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DEFENCE

Defence Ministry Restates Commitment to Nigeria’s Internal Security

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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja 

The Ministry of Defence (MOD), has restated its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces and other security agencies in maintaining internal security and counter-terrorism operations in the country.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr.

Ibrahim Abubakar Kana stated this when the new Service Chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa paid a familiarization visit to the Headquarters of the MOD in Abuja on Monday.
 

While congratulating the Service Chiefs on their recent appointments by President

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Permanent Secretary urged them to join the Ministry to key into the vision of the President to restore internal peace in the country.

 

Dr Kana who reminded the Service Chiefs that the country is expecting a lot from them following their appointments further stressed  the need for joint operations and synergy amongst all security agencies in the country.

“The insecurity and oil theft in the Niger Delta; the ministry of defence and the armed forces are committed to the mandate of the government that we shall continue to work as a team along with other security agencies to ensure peace in Niger Delta and drastic reduction of oil theft

“In addition we commit ourselves as the Ministry of Defence with the armed forces of Nigeria towards supporting other security agencies in maintaining internal security and of course counter terrorism in our country. The Service Chiefs we have here are veterans, tested and trusted, they have been on the war front therefore fighting terrorism and banditry is not new to them”.

The Permanent Secretary stated that the Ministry on its own is embarking on a series of programmes such as the reformation of the Armed Forces, assisting government in growing the economy, using the Nigerian Navy utilize our water ways to create employment opportunities for able body Nigerians and others.

Speaking earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff, emphasized that the military’s cooperation with the civilians is very paramount to the armed forces of Nigeria and called on all civilians to support the military in ensuring that Nigeria thrives.

General Musa said they were at the Ministry of Defence to show their commitment to the set goals of the ministry and expressed commitment to achieving the mandate of the President and Commander in Chief.

He assured the President and Nigerians of their determination to bring peace and tranquility in Nigeria.

“First and foremost let me use this opportunity to express my gratitude to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for considering us worthy of this appointment. We assure him of our complete loyalty. We all know the challenges we are facing and we are sure we are getting the best of support. Why we have the military is to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria, both within and outside and we are putting everything in place to achieve that.

“We want to use this medium to appeal to all Nigerians to support the military. We are happy we have met the permanent secretary ministry of defence who has assured us of support and to the civilians, know that the military is for you , the armed forces are here because we have a nation and we will do whatever it takes to ensure that Nigeria thrives and we are going to respect human rights and be very professional in our approach”.

While pointing out that the Armed Forces of Nigeria was a discipline and Professional Institution, the CDS promised that the Military in carrying out its mandate would be professional with total regard for human rights and rules of law.

According to him, “Our operations will be guided by the rules of law, total regard for human rights, the Armed Forces of Nigeria belong to Nigerians, without Nigerians there can be no Armed Forces of Nigeria, So, therefore, we are appealing for the total support of the members of the Public the Armed Forces of Nigeria in carrying out the mandate given to us by the Mr President to restore peace to the country.

“God has been kind to us, I mean myself, the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff, we have been together for a very time now and have been appointed by the Mr President as the heads of the nation’s Armed Forces, there will be no room for failure and we will not let the nation and the Mr President down.

”We grew up in a peaceful Nigeria and we are committed towards the restoration of that peace, we are going to put our heads together and put in our best, it is a task that must be done, with the co-operation of our Supervisory Ministry, the Ministry of Defence, though the Ministry is yet to get a Minister, we are indeed happy with the good working relationship we have been having with its Permanent Secretary Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana.

Other Service Chiefs on the delegation included, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General. T. A Lagbaja; Chief of Naval Staff,

Rear Admiral Emmanuel A Ogalla; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal H.B. Abubakar, and Chief of Defense Intelligence, Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye.

DEFENCE

NAF Names Crew, Passengers on Board ill-fated Flight

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The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has released the names of personnel and passengers in the crashed NAF 931 aircraft.

This is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

The crew members and passengers lost their lives in the crash involving Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday.

Ejodame listed the crew members as Sqn. Ldr MI Aburime (Flight Captain), Sqn. Ldr AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot), Flt.-Lt. IS Bako (Co-pilot), Warrant Officer Abubakar A (Aircraft Technician) and Cpl.

Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician).

He said the passengers included Flt.-Lt. TL Lazarus, Flt.-Lt. M Akinloye, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F, Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Warrant Officer Nuhu FS, Flight Sergeant James RB and Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI.

Others he said were Sgt. Ani AE, Sgt. Izibenikien SI, Sgt. Alafuka C, Sgt. Mbadugha AN, Lance Cpl. Ugwuba FC, Lance Cpl. Eledan GE, Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.

The NAF director of public relations and information also said that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke had expressed condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers.

He quoted Aneke as describing the incident as a deeply painful moment for the NAF and the nation.

The CAS expressed heartfelt sympathies to families, loved ones and colleagues of those who lost their lives.

He assured the bereaved families of the service’s full support during the difficult period, while also directing a comprehensive investigation to establish circumstances surrounding the accident.

He also assured that the NAF would continue to provide timely and verified updates as investigation progresses and urged the public to refrain from speculation and circulation of unverified information, while respecting privacy and dignity of affected families.

