The Economic Community of West African States {ECOWAS) Commission has accused the Nigerien junta of provocation and contradicting it’s reported willingness to dialogue in order to resolve the troubled country’s political impasse with latest move to charged the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum with treason.
A statement on Monday read: “ECOWAS has learnt with stupefaction attempts to bring charges of high treason against H.E. Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic of Nigeria.
“ECOWAS condemns this move as it represents yet another form of provocation and contradicts the reported willingness of the military authorities in the Republic of Nigeria to restore constitutional order through peaceful means.’
The Commission added that “President Bazoum remains the democratically elected President of the Republic of Nigeria recognized by ECOWAS and the international community. ECOWAS condemns his illegal detention and calls for his immediate release and reinstatement.’
[8/15, 4:05 PM] Michael Olugbode: NSCDC to Commence Immediate Manhunt of Infrastructure Vandals in Abuja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) has said it would commence the immediate manhunt of infrastructure vandals and manhole thieves in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
The promise was made on Tuesday by the newly deployed Commandant of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), of the Corps, Olusola Odumosu, while taking over the Command.
Odumosu, who took over the Command after years of service as the Corps National Director of Public Relations, (DRO) at the national headquarters, Abuja, said “We will tackle the menace of manhole theft since the criminals are not relenting, we too will not relent and will ensure that we put them where they belong. I am going to declare war in vandals and manhole thieves in Abuja.”
He added that: “I want you to know that FCT Command by virtue of location is very central and is in fact the eyes of the corps. So much attention is focused on the FCT therefore we have to live up to expectation, we have to disappoint all the naysayers hence under my leadership, I want us to transform the FCT command.
“I am the son of my father the Commandant General of the Corps, Dr. Ahmed Audi and you see how he operates, hence we are going to work very asidiously, we are going to put in our best and that is why I want to encourage you all.”
Odumosu, while charging officers of the corps on the need for discipline and total dedication to duty, also urged officers to exercise civility in dealing with members of the public and stay away from harassing civilians especially journalists in the course of their duties.
He said: “NSCDC is one organisation that has enjoyed social acceptability among the people and that is one of the comparative advantage that we have therefore under my leadership, everyone of you is an ambassador of the corps.
“One of the things I will have issues with is any unbecoming act by a civil defender that will embarass the corps.”
Odumosu takes over from Commandant Peter Maigari, who has been nominated and thus proceeding on a strategic course at the National Security Institute for the next one year.