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Road Accidents Claim 31 In One Week

April 15, 2024

No fewer than 19 persons have died as a result of road traffic crash along the Ogbomoso road in Oyo state.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NANS, which quoted the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, said the accident happened on Sunday along the very busy road.

According to Jonas Agwu, Corps Public Education Officer, an Assistant Corps Marshal , in a statement he signed in Abuja, the nation’s capital, the crash involved two vehicles, a Toyota Hiace bus registered as NTT52ZY, loaded from Ibadan en route to Sokoto, and a Toyota Corolla saloon car.

The Corps spokesman said the crash which occurred at about 07:45 a.m. was caused by one way violation by one of the vehicles.

He explained that one passenger survived the crash while 19 lost their lives.

Agwu said: “Of this number, 19 persons were killed , while the only surviving victim was rescued by FRSC operatives with injuries.

“FRSC rescue team that conducted the rescue operations have taken the injured victim to Opabode hospital in Oyo, for emergency medical attention.

“The dead bodies have been deposited at Oyo General Hospital morgue.”

Recall that two passengers lost their lives on the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge during the Eid -el-Fitri celebration, after an 18-passenger bus collided with the railing on the bridge, while 10 persons also died in Ogun state on the same day, according to checks from the FRSC.

SERAP Urges President Tinubu To Publish Loan Agreements Of Previous Administration

Akinwale Kasali

April 15, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

President Bola Tinubu has been urged by Rights Group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, to direct appropriate Ministries, Departments, agencies and MDAs, to provide the organization with copies of the loan agreements and spending of such loans with the interests and other payments so far made on the loans obtained by the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.

SERAP said Nigerians should be in the know and are entitled to information about what their government is doing in their name, prompting it to urge President Tinubu to establish an independent audit on the spending of the loans obtained by the governments of the former presidents, and to make public the findings of any such audit.

The Group also said in the Freedom of Information request dated 13 April 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Publishing copies of the agreements would prevent and combat waste, corruption, mismanagement, and abuse in the spending of public funds”.

It also added that no one should be able to pull curtains of secrecy around decisions on the spending of public funds which can be revealed without injury to the public interest. Democracy requires accountability and accountability requires transparency.

“ The FoI request, read in part: “Nigerians’ right to a democratic governance allows them to appreciably influence the direction of government, and have an opportunity to assess progress and assign blame.

“The accountability of government to the general public is a hallmark of democratic governance, which Nigeria seeks to achieve.

“Your government should make it possible for citizens to have access to the agreements and spending details to judge whether their government is working for them or not.

“ Publishing the agreements would demonstrate your oft-expressed commitment to openness in government and to promote accountability. It would also improve public accountability in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

“ Publishing the agreements and spending details would allow the public to see how and on what these governments spent the loans and foster transparency and accountability.”

The information may help to explain why, despite several billions of dollars in loans obtained by successive governments, millions of Nigerians continue to face extreme poverty and lack access to basic public goods and services.

“Providing us with copies of the loan agreements signed by the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, and widely publishing the agreements would allow Nigerians to scrutinise it and to demand accountability for the spending of the loans.

“We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.

“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Freedom of Information Act, and the UN Convention against Corruption, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to Nigeria is a state party.

“ According to Nigeria’s Debt Management Office, the total public domestic debt portfolio for the country’s is N97.3 trillion ($108 billion). The Federal Government’s debt is N87.3 trillion ($97 billion).

“Nigeria paid $6.2 billion in 2019 as interest on loans while the country paid $6.5 as interest in 2018. Nigeria also paid $5 billion as interest on loans in 2017 while the country paid $4.4 billion as interest in 2016. For 2015, the interest paid on loans was $5.5 billion.

“SERAP is seriously concerned that substantial parts of the loans obtained by successive governments since the return of democracy in 1999 may have been mismanaged, diverted or stolen, and in any case remain unaccounted for.

“Publishing copies of the agreements would also ensure that persons with public responsibilities are answerable to the people for the performance of their duties including the management of the loans obtained between May 1999 and May 2023.

“Your government has a responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in how any loans obtained by the Federal Government are spent, to reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.

The Freedom of Information Act, Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantee to everyone the right to information, including to copies of the loan agreements obtained by successive governments since 1999.

“By the combined reading of the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, there are transparency obligations imposed on your government to widely publish the agreements and details of the projects on which the loans were spent.

“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities.”

