the family said she completed months of chemotherapy just last week and is scheduled to undergo surgery next week in London.

The family however, urged Nigerians to pray for her recovery, adding that she is ready face the allegations and give account of her stewardship, while in office.

It added that the health crisis has unfortunately exacerbated in recent times, She completed months of chemotherapy just last week and she is scheduled to undergo surgery next week in London.

Read the full statement below:

1. In this era of cyber terrorism, decency dictates that one should respond to false and defamatory allegations with silence. But there is a limit to how much any reasonable person can bear the tactics of these cyber terrorists. We all know that what makes a lie fly is the little truth contained therein. This happens to be the weapon used by most online news media to feed their weird obsession with defaming highly placed people.

2. The Madueke family is appalled at the ongoing media frenzy against Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke by a section of the mass media following an invitation to her by the British authorities last Friday for reasons which have yet to be disclosed. For the avoidance of doubt, the family would like to state categorically that it has no issues with any persons from the family being invited anywhere in the world to answer questions about their private or official conduct. The Madueke family believes in law and order, honour and due process.

3. However, it is clear that here is a deliberate and vicious campaign to demonise members of the Madueke family, with all manner of frivolous allegations.For example, an online news media gleefully published that Mr. Ugonna Madueke "owns at least three properties in the United States." It even called the properties "POSH" and went on to state the addresses. THEY LIED.

4. Mr. Ugonna Madueke has NO PROPERTY ANYWHERE in the United States and has NEVER OWNED ONE. The USA is a country which runs on transparency, accountability and technology. A little honest effort by the online news media would have provided in a few minutes the true ownership of the properties at issue.

5. For historical accuracy, the Madueke family avers without any fear of contradiction that 11711 Scooter Lane (a three bedroom town house) in Fairfax, Virginia, was acquired by the Madueke family in 1997 when Ugonna was only 10 years old. Ugonna's siblings lived in this property while attending George Mason University in Virginia, USA.

Records available to the appropriate authorities in the United States can also show that 13116 Silver Maple Court in Bowie, Maryland, USA belongs to an uncle of the Madueke siblings and was purchased in 1995 when Ugonna was only 8 years old.

As a student of the University of Maryland in 2002, Ugonna stayed with his uncle at the said address. All of this was before Mrs. Diezani was appointed to government office. No Madueke or a distant relation has anything to do with the ownership of No. 4227 Summit Manor Court in Virginia.

6. It is evident that what the online news media did was to turn on an internet search engine and maliciously reported that every property where Ugonna Madueke has ever lived in the United States or used as his address must belong to him. The description of the properties as POSH was the icing on the propaganda cake. This is not only unprofessional, as it offends the tenets of journalism, it is clearly not in resonance with good conscience.

Osinbajo Leaves Abuja for 3 Days Visit to Pretoria

Prof Yemi Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the early hours of Friday departed Abuja for Pretoria, South Africa.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice President would, during his three-day visit to South Africa, participate in a number of events including the commissioning of the consular building of the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria.

Osinbajo, according to Akande, would also attend programmes at the House of Revival Church in Brakpan and pay a courtesy call on his South African counterpart, Mr. Cyril Rhamaphosa.

He will hold an interactive session with the Nigerian community in South Africa before returning to Abuja on Sunday.

Source: Vanguard

Barca back Messi over fraud case

 XINHUA 

Both FC Barcelona and Leo Messi’s management Company have issued communiques criticizing the decision taken by a Spanish court to make the Argentine face trial for tax avoidance alongside his father.

The decision taken by a judge in the court in Gava (Barcelona) goes against that made by the Barcelona Public Prosecutor two days earlier in which the Prosecutors office considered that Messi had no knowledge of a possible tax fraud of 4.1 million euros (4.4 million US dollars) committed by his father on his earnings through image rights in the years 2007 (when Messi was just 20) until 2009.

In citing Messi to trial and a possible sentence of 22 months in prison, the court assumes Messi has joint responsibility along with his father.

