Eight suspects, including six males and two females, were paraded by the Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa, Francis Idu.

The Director, Department of State Services, Adedapo Amao, in Yenagoa, was also present.

The suspects are currently in the custody of the DSS, which coordinated the rescue of the victim and arrest of the abductors.

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State had, during the state executive council meeting on Wednesday, disclosed that all the suspects involved in the kidnap of the judge had been apprehended.

He, however, said that the gang leader was still at large.

One of the suspects, Justice Brodrick, who spoke to journalists during the parade, said he is an indigene of Ozobo community in Delta State.

He confessed that he was part of the kidnap operation after a man he referred to as his boss informed him about it.

The suspect narrated that upon arrival in Yenagoa, they were given uniforms and vehicles for the operation and that they immediately swung into action.

He said that Justice Omukoro was taken from the premises of an eatery at the Ekeki area of Yenagoa and moved to a location in a neighbouring state.

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Brodrick, however, claimed that they had no particular target but stumbled on the judge.

He said that the victim was immediately moved to their camp, and when he told them that he was an Ijaw from Ekeremor local government, they decided to “treat him well.”

According to him, the man who they call “General” insisted that the victim should be kept in handcuffs but as a fellow Ijaw, be treated with care.

“So, he called me on June 21 that I should come to Yenagoa. He also called John Uzi, the person that is beside me. And I called Kelvin Olu, my younger brother, to come with me to Bayelsa.

“We mobilised the vehicle for the movement and uniforms were provided. We moved from our camp, and it was not a fixed target.

“We were just patrolling before we met the Judge at Kilimanjaro. So, we approached him and kidnapped him from there to our camp,” he said.

Another suspect, who identified himself simply as John, said he was contacted but did not join in the operation as he was not feeling well and that he was in the camp when the victim was brought in.

The Commissioner of Police said that the arrest of the suspects was a testimony to the success of the security governance measures of Governor Diri.

He said that the governor always insisted that security agencies should work together to ensure that Bayelsa was free of crime and criminality.

Idu stated that the DSS sent a special team from Abuja for the operation, which led to the arrest of the suspects, including the two females that were their accomplices.

The police chief lauded the governor for providing the necessary logistics for the operation.

He said that the CCTV cameras mounted by the government in parts of the state were useful throughout the rescue operation and their eventual arrest.

Idu warned those with criminal intentions to have a rethink as Bayelsa was no longer a safe haven for criminals.

Source: NAN

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Yakubu also told the court on Thursday that the deceased was in school on February 1, 7 and 9, 2023 to participate in the inter-house sports.

The witness, however, said the deceased opted out of activities on the day of the inter-house sports.

Under cross examination, the counsel to Chrisland Schools, Mr Ademola Animasaun, asked the witness if he was aware that Whitney did not participate in the inter-house sports.

“Are you aware that she did not participate in activities on the inter-house sports day,”?

“Yes and she was not forced by the school to participate,” the witness said.

The social worker noted that matters concerning emergency measures were not within his purview.

According to him, the provision of nurses at the inter-house sports should be part of emergency preparedness and not just for emergency.

He, however, said that he had the competence and authority at the fact-finding meeting with the school to speak on emergency signals.

The witness, however, said he did not know the actual number of schools in district six as at December 31, 2023.

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He confirmed to the court that he was responsible for  over 1,722 schools approved by the Ministry of Education.

The witness, however, was unable to tell the actual number of schools within district six and referred this to the Ministry of Education.

The social worker said: “Mine has to do with social services and I have the competence to speak about district six.

“I also do not know off hand how many students are subject to social risk exposure in district six.

“But in each of the school, the school should have designated safeguarding and child protection officer appointed among the staff of the school that take lead.

“Mrs Tawa Sodiq, a school social officer, in District six reports to me.”

The witness insisted that Chrisland Schools failed to comply with the Safety and Child Protection Policy for schools in Lagos State.

The third prosecution witness said the late Whitney Adeniran visited the hospital on January 20, 2023.

The witness added that Whitney was in school on February 1, 7 and 9 to participate in the inter-house sports.

He, however, noted that the deceased opted out of the activities on the day of the inter-house sports.

Justice Oyindamola Ogala discharged the witness and adjourned the case until June 13 for continuation of trial.

Lagos State government on March 31, 2023, charged Chrisland Schools Ltd. Opebi, its principal and vice principal and two others with the killing of Whitney.

Those charged alongside the school are Ademoye Adewale (a cotton candy vendor), Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao (Principal) and Victoria Nwatu.

