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CISA Commends Military Actions against Economic Saboteurs, Vessels of Oil Thieves 

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CISA Commends Military Actions against Economic Saboteurs, Vessels of Oil Thieves 

By: Our Reporter

A Non-governmental Organisation, Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness (CISA) has commended the drastic measures taken by the Nigerian military in curtailing the excesses of pipeline vandals, sea pirates and other economic saboteurs.

The group also decried call for sack of Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, by some interest groups over the burning of ship caught engaging in oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Recalled that last week, the military high command ordered the destruction of an illegal oil bunkering vessel arrested for oil theft at the creeks of Niger Delta area.

The arrest of the vessel came at a time when Nigerians were still smarting from the discovery of illegal oil pipelines with which crude oil are being siphoned and stolen by yet to be identified persons.

The illegal vessel which was caught in the act was promptly set ablaze by the military to send a strong message to perpetrators of such act of national sabotage.

According to the CDS, the instrument of operation was caught and destroyed as a way of showing the resolve of the military in tackling the debilitating crime of oil theft.

Meanwhile, in a statement signed by its National Co-ordinator, Chidi Omeje and Secretary, Olasunkanmi Ogunbodede titled “Inciting Anti-Military Sentiments not in National Interest and the Siluccesses Recorded against Insecurity and Banditry,” 

CISA condemned in the strongest terms, the ill-advised efforts by some persons and interest group to stir up anti-military sentiment using the reported burning of a vessel caught engaging in oil theft as rallying point.

The group noted that the same persons were also orchestrating spirited campaigns of calumny against the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, whom they are calling for his sack over his attempt to clarify the action of the military.

CISA observed that the decisive action and effort by Gen Irabor to defend it that elicited the call for his sack.

Also Read: https://dailypost.ng/2022/10/12/19-iswap-terrorists-killed-as-troops-repel-boko-haram-attack-in-gamboru/

The statements reads: “Even as CISA understands the niceties of legalism, it believes that an obvious attack on the economic livewire of the country demands the urgency of action that will send strong warning to economic saboteurs. We believe that contrary to the claims by those canvassing the anti-military sentiment, the decision to promptly destroy the rogue vessel is borne out of the exigency of the time.

“Ironically, the arrow-head of the clamor for the sack of the CDS are those who usually hide under legal technicalities to delay or pervert justice which in many occasions have worked against the national security imperatives. Cases abound where such illegal vessels caught in action are eventually released after unending legal tussle.

“We believe that oil theft is an open war against the Nigerian nation and the military is right in handling the case with the dispatch it requires. Let us not pander to economic saboteurs all in the name of activism. If we insist on legalism against expediency, how come no dust is raised when the Federal Government engaged a non-state actor to help stop oil theft. Is it constitutional? What is constitutional is that our maritime assets would be protected by the Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Navy.

Our contention, therefore, is that in some special cases like the caught illegal oil bunkering vessel, expedient action needed to be taken in order to radically address the situation and send the right message as is also being done in the North East and North West of Nigeria.

“For CISA, the time we are in call for decisive actions with dispatch and not gerrymandering in matters of grave national security interest. We can cite example of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) which from time to time, destroys seized narcotics in their custody. The idea is to send the right message of non-tolerance of the crime.

CISA therefore call on Nigerians to be mindful of the antics of conflict merchants and agent provocateurs who are simply on a self-serving interest but are masquerading as patriots. It is certainly not in our national interest to call for the sack of the Chief of Defence Staff for taking a bold step in the fight against oil theft.

“The mood of the nation does not call for further heating up of the polity. Let reason prevail,” it concluded.

CISA Commends Military Actions against Economic Saboteurs, Vessels of Oil Thieves 

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Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau

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Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Four Nigerian soldiers have sustained injuries in a vehicle accident on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State.

The accident occurred on Thursday while the troops were moving across the mountainous terrain of the area, Zagazola reports.

The Emir of Mambilla, Dr. Shehu Audu Baju, was said to have personally joined in the rescue operation to ensure that the soldiers received prompt assistance.

Following the rescue, the injured personnel were evacuated to the 20 Battalion Barracks in Serti for urgent medical care.

Community members and traditional leaders in the area have expressed sympathy and prayed for the speedy recovery of the soldiers, while also calling for the safety of other security operatives on duty.

Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau

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UKNIAF, NGF Advance Electricity Reform with Nationwide Workshop Series

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UKNIAF, NGF Advance Electricity Reform with Nationwide Workshop Series

By: Michael Mike

The United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), in partnership with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) have wrapped up a major national initiative to support State-led electricity market reforms.

The State Learning Workshop Series focused on Electricity Market Development, Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) and energy modelling software.

Workshops in Lagos, Calabar, Kano and Jos have been successfully completed, drawing participants from all the 36 States and the FCT and setting a strong precedent for what lies ahead.

These sessions equipped policymakers, regulators and stakeholders with the tools to design robust, sustainable and investor-ready electricity markets at the State level, in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023.

Reflecting on the significance of this initiative, the Director-Legal/Head Power Desk at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Mr. Chijioke Chuku,, stated that: “Nigeria’s electricity future depends on the capacity of our States to lead with vision, clarity, and technical precision. Through the workshop series, we are equipping States not just with knowledge, but with the confidence to take charge of their electricity markets. The NGF is proud to partner with UKNIAF in ensuring that the promise of the Electricity Act 2023 becomes a lived reality across the country.”

The sessions in the State Learning Workshops covered: The legal and regulatory pathways for setting up State Electricity Markets; Commercial models for private sector investment; Integration of State plans into Nigeria’s National IRP;

Practical training on the software platform for energy modelling.

The initiative drew from lessons learned in the course of UKNIAF’s work supporting the Akwa Ibom, Enugu, and Oyo State Governments—early movers in electricity market development—in setting up their markets.

It also drew from experience gained in the course of UKNIAF providing technical support to the Federal Ministry of Power in drafting both the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Nigeria’s first National Integrated Resource Plan, both of which were approved very recently.

With States now empowered by the Electricity Act 2023, this series is a timely and strategic effort to ensure capacity, coordination, and sustainability in Nigeria’s decentralised energy landscape.

UKNIAF, NGF Advance Electricity Reform with Nationwide Workshop Series

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Three killed, others injured in bandits’ attack on Zamfara community

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Three killed, others injured in bandits’ attack on Zamfara community

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have killed three persons and injured three others in an attack on Galadi town, Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara.

Sources confirmed the incident saying the attack occurred at about 10:50 p.m. on Aug. 27.

The sources said the bandits stormed the town, shooting sporadically, which resulted in the deaths and injuries.

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA were mobilised to the scene. The corpses and injured victims were evacuated to Galadi Primary Health Care Centre for autopsy and treatment.

Meanwhile, a manhunt for the fleeing culprits has been intensified, as the bandits escaped before the arrival of the joint forces,” the sources said.

Three killed, others injured in bandits’ attack on Zamfara community

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