The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chief of Defence Staff

  • FG concludes first phase of Boko Haram prosecution

    FG concludes first phase of Boko Haram prosecution

    The Federal Government says it has completed the first phase of prosecution of Boko Haram suspects in its custody, with the next phase to begin soon.

    The Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mr Dayo Apata, who stated this in Abuja on Wednesday, said the government was determined to bring all Boko Haram detainees to justice.

    He spoke at the closure of public sitting/hearing by the Presidential Investigation Panel to Review Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement.

    Apata, who represented the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, stated that the prosecution would be done speedily but fairly and efficiently.

    Although he did not say how many suspects were prosecuted in the first phase, Malami had earlier said the trials of 13 had been concluded.

    In a statement in September, the minister said over 1,600 suspected Boko Haram terrorists were then in detention facilities in the country, and that their trial would begin on Oct. 9.

    There have been calls from the public, especially members of the human rights community and civil society organisations, for the prosecution of the suspects in accordance with the law.

    But the solicitor-general emphasised at Wednesday’s event that government “cannot sacrifice human rights in a bid to achieve speed in the prosecution of Boko Haram suspects’’.

    “We are, however, committed to reducing the time frame for which these detainees have to wait for their trial.

    “We are presently working on the modalities for a prosecution guideline for processing of Boko Haram detainee,’’ Apata said.

    He commended the Chairman and members of the panel for the successful conclusion of their public hearings.

    The solicitor-general said Nigerians and the international community were eagerly awaiting the panel’s report, which he hoped would end all allegations of human rights violations against military personnel.

    He said the government was also looking forward to far-reaching and practical recommendations from the panel that would ensure the military complied with international human right conventions and laws.

    Chairman of the panel, Justice Biobele Georgewill, said “volumes of memoranda and presentations were received from Nigerians, professional bodies, civil society organisations and international humanitarian organisations.

    “Furthermore, the panel decided to conduct public sitting/hearing where people and groups who have allegations of human rights violations and non-compliance to rules of engagement against the Armed Forces were given opportunity to substantiate their cases.

    “In the interest and spirit of fair-hearing, members of the Armed Forces were also invited to give their own account of defence on each matter brought before the panel.

    “The panel deemed it necessary to take the public sitting to all the six geo-political zones of the country in order to avail Nigerians who may not be able to come to Abuja the chance to present their cases.

    “Also, the panel visited detention facilities, military formations, prisons, including the military commentary in Maiduguri during its tour, all in search of truth,’’ Georgewill said.

    He said with the conclusion of its public hearing, the panel would now go behind closed doors to consider all the submissions made to it.

    The chairman thanked Nigerians for their confidence in the panel, and the military for their cooperation.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, represented by the Chief of Defence Administration, Real Admiral Muazu Salami, thanked members of the panel for their commitment.

    Olonisakin said the “maximum cooperation’’ from the military was a demonstration of its deference to the panel and the importance of its task.

    “I wish you well as you enter the concluding phase of your job, and it is my hope that when your report is ready, the Defence Headquarters and its services will be adequately briefed.

    “This is to ensure that whatever recommendations you come out with are implemented,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo inaugurated the panel on Aug. 11.

    Its mandate includes investigation of allegations of human rights violations against military personnel in local conflicts and insurgencies across the country.(NAN)

  • CDS inaugurates Defence College projects

    The Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Oloni-sakin has called on the management of the National Defence College to keep working hard in order to better prepare graduates of the college for the complex security challenges they would face in the course of their duties.

    He said capacity building and quality training of officers with the provision of adequate infrastructures have become a necessity for higher management of defence issues in contemporary world.

    General Olonisakin made the remarks while inaugurating some projects recently completed at the National Defence College permanent site at Pwoyi, Abuja and Gwarimpa Accommodation Quarters for staff of the College to mark the 25th Anniversary of the college.

    He said, “It is indeed heart-warming that the college has shown great commitment by actualising the desire of relocating to its permanent site with the commissioning of Participants’ Quarter Two which we are witnessing today. The college has attained a very high reputation in its 25 years of existence given the recognition it has earned among similar training institutions worldwide.

    “The quality of senior officers who have had the privilege of passing through the National Defence College (NDC) is a clear testimony of the high standard for which the college is globally acknowledge.

    “As we are all aware NDC by its mandate is tasked with the responsibility of providing for strategic level training for officers of the armed forces of Nigeria, their counterparts with para-military and civil services as well as officers from other allied countries.

