Metro

Nigerian Army Deploys 177 Personnel To Guinea-Bissau For Peacekeeping

Published

5 days ago

June 26, 2024

The Nigerian Army announced on Wednesday the deployment of 177 personnel for a peacekeeping mission in Guinea-Bissau.

The Chief of Operations, Nigerian Army, Major General Boniface Sinjen, made the announcement at the graduation ceremony of troops of Nigerian Company 3 ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau at Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) Jaji.

Sinjen said, “Guinea-Bissau is grappling with political instability and institutional crises, which pose a significant threat to peace and sustainable development in the sub-region.”

He, however, said the Nigerian government, through ECOWAS, stood united with the government and people of Guinea-Bissau.

Sinjen said the graduation reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to supporting the government of the Republic of Guinea Bissau to consolidate its authority.

This is in order to address the security challenges, strengthen democratic governance, and foster stability in the country.

”This deployment is in line with the mandate of the mission, which has been extended several times to consolidate the relative peace and stability in the country.

“You gallant men of the Nigerian Army have been trained by this renowned Centre of Excellence to play that critical role.

“This Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) has equipped you with the necessary tactical skills and knowledge to support the government of Guinea-Bissau in stabilising the country.

”I therefore urge you to remain committed to upholding the principles of ECOWAS peacekeeping operations, “he said.

The chief of operations charged the troops to conduct themselves professionally in accordance with the guidelines of the mission.

“You will be operating in a complex and diverse environment where various ethnic groups coexist.

”I implore you to maintain the highest level of professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights and the sovereignty of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

“As ambassadors of Nigeria, your behaviour will reflect on the nation’s image, so I urge you to uphold the highest standards of conduct and maintain the integrity of our esteemed profession,” he said.

Sinjen urged them to embody the core values of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and refrain from any actions that could compromise the mission’s objectives or undermine our nation’s reputation.

He emphasised that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation and abuse.

“Any personnel found guilty of such offences will face severe consequences,” he warned.

Sinjen cautioned that drug trafficking and abuse were grave offences that would not be condoned in any form.

“The Nigerian Army’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of discipline and integrity remains unbroken,” he added.

Sinjen appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for his unwavering commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping troops through realistic training, which was one of the key pillars of his command philosophy.

“His leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping the readiness and capabilities of our troops, and I am deeply appreciative of his support,“ he said.

Earlier, the Commandant, MLAILPKC, Maj.-Gen. Ademola Adedoja, said the PDT that began on May 19 was designed to prepare the contingent on contemporary peacekeeping operations for a successful tour of duty in Guinea-Bissau.

Adedoja said during the course of the PDT, the troops were exposed to a series of lectures on contemporary peacekeeping operations, with an emphasis on the peculiar nature of the security challenges facing Guinea-Bissau.

He said the training package also included comprehensive lectures on the background and current situations in the mission area, as well as the mandate of the mission.

“Additionally, the troops were exposed to mentally and physically engaging exercises to equip them with the necessary knowledge and tactical skills required in peacekeeping operations in line with the United Nations Core PDT modules.

“As you stand ready to embark on this critical mission, I urge you to carry the spirit of excellence with you.

”Your contribution to the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission will be instrumental in shaping the future of Guinea-Bissau, thus promoting peace, stability, and development in West Africa.

“You are not just representing the Armed Forces of Nigeria but also serving as ambassadors of our great nation,” Adedoja said.

NAN

Metro

Tragedy As 25 Killed, 53 Injured In Kano-Zaria Road Crash

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Editor

It was a black Monday for the people of Kano and Kaduna states in North-West Nigeria as a road crash at the Dangwaro Flyover along the popular Kano-Zaria Road claimed the lives of 25 persons, leaving 53 others injured.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), RS1.2 Kano Sector Command, confirmed the tragic event which occurred around 3:30 am.

The accident involved a trailer (IVECO) with registration number KMC 311 ZB, which reportedly lost control due to overspeeding. The trailer was carrying 90 individuals, resulting in significant casualties and injuries.

Fortunately, 12 people were rescued unhurt.

The Sector Commander, CC Ibrahim Abdullahi stated, “Preliminary investigations suggest that the probable cause of the crash was due to overspeeding and loss of control by the driver of the trailer.”

