The Directors-General of Military Operations (DGMOs) will discuss measures to ensure the ceasefire, effective since Saturday, stays in place beyond Monday.

The agreement follows days of escalated tensions, including drone, missile, and airstrikes targeting military installations and airbases.

The talks may also pave the way for security discussions between national security advisers to address disputed issues, including Kashmir.

The post India-Pakistan to discuss ceasefire appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

Wike made the declaration on Wednesday during a condolence visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mukan, and families of the slain policemen at the Rivers State Police Command.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Kelvin Ebiri, the governor also promised to rebuild all burnt police stations in Oyigbo and vowed to ensure that the IPOB ceases to exist in the state.

Wike was accompanied by Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Paulinus Nsirim, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor.

The governor described the gruesome murder of the policemen and soldiers as unacceptable and unfortunate.

He said that the state government will support the Police to make sure that all IPOB members who masterminded the killing of the policemen and soldiers, as well as the wanton destruction of Police stations in Oyigbo are apprehended.

“IPOB masterminded the killing of our gallant officers of the Nigerian Police and Army. We want to state clearly that Rivers State Government will support you to make sure that any of the perpetrators of this hideous crime does not go free.

“Enough is enough. You cannot continue to kill our policemen that have not done anything, who have not committed any crime,” Wike said in the statement.

According to the governor, the killing of policemen is one crime that the state government will never condone.

Responding to the gesture, the Commissioner of Police said the governor has demonstrated that he is a compassionate father of the state by his decision to commiserate with the Command and the deceased families.

He explained that the Police and the Army have taken over all IPOB strongholds in Oyigbo and will ensure that the group cease to exist anywhere within the state.

The post EndSARS: Wike pledges N20m to each family of slain police officers, soldiers appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

Our correspondent reports that joint security personnel were enforcing the curfew imposed on the state as roads were deserted, vehicular and human movements were also affected and restricted by the curfew.

Soldiers were seen enforcing the curfew order at the popular Olaiya junction in Osogbo and its adjoining roads with checkpoints.

Commercial activities were totally grounded too as no shop or business centre opens for business.

Some pedestals were seen trekking through inter-streets to avoid military checkpoints.

Some defiant commercial motorcyclists were also seen operating but avoiding the routes and checkpoints controlled by the soldiers.

It was recalled that the state government issued a new 24 hours/indefinite curfew on Saturday afternoon, following the continuous looting and vandalism by hoodlums under the pretext of #EndSARS protest.

The post Curfew: Banks, businesses closed, soldiers take over roads in Osogbo appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

Maj-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, the incoming Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, stated this at the burial of five fallen heroes, at the Nigerian Army Cemetery, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

Adeniyi said that the military would not rest until it ensured total defeat of the insurgency and restoration of peace to the war tone region.

He described the fallen heroes as “gallant, courageous and brave soldiers”, who sacrificed their lives in the defence of the country.

“On behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, I wish to commiserate with the families of the fallen heroes.

“What happened is sad, but I want their families to know that they did not die in vain; they die for Nigeria, they die for their fatherland.

“You can be proud; they were good citizens, brave, honourable good men. They did not beg or run away from the enemy, they fought gallantly to the end.

“Nigerian Army is proud of them and I want you to know that one of your love ones paid the supreme price for nation building. We thank God for their lives and we celebrate them.

“I promised you; we will not sleep, rest or give Boko Haram insurgents any respite, we will return normalcy to the North-East,” Adeniyi said.

He added that the army had put in place effective welfare scheme to take care of the families and children of the fallen heroes.

He advised the Next of Kin (NoK) of the deceased soldiers to contact him or Commanders of the Sector 2 and 29 Brigade, under which the slain soldiers served, if they experience difficulties or misunderstanding regarding their welfare.

Adeniyi listed the fallen heroes to include Col. Kenneth Elemele, Lance Corporals Ajijola Sunday, Oguntuase Ayo, Dimos Danial and Private Akinola Ayoola.

The commander prayed for the repose of their souls and the families’ fortitude to bear the loss.

It was reported that the fallen heroes were laid to rest in accordance with the Christian religious rites and military etiquette.

It was also reported that each of the families of the fallen heroes was presented with the National Flag at the end of the exercise.

The event was attended by Maj.-Gen. Bulama Biu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, and other military officers in the theatre of operation.

The post Nigerian Army restates commitment to end insurgency, buries 5 soldiers appeared first on NEWSVERGE.