DEFENCE
Reps Seek Special Funding for Security Agencies
By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, urged the federal government to create a special fund for the security agencies apart from the national budget to enable them effectively contain insurgency in the country.
The House mandated its leadership to interface with parliaments of other countries especially the United States of America with a view to overcoming all regulations that bar Nigeria’s security agencies from purchasing arms and ammunition from those countries.
It further called for the proper investigation into the activities of Non – Government Organizations working in the areas affected by insurgency and other humanitarian crisis to ensure that they do not constitute security threat.
These resolutions were reached following motion of urgent public importance on the ‘need for special intervention on the protracted security situation in Nigeria moved by Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno).
Presenting the motion, Monguno said, the House noted that Nigeria in recent times witnessed unprecedented level of insecurity which had made national security a major issue for the government.
“The House further notes the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari towards curtailing insecurity in Nigeria as well as other security measures aimed at deterring or disrupting potential attacks.
“Aware of the interaction of the leadership of the House of Representatives with Security Chiefs on the deteriorating security situation in our country.
” Further appreciates the efforts of the security agencies in curbing the menace of insecurity despite the challenges they face. Cognisant of the need for new strategies and expedited action to ensure that insecurity in Nigeria is reduced to the barest minimum”.
The motion was unanimously adopted when put to voice vote after an extensive debate in its favour and the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila in his ruling noted that, with the revelation from security agencies, the House with look at a legislation to checkmate NGOs while the motion was referred to the joint Committee on security, comprising, Army, Navy, Air Force and Police.
Also, yesterday the House called on the Federal Government to prioritize sufficient funding of the counter-insurgency Operations across the country and mandated the Committee on Defence to ensure appropriated funds are judiciously applied to security needs.
The House took the decisions sequel to a motion on a matter of urgent public importance, calling on the Federal government to prioritize funding of counter insurgency operations going on the country sponsored by Satomi Ahmed (APC, Borno).
The Nigerian Army is set to review the conduct of troops in Operation Safe Conduct during the just concluded 2023 general elections across the country.
The review is expected to take place during the forthcoming Chief of Army Staff First Quarter 2023 Conference.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.
-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Thursday in Abuja.Nwachukwu said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, would interact with the General Officers Commanding (GOC), field commanders and other senior officers.
He said that the interaction would help to provide possible guidance towards enhancing army operations and other activities.
He said the conference, which would hold from April 3 to April 6 would offer an avenue for reappraisal of the administrative affairs of the Nigerian army.
He added that it would also help in evaluation and comprehensive review of ongoing operational engagements within the first quarter.
According to him, this will provide the army an in-depth insight to enable far reaching decisions towards achieving its set objective of addressing the multifaceted security challenges confronting the country.
Nwachukwu said that the COAS would present a new Toyota Hilux vehicles each to 14 Army Warrant Officers who had attained the peak of their soldiering career.
“Similarly, the COAS will commission the newly constructed Faruk Yahaya Historical Park located at Asokoro Abuja.
“The conference will also showcase some research and development effort of the Nigerian Army in an exhibition.
“The three days conference promises to be very eventful, as it will witness a review of the conduct of troops during the recently concluded Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2023 and other operations across the country,” he said.
Nwachukwu reaffirmed the commitment and resolve of the Nigerian army to discharging its constitutional mandate professionally.
“We will also be resolute in upholding our values of courage, selfless sacrifice, respect, discipline and unalloyed loyalty to constituted authority,” he added. (NAN)
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, says that President Muhammadu Buhari is happy with the troops performance in the fight against insurgents in the North East.
Irabor stated this on Thursday in Maiduguri while addressing troops at the headquarters of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai.
“The Commander in Chief is happy with you and has asked me to relay to you to keep up the standard and momentum that you are displaying in the north east operation,” Irabor said.
The CDS also lauded the successes being recorded by the troops, adding that it was based on their sense of patriotism and resilience.
He said that the troops` performance showed the true manifestation of the training provided to them.
Irabor said that commanders in the theatre were putting final touches for more onslaughts on remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP.
“You must ensure that the criminals wherever they are hiding you smoke them out
“I know that you will do that, very soon we will be back to celebrate together,” Irabor said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CDS also held a meeting with the Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, GOC 7 Division, Maj. Gen. Waidi Shuaibu and other operational commanders.
He also interacted with wounded soldiers at the military hospital in Maimalari Cantonment. (NAN)
Former Chief of General Staff under Gen. Sani Abacha’s government, retired Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya(GCON), is dead.
The former military governor of Ogun died at the age of 79.
His death was announced on Sunday in a statement by his son, Oyesinmilola Diya.
It read, “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear husband, father, grandfather and brother, Lt- Gen.
Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd).“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of March 26, 2023.
Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period.Further announcements will be made public in due course,” he said.
(NAN)
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