In a three-point statement, Barcelona “expresses its surprise at the difference in criteria between the Public Prosecutors, which on September 25 decided not to accuse Lionel Messi of tax fraud, and the verdict expressed today by the State Attorney, which states the complete opposite.”

The club insisted it would give Messi their full support while also hinting that it believes the decision to take their striker to trial is part of a series of actions aimed at damaging the image of what is a high-profile Catalan institution.

FC Barcelona decries the accumulation of totally inadmissible and external decisions that have been going on for some time, and that have nothing to do with strictly sporting affairs. They are damaging to the good operations of the club, its stability and also that of the athletes that form part of it,” says the club on its official website.

Messi Management Services, which looks after Messi’s interests also highlighted the difference in criteria between Judge and Prosecutor.

“The Public Prosecution Office did not accuse the Argentine of any tax crime, but rather extensively explained the reasons why he should not be charged… The State Legal Service is contradicting the Public Prosecution Office’s request and judgement,” says the the statement, adding Messi will prove his innocence.

India protests to Saudi after maid’s hand chopped off

India migrant wokers in saudi source:AFP

India said Friday it had lodged a protest with authorities in Riyadh after a maid from Tamil Nadu allegedly had her hand chopped off by her Saudi employer for complaining about her work conditions.

India’s foreign minister deplored a “brutal” attack on 55-year-old Kasthuri Munirathinam, who is now being treated at a hospital in Riyadh, and which comes weeks after a Saudi diplomat based in New Delhi fled the country accused of rape.

“Chopping of (the) hand of (an) Indian lady — we are very much disturbed over the brutal manner in which (this) Indian lady has been treated in Saudi Arabia,” Sushma Swaraj said on Twitter.

“This is unacceptable. We have taken this up with Saudi authorities.”

A spokesman for the foreign ministry confirmed that Indian diplomats in Riyadh had lodged a formal complaint at the the Saudi foreign ministry.

Munirathinam, who comes from a village in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, had suffered a catalogue of abuse since taking up a post as a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia three months ago, according to her family.

“When she tried to escape harassment and torture, her right hand was chopped off by the woman employer,” her sister S Vijayakumari told the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency.

Footage of Munirathinam lying in her hospital bed was broadcast by several Indian media outlets.

Foreign ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup told AFP that Munirathinam was still recuperating in hospital and efforts were being made to bring her home.

“We are in touch with the woman, hospital and the local police authorities. She will get all possible legal and other help from the embassy,” Swarup said.

Hundreds of thousands of Indian migrants work in households in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries but complaints about their treatment by their employers often make headlines back home.

A video showing a male Indian worker being beaten by his Saudi employer went viral in September, sparking a widespread backlash on social media.

There was also widespread anger last month when the first secretary at the Saudi embassy left India under diplomatic immunity after being accused of holding captive and raping two Nepalese maids in his home.

Buhari will rescue Nigeria from collapse, say Aregbesola, Ajimobi

Gov. Aregbesola

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola has attributed the victory of President Muhammadu  Buhari in the March election to the culmination of the progressives struggles since the independence of Nigeria.

This was even as the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi stressed that Nigerians had faced the greatest challenge to their existence in the 15 years of misrule and maladministration of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and opted for change to President Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last general election.

Aregbesola in his remarks as the chairman of the first Distinguished lecture of the Department of Political Science and
Diplomatic studies, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, stated that most of the sustained attacks against his person and government in the media was because he stopped the political machinations of ‎the PDP in the SouthWest.
‎
The governor commended the University for fulfilling its role of idea generation and dissemination, through the interaction between town and gown.
He stressed that the emergence of President Buhari is an idea whose time has come, saying the president still won in spite of everything done to distract him before and during the campaigns.

He recounted that after the APC lost Ekiti State governorship election last year, the evil machinery of the PDP, working in full tandem with all the security agencies, was moved to Osun for the governorship election.

