DEFENCE
NA Gets Applause For Technological Research Showcases Equipment

By Gom Mirian, Abuja.
The minister of science and technology, Dr. Ogbonanyan Onu, Wednesday applauded the Nigerian Army for its bold steps taken to be self reliant in the area of research and innovations in the country.
The minister spoke in Abuja while inspecting some combat and support equipment showcased by the Nigerian Army at on-going Abuja international trade fair.
According to Dr.
Onu, one of the key areas that self-reliance was crucial was in national security which the Nigerian Army has consistently portrayed.Onu said The efforts and achievement of the NA in its research and development and innovation had raised hope for the country’s greatness.
” I am overwhelmed by what I have seen here because it gives me so much hope for our dear nation.
” For too long we have depended on other countries to meet our basic needs but with all these, we can no longer do so. We can only improve, we can’t degenerate”.
He, therefore, promised to collaborate and cooperate with the Army as well as provide all the necessary support in all areas necessary to advance the initiative.
“The Federal Ministry of Science and Tech will collaborate and provide all necessary support to the Army in this wonderful, local research efforts.
“We are so proud of our men and women in uniform. Yes we urge every Nigerian to be patriotic but you (Army, our men in uniform) have gone one step higher to put your life on the line for the nation. So every Nigerian must support our men in uniform’.
While unveiling the equipment at the ongoing 2019 Abuja International Trade Fair, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai said the aim of the initiative was to enhance its operational capability in fighting insecurity as well as discouraging the importation of logistics into the country to be self reliant.
Buratai explained that the requisite materials if imported would not only drain our foreign reserves but also impact negatively on the operational efficiency of the Nigerian Army due to their leap time.
“There is therefore need for a sustained investment in research development on military hardware to reduce the over dependent on importation of logistics in general to shore up the Army capability towards mitigating contemporary security challenges”.
Among other equipments showcased were, 10 KVA fueless generator which have the capacity to work for two months without service, Mines Resistance Anti Ambush protected vehicles, Ijodo tractor, Mobile Borehole Drilling Machine, Bullet proof Van, as well as uniforms and all locally produced by the Command Engineering Depot in collaboration with Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria.
Other dignitaries in attendance include government functionaries, top military officers, Senate Committee Chairman on Army and representative of the Inspector General of police, among others.
DEFENCE
Police Arrest 43 Suspects over ‘one Chance’ Robbery, others in FCT

The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said it has arrested 43 suspects over “one chance” robbery, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other criminal offences in the territory.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in the FCT, Mr Haruna Garba said this during a media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said 11 of the suspects were arrested over “one chance” robbery, seven for alleged kidnapping and others for various criminal offences.
Garba said three stolen vehicles, five firearms, 30 ammunition and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspects.
He said operatives from the Tradmore Division of the Command, on Oct.
24, arrested a suspect following a report by one Faith James.The CP said James had reported that she boarded a green Peugeot vehicle with Reg. No. CK 202 GWA from ACO estate junction heading to Trademore and was robbed of her belongings, including N110,000 cash.
He said the victim was robbed by the commercial vehicle driver and her colleagues who pretended to be genuine passengers.
“On receipt of the report, Police Operatives from the division swung into action, trailed and arrested a suspect with the same vehicle in the process of committing the same act on another innocent passenger.
“The suspect has confessed to his involvement in the crime and is assisting the Police to apprehend his other gang members at large,” Garba said.
The CP also said operatives from Asokoro Division, on Oct. 30, while on routine patrol along DSS Quarters, Asokoro observed a Vento Volkswagen car with Reg No. APP 307 GS moving in a suspicious manner.
He said the operatives intercepted the driver of the vehicle opposite Niger barracks and arrested the three males and two females in the car.
The CP said the suspects had during investigation, confessed to being a “one chance” syndicate, who specialise in identifying and picking up their victims, take them to an isolated area, rob them of their valuables, and drop them off at isolated locations.
According to him, while searching the vehicle, police operatives discovered four bundles of wrapped paper cut to money size, four car keys and other valuables.
He added that operatives from Asokoro, with the assistance of the Nigerian Army Intelligence Unit, arrested five other s
“one chance” robbery suspects on Nov. 11.
The CP said the arrest followed a report from one Bright Ezekiel that, she and her friend, one Rose Augustine, boarded a vehicle from Mogadishu Cantonment to Kubwa but were taken to unknown destination.
He said the victims were robbed of N482,000 and N387,500, respectively, through transfer from their bank accounts by the suspects.
“On receipt of the report, operatives from Asokoro Division swung into action and with the help of the Nigeria Army Intelligence Unit, five suspects were arrested.
“Their operational vehicle, Volkeswagen taxi with Reg. No. AA 958 RYM was recovered,” he said.
The CP said the suspects had confessed to the crime and would be arraigned in court upon completion of investigation. (NAN)
DEFENCE
IGP Visits Adamawa over Death of Inspector Shot by Soldiers

