News
NDA 29th Regular Combatant Course Reunites in Maiduguri, Reaffirms Commitment to Nation-Building
NDA 29th Regular Combatant Course Reunites in Maiduguri, Reaffirms Commitment to Nation-Building
…as Buratai Lauds President Tinubu’s Increased Support in Counterinsurgency Operations
By Lawrence Audu
Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, played host to the 29th Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy NDA as they gathered for their 2024 Annual General Meeting. The event was a celebration of their rich heritage and a reunion of old colleagues.
The evening was filled with cultural dances, jokes, and sumptuous meals, creating a relaxing atmosphere for the members.
Former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, commended the federal government for the support in the war against insurgency.
“Nine years ago, we would never have had the opportunity to gather like this here in Borno and in Maiduguri in particular. Once it is 2 o’clock as someone said, everyone goes inside and remains there till the following morning probably nine or ten. The restrictions were heavy, the atmosphere was charged with so much insecurity. But today, to the Glory of Almighty God, we are thankful to God for the sustained counterinsurgency operations leading to the sustainable security being achieved and being experienced today in the Northeast,” he said.
“We must appreciate the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the increased support to the Armed Forces to prosecute the counterinsurgency operations against Boko Haram and its subsequent version of ISWAP.”
Buratai also praised the members for their support during his tenure as Army Chief. “You have been wonderful for over forty years precisely 44 years when we met together for the first time 3rd January 1981 and we have maintained that relationship. I want to thank you for your support to me in particular.
“You stood by me when I was Chief of Army Staff in a very difficult period, the time of the Boko Haram rampage and it was a period that was volatile, uncertain, complex and of course ambiguous environment and times as well. The environments were charged with so much opposition and mischief that is within the sociopolitical environment and within the geographical environment of the northeast also was tensed with the various attacks that have been going on in this area but you stood by me and supported me and together, we succeeded.” He adds.
Commodore MB Teidi (Retd), President of the Association, reflected on the journey that began over four decades ago. “Let me take a moment to reflect on the journey that has brought us to this moment. The history of NDA 29th Regular Course started on 3rd January 1981 when 155 young men reported for military training at the Nigerian Defence Academy. Most of us received the Presidential Commission and thereafter were posted to various services in the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force to pursue their Military career, while some opted out of the training to pursue their next best destined options.
“The inaugural meeting of this association was initiated by Major TY Buratai when most of the members were on Staff Course at the Command and Staff College Jaji. It was not until 2014 after the burial of one of our course mates, that the idea of a formal body with a constitution was muted. Since then the association has enjoyed consistent yearly meetings in line with its constitution.”
The event brought together former colleagues from across the services and the business community, including serving military personnel such as Major General Wahidi Shuaibu, Theater Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, and the Air Component Commander.
The reunion demonstrated the strong bonds and camaraderie forged during their military careers. As they reminisced about their past experiences, they celebrated their achievements and the progress made in the fight against insurgency.
The 29th Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy is no doubt, a shining example of the power of friendship and service to the nation. As they look to the future, they continue to stand together, committed to their objectives and to the development of the nation.
NDA 29th Regular Combatant Course Reunites in Maiduguri, Reaffirms Commitment to Nation-Building
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation MESA have arrested 58 suspected illegal miners at an illegal gold mining site in Ososo general area, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
A security source disclosed that the suspects were apprehended at about 1:00 p.m. on March 28 during a fighting patrol conducted by troops of 195 Battalion (Rear).
According to the source, the troops stormed the mining site and arrested the suspects without resistance.
“The suspects are currently in troops’ custody for further action,” the source said.
He noted that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining activities and other criminal enterprises within Edo State and its environs.
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
Army troops arrest two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers in borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with operatives of the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre (JIFC), have arrested two suspected logistics suppliers to Boko Haram terrorists in Gubio town, Borno State.
A military source disclosed that the suspects, identified as Mal Bunu Gojemi and Zanna Alhaji Mallam, were apprehended at about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday during a joint logistics strangulation operation conducted by troops in the area.
According to the source, the suspects confessed during preliminary interrogation to being long-time suppliers of logistics to the Boko Haram.
Items recovered from them include three mobile phones, a traditional cap, and the sum of N40,000.
“The suspects have since been handed over to operatives of the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre for further investigation,” the source said.
He added that the operation was carried out without any incident.
The Nigerian Army and other security agencies have continued to intensify operations aimed at cutting off logistics supply chains to insurgents as part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the North-East.
Army troops arrest two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers in borno
News
NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide
NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide
By: Zagazola Makama
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has intercepted a large consignment of cocaine concealed in imported dry stockfish heads and arrested a key member of an international drug trafficking syndicate operating across several countries, including India.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Babafemi said the seizure followed credible intelligence on trans-border criminal activities, which led to a coordinated sting operation by operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command at Ojo area of Lagos on March 19.
He said the operatives recovered 237 wraps of cocaine, weighing 5.80 kilograms, concealed inside stockfish heads locally known as “okporoko,” in three jumbo bags allegedly in possession of a 36-year-old suspect identified as Akputa Dickson Ejike.
According to him, the consignment was destined for Delhi, India.
Babafemi further stated that in a separate operation on March 25, NDLEA operatives at a courier company in Lagos intercepted two illicit consignments heading to the United Kingdom.
He said one of the consignments contained 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in automobile filters, while the second contained 40 ampoules of morphine sulphate and nine ampoules of fentanyl.
The NDLEA spokesperson added that operatives of the agency also arrested a suspected female drug baron, Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, 46, popularly known as “Iya Ghana,” during a raid at her residence in Yaba, Lagos, where 135 blocks of Ghana Loud, weighing 76.30 kilograms, were recovered.
He said another suspect, Anayo Lucky Ohabiro, 39, was arrested in Surulere, Lagos, with 78 blocks of the same substance weighing 41 kilograms.
Babafemi disclosed that in Ekiti State, an 80-year-old suspect, Oke Samuel, was arrested during a special raid at Erinmo road, Efon-Alaaye, with 2.2 kilograms of skunk and methamphetamine, while another suspect was arrested in Ondo State with 894.72 kilograms of skunk recovered from an uncompleted building.
He said further operations in Benue, Edo and Taraba States led to multiple seizures, including skunk, codeine-based syrup, and cannabis concealed in animal feed, with several suspects arrested.
Babafemi added that the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign also continued nationwide with sensitisation lectures in schools across Cross River, Adamawa, Oyo, Kano and Lagos States.
He commended NDLEA officers across the affected commands for the successful operations, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to balancing drug supply reduction with drug demand reduction efforts.
NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
Army troops arrest two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers in borno
NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide
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