National News
General Irabor calls for institutionalize synergy among Nigerian Military
General Irabor calls for institutionalize synergy among Nigerian Military
By: James Bwala, Abuja
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor has called on the Nigerian Military to institutionalize synergy in order to promote and sustain the ideals of joint operation exercises in the country.
The CDS gave the charge on Monday while declaring open the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) maiden Joint Operations Planning Exercise (JOPEX) codenamed Exercise Sky Lock 2021 for participants drawn from the 3 War Colleges holding at Army War College, Abuja.
A statement from WAP MAIGIDA, Air Commodore and Deputy Director Defence Information said, the CDS enjoined the war colleges to sustain the ideals of joint operations planning exercises, by institutionalizing synergy, as evident in joint planning, training and collective effort in security operations.
Gen Irabor said, “Exercise Sky Lock 2021 marks the beginning of an enduring tradition in the Services War Colleges that would entrench the culture of joint planning in military operational leadership level, which is a vital tool in tackling the multifarious contemporary security challenges and future military operations.”
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He described the war colleges as laboratories and incubation centres for the production of military operational level plans, measurement of performance and effectiveness towards subsisting and reviewing of plans for enhanced effectiveness.
The Defence Chief maintained that the participants will gain requisite knowledge, skills and capacity, particularly in areas of operational art to enhance their professional judgment in a joint operations environment.
The Commandant, Army War College Nigeria (AWCN), Major General Solomon Udounwa, in his welcome address, expressed gratitude to the CDS and Service Chiefs for their commitment in actualisation of the exercise, after several previous attempts in the past 4 years.
Maj Gen Udounwa said, “realisation of the Joint Operations Planning Exercise 2021 underscores the CDS efforts to promote jointness in the Armed Forces and other security agencies.”
The Commandant further disclosed that the primary mandate of the Services War Colleges is to build as well as develop capacity and basic skills of military operational leaders in management of war and employment of military power across different domains and operational environments.
According to him, nearly five years since inception, the colleges’ alumni are contributing significantly to the ongoing military efforts in addressing insecurity in the nation.
He added that the Colleges could benefit more through deliberate efforts to promote joint academic activities. He posited that the conduct of JOPEX would foster further understanding and collaboration among the colleges while enhancing cooperation and camaraderie in the Armed Forces.
Prominent among the series of activities lined-up for Exercise Sky Lock 2021 would include planning and execution phases.
The week-long exercise is expected to bring out significant takeaways, including need for continuous situation awareness by operational Commanders, proactiveness and reactiveness to incidences and synchronisation of response and efforts of all stakeholders.
Others are; the need for critical thinking geared towards effective planning and preparation, joint and inter-agencies cooperation with other security agencies as well as the importance of detailed, effective and realistic logistic planning.
General Irabor calls for institutionalize synergy among Nigerian Military
National News
Three chinese crew members rescued in Nigeria after pirate attack on fishing vessel in ghanaian waters
Three chinese crew members rescued in Nigeria after pirate attack on fishing vessel in ghanaian waters
By: Zagazola Makama
Three Chinese crew members who were abducted by pirates during an attack on a Ghanaian fishing vessel, MV Menhin-1, have been rescued in Nigeria, the Ghana Police Service has said.
At a press briefing held on Tuesday at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra, The Director-General of the CID, COP, Lydia Yaako Donkor, said pirates, armed with AK-47 rifles, attacked the vessel on March 27, 2025, at about 1930 hours off Yenyano Waters near Tema, using outboard motor powered wooden canoes.
The attackers destroyed the vessel’s communication system before taking three Chinese crew members hostage, the police said.
The Marine Police Command in Tema received the complaint from the fishing company the following morning, on March 28, and immediately launched an investigation in collaboration with the Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, National Investigation Bureau, the Ghana Navy, and the Fisheries Observer.
According to the police, the pirates blindfolded the victims and transported them in speedboats for 24 hours to a marshy area later identified as the Delta region of Nigeria. From there, they were moved on motorcycles and taken on foot to a makeshift camp where they were held at gunpoint until April 25, when they were suddenly abandoned.
The victims managed to reach a nearby village where locals assisted them to make contact with the Chinese embassy in Lagos, Nigeria. The embassy confirmed the rescue on April 26 and handed them over to Ghanaian authorities at the Kotoka International Airport on April 27.
A debriefing was conducted at the Police Headquarters in Accra on April 28. While there were no visible signs of physical harm, the victims appeared traumatised and requested medical attention.
The Inspector General of Police engaged with the victims and expressed sympathy and support for their ordeal.
So far, the police have arrested eight individuals in connection with the case. Those arrested include Sueva Victor, Kojo Akweli, Eugene Chibuke, Mwonam, Chinese cook Zhao Lang Hao, and second engineer Zhao Hua. They have been arraigned before the Tema District Court as investigations continue.
Police commended all stakeholders involved in the multi-agency operation for their swift action and coordination that led to the rescue of the kidnapped crew members.
Three chinese crew members rescued in Nigeria after pirate attack on fishing vessel in ghanaian waters
Protesters demand release of social media influencer in abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
A group of protesters on Monday staged a peaceful demonstration in Abuja demanding the release of social media influencer, Mr Vincent Martins Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman (VDM), who was arrested on May 2 by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It was gathered that the protest began around 9 a.m. at the GTBank branch located at Plot 1072 J.S. Tarka Street, off Faskari Street, Area 3 Garki, where VDM was arrested alongside one other individual.
The protest was sparked by public outcry on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, following the arrest.
Three men wearing T-shirts with the inscription ‘Free VDM’ were first seen at the bank premises before regrouping with over 100 individuals
The protesters, carrying placards with various inscriptions, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the influencer.
Police operatives from the Command’s State Intelligence Department (SID) and patrol teams were promptly deployed to the scene to ensure law and order.
The crowd was peacefully dispersed from the bank premises and proceeded to the EFCC Headquarters in continuation of their demonstration, reiterating their demands before moving on to Dantata Bridge along Airport Road, where they finally dispersed.
Police sources said “No untoward incident was recorded during the protest. The situation is under close monitoring,” the police added.
Police sources further assured that the deployment of anti-riot units to flashpoints, strategic locations, and government infrastructure within the FCT remains intact.
Protesters demand release of social media influencer in abuja
National News
VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent Nigeria At Inauguration Of Gabon’s President-elect
VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent Nigeria At Inauguration Of Gabon’s President-elect
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Libreville, Gabon, to represent Nigeria at the inauguration of the country’s President-elect, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
The Vice President left on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Oligui Nguema, who had served as Gabon’s interim leader since August 2023, secured a decisive victory in the country’s April 12 presidential election.
Nigeria remains supportive of the peaceful democratic transition in Gabon and reaffirms the government’s broader strategic interest in promoting democratic governance and regional stability in Central Africa.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria after the inauguration.
VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent Nigeria At Inauguration Of Gabon’s President-elect
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Nigerian kidnappers posing as white lovers lure, abduct Ghanaian women in Port Harcourt
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