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Tag: Officers

  • 294 Army Officers sit for qualifying examination

    294 Army Officers sit for qualifying examination

    No fewer than 294 Army Officers on Sunday begun a week-long Senior Staff Course Qualifying Examination, holding at Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State.

    The examination is being conducted by the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).

    The President of the Examination Board, Maj.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, said the examination was a major prerequisite for officers to attend the Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji and other staff colleges overseas.

    He warned the officers against any form of malpractice during the examination.

    “I  believe that while majority of you are on first attempt, others are attempting the examination for the second or third time.

    “Let me assure you all that this is an examination you can pass without resorting to illegal or fraudulent means.”

    Aligbe who is also the Commander TRADOC said members of the examination panel had been working in the past one week, putting together fair and acceptable requirements and solutions for the examination.

    “The requirements are fair enough for any serious-minded candidate to tackle successfully.

    “I will like to emphasize that your performance in this examination is a key determinant of your progress in the Nigerian Army.

    “It is therefore important that you all put in the seriousness and determination that would produce the best result.”

    He assured the candidate of the absolute integrity and understanding of members of the examination panel and Directing Staff.

    “The serious minded and hard-working candidates amongst you have nothing to fear.

    “This examination is not only about writing a test, it is an assessment of your present level of proficiency as well as determinant of your capabilities to undertake higher responsibilities that may be assigned to you now and in the future.

    “Fortunately, you are well trained and most of you have been in one theatre of operation or the other and you all had enough time to prepare for the examination.

    “There should therefore, be no excuse for failure and I expect nothing short of 100 percent pass in this examination.”

    He reminded them that Army Headquarters Policy allowed a maximum of three sittings for each candidate to pass the examination.

    “I urge you all, particularly those on second or last attempt to put in your best in order to obtain the minimum marks required to qualify.”

    “I have directed the members of the examination panel to be objective, realistic and innovative in the setting of the requirements.

    “You should therefore, expect questions based on challenges that may arise in the barracks during peace time, as well as exercises and operations.”

    Aligbe said in order to qualify for selection to the AFCSC, a candidate must score a minimum of 50 percent in all subjects.

    The Commander warned that a candidate stands disqualified if caught cheating or indulging in any manner of examination malpractice as highlighted in the NA Charter for Promotion Examinations.

    “All candidates are warned to remain in Jaj throughout the duration of the examination. You will be disqualified and disciplinary action taken against you if you commute from Kaduna or Zaria for the examination,” he added.

    Aligbe said those who came first, second and third would receive certificate of excellence and Letter of Commendation.

    “You are here on a crucial assignment and your conduct during the examination could make or mar your career.

    “The secret to making it in this examination is to have absolute confidence in your abilities, and a dogged determination to succeed in a legally acceptable way.

    “There is no need to be pessimistic or contemplate failure if you have prepared well for this examination. In fact, our desire is for all of you to pass and qualify for selection to the AFCSC.

    “On our part, I assure you of our determination to carry out a meticulous and painstaking marking of your answer booklets and accurate recording of your marks. We shall be firm, but fair to all of you, “Aligbe sad.

    Earlier, the Commander Infantry Corps, Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, urged the candidates to abide by the rules and regulations governing the examination, and maintain highest level of integrity and discipline.

    Oluyede said the examination was aimed at elevating the candidates to the middle cadre of Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces in general.

    He urged the candidates to put in their best in order to come out successful.

  • NCoS speaks on officers borrowing money from inmates

    NCoS speaks on officers borrowing money from inmates

    The management of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed as false and unfounded, claims that its personnel were collecting loans from inmates of custodial centres.

    The Service Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Corrections Mr Abubakar Umar, dismissed the claim in an interview NAN on Monday in Abuja.

    According to him, NCoS personnel have more credible sources of obtaining loan facilities.

    Umar also said that the claim made in an online media, insinuating that the personnel were being paid less salaries than their counterparts in other paramilitary services in the ministry of Interior, was also false.

