The NAFDAC Head of Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Taskforce, Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, also said the agency would work to ensure that fake cosmetics and other counterfeit products were completely wiped out of the country.
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COAS seeks support for Nigerian Army for effective service delivery
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has called for continued support for the Nigerian Army in its quest to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
Lagbaja made the call in his goodwill message to Nigerians at the Interdenominational Church Service to mark the 2023 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) at Mogadishu Military Cantonment, on Sunday in Abuja.
The theme of the celebration was: “Sound Administration as Panacea for Effective Military Operation.“
Lagbaja recalled that Nigerian Army had come a long way since its establishment in 1865, adding that it had lived up to expectations in protecting the territorial integrity of the country, though not without its challenges.
“I must admit that the nation has faced some security challenges along the way, but the troops have been responding to these challenges across the country.
“Upon my assumption of duty as the 23rd COAS, I want to implore Nigerians that they should continue to support the army and pledge their unalloyed loyalty of the troops to the constitution and the government of the day.
“We will continue to do all within our power to combat every security challenge confronting the country and meet the expectations of the country in providing a secured environment for economic activities to thrive,“ Lagbaja said.
He said that Nigerian army had recorded considerable achievements, especially in the area of the ongoing fight against insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality in various theatres of operations within the country.
The COAS said that the army had continued to coordinate efforts closely with sister-services and other security agencies to sustain the pressure on the enemies of the country.
“For instance, our coordinated efforts in the North-East theatre under “Operation Hadin Kai“ has so far yielded considerable successes.
“As of today, we have over a hundred thousand members of the dreaded Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) that have surrendered to the Nigerian troops,“ he said.
Lagbaja said that all the ‘unprecedented achievements’ by the Nigerian army, alongside its sister-services and other security agencies, had led to a more stable environment for governance and economic activities to thrive.
He further stated that the army also recorded some feats in its operations to eliminate violent acts of banditry, illegal oil bunkering and other forms of criminalities in some parts of the country.
“Of particular importance is the contribution of the army in entrenching democracy in the country.
“The professional manner in which the army has supported the smooth conduct of all the elections in the country since 1999 and displayed unalloyed loyalty to the constitution of Nigeria deserves its support and commendation.
“Accordingly, I seize this opportunity to reaffirm the total commitment of the army to the defence of the nation`s constitution and our dear country, Nigeria,“ he said.
According to him, all the efforts by the army and other security agencies are geared toward protecting the territorial integrity of the country, hence the need for the unalloyed support of Nigerians to enable it achieve its core mandate.
Earlier, the Acting Director, Chaplain Services Protestant, Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Bilson Newton, commended the Nigerian army for celebrating yet another anniversary, urging it to redouble its efforts at tackling any security threat to the country headlong.
Newton said that for the military operation to succeed, everyone must play his/her own part.
The chaplain urged Nigerians to always play their roles in their respective areas and appreciate the security personnel for ensuring that peace and tranquility reigned supreme in the country.
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Invoke executive order for state, LG police, Afenifere tells Tinubu
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, on Saturday, urged President Bola Tinubu to invoke an Executive Order for the establishment of state and local government Police.
Afenifere, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi,in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also called for the erection of close-circuit television sets and deployment of modern technology for security purposes in strategic locations to end insecurity.
Ajayi said, “There are indications that Tinubu is desirous of putting an end to this deleterious menace. Towards the end of January this year, he approved the procurement of digital tracking tools to enhance the apprehension of bandits, terrorists and armed robbers.
“On Monday, April 22, this year, he used the occasion of addressing participants at the African Counter-Terrorism Summit which opened on that day in Abuja to assure everyone of his government’s readiness to ensure greater security. Unfortunately, recent happenings have not shown that the President’s desire in this respect is being worked upon.
“President Tinubu should get state and local government police off the ground immediately through the invocation of an Executive Order while the process of amending the Constitution continues.
“Close circuit television sets, deployment of modern technology for security purposes including drones must be effected immediately.”
He explained that the statement was motivated by the recent reports of banditry and kidnapping in Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Zamfara and Niger States, respectively which made a research organization declare Nigeria as one of the top nations where kidnap ranks highest globally.
