By Yakubu Uba

Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) operating in Lake Chad Basin Region has neutralised some terrorists and recovered heavy weapons.

A statement on Sunday by the MNJTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, said the latest successes were recorded under the renewed onslaught on the terrorists code named “Operation Harbin Kunama” (Scorpion sting).

“The ongoing operation by troops of the MNJTF has further diminished the capacity of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists to carry out their activities in the Lake Chad Basin region.

“The offensive posture and doggedness of troops of the MNJTF has continued to yield remarkable results.

“Following attack by BH/ISWAP terrorists on troops position in the general area of Arege, which was effectively repelled, an exploitation was conducted by troops of the Force on May 11 in the general area.

“Several items were recovered, including one Dushka gun, Dushka Turrell and a burnt Gun truck while several terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, the statement added.

It also stated that a clearance operation in the general area of Ferondiya in the lake Chad Basin was successfully conducted in clearing terrorists hideouts.

According to the statement, items recovered from the terrorists included two Gun trucks, two Anti – Aircrafts guns, one RPG tube, two AK 47 rifles, one RPG bomb and three Toyota Buffalo Gun truck tyres.

Others are 387 rounds of 12.7mm, 440 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm and 364 rounds of 7.62mm x 50 mm ammunitions.

In his remarks over the successes recorded, the Force Commander of MNJTF, Maj.-Gen. G.U Chibuisi, lauded the troops for their commitment and urged them to sustain the tempo.

Chibuisi also lauded the effective role of air components in the successes recorded and urged for more synergy for maximum results. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

===========
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Moses Omorogieva

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has praised  the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, for efforts in ensuring security of lives and property.

Obasanjo made the commendation on Friday night in Lagos while giving a keynote address at the National Daily newspaper’s Awards for year 2022 ceremony.

He said that the I-G deserved the award.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  Baba, Obasanjo, Gov. Babatunde Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State  and 44 other individuals and organisations were given awards for excellent performance in various areas.

Obasanjo said that for the I-G to win  the National Daily’s  Man of the Year Award, he  had done excellently.

“For you to be singled out for the Man of the Year Award by the National Daily, I believe you deserve it.

“Your job is not the one that is particularly glamorous.

” When thieves attack us, we come to you; when we quarrel with our neighbours, we come to you, and you must be ready to answer us even when we may not show appreciation.

“That is why an  award like this that singled you out must be appreciated and commended,” he said.

The former president, who spoke on peace,  said that peace, security and stability were essential for development, performance, growth and excellence.

According to him,  justice, equity and fairness promote peace.

He called on Nigerians  to do things rightly at all times and be careful while making choices.

“If your choices are right, the consequences will be right, your performance will be right. If your performance is right, then you obtain excellence.

“If you are going to be successful, you must make things better, do things differently even when others are doing contrary.

“I believe we can achieve excellence,” he said.

In his response to the award,  Baba said that the award was motivation as well as a challenge to him and the police to do more.

Baba gave the assurance  that the police would do more in fighting  insecurity.

“This award is not for me as an individual, but to motivate the force, the personnel of the force, so that we can do more,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, thanked  the National Daily for the awards, saying that they would spur the beneficiaries to work harder.

Adelusi-Adeluyi said that excellence awards should be given only to possible agents of change to motivate them.

The National Daily Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-chief, Mr Sylvester Ebhodaghe, said that the awards were made to encourage the recipients to do more in the areas they were  recognised.

Ebhodaghe said that Nigerians who distinguished  themselves should be recognised with a view to spurring them to do more and  encourage others to do well. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

By Yahaya Isah

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has called for comprehensive review of Nigeria’s criminal justice system to reduce the alarming number of inmates awaiting trial.

A statement by the Media Adviser to the minister, Sola Fasure on Friday in Abuja, said Aregbesola made call the while inaugurating the Imo Command Headquarters of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Owerri.

He said in spite of massive investment in making inmates’ reformation impactful through increased budgetary provision and upgrade of custodial facilities, prison congestion has remained a problem.

“One big challenge we have at corrections is congestion, especially in urban centres where the population density is high and human relations are more complex.“

This, he said, has led to higher crime rate and the need to keep some people behind bars.

