The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested the State Commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB/ESN) Sunday Ubah a.k.a Bongo.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chris Anyanwu, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abakaliki. According to Anyanwu, the hoodlums were tracked down and pursued along Agba-Isu road on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. He further disclosed that a couple of police operatives sustained minor bullet injuries while two of the hoodlums were neutralized while others escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries.

The statement read in parts: “Ebonyi State Police Command has again swooped on one of the biggest and most notorious camps of the IPOB/ESN located at Obegu, a boundary area between Onicha-Isu and Ishielu LGAs of Ebonyi State.

“The invasion of the criminals’ den was necessitated by an earlier encounter between operatives of the Command’s Tactical Teams, sequel to credible information gathered that the hoodlums were operating/wreaking havoc in the state with a Toyota Sienna space bus which they robbed at gunpoint from the owner within Ishielu axis.

“A quick trail and joint effort with a team of detectives attached to Ohaukwu Division led to the arrest of Sunday Ubah a.k.a Bongo, the State Commander of the IPOB/ESN in Ebonyi State. The miscreant who gave revealing pieces of information about the activities and modus operandi of the criminals, initially claimed that he is their PRO and native of Umunnochi in Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State. However, a scrupulous investigation aided by his antecedents/profile with the Police Command proved that he is a native of Obegu, Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State and indeed the factional commander of the outfit in Obegu.

“During the gun duel that ensued while the hoodlums were tracked down and pursued along Agba-Isu road on Wednesday 14/12/2022, a couple of Police operatives sustained minor bullet injuries while two of the hoodlums were neutralized, one (the commander) apprehended while others escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries. As a follow-up, a joint team of the Command’s Tactical Teams, the Military and DSS, armed with credible information courtesy of the suspect, swooped on the houses/residences of the Commander and others.”

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, on Friday said God “must have considered all the virtues” his principal possesses, thus decided to “spare him”.

MAIDAWAAREWA reports that paying tribute to his boss who clocks 80 on Saturday in his weekly column, Adesina said God has been merciful to Buhari who has been “in and out of the country many times, attending to his health”.

“I’m sure God must have considered all the virtues Muhammadu Buhari has, and thus decided to spare him. He that has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger, says the Good Book. (Job 17:9).

“This Buhari not only has clean hands, he also has a clean heart.

“Imagine year 2017, when the President had severe health challenges. Between January and August of that year, he was in and out of the country many times, attending to his health. He could have been a goner, but God said no. And God has the final say, no matter what man may wish or desire. And same Buhari is now 80. Simply amazing! Glory be to God.

“By the grace of God, in another five months, the President will land safely. And he will take his well deserved rest, playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren in his Daura hometown. He’s the man God has shown mercy,” Adesina wrote.

The Yobe Geographic Information Service (YOGIS) said that the Damaturu Timber Market will be relocated to relieve traffic congestion in the city.

Alhaji Usman Geidam, the spokesman of the agency, announced this while speaking with newsmen on Friday in Damaturu.

He said the agency had concluded arrangements to move the market to Pompomari area from its current location at Sabonlayi area, in the heart of the city.

Geidam said the agency had already informed the management of the market about the well-thought-out decision at a recent meeting.

“The meeting was chaired by Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, YOGIS Director, Town Planning, other management staff, and the Art, Craft, and Timber Vendors Association.

“He told the vendors about the government’s intention to ease congestion and expand the Damaturu metropolis.”

He went on to say that the administration of Gov. Mai Mala Buni is particularly interested in infrastructure development and commercial activities on the outskirts of the city.

“The vendors expressed their support for the move and pledged to give the government all the necessary cooperation,” the spokesman said.

He said YOGIS, with support from Buni, had enhanced land administration and management by blocking all forms of irregularities in the sector.

At least three Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, the capital, have reported explosions from yet another Russian missile attack.

As many as 60 Russian missiles were seen heading for different targets, Sky News quoted an Ukrainian official as saying.

Air raid sirens sounded all across Ukraine on Friday morning with civilians directed to head to shelters as “the attack on the capital continues”.

Southern Kryvyi Rih and northeastern Kharkiv also reported attacks from the missile.

So far, two deaths and at least five wounded people including two children have been confirmed in Kryvyi Rih.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, a top official in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, also reported a strike on a residential building in the city, warning that “there may be people under the rubble”.

Power shutdowns have been also been witnessed across the country as some of the missiles have reportedly struck energy facilities in several regions.

Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, had earlier threatened nuclear retaliation should Western countries continue to interfere in the crisis with Ukraine.

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, fell under Russian control in the early days of the war.

The first major power outage in the plant was in August with Ukraine narrowly escaping a nuclear disaster.

Analysts have claimed that such strikes targeting energy infrastructure are part of a new Russian strategy to freeze Ukrainians into submission.

Putin had said the war would not end till he achieves his goal of “demilitarising and de-Nazifying Ukraine”.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao has charged members of the Armed Forces to defend democracy, irrespective of their political opinion.

Mr Amao stated this at a regimental dinner in honour of graduands of Junior Course 95 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji in Kaduna State.

“Being mindful of the upcoming General Elections in Nigeria, I have chosen to share my thoughts with you on the “Role of Military Officers in Sustaining Democracy”.

“Therefore, all members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, including you graduating students of Junior Course 94 are duty bound to defend democracy, irrespective of your political opinions.

“I must mention that the Armed Forces Act, Section A.20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, charges all military personnel to be apolitical.

“Showing absolute loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief and being subservient to constituted authorities, civil or military,” Amao said.

He also reeled out the roles of the military in sustaining democracy.

“Your roles in sustaining democracy encompass all due diligence in respecting and obeying constitutional laws and authorities.

“You must obey every law of the land and subject yourselves to civilian authorities.

“In so doing, you must heed lawful orders and instructions from your commanding officers and superior officers in line with established laws and customs,” the CAS said.

Mr Amao explained that the military has a huge role to play in providing a peaceful atmosphere necessary for the success of the February 2023 elections.

“Therefore, as the general elections approach, please be careful that you are not enticed by politicians to mar the electoral process or engage in any political activity.

“This is not acceptable and will certainly compromise democracy. As military personnel, you are not expected to make any political statements or avail yourself or your men as campaign tools to politicians.

“Hence, you must be apolitical and unreservedly patriotic to ensure a credible and peaceful process.

“This is very important because it is officers within your cadre that would be deployed on the fields to lead men in furtherance of our constitutional mandate of providing military aid to civil authority.

“Such duties will not only require your absolute dedication but also your leadership abilities,”Amao further said.

The CAS appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari’s support to the armed forces, which enabled it to thrive despite numerous challenges.

He told the graduating students that the dinner was to promote the much-required camaraderie to foster a disciplined workforce essential for combat readiness.

“You are to ensure that you show good example both in conduct and character at all times,” he added.