    It was gathered that a Correctional Officer was reported to have written to President Bola Tinubu to complain about alleged corruption and poor remuneration in the service.

    The aggrieved personnel claimed that they were being poorly paid and treated unfairly unlike their colleagues in other services under ministry.

    According to the officer, the situation had forced some of the personnel to now depend on inmates to feed their families.

    Umar, however dismissed the allegations, saying that those behind it wanted to distract the NCoS from the current reforms and transformations being undertaken by the management headed, by the Comptroller General, Haliru Nababa.

    He said it was important to set the records straight and clear whatever doubts the malicious report would have created.

    Umar explained that salaries of officers and men of the NCoS are fixed by the Revenue Mobilisation, Salaries and Wages Commission, just like other paramilitary services under the ministry.

    “It is therefore, ridiculous to say that staff of the NCoS receive less than their counterparts in other services in the ministry of interior.

    “Secondly, the infantile authors should know that salaries are paid directly to beneficiaries’ accounts, therefore, no Chief Executive, including the Comptroller General, has access to staff salaries and least to imagine deduction from same.

    “Without being immodest, evidence of significant projects aimed at improving the welfare of staff by the Comptroller General since his assumption of office, abound.

    “To the best of my knowledge, the allegation that personnel collect loans from inmates is not true as personnel have more credible sources of obtaining loan facilities, ” he said.

    The NCoS spokesman explained that the Service runs a Microfinance Bank which provides soft loans and financial services for staff to meet personal and family needs.

    He said this was in addition to the drive of the Comptroller General to shore up accommodation through the construction of new barracks, and reconstruction of dilapidated ones in several commands.

    “It is also on record that the Corrections Welfare Insurance Scheme has continued to provide succour and soft-landing to staff that sustained injury or paid the ultimate prize while on duty.

    “In addition, the Comptroller General, through the Corrections Cooperative Society, has floated a mass housing programme for personnel of the Service.

    “This will see staff own their own houses in any location of their choice in Nigeria.

    “Currently, construction of housing estates under the programme has commenced in Kuje and KYC estates in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, ” he said.

    Umar said the service had also constructed and renovated office buildings in various state commands to boost the morale of personnel to perform their duties effectively and efficiently

    “In the same vein, significant logistical support have been provided to promote efficiency among the personnel.

    “These include operational vehicles recently distributed to all Armed Squad Commanders in states to boost rapid response in and around our facilities nationwide,” he added.

    Umar enjoined the public to disregard the malicious reports as they are mere figments of the author’s imagination.

    The NCoS spokesman assured that service would not relent in improving the well-being of both staff and inmates.

    He enjoined the media to be professional and responsible, and endeavour to confirm the validity of information before publishing.

  • PSC dismisses 3 senior police officers, demotes 9 others

    PSC dismisses 3 senior police officers, demotes 9 others

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal of three senior police officers over cases of misconduct and abuse of office.

    Mr Ikechukwu Ani,  Head of Press and Public Relations of the commission, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    He said the commission also approved reduction in rank of nine other officers, including a Commissioner of Police.

    According to him, the commission took the decisions during its 21st Plenary Meeting, presided over by Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, the Commissioner representing the Judiciary in the commission.

    Ani said Ogunbiyi presided over the meeting on behalf of the Chairman, Dr Solomon Arase ,who later joined the meeting via zoom.

    The PSC spokesman said the commission also approved the compulsory retirement of an Assistant Commissioner of Police  and  directed a refund of all entitlements wrongly paid to him.

    He added that the commission approved posthumous promotion of late Insp. Ifeanyi Oroke,to the next rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police 2 for acts of gallantry.

    Ani said the commission also reinstated a  dismissed officer , one Insp.  Augustina Oko,with effect from the date she was dismissed.

    “The  commission also approved the punishment of severe reprimand for 16 officers, reprimand for 18 others and directed that letters of warning be given to two other officers.

