By Abiodun Lawal

The police command in Ogun has begun  investigation into the death of a couple, Mr Kehinde and Mrs Bukola Fatinoye, at Ibara GRA in Abẹokuta, on the New Year’s Day.

SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the state Police Public Relations Officer, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abeokuta.

NAN reports that Kehinde and Bukola were burnt to death when suspected arsonists set their house ablaze on Jan. 1.

One of their children and their housekeeper were  also alleged to have been kidnapped by those behind the suspected arson.

According to Oyeyemi,  the police will  do all within their powers to reveal those behind the dastardly act.

NAN gathered that the incident happened shortly after the couple returned from  ‘Cross Over Service’ to usher in the new year.

NAN also learnt that Kehinde and Bukola  were employees of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta,  respectively. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Ijeoma Popoola

By Sumaila Ogbaje

A group, Northern Youths Vanguard for Development (NYVD), has praised the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their efforts toward peaceful Christmas and New Year  celebrations.

The group made the commendation in a statement jointly signed by its President, Mr Yakubu Dauda, and Secretary, Mrs Roseline Musa, on Monday in Abuja.

According to the group, peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations across Nigeria showed that the military was determined to keep its promises to ensure peace in the country.

The group expressed delight that Nigerians, especially those  in the North-East, had peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations.

It urged the people to continue to cooperate with the military through  provision of useful information.

“On the new year eve, banditary kingpin, Gwoska Dankarami, escaped death by the whiskers when air strikes of the Nigerian military targeted his hideout along Kaura Namoda Road in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“Similarly, troops of 199 Special Forces Battalion hit out at terrorists on the eve of new year along Maiduguri to Damboa Road, killing some of them.

“Reports from the North East is cheering and gives us hope that, very soon, normalcy will be completely restored.

“We in NYVD commend the Armed Forces of Nigeria under Gen. Lucky Irabor for making all this possible.

“We are very hopeful it will get better for the North and Nigeria as a whole,” it said.

The group advised  parents to monitor activities of their wards to prevent them from being recruited by criminals for nefarious activities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Ijeoma Popoola

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Legion has appointed Brig.-Gen. MAO Amolegbe (rtd), as the new head of its Corps of Commissionaires, to ensure a harmonious working relationship with State chairmen of the organisation.

The National Chairman, Nigeria Legion, retired Brig.-Gen. Adakole Akpa, disclosed this at the opening of the 2021 Annual National Council Meeting of the legion, on Thursday, in Abuja.

The Corps of Commissionaires was established in 1962, as a Federal Government sponsored project, designed to afford employment for Nigerian ex-servicemen and women, whose conduct rating on discharge from the armed forces was categorised as either exemplary, good, very good or excellent.

It is an active security formation made up of good-spirited Nigerian citizens, who are out to render voluntary services to the Nigerian society, in collaboration with the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Akpa described as worrisome the constant friction between the corps of commissionaire and the State Chairmen of the legion who they were supposed to support.

He said that the current leadership of the corps had committed a lot of infractions against the legion, adding that the head of the corps had consistently whittled down the position of ex-Servicemen in the corps.

According to him, the strength of ex-Servicemen in the Corps of Commissionaires is less than five per cent compared to over 95 per cent civilians, despite the fact that the Corps was made for ex-Servicemen and women.

Akpa disclosed that the new commandant would respect the State Chairmen and give them the rightful place they deserve, telling the state chairmen ”to remove him if he does not live up to their expectations.”

“All correspondences should be directed to the new Commandant General”, Akpa directed.

“ACC Alex Udunze is recommended as the new Commandant for Rivers State.

“For the Federal Capital Territory, we are proposing Capt. A. Bako (Rtd), who has been in charge of all National Parade, involving the Nigeria Legion as the Commandant,” he added.

Akpa disclosed that the annual national council meeting of the Legion was designed to evaluate past performances and make corrections or adjustments ,where necessary, as well as plan for future projections and proffer ways to actualise them.

He urged members to ensure that discussions at the meeting were robust, devoid of rancour and contradictions that could thwart successful deliberations and outcomes.

“Having said that, there is a rumour going around the mill that I sold Legion property, which is completely false.

“I am not here to present a combative posture, but to ensure peace reigns amidst the storm,” Akpa said. (NAN)

Ibironke Ariyo

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has enjoined all staff of the Non Custodial Directorate to ensure high level partnership with other stakeholders to effectively implement the non custodial measures.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, assented to the bill changing the name of the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) to Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) , which birthed the Custodial Service and Non Custodial Service.

The Non-custodial service entails suspended sentences,  community service, fines, curfews, parole orders, binding over among others.

Mr John Mrabure, Acting Controller General, NCoS, made the call during a one day stakeholders consultative workshop on effective implementation of non custodial measures on Thursday in Abuja.

A statement by the NCoS, FCT Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Chukwuedo Humphrey, quoted Mrabure as saying the workshop was aimed at enlightening all stake in the criminal justice system and the society in general on the need to be supportive of one another.

The Acting C-G NCoS, who was represented by the Deputy Controller General, Non Custodial Directorate, Mr Tunde Ladipo, said that non-custodial sentence was an effective means of prison decongestion in Nigeria.

He added that this would also give access to Justice Initiatives, the Presidential Committee on Prison Reforms, Prison Decongestion Unit, Legal Aid Council, and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy.

“The foregoing will positively enhance administration of criminal justice in Nigeria, ” he added.

Mrabure further encouraged all participants to stop seeing themselves as rivals, but as a family with the same agenda, as this would go along way in ensuring full implementation of the Non Custodial measures.

