News
Atiku Cautions Security Agencies On Polls
Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has cautioned security personnel not to interfere with the political process as such a development falls outside their constitutional provisions.
Atiku, who gave this warning yesterday in Jalingo, Taraba State, during the PDP presidential campaign rally, emphasised the duty of security personnel, being a former security personnel.
Addressing the teeming party supporters at the rally, Atiku explained that the duty of security personnel is to ensure that the electorate and voters are all safe and that the process is seamless.
The former Vice President also warned that any government that draws the police, army, civil defence into politics does not mean well for the personnel.
The presidential candidate, who said that security agencies have no business interfering with the political process, as it is beyond their constitutional responsibility, added that their work is to make sure that there is peace, law and order.
He said: “Our Security services you have no business to interfere with our political process, that is not your work. Your work is to make sure that there is peace, law and order.
“It is not your business, it is not your business to interfere in our political process. This is not your constitutional responsibility at all.
“Your constitutional responsibility is to make sure that we are all safe. Any government that draws the security agencies, the police, the army, the civil defence that government is doing more harm to your career, is doing more harm to your patriotism and more harm to yourself.
“Don’t accept that; don’t get involved, allow us to choose the leaders we want to choose and to elect the people we want to elect, it is not your business whom we elect at all.
“So I want to caution the security services not to get involved because there are many of us who are also security officers, so don’t come and tell us bullshit.”
He assured Taraba residents that he will end insecurity which has become a major challenge in the region, complete Mambilla Hydro Power Electricity and usher in an enabling environment for job creation.
“I want to promise you that the much awaited Mambilla Hydro Electric Power, we will complete it so that you will not have problem of power whatsoever.
“I also want to promise you, your federal roads will be taken care of. Taraba is one of the most endowed States in this country, we are going to exploit it, the natural resources which is in abundance in Taraba so that you can have prosperity, so that we can bring employment, so that we can create jobs for our teaming men and women.”
He equally reminded them that the North East is closest to the Presidency now than ever, charging them not to allowed the opportunity to slip away.
“And this is the first time since 1999, when you are going to have a president from this state, you are going to have a president from this zone, so do you want to take it to another state, to another zone. No! God bless you,” he said.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of the Party, Prince Uche Secondus alleged that President Buhari is planting the military on regions perceived to be against the government, adding that security agencies have the responsibility to defend the country.
“We have issue of Boko Haram in Borno. They should tackle that issue. Buhari, don’t use the military to terrorise regions that you don’t like. Enough is enough.
“The Nigerian military is to defend our territory’s integrity. We shouted aloud that foreigners were entering into our country. They have no response to it because we have evidence.
“We will continue to hammer that the election must be free and fair. We will continue to address these issues until that day. We believe that when you conduct free and fair election and we elect a credible candidate that is the only way to bring peace in this country.
“We believe that anyone that wins from a free and fair process, that person will be the choice of Nigeria. But if you manipulate, if you rig this election, the PDP and others will not accept it. INEC, be warned.”
The Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku said that Atiku has the solution to insecurity and unemployment that has ravaged the region and assured that the state would be delivered to PDP in all the elections.
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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