
News
50 private firms to produce military weapons locally – Minister
The Federal Government said on Thursday that the country was poised to begin local production of military equipment with the recent signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Bill by President Bola Tinubu.
By no Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, said following the signing of the bill, the Federal Government had been in talks with about 50 local and internal firms for local production of firearms in the country.
According to him, already 13 of the firms have begun production of firearms in Nigeria.
Badaru, who spoke on Thursday at the Ministerial Sectorial Update in Abuja, added that Nigeria had made significant progress in the fight against terrorism in the last one year under the Tinubu administration.
He said,“With the help of the bill, Nigeria has been discussing with over 50 private companies, both within and abroad, in the area of production of weapons and other military equipment.

“In fact, 13 of them have already started production or are about to start production.”
According to the minister, the military in the last one year killed 9,300 insurgents and arrested 7,000 others.
This feat, he said, was made possible by the close synergy among the Service Chiefs under President Tinubu.
According to him, the synergy increased military productivity and translated into laudable achievements in the last one year.
Badaru, who spoke at the Ministerial Sectorial Update in Abuja on Thursday, said the synergy among the Service Chiefs was different from what obtained in the past.
He said, “The Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff are working together as against what it used to be. That has led to productivity and efficiency in their operations. In addition to this, we have close collaboration with the office of the National Security Adviser, the police, the NSCDC and all other security agencies.
“This has translated to tremendous progress in the last one year. Because of the synergy, we were able to neutralise more than 9,300 bandits and insurgents; about 7,000 were arrested while we rescued 4,641 kidnapped victims in just one year.
“We have also recovered 4,882 assorted weapons and 83,900 assorted ammunition in just one year. Among those that we naturalised were bandits that you hear. We have neutralised not less than 20 bandit leaders the commanders of insurgents and terrorists in just one year. “
The minister said in an effort by the military to boost oil production in the country, no fewer than 1,437 suspects had been arrested and 363 killed in the last one year.
He noted that as a result of the ongoing operations against oil theft, “most of the illegal refineries are down”.
Badaru said, “In our efforts to improve the production of crude oil in the country, We have been able to arrest 1,437 suspects, 363 neutralised and we have freed 245 held captive in the Niger Delta region. We have destroyed 3,051 dug pits, 1,276 boats and 3,924 storage tanks, among others. So most of the illegal refineries are down. Many vessels have also been arrested.”
Badaru said the President has been eager to see an end to insecurity in the country.
“The question from Mr president has always been ‘when are you going to end this thing?’. I keep telling him in no distant future we would end it. We have the personnel and the communities are supporting us. We have seen over 100,000 terrorists surrendering to troops, we are still expecting to see more. Those who refuse to surrender, we will fight them hard,” he said.
Answering questions on why the attacks are still on, the minister said, “The attacks happen around local governments that have forests. These people come out from the forest with motorcycles, attack the people and run back. But we have deployed technology today so that we can see them coming and take care of them before that time. We continue to fight, we will continue to deliver and I can assure you that the successes we have enjoyed in the last one year will be replicated and we will even do more next year.”
Badaru also said the President had approved the recruitment of more personnel into the military to increase its manpower.
He added that the President has directed the full deployment of technology to end insurgency in the country.
He said, “The President has approved that we should recruit more so that we can have boots on the ground and also deploy technology heavily so that we can end the insurgency.”
News
Senator Umeh commiserates with family of boy swept away by flood
The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Dr. Victor Umeh, on Friday paid a condolence visit to the family of Engr. Christian Ezenwafor in Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area, following the tragic death of their six-year-old son, Master Success Ezenwafor.
The incident occurred earlier in the week when floodwaters swept away a vehicle conveying pupils of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School, Awka. Among the victims was young Success, whose life was cut short in heartbreaking circumstances.
Senator Umeh, who was in Awka on an on-the-spot assessment of the growing menace of flooding and erosion in the area, made a stop at Nibo to personally console the bereaved family.

The victim, Master Success Ezenwafor
Expressing deep sadness over the loss, Senator Umeh offered words of solace to the grieving parents and family members during the visit.

“It is heartbreaking that such a young and promising life was cut short in such tragic circumstances,” Senator Umeh said. “Words are insufficient to heal this kind of pain, but we pray that God Almighty grants your family the fortitude and strength to bear this irreparable loss.”

Senator Dr Umeh with the bereaved family
The senator also reiterated his commitment to working with relevant authorities to tackle the recurring flooding and erosion challenges in Anambra Central, stressing that urgent intervention is needed to prevent further loss of lives and property.
News
Enugu Council Election: Residents comply with movement restriction directive, as roads, markets, shops closed
Residents of Enugu metropolis on Saturday complied to the restriction of human and vehicular movement in the ongoing Local Government Election in the state.
It was observed that most roads remained empty of vehicular movement, while markets and shops were closed.
It was also observed that security men on election duties were seen in strategic locations within the metropolis.
Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu State, SP Daniel Ndukwe, noted that security agencies had maintained that the restriction of movement must work to ensure a smooth and hitch-free election.
Ndukwe said that security agencies had begun strict enforcement of the restriction order and would “definite close all shops and penalize motorist found wanting”.

“So, far, the security situation has been generally peaceful and the election process is ongoing smoothly as anticipated.
“We are hopeful it will remain peaceful till 4p.m. when the process will be over.
“From our observation, the restriction of movement has been generally complied with and we will definitely deal with those that act in the contrary today.
“We call on all in the state to be calm, cast their votes peacefully and maintain decorum throughout the process,” he said.
It would be recalled that the police, on behalf of other security agencies, ordered the restriction of human and vehicular movements across the state from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on election day, except for persons on essential duties and duly accredited election officials.
The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission,(ENSIEC) is conducting election into the 17 Chairmanship and 260 Ward Councillorship positions in the state.
Seven political parties, who signed the Peace Pact for the election on Monday, are currently participating at the election.
News
Police officer who said Obi, Igbo man can never be president arrested, in trouble
The Police Command in Lagos State has identified the police inspector seen in a viral video making inappropriate remarks while travelling in public transport.
The command also said it had begun disciplinary proceedings against the officer in line with the established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
Adebisi said the command was committed to transparency and accountability and would not condone conduct capable of bringing the NPF into disrepute.
She said the statements made by the inspector were made in his personal capacity and did not represent the position, views or official disposition of the command or the NPF.

The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Mr Fatai Tijani, reiterated the need for professionalism, civility and discipline among personnel.
“CP Tijani reiterates that all personnel are expected to maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public at all times.
“He said wearing the police uniform came with the responsibility to uphold the integrity and reputation of the NPF.
“The CP warned that the command would not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence in the police.
“He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to accountability and maintaining professional standards among its personnel,” Adebisi said.
The spokesperson said the command remained committed to transparency, accountability and policing with humility and integrity.
In a viral video circulating on social media, the inspector was seen and heard making political and ethnic remarks about former Anambra governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, while aboard a public transport.
The Inspector was also heard making claims about Obi’s suitability for the presidency and alleging that he was a criminal and a “Yahoo” person.
He further suggested that President Bola Tinubu would use his financial resources to defeat Obi in an election, while claiming that an Igbo man could not become president of Nigeria. (NAN)
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