EXCLUSIVE: Navy Personnel Ups the Ante in Weapon Handling, Marksmanship

Some senior officers at the shooting range in Owode

A stitch in time, they say, saves nine and who knows this better than the military who are constantly in the line of fire. Therefore, to improve on weapon handling and marksmanship, especially in the light of security challenges confronting the country, the personnel of the Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy recently held its 2013 Small Arms Firing Exercise (SAFEX).

The exercise which was held at 192 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Owode, Ogun State, had naval personnel from all units and formations under the command test their skills in weapon handling and marksmanship.

Femi Fani-Kayode: MKO Abiola, Susan Rice and a Deadly Cup Of Tea

Ambassador Susan Rice is currently the American Ambassador to the United Nations. Her long-standing aspiration of becoming the Secretary of State for her country was dashed when the Republicans in the Senate started sharpening their knives in anticipation of her formal nomination for that position by President Barack Obama.

Sensing that her nomination would not scale through the Senate and that she would not be confirmed as Secretary of State due to the role she played in the cover up of the Benghazi affair in which the American Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three other American citizens were murdered by a group of islamist terrorists, her nomination was withdrawn.

EXCLUSIVE: Lagos Failed Bomb Attempt: Military Assures Constant Alertness

Following the recent failed attempt by the militia sect, Boko Haram, to simultaneously bomb 16 designated landmarks in Lagos, the military has assured that they are always at alert to forestall a repeat occurrence.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, who also doubled as the Special Guest of Honour, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, made this disclosure during the recent regimental dinner of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

Bayelsa Police Killings: Mastermind, 4 Others Arrested

IGP Mohammed Abubakar 

Following a manhunt that lasted exactly two months, the men of the Joint Task Force (Operation Pulo Shield) finally arrested ex-militant, Jackson Fabouwei also known as General Jasper, alleged to be the mastermind behind the killing of 11 policemen along Lobia Creek in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on April 5.

Fabouwei, 25, who was arrested Last Thursday along Ikebiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government, has been a thorn in the flesh of security operatives in the area.

Nelson Mandela Back in Hospital

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela has been admitted to hospital with a lung infection, the office of South African President Jacob Zuma says. In a statement on its website, it said the former president had had a lung infection for several days. His condition deteriorated on Saturday morning and he was transferred to a hospital in Pretoria. He is said to be in a "serious but stable condition". Mandela, 94, has recently suffered a series of health problems.

Bomb Blast Averted in Kaduna

Police anti-bomb squad

There was pandemonium Friday at the busy Junction Road in Kaduna, Kaduna State and other adjoining streets in the area, following the discovery of a bomb, which was concealed in a computer carton and hidden at a corner along the road. The prompt arrival of the police led to the safe detonation of the bomb, which caused fear and anxiety, as residents of the area and shop owners ran for their dear lives.

N6 Billion Fraud: Ex-Pensions Director Faces Fresh Trial

Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu 

The former Director, Pension Accounts Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu, was Friday arraigned afresh in Abuja alongside Omoefe Uduesegbe and nine companies on a 22-count charge bordering on conspiracy and for allegedly defrauding the pension funds of about N6 billion.

They were arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court Abuja. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the 22-count charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Williams Clinches French Open Title

Serena Williams

World number one Serena Williams won the French Open for the first time since 2002 with a 6-4 6-4 victory over defending champion Maria Sharapova. Williams, 31, recovered from an early break of serve to earn her 13th win in a row over the Russian, a run stretching back nine years. The American faltered briefly in the middle of the first set before closing it out in 51 minutes. An early break in the second helped Williams to a 31st successive victory.

DELE MOMODU: MY CANDID THOUGHTS ON 2015

“It always seems impossible until it is done”

                 – Nelson Mandela

Fellow Nigerians, please let’s not deceive ourselves, the race for the 2015 elections has started in earnest. The gladiators are virtually ready and the bullets are already flying. In our clime, elections are fought like war. And nothing is spared because a Nigerian politician believes all is fair on the battlefield. I shall endeavour to lay my permutations bare, and try to situate the strengths and weaknesses of the different groups.

Task Force Intercepts Explosives-laden Boat

Chief Osita Okereke

The National Taskforce on combating illegal importation and smuggling of goods, small arms, ammunition and light weapons, has said it intercepted a boat loaded with devices suspected to be explosives along the Andoni River in Rivers State.

Director General of the taskforce, Chief Osita Okereke, told journalists in Port Harcourt that the explosives, believed to have been smuggled into the country, were handed over to the State Police Command last Monday.