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Tag: military

  • DisCos begin N32b debt recovery from military, MDAs

    DisCos begin N32b debt recovery from military, MDAs

    THE Federal Government has started recovering the N32billion debt owed electricity distribution companies (DisCos) by the military, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

    It was gathered that the government has started deducting from source, the electricity debt from their votes.

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Dr. Oladele Amoda, confirmed the development at the weekend. Although he couldn’t say exactly how much the government has been able to recover for the DisCos, he confirmed that government has started deducting the debt from MDAs.

    The Executive Director, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), Sunday Oduntan, said the MDAs and the military owe the 11 DisCos a total of N32 billion. He said worried by  the huge debts and challenges facing DisCos in the collection of electricity bills, the power firms and other industry stakeholders held a meeting which was presided over by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

    Oduntan said: “We had a meeting with the Federal Government presided over by Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, and he listened to all sides (all the stakeholders) including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Market Operators (MO), Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET), generating, and distribution companies.

    “The Vice President offered to take up the case. I can assure that this government is very serious, determined and sincere to provide electricity. The Federal Government has started looking at those issues. He promised us that MDAs will pay the debts.”

    The outcome of the meeting resulted in the deduction from source the MDAs debts, he added.

    On the electrocution of University of Lagos student, Amoda said: “As we proceed with our commitment to optimal service delivery to customers, it is sad to see some unfortunate incidents that appear to blight the gains of our efforts. One of such incidents is the recent electrocution in Unilag in which the precious life of a young and promising Nigerian, Justina Oluchi, was lost.

    “As an organisation with a very high premium on human lives, we are so pained and grieved by this incident and we have taken measures to prevent a reoccurrence. The snapped overhead line, which was part of the obsolete network inherited from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), was already slated for conversion to underground cables as part of our network upgrade project when the incident happened.”

    He said the company constituted a high powered investigation team under his leadership, adding that if only the conversion of the overhead lines to underground cables had been carried out a little earlier, the sad incident wouldn’t have occurred.

    “As a way of preventing a costly delay of this nature in the future, all the workers found not to have taken appropriate steps that could have prevented the unfortunate incident through conversion of the line to underground cable have been relieved of their duties. One of such is a top ranking officer of the company,” he added.

    Amoda also noted that the company was with the family of the deceased throughout the period of burial in Nsukka, Enugu State, adding that the company’s insurance firm is working out the compensation of the family.

  • Boko Haram: Military, police, DSS, others raid Kuje for suspects

    Boko Haram: Military, police, DSS, others raid Kuje for suspects

    • ‘We acted on intelligence reports’  

    Military operatives and officers of the police and State Security Service (SSS) yesterday raided Kuje, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

    Many suspected Boko Haram members and hoodlums were arrested after operatives combed major areas and suburbs of the town.

    It was learnt that the raid was in connection with search for suspected Boko Haram members and hoodlums.

    The operatives converged at the Divisional Police headquarters in Kuje where many of the suspects were taken to.

    Our correspondent gathered from top security operative that the arrested hoodlums will be properly interrogated and their homes searched before they can be released.

    Few weeks ago, multiple bombs exploded in Kuje killing several people and leaving others injured.

    Surveillance has been increased the area and its environs since the incident.

    FCT Commissioner of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, confirmed the raid to our correspondent on phone, explaining that it was based on intelligence reports.

    According to him: “What we are doing are proactive measures to ensure that FCT is safe and secure, taking the battle to these miscreants and hoodlums.

    “And they are intelligence- led; we don’t just storm a place. When we storm, it is a product of intelligence that has been gathered.

    ”It will be a continuous exercise until we are very sure that people can sleep with their two eyes closed.

    “We want it to get to a level that when you are travelling within FCT, you will not be afraid. We want to eliminate the fear of crime.”

  • Military to residents: curfew still in place

    The military in Yobe State has warned residents of Damaturu, the capital, that the curfew has not been lifted.

    This followed reports that residents were not obeying restriction of movement, as peace had returned to the state.

    It warned those flaunting the curfew to desist.

    The warning, contained in a statement by Col. Texas Chukwu, for the General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division (Tactical), Damaturu, reminded residents that the curfew was between 10pm and 6am.

    “In the course of the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, it has become necessary for the military and the government to warn on the movement of people for a certain period, for the benefit of all. It is worthy to remind the people that the curfew is between 10pm and 6am,” the statement said.

    It gave residents security tips, such as watching out for strange faces and avoiding crowded places. The statement solicited the “support and cooperation of the citizens with security agencies, by giving them information concerning the insurgents, to enhance their job, while pledging the confidentiality of the informants.”

