NEWS
Army Denies Harassing, Intimidating Residents in Cross Rivers Communities
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
Headquarters 82 Division, Nigerian Army has observed with concern a recent report alleging that troops of 245 Battalion are harassing and intimidating residents of Ochon Community in Obubra Local Government Area as regards a land dispute with Alesi Community of Ikom Local Government Area both of Cross River State.
In a press statement by the acting Deputy Director Army public relations 82 division Nigerian Army, lieutenant colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni noted that the reports are false, misleading, and clearly aimed at discrediting the efforts of troops working tirelessly to maintain peace in the area. “82 Division categorically refutes the allegation in its entirety. Troops of 245 Battalion are currently deployed in the general area for internal security operations to protect lives, safeguard critical infrastructure, and maintain a peaceful environment for all law-abiding citizens. Their presence is strictly to assist civil authorities for the preservation of public order in full compliance with constitutional provisions.“Following renewed clashes between the Alesi and Ochon communities on 19 September 2025, troops under 82 Division responded swiftly to prevent escalation and restore normalcy across the affected areas of Ikom and Obubra Local Government Areas.“82 Division wishes to reaffirm its absolute neutrality in all communal, ethnic, political, and land-related matters. The Division has no stake or interest in the ownership, control, or settlement of land disputes between Alesi and Ochon or any other communities. Our mandate is solely to maintain peace and forestall any breakdown of law and order that could endanger lives and property.“Headquarters 82 Division reassures the good people of Cross River State, particularly residents of Alesi and Ochon communities, of its unwavering commitment to professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights. We urge community leaders and other stakeholders to continue to embrace lawful and peaceful avenues to resolve differences.“Against this backdrop, the Division hereby requests the public to disregard false reports intended to undermine the peace support efforts. 82 Division will continue to work closely with other security agencies, civil authorities, and traditional institutions to ensure lasting peace and security throughout Cross River State. Members of the public are encouraged to provide credible information on any security threat or possible misconduct by our personnel through established reporting channels for prompt action.
By David Torough, Abuja
The founders and Senior Pastors of Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), Dr. Paul and Dr. (Mrs.) Becky Enenche, have successfully trained and empowered 100 individuals in agribusiness as part of their commitment to youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
Dr.
Paul Enenche made the announcement during the church’s Thanksgiving and Testimony Service on Sunday, highlighting the initiative as a strategic effort to promote self-reliance and agricultural productivity.According to the cleric, each beneficiary will be allocated at least one hectare of farmland to commence farming activities upon completion of the training programme.
He further disclosed that the beneficiaries will receive monthly stipends to support them until their agricultural produce is ready for harvest.Dr. Enenche noted that the training and empowerment programme represents a significant investment, with each participant’s training costing approximately ₦500,000.
The beneficiaries, who constitute Batch A of the Entrepreneurship Agribusiness Training Programme, graduated from the C.S.S. Farm and Skills Acquisition Centre located along the Keffi–Abuja Road. The entire programme was fully sponsored by Dr Paul,Dr (Mrs.) Becky Enenche and the church as part of their ongoing efforts to empower individuals with practical skills and sustainable means of livelihood.
The initiative reflects the church’s commitment to transforming lives through both spiritual and socio-economic empowerment.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general election, saying INEC has no candidate or political party to favour.
In a post obtained from INEC’s X handle on Sunday, Amupitan stated this during a visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb.
Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, as part of the commission’s stakeholder engagement and preparations for the 2027 elections.The visit formed part of activities surrounding INEC’s planned interactive meeting with staff and readiness assessment at the zonal level.
The INEC chairman was accompanied by National Commissioners, the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Technical Assistant, Chief of Staff, Special Aides and other senior officials of the commission.
Amupitan described traditional institutions as important stakeholders in the electoral process because of their influence and reach within communities.
He said elections were fundamentally about the social contract between citizens and those entrusted with public office, stressing that public trust was essential to the success of democracy.
According to him, INEC has commenced preparations early because of the size and complexity of conducting elections across Nigeria.
He said the commission had moved away from last-minute preparations and was testing, auditing and strengthening its operational systems well ahead of the 2027 polls.
Amupitan assured the Emir that INEC remained committed to neutrality, fairness and transparency in the conduct of elections.
“We have no candidates, we have no political party, we have no interest other than the sovereign will of the people of Nigeria,” the INEC chairman said.
He added that the commission would continue engaging traditional institutions and other stakeholders as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Kano State Command, has deployed personnel to Garko Local Government Area to track and contain dogs suspected to be infected with rabies.
The service said the suspected rabid dog had bitten 18 people in Garko and its environs.
The NFSS State Commander, Abdullahi Al’ameen, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Usman Abdullahi-Umar, on Sunday in Kano.
Al’ameen said: “The command received a distress report at about 2 p.m. that a dog suspected to be rabid has attacked residents in Garko town.
“The dog has so far bitten 11 persons in Garko town before moving to neighbouring communities, including Raba, Kadage, Gurjiya and Dausai.
“It has also attacked and bitten seven additional persons in the affected communities.”
The commander further explained that they had received another report that two more dogs had been infected with rabies in the area.
Al’ameen said personnel of NFSS Garko Division, under the leadership of the Divisional Forest Officer, Auwalu Muhammad, had been deployed to the affected areas to track and contain the infected dogs.
He urged residents of Garko and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and report sightings of stray or suspected rabid dogs to the nearest NFSS office or other security agencies.
The commander also advised residents who might have been bitten by suspected rabid dogs to seek immediate medical attention.
Al’ameen assured residents that the NFSS would continue to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to prevent further attacks.(NAN)
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