DEFENCE
NAF @ 59: Nigerian Air Force “Flies out” 15 Senior Officers After Meritorious Service

No fewer than 15 senior officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) were “flown out (pulled out as in the Army) ceremonially after a meritorious service to the nation.
Report says that the out-going or retiring 15 senior officers also witnessed a ceremonial parade mounted in their honour and colourful aerial display of NAF’s fighter jets as well as other exhibitions.
In a valedictory speech on Friday in Enugu, AVM Dauda Prayero, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, for repositioning NAF to meet contemporary challenges.
Prayero, who spoke on behalf of the other retiring senior officers, also appreciated the CAS for motivating NAF personnel with his clear cut vision to achieve resounding operational and tactical successes; adding: “Sir, you will end well, Amen”.
According to him, “most of our colleagues in the course of the years left the service; some even paid the ultimate sacrifice for our father land.
“We thank God Almighty that it ended well for us today. To get here, it took sacrifices and hard work as well as the grace of God.
“No one will get to this height without the support of his colleagues, officers and men as well as family around one. I thank my colleagues and you all for supporting us,” he said.
Prayero advised serving officers as well as airmen and airwomen to always count on their cooperation even in their retirement.
“We will continue to support, pray and be available for your services whenever our services or advise are needed.
“I wish you well and may God Almighty grant NAF personnel the grace to continue to land well and be the pride of not just Nigeria but Africa,” he said.
The retiring NAF senior officers included: five Air Vice Marshals (AVMs) and 10 Air Commodores.
The event, which was part of activities marking the 59th Anniversary Celebration of NAF, was attended by the CAS, other top senior officers, senior officers, officers, airmen and airwomen as well as families and friends of the retiring senior officers. (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)