The Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. Dagvin Anderson, has disclosed that the number of Islamic State fighters surrendering in Nigeria has increased by more than 200 per cent since a joint Nigerian-US military operation conducted in May.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to ThisDay, Anderson revealed this on Monday on the sidelines of the Africa International Defence Exhibition in Lagos.

He attributed the increase in surrenders to the impact of the operation, which targeted a senior ISIS commander, as well as subsequent military offensives against the terrorist group.

The AFRICOM commander reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to working with Nigerian security agencies through intelligence sharing, specialised military capabilities and training.

He described the collaboration between both countries as crucial to the success of the May operation.

“The partnership with the Nigerian Armed Forces and Nigerian intelligence was exceptional, and that’s what really enabled that partnership to happen and to take out the number two terrorist in the world for ISIS,” he said.

Anderson explained that the operation’s success was driven by the combination of Nigeria’s regional and local knowledge with America’s understanding of international terrorist networks.

“Some of it is intelligence, but also understanding of the terrorist network globally. And so Nigeria brings the regional and local understanding, while we bring the global network understanding, and together that becomes very powerful,” he added.

However, he cautioned that military support alone would not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges, which include terrorism and kidnapping. He emphasised the importance of good governance and development in addressing the root causes of insecurity.

On the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Anderson said the United States was seeking to reopen dialogue with the three countries to strengthen regional security cooperation.

He identified terrorism financing, piracy, smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal fishing as additional security threats confronting the region.

According to Anderson, the growing number of insurgents surrendering, alongside a reduction in attacks and violence, indicated progress in efforts to tackle terrorism.

He also praised Nigeria’s initiative to rehabilitate and reintegrate former insurgents who had renounced violence into society.

The AFRICOM commander stressed the need to channel the energy of the region’s growing youth population towards productive activities, noting that such efforts must be driven by local communities.

“How do you take the growing youth population and channel that energy for a positive effort? And to me, that’s what we all need to work on, but it has to be done locally,” he said.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State, Umar Danjani, has warned that the people of the state could spend four years regretting their decision if the party fails to win the 2027 governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Danjani argued that a PDP defeat would have consequences beyond the party’s candidates, insisting that residents of Jigawa would lose an opportunity to benefit from what he described as better leadership.

He maintained that the party had experienced and qualified candidates capable of improving governance and restoring the state’s pride.

Danjani, a former PDP State Deputy Chairman and the party’s candidate for the Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin-Hausa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, made the remarks in Hausa in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

“Even if a governorship election is conducted today and the PDP fails to win, it will not be the party’s candidates alone who will suffer. The people of Jigawa State will be the ones to pay the price, enduring four years of regret,” he stated.

The PDP chieftain also commended former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, describing him as one of the most dedicated politicians in Northern Nigeria.

According to Danjani, Lamido’s public service record and commitment to the welfare of residents distinguished him from many political leaders in the region.

He described the former governor as “the most outstanding performing governor in Northern Nigeria during his tenure,” adding that his administration raised Jigawa’s profile both nationally and internationally.

Danjani further argued that Lamido’s achievements established a standard of governance that successive administrations had struggled to equal.

He also expressed confidence in the PDP’s pool of political leaders, saying the party had the experience and qualifications required to move the state forward.

Among those he cited were former lawmakers, ex-commissioners and individuals with doctoral degrees, whose backgrounds he said would give the party an advantage in the 2027 elections.

The former deputy state chairman also praised the PDP’s Director-General of Campaign in Jigawa, describing him as an experienced political activist and businessman who had served in the state House of Assembly and as a permanent secretary.

He said the campaign director’s political and public service experience would strengthen the party’s preparations for the election.

Danjani also expressed confidence in the PDP’s governorship candidate, describing him as a traditional ruler, businessman and political heir who holds three degrees in political studies.

He portrayed the candidate as a young, modern politician with considerable support among voters.

Regarding the deputy governorship candidate, Danjani highlighted his long career in public service, which culminated in his appointment as Head of the Jigawa State Civil Service.

He also pointed to the credentials of the PDP’s senatorial candidate for Jigawa South-West, Sulaiman Abba, whom he described as a former senior police officer who rose through the ranks to become an Inspector-General of Police.

According to Danjani, Abba’s experience further demonstrated the calibre of candidates the PDP was presenting for elective offices.

The former deputy state chairman additionally claimed that the PDP had an advantage in legislative experience, arguing that it was the only party in the country fielding three candidates who had previously served as Speakers of the Jigawa State House of Assembly.

Speaking about his ambition to represent Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin-Hausa Federal Constituency, Danjani said his political experience and close relationship with residents distinguished him from other contenders.

“Despite being among the younger contestants, I believe my record of political engagement, public service and personal relationships distinguishes me from my opponents,” he said.

He added that his experience included serving as the party’s state deputy chairman and participating in efforts to secure the release from prison of people he described as oppressed individuals.

Danjani, who also noted that he came from a family with a strong political background, insisted that a PDP victory in 2027 would represent more than a party’s electoral success.

He said such a victory would provide the people of Jigawa with an opportunity to regain their dignity, pride and confidence in the state’s future.

The PDP chieftain urged voters to carefully consider the experience, qualifications and public service records of the candidates before deciding whom to support in the 2027 general elections.

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has called on political leaders to conduct peaceful campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Dickson stressed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should not be regarded as an enemy of the NDC, despite the political differences between the two parties.

According to reports, the former Bayelsa State governor made the statement in a message posted on his social media platforms on Monday, following the inauguration of the NDC’s National Campaign Council in Abuja.

“To our brothers in the APC, I say again that you are not our enemies,” Dickson stated.

He maintained that political disagreements should be settled through democratic processes, allowing Nigerians to decide which party deserves their votes.

The NDC leader also challenged the APC to account for its performance since taking power in 2015, questioning whether Nigerians were now safer and enjoying better living conditions under the ruling party.

He said the 2027 general election should provide an opportunity for voters to assess the APC’s record in government and determine whether it deserves another mandate.

Dickson further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that the elections are free, fair and credible.

He cautioned security personnel against allowing themselves to be used to frustrate the wishes of voters or undermine the electoral process.

Earlier on Monday, the NDC held a meeting of its National Executive Committee, inaugurated its new national secretariat and formally unveiled its National Campaign Council.

The events were attended by the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other party leaders.