Islamic State suffers twin blow as Ramadi falls, leaders killed

U.S.-led forces have killed 10 Islamic State leaders in air strikes, including individuals linked to the Paris attacks, a U.S. spokesman said, dealing a double blow to the militant group after Iraqi forces ousted it from the city of Ramadi.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi planted the national flag in Ramadi after the army retook the city center from Islamic State, a victory that could help vindicate his strategy for rebuilding the military after stunning defeats.

"Over the past month, we've killed 10 ISIL leadership figures with targeted air strikes, including several external attack planners, some of whom are linked to the Paris attacks," said U.S. Army Colonel Steve Warren, a spokesman for the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamist group also known by the acronym ISIL.

"Others had designs on further attacking the West."

The War against Boko Haram is yet to be Won – Fani Kayode

Former Aviation Minister, Mr. Femi Fani Kayode says that the war against insurgency has not been won by the military and people are being killed every day.

He stated that the government had claimed on the 23rd of December that the war against insurgency had been won by the military but noted that on the 25th of December, some people were killed in Maiduguri, with more casualties  in Borno on the 27th and in Adamawa on the 28th.

He also said that a lot of the 22 Local Government Areas that were recovered by the Jonathan led administration have been taken back by the sect members.

Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, Mr. Fani-Kayode said “it’s simply not true that the war against Boko Haram had been won”.

FG Currently Not Paying Subsidy on Petrol – Ibe Kachikwu

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu says the Nigerian government has suspended the subsidy on petroleum products as at yesterday, December 27, as a result of the current low price of crude in the international market.

He said the non-payment of subsidy would remain the same, as long as market trends allow.

He told reporters on Sunday in Kaduna that if crude prices increase, there would be a review which would be tackled under the newly introduced price modulation in the sector.

The price modulation, according to the Minister, is not an outright removal of petrol subsidy.

The Minister had said on December 17 that the government was not interested in the removal of subsidy on petroleum products, but rather a price modulation that would reduce its involvement in pricing starting 2016.

He explained that a periodical review of the Petroleum Pricing Template and a flexible management of the pricing system would be considered.

Happy Festive Season

We truly believe that you’re having a great time with friends and loved ones. Here is wishing you a joyous celebration throughout this period.

Know that what ushered in Jesus was God’s giving attitude. He loved us and that’s why He gave His son (Jesus, our Savoiur) freely for our redemption---for who the son of man has set free is free indeed.

Therefore, to make Christmas worthwhile, those around must feel your presence (physically or spiritually?)

Jesus has bought and handed over to us abundance of life, to function effectively.

Militants 'technically defeated' - Buhari

Nigeria has "technically won the war" against Islamist Boko Haram militants, President Muhammadu Buhari says.

He told the BBC that the militant group could no longer mount "conventional attacks" against the nation's security forces or population centres.

It had been reduced to fighting with Improvised Explosives Devices (IED) and remained a force only in its heartland of Borno state, he said.

Federal Government to Contract Airport Terminals

In a bid to reduce the huge resources it spends on airport infrastructure, the Federal Government of Nigeria has decided to contract some airports in the country.

According to the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the contract will be carried out in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Amaechi who was speaking with journalists in Lagos, pledged a turnaround of air transport in areas which include the facilities and the unprofitable status of domestic airlines.

He said: “I am impressed by what we have seen. When people express dissatisfaction with the airport, they are looking at the terminal only, but there are lots of things that have been achieved to make aircraft fly safely. But there are projects that must be completed.”

Man caught with 870 ATM cards at Kano Airport

A 29-year old man, Yahaya Saifullahi, has been arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano with 870 ATM cards and two devices meant for electronic banking transactions.

This fellow was arrested by officials of the Presidential Taskforce on money laundering and illegal movement of foreign currency.

An official of the taskforce who preferred anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to press, told Daily Trust in Kano yesterday that Saifullahi boarded Ethiopian airline to Dubai through MAKIA when he was apprehended.

He said the man with passport and flight numbers A06694052 and FT940 respectively had already been handed over to the EFCC in Kano for further investigation.

Court Grants Dasuki 250 Million Naira Bail

The Federal High Court has granted the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki bail in the sum of N250m.

Col. Dasuki is expected to provide a surety who owns a property in the Federal Capital Territory worth the bailout amount.

The surety must not be below the rank of a Director in the Civil Service and must also swear to an affidavit of means in addition to depositing his international passport with the court.

Col. Dasuki must also inform the court whenever he needs to travel out of the FCT.