DEFENCE
NICO to Digitise Indigenous Nigeria Language Programme

The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), says it will digitise the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), to provide participants the opportunity to access it online.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Institute, Mr Louis Eriomala, who was represented by the Director of Orientation, Mr Alex Omijie, disclosed this at the closing ceremony of a two-month language programme at the Mogadishu Barrack in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said, “Plans have reached advanced stage to digitise the language programme, very soon interested participants can have access to the programme online.
“That is in addition to having it in a regular classroom setting; participants can then use their computers in the privacy of their homes to log on and learn a language.
“We are working on that and very soon, interested people will have the benefits,” he said.
He said the maiden edition of the ‘Language in the Barracks’ programme was designed for officers and men of the military, para military agencies and their family members.
Eriomala said that the institute was working toward fine-tuning the programme to be organised on a regular basis.
He said the training would enable the officers understand and speak more Nigerian languages, adding that being multilingual would enhance the officers professional efficiency and effectiveness.
“Aside from that, it will promote espirit-de-corps, better understanding among officers, facilitate information gathering and enhance cordial relationship.”
He stressed the importance of indigenous languages to national pride and identity, saying it would also promote national unity and integration.
“The more the officers understand each other, the more they can interact, if we understand each other’s languages, we understand ourselves better.”
Eriomala said the maiden edition of the ‘Language in the Barracks’ programme was designed for officers and men of the military, para military agencies and their families.
The Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Maj.Gen.Jak Myam said the programme had helped officers gain professional proficiency and had engendered the spirit of togetherness among various ethnic groups, clans and culture.
Maj. Gen. Francis Ohunyeye, represented Myam.
Myam said such trainings would enhance cultural awareness, cultural orientation and foster unity amongst the officers.
He said the programme was timely considering the current security situation in the country.
Mrs Grace Anthony, a participant expressed delight about learning the three major indigenous languages, saying she could now speak Igbo language fluently.
“My husband is a soldier and as a wife I keyed into the programme so that I can better co-exist among other families in the barracks, who speak different languages to me,” she said.
NILP is one of the core programmes of the institute aimed at addressing language extinction and endangerment in the country.
The best participating students were given N5,000 each, in each class. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Grant Pastor Adefarasin Bail, Recover Stun Gun

The Police Command in Lagos State says it granted Pastor Paul Adefarasin, the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church an administrative bail after recovering from him a stun gun.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.
He said that the object recovered was a prohibited anti-riot equipment.
“What was recovered from him, the gun-like object seen in the viral video, is not a lethal weapon or firearm but a stun gun which is a prohibited anti-riot equipment, ” he said.
Hundeyin said that Adefarasin, who turned himself in on Tuesday morning at the Lagos State Police Command was questioned over a viral video where he was seen brandishing a gun-like object against another road user.
“He was interrogated and he volunteered cautionary statement to the police investigators, ” he said.
The spokesperson added that the pastor had been granted administrative bail while investigations into the incident continued
It would be recalled that first week in June, a video clip surfaced online showing Adefarasin allegedly brandishing what appeared to be a handgun while stuck in traffic.
The viral video led to public speculation, with some social media users alleging that the pastor was displaying a gun while being filmed by a TikToker known for documenting luxury cars.
However, Adefarasin, in a message to his congregation posted on his social media handles, denied the allegation.
The pastor said that the object was neither a firearm, nor did he point it at anyone. (NAN)
CRIME
Three Suspects Apprehended in Connection with DPO’s murder; firearms recovered, says police.

The Police Command in Rivers has announced the arrest of three suspected cultists allegedly involved in the murder of a senior police officer in the state.
Bako Angbashim, former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada Division, was captured and beheaded by suspected cultist in September 2023, prompting a statewide manhunt for the perpetrators.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson of the Command, disclosed on Tuesday in Port Harcourt that the arrests followed credible intelligence on the suspects’ whereabouts.
“Following actionable intelligence, operatives from the Octopus Tactical Unit successfully apprehended one of the murder suspects, known simply as K1.
“K1 is identified as a member of the Iceland cult group, formerly led by the late 2Baba, which has been linked to the killing of the late DPO, Bako Angbashim,” she said.
Iringe-Koko stated that during interrogation, K1 disclosed the identities of other accomplices, leading to the arrest of two additional suspects.
She explained that the officers subsequently tracked and arrested LoveGod Goodluck in Ikata Community, Ahoada East area, and Precious Olumini, who previously escaped from custody.
She added that the operatives recovered a locally made single-barrel gun and two cartridges from Goodluck, while an English-made pump-action rifle and a locally made pistol were seized from Olumini.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Iceland cult group, which has been responsible for a series of violent crimes in the Ahoada-East axis of the state,” Iringe-Koko added.
She confirmed that investigation was ongoing and assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion.
She said that police were intensifying manhunt for the other fleeing members of the syndicate, with the goal of recovering additional weapons and ensuring they were brought to justice.
According to Iringe-Koko, the arrests represent a significant breakthrough in the command’s ongoing efforts to combat cultism and violent crimes across the state. (NAN)
DEFENCE
UNIBEN, Commission Begin talks on forensic, DNA training for PSC, police personnel

The University of Benin has commenced discussions with the Police Service Commission (PSC) on the need to strengthen the investigative capacity of PSC personnel and operatives of the Nigeria Police through specialized training in forensic and DNA studies.
Dr Benedicta Ehanire, Public Relations Officer of the university, in a statement on Tuesday in Benin said the talks began in Abuja on Monday.
Ehanire explained that the discussions were part of the university’s strategic efforts to promote national security through academic collaboration and capacity building.
Leading the university’s delegation was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Christopher Osubor, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof.
Edoba Omoregie, SAN.Osubor emphasised the critical role forensic and DNA training could play in modern policing, especially in solving complex criminal and civil cases.
“Leveraging forensic and DNA studies will help build a dynamic Police Force equipped with the necessary methodologies for tackling and resolving the intricate cases that arise in today’s society,” the deputy Vice-Chancellor was quoted as saying.
On his part, Prof. Eddy Ehikhamenor, Director, Centre for Forensic and DNA Studies of the university, detailed the centre’s capacity and the benefits of forensic training.
Ehikhamenor noted that with rising sophistication in criminal activity, only security personnel trained in cutting-edge forensic techniques would be able to effectively investigate and solve crimes.
In his remark, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Hashimu Argungu, who is the Chairman of the PSC, expressed strong support for the collaboration.
Recalling his own training in forensics, he underscored the value such knowledge added to crime detection and oversight duties.
Argungu described the training proposal as timely and impactful, and immediately constituted a committee to work with the UNIBEN team on developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for implementation. (NAN)