DEFENCE
Combat Readiness: GOC Tasks Soldiers on physical Fitness

Maj.-Gen. Danjuma Ali-Keffi, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna has charged soldiers to train and maintain physical fitness to enhance their combat readiness.
Ali -Keffi gave the charge at the closing ceremony of the 5-day Inter-Brigade Competition on Friday in Kano.
The Inter-Brigade competition was organised by the 1 division for corporal and soldiers to enhance their effectiveness.
He said the army hierarchy accorded premium to the training of its personnel to build their mental and physical fitness, in line with its policy for a disciplined and professional Army.
“Corporal and below are important section of winning a war, therefore, quality of training and standard are required.
“Your physical and emotional preparations are of paramount importance and can only be achieved through regular training.
“It is, therefore, necessary for all of you to adequately train in order to ensure optimal performance at all times,” he said.
Ali-Keffi said the army authourities had adopted proactive measures to train its personnel and initiated incentives to reward excellent performances and encourage professionalism.
While congratulating participating companies who won trophies, Ali-Keffi announced special promotion of three female soldiers to the next ranks for outstanding performances in the competition.
The GOC further enjoined parents in the Barracks to ensure proper education and moral upbringing of their children to make them responsible members of the society.
The special guest, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Ibrahim, Commandant, Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria said the objective of the competition was to improve the officer’s physical fitness.
Ibrahim said the competition was designed to enhance their leadership capabilities, organisational abilities as well as promote unity and team spirit.
The competition, he said, was also aimed at preparing and building reputations of the army to enable it surmount all adversaries.
The Commander, 3 Brigade, Kano, Brig.- Gen. Bamidele Alabi, who was represented by Lt.-Col. M Markus, Commanding Officer, 3 Military Intelligence Regiment lauded the GOC for his support to the competition.
Alabi also commended the organising committee for the successful conduct of the competition.
The participating soldiers are drawn from the 1 Division Garrison, Kaduna; 31 Artilary Brigade, Minna in Niger and the 3 Brigade, Kano.
The 3 Brigade, Kano won the first position with 560 points and the 1 Division Garrison clinched the second position with 500 points while 31 Artillery Brigade came third with 380 points.
The winners were presented with various trophies for excelling in various events of the competition.
The events included: drill, combat swimming; combat race, arms handling and shooting as well as map reading and obstacle crossing. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Zulum Offers N5m Each to Families of 8 Slained CJTF Members

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has donated N5 million each to the families of eight members of Civilian Joint Task Force ( CJTF) who recently died in an explosion on the Dikwa to Marte road.
Zulum who made this known on Friday during a condolence visit to the families of deceased in Maiduguri, also granted scholarship to their children.
The Civilian CJTF is a volunteer security group that supports military operations against insurgents in Borno State and other parts of the North-East.
” I want to announce a financial assistance of N5 million to each of the bereaved families to cater for their immediate needs.
” Furthermore, the Borno Government will provide full educational scholarship to all children of the deceased CJTF members.
” For those who left no children, we shall extend assistance to their close family members,” he said.
The governor said the gesture was part of his administration’s commitment to assisting the families of security personnel and members of the CJTF who paid the supreme price of defending his people
Zulum described the deceased as martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their communities and assured that their bravery would always be remembered.
He prayed for the repose of their souls of the deceased and urged the bereaved families to take solace in the heroic legacy left behind by their loved ones.
The CJTF operatives died on Tuesday after they ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the area.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Nab 5 Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has arrested five suspected cultists and recovered firearms at Ibesikpo Asutan area of the state.
DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Uyo.
John said the arrests took place at the cultists’ hideout in Ikot Etuk village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area on Wednesday.
She said that the operatives of the command, based on credible information, arrested the cultists.
John said that during the operation, operatives recovered one locally made pistol, one fabricated single-barrel gun and assorted charms.
According to her, the suspects have voluntarily provided useful information to the police regarding their criminal activities.
“This includes their involvement in a recent attack on Fulani herdsmen, which resulted in the killing of two cows.
“The stolen cows were reportedly shared among various cult groups within Ibesikpo Asutan,” she said.
John said that efforts were currently underway to apprehend other fleeing gang members and recover their operational weapons.
The spokesman further said the developments would be communicated to the public as they unfold. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Arrest 4 Suspects, Recover Stolen Property in A’Ibom

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)