Lagos Airport Robbery: Police Arrest Seven, Recover Weapons, Charms

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Barely a month after some dare-devil armed robbery group carted away over N600million at the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos and killed two policemen, the Lagos State Command yesterday paraded seven suspects in connection with the operation.

The police also recovered five AK47 rifles, four dynamites, two locally made pistols , 64 AK47 rifle magazines all loaded with 30 rounds totaling 1920 live ammunition, charms and a Toyota Sienna bus with registration number BDG918AG.

Navy Repositions Strategies to Tackle Contemporary Security Challenges

By Chiemelie Ezeobi 

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Admiral Azubuike Ajuonu, has reiterated the Nigerian Navy's (NN) commitment to repositioning its strategies to tackle contemporary security challenges. 

The FOC made this disclosure at NAVTRAC base in Apapa, Lagos, during the recent parade held to mark the end of the command's first bi-annual inspection for the year.

He said, "As part of the Nigerian Navy (NN) forecast of events 2013, my first bi-annual inspection commenced a month ago and the essence was to enable me assess the state of training facilities and infrastructure including welfare issues of units under the command.

Malian Rebels Fund, Train and Equip Boko Haram-Ihejirika

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

The continuous threat of terrorism hovering over the country has been attributed amongst other things to the affiliation of the Boko Haram sect to Mali rebels, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Al Shabab, adding an international dimension to the challenge.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Azuibuke Ihejirika, made this disclosure yesterday during the interactive session on Military-Media Relations in Nigeria, held in 81 Division Auditorium, Marina, Lagos.

Nigerian Prisons: Death Traps or Reform Centres?

Comptroller General of Prisons, Zakari Ibrahim

Prisons in Nigeria are dehumanising. Olaolu Olusina, with additional reports from Davidson Iriekpen and Chiemelie Ezeobi, examine the state of the nation’s prisons as well as the various attempts at reforms, concluding that a massive overhaul is required to transform the prisons in the country to correctional facilities which they are really meant to be

Former Minister for Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, is undoubtedly a tough merchant marine professional who still cherishes his training, although he is now retired. But Iheanacho who had been trained not to succumb to his emotions was to buckle while on a visit to Kuje Prison, Abuja, sometime last year, as he expressed shock at what he saw.

Confronted by one of the inmates who had summoned courage and told him that some of his colleagues had been awaiting trial for over 10 years, blaming their woes on the country’s judicial system and the tough conditions required for bail, Iheanacho, who was touched by the plight of the prisoners, was left with no choice than to apologise to them on behalf of the federal government.

Task Force Arrests Five Suspected Pipeline Vandals

Alike Ejiofor and Chiemelie Ezeobi with agency report

Notwithstanding the frequent arrests of pipeline vandals, oil thieves and seizures of petroleum products, the illicit trade has continued to boom, not only in the Niger Delta, but also in several other parts of the country. But the unwavering determination of the operatives of the Special Task Force on Anti-pipeline Vandalism, instituted by the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Abubakar, to check the menace yesterday led to the arrest of five suspected pipeline vandals in Lagos.

The suspects identified as Eugene Stanley, Kunle Ogushe, Oluwafemi Bamidele, Komuko Ayekede and James Awolowo, were arrested at 7th Avenue, FESTAC Town, one of the notorious spots for pipeline vandalism in the state.