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Defence/Security

Nigerian Army restates commitment to welfare of personnel

Nigerian Army restates commitment to welfare of personnel

 

Welfare

 

By Rabiu Sani-Ali

 

Kano, Jan. 10, 2020 (NAN) The Nigerian Army has reiterated commitment to improve the welfare of its personnel towards effective discharge its constitutional mandate.

 

Maj.-Gen. Usman Mohammed, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Kaduna, gave the assurance during the inauguration of Officers Transit Accommodation at the 73 Battellion, Janguza, on Sunday in Kano.

 

Mohammed said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai had accorded premium attention to the development of infrastructure designed to improve the overall wellbeing of soldiers.

 

He said the project initiated in Aug. 2020, consisted of three blocks of 15 houses, designed to address accommodation problems and to give a facelift to the barrack.

 

The GOC said the leadership of the army had also embarked on construction of additional houses for officers and men as well as perimeter fencing to enhance security at the barrack.

 

Mohammed urged the officers and other personnel to ensure effective utilisation of the houses and other facilities inaugurated at the barrack.

 

Also speaking, Brig.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi, the Commander 3 Mechanised Brigade, Kano, lauded the COAS for the gesture, adding that it would address shortage of accommodation in the barracks.

 

Alabi commended the contractor for the timely completion of the project according to the contract agreement.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mohammed accompanied by other senior military officers inspected ongoing housing, offices and training shed projects.

 

The GOC was conducted round the projects by Yahayadeen Imam, the Manager, Deetech Nigeria Limited. (NAN)

 

RSA/JTJ

 

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Defence/Security

FRSC says NIN now compulsory for vehicle registration

By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it had made the presentation of a valid National Identification Number (NIN) compulsory for all categories of vehicle registration.

Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM), Bisi Kazeem, Corps Public Education Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FRSC had commenced compliance on this directive since Dec. 21, 2020.

It followed directives by the Corps Marshal that all applicants for the National Driver’s Licence must present their NIN, before being captured for any class of licence.

Kazeem said that this was in full compliance with the directives of the Federal Government on the harmonisation of citizens’ data.

“The FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has also made provision of NIN mandatory for all categories of Vehicle registration, effective from second quarter of 2021. This is in total compliance with the Presidential directives.

“All applicants of vehicle registration are, therefore, expected to present their NIN as a precondition for the registration of their vehicles,” he said.

“Beginning from the second quarter of this year 2021, If you want to register your vehicle, it is going to be compulsory for you to provide your NIN.

” This is part of the security checks. So, once you provide your NIN, it makes the matter easier and helps the government in national planning.

”It also helps in critical decision making and enhance adequate intelligence gathering for security of lives and property, ” he said.

Defence/Security

Army approves new postings, redeployments of senior officers

By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has approved new postings and redeployments of some senior officers to different divisions, units and formations, to rekindle the spirit of professionalism and enhance productivity.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sagir Musa, who disclosed this in a statement, on Saturday, in Abuja, stated that the new postings were a routine exercise intended to reinvigorate the system, for greater performance and effectiveness.

He said that the postings saw the redeployment of Maj.-Gen. FO Agugo, from the Headquarters, Nigerian Army Signals Corps, Apapa, Lagos, to Defence Headquarters, as Chief of Defence Communications.

Similarly, Maj.-Gen. M. Mohammed was moved from the Nigerian Army Resource Center, Abuja, to Pronto Tech Nigeria Limited as Managing Director, while Maj.-Gen. AR Owolabi moved from Defence Headquarters, Department of Communications, to Headquarters, Nigerian Army Signals Corps as Commander.

In the same vein, Musa disclosed that Maj.-Gen. Aminu Bande, had been confirmed as substantive General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Sokoto, with Maj.-Gen. IM Jallo also confirmed as the GOC 6 Division, Port Harcourt.

Other appointments, according to the statement, included the redeployment of Maj.-Gen. E Akerejola to the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Benin, as Commandant, while Maj-Gen. UM Mohammed, remained in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff as Special Adviser Nigerian Army University, Biu, and Vice Chairman, Nigerian Army Property Limited.