Refusal To Swear In Abia PDP House Member: Gov Otti, Speaker Out To Truncate Justice – Abia PDP

The Source

April 15, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The political logjam arising from the alleged non-refusal of the Abia State House of Assembly leadership to swear in Peoples Democratic Party’s, PDP, Aaron Uzodike as a member representing the Aba North State Constituency, over four months after he was declared validly elected by the Court of Appeal which sat in Lagos, appears headed for the worse.

On Sunday April 14, 2024, in an official statement, the Abia PDP said contrary to the news being bandied about, there is no court quagmire restraining the Abia House of Assembly from swearing in its candidate, Hon Uzodike as directed by the Court of Appeal. The Party insisted that it is only a ploy by Governor Alex Otti and the Labour Party, LP, leadership of the Assembly to truncate justice and deny the PDP its legally won seat .

The PDP response is coming on the heels last Friday April 12’s statement purportedly issued by the Aba Council of Traditional Rulers asking the state Legislative body to declare the Aba North State Constituency seat vacant as a result of what it called Court quagmire.

The Traditional Rulers had called on the Speaker, Rt Hon Emmanuel Emereuwa to declare the seat of the constituency vacant, citing a court injunction which has prevented the swearing-in of Uzodike as the representative of the people as reason .

The Aba Traditional rulers comprising HRM Eze Chima Kingsley the Chairman of Aba North council of traditional rulers, Eze Dr Isaac Ikonne ,Eze Love Ariwodo ,Eze Sylvanus Egege ,Eze Maclord Nwachukwu ,Eze Ugochukwu Ihediwa ,Eze Iheanacho Ogbonna and others had, in a letter addressed to Governor Otti,on the same issue called on him to intervene.

“As Traditional Rulers in Aba North, we are deeply concerned that our Constituency, has been left for six months without a Representative.

To this end, in the midst of the quagmire at the Court ,we hereby ask the Speaker Rt Hon Emmanuel Emereuwa to declare the seat vacant and a fresh election be conducted ” the Traditional Rulers stated .

But the PDP in a statement issued on Sunday April 14 by its Vice Chairman/ Acting Publicity Secretary Abraham Amah entitled ” It Is Unlawful To Declare Aba North State Constituency Seat Vacant ” and made available to The Source, noted that there is no quagmire as being insinuated by the Traditional Rulers of Aba.

“To be very clear on this, there is no Court quagmire as insinuated in the letter written by the traditional rulers. It is just a pretext and a ploy for the Labour Party under the watch of Governor Alex Otti, and Speaker, Emmanuel Emereuwa to truncate justice and deny PDP its legally won seat in the House of Assembly.

“The Court of Appeal which sat in Lagos had on November 27 2023 reversed the election of Destiny Nwagwu of the Labour Party and restored the mandate of Hon. Aaron Uzodike of the PDP as the validly elected member representing Aba North State Constituency

“To confirm the authenticity of the judgment, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC issued Hon Aaron Uzodike with a valid Certificate of Return as required by law and by which instrument the Speaker ought to swear him into office.immediately.

“It is important to state here that it is only the INEC as empowered by the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria that has the powers to declare a legislative seat vacant.

“So the decoy employed by the Labour Party using the institution of Traditional Rulers to ask the Speaker to declare that seat vacant is a no-brainer and a futile attempt that would fell flat on its face before the law.

“We find it saddening that Abia politics is gradually descending to this lowest before our eyes as those behind this effort want to ridicule the hallowed institution o traditional rulers by using it to confuse and mislead the public and truncate justice for selfish ends .

“Of all the judgments delivered in the wake of the post-elections petitions in 2023 ,all except the one that restored Hon Uzodike have been obeyed by the respective authorities .

“And it is disgusting and inconceivable that the people who are beneficiaries of the law are the main architects of this unfortunate illegality

“Sadly, again, the good people of Aba North who have lost representation for the past six months have all kept quiet and refused to speak out against the injustice being meted out to one and all of them at the same time ,except the last attempt to use the traditional rulers to embellish a lie that can never defeat the truth in a challenge a thousand times”, the PDP stated .

“We Defected To LP To Ensure Soludo Is Not Re-Elected” – APGA Decampees, As Ozigbo Taunts Governor Over Boreholes

The Source

April 15, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Over 100 members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the Ogbaru area of Anambra State, have decamped to the Labour Party, LP.

During their defection last weekend, they said their mission is to see that Governor Chukwuma Soludo is not re-elected to a second term in office. The Governor is of APGA.

