DEFENCE
Nigerian Army Commissions 373 Cadets at Jaji

The Nigerian Army, on Saturday commissioned 373 cadets of its Direct Short Service Course (DSSC) 25/2020, into officers cadre at the Nigerian Army (NA), School of Infantry (NASI) in Jaji, Kaduna State.
The officers, who comprised of serving and non-serving personnel, graduated in different fields after six months of intensive training at the school.
The new officers were conferred with the rank of Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army by the Minister of Defence, Maj.
-Gen. Bashir Magashi, represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin.Addressing the new officers, Magashi said that the DSSC was designed for the employment of professionals from various fields into specialist corps and directorates of the Nigerian army.
He said the commissioning ceremony was significant considering the myriad of security challenges confronting the country, especially insurgency and banditry in the North East and North West zones respectively.
The minister urged the new officers to brace up for the task ahead of them, adding that many of them would be subsequently deployed to support the various ongoing internal security operations.
“Your commissioning today is coming at a time when the Nigerian Army is engaged in different operations in response to the myriad of security challenges.
“These include counter-insurgency operation in the North East and anti-banditry operation in the North West, among others.
“Most of you will find yourself in various theatres in support of these operations.
“I am certain that your training has inculcated in you a high standard of discipline and professionalism, which you would be expected to inculcate in addressing these security challenges.
“We expect nothing, but total commitment, loyalty, selflessness and sacrifice from you.
“I implore you to put all that you have learnt into practice in the discharge of your assigned roles,” he said.
Magashi, however, enjoined the cadets to leave up to oath of allegiance to be loyal to the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to the Nigerian Army.
He assured them that they would subsequently be posted to different corps of the NA where they would be exposed to further training in different areas of specialisation.
“You must endeavour to continue to seek personal development, which will add value to your service to the Nigerian army,” he advised.
He urged them to apply the tradition and customs of the Nigerian Army, and be conversant with the harmonised terms and condition of service of the army to guide them.
Magashi commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, for providing resources and direction to NASI, as well as the commandant and instructors, for the good job being done.
He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for approving the training, and for his unwavering support to the armed forces.
Magashi also commended the school for being able to conduct the training in spite of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), pandemic, without threat to health, adding that the success had been due to strict adherence to the guidelines.
“I must confess that from my observation today, NASI has undergone tremendous improvement in terms of infrastructure and I must commend the officers and the leadership of Infantry Corps for the positive transformation so far,” he said.
The 373 newly commissioned officers were later administered the oath of allegiance and decorated with the rank of Lieutenant by their parents and guardians. (NAN)
CRIME
Police Nab Native Doctor, Recover Arms, Ammunition From Shrine

The police operatives of the Enugu command, attached to the Special Anti–Cultism Squad (SPACS) have nabbed a native doctor, for alleged possession of fire arms and ammunition hidden in his shrine.
This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in Enugu on Monday.
Ndukwe said that the police recovered one locally-made pistol, one revolver pistol, one expended and one live .
38 special calibre ammunition and one live cartridge from his shrine located at Ugwuochie-Iwollo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.“The recovery followed the suspect’s confessional statements after his earlier arrest, as well as a subsequent raid on the shrine by the operatives.
“The suspect confessed to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity.
“He will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for their efforts and urged them to sustain the momentum, ensuring that “Enugu State remains uninhabitable for unrepentant criminals.”
The commissioner also urged members of the public to remain supportive of the command’s efforts. (NAN)
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)