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Step Up Your Game To End Insecurity, Tinubu Tells Military, Security Agencies
Step Up Your Game To End Insecurity, Tinubu Tells Military, Security Agencies
- Inducts 2 NAF helicopters, aircraft, calls for change in mindset, strategy, tactics
By: Our Reporter
President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has implored the Nigerian military and other security agencies to intensify efforts at containing the multi-dimensional security challenges in the country.
He restated his administration’s continued support to the nation’s security forces through the modernization of fleets, training and welfare of personnel.
The President gave the charge on Tuesday during the induction ceremony of two TK-129 ATAK Helicopters and a King Air 360i Aircraft at Nigeria Air (NAF) Base, Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
President Tinubu who was represented at the event by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, recalled the commissioning and induction of four additional Diamond-62 surveillance aircraft into the arsenal of the Nigerian Air Force about two months ago, saying it is a symbol of his government’s enduring commitment to the ideals of patriotism and investment in the nation’s security.
“Indeed, our solemn commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s security hinges upon the realisation that without vigilant attention to the needs of our Armed Forces who are saddled with the maintenance of peace, law, order and stability, anarchy and lawlessness would surely prevail,” he stated.
Delivering the President’s address, VP Shettima noted that the acquisition of helicopters and aircraft had become necessary to improve the strategic use of air power in combating terrorism, insurgency and other security challenges plaguing the nation.
Urging the nation’s security forces to step up their game, President Tinubu said, “I have no doubt that the deployment of these platforms would add impetus to the combat efficiency of the Nigerian Air Force in addressing our contemporary security challenges, not only within the shores of our country but also in the West African region. We are committed to taking the right steps to achieve the desired results.
“The acquisition of these aircraft amongst other military equipment despite our budgetary constraints is an expression of our commitment. We shall ensure that every sector of our nation benefits from the change that we promised. I therefore expect discipline in operation and a strong maintenance culture that will enable the nation to derive maximum benefits from these acquisitions.”
He recalled how since it was established in 1964, the Nigerian Air Force had been playing critical roles in national security, peace-keeping and humanitarian operations globally, noting that its “contributions to the sustenance and maintenance of peace and security in places like The Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Mozambique, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Cameroun have not only been a source of pride to Nigeria but have projected the nation as a reliable regional power.
“This is indeed most commendable just as the Nigerian Air Force continues to synergize with other security agencies in curtailing the threats posed by terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements in the country,” he further stated.
Recalling his promise during his inaugural speech last year that security shall be the top priority of his administration, the President said about six months after his proclamations, “So much has been achieved due to the gallant and synergistic efforts of our various security agencies”.
He expressed delight that coordination among security agencies has improved significantly, just as he declared that “there is no room for celebrations until we put an end to the security logjam; until we can bring our troops back to their localities, and until we can free up resources for our critical economic expansion programme”.
President Tinubu assured that “professionalism, capacity building and adequate equipping of our Armed Forces and other security agencies are a major policy thrust” of his administration.
He, therefore, reiterated that under his watch, the Federal Government “will continue to re-professionalise and re-equip the Armed Forces and security agencies to effectively discharge their duties to our nation”, noting further that as Chairman of the ECOWAS, he was working diligently to enhance regional conflict management and development mechanisms.
Inducting the aircraft and helicopters, the President said, “Finally, I congratulate the Chief of the Air Staff and all the personnel of the Air Force on this occasion of the commissioning of the T-129 ATAK helicopters and King Air 360i aircraft into the Service. At this juncture, I hereby induct the 2 x T -129 ATAK helicopters as NAF 500 and NAF 501 and King Air 360i as NAF 205 into the Service of the Nigerian Air Force and our country”.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, noted that the acquisition and induction of the T129 Atak helicopter and Beechcraft King Air 360i aircraft is a testimony of the Federal Government’s unwavering resolve to equip and empower the air force and enhance its capacity to address security challenges confronting the nation, in conjunction with sister forces and security agencies.
