DEFENCE
FRSC Vows to Curb Tanker Crashes Nationwide

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said it would enforce safety regulations and prevent the use of expired and worn-out tyres by tanker drivers to curb crashes across the country.
The Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM), Bisi Kazeem, said this in an interview on Monday in Abuja.
Kazeem said apart from consultation with stakeholders, the corps would carry out an enlightenment campaign and embark on enforcement.
He said this had also made the leadership of the present Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, to commence the deployment of personnel to all tank farms across the country.
Kazeem said the personnel were mandated to carryout pre-loading checks on the tankers to ensure that they met maximum safety standards.
He said the standards were installation of speed limiting devices, safety valves and anti spilling devices among others.
According to him, during the checks, tyres are also put into perspective and any tanker that fails to meet the standard will not be allowed to load.
“More so, the Corps also organised special patrol operations targeted at specific offences. During these enforcement operations, tyres are checked and offenders are adequately penalised.
“We have made frantic efforts, consulting with Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Major Oil Marketers of Nigeria over time.
“And at the meeting, many resolutions including the provision of maximum safety devices in the vehicles and even complying with the 45,000 litres mandate for all tankers were prioritised,” Kazeem said.
He added that the corps had also engaged in continuous training and certification of drivers of articulated vehicles, which had equipped them with the relevant knowledge necessary for safe road use in the country.
“It is, indeed, a holistic approach and you can see that the result is speaking for itself,” he said.
The FRSC spokesperson said the operatives of the corps were doing their best on the issue of articulated vehicles, noting that a reasonable number of arrests had been recorded nationwide.
“While the arrests are going on, our emphasis has always been on getting the drivers and the truck owners to do the right thing.
“That is why when the arrests are effected, we educate the drivers on basic road safety knowledge,” he added.
Kazeem, however, advised motorists against driving in the rain, saying that it could be risky because one’s visibility was reduced and there were usually hazardous and slippery conditions on the roads.
He, therefore, urged motorists to take precautions while driving in order to ensure they reached their destinations safely.
Kazeem noted that a crash free society was still possible only if every road user played his part by complying with established laws.
“Before embarking on the journey, one should ensure that the windows and windshields are clean on the outside and the inside.
“It is pertinent to routinely check the headlights, brake lights, turn signals and tail lights.
“The wind shield wiper and blades should also be checked for proper functioning. The lights should be on during the day and at night, whenever the rain starts dropping,” said Kazeem.
He also advised motorists to reduce their speed during this time and apply the common sense speed limit.
“They must always obey law enforcement agents, ensure regular maintenance of vehicles, obey the prescribed speed limit on all roads.
“Avoid dangerous overtaking and desist from reckless driving. When all these are complied with, Road Traffic Crashes (RTC) will be a thing of the past in our country,” continued the corps spokesman. (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)