DEFENCE
Inter-agency Rivalry and Internal Security
The rot, lack of intelligence and interagency cooperation in the nation’s security apparatus which many have observed and complained about was recently exposed in the clash between the army and police, which left about 6 people dead, including some police officers attached to the IRT of the police headquarters and the mysterious escape from custody of an alleged notorious kidnap kingpin, Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume in Ibi, Taraba State.
According to accounts by the police, some of its special operatives from Abuja were in Taraba where they effected the arrest of a kidnap suspect and were on their way to Jalingo, the state capital, when soldiers at an army checkpoint opened fire on the vehicle they were travelling in, killing three police officers and a civilian and leaving others injured. The arrested kidnap suspect, who was in handcuffs, was allegedly freed by the soldiers, the police have said. The army had in its defense, in the wake if the incident, said that soldiers from the 93 Battalion got a distress call that kidnappers had come to operate in their community, leading to the hot pursuit that culminated in the unfortunate killings.
But this was countered by the police in another statement wherein it raised some posers: “Where is the notorious kidnapper, Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume ‘rescued’ by the soldiers? How could a kidnap suspect, restrained with handcuffs by the police, escape from the hands of his military rescuers? If Hamisu Wadume is a ‘victim of kidnap’ as claimed, and properly rescued by soldiers, why was he not taken to the Army base for documentation purposes and debriefing in line with the standard operating procedure in the Nigerian army? Why were the police operatives shot at close range even after they had identified themselves as police officers on legitimate duty as evident in the video now in circulation?”In raising these posers, have accused the soldiers of working in cohorts with the notorious kidnapper, hence their move to save him at all cost after he was arrested.Rising criminality across the country, from cattle rustling and kidnapping in the North West to insurgency in the North East, herders and farmers clashes in the North Central, Kidnapping and armed banditry in the South East and South West and oil bunkering in the South South, has seen the increased involvement of the army in matters of internal security. Soldiers are now deployed to jobs that should ordinarily be handled by an already demotivated police force and what you find is cases of alleged abuses against citizens by the soldiers and deep seated rivalry and resentment between the soldiers and the police. Soldiers have often been accused of going all out to enrich themselves when posted on such assignments as indicated in reports which have alleged the involvement of an unnamed army captain in the Taraba incident.
The incident, as disgraceful as it is, presents an opportunity for thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances behind the instant case and to find the bad eggs in the system, as the incidence has lend credence to allegations of the existence of fifth columnists within the system who will stop at nothing to give cover to criminals to perpetrate their nefarious activities and work to get them off the hook if they are apprehended.
While we admit that the Police does not have the personnel to enforce security and the laws in the entire country as it ought to, the current development makes it imperative for military involvement in civil Affairs and matters of internal security to be reviewed to reflect that we are truly a democratic state.
With the pertinent issues raised by the police, we call on the military authorities to spare nothing in providing answers to those posers and also call on the federal government committee investigating the matter to do a thorough job and that when the report of the committee is presented, it should not be swept under the carpet.
The Federal Government has directed the Federal Fire Service to embark on enlightenment campaign on the causes of fire and the preventive measures.
The Controller-General (CG) of the Federal Fire Service, Mr Abduganiyu Jaji, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Lagos during the pulling out parade of the Assistant Controller-General of Federal Fire Service, Zone D, Lagos, Mr Chika Njoku, and 19 others.
Report says that some of the firemen were pulled out after serving for 35 years, while others attained 60 years of age.
The CG said that part of the awareness the was enlightenment of landlords and company owners on the causes of fire outbreaks.
He said: “If there is a fire outbreak, instead of panicking, they should be able to know what to do.
” For example, in a building, they should be able to know where fire extinguisher is placed.
“They should also be able to know where fire alert system is. They should be able to use them at the appropriate time.
“Many are not aware of the danger of fire, that is why they play with objects that could trigger explosion.”
Jaji advised parents to always keep away objects such as match sticks, as well as explosive objects from children.
He also warned people to be careful with gas cylinders.
In his remarks, ACG Chika Njoku urged the Federal Government to equip the Federal Fire Service better to enable its personnel to do better.
Njoku also said that there was need to recruit more workers into the service, noting that old workers were retiring.
He added that more fire stations should be built to take care of the increasing population of Nigeria.
He advised people to be patient and committed to their legitimate duties.
“I want to urge them to do their works diligently. There is no way you pass through a place without challenges.
“If you join the fire service and you don’t have the required equipment to work, that is a challenge.
“We are only putting our best to make the work done perfectly,” he said.
The General Manager of Lagos State Fire Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, praised Njoku for professionalism, saying that his legacies would be remembered.
” I want to appreciate your dedication to the service of humanity.
“When we worked together, I could feel the zeal in you. I learnt somethings from you,” she said. (NAN)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), have intercepted various quantities of cocaine and opioids such as tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate and ketamine injection in Lagos.
A statement by the NDLEA spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja said that the drugs were concealed in soles of shoes, clothes and other items being shipped to the United States, United Kingdom and Cyprus.
Babafemi said that no less than 250 grams of cocaine going to Cyprus was hidden in soles of custom-made shoes.
He said that over 5 kilogrammes (kgs) of opioids heading to the US and UK were discovered by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations, (DOGI).
“They were concealed in clothes and other household items meant to be shipped through some courier firms in Lagos,”he said.
