By: Hamza Suleiman

The Nigerian Army has refuted some media reports that five soldiers were killed and others abducted by insurgents during repair of an electricity facility along Maiduguri-Damaturu road on Monday.

Col. Ado Isa, the Army Deputy Director Public Relations, made the refutal in a statement released in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

Isa who described the report as “fake and misleading,” cautioned against unverified claims and reports capable of undermining the counter insurgency campaign.

“Contrary to the rumours making the rounds, nobody was attacked on that on Monday as the road was cleared for the maiden visitation of the Chief of Army Staff who visited troops of Special Army Super Camp Ngamdu.

“No work took place on the TCN facility as the workers were asked not to go because our troops who were sopposed to provide them with escort were busy preparing for the COAS visitation.

“To this end, the Nigerian Army wishes to unequivocally state that the claims contained in the disjointed reports on Nigerian Army troops are nothing but fake, malicious and frivolous,” he said.

The army deputy director public relations said the news reports were aimed at causing unnecessary tention and instilling fear in the the people.

“We, therefore, request the general public to disregard them in their entirety.” he added. (NAN)

By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Nigerian Army has appointed Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima as its Director of Public Relations.

Yerima replaces Brig.-Gen. Sagir Musa, who has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora in Niger State.

According to the profile released by the Army Headquarters, Yerima is a graduate of Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University.

He enrolled into the Nigerian Army in October 1989 and was commissioned into the Corps of Army Public Relations.

He served in various military formations and units such as Aide De Camp to the Commander Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) between 1990 and 1993.

Yerima was Public Relations Officer for the Nigerian Army Officers wives Association (NAOWA), Office of Chief of Army Staff 1994; spokesperson, 81 Division from 1995 to1996 and PRO Nigerian Defence Academy 1996 to 2000.

He was also Military Spokesperson for the United Nations Mission in Siera Leone, 2000 to 2002; PRO to Chief of Army Staff, 2003 and PRO to Chief of Defence Staff, 2005.

The new army spokesperson was also Deputy DPR 1 Division Nigerian Army, 2008 as well as Chief of Staff and Coordinator at Directorate of Army Public Relations, 2007 to 2009.

He served as Director of Defence Information between 2009 and 2013; was also Deputy Director, Production at TRADOC from 2013 to 2017 as well as Deputy Director Reserve, Defence Headquarters before his current appointment.

Yarima is member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) as well as African Public Relations Association (APRA) and Fellow of West Africa Society for Administration and Communication.

He was a participant at Senior Strategic Media Operation programme at Reach Cambridge and at Kofi Annan Centre, Ghana.

He also attended Senior Leadership Course at Sheringham United Kingdom and undertook a US-Embassy funded Media tour of Africom in Studgarf Germany.

By Hamza Suleiman

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, on Monday charged troops of Operation Lafiya Dole to hasten the fight to end insurgency in the Northeast.

Attahiru gave the task while interacting with troops of Special Army Super Camp Ngamdu during his maiden operational your on troops’ locations in the theatre in Borno.

He charged soldiers to “remain focused and determined” to end Boko Haram terrorism in the country and work toward ensuring restoration of total peace.

“I know you have pushed this war this far, you will continue to do so subsequently. Mr President and Commander in Chief is aware of your good work that you are doing and he sends his greetings,” said the COAS.

He said that his visit was to have a first hand assessment of the Theartre as well as to interact with troops, officers and Commanders.

“The entire processes when you take over command is that you visit the troops and hear from them. Then you go back, articulate and make sure that the problems are revolved.

“I have met Commanders, I have  received briefs and they told me what their critical requirements are with emphasis to the Military effectiveness.

“We want to bring this war to an end, soonest. We are bringing out things. You can see the Operation Tura Takaibango successes been recorded. We want to cash on that to ensure total annihilation of Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria

“This we are working in tandem with the troops of the Multi National Joint Task Force of Cameroon.  Sooner, we are also giong to bring the Chadians for the total annihilation of insurgents in Nigeria; that is what I can tell Nigerians.

“It is not just the Northeast Theartre, we are equally ensuring our Operations in other parts of Nigeria. We will ensure that people do their job properly so that the insurgency becomes a thing of the past.

