News
Army Vows To Deal With Militants In Bakassi
The Chief of Army
Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, has stormed Cross River State, reading a riot act to militants in Bakassi, disturbing residents of villages along the creeks of Akpabuyo and Bakassi Local Government Areas of the state to desist or face severe consequences, stressing that the army was fully prepared to flush them out of the area.
The Tide reports that residents of Akpabuyo and Bakassi local government areas are alleged to have been living in perpetual fear due to seemingly unrestrained activities of militants who are reported to have taken over the creeks of the two local government areas, kidnapping, assaulting and raping unsuspecting victims, dispossessing them of their precious belongings, thereby negatively impacting economic activities.
Speaking to journalists at the flag-off of the ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile’ at the Amphibious Training School of the Nigerian Army in Calabar, the state capital, the Buratai, stated that the exercise would help the military patrol and monitor criminal activities in the hard-to-reach areas of the state.
“You can see the troop that just left here, they are on their way to all parts of Cross River, especially t he Bakassi area where suspected terrorists are operating,” the chief of Army staff said.
While addressing the troops shortly after concluding a capability test and inspecting the guard of honour, Brutai commended his men for their efforts in containing all criminality that exist within the region.
He charged officers and men of the force to continue in the maintenance of the Army‘s presence in all the creeks and flash points where criminal activities exist.
The COAS, while in a meeting with the state Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, said the exercise was imperative in view of the challenges in the Niger Delta.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Prof Ivara Esu, explained that the amphibious training was a routine exercise designed to reposition the officers and men of the military for the tasks ahead, and stressed that it would go a long way to show that the military personnel were gallant in carrying out their duties.
The Army boss described the cooperation of the security agencies in the state as tremendous, and appealed to the Cross River State Government for continuous support.
In his reaction, Governor Ben Ayade, expressed appreciation to the armed forces for their efforts in checking criminals in the state, and described militants as criminals and miscreants, who plunder the state for their selfish interests.
Ayade, therefore, appealed to the Army to deal decisively with the criminals who feel that they can break the law of the land and get away with it.
He stated that the state needed peace to attract investors, who can invest in the state, given the fact that the state is no longer a beneficiary of crude oil money.
Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
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.