    “The development of the quality capacity of these officers for higher management of defence in our armed forces, the provision of adequate infrastructural facility is an important contributing factor.

    ”It is therefore heart-warming to know that Participants Quarters Two conceptualised in 2009 has finally been completed to ease the accommodation problems being experienced by the college.

    “I wish to urge the institution not to rest in its oars given the complexity of the security challenges graduates of this college would be required to manage in the course of their career”.

    The Chief of Defence Staff lauded President Buhari and the Minister of Defence, Brig.General Mansur Dan-Alli (rtd) for their support for the armed forces, promising that the Defence Headquarters would continue to support the institution to enable it improve on the standard for which it was recognised globally.

    In his remarks, the Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade said the commissioning of the projects which were conceptualised in 2009 was made possible by the determination of the management of the college and the Defence Headquarters willingness to support the college in the face of competing needs and limited resources.

    Rear Admiral Alade who assured that the projects would be well maintained, however, appealed for the release of funds in line with the provisions of the 2017 Budget to enable the college furnish the buildings and put them to use immediately.

     

  • N1.13 trillion needed to run the Police annually – IGP

    N1.13 trillion needed to run the Police annually – IGP

    …Stakeholders call for 10 year jail term for misappropriation of fund

     

    The Nigeria Police Force needs 1.13trillion annually to function effectively, it was learnt Tuesday.

    This figure excludes major capital projects like arms and ammunition, purchase of new vehicles, and other technological needs of the Force.

    Giving a breakdown of some financial needs of the Force, the Force leadership also noted that N26.9billion is needed to fuel and maintain 14,306 police vehicles and motorcycles.

    N14.5billion is also needed annually to provide adequate and appropriate items of uniforms and accoutrements for personnel of the Force.

    It is also estimated that N700billion is needed to rehabilitate existing barracks, police stations and to build new ones.

    For the Force to also do proper investigation and prosecution of law offenders, over N200billion is required.

    This was disclosed in Abuja Tuesday by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris at the public hearing on a bill for an Act to Establish the Nigeria Police Reform Trust Fund and for other Related Matters.

    The IG noted that poor funding has negatively affected the turnout of Police personnel across the country.

    Ibrahim said: “What is required  to run the Force excluding major capital projects like arms and ammunition, purchase of new vehicles, gun boats, helicopters and other technological needs of the Police is conservatively put at N14.132,532,142,242.”

    Giving reasons for the immediate passage of the Police Reform Trust Fund bill, the IGP said: “In 2017 budget only N36.1billion was allocated to the Police for both capital and overhead costs to run the Police.

    “This is a far cry from the 1.13trillion conservatively estimated. This difference is alarming and has sounded the loud trumpet that the regular budgetary allocation to run the Police is sharply inadequate and requires urgent measure to address, if the Force must be effective and responsive to the security needs of Nigerians in a complex and dynamic policing space.

    “The Police Trust Fund is the answer because it would provide alternative and regular funding for the police.

    “The urge for the economic development of Nigeria is only possible if the security challenges are resolved. To have security in Nigeria, the Police which is the foremost security agency must be funded  and to fund the Police,  the Police Trust Fund is the desired solution.”

    Decrying the budgetary allocation of the Force, he said: “What is most worrisome is that though the budgetary allocations on paper are insufficient to meet the financial needs of the Force, the actual releases are far below what is budgeted. In the 2016 budget, less that 30percent of the allocation was released to the police.

    “As at date, the Force has fleet of 14,306 vehicles including 3,115 motorcycles nationwide and the total average annual fueling and maintenance costs of Police vehicles is N26, 948,471,000.00.

    “The basic requirement to provide adequate and appropriate items of kits for police personnel annually is N14, 583,671,264 as against the sum of N1, 752,500,000 earmarked in the 2017 appropriation. This limitation negatively affects the turnout of Police personnel”.

    On investigation capacities of the Force, Ibrahim said: “to effectively investigate and prosecute law offenders, we must invest massively in the Detective infrastructure and capacity of our investigators.

    “There is also need to install CCTV cameras, establish data base and provide video cameras in all police stations across the country as required by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, build functional crime laboratories and other investigative aids. These will cost N200billion if the police must make progress in the area of investigation and prosecution.”, he noted

    The bill if passed into law would be channeled into providing communication and information technology infrastructure, patrol and operational vehicles  and other facilities, provision of full complement of arms and ammunition, riot control equipment, protective gear and,  armoury and firing range, clothing and accoutrement, rehabilitation and construction of Police offices and stations,  personnel welfare, amongst others.

