The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) reported that 34 terrorists were killed in a firefight with troops deployed to Sabon Gari village in the Damboa LGA of Borno state.

In a statement on Wednesday, Edward Buba, the director of defence media operations, revealed that the incident took place on January 4 when the terrorists, riding motorcycles, attacked the troops.

Buba explained that the terrorists had aimed to surprise the troops in retaliation for the recent killing of their commander and combatants.

“The terrorists were taken by surprise when troops on a fighting patrol returning to base foiled their planned attack as soon as it commenced,” the statement reads.

“Additionally, a reinforcement team comprising elements of the Civilian Joint Task Force, vigilantes, and hybrid forces arrived at the scene in time to overpower the terrorists.”

He mentioned that the reinforcement team encountered an improvised explosive device (IED), which injured the vigilante commander.

The DHQ spokesperson added that the air component of operation Hadin Kai conducted an air interdiction on the fleeing terrorists.

“Battle damage assessment revealed several terrorists were killed, and weapons were recovered,” he said.

“On the whole, 34 terrorists were killed, and 23 AK-47 rifles were recovered. Troops also recovered over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Sadly, six personnel were killed in action.”

Buba stated that the names of the personnel killed during the attack were being withheld to allow for administrative procedures in notifying their next of kin.

“Overall, the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain profoundly conscious of their role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation. Accordingly, troops remain committed to defeating the terrorists,” he added.

Bosun Tijani, the minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, has stated that telecoms tariffs will be increased but not by 100 percent.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, Tijani emphasized the need for the telecommunications sector to establish proper regulations to ensure its growth.

Telecoms operators have recently been pressuring regulators to raise tariffs to address the declining investments in the sector.

On December 30, 2024, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) warned of service shedding if tariffs remain unadjusted.

Similarly, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to review call tariffs upwards by the first quarter of 2025.

At the stakeholders’ meeting, Tijani assured that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) would approve and announce the new tariff following ongoing consultations and engagements.

“You have seen over the past weeks that there has been agitation from some of these companies to increase tariffs,” Tijani said.

“They are requesting for 100 per cent tariff increase.

“But it will not be by 100 per cent; the NCC will soon come up with a clear directive on how we will go about it.

“We want to strike the balance as a government, to protect our people, but also protect and ensure that these companies can continue to invest significantly.”

• FG To Take Telecoms Investment Beyond Private Sector

The minister also revealed that the federal government will no longer rely solely on private companies for infrastructure investments in the sector.

“As a country, over time, we have left these investments in the hands of the private sector. They typically invest where they can see returns in the short to medium term,” he said.

“We will not want this conversation to just be about tariff increase. What the world is talking about today is meaningful connectivity, people want to have access to quality service.

“A part of it that the consumers may not be aware of is the investment that needs to go into the infrastructure that is used to deliver these services.”

Aminu Maida, the executive vice-chairman of the NCC, stated that the meeting focused on the sustainability of the industry.

He reiterated that a 100 percent tariff increase is unlikely.

“I know that Nigerians are agitated to hear the exact percentage approved. There is still some stakeholder engagements that we are going through, but you will hear from us within a week or two,” Maida said.

The executive vice-chairman also mentioned that the NCC has introduced tools to ensure compliance with service quality.

Maida asked mobile network operators (MNOs) to use simple templates to show Nigerians charges for voice calls, SMS, and data.

“We are moving away from the regime where you will have a main rate, then you will now have a bonus which is at a different rate,” Maida said.

“It makes it often complicated and difficult for Nigerians to actually understand what they are being charged for. There is this agitation that the MNOs are stealing our data.”

Dinesh Balsingh, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Airtel Nigeria, represented by Femi Adeniran, Airtel’s media spokesperson, explained that rising operational and capital costs made the tariff adjustments necessary.

Balsingh added that the increase is intended to ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability while offering significant benefits to Nigerian consumers.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained 10 officers over the alleged theft of operational items they could not account for.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, stated that the arrests were made following directives from the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

Although the statement did not specify what the officers allegedly stole, sources revealed that the officers are accused of breaking into the EFCC’s exhibit room, taking foreign currency and gold items.

A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “The operatives broke into the exhibit room and stole foreign currency, gold, and other exhibits.”

This incident follows shortly after the EFCC announced the dismissal of 27 personnel for involvement in fraudulent activities.

In Wednesday’s statement, EFCC’s spokesman, Oyewale, mentioned that the detention of the 10 officers was “part of ongoing efforts to rid the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of corrupt practices.”

“Ten officers of the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC are currently being detained in connection with the investigation of some missing operational items involving them. These officers, who were arrested last week on the directives of the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, are being questioned over the theft of items they could not account for.”

“Investigators are making significant progress, and those found guilty will be subjected to internal disciplinary processes,” Oyewale added.

In the meantime, a non-governmental organization, Journalists Against Corruption, commended the EFCC for the dismissal of 27 of its officers for fraudulent activities and misconduct.

In a statement on Wednesday, JAC’s Project Coordinator, Kehinde Osifisan, noted that this marked the first time since the EFCC’s establishment that such decisive action had been taken against erring officers.

He said, “Since its inception in 2002, this is the first time that the commission will sack 27 members of staff in one fell swoop for fraudulent activities and misconduct.”

“It speaks to the commitment of the Ola Olukoyede-led management to rid the commission of bad eggs. Indeed, a classic case of matching words with actions,” Osifisan said.

The group praised the leadership of the EFCC and urged it to continue its efforts to ensure that both the commission and its staff uphold integrity in the fight against corruption.

“We do hope that this singular action will serve as a check on other staff of the commission and make them eschew any form of fraudulent act or misconduct.”