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday visited the Adamawa Police Command to sympathise with officers and men over the killing of an Inspector by soldiers on Nov. 21.
Report says that Insp Daniel Jacob was shot to death when some soldiers attacked the command over the arrest of their colleague.
The IGP described the attack as unwarranted and reminiscent of Boko Haram invasion of police facilities in the past.
“I am in your midst today to share the grip that you have; I was told Inspector Jacob was an excellent officer who was committed to his duty and trusted by both his subordinate and his superior”, he said.
The IGP said that the Force Headquarters would support the family of the decreased officer and take measures to ensure that the incident was not repeated.
He called on the police officers not to be demoralised by the incident, and go about their normal joint operations with the army and other security agencies in the interest of the country.
Egbetokum said his vision was to have a well-equipped police force and to double its manpower for the effective policing of the country.
He charged police officers nationwide to adopt positive attitude to work for effective service delivery to Nigerians.
“I have come to tell you that together we are going to change the policing narrative of this country,” he added.
The IGP assured that President Bola Tinubu was passionate about improving the welfare of police personnel in the country.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Babatola Afolabi, said the incident was a big dent to the peace of the state.
He said that the command has made serious efforts in taming the activities of shilla boys criminal gangs, kidnapping, homicide, rape and other heinous crimes in the state.
He urged the IGP to deploy Armoured Personnel Carriers, gun trucks and Hilux vehicles to enhancs the efforts of the command to ensure peace and security across the state.
“The Nigeria Police Force, being the lead agency in internal security, has played its part in making sure that the state is safe, secured and conducive for both economic and social activities”, he said.
NAN also reports that Police Community Relations Committee has donated foodstuffs and N100,000 to the deceased Inspector’s family while hunters association also donated two cows to the family. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Neutralise 3 Suspected Banditry Kingpins in Katsina

The Police Command in Katsina State said its operatives succeeded in neutralising three suspected notorious bandits kingpins.
This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Abubakar Aliyu, on Tuesday in Katsina.
He said the incident occurred on Nov.
25, at about 10:30 a.m., while on a joint patrol with members of the vigilante, in Kwarare area of Jibia Local Government Area.“Some suspected bandits opened fire on the patrol team, in which the officers valiantly returned fire, forcing the terrorists to abandon their evil plan and fled into the nearby bush.
“While combing the scene and surrounding bushes, corpses of three neutralised suspected terrorists and a motorcycle which belonged to the bandits were recovered,” he said
The PPRO added that the corpses were later identified as those of Bala Wuta, a suspected notorious bandits’ leader terrorising Jibia Local Government Area and its environs.
Others, he added, were Dogo Na Sahura and Hassan Bukuru, notorious suspected terrorists terrorising people in the area.
Aliyu said that efforts were on top gear by the police to arrest the fleeing suspects, while the investigation into the matter was ongoing.
The PPRO revealed that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, while praising the operatives’ professionalism, synergy and bravery, urged them to sustain the tempo.
The CP called on people of the state to continue providing the command and other security agencies with crucial and timely information on criminal activities.
“Report to the nearest police station or other security agencies, any person seen with suspicious injuries, as some of the bandits have escaped with gunshot wounds,” he said.
He said it would assist the security agents to promptly take decisive action with a view to curbing criminal activities in the state. (NAN)