The defendants are standing trial for allegedly causing the death of a 12-year-old student, Whitney Adediran, during the school inter-house sports.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences violate Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.

Source: NAN

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Abisogun, a Level 16 social wellbeing officer, said the ministry’s findings showed that the school’s preparedness for emergencies during the inter-house sport was close to none.

He said the school had just one nurse and there was no available ambulance to convey any student to the hospital in case of any emergency situation.

The witness, who was led in evidence by the Director of Department of Public Prosecutions, DPP, Dr Babajide Martins, said he was the state’s coordinator for all the districts.

The witness noted that there were over 1,722 private and public secondary schools, and they were divided into districts based on their locations.

He said the school did not have a designated Child Safeguarding Protection Policy personnel as required by the Safeguarding Executive Order of the state.

According to him, the policy demanded that there should be a retainer hospital that was close to the venue but in the case of Chrisland, there was none.

“The designated safety protection child policy officer takes the lead responsibility in terms of risk and every other information surrounding the place of event of such magnitude but in case of Chrisland School, they did not have any.

“We got to know about the incident at Chrisland School through the social media.

“We have a Safeguarding and Child Protection Alliance group, it comprises of all relevant agencies that ensures child safety.

“We called for an emergency virtual meeting immediately we heard of the issue,” he said.

The witness further told the court that findings showed the school had over 556 students out of which 377 were prepared to participate.

The witness said that over 500 of them were transported to the venue by the school and it was discovered that the Safety and Child Protection Policy had been violated because they took over 500 pupils to the venue without safety clearance.

He said: “We concluded to meet physically on Februrary 13, 2023 at the conference room of the Ministry of Education and the meeting was chaired by Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, and other members.

“After the meeting, we invited Chrisland staff and management the next day Tuesday and they honoured the invitation.

“In attendance was the principal, Mrs Belinda Amoo, the school nurse, the school’s instructor, Mr Kuku, Mrs Adebisi, the Head of Green House, Mrs Onyema and the legal counsel.

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“The meeting was a fact-finding meeting and the intention was for the school to give us firsthand information about what transpired at the inter-house sport and we all asked questions based on our professional knowledge,” he said.

The witness reiterated that the findings showed a case of non-compliance of safeguarding and child protection on the part of the school.

He added that they had investigated a case of bullying regarding a child in the school and another case of negligence on the students that were taken to Dubai.

The defence counsel, however, objected that the witness deviated from the subject matter because he was not present when the previous incident happened.

The Lagos State government on March 31, 2023, charged Chrisland Schools, its principal and vice principal and two others with the killing of Whitney Adediran.

Adediran, a 12-year-old student, was allegedly electrocuted on February 9, 2023, during the school’s inter-house sports competition at the Agege Stadium, Lagos State.

Those charged alongside the school are Ademoye Adewale (a cotton candy vendor); Kuku Fatai; Belinda Amao (Principal) and Victoria Nwatu.

Justice Oyindamola Ogala adjourned the case until March 13 for continuation of trial.

Source: NAN

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Adeniran told the court that he was informed by the school’s nurse that his daughter, aged 12, was already dead in the stadium before she was taken to a hospital.

He said that the nurse told him that the daughter’s eyes were already dilated but she could not pronounce her dead because she was not a doctor.

Lagos State government had on March 31, 2023, charged Chrisland School Ltd., Opebi, and its principal, vice principal and two others for the death of Whitney Adeniran.

The 12-year-old student was allegedly electrocuted on February 9, 2023, during the school’s inter-house sports at Agege Stadium, Lagos State.

The defendants were arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala.

Those charged alongside the school are Ademoye Adewale (a cotton candy vendor), Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao (Principal), and Victoria Nwatu.

The defendants are standing trial for involuntary manslaughter and reckless and negligent acts.

While being cross-examined on Monday, Adeniran who is the first prosecution witness, said that he could not remember anybody informing him that oxygen was administered on his daughter at the hospital she was taken to.

He was led in evidence by  counsel to Chrisland Schools, Mr Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN).

When asked if the student was absent from school on February 2, 2023, due to illness, Adeniran replied, “She was absent from school, but she was not ill.”

The witness said that, on January 20, 2023, the school called his wife (the deceased’s mother) and informed her that Whitney was ill.

He said that his daughter was then taken to Inland Specialist Hospital where a doctor prescribed drugs for her.

He testified that he got to know the name of the drugs from the doctor’s report obtained from the hospital and dated February 16, 2023.