The Executive Director, PRAWA, Dr Uju Agomoh explained that President Muhammadu Buhari had empowered the NCoS to be in charge of non custodial measures, saying all hands must be on deck to ensure its success.

“All stakeholders should be approached and their strengths be effectively utilised, ” she said.

The workshop was organised by Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) and would be carried out in all the states of the Federation.

The workshop was attended by stakeholders in the Criminal Justice System, including NOA, NDLEA, FRSC, National Human Rights Commission, traditional rulers and religious leaders among many others. (NAN)

By Mohammed Tijjani

Maj.-Gen Sagir Yaro, has officially assumed duty as the 30th Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on Wednesday in Kaduna State.

The Academy Public Relations Officer, Major Bashir Jagira made this known in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna.

Jagira said Yaro took over from Maj.-Gen Jamil Sarham, who is now to proceed on a Senior Research Fellow course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Plateau State.

According to the statement, Yaro, is a  seasoned senior military officer of the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers, and member of the 36th Regular Course of the NDA, he has held several appointments cutting across Command, Staff and Instructional.

He said  before his recent appointment, he was the General Managing Director, Nigerian Army Welfare Limited by Guarantee (NAWLG).

While addressing Principal Staff Officers, Deans and Heads of Departments during the handing over ceremony, the outgoing Commandant, described the new Commandant as a regimental and thoroughbred Super Officer, who is endowed with vast exposure and experience, which he expects will be brought to bear in running the affairs of the Academy.

Sarham also assured the staff that, the new commandant would continue with the extensive infrastructural development ongoing at the Academy, as well as sustain the improvements that have been achieved in the quality of training of cadets under his tenure as Commandant.

He wished Yaro good health, God’s guidance and wisdom in the discharge of his duties as Commandant.

He also calling for support from military and civilian staff of the academy for the new Commandant.

Sarham further highlighted some of his achievements as Commandant to include the development of various infrastructural projects across the academy.

Marked improvements in the grooming and training of top quality cadets that are professionally responsive to the present challenges and equipped to meet both current and future needs of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

In his response, the new commandant,  thanked God almighty and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen  Ibrahim Attahiru, for finding him worthy of the enviable appointment as Commandant of NDA.

He applauded his predecessor on the various developmental projects ongoing in the academy and for the various innovative ideas he adopted during his tenure as Commandant of the NDA.

He, however,  pledged  to continue in the general improvement in the affairs of the academy, towards achieving the mission and vision of the NDA and that of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Yaro urged staff of the academy to embrace team spirit in order to succeed in the important task of producing well trained officer cadets for the nation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that highlights of the event was the signing of the handing and taking over notes.

The decoration of the Incoming commandant with the NDA’s insignia and hoisting of the NDA Flag which marks the symbol of new authority in the academy was also observed. (NAN)

By Ijendu Iheaka

The Police in Aba in Abia have arrested two kidnap suspects, Ikechi Monday and Onyekachi Orji from Owerrinta, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Abia state.

The suspects kidnapped a 70 years old woman, Mrs Patricia Nwogu from her residence at Okpolu-Umuobo area in Osisioma LGA on January, 29 but she was later rescued.

The Abia Commissioner of Police, Mrs Janet Agbede confirming the arrests said the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Aba led by SP Johnbull Obioguru, acting on intelligence and her orders, arrested the suspects.

The suspects, who were arrested on Monday, March 9, are currently in custody and were volunteering useful information to the police.

The RRS team also arrested Chima Nnamdi and Uzoma Chinemerem on Saturday March 6, who specialized in robbing Point of Sale (POS) operators in Aba.

The suspects robbed a POS operator by name Chijioke Ebirilem at Ehi road by East Street Aba and shot him at close range.

Ebirilem, who was rushed to Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba for treatment was later confirmed dead by doctors.

The Obioguru-led team also apprehended one Onyekachi Kalu, 28, who is a member of another robbery gang that robbed POS operators and snatched phones in Aba.

Kalu’s gang were said to be experts in selling sim cards of the stolen phones to Advance Fee Fraudsters who used such to access the sim owners bank accounts and steal their funds.

However, luck ran out of the young man when RRS men on patrol got information from the public on their criminal activities on Ngwa road by Orji Uzor Kalu bridge.

The policemen following the intelligence went there and arrested Kalu whose other companions in crime fled.

However, the police are still trailing other members of the gang now at large.

Meanwhile, Agbede has assured that criminals would soon be run out of town and urged members of the public to go about their lawful businesses without fear.

The CP, therefore, called on the public to report any suspicious movement or character to the police to enable the police serve them better. (NAN)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army troops of `Operation Tura Takaibango’ have eliminated 25 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and captured cache of arms and ammunition in a clearance operation around Chikun Gudu and Kerenoa in Borno.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said Chikun Gudu and Kerenoa are adjoining villages under Marte Local Government Area of Borno.

Yerima said the operation was conducted on Tuesday by the combined troops of Sector I Operation Lafiya Dole and 402 Special Forces Brigade.

He said that two Browny Machine Gun, 20 AK47 Rifles, five FN Rifles, two 60mm Motar Tube and two General Purpose Machine Guns were recovered by the troops during the encounter.

“Other weapons captured during the operation also include three Anti Air Craft Guns, two Automatic Grenade Launchers, two gun trucks and one CJTF Hilux amongst others.

“The troops not swayed by the success project further to ensure no elements of the terrorists were left within the area.’’

Yerima said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, had commended the troops and charged them to maintain the momentum.

He said that the army chief also instructed the troops not relent in their new offensive against the terrorists. (NAN)

By Remi Koleoso