“There are challenges, they are not insurmountable and we are doing our best. I wouldn’t want to start elaborating on these challenges. They are challenges that reduced military effectiveness and we are going to address them sooner than later.

“On issues concerning equipment and other logistics items, I have been briefed on it and we are making tremendous effort on it.

“As your Chief of Army Staff, I have reliably been told on the challenge of kitting. In the next couple of weeks, you will have your uniforms and protective gears.

“Furthermore, I know the issue of over stay in mission area has been a major problem. We will not do that almost immediately, but be rest assured that in the next couple of weeks and months we shall have a standard rotation plans that all of you will have to leave the Theater and be replaced by fresh hands so that we can continue the war.

“I see this war ending soon so that all of us can return home to join our families.

“The President and Commander in Chief is interested on what goes on in this Theartre and indeed any other Theatre of operation across the country.

“So, first hand information get to him and he will strive and ensure that those problems were resolved for the overall successes for the Nigerian army and the nation,” he said.

Maj.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, The Theartre Commander, had earlier said that the visit of the COAS twice in one week indicated his concern and priority to welfare of troops in Theartre.

Yahaya said that the COAS was a one time Theartre Commander of the operation and now back as the Chief of Army Staff to deal with the insecurity.

“We hope and wish, and we are very lucky that all our problems will be solved,” said Yahaya. (NAN)

By George Odok
The Naval War College Nigeria has graduated 25 officers of the Command Level Officers’ Course 4 after a three weeks intensive training in Calabar.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony in Calabar, Commandant of the College, Rear Adm. Adeseye Ayobanjo, said that the course was designed to prepare select officers for command responsibility.

Ayobanjo explained that the course was aimed at enhancing effectiveness in command, leadership and management by focusing on self-awareness, ethics, communication skills, team work and command climate.

“I must state that this graduation ceremony in honour of Command Level Officers’ Course 4 participants mark yet another milestone in the annals of the College.

“It seems just like yesterday when you assembled here for the course, and today, after three weeks of vigorous training, extensive lectures from seasoned expert and resource persons from within and outside the military, you are graduating successfully.

“We have 25 graduating senior officers ready to go back to the field to contribute positively towards the achievement of the Nigerian Navy overall responsibility.

“Let me use this opportunity to state that the conceptualisation, planning and execution of this course are well in tandem with the vision of the Chief of the Naval staff, Rear Adm. AZ Gambo

“The vision is to leverage on all factors of national location, technology, training, team work and synergy to re-energize the Nigerian Navy and enhance her as a well-motivated and ready Naval force in the discharge of her constitutional mandates and other assigned tasks in fulfillment of national security objectives,” he said.

He explained that the Chief of the Naval Staff therefore envisions that the Nigerian Navy core values of team work, integrity and professionalism finds a more effective reference and meaning in a well-trained and motivated workforce.

He urged the graduands to see themselves as a privileged integral part of the renewed vigour towards attainment of the set goals.

He noted that the Nigerian Navy has been undergoing some transformation occasioned by contemporary threats in the maritime domain, changing operational concept, fleet renewal, advancement in technology as well as effects of globalisation and human development.

The Commandant, who congratulated the graduands for their successful training, cautioned them not to forget the basis of the knowledge based approach to leadership that they were taught in the College.

In his remarks, Rear Adm. Perry Onwuzulike, Fleet Commander, Eastern Fleet of the Nigerian Navy, congratulated the Commandant of the College and the graduands for their training and graduation.

Onwuzulike, who was the special guest of honour at the event, said that the College has carved a niche for itself as a centre of excellence.

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of certificates to the 25 graduands.

By Philomina Attah

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has graduated 446 officers from the Immigration Training School, Kano.

Spokesperson of the service, Mr Sunday James, said in a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja that the officers went through the 45th Superintendent Basic Course.

He said the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, while congratulating the graduands, urged them to  remain guided by the trainings they had received and the agency’s rules of engagement, in their official conducts.

According to him, the minister further assures them that the ministry will continue  to  ensure  that genuine needs of all the Services  under its purview, are attended to for enhanced service delivery.

He said the Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede, in his remark, reminded the graduating officers of coming into an IT-Driven Service that placed high premium on digitisation, systems automation and professionalism.

