The Nation Newspaper

Tag: commander

  • IRT still operating — Commander

    The Commander of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), a Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari, yesterday said  the team had not been disbanded.

    He also said DCP Ben Okolo was sent to the IRT as the head of the routine audit team for auditing arms, exhibits, operational vehicles and suspects.

    He said  many other senior officers were equally sent to other police departments as heads of routine audit teams.

    He called on the public to disregard the news that the team had been disbanded, adding that it was fake.

    He said the IRT had not been disbanded as clearly shown in the IGP’s speech and other IGP’s signals that followed.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Dan Okoro visited the IRT annex at Harold Shodipo Crescent, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, and addressed the senior officers of the IRT. .A  businessman in Ikeja, who simply identified himself as Mr. Uche, said when he had the fake news, he became afraid, thinking that serious crimes like kidnapping, armed robbery and fraud would return.

    He added that “we see the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team as the solution to the menace of dangerous criminals who fled Lagos because of Kyari”.

  • Five Boko Haram fighters killed, commander arrested

    Five Boko Haram fighters killed, commander arrested

    Soldiers fighting the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State have killed five of the terrorists and captured a top commander of the group in the ongoing operation in Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad basin.

    Colonel Onyeama Nwachukwu, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of Operation Lafiya Dole, said in Maiduguri that troops also rescued three civilians and recovered vehicles as well as high calibre ammunition over the last few days.

    Besides, the troops reportedly engaged and neutralised a number of insurgents while attempting to escape the military blocking position in one of the cleared enclaves ‘Sabil-Huda’, deep in Sambisa Forest.

    Nwachukwu said that the troops recovered one G-III rifle magazine, one life jacket, a light machine gun metal link, four rounds of Anti-Aircraft ammunition, four rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition and three rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

    “Unfortunately, two soldiers were injured in the process; they had been evacuated by the Nigerian Air Force and are responding to treatment,” he said.

    Nwachukwu said that the troops on Friday launched offensive targeting a terrorist’s hideouts up ‘CAMP ZAIRO’, and neutralised a number of insurgents in spite of initial damage caused to their Armoured Fighting Vehicle by Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted beneath the ground.

    He said that the troops killed five insurgents; with several others wounded and recovered ammunition at a hideout in Parisu, Sambisa Forest.

    Troops of 151 Battalion in conjunction with “7 Division Support Group’ also cleared nine terrorists’ hideouts along Frigi-Izza area.

    The director added that the troops also recovered one motorcycle, two bicycles, 10 bicycle tyres, one bicycle, three Boko Haram flags, a solar panel, five drums filled with grain, two mattresses, two grinding machines, three bags of metal scraps, two motorcycle tyres and two underground grain silos.

    Also recovered are one AK-47 rifle magazine, 1 dummy rifle, a round of 12.7mm ammunition, 12 empty cases of 7.62mm ammunition, assorted IED materials and a tool box.

     

  • Defence College hosts US Admiral

    Defence College hosts US Admiral

    Guest of the National Defence College, Abuja, Admiral Michelle Howard, the first African-American woman to command a ship in the United States Navy, inspires women and lifts Nigeria-US relations, report BLESSING OLAIFA and SAADATU USMAN

    The National Defence College, Abuja has hosted the first African-American woman to command a ship in the United States Navy, the first woman to be promoted to the rank of four-star admiral in the US Navy.

    Admiral Michelle Howard, Commander, Allied Joint Forces Command Naples, Commander US Naval Forces and Commander US Naval Forces Africa was received by the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo and other top military officers and management of the college.

    Admiral Howard was in Nigeria to meet senior Nigerian civilian and military officials to discuss maritime collaboration and naval bilateral relationship. She was accompanied by the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart W. Symington, top US military officers and other top embassy officials.

    Admiral Howard who addressed participants of NDC Course 26 in a lecture titled “Women, Peace and Security”, was described by Rear Admiral Osinowo as “a role model and one of the best personalities to speak on gender issues as well as mentorship to our womenfolk who hold on to a dream of a very fulfilling career in the military and other endeavours.”

