News
Borno slates council election for May 20

Borno State government has slated the Local Government Council election for May 20, 2023 shortly before the inauguration of a new national administration on May 29, 2023.

This was disclosed by the State Independent Electoral Commission Director of Information, Zara Alhassan.
In a statement which he issued and made available to journalists on Saturday, he said the
Chairman of BOSIEC, Lawan Maina, announced the date in a meeting with leadership of political parties and stakeholders on Saturday in Maiduguri.

“As you are all aware, the commission has announced the date for local government council election to take place on May 20, 2023, by virtue of the powers conferred on the commission under Section 10 and 18 (a) of BOSIEC Law, 2002.
“Therefore, may I assure you that the commission highly value your participation and would Insha Allah draw the strength, encouragement and inspiration to see that we conduct a free, fair and credible election in all the 27 Local Government councils in our dear state.
“However, the need for cooperation and good working relationship between all the registered political parties and Borno State Independent Electoral Commission cannot be over emphasised,” Maina was quoted as saying in the statement.
He pointed out the importance of mutual trust and understanding among stakeholders for the success of the election.
He reiterated the commitment of BOSIEC to justify the confidence reposed in it by the political parties to provide a level playing field for all.
The meeting was attended by representatives of 14 political parties and security agencies among others who were updated on the level of preparations.

News
Echocho provides food items, cash to victims of windstorm in Kogi East

Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Isah Jibrin (Echocho), has provided and distributed food items worth millions of naira to victims of windstorm at Itobe, Oladebu, Itagidi, Ajegwu and other adjoining communities wrecked by windstorm a fortnight ago.

This is even as cash in million was also distributed as his personal contribution to mitigate the hardship ocassioned by the natural disaster.

It was recalled that the windstorm that rocked those communities led to loss of two persons, while several houses were destroyed leading to displacement of residents in the affected communities.
Echocho who represents Kogi East Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly reacting to the incident did promise personal intervention as well as facilitating relevant government agencies that would come to the aid of victims of the disaster.
The Senator who was personally on ground to sympathise with victims on Monday at Itobe, disclosed that letters have been dispatched to the relevant government agencies for urgent attention so that the displaced victims can begin to live their normal lives again.
The statement read: “This is my personal contribution in fulfillment of my promises to the victims.
“I assure you that letters have been dispatched to relevant government agencies for urgent response and I believe, sooner than later, the intervention will come in large quantity to at least provide relief to the displaced persons.
“I want to use this opportunity to reiterate my resolve to sponsor a motion to this effect when the Senate reconvene from Sallah and Easter break and I think after this government’s response will be massive”, the statement concluded.

News
IAF pilot to ‘Jerusalem Post’: How Israel established air supremacy over Middle East [Exclusive]
Fighter pilots told the “Post” that they estimated some 70% of Syria’s firepower was destroyed during the IAF’s December strikes on Damascus.

In December, the IDF’s F-16 squadrons, along with other combat aircraft, carried out devastating attacks against the Syrian military’s capabilities to threaten Israel, including flying low over the palace in Damascus, one of the pilots involved has told The Jerusalem Post in a recent interview.

