Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Era of coups gone for good - CDS Irabor – Newstrends
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Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Era of coups gone for good – CDS Irabor

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Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor

The era of coups is gone for good, Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor, assured Nigerians yesterday.

He said the military would assist the police, if such a need arises, to provide security during the general election.

Irabor spoke with reporters at the National Arcade, Abuja, at the end of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

President Muhammadu Buhari and other senior government officials attended the event.
Irabor said: “Democracy has come to stay; a government of the people, by the people and for the people has come to stay. That is an assurance.”

On soldiers’ involvement in the election, he added: “I have been discussing with the IG (Inspector-General of Police).

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“We’ve also made contingencies should we be required to give support to the police as the election is conducted.

“Rest assured that the Armed Forces remain solidly behind the police to give them all the support as required.”

Irabor emphasised that the remembrance day was not for mourning.

He said: “It is the day that we need to give thanks to God; that men and women of this great nation once served, are serving and will continue to serve this country.

“We have that level of love for the country; that men and women have committed to and, if need be, sacrifice their lives so that the rest of us can live. I think it’s a worthwhile thing.

“So, today, it’s quite a very unique day, that the nation has set it aside to value, to place a premium on the services and honouring the services of men or women of our great country.

“Of course, going forward, the fact that one has been appreciated motivates one, and I think that is the message that has gone across the length and breadth of the members of the Armed Forces.

“So, we’re more motivated to continue to play our part.

“The veterans should also know that their services are not in vain.”

The widow of a fallen Air Force Officer, Mrs Cynthia Ngozi Ubah, called for speedy processing of the life insurance benefits and other entitlements due to the families.

Ubah is the widow of Victor Ubah, a Nigerian Air Force Squadron Leader, who was killed in an ambush during a joint operation in Kebbi State on July 7, 2021.

Although she received the benefits due her within one month of her husband’s demise, she said other families have not been so fortunate.

She said: “It is taking a while to compensate some of the families.

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“Before, it used to take a shorter while. Now? Families have to wait, keep waiting and keep calling.

“Mine didn’t take time, thankfully. But I have seen others in this situation and they’ve been complaining that it has taken them a very long time. Mine was between a month and two.

“But for some, it’s stretching to nine months to a year now, which is not telling well on them.

“But I believe they (the military) are doing their best. Hopefully, they get to settle these people.”

She said the remembrance ceremony was a message to her and the families of other slain personnel that their loved ones did not die in vain.

President Buhari earlier led other senior members of the government to the Wreath Laying Ceremony, marking the climax of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.

The event, which honours the memory of the nation’s fallen heroes, is marked across the country every year, involving a series of activities, including religious services, parades and wreath-laying ceremonies.

The President, who arrived at the National Arcade at 10:05 am, was immediately ushered onto the saluting dais for the National Salute.

He also inspected the guards of honour, accompanied by the Commander, Brigade of Guards, Major General Muhammad Takuti Usman, after which he proceeded to the cenotaph for the wreath-laying ceremony.

Other dignitaries who laid wreaths were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola.

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Man gets four-year jail for sexually assaulting teenager in Lagos

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Man gets four-year jail for sexually assaulting teenager in Lagos

One Onyeka Ubaka has been sentenced to four years imprisonment for sexual assault and maltreatment of a 16-year-old girl in Lagos State.

He was convicted and sentenced by an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Tuesday.

Justice Rahmon Oshodi convicted him after he pleaded guilty to the two amended charges brought against him by the Lagos State Government.

Ubaka was initially arraigned on January 12, 2024, and was initially charged with defilement through one-count information filed on October 26, 2023, to which he pleaded not guilty.

In the court proceedings, the prosecution counsel, B. E. Okeowo, presented a single witness, the prosecutrix, whose testimony proved particularly significant in establishing the case against the defendant. The prosecutrix who provided a testimony, identified the defendant as her boyfriend and disclosed that she was 16 years old in 2023 and that her relationship with the defendant began in her mother’s shop.

The victim testified to the court that the defendant had multiple instances of sexual intercourse with her, which resulted in pregnancy and childbirth.

“The defendant is the father of my child. He impregnated me, and the child is five months old.”

According to PUNCH, the victim, during cross-examination, gave testimony evidence that incriminate the defendant.

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In one instance, she disclosed that the defendant took her to a bar, gave her yogurt to drink, and after she drank it, she lost consciousness. She further disclosed that she woke up in a hotel room and realised that the defendant had non-consensual sex with her and told her to keep the incident a secret.