The minister added that the federal government had taken steps to address the challenge through the construction of six mega custodial centres in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

“The ones in Kano and Abuja are ready and with regular funding, the remaining will be completed.

“It is also hoped that state governments will take advantage of the constitutional amendment recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, which makes corrections a concurrent affair.

“It is on record that more than 90 per cent of inmates in our facilities are state offenders. It is important, therefore, that state governments begin to invest in corrections,” Aregbesola said.

He said that it was “even more important to reform the criminal justice system.

“I have been making this case and I will continue to do so, that 70 per cent of inmates are awaiting trial and constitute the majority in our facilities.

“The sad thing about this is, we cannot statutorily begin their process of reformation because they are assumed to be innocent, except for those who voluntarily wish to participate in any of our programmes.”

The minister expressed concern that most of the awaiting trial inmates “have spent time in detention longer than the maximum sentence their alleged offence carries.

“This predispose them to violent conduct and they are the biggest source of the challenge of discipline and control at the custodial centres.“

The minister, therefore, stressed the need for state governments to reform their justice administration system by putting a cap on trial period of accused persons and ensure swift dispensation of justice.

This, Aregbesola said, would end long court trials and perpetual detention of accused persons. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Sumaila Ogbaje

A team from the Global Defence Network United Kingdom (UK) has pledged to collaborate with the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) to  strengthen the capacity of the Nigerian military and promote regional security and stability.

The team led by Director of the network, AVM Mick Smeath, said they would strengthen collaboration in the areas of training and other capacity building initiatives.

The AWCN Public Relations Officer, Maj. Hashimu Abdullah, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said that Smeath and his team made the pledge on Wednesday.

In his speech, the Commandant AWCN, Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Ababi, expressed appreciation to the team for the visit, saying that Nigeria and UK shared a long history of cooperation on security issues.

Alabi said the partnership would be crucial in enhancing the mandate of the college of producing well-trained, educated and inspired operational level leaders for the Nigerian Army.

He said the visit was a testament to the strong relationship between the two countries, while expressing appreciation for the support and partnership of the UK government in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

He said the AWCN is a premier institution for the training of senior military officers from Nigeria and other African countries.

“The UK has been a key partner in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency, providing intelligence support, training and equipment to the Nigerian military.

“The visit is expected to further strengthen the relationship, especially in the area of sharing expertise and knowledge between the college and the United Kingdom,” he said.

Responding, Smeath expressed appreciation for the opportunity to visit the college and learn more about the Nigerian military’s approach to professional military education.

He said that the UK remained committed to supporting Nigeria in its efforts to address the threats facing it.

“We believe that by working together, we can enhance the capacity of the Nigerian military and promote regional security and stability,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Oladapo Udom

The Nigerian Navy has said that a total of 20 capital ships were procured for the Nigerian Navy (NN) during the eight-year administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Saidu Garba said this in a statement on Friday.

According to Garba, the ships comprise of Offshore Patrol Vessels, Landing Ship Transport, Hydrographic Survey Vessels, Seaward Defence Boats, Helicopters, as well as, over 300 Inshore Patrol Vessels and Assault crafts.

He said that as a result of Buhari’s contribution to the development of the NN during his administration, the Navy was poised to give the president a befitting Presidential Fleet Review (PFR).

The PFR with the theme: ‘Fleet Readiness for National Prosperity’ is scheduled to hold in Lagos from May 19 to May 22.

The naval chief added that the president also commissioned two locally built ships in 2016 and in 2021, respectively, and laid the keel for two more, which would be ready by 2024.

“The PFR 2023 is therefore organised in honour of Buhari, in recognition of his generous contribution to the service and the nation at large.

“It involves assemblage of ships and other maritime assets at a designated area for the purpose of demonstrating loyalty and allegiance to the state.

“The review also provides an avenue for the president to assess the navy’s preparedness to meet statutory obligations in maritime security, safety and defence within a global collaborative approach,” he said.

Garba said that the last PFR was conducted in 2010 in honour of then President Goodluck Jonathan, and to mark the 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence.

