By Sumaila Ogbaje

Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Tukur Buratai, says the victory of President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Elections Petition Court has reinforced triumph of democracy.

Buratai, who is also a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin,  said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

According to him,  Wednesday’s verdict of the court validating the election victory of Tinubu not only upholds the principles of justice and fairness but also reinforces the triumph of democracy.

He congratulated the President on the victory  and called on all Nigerians to actively engage in the democratic process, adding that each citizen must embrace their civic duty and contribute to the betterment of our nation.

“Together, we can build a stronger society where the voice of every individual is heard and respected.

“Let us all unite under the banner of democracy and strive towards a brighter future for our nation.

“While political affiliations often divide individuals into different parties, it is crucial to recognise that once elected, there can only be one president at a time.

“It is, therefore,  essential for all citizens, regardless of their party affiliations, to unite and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Buratai said.

He said that by setting aside our differences and working together towards a common goal, we can foster a sense of unity and ensure the effective functioning government.

“It is through this collective effort that we can maximise the potentials for positive change and encourage the development of policies that benefit the entire nation.

“It is essential for us to acknowledge that, despite our varying political affiliations, we all share a common objective – the advancement of our nation,” he said.

The former army chief said that success of any political party hinged on its ability to serve the interests of the people, uphold democratic principles and promote unity.

He urged all Nigerians to concentrate on matters of utmost importance and engage in productive discussions that would bring about positive transformation.

He  said that every segment of the society played a crucial role in the peace, development, security, and progress of the country, adding that states and local government administrations were particularly essential in this endeavour.

He explained that states and local governments, being the closest level of government to the people, bore the responsibility of effectively providing essential services, maintaining law and order, and promoting economic growth within their respective jurisdictions.

According to him, by working in tandem with the Federal Government, states and local governments can address the unique needs and concerns of their communities, fostering a sense of inclusivity and empowerment.

“Their involvement in policy-making and implementation allows for a more comprehensive approach to national development, ensuring that every citizen can benefit from the advancements and opportunities that arise.

“Therefore, the states and local government administrations must  carry out their responsibilities efficiently as they form the backbone of our nation’s progress and prosperity,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

Kadiri Abdulrahman/Chioma Ugboma

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Police Command in FCT  has arrested  Bunmi Samuel, mother of two, her boyfriend and 12 others over alleged various crimes including kidnapping, armed robbery and burglary in the territory.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Haruna Garba, who paraded the suspects at the command headquarters on Thursday in Abuja, said the suspects were arrested at different locations in the territory.

Garba said that various assorted weapons, vehicles, laptops, phones, musical instruments among others were recovered from the suspects.

According to him, 36 years old Bunmi Samuel was arrested along with his boyfriend who specialised in snatching GSM Phones from innocent commuters.

“After snatching phones, he removes the SIM cards and sells the phone then hands over the SIM cards to his girlfriend one Bunmi Samuel.

“The girlfriend on her part makes withdrawals of all monies from the accounts that are linked to the SIM cards.

“The police operatives have so far recovered 76 SIM cards, two Opay ATM cards and a golden wrist watch from the suspects,” he said.

He said that the police operatives in collaboration  with the vigilante also arrested five suspects namely, Bernard Francis, Felix Benjami, Peter Benjamin, Helen Sylvester, and Hamza Haruna over alleged involvement in kidnapping of a minor.

According to him, police also arrested  26 years old Kennedy Esezobor of Tudun Wada village, Lugbe, FCT a notorious criminal and cultist with one fabricated single barrel gun and locally fabricated AK-47 rifle

He said  the operatives of the Anti-kidnapping unit of the Command acting on actionable intelligence stormed Kabin Mongoro Forest and arrested one Mohammed Hamza while on his way to bandits camp bordering Nasarawa State.

“The suspect confessed to being an informant, a drug and food supplier to one Dogo,” he said.

According to him, the  command in a swift operation has between Aug.30 and Aug. 31, impounded six vehicles bearing both foreign and local plate numbers or with foreign number plates at the back and Nigeria number plate in front of the vehicle.

“The modus operandi of these drivers is that they use the vehicle to convey unsuspecting passengers and midway to their destination, they dispossessed of their handsets and other valuables.

“The moment they carry out this criminal act and to avoid being traced or linked to the crime, they quickly remove the Nigeria Plate number,” he said.

He said that police also arrested 38 years old Mustapha Kyari, who specilaised in vandalising manholes in the city

He was subsequently arrested and three manholes recovered from him. He, however, confessed to the crime and that of his accomplice by name Abba.

“The police operatives while on a routine stop and search duty at Secretariat junction, Gwagwalada, intercepted a motorcycle with a passenger later identified as one Japheth Nuhu ‘m’ of behind Brown Berry estate phase 3 Gwagwalada.

“The said Japheth jumped down and took to his heels on sighting the Police but was given a hot chase.

“He was subsequently arrested and a berretta pistol with four rounds of 9mm live ammunition was recovered from him,” he said.

