₦airaland Forum

The Pentagon has said that 34 US troops were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) following an Iranian attack on their base in Iraq.

Seventeen troops are still under medical observation, a spokesman said.

President Donald Trump had said no Americans were injured in the 8 January strike, which came in retaliation for the US killing of an Iranian general.

Mr Trump had cited the supposed lack of injuries in his decision not to strike back against Iran.

But last week, the Pentagon said 11 service members had been treated for concussion symptoms from the attack.

Asked about the apparent discrepancy this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Mr Trump said: "I heard that they had headaches, and a couple of other things, but I would say, and I can report, it's not very serious."

"I don't consider them very serious injuries relative to other injuries I have seen," he said when asked about possible TBIs.

The Pentagon has said no Americans were killed in the Iranian missile strike on the Ain al-Asad base, with most sheltering in bunkers as missiles rained down.

On Friday, Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman told reporters that eight of the affected soldiers have been sent back to the US for further treatment, while another nine are being treated in Germany.

Sixteen troops were treated in Iraq and one in Kuwait before all 17 were returned to active duty, officials say.

Mr Hoffman added that the US Defence Secretary Mark Esper was not immediately aware of the injuries in the days after the attack.

Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America, a non-profit organisation, slammed the Trump administration for taking so long to reveal the extent of casualties.

"This is a big deal," its founder Paul Rieckhoff tweeted. "The American people must be able to trust the government to share information about our sons and daughters in harms way. Nothing is more serious and sacred."

TBIs are common in warzones, according to the US military.

The most common cause of a TBI for deployed soldiers is an explosive blast, writes the US Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center.

They are classified as mild, moderate, severe or penetrating. A mild TBI is also known as a concussion, and can be caused by a blast's "atmospheric over-pressure followed by under-pressure or vacuum".

The air vacuum is capable of penetrating solid objects, making it possible for soldiers to avoid blunt force trauma but still receive an invisible brain injury.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51243888

jahsharon:
You better stay in your house and eat Anambra, Ogun, Kogi or Taraba rice with local fowl. Don't let security agents use you for shooting practice.

We're ready to pay the ultimate price for the freedom of all.
In fact, no dictator will be able to suppress the will of a determined people.
We're irrevocably committed to delivering Nigeria from from the shackles of retrogression and dictatorship.

helinues:
Go ahead

We will be hailing you on social media..

Join us to demand for a better Nigeria. This is not the Nigeria our founding fathers fought for...........we can change the narrative by working in tandem for this very purpose.
God bless Nigeria!

lebienconnu:
Boya lomo.
Sowore now has a certificate diploma in Sense. He is a changed man. Maybe you too need to go for course.

If he tries it again Baba will send him for a first degree. Mind you Sense is a science course oo. That is 5 years.

Despite this cowardly display, we will keep fighting for you and all Nigerians till freedom and good governance is guaranteed for everyone.

helinues:
You guys should not start that nonsense again.. You had the opportunity to do your revolution through ballots but lost woefully.

We had peace while Yele was in, please let us continue having the peace now that he is out.

We ain't cowards!
We can't succumb to impunity and ridiculous abuse of fundamental human rights. We're in a democracy, freedom of speech and expression is not negotiable.
Our dear country SHALL be free from the grips of tyrants and wayward leaders.

sammyj:
This release is one step to freedom from the selfish hands of the Buhari cabals. Nigeria must get their freedom from bad government and cabal!!!

Nigeria surely shall be free!
Brazen impunity, intimidation and persecution won't deter us from fighting for a better country for all.

The released of Omoyele Sowore today by the federal government has proven once again that democracy and rule of law has come to stay in our dear country despite the dictatorial tendencies of the self-serving Buhari led regime.

The court has also shown that it remains the last hope of the common man in this era of impunity and tyranny.

Now that our hero of democracy has been freed from detention once again, the struggle for the redemption of our country will continue tomorrow. It is a struggle of no retreat, no surrender.

The man Sowore will continue to fight for justice, equity, rule of law, accountability and a better life for the Nigeria people irrespective of the intimidation and threats to re-arrest him for the second time.

Like Czesław Miłosz said: In a room where people unanimously maintain a conspiracy of silence, one word of truth sounds like a pistol shot.

Sowore won't be cowed or silenced, he will continue to speak truth to power, he will continue to protest for good governance and accountability until the needed change is effected. Sometimes a committed and unrelenting minority can be enough to bring a radical and a revolutionary change to a system.

Despite the obvious persecutions and brazen intimidation and dictatorial attempts to force him to keep silence, he remains undaunted and unperturbed.

Like Nelson Mandela, Sowore is walking the long walk to freedom of the Nigerian people from incompetent leaders, with utmost courage and commitment. This is not a personal fight but a fight for the freedom of the entire country from the shackles of bad leadership and dictatorship.

