News
Police Deploy 25,000 Personnel For Kogi Election
The Nigeria Police Force yesterday says it has deployed 25,000 policemen for the Nov. 16, Kogi governorship election.
The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, represented by DIG Operations, Abdulmajid Ali, said this at the Independent National Electoral Commission Kogi stakeholders meeting.
According to Idris, the police is ready for the election and will ensure free, fair and credible poll in the state.
“The name Kogi is synonymous with violence but we are ready, we will provide level playing ground to all candidates and remain impartial.
“Officers have been trained, so we want you to support us to provide the level playing ground to all because, of recent we observed clashes between some parties.
“We have taken notice of some of the flash points and we will be serious in these areas, more so, intelligent gathering revealed that some aspirants are also organising their armies.
“They sow uniforms of either army or police for them but we have taken notice of this we are going to take decisive action.
“This will not even happen, so if you are thinking of doing that please have a rethink,” he said.
Idris urged the people of the state to eschew violence so as to experience peaceful election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission would strive to ensure that there was no supplementary election in the state.
Yakubu said that the commission had made provision for persons living with disabilities by providing some special materials like the braille among others.
He said that special provision was also made for those without fingers and those on wheel chairs.
He urged the staff to give preference to pregnant women, nursing mothers, elderly persons in the course of the election.
He said that the commission was working with the police to ensure that electoral offenders were prosecuted.
Yakubu said that with what happened in Ankpa and Lokoja there were some concerns that made INEC to come 36 days to election to appeal to stakeholders for understanding and peaceful conduct.
He said that the commission would hold another meeting between stakeholders and the peace committee to continue to spread the message of peaceful election.
He reassured Nigerians that INEC was not a political party and so would not take side.
Gov. Yahaya Bello, said he was committed to a peaceful election and urged residents to embrace peace.
Bello said that the news of violence in the state was overrated adding that the state was ready for the election.
Mr Musa Wada the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, said election was about the people and so there was no need for violence.
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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