Police commend Benue people over peaceful LG election The Police Command in Benue has commended the people of the state over their peaceful conduct during the just concluded local government election in the state. The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Makurdi that the election was hitch-free. “The command expresses her highest appreciation to Benue people over their peaceful conduct during the LG polls and urges them to continue in that manner. “No arrest was made during the process because the people conducted themselves in an orderly manner,” she said. Anene said that the command would always strive to ensure that the security of all law-abiding citizens was guaranteed.

Maj. Gen. Kevin Aligbe, Commander Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army, says failure will not be tolerated among officers in the rank of captain at the practical promotion exams in the country. Aligbe, who was the examination president, made this known on Monday in Akure during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Captain to Major Practical Promotion Examination (CMPPE). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 200 captains were drawn from different formations and units for the exercise across the country. He explained that the CMPPE was a major pre-requisite to prepare army captains for selection, and to attend the Junior Staff Course at any of the subscribed staff colleges overseas. Aligbe also said that the examination was to evaluate the proficiency of officers on the rank of captain to develop their junior leadership capabilities for higher responsibilities in the Nigerian Army. “Let me assure you all that this is an examination you can pass without resorting to illegal or fraudulent means. “It is therefore important that you put in the seriousness and determination that would produce the best result. “I will like to emphasize that your performance in this examination is a key determinant of your progress in the Nigeran Army (NA). “So, the examination is not just a mere assessment, but an assessment of your present level of proficiency. “As well as determination of your capabilities to undertake higher responsibilities that may be assigned to you now and in future. “Fortunately, you are well-trained and most of you have been in one theatre of operation or the other. Hence, it is presumed that you all had enough time to prepare for the examination. “Therefore, there should be no excuse for failure, and I expect nothing short of 100 per cent pass in this examination,” he said. In his welcome address, Maj. Gen. Obinna Onubogu, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Div., appreciated the NA headquarters for finding the division worthy to host the 2024 CMPPE. Onubogu said that the division had put in place adequate administrative and logistics arrangements as well as security measures during the examinations. “Accordingly, the importance of this examination towards building the capacity of junior leadership in order to achieve national security objectives cannot be over-emphasised. “It is important to state that the security situation in Akure town is relatively peaceful but unpredictable. Therefore, you are adviced to be security conscious and be cautious of where you go. “The disclosure of information on movement of participants and other actions that could compromise the security of personnel should be avoided,” he said.  

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has resettled 424 households affected by insurgency in the newly constructed 500 housing units in Konduga town. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the resettled persons were from Towuri, Modu Amsamiri, Goniri, Mairamiri, Lawanti Grema Gogobe, Bula Bowuri, Zarmari, Amusari, Bula Bakaraye and Furi, communities displaced by the Boko Haram insurgents. NAN reports that the resettlement houses have public facilities such as schools, a primary healthcare centre, water facilities and other basic needs. Speaking at the hand over of the houses on Sunday in Konduga town, Zulum noted that the resettlement marked the beginning of the closure of IDP camps in Konduga LGA. In addition to the houses, each family also received food items, blankets, mats, mattresses, rubber buckets and wrappers. Similarly, each head of the household received N50,000; while the housewives received N20,000 as part of the resettlement package to support them in picking up the pieces of their lives. He reiterated the commitment of the state government to resettle all those displaced by insurgency that were still in camps. ”The need to close the camps became necessary based on how some of the camps were turning into criminal dens and centres for various kinds of social vices. “Criminals used to sleep in some camps including Boko Haram members. This is unacceptable, ” Zulum said. The governor said that the state government is also building 500 houses in Dalwa community to be completed in six months, in time for resettlement. “We have also ordered for blocks worth N100million for reconstruction of more houses in Aulari community.” He cautioned the beneficiaries against selling the houses allocated to them. Zulum urged them to plant trees to fight carbon emission and desertification.