In a country were politicians who steal billions from our common wealth are protected and even labelled messiahs; men like Sowore who are truly opposite of all these politicians must be encouraged, reverred and celebrated. We have only one country we can call our own, the task to make it work is a duty for all.

Sowore should be seen and celebrated as a true Nigerian hero of democracy, he has sacrificed all for this country. He fought against the annulment of June 12 presidential election, he fought against the brutal and tyrannical regime of the dreaded General Abacha, he fought gallantly against the cabals when the late president Umaru Musa Yar'adua was bedridden in Saudi Arabia. His efforts led to the confirmation of the then vice president Good luck Jonathan as acting president of our country. He also fought against Mr Jonathan when it became clear he was clueless and his government was condoning mind-boggling corruption cases in top government institutions. This resulted in the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 as the president of our dear country.

But since Buhari's administration has shown the same lackadaisical and lethargic attitude for which Good luck Jonathan was voted out of office, Sowore and other patriotic citizens of our great country won't keep quiet. They will continue to fight Buhari till good governance and visible development is manifested in every nook and cranny of Nigeria. Unlike many Nigerians who are hypocrites and lily-livered; Sowore will never support what is bad, he won't succumb to impunity, tyranny and dictatorship, he will keep standing boldly for what is right!
People like Sowore who are both heroes and patriots are not common. In a nation were selfish and egocentric leaders have continued to amass wealth to themselves, the emergence of Sowore as icon of revolution is a glimmer of hope that there are still altruistic leaders that can bring the needed development in our dear country.

He is a man of truth, a man of justice, a man of equality, a man of equity, a man of courage and a man of the people. He has shown what it means to be a leader, he led the revolutionnow protest even when he knew his freedom was at risk because to him the battle to save and salvage this country is worth the sacrifice.

Despite the false accusations, criticism and ridicule from fair weather politicians and pawns of this current administration who are benefiting from the status quo.........the man Sowore will remained steadfast and undaunted to his calling.

He will continue to fight till Nigeria gets rid of incompetent and self-serving leaders forever.

Vanhooijdonk:
How was he able to acquire a billion naira car collection and billion naira house in Abuja after his foray into politics clown

Dino had many business interests prior to his foray into politics.
As a matter of fact, he is one of the best entrepreneurs in this country. Please google it!

Vanhooijdonk:
STFU asslicker he is no different from the other fantastically corrupt politicians that turned overnight billionaires and ran the country to the ground

I'm neither an asslicker nor a blind supporter. Just like Dino, I'm a proponent of accountability, good leadership, justice, equality and peace.
A good Nigeria is what Dino and other Nigerians like me is fighting for.
Celebrating such men is to encourage them to do more!

MelesZenawi:
He stood for your Justice and accountability to ours not mine.

He has looted and stolen more than we may Imagine.


Dino fought for his own pocket not for anybody.

I see as foolishness or myopism when someone will say a Nigerian politician stood for them.


They only stand for what will favour them and give them favour even when it is known they are not doing anything.


Oga Melaye is a thief like others.

We must learn how to celebrate the few exemplary leaders we have. without mincing words, Dino Melaye is one of those few leaders!

Vanhooijdonk:
Why is his constituency a massive shithole?What impact did he have.It is not by making noise up and down and rubbing in their faces his multi billion naira car collection you acquired after you got into politics

For the records, Dino Melaye has more constituency projects than any senator in this 9th assembly. Please google it!

Vanhooijdonk:
$582 billion dollars has been looted by Nigeria’s fantastically corrupt politicians.Are you not aware corruption is legal in the country.

If Dino was corrupt like you alleged........ being an ardent critic of this tyrannical regime would have exposed all his atrocities.
The only sin Dino committed was standing for truth and justice.

I still stand by my earlier statement...... DINO is a HERO!

Vanhooijdonk:
Dino Melaye was a pretentious clown-whose main goal was to acquire a multi billion naira car collection.Go to his constituency,it is one massive shithole.Money meant to develop his community was spent on buying Rolls Royce,Lamborghini,Ferrari,Bentley,G class etc

Dino Melaye was the best senator in the 8th assembly. The evidence is there bro. Please google it!

MelesZenawi:
If a thief is your mentor then you deserve no place in history of mankind.

A looter, a known thief who uses sentiments to gain undue relevance is your hero then we are sorry for you.


Dino is the same as others, no difference.

No court of law in our country has indicted Dino for looting or stealing public funds like you stated above.

Dino fought for justice and accountability at the detriment of his political survival. Yet, you do not see such person as a hero

ogawisdom:
A drama hero indeed

His drama in the political space will be missed indeed

Pre mature politician that lacks common sense

Good bye, welcome to the street

Dino Melaye was arguably the best senator in the 8th assembly. Facts don't lie!

