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Jos Mayhem: Commission rejects petition against police in Jos
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the cause(s) of November 28, 2008, sectarian violence in Jos, Plateau state, has thrown away the petition filed against the state police command.
It was the first petition to be thrown out since it started public hearing in January, this year. The rejected petition was filed by Chief Richard Anderson on behalf of Miango Rest Home.
Rejecting the memo No/JcI/J/15/2009 and dated February 4, the commission’s chairman, Justice Bola Ajibola explained that the petition was outside the panel’s terms of reference.
Consequently, the petitioner was advised to direct his petition to the police headquarters, Abuja. The petitioner earlier told the commission that the authorities of Miango Rest Home, had in the first week of February requested for police protection in a Jos suburb.
The Home, he stated was Evangelical Church of West Africa’s (ECWA) estate meant for the church’s expatriate missionaries.
Chief Anderson told the commission that all expatriate missionaries in the state were in early February this year, directed to move with their families to the Home for their security. The directive, according to him, came on the heels of another round of breakdown of law and order in the state.
According to him the management of the Home went to the State Police Headquarters, Jos, requested for police protection of the estate. The petitioners told the commission that to his consternation, the deputy commissioner of police did not send police personnel to protect the Home.
Besides, he alleged that the police chief, a Muslim, harassed his team in the process. He said the management had no alternative than to resort to the employment of local vigilante group to secure the estate.
He further told the commission that his team’s frantic efforts were futile despite the interventions of Special Adviser to governor, Jonah Jang on security matters, and the then Information and Communication Commissioner, Hon Nuhu Gargara. According to him “it was clear that Nigeria Police can longer protect life and property.”
Meanwhile, the commission has adjourned sine-die to enable it read through, and study the documents and exhibits it has received.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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