Nigerian Army Declares 44 Soldiers Wanted for Desertion in Borno State.

In a shocking move, the Nigerian Army has declared 44 soldiers who were deployed to fight Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State as deserters. The soldiers, who were expected to report to the 403 Amphibious Brigade in Baga community by October 31, 2024, have gone AWOL (Absent Without Leave) for over a month.

According to a military signal obtained by SaharaReporters, the soldiers were deployed from various units and formations to join the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Sector 3, Nigeria. The MNJTF is a combined multinational formation comprising units from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, tasked with ending the Boko Haram insurgency.

The Army authorities have not only declared the soldiers as deserters but have also frozen their bank accounts. A signal dated November 1, signed by Major HO Akoh on behalf of the 403 Amphibious Brigade Commander, directed that the soldiers’ salary accounts be frozen and that any information regarding their whereabouts be reported to the relevant authorities.

Reasons Behind the Desertion

While the Nigerian Army has denied allegations of corruption, some soldiers have blamed the issue on corruption within the army, citing prolonged stays in the North-East region beyond their approved period. The soldiers claim that this has led to low morale and a lack of willingness to continue fighting, allowing terrorists to dislodge some military camps.

Voluntary Retirement Controversy

This development comes after 196 soldiers applied for voluntary retirement, with some reportedly seeking to join foreign military forces, including the British Army and Ukrainian Army. The Nigerian Army has maintained that the processes for voluntary retirement and discharge are clearly outlined and followed.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, assured that personnel are free to disengage at will, following established procedures. However, the reasons for discharge remain confidential, ranging from voluntary disengagements to medical grounds and pursuit of other professions.

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Unveils Strategic Plans for Effective Policing in Africa.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, presented his action plans for strategic policing policies in Nigeria and West Africa at the AFRIPOL Steering Committee Meeting in Algeria on October 30, 2024. This presentation built upon his earlier discussions, outlining strategies for coordinated investigations and operations across regions to combat various crime patterns.

Key Highlights of the Presentation:

– Coordinated Investigations and Operations: Egbetokun emphasized the importance of collaboration across regions to tackle crimes effectively.
– Training and Capacity Building: He stressed the need for comprehensive training of officers in all areas of policing to meet global best practices.
– Managing Violent Protests: The IGP shared expertise with Douglas Kanja, IG National Police Service, Kenya, on managing violent protests in Africa.

 AFRIPOL Headquarters Visit

As part of his efforts to foster strong relationships with other African policing services, Egbetokun visited the AFRIPOL headquarters. He was received by President Douglas Kanja and Ambassador Mohammed, Head of Legal at the African Union.

 Call to Action

The IGP urged regional leaders and representatives to ensure that policies decided upon at the meeting are fully leveraged at all policing levels to demonstrate expertise and proficiency in combating Africa’s rising crime waves.

This development underscores the Nigerian Police Force’s commitment to enhancing regional security and cooperation.

Nigerian Police Arrest Peace Corps Commandant Over Tenancy Dispute.

The National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Dickson Akoh, was arrested by armed policemen from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) office on Friday at the Peace Corps Head Office in Abuja. The arrest was reportedly over a tenancy disagreement between Akoh and his landlord, despite a court ruling in favor of the Peace Corps.

 Details of the Arrest

– The policemen invaded the office in a commando style, breaking into Akoh’s office and arresting him alongside 16 officers.
– The officers allegedly vandalized doors, ransacked offices, and destroyed property.
– No warrant of arrest or detention order was produced.
– Akoh has been detained incommunicado since Friday, with no access to family members or lawyers.

 Reactions

– The Youth Advancement Initiative (YAI) condemned the arrest, calling it “unacceptable, illegal, and unlawful.”
– Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju criticized the IGP for resorting to arrest in a civil case.

 Court Ruling

– A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court ruled in favor of the Peace Corps, stating that the rent expires in 2025.
– Justice M.M. Adamu set aside the writ of attachment executed against the Peace Corps on February 16, 2024.