DEFENCE
COAS Assures of Addressing Challenges Facing 2 Div Officers, Soldiers
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoheed Lagbaja, on Wednesday in Ibadan promised to address the challenges facing officers and soldiers at the Headquarters 2 Division of Nigerian Army.
Lagbaja made the promise while inaugurating the Headquarters Central Ordnance Depot, Motor Transport and Technical at the 2 Mechanised Division Headquarters Nigerian Army.
The Army chief expressed his appreciation and commended the officers and soldiers at the division for their service to the nation and for upholding peace and stability in the South-West.
“The General Officer Commanding (GOC) has duly notified me of some of your challenges, which include accommodation, shortage of personal protective gear and support weapons, among others,” he said.
Lagbaja promised that the challenges would be addressed in spite of limited resources, adding that the Federal Government has taken steps to clear the backlog of the Group Life Assurance claims.
“The issue of Group Life Assurance is receiving attention from Mr President, to clear the backlog for our departed colleagues and have the families they left behind paid what is their entitlement in terms of insurance claims.
“For other entitlements, the government is doing a similar thing and the Army is being transformed not only in terms of accommodation but also in terms of our Force structure.
”That is why the Nigerian Army Aviation would soon be operationalised with the arrival of our MP53KUS Helicopter.
”These and many more are the intervention the Nigerian Army is receiving from the government,” he said.
The Army chief further charged officers and soldiers of the division to remain dedicated and loyal to their duties as a way of reciprocating the gesture from the government.
Lagbaja stated further that he had flagged off the end-of-the-year exercises tagged “Still Water 3”, “Enduring Peace 3” and “Golden Dawn” which would run from October to Jan. 5.
He urged them to act in accordance with the rules of engagement and code of conduct as they would be deployed to conduct real-time operations.
“The operations include neutralising bandit camps, bursting drug cartels and working with other security agencies to ensure peace and stability in their areas of responsibility.”
Lagbaja said he had been going round formations and units of the Nigerian Army to ascertain the state of infrastructure and equipment as well as build bonds with the soldiers.
The Chief of Army Staff said this was necessary to forge a way forward by taking appropriate actions towards addressing the challenges.
He said his philosophy of command to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving its constitutional roles rested on three pillars.
Lagbaja listed these as leadership, operational effectiveness and sound administration.
“What I want you to do is to continue to remain loyal and dedicated to your constitutional responsibilities. Our job as military men is to continue to be loyal to the Constitution and the government of the day,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlights of the Chief of Army Staff’s visit included the planting of a tree and a visit to the Division Training School.
This was in the company of top military officers and the GOC 2 Division, Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Troops Rescue Wounded Civilians, Recover 117 Cows, Stolen Vehicle in Zamfara
By David Torough, Abuja
Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have recorded a series of operational successes in Zamfara State, including the rescue of three civilians, recovery of suspected rustled livestock and retrieval of a stolen vehicle.
The troops responded to a distress call over an attack by armed bandits on travellers along the Dampo–Rumba Road in Bakura Local Government Area.
According to the operation’s statement, the troops engaged the attackers, forcing them to retreat into the surrounding bush and abandon three injured civilians.
The victims were given first aid by the troops and evacuated for medical treatment. Security patrols have continued along the road to maintain safe passage for commuters.
In a separate operation around the Magami axis, troops acting on intelligence intercepted five trucks suspected of transporting rustled livestock to Gusau.
A search of the trucks led to the recovery of 117 cows, two donkeys, one goat and five cow skins. The recovered livestock and items were handed over to the Chairman of the Zamfara State Committee on the Recovery of Rustled Animals in Gusau for identification and return to their rightful owners.
Meanwhile, troops in the Tsafe Local Government Area recovered a stolen Toyota Camry with registration number RBC 804CL following intelligence shared among joint tracking teams.
The driver reportedly ignored a stop signal and fled towards a nearby community.
Troops pursued the vehicle, prompting the suspects to abandon it and escape on foot.
The recovered vehicle has been secured for further administrative and legal processes, according to the statement.
DEFENCE
Kano Police Arrest 10 Suspected Inter-state Car Thieves
The Kano State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of an inter-state motor vehicle theft syndicate and recovered 12 stolen vehicles linked to the group.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, made this known while newsmen in Kano, on Wednesday.
Bakori said the arrests and recoveries were made by operatives of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) following credible intelligence and coordinated operations across Kano and its neighbouring states.
He said five suspects were initially detained in Adamawa on Sept. 7, during which a white Mercedes Benz GLK 350 was recovered.
According to him, discreet investigation and intelligence-led follow-up resulted in the recovery of 10 additional stolen vehicles in different locations across Kano and neighbouring states.
He added that five other suspects were arrested on Sept. 12 at about 8:30 p.m. at Kwankwasiya City Quarters, Tarauni, Kano, while in possession of a stolen white Toyota Hilux.
The CP said the suspects confessed to stealing vehicles in Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and other neighbouring states.
He said the suspects also disclosed that their modus operandi involved stealing vehicles, concealing them in different locations and moving them across state borders for sale.
Bakori said investigation was ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover other stolen vehicles.
He said 11 of the 12 recovered vehicles were unregistered, making it difficult for the police to trace some of their owners.
The CP urged vehicle owners to ensure proper registration of their vehicles, warning that the command would not tolerate the use of unregistered vehicles or vehicles with covered or concealed number plates.
He said the operation was conducted in line with the Inspector-General of Police, I-G Olatunji Disu’s, ”Handshake Patrol” initiative aimed at dismantling inter-state criminal networks through intelligence sharing and inter-command collaboration.
Bakori urged owners of the recovered vehicles to contact the Investigating Police Officer on 07063407910, the Police Public Relations Officer’s office or the Officer-in-Charge of SIS at Court Road, Tarauni Area Command, with valid proof of ownership.
He appealed to members of the public to report suspicious movements of vehicles or persons to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency numbers.
The CP said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigation. (NAN)
DEFENCE
GOC Tasks Troops on Vigilance, Commitment to Tackling Insecurity
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Auwalu Mahmuda, has advised troops to be vigilant and committed to tackling insecurity in their Areas of Responsibility (AOR).
This was contained in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division, Lt.
-Col. Jonah Danjuma, made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Ibadan.Danjuma quoted Mahmuda as giving the advice during his visit to the troops’ location near the Old Oyo National Park in the state.
The GOC, who inspected the lIgbeti–Igboho–Sepetari Road in Olorunsogo Local Government Area (LGA) said that the visit was part of a broader framework of visiting formations and units to have an on the spot assessment of troop deployment.
Mahmuda was received and briefed on the security situation in the area by the Commanding Officer (CO), 81 Battalion, Lt.-Col. Chiemezie Asogwa.
“The GOC also visited the 169 Motorcycle Battalion Headquarters, Ikoyi-Ile, and Abaja Response Area, both in Oriire LGA, and was received by the Commanding Officer (CO), Lt.-Col. Waziri Ayuba.
The commanding officers conducted the GOC round the deployment areas and briefed him on the operational disposition of the battalion.
Addressing the troops, Mahmuda urged the soldiers to be alert, disciplined and to maintain an aggressive posture.
He also commended the troops for ensuring safety in their areas of responsibility while urging them to adhere to the core values of the Nigerian Army. (NAN)