    Rear Admiral Osinowo noted that the NDC is the highest military academic institution in Nigeria and has since its inauguration in 1992 trained over 2000 senior officers. He added that the current NDC Course 26 is made up of 135 participants including 18 participants from 18 countries of Africa and beyond.

    Setting the stage for the lecture at the college auditorium, Admiral Osinowo said, “In contemporary terms we live in an era of…migratory threats to security both within and across national boundaries. One of the glaring consequences of the attendant conflicts to this trend of insecurity is that women and girls suffer their impact most. Women are also targets of other specific forms of violence and abuse including sexual violence and exploitation.

    “In order to address the problem, there is a compelling need to bring gender perspectives to conflict prevention and resolution peace building, peace-keeping, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

    “It is in these regards that I consider the topic for discussion today a particularly unique one. I anticipate that the knowledge gained from this lecture will also help the participants and the college academic community research more into areas of gender mainstreaming for security and development in Africa.

    “The guest speaker, your visit and the choice of this lecture no doubt provides a unique opportunity for us to hear from a personality that has risen to the pinnacle of her carrier and to the enviable rank of four-star admiral in the US Navy”.

    However, Admiral Howard who commenced her lecture by presenting a panoramic review of her experiences and exploits in various military operations, especially in Kosovo, Afghanistan and the gulf region during the gulf war I, emphasized that involvement of women as part of ground troops and their interactions with local communities helped in no small measure to achieve peace.

    Admiral Howard spoke extensively on gender mainstreaming within the armed forces in relation with various national and international conventions on military warfare and other issues as well as platforms contingent on the attainment of global peace and security.

    Admiral Howard who was born in April 1960 and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1982 told the gathering that interactions by women who were members of the ground troops enhanced community relationship, build confidence among local women and children as they related freely with them in markets, fetching water together, assisting in medical support and helping to bring hopes and succour to people affected by conflicts.

    She said, “Over time the United Nations has recognised the conditions of women on the ground as an indicator of whether or not they can achieve peace and stability. So we not only have to as operators to understand the conditions of women on the ground, we have to understand how we make life better for them and for children in order to achieve peace and security in a particular nation.

    Speaking on her relationship with the Nigerian Navy, Admiral Howard said, “My relationship with Nigerian Navy is phenomenal and we have been working together for years now working particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, and training together, exercising together and working the trouble spots in that area and so it is a very strong relationship and I was really delighted to be here and talk with the leader of the Nigerian Navy today and discuss ways in which we can cooperate even more closely together”.

     

  • JTF commander, top military officers escape death in Cross River

    JTF commander, top military officers escape death in Cross River

    The Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi, and other top military officers have escaped drowning in the rivers of Ikang, Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Cross River State.
    Apochi and other sector commanders of ODS cheated death when they fell into the Ikang River according to a statement signed by the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Maj. Ibrahim Abdullahi.
    But some of them were said to have sustained minor injuries and were given medical treatment.
    The statement named others who fell into the river as the Commander, Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) Victory, Commodore Sali Jubrin, ODS sector commanders, Commander Sector 4 and other senior officers and soldiers.
    It was gathered that the officers found themselves in the river when the Ikang jetty collapsed at about 10am on Tuesday.
    They were said to be on tour of the area as part of Operation Safety Check (3), designed to assess troops’ deployment and activities at various locations across the Niger Delta region.
    The statement said: “The Commander OPDS, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, Commander Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) Victory, Operation Delta Safe Component Commanders, Commander Sector 4 along with other Senior Officers and soldiers, all fell into Ikang River as a result of the complete collapse of the Jetty at Ikang at about 10:00am.
    “However, as a result of the survival capability of the Officers and Men, all personnel, weapons and other equipment were recovered with slight injuries to some personnel which have been treated.
    “The team has retired back to Calabar to re-strategise and go ahead with the planned patrol and inspection”.

  • Commander: WAI brigade to fight terrorism

    The Lagos State WAI Brigade has been strengthened to help in the fight against terrorism, its Commander Taiwo Ogunjimi, has said.

    The brigade, he said, would be effective in the areas of community policing and intelligence gathering and sharing.

    He spoke on the sideline of a one-day induction course organised by the WAI Brigade in Lagos at the weekend.

