National News
AS 2024 AFRICAN MILITARY GAMES CLOSE: President Tinubu Vows To Root Out Insecurity In Nigeria, Stabilise ECOWAS
AS 2024 AFRICAN MILITARY GAMES CLOSE: President Tinubu Vows To Root Out Insecurity In Nigeria, Stabilise ECOWAS
*** Says camaraderie spirit crucial to enhance cooperation among militaries across Africa
By: Our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again restated his administration’s unflinching determination to root out all forms of security threats and violent crimes in Nigeria.
He also reiterated his resolve to stabilise the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and contribute immensely to peace in Africa in his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
The President made the vow on Saturday during a colourful ceremony to mark the closing of the African Military Games 2024 in Abuja.
President Tinubu who was represented at the event by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted that he intends to accomplish all these by strengthening ties across African countries to promote a profound sense of camaraderie among troops on the continent.
He declared: “Let me use this opportunity to declare the resolve and unflinching commitment of my administration to rid the nation of security threats and violent crimes. Moreover, as the ECOWAS Chairman, I want to emphasize my determination to stabilize the sub-region and indeed the entire African continent to ensure its prosperity.
“To accomplish this vision, I consider strengthening ties across African countries to foster a deep sense of camaraderie among our troops as a priority.”
The President observed that the 2nd edition of the Africa Military Games could not have come at a better time, two decades after the last edition was held, noting that it is “in the spirit of boosting this collaborative framework for combating the rising spate of insecurity across the continent.”
He expressed firm belief that the military sports event will go a long way in awakening “the spirit of comradeship and friendship that is crucial to enhance cooperation among” militaries across the African continent.
Underscoring the significance of the event, President Tinubu pointed out that “Armed Forces constantly require fit personnel thereby underscoring the need for military personnel to always engage in sporting activities.
“As such, it is common knowledge that men and women of our Armed Forces must keep fit to ensure optimal physical, mental and emotional well-being to cope with the dynamics of our rapidly evolving volatile, uncertain and complex environment,” he added.
The Nigerian leader further applauded the vision of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the President of OSMA, Major General M Abdullahi, for recording yet another feat with this milestone achievement.”
Declaring the Africa Military Games Abuja 2024 closed, President Tinubu congratulated delegates from participating countries across Africa for their good conduct and display of the spirit of sportsmanship.
“Given the professionalism you all displayed from the start to finish of this Games, you gentlemen and ladies are indeed not only military personnel but also great sportsmen and women. I am aware that the various games were conducted without any obvious hitches. This is indeed an achievement which we all as Africans ought to be proud of,” he stated.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, while commending participants at the Africa Military Games, Abuja said it “was with immense pride and gratitude and on behalf of the Nigerian Armed Forces that we celebrate what has been truly inspiring and a unifying event.”
Congratulating the teams that took part in the competition, Gen. Musa noted that “while awards and trophies represent the pinnacle of achievement, irrespective of the ranking and position, everyone is a winner.”
He said that the courage, skills and sportsmanship exhibited in the field, tracks and courts have been inspiring, proving that victory is not just about crossing the finish line first but about embodying the values of unity and resilience.
“Over the past several days, the national stadium in Abuja has been the hub of canvassing for excellence and sportsmanship under the theme of enhancing military cooperation in Africa through sports,” General Musa stated.
He said, “We have noticed how sport can bridge boundaries, foster friendship and strengthen bonds among the armed forces of Africa.”
Also in his farewell address, the President of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), Maj. Gen. Maikano Abdullahi also noted that it was a pride and honour to congratulate the armed forces sportsmen and women as the event ended.
He extended appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed
Forces, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike and a host of others who made the event a success.
He said the wonderful achievements and milestones in sports underscore the cooperation and unity among the military armed forces in Africa.
General Abdullahi noted that the game is not only a platform for competition but also a celebration of shared value and unity, saying, “We have seen athletes from different countries, transcending borders and differences but unite for a common purpose to honour our nation and ideals that we stand for in the African armed forces.”
According to him, the teams have represented their different countries with pride signifying the testimonies of hard work, discipline, team spirit and cooperation, adding that this will resonate far beyond the Abuja game events.
Team Nigeria emerged the overall winner of the AMGA- 2024 with 114 gold medals, 65 silver and 55 bronze totalling 234 medals while Algeria took 2nd position with a total of 96 medals and Kenya 3rd position with 50 medals.
AS 2024 AFRICAN MILITARY GAMES CLOSE: President Tinubu Vows To Root Out Insecurity In Nigeria, Stabilise ECOWAS
National News
Lukurawa extremist Attack Police Checkpoint in Kebbi, killed 2 policemen
Lukurawa extremist Attack Police Checkpoint in Kebbi, killed 2 policemen
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected extremists, believed to be members of Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), otherwise known as LUKURAWA have attacked a police checkpoint at Garin Natshini Gada in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State in the early hours of Jan. 3, resulting in the death of two police officers.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the attackers, reportedly on motorbikes, overran the Nigeria Police Force personnel stationed at the checkpoint, seizing two AK-47 rifles and other items.