The decampees spoke just as the LP Gubernatorial hopeful in the 2025 Anambra election, Chief Valentine Ozigbo said that his mission and vision are driven by the quest to surpass the achievements of Peter Obi in the state .

He has emphasised that he is not seeking to be elected to the highest office in Anambra on the back of the LP National leader’s popularity ,but based on his abilities to steer the state to a new height..

The former Anambra State Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Gubernatorial Candidate during the 2021 election, said much as he acknowledges and holds in high esteem the noble political trajectories of the Presidential candidate of LP during the 2023 general elections ,he is not relying on him either to clinch the LP ticket and or be elected as the Governor of Anambra State.

Chief Ozigbo who spoke last weekend in Onitsha during a parley with LP members and stakeholders from Anambra North Senatorial District to formally inform them about his intentions to vie for the highest office in the State on the platform of the party ,insisted that he is aspiring to be the Anambra State Gubernatorial Candidate and not Peter Obi’s candidate.

The LP gubernatorial aspirant who also used the occasion to welcome into LP the APGA decampees from the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state, assured the defectors of a better future with an LP led Anambra State.

“Now we have been vindicated by our insistence that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has nothing to offer Ndi Anambra. His woeful two years in office ,has shown that he does not have any answers to the problems facing the state. Ozoigbo.stated.

Earlier the leader/spokesperson for the over 100 APGA defectors, Chief Emeka Nwosu, had stated that their main reason of crossing over to the LP is to ensure that Governor Soludo is not re-elected for the second term in office due to his abysmal performance.

“It is clear to everybody in the State that ,the Governor has performed below expectations. How can a Governor dig boreholes and will be celebrating same as an achievement?

“Anybody can build boreholes. In fact ,private Individuals have been doing that and other things in the state . So far Governor Soludo has proven that he has nothing to offer Anambra people. This is why we have decided to leave APGA ,to join LP so as to ensue that the Governor is not re elected.”the former Ogbaru Local Council APGA leader stated.

Hon Afam Victor Ogene ,the Leader of LP caucus at the House of Representatives, who was one of the political dignitaries present at the occasion appreciated the foresight, boldness ,and courage ,exhibited by the decampees in their political decisions.

“Its A Scam, We Are Not Recruiting”, FRSC Warn Nigerians

Akinwale Kasali

April 14, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, has warned Nigerians to be wary and vigilant of fraudsters and scammers who have been circulating fake news about the Commission Recruiting New Officers into its fold.

The Commission has debunked such claim, and warned that there is neither a ecruitment neither nor is it planning to embark on any.

In a statement by the Assistant Corps Marshal and Corps Public Education Officer, Jonas Agwu in Abuja on Sunday, FRSC urged the general public to disregard publications on any recruitment exercise by the Corps.

The statement read: “The attention of the Federal Road Safety Corps has been drawn to a publication by online platforms misinforming the public about an ongoing recruitment of personnel into the services of the Corps.

“This medium is to let the public know that the Corps is presently not recruiting neither is there any ongoing arrangement to that effect.

“The Corps Marshal, Dauda Ali Biu wishes to admonish applicants seeking to join the services of the Corps, as well as the general public to disregard the fake and misleading publications.

“The public is by this publication warned to desist from any form of engagement with the purported scammers and purveyors of that misinformation as the Corps will not be liable should anyone fall victim.”

FG Flaunts Gains Of Fuel Subsidy Removal As Information Minister Says “States Now Receive More Funds”

Ayodele Oni

April 14, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has revealed that state governments now receive almost amount which doubles their monthly allocation following removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.

According to him, the erstwhile fuel subsidy was a monster which has deprived Nigerians of myriad of social amenities.

Idris spoke on Saturday in Kaduna at a reception organized in his honour by the Kaduna State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

He recalled that President Bola Tinubu, who took over the leadership of the country less than a year ago has recorded giant strides.

These included the removal of the fuel subsidy, which according to him, took virtually everything Nigerians were supposed to have.

Idris pointed out that the fuel subsidy took away the resources to build roads, hospitals, lay a good foundation for the educational advancement of Nigerians, among other social amenities.

He explained that with the removal of the fuel subsidy, a lot of resources were freed and put back into the system.

The minister added that the Federal Government and its sub-nationals now have more money for the needs and betterment of Nigerians.

“If we are looking for one reason why fuel subsidy has to go, is that we were consuming nearly two billion liters of premium motor spirit, when the fuel subsidy was removed, it dropped down to about 50 per cent.

“What that meant was that over a billion liters of fuel we are consuming in the country suddenly dropped.

