DEFENCE
Mrs Tinubu Hails NAOWA, Pledges to Enhance Status of Women

Wife of the President, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, has promised to promote endeavors that would project and enhance the status of women in Nigeria.
The First Lady, who was represented by Prof. Nora Daduut, made the pledged at the public presentation of a book titled “Strengthening the NAOWA Narrative”, on Saturday in Abuja.
The book was authored by Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, the President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) and wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.
-Gen. Faruk Yahaya.Tinubu commended Mrs Yahaya for her resilience and wisdom in writing the book, saying it was another giant step in chronicling events of army officers’ wives.
She expressed delight that the work came from the women folk, saying it had increased the need for women to continue to document their journey, experiences and accomplishments.
According to her, the well researched book came at a time when a lot of people had almost lost interest in writing and paying attention to history.
“You have not just added to the body of knowledge in Nigeria, you have renewed our interest in writing and documentation.
“It is my own opinion that this will go a long way in enriching the lives of not only members of NAOWA, but lives of our young ones who will appreciate this piece of work as a good resource in shaping their decisions and choices that they make.
“I congratulate you, Mrs Salamatu Yahaya and your association.
“It is my prayer that you will continue to grow in strength, in wisdom and vision to the glory of our dear country.
“I want to assure you that my office would not relent in promoting endeavors that will project and enhance the status of women in Nigeria,” she said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, commended his wife for putting the idea together while at the same time providing support for him in discharging his duties.
Yahaya said the activities of NAOWA were centered in human capital development, especially women, youth, children and venerable persons and groups in barracks and the larger society.
He said the book was also centered on NAOWA as an organisation gleaming from the past experiences with some practical aspect of leadership.
According to him, it highlights the experiences garnered by the writer as she rose to the various stages and levels of NOWA from unit to brigade to division level, and now leadership position as the president.
Yahaya said leadership was always a challenging task, especially in NAOWA that was also made-up of diverse mix of people with different backgrounds, competencies and experiences.
“I therefore commend the author for successful leadership of the association so far and also for putting her thoughts to paper, which could serve as a guide to many including upcoming members.
“I believe the book is an interesting read as it gives insights into the association, its focus, aims and objectives.
“Furthermore, the principle of successful leadership, as well as many other lesson highlighted in the book, would help propel the minds of leaders towards optimal performance and achievements of leadership goals on the whole,” he said.
The author of the book, Mrs Yahaya said she wrote the book to appreciate the efforts of past leaders of NAOWA, inspire the present members and lay an enduring foundation for the future leaders.
She said the desire to impart lives especially the youth was another motivating factor that encouraged her to pen down her thoughts.
According to her, reading is a must have skill for effective leadership, adding that the book was aimed at boosting reading culture.
“The desire to write this book started when I attended a workshop comprising of participants from all military officers wives associations and in the course of the workshop, we were asked during an icebreaker exercise to mention our heroes and role models.
“Surprisingly, all of us, including myself here, were calling names such as Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Margaret Thatcher, and the rest of them.
“None of us mentioned any of the founding mothers of our various associations.
“That incident opened my eyes to the fact that the many heroic achievements and legacies of our founding mothers are not appreciated by many of us and therefore they have remained unsong heroines.
“Therefore, the book “Strengthening the NAOWA Narratives” is an attempt to recognise and celebrate NAOWA heroines who have made giant strides in the advancement of human capital and structural developments,” she said.
The Book Reviewer, Prof. Asabe Usman of Uthman Danfodio University Sokoto, described the book as a master piece and must read for all.
Usman said the book was written in simple language in spite of the author’s literary prowess with a view to communicate understanding to the readers.
She said the book was also borne out of the selfless nature of the author, adding that it was her desire to leave a legacy as a guide for her successor.
She said the pieces of advice packed in the book would be useful for both NAOWA and non-NAOWA members.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book presentation had in attendance a number of prominent members of the society from government, business and military circles.
The Chief Launcher was the Alhaji Samad Rabiu while the former first lady and founder of NOAWA, Mrs Maryam Abacha, representative of States governors, past army chiefs and past presidents of NAOWA were in attendance.
Also, the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs as well as top serving and retired military officers graced the occasion. (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)
CRIME
Police Rescue 28 Kidnap Victims, Detain 10 Suspects In Enugu