They also rustled a significant number of cattle during the assault. A police patrol vehicle was abandoned at the scene.
Troops from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Argungu, in collaboration with elements from Augie, responded swiftly by conducting clearance patrols to the affected area, approximately 10 kilometers from Argungu town. Upon arrival, they discovered that the extremists had already vacated the scene.
According to local sources interviewed by the troops, the attackers retreated along identified withdrawal routes. The military has since dominated the area and initiated an exploitation operation to pursue the assailants.
The bodies of the fallen police officers have been evacuated to the morgue while efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen cattle are ongoing as security forces intensify their operations to restore normalcy in the region.
Lukurawa extremist Attack Police Checkpoint in Kebbi, killed 2 policemen
National News
NYSC DG tasks Corps members on national unity, development
NYSC DG tasks Corps members on national unity, development
By, Jamilu Abubakar
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed has tasked Corps members on the collective resolve to sustain vigorous implementation of the scheme’s mandate of fostering national unity, integration and development of Nigeria.
Ahmed stated this in his 2025 New Year message to the Corps members and staff, in a statement by the acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu.
The statement further reminded the corps members of the pivotal role of the Scheme in the unity and development of the nation and urged all the serving Corps members to step up more efforts for noble assignments ahead in 2025.
He said: “I want to use this medium to sincerely appreciate your resilience and dogged commitment to duty at your various locations, which culminated in the unprecedented successes we recorded in the year 2024.” The statement said
The statement further added that the scheme was indeed looking ahead, full of optimism that this year will record even greater achievements in our quest to extend the frontiers of development in all the critical sectors of our national economy.
It urged all to step up more efforts for noble assignments ahead, in the collective resolve to sustain vigorous implementation of the Scheme’s mandate of fostering national unity, integration and development of Nigeria, our nation.
“May I also reiterate my commitment to engage relevant stakeholders to increasingly make facilities available, and opportunities for Corps empowerment under the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED).
“I also enjoin all Corps Members to actively participate and maximally utilise them for self-development,” he stated.
The DG equally used the medium to appreciate all the collaborating agencies and stakeholders for their invaluable support and assured them of increased opportunities for more engagements in the New Year.
“Management would continue to improve on our statutory responsibilities to Nigerians by ensuring that NYSC consolidates on its laudable achievements as we look forward to a rewarding and prosperous year 2025,” Ahmed said.
NYSC DG tasks Corps members on national unity, development
National News
BORNO COMMUNITY PETITIONS POLICE OVER THE RELEASE OF A MURDER SUSPECT BY THE DPO
BORNO COMMUNITY PETITIONS POLICE OVER THE RELEASE OF A MURDER SUSPECT BY THE DPO
By: Our Correspondent.
The Marama community in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State has petitioned the Commissioner of Police in the state over the release of a murder suspect.
The petition which was written under the auspices of MARAMA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, and obtained by our correspondent, stated that “on the 17th of December, 2024, a security man, (Henry Musa), attached to the Government Secondary School Marama was attacked and fatally wounded by one James Musa in public glare”.
‘The victim,’ according to the petition, was rushed to the General Hospital, Biu, while the culprit was arrested and detained at the Divissional Police Headquaters in Azare Hawul Local Government Area.”
Signed by Mdahyelya Buba Yirngau and Samuel Bwala, Secretary and Chairman of the association, a few days after the attack, community members noticed the culprit moving around freely in the town, while the victim was struggling for survival on the hospital bed,”
They called the command headquaters’ attention to the development according to them because the victim eventually died on the 26th of December, 2024, while the James Musa, the suspect has been re-arrested, but they have reservations about the action of the DPO in Hawul, on the matter, since he has released him before without charges, when he was first arrested.
The community made an appeal to the police authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the release of the suspect, and seeks that the suspect be charged appropriately since the act was undeniable.
While affirming that they community is conscious of the gravity of murder, and covering up this one by the Hawul DPO, for whatever reasons, is a great miscarriage of justice to the victim and the community.
When contacted, the DPO, Habila Lemak CSP, c9nfirmed the development, but claimed that he released the suspect after five days because he refused to eat and that the victim was not dead at that time.
He explained that he is making efforts to transfer the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, in Maiduguri.
Investigations by our correspondent reveal that the community has forwarded their complaints to the Public Complaints Commission, PCC, in the event that attempts are made by the police to sweep the matter under the carpet.
BORNO COMMUNITY PETITIONS POLICE OVER THE RELEASE OF A MURDER SUSPECT BY THE DPO
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