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DEFENCE

2021 Budget: Senate Committee Wants More Funding for Army

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The N27 billion earmarked for capital projects for the Nigerian Army from the N13 trillion 2021 National Budget estimates is grossly inadequate, the Senate Committee on Army has said.

Chairman of the Committee, Sen.

Alli Ndume (APC Borno), made the remark on behalf of the commitee when top officials of Nigerian Army appeared before the committee for budget defence session on Wednesday.

Ndume, therefore, called for improved funding for the Nigerian Army in the budget.

He said given the challenges of insecurity in parts of the country, the amount proposed for the Army would not be enough for its operations in the country.

“In a budget of N13 trillion and in a period of crisis, you can not budget less than N30 billion to the Nigerian Army. That amount is grossely inadequate especially now that we have challenges every where.

“Some N27 billion as capital to the Nigerian Army is inadequate out of a budget of N13 trillion.”

He said the Nigerian Army was operating in 33 states, noting that it required adequate funds to successfully execute its mandate especially on procurement of ammunitions.

“Those equipment in most cases are destroyed during counter attacks; therefore, the army needs money to operate effectively.

He, however, said the committee would have to be convinced on what the army needed and what it was needed for.

He urged the Army officials to be open on the issues, in the presentation of the fiscal proposal to the committee.

This, Ndume noted, would enable the committee to have a background and informed knowledge of its intentions in the budget.

He also said the provisions of required information by the Army to the committee would enable the committee to support their positions in the budget.

“We will look at what you have done so far and what you need and then do the needful and see how we can help ourselves as Nigerians for the security of Nigerians.

“The main purpose of government is security and welfare of the citizens.

“But we can not do that, you wear the shoe, you have to open up to the committee.

“Tell us your problem, defend what you have done before so that we can stand with you and talk from the background of Knowledge any where.

“The budget is two fold, you give account for what you were given in 2020 and and amount appropriated and released and what you intend to do in 2021.”

Ndume said the Army was one of the most important agencies of government in the Nigerian context especially with current challenges of insurgency, banditry, farmers herdsmen clashes, and other forms of criminality across the country.

He said the committee had begun its oversight visits to eight Army divisions in the country.

“We intend to go to all, we have visited the 8 Division in Sokoto that is being operated in Sokoto, Kastina and Zamfara.

“We have seen what is on, ground and we have also had discussions with the local people and have a feel of what is going on.

Ndume also told journalists after a closed door budget presentation by the Army officials that the committee was not disposed to de-radicalisation of repentant Boko Haram members in the country.

He said it was not in the best interest of Nigerians to re-integrate the professed repentant Boko Haram members into the society when the war on insurgency was still on.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen.Tukur Buratai, was represented at the budget defence which was a closed door session by Lt.Gen Lamidi Adeosun, Army Chief of Policy and Planning.(NAN)

DEFENCE

Police Arrest 4 Suspects, Recover Stolen Property in A’Ibom

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 The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said it had arrested four suspected criminals in Udi Street in Uyo and recovered numerous stolen items.

DSP Timfon John, the Command’s Public Relations Officer said this in a statement in Uyo on Monday.

John said that the suspects were arrested base on credible intelligence and in compliance with the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare’s directive.

She said that an operation which was inaugurated last Friday at exactly 1:15 a.

m., led to the arrest of the four suspects.

”In a significant intelligence-led operation, operatives of the command raided a location in Udi Street, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of numerous stolen items.

The raid also resulted in the arrest of another two suspected receivers of stolen property,” she explained.

The command’s image maker said that exhibit including 14 sewing machine heads and a generator were recovered from the suspects.

According to her, two complainants have come forward and identified their stolen machines among the recovered items.

She added that investigation into the matter was ongoing. (NAN) 

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CRIME

Police Rescue 28 Kidnap Victims, Detain 10 Suspects In Enugu

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The Police Command in Enugu has rescued 28 kidnap victims and detained 10 suspects in Enugu State.

The command also recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles and other exhibits in separate coordinated operations within the past 10 days.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe on Tuesday in Enugu.

Ndukwe said that the feat was part of the Command’s sustained efforts to rid Enugu State of unrepentant violent criminals.

“On May 18, at about 6:30 p.m., operatives attached to Umumba Police Division, working with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards and community members, rescued two male and two female victims kidnapped along Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area.

“This followed a tactical bush-combing operation.

“Four male suspects linked to the crime were immediately detained and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations,” he said.

The spokesman said that on the same day, at about 6:34 p.m., operatives from 9th Mile Division responded to a distress call and arrested a suspect.

According to him, the suspect and three others have attempted to kidnap a woman, who raised an alarm.

He said that the suspect, who was severely beaten by the mob, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being investigated further.

“Similarly, operatives from Okpuje Police Division of the Command, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards, on May 17, 2025, carried out a strategic bush-combing operation in a forest bordering Okpuje in Enugu State and Odolu in Kogi State.

“During the operation, they intercepted two men found with ₦150,000 and ₦70,000 respectively, intended for ransom payments, as well as loaves of bread and drinks requested by the kidnappers.

“Upon further incursion, the team encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers but responded with superior firepower, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds and abandon the victims, a pump-action gun, and two live cartridges.

“The victims were rescued unhurt and the exhibits recovered. Efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” he said.

Ndukwe said that earlier, on May 14, 2025, at about 5:30a.m., operatives from Igbo-Eze North Division, with the Military and Neighbourhood Watch, rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Amaka-Okpodu community in Kogi State.

He said that the victims, some of whom were returning from a traditional marriage ceremony, had been allegedly abducted on May 10, 2025, along Iyionu-Aguibeje Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA by hooded armed men.

“Five male suspects were subsequently detained following credible intelligence, and three firearms were also recovered. Additionally, a minibus and four motorcycles used by the travelling victims were earlier recovered from the scene of the crime.

“In another operation, on May 13, 2025, at about 9:45 p.m., operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, acting on credible information, rescued a kidnapped victim along the Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway and recovered his Toyota Camry.

“A white Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 703 LP used by the suspects and a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu, were also recovered.

“Operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” he said.

Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the police operatives, the collaborating security agents and law-abiding community members for their efforts in making the operations successful.

The spokesman said that the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s avowed commitment to make Enugu State safer and more secure by rooting out violent criminals and their activities.

He said that the state police boss urged residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant and cooperative with police and other law enforcement authorities. (NAN) 

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CRIME

Police Nab Native Doctor, Recover Arms, Ammunition From Shrine

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The police operatives of the Enugu command, attached to the  Special AntiCultism Squad (SPACS)  have nabbed a native doctor, for alleged possession of fire arms and ammunition hidden in his shrine.

This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in Enugu on Monday.

Ndukwe said that the police recovered one locally-made pistol, one revolver pistol, one expended and one live .

38 special calibre ammunition and one live cartridge from his shrine located at Ugwuochie-Iwollo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.

“The recovery followed the suspect’s confessional statements after his earlier arrest, as well as a subsequent raid on the shrine by the operatives.

“The suspect confessed to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity.

“He will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for their efforts and urged them to sustain the momentum, ensuring that “Enugu State remains uninhabitable for unrepentant criminals.”

The commissioner also urged members of the public to remain supportive of the command’s efforts. (NAN)

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