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Adeniran listed the drugs as Nitrazepam and Amitriptyline.

When asked if he was informed by the Agege Central Hospital and Diagnostic Ltd. that his daughter died of cardiac arrest, the witness said that he was informed that she died of cardiac arrest.

The witness, however, told the court that he could not remember if the school’s nurse mentioned anything about administering oxygen or cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the deceased.

“The nurse said she tried all she could but my daughter  had already died before being taken out of the stadium.

“She said her eyes had already dilated, but she could not pronounce her dead because she was not a doctor,” he said.

Adeniran had testified before the court on May 25, 2023.

Justice Oyindamola Ogala adjourned the case until January 24 for continuation of cross-examination of Adeniran.

Source: NAN

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Amao was replaced as Chief of Air Staff by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, a development that led to his immediate retirement from service.

The president named AVM Hassan Abubakar, as Amao’s replacement.

The Fly Out is a ceremony usually organised by the Nigerian Air Force for exiting chiefs after a successful service to the nation.

The ceremony also involves march past by troops, and flying out the retired officer.

READ ALSO: New Chief of Air Staff assumes duty as Amao bows out

In his valedictory speech, Amao expressed gratitude to God as well as the officers and men of the air force for a successful service to the nation.

He said the event marked a significant milestone in his career, which was fulfilling and full of accomplishments, culminating to his appointment as the 21st Chief of Air Staff.

He commented the “capable and dedicated officers and men for the roles they played in ensuring the safety and security of the nation.

“Your professionalism, skills and unwavering commitments have truly made a difference in the defence of our skies.

“During my tenure, we faced numerous challenges both at home and abroad.

“From complex joint operations to humanitarian missions, the Nigerian Air Force has demonstrated unmatched capabilities and tenacity in addressing the contemporary challenges.

“We have maintained a state of readiness adapting to the ever evolving threats and ensuring the protection of our airspace as well as safety and security of our dear country.

“It has been a great honour as well as a very challenging and yet fulfilling endeavour,” he said.

Amao also commended the efforts of his predecessors for laying the foundation upon which he built on to achieve the successes recorded during his tenure as the CAS.

He also thanked the immediate past service chiefs for the enhanced synergy that helped them achieve results, urging his successor to tow the same path for the greater good of the nation.

The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa and other service chiefs.

Also in attendance were ex-service chiefs, commanders from tri-service institutions and principal staff officers from defence and services headquarters, among others.

Source: NAN

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Until his appointment, the new CAS was the Chief of Standards and Evaluation at Air Force Headquarters.

In his maiden speech, Abubakar appreciated Almighty God for the unique privilege to lead the Nigerian Air Force at this crucial time in the life of the nation.

He said his appointment came at a time that the expectations of Nigerians towards accelerated actualisation of peace and security was high.

Abubakar said NAF under his command would reinvigorate the fight against terrorism, insurgency, banditry and a host of other challenges bedeviling the country.

He promised to sustain the cooperation and joint efforts that existed between the air force and sister services during the tenure of the outgoing service chiefs, adding that it was responsible for the successes achieved in the various theatres of operations.

“In conjunction with my colleagues, we will uphold these attributes in line with Mr President’s directive issued during the maiden National Security Council meeting.

“We shall also begin to make additional efforts and evolve measures and approaches that will continue to diminish our challenges and enhance the disposition of our various theatres of operations,” he said.

The new CAS congratulated his predecessor for his achievements and distinguished career in the military and pledged to continue to build on his legacies, as well as do more to move NAF to higher heights.

He thanked the President and Commander in Chief, President Bola Tinubu, for the honour and privilege he gave him to serve as the air chief.

In his valedictory speech, the outgone Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Amao, expressed appreciation to God for the opportunity to serve the nation and lead the air force, describing it as a special privilege.

Amao said that NAF was able to attain greater heights in line with his vision for the service with recorded successes in key areas.

The areas, according to him, included doctrinal development, air operations, human capacity development, fleet enhancement, establishment of new units, and directorates.

Others, he said, included logistics support, system research and development, personnel management, and safety standards.

He said the capacity of NAF to conduct air operations across the full spectrum of air power employment and interdictions had significantly improved.

According to him, NAF was able to expeditiously conduct simultaneous combat operations, night operations, and precision strikes.

He urged the new CAS to ensure optimal operational capacity of the air force to sustain and surpass the ongoing efforts at eradicating insurgencies, terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality in the country.