He also noted that the NN had attended many Fleet reviews of other countries with the nation’s Flag Ship, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) ARADU.

“Also, the NN sent personnel to participate in the Bangladesh Navy Fleet Review in December 2022, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the country’s Independence,” he said.

The naval chief said the PFR-2023 exercise would involve 16 NN warships, 3 x AW109E NN helicopters and a mix of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft.

“Some foreign warships from allied nations including Spain, Brazil and Ghana are also expected to participate in the exercise.

“Other activities lined up for the day include capability demonstration by NN Special Forces, defence/maritime expo exhibition, combined naval parade and exercises,” he said.

Garba said that the tenure of Buhari marked a period of profound transformation of the NN Fleet.

He said that the president demonstrated enormous political will in ensuring the recapitalisation of the NN Fleet, which had become the pride of the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

“Therefore, the PFR-2023 is in celebration of Mr President’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s naval assets and capability to project her instruments of maritime power for national prosperity,” Garba said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole

By Yahaya Isah

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has urged Immigration and Correctional Services personnel to shun corruption and be professional in discharging their duties.

The minister gave the advice while decorating six new Deputy Comptrollers-General of Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) and two from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the country has launched reforms of the services and urged all personnel to contribute to the success of the reforms.

Aregbesola said they must work with patriotism and serve Nigeria with diligence.

The minister particularly tasked Immigration personnel to stamp out all forms of corrupt practices in passport administration.

“You must live above board through conscious display of professionalism, integrity, dedication and hard work for the betterment of the country,” he said.

He said the reforms were meant to positively impact on Nigerian citizens.

“I have no doubt that the newly promoted DCGs will step up their groove and deliver resounding successes in this regard”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Maharazu Ahmed

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Baba, has promised to deliver befitting world-class accommodation for officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to enhance service delivery.

Baba made the pledge during the groundbreaking of the redevelopment of DIG Quarters under Public Private Partnership (PPP) between Nigeria Police and Cosgrove Limited.

He said the building, which is the highest police quarters in terms of luxury, serenity and nearness to the Force Headquarters, was the oldest of all police quarters in Abuja.

The I-G said the redevelopment was to redeem the houses from total dilapidation and sustain its usage to accommodate top police officers.

He said he was privileged to live in the quarters when he was the Force Secretary for two years, and had to battle with the issue of leakages due to dilapidation.

“During rainy season, I will be looking for bowls and dishes to place where leakages are taking place because everything about that building has become old, archaic, non-functional and the building has even become a bungalow.’’

He said the houses no longer deserved living as members of the Police Force Management Team and the most senior police officers.

“We were able to move around Abuja and see because when we said we are going to do partnership, many people came.

“The real and the unreal, the imaginary and the imagined, those that will start and cannot complete by assumption and those that are just ready.

“Cosgrove is one of the best around here in providing accommodation and we believe we deserve good working environment and also a place to retire after working.

“That is why we are trying to remodel our police stations, divisions, headquarters and also our places of abode.

“We have done it successfully in one or two places. We are going to do it in many other places and that is why we are not also going to be bringing partnerships always.

“We have a construction company, so we know our capacity and there are things we can do with our own construction company with the small guidance and partnership with other developers.

“My intention is not to stop here. I’ve already started in Lagos. We are going to do it in that place directly with our company and the state government.

“When I was shown the number of barracks and police buildings that has been earmarked as dilapidated, it is dangerous place to live.

“Whatever name you can give in Lagos, it is not place where human beings are supposed to live in, let alone of police officers, law enforcement officers,” he said.

Baba said the police under his command would leave a legacy of service worthy of emulation.

The Chief Executive Officer, Cosgrove, Mr Umar Abdullahi, said the company participated diligently in the rigorous PPP process, adding that it was an opportunity for them to contribute to the growth and development of the nation.

He promised to deliver the project in compliance with the PPP agreement.

“This project will be delivered using the best cutting edge solutions that we are known for.

“The chosen PPP arrangement is a design, finance, build, lease and transfer and the project will consist of minimum of 39 units of six bedroom gated villas with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Maharazu Ahmed