DEFENCE
Road Crashes Claim 116 Persons in Edo, Delta, Anambra in Q1 – FRSC
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said 116 persons died in road traffic crashes in its Zone 5, comprising Edo, Delta and Anambra States between January and March.
The FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer of the zone stated this on Thursday Benin, while briefing newsmen on the activities of the zone.
Kumapayi said deaths arising from accidents in the states rose by nine per cent compared to 106 deaths recorded in the corresponding period in 2020.
He also said 486 persons, representing 17 per cent, sustained injuries during the period under review, as against 414 recorded in the previous year.
“Similarly between January and March, we have recorded 202 Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) against 170 RTCs recorded within the same period of 2020, and this is a 10 per cent increase.
“You can see that in the first quarter of 2021 RTCs, fatality and even deaths were high.
“My plan and vision for the zone in this second quarter and throughout my tenure as the ZCO, zone 5 is to minimise deaths by reducing RTCs by 50 per cent in line with the corps mandate,” Kumapayi said.
He stressed that the increase in road accidents was a major challenge that needed to be addressed.
The ZCO added that home grown initiatives would be deployed toward achieving a reduction in RTCs in the zone.
He explained that speeding and indiscipline among motorists were major problems in the zone, adding that to address them the zone would rejig its patrol operations.
“Home grown initiatives would be deploy to educate the motoring public on safety on roads.
“We will improve on what we call early morning cry.
“Early morning cry is going to various parks first thing in the morning to educate and monitor drivers and check them for alcohol use with alcolizer before they hit the road,” he said.
Kumapayi said the zone would collaborate with stakeholders and sister security agencies to ensure a safe motoring environment across the three states in the zone.
He assured that critical road corridors across the zone would be adequately manned by personnel of the corps but cautioned them against extortion.
Kumapayi urged motorists to respect the rights of other road users, and obey all traffic rules and regulations. (NAN)
DEFENCE
NDA Alerts Kaduna Communities Ahead of Shooting Practice
The Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna has urged residents of Mando, Tsamiya, Kauya and Afaka general areas not to panic over its scheduled shooting exercise.This
This is contained in a statement issued by the NDA Public Relations Officer, Maj. Mohammed Maidawa, on Wednesday in Kaduna.
Maidawa, said the exercise is for the Army cadets of 73 and 74 Regular Courses.
The exercises, he said, are scheduled to hold from April 18 to April 20 abd from April 26 to April 27.
“The NDA assures the general public that all necessary safety measures have been put in place for the successful conduct of the exercise.
“However, the general public is advised to avoid trespassing in the general area throughout the period of the exercise,” the army said.
.(NAN)DEFENCE
Police Arrest Enugu Resident with Fake Naira Notes
The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested an Enugu resident, one Mmaduabuchi Okonkwo, 24, suspected to be in possession of, and transacting in, fake Naira notes.
A statement by the Command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, said that operatives serving in Abakaliki Road Police Division, with the support of law-abiding citizens, arrested Okonkwo of Mkpologu, Emene, Enugu, at the Old IMT Bus Stop, Abakaliki Road, Enugu, on April 10.
According to him, the suspect’s arrest is sequel to his alleged possession, and transacting in, counterfeited Naira notes.
“A total of ₦40,000 suspected counterfeited one thousand denominated Naira notes were recovered from him.
“A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect boarded a minibus from New Haven Junction to Old IMT Bus Stop, Enugu, and gave the driver one of the counterfeited notes.
“The driver, however, scrutinised and observed that the currency was fake, and quickly raised an alarm that led to the suspect’s arrest.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to having paid the sum of ₦25,000 genuine Naira notes to his cohort at large for the counterfeited Naira notes worth ₦50,000,” he said.
Ndukwe said that he further confessed to having spent ₦10,000 out of the fake notes, with the remaining ₦40,000 recovered from him.
“The suspect will be arraigned and prosecuted once investigations are concluded,” he said. (NAN)
DEFENCE
NSCDC Official Calls for Increased Vigilance to Enhance Security
Umar Mohammed, the Kwara Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on Tuesday in Ibadan called for an increase in vigilance.
He said the appeal was necessary to confront the challenges of insecurity, violence and other social vices in various communities in the state.
The Commandant said the recent rise in security challenges in the state necessitated the upgrading of the police outpost to a fully operational divisional office.
p”This is in order to address insecurity more effectively.
“The establishment of the division will no doubt improve operational efficiency, thereby reducing possible threats to peaceful coexistence,” he said.
The Commandant applauded the people of Ipee community, most especially Mr Olayiwola Oyebode, Deputy Speaker of Kwara House of Assembly, for their unwavering commitment and support for the project.
He assured the community that their efforts would not go in vain.
”I promise utmost security and well-being, and the NSCDC will work tirelessly to address all your security challenges,” Mohammed said.
He urged members of the community to remain vigilant and actively support the Corps by providing credible and timely information that would enhance their operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility and everyone should play their part in keeping their community safe, by working together and sharing information promptly,” the Commandant said.
The Deputy Speaker of State House of Assembly, Mr Olayiwola Oyebode, thanked the Commandant for his cooperation and efforts in ensuring the protection of lives and properties in the community and the state in general.
He urged the Commandant to deploy additional personnel to the new division in order to increase the safety and security of the people in the community.
In his remark, the Onipe of Ipee, Oba Lawal Adebayo, expressed gratitude to the Corps for the steadfast dedication to ensuring safety in the community and urged for sustained efforts.
Oba Adebayo also thanked Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his continuous support in upholding peace and security within the state.(NAN)