Page 4 Thursday Sept 17

Page 4 Thursday Sept 17

8 DSS operatives feared killed in Arepo operation

From Eugene Agha, Lagos

Suspected pipeline vandals yesterday engaged operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in a bloody shootout at Arepo, Ogun State. At the end of the shooting which lasted several hours, eight DSS operatives were feared killed, with others severely injured.

Though neither authorities of the Western Naval Command nor the DSS spoke on the issue when their comments were sought by our correspondent, an officer at the Ogun State Police Command told our correspondent that eight DSS operatives were missing after fighting last night.

“One of the nine operatives earlier reported killed escaped and he was the one who confirmed the killing of the rest,” he said.

Daily Trust reliably learnt that the vandals went away with the bodies of the operatives. At press time yesterday, a patrol vehicle belonging to the DSS was still parked by the side of the mangrove swamp.

Yesterday’s incident started at about 2:00am when two teams of DSS operatives, at the instance of officials of the NNPC, stormed the Konu area of Arepo to stop the illegal activities of the suspected vandals.

A witness, Simon Olu, told Daily Trust that Konu is a major outlet at Arepo used by vandals. He said the vandals had stormed Arepo and were siphoning petroleum products into several tankers.

According to another source, a villager hinted NNPC officials who in turn informed the DSS. He added that the vandals got wind of the coming of the DSS and laid ambush for them.

“The DSS operatives were caught unawares as they ran into the ambush of the vandals who opened fire on them, killing a good number”, he said.

Daily Trust learnt that soldiers have been deployed to the area, with personnel of the Nigerian Navy deployed from the NNS BEECROFT leading the operation from the waterways.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, yesterday told Daily Trust that the three policemen kidnapped by suspected pipeline vandals at Isawo in Ikorodu area of Lagos a fortnight ago were still missing. He said police authorities were still searching for the abducted policemen after the shootout on August 31.

Embrace practices that enhance value for money-COAS

From Dickson S. Adama, Kaduna

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Burutai, yesterday tasked the military to embrace procedures and practices that enhance value for money in all operations.

Speaking at the 10th biennial training conference of military officers in Kaduna, the army chief noted though government’s funding of the military had been tremendous, in view of enormous burden on government in the face of competing demands, the military should embrace practices and procedures which enhance value for money.

He however called for sustained funding of the military in order to effectively contain the insurgency in the North-east, and other crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery and illegal oil bunkering.

“You will all agree with me that the daunting challenges faced by the Nigerian Army lately call for concerted efforts in order to perform our constitutional roles. You are also aware of our efforts at containing the insurgency in the North-east in addition to dealing with kidnapping, armed robbery and illegal oil bunkering as well as other related crimes across the country.

“These efforts can only be sustained through adequate funding. The support of the government has been tremendous in this regard. We are however not unmindful of the enormous burden on government in view of competing demands on its continuously dwindling revenue inflow. With this in mind, I encourage you to continuously embrace procedures and practices that would support the Nigerian Army to achieve value for money in all operations,” he said, and urged the participants to avail themselves of the benefits of the training conference.

Workers shut Chevron office

From Mohammed Shosanya,Lagos

Workers under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) yesterday paralyzed activities at the Lagos headquarters of Chevron Nigeria Limited over alleged anti-labour activities.

The union members who besieged the oil company as early as 7:30am prevented workers from entering the premises and also blocked the access road to the Lekki office of the company.

Addressing the protesters, South West Zonal Chairman of NUPENG, Comrade Tokunbo Korodo, deplored Chevron’s neglect of the workers’ clamour to reverse its anti-labour practices.

The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Deji Haastrup, said the action of the workers negated Nigerian labour laws and was contrary to the advice of the Federal Ministry of Labour and the order of the National Industrial Court (NIC) for them to suspend the strike.

Lagos constitutes councils for tertiary institutions

From Femi Akinola, Lagos

The Lagos State government yesterday constituted new governing councils for tertiary institutions in the state.

A government statement named retired Justice George Oguntade as Chancellor for LASU while Professor Bayo Ninalowo was made the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council.

The statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, also listed the members of the LASU Governing Council as Mrs. Tayo Olabenjo, Dr. (Mrs) L.O Durosinmi, Engr. Kayode Anibaba, Mr. Koye Edu, Dr. Ayo Sonibare, Mr. Ken Igbokwe, Mr. Akinsanya Sunny Ajose, Mrs. Yewande Zacchaeus, Mrs. Olabisi Deji-Folutile, Alhaji Lateef Olaseinde Karim and Professor Musliu Onilude.

Other members include Mrs. Carlene Alaja-Brown, representative of the Ministry of Education, four representatives of the Senate, two representatives of Congregation and representative of Alumni.

At the Micheal Otedola College of Primary Education, the government approved the appointment of Alhaja Sekinat Yussu as Chairman of the Council; Sunday Kappo, Hon. Toun Adeniran, Mrs. Shade Agbalajobi, Engr. Ajibade Emiabata Balogun and Mrs Yinka Babalola as members.

The Council also has representative of the Ministry of Education, Chairman of the State Conference of Primary School Head teachers, Secretary of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board and representative on the Ministry of Finance as members.

Professor T.J Gbadamosi was appointed as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Lagos State Polytechnic, which also has Mr. Timothy Ishola Bankole, Mr. Owolabi Amisu, Mrs. Tinu Feyiseyan and Professor Bunmi Otubanjo as members.

Also on the Council are representative of the Ministry of Education, representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), representative of the Alumni Association of the institution, representative of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), two representatives of the Congregation and representative of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

The government also appointed Professor Tunde Samuel as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, while Dr. (Mrs) Rafiat Olufunmilayo Olatunji, Mrs. Iyabo Osifeso and Alhaji Wasiu Aderibigbe Lawal will serve as members.

A representative each from the Lagos State Principals Conference, University of Lagos, Ministry of Education, Alumni Association of the Institution, Academic Board and Teachers Establishments and Pensions Office were also appointed in the Governing Council of the Lagos State Polytechnic.

At the Lagos State College of Health Technology, Mrs. Tilley Giyado was appointed as Chairman of the Governing Council while Alhaji Rasaki Adetunji Ilelaboye, Mrs. Sulaiman Arigbabi, representative of the Ministry of Health, representative of the Ministry of Education and two elected members of the Teaching Staff of the College will serve as members.