Connect with us

DEFENCE

Buhari Flags-off COAS Annual Conference for in Abuja

Published

on

Share

By Gom Mirian, Abuja 

President Mohammadu Buhari has commended  the Nigerian Army and other services for their continuous efforts to improve on her human rights compliance in the conduct of operations in line with global practices. 

President Buhari who made the commendations, while declaring open the Chief of Army Staff 2021 Annually Conference at Army Headquarters Command Officers Mess 1, Asokoro in Abuja, said media operations are important aspect of warfare that could mar the war efforts.

The president, represented by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant-General Lucky Irabor,  urged the Nigerian Army to remain resolute as they discharge their constitutional duties.

“Don’t be distracted by the actions of few persons orchestrating media reportage and fake news against the Nigerian Army and military on social media.

“As you review the activites of Year 2021 and make projection for Year 2022, is my desire that the focus on leveraging the game of the operational and training activities can move Nigerian Army to New professionalism”, the President said.

Buhari further appealed to Nigerians especially the media professionals to support the Armed forces of Nigeria as they undertake the responsibility of securing the entire country by being objective and patriotic in their reports responsibilities.

 “The profession requires that every practitioner must evaluate their evidence before publication especially when reporting the current campaign against terrorism and other crimes,” the president said.

The Chief of Army Staff Conference is corganised every year to reflect on the Nigerian Army performances, aimed  towards more effective operational and administrative performance in the coming year. The theme for the 2021 conference is “Building Nigerian Army Capacity in Combating emerging security threats in a Joint Operations Environment”. 

DEFENCE

Terrorism: ECOWAS to Raise $2.4bn to Fund Counter-terrorism Standby Force

Published

on

Share

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it is working to set up a counter terrorism force to tackle security threats within the sub-region.

The Commissioner Political Affairs, Peace and Security of ECOWAS, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, stated this at the opening of a three-day consultative meeting of Commandants of the three designated ECOWAS Training Centres of Excellence.

The three centres of excellence are the National Defence College, Nigeria, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Ghana, and Ecole de Maintien de la Paix Alioune Blondin Beye, Mali.

The consultative engagement is a bi-annual event coordinated by the Directorate of Peacekeeping and Regional Security of ECOWAS.

It is to support training, capacity building, research and development of the ECOWAS Standby Force, and the general peace and security within the sub-region.

Reports says that Mali which is housing one of the training centres of excellence was absent at the meeting.

This may not be unconnected with the recent move by the country alongside Niger and Burkina Faso to exit the ECOWAS community.

Musah said that terrorism was cascading across the region and there was need to have counter terrorism forces to contain its spread.

“This is the decision, and in the coming weeks,  ECOWAS has already with the Chief of Defence Staffs, developed operational modalities, the concept of operations and everything for us to aggregate.

“It will be something like an advance rapid reaction force of a battalion that will be able to confront terrorists’ bases.”

He explained that as part of the resolution of the authority of Heads of States, 2.4 billion dollars would be raised to fund the ECOWAS standby force to tackle the security challenges headlong.

“The Heads of States have decided that on the first year, we must raise about 2.4 billion dollars to support the operation of this force in order to face the terrorist.”

Musah said out of the amount, the Heads of States have directed member states contribute one billion dollars to commence the operation of the stand-by force.

He also explained that Ministers of Defence and Finance from the sub-region would be meeting to fashion out funding modalities for the force.

“This brings me to why this exercise is so critical today.

“If you look at our region, it is being ravage by terrorists. Today Burkina faso has overtaken Afghanistan as the most terrorised state on earth, and Africa has become home to terrorists organisations.

“Elsewhere in the world there are opportunistic terrorists attacks like we saw in some countries not too long ago.

“We are faced with the nightmare of having one of our member states being completely occupied by terrorist groups.

“If they set up a front base in one country then no country is safe, and we have already seen the impact of that on some of the coastal countries –  Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d’voir – over the past few years.”

The ECOWAS commissioner, however, said Nigeria has been able to degrade the Boko Haram terrorists.

“In Nigeria, thanks to the efforts of the Nigerian Government, Boko haram have been degraded to the extent that they do not post a sustainable threat to the peace and security of Nigeria.”

Earlier, the Commandant National Defence College, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu while welcoming participants to the meeting, said West Africa was the only region that assigned training centres with special mandate.

He, therefore, urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunity to exchange useful ideas to enhance operations against terrorist groups in the region. (NAN)

Continue Reading

DEFENCE

Police Arrest 22 Suspected Armed Robbers, 36 Rapists in Katsina

Published

on

Share

The Police Command in Katsina State, says within the month of April, it arrested about 22 suspected armed robbers, and 36 persons in connection to rape and sodomy cases in the state.

