Metro
Army’s Irresponsible Killings and Police Undeserved Sympathy
By Eric Elezuo
The deaths of Inspector Eddie Edidale, Sergeants Usman Danzumi and Dahiru Musa in Taraba State while on official assignment by alleged trigger-happy soldiers of the 93 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, in Takum, Taraba State, took many by surprise.
The reasons for the surprise lies in the fact that the army, surprisingly unlike the counterparts in the Police Force, are not known to be trigger happy as they boast of adequate and excellent training. Again, it is said that the soldiers are so disciplined in the use of arms, shoot only when they have express command from a superior. So why did these particular soldiers snuff the life out of three promising cops even when it was said they revealed their identity.
In the army’s press statement, the it has claimed that the policemen were mistaken for kidnappers, and so fire was opened on them. But the Police have faulted the claim, saying the slain cops were well identified before being executed at close range.
The deaths have pitched public sympathy for the police against the army in a sudden turn of events. The army, hitherto, has been well respected following their no nonsense stand and risk in the territorial defence of the nation. More so as many of them are being slaughtered almost on a daily basis at various insurgency wars across the length and breadth of the country in recent times.
The army don’t just shoot and kill; the police are believed to posses such unenviable status. And of course, a lot of instance abound where the police have snuffed life out of Innocent citizens, sometimes for little or no provocation.
The situation now has therefore become suspicious. The reason is not farfetched: if the soldier has to kill in this manner, he definitely did so via instruction, and soldiers don’t joke with superior instructions. This has raised the question: who ordered the massacre of the there policemen. Who is interested in the release a notorious kidnapper, Alhaji Amisu Bala Wadume, who was successfully apprehended by the police.
As to be expected, considering the no love lost relationship of the police and army over time, the force headquarters has faulted the defence headquarters claims of mistaken identity. They have therefore posited certain queries for the army among which is the whereabouts of the kidnapper-victim whom they claimed to have rescued and the identity of the so called whistle blower who alerted them.
It is obvious that the army cannot give answers to these queries as there are in the real sense no answers to them.
Maybe for the first time, Nigerians seem to be on the side of the police, and bluntly ask the army to speak the truth in this matter, no matter whose ox is gored. It is a good thing however, that President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered a detailed investigation into the matter. But then, most Nigerians have lost fate in the enquires of the Buhari administration, claiming that nothing will come out of it, and the case will be swept under the carpet like many others in the past.
Howbeit, the Police is not the only the casualty here, the entire nation, even the person or persons at whose behest the gallant officers were slaughtered and Wadume escaped. This is because a criminal will always remain a criminal. Who knows who he will come after tomorrow.
The trio of Edaile, Danzumi and Musa were reported as among the stars of the force, whose discipline, proficiency and hardwork were worthy of emulation.
They had distinguished themselves in various field assignments including the arrest of notorious kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, in 2017, rescue of Musa Umar Uba, an in-law of President Muhammadu Buhari, who was in captivity for two months and the arrest of Umar Abdulmalik, a Boko Haram commander, as well as 22 Boko Haram terrorists responsible for the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno.
While everyone mourns the irresponsible killing of the officers, a clarion call is made to the army to redeem its honour and unmask the bad eggs in its ranks, produce the captured or released kidnapper. That will go a long way to assuage the anger of the Nigerian populace.
By Eric Elezuo
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has clarified reports making the rounds concerning the death on Tuesday of a former Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, David Shikfu Parradang.
Contrary to reports that the ex-NIS boss was murdered by armed robbers, who attacked him on his way from a bank, he was found dead, seated on a chair, in an Abuja hotel room, according a statement signed by the FCT Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, and made available tobthis medium.
