News
IDF inspects feared terror tunnels in Israeli towns near West Bank
The results of the inspections will be examined in further detail by experts and presented to the public in due course, the regional council stated.
A host of Israeli regional councils located along the Seam Line, near Israel’s border with the West Bank, announced the creation of an emergency forum on Monday to protect themselves from threats beyond the border after residents complained of tunnels being built under their homes for terror purposes.
Local residents claimed that they heard digging beneath their homes alongside explosion sounds coming to them from the Palestinian city of Tulkarm.
Last week, a resident of Bet Hefer told 103FM in a radio interview that locals live in “a constant state of insecurity.
“The settlement is targeted with direct and indirect fire almost every day. We can show you pictures of shells from our yards.”
Five inspections show no signs of terror tunnels, council says
The Emek Hefer Regional Council said in a statement released this week that it takes the residents’ reports seriously and has carried out five inspections in cooperation with Israeli security forces thus far, in which no evidence of tunnel digging has been found.
The results of the inspections will be examined in further detail by experts and presented to the public in due course, the regional council stated.
As part of the newly created emergency forum, the regional councils are cooperating with the IDF on a host of preemptive measures to be carried out immediately to reinforce the Seam Line towns’ security.
These security measures include operations carried out by Israeli forces in the area, construction of a second line of defense from the West Bank in the form of a reinforcement of the security fence, and other technological improvements.
‘It sounds exactly like Hamas tunnel digging’
Matan Buchner, a resident of Bat Hefer, told Kan Reshet B on Monday that local residents suffer from “constant digging noises for a number of years, we have been complaining of residents hearing knocking under their homes.
“It sounds exactly like Hamas tunnel digging, as they did in the North and South,” Buchner added.
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubaka mini visited the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Umar Dikko Umaru Radda, at the Government House in Katsina to express condolences following the passing of his beloved mother, Hajiya Safara’u Umar Bare-Bari Radda.
During the visit, Minister Abubakar, on behalf of himself, his family, the Minister of State for Defence H.E. Dr. Bello Matawalle MON and the entire staff of the Ministry of Defence, conveyed heartfelt condolences to Governor Radda, his family, and the people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
In his remarks, he prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased, grant her mercy, and bestow upon her a place in Jannatul Firdaus. He also offered prayers for the Governor and his family, asking for strength and fortitude to bear this profound loss.
The Minister was accompanied by Hon. Idris Garba Jahun, former Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, along with Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Jallo and Hon. Mas’ud A. Naruwa, members of the Katsina State House of Assembly representing Hadejia and Babura, respectively.
All political office holders who were appointed by the embattled governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara have been suspended from office by the Sole Administrator of the State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
They were suspended from office with immediate effect, according to a statement by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator, saying the decision followed powers granted the Sole Administrator by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to Fubara were among those suspended from office.
Commissioners, chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals, as well as all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants were all relieved of their appointments.
“This suspension takes effect from Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The affected officers are to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their MDAs.
“Where there may be no permanent secretary, they are to hand over to the most senior director/head of administration,” the statement read.
Ibas was sworn in as Sole Administrator on Wednesday, March 19, by President Bola Tinubu after the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The President also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Ibas, who is a former Chief of Naval Staff, vowed to maintain law and order in the state.
“If the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have,” he said to State House correspondents after the swearing-in.
He also promised to work together with other stakeholders to ensure that order is restored in the state.
Agency Report
The 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, has announced the cancellation of the Eid-el-Fitr Durbar celebration due to security concerns in the state.
Emir Bayero made this announcement while briefing newsmen at his Nasarawa Mini Palace in Kano on Wednesday night.
He said that the peaceful coexistence of the people takes precedence over the Durbar celebration.
Emir Bayero had initially planned to hold the Durbar celebration, which would have coincided with his fifth year anniversary on the throne.
He noted that respected Islamic clerics, elders, stakeholders, and his council members advised him to cancel the celebration to maintain peace.
Emir Bayero urged the people of Kano to use the Sallah celebration period to visit families and friends and to observe the festivities in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
He prayed for Allah’s blessings and mercy during the month of Ramadan, hoping that the people of Kano would receive forgiveness and mercy.
NAN
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