DEFENCE
COVID-19: NSCDC Deploys Personnel to Monitor, Enforce Compliance of Facemask Usage
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed a monitoring and enforcement team to public areas in the country to enforce compliance to use of face masks.According to it, this is to ensure that citizens comply to the use of facemasks as one of the protocols to curb spread of the COVID -19.
The Acting Commandant General, NSCDC, Mr Hillary Madu, made the disclosure in a statement made available by the agency’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mr Sola Odumosu, on Friday in Abuja. Madu ordered the immediate composition of a five-man team comprising of some carefully selected officers and men designated to identify key areas such as markets, schools, motor parks, churches and recreational centers for total compliance.He further directed all Zonal Commanders and State Commandants to ensure optimal enforcement and general compliance to all COVID-19 regulations.Madu said that strict adherence to the executive order by the corps was predicated on the need to preserve the sanctity of life of Nigerians in different parts of the country.“As a major stakeholder in the provision of security and safety, as well as the preservation of health and wellbeing of Nigerians, all hands must be on deck to support the good intentions of government in the face of the widespread and rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria”.
The NSCDC boss charged each state command to internalise the directive by ensuring absolute compliance of all personnel to the COVID-19 protocols in their respective states and zones to keep safe at the frontline, while enforcing the guidelines for preventing the spread and containment of the virus.
The acting commandant general of the NSCDC ordered the stepping up of sensitisation and citizens enlightenment campaign to encourage non-adherents to the COVID-19 guidelines to take responsibility in ensuring that they stayed safe with their loved ones.
Madu said the corps must join forces with the Federal Government to mitigate and control the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also warned officers against unwholesome practices.
“Any officer caught extorting money from the public will face summary dismissal as this assignment is not a means to line their pockets with proceeds of corrupt practices.
“The enforcement teams are to ensure that no person shall be allowed within the premises of all identified focal areas except such person complies with all laid down protocols such as wearing of facemask.
“ Facemask that covers the nose and mouth, washing of hand using running water or hand sanitiser and temperature check not above 38 degrees Celsius,” he said.
While encouraging the personnel to go about their assignment with new zeal and absolute sense of patriotism, he also warned them against unnecessary harassment of citizens.
“I enjoin all personnel to put on the toga of civility which the corps is noted for, whilst our watchword, humility and integrity in service delivery should guide you never to go out of order.
“Rather, be disciplined and professional in your approach; do not molest anyone while discharging your duty and respect their fundamental human rights,” Madu said. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Terrorism: ECOWAS to Raise $2.4bn to Fund Counter-terrorism Standby Force
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)
DEFENCE
Police Arrest 22 Suspected Armed Robbers, 36 Rapists in Katsina
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)
DEFENCE
NDA Conducts Range Classification, Urges Residents to Stay Away
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)