According to him, Babandede states that the foundation of the Technology Building located at the service headquarters in Abuja, was laid in December 2018, adding that the “building is standing and awaiting commissioning.

“With the completion of the building, every activity and operation in NIS will be fully automated.

”Therefore, you need to reinvent yourselves and upgrade your skills to be relevant in the NIS of today”.(NAN)

By Peter Uwumarogie

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Gombe State Command, has warned against underage driving in the state.

Mr Ibrahim Hassan, the Public Relations Officer of FRSC in the state gave the warning on Saturday while sensitising motorists in Zambuk Community, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of the state.

Hassan said that FRSC personnel were in the community as part of the command’s mandate to enlighten motorists on safety of lives and safe road-use.

“We are here in line with the directive by our Sector Commander, Ishaku Ibrahim to ensure that we create more awareness to increase more knowledge of road safety rules among motorists.”

He said that the command had noticed that some children below the age of driving now ride motorcycles, tricycles and even taxis, saying “it is an offence.’’

“Enforcement has been tightened in that regard, hence, the sensitisation to let residents know that such was an offence.’’

According to him, the corps has prioritised enlightenment so that whenever anyone is booked, he or she will not say they are unaware of their offence.

“The accepted age for driving remains 18 and that is the age we can license anyone to drive, so anyone below that age should not drive on our roads for any reason.”

Hassan also cautioned motorists in the community to desist from speeding and overloading, adding that urgency while driving should be avoided in the interest of safety.

“As motorists, hurrying while driving always has consequences. Many have gotten themselves killed or injured because of the urge to get to their destinations on time.

“If you want to get to your destination on time, please leave home early and maintain the normal speed limit, its as simple as that,’’ Hassan appealed.

He also warned motorists against driving under the influence of drugs, stressing “If you take drugs, you are no longer the one driving because your ability to take good driving decision to ensure safety is gone.’’

Hassan, who commended the community for efforts to ensure safety, pledged his command’s commitment to continue to enlighten motorists and passengers on the need to be cautious when driving.

On his part, Mr Mamman Bako, an Assistant Route Commander, FRSC appealed for more collaborations from the community to ensure “our roads do not become death traps for motorists.’’

Malam Baba Garba, the Secretary, Zambuk Motorcycle Riders Association commended FRSC for the enlightenment, while pledging to disseminate the message to other members as a way of preventing dangerous driving.

Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu, the District Head of Zambuk while commending FRSC, tasked motorists to always adhere to road safety rules to avoid accidents and loss of lives on the roads.

Adamu called for similar sensitisation to be carried out across the state as motorists often ply different communities to ensure that everyone was carried along. (NAN)

By Christian Ogbonna

Suspected hoodlums on Thursday attacked the Police Divisional Headquarters in Isu, Onicha Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State, and burnt the left wing of the Station.

DSP Loveth Odah, Spokesperson of Ebonyi Police Command, in a press statement in Abakaliki, said, four patrol vehicles were also burnt.

“On Thursday at about 0325hrs, hoodlums, suspected to be members of the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), attacked Onicha Divisional Police Headquarters, Isu, in Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State.

“One policeman sustained machete cut injuries during the attack and he is responding to treatment in the hospital,” the statement stated. (NAN)

By Monday Ijeh
The Federal Government on Thursday approved the extension of the tenure of Mr Mohammed Adamu as the Inspector General of Police (I-G) by three months.

Mr Osaigbovo Ehisienmen, the Press Secretary to the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Dingyadi confirmed the approval in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said the extension was to give room for proper selection process of a successor.

Adamu, the 20th indigenous I-G was appointed on Jan. 15, 2019 by President Muhammad Buhari.

He joined the service of the Nigeria Police on February 1, 1986 and was due for retirement on Feb.1, having attained the mandatory 35 years in service.

By Ismaila Chafe
President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded the names of the immediate past Service Chiefs to the Senate as non-career Ambassadors-Designate.

Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman confirmed this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

The presidential aide said already the president had communicated this development in a letter to the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.

The president said: “In accordance with section 171 (1), (2) (c) & sub-section (4) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I have the honour to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the under-listed five (5) names of nominees as Non-Career Ambassadors-Designate.”

The nominees are: retired Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, retired Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, retired Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, and retired AVM Mohammed Usman.

The president urged the Senate to give expeditious consideration to the nominations.