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UK Waiting For Tinubu To Appoint Ministers, We Need To Step Up Relations — Envoy, Richard Montgomery

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The British high commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, says the UK is awaiting the appointment of ministers by President Bola Tinubu before taking necessary steps toward strengthening collaboration.

Montgomery made this known on Saturday during an interview with NAN in Abuja.

He said the UK government has identified six areas in which both countries could strengthen cooperation and explore “new areas to build upon for mutual benefits”.

The envoy said the UK is more interested in the bilateral ties with Nigeria as informed by Tinubu’s recent economic decisions.

“We have very long-standing ties being wired by history and we do have a very strong foundation on which to build and I am very optimistic about Nigeria’s direction in the coming years,” NAN quoted Montgomery as saying.

“We wish to build on our economic relations in particular and the first decisions by the new administration show that it is going to take big decisions on the economy which I think will give us the opportunity to grow our trade, investment, and economic relations.

“And I think there are a number of areas where the UK government can step up our diplomacy, our bilateral relations with Nigeria. But of course, we await the appointment of new ministers so that we can have the diplomatic dialogue necessary to lay the grounds for some of those.

“I will say that there are six areas we would like to explore. The first is, long-standing development cooperation.

“And I think what the UK always needs to do when a new administration comes into place is, we need to understand the priorities of that administration and how we can adapt and work in mutual partnership and with our development programmes.

“The second is the economic area. We already have a good economic dialogue but we would like to take the next step and develop a form of a more enhanced trade and partnership, something I am quite keen to discuss with the new minister of trade and industry.

“The third area is security and defence, which we would like to evolve and take forward.

“We already have a good relationship on home affairs, with your interior ministry and other agencies, and that is an area where we would like to continue our collaborations.

“Finally, we would like to have a more systematic dialogue on foreign policy.

“Nigeria has played a very valuable role in regional and continental issues and the UK would like to have a more systematic foreign policy dialogue with the government of Nigeria once the ministers and advisers are in place.”

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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BIG STORY

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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