News Agency of Nigeria
Defence/Security

NSCDC restates commitment to protect schools, farmers

By Rabiu Sani-Ali

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has reiterated its commitment to the protection of schools and farming communities against banditry and criminal activities in Kano State.

The state Commandant of the corps, Mr Abu Abdu-Tambuwal, said this while addressing personnel of the corps as part of activities to mark the 2021 International Civil Defence Day on Wednesday in Kano.

Abdu-Tambuwal said the corps was mandated to provide security to schools, colleges and tertiary institutions of learning, to create safe and secured learning environment.

“The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has directed the corps to protect schools and colleges as part of our mandate to defend the defenseless.

“We must protect our students from bandits and criminals in addition to the protection of national assets from vandalism.

“We must stand firm to defend the defenseless and critical national assets to make Nigeria great,” he said.

According to him, the corps has deployed Agro Rangers to communities to mediate and resolve farmers/pastoral clashes.

He added that the team recorded significant successes in enhancing peace building and conflict resolution in the society.

Abdu-Tambuwal explained that Agro Rangers were deployed to the Danshoshiya Forest Reserve while plans had reached advance stage to deploy additional rangers to two other reserves across the state.

“Agro Rangers are specially trained to protect and safeguard farmers to enable them to cultivate their farmlands to achieve food security,” he said.

While calling on the personnel to be dedicated in the discharge of their duties, Abdu-Tambuwal reiterated the corps commitment to the protection of lives and property.

Meanwhile, the NSCDC has decorated officers and men of the corps who excelled in various sport competitions in the past one year.

The commandant said the officers and men of the corps participated and won gold medals in various sporting events organised for security agencies in the country.

“Their performances are glory and pride to the command,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that three players were decorated with gold medals while many others were awarded certificates. (NAN)

Defence/Security

CP tasks Police on respect for human rights

By Rabiu Sani-Ali

Mr Sama’ila Shu’aibu-Dikko, the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, has tasked Police personnel to respect human rights and rule of law in the discharge of their duties.

Shu’aibu -Dikko gave the charge in a statement issued by DSP Abdullahi Haruna, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, on Wednesday in Kano.

The commissioner made the call when he paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.

“In this era of community policing, all officers of the command are to work diligently, respect human rights and rule of law in accordance with the international best practices,’’ Shu’aibu-Dikko said.

The CP further commended the Emir for his continued support to the command.

In his remark, Bayero lauded the police for their good work toward ensuring the protection of lives and property.

Bayero urged the CP to work and contribute his quota toward making the state safe and secured. (NAN)

Defence/Security

Police establish 5 units to address banditry in Sokoto

By Habibu Harisu
Police have established additional five units to strengthen the security activities against banditry and other criminalities in Sokoto State.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sakoto State command,  Mr Sanusi Abubakar, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday  in Sokoto.
Abubakar said that the units covered Eastern parts of the state comprising Gwadabawa, Illela, Sabon Birni, Isa and Wurno local government areas noting that the units were headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
He said that the command had on Monday launched ”Operation PUFF ADDER II”, an intensive excersise to provide adequate security in areas overwhelmed by the activities of bandits in the state.
According to  him, the  exercise is targeted at five local government areas and extends to neighbouring local government areas.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that on Monday 12 persons were killed by bandits while attempting to rescue an abductee at Illela Amarawa village in Illela local government of Sokoto State.
NAN reports that gunmen raided the area at around 2 a.m. and picked one Alhaji Rabi’u Amarawa, a popular businessman in the area at his residence.
It was said that members of his family alerted the vigilantes and other residents of the community who in turn mobilised and went after the bandits in a bid to rescue the abductee.
Abubakar confirmed the incident and said that members of the community had not informed security operatives before taking their decision and that was why there was heavy casualty.
The PPRO added that investigation was ongoing and assured that with redeployment of additional five police units that comprised armed policemen banditry would be halted. (NAN)
Defence/Security

Buhari celebrates release of abducted Zamfara schoolgirls

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed “overwhelming joy” over release of abducted female students of Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe, in Zamfara.

While reacting to the development in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Tuesday, the President said:

“I join the families and people of Zamfara in welcoming and celebrating the  release of these traumatized female students.”

President Buhari said he was excited that their ordeal came to a happy end without any incident, adding that “being held in captivity is an agonizing experience not only for the victims, but also their families and all of us.”

However, while celebrating the release of the students, the president called for greater vigilance by the people so that human intelligence could be collected early enough to nip the bandits’ plans in the bud.

According to him, the time has come to reverse, completely, the grim and heartbreaking incidents of kidnapping.

“Ransom payments will continue to prosper kidnapping,” he warned, while urging the Police and the Military to go after these kidnappers and bring them to justice. (NAN)

Defence/Security , Education

Our abductors threatened to kill, fry, eat us – Jangebe abductee

By Abubakar Ahmed

One of the victims of last Friday’s Zamfara Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, abduction, Hafsat Anka, said the captives threatened to kill, fry and eat them if they misbehaved.

