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Navy recruits 1,814 sailors
The Nigerian Navy has recruited 1,814 young Nigerians in the last six months to strengthen joint military operations in the Northeast, Niger Delta, and the Gulf of Guinea.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanual Ogalla, announced this at the passing-out parade of Batch 36 trainees at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers State.
The CNS said the new sailors would be deployed aboard naval warships to engage in counter-insurgency as well as oil theft and sea piracy operations, among others.
“Over the years, NNBTS has upheld its mandate to transform qualified civilians into skilled and competent Ratings for the Nigerian Navy.
“The recruitment of 1,814 ratings became necessary to secure our maritime environment, ensuring national economic prosperity.
“They are joining the navy at a time unprecedented efforts are being made to revitalise our fleet, rejig our operations and upgrade our training facilities,” he said.
Ogalla said the expansion of the fleet and the improvement of naval operations would achieve optimal results with the deployment of capable and well-trained personnel.
According to him, the Navy is also actively engaged in land-based operations across the six geo-political zones in collaboration with other security agencies.
“Our participation in these operations, alongside cooperative efforts with other security and law enforcement agencies, has yielded significant successes in various theatres of operation.
“These achievements have been made possible by the commitment of our disciplined personnel, equipped with knowledge and skills acquired through rigorous training at our naval institutions,” Ogalla added.
The CNS said the new ratings underwent expert training in combat fitness, weapons handling, boat drills and both kinetic and non-kinetic operational skills.
The induction, he said, formed a key element of the navy’s capacity building programme designed to develop, maintain and sustain forces to address threats.
Ogalla, who urged the recruits to uphold discipline and obedience, also advised them to be apolitical and demonstrate loyalty to the military and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“You will soon be deployed aboard ships where you will receive further training on practical aspects, including seamanship, security duties, naval traditions and customs,” he said.
Iran has carried out the execution of two individuals accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence, according to an official statement from the country’s judiciary.
Authorities said the two men were convicted on charges of espionage linked to Mossad, and were found guilty of working with what officials described as a hostile intelligence network operating within Iran.
According to the judiciary, the suspects had been under investigation for activities considered detrimental to national security.
Their death sentences were subsequently upheld by the country’s Supreme Court prior to being enforced.
The executions were confirmed on April 20, 2026, although officials did not provide specific details regarding the exact time or location.
Iranian authorities stated that the case is part of ongoing efforts to counter and dismantle foreign intelligence operations within its borders.
There has been no independent confirmation of the allegations, and Israeli authorities have not issued any immediate response.
The incident reflects the persistent strain in relations between the two countries, with Iran frequently reporting the uncovering of alleged espionage networks tied to Israeli operatives.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area in Ogun State.
President Tinubu also approved a special take-off grant of N15billion for the college.
The President’s approval was in fulfilment of the provisions of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, particularly with respect to the expansion of the Police Academy based in Wudil, Kano state, into multiple campuses across the country.
The intervention fund will be sourced from the TetFund 2026 allocation to finance priority infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and core training assets.
A high-level consultative meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) recommended the siting of the new campus in Erinja.
The meeting considered student intake capacity, funding realities, academic quality assurance, and the long-term needs of the Nigerian Police Force, which is currently recruiting more men.
President Tinubu believes the expansion will strengthen institutional governance, modern policing education and national security.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), South West Zone, has disowned a press conference purportedly held in Ibadan on Monday, which claimed that the zone had condemned the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, declared support for Governor Makinde of Oyo State and loyalty to a Turaki-led National Working Committee.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Oyeniyi, described the event as the work of organised impostors who do not represent the party at any level.
“The Zonal Chairman, Engr. Deji Doherty, was away in Abuja attending the 108th meeting of the National Executive Committee of our great party and no zonal officials held any press conference. The claim of an Ibadan press conference is therefore a barefaced lie,” Oyeniyi said.
The statement said those behind the Ibadan gathering do not speak for the party, hold no mandate, and are not recognised by any organ of the PDP from ward to national level.
Oyeniyi further said the illegality of the group was very pronounced, noting that they do not even have a Zonal Vice Chairman, which is very significant for any structure claiming to speak for the PDP South West.
“These are the ones whose agenda was to destabilise the party but they failed. Looking at them, one could see that their group is now a psychiatric ward with no staff. Destabilising elements always end up as wanderers. Karma never forgets, and wickedness by default carries consequences too,” the statement read.
According to Oyeniyi, “these ones slung toboggan, and now the stones are expectedly raining on them, and their current noise and theatrics will not substitute for acceptance by party members or the public.”
The PDP South West said its loyalty to the Abdulrahman-led National Working Committee and the National Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Wike remains unalloyed and also advised the impostors to retrace their steps and rejoin the party through the proper channels, rather than constituting themselves into a nuisance, as no amount of media stunts or paid propaganda will confer any legitimacy on illegitimacy.
He urged the general public, party faithful, and the media to disregard the publication, stating that official communications of the PDP South West Zone would continue to come only through recognised party channels in the zone under the leadership of Engr. Deji Doherty.
Iran executes two men over spying for Israel
Tinubu approves N15bn take off grant for new police academy
PDP South West Disowns Ibadan Press Conference, Calls Organisers Criminal Impostors
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