Metro

Nigerian Army Deploys 177 Personnel To Guinea-Bissau For Peacekeeping

Published

3 days ago

June 26, 2024

Editor

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

Police Arrest 25-year-old Armed Robber, Recover Ammunition In Lagos

Published

2 hours ago

June 29, 2024

Editor

Police in Lagos State have arrested a 25-year-old man, Toibu Hassan, for alleged possession of a pistol.

Police spokesperson in the state, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest in a post he shared on his X handle @benHundeyin on Saturday.

He said that the suspect was arrested on Saturday at the Agege area of the state.

“Today, at 6: 00 a.m., under the Agege Pen-Cinema bridge, Toibu Hassan, aged 25, was arrested by officers from Elere Division.

“When searched, one locally made pistol and one expended cartridge were recovered, ” the spokesperson said.

According to the image maker, investigation is ongoing.

Metro

One Dies In Third Mainland Bridge Accident

Published

2 hours ago

June 29, 2024

Editor

One person was confirmed dead in an accident that occurred on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos on Saturday morning.

The fatal accident involved a Mini Truck (MUS 489 XS) and a Toyota Camry (KRD 470 JD).

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the accident was caused by excessive speeding during a heavy downpour this morning,” the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said in a statement.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, in the statement signed by Mr Adebayo Taofiq, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, said that three others were rescued at the accident scene.

He said that operatives of LASTMA responded swiftly to the accident, which occured near the Unilag waterfront, heading towards the Iyana-Oworonsoki area of Lagos.

Giwa said that despite the government’s ongoing campaign to educate motorists about speed limits, drivers continued to flout the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.

He urged both commercial bus drivers and private car owners to avoid exceeding speed limits on the Third Mainland Bridge and other roads throughout the state.

Giwa said that the deceased was promptly removed by State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) officials, while LASTMA cleared the accident vehicles to ensure smooth traffic flow on the bridge.

He extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and emphasised the importance of road safety.

Metro

Troops Arrest 47 Rail Track Vandals, Intercept Vandalised Irons In Kaduna

Published

5 hours ago

June 29, 2024

Editor

Troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army Kaduna while on routine patrol along Kakau Daji- Anguwan Ayaba in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, intercepted and arrested 47 suspected rail track vandals on 26 June 2024.

The suspects, who were said to have loaded two trucks with the vandalised rail tracks before their arrests, revealed that they were employed by one Alhaji Babawo who is at large, to load the vandalized rail tracks and off- load same in a nearby bush along the road.

Parading the suspects during profiling at 312 Artillery Regiment Kaduna, the Acting Commander 1 Division Provost Group, Lt Col IY Rena stated that the suspects who are 47 in number were profiled to ascertain their level of involvement during preliminary investigation.

He further stated that the suspects were also individually interviewed and cross-examined while efforts are in place to arrest the gang leader who is currently at large.

Lt Col Rena revealed that, on visit to the crime scene, some of the vandalized rail tracks were found concealed in the nearby bush waiting to be evacuated by the criminal syndicates

While handing over the suspects to the Authorities of Nigeria Railway Corporation Kaduna Station represented by the Divisional Crime Officer, Lt Col Rena urged the relevant security agencies to make adequate arrangements and deliberate efforts to secure the rail tracks from further vandalization.

In his remarks during the handing over of the suspects, the representative of the Nigeria Railway Corporation and Divisional Crime Officer, ASP Inuwa Dahiru commended the troops of the Nigerian Army for their proactiveness and collaboration with other security agencies in tackling the mirage of security challenges confronting the State.

He assured the Nigerian Army that all the 47 suspects would be thoroughly investigated before they are charged to court to serve as a deterrence to other criminally minded persons.

Meanwhile, the Spokesman of 1 Division, Lt. Colonel Musa Yahaya said, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation Whirl Punch, Maj Gen MLD Saraso commended the troops for their professional conduct during and after the successful arrest of the suspects.

He has also charged the troops to remain resilient and focused in order to bring all criminal elements in the Division’s Operational Area of Responsibility to their knees.
NATION