Defence and Security
Insecurity : Military Trains 103 Kaduna Youths on Armed Combat, Intelligence Gathering
The Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of Kaduna and Bauchi states, has trained 103 youths on armed combat and intelligence gathering.
The training is part of efforts of the military aimed at tackling insecurity in southern parts of Kaduna state.
The graduation ceremony of the trainees took place at the OPSH Sector 7 Command in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area, Kaduna state.
Speaking at the graduation of the trainees on Saturday, Commander of the sector, Col. Timothy Opurum said the formation and training of the civilians was informed by the displacement of some communities by bandits in 2021.
“What brought about this training is the displacement of people living in Jankasa and Kachechere villages under Ungwan Gaya District.
“When I took over, I discovered that there were no people living in those areas because of an incident that happened in that place last year.
“Based on that, I drew these youths from among all the indigenes that had been displaced from that place and gave them
basic training.
“This is to enable the people to retake their lands, especially as we are approaching a new farming season,” he added
Opurum noted that the issue of security is a collective responsibility, hence the necessity for the locals to be involved in the fight against crime.
“Security is everybody’s business and no one individual organisation can have monopoly in ensuring security.
“It is on that basis we felt that there is the need to carry the community along in creating a secure environment for socio-economic development.
We may not completely eliminate crime, but if we work together we will be able to reduce crime to the barest minimum,” he said
According to him, the civilian joint task force comprises youths selected from different ethnic groups and religion.
Members of the civilian joint task force will work together under the control and supervision of the command.
He said the joint civilian task force was named Coalition of Vigilantes Network and will work in synergy with other existing vigilante groups to achieve a common goal.
“Other vigilantes in existence are doing their best, but there seems
to be something missing and that thing missing is synergy.
“I am trying to synergise and bring all the vigilante groups together including all the legions and hunters,” he stated
He thanked the Commander of OPSH, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, for his support towards the success of the exercise.
In his remarks, Mr Amos Gwamna, member representing Jaba/Zango Kataf Federal Constituency, commended the military for its relentless efforts towards ensuring sustainable, peaceful co-existence in southern Kaduna.
Gwamna also commended the youth for their selfless service to their fatherland in the quest for peace.
The lawmaker, however, advised them against allowing themselves to be used as political thugs for selfish interests.
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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