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Your Sacrifices ‘ll Never go in Vain, COAS Assures Wounded Soldiers

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on Wednesday celebrated Christmas with sick and wounded soldiers in action.
The Army boss assured them that their sacrifices would never go in vain.
Report says that Oluyede said this at a Christmas luncheon with the sick and wounded soldiers at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.
The COAS assured that the welfare of officers, soldiers and their families, including the injured and those who lost their lives remained his top priority.
He reaffirmed the readiness of the Nigerian Army to up-scale issues to foster professionalism and combat-readiness under his watch.
Oluyede, represented by the Corps Commander Artillery, Maj.
-Gen. Marcus Kangye, said the issues towards fostering professionalism and combat-readiness would be achieved alongside a stronger emphasis on maintaining sound administration.To this end, he pledged to prioritise personnel welfare, recognising excellence and ensure an efficient system of rewards and sanctions.
The Army Chief said: “All these are in furtherance of my command philosophy.
“Which is to consolidate the transformation of the Nigerian Army towards bequeathing a well-motivated and combat-ready force that can effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment”
He thanked all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their sacrifices and untiring commitment in tackling the numerous security challenges facing the country.
“This is especially to those deployed in the various theatres and peace keeping operations that would not likely be with their loved ones during the festive period due to exigency of duty.
“The collective efforts of our troops towards securing lives and properties are well appreciated by well-meaning Nigerians and the allies of Nigeria,” he said.
Oluyede charged all the Nigerian Army personnel to continue to remain focused, disciplined and loyal to constituted authority, while ensuring that they fully commit to achieving constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
He urged them to maintain the spirit of patriotism and continue to give their best in discharging their assigned duties and responsibilities.
As they celebrate Christmas, the COAS enjoined them to use the opportunity to remember and pray for the reposed of the souls of departed gallant colleagues who paid the supreme prize in the course of defending their fatherland, including the immediate past COAS, Late Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
“The Nigerian Arny will ever remain
committed, determined and focused on winning all land battles in defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria, protect her national interests and accomplish other tasks in aid of civil authority within a joint and multi-agency environment,” Oluyede assured.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigeria Army, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, said the Christmas celebration provides a unique and solid avenue to appreciate the sacrifices, loyalty and commitment of gallant troops in 1 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR).
Saraso said the security situation in the Division’s AOR has remained volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.
He, however, said the Division has ensured stability in the AOR.
This, according to him, is exemplified by the relative security being enjoyed along the strategic Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road and the Abuja-Kaduna road/rail
corridor.
He added that several kidnapped victims have been rescued or released from captivity unconditionally, while many bandits have also laid down their arms due to the division’s proactive kinetic and non-kinetic engagements.
“These modest successes have been made possible through the collective dedication and sacrifices of our gallant troops in the field.
“We in 1 Division and indeed the Nigerian Army as a whole must ensure that our troops are continuously motivated to accomplish all statutory or assigned tasks,” he said.
He observed that the lunch was a token of appreciation for the wounded in action and sick soldiers’ hard work and sacrifices throughout 2024.
The GOC said it was aimed at reinvigorating their commitments to securing the division’s AOR and to ensure that no safe haven exist for terrorist or insurgent activities within 1 Division AOR. (NAN)
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NIMC Inaugurates NIN Authentication Service

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) inauguration of the NIMC NIN Authentication (NNAuth) for secured and seamless identity verification and authentication.
This is contained in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday, by the Head, Cooperate Communications, NIMC, Dr Kayode Adegoke.
Adegoke said that similarly, the presidency had directed the use of NIN Authentication for verification and authentication across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He explained that this was in line with the commission’s mandate of regulating a reliable national digital identity for citizens and legal residents to affirm their identity
According to him, the inauguration of the NIN Authentication (NINAuth), a cutting-edge suite of services that include web, API and mobile verification is designed to enhance data security, protect privacy, and simplify access to government services.
”This is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on strengthening the national identity management system.
”The NIMC NINAuth application is the official service for integration with the commission’s back-end infrastructure.
”It introduces a robust layer of protection, empowering individuals with greater control over their personal information.”
He added that it required explicit consent before data is shared for Know Your Customer (KYC) processes or other verifications.
He said that the platform fosters trust, transparency, and user autonomy in digital identity management.
