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Gov/HoA Polls: Maintain Political Neutrality, Army Chief Charges Soldiers, Releases Emergency Phone Numbers
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has directed formation and unit commanders of the Nigerian Army to ensure that troops remain professional and apolitical during the forthcoming Gubernatorial and House of Assembly Elections across the nation.
The Army Chief handed down the charge while addressing formation and unit commanders across the country, prelude to the rescheduled 18 March 2023 polls. Gen Yahaya, who commended the troops for their overall performance in the provision of security during the last polls admonished them to shun all forms of inducement, enticement or cajoling that could compromise the security of the polls, adding that a secure and safe atmosphere must be provided for the citizenry to exercise their civic responsibility of chosing their leaders. Gen Yahaya charged the troops to adhere strictly to the guidelines in the Code of Conduct for Operation Safe Conduct, as any contravention will attract dire consequences.
He urged the commanders to intensify efforts at providing security support for the elections and be ready to respond promptly to any emergency situation while prioritizing the protection of key national infrastructure.
The COAS equally reminded his commanders of the oath of allegiance they swore to defend the sovereignty of Nigeria and maintained that the Nigerian Army must be seen by all to stand in defence of Nigeria’s democracy.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has updated its list of hotlines for monitoring and reporting of emergencies and acts capable of disrupting the coming elections. It could be recalled that the NA had earlier released a set of contacts during the Presidential election held in Febuary 2023 as part of measures to support the Police in establishing a conducive environment for the successful conduct of free,fair and peaceful elections.
Members of the general public are please enjoined to call the phone numbers below in their various states and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja to report any security breach during the elections.
1. ABIA STATE – 09029568595
07067880707
2. ADAMAWA – 08022750987
3. AKWA IBOM STATE – 09070077175
08163256562
4. ANAMBRA STATE – 08030881453
5. BAUCHI STATE – 08128063675
6. BAYELSA STATE – 08107855752
08143247308
7. BENUE STATE – 08080754339
8. BORNO STATE – 09099616160
08086987079
9. CROSS RIVER – 08037084192
10. DELTA STATE – 09044400064
08144464947
11. EBONYI STATE – 08158274048
12. EDO STATE – 09066325953
13. EKITI STATE – 08037851448
14. ENUGU STATE – 09032102212
08023097458
15. GOMBE STATE – 07063908779
08082557782
16. IMO STATE – 08069587883
08164120381
17. JIGAWA STATE – 07017791414
08100144363
18. KADUNA STATE – 07031544227
08028580978
08035242633
19. KANO STATE – 08038432656
20. KASTINA STATE – 08108854061
09012998054
21. KEBBI STATE – 09130213661
22. KOGI STATE – 08033217964
23. KWARA STATE – 09060001270
24. LAGOS STATE – 07034769430
09127604098
25. NASARAWA STATE – 09051009404
26. NIGER STATE – 07031346425
27. OGUN STATE – 09116589494
08032466245
28. ONDO STATE – 08036130535
29. OSUN STATE – 09019683922
30. OYO STATE – 07047703000
31. PLATEAU STATE – 08037116395
07031260622
32. RIVERS STATE – 08064274222
33. SOKOTO STATE – 07069084570
07052693532
08136913284
34. TARABA STATE – 08136728969
08060902363
35. YOBE STATE – 08061397656
36. ZAMFARA STATE – 08140075541
37. FCT – 09114913164
08186690471
08079153860
08164304255
09159793968
The first hostages freed from Gaza under a long-awaited ceasefire agreement are back in Israel. The news sparked jubilant scenes in Tel Aviv where large crowds gathered ahead of their release.
The three freed Israeli hostages – the first of 33 to be released over the next six weeks – are Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari. They are said to be in good health and are receiving treatment at a medical center in Tel Aviv.
In exchange, 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are set to be released by Israel from Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli military withdrew from several locations in southern and northern Gaza after the truce began earlier on Sunday, an Israeli military official told CNN.
Displaced Gazans have started returning to their homes, while the aid trucks laden with much-needed supplies have crossed into Gaza. Here’s what we know about how the ceasefire deal will work.
Hamas, despite suffering devastating losses, is framing the Gaza ceasefire agreement as a victory for itself, and a failure for Israel.
One of Hamas’ main goals for taking some 250 people during its brazen October 7, 2023, attack on Israel was to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. As Israel pounded Gaza in response, Hamas vowed not to return the hostages until Israel withdrew its forces from the enclave, permanently ended the war, and allowed for rebuilding.
Source: CNN
The leader of UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has said she doesn’t want Britain to be like Nigeria that is plagued by “terrible governments.”
Speaking on Thursday at an event organised by Onward, a British think tank producing research on economic and social issues, Badenoch expressed fears that Britain may become like Nigeria if the system is not reformed.
“And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it,” Badenoch told the audience.
“I don’t want Britain to lose what it has.
“I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation.
“I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life.
“So I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here.”
Badenoch has been in the news of late after she dissociated herself from Nigeria, saying she has nothing to do with the Islamic northern region.
She also accused the Nigeria Police of robbing citizens instead of protecting them.
She said: “My experience with the Nigeria Police was very negative. Coming to the UK, my experience with the British Police was very positive.
“The police in Nigeria will rob us (laughter). When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well…I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch.”
