DEFENCE
Army Disowns ‘Operation Positive Identification’

By Gom Mirian Abuja
The Authorities of the Nigerian Army at the weekend urged the public to disregard what it described as “fake operation” purported to be statged its officers and men.
An online platform, Bricks Company had claimed that “residents shall witness large numbers of uniformed Nigerian Army personnel parading the roads in the name of conducting operation positive identification (OPI)”
However, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col.
Sagir Musa, in a statement s in Abuja, regretted why Bricks company would allege that the NA will conduct the operation and went ahead to state how the operation will be conducted“Following the widespread apprehension on the purported Nigerian Army (NA) operation positive identification from 1 November to 23 December 2019, as mischievously peddled on the social media by a hitherto unknown and fictitious organization the so called Bricks company, which alleges that the NA will conduct the operation, “the NA wishes to inform members of the public that it has nothing to do with the so called Bricks company and its illusionary OPI.
It is not an Army operation and the NA does not create any operation with such name or abbreviation in all its operations across the nation in a manner maliciously presented by the so called Bricks company.Recall that in order to compliment the ongoing operation in the North East, NA has an ongoing operation positive identification which is intelligence driven, deliberate, targeted operation and not an independent operation but is integral and complimentary to Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the North East.
The statement added the aim of the operation is to arrest all those terrorists fleeing or escaping the war zone/Theatre of operation to a safe haven or peaceful areas in Nigeria.
The NA wishes to use this opportunity to enjoin all Nigerians to cooperate with the NA and indeed all other security agencies by giving credible information that will assist in the identification and eventual arrest of the fleeing criminals/terrorists in any part of our beloved country,” the Army explained.
DEFENCE
FG Introduces New Online Citizenship, Business Management Platform

The Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform.
This is contained in a statement by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani on Friday in Abuja.
Ajani said that the new digital platform was designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround time and improved user experience.
The platform is aimed at managing citizenship applications, processing business permits, and administering regulations related to businesses and foreign workers.
The permanent secretary explained further that the initiative was part of the ministry’s ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency thereby significantly improving service delivery to the public.
“Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are hereby expected to access the platform through the following official channels: Ministry of Interior’s website: https://interior.gov.ng.
Direct portal access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng, candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support or inquiries.
“The ministry remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Road Construction: Gov Mbah Meets UN Road Safety standards- FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says the ongoing road reconstructions in Enugu State by the Gov Peter Mbah led administration, meet the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals on road safety.
The Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, made the observation on Wednesday in Enugu during a press briefing for the commemoration of the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week in the state.
The theme for the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week is: ‘Make Walking Safe, Make Cycling Safe’, and it runs from May 12 to May 18, 2025.
Agbakoba noted that with the spacious walkways and putting other necessary road furniture such as well-designed bus stops and lighting, the Gov.
Mbah led administration had achieved one of the major goals of the UN.According to him, with new road design with spacious walkways and other furniture made compulsory in all roads, Gov. Mbah has prioritised the safety and security of pedestrians walking in all major roads within the state.
Agbakoba noted that during the event, the FRSC stakeholders and the Command awareness would be focusing on education that dealt with safety of vulnerable road users, who were those walking and cycling within roads in cities and communities.
He explained that the event was meant to reinforce collective responsibilities in making road safer for everybody as
established in 2007 by the UN General Assembly as efforts would spotlight the need to prioritise non-motorised transportation safety.
“As a Corps, we have continued to generate strategies to meet these glaring challenges. We have intensified our public enlightenment campaigns both in the state and nationwide.
“The establishment and sustenance of road safety clubs in schools to catch-them-young and ensured walkways, Zebra Crossing and cycling lanes are incorporated into new and existing road projects.
“FRSC is also monitoring drivers’ behaviour in high-risk routes, enforce speed limits and also ensure well-structured safety education for children and youths to imbibe positive road culture and habits,” he said.
He urged road safety stakeholders in the state to sustain the call for action meant to build a road environment and culture where pedestrians and cyclists were protected and where no life was lost needlessly on the roads.
“As a lead agency in road safety administration and traffic management, FRSC will continue to drive interventions to save lives, but we cannot do this on our own; we needed everyone’s support and cooperation,” he added.
The week long event included: a press briefing, sensitisation rally and distribution of fliers, strategic visit to selected schools for safety education and Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association (ROSOWA) visit to fleet operators.
Others are: commemorative juma’at prayer on Friday, ROSOWA visitation to orphanage homes and commemorative church service on Sunday among others. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Fatal Road Accident Claims Lives Of 4 Pedestrians in Port Harcourt

At least four individuals lost their lives, and two others sustained life-threatening injuries in a fatal road accident that occurred along G.U Ake Road in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The spokesperson for the Police Command in Rivers, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed this development in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Iringe-Koko attributed the collision, which occurred at about 11:42 p.
m. on the day, to excessive speeding, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.“The driver of a Toyota Camry, with registration number ABJ 10 EM, lost control and struck six pedestrians.
“Tragically, four of the pedestrians died at the scene, while two others sustained injuries and were immediately taken to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) for medical attention,” she explained.
She further stated that the vehicle had another occupant, identified as Benson Michael, aged 36.
According to the police spokesperson, the driver was promptly arrested and is currently undergoing interrogation.
“The accidented vehicle has been recovered and taken to the police station.
“The case will be transferred to the State Traffic Department for further investigation,” she noted.
She added that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) mortuary.
Iringe-Koko extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that justice would be served. (NAN)