Niger State CP pledges Commands Readiness to Partner with Niger Army to Ensure Safety of Citizens

By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

The Commissioner of Police in Niger State, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, has reiterated the Command readiness to partner with the 31 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army to ensure the security of the people of the state.

He assured that the Command will continue to collaborate with other sister agencies in the state,particularly the 31 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army,towards enhancing intelligence gathering mechanism, operational effectiveness and inter-agency mutual cooperation.

The Commissioner of Police gave the assurance while receiving the newly deployed Brigade Commander of the 31 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army Minna,Brigadier General Kabir Rabiu,on a courtesy visit to his office at the Police headquarters, Dutsen Kura in Minna.

CP Adamu Elleman noted that the task of maintaining internal security should be seen as a collective responsibility of all security forces stressing that this cannot be realizable without the needed synergies from other sister agencies in the state.

The Commissioner told the Brigade Commander that the command and other relevant agencies in the state have already established an existing working relationship in ensuring the protection of lives and property of the people,assuring that the 31 Artillery Brigade and the command will continue to sustain it.

He described the Brigade Commander as an highly experienced officer whom his humility has earned him his present deployment to the 31 Artillery Brigade headquarters saying,” I’m confidence in the prospects unflishing working relationship with the Niger State Police Command”

CP Elleman urged the Commander to consider the Police Command as a reliable partner and assured him of the Command’s continued support and cooperation whenever required.

He expressed optimism that through sustained collaboration, effective intelligence sharing and coordinated operations among the various security agencies, the prevailing security challenges in the State would be significantly curtailed, thereby creating a safer and more secure environment for residents in the State.

Speaking earlier,the Brigade Commander,Brig.Gen. Kabir Rabiu explained that the visit was to formally introduce himself to the Commissioner of Police and the management team of the Niger State Police Command,sequel to his deployment to the state.

He noted that although he had met and interacted with the CP informally on previous occasions, the visit offered an opportunity to establish a formal working relationship in their respective capacities.

He reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to sustaining and deepening the existing cordial relationships between the two formations, with particular emphasis on enhanced operational effectiveness, intelligence sharing, coordinated response and robust inter-agency collaboration.

He noted that stronger synergy among security agencies remains critical to effectively addressing the security challenges confronting Niger State and the nation at large.

The Brigade Commander further solicited the continued support of the Police Command, being the lead agency in internal security and encouraged regular and timely sharing of actionable intelligence to strengthen operational outcomes and facilitate prompt response to security incidents.

He also commended the Commissioner of Police for his support and participation during the send-off ceremony of his predecessor and appealed for continued cooperation towards sustaining the already existing working relationship cooperation.

By Our Correspondent

Prior to today’s govership election in Osun, the palace of the Aree of Ire, Oba Muritala Oyelakin, was reportedly attacked by suspected political thugs in the early hours of Friday.

The monarch said the incident occurred at about 2am when two Sienna vehicles allegedly arrived at the palace and the occupants fired shots into the air before shooting at the gate of the palace.

Oba Oyelakin said the attackers might have been discouraged from gaining access to the palace because lights were on in the premises, where some people were observing prayers at the time of the incident.

According to him, he repeatedly switched the lights off and on to draw attention to the presence of people in the palace and scare the assailants.

A gunshot mark was reportedly seen at the palace gate following the attack.

While narrating his ordeal, he said, “the attack occurred around 2 a.m., the lights were on at the time because he was holding a prayer session, with some people still present on the premises.

“I saw two Sienna vehicles and that the assailants first shot into the air before firing at his gate. I repeatedly switched the lights off and on to give the impression that people were present and scare the attackers away.”

The monarch, who expressed concern over the incident, called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attack and ensure that those responsible were arrested and brought to justice.

“I want to call on all security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and ensure the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.”

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Adewale Egbedun, on Friday raised the alarm over alleged attacks and abduction in his Odo Otin Local Government Area.

Speaking to Journalists in Osogbo, Egbedun alleged that reports of attacks, intimidation and threats against citizens and political actors in his council had caused panic and anxiety in the past 48 hours.

He also alleged the three armed men, who confessed to be working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ifelodun/Odo Otin/Boripe Federal Constituency, Francis Eniade, had been released by the Department of State Service (DSS).

According to him, “the reports before us are deeply troubling. We have received accounts alleging that armed military personnel posted to Odo Otin Local Government led by Sikiru Adeboye have been moving through communities in Odo Otin, targeting leaders and members of the Accord political platform.

“These actions must not be dismissed or politicised. They require immediate, independent and transparent investigation by the appropriate authorities.”

By Our Correspondent

The United World Congress of Diplomats, UN-WCD, a global non-profit organisation with United Nations ECOSOC status, and IOED and diplomatic missions in 134 countries, has called on world leaders engaged in armed conflicts and all perpetrators of violence to lay down their weapons and embrace dialogue as the only path to lasting peace.

UN-WCD in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday by Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi, Media Assistant to the Head of Policy and Diplomatic Relations & Director, South-South/South-East Region, H.E. Amb. Dr. Larry-Goodwill Ajiola, also charged terrorists, bandits, herdsmen, gunmen, kidnappers and all perpetrators of violence in Nigeria and other parts of the world to stop inflicting mayhem and allow peace, harmony and tranquility to reign in the society.

The statement decried the rising wave of wars, terrorism and violent crimes, warning that hostilities were undermining global development and human dignity.

They urged terrorists, bandits, herdsmen, gunmen, kidnappers and other violent actors in Nigeria and across the world to cease hostilities and allow peace, harmony and tranquillity to prevail.

The Diplomats stressed that sustainable peace could only be achieved through diplomacy anchored on justice, equity and fairness, not through war, intimidation or brute force, urging warring leaders, terrorists to down weapons for peace

“Rather than promote lasting peace, friendship, trust and healthy relationship, under which UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are achieved, war deepens crisis, enmity, hate, bitterness, xenophobia, rancour, acrimony, suspicion and distrust, which all strain international relations and impede trade, thereby depressing the economy of nations, investment, growth and development,” the statement added.

Citing SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, UN-WCD lamented that some world leaders have chosen war over diplomacy, plunging nations into incessant crises and socio-economic uncertainty.

The statement read: “It’s important to re-emphasize that the United Nations underscored the essence of Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions in the quest for socio-economic development around the world by including them as SDG 16.

“It is therefore unfortunate that rather than follow this path charted by the United Nations for global peace, harmony and socio-economic sustainability, some world leaders have decided to tread the path of war, which is hostile, inhumane, selfish and brutish, relegating diplomacy to the background and plunging their countries in particular and the world at large into incessant crises, tension and uncertainty.

“Thousands have died as a result of these inhumane hostilities: Mothers, fathers, youths, children, babies, the sick, the healthy, the elderly, soldiers, civilians. Enough of this carnage! Enough of this evil bully called WAR!! Enough of global geo-political tensions and socio-economic uncertainty!!!”

The group specifically called for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, US-Iran tensions, Israel-Palestine hostilities and tensions on the Korean Peninsula, urging a return to round-table diplomacy, which it said held the key to true peace and reconciliation.

“We can’t help but agree with the late former Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, that peace and reconciliation are made with enemies and not with friends.”

The UN-WCD expressed its readiness to render mediatory support services if called upon, as part of its contribution to global peace, adding that its 25-member Nigerian delegation would be engaging US lawmakers soon as part of the group’s #EndWarNow global peace campaign.