Govt alerts Residents to be cautious of fleeing bandits due to Military bombardment

The Sokoto State Government has alerted boarder communities and other citizens of the state to be cautious of fleeing bandits.

Ahmad Usman, Special Adviser to Gov. Ahmad Aliyu on Security Matters, gave the warning in a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Sokoto.

He said the move was sequell to the sustained military onslaught against the bandits in the eastern part of Sokoto State and its environs.

He noted with delight that the joint military operations in the area had been successful, leaving the terrorists disorganised.

”Many terrorist enclaves were identified and destroyed, with several bandits neutralised, hundreds of kidnapped victims are also rescued in the ongoing operations.

”As security operatives put more pressure on the bandits, they are fleeing to other areas with their injured members.

”Therefore, we want our people to be cautious, as some bandits may disguise and seek refuge in villages or receive treatment at local clinics,” Usman said.
According to him, government encourages residents to report any suspicious activities to security agencies, so as to contribute to the efforts of securing the state.

This, he said, would facilitate in making the state economically viable, in line with Gov. Aliyu’s 9-point agenda. (NAN)

Governor allocates 100 hectares of land for Nigerian Navy to build Naval Base

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun says the state government has completed the formalities of allocating 100 hectares of land to the Nigerian Navy for the citing of a Naval Base and Dockyard.
Abiodun , in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, disclosed this when he received the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mike Oamen, in Abeokuta.
The governor explained that the naval base would be located at Ode-Omi in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state.
He also stated that the state government had waived all fees and charges, which amounted to several billions, and had forwarded the Certificate of Occupancy to the Naval headquarters.

According to him, we have been envisaging prospective activities in our riverine areas.

” The former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, gladly obliged us and accepted that it is important for us to have a naval base and a dockyard in Ogun State.

“We proceeded to make different positions available, and at that time, a committee was set up between members of the Nigerian Navy and the state government to identify locations.

“Subsequently, a location was identified in Ogun Waterside, and we allocated a parcel of land, 100 hectares, for the purpose of setting up the facility,’’ he said.

Abiodun noted that the access road to the Naval Base and Dockyard would be ready by the end of the week.

He disclosed that the state was looking forward to the groundbreaking ceremony for the Naval Base and Dockyard.

The governor added that it was important to have a Naval presence in the state to ensure that unscrupulous elements do not take advantage of all the economic benefits that were on the horizon.

In his remarks, Oamen commended Abiodun for the support he had been providing to the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies in the state.

He also noted that it was necessary to assist the state in ensuring security in its maritime space.

Oamen added that the Navy was poised to ensure that all coastal states were free of unscrupulous elements by maintaining a presence of Naval personnel in all the waterways and creeks.

“The governor has taken the security of life and property of residents and indigenes of the state very seriously, and the Nigerian Navy is very ready to support this effort.

“The Naval Base is part of the Chief of Naval Staff’s plan, and very soon, work will commence there.

‘’Be assured that the Navy will be fully on the ground in Ogun State,” Oamen said.(NAN)

2025 Budget: Military expects bountiful harvest from NASS – Chief of Defence Staff

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the military expects bountiful harvest as they commence the 2025 budget defence before the National Assembly.

Musa said this at the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day 2025 Regimental and Award Night for Officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, on Monday in Abuja.

He thanked the National Assembly for its continuous support to the military to enable it perform its constitutional roles effectively.

“We know the budget defence is starting very soon and we are looking forward to a bountiful harvest,” he said.

The defence chief said the regimental dinner and award night was organised to honour the bravery of the nation’s departed heroes and commitment of the serving officers to upholding the values of patriotism, loyalty, and dedication.

He said the night provided them with an opportunity to recognise those who had positively gone above and beyond the call of duty to make the nation proud.

“To the recipients of the defence honours and awards, your achievements reflect the high standard of our military and embodiment of the values we hold dear, which include courage, discipline, commitment to excellence.

“Your actions prepare us not only for your peers, but also the upcoming generation of service members who look up to you as role models,” he said.

Musa reiterated the need for all the services to continue to work together to address the security challenges across every strata of the country by fostering the spirit of unity, cooperation and collective responsibility.

According to him, the military owes it to its fallen heroes to ensure that their sacrifices are not in vain.

“As we dine and reinforce the bonds of camaraderie, I urge us all to remember the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and continue to build a safer, more secure and more prosperous Nigeria.

“This occasion is the first of its kind as it is done over the years, where we tend to appreciate only those who have sacrificed their lives and then forget those that are still alive.

“We feel it is important that we also give honour to those that are alive and that is what we are up to today.

“Together we are stronger and together we will continue to rise above every challenge,” he said. (NAN)