He thanked President Tinubu for the provision to enable the Nigerian Air Force to acquire seven brand-new aircraft within six months of his administration.
The Air Chief disclosed that the Air Force is currently overhauling its operational platforms, equipment and the entire environment to improve its efficiency and service delivery.
On his part, Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, said the induction of the new platforms for the Air Force is a testimony of President Tinubu’s resolve to add impetus to the armed forces’ fight against security challenges in the country.
He commended the armed forces for the commitment to executing their assignments in line with the counter-terrorism plan of the present administration, just as he urged the military to imbibe a positive maintenance culture in utilizing platforms purchased by the government.
Also present at the event were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State; some members of the National Assembly from Benue State and members of the state House of Assembly, among others.
Step Up Your Game To End Insecurity, Tinubu Tells Military, Security Agencies
Zulum mourns death of Jigawa Gov’s mother, son
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Umar Namadi, over the tragic loss of his mother, Hajiya Maryam Umar Namadi, and his eldest son, Abdulwahab Namadi.
Governor Zulum, who is also the Chairman of the North East Governors’ Forum, described the loss of two beloved family members within 24 hours as devastating and acknowledged it as the will of Almighty Allah.
“On behalf of the people of Borno State and the entire North East region, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to Your Excellency and the people of Jigawa State over the tragic loss of your beloved mother and son,” Governor Zulum stated.
He described as painful, losing both a mother and a son in such a short period and called for faith and resilience in the face of such trials.
“As Muslims, we believe that everything that happens, whether positive or otherwise, is destined by the Almighty,” Zulum said.
Governor Zulum prayed Allah to grant the departed Aljannatul Firdaus.
He also prayed for strength and fortitude for Governor Namadi, his family, and the people of Jigawa State to bear the irreparable loss.
Borno Widows, Orphans Laud Gov Zulum Over Christmas Gifts
By Francis Okoye
Widows and orphans including less privileged in Maiduguri have lauded Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum for donating gift of N50,000 to over 250 of them for Christmas celebration.
The widows and orphans who were assembled on Tuesday, 24 December , at the pompomari area of Maiduguri, said the Governor’s benevolence has raised their hope of celebrating the festive period amid the economic crunch bedeveiling the citizens due to high cost of living.
Speaking, Maram Saleh who lost her husband four years ago, said she was thinking how she can even get some cups of rice and condiments for the Christmas before the Governor’s gesture came their way.
She therefore, lauded Governor Zulum for making the celebration a reality for so many of her kinds who are feeding from hand to mouth due to the loss of their bread winners, saying that she can now go home and celebrate the Christmas with her children with joy.
In the same sentiment, Patience Bitrus, a mother of five children who lost her husband at the pick of the Boko Haram insurgency, said her hope of celebrating the Christmas with members of her family was rekindled by the Governor’s benevolence.
” We are really grateful to Governor Zulum for coming to the aid of the widows and orphans especially, at this year’s Christmas when there is high cost of living and economic hardship. We will continue to pray for the Governor for more wisdom, good health and courage to continue to deliver dividends of democracy to the citizens as he has been doing,” she said.
Also speaking, trio of Eunice Onwuchekwe , Sarah Hakila and Elizabeth Ani, expressed their joy over the Governor’s gesture describing it as one of the best gifts coming their way.
The Coordinator/ Zonal Chairman Ohanaeze All Progressives Congress ( APC ) , Chief Ugochukwu Egwidike, commended Governor Zulum for coming to the aid of the widows, orphans and less with the Christmas gifts.
He noted that the Governor had been celebrating Christmas for the widows and orphans since 2020 to date with cash gifts, adding that 250 beneficiaries were targeted from benefiting from the gesture, but due to the harsh economic reality facing people of the country , more people turned up to benefit from the gesture. End
The Secretary of the Ohanaeze APC Support Group, Asiwaju Alabi , expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for providing free transport scheme to 710 non indigenes in the State to travel to their various States for the celebration of Christmas and new year with their loved ones, as well as the cash gifts to the widows and orphans in the State.
