By George Mgbeleke
The National Movement for Tinubu-Shettima 2027 – Forward Nigeria has expressed its profound sadness and deepest condolences to the President President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of the Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force, the families of the deceased personnel, their colleagues and comrades, and all Nigerians following the tragic loss of lives in the recent Nigerian Air Force aircraft accident.

In a statement signed by group’s National Coordinating Chairman,Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali it noted that this is a deeply painful moment for our nation.

“The loss of gallant members of the Nigerian Air Force, who dedicated their lives to the defence of Nigeria and the protection of its citizens, is a national tragedy that has left families, colleagues, communities and the entire country in mourning.

“The National Movement for Tinubu-Shettima 2027 – Forward Nigeria, shares in the grief and anguish of the bereaved families and stands firmly with them at this difficult hour. No words can adequately compensate for the loss of loved ones who served their fatherland with courage, discipline and patriotism.

“We equally extend our heartfelt condolences to the leadership and entire personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, whose officers and men continue to make enormous sacrifices in the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity and the protection of citizens against security threats.

“The sacrifices of our military personnel must never be taken for granted. Every officer and every airman who puts on the uniform accepts a demanding national responsibility, often under extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances. Their service represents an enduring commitment to the peace, security and unity of our country,” it noted.

The statement further said,”At this moment of national grief, we call on Nigerians to keep the bereaved families, the Nigerian Air Force and the entire Armed Forces in their prayers. We urge all Nigerians to unite in solidarity with the families of the fallen heroes.

“We also commend the Federal Government and the military authorities for their swift response to the tragedy and encourage all relevant agencies to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the incident are thoroughly established through the appropriate investigative processes to forestall future similar occurances.

“While investigations remain the responsibility of the competent authorities, transparency, professionalism and due diligence are essential in determining what happened and identifying any lessons that could further strengthen aviation safety and operational effectiveness within the nation’s Armed Forces.”

The National Movement it noted,”believes that every loss of a military personnel is a huge loss to the Nigerian nation. Beyond the immediate grief, such tragedies remind us of the enormous responsibilities borne by the men and women in uniform, who defend our nation and the need for sustained investment in their welfare, safety, training, equipment and operational capacity.

“We therefore reaffirm our unwavering respect for the Nigerian Armed Forces and acknowledge the courage and sacrifices of their personnel serving in various theatres of operation across the country.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones. We pray that Almighty God will grant the departed eternal rest, give their families the strength to bear the irreparable loss, and grant the Nigerian Air Force and the Armed Forces of Nigeria the fortitude to overcome this painful moment. At this difficult time, all Nigerians must stand together.

“The National Movement for Tinubu-Shettima 2027 – Forward Nigeria, remains committed to supporting national unity, strengthening the institutions responsible for Nigeria’s security, and promoting a country where the sacrifices of those who serve are honoured with dignity and where their families receive the support and recognition they deserve.

“We pray, may the souls of the departed gallant officers and personnel rest in perfect peace. We pray, may God comfort their families. We pray, may God continue to protect the Nigerian Armed Forces and preserve the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

By Our Correspondent

Jubilation among residents of Imo state in particular and the country in general following the release of prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Wednesday.

Recall that the victims were abducted while on their way to orientation camp.

The development was confirmed on Wednesday evening by the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, in a telephone conversation with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.

Governor Uzodimma broke the news to the Olubadan at exactly 5:00 p.m. today, confirming that the corps members have regained their freedom.

The confirmation was contained in a press release issued from the Olubadan Palace and signed by the Media Aide to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Adeola Oloko.

” The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma confirmed this in a telephone conversation with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Ladoja at 5.00pm today, Wednesday,” the release stated.

Although details of the rescue operation remain sketchy as at press time, palace sources indicated that the Governor assured the Olubadan that all the abducted prospective corps members are safe and have been released.

The abduction of prospective corps members has become a recurring security challenge in recent years, as thousands of young Nigerian graduates traverse the country to report at NYSC orientation camps in different states.

The NYSC scheme, established in 1973 by the General Yakubu Gowon administration to foster national unity and integration after the civil war, mandates graduates below the age of 30 to serve the nation for one year.