The postings also included the confirmation of Maj.-Gen. Hussein Ahmed, as Provost Marshal, and Maj.-Gen. AbdulKhalifa Ibrahim, as substantive GOC 7 Division/Commander, Sector 1 Operation Lafiya Dole, Maiduguri.

The statement said that all the postings and appointments would take effect from Jan. 18.

“While wishing all the officers well in their respective appointments, the Chief of Army Staff enjoins them to take their new responsibilities/appointments seriously, and discharge all duties professionally, with utmost loyalty to the Nation and the Service,” Musa said.

Defence/Security

Gov. Emmanuel urges NAF to immortalise former Chief of Staff, late Eduok

By Sunday Bassey

Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has urged the Nigerian Air Force to immortalise former Chief of Air Staff, retired late Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok in view of his contributions to the nation.

Emmanuel made the request on Saturday when the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, paid him a condolence visit at the Government House Uyo on Saturday.

“It is a great loss to the family, the state and the present government but whatever the Air Force can do to immortalise his name, we will appreciate it. We believe the Nigerian Air Force will do something.

”It remained in history that he was the only man alive appointed twice as the Chief of Air Staff. So that alone should qualify him for the Air Force to immortalise our illustrious son,” Emmanuel said.

He also noted that the state government had tentatively fixed 4th to 6th of February for the burial ceremonies of the first indigenous military administrator of the state, retired late Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, who died of COVID-19 complications on Dec. 24, 2020.

“So I also want to make an appeal that we first of all bury the first indigenous military administrator, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga.

“I think tentatively we have fixed the burial for 4th, 5th and 6th February and we will let you know officially so that the Air Force can participate officially.

”I really want to use this opportunity to urge you to pray for the family, especially the children, because it is not easy to lose a father,” the governor said.

Emmanuel lamented that the death of Nkanga and Eduok, two retired top ranking officers of the Air Force, was a great loss to the nation and the state in particular.

“It is a big tragedy and a huge loss to the state, especially when we have lost two senior Air Force officers from the state within two weeks.

“The first indigenous military administrator of the state, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga who died on Christmas Eve.

“We were mourning Nkanga when this gentleman and illustrious son of the state, a very good adviser to the state passed on.

“So you can imagine how we are feeling but we cannot question God because the secret things belong to God Almighty,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief of Air Staff mourned Nkanga and Eduok,  saying that the passing of the duo was a great tragedy and loss to the Nigerian Air Force and the country at large.

“We are here to condole with the government and the good people of Akwa Ibom over the loss of Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok, a great fighter pilot.

“He was somebody we relied on for advice in the last five years on how to move the Air Force forward.

“Air Marshal Eduok was a great General who contributed significantly to the development of the Nigerian Air Force.

“Some of us who had the privilege of working under him, even though as detachment commanders, had the opportunity to see him in action,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chief of Air Staff had earlier paid a condolence visit to the widow of Late Nsikak Eduok. (NAN)

Defence/Security

Insecurity: Informants responsible for lingering bandits attacks – Emir

By Ishaq Zaki

Bandits informants are responsible for the lingering security challenges in Zamfara, Emir of Maru in Zamfara, Alhaji Abubakar Maigari, said on Saturday in Gusau.

Maigari told the newly-deployed Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Abutu Yaro, who visited him that the police must check the activities of informants rigorously to put an end to insecurity in the state.

“We are appealing to government and security agencies to take serious measures of addressing informants’ activities in the state.

“Most of the informants are within our communities, and they are known by people. They move freely in communities carrying out ugly activities unchecked.

“We want security agencies to concentrate and deal with them decisively,’’ the emir said.

Earlier, CP Yaro told the emir said that his visit was part of his determination to ensure synergy with critical stakeholders, especially the traditional rulers.

He appealed for more support and cooperation from all stakeholders in the on-going peace process.

The Sole Administrator of Maru Local Government Council of Zamfara, Alhaji Salisu Dangulbi, who was in attendance, called for the deployment of additional police personnel to some parts of the area facing serious security challenges.

“Places like Mayanchi and its environs need urgent security intervention; we need more security personnel there for the people in the area to have rest of mind,’’ Dangulbi said.