RentedReality:
Nice one CliffDike

I lost count after the 20th mention of HERO, at this point I'm thinking - YOU are the HERO

For dedicating selfless energy to edify a politician

Ride on HERO!

Respect must be given to whom it's due!
He fought a good fight of justice and equity.

Though he lost re-election, posterity will remember him as one of the best senators we ever elected!

It's no longer news that the Nigerian Senate has lost its finest and smartest senator to the evil hands of rigging, intimidation, violence, manipulations and all forms of shamefully perfected electoral malpractices.


Despite all the attempts to shame and ridicule Dino Melaye, including this successful grand plan to truncate his return to the red chamber; he remains a hero and a true face of our nascent democracy.


Dino Melaye is a man of many heroic feats. He stood unwavering for the poor and the helpless in our dear country, he stood solely on the part of justice and equity, he stood firmly against impunity, tyranny and executive rascality.

He displayed uncommon courage, uncommon patriotism, uncommon altruism and uncommon passion for development of our country.

In the face of obvious risks and macabre threats to his life, he refused to succumb to the evil wish of his antagonizers. Like other world heroes, he fought with utmost courage till his voice was heard loud and clear.


Congratulations Mr Dino! Many of your colleagues won elections but lost their integrity. You lost but your integrity has remained intact. Good name is better than riches (winning election by manipulation)

You fought like a lion and lost gallantly like Elephant, with fulfilment and utmost pride.


Senator Dino, posterity,truly will remember you for the enviable role you played in subjecting the executive to accountability and constitutional scrutiny.

You fought tirelessly for the masses even when it was not convenient. You stood firmly for the yearnings of the majority against the wish of the parasitic minority.


Oga Dino, you're my HERO!


A hero of democracy, a hero of integrity, a hero for upholding rule of law, a hero for uncommon services to your people, a hero for unalloyed patriotism and most importantly a hero for exemplary leadership.

You've shown and demonstrated that a senator can be as relevant as a governor. You worked tirelessly for our dear country, we thank you immensely for your service and sacrifice.


I hope other senators will take a leap from your enviable records to bring more development to our dear country.

As you continue to impact lives in another capacity, within and outside Nigeria, I wish you God's divine protection and provision.
Cheer up and remain courageous!
Man is not God!

A bigger and better leadership position awaits you in no distant time.

You remain my hero Dino!

Rip to the dead!

A lot can be done to minimise these avoidable deaths.

E

To say that democracy is dead and buried in Nigeria is to even sugarcoat the pitifully worrisome situation of our dear country.

Without mincing words, Nigeria has finally gone to the dogs!

The ridiculously mindless, brazenly manipulative and blatantly subversive agenda of the APC has finally rendered a ones giant of Africa unworkable and sadly irredeemable.

Truly there WAS a country!

Sad!!!!!!!

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap!

I remain courageously resolute and happily undaunted......... Atiku is coming!
The enemy of State will plan, they will do all manner of evil to retain their stolen mandate but at the end Atiku will come and Nigeria will be FREE!

This is what you get when the head is rotten.
Nigeria is now like Zimbabwe and Uganda were security agents have continued to kill and maim hapless citizens.
Nigeria military is gradually becoming a model for weakness, extortion, victimization and all forms of inhumane conducts.

Nigeria SHALL be great someday!!

As usual, another conduit to embezzle our common wealth!

The level of padding and malfeasance in this government is just mind-boggling!

Buhari is sadly clueless and optimally the father of brazen corruption!

Jonathan, his kinsmen and cronies have no electoral value in Bayelsa.

Any defection with no direct link to Dickson is grossly inconsequential.

APC will be shamelessly and gruesomely defeated in Bayelsa!
please mark my word!

Good

Two frenetically insane adults with utterly bankrupt sense of decency!



Disgusting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't care about gender.
Factual and verifiable performance is all we want.
The likes of Stella Odua, Diezani Madueke, Patricia Etteh have proven beyond doubt women in politics are as corrupt as their male counterparts.
Therefore Celebrating their appointment is profoundly misplaced and convincingly nonsensical.

Jonathan, his kinsmen and cronies have no electoral value in Bayelsa.

Any defection with no direct link to Dickson is grossly inconsequential.

APC will be shamelessly and gruesomely defeated in Bayelsa!
please mark my word!

Beckysexy:
Stop typing trash.
While you're busy hating she keeps earning.

It's absolutely normal to support your own!

Internet fraud is not the way out.
You can't reap where you've not sowed.
Legit is the way, legit guarantee peace of mind.
Go legit guys!!!!!

A brutally proud prostitute becoming an ambassador of a moribund company is not supposed to be news.