    “The commission had earlier approved the appeal for adjustment on the date of promotion of Mr Woke Kingsley to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and reinstatement of Mr Anaele Onuoha, a Chief Superintendent of Police, in compliance with a court judgment,” he said.

  • NCCSALW alerts public of illegal groups parading as national officers

    NCCSALW alerts public of illegal groups parading as national officers

    Wevole Ezin, Calabar

    National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), South-South zone has raised alarm over activities of some illegal groups disguised in security outfit parading themselves as National organisation for the control of Illicit Small Arms and Control of Light Weapons (SALWs).

    The Zonal Coordinator, Major General Martins Obot, Retd disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement signed and issued to Newsmen in Calabar, as he called on the public to be wary of such illegal groups across the South -South states.

    While calling on the public to report any group or person suspected to be operating illegally, Obot said NCCSALW is the only government agency empowered to combat SALWs in the country.

    “National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) is the only Agency of Government Established to Combat Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in Nigeria.

    “Meanwhile. the Centre has observed that some unscrupulous elements have sprung up pseudo- security outfits in whatever guise and nomenclature, aimed at deceiving unsuspecting members of the public by parading themselves as the national organization for the control of illicit SALW.

    “The public should be wary of such illegal groups and report them to the nearest security agency.” The South-South Zonal Coordinator stated.

    He further stated that the agency was established due to the recent time escalation in proliferation of SALWs in Nigeria particular and across the world.

    He added, ” This has resulted in the increase in associated crimes such as kidnapping, armed violence, banditry, terrorism and armed robbery.

    the damaging effect of SALW, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution A/RES/55/25 called on Member States to take steps to control the proliferation of SALW.

    Accordingly, UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in SALW 2001 and Article 24 of ECOWAS Convention on SALW, their Ammunition and Other Related Materials 2006 are the legal documents for the control of SALW, to which Nigeria is a signatory.

    He said in view of this, the then President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Former President Muhammadu Buhari, on May 3, 2021 established NCCSALW and by an Executive directive, domiciled in Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) with Headquarters in Abuja and zonal offices in each of the 6 Geo-political Zones of the Country.

    He added, “In a bid to stem the proliferation of SALW in Nigeria, the Centre is saddled the responsibility of collaborating with relevant stakeholders in monitoring and tracking the movement and stockpile of illicit SALW within the country through the sharing of credible and actionable information. It also monitors the country’s international borders and liaises with international and regional bodies on the movement of SALW, especially within the West African Sub-region. Furthermore, the Centre, in conjunction with other security agencies, gathers recovered illicit SALW for destruction.” Obot stated.

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  • Passport: 80 officers on trial for extortion, 8 others dismissed – Immigration

    Passport: 80 officers on trial for extortion, 8 others dismissed – Immigration

    No fewer than 80 officers and men of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) have gone on trial for indulging in collection of illegal fees for the issuance of new passports and renewal of old ones.

    The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Comptroller of Immigration, Mr. Tony Akuneme, who disclosed this in an interview with NAN on Sunday in Abuja, also indicated that eight other officers have been dismissed from service for the same offence in the last one year.

    He said the disciplinary measures under the passport reform, was part of the three-point agenda of the present Comptroller General (CG), NIS, Isah Jere, when he came on board.

    Akuneme also said that the CG’s three-point agenda includes reform passport issuance, tightening border security and improving the welfare of NIS officers.

    According to him, Jere has done this to the best of his ability in the last one year plus, and that is what has led to most applicants booking online for passports.

    “We have tried as much as possible to eliminate third parties so that if you really want, you can process the application of your passport from the comfort of your room on your laptop, android phones and you can pay online.

    “You don’t really need anybody whether immigration officers or agents which we usually call touts. They have upgraded and become agents. They are still third parties.

    “The problem we have is the use of third parties because no matter how much reform you put in, you will always see a learned and civilised person using a third party to process his or her application.

