DEFENCE
Insecurity: JTF Hands over Recovered Arms Cache to FG

The Joint Task Force (JTF) operating in the Niger Delta on Monday handed over hundreds of small and light weapons to the Federal Government.
Rear Adm. Aminu Hassan, Commander, JTF South South Operation Delta Safe, handed over the firearms to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in Port Harcourt.
Newsmen report that, the Federal Government, in 2021 established NCCSALW, to end the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.
Hassan said the weapons and ammunition were recovered during various operations by troops of operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta.
“The handover of the weapons reflects our efforts and successes in stemming the tide of criminal attacks on communities and individuals in our joint operational area.
“We were able to achieve this by adopting both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches at community, local government and state levels.
“These approaches recently led to the recovery of large, small arms and light weapons from criminal elements that are on display and will be handed over to NCCSALW,” he said.
Hassan said that OPDS had so far recovered 3,551 small and light arms since it commenced the operation in 2016.
He said that troops were able to record several successes through its partnership with communities, relevant civil society groups and other stakeholders.
“Consequently, we have arrested numerous suspects, including oil thieves; recovered weapons and prosecuted those fanning embers of crises in our joint operational area.
“We achieve this through several raid operations on criminal hideouts, rescue operations, cordon and search as well as patrols on both land and waterways.
“Therefore, anybody that knows that he or she is not entitled to bear weapons or already in custody of weapons should quickly hand them over to us ,” he said.
He said OPDS was fully committed to implement President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent directive on immediate mop up of weapons by security agencies.
Receiving the weapons, the NCCSALW Zonal Coordinator South South, Gen. Effiok Obot, commended the OPDS for its collaboration with the centre.
He said the centre would immediately profile the weapons, and thereafter destroy them in compliance with its mandate.
According to him, the Federal Government was concerned over proliferation of illicit weapons in the country and was committed to mopping up weapons.
“We have partnered with the Armed Forces, the Police, paramilitary agencies and the general public to mop up small and light weapons in the country,” he said. (NAN)
DEFENCE
FG Introduces New Online Citizenship, Business Management Platform

The Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform.
This is contained in a statement by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani on Friday in Abuja.
Ajani said that the new digital platform was designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround time and improved user experience.
The platform is aimed at managing citizenship applications, processing business permits, and administering regulations related to businesses and foreign workers.
The permanent secretary explained further that the initiative was part of the ministry’s ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency thereby significantly improving service delivery to the public.
“Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are hereby expected to access the platform through the following official channels: Ministry of Interior’s website: https://interior.gov.ng.
Direct portal access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng, candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support or inquiries.
“The ministry remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Road Construction: Gov Mbah Meets UN Road Safety standards- FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says the ongoing road reconstructions in Enugu State by the Gov Peter Mbah led administration, meet the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals on road safety.
The Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, made the observation on Wednesday in Enugu during a press briefing for the commemoration of the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week in the state.
The theme for the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week is: ‘Make Walking Safe, Make Cycling Safe’, and it runs from May 12 to May 18, 2025.
Agbakoba noted that with the spacious walkways and putting other necessary road furniture such as well-designed bus stops and lighting, the Gov.
Mbah led administration had achieved one of the major goals of the UN.According to him, with new road design with spacious walkways and other furniture made compulsory in all roads, Gov. Mbah has prioritised the safety and security of pedestrians walking in all major roads within the state.
Agbakoba noted that during the event, the FRSC stakeholders and the Command awareness would be focusing on education that dealt with safety of vulnerable road users, who were those walking and cycling within roads in cities and communities.
He explained that the event was meant to reinforce collective responsibilities in making road safer for everybody as
established in 2007 by the UN General Assembly as efforts would spotlight the need to prioritise non-motorised transportation safety.
“As a Corps, we have continued to generate strategies to meet these glaring challenges. We have intensified our public enlightenment campaigns both in the state and nationwide.
“The establishment and sustenance of road safety clubs in schools to catch-them-young and ensured walkways, Zebra Crossing and cycling lanes are incorporated into new and existing road projects.
“FRSC is also monitoring drivers’ behaviour in high-risk routes, enforce speed limits and also ensure well-structured safety education for children and youths to imbibe positive road culture and habits,” he said.
He urged road safety stakeholders in the state to sustain the call for action meant to build a road environment and culture where pedestrians and cyclists were protected and where no life was lost needlessly on the roads.
“As a lead agency in road safety administration and traffic management, FRSC will continue to drive interventions to save lives, but we cannot do this on our own; we needed everyone’s support and cooperation,” he added.
The week long event included: a press briefing, sensitisation rally and distribution of fliers, strategic visit to selected schools for safety education and Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association (ROSOWA) visit to fleet operators.
Others are: commemorative juma’at prayer on Friday, ROSOWA visitation to orphanage homes and commemorative church service on Sunday among others. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Fatal Road Accident Claims Lives Of 4 Pedestrians in Port Harcourt

At least four individuals lost their lives, and two others sustained life-threatening injuries in a fatal road accident that occurred along G.U Ake Road in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The spokesperson for the Police Command in Rivers, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed this development in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Iringe-Koko attributed the collision, which occurred at about 11:42 p.
m. on the day, to excessive speeding, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.“The driver of a Toyota Camry, with registration number ABJ 10 EM, lost control and struck six pedestrians.
“Tragically, four of the pedestrians died at the scene, while two others sustained injuries and were immediately taken to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) for medical attention,” she explained.
She further stated that the vehicle had another occupant, identified as Benson Michael, aged 36.
According to the police spokesperson, the driver was promptly arrested and is currently undergoing interrogation.
“The accidented vehicle has been recovered and taken to the police station.
“The case will be transferred to the State Traffic Department for further investigation,” she noted.
She added that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) mortuary.
Iringe-Koko extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that justice would be served. (NAN)