DEFENCE
Task Force Rescues Seven More Victims, Troops Intensify Search Operations

From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Special Task Force saddled with the maintenance of peace on the Plateau, part of Bauchi and Southern Kaduna State code named Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) has rescued 7 more victims of the Saturday’s commuters attacked along Rukuba road in Jos.
The Military Information Officer, Major Ishaku Gaji Takwa told newsmen yesterday that the rescued victims were since taken to a safe place for medical attention and care as troops continued to intensify search operation for the remaining missing victims.
The Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Ibrahim Ali had earlier on appealed to citizens of the state to volunteer credible information that would lead to the arrest of other suspects currently at large.
General Ali also sued for calmed and urged all law abiding citizens to continue to go about with their lawful activities without any fear of intimidation as security patrols have been stepped-up in the Metropolis city to maintain peace and security.
Recalled that the Saturday’s attacked on commuters by suspected hoodlums left 25 innocent travellers dead with others sustained various degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.
Governor Simon Lalong has ordered the imposition of a 24 hours curfew in Jos North local government areas hours after the earlier announcement of a dusk to dawn curfew starting from 6pm-6am in three Local Government Areas of Jos North, Jos South and Bassa LGAs respectively.
He said the curfew will commenced “from 2pm of today, Sunday 15th August 2021, a 24-hour curfew will come into effect in Jos North Local Government Area. This is necessitated by security reports which indicate rising threats to the safety of lives and properties within the Local Government”.
Lalong urged citizens of the state to abide by the curfew and remained indoors to allow security agencies maintained law and order as well as deal with those bent on causing chaos. Adding that the 24 hour curfew in Jos North Local Government will remain in force until further notice.
The University of Jos has also suspended the ongoing Second Semester examination till further notice following the unfortunate security breach that occurred in some parts of Jos Metropolis which has led the Plateau State Government to impose a 24-hour curfew in Jos North Local Government Area.
The Deputy Registrar, Information and Publications, Abdullahi Abdullahi in a press statement signed and issued yesterday said “the Management of the University of Jos has approved the suspension of the ongoing Second Semester Examinations for the 2019/2020 Academic Session.
“Consequently, all Examinations earlier scheduled between Monday, August 16 and Saturday 21 have been suspended until further notice,” Abdullahi said.
The university authority has directed that “all Students of the University residing in the various hostels are hereby strongly advised to remain within their hostels of residence and avoid unnecessary movements as Management has been working round the clock in close collaboration with the security agencies and the Plateau State Government to ensure that the lives and properties of members of the University Community especially Students are adequately protected.
“Students that are resident outside the Campuses are also advised to remain at home during this period. Similarly, Staff of the University are enjoined to remain at home while the 24-hour curfew remains in effect,” Abdullahi added.
The management of the Institution expressed appreciation to Government, Security Agencies as well as members of the public for showing great concern about the plight of the University during the difficult moments.
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)
DEFENCE
Fatal Road Accident Claims Lives Of 4 Pedestrians in Port Harcourt

At least four individuals lost their lives, and two others sustained life-threatening injuries in a fatal road accident that occurred along G.U Ake Road in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The spokesperson for the Police Command in Rivers, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed this development in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Iringe-Koko attributed the collision, which occurred at about 11:42 p.
m. on the day, to excessive speeding, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.“The driver of a Toyota Camry, with registration number ABJ 10 EM, lost control and struck six pedestrians.
“Tragically, four of the pedestrians died at the scene, while two others sustained injuries and were immediately taken to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) for medical attention,” she explained.
She further stated that the vehicle had another occupant, identified as Benson Michael, aged 36.
According to the police spokesperson, the driver was promptly arrested and is currently undergoing interrogation.
“The accidented vehicle has been recovered and taken to the police station.
“The case will be transferred to the State Traffic Department for further investigation,” she noted.
She added that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) mortuary.
Iringe-Koko extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that justice would be served. (NAN)