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  • Drop your arms, embrace dialogue – COAS advises agitators, others

    Drop your arms, embrace dialogue – COAS advises agitators, others

    Arms

    By Ahmed Kaigama

    Bauchi, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has advised Nigerians bearing arms against the country to drop their arms, seek dialogue and other reasonable means to address grievances.

    He made the call in Bauchi on Wednesday during the inauguration of the newly constructed Nigerian Army Armoured Corps Headquarters complex, reunion and pulling out parade of some retired senior officers.

    Lagbaja said that it was only in a peaceful atmosphere that the economy of any country could thrive, hence the need for all to embrace peace.

    “My appeal to Nigerians who have taken up arms against the state is that they see reason that it is only in an atmosphere of peace that people can experience progress and all those things that they deserve from the government, the states, can be realised.

    “I appeal to them that they should drop their arms, seek dialogue and other means through which grievances can be addressed,” he said.

    Lagbaja also sezed the occasion to charge the troops to continue to remain disciplined, dedicated and committed to the task that the army has been charged with.

    He urged the officers and men of the Nigerian Army not to relent, adding “regardless of the challenges that we face in all the theatres, they must continue to remain resolute till we accomplish peace and security in the nation”.

    The COAS explained that his presence in Bauchi was also to interact with the troops as they formed the backbone of the fighting force as well as the bedrock of the things the Nigerian Army do.

    He said that all challenges raised by the troops ranging from promotion, non-payment of salary, personnels accounts domiciled in  Heritage bank, participation in peacekeeping among others, would be addressed in no distant time.

    “Most especially, those challenges that border on their pay and allowances and that’s why I asked them to send messages directly to me because it is of utmost importance to me and they will be addressed,” the COAS assured.

    Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Sa’ad Abubakar III, urged the Nigerian Army not to allow tribalism into their affairs, stressing that it could divide the army and the country at large.

    “You are in the military now and so many things have been geared towards where you come from, who is a Muslim, who is a Christian, who is Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba in the country.

    “We never knew these things so many years ago.

    “Please, don’t allow this thing to creep into the army for that would be the one thing that will divide the army and even the country,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other projects inaugurated by the Chief of Army Staff included the newly constructed Nigerian Army Armoured Corps Fire Service Station and Nigerian Army Armoured Corps Filling Station.

    Also lined up as part of activities during the visit of the COAS to Bauchi is the pulling out of 11 senior officers of the Armoured Corps, comprised of seven Major Generals and four Brigadier Generals. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Bayo Sekoni

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  • U.S. concerned about Putin’s threat to deliver arms to North Korea

    U.S. concerned about Putin’s threat to deliver arms to North Korea
    Arms
    Hanoi, June 21, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The U.S. said it was concerned about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threat to supply North Korea with weapons, warning it would “destabilise” the Korean peninsula.
    “Depending on the type of weapons provided, such a move may violate UN Security Council resolutions which Russia itself supported.
    “The U.S. would continue to work with its allies in the region, including South Korea and Japan, to respond to the threat posed by North Korea,” Matthew Miller, U.S. State Department’s spokesman, said.
    During a state visit to Pyongyang on Wednesday, Putin signed a partnership agreement with North Korean strongman Kim Jong Un that includes a vow of mutual aid if either country is attacked.
    Speaking in Vietnam on Thursday, Putin threatened to deliver high-precision weapons to North Korea as a response to Western arms deliveries to Ukraine.
    Meanwhile, the South Korean Government  has expressed concern over the Russia-North Korea strategic partnership.
    Seoul said that the security commitments violated UN sanctions imposed on Pyongyang.
    South Korea also suggested it could reconsider its long-standing policy of not supplying weapons to Kiev.
    According to Putin, South Korea will be making a “big mistake” if it supplies arms to Ukraine.
    “If that happens, then we will make corresponding decisions that would not please the current leadership of South Korea,” Putin said.
    Putin called Seoul’s concerns unfounded.
    He said that South Korea had nothing to fear as the pact would only apply if either Russia or North Korea would be attacked by a third party.
    “As far as I know, (South Korea) is not planning any aggression against North Korea. There is no need to fear our cooperation.”
    Putin also said that he would not deploy any North Korean soldiers in Ukraine.
    North Korea, ruled by Kim Jong Un, is subject to far-reaching UN sanctions and import bans due to its nuclear weapons programme. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannes.ng)
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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Ijeoma Popoola