News
Yuletide Season: Nigerian Army Reaffirms Commitment to Security in Plateau State
Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander of Operation Safe Haven, has reassured residents of Plateau State of the Nigerian Army’s steadfast dedication to their safety during the festive season.
During the 2024 West African Social Activities (WASA) event at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment in Jos, Major General Abubakar outlined the army’s proactive strategies through Operation Golden Peace, a security initiative designed to protect lives, secure harvests, and ensure a peaceful holiday season throughout Plateau State and beyond.
“Operation Golden Peace serves as a proactive security measure aimed at maintaining tranquility, deterring criminal activities, and safeguarding our communities during this festive period,” the GOC stated.
He emphasized that this initiative is part of the army’s continuous efforts to ensure regional safety and to cultivate a secure atmosphere for residents.
Reflecting on the year’s achievements, Major General Abubakar commended the collaboration among various security agencies and the robust support from local communities in Plateau State.
“The peace and security we currently enjoy are the results of our collective endeavors. We must continue to strengthen these partnerships to preserve the progress we’ve made,” he remarked.
The GOC also highlighted the importance of WASA, describing it as a platform that promotes unity, camaraderie, and cultural appreciation within the military and its surrounding communities.
“This gathering embodies the spirit of togetherness and mutual support that characterizes us as a military family. It showcases the rich cultural diversity that unites us as one nation,” he stated.
In his address, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the Commissioner for Lands, Survey, and Town Planning, Barr. Peter Gai, praised the Nigerian Army for its relentless efforts in maintaining peace within the state.
He stressed the significance of this collaboration in ensuring that Plateau remains a bastion of tranquility and opportunity.
“Plateau State is reestablishing itself as the ‘Home of Peace and Tourism.’ This advancement is a testament to the sacrifices made by our security agencies. As a government, we will continue to offer steadfast support to uphold these achievements,” he affirmed.
The event concluded with cultural performances, talent showcases, and the ceremonial lighting of a bonfire, symbolizing unity and hope for the future. Awards were also given to outstanding soldiers in recognition of their dedication and exemplary service throughout the year.
Aides, Allies Disown Him, Say You’re a Traitor, We’re not Leaving PDP
Barely two weeks after his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), crisis has enveloped the political camp of a member of the House of Representatives for Obokun/Oriade federal constituency in Osun State, Oluwole Oke.
Indeed, these are not the best of times for him as his defection to the APC is eliciting rejection from his close circles and constituency.
His key allies who he groomed into politics and government positions have rejected his calls on them to join him to defect to the APC.
A source said that in the last few days, key aides and allies of the lawmaker have rejected his movement to the APC, describing it as a political tragedy.
“With the way he betrayed PDP, Oluwole Oke is like the proverbial Leopard that can never change the spots on its body. He will also betray the APC. We are staying back in PDP while severing political links with him”, one of his allies, Bamidele Johnson said.
Some of his allies were said to have openly declared that the defection marks a political waterloo for the 6th term legislator.
For instance, some of Oke’s allies in his Local Government scorned his move as “a decision borne out of greed and selfishness.”
One of them described him as “an ingrate who betrayed a party on whose platform he got married in life as a lawmaker and on whose platform he gained all his material riches.”
The Northern Youths Consultative Forum for Justice (NYCJ) has urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State, citing a complete breakdown of governance, law, and order.
In a statement issued on Monday in Kano, NYCJ President Dr Sanusi Rano described the situation in Zamfara as “organised abandonment of duty” by elected officials.
“What we are witnessing in Zamfara is not governance. It is betrayal of the people,” Rano said, pointing to the absence of a functional state House of Assembly and allegations linking officials to criminal activities.
The group highlighted the suspension of 10 lawmakers who spoke out against the deteriorating security situation, arguing that their removal has left Zamfara without a legally recognised legislative body.
“This is a dictatorship of silence,” said Rano, adding that the lack of checks and balances has deepened the state’s crisis.
“The same hands that should protect Zamfara are profiting from its destruction,” Rano stated.
Calling for decisive action, the group demanded the appointment of a non-partisan administrator to rebuild the state’s institutions.
“If this is not done now, Zamfara risks becoming a permanent state of anarchy, which threatens our democracy,” Rano warned.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday, sentenced the husband of late gospel singer, Osinachi, Peter Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
Nwachukwu was found guilty of culpable homicide resulting in the death of the deceased ( his wife) on April 8, 2022.
The judge held that the prosecution had proven the burden of proof placed on it by the law and subsequently found the defendant guilty.
Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022 by the Office of Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), on behalf of the Federal Government, on a 23-count charge .
The charge was on culpable homicide punishable with death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, spousal battery, among others.
In the course of trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two children of the late Osinachi, who testified as fourth prosecution and fifth prosecution witnesses, PW4 and PW5 respectively.
The prosecution also tendered 25 documents as exhibits before the court.
The defendant testified for the defence and further called four other witnesses and tendered four exhibits in his defence.
Shortly before sentencing, the defendant, counsel , Reginald Nwali, in his allocutus pleaded with the court to be lenient in its judgment.
Similarly, the prosecution counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to give force to the law as stipulated.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme subsequently sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1, while he was sentenced to two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8,9, 12, 13, and 18.
The court sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment on Count 10, three years imprisonment in Count 11, while he was fined the sum of N500,000 and N200,000 respectively on Counts 6 and 7 respectively. (NAN)