By Sumaila Ogbaje

Nigeria Peace Advocates (NPA), a non-partisan group, says the intensity of military onslaught against bandits and insurgents in the North East and North West is making them to become desperate.

This is contained in a statement by the Secretary of the group, Mr Bernard Udu, on Sunday in Abuja.

Udu called on Nigerians to continue to support and pray for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

According to him, the military under the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, had demonstrated capacity to defend the country against the enemies of peace.

He said bandits and terrorists in the two geo political zones were already feeling the heat of intensified military operations across the country, hence their desperation.

He described the  recent death of some troops who paid the supreme price while responding to terrorists’ attacks in Niger as very painful, adding that the military had demonstrated unwavering commitment to duty.

“No matter the level of their desperation, Nigerians are solidly behind the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the leadership of Gen. Musa.

“We must stand behind our troops who continue to make sacrifices for the peace and stability of our country. We must not give in to those whose actions are inimical to peace and development.

“NPA, once more send our heartfelt condolences to the CDS, the AFN and families of the deceased personnel.

“Nigerians are behind you and we stand in hope that very soon, there will be light at the end of the tunnel,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Isaac Aregbesola

By Aminu Garko

The Police Command in Kano on Saturday said it confiscated 820 cartons of suspected fake and expired drugs at Malam Kato Market in Fage Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, in Kano, the drugs were recovered from two warehouses at the market.

He listed the drugs to include 514 cartons of eemistxmin/emstifer syrup, 219 cartons of 5mg Lisinopril tablets, 7 cartons of 5mg amlodipine tablets, 87 cartons of 50mg atenol and 40 cartons, 3 cartons of Frusemide injection.

Kiyawa said the drugs were evacuated and handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) by a team of detectives deployed to the scene by the state Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel.

He charged residents to always report suspicious persons and items to the police for prompt action.( NAN) ( www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nabilu Balarabe/Julius Toba-Jegede

Terrorists

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has vowed that the military would hunt down and bring to justice, all terrorists, bandits and enemies of the state.

Musa said this on Friday in Abuja, at the burial of military personnel who died recently in combat and air crash in Niger.

He said that the military would not be watching and allowed the enemies of state continued to destroy lives and properties.

The CDS assured the terrorists that the military would go after them and avenge the death of its personnel that were killed while defending the nation.

The defence chief said the day that military buried personnel was one of the most difficult days in every commander’s mind, adding that he felt highly pained to bury his officers and soldiers.

“But I want to assure the families that their death is not in vain. We appreciate them, we pray for them and we will ensure that those that did this must pay for it.

“I use this opportunity to call all commanders, all troops all over Nigeria, that we must avenge this.

“Those that did this and those that have continued to kill our men wherever they are, we will get them out,” he said.

He vowed that the military would smoke them out and ensure that they never had opportunity to kill any other person.

“Today we gather here with heavy hearts and tearful eyes to bid farewell to our fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our nation.

“We stand there today to honor their courage, dedication and unwavering commitment to duty.

“Their lives were abruptly taken from us in the line of duty while responding to a distress call in the Chukuba community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger,” he said.

Musa said the event was to also celebrate their lives and extra extraordinary contributions they had made, adding that their selflessness and unwavering dedication to duty would forever be remembered.

He assured the deceased families that the military would stand with them in their grief and would continue to support them during this difficult time.

“These men and women laid down their lives so that we can live in peace and security. They fought on the front lines against the forces of evil and ensuring that the flavor of hood and liberty continue to bend right in our nation.

“Their courage and dedication will forever be an inspiration to all to follow their footsteps.

“To the families who have lost loved ones not withstanding our deepest condolences, we cannot begin to fathom the pain and sorrow that you are experiencing but know that deep in your heart, you are not alone in your grief.

“To our following heroes, we will honor your memories by continuing to fight against those who seek to undermine our peace and security.

“We will remain steadfast in our resolve to be the nation worthy of sacrifice.

“To the bandits, terrorists, and perpetrators of violence, we will haunt you down, we will bring you to justice and will restore peace and security to every corner of our nation,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 20 bodies of the deceased personnel were buried amidst tears at the National Military Cemetery in line with military tradition.

NAN recalls that three officers and 22 soldiers were killed in an ambush in Zungeru general area of the state while seven were wounded in action.

The NAF helicopter was on a mission to evacuate the deceased and wounded troops when it crashed at Chukuba area of Shiroro Local Government Area of the state on Aug. 13.