Aregbesola noted that the calculation then was that if Osun could be seized, the whole South West would have been captured by the PDP.
According to him: “There has never been such an assemblage of military armada in a state in the history of Nigeria. By midnight of the day preceding the election, all notable leaders of our party had been picked up. It was a siege on the entire state.
“After I won the governorship election, it became clear that our party, the APC had become unstoppable and President Buhari would become president.

We thank God that in spite everything, we are where we are today.”
Governor Ajimobi, who was a Guest lecturer at the first Distinguished
‎Personality Lecturer at the event observed that the election of President Buhari was the second attempt by Nigerians to crave for change.

He stated that the first attempt by Nigerians to vote for change was the June 12 1993 election won by ‎late MKO Abiola, which was unfortunately aborted by the same military government of General
Ibrahim Babangida.

The Governor argued that for a people to collectively opt for change, the socio-political situation in such a place must have been totally intolerable.

He said the hopes of Nigerians were very high when the country transited to civilian rule in 1999 but shortly afterwards the PDP led administration thwarted the hopes and aspiration of the people by its ineptitude.

According to him, “no sooner had the PDP led administration began governance than the trait exhibited by the potentates of the new government and the ruling party that midwifed the government could be seen as administrative ineptitude, lack of vision, unwarranted aggrandizement cum corruption.

“However, the last straw that broke the carmels back was the inability of the PDP led government to guarantee safety of live and property. All these boiled down to bad leadership.
“Whereas, without effective and exemplary political leadership, stability and democracy will be elusive”, the governor said

African lawyers seek end to insurgency

• By Seye Olumide
• 

PHOTO: nba-slp.org

THE African Bar Association (AFBA) has condemned the Abuja bomb blasts by the Boko Haram insurgents, describing the incidents as wicked and uncalled for.

A statement by the association’s Media Director, Mr. Samuel Abasilim, said the bomb blasts, which continued to record deaths in their trail, were a “sordid development that must stop.”

The AFBA noted that the activities of the insurgents “have accentuated in Nigeria in spite of the efforts and direct commitment of the Federal Government to address substantially the socio-economic and political misgivings that apparently gave rise to the clandestine activities of these mindless miscreants.”
 

Yoruba leaders protest attack by Fulani herdsmen

Mimiko

Eminent Yoruba leaders rose from an emergency meeting yesterday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, handing a red card to Fulani herdsmen in the region.

The leaders, including President of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd), Sir Olanihun Ajayi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Idowu Sofola, founder of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) Dr. Frederick Fasehun, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Prof. Banji Akintoye, Prof. Adetoun Ogunseye and Dr. Kunle Olajide frowned at the recent abduction of elder statesman and former Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Olu Falae, allegedly by Fulani herdsmen, saying it is unacceptable to Yoruba race.

In a statement issued at the end of the emergency summit held at the parliament building within the Oyo State secretariat complex, the Yoruba leaders demanded an end to grazing in Yorubaland and directed all nomadic herdsmen to wind up their activities.

They warned that failure to adhere may lead to a break down of law and order as they would firmly resist the herdsmen.

In the statement read to reporters by Olajide, who is the chairman planning committee, the group also called for immediate arrest and trial of culprits involved not only in the abduction of Falae but in the killing and torture of others on their farmlands by these unscrupulous elements.

Reminding that the incessant invasion of farmlands by these Fulani herdsmen and subsequent killing of farmers are part of the flawed federal system, the Yoruba leaders restated call for true federalism and restructuring of the nation to enable each region develop at its own pace.