He assured the police commissioner of continued support from the council to government and security agencies towards addressing security challenges in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CP Yaro also held an interactive session with religious and community leaders and other relevant stakeholders in the area with a view to addressing the security challenges. (NAN)

Defence/Security

6 French soldiers injured in Mali attack

Six French soldiers were injured during an operation against Islamist militants in Mali in West Africa, French media reported on Saturday, citing the Defence Ministry.

The attackers struck on Friday morning in the central region around Gourma, apparently driving a vehicle up to a military convoy before setting off an explosive.

The injured soldiers were taken to a military hospital in Gao, and three of them were flown to France for further treatment.

According to broadcaster Francinfo, none were in life-threatening condition.

It was the third serious attack on French soldiers since the end of December, when five French soldiers were killed in a week.

As Mali’s former colonial power, France has deployed thousands of soldiers against Islamists in West Africa, including some 5,100 troops active as part of anti-terrorism operation “Barkhane.” (dpa/NAN)

Defence/Security

EndSARS: Man demands N50m compensation for being unlawfully paraded by police

By Imelda Osayande

A 47-year-old man, Anthony Ogbevon, on Friday, approached the Edo Judicial Panel of Inquiry for Victims of SARS and Related Abuses in Benin, seeking financial compensation of N50 million.

In seeking for the compensation, Ogbevon alleged that he was wrongly paraded as a criminal suspect by the Police on June 8, 2020.

Narrating his ordeal,  the petitioner, said he was arrested and dragged to the police station by some vigilante group on the allegation that he was a kidnapper because he refused to grant them their request.

He said that when the police arrived, instead of investigating the said allegation, he was arrested, detained, and paraded alongside other criminal suspects, just as his vehicle was also impounded by the police.

“It is a case of unlawful seizure of my vehicle. After the arrest, the police did not wait to investigate before they paraded me as a kidnapper and an armed robber.

“I was arrested on Sunday, June 7, 2020. On Monday, June 8, I  was one of those paraded at the police headquarters as an armed robber and a kidnapper. After that, I was thrown back into the cell.

“On Tuesday, after some hours, they took my statement before going to the scene of the crime in Idu village at Upper Sakponba, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government of the state.

“At the end of the day, the recommendation of the Investigating Police Officer, (IPO) clearly vindicated me that I was accused falsely by the so-called vigilante in that village, because I was going to my own village to see my aged mother and my farm.

“They begged me to help them take kidnapped victims to Benin, which I refused, because I was going to my village.

“When I was coming back, I picked a teacher in my village and seven seasonal Hausa farmers.

“When I got back to Idu village on my way back, the same vigilante said I disobeyed their chairman. Consequently,  they started beating me, dragged me out, collected my N12,500 and said, I was carrying kidnappers.

“They dragged my passengers out and started beating them, except the teacher.

“At the end of the day, they called the police that they have arrested armed robbers and kidnappers. We were at the police headquarters until 7p.m.

“The IPO, after his investigation, said I was falsely accused because of malice and that I should be considered for bail.

“They charged me to court, and I was  taken to court along with others in my car on June 18, 2020. I remained in the Correctional Centre until the DPP advice came that I had no case to answer.

“When I came out, I demanded for my vehicle, they refused to give it to me, saying that the court didn’t order that it should be released,” Ogbevon said.

He said he decided to approach the panel for justice.

“We are demanding for N50 million as compensation and consequential order that the vehicle should be released to me,” he said.

However, when the location of the vehicle turned into a debate, Chairman of the panel, Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe (rtd) sent some of the members to the state police command to ascertain whether it was still there or not as claimed by the petitioner.

This was when the police counsel claimed ignorance of the whereabouts of the impounded vehicle.

Ehigiamusoe adjourned sitting until Monday, Jan. 11. (NAN)

Defence/Security

Police confirm kidnap of 6 family members in Zamfara

By Abubakar Ahmed

The  Police Command in Zamfara has confirmed the kidnap of six children of one Alhaji Sani Gyare and one other in Kadauri village, Maru Local Government Area of the state.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Shehu Mohammed, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Gusau.

He said the command received information on the abduction of seven children, six of whom are children of Alhaji Gyare and the seventh, a female picked from a neighbouring house all in Kadauri village in Jabaka district of Maru LGA.

“The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Abutu Yaro has deployed a combined team of CTU and Police Mobile Force who are currently on the trail of the suspects.

