DEFENCE
Army Relocates Yaba Base to Epe

By Mirian Gom, Abuja
The Nigerian Army (NA) said it has relocated some of its units and formations located at Yaba, to Epe to pave way for the expansion of railway project in Lagos State.
The units relocated are the 81 Division Base Ordinance Depot, printing press and tailoring factory.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday by the Army spokesperson, Col.
Sagir Musa, quoted the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai, as saying during the ground breaking for the construction that the relocation would lead to enhanced military presence and additional security in the area.“We have to come back because of the Federal Government’s new drive to modernise the transport sector by establishing new standard dual gauge railway system for our country.
“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the cooperation of the Minister of Transportation, in facilitating the prompt approval and release of fund that has made this laudable project a reality.
“The minister was very supportive of the Nigerian army throughout the negotiation for the movement of this unit out of Yaba for the speedy completion of negotiations and of course the funding,” the statement read in part.
According to Sagir, the COAS commended the paramount ruler of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun and other traditional rulers for their continuous support for the Nigerian Army in its operations and the relocation of the unit base to the area.
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, who was represented by Deputy Director, Rail Transport Services, Mr Barry Odii, said that ministry deemed it fit to synergise with the NA for to relocate the units.
“The ground breaking ceremony for the construction of new office and a residential accommodation as well as other facilities for 81 Division Ordinance Corps will mark a significant milestone in the history of transportation sector and the country at large.
“It is an exhibition of an excellent intercourse between the Nigerian Army and the Federal ministry of transportation,” he said.
The Chairman, Epe Local Government Area, Mr Doyin Adesanya, said that the people of Epe were happy with the coming of the military to the area.
Adesanya, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, pledged the readiness of the community to give the needed support to the Army.
The Corps Commandant, Nigerian Army Engineers, Maj Gen John Malu, disclosed that the Army had acquired over 440 hectres of land in Epe for “the new barrack will house such Army units as 81 Division Base Depot, Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration among others”.
Malu said that Army authorities had ceded some part of the developed land to Lagos state government to house the Epe campus of the state university.
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)