The anti-kidnapping Special Forces of the Nigerian Police have arrested additional 40 persons for their alleged involvement in the abduction of motorists and travellers along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, News Agency of Nigeria reports. It would be recalled that about 32 of such persons were picked up last week after a re-jig in the police formation in that axis following an alarming increase in kidnap cases.

The US State Department has finally approved the sale of A-29 Super Tucano Attack planes with associated parts and training facilities worth $593 million to Nigeria, years after refusing to do so due to alleged human rights violations. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Wednesday delivered their certification of the foreign military sale to the US Congress as required by law.

Yesterday, two former state governors of Oyo state, Rasheed Ladoja and Alao Akala signaled their return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when they were represented in a crucial meeting of the Oyo State Chapter of the party at the Wadata Plaza. The meeting which was summoned by the National Caretaker Committee of the party headed by Sen. Ahmed Markafi was intended to resolve lingering leadership tussle in the state chapter of the party.

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, frown at the actions of some policemen, who took pictures with leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu. The IG said this when he addressed policemen at the Police College, Ikeja on Thursday during a two-day visit to Lagos. Idris explained that “Nationalism is key. Some officers were taking pictures with Nnamdi Kanu and this is someone that is challenging the unity of this country.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has dismissed four policemen for stealing several items from the residence of former president Goodluck Jonathan at Gwarinpa. The errant policemen had stolen six television sets, fridges, air-conditioners, Ijaw attires and designer suits from Jonathan’s former residence in Gwarimpa which they sold to traders at the second-hand market in Gwarimpa, Abuja.

Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, on Wednesday, warned that the war against the Boko Haram insurgents is not won and is not over yet. He said more efforts must be put to crush the insurgents finally.