Rescue operations were promptly initiated by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other emergency response agencies.

Items recovered from the scene included six motorcycles, ten mobile phones, animals (rams and goats), maize, and the sum of four thousand naira. The items are now in police custody.

“All victims of the road traffic crash have been swiftly transported to Murtala Specialist Hospital Kano for urgent medical attention,” said CRC Abdullahi Labaran, SPEO/PRO FRSC RS1.2 Kano Sector Command.

In light of the incident, Sector Commander Ibrahim Abdullahi has issued a stern warning to drivers and motorists.

“Transporting animals, goods, and human beings concurrently is an unsafe practice that not only endangers lives but also contravenes traffic regulations designed to ensure road safety,” he emphasised.

The FRSC urged all road users to adhere strictly to traffic laws and regulations to prevent further tragedies on Nigerian roads.

Metro

Delta Bloodbath: Ex-LG Chairman Sues Army For ₦2bn Over Wanted Declaration

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Editor

A former Caretaker Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Lucky Okodeh, has sued the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff, at a Federal High Court, Abuja, for wrongly publishing his face among those wanted in connection to the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama in Delta State.

Recall that on March 14, 2024, 17 officers of the Nigerian Army were murdered by unknown persons in Okuama in Delta State, causing the Defence Headquarters Abuja, to declare 8 persons wanted.

Though Okodeh’s name was not published, his photo was posted with a name which is not his, which he also said no member of his family or extended family bears.

Okodeh noted that this has cost him his political career as he had already been fronted as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, for the April 11, 2024, council elections, but after his face was published on a name that is not his, his party ( PDP) was forced to drop his name and substitute it with that of another candidate who is now enjoying the position and benefits of Chairman of Southern Ijaw.

Okodeh, on this note, asked the court to set aside the wanted declaration and award the sum of two billion naira as compensation for damages suffered over the action of the Defence Headquarters Abuja, which has affected his political career and also made him to go into hiding.

The aggrieved claimant also wants the court to put the matter to rest and cause the defendants to tender an apology which is to be published on both print and electronic media, so that he can have the freedom to live his normal life.

Although the matter was fixed for mention today, Monday, July 1, 2024, the case was fixed for another date as the court did not sit.

Counsel to the claimant, Femi Falana, and the counsel to the Nigerian Army, Mike Ebah, all made appearances in the court – only to be told that the presiding judge, Justice B.M. Nyako, was attending a conference and was not on seat, and both counsels agreed that the matter be shifted to October 17, 2024, for mention.

Other prayers sought in the suit are that the Federal High Court should restrain the first and second defendants (the Chief of Defence Staff, Armed Forces of Nigeria, and the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army) perpetually from arresting him or sending anyone on their behalf to carry out or enforce the directive; as the plaintiff is a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria who has never had any criminal record right from childhood.

Metro

Delta Court Sentences Two To Death For Murder, Robbery, Rape

Published

5 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Editor

A Delta State High Court sitting at Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state has sentenced two men, Mr Ojerbo Solomon and Mr Ola Babatunde, to death after eight years of trials.

The court, Presided over by Justice M.O. Omovie, convicted and sentenced the two men for murder, armed robbery, and rape.

The prosecution led by Mr E.H. Edema had, through its five witnesses, led evidence to show that on February 8, 2016, the two defendants, while armed with guns, cutlasses, and knives, broke into the house of the victims.

“In the course of the armed robbery, the defendants raped the victims and thereafter slit their throats.

“One of the victims, Mr Praise Sunday, survived the attack, but his mother and Sister died from the attack.

“After committing the attack, the two defendants escaped on the victim’s motorcycle to Ewohimi in Edo State, from where they were later apprehended by the police,” he said.

In the course of the trial, the two Defendants gave evidence in their defence and denied the allegation in their testimony but called no witnesses.

Justice Omovie in his judgement stated that after carefully evaluating the evidence presented at the trial, he came to the conclusion that the prosecution had proved the case against the two defendants beyond reasonable doubt, and accordingly convicted both defendants as charged.

Justice Omovie said, “The two Defendants hereby sentenced to death by hanging.”