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Armed Forces has zero-tolerance for violence against civilians- Commandant

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The Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Adm Murtala Bashir, says the Nigerian Armed Forces has zero-tolerance for violence against civilians.

He said this at a workshop on Protection of Civilians in a Challenging Environment, on Tuesday in Abuja

The workshop was organised by the Centre for Civilians in Conflict(CIVIC) in partnership with the Alumni Association of the National Defence College(AANDEC).

While admitting that there could be unintentional harm to civilians in conflict situations, the commandant said all must be done to protect civilians at all times.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria operates within some laid down rules and the rules of engagement emphasise the need for protection of civilians.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria does not condone any form of irresponsible act.

“Just this week, there was news of court marshalls going on in the North East.

“Some soldiers were recommended for dismissal and some for several sentences like reduction in rank,” he said.

While commending the organisers of the workshop, Bashir who was the keynote speaker at the event, said continuous training and retraining of security personnel, particularly on the protection of civilians was paramount.

One of the solutions is this kind of training workshop, where we sensitise the middle-ranked officers who are the ones on the ground with the civilians.

“Though they know their responsibilities, this type of workshop is a reminder of how they can carry out their responsibilities in a professional manner.

“This type of training should not be limited to Abuja. We can sensitise the commanders in the field of their primary responsibility of protecting civilians.”

In tackling asymmetrical conflict, the commandant said the training syllabus of military institutions was increasingly focusing on trends in asymmetric warfare.

Bashir noted that asymmetric warfare was a global challenge, and stressed that training and retraining would help commanders in the field learn how to protect civilians.

Dr Benson Olugbuo, Country Director, Centre for Civilians in Conflict, said the workshop became necessary following repeated reports of alleged violence against civilians.

He said the workshop aimed to enhance the capabilities of security forces in Nigeria to mitigate civilian harm and reparation in accidental cases.

Olugbuo added that the workshop was organised to expose participations to the concept of civilian harm tracking as tool for understanding conflict-related harm.

(NAN)

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FRSC warns truck drivers against speeding, reckless driving

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Mr Joshua Ibitomi, the Area Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC),
Ibeju-Lekki, Epe Division, Lagos State, has warned truck drivers against speeding and reckless driving.

He gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibeju-Lekki on Tuesday.

The FRSC official, who blamed speeding on the ghastly vehicle accident that occurred at Aiyetoro market in Epe
which claimed several lives and left some injured, said that with careful driving, such accident could be avoided.

He added that “the accident was as a result of speeding, reckless driving and loading of truck beyond its capacity.

“All these are factors responsible for accident when drivers are not conscious of the driving rules.

“Vehicle can develop technical fault at any time, therefore, speed limit and caution need to be applied while driving.”

He said FRSC had been sensitising drivers on the need to install speed limit device and be road conscious while driving, in line with the mandate to instill decent use of road.

Ibitomi also advised passers-by and the public to be safety conscious while walking on roadsides to avoid falling victim of accidents.

He attributed major road crashes on roads to speed limit violation, urging drivers to respect the sanctity of human life by obeying traffic rules.

He added that the FRSC had evolved measures to ensure accident-free yuletide and new year festivities in 2024

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Trump Victory Sparks Celebration in Florida, Disappointment for Harris Supporters

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Trump Victory Sparks Celebration in Florida, Disappointment for Harris Supporters

Jubilant supporters celebrated Donald Trump’s apparent victory in Florida early Wednesday as he claimed a return to the White House, despite most major news networks holding off on officially calling the race.

At an event in Palm Beach, Trump supporters reveled in the win projected by Fox News, cheering as the former president declared a “political victory that our country has never seen before.”

“I feel extraordinary,” said 68-year-old supporter Ted Sarvanis, dancing with arms in the air. “This is the greatest American political story in the history of the country.”

Joined by running mate J.D. Vance, Trump took the stage, celebrating his projected win. The atmosphere at the convention center was electric, with supporters sporting “Make America Great Again” caps and mingling in formal attire and Trump-themed clothing.

“I feel relieved. I was a little bit scared because you never know how things are going to turn out,” said Stacy Kurtz, 45.

In contrast, a far different scene unfolded for Vice President Kamala Harris’s supporters at Howard University in Washington, where they were hoping for a Democratic win.

As the night wore on and Trump gained electoral votes in key battleground states, disappointment swept through the crowd.

“I am scared, I am anxious now,” said Charlyn Anderson earlier in the evening.

Democratic watch parties in places like Atlanta and Pennsylvania grew somber as results rolled in, with Lynn Johnson, 65, expressing concern, “It’s going to be dangerous if he wins. I don’t feel safe.”

While Trump’s supporters celebrated a comeback, the mood among Democrats was marked by worry and disbelief.

“He’s a terrible candidate, so it just doesn’t make sense,” said Harris supporter Ken Brown.

The contrasting scenes highlighted the nation’s deep political divide on election night.

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Tinubu Congratulates Trump on Historic Re-Election, Eyes Stronger U.S.-Nigeria Ties

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Tinubu Congratulates Trump on Historic Re-Election, Eyes Stronger U.S.-Nigeria Ties

President Bola Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States, expressing optimism for stronger ties between Nigeria and the U.S. in an era of global challenges.

The congratulatory message, issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasises the Nigerian leader’s hopes for a renewed partnership between the two nations.

Following his victory on Wednesday, Trump pledged to “heal” the country, marking a stunning political comeback as he edged past Kamala Harris in a closely contested election.

Tinubu, in his message, affirmed, “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”

Tinubu highlighted that Trump’s return to the White House reflects the trust and confidence of the American people in his leadership, praising their commitment to democracy.

Given Trump’s experience from 2017 to 2021 as the 45th President, Tinubu foresees a new era of “earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.”

The Nigerian President also expressed confidence that Trump’s leadership will contribute to peace and prosperity worldwide, acknowledging America’s significant influence on global affairs.

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