DEFENCE
Chief of Air Staff Urges Sustained Assaults on Criminals

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has urged troops of “Operation GAMA AIKI’’ (OPGA) and personnel of 013 Quick Response Force (013 QRF), Minna, to sustain the tempo of operations against criminals.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to him, Director of Operations, Headquarters NAF, Air Commodore Sunday Aneke, delivered the charge when he represented Amao at the Christmas celebration of the Air Component of OPGA (AC-OPGA), in Minna.
Amao noted that the celebration provided an opportunity for the service to remember the sacrifices of fallen heroes who paid the supreme price in the service to the country.
He stated in his message that the security threats facing Nigeria and the challenges they presented to the attainment of national development goals required emplacement of robust security architecture.
The architecture must be capable of rapid employment of airpower in full spectrum of warfare, he stressed.
“NAF, operating in concert with sister services and other security agencies, has continued to courageously confront various security threats, while recording tangible results in the various theatres of operations.
“I must state that I am proud of all our officers, airmen and airwomen participating in internal security operations in different parts of the country,’’ he also stated.
He also appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his continued support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria especially, the NAF.
“It is gratifying to note that operational manpower development in NAF recently received a boost with the winging of 26 new pilots and 31 operators since my assumption of duty.
“I am happy to note that we currently have a total of 195 officers, airmen and airwomen undergoing various training courses abroad cutting across several specialties and trades.
“Twelve student pilots are undergoing Basic Fighter Training at 403 Flying Training School, Kano, while 12 others are undergoing Basic Transport Training at 401 Flying Training School, Kaduna,’’ Amao stated.
These course, he explained, were aimed at maintaining combat-readiness by the increasing the number of pilots to man the ever-increasing inventory of aircraft.
In his remarks, the Commander, 103 QRF, Group Capt. Elisha Bindul, assured of the Force’s dedication to sustain the fight against criminality in Niger State and in the Northwest in general. (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)
DEFENCE
Police Nab 5 Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has arrested five suspected cultists and recovered firearms at Ibesikpo Asutan area of the state.
DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Uyo.
John said the arrests took place at the cultists’ hideout in Ikot Etuk village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area on Wednesday.
She said that the operatives of the command, based on credible information, arrested the cultists.
John said that during the operation, operatives recovered one locally made pistol, one fabricated single-barrel gun and assorted charms.
According to her, the suspects have voluntarily provided useful information to the police regarding their criminal activities.
“This includes their involvement in a recent attack on Fulani herdsmen, which resulted in the killing of two cows.
“The stolen cows were reportedly shared among various cult groups within Ibesikpo Asutan,” she said.
John said that efforts were currently underway to apprehend other fleeing gang members and recover their operational weapons.
The spokesman further said the developments would be communicated to the public as they unfold. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Arrest 4 Suspects, Recover Stolen Property in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said it had arrested four suspected criminals in Udi Street in Uyo and recovered numerous stolen items.
DSP Timfon John, the Command’s Public Relations Officer said this in a statement in Uyo on Monday.
John said that the suspects were arrested base on credible intelligence and in compliance with the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare’s directive.
She said that an operation which was inaugurated last Friday at exactly 1:15 a.
m., led to the arrest of the four suspects.”In a significant intelligence-led operation, operatives of the command raided a location in Udi Street, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of numerous stolen items.
The raid also resulted in the arrest of another two suspected receivers of stolen property,” she explained.
The command’s image maker said that exhibit including 14 sewing machine heads and a generator were recovered from the suspects.
According to her, two complainants have come forward and identified their stolen machines among the recovered items.
She added that investigation into the matter was ongoing. (NAN)