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Security: NAF Inducts 117 Special Forces In Bauchi

Published

6 years ago

February 28, 2020

The Nigerian Airforce on Friday, February 28 inducted no fewer than 117 Special Forces (SF) as part of its efforts to boosting security in the country.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony and Commissioning of ‘Obstacle Course and Rappelling Tower’ at Commando village, NAF base, Bauchi, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the security challenges in the country necessitated the training of more personnel as special operations operatives.

Abubakar, who was represented by Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Grand Training Command, Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Idi Amin, said those operatives enable the force to achieve effects outside the perimeter and additional advantages to confront threats.

“As we all know, the contemporary security challenges we are currently witnessing, necessitated the training of more personnel as Special Operations operatives.

“These operatives enable us to achieve effects outside the perimeter thereby conferring upon us the necessary advantages to confront asymmetric threats,” he said

He said he had desired to transform the NAF into a highly professional force, through capacity building initiatives in response to security urgency in the country.

“I would like to note that since coming on board, I desired to transform the NAF into a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient and timely employment of airpower in response to our national security imperatives.

“One of the key drivers of this vision hinges on human capacity development for improved professional performance,” Abubakar said.

The Chief of Air Staff further appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for priority attention given to the force, adding that the support provided by the Federal Government had positively impacted on the Nigerian Airforce.

He assured the President of the NAF unalloyed loyalty and reiterated its commitment to continuing to supporting the Federal Government in its policy thrust of providing security, improved economy and fighting corruption in the country.

Air Vice Marshal Idi Amin, Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Grand Training Command, Headquarters representing the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar

Earlier speaking, Commandant, Regiment Training Centre Annex Bauchi, Wing Commander Kehinde Akinyosade, said, in line with the vision of the Chief of Air Staff, NAF has completed the construction of a 23-course obstacle and rappel tower for the training of special operatives in Bauchi.

He revealed that the course is aimed at equipping trainees with the necessary skills, tactics and procedures required to function effectively as operatives in a NAF Special Operation Force unit.

The commander also revealed that 275 personnel were initially nominated for the special forces screening, however, only 117 personnel comprising 7 officers and 110 airmen/airwomen were inaugurated.

He said 82 were reported to be medically unfit, 67 failed physical examination while nine voluntarily withdrew from the course.

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Police Arrests Principal Supplier Of Weapons To Bandits In Delta

Published

1 hour ago

October 25, 2025

Editor

The Special Assignment Team of the Delta state Police Command has arrested a key supplier of weapons to bandit groups in the northern part of Nigeria

The suspect, one Ahmed Ibrahim (31) male, resident of Ekpan in Uvwie local government area, has long been on the command’s watch list for his alleged role in several high-profile kidnapping and armed-robbery operations.

The Commands Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Bright Edafe, in a statement disclosed that acting on credible intelligence from the Force Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU), Abuja, operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson, arrested a female suspects, one Jamila Abubakar, at Conoil Filling Station, Warri–Patani Road, Effurun.

The statement revealed that upon her arrest, officers discovered the cash sum of ₦550,000 neatly concealed beneath her bag and suspected to be proceeds from illicit transactions.

According to DAILY POST her apprehension provided a crucial lead that set off a well-coordinated follow-up operation.

“Buildin on that intelligence, the operatives stormed Niger-Cat area of Warri, where they successfully arrested a notorious arms peddler, one Ahmed Ibrahim (31) male, resident of Ekpan in Uvwie Local Government Area, at about 0725 hrs on 22nd October 2025.

“A search led to the recovery of a bag containing one hundred and fifteen rounds 115 rounds of 7.63mm AK-47 live ammunition, 220 rounds of SMG rifle ammunition, and 32 live cartridges”.

Edafe further noted, that preliminary investigations revealed that, the suspect is a key supplier of weapons to bandit groups in the north and has long been on the Command’s watch list for his alleged role in several high-profile kidnapping and armed-robbery operations.

According to the statement, Ahmed Ibrahim, is also linked to the kidnap and murder of one Ogheneovo Onemu (female), who was abducted on May 27, 2024 at Edjekota community in Ughelli North LGA, and later murdered after a ransom payment of ₦4,000,000.

Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, described the breakthrough as another testament to the Command’s unwavering commitment to stemming the flow of illegal arms, dismantling criminal syndicates, and bringing offenders to justice.

The CP urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting the Police with timely and credible information to aid the fight against crime, assuring the public that the Command will sustain its momentum against criminal elements and remain resolute in protecting the lives and property of all law-abiding citizens.

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ABU Makes Clarifications On Alleged Production Of Nuclear Weapons

Published

2 hours ago

October 25, 2025

Editor

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has dismissed a viral social media video alleging that the institution was involved in developing nuclear weapons for Nigeria.

The university’s Director of Public Affairs, Auwalu Umar, made this clarifications in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Zaria.

Umar revealed the video is AI-generated and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public about Nigeria’s peaceful nuclear energy programme.

According to him, the video falsely claimed that Nigerian scientists in the 1980s secretly enriched weapons-grade uranium in Kaduna and that ABU researchers obtained centrifuge equipment from the AQ Khan network in Pakistan.

“The claim is baseless, unfounded, and unsubstantiated,” he said.

He explained that during the 1980s, most scientists at ABU’s Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) were still undergoing training abroad and therefore could not have been involved in any uranium enrichment activity.

Umar clarified that the university had no connection with the AQ Khan network and had never received any equipment for constructing a centrifuge or nuclear device.

He noted that by 1987, the only nuclear-related facility at the institution was a 14 MeV Neutron Generator, which became operational in 1988.

“Nigeria’s first nuclear reactor, NIRR-1, was established much later in 1996 under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Programme and commissioned in 2004,” he explained.

Umar stressed that Nigeria’s nuclear activities had always been open, transparent, and strictly for peaceful purposes in line with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Pelindaba Treaty, which both prohibit the development of nuclear weapons.

He reaffirmed that the Centre for Energy Research and Training, established in 1976, operates in collaboration with the IAEA and international partners from the United States, Russia, and China.

“The centre has never engaged in any secret weapons programme,” Umar emphasised, adding that ABU’s research focus remains on peaceful applications of nuclear science for national development.

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Obasanjo Holds Memorial Service For Late Wife, Stella, Says She Lived Serving Others

Published

2 hours ago

October 25, 2025

Editor

Twenty years after her passing, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, his family, aides, and acquaintances honoured his late wife and former First Lady, Mrs Stella Obasanjo, at a memorial service.

The memorial service was held on Saturday, at the Chapel of Christ King of Glory, located within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta Ogun State Capital.

Recall that Mrs Obasanjo passed away on October 23, 2005, at the age of 59, after an unsuccessful elective liposuction treatment and stomach tuck in Spain. The procedure was planned to coincide with her 60th birthday.

During a brief interview following the service, Obasanjo stated, “We are here to celebrate a life of service.”

DAILY POST reports that the event had in attendance Stella’s son Muyiwa, former Ogun State Governors, Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, among other notable dignitaries.

In his testimony during the church service, John Abebe, Stella’s younger brother, testified that the former first lady would be remembered for her contagious smile, which he claimed always warmed people’s hearts.

He said “Sister Stella was somebody you just couldn’t get angry with because she would always smile through everything, every difficulty.”

Similarly her only child, Muyiwa, described her as one who was strict and would never tolerate any nonsense.

“She was caring and protective. As an only child. most people understand that, but also strict and would not tolerate any deviation from you. So, I have kept that in mind, and I have continued to try to live my life that way.”

Speaking with newsmen, Daniel and Amosun praised Stella’s candour, saying she lived an exemplary life .