”All those opposing the fuel subsidy removal are supposed to ask the question of where the about 1 billion liters of consumption that is cut down is going to.

“The resources that were freed are being brought back, there is no Governor that is not getting twice or more of the allocation available to their state government to engage in more productive ventures.”

He, however, said that the shocks as a result of the fuel subsidy removal were inevitable, but the action was not intended to suffer Nigerians but for their long term benefits.

The Minister emphasized that every successive government in Nigeria had hoped it would remove fuel subsidies.

Idris said, ”But only the President Tinubu’s led administration had the courage to do so alongside many other steps towards the betterment of the country.”

He added that the shocks, resulting from the fuel subsidy removal were cushioned by the implementation of wage award and the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses for subsidized transportation.

Idris, however, stated that the CNG buses, which were not yet found everywhere in the country, has made the Federal Government set aside over N100 billion in the first instance to ensure their availability across Nigeria.

The Minister assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to implement the outcome of the decision that would be brought out by the committee that inaugurated a new wage regime in the country.

Chibok Girls: Why CAN Is In Pains

Akinwale Kasali

April 14, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Ten years after the then unprecedented abduction of young girls from a Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram elements, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, is expressing its despair and disappointment that about 90 of the girls are still in the hands of their abductors.

The Association is angry that the girls, popularly known as Chibok Girls, all Christians, are not only suffering and traumatized in the custody of terrorists, but have been forced to convert to the Islamic religion.

It has, therefore, urged the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration not to rest on its oars in securing the release of the remaining Chibok Girls who have been in tlcaptivity of for 10 years.

CAN lamented the pain and anguish of the parents of the abducted girls and the disappearing hope of seeing their children again.

The religious body said that it was not only a matter of national importance, but also a test of commitment to upholding the rights and safety of Nigerian citizens.

A statement by CAN’s National Director for Education, Youth and Women Development, Rev. Ozumba Nicodemus in Abuja, the Association said the trauma experienced by the remaining abducted girls from is unimaginable.

“The pain and anguish felt by their parents, who have endured sleepless nights filled with hopelessness, are deeply felt by CAN.

“We cannot remain silent while their children remain in captivity, yearning for freedom and reunion with their families,” it said.

CAN urged government to intensify efforts and take decisive action to rescue the remaining children still held hostage.

“It is our duty as a nation to ensure their safe return, and to bring an end to the anguish and suffering endured by these innocent young girls and their families.

“We call on the government to mobilise all available resources, engage relevant security agencies, and collaborate with international partners to secure the release of the remaining Chibok girls,” It said.

The religious body also implored the international community, humanitarian organisations, and well-meaning individuals to join hands in advocating for the release of the Chibok girls.

“Together, we can amplify our voices and exert greater pressure on the abductors to bring an end to this prolonged ordeal.

“CAN remains resolute in its commitment to seeking justice and ensuring the safe return of the Chibok girls.

“We will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders and utilise all available avenues to shed light on their plight and secure their release.

“We urge all Nigerians to stand united, to lend their voices and to demand immediate action from the government.

“Let us show our unwavering support for the families of the Chibok girls and demonstrate our collective determination to bring them back home,” It added.

It would be recalled that the Girls were abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents during the Government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan prior to the 2015 Presidential Election.

A number of the girls have been married off to their abductors and forced into motherhood. 21 of the freed girls came back, according to reports, with 34 children.

Safe Schools Programme Seeks Collaboration With Local Hunters, Vigilantes

Ayodele Oni

April 14, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

National Coordinator of the Safe Schools Initiative for Financing, Mrs. Halima Iliya, has announced that there are plan to involve hunters and vigilantes in intelligence gathering to prevent attacks on schools nationwide.

The National Coordinator, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, stated that active community involvement and educational outreach to students, parents, and teachers will commence in the second quarter of the year.

“As a component of the plan, for states with local vigilantes, we intend to train their hunters, vigilantes, and volunteers while for states without registered vigilantes, we intend to advocate the use of youths.

“Youths will volunteer to protect their communities because we cannot achieve anything within a community without their involvement.

“We will bring them to the security architecture for them to defend and protect their communities in the areas of intelligence gathering, prevention, and detection deterrent capabilities.”

Iliya revealed plans to utilize the National Orientation Agency (NOA) platform due to its widespread presence across all local governments.

She mentioned utilizing them to connect with grassroots communities by creating training manuals that can be translated into local dialects for effective communication.

