DEFENCE
NCoS Boss Orders Investigation Into Owerri Custodial Centre Attack
The Acting Controller-General, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr John Mrabure, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident that occurred at the Owerri Custodial Centre at the early hours of Monday, April 5, 2021.
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Francis Enobore, disclosed this in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) early Tuesday in Abuja.
Mrabure said that the assignment, which would be carried out in collaboration with other security organisations, has commenced with a Search and Recover Operations to recapture the fleeing inmates.
NAN reports that the Owerri Custodial Centre in Imo had been attacked by unknown gunmen and forcefully released a total of 1,844 inmates in custody.
The attackers, who stormed the facility at about 02:15hrs on Monday 5th April, 2021, gained entrance into the premises by using explosives to blast the administrative block.
They were said to have arrived the centre in their large number in several Hilux Pick-Up vans and Sienna buses armed with sophisticated weapons and immediately engaged the security personnel on duty in a fierce gun battle.
The invaders eventually detonated explosives to gain entrance.
Mrabure appealed to the good citizens of Imo and indeed Nigerians to volunteer useful information that would facilitate the recapture of the fleeing inmates.
He, however, assured the people that the security of custodial centres across the country remained sacrosanct.
He equally directed all officers attached to custodial facilities to remain vigilant at this trying period of the NCoS.
“As at the last count, six inmates have so far voluntarily returned to the facility while 35 inmates refused to escape from custody during the attack, ” he said. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Arrest Two Suspected Car Snatchers in Delta
The Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspected car snatchers and recovered a Toyota Camry in the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Warri.
Edafe said that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday by operatives attached to the Ekpan Division of the Nigeria Police Force.
He said that the suspects were apprehended at the New Era axis of Jakpa Road, Ekpan Community, where the stolen vehicle was also recovered.
“On Sept. 8, the Ekpan Police Division received a report concerning a Toyota Camry car stolen in Benin City on Monday.
“The operatives embarked on an intelligence-led investigation and trailed the vehicle to the New Era area of Jakpa Road in Ekpan Community.
“The operatives immediately proceeded to the location, sighted the vehicle and laid an ambush, leading to the arrest of the two suspects and recovery of the vehicle,” he said.
Edafe said the suspects were currently in police custody, adding that investigation into the matter was ongoing.
He said the Commissioner of Police in charge of the command, Samuel Erale, had reiterated the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks in the state. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Army Strengthens Operational Effectiveness, National Security, Repositions Senior Leadership
By David Torough, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the strategic redeployment of senior officers to key command, operational and staff appointments across the Nigerian Army (NA), as part of ongoing efforts to enhance operational effectiveness, strengthen leadership and align the Service’s command structure with Nigeria’s evolving security environment.
The exercise prioritises critical operational theatres and strategic appointments to ensure the right leadership, experience and expertise are positioned to deliver decisive effects.In the new postings, Major General IA Ajose moves from Army Headquarters (AHQ), Department of Army Operations, to Theatre Command Joint Task Force (JTF) North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), as Theatre Commander, while Major General AE Abubakar has been redeployed from OPHK, to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research.
Major General AM Alechenu moves from Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, while Major General RT Utsaha moves from AHQ Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to DHQ Garrison as Commander.Similarly, Major General AM Umar moves from AHQ Department of Civil-Military Affairs (DCMA) to Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) as Commandant, while Major General UM Alkali moves from AWCN to AHQ DCMA. Major General GS Muhammed moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation (NAFIC) as Director General, while Major General JE Osifo moves from NAFIC to the Military Pension Board (MPB) as Chairman and Major General IE Ekpenyong has been redeployed to DHQ Department of Defence Logistics as Director Engineering Services.
At the operational level, Brigadier General AA Bello moves from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3 JTF South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to DHQ Department of Defence Operations. Brigadier General MS Adamu has been redeployed from Nigerian Army Women Command to the newly established 8 Brigade as Commander, while Brigadier General MS Sule moves from Special Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE to 27 Task Force Brigade as Commander.
Similarly, Brigadier General I Sule, has been redeployed from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to 6 Division Garrison as Commander while Brigadier General E Azenda, moves from Land Forces Simulation Centre to 2 Division Garrison as Commander and Brigadier General AS Bugaje, moves from 2 Division Garrison to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director Administration.
The COAS has charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty and relentlessly focused on the constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authority in maintaining peace and security.
The NA remains resolute in sustaining a dynamic leadership and force-employment framework that enhances operational outcomes, strengthens joint and inter-agency coordination and improves the capacity of the Service to respond decisively to contemporary and emerging threats in furtherance of Nigeria’s national security objectives.
DEFENCE
Troops Foil Cattle Rustling, Recover 500 Cattle in Kaduna
Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have foiled a cattle rustling operation and recovered more than 500 cattle in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The troops, from Sector 1, Joint Task Force North West, conducted the operation on Tuesday following a distress call from residents over cattle rustling at Rugar Mande Kurmin.
Lt.
-Col. Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.Danja said that upon receiving the distress call, the troops swiftly mobilised to the suspected withdrawal routes of the terrorists and established blocking positions.
He said the troops engaged the terrorists from multiple positions, forcing them to withdraw in disarray and abandon the rustled cattle.
According to him, all the recovered cattle were subsequently handed over to their respective owners.
The media officer said the successful operation further demonstrated the troops’ commitment to protecting lives and property and disrupting criminal activities across the Joint Operations Area.
He urged members of the public to continue providing security agencies with timely and relevant information to enable the military to eradicate terrorist elements within the Joint Operations Area.
Danja reaffirmed the commitment of Operation Fansan Yamma to denying criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.(NAN)