At the court proceeding on Tuesday, Justice Oshodi disclosed to the court that the prosecution counsel, B. E. Okeowo, had informed the court that the parties had entered a plea and sentence agreement dated and filed on November 25, 2024. The court then charged and convicted the defendant on the amended charge of indecent acts and sexual assault to which the defendant pleaded guilty.

Justice Ramon, in his judgment, stated that the prosecution had established beyond a reasonable doubt the charges brought against the defendant, and found the defendant guilty of indecent act and sexual assault.

“From the evidence presented by the prosecution, I am satisfied that the essential elements of indecent acts and sexual assault have been established. There is an abundance of evidence to support this conclusion. The defendant’s guilty plea further justifies his conviction for the offences contained in the amended information.

“Therefore, I find the defendant guilty and convict him under Sections 134 and 263 of the Criminal Law Supra”, he ruled.

When asked what he had to say, the defendant begged the court to temper justice with mercy.

“Temper justice with mercy so that I will take care of my responsibility,” he appealed.

It is gathered that the defendant’s father had paid the sum of N300,000 and had undertaken to sponsor the prosecutrix first degree and take full responsibility for the child until the child is eight years old.

The prosecution counsel in her final statement asked the court to convict the defendant according to the plea bargain.

“We ask that the convict be sentenced according to the plea bargain agreement starting from the day of remand, March 23, 2023, and this will pass a message to society that sexual offenders are not tolerated in our society.

“We also ask that the name of the convict be registered in the Sexual Offenders Register”, Okeowo said.

Justice Oshodi then found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to four years imprisonment.

 

Man gets four-year jail for sexually assaulting teenager in Lagos

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Lagos taskforce raids criminal hideout, arrests 53 drug peddlers

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Lagos taskforce raids criminal hideout, arrests 53 drug peddlers

CSP Adetayo Akerele, Chairman of Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, announced the arrest of 53 suspected criminals in Gowon Estate.

Akerele said this operation aimed to boost safety, security, and environmental decorum in the area.

“The agency apprehended drug peddlers, addicts; miscreants; street urchins; illegal street traders and people of shady business dealings.

“We found various illicit drugs and narcotics, including Indian hemp, codeine syrup, and colorado,” Akerele said.

The operation brings relief to residents of Gowon Estate, Ipaja, Egbeda, Idimu, and surrounding areas affected by these criminals.

“Residents have endured trauma and safety risks due to these unauthorized squatters.

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The taskforce is committed to safeguarding residents and ridding the metropolis of individuals preying on law-abiding citizens,” Akerele said.

The agency will monitor other criminal hideouts, blackspots, and abandoned properties.

“This vigilance aims to deter individuals with sinister motives.

“These arrests demonstrate our determination to maintain a safe environment.

“We will hold every individual involved in these illegal practices accountable,” Akerele said.

The 53 suspects will face charges for narcotics-related offenses.

Residents are urged to report suspicious activities through the “See Something, Say Something” initiative.

 

Lagos taskforce raids criminal hideout, arrests 53 drug peddlers

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Nigeria Customs returns 21 stolen luxury vehicles to Canada

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Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

Nigeria Customs returns 21 stolen luxury vehicles to Canada

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday returned 21 luxury vehicles worth over N1.8 billion to Canada after they were stolen and smuggled into Nigeria by a criminal syndicate.

Speaking to Newsman in Lagos, Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized the seriousness of the growing trade in stolen vehicles and its impact on Nigeria’s economy and security.

According to Adeniyi, Nigeria has become a significant hub for stolen vehicles in West Africa, with syndicates exploiting the country’s ports and borders to traffic vehicles from regions such as Europe, North America, and South America.

He highlighted data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicating that only 54% of stolen vehicles were recovered between 2013 and 2015, illustrating the scale of the problem.

“This trend undermines our legitimate automotive market, strains our security infrastructure, and damages Nigeria’s international reputation,” Adeniyi said.

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He further noted that the illegal trade affects President Tinubu’s economic reforms, which aim to position Nigeria as a trusted hub for international commerce.

To combat this challenge, Adeniyi disclosed that the NCS launched Operation Hot Wheels, a collaborative initiative involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Canadian authorities, and international law enforcement agencies. The operation focused on intelligence sharing, surveillance, and interdiction to disrupt vehicle trafficking networks.

Adeniyi further disclosed that the operation uncovered sophisticated smuggling techniques, including false cargo declarations and containerized shipments used to conceal stolen vehicles.

During one operation, officers intercepted a container at Onne Port in Rivers State declared to contain used vehicles and spare parts. A physical examination revealed three undeclared 2021 Toyota Highlanders, two of which were confirmed stolen from Canada.

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