The statement reads in part: “Yoruba leaders of thought, both at home and in the diaspora, had an emergency summit in response to the clear and present danger to the continued existence of our people. After an extensive and inclusive debate on the threat to our survival, especially after the unprovoked, unwarranted, mindless and serial attacks on the economic rights of our people by the Fulani cattle rearers which has led to loss of precious lives, rape and criminal abduction of our people for ransom, the following resolutions were adopted:

• Despite the non-aggressive disposition of Yoruba people, we have been victims of violent violations from our hostile neighbours from pre-colonial days to modern times, from the 18th century, the Fulani jihadists onslaught against the Yoruba race through the travails of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, through the June 12 saga with the latest wars declared on our people. We have always risen above boards as we strive to make our neighbours see the need to deal with ourselves in justice and fairness not because we are cowards but because God created us to fight only as a last resort.
• We have since the amalgamation of Nigeria gone to any part of the country to live and work, respecting our hosts and posing no threats to them because our fathers say when you are in the city of lepers, you have to toe with meekness.
•Memories of our illustrious sons and daughters who became sacrificial lambs in the cause of this aggression against us over the years such as Adekunle Fajuyi, Bashorun M.K.O Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Lai Balogun, Alfred Rewane and countless of our people by forces of the late General Sani Abacha are still fresh. Despite the untold injustices meted out to us over the years, we remain the only one out of the numerous tribes that has never questioned the corporate existence of Nigeria,
• The recent abduction of Falae was sequel to the running battles he has had with these Fulani herdsmen who had at various times invaded his farmland and destroyed his farm produce.
The return of the herdsmen is a declaration of war on the Yoruba race, the abduction of Falae is a continuation of attacks which these herdsmen have unleashed on our people over the years. They violated and killed our women, a newly wedded lady was also raped recently in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State by these herdsmen. The countless reports are in police record. The Nigeria law enforcement agents have shown that they cannot protect our people, given the plethora of reports made to them, therefore, given the gravity of the situation and unwillingness of the Nigeria state to put an end to this siege and also because we cannot afford to leave our people at the mercy of violence of these herdsmen who came to destroy their economic rights and also kill them, we demand immediate end to lawless cattle razing in Yorubaland and ask all those who want to engage in cattle business to do animal husbandry, to establish ranches, our people are no longer prepared to allow further encroachment on our farmlands.”

Governor Abiola Ajimobi, in his address expressed regrets over Falae’s predicament but appealed to the people not to take laws into their hands. He warned that our simplicity as a nation should not be taken for granted. “We are all Nigerians, regardless of tribe and differences. The fight is not between the North and the South but legality against illegality.”

Ajimobi urged Yoruba people to remain law abiding in the midst of provocation, saying the time has come to address the issue and ensure peaceful coexistence between the various ethnic groups.

The governor also implored law enforcement agents to rise and find ways of curbing violence and unrest in the zone.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, in his address, lamented that Nigeria is not yet a federal state and restated call for true federalism.

Mimiko who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Sola Ebiseni, said a situation where a governor cannot appoint commissioner of police in his state is unacceptable. He warned that unless a solution is found to the incessant incursion to farmlands by the Fulani herdsmen, peace may continue to elude the land.
He said: “ It is not a matter of revenge but the truth is there cannot be peace between the farmers and herdsmen unless a permanent solution is preferred. Those who must rear cattle must keep ranchies within their territory. The solution is not to preach peace but the problems must be addressed so that it does not constitute menace to farmers.”

Gen. Adebayo, in his remarks, said the Yoruba have had enough and must close ranks to fight this cause.
The YCE chief said Yoruba have always been at the forefront and must not be relegated to the background in the scheme of things. “Our actions have continually pulled us back as a race, we need to close ranks and fight for our common good.”

Kashamu, others know fate today as tribunal delivers judgment

Kashamu

The National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital will today deliver judgments on twelve petitions pending before it.

The Tribunal had reserved judgments on the 12 petitions since August 3, when all Counsel adopted their written addresses.

One of the cases to be determined is that of the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the red chamber, Senator Buruji Kashamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whose election result is being challenged by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dapo Abiodun in the last election.

APC is also challenging the result of the House of Representatives election of Ijebu-North/Ijebu-East/Ogun Waterside, which returned Adesegun Adekoya of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as against Biyi Ismail of APC.

Results of ten seats in the Ogun State House of Assembly are also under contention before the three-man Tribunal, headed by Justice Ebiowei Tobi.

