News
We’ll Upscale Operations Against Threats, COAS Pledges
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, says the Nigerian Army will upscale its operations against all threats in all zones of the federation to bring the much desired peace, stability and relief to law abiding citizens.
Lagbaja gave the assurance at the opening of the Combined Second and Third Quarters COAS Conference, yesterday in Abuja.
He said that attention would be focused on banditry, kidnapping and other sundry crimes in the North West; insurgency and terrorism in the North East; farmers-herders clashes and kidnapping in the North Central and the insurrection in the South East.
Lagbaja added that economic sabotage and associated crimes in the South-South region would also receive serious attention.
According to him, the army will not leave any zone unprotected.
The COAS said the Nigerian army would upscale its manpower and equipment in all the theatres of operation.
He said Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East had effectively curtailed Boko Haram and other terrorist activities in the region resulting in large-scale surrender of members of terrorist groups and submission of large cache of arms and ammunition.
According to him, the good people of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa are steadily picking up their livelihood as the military, in collaboration with the government, is helping to restore governance to hitherto ungoverned areas.
Lagbaja also said the operational activities of troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch, had greatly checkmated banditry and insurgency in the North West and North Central regions.
“We have equally heightened our efforts in containing criminalities perpetrated in the South East Region by the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network.
“Through Operation UDO KA, our troops have, in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, put an end to the infamous sit-at-home order that has almost crippled socio-economic activities in the region.
“Law-abiding citizens of the region now go about their businesses and everyday life.
“Similarly, our joint efforts with various government agencies have quelled attempts by criminals to disrupt economic activities in the South West Region.
“Our troops’ upscaled anti-illegal oil bunkering operations in Operation Delta Safe in the South-South Region, which have also yielded tremendous outcomes.
“Although we are not there yet in terms of the level of success we hope to achieve in our anti-illegal bunkering operations; there is no denying the fact that we have seen appreciable improvement in the country’s daily crude production,” he said.
The COAS said the military had suffered some painful setbacks and paid for their successes in blood and treasures.
He however assured that troops have remained resolute in the drive to deny all criminal elements freedom of action and have intensified onslaught against them.
Lagbaja said the Nigerian army had established Special Forces units specially trained to tackle various criminalities across the country and further enhance the army’s operational efforts.
According to him, the special forces units have continued to record impressive performances through intelligence-led operations and use of special equipment.
“As we continue to procure and induct more sophisticated platforms and equipment into the various theatres as force multipliers, I charge field commanders to ensure the maintenance of these platforms and equipment to prolong their life span and enable the nation to optimize its investment.”
Lagbaja said the quarterly conference was designed to provide veritable platform to review the conduct of the army’s administrative, training, logistics, and operational activities, as well as other key issues relating to the service.
He urged the senior officers and commanders to brainstorm and holistically review all operations and related activities carried out by the army in and outside Nigeria within the period under review.
The Nigerian rail system generated N1.69billionn in revenue from passengers in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting a 53.14 per cent increase compared to the N1.10billion recorded in the same period of 2023.
This data was disclosed by the National Bureau of Statistics in its report released yesterday.
According to the report, a total of 689,263 passengers travelled by rail in Q2, representing a growth rate of 45.38 per cent compared to 474,117 passengers in the corresponding quarter of 2023.
The volume of goods transported via rail also saw a significant increase, with 143,759 tons moved in Q2 2024, up from 56,936 tons in Q2 2023. Additionally, the Nigerian Railway Corporation reported a volume of 5,940 tons of goods transported through pipelines in Q2 2024, an increase from the 2,856 tons recorded in the same period of the previous year.
Revenue from goods conveyed via rail stood at N537.36m in Q2 2024, a remarkable increase of 206.68 per cent compared to N175.22m in Q2 2023. The movement of goods through pipelines also contributed to revenue generation, with N42.08m collected in Q2 2024, compared to N12.81million in Q2 2023.
Other revenue receipts amounted to N994.68million in Q2 2024, representing a staggering increase of 5,206.68 per cent from the N18.74m recorded in the corresponding period of last year.
In the first quarter, of 2024, The Tide source reported that Nigeria spent more on servicing the debt incurred for building its railways than the revenue generated by its railway system. The country spent 2,470 per cent more on railway debt servicing than it made from revenue from rail services in the first quarter of 2024.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is committed to advancing projects and programmes that enhance food security and sustainable growth in the region.
Chief Monday Igbuya, the Delta State representative on the NDDC Board, made this pledge in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, yesterday by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Igbuya spoke at the inauguration of a training and empowerment programme for women and youths in livestock and agro processing in Amukpe, Sapele area of Delta.
He stated that the NDDC was prioritising livestock training in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“NDDC is focussed on implementing programmes to ensure food security and agricultural growth in multi sectors, aiming to improve living standards.
“It is our belief that for socio-economic development to take place, there is need to develop manpower in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Igbuya expressed confidence that training farmers would enhance livestock production, create jobs, and alleviate poverty in the Niger Delta.
Mrs Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, said that training farmers and entrepreneurs was essential for improving productivity and market access.
“The commission has been promoting research and development through various institutions and providing farming techniques to beneficiaries,” she said.
The Project Consultant, Dr Simon Akhaine, said that 200 women and youths had registered for the livestock and agro-business skill acquisition programme.
According to him, the programme aims to equip them with the essential knowledge and skills for self-sufficiency in livestock farming, thereby boosting regional food security.
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this year.
In his stead, Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual summit.
Tinubu “wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed yesterday.
The statement is titled ‘Vice President Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly.’
It reads, “President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this year.
“Therefore, the President has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.”
Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trips to China and the United Kingdom, “wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” said Onanuga.
At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.
The high-level General Debate, with the theme “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations,” will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024.
-
Niger Delta4 days agoOborevwori Hails Muslims, Urges Prayers For Nigeria’s Progress
-
Politics4 days ago
Confusion As Aides Raise Alarm Over EFCC’s Move To Nab Ex-Gov Bello
-
Featured4 days agoPensioners Urge Labour To Renew N250,000 Minimum Wage Demand
-
Sports4 days ago
CTC Boss Urges Grassroots Players To Support Govt
-
News4 days ago
NCC Moves To Harness 6GHz Spectrum For Broadband Growth
-
Nation4 days ago
EU Earmarks $11bn For Flood-Hit Nations
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
Bayelsa Dep Gov Resumes Work After Vacation
-
Politics4 days ago
Ensure Free, Fair Guber Poll In Edo, PDP Tells INEC, Police