    The IGP who objected the six year life span of fund suggested that the fund be sustained after its establishment.

    According to him: “Restricting the Police Trust Fund to a period of six years as provided in Section 2 (2) of the Bill is not in the best interest of the Force and the public.

    “Issues of security and its challenges are not time bound or tied to any political dispensation. The fund once established should be sustained in the interest of National security and not to be time bound.”

    Also speaking, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara stated that the passage of the bill would improve welfare of the personnel which would in turn boost them in the discharge of their duties

    He said: “Adequate funding is critical for police to function and the annual budgetary allocation is inadequate considering various crimes confronting the country.

    “Nigerians are presently disappointed in the Police we have in this country now and it is because of poor funding but with the passage of this bill, adequate funds would be provided and the Police would function effectively.”

    On his part, the Chairman House Committee on Police Affairs, Haliru Jika while supporting the bill also noted that the current structure of allocation would not give Nigerians the desired Police Force.

    Jika said: “The current structure would hardly help in giving us the kind of Police we need. The Force is presently overstretched and they are saddled with so many responsibilities with little funding.

    “Every attempt at overcoming corruption in the Force would be a wide goose chase if the bill is not passed.”

    He also expressed optimism that the bill would be approved by the House before it goes on break

    Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin while supporting the passage of the bill suggested that a ten year jail term for whoever misappropriates the fund.

    Olonisakin who was represented by Air Vice Marshal, Ibrahim Shafi said: “We are all together with the Police on the issue of its trust fund but we are of the opinion that whoever misappropriates the fund to be accrued from the Police Trust Fund be penalised.

    “Based on past experience, we suggest that the National Assembly considers and penalize any police personnel or anybody who misappropriates the fund.

    “Anybody that misappropriates the fund should go for at least ten years imprisonment without an option of fine.”

     

  • CDS inaugurates Naval War College in Rivers

    CDS inaugurates Naval War College in Rivers

    In its bid to tackle insecurity in Rivers state and in Niger Delta region, the Nigerian Navy on Wednesday inaugurated Naval War College in Ubima, Ikwerre LGA of Rivers.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Lt.-Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin, who inaugurated the college, said the facility was temporal.

    He said the college is equipped with state-of-the-art security facility for effective combating of crime in the Niger Delta region and the nation at large.

    “The Navy has relentlessly engaged in massive overhaul of operation support structure, fleet recapitalisation and decency priority.

    “The college will improve both physical and mental proficiency of troops to deal effectively on both land and marine operations across the country,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, described the college as the “highest and most advanced naval training centre’’ in the country.

    He said that aside military equipment; the college had accommodation, medical space and lecture halls, among others.

    “Naval staff would be trained in essential components of naval operations as obtainable in other top naval forces which have committed enormous resources to training.

    “The war college will improve the effectiveness of the Nigerian Navy while expanding knowledge, confidence and operation,” he said.

    Ibas commended President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Transport Chibuike Amaechi and Gov. Nyesom Wike for providing logistic support for the establishment of the college.

  • Militancy: DHQ handovers Joint Maritime Training Centre to Navy

    Militancy: DHQ handovers Joint Maritime Training Centre to Navy

    …To improve specialised skills of security forces

    In order to enhance specialised skills of the Armed Forces and other security services, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday handed over the Joint Maritime Security Training Centre (JMSTC) to the Nigerian Navy (NN).

    This move was as a result of the threats to the maritime domain especially the creeks, back waters posed by militants in the Niger Delta and the riverine communities of Lagos and Ogun states.

    Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin while handing over the centre to the NN said it would ensure a more efficient management of maritime assets and capabilities in line with similar institutions such as the United States Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS).

    Represented by the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Maj.-Gen. Ahmed Mohammed, Olonisakin expressed hope that the JMSTC would become a centre for excellence in maritime security for the West African sub-region.

    “The idea of establishing JMSTC was mooted in the wake of thr increase in sophistication and types of crimes in our maritime domain. It was conceptualised by the DHQ and the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT) and the centre was established in 2009 with the mandate of enhancing the human capacity of personnel of the Armed Forces in littoral and riverine operations.

    “It is a unique training institution in the sense that it is the only centre of its kind in Nigeria where security personnel are trained to acquire specialised skills in order to operate in the maritime domain.”

    Continuing, the CDS said though the centre has done well in the past eight years, a recent assessment conducted by the DHQ showed that for better utilisation, it should be administered and controlled by the NN, which has expertise in maritime matters.