    He said:  “WAI Brigade is a voluntary organisation and we believe in discipline, and we are committed to ensuring discipline while curbing crime in the society. To this end, we contribute our little efforts to stop terrorism in Nigeria. We help in the fight against terrorism through community policing and intelligence gathering. It is a community based organisation, as such, such responsibilities are easy. We complement the efforts of the police and other security agencies too. We are always on alert, always keeping watch of any security breach especially at the grassroots. Such acts are reported to the appropriate authorities. We have means of reaching out to the police as quick as possible. Our goal is to ensure that the society is safe for every Nigerian to live in, without fear.

    “WAI Brigade came into being to ensure discipline. I love the organisation because of its concept of discipline and this was what compelled me to join after I finished my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) then.

    “WAI Brigade ensures discipline without using brute force. Discipline is carried out gently with intelligence. We believe there are various ways of killing a rat. We warn people first before meting out punishments. I however encourage Nigerians to be disciplined because Change begins with them.”

  • FRSC recalls sector commander for cutting female officials’ hair

    FRSC recalls sector commander for cutting female officials’ hair

    Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has ordered the recall of the Corps Rivers Sector Commander, Mr Ayodele Kumapayi, for cutting the hair of some female personnel.

    In an SMS to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Spokesman of the Corps, Mr Bisi Kazeem, said other officers concerned were also recalled.

    Photos circulating on social media show Kumapayi using a pair of scissors to cut the hair of some female personnel allegedly as punishment for carrying long hairdo.

    The incident reportedly took place during the routine early morning parade in Port-Harcourt when the sector commander went round to inspect his officers.

    Kazeem said the recall became necessary to pave way for proper investigation into the matter.

    He debunked a report by an online news medium that Kumapayi had been suspended, saying, “it is a recall, not suspension’’.

  • Education key, says commander

    The Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade, Brig. Gen. Charles Ofoche, has advised parents of Command Day Secondary School, Owena Cantonment, to take the education of their wards seriously.

    Gen Ofoche spoke during the school’s inter-house sports competition at Owena Cantonment, Akure.

    The competition was among Fly Horse House representing the 1 Division in Kaduna, Tiger House representing 2 Division in Ibadan , Rhino House representing 2 Armoured Division in Jos and Palm House representing the 81 Division in Lagos.

    The pupils competed in march past and track events including: 100m junior boys and girls, 100m senior boys and girls, blind fold race boy, 200M boys and girls, 4x100m boys and girls, sack race, 400m boys and girls, parents race male and female, teachers race male and female, egg race and thread and needle race.

    Fly Horse House came first overall and in the march past. Tiger House came second and Rhino third. Gen Ofoche said: “Parents’ support will surely bring sound education for their children as sound education is the bed rock of life”.

  • EFCC re-arraigns ex-JTF commander, Akpobolokemi, for alleged N8.5bn fraud

    EFCC re-arraigns ex-JTF commander, Akpobolokemi, for alleged N8.5bn fraud

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned former Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, for alleged N8.5billion fraud.

    Atewe was charged along with former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi.

    The prosecution, which also named Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuga in the charge, said NIMASA, under Akpobolokemi, approved billions of naira to several military personnel who were purportedly engaged to patrol the creeks to prevent pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.

    The funds, EFCC said, were allegedly diverted to private accounts through fraudulent means.

    The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves to defraud NIMASA of N8.5billion  using six companies – Jagan Limited, Jagan Trading Company Limited, Jagan Global Services Limited, Al-Nald Limited, Paper Warehouse Limited, Eastpoint Integrated Services Limited and De-Newlink Integrated Services Limited.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    Their re-arraignment was sequel to the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Saliu Saidu, from Lagos to the Port Harcourt division.

    The accused were re-arraigned before a new judge, Justice A.O Faji, and their pleas taken afresh.

    After their re-arraignment, defence counsel prayed the court to allow the defendants continue on the earlier bail granted by the previous judge.

    Atewe, Engozu and Otuaga were each granted N100million bail each with two sureties in like sum by Justice Saidu.

    One of the sureties, the judge said, must be a relative and must own a landed property within Ikoyi, Lekki or Victoria Island.

    The other surety must be a civil servant not below a Deputy Director in either the state or Federal Civil Service.

