By Emmanuel Ogbodo

The Nigeria Police Force in Abuja has voiced grave concerns over the growing number of abandoned babies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), attributing the trend to men abandoning women after unplanned pregnancies.

Police Spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement on Sunday, revealed that two new cases of abandoned babies were reported last Saturday.

Describing the trend as an alarming pattern, she said “This troubling trend is largely due to men abandoning women after impregnating them.

She called on men to take responsibility, avoid unprotected sex, or abstain if they are not ready for fatherhood.

Child abandonment remains a widespread problem in Nigeria and globally.

According to estimates, approximately 140 million children worldwide are orphans, with many more abandoned or neglected.

The situation in the FCT underscores the need for greater societal responsibility and preventive measures.

The Abuja Police emphasized the importance of men owning up to their responsibilities to curb the rising cases of child abandonment.

“If you are not prepared to take responsibility for fatherhood, avoid unprotected sex or abstain from it,” SP Adeh urged.

The authorities reiterated their commitment to addressing the issue while advocating for increased public awareness to prevent abandonment and ensure children receive adequate care and support.

The House of Representatives Committee on Defence began the screening process for Olufemi Oluyede, the acting Chief of Army Staff, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Committee Chairman Benson Babajimi highlighted that the screening is a constitutional responsibility of the House, stressing the urgent need for proactive measures to address Nigeria’s security challenges.

Babajimi noted that the country is grappling with a range of security threats, including insurgency, banditry, communal clashes, and cyber threats.

While significant progress has been made in recent years, he emphasized that much work remains to be done to ensure lasting peace across all regions.

In his remarks, Babajimi explained that the committee’s role is to assess Oluyede’s qualifications and vision for the role of Chief of Army Staff, with a focus on formulating a collaborative strategy to tackle the nation’s security issues.

He reaffirmed the House’s commitment to providing legislative oversight and support to the armed forces.

In response, Oluyede pledged to bring lasting peace to Nigeria if confirmed as the substantive Chief of Army Staff.

He called for unity among Nigerians and emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral and multilateral partnerships with neighboring countries.

Oluyede also advocated for enhanced collaboration and joint operations between the armed forces and other security agencies.

The screening is set to continue, with the final outcome to be reviewed and presented to the House during Thursday’s plenary session.

Oluyede’s confirmation as the substantive Chief of Army Staff is seen as a crucial step toward achieving enduring peace and stability in Nigeria.

By Njoku Chijioke

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has delivered a crushing blow to terrorist groups in Borno State, launching a successful airstrike that destroyed a gun truck and eliminated several militants.

The strike is part of the ongoing Operation Hadin Kai, aimed at countering insurgency in the region.

On Wednesday, NAF fighter jets, acting on credible intelligence, targeted and obliterated a gun truck situated about five kilometers west of Kukawa.

This precision strike significantly impaired the terrorists’ operational capabilities.

In a swift follow-up operation, the air force responded to a distress call from ground troops in Kukawa, who were under heavy attack from militants riding motorcycles.

NAF air assets engaged the terrorists at various intervals, neutralizing many and forcing the others to flee.

Ground troops, capitalizing on the momentum, recovered over 20 abandoned motorcycles left behind by the retreating terrorists.

The operation marks a notable success in the battle against terrorism, with ground forces now in pursuit of the wounded militants.

The NAF has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting ground operations and other security agencies, vowing to continue using air power to restore peace and stability in Nigeria.

This successful strike is a significant step toward dismantling terrorist networks in the region.