In the last three years, several incidents of kidnapping of corps members and prospective corps members have been reported along major highways, particularly in the South-East, South-South and North-West corridors, prompting the NYSC management to repeatedly advise Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) to avoid night travels and to board vehicles only at designated motor parks.

The Imo State Government under Governor Hope Uzodimma has been battling insecurity occasioned by unknown gunmen and kidnapping syndicates, and has in recent months intensified collaboration with security agencies including the Police, Army, DSS and local vigilante groups to secure major roads leading into the state.

The personal telephone call by Governor Uzodimma to the Olubadan underscores the deep traditional and political rapport between the two leaders. Oba Rashidi Ladoja, a former Governor of Oyo State and now the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, is a highly respected traditional ruler whose palace has become a rallying point for national issues.

The Olubadan, who ascended the throne with vast experience in governance and security matters, has consistently called for stronger inter-state collaboration to tackle kidnapping and protect youth.

The release of the abducted prospective corps members is expected to bring relief to their families, many of whom are from Oyo State and the South-West, and to calm anxiety among parents whose children are currently in orientation camps across the country.

Security agencies are yet to issue an official statement on the operation that led to their release and whether any ransom was paid or arrests were made.

As at the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations for official confirmation were unsuccessful.

The Olubadan Palace, however, assured that more details would be made public in due course.

The development has been widely welcomed by Nigerians who have been praying for the safe return of the abducted young graduates.

By Uthman Baba Naseer,Minna

The Nine members of the Judiciary Commission of Inquiry to investigate the death of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna,has commenced its inaugural sitting in Minna with a warning to the media to guard against any report that will jeopardize the findings of the Commission.

He warned that journalists reporting the proceedings of the Commission, should avoid reporting the commission proceedings out of context to avoid disrupting the purpose in which the commission was constituted.

“ Report the proceedings of the commission accurately. I don’t want a situation where a different thing is taken on social media from the proceedings of the commission” he said.

The Chairman of the Nine members of the Commission, Justice Mohammed Mohammed stated that the Commission the Judiciary Commission of Inquiry was constituted with the purpose of investigating the remote caused of the death of the 37 persons in the custody of the NSCDC and submits it reports and also make the needed recommendation to the government for necessary action.

He explained that the commission is only a fact finding commission saddled with the mandate of investigating what led to the death of the 37 alleged miners,what happened while in custody,what is the size of the custody where they were detained and how habitable is the facility in which they were kept among other findings.

According to the Chairman of the Commission, the Judicial Commission was not a Court of competent jurisdiction “but a fact finding commission that is open for members of the public to come forward with any information that will be of useful to assist the commission in its findings”

Justice Mohammed Mohammed assured that the commission will leave up to its duty of ensuring its findings and recommendations to the government bring about succor to the family of bereaved

He called on members of the public,organisations and other agencies to come forward with any relevant information that will assist the commission in arriving at making its findings and recommendations to the government for the next steps.

He appealed to the members of the counsels that will appear before the Commission to bear in mind that the Commission will not entertain the usual court technicality known of counsels stressing the need for counsels to avoid any act that of undue applications of adjournment of the commission proceedings.

“ This is a fact finding commission which has a timelines in its proceedings. I will not allow unnecessary applications that will call for any adjournment in this commission; the usual court proceedings should be avoided” he added.

Speaking at the inaugural sitting of the Commission, a Minna based legal Practitioner Mohammed Kudu Ndayako,SAN noted that key answers relating to officers conduct,facility,adequacy, and oversight lies squarely with the leadership of the Corps.

“ Commandant,Command office in Niger State, is it adequate to accommodate certain numbers of inmates. It is only the Commandant General my Lord can provide certain answer” he suggested

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria pointed out a contradiction in the preliminary handling of the detention of the 37 persons,noting that the NSCDC Commandant General has some key answers to very key questions regarding oversight,officer negligence, or recklessness was instead seen publicly questioning surviving inmates and officers.

Stressing the importance of public participation, Kudu Ndayako SAN disclosed that he has already submitted his formal memorandum to the Commission,he called on members of the public,civil society organisation and interested members of the society to submit their memorandum to assist the commission in its findings.