    He said: “It is therefore expected that the NN would ensure the vision of training personnel from other services and security agencies continue woth the same tempo.
    “I strongly believe that the centre would be better repositioned to effectively carryout its duties in line with the objectives of establishing it.

    “The centre was handed over to NN because it is better positioned to control and bring necessary assets within its purview to take it to the next level.

    “Every asset in the centre has been handed over fully to the navy.  We expect the navy to review what they have seen on ground. If there are observations and other things they think need to be done to upgrade the centre, they will forward to DHQ for necessary actions.”

    In his remark, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas who was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo assured that security forces would continue to receive quality training in waterman ship, boars handling, weapon handling and underwater warfare to enable them address challenges in the nation’s wsterways and the creeks.

    Ibas said plans were on to ensure that access to the training was expanded to accommodate other agencies and services that haven’t had the opportunity.
    He assured the CDS and other stakeholders that the concept would not change, adding that the NN would improve the quality of training to enhance manpower to address contemporary issues.”

    Earlier, the Commandant, JMSTC, Captain Alexander Bingel said over 3,000 military personnel and officials of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been trained since the establishment of the centre.

    At the event were the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) Rear Admiral Ifeola Mohammed, Chief Staff Officer (CSO) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia, Commander, NNS WEY, Commodore Mohammed Nagenu, Commander, 465 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Hospital, Air Commodore Benjamin Okunola, and representatives of the British and United States military.

  • Endurance test as Air Force begins combat sports competition

    Endurance test as Air Force begins combat sports competition

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it will test its personnel endurance and help them retain physical and mental fitness as the second edition of the Inter Command Combat Sports Competition begins in Jos. Assistant Editor, Seun Akioye reports

    The men who stood on the track lane for the 400 meters combat relay competition wore rugged and fierce countenance. As if to further intimidate the opponents, some of them had painted a part of their faces with black and blue ink adding a formidable trace to their outlines.

    It will not be an ordinary race both in appearance and significance, the men who were dressed for battle carried their rifles in one hand and their battle gears on their back. The race was also the first event in the Nigerian Air Force Inter Command Combat competition which is holding in the serene city of Jos, Plateau state.

    Aptly tagged “Jos 2017,” the second edition of the NAF combat sports competition was a great improvement over the first edition in Kaduna state. Also, an additional Command will be joining the competing teams this year, bringing the total to six namely: NAF Headquarters (NAF HQ), Tactical Air Command (TAC), Mobility Command (MC), Training Command (TC), Logistics Command, (LC) and the new entrant, Special Operations Command (SOC).

    The CAS and Ambassador Sheni
    The CAS, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and Ambassador Sheni

     

    The choice of Jos was instructive; the city hosts some of the most important logistics in the Air Force, it also hosts the NAF Military School and the weather is perfect for the competition. This year, the contingent would compete in eight sports including Boxing, Combat Swimming, Combat relay, Taekwondo, Shooting, Judo, Obstacle Crossing and Tug-of-war.

    The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar did not mince his words on what outcomes he expected from the events. “By organising this second edition of the competition, it is my hope that our personnel would continue to maintain a high level of physical fitness. This aspiration no doubt is in tandem with my yearning and aspiration to re-position the NAF into a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient and timely employment of air power in response to Nigeria’s national security imperatives,” he said.

    The CAS emphasised the importance of physical and mental fitness to the efficient discharge of the military thus: “Maintaining a high level of combat and physical fitness would no doubt help our personnel pawn: to discharge this constitutional responsibility optimally when called to do so.

    “Physical fitness remains the cornerstone of military combat readiness, it is in this light that the Nigerian Air Force introduced 10km walk jog, mute match exercise and recently combat sports competition which involved non-contact and contact events.

    “The contact events like Boxing, Judo and Taekwondo keep the personnel in top physical form to enable them to carry out their responsibilities effectively.  It is also the basis for good health and physical well-being. While the non-contact events such as shooting and obstacle crossing boost their skills of marksmanship as well as stamina and endurance so as to enable them to carry out their professional tasks effectively.

    Helicopter evacuation of wounded soldiers
    Helicopter evacuation of wounded soldiers

    “It must be stated that even with acquired modem weapon and the continued effort to reactivate our assets we are not unaware of the fact that the Service needs personnel that are physically and mentally prepared to make the difference in any conflict. Similarly, Service members who are physically fit can endure tough conditions, hard work and stress more readily than those who are not. To this end, NAF has provided Gymnasia and physical fitness facilities in most units for the use of personnel and their families. I encourage all to take full advantage of these facilities, he said.  