The Command’s spokesman, ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, confirmed this while briefing newsmen on the command’s achievements within the month under review.

Sadiq-Aliyu said that 10 murder suspects were also arrested during the period.

He disclosed that 81 cases of major crimes, such as armed robbery, kidnapping, culpable homicides, cattle rustling among others were reported.

“Within the period, 69 cases were charged to court, as a total number of 145 suspects were arrested in connection with these suspected cases.

“A total number of 58 suspects were arrested for various offences such as criminal force, intimidation, inciting disturbance, theft, and belonging to gang of brigands, among others.

“Also, the command has succeeded in neutralising 12 suspected bandits, rescued over 30 kidnapped victims, and recovered 492 rustled animals,” Sadiq-Aliyu said.

He further revealed that on May 5, the command successfully foiled a bandit attack on two commercial motor-vehicles at Unguwar Boka village, along Funtua-Gusau road, and rescued 52 passengers.

According to him, a luxurious bus conveying passengers from Onitsha en route Gusau, Zamfara State, and a Volkswagen Golf-3 en route Zaria from Gusau, were attacked by suspected bandits, forcing the driver to veer off the road into the nearby bushes.

“Upon receipt of the report, promptly, the DPO mobilised operatives and responded to the scene, where they engaged the assailants in a fierce gun duel, successfully thwarted the kidnapping attempt, and rescued all the passengers unhurt. 

“Efforts have been intensified to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects. The investigation is still ongoing,” the police spokesman said. (NAN)

Continue Reading

DEFENCE

NDA Conducts Range Classification, Urges Residents to Stay Away

Published

on

Share

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says it will  conduct Range Classification Exercise for Cadets of 72  Regular Course , advising residents to avoid trespassing.

The academy’s Public Relations Officer, Maj. Mohammed Maidawa, made the announcement in a statement in Kaduna on Tuesday.

Maidawa said:  “NDA wishes to inform the general public, especially inhabitants of Mando,Tsamiya, Kauya and Afaka general area that it will be conducting a Range Classification Exercise for cadets of 72 Regular Course .

He said the exercise has been scheduled to be held from Wednesday  to Thursday at NDA Open Range Afaka.

He said, “The NDA assures the general public that all necessary safety measures have been put in place for successful conduct of the exercise.

“However, the general public is advised to avoid trespassing in the general area throughout the period of the exercise.”(NAN)

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS8 hours ago

Tinubu Returns To Nigeria After Two Weeks Overseas Trip

SharePresident Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja, the nation’s capital, after spending two weeks abroad. The President arrived back at...

NEWS13 hours ago

Court Disbands Cross River Cocoa Allocation Taskforce, Surveillance Team

ShareFrom Ene Asuquo, Calabar High Court sitting yesterday in Effraya, Etung local government area of Cross River state has granted...

NEWS13 hours ago

First 100 Days in Office: Ododo Pays 100% to LG Pensioners, 85% to LG Workers

ShareFrom Joseph Amedu, Lokoja Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State in his 100 days in office has been said...

NEWS13 hours ago

13 Kidnapped in Bwari Community as Kidnappers Demand N900m Ransom

ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja Unknown gunmen have invaded Piko, a remote community in Bwari Area Council of Abuja and allegedly...

NEWS13 hours ago

Troops Neutralise IPOB/ESN Commander, Three others in Imo

ShareFrom Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation ‘UDO KA’ has neutralized a commander and three members...

NEWS13 hours ago

Insecurity: FCT Police Command Deploys 30 Motorcycles, Personnel To Rural Community

ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja In order to address some of the insecurity challenges in some rural communities in Federal Capital...

NEWS13 hours ago

Alia Promises to Sustain Payment of N100,000 to Corps Doctors

ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi Governor Benue State, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Tuesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment towards the welfare of...

NEWS13 hours ago

Lagere Flyover Bridge Will Deepen Osun East Economy-Ooni of Ife

ShareBy Kunle Idowu His Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi has showered praises on Governor Ademola Adeleke...

NEWS13 hours ago

WASSCE: Benue Teaching Service Warns School Principals against Malpractice

ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi The Acting Executive Secretary, Benue State Teaching Service Board (TSB), Mr. Tsea Ahule, has warned that...

POLITICS14 hours ago

Complaints Linger over Renovated Chamber as Ndume Describes it as Conference Room

ShareBy Eze Okechukwu, Abuja Senators yesterday during plenary continued complaining about their renovated chamber, with the Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc