UK Donates N1 billion Technical Equipment to Nigerian Army, Trains Soldiers in Maiduguri on Counter-Insurgency Strategies

By: Michael Mike

The United Kingdom (UK) has donated highly technical, non-lethal military equipment worth up to one billion Naira (£450,000) to the Nigerian Armed Forces.

This further enhance the ongoing partnership between the British Military and the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The donation will support Nigeria’s fight against violent extremist organisations in the North East of Nigeria, according to a statement.

A statement on Friday signed by the Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), British High Commission, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe said the donation of equipment complements a new and significant package of courses delivered by the British Military.

Akande-Alegbe said a team of 20 personnel from the British Army are currently living and working in Maiduguri delivering a course focused on enhancing the critical skills needed for continued operations against violent extremist organisations in the North East.

According to Akande-Alegbe, the equipment was received by the Joint Task Force North East (JTF NE) Theatre Commander, Major General Wahidi Shaibu, at a handover ceremony in Maiduguri.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Head of British Defence Staff (West Africa) & Commander British Military Training Teams in Nigeria, Colonel Martin Leach said: “I am delighted to be here today to hand over this equipment and mark another development in the strong partnership between the United Kingdom and Nigeria. The UK stands with Nigeria in the continued fight against violent extremist organisations in the North East.”

The statement revealed that seven further courses will be delivered between now and February 2025, focussing on training Nigerian Army personnel in the specialist skills required for future operations in the North East of Nigeria.

The statement said in addition, the UK currently has personnel attached temporarily to the Theatre Counter-IED Coordination Cell in Maiduguri, working with their Nigerian counterparts to develop intelligence on the terror networks that are killing civilians and soldiers with IEDs.

UK Donates N1 billion Technical Equipment to Nigerian Army, Trains Soldiers in Maiduguri on Counter-Insurgency Strategies

544 NSCDC Officers Promoted to Enhance Security and Protection of Critical National Infrastructure in Abuja

By: Michael Mike

About 550 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been promoted in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command to enhance security and protection of critical national infrastructure in Abuja.

Speaking at the decoration ceremony of the 544 officers with their new ranks on Friday at the FCT NSCDC Headquarters in Abuja, the Commandant of the FCT Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu said the attainment of a new rank is a call to higher responsibility.

He maintained that the promotion and decorations of officers was in recognition of the performance of the officers during their promotion examination and the need to ensure career progression which according to him will serve as a boost to the officers.

The FCT boss challenged all the promoted officer to ensure professionalism in their line of duty to justify the promotion.

Odumosu disclosed that the Commandant General, Dr. Abubakar Audi has been magnanimous by promoting 544 officers adding that to who much is given, much is expected.

He said: “The mandate of the corps to protect Critical National Assets and Infrastructure must be taken even more seriously with the added feathers “you must step up on your commitment to protecting government Assets and Infrastructure under my jurisdiction.”

Prominent among the newly promoted officers is the Command Public Relations Officer, Samuel Idoko who has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC).

The occasion was graced by dignitaries which include the representative of Commander Guards Brigades, Nigeria Army, Lt. Col. MA Yusuf, representative of the Commander. Nigeria Air Force, Mogadishu Barracks, Sqd. Ldr A. Bashir, the representative of Director Department of State Services, FCT Command, Mr. Rasheed Dopemu.

Also in attendance was the Commandant Federal Fire Service, FCT Command, HRH, the Etsu of kwali, Ayode Luka Nizassan III, District Head Mabushi , Garki Chiefdom Hon. Hassan Danagna Mabushi, representative of the kwali Area council Chairman.

544 NSCDC Officers Promoted to Enhance Security and Protection of Critical National Infrastructure in Abuja

RSF kill 49 in retaliatory attack on east Al Jazirah villages

At least 49 people were killed and dozens more wounded in a retaliatory attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on villages in East Al Jazirah, central Sudan, according to Sudan Tribune.

The attack, which targeted civilians, has triggered a humanitarian crisis and fueled further displacement.

The Al Jazirah Conference released a statement reporting that the RSF’s retaliatory campaign has resulted in 300 deaths across 30 villages in the Tambul area. Sudan Tribune, however, indicates that the casualty count remains incomplete due to communication outages and the ongoing search for the missing.

These attacks are believed to be a retaliation for the defection of a prominent RSF commander, Abu Aqla Kikal, who joined the Sudanese army last Sunday.

Kikal’s defection has sparked ongoing waves of displacement as the RSF seeks revenge against those perceived to be supporting the army.

Residents of east Al Jazirah villages have given consistent accounts to Sudan Tribune of RSF atrocities against civilians. One survivor from the village of Ad al-Khadr described RSF members slaughtering a citizen and firing randomly before setting agricultural fields ablaze.

The attacks have forced residents from 24 villages to flee their homes, including al-Sharafa al-Bahr, Dalut al-Bahr, al-Habika al-Naqr, Bant, al-Amara Ali, Ad al-Khadr, Wad al-Hussein East, Wad al-Hussein West, Wad al-Humaim, al-Abudab, al-Aziaba, al-Suqia, al-Junayd al-Hilla, al-Hashishab, al-Sayal, and the five villages that make up Kariyat. The displacement has also affected neighbourhoods in Tambul and most of Rufaa city.

Displaced people are facing a dire humanitarian situation. Many are struggling with severe food shortages and lack basic commodities, especially flour. Looting by the RSF at the start of the attacks has left displacement destinations with a severe shortage of cash and widespread loss of personal funds.