In fact, IDF Lieutenant “Y” has been involved in critical and historic airstrikes not only against Syria, but also against Lebanon and Gaza, and it can be assumed have been involved in the latest air force strikes against Israeli adversaries.
To complete the picture, the Post also interviewed IDF Lieutenant “T” who piloted an F-16 combat aircraft in key strikes of Yemen and Lebanon, while in addition the Post has spoken to IDF sources involved in striking Iran.
Two F-16s wait for takeoff on the tarmac. (credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT
)
Until 2017, the F-16 squadrons were Israel’s preeminent lead aircraft for all combat missions, though the F-15 fighter also often played an important component.
Even since 2017, when the F-35 emerged as Israel’s most cutting edge fighter jet, the F-16 remains extremely formidable and involved in just about every critical Israeli attack on all fronts.
An F16 waits for takeoff. (credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT)
In January, the defense ministry announced an $80 million purchase of more advanced self-protection systems for its fourth generation F-16 fighter aircraft just as top Israeli and IDF officials had increased in recent months their discussion of striking Iran’s nuclear program.
Complex operation in Syria
Describing his airstrikes in Syria, Lt. Y told the Post, “Operations in Syria used to be a major challenge and complex. After the revolution by the rebels, the air defense systems stopped operating which allowed the Israeli air force to act freely. We could map out [more aggressive and risky] plans with much less concern about our planes getting hit,”by Syrian air defense.
“We achieved supremacy in so many places where we normally would not have operated,” because of dangers posed by the Syrian air defense, said Y.
Y stated, “The first attack was at night and I was part of a large fleet or aircraft going after military targets around Damascus. I looked around me and saw a powerful convoy. Anything would be possible,” in terms of the potential impact of the attack on Syria.
IDF sources said that since Syria and Damascus were free of anti-aircraft defenses, the F-16 squadrons and other attack aircraft were able to fly over the palace and the international airport.
Many of the flights during that period also broke through new areas of Syria to find new levels of physical intelligence and surveillance.
Estimates from IDF sources are that around 70% of Syrian firepower and quality weapons were destroyed during that period, and even in recent days the air force has destroyed new major targets, such as Syrian aircraft runways in order to try to stop Turkey from taking over those positions.
Next, Y said that there could be a variety of different fighter jet strategies and formations for different attacks, saying, “Everything depends on the specific scenario and how many aircraft are involved. Sometimes there are more or and sometimes less, which in turns depends on the kind of quantity of targets.”
Regarding Iran, IDF sources have said there is a special level of threat from their air defenses.
Further, sources have indicated that going up against and destroying Iranian S-300 air defense systems was an incredible first for the air force.
One thing that is unique about attacking, but that is actually even worse for F-16s and other aircraft attacking Yemen, is the extreme distance, with the Islamic Republic coming in at around 1,500 kilometers and Yemen coming in at around 1,800 kilometers.
Lt. “T” noted to the Post that attacking the Houthis in Yemen is “even farther than Iran. A very long flight of five hours. We need to refuel to get there. This is not simple and requires lots of attention and focus. It proves our capabilities in the air force. We know how to ‘close’ [against enemy targets] We did it several times. This is all to defend our country’s citizens.”
Describing one attack, he said, “We struck all of the Yemen infrastructure which we needed to strike.”
Also, T stated, “it’s been published that we struck critical economic targets which will cost the Houthis lots of money to rebuild. And targets which will stop their arms transfers and movement.”
Going into more detail about the challenges of midair refuelling, he noted, “We learn these skills during training after the initial pilots course. There are different scenarios for how high and far we need to fly which impact how long and what kind of refuelling takes place.” IDF sources said that different procedures are used for refuelling both at day and night, but that the air force is ready for both.
“It was a very long flight. There is no way to fully train for it – it is a different level of difficulty. You make mental and psychological preparations and try to get lots of sleep beforehand,” said T.
Moreover, T’s experience was special as he was “the first to do this at such a young age – it is a truly special moment. The feeling afterward, after landing from such a long flight was tremendous.”
IDF sources said that they made sure there was extra fuel for the F-16s when they attacked Yemen in case any exceptional issues came up, given how long the flights were.
In fact, the IDF has different technical pre-flight procedures for such long distance attacks.
Further, sources indicated that while Yemen’s anti aircraft defenses are weaker than Iran, Syria, and Lebanon, that they should not be disparaged.
Moving on to Lebanon, T said that when he flew his F-16 on attacks against Hezbollah, “it was a powerful experience to see the capabilities of the air force destroy large portions of Hezbollah’s capabilities. Anyone who threaten us must take note. And it was at such a fast pace from the start of the operation until we destroyed their capabilities. We had trained so extensively and then got to see the fantastic results.”
“We struck rocket firing platforms and weapons storage locations – anything which could be used to fire on Israel and force people to run for their safe rooms,” said T.
Returning to F-16 pilot Y, he said the airstrikes on Hezbollah were, “very substantial, especially to attack from the air in parallel to our invading forces and having received targets from our forces which were threatening them on the ground, so we could help them in real time. I had many of my friends fighting on the ground.”
Y added, “we helped remove a threat [to Israeli forces]…by cooperating with other IDF forces.”
Also, Y said that he has flown F-16 attack missions in all areas of Gaza, from northern Gaza to Khan Yunis to Rafah, including “there were a few operations where we helped provide air support for returning hostages to Israel. Every operation can be different.”
IDF sources also said that as much as the F-16 and other fighter jet attacks weakened Hezbollah, that they remain a threat. Moreover, the sources indicated that there are both similarities between an attack in Gaza and Lebanon as well as qualitative regional and intelligence differences.
Part of what has been so remarkable has been the young age of these ace F-16 fighter pilots, with T being only 22 and having only served five-and-a-half-years in the military.
T said the above-mentioned attacks have left him “very fulfilled” in helping defend Israel from threats.
“This was a very unusual war. People our age never dreamed of such events: the volume of attacks we joined in on, the level of intelligence, the special operations, the targeted killings, and crucial missions were beyond crazy. To accomplish this at our age was a major jump in levels,” said T.
Y was one of the next youngest fighter jet pilots and added, “Personally, it was very special and important for me and made me very happy.”
He has served in the air force for five years in the IDF, and is currently 23 years old.
Not that there are not complex moral questions for these young pilots.
Regarding avoiding striking civilians, Y stated, “we completely stopped attacks anytime there were innocent civilians in the vicinity. Many times we stopped attacks because of civilians, and we only attacked later if the area was clear of them.”
T added, “I don’t see the ground well. Drones can see better. They zoom in. But the control tower and targeting command will say: abort, abort. Sometimes we work with drones which are giving us intelligence and sometimes with other forces [on the ground] who will warn us if there are women or children near a terror target.”
Discussing the F-16 versus other combat aircraft, IDF sources noted that each one is an important part of the air force and every platform has its different advantages with the air force trying to maximize the synergy between them.
Regarding real-time changes to the plan when unexpected challenges arise mid-operation, sources indicated that they communicate with the control tower and with the PIT at military headquarters. They described a process of giving feedback to the control tower as well as some communications in the air between the pilots.
The pilots said that some threats are close and some far, but that the F-16s can get anywhere they need to. “No matter the distance, we strategize versus the threat, and then we can deal with them all.”

News
Police invites Emir Sanusi for investigation for violating Sallah Durbar ban [See copy]

The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has been summoned to the Nigerian Po,ice Force headquarters to face criminal investigation.

In a letter dated 4th April and signed by Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations, Olajide Rufus Ibitoye, said he was directed by the Inspector General of Police to invite the Emir for questioning for violating Durbar ban.

A copy of the letter sighted by CAPITAL POST indicated that Sanusi led a Durbar processing to the Government House to pay homage despite the ban which the Police expressed security concerns.
The urged Emir Sanusi Lamido to appear on Tuesday,b8th April, 2025.
Sanusi reportedly led a procession in car as against the usual horses in which a 20-year old in the entourage was arrested and detained.

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