DEFENCE
Be Ruthless with Criminals, Lalong Directs Security Agencies
By Polycarp
Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has directed security agencies to be ruthless in dealing with criminals unleashing mayhem in the state. Lalong, represented by Prof. Danladi Atu, the Secretary to the State Government, gave the task at the opening of the 2021 Inter Brigades Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Competition on Monday in Jos.
The competition was organised by the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos.
Lalong, who decried the rising spate of killing and wanton destruction of farmlands and houses in the state, vowed to deal with the criminals.The governor assured citizens of the state that his administration would do everything within its powers to end criminality.“The reported killings in Bassa, Barikin Ladi, Riyom and Jos North Local Government Areas have become worrisome and persistent, even up till yesterday where many houses were destroyed and some people killed.“We have witnessed the willful and carefully planned destruction of crops in some areas of the state by criminals. “These acts of provocation are no doubt aimed at taking us back to the days of violence and bloodshed. Also, the action of these criminals is nothing but food terrorism that wants to starve our people at all cost.“This must stop and I have directed the security agencies to be ruthless with these criminals.“Let me assure the citizens that our administration will never fold its arms to see few criminals take this state back to those dark days of pain and sorrow“We are working with the security agencies to fish out those responsible and ensure that they are punished.“No matter how long it takes and how far they run or hide, they will be identified, arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrence to others,” Lalong assured.He promised to continue to initiate policies and programmes that would entrench peaceful coexistence and harmony in the state.He also pledged his support and cooperation to the security agencies in their bid to curb insecurity in the state.Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the division, explained that the competition was aimed at enhancing professionalism and competency among officers and men of the division.The GOC, represented by Brig.-Gen. Williams Dangana, the Garrison Commander of the division, added that the exercise would foster esprit-de-corps, regimentation, enhance leadership qualities and physical fitness of troops.He also said the exercise was in tandem with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) philosophy of having a “professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria”.“As you are all aware, competition is an aspect of training which is considered the best welfare that can be given to a soldier, because it speaks to his competence and ultimately keeps him alive in battle.“It is important to mention that training foster professionalism and it is one of the four-pillar philosophy of the COAS in addition to readiness, adminstration and cooperation.“So, this competition is designed to improve regimentation, leadership qualities and physical fitness among troops.“It will also foster esprit-de-corps and healthy rivalry among formations,” he addedAli further said that the competition would enable troops learn astute organisational ability and improve their level of understanding in accomplishing tasks.Ali explained that five out of the the six formations of the division would be participating in the competition. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Arrest Two Suspected Car Snatchers in Delta
The Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspected car snatchers and recovered a Toyota Camry in the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Warri.
Edafe said that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday by operatives attached to the Ekpan Division of the Nigeria Police Force.
He said that the suspects were apprehended at the New Era axis of Jakpa Road, Ekpan Community, where the stolen vehicle was also recovered.
“On Sept. 8, the Ekpan Police Division received a report concerning a Toyota Camry car stolen in Benin City on Monday.
“The operatives embarked on an intelligence-led investigation and trailed the vehicle to the New Era area of Jakpa Road in Ekpan Community.
“The operatives immediately proceeded to the location, sighted the vehicle and laid an ambush, leading to the arrest of the two suspects and recovery of the vehicle,” he said.
Edafe said the suspects were currently in police custody, adding that investigation into the matter was ongoing.
He said the Commissioner of Police in charge of the command, Samuel Erale, had reiterated the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks in the state. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Army Strengthens Operational Effectiveness, National Security, Repositions Senior Leadership
By David Torough, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the strategic redeployment of senior officers to key command, operational and staff appointments across the Nigerian Army (NA), as part of ongoing efforts to enhance operational effectiveness, strengthen leadership and align the Service’s command structure with Nigeria’s evolving security environment.
The exercise prioritises critical operational theatres and strategic appointments to ensure the right leadership, experience and expertise are positioned to deliver decisive effects.In the new postings, Major General IA Ajose moves from Army Headquarters (AHQ), Department of Army Operations, to Theatre Command Joint Task Force (JTF) North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), as Theatre Commander, while Major General AE Abubakar has been redeployed from OPHK, to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research.
Major General AM Alechenu moves from Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, while Major General RT Utsaha moves from AHQ Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to DHQ Garrison as Commander.Similarly, Major General AM Umar moves from AHQ Department of Civil-Military Affairs (DCMA) to Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) as Commandant, while Major General UM Alkali moves from AWCN to AHQ DCMA. Major General GS Muhammed moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation (NAFIC) as Director General, while Major General JE Osifo moves from NAFIC to the Military Pension Board (MPB) as Chairman and Major General IE Ekpenyong has been redeployed to DHQ Department of Defence Logistics as Director Engineering Services.
At the operational level, Brigadier General AA Bello moves from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3 JTF South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to DHQ Department of Defence Operations. Brigadier General MS Adamu has been redeployed from Nigerian Army Women Command to the newly established 8 Brigade as Commander, while Brigadier General MS Sule moves from Special Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE to 27 Task Force Brigade as Commander.
Similarly, Brigadier General I Sule, has been redeployed from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to 6 Division Garrison as Commander while Brigadier General E Azenda, moves from Land Forces Simulation Centre to 2 Division Garrison as Commander and Brigadier General AS Bugaje, moves from 2 Division Garrison to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director Administration.
The COAS has charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty and relentlessly focused on the constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authority in maintaining peace and security.
The NA remains resolute in sustaining a dynamic leadership and force-employment framework that enhances operational outcomes, strengthens joint and inter-agency coordination and improves the capacity of the Service to respond decisively to contemporary and emerging threats in furtherance of Nigeria’s national security objectives.
DEFENCE
Troops Foil Cattle Rustling, Recover 500 Cattle in Kaduna
Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have foiled a cattle rustling operation and recovered more than 500 cattle in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The troops, from Sector 1, Joint Task Force North West, conducted the operation on Tuesday following a distress call from residents over cattle rustling at Rugar Mande Kurmin.
Lt.
-Col. Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.Danja said that upon receiving the distress call, the troops swiftly mobilised to the suspected withdrawal routes of the terrorists and established blocking positions.
He said the troops engaged the terrorists from multiple positions, forcing them to withdraw in disarray and abandon the rustled cattle.
According to him, all the recovered cattle were subsequently handed over to their respective owners.
The media officer said the successful operation further demonstrated the troops’ commitment to protecting lives and property and disrupting criminal activities across the Joint Operations Area.
He urged members of the public to continue providing security agencies with timely and relevant information to enable the military to eradicate terrorist elements within the Joint Operations Area.
Danja reaffirmed the commitment of Operation Fansan Yamma to denying criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.(NAN)