Amao commended the support of the federal government in the development of capacity of personnel, which enhanced their efficiency and effectiveness.

He also appreciated the government for the acquisition of new platforms and several other major support equipment.

“These platforms include the 829 Super Tucano, Diamond 62 Surveillance aircraft, Winglet 2CH3 Unmanned Combat Aerial vehicles, and the CH4 Unmanned Combat Aerial vehicle.

“Additional platforms such as Beefcraft A360 aircraft and Diamond 62 aircraft, as well as T1229 attack aircraft and the Booster 109 Trica Montoro aircraft as well as M346 attack aircraft, are expected to further enhance Nigerian Air Force air power employment and projection capabilities.

“In the areas of human capacity development, NAF has in the last two years trained and retrained personnel for professional and operational effectiveness.

“For instance, the Nigerian Air Force conducted training for a total of 7,424 personnel out of which 5,945 were trained locally and 1,140 were trained overseas.

“This number is also inclusive of the 429 pilots and 203 UAV operators. These efforts in particular reduced the acute shortage of combat pilots that we used to have in the past,” he said.

Amao expressed confidence that the new chief would lead NAF effectively given his humility, excellent career, leadership qualities, wealth of experience, and outstanding accomplishments in previous appointments.

He said the new CAS was part of the successes recorded when he served as the Air Officer Commanding Logistic Command and Chief of Standards and Evaluation, where he contributed to the improved safety records that NAF currently has.

“Today, I want to commend your loyalty and dedication to duty. I, therefore, urge you to put in your very best to consolidate on the various achievements to further propel the NAF to greater heights.

“Let me also use this opportunity to appreciate all officers and airmen and airwomen, as well as the civilian staff, for their dutifulness, discipline, and cooperation accorded me during my tenure as the Chief of the Air Staff,” he added.

Source: NAN

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Amao said the new and modern air assets were instrumental to the feats being recorded against terrorists and insurgents.

He said the successes in the theatres of operation were also facilitated by the newly acquired JF-17 Thunder aircraft, the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles.

He made the assertions when he visited the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Safety and 209 Quick Response Group, Ipetu-Ijesa, Osun State.

Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Maigida Wapkerem, stated in Abuja on Saturday that the CAS emphasised that the military was winning the terrorism war with the aid of the modem platforms.

Amao acknowledged the fact that more still needed to be done to completely decimate and flush out the remnants of terrorists still preying on soft targets.

He warned that being complacent at this point would be harmful to the on-going operations and called for more focus, vigilance and caution on the part of officers and men.

He said that the service was expecting the delivery of additional new platforms to further prosecute the war on terror.

He added that the air assets included two Beechcraft King Air 360, four Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft, three Wing Loong II UCAVs and six T-129 ATAK helicopters.

Amao said that there were on-going acquisitions of 12 Agusta 109 Trekker multi-role helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft.

He added that some of the additional platforms were expected to be delivered to the service before the end of the first quarter of 2023.

These, he said, would further boost NAF’s air power deployments, projection capabilities and air combat training.

Commenting on the upcoming general elections, the CAS urged NAF personnel to remain apolitical, but to exercise their franchise which was the Constitutional right to vote for candidates of their choice.

“We must continue to maintain our integrity and neutrality as a service,’’ Amao stressed.

He urged NAF personnel to always ensure that public perception of NAF and of the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained positive and unblemished.

Source: NAN

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It also approved the appointment of a new spokesperson and other senior officers.

Group Capt. Joel Abioye of the Directorate of Public Relations and Information, NAF, stated that the new postings and the redeployment were part of a routine aimed to ensure operational efficiency and effective service delivery.

Abioye added that the appointments were approved by the Chief Air of Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao.

Former Chief of Policy and Plans, AVM Jackson Yusuf, was appointed as Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, CDPP, while the erstwhile Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Lagos, AVM Idi Lubo, took over as Chief of Policy and Plans.

AVM Mohammed Yakubu, immediate past Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology is now Chief of Aircraft Engineering, while AVM Ayoola Jolasinmi, former CDPP, Defence Headquarters, DHQ, is now the Chief of Defence Space Administration.

“The erstwhile Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, AVM Anthony Tuwase, is now the Chief of Defence Transformation and Innovation, CDTI, DHQ.

“In the same vein, AVM Paul Masiyer is now the Chief of Logistics, HQ NAF; AVM Ibikunle Daramola, the erstwhile Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Ground Training Command, Enugu is appointed the Chief of Communications Information Systems.

