The Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations at the Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, has urged Nigerians not to be intimidated by men in uniform, stressing that security personnel’s primary duty is to protect citizens.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Friday, Bankole reassured the public that military personnel are committed to safeguarding lives.

He said, “People should not feel scared when they see people in uniform; the men in uniform are meant to protect you.

“That sensitisation, even from the depot in Zaria, from the NDA to the NDC, is there.”

Bankole described a career in the military as a noble pursuit, emphasising its role in both territorial protection and human security.

He added, “The military career is a noble career; the military career is to help the society; apart from protecting the territorial integrity of the society, we are protecting humans.”

The Defence chief expressed optimism that the military would regain public trust and respect, under the leadership of Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.

The Kano State High Court on Friday sentenced a housewife, Fadila Adamu, to death by hanging for kidnapping and throwing an eight-year-old girl into a well, causing her death.

The defendant, who lives in the Sabuwar Gandu Quarters, Kano, was convicted of kidnapping and culpable homicide.

Delivering judgment, Justice Yusuf Muhammad-Ubale ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced the defendant to death by hanging.

“I hereby sentence the defendant to death by hanging for kidnapping and throwing the victim into a well, which caused her death,” he ruled.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on July 14, 2019, at the Tudun Wada Quarters, Kano.

He said that at about 4:45 p.m., the defendant kidnapped the minor and took her to her house.

“The defendant told her sister that the deceased was the daughter of her friend, whose mother had travelled to Ghana and asked her to keep the child until she returned.

“On July 17, 2019, at about 6:30 p.m., the defendant caused the death of the minor when she threw her into a deep well situated in the Tukuntawa Quarters Kano,” he said.

Mr Abba-Sorondinki presented seven witnesses, including the defendant’s statements and a medical report confirming the victim’s death.

The defendant denied committing the offence.

The prosecution said the offence contravened sections 274(b) and 221(a) of the Penal Code.

The defence counsel, Zulaihat Tata, presented four witnesses, including the defendant, to testify in her defence.

(NAN)

The Federal Government on Friday said further investigations into the shooting of a personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS around a Chinese company in Niger State, have shown that the officer was not targeted.

Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Minister of Interior, Babatunde Alao in an updated statement said “the officer was hit by a stray bullet that was neither shot on the order of the Chinese company nor its employee”.

Accordingly, he said the Federal Government has launched full scale investigation into the shooting of the personnel in collaboration with other security agencies.

“This is to unravel the detailed circumstances surrounding the shooting while giving assurance that anyone found culpable will be brought to book.

“The Minister reaffirms his strong commitment to ensuring the safety, dignity, and professional integrity of all law enforcement officers.

“He emphasizes the government’s ongoing support for law-abiding businesses in Nigeria and reiterates the Ministry of Interior’s dedication to fostering strong partnerships with foreign nationals, aiming to build sustainable collaboration for social economic development”, the statement added.