In the same vein, a consignment of 440 grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis coming from Canada to Lagos was equally intercepted by operatives in one of the logistic companies.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Edo on Wednesday intercepted a vehicle marked Abuja GWA 273 DD at Ewu junction, Esan Central LGA following credible intelligence.
Babafemi said that the luggage of one of the occupants, Aminu Abdullahi, 32, was searched and found to contain custard containers, where 3,000 pills of tramadol 225mg were buried in the custard powder.
”He said that the suspect claimed the drugs were bought in Onitsha, Anambra and he was taking them to Mararaba area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to sell,”he said.
In another operation, operatives on Thursday raided the Ohen forest, Abudu area of Edo and destroyed 5,429.751kg of cannabis on 2.918 hectares of farmlands.
Babafemi said that four suspects: Godday Ariye, 37; Friday Okafor, 59; Obinna Nwosu, 48; and Yusuf Adamu, 27, were arrested.
Similarly, 300 kilogrammes of the same substance were recovered from Uzzeba Obi camp in Owan West LGA when NDLEA officers raided the location on Saturday .
Also, In Ogun, operatives on Tuesday recovered a total of 2,865 kilograms of cannabis at Afami Ibese while the suspected owner, Umar Ibese was currently at large.
He said that not less than 2,455 kilograms of materials for the production of Akuskura, at New Psychoactive Substance (NPS), were recovered from a warehouse in Konduga town, Konduga LGA, Borno state on Tuesday July 9.
“NDLEA operatives in a joint operation with men of the Nigerian Army raided the area.
“The following on Wednesday, operatives in Katsina State arrested a 54-year-old Sabo Sule with 47kg cannabis in Katsina town.
“In Lagos, operatives on Monday raided a warehouse in VGC, Lekki where they recovered 148 cartons of non-medical nitrous oxide popularly called laughing gas.
“108 cartons of fast gas cylinder; 134 pieces of balloon and 109 cartons of infusion charger, among others were also recovered.
“A female suspect, Suliyat Abdulsalam was arrested in connection with the seizure,”he said.(NAN)
The Nigeria Army on Wednesday announced the deployment of 177 personnel for a peace keeping mission in Guinea-Bissau.
The Chief of Operations, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Boniface Sinjen, made the announcement at the graduation ceremony of troops of Nigerian Company 3 ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau, at Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) Jaji.
Sinjen said, “Guinea-Bissau is grappling with political instability and institutional crisis, which poses a significant threat to peace and sustainable development in the sub-region.
”He, however, said the Nigerian Government, through ECOWAS, stood united with the Government and people of Guinea-Bissau.
Sinjen said the graduation reaffirmed their unwavering commitment in supporting the Government of the Republic of GuineaBissau to consolidate its authority.
This is in order to address the security challenges, strengthen democratic governance and foster stability in the country.
” This deployment is in line with the mandate of the mission which has been extended severally to consolidate the relative peace and stability in the country.
“You gallant men of the Nigerian Army have been trained by this renowned Centre of Excellence to play that critical role.
“This Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) has equipped you with the necessary tactical skills and knowledge to support the government of Guinea-Bissau in stabilizing the country.
” I therefore urge you to remain committed to upholding the principles of ECOWAS peacekeeping operations, “he said.
The chief of operations charged the troops to conduct themselves professionally in accordance with these guidelines of the mission.
“You will be operating in a complex and diverse environment, where various ethnic groups coexist.
” I implore you to maintain the highest level of professionalism, discipline and respect for human rights and the sovereignty of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
“As ambassadors of Nigeria, your behaviour will reflect on the nation’s image, so I urge you to uphold the highest standards of conduct and maintain the integrity of our esteemed profession,” he said.
Sinjen urged them to embody the core values of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and refrain from any actions that could compromise the mission’s objectives or undermine our nation’s reputation.
He emphasized that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation and abuse.
“Any personnel found guilty of such offenses will face severe consequences,” he warned.
Sinjen cautioned that drug trafficking and abuse were grave offences that would not be condoned in any form.
“The Nigerian Army’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of discipline and integrity remains unbroken,” he added.
Sinjen appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for his unwavering commitment towards enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping troops through realistic training which was one of the key pillars of his command philosophy.
“His leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping the readiness and capabilities of our troops and I am deeply appreciative of his support, “he said.
Earlier, the Commandant, MLAILPKC, Maj.-Gen. Ademola Adedoja, said the PDT that began in May. 19 , was designed to prepare the contingent on contemporary peacekeeping operations for a successful tour of duty in Guinea-Bissau.
Adedoja said during the course of the PDT, the troops were exposed to a series of lectures on contemporary peacekeeping operations with emphasis on the peculiar nature of the security challenges facing Guinea-Bissau.
He said the training package also included comprehensive lectures on the background and current situations in the mission area as well as the mandate of the mission.
“Additionally, the troops were exposed to mentally and physically engaging exercises to equip them with the necessary knowledge and tactical skills required in peacekeeping operations in line with the United Nations Core PDT modules.
“As you stand ready to embark on this critical mission, I urge you to carry the spirit of excellence with you.
”Your contribution to the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission will be instrumental in shaping the future of Guinea-Bissau, thus promoting peace, stability and development in West Africa.
“You are not just representing the Armed Forces of Nigeria but also serving as ambassadors of our great nation, “Adedoja said.
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