Meanwhile the tribunal has warned members of the public not accredited for the proceeding to stay away from the premises of the court.

Speaking to journalists in Abeokuta yesterday on the development, Secretary to the Tribunal, Regina Kuhe disclosed that there would be restriction of movement within the court premises to prevent break down of law and order.

Kuhe explained that the Tribunal had prepared accreditation tags for journalists, direct litigants, counsel and “direct participants” who will be allowed into the premises.

She appealed to the general public to cooperate with the security operatives for effective crowd regulation in the area adding that the Tribunal would not allow the recurrence of the last incident when thugs invaded the court premises with canes.

She said, “The decision is for security reasons and because of the last incident, we need to control the crowd effectively and as such we have given out accreditation tags to direct litigants, direct participants, court officials, journalists and the Counsel.

“General public is advised to cooperate with the security for effective crowd control of the premises.”

It was gathered that judgments would be in three segments, which would likely spread till tomorrow Saturday.

All efforts to get the State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi was unsuccessful as calls put across to his mobile phone were neither answered nor replied.

Explosion at Washington State Dam Injures Six Employees

Six employees were injured in an explosion at Priest Rapids Dam along the Columbia River in central Washington state, authorities said.

Priest Rapids Dam in Grant County, Washington. Grant County, Washington, Public Utility District

The employees' conditions remained unreported Thursday night. The Grant County Sheriff's Office said the six have various levels of injuries, and some were airlifted to area hospitals and others were transported by ambulance.

The explosion was attributed to electric equipment, the sheriff's office said. It was reported near the town of Mattawa in Grant County about 4:15 p.m. (7:15 p.m. ET).

The explosion did not affect the stability of the dam, the sheriff's office said. Officials said there is no danger to the public.

The Priest Rapids Dam was built in the 1950s. It has 10 turbines and 10 generators to produce electricity. 

Red alert on rising HIV, AIDS infections in Enugu

Enugu state map

The Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN) in Enugu State yesterday issued a red alert regarding the rising rate of Human Immuno-deficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infections in the state.

The warning came on the heels of a similar concern raised by the State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who bemoaned high level of poverty in the country. However, Ugwuanyi did not link the two issues as being complementing each other.

CiSHAN, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) stated that more funds ought to be budgeted for HIV/AIDS-related cases to rid the state of the endemic.

Enugu State coordinator of the organisation, Mrs. B.C Nwibechukwu, who disclosed this when she paid a visit to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Edward Ubosi, lamented that infection occur among the low-risk heterosexual group, which includes people who are in marital or cohabiting relationship.

Ted Cruz raises $12.2 million in third quarter

Ted Cruz raised $12.2 million during the third quarter, aides to his presidential campaign confirmed Thursday, a significant haul that underscores his strength even as other 2016 contenders lead in the polls.

The senator's tally for the period surpasses the $6 million raised by rival Marco Rubio and the $2.5 million collected by Rand Paul. But it falls short of the $20 million reportedly collected by Ben Carson, who is surging among the evangelical voters Cruz has been courting.

Story Continued Below

Additionally, in July, a group of super PACs supporting his candidacy said it had raised $37 million — much of it from the wallets of mega-donors Toby Neugebauer and Robert Mercer.With his third-quarter haul, Cruz has raised $26 million through his official campaign so far.

The campaign said it had garnered just short of 185,000 contributions over the course of the third quarter, and that its average donation was $66. It also said it had secured the backing of 6,000 individuals who had pledged to give a recurring monthly donation to the campaign.

Cruz officials declined to disclose the total of its cash on hand.. That figure is expected to be released on Oct. 15, when Cruz and other presidential candidates file their financial disclosure reports.

"We have both the financial and organizational resources to compete for the long haul," Cruz said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/ted-cruz-raises-122-million-in-third-quarter-214595#ixzz3o3869U8a

Election tribunal upholds Barrister Soba’s election in Kaduna

By Amos Tauna@dailypostngr

The National Assembly election petition tribunal sitting in Kaduna, under the chairmanship of Honourable Justice Abdulhamid Mohammed Yakubu, yesterday affirmed the election of Barrister Mohammed Musa Soba, of the All Progressive Congress (APC) representing Soba Federal constituency.

