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Maintain democratic values that promote security, peace —Maj-Gen Onoja
Maintain democratic values that promote security, peace —Maj-Gen Onoja
By: Our Reporter
Retired Maj.-Gen. Lawrence Onoja, a former military administrator of Plateau and Katsina states, has urged Nigeria to uphold democratic values that would ensure the nation’s security and peacekeeping efforts.
Onoja made the call in his keynote delivered at a National Peacebuilding Conference with theme “Electoral process, governance, democracy, security and conflict resolution in 2023 general elections” in Abuja on Tuesday.
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Jabi and the Institute for Crisis Resolution, Peace building and Conciliation (ICRCP) collaborated to organise the conference.
Onoja urged the political leaders of the nation to support honest and open elections that ensure citizens’ participation in the administration of their own concerns.
“Internationally, democracy is a license for gaining access to international diplomacy, finance, trade, investment, sports, entertainment, tourism, humanitarianism, defense and security.
“As countries rush to obtain this tagging of been democratic, Nigeria should distinguish its brand of democracy with adherence to critical principles of democracy that include rule of law, justice.
“Respect for human rights, provision of welfare, and human security for the citizens, transparency and accountability, open government, citizens participation and inclusiveness.
“It is imperative therefore, that political leaders encourage, imbibe, accept and celebrate transparent, credible and open electoral process as a fundamental national security commitment and minimum benchmarking, guaranteeing the equal participation of Nigerians in the governance of their affairs, “ Onoja said.
He added that the usage of courts in dispute resolution was due to the lack of democratic governance of the commonwealth and privileges. He emphasised how important and fundamental the electoral process was to democracy, governance, security, and conflict resolution.
Onoja continued by saying that it was critical for the relevant state institutions to start operating efficiently as Nigerians continue to fight for an effective government that would ensure their access to food security, health security, community security, economic security, political security, environmental security, and personal security.
Given the numerous threats to peace, security, and development that the country was facing on the eve of the election, the retired major general said that the general election in 2023 would be a turning point for Nigeria. He commended President Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party for choosing the path of peace.
However, he urged the judiciary to be resolute and diligent in carrying out its duties in the cases that were before it based on the evidence in order to increase residents’ confidence in the government and win their support for fighting the nation’s common adversaries together.
In his remarks, the ICRPC Register-General, Dr Abdulwaheed Odewale described the conference as a vibrant platform for diverse voices towards a more peaceful and democratic society where the ballot prevails over the bullet.
Odewale said that the knowledge shared and experiences exchanged during the conference would undoubtedly shape the policies and practices that would guide the future of Nigeria.
Odewale urged participants of the conference to carry the spirit of unity, resilience, and determination, as well applied knowledge gained at the event to be catalysts for positive change and better approaches to elections in Nigeria.
Maintain democratic values that promote security, peace —Maj-Gen Onoja
Troops respond to isolated killing in Plateau, victim buried by family
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have responded to an isolated killing incident in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on April 3 along the JOL–Tanjol village road, following reports of an attack on a Hausa youths by suspected hoodlums.
The sources explained that troops of Sector 6, stationed at Dokku, immediately moved to the scene upon receiving the information.
According to the sources, the corpse of the victim was discovered to have already been evacuated by family members for burial before the arrival of the troops.
They added that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest the assailants, while security surveillance has been intensified in the area to prevent further incidents.
Zagazola report that despite efforts of security agencies to restore normalcy in Plateau there have been reports of silents killings orchestrated by the youths in Plateau against other ethnic communities.
Troops respond to isolated killing in Plateau, victim buried by family
Troops neutralise suspected armed robber in Kaduna, recover weapons
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops have neutralised a suspected armed robber and recovered weapons during a clearance operation in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out in the early hours of Saturday following a distress call from a motorist over the activities of armed robbers along the Mallagum–Kagoro–Kaura checkpoint axis.
According to the sources, troops swiftly mobilised and conducted a route clearance operation, during which they made contact with the suspects and engaged them with superior firepower.
“During the engagement, one of the armed robbers was neutralised, while others fled into nearby bushes with suspected gunshot wounds,” the source said.
He added that troops subsequently exploited the area and recovered one locally fabricated gun, a cutlass and a knife, among other items.
The source further disclosed that the troops expended six rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the encounter.
Efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects, while normalcy has been restored along the affected route.
Troops neutralise suspected armed robber in Kaduna, recover weapons
News
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents kill Four Police Men after Midnight Attack at Gajiram Police division
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents kill Four Police Men after Midnight Attack at Gajiram Police division
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Four police men have been brutally killed in a near Friday midnight attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents at Gajiram about 55km from Maiduguri.
Reliable Hadin Kai theatre sources told this reporter that the insurgents were said to have entered Gajiram police division obviously looking for ammunition, killing the four police men they could trap in the general area.
Others said to have been on duty escaped into the savannah before they could get them the way they trapped those three who were hiding inside.
“Incidentally three of them name withheld for now were taking a nap inside the station when the criminals came and attacked and killed them.
“Sadly, one of the men was hiding inside the APC on hearing their gun shots but they used a machine gun to shoot at the tank through the window and burnt the thing to be sure that the fellow died and his body was charred to ashes.
” It is sad that the abandoned APC was not mobile which is why they burnt it if not they would have taken it with them to the bush where they would have been making use of it” Said the source.
As at the time of filing this report, the entire commanders of Police headquarters Maiduguri led by the Commissioner of Police Naziru Abdulmajid had moved to Nganze council area to salvage the remains of the fallen officers.
The men of the Nigerian police Force have always been a primary target for elimination from the inception of this lingering insurgency in the north East war theatre.
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents kill Four Police Men after Midnight Attack at Gajiram Police division
Troops respond to isolated killing in Plateau, victim buried by family
Troops neutralise suspected armed robber in Kaduna, recover weapons
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents kill Four Police Men after Midnight Attack at Gajiram Police division
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