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DEFENCE

New Commander Takes Over ‘Operation Safe Haven’ in Jos

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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.

 Colonel Sagir Musa 31st March, 2020.


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

Police Intensify Security in Cross River Ahead of Easter Festival

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The Cross River Police command says it has beefed up security across the State preparatory to the celebration of Easter festival.

Mr. Gyogon Grimah, the Commissioner of Police, made this known in Calabar on Monday.

According to him, the tactical teams of the Police as well as other regular formations have been deployed at strategic positions within the state to secure the lives and property of the residents during the festival.

This is contained in a statement signed by the command spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo and made available to newsmen in Calabar on Monday.

The CP who felicitated with the people of the state and Christian faithful, directed for close surveillance activities, foot/vehicular patrols, and visibility policing across, to forestall security breaches during the period.

He said the Police Area Commanders, Divisional Police Oficers (DPOs) and Tactical Commanders were directed to ensure safety and security of the general public before, during and after the event.

“The Police Command will not fold its hand and watch any group or individuals under whatever guise to obstruct or cause breakdown of law and order.”

“I urge all public spirited individuals to volunteer useful and genuine information to the Police and support the Police and other security agencies to ensure peaceful coexistence in the state and the nation as a whole,” he appealed,” he said

He enjoins citizens residing in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear or panic.(NAN)

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DEFENCE

Air Force Knocks out Terrorists’ Enclaves Near Lake Chad

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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of the military special task force, “Operation Hadin Kai’’, has continued to decimate terrorists and their hideouts at Tumbuns near Lake Chad.

NAF’s Director, Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, stated on Monday in Abuja that intelligence report received made airstrikes on a location Northwest of Arina Woje in Tumbuns on Sunday imperative.

He explained that the report indicated the presence of terrorists’ hideouts at the location.

He added that the report also confirmed an activation of terrorists’ activities around clusters of structures concealed under trees near the location.

“A post-strike Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their hideouts set ablaze, thereby degrading their capabilities to attack surface forces.

“These strikes have also degraded the capabilities of terrorist elements operating in the region to attack innocent civilians residing near Arina Woje in Borno,’’ Gabkwet stated. (NAN)

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DEFENCE

Army’ll Continue to Build Capacity to Surmount Security Threats -GOC

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The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigeria, Maj.-Gen  Mayirenso Saraso, says the Nigerian Army will continue  to build the  capacity of its Officers and men to enable them surmount the emerging security threats.

The GOC stated this at a three-day capacity building for 1 Division Operations Planning Cadre 2024 for Officers on Monday in Kaduna.

Saraso said the avenue was to bring together the participants of the ranks of Captains to Colonels in the divsion’s Area of Responsibility to build cohesion and synergize with sister security agencies.

“The training is organized to refresh us on the various aspects of operations planning process in order to enhance our

skills and improve capacity in single and joint service operations planning process,” he said.

The GOC  said this was in line with the Chief of

Army Staff’s command philosophy.

It is: ‘ To Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment’.

Saraso said, “As we are all witnessing, warfare is becoming increasingly complex due to changes in the nature of threats and

advancement in technology.

“In view of this, armies world over

are continually engaged in training and capacity building to enable them surmount emerging security challenges.”

According to the GOC,  the Nigerian Army  equally recognizes these changes and therefore, seeks to develop capacity through realistic training that will enhance its

operations.

He explained that the division’s experiences in Birnin Gwari,Falgore, Kagara and other forests, among others, had helped it to draw useful lessons and identify gaps in the conduct of its operations.

The GOC said the  1 Division Operations Planning Cadre for this year was expected to explore ways of building on existing efforts by it to meet its operational needs in the areas of Warfare Operations Planning.

“Others are military decision making process, intelligence preparation of the battle space and logistics in operational planning amongst others, “he said.

Saraso  urged the participants to have an open mind in order to derive maximum benefits from the cadre.

The GOC appreciated  the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja  for providing the resources for the cadre, his exemplary and inspiring leadership, support motivation to the division..(NAN)

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