DEFENCE
South African Defence Firm Seeks Partnership with Nigerian Army

A South African defence firm, Paramount Group, has called for partnership with the Nigerian army on the procurement of defence equipment to enhance its capabilities.
The Senior Vice President of the Group, Mr Eric Ichikowitz, made the call when he visited the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.
-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Thursday in Abuja.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chief of Policy and Plans, Lt.
-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, received the team on behalf of COAS.Ichikowitz said that the visit was to introduce to the army what the company had to offer in terms of armoured personnel carrier vehicles and other defence capabilities.
He said that the company had been partnering some other security services in country in the area of training and equipment, adding that the company was ready to do same with the army.
According to him, the firm has been actively involved in the African continent to enhance local capabilities in defence operations.
“The purpose of the visit is to see how the company can work with the army to enhance their local capabilities,” he said.
Responding on behalf of COAS, Lt.-Gen. Adeosun commended the delegation for the visit and assured that the army authorities would engage the company further to identify areas of possible partnership.
He said that the main interest of the army was to see how it can deepen its research and development locally to enhance its capabilities.
He said that the army was looking forward to actualising the Nigerian army aviation through partnerships in terms of the development of its facilities, infrastructure and platform.
“On behalf of the chief of army staff, I thank you for coming while looking forward to deepen this interaction,” he said
DEFENCE
Former CGS, Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya dies at 79

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)DEFENCE
Drug Agency Apologizes for Flawed Recruitment Process

By Gom Mirian, Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has assured candidates seeking to participate in its ongoing recruitment exercise that concerted efforts are being made to resolve challenges they are facing on the application portal to make the process seamless any moment from now.
The Director, Media, and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, gave the assurance in a statement released yesterday in Abuja.
The assurance is coming barely five days after the online application portal was opened on March 12.
Femi said the portal began to experience glitches due to the heavy traffic.
“Over 200,000 applicants tried to access the portal.
”However, Femi said the agency has taken the decision to “upgrade the infrastructure on Tuesday to accommodate the large volume of applicants after over 53,170 applicants had successfully logged into the portal.”
He added that data at the back end of the portal was been synchronized to adjust to the server upgrade.
“The management, therefore, wishes to apologize to the applicants for the hitches being experienced and urge them to exercise patience while the system completes synchronization to serve them better.
CRIME
Army Raids Kidnappers Den, Rescue Commissioner in C/River

Troops of 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Calabar, deployed for Operation Akpakwu, have rescued the Commissioner for Women Affairs in Cross River, Mrs Gertrude Njar, from captivity.
The announcement of her rescue is contained in a statement by Capt. Dorcas Aluko, Army Public Relations Officer, 13 Brigade, Calabar on Wednesday.
The Commissioner was kidnapped on Feb.
1 in Mayne Avenue area, Calabar South.”Acting on actionable intelligence on victim’s whereabout, troops laid a tacit ambush for the kidnappers around Peter Effiong Creek, Messembe, Jebs.
”The gallant troops tactically sprung an ambush to take the kidnappers by surprise while on search of the victim.
”In the ensuing melee, the criminals abandoned the victim and fled into the creeks,” Aluko said.
She added that the troops were on the trail of the fleeing criminals.
According to Aluko, the victim is currently receiving medical treatment, after which she will be discharged.
”The Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army commends troops for their gallantry and urges them to sustain the tempo against all criminal elements in the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.
”Members of the general public are also encouraged to continue providing timely and accurate information on criminal activities within their vicinities,” she said. (NAN)