Barrister Soba’s election was challenged by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barrister Ibrahim Khalid Mustapha at the National Assembly election petition tribunal.

In the said suit, Barrister Mustapha challenged the eligibility of the 1st respondent (Barrister Mohammed Musa Soba) of the APC to contest the election of March 28th, 2015 for Soba Federal Constituency on grounds that he gave false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and also did not resign his employment with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before contesting the said election.

He prayed the tribunal to nullify the election and order for a re-run.

The tribunal, however, in its judgment delivered and read by Honourable Justice Paul Uche Uhuo, dismissed the petition and upheld the election of Barrister Soba on grounds that the petition lacked merit‎.

The order of the judgment reads; “All things considered, this issue is resolved against the petitioner.

“The 1st respondent eminently qualified to contest the election of 28th March, 2015 for Soba Federal Constituency.

“Prayers of the petitioner to this tribunal to order for nullification and conduct of fresh election for Soba Federal constituency is hereby refused.

“Declaration of Barrister Mohammed Musa Soba by INEC as the winner of the said election and duly elected is hereby affirmed.

“The petition lacks merit and is hereby dismissed and we make no order as to cost.”

Buhari meets British CDS, vows to eradicate terrorism

• By Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna), Mohammed Abubakar, Terhemba Daka, Karls Tsokar (Abuja) and Njadvara Musa (Damaturu)

President Buhari

• Army reinforces troops in Yobe as gunmen kill three soldiers
• Reps to probe alleged $470m Abuja, Lagos CCTV contract scam
• ACF commends military over fight against Boko Haram

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said the significant improvements in national security remain the topmost priority of his administration.

Speaking during an audience with Britain’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Sir Nicholas Houghton, Buhari re-affirmed his administration’s determination to end the Boko Haram insurgency as quickly as possible.

“For a country to be efficiently administered, it must first be well-secured because other social and economic initiatives cannot thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity.

“An environment has to be secured before it can be rehabilitated. Nigeria currently has about 1.5 million internally-displaced persons and they need to be returned to their homes and brought out of trauma.

“Their schools, hospitals, churches, mosques, farms and livelihoods have been destroyed by insurgents. If they are not catered for, the country may lose their loyalty.

“When Boko Haram is pushed out and the environment secured, normal life will be restored. That is what we are determined to do. Other things like farming, economic activities and social life will then return. Nigerians are quite enterprising,” Buhari told the Defence Chief.

The President said that Nigeria appreciated the support of the British government for the retraining of its Armed Forces and asked for more assistance in other areas such as logistics, equipment and intelligence.

He also called for more international support for regional efforts to improve security in the Gulf of Guinea through which crude oil stolen from Nigeria is shipped.

In his remarks, Houghton said that the Buhari Presidency was a huge opportunity for Nigeria to make progress, adding that he was very impressed with the progress Nigeria has made in the war against terrorism under President Buhari and assured the President that Britain will continue to support the Federal Government’s efforts to end Boko Haram insurgency.

Meanwhile, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, yesterday said that after troops of 27 Task Force Brigade repelled suspected terrorists on Geidam border town in Yobe State, the military has reinforced more troops to protect people’s lives and property against further terrorists’ attacks.

Usman in a statement issued yesterday in Maiduguri to newsmen said: “Wednesday’s attack was successfully repelled by the troops and the reinforcement sent to the border town with Niger Republic. The troops killed most of the attacking terrorists and destroyed their weapons and equipment.”

He, however, noted: “Regretfully too, we also lost three soldiers and some equipment during the encounter operational visit to North with Boko Haram terrorists.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of Yobe State Police Command, Toyin Gbadegesin, who said the situation in the town is calm, said: “Presently, security operatives are taken stock of destruction caused in the town, we will make it public after taking stock of the destruction inflicted on the town.