    A colourful opening ceremony

    The opening ceremony witnessed a spectacular representation not only for the contingent but also in the high profile personalities. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin was represented by Major General A.A Salihu, other service chiefs also sent representations while the “son of the soil” and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Ambassador Danjuma Sheni represented the Minister of Defence. 

    Also, governors of Kaduna and Bauchi state sent their representations while the Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Jeremiah Useni stood in for the chairman.

    The Former governor of Plateau state, Jonah Jang and a former CAS, Air Marshal Jonah Wuyep as well as the Plateau state Executive were also in attendance. The Governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong came in impressively dressed in a camouflage.

    The contingent to the competition matched according to their commands, but not least impressive are the teams competing for the CAS special awards. The march past was spectacular, with the contingent displaying discipline and technical accuracy. After one round, they broke into a run which is to “intimidate the enemy in battle.”

    But for all the spectacular display of the contingent, the star of the opening ceremony was Governor Lalong. Looking impressive in his military camouflage, he expertly took the salute from the marchers and parade commander to the admiration of the officers and civilians.

    March past by the contingent
    March past by the contingent

     

    “I feel like a retired military officer,” Lalong said after another wave of applause had died down. “The last time I wore a uniform was during my National Youth Service Corps, NYSC days, but today when I wore this, I wish I am a retired military officer.”

    The governor also appreciated the NAF for bringing the competition to his state, he affirmed that in spite of challenges, the NAF is battle ready to deal with any case of security threat and sees the event in Jos as one of the dividends of peace.

    “It is one of the advantages peace has brought to us, this is why they are able to bring this competition here, we want to appeal to the NAF to continue to bring it here every year, the state government will support with logistics towards the cost of the events. We want the competition to encourage people that sports is not something you joke with,” the governor said.

    Another spectacular performance of the opening event was the demonstration of the NAF medical evacuation procedures in battle.  A team of nine special operations personnel were under attack, some of them fell. A rescue team was called in and a medical team also arrived. The casualties were arranged in order of priority and soon a NAF 575 helicopter arrived in the horizon to take the wounded to the hospital and convey the remains of the dead.

    It was a highly technical operation which was conducted in minutes to show the NAF preparedness and capacity in the event of a medical evacuation in hostile territory.

    The first event of the Combat sports lived up to expectation, the runners kicked up dust while exchanging their rifles in place of batons. At the end, Training Command was winners with a time of 50 seconds, NAF HQ came a close second with 52 seconds on the clock, TAC was not far behind with 55 seconds time-lapse.

    The winners were decorated by the CAS and Governor Lalong with medals, as the competition continues, it remains to be seen if TC can maintain dominance it has established early in the competition.

  • Badeh: Court adjourns trial to January 12

    Badeh: Court adjourns trial to January 12

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned the case of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, till January 12.

    The judge, Justice Okon Abang, adjourned the matter when the prosecution presented the 13th witness, Joseph Okpetu, on Tuesday.

    The Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), led Okpetu, a contractor, in his evidence-in-chief.

    Okpetu told the court that he knew Badeh in 2003 when he did the renovation in Zone D Apo, Abuja, and also in 2008 when he did a construction for Nigeria Airforce in Kaduna.

    He said when the defendant was appointed as the Chief of Air Staff in 2012, he was not in the country but when he returned, he went to his house and there he met with Yishau the director of finance.

    He said after some months, Yishau called him and handed him a building plan to be constructed for Badeh in Yola and was given N100 million, which he refused before it was increased to N150 million.

    “The construction in Yola was for three bedroom duplex, with a guest room and a boy’s quarters.

    “The construction was completed in 2014, I don’t know if the house was occupied, but I told Yusau that we completed it, that is when he paid me the balance of the contract after completion,” he said.

    When asked if he knew anything about the renovation Badeh’s house in the village, he said yes.

    “I got a call by an unknown person and was asked if I was the one that built the house in the village for Badeh, I said yes, the person then said how much will it cost to renovate the house.

    “I told him when it was built it was around N15 million to N19 million then, so, I told him it will cost N50 million and I was given the money.

    “I also did some work on his farm with part of the N50 million, that is the access road to the farm, we use the money to buy plants and equipment,” Okpetu added.

    He further said that the total amount spent on the farm was about seven million naira and he refunded N20 million to Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) as balance he had after deducting administrative charges of his company and other expenses.