“We are done with the second phase of the implementation of the safe schools national plan where all security agencies involved have trained their personnel on safe schooling which has been streamed into their operations.

“We have also written to all states, including the FCT, to furnish us with information on the most at-risk schools in the three senatorial zones and one tertiary institution.

“We want States to take ownership then we tailor the intervention towards this as these are the ways to make a significant impact.”

Junior Pope: I’m Devastated, I Regret Choosing Asaba For the Movie Shoot, Cries Movie Producer, Adanma Luke

The Source

April 14, 2024

By Chidiebere Onyemaizu

Adanma Luke, the producer of the movie, “The Other Side of Life”, which featured Pope Obumneme Odonwodo popular as

Junior Pope who tragically lost his life in a boat mishap has said she regretted shooting the film in Asaba.

The distraught producer in a viral video said had she not only arrived late she was to be in the capsized boat which claimed the lives Juinor Pope and four other crew members when they were returning from a movie location on the River Niger.

Amid tears, Luke said: “On the 10th of April, we lost five of our members who were on their way to a location through boat and had an accident.

“I’ve been so traumatized. I’ve been so cold. this whole thing, it still feels like a dream to me.

“I’ve not been able to make any statements since, because we’ve been trying to recover the bodies. I’ve been providing fuel money to those looking for bodies, provided caskets, ambulance to make sure the bodies were conveyed to their villages and families.

“I’ve not been quiet; I’ve been doing things just so these people can rest. It’s so sad that this happened on my set.

“I blame myself that I would have been in Lagos, doing my thing in Lagos. I blame myself for coming down to Asaba.

“I was supposed to be on that boat; my production manager was calling me to bring the memory card so they could start filming, and I told him to come and collect it.

“He said, ‘Mama, you know this place is far; please just bring it for us.’

“I said, ‘Okay, why haven’t you people crossed?’ He said they were waiting for Junior Pope to arrive.

“On the 9th, they went there on their own, Junior Pope came on his own. He came alone.

“So, on this 10th, while I was getting ready to go drop the card with them, I was accompanied by my brother’s children, two kids that were supposed to go with me. We were supposed to be on that boat together.

“Getting there, I saw Emeka, my D.O.P. He was just sitting. I was surprised because I didn’t see others. I asked Emeka, ‘What is it?’ And people surrounded him, Emeka was quiet.

“I said, ‘Emeka, talk to me. What is the problem? Why haven’t you people gone? Where is Ogolo? Where is everybody? Has JP come?’ He was quiet.

“I started shouting, ‘What is happening? Somebody talk to me.’ Emeka now said, ‘JP don go, Abigail don go, Friday don go, Precious don go.’

“I still didn’t understand what he meant by that. ‘What do you mean, don go, don go where?’ He said, ‘dem dey inside water.’

“I said, let me go and look for them. They started telling me that I should not go. I said, ‘Let me be there. Let me be sure the divers are looking for them.’ They said there were over 50 divers in the water looking for them.

“My director was saying that he didn’t know what happened. He was on a life jacket. Emeka, the D.O.P. was on a life jacket. There was still one life jacket available, I don’t know who had it.

“But my PM said that day they saw life jackets there and took them. He even told the late Friday to send one to Junior Pope, but Junior Pope said it was dirty, so he didn’t take it.

“These people with the life jackets survived. They also told me that when they were in the water trying to survive, Junior Pope was also there, asking if everybody was okay. They even threw a gallon to him to hold himself, which he was holding, but all of a sudden, they didn’t see him again.

“It was when they came out that they noticed that he was no longer there because they said divers came and rescued some of them while other divers were still there trying to rescue others”.

Continuing, Luke said: “I still can’t believe this. These crew members were my family. They’ve been working with me. If I’m working in Lagos, they’ll come from Asaba to come and work with me.

“All through last year, we stayed together in Lagos. We were filming and working together.

“This is my first time working with JP. He’s my friend. The wife is my friend too.

“I talked to the wife sometime, and that was when she said, ‘Why aren’t you giving my husband work?’ JP said, ‘Ada, you be my friend, why you no dey give me work?

Middle East: US Pledges ‘Ironclad’ Support For Israel Amidst Iran Strike

James Orji

April 14, 2024

Iran launched explosive drones and fired missiles at Israel late on Saturday in its first direct attack on Israeli territory, a retaliatory strike that raised the threat of a wider regional conflict, as the U.S pledged “ironclad” backing for Israel.