The crashed helicopter was conveying 14 bodies of the previously killed soldiers and seven wounded ones, two pilots and two crew members. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested no fewer than 40 suspected illegal coal miners in Enugu, the Commandant, Mr Muhammed Dada said.

Addressing newsmen on Friday in Enugu, Dada said that during the operation items recovered included pumping machines, diggers, head-pans, shovels, and four Hanvan G7 trucks without registration numbers.

Others are a Toyota Hilux van with registration number MUS 513 HU, two heavy-duty batteries, a substantial amount of coal, and a motorcycle.

Dada said that the operation took place on Thursday, Aug. 24, at the base of Ugwuonyeama hill in Enugu.

The commandant described the act as a serious economic sabotage, adding that the arrest underlined NSCDC’s role as the lead agency entrusted with safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure.

“The NSCDC’s intelligence team, acting on a tip-off, conducted a successful raid leading to the arrest of the 40 suspects involved in illegal coal mining at Ugwuonyeama,” he said.

Dada said that NSCDC would thoroughly investigate the matter and “ensure that those responsible for these activities face the consequences of their actions”.

He also warned individuals engaging in illegal mining activities in the state to stop immediately.

The commandant reiterated NSCDC’s resolve to collaborate with law-abiding citizens, urging residents to support government efforts in curbing these illegal activities by providing information that could aid in ending them.

“Those with valid clearance and legitimate mining operation licenses will be treated in accordance with the law.

“The NSCDC remains resolute in its actions, which underline it commitment to safeguarding the nation’s resources and preserving the integrity of its critical assets,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni

By David Adeoye

The Committee of Retired Inspectors-General of Police has advocated 65 years as retirement age and 40 years as tenure of service for Police personnel.

This is part of resolutions of the former I-Gs at the end of their two-day retreat, held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The resolutions are in the retreat’s seven-point communique issued on Thursday in Ibadan by retired I-G Solomon Arase, who is Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat had the theme “Intervention of former I-Gs for strategic contribution to effective policing in Nigeria”.

The retreat gave the ex-Police heads the opportunity to brainstorm towards repositioning the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for greater impact, relevance and strategic intervention within the country’s competitive security landscape.

The points are outlined as follows: Reforms and Policy Matters; Recruitment and Deployment of Police Personnel; Safety and Welfare; Strategic Partnership; Training and Capacity Development; Police Operations; and Police Operations.

According to the communique, there is the need for a re-evaluation of retirement age and tenure of service.

”This should be by extending the retirement age from 60 to 65 years and tenure of service from 35 to 40 years, whichever comes first.”

The committee also recommended that divisional police headquarters across the country, which they observed were usually under-staffed and under-equipped, should be adequately staffed.

”They should be provided with appropriate law enforcement equipment to enable them discharge their statutory duties effectively.”

It added that, in view of the shortfall in manpower, there is urgent need to upgrade junior police officers with higher educational qualifications.

”They should be moved to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) to reflect the personal and carriage of their qualifications.”

The committee further urged for recruitment into the Nigeria Police to be institutionalised and captured in NPF’s annual budget proposals so as to halt intermittent request for approval.

It added that NPF should re-evaluate the large number of Police personnel usually attached to those regarded as Very Important Persons (VIPs) and politicians.

The retired I-Gs explained that this is to allow for wider coverage of the personnel in NPF’s core area of policing.

They also urged that, relying on extant provisions of the Constitution and Establishment Act, the NPF should be restored to be effectively in charge of internal security management.

”This is to avoid needless usurpation of Police’s statutory functions.”

On safety and welfare of Police, the committee called on the Federal Government to give the NPF funding priority in the face of competing demands.

It also recommended that a modern policing approach which advocates for strategic police-civilian relations, where the Police co-habit with the civil populace, should be encouraged.

The former I-Gs further said the Mobile Police Force personnel should be accommodated in barracks and well-kitted.

In addition, the committee implored President Bola Tinubu to assent to the Pension Bill exiting the Nigeria Police from the contributory pension scheme.

It explained that this is with a view to improving the welfare of retired officers and motivating the serving personnel.

The former I-Gs urged the Federal Government to implement the White Paper on the Police Reform Reports (Danmadami and M.D Yusuf reports) for optimal performance of the Nigeria Police.