Borno Widows, Orphans Laud Gov Zulum Over Christmas Gifts
Four Drug Lords Get 28 Years in Jail, Forfeit VGC Houses, Large Cash
By: Michael Mike
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has gotten for drug kingpins arrested in connection with the historic seizure of 2,139.55 kilogrammes of cocaine at an Ikorodu residential estate in 2022.
They were convicted by a Federal High Court, Lagos presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro who sentenced them to various jail terms totaling 28 years with hard labour.
The convicts: Soji Oke, 71; Wasiu Akinade, 55; Emmanuel Chukwu, 67; and Kelvin Christopher Smith, 44, a Jamaican, were charged with six counts in charge number: FHC/L/607C/2022 in October and December 2022, while the trial of the fifth suspect, Oguntolure Sunday arraigned along with them is still ongoing in court.
The charges border on conspiracy to form and operate a drug trafficking organisation (DTO); management and financing of a DTO; importation and possession of 2,139.55 kilogrammes of cocaine, among others.
A press statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi read: operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA had in a well-coordinated and intelligence-led operation on Sunday 18th September, 2022 raided a house located at 6 Olukuola crescent, Solebo estate, Ikorodu, Lagos where the over 2.1 tons of cocaine were seized, the largest singular cocaine seizure in the history of Nigeria’s anti-narcotic operations.
He added that the drug kingpins were picked from hotels and their hideouts in different parts of Lagos between the night of Sunday 18th and Monday 19th September, 2022.
Babafemi said after over two years of diligent prosecution, the trial judge handed the Jamaican, Kelvin Smith four years imprisonment with hard labour; Emmanuel Chukwu got a total of 16 years; Soji Oke got five years with hard labour and Wasiu Akinade three years with hard labour.
He disclosed that the trial judge however gave the convicts varying options of fine with the exception of one of them who will serve his full jail term without an option of fine.
Babafemi said they were also to forfeit a grey colour Toyota Tacoma SUV marked AAA-734HT registered in the name of Emmanuel Chukwu; $50,000:00 belonging to Chukwu; N55,099,509.50 also belonging to Chukwu; the sum of N9,003,168.06 belonging to Wasiu Akinade and N3,052,295.20 also belonging to Akinade.
The spokesman said the agency also in another suit marked FHC/L/MISC/672/2024 and filed before Justice Bogoro on 9th December 2024 after an initial interim forfeiture order, secured the final forfeiture of two houses linked to members of the drug cartel.
The trial judge said: “That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number 6 Olokunola Street, Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 2A, 2B, and 2C attached to this application used for the storage and concealment of 2,139.55 kilogrammes (More Than Two Tons) Cocaine, an illicit substance similar to Heroin and LSD.
“That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number J9, Road 3, Close 1,
Victoria Garden City (VGC) Estate, Lagos, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 3 attached to this application reasonably believed to be bought with proceeds derived
from trafficking in illicit drug substances (proceeds of crime) as in relief 1 of this Motion.
“That an Order is granted directing the sale or disposal by any other means provided by law of the forfeited House/Landed Property by the Applicant and the payment of the proceeds therefrom to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending all the officers and men of the agency involved in the extensive investigation and prosecution of members of the drug cartel, said the case is a historical blow to the drug cartels and a strong warning that they’ll not only go to jail but will equally lose all their investments in illicit drug consignments including all the properties and wealth acquired through the criminal trade.
Four Drug Lords Get 28 Years in Jail, Forfeit VGC Houses, Large Cash
Zulum mourns death of Jigawa Gov’s mother, son
Borno Widows, Orphans Laud Gov Zulum Over Christmas Gifts
Four Drug Lords Get 28 Years in Jail, Forfeit VGC Houses, Large Cash
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