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Dismissal of Lance Corporal Olamilekan who appeared on Honest Bunch podcast followed due process – Army

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The Nigerian Army has clarified that the dismissal of Lance Corporal Rotimi Olamilekan, popularly known as “Soja Boi,” was due to serious disciplinary breaches and not for expressing opinions about political leadership.

In a statement issued by spokesperson Apollonia Anele, the Army said the dismissal followed due process in line with military laws and regulations. Anele explained that Olamilekan’s actions violated established rules, including the Armed Forces Social Media Policy. She cited offences such as unauthorised media appearances, commercialisation of military identity, partisan content creation, and misuse of military uniform.

Olamilekan had previously made claims in an interview alleging poor welfare conditions for soldiers, including assertions that personnel receive no additional benefits beyond basic salary and are required to purchase their own uniforms and protective equipment.

The Army strongly refuted these claims, describing them as “false, baseless, and clearly intended to misinform and generate unwarranted sympathy.”

According to Anele, the Nigerian Army operates a structured and transparent remuneration system guided by the Manual of Financial Administration for Armed Forces of Nigeria (MAFA), where salaries are determined by rank and years of service.

She added that personnel receive various allowances, including uniform allowances, which are paid directly into their accounts. Soldiers deployed on operations are also entitled to additional benefits such as Ration Cash Allowance, Habit Allowance, and operational allowances.

Anele highlighted that troops serving in operational theatres, including Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, receive mission-specific entitlements aimed at supporting their welfare and effectiveness.

Addressing claims about equipment, the Army stated that it is responsible for providing uniforms, protective gear, arms, and ammunition through established logistics systems managed by dedicated ordnance units.

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She noted that while some personnel may choose to supplement issued kits for personal comfort, such actions are voluntary and do not indicate any systemic failure. The Army emphasised that no soldier is deployed without appropriate protective equipment and warned that claims suggesting otherwise are not only false but could undermine public confidence and troop morale.

Reaffirming its stance, the Nigerian Army stated its commitment to discipline, accountability, and the welfare of its personnel, urging the public to disregard what it described as misleading allegations.

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Defence Headquarters Social Media Account Hacked

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The official social media page of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), 𝕏 to be precise, has been attacked by suspected hackers.

Naija News reports that the DHQ confirmed the development in a statement made public on Saturday, August 15, by the Director of Defence Information, Maj. General Samaila Uba.

He said the body has hence treated the incident as a cybersecurity matter, with technical measures activated to secure the account.

“The Defence Headquarters wishes to inform members of the public, the media and all stakeholders that it has detected an attempted unauthorised compromise of its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

“The incident is currently being treated as a cybersecurity matter, and appropriate technical measures have been activated to secure the account and prevent further unauthorised access,” the statement noted.

The DHQ urged members of the public to disregard any publication from the account at the moment while ensuring that efforts were ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.

“The Defence Headquarters assures the public that efforts are ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.

“Consequently, members of the public are advised to disregard any suspicious, unauthorised or misleading content that may be posted from the account during this period,” he said.

Uba stressed the DHQ’s committment to maintaining high standards of information security and ensuring that Nigerians continued to receive accurate, timely and credible information on the activities and operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“We appreciate the understanding and vigilance of the public and will provide further updates as necessary,” he said.

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He further urged Nigerians to henceforth check its verified accounts on other platforms, including Facebook under the name “Defence Headquarters Nigeria,” Instagram at @defenceheadquarters and its WhatsApp Channel, Defence Headquarters Nigeria for reliable information.

Source: naijanews.com

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Seven workers killed, 19 rescued in India tunnel accident

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At least seven workers were killed and 13 injured following a landslide that sent water and debris gushing into a tunnel under construction in north India, officials said Friday.

The incident occurred late Thursday in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, where workers were constructing a tunnel for a state-run hydropower project.

At least three workers are still missing, while 19 were rescued from the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation site, the State Disaster Management Authority said in a statement.

Videos shared by local authorities showed rescue workers equipped with head-mounted torches using makeshift rafts to reach the flooded section of the tunnel.

Uttarakhand has been battered by heavy monsoon rains in recent days.

Accidents on large construction sites are common in India, but ecologists say excessive development projects have led to more disasters in the fragile Himalayan areas.

Last month, 20 people working in a tunnel for another state-run hydroelectric project were killed in the remote northeastern state of Sikkim.

In 2023, 41 workers were rescued after being trapped for 17 days inside a tunnel that collapsed in Uttarakhand.

Hundreds of people have been killed in floods and landslides across the country since the start of the annual monsoon season in June.

Experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing the frequency, severity, and impact of the disasters.

AFP

Source: punchng.com

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RATTAWU honours DSS DG for strategic intelligence, national security

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The Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union has honoured the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, with the ‘Golden Era Pillar of Critical and Strategic Intelligence for National Development Award’, as part of activities marking its 50th anniversary

RATTAWU conferred the award on Ajayi on Thursday at his office, when the National President of the group, Emeka Kalu, led members to a media/security-critical engagement and strategic partnership meeting for national development in Abuja.

Kalu praised the appointment of Ajayi in 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, describing it as putting “a round peg in a round hole.”

He added that the award was an initiative of the union designed to recognise individuals and institutions that had made outstanding contributions to national development, security, democracy, culture and the growth of Nigeria.

He said, “Your appointment by Mr President demonstrates the importance of placing capable Nigerians with integrity and professional competence in strategic positions of national responsibility.

“The role of the DSS in protecting Nigeria’s national interests, gathering critical intelligence and supporting national security cannot be overemphasised.

“Particularly now that this country is confronted with complex security and emerging technological challenges, appointments like yours are the best ever done by Mr President.

“That is why this union decided to honour you with the Golden Era Pillar of Critical and Strategic Intelligence for National Development Award.”

Responding, the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, expressed appreciation to the leadership of RATTAWU for the honour.

Ajayi described the recognition as a significant gesture that would further encourage him and the service to remain committed to their responsibilities to the nation.

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Source: punchng.com

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