On strategic partnership, the committee recommended that the Police management team should consolidate on measures aimed at ensuring harmonious working relations with the PSC.

The retired Police heads recommended that NPF should foster inter-agency collaboration with other sister agencies through joint training programmes and intelligence-sharing.

“Having noted the level of sophistication with which modern crimes are perpetrated, the Federal Government should support NPF in its quest to continually upgrade assets in logistics and intelligence-sharing technology with its strategic partners.

“As a matter of urgency, the IGP should commission the take-off of the Police Intelligence School in Share, Kwara.

“We note that all NPF training institutions are in a state of disrepair, a state of emergency should therefore be declared in this regard.

“The curriculum of the training institutions should be reviewed to incorporate contemporary security challenges and policing realities.

“NPF should further improve on the welfare of training staff and trainees in the institutions in order to have value addition as envisaged for different training programmes.

“NPF should build capacity of personnel by promoting digital literacy initiatives to enhance professionalism,” the committee recommended.

NAN reports that the retreat, which was initiated by the committee chairman, retired I-G Aliyu Attah, and facilitated by the PSC chairman, Solomon Arase, was sponsored by the Oyo State Government.

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Navy says its College of Health Sciences and Technology Offa, Kwara, trains only serving medical personnel and not opened to civilians.

The Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, in a statement on Wednesday, said the online advertisement and sales of admission forms in the college was fraudulent.

Ayo-Vaughan said the fake advertisement fixed the cost of obtaining admission forms at the rate of N15,000 while the school fees was put at N186,850.

He said the criminals further directed all payments for the forms and school fees to be lodged into a First Bank of Nigeria Account Number 3162014359 bearing a pseudo account name, Lt. Inusa Endurance with phone number 09134510613.

“The phony advertisement contained the contacts of a ‘self-proclaimed’ Public Relations Officer’s phone contact; 09134483230 and 09134510613 and the scheduled date for interview/test as fixed by the miscreants is to hold from Sept. 4 to 15 Sept., 2023.

“Pertinently, Nigerian Navy College of Health Sciences (NNCHS) Offa, Kwara State is a professional naval institution exclusively for Nigerian Navy (NN) medical personnel and not for civilians, hence the College has no basis to advertise sales of admission forms to members of the public.

“The names and phone numbers as mentioned above are all fraudulent, meant to deceive individuals and have nothing to do with the NN or the NNCHS, Offa,” he said.

Ayo-Vaughan therefore advised members of the public not to fall prey to the antics of the criminals behind the fake advertisement. (NAN)(www.namnews.ng)

=================
Edited by Chidinma Agu/Maharazu Ahmed

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The United Kingdom Minister of State for Armed Forces and Veterans, Mr James Heappey, said the UK government would deepen synergy with the Nigerian military to enhance existing relations between the two countries.

Heappey gave the assurance when he led his team on a courtesy call to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that Nigeria remained one of the great friends of the UK, adding that the relationship between the armed forces and particularly the armies of the two countries, was very close.

According to him, the customs and traditions of the Nigerian army are almost identical to many of the customs and traditions of the British Army.

“Many Nigerian officers have trained or come to study with distinction in the UK.

“And over many years, particularly the last decade or so, the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT) and Operation Turus have been a fantastic vehicle through which to strengthen those ties.

“And so I come with a new government in Nigeria and new chiefs appointed to introduce myself, to establish new friendships and to build on what has gone before.”

He expressed the hope that they would have honest discussions “about the things that we have been doing perhaps you no longer care for, and the things that we haven’t been doing and that you would like us to do anew”.

The UK minister commended the Nigerian army for bringing out so much expertise from its operational engagements.

Responding, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja thanked the UK government for the beneficial relationship that had existed between the Nigerian army and the British Army.

He said that the Nigerian army was patterned along the British army in terms of organisation and training, adding that the Nigerian army had received assistance from the UK in the past.

The COAS said that many Nigerian army officers had undergone training with BMATT and several other British military institutions.

He appreciated the UK for its assistance to Nigeria in the fight against insurgency and other forms of insecurity.

Lagbaja said the army was very much interested in continuing and expanding the partnership, especially the training aspect.

“We are open to other areas of cooperation such as training, special facility, and we will continue discussion with the BMATT and the British members in this regard.

“We are also open to procurement of equipment and platforms from the UK.

“We are in discussion towards the procurement of the Husky Mines clearance vehicles from the UK,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Maharazu Ahmed