By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

The Police in Jigawa have arrested a 50-year-old man for alleged murder of his four-year-old stepson in Roni Local Government Area of the state.

Police spokesman in the state, DSP Lawan Shiisu, said in Dutse on Friday that the suspect was arrested on Aug. 8.

Shiisu said the suspect was arrested at Unguwar Dinya village after the police received a report about the incident on the same date at about 9.00 p.m.

He explained that upon receipt of the report, the police rushed to the scene and took the victim to General Hospital Kazaure for medical attention, where he later died while receiving treatment.

“On Aug. 8, at about 9 p.m, an ugly information was received from Unguwar Dinya area of Roni LGA of Jigawa that on the same date at about 7:42 p.m., one Salmanu Umar aged 4 of Unguwar Dinya village was seen covered with blood and with a deep cut on his throat done by unknown person.

“On receiving the report, a team of detectives led by Divisional Police Officer, Roni Division, rushed to the scene of crime and conveyed the victim to General Hospital Kazaure for treatment who later died while receiving treatment,” he said.

The spokesman said that investigation led to the arrest of the suspect, husband of the deceased mother.

Shiisuu said that when interrogated, the suspect confessed to committing the crime.

He said that the suspect further revealed that he developed hatred for the deceased due to the fact that he could not afford to be feeding someone else’s child.

Shiisu said the suspect also confessed that he attempted to kill the child for the first time, but the attempt was foiled by the deceased’s mother who reported him to her in-law.

He said the suspect had since been arraigned in court. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Julius Toba-Jegede

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) has commiserated with the Nigerian military over recent tragedies in which some soldiers died during an operation in Niger.

A statement by AANI National Publicity Secretary, retired Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, on Friday in Abuja, expressed the association’s condolences to the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and families of the fallen gallant officers and soldiers.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Armed Forces of Nigeria, families, friends, and loved ones of those who have lost their lives or wounded in these unfortunate incidents.

“The recent ambush of Nigerian soldiers and the subsequent air crash in which we lost precious and gallant officers and soldiers have left our nation in shock and sorrow.

“During this challenging time, we extend our heartfelt sympathy to the government of Nigeria, the Nigerian military, and the Niger State government.

“We recognise the immense sacrifices our gallant troops and their families made to safeguard our nation’s security and stability. Their dedication and bravery will always be remembered and honoured,” he said.

Usman said that AANI acknowledged the challenges posed by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, secessionists, violent extremists, and other criminal elements across the country.

He said that those incidents underscored the urgent need for a united and multi-sectoral approach to address the disturbing security threats and ensure the safety and well-being of all Nigerians and residents in the country.

The association also called for enhanced collaboration between government, security agencies, and local communities to combat the evolving security challenges effectively.

He said the AANI believes that “it is also essential to engage local vigilantes and community leaders who possess valuable insights into the dynamics of their respective geopolitical regions in tackling these security challenges.

“Their involvement can significantly contribute to intelligence gathering and implementing targeted security measures”.

He further said “AANI encourages the government of Nigeria to prioritise a comprehensive and inclusive strategy that encompasses not only military interventions but also socio-economic development, education, and empowerment.

“By addressing the root causes of insecurity, we can work towards creating lasting peace and stability across our nation.

“Our association stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people, offering our support and prayers during these trying times. We remain committed to contributing our expertise and resources to foster a safer, more united, and prosperous Nigeria.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Scholars unveil book in honour of former NDA commandant

By Sumaila Ogbaje

No fewer than 52 scholars on Thursday, unveiled a book titled, “Warfare Command and Capacity Building” a festschrift in honour of retired Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf, the immediate past Commandant, Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA).

The book presentation, which was done at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, had in attendance the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya and representatives of the Defence and service chiefs.

The book was re-edited by five scholars led by the Provost of the Mational Defence College Centre of Strategic Studies and Research, Prof. Adams Ahmed.

Others are Prof. Jacob Akindapo, Onipe Yahaya, Nkechi Egbe and Bem Audu.

Speaking on the book and the honouree, Lt.-Gen. Yahaya described Gen. Yusuf as a professional military officer who gave his best to the development and advancement of the Nigerian army and capacity development of personnel.

He said that Yusuf was one of the senior officers that assisted him to succeed as army chief and when he served as theatre commander in the northeast.

Yahaya said the book captured three main areas of command, welfare and capacity building.

He said that Gen. Yusuf was versatile in all areas while in service.

“If you excel in command, you have perhaps excelled in everything and the celebrant has succeeded as commander.

“These three key areas are necessary for somebody to succeed, not only in the military but in life,” the former COAS said.

In his remarks, Yusuf said the driving force behind the book was to give back to the army, the armed forces and the country that had invested so much in developing his capacities.

He said a lot was invested to develop his capacities right from the Army Children School to Nigerian Military School and NDA.

According to him, what the scholars have done is collate all his experiences, particularly in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations to enable younger generation of officers to learn from.

“So bringing our experiences, we focus on the capacity building of the future generation of officers for armed forces and already we are seeing the impact of what this capacity building programme is doing.

“For example, one of the officers out there, a naval officer while on exercise, a personnel fell overboard. This naval officer who has been trained in the amphibious aspect was able to jump into the water and under 18 minutes, rescued this rating.

“We are beginning to see the exploits that the young officers that just left NDA are making barely one year ago. We are getting the feedback of their exploits in the field.

“The ones from NDA that we sent to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, you saw on the documentary there they are still on training but have won laurels, which shows that the training they are receiving in the academy in Nigeria is yielding the desired outcome,” he said.

Prof. Ahmed who led the editing of the book said the focus was on making impact in whatever responsibility one is given.

He said the book would assist writers to do scholarly work on the armed forces of Nigeria and the military generally, in view of scarcity of materials in this area.

The Book Reviewer, Prof. Oloabasi Akpan, said the book  had 51 chapters written by 52 authors and edited by five scholars with in-depth scholarly works covering different areas.

Akpan said that the first chapter captured the profile and early life of Maj.-Gen. Yusuf who grew through the ranks in the army and retired as a general and commandant of the nation’s elite military institution.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several individuals including Yusuf’s superiors, subordinates and course mates poured encomium on him. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed