Security
Army to Partner With Defence Security Industry Stakeholders to Enhance Operational Effectiveness —Lagbaja
The Nigerian Army (NA) has expressed the resolve to partner reputable stakeholders in the Defence and Security Industry for the procurement of requisite equipment and platforms, that would enhance its operational effectiveness.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja disclosed this at Fourth Quarter 2023 Procurement Seminar themed, “Implications of the New Central Bank of Nigeria Foreign Exchange Policy on International Trade: Challenges for the Nigerian Army”, held at the Army War College Nigeria, Abuja.
Director Army Public Relations,Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement shared with journalists said
COAS pointed out, that Government policies are critically important to the successful attainment of NA constitutional mandate.
Adding that, one of such policies is the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recent Foreign Exchange Policy, which has continued to have significant implications for NA contracts requiring foreign exchange.
He noted that this development has resulted in requests for payment of variations, which he described, as unfavourable to the NA.
He explained that the need to forge mutual understanding of the CBN policy amongst stakeholders informed the theme of the seminar.
The Army Chief affirmed, that as Nigeria’s contemporary security space continues to deepen the relevance of military logistics contractors in Nigerian Army’s sustenance plans, it becomes expedient to have the seminar in order to promote mutual understanding amongst stakeholders to help the NA aggregate value for Government allocations.
Gen Lagbaja maintained that the primary objective of establishing the Directorate is ‘contract and contractor relationship management to enable the NA obtain the best value for funds released to its contractors and business partners for execution of various contracts and projects, while ensuring fairness, integrity and transparency’.
The COAS declared that under his leadership, the NA will view all forms of short-changing with the seriousness it deserves and ensure that contractors mobilized for various jobs deliver as agreed, adding that the NA remains open to partnering relevant stakeholders on terms favourable to all and give value to the Federal Government that funds its activities.
The COAS appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his tireless support by providing the means for the NA to procure vital requirements. He also expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Office of the National Security Adviser, CBN, Bureau of Public Procurement and other stakeholders for their support.
He expressed optimism that the seminar will facilitate renewed commitment to building and sustaining an efficient procurement system that meets international best practices.
In his remarks, the Director Procurement, Major General Adeyinka Adereti, stated that the objective of the seminar is to enhance participants understanding of the rudiments of operational contract support in an ever-changing global context.
He emphasized that public procurement and foreign exchange policies and regulations continue to be the guiding compass for the award of contracts and procurement of platforms, which would enhance NA operations and improve the Army’s posture to perform its role.
He revealed that global procurement processes have taken a new turn due to changes in the international system and the prevailing security climate, hence the need to organize the procurement seminar.
Highlights of the opening ceremony were robust interactive sessions, group photographs and presentation of souvenirs to resource persons, as well as discussants and moderators.
No fewer than 26 people lost their lives, with three others sustaining injuries, following an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation along the Rann–Kala Balge–Gamboru Ngala highway in Borno.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, several civilian vehicles travelling from Rann in Kala Balge LGA ran into a series of hidden explosives.
Makama said the incident occurred on Monday after the convoy veered into a zone where the IEDs had been strategically placed.
The publication said the IEDs were triggered by the movement of vehicles, adding that emergency personnel were swiftly deployed to evacuate victims and administer first aid.
“Security forces have since cordoned off the affected route and commenced clearance operations to ensure safety and prevent a repeat of the incident,” the report said.
“Those injured have been transferred to nearby hospitals where they are currently receiving medical attention.”
Last week, Mohammed Badaru, minister of defence, said President Bola Tinubu is committed to addressing the growing security challenges in Borno state.
The minister spoke about the administration’s commitment to meeting all operational needs of the troops to enhance security in the region.
The Oodua Integrity Group, a Nigerian civil society organisation, has called on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to investigate and arrest an alleged gun runner, land grabber,popularly called then insert Lucky Blessings Abuah aka bullets of Achala Ibusa village operating in Asaba and Ibuzor, Delta State, accusing him of orchestrating criminal activities with the aid of rogue police officers.
Tosin Olaoluwa, the group’s South-South coordinator, made the appeal following intelligence gathered from concerned residents.
The suspect, identified as Achala Ibusa but popularly known as “Bullet,” is accused of running a network involving illegal arms trafficking, land grabbing, and cult-related activities.
Olaoluwa claimed Bullet operates with the protection of police officers from Rivers State, in violation of regulations prohibiting officers from working outside their command without approval.
According to the group, four AK-47 rifles were recently discovered hidden in a house in Ibuzor.
Two mobile police officers guarding the property reportedly distanced themselves from the find, raising suspicions of their involvement with Bullet, who is allegedly a leader of the Viking cult.
The Oodua Integrity Group further alleged that an assistant commissioner of police is complicit in Bullet’s activities.
The group highlighted that up to 10 mobile police officers are attached to Bullet, despite IGP Egbetokun’s recent directive to withdraw such personnel from individuals not legally entitled to their services.
“We urge the IGP to take immediate action to arrest the culprit in the interest of the general public,” Olaoluwa said, describing Bullet as a miscreant exploiting government security agents to perpetrate crimes.
In a separate incident, the group claimed that security agents from an agency in Abuja, acting on intelligence, were prevented from arresting Bullet by his police escorts.
The officers, reportedly from Rivers State, allegedly used tear gas and fired shots to obstruct the operation.
The Oodua Integrity Group warned that Bullet’s activities, including stockpiling AK-47s and other weapons in Asaba and Ibuzor, pose a significant threat to public safety.
They called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and the immediate apprehension of those involved.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond to the allegations. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The Kaduna state Police Command has debunked reports of a bomb explosion in the Abakpa area of the metropolis, which reportedly killed two children.
The spokesman of the Command, Mansir Hassan, said in a statement that preliminary investigations conducted by the Anti-Bomb Squad indicate that a locally made firearm (Dane gun) was discharged, resulting in the unfortunate loss of life of the young boy.
According to the police, the incident, which occurred at about 8:30 am on Tuesday at Josawa Road in the Abakpa area, claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy, identified as Abubakar Muhammed of Josawa Road, while seven other individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The statement stated that a combined team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer of Kawo Division and the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government, all visited the scene following a distress call, and a thorough on-site assessment was carried out.
Police disclosed that further investigations and assessments are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Command equally assured the public that further developments will be promptly and transparently communicated.