Defence and Security
SON partners Army on intelligence sharing, enforcement
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), says it is seeking partnership with the Nigerian Army on intelligence sharing, surveillance and enforcement against sub-standard goods throughout the country.
This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen by the SON Public Relations Officer South-East/South-South region, Mr Paul Iorkyaa, in Enugu on Wednesday.
The statement said that SON’s State Coordinator for Rivers/Bayelsa, Mr Sam Ayuba, sought the collaboration when he paid a courtesy visit to the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Sanni Mohammed.
It said that the event took place in Port Harcourt on Oct. 13.
Ayuba noted that there was the need to strengthen the collaborative relationship between the Agency and the Division in fighting the menace of substandard products manufactured in the country and those smuggled in through the borders.
The coordinator said: “The sales of substandard products in the markets including army mini-markets were of huge risk to consumers.
“SON is deeply concerned with incessant influx of substandard and fake products, both local and imported, in the South-South zone of the country.
“We, therefore, call for the assistance of the Nigerian Army through the Division on intelligence sharing, surveillance and enforcement operations.
“SON relies on intelligence from sister agencies such as the Nigerian Army, consumer complaints and other sources to gather information for her operations, hence the need for such partnership in crime fighting.”
Responding, Mohammed said that the Division was ready to collaborate with any progressive thinking Agency or Organisation in the area of security and protection of lives and property.
He said that the assurance was in line with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya’s vision.
He explained that the COAS vision is: “To have a Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in the defence of Nigeria”.
Similarly, Ayuba also paid a courtesy visit to Lt.- Col. Mohammed Mashegu, the Commanding Officer, 29 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt.
The coordinator also sought the cooperation of the Battalion in getting rid of substandard products; while commending the Army for its unflinching efforts toward keeping the country safe.
Ayuba also called for ways to sustain the formidable working relationship that had existed between the Agency and Battalion before now.
Responding, Mashegu said that SON should expect nothing short of standard from the battalion, especially in providing the Agency with worthy officers and soldiers for her operations as well as relevant intelligence when needed. (NAN)
The Amotekun Corps in Ondo State have arrested a number of persons in connection with the massacre of worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
The Commander of the Corp, Adetunji Adeleye made this disclosure while addressing newsmen in Akure, the state capital.
Adeleye, however, did not give the actual figure of the suspects arrested, but the corps leader was optimistic that everyone who was involved in the Owo Attack would be brought to book.
When contacted for confirmations, the Ondo State Police Command through its spokesperson, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, said the force is not aware of such and arrest.
Nevertheless, it is expected that the Amotekun Corps would hand the suspects over to the police for further investigations and onward prosecution.
This arrest is the latest development following the attack which left millions devastated across the country.
It comes barely 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari assured Nigerians that the attackers who he described as “cowards” behind recent assaults on churches in the country will be punished.
“As for the cowards, they will be punished for their crimes. We will bring them to justice.
Rest assured that the full might of Nigeria’s formidable security and intelligence forces are involved in that endeavor,” Buhari was quoted as saying in a statement by his media aide Garba Shehu.
“For now, I urge all Nigerians to come together in prayer-whether Christian, Muslim, or any of our great faiths- let us hold the victims and their families in our hearts and minds.
“Let us show the cowards who seek to divide us along religious lines that we will not be divided. Let us show them that Nigerians will continue to cherish what we share while respecting each other’s differences. Let us show them that Nigerians will never be bullied by cowards, extremists, or terrorists.”
According to President Buhari, the country’s religious freedom and diversity are what makes Nigeria great.
The Ondo State Government has opened an account to receive donations from people who may wish to assist the victims of the terrorist attack in Owo, Ondo State.
This was made known on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, Richard Olatunde.
He commended the donations received so far while calling on well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies willing to assist the victims of the terrorist attack may do so in the following account:
ACCOUNT NAME- ODSG- OWO TERRORIST ATTACK RELIEF FUND.
ACCOUNT NO -1401203148
BANK: PROVIDUS BANK
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has assured that the state government on its part will remain unshaken in committing its resources to the security of lives and property.
He noted that efforts are deepened to ensure that the survivors of the attack at various hospitals are given the best medical care.
No fewer than 32 people have been reportedly killed by bandits in separate attacks on four communities within Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The affected communities are Ungwan Gamu, Dogon Noma, Ungwan Sarki and Maikori.
The police are yet to confirm the incident, but the District Head of Kufena, Titus Dauda , told Channels Television that the attacks occurred on Sunday and that 32 people lost their lives while a church and several houses were destroyed in the process.
He added that the bandits in their large numbers first attacked Dogon Noma in the early hours of Sunday morning, and killed several people mostly men , before proceeding to Ungwan Gamu and Maikori villages where they also killed people and burnt down houses.
The district head further disclosed that the victims have been laid to rest while the affected communities have been deserted by the residents due to fear of being attacked.
A resident of one of the communities, also claimed that a helicopter was seen shooting at the residents from the air, while the remaining bandits were on the ground to attack any fleeing residents.
However, a top security source countered the claim, saying that the military engaged the bandits both by ground and air, adding that this eventually forced the bandits to retreat.
Source: CTV
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