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DEFENCE

Abortion Allegation: CDS Calls for Independent Investigation

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The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor has called on the National Human Rights Commission to launch an independent investigation into allegation by Reuters of illegal abortion programme by the military.

Irabor made the call when he led principal staff officers of the Defence Headquarters on a visit to the Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu on Friday in Abuja.

Reuters had alleged in a report that Nigeria’s military run a secret abortion programme in the country’s North East, terminating at least 10,000 pregnancies since 2013.

Irabor insisted that the allegation by Reuters was baseless and false, adding that the military had nothing to hide hence the need for an independent investigation to exonerate itself.

He said there was need for the commission to carry out such investigation in line with its responsibilities.

According to him, the armed forces as an establishment of the Federal Republic is bound by the Nigerian constitution to operate based on local and international laws.

This, he added, include international humanitarian laws and laws of armed conflicts as domesticated in Nigeria.

“And recognizing the place of the national Human Rights Commission and ensuring that all the activities of government and all its citizens and of course, inhabitants, including friends of Nigeria who are within our space conduct their affairs in line with the laws of the land.

“In recent times, there have been reports which alluded that the armed forces is involved in government programme of abortions in the northeast of Nigeria from 2013.

“And that report was published by Reuters and of course when we looked at it, we felt this is certainly not us and it does not indeed represent the professional standing of the armed forces of Nigeria.

“Where we have footprints of operations in line with the dictates of the constitution.

“We felt that perhaps there are some extra territorial powers that want to weaken the strength of the armed forces being at the forefront of the current engagements that seeks to bring peace to our land.

“And so some actions need to be taken but of course, being bound by law, being guided by laws, we’ve taken a look and we felt that the right establishment that should undertake investigation is the national Human Rights Commission.

“So it is in that light that I have come to formally inform you if perhaps you are not thinking about it that we as an armed force stand ready for any investigation, and I think in this case, the NHRC stands a good ground to carry out an investigation,” he said.

Irabor assured the commission that the military would grant it unfettered access to all its establishments across the country.

He also gave assurance that the personnel of the armed forces would be available to answer questions in the course of the investigation.

“We are doing this because we believe we have remained very transparent in our personal engagements and so we have nothing to fear.

“We have also indicated before now that the report is evil.

“We felt that since we are the crux of the allegation it is necessary for us to give you that assurance that we stand ready for you to carry out that investigation,” the CDS emphasised.

Responding, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Ojukwu said the commission was established under the law to deal with all matters relating to human rights protection, promotion and enforcement in Nigeria.

He said the request of the CDS was in line with the determination of the commission to investigate the allegations because of its human rights implications. 

“As you may be aware, the investigation process of the Commission must meet the International Human Rights standard required for this kind of investigation.

He said that the investigation  will be public and open, transparent, and in accord with principle of fair hearing.

Ojukwu added that it will ensure  accountability, non-discrimination and  accommodate variety of interest.

“As we look forward to announcing further steps in the near future towards the constitution of the Panel of Investigation into the Reuters Report, please accept the warm regards of the National Human Rights Commission,” he said. (NAN)

DEFENCE

Police Intensify Security in Cross River Ahead of Easter Festival

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The Cross River Police command says it has beefed up security across the State preparatory to the celebration of Easter festival.

Mr. Gyogon Grimah, the Commissioner of Police, made this known in Calabar on Monday.

According to him, the tactical teams of the Police as well as other regular formations have been deployed at strategic positions within the state to secure the lives and property of the residents during the festival.

This is contained in a statement signed by the command spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo and made available to newsmen in Calabar on Monday.

The CP who felicitated with the people of the state and Christian faithful, directed for close surveillance activities, foot/vehicular patrols, and visibility policing across, to forestall security breaches during the period.

He said the Police Area Commanders, Divisional Police Oficers (DPOs) and Tactical Commanders were directed to ensure safety and security of the general public before, during and after the event.

“The Police Command will not fold its hand and watch any group or individuals under whatever guise to obstruct or cause breakdown of law and order.”

“I urge all public spirited individuals to volunteer useful and genuine information to the Police and support the Police and other security agencies to ensure peaceful coexistence in the state and the nation as a whole,” he appealed,” he said

He enjoins citizens residing in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear or panic.(NAN)

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DEFENCE

Air Force Knocks out Terrorists’ Enclaves Near Lake Chad

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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of the military special task force, “Operation Hadin Kai’’, has continued to decimate terrorists and their hideouts at Tumbuns near Lake Chad.

NAF’s Director, Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, stated on Monday in Abuja that intelligence report received made airstrikes on a location Northwest of Arina Woje in Tumbuns on Sunday imperative.

He explained that the report indicated the presence of terrorists’ hideouts at the location.

He added that the report also confirmed an activation of terrorists’ activities around clusters of structures concealed under trees near the location.

“A post-strike Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their hideouts set ablaze, thereby degrading their capabilities to attack surface forces.

“These strikes have also degraded the capabilities of terrorist elements operating in the region to attack innocent civilians residing near Arina Woje in Borno,’’ Gabkwet stated. (NAN)

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DEFENCE

Army’ll Continue to Build Capacity to Surmount Security Threats -GOC

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The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigeria, Maj.-Gen  Mayirenso Saraso, says the Nigerian Army will continue  to build the  capacity of its Officers and men to enable them surmount the emerging security threats.

The GOC stated this at a three-day capacity building for 1 Division Operations Planning Cadre 2024 for Officers on Monday in Kaduna.

Saraso said the avenue was to bring together the participants of the ranks of Captains to Colonels in the divsion’s Area of Responsibility to build cohesion and synergize with sister security agencies.

“The training is organized to refresh us on the various aspects of operations planning process in order to enhance our

skills and improve capacity in single and joint service operations planning process,” he said.

The GOC  said this was in line with the Chief of

Army Staff’s command philosophy.

It is: ‘ To Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment’.

Saraso said, “As we are all witnessing, warfare is becoming increasingly complex due to changes in the nature of threats and

advancement in technology.

“In view of this, armies world over

are continually engaged in training and capacity building to enable them surmount emerging security challenges.”

According to the GOC,  the Nigerian Army  equally recognizes these changes and therefore, seeks to develop capacity through realistic training that will enhance its

operations.

He explained that the division’s experiences in Birnin Gwari,Falgore, Kagara and other forests, among others, had helped it to draw useful lessons and identify gaps in the conduct of its operations.

The GOC said the  1 Division Operations Planning Cadre for this year was expected to explore ways of building on existing efforts by it to meet its operational needs in the areas of Warfare Operations Planning.

“Others are military decision making process, intelligence preparation of the battle space and logistics in operational planning amongst others, “he said.

Saraso  urged the participants to have an open mind in order to derive maximum benefits from the cadre.

The GOC appreciated  the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja  for providing the resources for the cadre, his exemplary and inspiring leadership, support motivation to the division..(NAN)

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