    “And one thing they don’t understand is that third parties don’t have an idea of the information entered into your application. This can result in somebody having issues with his/her National Identification Number (NIN),” he said.

    The NIS spokesman said that the CG has vowed to discipline officers who go out of their way to try to either engage or sabotage the reform process.

    “We have continued to punish NIS officer and men who try to assist people for a fee. You can assist people genuinely but not extorting from them.

    “We are committed to curbing corruption and other illicit acts in the service. You will appreciate the fact that if nothing else, the level of awareness has increased in the last few months.

    “Don’t patronise agents, fill your forms yourself. We have officers watching and these agents know they are being watched. When they take money from you, tell us. If we don’t take action, tell the world,” he said.

  • JUST IN: Massive shake-up rocks Nigerian army, affects top officers

    JUST IN: Massive shake-up rocks Nigerian army, affects top officers

    In a major shake-up, the Nigerian Army has redeployed 75 of its senior officers across the country.

    However, the redeployment will take effect from April 3, 2023

    Among those affected were Maj. Gen. Abdul Khalifa Ibrahim of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 1 Division, Kaduna, Maj. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja

    Gen. Khalifa will be departing MNJTF on secondment to National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja while Gen. Lagbaja, it was learned, will be leaving the 1 Division Kaduna for the Army Headquarters in Abuja as Chief of Operation (DAOP).

    The current Chief of Operations, Nigerian Army, Major General Olufemi Akinjobi will take over as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna.

    Similarly, Major General Gold Chibuisi, a Director to the Chief of Army Staff in Abuja will take over as the Theatre Commander of MNJTF in the North-East.

    According to agency reports, Gen. Lagbaja as 1 Division GOC was instrumental to the successes troops have recorded against armed bandits, terrorists and cattle rustlers in Kaduna, Niger, Kebbi, and other North-West States.

    Also, Gen. Khalifa’s gallant stewardship at the MNJTF has been responsible for the decline in the firepower of terror sects in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger Republic, among others.

  • FRSC approves promotion of 3,845 marshals

    FRSC approves promotion of 3,845 marshals

    The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Dauda Biu, has approved the promotion of 3,845 Marshals of different cadres in the just concluded promotion exercise.

    The Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO) Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Bisi Kazeem, who said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja, explained that the promotion exercise commenced in December 2022 and spanned through  January 2023

    Biu described the promotion exercise as reward for hard work and productivity within the junior cadre of the FRSC.

    According to him, in the list of the promoted Marshals of the Corps, 90 Deputy Chief Inspectors (DCIs) were promoted to the rank of Chief Inspectors (CIs).

    He said that ”95 Assistant Chief Inspectors (ACIs) were promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief Inspector(DCIs), 87 Principal Marshal Inspectors (PMIs) were promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief Inspector,(ACIs).

    ”Two hundred and twenty-two Senior Marshal Inspectors (SMIs) were promoted to the rank of Principal Marshal Inspector,(PMIs), 228 Marshal Inspectors-One (MI-I) were promoted to the rank of Senior Marshal Inspector.

    “Three hundred and sixty-one Marshal Inspectors-Two (MI-II) were promoted to the rank of Marshal Inspector-One (MI-I), “he said.

    Biu said that other Marshals of the FRSC who benefitted from the promotion exercises were: 254 Chief Road Marshal Assistants promoted to the rank of Marshal Inspector-Two (MI-II).

    He said that 149 Deputy Chief Road Marshal assistants promoted to the rank of Chief Road Marshal Assistant adding that 1,042 Senior Road Marshal Assistants promoted to the rank of Deputy Road Marshal Assistant.

    ”Eight thirty three Road Marshal Assistant –One (RMA-I) promoted to the rank of Senior Road Marshal Assistant, 437 Road Marshal Assistants-Two (RMA-II) promoted to the rank of Road Marshal Assistant –One (RMA-I).

    “Forty seven Road Marshal Assistants-Three were promoted to the rank of Road Marshal Assistants-Two (RMA-II), “he said.