“A condolence register has been opened at Headquarters NAF, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and other well-wishers who may wish to pay respects and convey messages of sympathy to families of the deceased and the NAF,” he said.

25 persons comprising five crew members and 20 passengers were onboard the aircraft which was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the crash occurred.

It was reported that search and rescue procedures were immediately activated in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for all persons on board.(NAN)

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DEFENCE

Police Nab 32 Suspects, Recover 10 Firearms, 43 Vehicles in September

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The Police Command in Lagos State says it apprehended 32 suspects and recovered 10 firearms, 43 vehicles and N2.5 million during various operations across the state in September.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police(CP), Fatai Tijani, disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen on the command’s achievements for the month at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja.

Tijani said the command also impounded 43 vehicles during an early-morning enforcement operation on Monday against vehicles with covered number plates and unregistered vehicles, adding that further checks were ongoing.

He said the command arrested the suspects in connection with armed robbery, cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, stealing, breaking and entering, public disturbance and other violent crimes.

The CP said the command recovered 20 live ammunition and cartridges, 15 expended ammunition, two cutlasses, suspected criminal charms and other incriminating exhibits.

He added that the firearms comprised five pump-action guns and five locally made pistols.

Tijani said a 32-year-old suspect was arrested during a routine patrol along Oko Oba Road after some suspected hoodlums allegedly fled on sighting the police.

“A search of the suspect led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size pistol, radiator, car jack, engine block and a bag containing vehicle spare parts and tools,” he said.

The commissioner said a 29-year-old suspected armed robber was also arrested in connection with the alleged robbery of a man at Ghost and Spirit Lounge, Ekoro Road, Abule Egba.

“The suspect was arrested at the Toll Gate, Lagos-Ogun boundary, following investigation into the Sept. 26 incident, in which armed men allegedly robbed the victim of his gold wrist chain and rings.

“Efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang and recover the remaining exhibits,” he said.

He said police also arrested a suspect in connection with an alleged conspiracy and stealing case involving a gang that reportedly travelled from Idi-Oro, Mushin, to the Chevron area of Lekki-Ajah.

According to him, the suspect led operatives to a hotel room in Idi-Oro, where N2.5 million and three mobile phones were recovered.

The CP said three suspected robbers were also arrested in Idi-Oro, while intelligence obtained during investigation led to the recovery of a pump-action gun and 11 live cartridges at Igbogbo, Ikorodu.

He added that another suspect was arrested in Olorunsogo, Mushin, where a locally made Beretta pistol and four live 9mm ammunition were recovered.

Tijani said the suspect allegedly confessed to membership of the Eiye Confraternity, while two other suspected cultists, aged 27 and 35, were arrested at Ganyigbo Beach Yard.

He said 12 suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity were also arrested in Imeke, Badagry, with a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, two vehicle keys, a locally made cut-to-size gun and suspected criminal charms recovered.

According to him, seven of the suspects had been charged to court, while investigation continued to apprehend other members and recover additional arms.

The commissioner further disclosed that police arrested a 15-year-old suspected arms courier at Capa, Oshodi, while allegedly transporting firearms and ammunition concealed inside a loaf of bread.

He said a locally made Beretta pistol, four rounds of unexpended 9mm ammunition and a locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun were recovered from the suspect, while further investigation led to the recovery of an additional cut-to-size gun and 11 cartridges.

Tijani said the command also arrested a 53-year-old man in Ojo for alleged unlawful possession of a locally made pistol and six suspected hoodlums over alleged breaking, looting and destruction of property along Ejigbo–Idimu Road.

He said another suspect was arrested in Badagry for alleged unlawful possession of a firearm and public disturbance, adding that two victims had so far made statements against him.

Tijani said the command would continue to protect police personnel lawfully carrying out their duties while holding accountable officers whose conduct fell below expected standards.

He commended the officers and operatives for the breakthroughs and appreciated members of the public for their cooperation and timely provision of credible information. (NAN)

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DEFENCE

Troops Foil Two Abduction Attempts, Rescue 10 Victims in Zamfara

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By David Torough, Abuja

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled two separate abduction attempts and rescued 10 people in operations across Zamfara State.

The military said the incidents occurred on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Maru and Tsafe Local Government Areas of the state.

In Maru, troops of Sector 2 responded to information that terrorists had abducted villagers at Kade Daba Village in Kanoma District.

The troops engaged the attackers and rescued three victims, while a subsequent search of the area led to the rescue of another victim, bringing the total rescued at the location to four.

In a separate incident along the Tsafe-Funtua road, troops conducting a picketing operation near Kwanoni heard sporadic gunshots and moved towards the area. They encountered terrorists withdrawing through surrounding high ground and engaged them, forcing the attackers to flee.

According to the military, the terrorists had set a Sharon vehicle ablaze while attempting to abduct its occupants. The occupants escaped before the vehicle was completely consumed by fire.

Six other people were rescued from another vehicle that reportedly lost control as a result of the gunfire. The vehicle was later towed away from the road to restore traffic flow.

The Theatre Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA commended the troops for their vigilance and swift response, saying their actions helped protect civilians along major roads and communities within the task force’s area of responsibility.

The commander also reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to sustained operations against terrorists in the North West and urged residents to provide timely and credible information about suspicious movements and activities to security agencies through official channels.

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