Ajayi noted that Fulani herders and farmers’ clashes kept occurring in Osun, Ondo and Oyo State; Otu, Igbeti and Alaga in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State were the latest victims.
The Afenifere spokesperson also said, “In order to end insecurity, enhance people’s welfare and ensure the sustenance of Nigeria as one of the top investment destinations in Africa as desired by the government, there is the urgent need by the Federal Government and security agencies to be more innovative and decisive.”
He lamented that banditry, including armed robbery, kidnapping was still occurring on South-West roads such as Lagos-Ibadan, Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode; Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan; Ore-Ijebu Ode-Lagos, Ikirun-Osogbo-Ilesa; Lokoja-Abuja, Owo-Benin and Ibadan-Iseyin-Saki.
“Latest reports have it that on Monday, May 13 instant, eight cocoa farmers were kidnapped at Marindoti Cocoa Farmers’ settlement in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State. Three students of Millicent Secondary School in the same area on their way to write their Senior Secondary School Examination, were also kidnapped at the same time.
“A sum of N31 million was reportedly paid to ransom three people who were kidnapped at Longe village on Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road last week Sunday. On Thursday, May 16, one Seliat Adeniji (nee Raji) was kidnapped in her Ebedi home in Iseyin, Oyo State. Her guard was killed in the process.
“Hon Bello Hassan representing Zurmi/Shinkafi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives last Tuesday claimed that terrorists have sacked about 50 communities and abducted over 500 people in his area of Zamfara State as bandits overran Zurmi, the second most populous town in the state killing palace officers as well as policemen.”
To put a serious check on all these, the Afenifere spokesman said that there was an urgent need to dig deep into the roots of the menace and to be decisive in applying the necessary measures.
News
NAFDAC shuts cosmetic shops in Lagos, seizes counterfeit products
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has shut three shops and raided others during a clampdown on the sale of unregistered “Dr. Teal’s” brand of cosmetics in Lagos State.
The agency disclosed this in a post on its X handle on Saturday, stating that the action came after a complaint from the trademark holder.
The statement read, “NAFDAC has shut down three cosmetics shops and raided others, targeting the sale of unregistered ‘Dr. Teal’s’ brand cosmetics. This action follows a complaint from the trademark holder regarding potential counterfeit products.
“Two suspected shops along Excellent Line at the Trade Fair Complex were targeted, resulting in sealed shops and invitation letters issued to attendants.”
It added that another development unfolded at Okas Global Link Limited where NAFDAC confiscated over 200 cartons of various Dr. Teal’s products and other unregistered cosmetics, suspecting them to be the source of distribution.
A shop identified as Cubana Stores at Phil Hallmark Plaza was also reported to have been sealed for stocking and selling the moisturising body and bath products of the alleged unregistered Dr. Teal’s brand.
NAFDAC added that according to its regulations, shop owners found guilty of selling unregistered products face penalties of up to ₦5m fine.
It said shop owners were also being questioned as part of ongoing investigations.
In the statement, the agency emphasised the health risks associated with fake cosmetics, stating the potential dangers of using products containing harmful substances.
News
Traders, soldiers clash at Banex Plaza in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed intelligence officers to Banex – an electronics and telecommunications gadgets market, in Abuja following a conflict that ensued between soldiers and some traders on Saturday.
A viral video seen by our correspondent on X on Saturday showed a multitude of civilians overpowering some soldiers during a free-for-all fight at Banex.
The Defence Headquarters, and the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu could not be reached for comments as of press time.
Meanwhile, a trader who simply identified himself as Abdul, told our correspondent on Saturday that the conflict ensued over the sale of a mobile phone.
“There’s a problem at Banex now. Some soldiers came to complain about a phone, and during an argument with the traders, a fight ensued,” Abdul simply revealed.
When contacted over the development, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, Benett Igweh has deployed officers of the FCT Intelligence Response Team to the scene of the incident.
“The CP has deployed the Intelligence Response Team to the scene,” Adeh confirmed.
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