Boko Haram, Military airstrikes destroy terrorists hideout, kill scores in Sambisa forest [VIDEO]

 

The Defence Headquarters says the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole has eliminated scores of terrorists in an airstrike in Sambisa forest, Borno State.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Enenche said many terrorists were killed in the airstrike.

He reported that the operation was executed on Monday after a series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

The statement read: “Air interdiction missions being conducted by the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have continued to deal decisive blows on terrorist elements in the North East of the Country. The latest of these was achieved yesterday, 28 December 2020, at the ‘S’ Region in the heart of the Sambisa Forest in Borno State. 

“The airstrike, which was executed employing a force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets, was carried out after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions revealed that the terrorists responsible for recent attacks in the Southern part of Borno and Northern part of Adamawa State had originated from the location.

“Accordingly, the NAF attack aircraft engaged the target area in successive passes, leading to the destruction of some of their structures and logistics stores, including a suspected anti-aircraft gun station as the terrorists fired at the NAF aircraft. Several insurgents were also neutralized in the process.”

Boko Haram hunter honoured for bravery against insurgents

 

A famous female hunter in Adamawa State, Aisha Bakari Gombi, has been honoured for her bravery against Boko Haram and other anti-social elements.

Aisha, who is otherwise called ‘Boko Haram hunter’ after she has led her band in recent times against Boko Haram and rescued many people abducted by the sect, received a merit award from an NGO, Royalty Women for Peace and Development Initiative (ROWPDI).

The NGO said the award was in recognition of Aisha’s record in complementing the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in counter-insurgency operations, armed banditry and kidnapping.Aisha Gombi, who was born and raised in Gombi, a town and local government area in the northern part of Adamawa State, got into hunting as a tomboy in the early years of her life, usually following her father and grandfather on hunting expeditions.

She has said in a press interview that she got angry against Boko Haram and started hunting for them after they attacked her birth place twice and came back a third time.

Recalling the countdown to her adventures against Boko Haram in a recent interview, Aisha Gombi said, “When they (Boko Haram) came into our town, we went back into our house and stayed there. They didn’t come into our own house but they had burnt other houses and killed a lot of people and they left. The second time they came, they did the same thing. The third time was when I said, enough is enough.”

She said she had stormed out of her house with a bow and arrows, but that man who saw her determination and was proud of her, gave her his gun which she has been using till date.

Presenting their award of excellence on her, President of ROWPDI), Hajiya Mairatu Bello, praised the ‘Queen Hunter’ for her sacrifice for her fatherland, saying, “Our sister, we are proud of you. You are a great and brave woman. Today, we gather here to celebrate you as one of our heroes.”

In her response, the ‘Boko Haram fighter’ said although the vocation she had chosen is tasking and risky, she had to do it to help her people and reduce their anxiety over Boko Haram insurgents and bandits.

WHO says COVID-19 vaccination no guarantee of virus eradication, warns of another pandemic

 

The World Health Organisation, WHO, has said COVID-19 vaccination is no guarantee that the virus would be eradicated.

WHO’s Head of Emergencies Programme, Mike Ryan, states this during a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ryan also warned that there might be a chance of another pandemic, more serious pandemic spreading across the world, NAN reports.

“The next pandemic may be more severe; we need to get our act together because we live on a fragile planet, and in an increasingly complex society.

“Let’s honour those we’ve lost by getting better at what we do,’’ he said.

WHO also listed some of its achievements in the fight against the virus.

The body said it worked tirelessly since the virus was reported in Wuhan, China in December, 2019.

WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said this at the last COVID-19 press conference of the year at WHO headquarters in Geneva.

In a speech posted on the agency’s website, the director-general said WHO had worked tirelessly since the virus was reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

“If we rewind to the start of 2020, it was on 10 January that WHO published its first comprehensive package of guidance documents for countries, covering topics related to the management of an outbreak of a new disease.

“The next day, WHO received the full genetic sequences for the novel coronavirus from China and by 13 January, WHO published its first protocol for a diagnostic test by a WHO partner lab in Germany to detect the virus.

