News
Army Okays 61 Brigade For Yenagoa
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the Nigerian Army Council has approved the establishment of a new brigade headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Buratai said this when he paid a courtesy call on Gov. Seriake Dickson in Yenagoa, yesterday.
He said that the new army formation would be known as the 61 Brigade, Nigerian Army.
Buratai said a commander had been appointed for the brigade while operations at the new formation would take off as soon as possible.
The COAS said the establishment of the new brigade was in furtherance of government’s strategic plan of reinforcing security in the state and by extension, the Niger Delta region.
According to Buratai, the Niger Delta is very important to the security and economy of the nation due to its closeness to the Gulf of Guinea and its status as an oil rich territory.
On the ongoing ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile’, Buratai said that troops had been directed to conduct themselves in the most professional manner.
He assured residents of the region that the Army was out to protect their interest as well as committed to their defence against external aggressors at all times.
“Exercise Crocodile Smile as you are aware is an exercise aimed at training our men on amphibious warfare because of the peculiarity of the terrain that requires special training.
“This exercise is also important because of the need to build the capacity of our men which has been neglected for a very long time.
“We have also integrated civil relations activities such as the medical outreach in communities in the region to enable us win their confidence as we carry on with our training.’’
He said that the Army had planned to expand the scope of its civil-military relations to include educational assistance in various communities, especially by supporting teaching in primary and secondary schools.
Buratai said plans were underway to get engineers involved in road maintenance works in the various communities where the army would hold similar exercises.
The army chief disclosed that more than 3,000 personnel with the relevant equipment and logistics were involved in the ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile’ in the Niger Delta.
Buratai said that more troops and logistics would be mobilised in the 2017 amphibious field training exercise.
“We hope to expand this in next year’s exercise; we will be mobilising more than 10,000 troops comprising officers and soldiers.
“This is to reassure all Nigerians that the army was committed to securing their lives and property at all times.’’
In his remarks, the governor condemned the killing of innocent people, especially service personnel in this state.
He commended the efforts and sacrifices of our armed forces for keeping this nation secured and strong while calling on citizens to cooperate with them in the interest of development.
“In the exercise that you are conducting in this region, we believe that it is for the good of our society and want to call on our people to cooperate and show understanding with the military.
“I want to call on our people not to panic, these officers and soldiers are not from any other country, these people who have the mandate to ensure your safety in your communities and along our waterways.
“Security cannot be conducted properly without efficient collaboration; this means you understand the role of collaboration as a cornerstone for the provision of security in any area.’’
Dickson called for more dialogue with stakeholders in the Niger Delta in order to solve the current security challenges and as a road map for the development of the region.
He said the government and people of Bayelsa were fully in support of the military and would want improved military presence in the state to guarantee safety of lives and property.
According to Dickson, there is nothing anyone can do to bring development without first fixing security.
“We are ready to work with you in the establishment of a brigade headquarters here in Yenagoa and two battalions, one in Sagbama and the other in Nembe.
“The government of Bayelsa, which understands the imperative of security, will work with you to ensure the military improves its presence in the Niger Delta.
“More than security, the Army has been a partner for development; so, for us the military is an essential partner not just for security, but for development,’’ he said.
Our correspondent reports that Buratai visited sector headquarters and other units in Bayelsa as part of his tour of exercise areas of the ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile’.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.
The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.
Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”
He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.
Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”
He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.
“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.
According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.
He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”
The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”
He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.
The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.
It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”
The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.
The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.
Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.
According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”
Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.
“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.
Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”
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