The statement titled FCT POLICE RESPOND TO MISREPORTED DEATH OF RETIRED COMPTROLLER GENERAL DAVID PARRADANG, noted that “On March 3, 2025, at approximately 12:00 PM, Mr. Parradang arrived at Joy House Hotel, Area 3 Junction, driving a black Mercedes Benz. He checked into the hotel, paying a sum of Twenty two thousand naira (N22,000) for one night’s stay. Shortly thereafter, he directed the hotel room attendant to escort a female guest who had come to visit to his room. This lady left the hotel premises around 04:00PM of the same day.
“Mr. Parradang did not exit his room after the lady left. Around 04:00 AM of 04 March 2025, a friend who is a military officer, concerned for his wellbeing, traced him to the hotel. Upon arrival, the hotel receptionist and the officer proceeded to his room, where Mr. Parradang was found deceased, seated in a chair.
“The Durumi Police Station was notified and officers promptly arrived at the scene, secured the area, took photographs, and collected all relevant evidence to preserve the integrity of the crime scene. The body has been transferred to the National Hospital for necessary procedures, and hotel staff are currently cooperating with Police investigations.
“Effort is in top gear to effect the arrest of the lady.”
In the light of the corrected misappropriation of report, the Police therefore, “urge the public and media outlets to refrain from spreading unverified information, including claims of kidnapping, that may incite fear or panic.”
The Command further vow its commitment “to conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding Mr. Parradang’s death” while appreciating the cooperation and understanding of the public.
Parradang served over three decades in the NIS.
During his career, he occupied numerous roles, culminating in his appointment as comptroller general.
His career took him across multiple regions, where he served in states such as Kano, Lagos, Kwara, Enugu and the FCT.
Mudashiru Obasa has been returned as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Obasa was reinstated following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda, who stepped down from the role with immediate effect.
He was returned as the speaker during Monday’s plenary session.
In January, Obasa was impeached by members of the Lagos State House of Assembly over multiple allegations of fraud.
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has partnered with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to host the 2025 International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Abuja. Organized by the Ministry in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), the summit brought together international stakeholders and experts in the telecommunication sector to drive innovation, collaboration and tangible actions. It was co-sponsored by Globacom.
The company, which owns the Glo 1 submarine cable wholly, joined other global stakeholders in the telecommunications and digital landscape in the discussions aimed at bolstering the resilience of cable networks for the benefit of consumers.
Having realized the importance of submarine cables quite early, Globacom deployed Glo 1 from Europe to Africa in 2010. In 2024 when fibre cuts impacted economic, governmental and private activities across West Africa, Glo 1 saved the day for many customers. The cable system was up and running due to its resilience and the constant maintenance strategies deployed by the company. Its capacity was recently upgraded to serve more and more customers and ensure reliable connectivity at all times.
Declaring the two-day summit open, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, highlighted the significant role submarine cables play in enhancing smooth operation of modern economies.
“Submarine cables form the backbone of global digital connectivity, carrying over 95% of international data traffic, linking continents, and enabling the smooth operation of modern economies. Yet, despite their significance, these infrastructures remain vulnerable to disruptions—whether from natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, accidental damage, or evolving cyber threats”, he stated.
In the light of this, the Minister emphasized the various commitments Nigeria has made under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen its digital infrastructure and advance policies that support connectivity, innovation, and economic growth.
“We have taken decisive steps as a nation to recognize and protect telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, aligning with our broader efforts to enhance digital resilience across sectors,” he noted.
In her address, the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, emphasized the symbolism of the global undersea network in the realm of innovation and the investment necessary to connect the world meaningfully, highlighting the extent of human reliance on digital infrastructure.
Also speaking, Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Co-Chair, Advisory Board of ITU, addressed the challenges and the need to preventing cable cuts from occurring, emphasizing the importance of bolstering resilience by guaranteeing the availability of technical resources, such as vessels, stockpiles, and spare parts, in areas with lower submarine cable density. Additionally, he underscored the need to align regulatory measures with the demands of resilience.
The event also featured several panel sessions dedicated to the critical dimensions of submarine cable resilience.
