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.

The Nation

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

Early Wednesday morning, gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area.

The assailants reportedly arrived around 6:18 a.m. in a white Lexus SUV (model 350/400) and launched an assault that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.

A military source, who wished to remain anonymous, provided details of the incident but could not confirm the exact number of attackers involved.

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Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.

“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”

The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.

The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.

 

Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

At least 94 illegal occupants and squatters along the railway corridor from Pen Cinema to Fagba were arrested by the Lagos State Taskforce in an early morning sting operation on Wednesday.

During the raid, substances suspected to be hard drugs—such as Indian hemp, colorado, and other harmful drugs—were seized, along with various weapons.

It was gathered that those arrested attempted to resist the task force’s actions.

In a statement, Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed that those arrested will face prosecution.

He added that the agency dismantled shanties and makeshift structures along the railway corridor, clearing a distance of some kilometers.

The Taskforce Chairman Adetayo Akerele explained that the eviction aimed to provide relief for residents around the Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema railway routes, following numerous complaints from the public about criminal activities in the area.

He noted that the squatting had violated environmental and sanitary regulations.

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Akerele also highlighted the health and safety risks posed by the presence of squatters along the rail corridor.

He warned the evicted individuals not to return and assured residents and train passengers that regular patrols and surveillance would be conducted to prevent the re-establishment of shanties in the area.

“The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught converting this place into a den of criminals or an area of residence will face severe consequences according to the law,” Akerele was quoted as saying.

Speaking on the raid, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that a locally fabricated short gun was recovered.

“94 suspects were arrested during the midnight operation; a locally fabricated short gun and several wraps of illicit substance suspected to be indian hemp, charm and a jack knife were recovered.

“The suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” Wahab stated in a post on X.

 

94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

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Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has swept out all Board, Parastatal, and Agency appointees from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, in a decisive move to overhaul the state’s public service.

A statement released on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the immediate dismissal of all political appointees and Permanent Secretaries brought in from outside the state Civil Service.

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The statement reads:

“For the information of the general public, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the dissolution of Executives of all Boards, Agencies, and Parastatals in the Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.

“In addition, all Permanent Secretaries appointed from outside the State Public/Civil Service and all Political Appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.”

Affected individuals have been directed to return all government property in their possession to the senior Public Officers in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

 

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

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