    It noted that the curfew was not meant to inconvenience the people, but was for their safety. It said all local governments should observe the order.

  • Military warns Damaturu residents to obey curfew

    With concern that Damaturu residents may not be obeying the restriction of movement placed on the city as peace gradually returns in the state, the military has issued a fresh warning for those  flaunting the orders.

    The fresh warning which was contained in a press release signed by Col. Texas Chukwu for General Officer Command 3 Armored Division Nigerian Army(Tactical), Damaturu, reminded residents of Damaturu that the curfew time is still in force from 10pm to 6am.

    “In the cause of the fight against the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) here in Damaturu, Yobe State, it has become necessary for the military and the state government to warn on the movement of citizens for a certain period for the benefit of all. It is worthy to remind the good citizens of Yobe State that the curfew period still remains from 10pm to 6am…,” the statement said.

    The statement also gave some security tips to residents on the fight against the insurgents like; watching out for strange faces in their vicinity, avoiding crowded places such as recreational centres, motor parks, and football viewing centres; market places and unusual gatherings at different places in the town.

    The statement equally solicited the “support and cooperation of the citizens with security agencies by   providing them with useful information concerning the insurgents to enhance their job, while pledging the confidentiality of the informant.”

    It noted that the curfew was not meant to inconvenience the people of the state but for the safety of all, including those in  all the local government areas in the state.

  • Be partners in progress, Ambode urges military

    Be partners in progress, Ambode urges military

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has said that the military must see itself as partners in progress by partnering with constituted authority to enhance the nation’s development.

    This role, the governor noted, is in addition to fulfilling its constitutionally assigned role of providing internal and territorial security for the country.

    Represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, the governor spoke on Friday when he received members of the Course 24 of the National Defense College (NDC), who were on a study tour to Lagos.

    The governor enjoined members of the course to continue to educate the military hierarchy, especially the middle and lower cadre, on the need to subject themselves to the laws of the land.

    Expressing his displeasure with members of the armed forces who disobey laws on traffic and environmental sanitation, Ambode noted, “The military are our partners, even in a democratic dispensation. They must cooperate with the government at all levels by obeying our laws, which remains a critical ingredient towards achieving economic prosperity for our people.

    “We don’t like to embarrass anyone, especially the gentlemen officers of our military, but we must continue to educate ourselves as there are some few bad eggs that still go about disobeying our traffic laws and laws on environmental sanitation.  While we remain resolute on running a government with a human face, we want to enjoin our military men to always obey the laws and subject themselves to the laws of the state.”

    Earlier, the team leader, Brigadier General Mashe Bashir said members of the Course, 24 were in Lagos on a study tour in line with the theme of the National Defence College Course 24 titled ‘Internally Generated Revenues, Catalyst for Development- Challenges and Prospects.’

    He said the enviable strides Lagos State has recorded in shoring up its revenue over the years makes it a ready case study for the course participants, adding  that members have met with various government officials, agencies and officials at some local government and local council development areas.

    According to him, one of the objectives of the tour was to expose the participants to the socio-economic realities of the state with a view to carrying out research on topical issues, identifying the challenges and preferring solutions that can help the country to move forward.

  • Ten Boko Haram suspects held in Jigawa.

    Ten Boko Haram suspects have been arrested at the Nigeria/Niger Republic border town of Birniwa while uploading petroleum products from a tanker trailer suspected to be heading for their hideout.

    This was disclosed by the Commander of 3 Brigade Nigeria Army commander, kano, Brigadier General Hassan Hamisu while parading the suspects at Birniwa, the headquarters of Birniwa Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

  • 10 dead as military battles ‘insurgents’

    10 dead as military battles ‘insurgents’

    •Two soldiers injured 

    Ten people were reportedly killed and two military personnel injured in a gun battle between the soldiers from Maigumeri Barracks in Lokoja and suspected Islamic fundamentalists in Okene, Kogi State.

    It was learnt that following a tip-off, the soldiers stormed Inike, Okene, about 1am, to dislodge the suspected fundamentalists.

    The soldiers, it was gathered, traced some of those, who a fortnight ago, allegedly attacked the Department of State Security (DSS) headquarters in Lokoja, to the area and a battle ensued between them and the fundamentalists.

    Sources said the soldiers overpowered the sect members.

    It was learnt that a mosque was razed and a military Hilux van was torched.

    The area was said to have been deserted.

    Police Commissioner Emmanuel Ojukwu said it was a military operation, stressing that only the Army could speak on the incident.

    Efforts to contact the military authority were unsuccessful.

