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COVID-19: FG Sets 2022 Deadline To End Pandemic

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The Federal Government has set 2022 as the target year to end the COVID-19 pandemic, announcing plans to convene a national summit next month to review targets set on the pandemic.

It also lamented the continued increase in the COVID-19 case fatality ratio, blaming it on vaccine hesitancy, late presentation of cases, and other factors.

Nigeria has lost nearly 3,000 people to the pandemic, but the government said but for poor record-keeping, especially in rural areas, the figure was definitely higher.

Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 PSC and Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, who disclosed this during yesterday’s briefing of the committee, said: “The PSC is approaching the end of its nine months mandate by the end of December 2021.

‘’To effectively capture the core elements of our national response, a national summit to end COVID-19 in 2022 and to strengthen global health security is being planned to hold in Abuja from December 6-8, 2021.

‘’It is imperative that all hands must be on deck if we must lay a solid foundation for a sustainable response to COVID which will be with us for quite some time; and continue to push to minimize the impact on health and economic sectors.

Case fatality ratio

“We are currently seeing some surges in cases in some countries in Europe (especially eastern Europe) due to under vaccination. In other territories where massive vaccinations have occurred, the infections are rising.

‘’What we see in Nigeria right now is that there is an increase in case fatality ratio, which calls for great concern.

“In our last briefing, we announced the Vaccine Mandate for December 1, 2021. I will like to state that this is in the best interest of Nigeria, looking at what is happening globally. We are gearing up to further engage with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to push through the mass vaccination programme and mandate for our citizens.

“We have received intelligence and even detected that some unscrupulous citizens are procuring vaccination cards through the black market. Let me assure everyone that the vaccination records/certificates will be verified and this should serve as a warning to those criminally-minded persons to desist because they will be prosecuted accordingly.’’

He said the vaccination phase was being accelerated, adding that the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, had concluded arrangements to roll out a mass vaccination plan this week.

“The PSC wishes to assure Nigerians that the NPHCDA has enough vaccines in the pipeline to vaccinate about 50% of the target population by the end of January 2022. Efforts are also ongoing to bring on board the booster dose to build a healthy level of anti-bodies,” the SGF added.

BIG STORY

BREAKING: Anthony Joshua Involved In Road Accident, Two Die

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World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua was involved in a road accident today in Makun, Ogun State.

Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.

Our reporter who reached out to PUNCH Online, who was also part of the rescue mission, said Joshua sustained minor injuries, saying that two people died on the spot.

Adeniyi Orojo, who stated that the accident happened just before Danco Filling Station.

Fans have flooded social media with messages of concern, while local authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash.

More updates on Joshua’s condition are expected shortly.

Efforts to reach the TRACE Commandant, Akinbiyi Babatunde, on further updates about the crash were futile as calls placed to his line did not go through.

Details later….

 

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Airstrikes Show Nigeria, US Resolve To Counter Terrorism — Defence HQ

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The Armed Forces of Nigeria has said the recent airstrikes in the North West demonstrate the Federal Government’s unwavering resolve to confront terrorism, carried out in collaboration with the United States.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, saying the operation followed credible intelligence and was aimed at degrading the operational capabilities of the terrorists while minimising collateral damage.

According to him, the strikes were conducted with the approval of appropriate authorities as part of sustained efforts to rid the country of terrorists and other criminal elements threatening national security.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in conjunction with the United States of America, has successfully conducted precision strike operations against identified foreign ISIS-linked elements operating in parts of North West Nigeria,” Uba said.

He added, “The strikes followed credible intelligence and careful operational planning aimed at degrading the operational capabilities of the terrorists while minimising collateral damage.”

Uba said the operation underscored the resolve of the Federal Government, working with strategic international partners, to confront transnational terrorism and prevent foreign fighters from establishing or expanding footholds within Nigeria.

“This action clearly demonstrates the unwavering resolve of the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with strategic international partners, to confront transnational terrorism and prevent foreign fighters from gaining any foothold within our borders,” he said.

The defence spokesman reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to the protection of lives and property across the country.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains fully committed to protecting the lives and property of Nigerians and will continue to support joint, inter-agency and international efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace and security across the country,” Uba said.

Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Nigeria remains engaged in structured security and intelligence cooperation with international partners, including the United States, in addressing terrorism and violent extremism.

In a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the ministry said the collaboration involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and other forms of support in line with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared security commitments.

The ministry stressed that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the need to protect civilian lives, safeguard national unity, and uphold the rights of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, adding that terrorist violence against any religious or ethnic group remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and international peace.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry’s statement followed comments by United States President Donald Trump, who said on Thursday that U.S. forces had carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria.

In a separate social media post, United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington acted with the cooperation of the Nigerian government, expressing gratitude for Nigeria’s support during the operation.

The airstrikes came a day after a bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, which killed five people and injured dozens in what authorities suspect was a suicide bombing, highlighting ongoing security challenges in parts of the country.

 

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BIG STORY

FG Confirms US Airstrikes On terrorists, Cites Intelligence Cooperation

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The Federal Government has confirmed ongoing security and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States following airstrikes that hit terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North West.

“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”

In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed by spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Nigerian authorities remain engaged in “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” to address terrorism and violent extremism in the country.

The ministry said the collaboration, which led to precision airstrikes on terrorist targets, involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of support in line with international law, respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and shared security commitments.

“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity,” the statement said.

It added that terrorist violence, “whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”

The statement followed comments by United States President Donald Trump, who said on Thursday that US forces had carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

He added, “The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”

Trump warned that further attacks would follow if the killing of Christians continued, saying, “If they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.”

In a separate social media post, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington acted with Nigeria’s cooperation.

“Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation,” Hegseth wrote, adding that the Department of War was “always ready.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria would continue to work with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats.

The airstrikes came a day after a bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killed five people and injured dozens in what authorities suspect was a suicide bombing.

The ministry said it would keep the public informed through appropriate official channels.

 

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