Hafsat, while narrating her ordeal to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Government House, Gusau, shortly after regaining freedom, stated that they trekked over a long distance from the school, had a stopover for some hours before they reached their destination.

“There was no clean water or good food, and we felt we had already spent years even though it was our first day and the bandits kept firing into the air to scare us.

“They were very young boys with on one elder they called Kasalle or Yaya who gave them instructions, and he was the one that stopped them from touching any of us,” Hafsat stated.

According to her, the bandits wore military uniforms and claimed they defeated the security officials by invading the school and successfully whisking the girls away.

Hafsat, who said she was happy for being rescued, pointed out that she would continue her studies but as a day student.

NAN reports that the students were abducted last Friday around 2: 00 a.m. generating public outcry across the world, with many calling on the government and security agencies to ensure their safe return. (NAN)

Defence/Security , Education

How 279 school girls were released with help of repentant bandits – Gov. Matawalle

By Abubakar Ahmed

Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara says repentant bandits in the state assisted security agencies in the operation that led to the rescue of Jangebe school girls.

The governor, who received the girls at about 5a.m on Tuesday in Gusau, said the 279 girls were returned safely without paying any ransom.

“This is the result of our peace effort and putting to shame all those saying there is no security in this country.

“We have been in discussion since Friday with the abductors and reached agreement on Monday by 4 p.m. that the girls were released.

“We are happy that all 279 have safely returned, they will undergo medical checks and given balanced diets to recuperate by the state government before they are handed back to their respective families.

“I want to appeal to parents not to remove their children from school as a result of this, we will ensure additional security in all the schools.

“We thank all media outlets for their support throughout these trying times,” the governor said.

Matawalle congratulated parents of the victims and Nigerians for the safe return of the girls.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that gunmen abducted the girls from their dormitories in Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, on Friday.

One of the victims, Hafsatu Anka, an SS II student who spoke in tears, said they were laid in trenches littered with human feaces.

“We saw other people including women and children and father of one of our school mates who had been in the den for three months.

“They walked us on foot where some of us got dislocated on their foot, they would pray as Muslims but never allowed us to pray and they fed us with rice in which they put sand after cooking,” Hafsat narrated. (NAN)

Defence/Security

Police arrest robbery gang terrorising Osogbo

By Olajide Idowu

The Police Command in Osun on Monday announced the arrest of a seven-man armed robbery gang terrorising Osogbo and its environs.

The Osun Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Olawale Olokode, while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Osogbo, said the suspects were arrested when a victim reported an attack on his residence.

“On Feb.7, at about 7:50 a.m. the case of armed robbery was reported at Oja-Oba Police Division and operatives of the Police Response Unit (PRU) swung into action.

“The victim of the robbery said about five persons, armed with dangerous weapons, broke into his apartment, around Ilesha Garage, Osogbo, and stole valuables, including one unregistered Toyota Camry, all valued at N3.65 million,” he said.

He said some of the robbers were, however, arrested in Lagos, Oyo and Ogun States.

The police boss said they all made confessional statements that their major operations were carried out largely within Osogbo metropolis.

The CP similarly paraded two other suspects, arrested for obtaining money under pretext.

According to him, the suspects usually abscond with money collected from their victims after promising to introduce them to business opportunities which they (suspects) knew to be fake.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police boss also paraded other suspects arrested for various crimes, including car stealing and being in possession of dangerous weapons.

The CP, however, said that all the arrested suspects would be charged to court after the completion of investigations.

He assured residents of  the state of the security of their lives and property.  (NAN)

Defence/Security

New NSCDC boss plans to establish women corps

By Kelechi Ogunleye

Dr Ahmed Audi, the newly decorated Commandant-General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has formally assumed office with a plan to establish a women corps.

He said the planned women corps would help to stem the tide of insecurity in the country.

Audi, who spoke at the national headquarters of the corps shortly after taking over from Acting Commandant-General Hillary Madu, also hinted of his plan to fortify the Agro-Rangers Unit of the NSCDC.

The CG said that the women corps would compete favourably with its male counterpart in training, tactics and efficiency in service delivery.

“The Agro-Rangers Unit, which is the latest addition to the mandate of the corps, will also be repackaged and re-branded. We shall fortify the rangers with adequate training and re-training programmes.

“This is to key into the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure food security and banish hunger in the country by protecting and securing farmers and their investments from incessant attacks by bandits, cattle rustlers, terrorists and other criminal elements,’’ he said.

Audi said he would maintain a high ethical standard so as to bring about transformational leadership which would rid the corps of impunity.

“Without accountability, transparency, and good leadership, it would be difficult for any organisation to achieve its full potential as a thriving force with values and work ethos.