Sirens wailed and Reuters journalists in Israel heard distant heavy thuds and bangs from what local media called aerial interceptions of explosive drones. Authorities said a 7-year-old girl was critically injured.

United States President Joe Biden, who spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said he would convene a meeting of leaders of the Group of Seven major economies on Sunday to coordinate a diplomatic response to what he called Iran’s brazen attack.

Six months into an Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza and amid growing risks of a greater regional war, Axios quoted a senior White House official as saying Biden also told Netanyahu the U.S. would oppose any Israeli counterattack against Iran.

The U.N. Security Council was set to meet at 4 p.m. ET (2000 GMT) on Sunday after Israel requested it condemn Iran’s attack and designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization, according to a schedule released late on Saturday.

Israel’s military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said Iran launched dozens of ground-to-ground missiles at Israel, most of them intercepted outside Israeli borders. They included more than 10 cruise missiles, he said.

The Iranian salvo of more than 200 drones and missiles caused light damage to one Israeli military facility, Hagari said.

The Israeli military later said it was not advising any residents to prepare to take shelter. This revision of an earlier alert appeared to signal the end of the threat.

Israel’s Channel 12 TV cited an unnamed Israeli official as saying there would be a “significant response” to the attack.

Iran had vowed retaliation for what it called an Israeli strike on its Damascus consulate on April 1 that killed seven officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two senior commanders. Tehran said its strike was punishment for “Israeli crimes”. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the consulate attack.

“Should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe,” the Iranian mission to the United Nations said, warning the U.S. to “stay away”. However, it also said Iran now “deemed the matter concluded”.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said America did not seek conflict with Iran but would not hesitate to act to protect U.S. forces and support defence of Israel.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Iran’s attack, saying he was “deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation.”

Russian Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said on the Telegram social media app that in addition to a letter from Israel, the Security Council had received one from Iran asserting its attack was within the U.N. Charter framework governing the right to self-defence.

“The latter warns that if Israel responds, Iran will respond in a more powerful and decisive manner,” Polyanskiy said.

Biden, who on Friday had warned Iran against an attack, cut short a weekend visit to his home state of Delaware and returned to Washington to meet with his national security advisers, including his secretaries of defence and state, in the White House Situation Room. He pledged to stand with Israel.

“Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad,” Biden said on X after the meeting.

The war in Gaza, which Israel invaded after an attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, has ratcheted up tensions in the region, spreading to fronts with Lebanon and Syria and drawing long-range fire at Israeli targets from as far away as Yemen and Iraq.

Drones were also reportedly launched against Israel by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group, British maritime security company Ambrey said in a statement.

Those clashes now threaten to morph into a direct open conflict pitting Iran and its regional allies against Israel and its main supporter, the United States. Regional power Egypt urged “utmost restraint”.

While Israel and Iran have been bitter foes for decades, their feud has mostly unfolded via proxies or by targeting each other’s forces operating in third countries.

U.S. and British warplanes were involved in shooting down some Israel-bound drones over the Iraq-Syria border area, Israel’s Channel 12 reported. The U.S. military knocked down dozens of drones and missiles bound for Israel, three U.S. officials said.

Biden said he had directed the U.S. military to move aircraft and ballistic missile defence destroyers to the region over the course of the past week.

“Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our servicemembers, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,” he said.

ESCALATION

Netanyahu convened Israel’s war cabinet at a military headquarters in Tel Aviv, his office said.

Israel and Lebanon said they were closing their airspace on Saturday night. Jordan, which lies between Iran and Israel, had readied air defences to intercept any drone or missile that violated its territory, two regional security sources said.

Residents in several Jordanian cities said they heard heavy aerial activity.

Syria, an ally of Iran, said it was putting its ground-to-air defence systems around the capital and major bases on high alert, army sources there said.

The European Union, Britain, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Mexico, the Netherlands and Norway condemned Iran’s attack.

Biden’s Republican rival in November’s presidential election, Donald Trump, briefly referred to the airstrikes at a rally in Pennsylvania, criticizing his Democratic rival.

“They’re under attack right now,” Trump said. “That’s because we show great weakness. This would not happen, the weakness that we’ve shown, it’s unbelievable, and it would not have happened if we were in office.”

Israel had been bracing for an Iranian response to the Damascus consulate strike since last week, when Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel “must be punished and shall be” for an operation he called equivalent to one on Iranian soil.

Iran’s main ally in the region, the Lebanese Shi’ite group Hezbollah that has been exchanging fire with Israel since the Gaza war began, said early on Sunday it had fired rockets at an Israeli base.

Reuters

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