DEFENCE
Borno Awards N300m Scholarships to Orphans of Deceased Volunteers of War against Insurgency
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has announced the award of N300 million scholarships to 300 orphans of deceased counter-insurgency volunteers supporting the military.
Newsmen report that the volunteers comprised members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, hunters and vigilantes.
Speaking at the ceremony on Tuesday in Maiduguri, Zulum also announced the increase of the monthly allowance for the volunteers from N20,000 to N30,000 and a promise of an end-of-year bonus.
Zulum said the involvement of the volunteers in the fight against insurgency had gone a long way in changing the narratives for good in the fight against insurgency because of the volunteers’ knowledge of the terrain.
He said that his administration would not abandon the families of those who paid the supreme price, adding that this was the first phase of the programme that would be sustained to ensure that all orphans were covered.
The governor also announced cash, food and clothing support for the orphans’ families, and lauded the military and other security organisations for their synergy that led to improved security in the state.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the committee for the scholarships, Mr Kaka-Shehu Lawan said it screened and approved 110 females and 190 males.
In his goodwill message, the Managing Director of Northeast Development Commission (NEDC), Mr Mohammed Alkali, lauded the gesture which he said was a worthy one for those who sacrificed their lives for others to live.
Alkali, who was represented by the Acting Head of Administration of NEDC, Alhaji Grema Mustafa said the NEDC also had an Education Endowment Fund for victims in the region to benefit from.
In his remarks, the Theatre Commander Northeast, “Operation Hadin Kai’’, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa also lauded the development which he said would make others to realise that their sacrifices were not in vain.
Musa who lauded the effective role of the volunteers in facilitating the work of the military said so far more than 81,000 insurgents had surrendered.
“We are winning the war and the volunteers who we call `hybrid force’ are contributing effectively,’’ Musa said.
Speaking on behalf of the volunteers, the Commander of Civilian Joint Task Force, Malam Ba-Lawan Ja’afar, said they remained grateful for the concern showed for their welfare.
He said the volunteers would continue to support the military and other security agencies in the fight against insurgency. (NAN)
DEFENCE
NDA Alerts Kaduna Communities Ahead of Shooting Practice
The Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna has urged residents of Mando, Tsamiya, Kauya and Afaka general areas not to panic over its scheduled shooting exercise.This
This is contained in a statement issued by the NDA Public Relations Officer, Maj. Mohammed Maidawa, on Wednesday in Kaduna.
Maidawa, said the exercise is for the Army cadets of 73 and 74 Regular Courses.
The exercises, he said, are scheduled to hold from April 18 to April 20 abd from April 26 to April 27.
“The NDA assures the general public that all necessary safety measures have been put in place for the successful conduct of the exercise.
“However, the general public is advised to avoid trespassing in the general area throughout the period of the exercise,” the army said.
.(NAN)DEFENCE
Police Arrest Enugu Resident with Fake Naira Notes
The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested an Enugu resident, one Mmaduabuchi Okonkwo, 24, suspected to be in possession of, and transacting in, fake Naira notes.
A statement by the Command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, said that operatives serving in Abakaliki Road Police Division, with the support of law-abiding citizens, arrested Okonkwo of Mkpologu, Emene, Enugu, at the Old IMT Bus Stop, Abakaliki Road, Enugu, on April 10.
According to him, the suspect’s arrest is sequel to his alleged possession, and transacting in, counterfeited Naira notes.
“A total of ₦40,000 suspected counterfeited one thousand denominated Naira notes were recovered from him.
“A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect boarded a minibus from New Haven Junction to Old IMT Bus Stop, Enugu, and gave the driver one of the counterfeited notes.
“The driver, however, scrutinised and observed that the currency was fake, and quickly raised an alarm that led to the suspect’s arrest.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to having paid the sum of ₦25,000 genuine Naira notes to his cohort at large for the counterfeited Naira notes worth ₦50,000,” he said.
Ndukwe said that he further confessed to having spent ₦10,000 out of the fake notes, with the remaining ₦40,000 recovered from him.
“The suspect will be arraigned and prosecuted once investigations are concluded,” he said. (NAN)
DEFENCE
NSCDC Official Calls for Increased Vigilance to Enhance Security
Umar Mohammed, the Kwara Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on Tuesday in Ibadan called for an increase in vigilance.
He said the appeal was necessary to confront the challenges of insecurity, violence and other social vices in various communities in the state.
The Commandant said the recent rise in security challenges in the state necessitated the upgrading of the police outpost to a fully operational divisional office.
p”This is in order to address insecurity more effectively.
“The establishment of the division will no doubt improve operational efficiency, thereby reducing possible threats to peaceful coexistence,” he said.
The Commandant applauded the people of Ipee community, most especially Mr Olayiwola Oyebode, Deputy Speaker of Kwara House of Assembly, for their unwavering commitment and support for the project.
He assured the community that their efforts would not go in vain.
”I promise utmost security and well-being, and the NSCDC will work tirelessly to address all your security challenges,” Mohammed said.
He urged members of the community to remain vigilant and actively support the Corps by providing credible and timely information that would enhance their operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility and everyone should play their part in keeping their community safe, by working together and sharing information promptly,” the Commandant said.
The Deputy Speaker of State House of Assembly, Mr Olayiwola Oyebode, thanked the Commandant for his cooperation and efforts in ensuring the protection of lives and properties in the community and the state in general.
He urged the Commandant to deploy additional personnel to the new division in order to increase the safety and security of the people in the community.
In his remark, the Onipe of Ipee, Oba Lawal Adebayo, expressed gratitude to the Corps for the steadfast dedication to ensuring safety in the community and urged for sustained efforts.
Oba Adebayo also thanked Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his continuous support in upholding peace and security within the state.(NAN)