The Nigerian Army has charged young soldiers of the 90 Regular Recruit Intake (RRI) to uphold discipline, professionalism and commitment to continuous training as they proceed to their respective units and formations.

The charge was given by the Chief of Training, Nigerian Army (COT(A)), Major General Valentine Okoro, during the graduation ceremony of Exercise Shining Star Course 12/2026 held at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground, Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja.

Okoro, who was represented at the ceremony by the Deputy Chief of Training, Linkages and Integration, Brigadier General Ukeagbu Igbokwe, described Exercise Shining Star as timely and relevant to the Nigerian Army’s efforts to develop disciplined, competent and combat-ready personnel capable of operating effectively in contemporary security environments.

In a post shared on its X handle on Saturday, the Nigerian Army said the exercise provided the young soldiers with an opportunity to consolidate the knowledge and skills acquired during their recruit training and apply them under realistic field conditions.

According to Okoro, the training also exposed the participants to key military attributes, including teamwork, leadership, endurance, initiative and sound decision-making.

He urged the soldiers to remain committed to the values and standards of the Nigerian Army as they begin their assignments in various units and formations.

“Remain physically fit, mentally alert, professionally competent and loyal to constituted authority,” he charged.

The Army chief further stressed the importance of discipline and professionalism, noting that the soldiers’ conduct both on and off duty must reflect positively on the Service.

He reminded the young personnel that their individual actions could influence public perception of the Nigerian Army and urged them to conduct themselves in a manner that would help sustain the confidence Nigerians repose in the military.

Okoro also emphasised the need for continuous training, urging the soldiers to see professional development as an ongoing responsibility rather than something that ends with their graduation from the course.

The Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Training, Army Headquarters Garrison Training School, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Adamu, disclosed that 45 young soldiers from the 90 RRI participated in Exercise Shining Star Course 12/2026.

Adamu said the participants were drawn from various departments, establishments and commands within Abuja.

He explained that the course covered several areas considered essential to the soldiers’ effectiveness in their respective assignments.

The areas included unit regimentation, basic infantry tactics, physical fitness, weapon handling, map reading and night operations, among other military skills.

According to him, the progress of the participants was monitored and assessed throughout the training through weekly examinations, practical exercises and other activities.

The assessment, he said, was designed to determine the soldiers’ understanding of the skills taught during the exercise and their ability to apply them in practical situations.

The completion of Exercise Shining Star Course 12/2026 marks another stage in the professional development of the young soldiers as they proceed to their respective units and formations.

The Nigerian Army has continued to emphasise discipline, operational readiness and continuous training as important components of preparing its personnel for the demands of contemporary security operations

The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a prominent politician, Prince Ikechukwu Oloto, popularly known as “Okanga Mo”, in Nsukka Local Government Area of the state.

Oloto, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was reportedly attacked inside his residence at Odenigbo, Nsukka, on Thursday evening.

The police said the circumstances surrounding the politician’s death were still under investigation, while efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the incident while responding to inquiries on Friday.

According to Ndukwe, the police received a report at about 5:45 p.m. on September 17, 2026, that Oloto had been found in a pool of blood at his residence.

Police operatives were subsequently deployed to the scene, where they found the 53-year-old politician with deep suspected machete cuts to his head and stomach.

Ndukwe said the victim was immediately rushed to a hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead by the attending doctor.

His remains were subsequently deposited at a mortuary for preservation and autopsy as the police commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The police spokesperson said, “Investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the murder of Ikechukwu Oloto, male, about 53 years old, in Nsukka.

“The Police received a report on September 17, 2026, at about 5:45 p.m., that he had been found in a pool of blood in his residence.

Operatives promptly responded and found him with deep suspected machete cuts to his head and stomach.

“He was rushed to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor.

His remains were deposited at a mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while a manhunt has been launched for the assailant(s).”

Oloto, who hailed from Nsukka Local Government Area, was said to have been attacked at his residence in the Odenigbo area.

Multiple sources confirmed that the politician died following the attack, although details about what led to the incident and the identity of the assailant or assailants remain unclear.

Unverified reports circulating on social media claimed that a knife was used during the attack.

However, the police statement specifically referred to deep suspected machete cuts and did not confirm the social media claims.

The command said a manhunt had been launched for the assailant or assailants, while the autopsy and ongoing investigation are expected to provide further information about the circumstances surrounding Oloto’s death.

The police urged members of the public with relevant information that could assist the investigation to make such information available to the house.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has commenced an investigation into a confrontation involving personnel of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, in the Life Camp area of Abuja.

The incident occurred at about 7pm on Thursday during an enforcement operation aimed at implementing the ban on commercial motorcyclists operating on major roads and routes within the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the FCT Police Command, preliminary findings indicated that the confrontation began after a VIO official attached to a task force constituted by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to enforce the restriction had an altercation with a commercial motorcyclist.

The disagreement reportedly escalated into a confrontation, prompting the intervention of the police and the commencement of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, has ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation to determine what led to the confrontation and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

Adeh said the command was aware of the altercation between VIO personnel and commercial motorcyclists in the Life Camp area and had commenced investigations.

She said, “The attention of the FCT Police Command was drawn to an altercation between personnel of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders) in the Life Camp area of the FCT.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident occurred when a VIO personnel attached to a task force constituted by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to enforce the ban on commercial motorcyclists operating on major roads and routes within the FCT had an altercation with a commercial motorcyclist.

The situation subsequently escalated into a confrontation.”

The police said normalcy had since been restored in the area, assuring residents that the situation was under control.

The command urged residents of Life Camp and other parts of the FCT to remain calm and continue with their lawful activities while the investigation continues.

The police further advised residents to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest police station.

Residents can also contact the FCT Police Command through its emergency lines on 08032003913 and 08061581938.

The command said further information would be made available as the investigation progresses.

The incident comes amid ongoing enforcement of restrictions on commercial motorcycle operations on major roads and routes within the FCT, with enforcement teams deployed to ensure compliance with the directive.