    The Corps Marshal congratulated the newly promoted Marshals (junior cadre) of the Corps and charged them to recommit themselves to the ideals of FRSC.

    This, he said in which the scope was not limited to saving lives on Nigerian roads, and creating a safe motoring environment but also managing traffic.

    He added that the reward for hard work was promotion, and the outcome of promotion was more responsibilities.

    He urged all staff to see the exercise as an opportunity not to rest on their oars while enjoining others who were yet to partake in the exercise to remain patient and committed to the Job.

    He said that his administration was set to reward dedication, passion, creative innovation, proactiveness, and timely response to critical situations related to traffic and crash management.

  • PSC appoints 2 DIGs, promotes 427 senior officers

    PSC appoints 2 DIGs, promotes 427 senior officers

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of two Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) and the promotion of 427 senior police officers.

    Mr Ikechukwu Ani, the Head of Press and Public Relations of PSC said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    He said the commission had also, approved promotion examinations for police officers in line with the Public Service Rules with effect from 2023.

    Ani said the decisions were highpoints of the 15th Plenary Meeting of the Commission presided over by its acting Chairman, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, (rtd)

    He said the newly appointed DIGs were Mr. Bello Sadiq, currently, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 1, Kano, and Mr. Dandaura Mustapha, AIG Zone 4, Makurdi.

    Ani said Sadiq was appointed to fill the vacant position of DIG, Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB).

    According to him, Dandaura, whose appointment takes effect from Oct. 20 will be replacing Sadiq who is expected to retire from the service on the said date.

    He said the promotion of 12 Commissioners of Police (CPs) to the next rank of AIG were also approved by the commission.

    Ani said the newly promoted CPs were Egbetokun Adeolu, Emienbo Assayomo, Christiana Cookey, Evelyn Peterside, Eboka Friday, Adesina Soyemi, Asafa Adekunle and Edward Egbuka.

    Others are Janet Agbede, Oruebo Daso, Olokode Olawale and Abutu Yaro.

    Ani said 57 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) were also promoted to Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) while 60 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) were promoted to the rank of ACPs.

    He said 286 Superintendents of Police (Sps) were promoted to CSPs.

    The PSC spokesman said the commission also, approved the setting up of 11-Member Police Promotion Examination Board.

    He sad the board would have a representative of the Nigeria Police Force who must not be below the rank of DIG.

  • Police IG warns against attacks on officers in uniform

    Police IG warns against attacks on officers in uniform

    The Inspector-General of Police ( I-G), Mr. Usman Baba, has warned against the increasing attacks on police officers In uniform in different locations across the country.

    The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    Adejobi condemned the recent trend of assault on police officers in uniform, carrying out official and lawful duties.

    He said attacks on police officers, who were uniformed agents of the state were both illegal and an affront on the rule of law.

    He warned that attacks on police officers in the line of duty would no longer be tolerated under whatever guise, as the force holds the lives of its personnel sacrosanct.

    Baba was quoted as directing all police commands and formations to ensure that individuals who engaged in assault on police officers, irrespective of preceding factors, were made to face the full wrath of the law.

    He reiterated the commitment of the force to ensure protection of lives and property.

    Baba was said to have also called on the public to accord respect to the fundamental rights of police officers and other security operatives.

    The police boss said, ”the call was to enable the officers advance their sacred mandate of protection of lives and property and maintenance of law and order.”

  • BREAKING: NAF officers feared dead as aircraft crashes in Kaduna

    BREAKING: NAF officers feared dead as aircraft crashes in Kaduna

    Officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) are feared to have been killed in a plane crash that occurred on Tuesday in Kaduna state.

    An authoritative source at the Air Force Base, who confirmed the incident said the tragedy occurred in the evening.

    The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said two personnel were on board the aircraft but did not give details.

    Recall that last year a military aircraft conveying the former Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 others crashed, killing all the officers onboard including the Army Chief.