“AVM Samuel Chinda now takes over as Chief of Air Intelligence, NAF, while AVM Anthony Ndace is now the Air Secretary, NAF.

“Also affected by the new appointments is AVM Emmanuel Wonah, former Chief of Aircraft Engineering who is now the Commandant Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.

“AVM Charles Ohwo, former CDTI has now been appointed as the Commandant Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Lagos, AVM Paul Jemitola, the immediate past Air Secretary is now the Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna.

“AVM Abraham Adole is the new Commandant, Air Force War College, Makurdi,’’ Abioye stated.

Other new appointments are those of AVM Sayo Olatunde, former Commandant Air Force War College who is now the AOC, Ground Training Command, Enugu and AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe now the AOC Mobility Command, Yenagoa.

Abioye added that the former Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, was appointed Commander 551 NAF Station, Jos, while Air Commodore Wapkerem Maigida is now the new NAF spokesman.

“Air Commodore Olayinka Oyesola takes over as the Air Component Commander (Joint Task Force North East) `Operation Hadin Kai’.

“Air Marshal Amao charged the officers to bring their professional experiences to bear and to continually explore new methods of proffering workable solutions and renewed strategies to resolving the security challenges in the country.

“The newly appointed and redeployed senior officers are expected to assume their offices on or before Friday, January 6,” Abioye added.

Source: NAN

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The Director of Public Relations and Information,  NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Those promoted to the rank of AVM include Esen Efanga; Michael Ekwueme; John Laoye; Bgmibgmitawuza Solomon; Hassan Alhaji; Idi Sani; Patrick Obeya; Ahmed Dari; Gabriel Kehinde; Ebimbowei Yinkere; Anthony Ekpe; Patrick Phillips; Bukkan Sani and Ndubuisi Okoro.

Others are: Simon Peter; Olasunkanmi Abidoye; Lawal Danzangi; Abdullahi Bello; Boniface Ifeobu; Anthony Martins; Dominic Danat; Samuel Chinda; Mohammed Yusuf; Mohammed Aliyu; Alfred Shogbanmu and Paul Irumheson.

Meanwhile, the AFC also approved the terminal promotion of six senior officers comprising five Air Commodores to the rank of Air Vice Marshals and a Group Captain promoted to the rank of Air Commodore.

The five Air Commodores terminally promoted include: Dauda Prayero; Christopher Egwoba; Sunny Ohemu; Akugbe Iyamu and Joseph Malgwi, while Group Capt. Aderemi Alli-Balogun, was terminally promoted to the rank of Air Commodore.

Others promoted from the rank of Group Captain to the rank of Air Commodores are: Nasiru Saidu, Idowu Adewunmi; Abdul-karimu Audu; Abdullahi Dogo; David Bello; Magnus Abanum; Friday Bassey; Babatunde Oguntunde; Chukwuma Ohanele; Loveday Wariboko; Okechukwu Okpara; Daniel Njoku and David Babalola.

Others are: Umar Idris; Semiu Bakare; Usman Umar; Gabriel Oyekale; Sunday Bello; Mathew Bulus; Jilantikiri Ijudigal; Isaac Adelakun; Musa Aileru; Haliru Badamasi; Apeh Joseph and Yelwa Mohammed.

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, on behalf of the entire NAF family, heartily congratulated them.

The CAS, therefore, urged them to see their elevation as an added responsibility that called for strategic level, critical thinking and analysis in proffering lasting solutions towards curbing the current security challenges in the country.

For those on terminal promotion, Amao wished them well in their future endeavours.

He also urged them to justify their terminal elevation by being exemplary ambassadors of NAF who were ready, willing and ever ready to contribute their quota to the advancement of the service.

While the terminally promoted officers were decorated earlier by the CAS at NAF Headquarters, others would be decorated with their new ranks at a later date to be announced soon.

Source: NAN

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The announcement is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet.

Amao who made the announcement at the opening of the 2022 Air Operations Seminar in Uyo, said the committee would review the circumstances leading to such strikes.

READ ALSO: Buhari speaks on Nigerian Air Force pilot rescued from jet crash

He said that the investigation was to proffer far-reaching measures that would mitigate future incidences of collateral damages on civilians during NAF operations.

Amao said the investigation was aimed at promoting accountability and allow NAF to learn valuable lessons to avoid and mitigate similar cases in the future.

He added that the investigation would give NAF the opportunity to take extra measures to minimise civilians harm and casualties in conflict areas.

Source: NAN

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