JUST IN; Rear Admiral assumes duty as new JTF Commander

Rear Adm. Noel Madugu, has resumed duty as the new Joint Task Force Commander, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), South-South, with a promise to continue from where his predecessor stopped.

He made the remark on Friday during the handover ceremony at the Headquarters of the Operation Delta Safe, in Yenagoa.

He took over from Rear Adm. John Okeke, who has been moved to Abuja, to assume his new office.

Madugu, thanked the outgoing Commander for his leadership style, and assured that he would add a proactive driven effort to curb all forms of criminalities and their networks.

According to him: “A mandate has been given to us by the Federal Government, we must sustain the fight against crude oil theft and any form of illegality in the oil industry.

“So the mandate is for us to achieve at least 2.5 million barrels per day, which the former commander has done his best but I assure the public and the government that we will strive hard to achieve that task given to us.

“The former commander did a lot of things including the host community relationship building on the task of crude oil production.

“It was low but it is high as he is handing over to me. So the momentum will be kept so that we sustain the fight against crude oil theft and to ensure that the mandate of 2.5 to 3 million barrels per day is achieved,” he said.

He disclosed the strategies he will use to include strengthening the synergy and coercion among the various units, components and formations of the taskforce for effective results.

The immediate past Commander, Rear Adm. John Okeke, expressed his gratitude to officers and men of the JTF, for their support and cooperation during his tenure as the Commander.

According to him: “Your professionalism and dedication to telling the story of our operations have been invaluable in promoting awareness and understanding of our mission.

“I am proud to say that together, we have made significant progress in maintaining peace and security in our joint operations area.

“As I hand over the reigns to my successor, I urge you to extend the same level of cooperation and support to him.

“Your role in shaping the narrative of our operations is crucial, and I have no doubt that you will continue to do so with the same level of excellence,” he said. (NAN)

BREAKING; War college inaugurates 25 officers for warfare course 9

The Nigeria Navy War College, on Friday, inaugurated 25 officers as participants for its warfare course 9 programme.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration ceremony was performed by the College’s Commandant, Rear Adm. Abdullahi Ahmed.

Speaking at the event, Ahmed said that the course which officially started on Jan. 15, had participants from the navy, army and air force.

“We have 17 naval officers, two army personnel, two air force officers, and one civilian from the Nigeria Defense College,” he said.

The commandant further said that two Cameroonians and a Ghanian were participating in the course.

Delivering a lecture, Rear Adm. Silvester Umusen (Rtd), said that operational level leadership was important in the country’s quest to defeat insurgency and other security challenges.

In the lecture titled: “Operational Level Leadership: A Requirement for National Security in Nigeria” Umusen urged the participants to take the programme seriously.

“I urge you to take the course seriously, it is a rare opportunity to be selected as a participant.

“We require operational leadership to translate instructions or directives from the headquarters to the field,” he said.

He said that to effectively tackle the nation’s security challenges, more resources should be deployed to strengthen the military.

The retired naval officer said that resources were needed to conduct training, and procure equipment.

Umusen commended the Federal Government for its commitment to the campaign against insecurity, and urged it to do more by releasing more resources for training and equipment.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Saheed Akinwande, urged the participants to understand the complexities of the contemporary security environment.

“You should then situate the military within these complex changes and ask yourself how best to function in the face of such challenges.

“This is where the naval warfare course becomes relevant, it is to equip you with the necessary skills to critically analyse complex security situations.

“You need to develop robust and failure-proof plans, and implement them to achieve the strategic directives you will be given from time to time,” he said.(NAN)

How Husband allegedly defiled 18-year-old Wife’s Niece staying with them

An Oyo State Family Court, Ibadan, has remanded a 33-year-old man, Happiness Opeyemi, at the Agodi Correctional Centre over an alleged defilement of his wife’s 10-year-old niece.

The defendant was arraigned on Friday to face a one-count charge of rape.

The prosecuting counsel, Insp Adenike Adeyemi, told the court that the defendant, in 2023, had unlawful sexual intercourse with his wife’s niece staying with them.

Adeyemi said the offence was allegedly committed in their home in Onila Olomiyeye area of Ibadan.

She said the offence contravened Section 34 of the Oyo State Child Rights Law, 2006.

The Magistrate, Mrs Serifat Adesina, did not, however, take the defendant’s plea due to lack of jurisdiction.

She ordered his remand pending the issuance of advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) at the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.

She, thereafter, adjourned the matter till March 11 for mention. (NAN)