    He ordered all the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court’s Chief Registrar until trial is concluded.

    Justice Faji upheld the bail conditions.

    One of the counts reads in part: “That you, Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi, Major-General Emmanuel Atewe, Kime Engozu and Josphine Otuaga, sometime in 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court, with intent to defraud, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sum of N8,537,586,798.58, property of NIMASA and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

    Justice Faji adjourned till February 13 and 17 for trial.

     

  • FRSC records 31 crashes in 6 months in Bayelsa, says Commander

    No fewer than 31 road crashes were recorded in Bayelsa in the last six months, Mr Wobin Gora, sector commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has said.

    Gora told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Yenagoa that the crashes were recorded between March and August.

    He explained that out of the 31 crashes, six were fatal, 20 were serious while seven were minor.

    The commander, who expressed displeasure with the record, said that most of the crashes were caused by reckless driving and excessive speed.

    Gora said: “the fatal crashes are the ones that involve loss of lives; the serious crashes are those in which people sustained injuries, while the minor crashes are those where there are no record of death and injuries.

    `I must say that most of the vehicles involved in the crashes are not domiciled within; most of them occurred along the Bayelsa axis of the East-West road which is under construction.

    “Most of the vehicles involved in crashes on the East-West road are for long distance journeys; the accidents were caused by burst tyre or brake failure.

    “But the crashes which occurred in the state capital were caused by impatient drivers, dangerous overtaking among others.

    “We have observed that the roads in the capital are narrow but that does not mean we should be violating the laws.

    “We must respect traffic rules and regulations to avoid loss of lives and properties because life cannot be bought.”

    The commander listed violation of traffic rules and regulations and lack of towing-van for big vehicles as some of the challenges facing the commission in its operations in the state.

    He solicited the assistance of the state government to purchase towing vans to improve the operations of the sector.

  • US military partners Nigerian to boost health

    US military partners Nigerian to boost health

    In order to contain spread of infectious diseases, the United States Department of Defense (USDD) yesterday said it will partner the Nigerian military in the development of clinical and laboratory capacities, bio-surveillance and response capabilities.

    This disclosure was made by the U.S.’ Deputy Chief of Missions, Maria Brewer at the unveiling of the Joint West Afrucan Research Group (JWARG) held in Lagos.

    Leveraging on existing capacities, she said they will in the next five years coordinate with the militaries of Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana to evaluate infectious diseases countermeasures in the countries.

    “Recently, the United States Government dedicated funding for disease control in West Africa. A significant amount has been awarded to the U.S. Military HIV Research Programme at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and the Naval Medical Research Centre.

    “This funding supports laboratory and clinical capacity building through military-to-military collaborations and academia. To address these deficiencies and achieve these objectives, we established the JWARG include collaborations between over 14 partners.

    “Over the next five years, we will leverage existing capacity, coordinate with host nation militaries and in-country partners for health security to develop clinical laboratory capacity, bio-surveillance and response capabilities, as well as evaluate infectious diseases countermeasures in Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia.

    Brewer who disclosed that the USDD has through the Walter Reed Programme-Nigeria (WRP-N), partnered with Nigeria’s Defence Ministry for 12 years in the treatment and prevention of HIV, Malaria as well as other infectious diseases.

    “The U.S. and Nigeria also are working together to address the worsening problem of tuberculosis in Nigeria. Our support to the future health of Nigerians is the single largest investment we have made world-wide,” said Brewer.

    She noted that the 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic in West Africa revealed both great potentials and deep deficiencies within the mechanisms for rapid medical response to public health emergencies.

    “While global coordination resulted in controlling this epidemic, greater investment in public health infrastructure and surveillance systems could have yielded better preparation and response to the outbreak,’’ she said.

    Lauding the gains of the partnership, Brewer said the initiative has grown from four to 36 locations in Nigeria within 12 years, adding “the Nigerian military and society stronger, healthier and better to move the country forward”.

    In her remark, the Commander, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Major-General Abimbola Amusu said the partnership has improved the capacity of staff at military medical facilities, adding that they are being recognized as experts in HIV treatment.

    She said the collaboration has boosted their capacity in research on diseases as well as improved their quality of diagnosis on challenges predominant in the West African region.