DEFENCE
Update on court Marshal: Court Strikes Out Otiki’s Objections For Lack Of Merits
By Gom Mirian, Abuja.
The General Court Martial convened to try former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, Major General Hakeem Otiki, has struck out his objections for lack of merit.
General Otiki is standing trial for alleged N400 million stolen by soldiers under his command.
The five soldiers who were declared wanted by the Nigerian Army disappeared after they were instructed to deliver the money to an important personality in Kaduna State.
Otiki had at the inauguration of the court marshal on Tuesday objected to the retention of the Army Chief of Policy and Plans, Lt General Lamidi Adeosun, as the president of the court on the ground that he was an interested party and would not be fair to the accused during the trial.
Otiki’s counsel, Major Femi Oyebanjo (rtd) had predicated his objections on the ground that Lt General Adeosun bore a grudge against Otiki, whom he claimed joined the army before him.
He also claimed that the soldiers, who absconded with N400 million were security personnel inherited from General Adeosun, who was then Army Director of Operations.
Otiki insisted that the wanted soldiers were Adeosun’s aides and inner security inherited by him.
Since the missing money and the soldiers were the issues for deliberation at the court martial and having inherited them from Adeosun, the defence counsel posited that for the sake of justice, Adeosun should step aside as the president of the court marshal.
Daily Asset gathered that the court struck out Otiki’s objections for lack of merit. It said his objections were “emotional”.
On the inherited soldiers and security personnel, the court ruled that Major General Otiki was at liberty to “reject his security” and call for replacement but choose to retain them until they stole the money and absconded.
On the issue of joining the army before Adeosun, the court maintained that seniority in the army is determined by rank. It held that as it stands, Adeosun is a Lt General while Otiki is a Major General.
The court martial, therefore, struck out Otiki’s objections for lack of merit.
DEFENCE
Police Intensify Security in Cross River Ahead of Easter Festival
The Cross River Police command says it has beefed up security across the State preparatory to the celebration of Easter festival.
Mr. Gyogon Grimah, the Commissioner of Police, made this known in Calabar on Monday.
According to him, the tactical teams of the Police as well as other regular formations have been deployed at strategic positions within the state to secure the lives and property of the residents during the festival.
This is contained in a statement signed by the command spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo and made available to newsmen in Calabar on Monday.
The CP who felicitated with the people of the state and Christian faithful, directed for close surveillance activities, foot/vehicular patrols, and visibility policing across, to forestall security breaches during the period.
He said the Police Area Commanders, Divisional Police Oficers (DPOs) and Tactical Commanders were directed to ensure safety and security of the general public before, during and after the event.
“The Police Command will not fold its hand and watch any group or individuals under whatever guise to obstruct or cause breakdown of law and order.”
“I urge all public spirited individuals to volunteer useful and genuine information to the Police and support the Police and other security agencies to ensure peaceful coexistence in the state and the nation as a whole,” he appealed,” he said
He enjoins citizens residing in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear or panic.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Air Force Knocks out Terrorists’ Enclaves Near Lake Chad
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of the military special task force, “Operation Hadin Kai’’, has continued to decimate terrorists and their hideouts at Tumbuns near Lake Chad.
NAF’s Director, Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, stated on Monday in Abuja that intelligence report received made airstrikes on a location Northwest of Arina Woje in Tumbuns on Sunday imperative.
He explained that the report indicated the presence of terrorists’ hideouts at the location.
He added that the report also confirmed an activation of terrorists’ activities around clusters of structures concealed under trees near the location.
“A post-strike Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their hideouts set ablaze, thereby degrading their capabilities to attack surface forces.
“These strikes have also degraded the capabilities of terrorist elements operating in the region to attack innocent civilians residing near Arina Woje in Borno,’’ Gabkwet stated. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Army’ll Continue to Build Capacity to Surmount Security Threats -GOC
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigeria, Maj.-Gen Mayirenso Saraso, says the Nigerian Army will continue to build the capacity of its Officers and men to enable them surmount the emerging security threats.
The GOC stated this at a three-day capacity building for 1 Division Operations Planning Cadre 2024 for Officers on Monday in Kaduna.
Saraso said the avenue was to bring together the participants of the ranks of Captains to Colonels in the divsion’s Area of Responsibility to build cohesion and synergize with sister security agencies.
“The training is organized to refresh us on the various aspects of operations planning process in order to enhance our
skills and improve capacity in single and joint service operations planning process,” he said.
The GOC said this was in line with the Chief of
Army Staff’s command philosophy.
It is: ‘ To Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment’.
Saraso said, “As we are all witnessing, warfare is becoming increasingly complex due to changes in the nature of threats and
advancement in technology.
“In view of this, armies world over
are continually engaged in training and capacity building to enable them surmount emerging security challenges.”
According to the GOC, the Nigerian Army equally recognizes these changes and therefore, seeks to develop capacity through realistic training that will enhance its
operations.
He explained that the division’s experiences in Birnin Gwari,Falgore, Kagara and other forests, among others, had helped it to draw useful lessons and identify gaps in the conduct of its operations.
The GOC said the 1 Division Operations Planning Cadre for this year was expected to explore ways of building on existing efforts by it to meet its operational needs in the areas of Warfare Operations Planning.
“Others are military decision making process, intelligence preparation of the battle space and logistics in operational planning amongst others, “he said.
Saraso urged the participants to have an open mind in order to derive maximum benefits from the cadre.
The GOC appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja for providing the resources for the cadre, his exemplary and inspiring leadership, support motivation to the division..(NAN)