DEFENCE
New Commander Takes Over ‘Operation Safe Haven’ in Jos

By Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Special Task Force saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace in Plateau State, Southern Kaduna and some parts of Bauchi State code named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) has a new Commander, he is Major Gen. Chukwuemeka Okonkwo.
Maj. Gen. CC Okonkwo was the Special Adviser Nigerian Army University Biu redeployed to the Operation SAFE HAVEN in Jos as Commander, while Maj Gen Augustine Agundu from the Special Task Force, Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) Jos, has been transferred to the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Abuja as Senior Research Fellow.
The development is coming on the hills of the recent Nigerian Army posting and appointment of it’s officers across the country in rekindling the spirit of professionalism in the nation’s Army as released by the Acting Director Army Public Relations.
General Agundu took over the helm of affairs at the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) Headquarters Jos in July 2018 and has spent 20 months in pursuance of peace in his area of assignment.
The Army General described the over 20 years crisis promoted by some religious leaders and few traditional rulers within the area of operation especially Plateau and Southern Kaduna State as unfortunate adding that it has only created “more orphans, widows as well as pains, anger and hate that often led to the destruction of innocent lives and properties.”
Agundu sated this in his farewell message during the handing over of the Command to the incoming Commander Maj. Gen.Okechukwo Okonkwo at the Headquarters of Operation Safe Haven(OPSH) located beside Hill Station Hotel in Jos the Plateau State capital.
“I assumed Command of Operation Safe Haven at a period of myriad of security uncertainties especially in the aftermath of the gruesome killings that took place Gashish District of Barkin Ladi that led to the death of almost 200 vulnerable people. With a semblance of uneasy stability in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State just as Southern Kaduna has its own fair share of intense security challenges.
“The inability to resolved even inconsequential and local issues between and across tribal divides due to age-long animosity and hatred has worsened the crises for almost 20 years. Worse still, some grassroots community and religious leaders are often culpable in promoting ill-tolerance that has further fuelled the many years of crises yet till date there is no winner.”
He added, “unfortunately, the crises on the Plateau and Southern Kaduna have only been able to generate orphans, widows, pain, frustration, fear and anger. There are fee individuals within the communities who indulge in acts of lawlessness as a way of life by unleashing mayhem on innocent law abiding citizens with the theater.”
The outgoing Commander thanked the Governor of Plateau State, Kaduna and Bauchi for their relentless support stressing that the successes recorded could have not been possible without their shared support as well as some stakeholders who ensure that criminal elements in their domain were identified and isolated.
Considering the fact that, “internal security operations are quite challenging primarily because troops are confronting small groups of miscreants who are also living within law abiding citizens which often required public cooperation and supply of vital security information.”
While addressing troops as he exit the Command, General Agundu charged them to be professional and operate within the line of engagements, urging them to give the incoming Commander the needed cooperation in ending the protracted conflict within the areas of operation to enable them reunite themselves back home with their families.
The ceremony witnessed the commissioning of the Divine Mercy Chapel built at the STF Headquarters followed by the display of some recovered small and light arms and ammunitions at the STF Headquarters among others respectively.
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)