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‘Repent or leave Kogi’, Gov Ododo warns all criminal elements

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has vowed to flush out all criminal elements in the state.

Governor Ododo made the resolution on Friday during the passing out parade of 132 ranks and files of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Kogi State Command.

The governor, who was represented by the State Security Adviser, Commodore Jerry Omodara, noted that since his administration came on board, there has been a fightback by criminals.

He said, “Security is a work in progress. Now that there is a new government in Kogi State, we have begun to realise that there is a fightback by criminals. We have a solid foundation as far as security is concerned in Kogi State.

“That is the reason we quickly reviewed the security architecture of the state and every loophole we needed to block. We are already sniffing them out. We have issues with almost three kidnapped cases simultaneously along the Obajana Kabba road.

” That almost gave us another bad name. I can assure you today that the state has tackled them very well. The governor is determined.

He called on all the security agencies to work in synergy and ensure that Kogi State remains safe

” We are ensuring that we don’t sleep. There is a 24-hour patrol in Kogi. We are blocking every road. We know the challenges now. The current governor, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, is determined and ever-ready to sustain the foundation of security he inherited from the previous government and also improve on it. And that is why we are investing heavily in technical and human intelligence.

“When we have the security working as one body, you will discover that we will achieve results. Insecurities are community-based. We have also involved security at the grassroots. We are carrying the hunters along and reviewing the Kogi State Vigilantes’ activities. We are bringing them together to be a serious fighting force to make sure Kogi is kept safe.

” Kogi State is too critical to Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. If Kogi State is not safe, the FCT is not safe. We are not going to allow what is happening in neighbouring states to happen in Kogi State. The governor is determined, and we are going to do it,” he added.

Governor Ododo said, “They should repent or leave Kogi State. We also want the people of Kogi State, who have been doing it before, to renew their strength. They know that when they give us information, the people who are involved in these criminal activities don’t get to know. Give us information, and security agencies will get to the root of it and tackle insecurities. We are again very determined.”.

He, however, commended the NSCDC for their role in protecting lives and properties in the country, tasking them to do more for the unity of Nigeria as a nation.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant of NSCDC in Kogi State, Paul Igwebuike, commended the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, whose policies of revamping and rejigging NSCDC have yielded positive transformation in the corps.

He charged the newly recruited officers to serve their fatherland with total sincerity for the nation.

According to him, “Our security situation continues to be uncertain and fluid, with a persisting combination of conventional and unconstitutional challenges. You will therefore see yourselves involved in a variety of tasks. You must, however, see your graduation today as not the end but a new beginning of your training and education in the Corps.

“The present government in Kogi State is poised to flush out criminalities. And we are all out for it. Security keeping is a serious business, and all hands must be on deck. Criminals have started fleeing away. We will tackle them head-on.

“In terms of the protection of critical national assets that fall within our mandate, we are already safeguarding them. Vandalization and all that is associated with it will come to an end in Kogi State.”.

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Gov Nwifuru congratulates Mbata on emergence as Ohanaeze president General

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru has congratulated the newly elected President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator Mbata.

Nwifuru said with the experiences Senator Mbata has garnered in various theatres, taking the organisation to yet another level of growth is indubitable.

This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr Monday Uzor and made available to journalists in Abakaliki.

The Governor says, “Sen Mbata your emergence is a testament to your outstanding leadership qualities, dedication, and the confidence reposed in you by our people.

“This pivotal role offers an opportunity to unite and advance the interests of our ethnic group, promoting our rich cultural heritage, values, and aspirations.

“I am confident that under your able leadership, you will continue to serve as a beacon of progress, fostering unity, development, and a stronger sense of identity among the Igbo people”.

While assuring greater collaboration with the apex Igbo socio-cultural body, Governor Nwifuru asserted “Please be assured of my administration’s support as we work collaboratively to uplift our communities and address the challenges facing our people”

News

Tinubu approves ban on homosexuality in Nigeria’s military

Nigeria’s military personnel have been banned from engaging in homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, cross-dressing, and other acts deemed contrary to the ethics of the country’s armed forces.

