The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has warned discharged soldiers protesting at the Federal Ministry of Finance over the Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) to desist, describing the demonstrations as illegal.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, issued the warning on Friday, September 5, saying the protests were obstructing official activities at the ministry and would no longer be tolerated.

“The Defence Headquarters acknowledges freedom of legitimate protest, but the veterans are strongly advised to trade with caution and vacate the premises of the Federal Ministry of Finance in order to pave way for normal government functions to be seamlessly conducted,” Kangye stated.

He clarified that neither the government nor the DHQ owed retired soldiers any SDA, explaining that payments were being made in line with applicable wage charts. “Gratuity and SDA are calculated based on the salary chart effective on a soldier’s date of retirement,” he said.

Kangye noted that those who retired between January 1 and July 28, 2024, fell under the pre-minimum wage chart, while retirees from July 29, 2024, onward were placed under the minimum wage chart following the implementation of the new wage structure.

“Unfortunately, soldiers who retired before the implementation date have insisted their benefits should be calculated with the new minimum wage chart, which is not possible. Government policies have effective dates of implementation and this case cannot be an exception,” Kangye stressed.

He urged the ex-soldiers to respect laid-down processes and desist from further illegal demonstrations.

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Four little girls — all sisters — died in a North Carolina, U.S. house fire early Saturday as two other girls managed to escape and call for help.

No adults were at home around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, August 30, when the fire broke out, k!lling the girls aged 2 to 7, Columbus County Fire Marshal Shannon Blackman told CBS 17.

Two other 12-year-old girls  — one a sister of the others — managed to escape the North Colony Road home, officials said.

They called 911, prompting a Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and a Chadbourn Rescue team to arrive in just seven minutes.

But, the home was already engulfed in flames and the first responders couldn’t save the girls trapped inside.

“Due to the severity of the fire, it was not possible to make a safe entry into the home,” Columbus County Sheriff Bill Rogers said in a news release.

Two Columbus County residents have now started a GoFundMe for the family.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the tragic loss of Kendall, Kalani, Josie, and Sophia, who passed away in a house fire,” Ansley Hayes and B. Tyler Grainger wrote online.

The deaths have shaken the community and many people knew the family and mother, identified as Reagan Powers by the Columbus County News.

“These beautiful souls brought immense joy and love to their family and everyone who was blessed to know them,” the fundraiser said about the little girls who died.

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Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has offered financial relief and long-term assistance to the families of 76 security personnel who lost their lives combating insecurity in the state between 2024 and 2025.

Each bereaved family received N5m from a total package of N380m, alongside promises of scholarships for children and business support for widows.

While presenting symbolic cheques in Makurdi, Alia described the gesture as a mark of gratitude for the fallen heroes’ supreme sacrifice.

He recalled the emotional burden borne by grieving families, citing the story of a nursing mother whose infant would never know its father.

“Their memories will continue to be a blessing to us. We will not leave anyone behind. Your children will continue their education through scholarships, and your families will remain on the state’s protocol list,” he said.

The governor further assured the families that government support would go beyond money, pledging to create sustainable opportunities for widows of the deceased and to periodically visit affected households.

Alia also commended the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, and the Civil Defence Command for their dedication to restoring peace, while praising President Bola Tinubu for his support.

The governor stressed that security operatives should not be seen as enemies but as protectors who often give up their comfort for citizens’ safety.

Earlier, the Director General of Homeland Security, Col. Jacob Gbawuan (rted), disclosed that the 76 operatives cut across the police, military, Civil Defence, and the state-owned Community Volunteer Guards.

He described them as heroes who must not be forgotten.

The State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, hailed the governor’s intervention as “spectacular” and “unprecedented,” adding that it would bring succour to grieving families and inspire morale among serving officers.

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