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Security: We Won’t Let Nigerians Down, COAS Assures
The Nigerian Army, yesterday, said that it has increased its deployments of troops in various theatres of operations across the country and created new units to effectively deal with the menace of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups in the country.
The Army has equally assured that it would not let Nigerians down as it has intensified in its operations to wipe the various criminal groups disturbing the peace of the country.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, who gave the assurance, said that insecurity would soon be a thing of the past in the country as the Army has recorded tremendous successes in its counter-insurgency, anti-banditry war and other internal security operations.
Yahaya made this known at the opening of the 2022 Chief of Army Staff (COAS), first-quarter conference holding in Abuja.
The conference is being attended by Principal Staff Officers, General Officers Commanding, field commanders, commandants of Army training institutions, among other senior officers.
Declaring the conference open, the Army chief, while thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for his support, strategic guidance and confidence reposed on officers and soldiers of the Nigerian army to carry out its job, said “we want to assure Nigerian that we won’t let them down, we will continue to forge ahead in our operational activities and we would get there by the grace of God”.
The COAS, while noting that the state of insecurity in Nigeria was marked by heightened insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West as well as agitation for secession and sundry disturbances in other parts of the country upon his assumption in office, said he concentrated on the improved personnel development to reinvigorate and rejuvenate the troops towards achieving the constitutional mandate of the Nigerian Army.
He said “This has been largely achieved with the increasing re-equipping of the Nigerian Army which has made the force better poised to tackle the myriad of contemporary and emerging security threats. Our modest successes against the terrorists in the North-East are being recognised and applauded in the global index.
Yahaya said: “Our untiring efforts and gains against armed bandits and other violent criminals in the North-West and North-Central, secessionists in the South-East and other criminals in other geo-political zones are also gaining success. This was achieved through increased synergy with our sister services, other security agencies and stakeholders.
“Furthermore, training activities such as ex-RESTORE HOPE and ex PROJECT STINGER in conjunction with foreign partners are yielding the desired results and would be accordingly sustained. With the gradual waning of the impacts of COVID-19 on the global front, more collaboration will be sought with foreign partners in various spheres. It is also heartwarming to note that in line with my vision to promote jointness in operations, the Nigerian Army has continued to contribute successfully in several joint operations across the country. We will continue to work assiduously with the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force as well as other security agencies and relevant stakeholders towards ensuring enduring peace in our dear nation.
He said that “within the last year, the Nigerian Army had embarked on a number of infrastructural development projects, undertook further force restructuring, as well as optimized logistical support amongst others. The procurement and deployment of several platforms, particularly Armoured Fighting Vehicles and Artillery pieces into the theatres of operations have immensely enhanced our performance.
“The professional deployment of these hardware coupled with astute leadership provided by field commanders has led to the successes recorded so far. We will forever remain grateful to the Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, for making the much-needed provisions and for his strategic guidance, his continuous support and confidence reposed in us. We equally appreciate all others at all levels who support and continue to contribute to our efforts at enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army. We shall continue to forge ahead with even greater vigour, commitment and determination and would not let you down.”
He further stated that: “We have also evolved seamless administrative measures and improved tremendously on welfare packages, to boost the morale of our troops. Some of our new welfare packages aimed at improving the overall wellbeing of the troops would be unveiled in the course of this conference. The Nigerian Army has also intensified its civil-military relations efforts and imbibed the best global practices in the conduct of various operations in line with the principles of the laws of armed conflict as well as promotion and respect for fundamental human rights. This was most evident in the professional conduct of troops during Operation SAFE CONDUCT while in support of civil authorities during the conduct of the Anambra State elections in November, 2021. This would be the benchmark for any such engagements in the future.”
To consolidate on the successes attained so far, the COAS, said that “deliberate efforts would be made throughout this conference to appraise our ongoing activities. Our discussions would be focused on achieving the overall objective of better positioning the Nigerian Army to decisively confront the prevailing security challenges in the country. Such timely evaluation is critical in galvanising our collective strength and eliminating our weaknesses.”
He expressed the hope that the briefs and presentations lined up for the conference would go a long way to generate robust deliberations and strategies to spur the Nigerian Army to greater heights in 2022 and beyond.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.