Security
CAS charges 1,190 new Air Force recruits to uphold, protect Nigeria’s sovereignty
The Chief of Air Staff(CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar on Saturday charged the 1,190 new recruits of Basic Military Training Course 44 to protect and uphold the sovereignty of the country.
Abubakar gave the charge at the Passing Out Parade (POP) of basic military training course 44/2023, held at Military Training Centre (MTC), parade ground NAF Base, Kaduna.
The CAS, who was the reviewing officer at the POP said, “Indeed, wisdom dictates that only the finest and most exceptional individuals from our society should be entrusted with the sacred duty of defending our sovereign motherland.
“It is in this light that 1,136 recruits and 78 ex-Junior Airmen and Airwomen were meticulously selected to embark on this six month voyage of enlistment into the Nigerian Air Force.
“We are here to witness the passing out of 1,190 of them who have been found worthy in character and learning.
”This will make them to earn their rightful place as airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, and as proud members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Abubakar congratulated the graduating airmen and airwomen and urged them to see the PoP as the first step of their journey towards a rewarding career in the Nigerian Air Force.
He said, “Your training was deliberately made to be tedious and challenging so that only the fittest can survive, because, as the saying goes, “it is the test of fire that makes fine steel.”
According to him, the objective of the rigorous exercises and endurance training was to mould them into warriors, tradesmen and leaders – men and women of courage, discipline and resilience.
‘Abubakar said, ‘They have been prepared to serve in the NAF with the highest standards of professionalism and dedication.”
He told the recruits that as newly enlisted airmen and airwomen, they were now a vital part of the NAF’s mission to protect and uphold the sovereignty of our nation.
“You are graduating at a time when our beloved nation faces significant security challenges.
“This demands not only vigilance and adaptability, but also an unwavering commitment to duty.
“You are therefore called to a life of selfless service, and the efforts you make on the field will play a vital role in shaping the future of the NAF.
”This is by strengthening the security of our nation, and ensuring its continued prosperity,”he said.
The CAS changed them to operate within the rules of engagement as enumerated in the Code of Conduct for Armed Forces personnel involved in internal security operations.
He said, “Respect and protect the innocent and law-abiding civilians whom you are paid to defend.
”Treat them with respect and protect their rights, as we build a nation where no man is oppressed.”
Abubakar also charged them to maintain positive civil-military relations which is essential for a civilized society.
He encouraged them to embrace the NAF’s core values of integrity, service before self and excellence in all we do.
The Air chief appreciated President Bola Tinubu, for his unwavering commitment to addressing the operational, logistical and welfare needs of the Service.
“I assure Mr President of our unalloyed loyalty and total commitment to his Agenda for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
“I wish you all a fulfilling and impactful career in the Nigerian Air Force,” Abubakar said.(NAN)
The suspects were apprehended for selling prohibited exotic birds and wild animals contrary to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in collaboration with the National Park Service, has arrested three persons over alleged illegal trade in endangered wildlife species in Abuja.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, Nwamaka Ejiofor.
The suspects, identified as Musa Usman, Samila Abdullahi, and Saidu Jagaban, were arrested in different parts of the country’s capital.
According to her, the suspects were apprehended for selling prohibited exotic birds and wild animals, contrary to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act.
She stated that Usman and Abdullahi were found with 15 Senegalese parrots and one African grey parrot, while Jagaban was arrested for hawking three dead antelopes.
“The suspects were arrested in different parts of the city for the illegal sale of prohibited exotic birds and wild animals, contrary to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act,” the statement read in part.
“The trio is to remain in custody while investigation continues.”
NESREA Director-General, Innocent Barikor, reiterated that trafficking in endangered species remained a crime under Nigerian laws, and anyone caught culpable would be prosecuted accordingly.
Barikor emphasised on the need to protect endangered species, under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory.
He added that all living things play different roles in ensuring biodiversity sustainability.
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.