DEFENCE
Col. Sakaba Died in Service, not Assassinated – Army
The Nigerian Army has said that Col. Ibrahim Saka died in the war against terrorism, describing his death as painful.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement issued to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, however dismissed claims by the widow of the late Sakaba, Mrs Oluwaseun Sakaba, that her husband was assassinated.
The widow had alleged that her husband, Sakaba was killed for refusing to loot funds meant for fighting the Boko Haram insurgency.
But the Director, Army Public Relations, dismissed the allegation saying that, “the late senior officer’s widow was quoted to have made several uncomplimentary comments about the institution of the Nigerian Army.
He said that the widow was making reference to an unfounded and baseless claims devoid of any fact.
“While the Nigerian Army is not interested in joining issues with anyone with respect to the enormous sacrifices made daily by our gallant troops, it is however expedient to address the weighty allegations credited to the widow.
“The Nigerian Army acknowledges the emotional agony associated with loosing loved ones and that cannot be quantified by any unit of measure,” he said.
The Army spokesman said the demise of Sakaba, like those of other officers and soldiers that paid the supreme price in the war against terrorism in the North East, was a painful one to Nigerian Army.
He said that the men and women died serving the nation, fighting to restore peace and stability in the North East.
This, according to him, is in tandem with the constitutional mandate of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He said that it would be totally a mischief and an assault on the psyche of the fighting troops to begin to insinuate any plot against one of its own.
“And what is the plot here? That troops were led by their commander for an operational engagement is not a plot, as anyone may want to insinuate.
“Rather, it was a clear military mission with clear objective.
“It is however disheartening that this gallant officer and some of his men paid the supreme price in the operation and we pray fervently for the repose of their souls.
“Col. Sakaba was a respected senior officer who gave his all in the defence of the freedom we all enjoy today.
“His demise is a great loss to all of us. Insinuating anything contrary is a deservice to our nation and the sacrifices of our troops,” he said.
On the issue of entitlements, Nwachukwu said that available records revealed that the late officer had his son, Samuel Ibrahim Sakaba as the next of kin and the only child.
He said that all entitlements meant to be paid by the Nigerian Army had been paid to the son through Mrs Sakaba.
He said that as at the time his entitlements were processed, Samuel was less than six years as such, he was not benefiting from army school sponsorship.
“However now that he has reached the required age, he has been captured for payment of school sponsorship which will commence any moment from now.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to sponsor the child’s education up to graduation from university, as long as he fulfils the requirements outlined in the rules guiding the scheme.
“The only entitlement owed Mrs Sakaba is the Group Life Assurance which is normally paid by the Insurance Company and which would soon be received along with that of other deceased personal,” he said.
Nwachukwu said that Nigerian Army had put in place various welfare programmes for troops and their families, saying it took welfare of her troops seriously.
He added that army leadership had made the welfare of troops, one of the cardinal pillars of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS’) vision.
According to him, this is visible in the various welfare programmes embarked upon in addition to those that are statutorily emplaced.
“There are also well established communication channels with families of deceased personnel.
“Army under the leadership of the COAS, will continue to pursue the welfare of troops who are working round the clock to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.
“The Nigeria arAr will not be deterred, but remain focused in its pursuit of excellence and in ensuring that all Nigerians enjoy their God-given right to live freely anywhere in Nigeria,” he said.(NAN)
Dr Ahmed Audi, Commandant General (CG), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has charged personnel to strengthen intelligence gathering techniques to curb the incessant killings in Benue state.
He gave the charge in a statement issued by the NSCDC Spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi on Thursday in Abuja.
Audi condemned the recent killings of Benue residents after his official visit to the scene of the recent attack in Yelewata area of the state.
The CG said that the gruesome killings called for a strategic, decisive and resilient approach in restoring peace and order in Benue.
He charged officers and men in the state to expand their intelligence gathering network to arrest perpetrators and bring them to justice.
He further ordered the Zonal Commander and the State Commandant to effectively deploy covert operatives, special forces and all tactical units to all parts of Benue.
He also urged them to collaborate with stakeholders to enhance well coordinated operations in a renewed onslaught against the perpetrators.
The NSCDC boss said that the corps would continue to work with other sister security agencies to ensure successful operations.
He commiserates with the families of dead victims, while praying for the quick recovery of injured persons. (NAN)
The Police Command in Lagos State says it granted Pastor Paul Adefarasin, the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church an administrative bail after recovering from him a stun gun.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.
He said that the object recovered was a prohibited anti-riot equipment.
“What was recovered from him, the gun-like object seen in the viral video, is not a lethal weapon or firearm but a stun gun which is a prohibited anti-riot equipment, ” he said.
Hundeyin said that Adefarasin, who turned himself in on Tuesday morning at the Lagos State Police Command was questioned over a viral video where he was seen brandishing a gun-like object against another road user.
“He was interrogated and he volunteered cautionary statement to the police investigators, ” he said.
The spokesperson added that the pastor had been granted administrative bail while investigations into the incident continued
It would be recalled that first week in June, a video clip surfaced online showing Adefarasin allegedly brandishing what appeared to be a handgun while stuck in traffic.
The viral video led to public speculation, with some social media users alleging that the pastor was displaying a gun while being filmed by a TikToker known for documenting luxury cars.
However, Adefarasin, in a message to his congregation posted on his social media handles, denied the allegation.
The pastor said that the object was neither a firearm, nor did he point it at anyone. (NAN)
The Police Command in Rivers has announced the arrest of three suspected cultists allegedly involved in the murder of a senior police officer in the state.
Bako Angbashim, former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada Division, was captured and beheaded by suspected cultist in September 2023, prompting a statewide manhunt for the perpetrators.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson of the Command, disclosed on Tuesday in Port Harcourt that the arrests followed credible intelligence on the suspects’ whereabouts.
“Following actionable intelligence, operatives from the Octopus Tactical Unit successfully apprehended one of the murder suspects, known simply as K1.
“K1 is identified as a member of the Iceland cult group, formerly led by the late 2Baba, which has been linked to the killing of the late DPO, Bako Angbashim,” she said.
Iringe-Koko stated that during interrogation, K1 disclosed the identities of other accomplices, leading to the arrest of two additional suspects.
She explained that the officers subsequently tracked and arrested LoveGod Goodluck in Ikata Community, Ahoada East area, and Precious Olumini, who previously escaped from custody.
She added that the operatives recovered a locally made single-barrel gun and two cartridges from Goodluck, while an English-made pump-action rifle and a locally made pistol were seized from Olumini.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Iceland cult group, which has been responsible for a series of violent crimes in the Ahoada-East axis of the state,” Iringe-Koko added.
She confirmed that investigation was ongoing and assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion.
She said that police were intensifying manhunt for the other fleeing members of the syndicate, with the goal of recovering additional weapons and ensuring they were brought to justice.
According to Iringe-Koko, the arrests represent a significant breakthrough in the command’s ongoing efforts to combat cultism and violent crimes across the state. (NAN)
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