     

     

  • Lagos warns military officers against plying BRT lanes

    Lagos warns military officers against plying BRT lanes

    The Lagos State Government on Tuesday urged security personnel to comply with the State Traffic Law and desist from plying Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor along the Ikorodu Road axis.

    General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Bashir Braimah spoke following a joint enforcement against BRT violation with the military police and the Nigerian police carried out on Monday.

    He lamented the rate at which military personnel flout BRT law with impunity, noting that the 15 vehicles found plying the BRT corridors during the exercise were either driven by the military or with military paraphernalia hanging in the vehicles.

    Amongst the vehicles found plying the BRT corridor was silver Toyota Matrix 103 AT fully loaded with top military personnel.

    Other vehicles were a bus belonging to the Nigeria Army college of Nursing with registration number NA 830 BOA, a army green Peugeot with registration number NA 284 B0/1, silver Nissan KTU 820 AY, Silver colour Toyota Camry KJA 233 TB, green Hilux truck DHQ 232, Navy colour Volkswagen bus with registration number MUS 693 CY driven by a fully kitted Naval officer.

    He wondered why military personnel who should be the custodian of the Traffic Law were instead working against it.

    He added that law is no respecter of nobody and the road traffic law must be obeyed in other ensure the safety of lives and property.

  • Military strengthens security in Lagos

    Military strengthens security in Lagos

    THE military and other security agencies have strengthened surveillance around critical infrastructures in Lagos.

    The move, it was learnt, followed the alleged “infiltration of Lagos and other southern states by some Boko Haram commanders and elements”.

    Security sources said after the offensive launched by the military in the Northeast, many of the “fleeing terrorists” were regrouping in the southern states.

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, hinted about the infiltration at the weekend in Lagos, while addressing troops of the “Nine Brigade”.

    He called on his officers and men to collaborate with other security agencies, which he said, had already arrested a handful of the terrorists.

    But a security source, who craved anonymity, told The Nation that security has been beefed up around the ports to forestall an attack.

    He said vehicles going in and out of the various ports as well as other critical government infrastructures were being thoroughly searched because Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) could be hidden in them.

    The source stated that even tankers and trailers entering the Apapa and Tin Can ports were being thoroughly searched because the military would not want “unpleasant surprises”.

    “It is in the interest of all that a combined team of military and civil security agents are working tirelessly to avoid any unpleasant surprise in Lagos.

    “We are aware the terrorists have infiltrated and that is why we are acting ahead of them, beefing up intelligence and clearing all areas that they could hide without raising suspicion,” he said.

     

  • Military to rid Lagos of criminals

    Military to rid Lagos of criminals

    •Okada, tricycle operations banned
    • Police allay fears of residents

    A  massive military operation got underway in Ikorodu, Lagos State, yesterday, in a move to rid the town and its environs of hoodlums, pipeline vandals and other undesirable elements.

    Residents had complained openly about the activities of the hoodlums which had claimed many lives.

    Armed soldiers were drafted to the town to clear the streets and crannies of suspects and destroy their hideouts.

    Briefing journalists after an emergency meeting of the Security Council, Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, spoke of government’s commitment to peace at all times in all parts of the state.

    He said those making life unbearable for the innocent would no longer be tolerated.

    He said that security surveillance will be carried out 24 hours throughout the week, adding that the activities of the hoodlums and the criminal elements in the area have become unacceptable and uncontrollable hence government cannot fold its arms, but take necessary actions by deploying security operatives to the area.

    “Government will not allow criminal elements in the state and we want to say that the immunity for the vandals is over, the arbitrarily and uncontrollable rape, vandalism and harassment is over,” he said.

    Owoseni appealed to residents not to panic as they may witness or hear sporadic gun shots.

    He urged them to go about their normal activities.

    He, however, cautioned them to restrict their movements to areas where the operations are not intensive.

    Assuring residents that innocent citizens will not be harassed or molested during the operations, the police boss said it has become necessary to restrict the operations of tricycles and motorcycles throughout the period of the onslaught so as to prevent hoodlums from using them as get-away transport.

    He said the restrictions on both okada and tricycle operations in the area will be total.

    He said, “Residents are advised to restrict their movement and be informed also that we are going to restrict the use of both motorcycle (okada) and tricycles (Keke Marwa) in the area to ensure optimal and maximum performance for the operation.

    “As government, we are concerned about the security situation in the state especially the activities of hoodlums and vandals in the area. We are assuring residents that the end of such activities is near and it won’t be business as usual in the area, they should not panic as we have directed security operatives in the area not to harm innocent civilians but make security of lives of the people their utmost concern.”