The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on Wednesday celebrated Christmas with sick and wounded soldiers in action.

The Army boss assured them that their sacrifices would never go in vain.

Report says that Oluyede said this at a Christmas luncheon with the sick and wounded soldiers at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.

The COAS assured that the welfare of officers, soldiers and their families, including the injured and those who lost their lives remained his top priority.

He reaffirmed the readiness of the Nigerian Army to up-scale issues to foster professionalism and combat-readiness under his watch.

Oluyede, represented by the Corps Commander Artillery, Maj.

-Gen. Marcus Kangye, said the issues towards fostering professionalism and combat-readiness would be achieved alongside a stronger emphasis on maintaining sound administration.

To this end, he pledged to prioritise personnel welfare, recognising  excellence and ensure an efficient system of rewards and sanctions.

The Army Chief said: “All these are in furtherance of my command philosophy.

“Which is to consolidate the transformation of the Nigerian Army towards bequeathing a well-motivated and combat-ready force that can effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment”

He thanked all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their sacrifices and untiring commitment in tackling the numerous security challenges facing the country.

“This is especially to those deployed in the various theatres and peace keeping operations that would not likely be with their loved ones during the festive period due to exigency of duty.

“The collective efforts of our troops towards securing lives and properties are well appreciated by well-meaning Nigerians and the allies of Nigeria,” he said.

Oluyede charged all the Nigerian Army personnel to continue to remain focused, disciplined and loyal to constituted authority, while ensuring that they fully commit to achieving constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.

He urged them to maintain the spirit of patriotism and continue to give their best in discharging their assigned duties and responsibilities.

As they celebrate Christmas, the COAS enjoined them to use the opportunity to remember and pray for the reposed of the souls of departed gallant colleagues who paid the supreme prize in the course of defending their fatherland, including the immediate past COAS, Late Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

“The Nigerian Arny will ever remain

committed, determined and focused on winning all land battles in defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria, protect her national interests and accomplish other tasks in aid of civil authority within a joint and multi-agency environment,” Oluyede assured.

Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigeria Army, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, said the Christmas celebration provides a unique and solid avenue to appreciate the sacrifices, loyalty and commitment of gallant troops in 1 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR).

Saraso said the security situation in the Division’s AOR has remained volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.

He, however, said the Division has ensured stability in the AOR.

This, according to him, is exemplified by the relative security being enjoyed along the strategic Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road and the Abuja-Kaduna road/rail

corridor.

He added that several kidnapped victims have been rescued or released from captivity unconditionally, while many bandits have also laid down their arms due to the division’s proactive kinetic and non-kinetic engagements.

“These modest successes have been made possible through the collective dedication and sacrifices of our gallant troops in the field.

“We in 1 Division and indeed the Nigerian Army as a whole must ensure that our troops are continuously motivated to accomplish all statutory or assigned tasks,” he said.

He observed that the lunch was a token of appreciation for the wounded in action and sick soldiers’ hard work and sacrifices throughout 2024.

The GOC said it was aimed at reinvigorating their commitments to securing the division’s AOR and to ensure that no safe haven exist for terrorist or insurgent activities within 1 Division AOR. (NAN)

The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, has intercepted a boat laden with about 100,000 litres of stolen crude oil at the Idiogba-Mahin coastline in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo.

Capt. Aliyu Usman, the Commanding Officer of the base made this known to journalists on Thursday during an assessment visit to the site.

Usman said that the Naval team acted on credible intelligence and deployed its Quick Response Team.

He said the team intercepted the wooden boat with the stolen crude oil and items used for bunkering activities such as discharge hoses and pumping machines.

The commanding officer said that the perpetrators of the crime fled on sighting the response team.

“In the process, the team intercepted a large wooden boat laden with about 100,000 litres of stolen crude oil, alongside associated accessories such as discharge hoses and pumping machines.

“The perpetrators fled on sighting the Naval team but the arrested boat was thereafter secured.

“Accordingly, a sample of the crude oil was taken for appropriate laboratory test while the boat and the product were handled in line with extant directives,” Usman said.

Report says that residents of the community were later sensitised on the dangers and implications of playing host to illegal bunkering activities to their security and environment. (NAN)

The Police Command in Anambra and the security Joint Task Force (JTF) have apprehended one Pablo Mamu, and recovered one OFN rifle, one locally made pistol, one live 9mm Ammunition, eight live cartridges.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday in Onitsha.

Ikenga said that the police also recovered one black Lexus 330 jeep with  different plate numbers Abuja Reg.

No. ABJ 159 LC and Enugu JRV 928 SX.

He said that the security team comprising of Police and Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) operatives in the early hours of Dec. 23, 2024 apprehended the suspect.

The PPRO said that the joint security team acted on credible information provided, burst the suspect in his abode and during a search conducted the above exhibits were found.

Ikenga noted that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Nnaghe Itam, commended the synergy between the security operatives and the vigilance of the public in providing actionable intelligence.

Itam emphasised the importance of continued collaboration to ensure the safety and security of all residents during and after this festive season. (NAN)