“By mid-January, our international technical expert networks were engaged and meeting by teleconference to share first-hand knowledge with the new novel coronavirus and similar respiratory viruses, such as MERS and SARS.

“And WHO convened the Strategic Technical Advisory Group for Infectious Hazards and the Global Alert and Response Network.

“By the end of the month, 30 January, I declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, WHO’s highest level of alert under global health law,’’ he said.

And by the start of February, he said WHO was shipping diagnostic tests around the world so that countries could detect and respond effectively.

“On 4 February, WHO released the first global preparedness and response plan for COVID-19 based on the latest scientific evidence.

“At the same time, WHO was connecting scientists, funders and manufacturers from across the globe together to accelerate research on tests, therapeutics and vaccines.

“In mid-February, WHO’s longstanding research and development blueprint group brought hundreds of experts from more than 40 countries together to plot out a COVID-19 research roadmap.

“This was based on years of work on other infectious diseases including SARS, MERS and Ebola.’’

And by March, the director-general said WHO was planning the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, which was launched with partners in April.

The director-general said the ACT-Accelerator was a historic collaboration to further hasten the development, production and equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics.

“Good news came in June as initial clinical trial results from the UK showed dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, could be lifesaving for patients severely ill with COVID-19.

“By September, new antigen based rapid tests had been validated and the diagnostic pillar of the ACT-Accelerator had secured millions of them for low- and middle-income countries.

“And then the shot that rang out around the world was the release of positive vaccine news from multiple candidates, which are now being rolled out to vulnerable groups,’’ he said.

According to him, new ground has been broken not least with the extraordinary cooperation between the private and public sector in this pandemic.

“ In recent weeks, safe and effective vaccine rollout has started in a number countries which is an incredible scientific achievement.’’

SPORT : Transfer, Diego Costa’s contract with Atletico Madrid terminated

 

Diego Costa’s contract with Atletico Madrid has been terminated by mutual consent ahead of the January transfer window.

Atletico Madrid confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday.

“Atlético de Madrid and Diego Costa have reached an agreement for the termination of the striker’s contract, which was to end on June 30, 2021,” Atletico Madrid’s statement read.

“The striker asked to leave the club for personal reasons a few days ago and on Tuesday signed the termination of his contract.

“The club thanks Diego Costa for his dedication during these years and wishes him well in the next stage of his professional career.”

Costa, 32, had asked Atletico Madrid to terminate his contract early due to personal reasons.

The former Chelsea striker whose deal with the La Liga giants was due to expire in June 2021, will be able to join a new team as a free agent in January.

SPORT : EPL, Second lockdown looms after record-high number of COVID-19 cases

 

The Premier League has recorded its highest number of positive Coronavirus results of the season, with 18 new cases.

These new cases are from the 1,479 players and club staff tested between December 21 and 27.

Some of those cases are at Manchester City and the outbreak saw their game at Everton called off on Monday.

Before Tuesday, the highest number of cases this season was 16, during the week of November 9 to 15.

“The Premier League can today confirm that between Monday 21 December and Sunday 27 December, 1,479 players and Club staff were tested for COVID-19. Of these, there were 18 new positive tests.

“Players or club staff who have tested positive will self-isolate for a period of 10 days.

“The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency. No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public after each round of testing,” a Premier League statement read.

SPORT : EPL, Michael Owen predicts Man United vs Wolves, Brighton vs Arsenal

 Michael Owen, a former Liverpool forward, has predicted Manchester United to beat Wolves 1-0 when both teams clash in the Premier League on Tuesday night at Old Trafford.

Owen also predicted that Brighton and Arsenal would play a draw at the Amex Stadium tonight.

Providing his predictions, Owen told BetVictor, “Manchester United are brimming with confidence.

“Their patchy home form was given a massive boost in their demolition of Leeds just over a week ago. They take on a Wolves side who despite looking good going forward, are struggling in front of goal.

“I think Wolves could sit in and play for a point, but if they do, Man United may just have enough to break them down. Man United 1, Wolves 0.”

Speaking on the Brighton vs Arsenal match, Owen said, “Both these sides could do with a win.

