Military aircraft has intercepted and neutralized 34 terrorists at Mangoro Village, a border community between Kaduna and Niger states.

Military sources said the Air Component of Operation Thunder Strike following credible information that at about 2 pm on 30 March 2022, about 70 terrorists on 40 motorcycles and some on foot were sighted moving towards the Akilibu – Sarkin Pawa Road, near Mangoro Village, scrambled an aircraft to intercept and neutralize the terrorists.

He said, “As the aircraft approached the scene, several terrorists were seen running in disarray on sighting the aircraft, abandoning their motorcycles to take cover within nearby bushes.

“The terrorists were subsequently engaged in different waves with rockets while those fleeing were mopped up with canons decisively.

“Feedback from local sources around Mangoro Village disclosed that 17 motorcycles including 34 dead bodies as well as 14 locally fabricated guns belonging to the terrorists were recovered”.

He however could not confirm if the said terrorists are responsible for the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna bound train.

“It is unclear if the terrorists were part of those that attacked and killed 8 passengers days ago on board a Kaduna bound train,” he said.

The locals while commending the military for their improved swiftness to emergencies also charged them to ensure they apprehend those behind the murder of passengers of the Kaduna bound train. 

The director of public relations and information Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet when contacted said the NAF aircrafts are carrying out series of interdictions in the region and recording great successes.

In a related development, 45 terrorists of the Islamic State  of the West African Province (ISWAP), were killed in ambush by its affiliates, Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihad faction of Boko Haram in the North East of Lake Chad, top security analyst said.

The attack according to the source was led by one Mohammed Ari, a deadly spiritual warfare commander of JAS- loyal to the Bakura Buduma, in Yauma Wango and Ngaama, in Abadam local government area (LGA) of Borno State in March 24 and 28, 2022.

The top security analyst in Lake Chad,  Zagazola Makama has obtained a video showing the brutal mass execution of the ISWAP fighters in an operation which lasted more than four hours.

The 6:64 minutes amateur video, shows the  terrorists mostly aged between 15-20,  dressed in a unique attire with their heads tied with red materials.

Before they were killed, Boko Haram disarmed the ISWAP of their weapons and paraded them to a nearby position, apparently a march to their graves, then shot them at close range.

One terrorist was heard saying ‘don’t spare any of them.’ The terrorists later began cutting the throats of the ISWAP, while others were burnt alive inside their Hilux trucks.

The footage later showed bodies lying face-down in the sand and others that were burnt beyond recognition. The Buduma terrorists were later seen celebrating the victory on motorcycles and chanting Allahu Akhbar.

The bloodbath between the two groups of the terrorists has continued to rage especially in the axis of Lake Chad, Abadam, Niger Republic, Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountain with hundreds of casualties recorded so far on both sides within the last one year.

On February 26, the Buduma insurgents ambushed and  killed one Abu-Sadiq Burubouru,  Gabara/Galta close to Mandara Mountain in the South of Borno.

On Feb 9, another fight broke out  between the ISWAP terrorists and Bakura Buduma faction at Tumbus of  Bazarkowo Island in deep Lake Chad.

On Feb 15, Muhammed Ari, spiritual warfare commander of JAS Bakura faction was declared  wanted for spearheading onslaught against ISWAP in Kaduna Ruwa, Tumbum Ali, Kirta, Sabon Tumbu, Kwatalo and Mardas general area of the LCB.

Commanders who participated in the attack included the Khayd of the Budumas led by Malam Abdul Faruk, an indigene of Chad Republic and his 2nd in Command one Malam Kaka Modu also a Buduma from Nguimi, Niger Republic.

ISWAP later coordinated a reprisal attack headed by  Amir Mohammed Mustapha, Jubril, Muhammed Yusuf, Malam Hassan, Malam Ba’ana among others, in company of hundreds of fighting militants and killed about 20 JAS terrorists in Tumbum Gini, Kiri Kiri and Kwantan Mota.  By Tarkaa David and Francis Okoye, Leadership

MORE investment deals have been sealed between Zimbabwe and Rwandese investors as the three day Zimbabwe -Rwanda Trade and Investment Conference ended in Harare this Wednesday.

As the curtain comes down on the Zimbabwe Rwanda Trade and Investment Conference which started on Monday, it has emerged that the deliberations have been largely successful as more business and investment deals have been sealed.

This was revealed by Zimtrade Chief Executive Officer, Mr Allan Majuru at a joint news conference held in Harare this Wednesday.

“This was a fruitful event that will harness trade ties between the two countries and I can tell you that apart from the MOUs which were signed on the first day of the conference we have further come up with deals including in mining where Rwanda has signalled a huge interest to invest in. We have also come up with deals in energy generation as well agro-processing and this is courtesy of this summit,” he said.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Development Board, Zephanie Niyonkuru described their tour as defining moment in opening up investment avenues between Zimbabwe and Rwanda.

“So far, part of our delegation and most of the business people who came with us have clinched investment deals with their counterparts here in Zimbabwe, but I am impressed by the opportunities that lie in the area of financing where our Financial Centre can become a conduit to strike some structured finance deals with our trading partners especially given the fact that Financial Centres are not so common in this Southern part of Africa,” said Niyonkuru.

Impressed by the local investment landscape and opportunities, Mr Niyonkuru revealed that part of their delegation has extended its stay in Zimbabwe to explore more investment opportunities in the country. - Owen Mandovha, ZBC News

Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye outlined his administration's vision to achieve food security in a meeting with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Qu Dongyu.

"Every mouth should have food and every pocket money," he pointed out in the Tuesday meeting as rooted for stronger cooperation between Burundi and FAO.

Ndayishimiye outlined his vision for cooperation with the organization for further development of the agriculture sector, including all aspects of the value chain, and underlined the need for innovation, increased investment and capacity development as key elements.

He also shared with Qu details of how he was reforming Burundi to ensure food security as well as economic development through the National Development Plan of Burundi (2018-2027), as an ambitious and transformative program that can accelerate the process of socio-economic development.

On his part, the FAO chief acknowledged Burundi's progress in the agri-food sector, horticulture, animal husbandry and aquaculture.

He pointed out to President Ndayishimiye that in order to promote agri-food systems transformation, more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable systems are vital to create new opportunities.

The president and the FAO Director-General confirmed their commitment to a continued strong partnership. - CGTN