The Nigerian Air Force has destroyed the arms storage facility of one of the most wanted terrorists operating in Niger State.
NAF under Operation WHIRL PUNCH has continued to comb the North West and North Central to smoke out the terrorists.
The spokesman of the NAF Airforce, Air Vice Marshall Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the development on Tuesday.
According to Gabkwet, credible intelligence gathered by the Force disclosed the location of the storage facility of the terrorists.
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He said: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft under Operation WHIRL PUNCH (OPWP) has continued to decimate terrorists and their logistics, especially in the Northwest and North Central regions of Nigeria.
“One such success was recorded on March 15, 2024, when strikes by NAF aircraft successfully targeted and destroyed terrorists’ logistics storage situated in Palele near Shiroro in Niger State.”
Gabkwet disclosed further that authorisation was obtained before the operatives struck at the target, adding that a secondary explosion confirmed the destruction of the arms and ammunition.
He added: “The operation, which was executed with speed and precision, resulted in significant damage to the target area, including a secondary explosion confirming the destruction of arms and ammunition.
“The weapons are believed to be affiliated to a particular terrorist’s kingpin who is on the most wanted list of terrorists.
“These strikes have no doubt degraded the capabilities of terrorist elements operating in the region to attack innocent civilians, especially in Kaduna and Niger States.”
The Spokesperson called for support as well as cooperation from the general public on the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements.
Social Workers inaugurate new leaders in Oyo
The Nigeria Association of Social Workers, Oyo State chapter has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the association for the next four years.
The inauguration of the executives took place during the 2024 World Social Work Day celebration in Ibadan on Tuesday.
The new executives include Ayodele Adegoke Mutair (Chairman), Omokunmi Abiola Funmilayo (Secretary), Sonuga Adebisi Oyeyemi (Treasurer) Raheem Wakeel Ademola (Auditor), Yusuf Olanrewaju Uthman (Public Relations Officer), Tijani Tawakalitu Abdullahi (Welfare Officer) and Ogunyemi Adeleke Idowu (Programmes Officer).
The event was attended by the Head of Department of Sociology, Psychology Criminology and Social Work, Lead City University, Ibadan, Dr. Jane Adebusuyi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and former NASoW Chairperson in the state, Christianah Abioye; and NASoW National Public Relations Officer, Musliudeen Atanda Adebayo.
Others were Dr. Victoria Iyanda from Lead City University, Ibadan; National President of Association of Medical Social Workers of Nigeria, Kayode Ogedengbe; Social Workers in the state; and Social Work students from the University of Ibadan and Lead City University.
Adebusuyi, while delivering her paper, titled: “Buen Vivir: Appraising Social Work Practice for Transformative Change,” advocated for more synergy among social workers in the country.
She also advised social workers to be safety conscious so as to reduce occupational hazards.
She said: “Nothing stops you to go extra to protect yourself.
“There are some occupational hazards.
“You need to protect yourself.
“Don’t wait until you are infected.
“Wherever you are going for a home visit, you need to request for security cover.
“Social Work is a problem solving profession.
“Social work operates in a world in crisis, which is evidenced by thousands of people who die daily from violent conflict; millions who are displaced by wars and violence or climate warming and environment destruction.
“To effectively respond to this crisis, Social Work needs new approaches, actions, actors and platforms for transformative change, which is community-led.”
Abioye, while declaring the day open, explained that Social Workers are trained professionals who are devoted to helping individuals, vulnerable people, families, groups and communities work through challenges they face in everyday life and enhance their individual and collective well-being.
She added that social workers are change agents, problem solvers, critical thinkers, facilitators, advocators, counsellors, clinicians, organisers, activists, planners, politicians, lobbyists, writers and researchers.
She said: “Social Workers include but are not limited to: change agents, problem solvers, critical thinkers, facilitators, advocators, counsellors, clinicians, organisers, activists, planners, politicians, lobbyist, writers, and researchers.
“Social Work professionals are trained professionals who are devoted to helping individuals, vulnerable people, families, groups and communities work through challenges they face in everyday life and enhance their individual and collective well-being.”
Adebayo, who spoke on behalf of NASoW National President, Alhaji Mashood Mustapha, admonished social workers across the country to raise more awareness about Social Work.
He said: “I am here to deliver a message from NASoW National President, Alhaji Mashood Mustapha.
“He told me to congratulate all of us on the occasion of 2024 World Social Work Day.
“World Social Work Day is celebrated across the globe every third Tuesday of March and today is another World Social Work Day.
“Social Work Day is celebrated throughout the world so as to celebrate the tremendous achievements of Social Workers across the globe and to raise awareness about Social Work.
“Let me use this medium to felicitate and celebrate the achievements of social workers across the world and Nigeria in particular as we witness another World Social Work Day today.
“I hereby admonish us to continue to raise awareness about Social Work.
“We should continue to enlighten people about Social Work practice wherever we find ourselves because we can only blow our own trumpet, no one can do it for us.
“Happy celebrations.”
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