According to him, it is being suspected that the suspect and his accomplice at large are behind the robbery activities in Gwagwalada and its environs.

The CP said that the operatives of Anti-violence crime section of the SCID also arrested one Musa Matins suspected to be an armed robber at Durumi Area.

“In the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to having been involved in snatching and stealing of cars in and around the FCT.

“So far he has led the Police to the recovery of two Toyota Camry vehicles with registration number MAG-149 AR (Borno) and RBC-445 AS (Abuja).

“Effort is currently ongoing to trace the rightful owners of the recovered vehicles,” he said.

Garba said that  a Toyota Camry 2018 model with reg no: KRD411HT (Lagos state) stolen from Port Harcourt on Sept. 3 was also recovered on Wednesday

“In a similar development, the operatives of anti-violence crime, while on patrol, arrested the duo of Gabriel Oliver and Emmanuel Ishaku.

“In the course of investigation, they confessed that they carried out attacks in a Redeemed Christian Church of God Bethel Centre, Galadimawa, Abuja and carted away several high definition electronic gadgets properties of the Church.

“The suspect led the police operatives to Bauchi and Plateau  respectively,  where the items were recovered. Effort is being made to arrest the co-accomplice who are on the run,” he said.

He said that the suspects would be charged to Court at the conclusion of investigation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

====

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu says the forthcoming Chief of Army Staff  Conference will evaluate the conduct of all ongoing operations in the country.

Nwachukwu said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja that it would also appraise trainings and other activities of the army.

Nwachukwu said the second and third COAS conference slated to hold from Sept. 11 to Sept. 15. would also enable the Army to make projections for the fourth quarter.

He particularly said it would serve as an avenue to appraise ongoing counter-terrorism counter-insurgency operations in the North East and North West, as well as other operational engagements nationwide.

Nwachukwu said the participants would have the privilege of gaining insight into the Command Philosophy of the COAS, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and his agenda for the Nigerian army.

According to him, participants would equally be sensitised on the critical drivers of the COAS’ command philosophy, for effective implementation.

“The conference would as well feature presentation of briefs on training, operations, administration, logistics and other Nigerian Army activities, as captured in its 2023 Forecast of Events.

“During the conference, far-reaching decisions that would give impetus to the objectives of the service will be taken into consideration.

“Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, corps, formations, operations commanders, commandants of army schools, and tri-service institutions, as well as select officers holding key appointments are expected to participate in the conference,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Sept. 7, 2023 (NAN) The Nigerian Army has pledged to escalate partnership with the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB) and Defence Space Administration (DSA) to enhance its operations.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja made the pledge when he met separately with the Director-General of DRDB, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Ndagi and the Chief of DSA, AVM Abdullahi Shinkafi on Thursday in Abuja.

Lagbaja, in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, particularly said that the partnership with DSA would ensure that the Army maintains formidable presence in the cyber space.

The COAS appreciated the DSA’s space and cyber support to the army and other services, saying that space and cyber domains were significant in modern warfare.

According to him, it is paramount for the army to develop the requisite competencies to defend itself against any cyber threat and attack.

He therefore assured the DSA of continuous collaboration, adding that DSA products would be extended to all formations and units to enhance the conduct of land operations.

The COAS also acknowledged the enormous work being done by the defence bureau in coordinating research and development efforts of the Nigerian military.

He said the army would tap the research outcomes of the bureau in countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IED),  to save the lives of personnel and civilians, as well as military equipments.

Lagbaja said that enhancing operational efficiency of troops was crucial to meeting the constitutional responsibilities of the army of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

He said that the partnership would provide the requisite platforms for the army to leverage cutting-edge technologies, strategies and practices to enhance its operations.

In his remarks, Ndagi said the visit was aimed at strengthening the collaboration between the bureau and the army.

He said that the mandate of the bureau was to coordinate research and development activities of the armed forces, with emphasis on developing indigenous technological capacity for the military.

On his part, AVM Shinkafi commended the army for its support to the DSA in the areas of infrastructure and cyber warfare. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison (AHQ Gar), Maj.-Gen Koko Isoni, on Thursday inaugurated a General Court Martial to try 14 officers and nine soldiers alleged to have breached different provisions of the Armed Forces Act.

The court martial was convened at the Scorpion Officer’ Mess, Asokoro Abuja, pursuant to the powers conferred on him by Section 131 (2) (d) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 LFN, 2004 for the trial of Nigerian Army personnel alleged to have committed different offences.

The Garrison Commander in his inaugural speech assured the accused persons that justice would be done to all parties concerned by members of the court.

Isoni said that members of the court are men of integrity and high standing character who would bring to bear, their years of experience and service knowledge.

He named the Court President as Brig.-Gen. MO Eteng; while the udge Advocate is Maj. AD Roberts, adding that the duration of the sitting is 60 days

He urged them to eschew technicalities and do substantial justice to all.

