By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has commanded the mass production of attack drones, signaling a major escalation in the nation’s military capabilities.

The directive comes as concerns grow about the strengthening military ties between North Korea and Russia, which have sparked international scrutiny.

State-run media outlet KCNA reported that Kim’s decision to ramp up drone production follows a series of developments aimed at boosting North Korea’s defense capabilities. In August, Pyongyang first unveiled its attack drones, a move that experts believe is linked to its growing alliance with Russia, which has been providing technical support for North Korea’s weapons programs.

During a recent demonstration on Thursday, Kim Jong Un personally oversaw a test involving drones designed to strike both land and sea targets. The test reportedly showed the drones’ effectiveness, as they successfully hit their designated targets after flying along pre-programmed flight paths.

KCNA emphasized that Kim Jong Un expressed the urgent need to establish a serial production system for these drones, with the aim of achieving full-scale manufacturing in the shortest time possible. These unmanned drones, which are equipped with explosives, function as “suicide drones,” deliberately crashing into enemy targets and acting as guided missiles.

The state media further detailed that the new drones will be capable of operating across various ranges, allowing them to target both ground and maritime adversaries with precision. The continued development and deployment of such weaponry underline North Korea’s ongoing efforts to enhance its military deterrence capabilities amidst rising tensions in the region.

With these drones set to play a central role in future military strategies, North Korea’s investment in unmanned aerial technology marks a significant shift in its defense posture, potentially altering the balance of power in East Asia.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

President Bola Tinubu on Friday conferred a post-homous award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

He made the declaration during the interment in honour of the late senior officer at the National Cemetery in Mogadishu, Abuja.

The President extoled the virtues of the late warrior, eulogising his contributions to national security.

According to Tinubu, the appointment of Lagbaja as the COAS was one of his finest made so far.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday conferred a post-homous award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

He made the declaration during the interment in honour of the late warrior at the National Cemetery in Mogadishu, Abuja.

The President extoled the virtues of the late warrior, eulogising his contributions to national security.

According to Tinubu, the appointment of Lagbaja as the COAS was one of his finest made so far.

“As an eternal symbol of our appreciation, I have granted the late Chief of Army Staff, the post-humous national honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic of the Niger (CFR),” Tinubu declared.

He after that invited the wife of the late COAS, Mariya who collected the award on behalf of the Lagbaja family amid applause from the congregation.

The President urged the officers of the military not to allow “death defeat us. Lift your heads in pride in memory of your army chief.”

Tinubu also reiterated his administration’s commitment to support members of the armed forces who work hard to defend the nation.

He expressed gratitude to the Lagbaja family for allowing the late COAS to serve with honour, saying that the works of the late warrior would continue to serve generations yet unborn.

The event had in attendance Vice President Kashima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Defence Minister, governors and top military officials.

Last week, Tinubu announced Lagbaja’s death, saying the late warrior passed away in Lagos after a period of illness.

Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja served as the Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months. President Tinubu appointed him to the role in June 2023.

He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.

(Channels TV)

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a suit filed by 19 state governments against the federal government, challenging the constitutionality of the laws establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and two others.

The apex court threw out the suit for lacking in merit and substance.

Justice Uwani Abba-Aji who read the lead judgment held that the states were completely wrong in holding that EFCC established by an act of the National Assembly was an illegal and unlawful body.

In the unanimous judgment of a 7-man panel of Justices of the court, the power of the EFCC, ICPC and NFIU to arrest and prosecute offenders were affirmed.

The plaintiffs, in the suit, marked: SC/CV/178/2023 had argued that the Supreme Court, in Dr Joseph Nwobike vs Federal Republic of Nigeria, had held that it was a United Nations Convention against corruption that was reduced into the EFCC Establishment Act and that in enacting this law in 2004, the provision of Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, was not followed.

The argument was that, in bringing a Convention into the Nigerian law, the provision of Section 12 must be complied with.

According to them, the provision of the Constitution necessitated the majority of the states’ Houses of Assembly agreeing to bring the convention in before passing the EFCC Act and others, which was allegedly never done.

The argument of the states in their present suit, was that the law, as enacted, could not be applied to states that never approved of it, in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian constitution.