The Police Command in Enugu has rescued 28 kidnap victims and detained 10 suspects in Enugu State.
The command also recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles and other exhibits in separate coordinated operations within the past 10 days.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe on Tuesday in Enugu.
Ndukwe said that the feat was part of the Command’s sustained efforts to rid Enugu State of unrepentant violent criminals.
“On May 18, at about 6:30 p.m., operatives attached to Umumba Police Division, working with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards and community members, rescued two male and two female victims kidnapped along Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
“This followed a tactical bush-combing operation.
“Four male suspects linked to the crime were immediately detained and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations,” he said.
The spokesman said that on the same day, at about 6:34 p.m., operatives from 9th Mile Division responded to a distress call and arrested a suspect.
According to him, the suspect and three others have attempted to kidnap a woman, who raised an alarm.
He said that the suspect, who was severely beaten by the mob, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being investigated further.
“Similarly, operatives from Okpuje Police Division of the Command, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards, on May 17, 2025, carried out a strategic bush-combing operation in a forest bordering Okpuje in Enugu State and Odolu in Kogi State.
“During the operation, they intercepted two men found with ₦150,000 and ₦70,000 respectively, intended for ransom payments, as well as loaves of bread and drinks requested by the kidnappers.
“Upon further incursion, the team encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers but responded with superior firepower, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds and abandon the victims, a pump-action gun, and two live cartridges.
“The victims were rescued unhurt and the exhibits recovered. Efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” he said.
Ndukwe said that earlier, on May 14, 2025, at about 5:30a.m., operatives from Igbo-Eze North Division, with the Military and Neighbourhood Watch, rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Amaka-Okpodu community in Kogi State.
He said that the victims, some of whom were returning from a traditional marriage ceremony, had been allegedly abducted on May 10, 2025, along Iyionu-Aguibeje Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA by hooded armed men.
“Five male suspects were subsequently detained following credible intelligence, and three firearms were also recovered. Additionally, a minibus and four motorcycles used by the travelling victims were earlier recovered from the scene of the crime.
“In another operation, on May 13, 2025, at about 9:45 p.m., operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, acting on credible information, rescued a kidnapped victim along the Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway and recovered his Toyota Camry.
“A white Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 703 LP used by the suspects and a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu, were also recovered.
“Operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” he said.
Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the police operatives, the collaborating security agents and law-abiding community members for their efforts in making the operations successful.
The spokesman said that the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s avowed commitment to make Enugu State safer and more secure by rooting out violent criminals and their activities.
He said that the state police boss urged residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant and cooperative with police and other law enforcement authorities. (NAN)
CRIME
Police Nab Native Doctor, Recover Arms, Ammunition From Shrine

The police operatives of the Enugu command, attached to the Special Anti–Cultism Squad (SPACS) have nabbed a native doctor, for alleged possession of fire arms and ammunition hidden in his shrine.
This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in Enugu on Monday.
Ndukwe said that the police recovered one locally-made pistol, one revolver pistol, one expended and one live .
38 special calibre ammunition and one live cartridge from his shrine located at Ugwuochie-Iwollo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.“The recovery followed the suspect’s confessional statements after his earlier arrest, as well as a subsequent raid on the shrine by the operatives.
“The suspect confessed to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity.
“He will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for their efforts and urged them to sustain the momentum, ensuring that “Enugu State remains uninhabitable for unrepentant criminals.”
The commissioner also urged members of the public to remain supportive of the command’s efforts. (NAN)