He also advised all those appearing before the court to shun unnecessary delays that could prolong their trials, saying that justice delayed is not only justice denied, but not justice at all.

The commander said that the court is independent of his and challenged the court to carry out its responsibilities without fear or favour to anyone. (NAN) (www.nanews.ng).

By Deborah Coker

The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, has urged Nigerians to continue to pray for an end to the security challenges in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Badaru made the call on Thursday in Abuja, when he received a delegation from Jigawa, led by the state Governor, Malam Umar Namadi.

He said that with the complexities of the security challenges and other aspects of national development, “one could only but ask for prayers to succeed”.

The defence minister, however, said that though the task before them was enormous, they were determined to surmount the challenges.

Badaru therefore canvassed for the support of all Nigerians, including their prayers, in order to entrench peace and stability in the country.

Earlier, the Jigawa governor who led traditional rulers, religious leaders, the business community and public office holders from the state, said that the visit was to congratulate the minister and assure him of their support at all times.

“It is not only to say congratulations, but also to pray for you. We know how you succeed as the governor of our state, we also pray for you to achieve same or even more in this new task as the Minister of Defence.”

Namadi reminded the minister that Nigerians have high expectations that he would priotise and deal with insecurity in the country, adding “once you can do this, it covers every aspect of the nation”.

“We are lucky that we are peaceful in Jigawa, but that does not mean that we don’t need your assistance, we also need your assistance as you help other states.” Namadi added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

============
Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Patricia Amogu

A rights group, Save Nigeria Movement (SNM) has challenged the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to prove its non-involvement in the security infractions being experienced in the South East zone.

SNM’s challenge is contained in a statement on Wednesday by its Convener, Rev. Solomon Semaka.

Semaka advised IPOB to prove its innocence rather than continually accuse SNM of being a stooge of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IPOB had in a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, accused the movement of siding with the Federal Government and argued that the only way to end insecurity in the region is through the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu.

IPOB reacted to a letter SNM wrote to the Speaker House of Representatives, urging him to caution Hon. Obinna Aguocha, House Ad-hoc Committee Chairman on Insecurity in Abia over his unpatriotic calls for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu.

It argued that it amounted to interference with court processes and went contrary to the position of the House.

SNM described as contradictory statements made by one Emma Powerful where he accused the Federal Government of sponsoring insecurity in the South-East zone and saying that the only solution to insecurity in the region is the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

The statement read in parts: “It Is unfortunate that IPOB thinks Nigerians are fools.

“How can they say the federal government is sponsoring insecurity in the Southeast and that the release of Nnamdi Kanu is the only solution to insecurity?

“Was it the federal that started the recruitment and brainwashing of vulnerable youths in the so-called Eastern Security Network (ESN)?

“Is it the federal government that initiated the primitive and retrogressive sit-at-home order that has brought down the businesses and livelihood of the people of the region?

“Or should we believe IPOB that it is the federal government that goes about burning down houses of traditional rulers in the region?

“The blood of the innocent Ndigbo and other Nigerians is on the terrorist organization and they must come to equity with clean hands.

“Our position remains the same: Nnamdi Kanu should remain in custody while far-reaching consultations, investigations, and ongoing campaigns until a sustainable solution is found that will restore the peace and tranquillity of the region.

“This is our position and that of average well-meaning easterners.”

The movement advised IPOB and other stakeholders to shun violence and come to terms with the reality of the prosecution of its leader rather than continue to threaten Nigerians and blackmail the Federal Government with more violence with the expectation that Kanu would be released for peace to reign in the region.

The CSO observed that, in describing Hon. Obinna Aguocha as a stakeholder who knows the situation in the Southeast, IPOB has shown that they only listen to stakeholders whose utterances embolden them to unleash mayhem on the region and not those who call for calm and constructive engagement.

The movement said, “If IPOB is sincere in ending the needless insecurity in the South-East region, it should embrace peace and end all forms of hostilities.

“All that concerns us is for peace to return to the South East region and nothing more.’’ (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

=======

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

By Ibironke Ariyo
The Acting Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Caroline Adepoju, has commended the Bwari Area Council for donating three hectares of land to its FCT Command.

The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Dr Adedotun Aridegbe, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Adepoju gave the commendation when the Council Chairman, Hon. John Gabaya, led a  delegation to present the deed of title to the Ag. CGI, at the Service Headquarters in Abuja.

She stressed that the gesture was timely, as it supported her vision in providing welfare incentives.

This, she said, included housing units that would alleviate accommodation challenges faced by officers and men of the service.

Speaking earlier the Council Chairman said the gesture was part of the council Corporate Social Responsibility to the service.

Gabaya said that the land allocation was to assist officers and men of the service in their quest to have better accommodation.

Present at the event were the Assistant Comptroller General in charge of Human Resource Management Directorate, Usman Babanginda.

Also, Comptroller Tony Akuneme of the FCT Command, as well as Deputy Comptroller of Immigration  Aridegbe, the Service Public Relations Officer. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

======

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola