DEFENCE
Army Restates Commitment to Creativity, Critical Thinking

Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), on Monday reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Army to enhance creativity and critical thinking among personnel across the country.
Lagbaja said this at the inauguration of leadership development course 7/2023 for officers of 8 Division Nigerian Army, Sokoto.
He explained the course was aimed at enabling the personnel to adapt and confront the evolving security challenges facing the nation.
Represented by Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mutkut, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, the COAS urged the officers to take advantage of the course to upscale their leadership skills.
“This gesture is in tandem with our Philosophy to Transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force.
“Our aim is towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment,” he said.
He added that the course was specially designed to cater for observed leadership gaps and deficits between the subalterns and young soldiers of the Nigerian Army.
“As leaders at your level, your ability to think fast and exercise command and control of troops placed under you is paramount to the success, growth and development of the Army and the country at large.
“Consequently, I urge you all to take advantage of this opportunity to upscale and develop your leadership skills, in order to enable you discharge your duties more professionally.
“Furthermore, I implore you all to exhibit high level of commitment, enthusiasm and discipline throughout the duration of the course,” he further said.
Earlier, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, Director General, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, said the course was meant to imbue in the personnel, the necessary skills to critically identify and control the conduct of troops placed under them. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Eid-el-Kabir: NSCDC deploys 2,900 personnel in Kwara

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Kwara Command has deployed 2,900 personnel for the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
This is contained in a statement by the Command Public Relation Officer, Mr Ayoola Shola on Wednesday, in Ilorin.
Shola quoted the state Commandant of the corps, Umar Mohammed as assuring all residents and visitors in Kwara of a peaceful and well-secured celebration.
Mohammed explained that the deployed personnel would be strategically positioned across all 16 Local Government Areas to safeguard critical infrastructure, prayer grounds, recreational centers, and other high-traffic locations.
”All Area Commanders, Divisional Officers, and Tactical Units have been directed to remain on high alert and sustain proactive engagements with communities.
”Our presence will be visible, coordinated and reassuring, as we have assessed the risk areas, identified critical points and implemented a multi-layered approach to ensure a safe and peaceful celebration,” he said.
The commandant warned individuals and groups intending to use the festive atmosphere to create trouble, vandalise critical infrastructure or engage in any unlawful activity to desist or face the wrath of law.
He extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim faithful on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir and urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, by promptly reporting any suspicious movement or activities. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Insecurity: Police Confirm Attacks on 2 Benue LGs

) The Benue Police Command has confirmed that suspected killer herdsmen on Sunday night attacked communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edit Udeme, made the confirmation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Monday.
Udeme said that tactical teams were already deployed in the affected areas to restore peace and security.
She said that nine bodies were already recovered from Edikwu Community in Apa LGA, adding that the search for the missing natives was still ongoing.
She, however, said that she had yet to get the number of casualties from the Naka attack.
“This is to confirm that there was an attack yesterday at Naka and Apa and to let you know that tactical teams have been deployed and already on ground and are on top of the situation.
“I will get back to you after getting further and accurate information, please,” she said
A credible source from Apa LGA told newsmen that the attackers invaded the community at about 6:30pm on Sunday and started shooting sporadically, killing anyone in sight.
The source further said that over 25 persons were killed and that many were also taken away to unknown destinations during the deadly assault.
It said: “As I speak with you, there is no single object in the community.
“It was an unprovoked attack. We were unaware.
“Some people went to evening service, while others were at a beer joint when the killers came.
“It is an evening one can never imagine.
“Security personnel stationed at the area were overpowered as they looked so helpless.”
In a reaction to the attack on Naka, the Chairman, Gwer West Traditional Council, Daniel Abomtse, said that the attackers “came in a guerrilla style and attacked Tse Antswam.
“As I’m talking with you now, (Monday) morning, 18 corpses had been recovered and many people sustained varied degree of injuries.
“In fact, the way some people were butchered, I doubt if they will survive.
“The search is still ongoing because many ran into the bush with gun wounds and some also jumped into well to escape the herdsmen.”
The royal father said that the community attacked was opposite a military checkpoint on the Naka- Makurdi Road. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Benue Police Command has confirmed that suspected killer herdsmen on Sunday night attacked communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edit Udeme, made the confirmation in an interview in Makurdi on Monday.
Udeme said that tactical teams were already deployed in the affected areas to restore peace and security.
She said that nine bodies were already recovered from Edikwu Community in Apa LGA, adding that the search for the missing natives was still ongoing.
She, however, said that she had yet to get the number of casualties from the Naka attack.
“This is to confirm that there was an attack yesterday at Naka and Apa and to let you know that tactical teams have been deployed and already on ground and are on top of the situation.
“I will get back to you after getting further and accurate information, please,” she said
A credible source from Apa LGA told newsmen that the attackers invaded the community at about 6:30pm on Sunday and started shooting sporadically, killing anyone in sight.
The source further said that over 25 persons were killed and that many were also taken away to unknown destinations during the deadly assault.
It said: “As I speak with you, there is no single object in the community.
“It was an unprovoked attack. We were unaware.
“Some people went to evening service, while others were at a beer joint when the killers came.
“It is an evening one can never imagine.
“Security personnel stationed at the area were overpowered as they looked so helpless.”
In a reaction to the attack on Naka, the Chairman, Gwer West Traditional Council, Daniel Abomtse, said that the attackers “came in a guerrilla style and attacked Tse Antswam.
“As I’m talking with you now, (Monday) morning, 18 corpses had been recovered and many people sustained varied degree of injuries.
“In fact, the way some people were butchered, I doubt if they will survive.
“The search is still ongoing because many ran into the bush with gun wounds and some also jumped into well to escape the herdsmen.”
The royal father said that the community attacked was opposite a military checkpoint on the Naka- Makurdi Road. (NAN)
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)