“The CP, who said that peace had been restored in the area, vowed to rescue the victims soonest.

“He charged the local communities to continue to give useful information to law enforcement agents, especially the Police, in order to bring the criminals to book,” Muhammed said.

NAN gathered that the suspected hoodlums, in their large numbers, invaded the village in the early hours of Friday to carry out the act.

Speaking to newsmen, father of the six victims, said he suspected the abductors came for him but missed him and took away his children instead.

“I was informed that when they got to the village, they went straight to my house and when they discovered l was not home they went away with my children and the daughter of one of my close friend and neighbour, Alhaji Sani Yellow,” he said. (NAN)

Defence/Security

DICON to key into FG’s e-governance policy to deliver mandate

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) says it will key into the e-government policy of the Federal Government to deliver on its mandate.

This is contained in a communique issued on Friday after the three-day management retreat of the corporation, held in Kaduna.

The communiqué signed by the Director General (DG) of DICON, Maj.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, emphasised the necessity for the management to put in place, sustainable strategies to reposition DICON for creativity, innovation and local content application to satisfactorily attain its mandate, mission and vision.

The maiden edition of DICON’s Management Retreat was organised to share ideas on how to reposition the corporation in 2021.

It is to provide a veritable platform for the management to set agenda for the corporation annually.

“The retreat proposed a collaboration between DICON and Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (NAEME) in the areas of weapons maintenance, fabrication of tools/toolings, spare parts and transfer of skills/ knowledge.

“In recognition of the giant strides made in the corporation in the past years, the retreat solicited for closer collaboration between DICON and Defence Industries of Nigeria Association (DIAN).

“The forum also vigorously canvassed for improved and enhanced mutually beneficial relationship between DICON and National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI)”

It called for the adoption of the concept of exemplary and transformational leadership at all levels in DICON.

“There should be reward for exceptional and consequences for poor performances respectively,” it added.

It added that the management staff were encouraged to set short, medium and long term goals and enforce resilient spirit in the organisation.

“The concept of critical thinking leading to sound decisions making was adopted as a model for DICON top executives.

” The forum identified other strategic areas of management to include ownership of decision making/collective responsibility, mentorship and hard work as necessary ingredients that will enable the corporation meet stakeholders expectations.

It urged the management to be prepared for the implementation of policies affecting DICON as directed by MOD, DHQ and other stakeholders in order to ensure the actualisation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision on Military Industrial Complex (MIC) in Nigeria.

“The meeting also enunciated that management should review the core values, mission and vision statement of the corporation to align with  current global and national realities.”

The retreat reiterated the need for an early composition of a committee that would develop the strategic document to guide the activities of DICON in the next decade.

Also, the meeting identified the need to host a stakeholders summit in Abuja for stakeholders inputs.

“The retreat recognised the resource persons as the Think-Tank of the corporation and directed management to constantly interface with them for strategic guidance in the implementation of policies and plans for the year 2021.

“The forum directed that modalities be put in place to ensure that similar retreat is organised for the General Managers and Heads of Departments in DICON with some of the management staff featuring as Resource Persons,” the communiqué added. (NAN)

Defence/Security

Security forces rescue 103 kidnapped victims in Katsina State – Gov. Masari

By Zubairu Isris

Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State on Friday said that security forces have rescued 103 kidnapped victims.

Masari made this known while addressing some of the rescued victims at the Government House, Katsina.
“This is in continuation of the exercise that started with the recovery of the 344 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara.
“We saw an opening and we are working with some stakeholders to make sure that we exploit the opening and bring back as many kidnapped victims as we can.
“We have so far returned 103 of the kidnapped victims and the process is still ongoing. We are doing this as quietly as we can, to make sure that nobody is harmed and further kidnapping is stopped.
“So, we are doing this with the army, the police, Air Force and the Department of State Security.
”I can assure you that no ransom was paid to the kidnappers,” he said.
Masari urged the victims to consider the incident as something from the Almighty Allah.
“You have seen how you were rescued. No ransom was paid. this should show that prayer is effective, be patient, may Allah reward you for the difficulties you have gone through,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the rescued victims were nursing mothers and girls aged from six to 16.
NAN also observed that a 70-year-old man, as well as, a soldier and an Anti-Riot  Policeman were among those rescued. (NAN)