  • DHQ seeks regional cooperation against trans-border crimes

    DHQ seeks regional cooperation against trans-border crimes

    The commitment of the Nigerian armed forces against trans-border crimes and the checkmating of security challenges in the Northeast, as posed by remnants of the Boko Haram terrorist group as been reaffirmed by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin.

    According to a statement by the acting Defence Director of Information, Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, the CDS gave the assurance at the opening of a meeting of Multinational Joint Military Technical Cooperation between Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger and Nigeria on Joint Border Protection.

    Olonisakin vowed that no effort would be spared in containing trans-border criminal activities.

    He said Defence Headquarters would partner the French military that was providing technical assistance to the cooperation in order to protect the West African borders in the fight against terrorism.

    The CDS, who was represented by the Director Training DHQ, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango, said countries must work together to ensure the security of their people and borders.

    He appreciated the French Government and other French speaking countries for their tremendous support in the area of intelligence sharing, training and fight against terrorism.

    Olonisakin assured the meeting that the Nigerian armed forces would do its best to ensure that trans-border crimes were reduced to the barest minimum.

    He noted that terrorism transcended borders and urged all regional countries to collaborate in the elimination of the menace posed by the terrorist elements still operating on the fringes of the region.

    The Deputy Chief of Staff in-charge of Operations (DCOSOPS) for the French elements in Senegal, Col. A Vidal, who spoke at the event said the French military was willing to assist in terms of training of personnel in planning for 2017.

  • Retired Military Officers back Buhari to move Nigeria forward

    Retired Military Officers back Buhari to move Nigeria forward

    Retired members of the Nigerian Armed Forces have thrown their weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in order to move the country forward.

    They said the need to support the President with their experience and know-how became imperative because of the enormity of problem the country is currently passing through.

    Chairman Board of Trustees of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Offcers (RANAO), Maj-Gen. Zamani Lekwot, stated at a dinner organized for him by Regular Course 25 of the Nigerian Defence Academy led by Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, himself a member of Course 25 of the institution.

    “Given the enormity of the problem our country is facing, we cannot afford to keep away our experience,” he said.

    Lekwot, a former Commandant of the NDA, commended members of the course 25 and enjoined them to join the association.

    He noted that the way the country was moving, experience of both retired military and their civilian counterparts were needed at this period of the nation’s history for the progress of Nigeria.

    Lekwot, who is also a former Military Administrator of Rivers State, exlained that, in a civilized clime, experience and know-how of retired military officers and their civilian counterparts were required for good governance.

    “So, let us join hands together to support the federal and state governments,” he said.

    He said the current security challenges in the country ocassioned by the activities of Boko Haram were a complex and asymmetric war which was new to the Nigerian military.

    Lekwot gave the President a pass mark in executing the war against terrorism and the renewed hostilities in the Niger Delta region where they had blown pipelines, causing destruction to oil facilities.

    The former governor said, “My advise cannot be different from what others had preferred in the past. What is being done since President Muhammadu Buhari came into power in terms of tackling the security challenges in the country is the right step in the right direction.

    “So, what is required is patience and co-operation of all the people. Local people should volunteer useful information in order to bring the war to an end.”

  • FG orders audit of military payroll

    FG orders audit of military payroll

    Following revelations in the course of the trial of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, that the sum of N558.2 million was allegedly diverted monthly from the Nigeria Air Force account into private pockets, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has directed an investigation into the payrolls of the Air Force, the Navy and the Army by the Continuous Audit Team of the Federal Government.

    A statement from the ministry signed by Salisu Na’Inna Dambatta, Director (Information) of the ministry said “the Continuous Audit team has been charged with the responsibility of scrutinizing the payrolls of the three services, which have not yet been put on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information [1] System (IPPIS), to ensure that all possible loopholes that could lead to leakages were blocked.”

    According to him, the exercise “will be conducted, pending the biometric capturing and migrating the payroll of the three services to the IPPIS, in line with the policy of the Federal Government to clean up the payroll of all public sector employees.”

    The Minister of Finance said that the measure has become necessary as part of the change mantra of the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, which include the restoration of the culture of transparency, accountability and control in the management of public funds.

    The Continuous Audit Process was one of the initiatives of the Minister approved by President Muhammadu Buhari as part of the on-going reforms in the public finance management system of the federal government, which he emphasised in his 2016 Budget speech.

    Mrs. Kemi Adeosun said the Director of Special Projects in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mohammed Kyari Dikwa, will head the Continuous Audit Team and report their findings for appropriate action by the Federal Government.​