Adegoke also said that with the NINAuth, individuals could securely verify their identity and access key government services which include Sim registration, replacement, applications and passport processing
Others he said include tax filings and financial transactions, government Intervention Programmes in various MDAs, driver’s licence renewals and other regulatory processes.
The NIMC head of cooperate communications further said that the key features and benefits include enhanced Security, Protects personal data from unauthorised access, empowers individuals with the freedom to manage their data sharing preferences.
According to him, other key features and benefits include seamless access, provides a secure single sign on solution for convenient access to services.
He added that the innovation reaffirms NIMC’s commitment to advancing secured and efficient digital identity management, ensuring a more accessible, transparent, and secure identity verification system in Nigeria.
He said that the NINAuth application also provided a secured, scalable, and interoperable interface for identity verification through API integration.
According to him, it is designed to facilitate real-time authentication of NIN records, thereby promoting effective service delivery, database harmonisation, and compliance with the National Identity Policy.
He said that the NINAuth service had been designated as the exclusive platform for all NIN-based verification and authentication integration processes for optimal services.
”The implementation guide and process flow of the NIMC NIN Authentication are available at https://ninauth.nimc.gov.ng,” he said.
CRIME
Army Arrests Human Parts Trafficker, Drug Peddlers In Ogun State
By Oladapo Udom
Lagos, April 27, 2025 (NAN)Troops of the 81 Division, Nigerian Army, operating under the 35 Artillery Brigade, have apprehended a man for allegedly trafficking human parts at Kulanla Odomola in Ogun.
The division’s spokesman, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, disclosed this in a signed statement on Sunday.
Ayeni said the troops rescued the suspect from an angry mob that had attempted to lynch him.
“The suspect, along with the exhibits, has been handed over to the Nigeria Police at Noforija for further investigation and possible prosecution,” he said.
The spokesman further revealed that troops operating in Ado-Odo, Ota Local Government Area of Ogun, arrested and detained three suspected drug peddlers during a patrol.
According to him, the suspects were found with two packs of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, concealed under 60kg of cargo in a white J5 vehicle.
“The suspects and exhibits have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Ilaro Area Command, for further investigation and possible prosecution,” Ayeni said.
He reiterated the division’s commitment to deploying every legitimate means to protect law-abiding citizens from criminal elements within its area of operation.
Tanker Explosion: Reps presents N18m cheque to victims in Enugu
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, Tuesday, presented a cheque for N18 million to the Enugu State Government as support to the victims of tanker explosion.
Report says that many people and families lost their lives and eight vehicles burnt in that fire accident after a tanker laden with fuel fell and exploded in the Ugwu- Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway on Jan.
25.Presenting the cheque, the Speaker described the incident as a huge loss, not only to the Government and people of Enugu State, but also the nation as a whole,
Abbas was represented by Mr Nnolim Nnaji (Nkanu East/West) who led the Enugu State Caucus in the Green Chamber.
The speaker said that the support was in keeping with the tradition of the House of Representatives to ensure that governments and people of Nigeria were not alone in the face of such challenges.
Other Enugu State Caucus in the house that accompanied Nnaji include Messrs Martins Oke, Dennis Agbo, Mark Obetta, Anayo Onwuegbu, and Chimaobi Atu.
Abbas commended Mbah for his sterling leadership of the state and the prompt effort to comfort the families who lost their loved ones and supported the injured.
“On behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, we commiserate with the Government and people of Enugu state over the tanker incident at Ugwu Onyeama.
“We acknowledge that you have done a lot to support both the injured and those who lost their loved ones.
“So, this is a cheque for N18 million to assist the state to further ameliorate their losses and challenges occasioned by the incident.
“We send our heartfelt condolences, once again and you can continue to count on our support,” he said.
Reacting, Gov. Peter Mbah thanked the Speaker and the Enugu State Caucus of the House of Representatives for the show of concern, assuring them that the donation would go straight to the purpose for which it was made.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Enugu State, I express profound gratitude and deep appreciation for this wonderful gesture.
“I recall that when the Ugwu-Onyeama incident occurred, taking the lives of several of our loved ones, the Speaker called and assured us that he was with us in prayers.
“Today, he has also shown us that he is not only with us in prayers, but also materially. He has equally come to mourn with us.
“This cheque of N18 million will go a long way in cushioning the effect of the incident on those affected and their families.
“Rest assured that as a government, we will ensure that this gets to them in a transparent, accountable, and just manner,” Mbah said. (NAN)