Audi said that his administration would ensure discipline and regimentation, transparent and judicious use of funds, accountability and probity in the management of men and resources in line with global best practices.

He, however, appealed to all officers and men to key into the various action plans by cooperating to move the corps forward.

“I charge you all to make sure that as security personnel, you do not compromise our values and integrity but ensure you work assiduously as patriotic citizens and ambassadors of excellence wherever you are deployed to serve.

“My leadership shall uphold the tenets of meritocracy over and above any ethnic, religious, cultural or emotional affiliations.

“Hence, we shall review our methods and system of conducting promotion exercises for personnel and ensure we correct all anomalies and imbalances in order to continue to motivate and strengthen the morale of our productive workforce.

“I shall surround myself with a team of experts in their chosen endeavours, professionals in various fields and a think-tank that will spearhead the digitalisation process of the corps,” he stated.

The outgoing Acting Commandant-General Madu urged the personnel to support the new CG, stating that Audi was armed with age and experience. (NAN)

Business , Defence/Security , Economy/Business

Aregbesola inaugurates 105 rooms hotel for correctional service

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has inaugurated a 105-room hotel, an investment of the Correctional Service Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society (COCOS) of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Abuja on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the hotel is located at the NCoS Headquarters premises, Bill Clinton Drive, Airport Road, Abuja.

Aregbesola at the inauguration said that the facility was a product of strategic thinking and efficiency on the part of the leadership of the correctional service.

He said that the strategic location of the hotel close to the airport would provide proximate accommodation to travelers for local and international flights.

According to him, for a very critical organ of government like NCoS, any effort to boost the morale of personnel is commendable and also a step in the right direction.

He commended the initiators of the co-operative society for making it a sustainable financial support base for officers and men of the correctional service.

“More so, COCOS has remained relevant in bringing the government’s philosophy of personnel welfare, to reality.

“The Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to strengthening public institutions can hardly be attained without adequate staff welfare.

“It is particularly gratifying to note that COCOS has not only remained viable in providing financial succor to staff, but has stepped up to become an enviable enterprise capable of providing more dividends to all members.

“Classical economists tell us that the path to economic development is through savings and investment,” he said.

Aregbesola commended the personnel for their commitment to saving, adding that saving required personal financial discipline and sacrifice since public sector workers hardly had surplus income.

He added that savings energised the financial system while investment expands the economy, provides jobs and boosts government revenue, thereby enabling the government to perform its duties to the people.

The minister advised that the management of the facility be left in the hands of a professional manager to ensure that it would be found attractive by anyone needing the serenity and quietude of the countryside.

He also commended the immediate past Controller General of Corrections, Ja’afaru Ahmed, for conceiving and nurturing the project to fruition.

Speaking, Acting Controller General of Corrections John Mrabure said that the cooperative society was established primarily to serve as frontline support that would provide financial succor to personnel of NCoS.

Mrabure said the cooperative had lived up to its bidding, adding value to the lives of serving, retired and deceased personnel through prudent and efficient management of pooled resources.

He said it was in a bid to further guarantee the buoyancy of the corporative and give members more value for their money that the idea of investing in the hospitality industry was considered.

According to him, this profitable innovation was championed by the immediate past Controller General of Corrections Ahmed, whose disposition throughout the journey to where clearly demonstrates his passion for the welfare of staff.

“The magnificent edifice you see today began sometime in April 2020 and it has 105 rooms of different specifications, with the basic features of a standard hotel, poised to deliver excellent hospitality services,” he said.

In his goodwill message, the Comptroller Gen of Nigeria Immigration Service, Mohammad Babandede, commended the initiative of the COCOS to come up with such a magnificent project, saying it was a challenge for other cooperatives to learn from.

Babandede said that the Immigration cooperative society had learnt something from the initiative of the correctional multipurpose cooperative. (NAN)

Defence/Security

APC chieftain urges security agencies to end kidnappings of children

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Alhaji Tijjani Tumsah, a former Interim National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged security agencies to deplore all the required resources to put an end to kidnapping of innocent children for ransom.

Tumsah, in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, expressed shock and sadness over the Friday abduction of hundreds of
schoolgirls in Jangebe, Zamfara.

The APC chieftain said it was disturbing that the incident happened at a time that the Zamfara Government was pursuing peace deal with repentant bandits.

He said the recurring incidence of school abductions and killings by bandits call for a multi-pronged approach to ending the insecurity ravaging the country.

He demanded immediate and safe release of the schoolgirls and those involved in the act should be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“The kidnapping of school children in their dormitories will, no doubt, negatively affect learning as no meaningful academic activities can take place in an unsecure environment.

“Attacks on schools may also discourage some parents from sending their kids to school and the consequence of having a generation without proper education can be best imagined than experienced,” he said.

The APC chieftain, therefore, urged government at all levels to ensure that academic institutions are well secured to prevent attacks.

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