Borno Gov’t Bids Farewell to Departing DSS Director, Launch Book on Security

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Government held a grand ceremony on Sunday to honor M.M. Murtala, the outgoing State Director of Security (SDS) for the Department of State Services (DSS).

The ceremony, which took place at the Multipurpose hall of the Government House, Maiduguri has in attendance the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

Governor Zulum led the tributes, which acknowledged Murtala’s dedication and contributions to the state’s security.

Others at the occasion included a distinguished personalities including the Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, Senator Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, and the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, House Representatives Members, state government officials, APC Party official, traditional rulers, and religious leaders, Among others.

In addition to the sendoff, a book titled “Internal Security In The Face Of Terror In Nigeria/The Role Of Civilian JTF In Borno State” was launched.

Murtala, the departing SDS, authored the book, which details his experiences and insights on the Civilian Joint Task Force’s (CJTF) role in combating terrorism in Borno State.

The book’s launch provided a platform for Murtala to share his knowledge and perspectives on this crucial aspect of state security.

It is expected to be a valuable resource for understanding Borno’s security situation and the CJTF’s role in supporting security agencies.

Borno Gov’t Bids Farewell to Departing DSS Director, Launch Book on Security

Ukrainian Company Set to Invest in Nigerian Energy Sector

By: Michael Mike

A Ukrainian company, EDS, has started the move to invest in Nigerian energy sector.

The Director of the company, Zapyshynyi Olexandr, addressing a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, said the company was already mapping out strategies on how to go about the project.

Olexandr while noting that the project will combine solar, wind and hydro energies, said it will begin in the FCT and Lagos before cascading to other states.

He said: “We are looking at mini-grids because we realised that that is where the energy problem is in Nigeria.”

He revealed that: “How successful the first project is will determine how much investment we will bring in.”

He said Nigeria should expect more investments from Ukraine, for the country is moving towards investing in Africa.

Olexandr said the President of Ukraine has given the go ahead for Ukrainian companies to invest in Africa.

Also speaking at the press conference, President of the Ukraine-Nigeria Business Council, Ben Gbade Ojo, said: “Today, we are pleased to present to Nigerians the EDS Ukraine Power and Engineering, a Ukrainian company that has all it takes to turn around the electric power fortunes of Nigeria and help transform Nigeria into a power-efficient nation.

“We welcome the EDS to Nigeria and urge all Nigerians to take advantage of their immense capabilities for sustainable power sector efficiency in Nigeria.”

He said the prime objective of this press conference was to avail the government and Nigerians of the vast opportunities available for the sustainable development and maximal performance of Nigeria’s troubled electric power sector, through a partnership with the people of the Republic of Ukraine.

The Electricity Act of 2023, signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2023, and the Amended Act, signed into law this year by President Bola Tinubu permit private participation across all levels of the electricity supply chain, provided such private entities obtain the appropriate licence (s).

Based on the amendment, Nigerians can now participate in the electricity supply business, which was previously the exclusive preserve of the federal government, as administered by the sector regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. (NERC).

With the constitution amended, and the National Assembly having passed a law for the electricity sector in line with the amendment and having become an Act, the states will now proceed to establish their power sector laws and regulations.

The 2023 Electricity Act, by virtue, allows anyone to construct, own, or operate a business for generating electricity exceeding one megawatt in aggregate at a site.

Ojo also said the Ukrainian-Nigerian Business Council had fully mobilised to help the federal and state governments and all-electric power sector players and stakeholders benefit maximally from this revolutionary Electricity Power Act.

Ukrainian Company Set to Invest in Nigerian Energy Sector

Troops clears bandit hideouts in Benue, captured 1 alive

By: Zagazola Makama

The troops of Operation Whirl Stroke on Monday stormed a hideout of notorious bandits in Vingir village Gbise ward in Katsina Ala LGA in Benue state and after a gunfight, captured one alive while others escaped with gunshots injuries.

The operation was executed following a tip off on notorious armed bandits hideout that has been terrorising the peaceful citizens of the state.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that troops deployed at Kufai Ahmadu and Kasuwan haske stormed the hideout to engage the terrorists.

On their arrival, contact was made with the violent extremists. Troops responded with superior fire power forcing them to withdraw into the surrounding bushes.

The troops further chased the fleeing terrorists and captured one identified as Dogo Manu aged 27 years alive with his Ak47 riffle.

In the same vain, the troops deployed at Fikyu repelled attack by Bandits in Pukun in Fikyu general area of Ussa LGA of Taraba state.

The bandits were said to have stormed the general area and began shooting sporadically. The troops, however, swiftly responded and ended the violent extremists forcing them to retreat.

After the gunbattle, the troops carried out exploitation around the general area and recovered ammunitions abandoned by the attackers.

Troops clears bandit hideouts in Benue, captured 1 alive