The nation’s military personnel were also barred from body piercing, tattooing, disorderly behaviour and drunkenness on or off duty.

The fresh directive is contained in Section 26 of the revised Harmonised Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service signed by President Bola Tinubu on December 16, 2024, a copy sighted by DAILY POST’S correspondent at the weekend.

Also, the condition of service prohibited military personnel from joining secret cults and owning private businesses.

“An officer must not engage in homosexuality, lesbianism, or bestiality.

“He/she is not to belong to or engage in activities of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Trans, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual or Agender, Two-Spirit, LGBTQIA2S+, group and cross-dressing, amongst others.
“An officer must not engage in body piercing and tattooing of any part of his body. An officer shall not engage in any form of disorderly behaviour, brawl, or any action of public disgrace. An officer must not at any time be drunk, whether on or off duty.”

The condition of service also forbids the involvement of officers in amorous relationships with subordinates or their spouses.

The military personnel are obligated to pay financial dues, including vehicle licenses and insurance, on time, while they are prohibited from joining secret societies or political parties.

“An officer shall pay all just financial obligations in a proper and timely manner, especially those imposed by law and mutual contract. It is a very serious offence for an officer to be apprehended for failure to license or insure his vehicle and other legal financial obligations. In the same vein, the issuance of a dud cheque constitutes an offence.

“An officer shall not hold membership in any secret society or political party. He shall not participate, in any way, in activities concerned with such societies or parties, even in observatory capacities.

“For the avoidance of doubt, since cultural or purely traditional religious societies are not normally secret by membership or in the conduct of their affairs, they are ipso facto expelled from belonging to secret societies.”

“An officer shall not engage in private business. He shall not use or be allowed to use government property, his name, position, and connection in any way with commercial enterprises outside employment or activity with or without compensation, which interfere or has the tendency of interfering with his official duty or which may be reasonably expected to bring discredit to the Service,” the document stated.
Meanwhile, the document did not spell out punishments or disciplinary measures against any personnel who violates the rules.

News

Kano Emirship tussle: Bayero rejects Appeal Court judgement, heads for Supreme Court

Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero has rejected the judgement of the Appeal Court which nullified a Federal High Court order that removed Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.

Bayero on Sunday said he is heading to Supreme Court to challenge the appeal court verdict.

Speaking to newsmen at the Nasarawa Palace of the 15th Emir Of Kano, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, Aminu Babba DanAgundi, who filed the suit that was struck out by the Appeal Court, said, “Sanusi did not even understand that he has completely lost out in the whole of the cases at hand.

“That is why I expressed regrets over remarks by the 16th Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, using the Mosque pillar to propagate something that was not true and did not happen at the Appeal Court.

“We initially went to Federal High Court seeking the nullification of the repeal law by the State Assembly, which we felt was done haphazardly.”

DanAgundi further warned Sanusi to stop parading himself as the Emir of Kano.

“The position of Muhammadu Sanusi II that he emerged victorious was wrong, the court said that the Federal High Court has no legal right to hear issues with regards to chieftaincy affairs. But what we went to court for was different.

“We were not arguing on the powers of State Assembly to enact of repeal laws, what we were asking was lack of fair hearing on the 15th Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, that he was removed without given him chance to protect himself.

“The State Assembly didn’t follow the right procedures in repealing the laws,” he added.

He asked the Police and the DSS to stop Sanusi from allegedly moving around with thugs, accusing the Emir of plotting to disrupt peace in Kano.

According to him, Sanusi will not claim victory until the Supreme Court judgement has been given.

“The Attorney General and Speaker of the Kano State Assembly went to court seeking to stop Bayero from parading himself as Emir, but the Appeal Court rejected that position and said that Bayero was not given fair hearing.

“By this it clearly shows that Bayero is still the Emir of Kano.”