Plateau crises: Army launches special operation for Mangu killings
The Chief of Army Staff Major General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja has flag off special operations in the troubled Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State code named “Operation Hakorin Damisa IV” with a charged to put to an end the senseless killings in the State.
He ordered the special force deployed for the operation to ensure they take full charge of any individual or group of persons with military grade weapons and subdued such elements towards maintaining peace during the operation.
Major General Lagbaja stated this on Saturday while addressing the 300 special forces and flagging off the operation at the Mangu Mini Stadium in Mangu LGA of the State.
He said the Operation must be inline with his philosophy of having a Nigerian Army that is well Trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated towards achieving their Constitutional responsibility in a Joint Environment” and must adhere to rules of engagement as the peoples Army.
“You are the people’s Army when they send a distress call you must respond and you must respond as quickly as possible. And even when you respond, you must give them a feedback on what you have done that is the only way you can build confidence, this is the only way you can build trust.
“You’re not deployed here to play game, is for operations and when you are conducting an operation you must operate by the rules of engagement. Everybody is your friend and even the people that are your friends can be your enemy in the next few minutes.
“So, whoever is carrying a military grade weapon or any weapon at all you must recover those weapons from them. You must not take side, check the book and operate by the book you will not run into trouble.
“Note that you must work, and work effectively and we must see the results. This violence must not resurge, you must stamp it and stamped it completely once and for all.” he charged them.
Lagbaja promised to deploy more hardware for the operation as combat enablers such as “Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), motorcycle, gun trucks, armoured tanks were flag-off for the operations.
He noted, “GOC has brief me on the challenges you’re facing in the field and the need for more combat enablers. We will give you the very best to work with, we will take care of the motorcycles, we will take care of all your administrative needs.” he assured the special troops.
Source – Sun
Prepare for heavy downpour on Sunday, FEMA warns Abuja residents
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has placed its emergency response team on high alert over an anticipated heavy to moderate rainfall on Sunday.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Abbas Idriss, stated this in a statement signed by the agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Ms Nkechi Isa, in Abuja on Friday, according to NAN report.
Idriss said that a weather forecast by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), had indicated that FCT and its neighbouring states would experience heavy to moderate rainfall on Sunday.
He added that the forecast also predicted moderate to heavy rains in parts of Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Plateau and Taraba.
He said that NiMET also warned of possible flash floods, riverine flooding, strong winds, and soil erosion as well as thunder and lightning due to the anticipated heavy downpour.
“The forecast also anticipates displacement of people due to floods, outbreak of water borne diseases and damages to infrastructure,” he said.
To ensure a quick and effective emergency response, Idriss said that the agency had placed its search and rescue team on high alert.
The DG said that he had equally directed an update of the agency’s flood contingency plans to ensure maximum results.
He appealed to residents to heed to the early warning and avoid driving or wading into a pool of water during the rains.
He also said that all blocked drains should be cleared, and advised people who reside on water channels to relocate.
“I advise residents to always dial the 112 emergency toll-free number in the event of an emergency, to enable us to respond on time,” he said.
Source – Tribune