“We all know about Arsenal’s troubles, but Brighton is not doing much better. The Seagulls have slid down the league table and despite looking good at times, there have been too many slip-ups.

“Despite both teams being out of form, I think both managers will fancy winning this. That said, it is hard to make a case for either side, and I would not be surprised at all if it ended all square. Brighton 1, Arsenal 1.”

The kick-off time for Man United vs Wolves is 9 pm, while that of Brighton vs Arsenal is 7 pm.

SPORT : Interesting features, match statistics as Chelsea fails to win at home against Aston Villa

 Chelsea faltered at Stamford bridge after they were held to a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Monday night football.

It was a game the Blues needed to win to move into the Premier League top four but they let in a goal later on to share the spoils in the London Derby contest.

Lampard was unhappy with his sides’ draw with Aston Villa and they would be looking forward to the next games on Match Day 17.

Following the 1-1 draw on Monday Night Football, DAILY POST evaluates the interesting features and match statistics as Chelsea fails to record the win.

Shots on target

5 (Chelsea) (Aston Villa) 3

The encounter between two London side ensured that the match lived up to the billing in the final third.

Chelsea had the upper hand in the game unlike the visiting Aston Villa had in the game.

They recorded 5 shots on target compared to the 3 shots on target that Aston Villa had in the game.

Shots Off Target

8 (Chelsea) (Aston Villa) 6

The Blues may have had the upper hand in the tie over the visiting Villa side but it was clear here that Chelsea missed a lot of chances in the game.

It led to their misery as they endured another 1-1 draw at home. They had 8 shots off target while Aston Villa had 6 shots off target.

POSSESSION

6 (Chelsea) (Aston Villa) 36

Chelsea dominated the game as they faced up with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. They had 64% of the ball compared to Aston Villa’s 36% of the possession in the 90-minute affair.

However, Chelsea could not make it count as they allowed Aston Villa back in the game.

Corners

11 (Chelsea) (Aston Villa) 4

Chelsea’s intensity in the final third ensured they had 11 corner-kicks in the match. Though Aston Villa managed to produced about 4 corner-kicks of their own in the game.

Offsides

1(Chelsea) (Aston Villa) 1

The Blues and their Aston Villa counterpart were guilty of one offside call apiece in the entire duration of the game.

Chelsea was drawn out of position especially when their second goal was ruled out for offside. While Dean Smith’s men lost their cool when they went in search of an equalizer.

Fouls

16(Chelsea) (Aston Villa) 3

The physical challenges that took place in this match showed that Chelsea committed a large number of fouls in the match.

The match culminated into 16 + 3 – 19 fouls in the entire match. But it was the home side that recorded 16 fouls as regards to Aston Villa 3 fouls in the match.

Yellow Card

3 (Chelsea) (Aston Villa) 1

The match produced a total of 4 Yellow cards in the match but Chelsea had 3 bookings. Aston Villa Anwar EL-Ghazi was given a yellow card in the 71st minute.

While Chelsea’s trio of Cesar Azpilicueta, Olivier Giroud and N’Golo Kante was booked in the 45th, 71st and 74th minute of the game respectively.

Goalkeeping Saves

2 (Chelsea) (Aston Villa) 4

Despite the brilliance of Edouard Mendy in goal, Aston Villa found their way back in the game.

The Senegalese International was able to make only 2 goalkeeping saves while he conceded 10 minutes before the hour mark. Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez made 4 goalkeeping saves.

Goal-Kick

6 (Chelsea) (Aston Villa) 10

The game produced about 16 goal-kicks in the entire match.

Chelsea could produce 10 goal-kicks in the opposing area due to their increased quest for goal in the game.

Aston Villa managed to produce 6 goal-kicks against Frank Lampard’s side in the contest.

Treatments

3 (Chelsea) (Aston Villa) 3

Chelsea and Aston Villa produced a total of about 3 + 3 – 6 treatments in the entire match.

Chelsea’s quest and the physical surge in the tie ensured they created 3 treatments while the visiting Aston Villa side also had the same number of treatments with 3 treatments as well.