DEFENCE
Army Chief Decorates 23 Newly Promoted Principal Officers

By Gom Mirian, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, yesterday decorated the newly promoted Brigadier-Generals with their new ranks at the Army headquarters in Abuja.
22 Colonels and 1 Brigadier-general were decorated with their new ranks of Brigadier-Generals and Major-General, respectively.
The decoration ceremony is sequel to a recent approval by the Army Council of the Promotion of 141 Senior Nigerian Army (NA) officers to the next ranks.
Speaking at the event, Lt. Gen Buratai, highlighted that the increasingly Complex and challenging security environment requires the NA personnel to put forward its very best at all times.
“You must take responsibility not only to the officers under you command but the NA at large. You must remain responsive to your troops,challenges that you will come across.
“Responsive to troops welfare,training needs of units and formations,
Responsive to call of duty especially were operations are involved”. He said.
According to Buratai, “Today’s ceremony is a memorable one for the 44 Regular course as his military assistant is among the newly decorated officers , saying that he has performed creditably well.
Buratai while expressing joy to see young officers progressing, urged those who have missed this opportunity to remain prayerful and put their trusts in the hands of God.
The Army chief noted that elevation comes with higher responsibilities and therefore enjoined the newly decorated officers to be more diligent, committed, responsive and accountable in the discharge of their duties to the nation.
The ceremony has in attendance the seniors officers, Family members, Friends and spouses of the promoted officers and their well Wishers.
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)