In a ceremony held on Saturday, July 8, 2023, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar assumed command as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division, located at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment in Rukuba. Gen. Abubakar also took on the role of Commander for Operation Safe Haven Jos. During the ceremony, he emphasized the importance of leveraging the division’s capabilities in training, equipment, and teamwork to effectively combat any threats.
Gen. Abubakar arrived at the 3 Division headquarters following his deployment by the Chief of Army Staff. Expressing his commitment, he stated his intention to utilize his experience and training, calling for unified efforts to make the division a symbol of excellence. He assured his willingness to tackle the challenges ahead, working alongside the officers and soldiers of the division. Gen. Abubakar also emphasized his intention to collaborate with sister agencies, stakeholders, government bodies, and traditional institutions for collective success.
“I want to reiterate my commitment to build upon the achievements of the outgoing GOC. I am fully aware of the challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead, and I assure you that I am prepared to confront them head-on, together with the officers and soldiers of this division,” stated Major General Abubakar.
In line with the briefing received from the outgoing GOC, Gen. Abubakar outlined his vision, which revolves around three core principles: readiness, synergy, and excellence. He aligned this vision with the command philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, aiming to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force, capable of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities in a joint environment.
Gen. Abubakar urged the soldiers to remain resilient, focused, resolute, and committed to achieving the division’s mandate of protecting the nation, its citizens, and their lives and properties, particularly in Plateau State.
The outgoing General Officer Commanding, Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, commenced his farewell activities by commissioning the newly remodeled duty standby room and Canteen, which were designed to cater to the needs of the standby troops during emergencies. He then conducted a brief monitoring visit to ongoing projects within the Division.
Gen. Ibrahim proceeded to the parade field at Rukuba Barrack to bid farewell to the troops as he prepared to serve at the Army headquarters as the new Chief of Policy and Plans. In his address, he emphasized the importance of discipline, trustworthiness, professionalism, sincerity, and loyalty to the army, which are essential for maintaining high standards of conduct. He encouraged the soldiers to take care of the division’s facilities and highlighted the upgraded school facilities within the barracks, which can provide quality education for their children.
Expressing his gratitude, Gen. Ibrahim commended the officers and soldiers of the 3 Division for their support, even during his visits to other outstations. He also assured them of his availability for further cooperation, emphasizing that his doors and phone lines remain open.
A formal presentation and handover ceremony were conducted at the Headquarters of Operation Safe Haven, where the new commandant met with other principal officers of the command.
The governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, in Osun State, Olufemi Adesuyi, has called on security agencies to intensify efforts aimed at preventing further political violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Adesuyi made the appeal in a statement issued in Osogbo on Wednesday, where he expressed concern over the recent increase in violent incidents across the state and urged law enforcement authorities to act decisively against perpetrators.
He urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies operating in Osun to be proactive in maintaining law and order during the election period.
According to him, “those involved in violent acts should be arrested and prosecuted regardless of their political affiliations.”
The ZLP candidate said the growing trend of killings and politically linked violence posed a threat to public safety and democratic governance in the state.
He warned that allowing such incidents to continue unchecked could affect the credibility of the forthcoming governorship poll.
Adesuyi stated, “The trend of these killings, if left unchecked, will threaten the peace and democratic values in this state. That will definitely affect the credibility of the forthcoming August 15 gubernatorial election.”
He added that politics should remain a contest of ideas and service rather than a struggle that endangers lives.
“We must not allow desperation to turn our democracy into a bloodbath. The rate at which political violence is spreading in Osun is worrisome. No position, no matter how highly placed, is worth wasting human blood for,” he said.
The governorship hopeful also appealed to politicians across party lines to conduct their campaigns peacefully and place the interest of Osun State above partisan considerations.
He said, “politicians must understand that power is transient. You cannot achieve your ambition by shedding the blood of innocent people.
“Let us campaign with decorum, respect our opponents, and allow the people to decide freely.”
Calling for restraint before, during and after the election, Adesuyi stressed that political differences should not lead to hostility among residents.
“Election is not war. Let us conduct ourselves peacefully, responsibly, and with respect for one another before, during, and after the election. Political differences should never make us enemies,” he said.
He encouraged eligible voters not to be discouraged by security concerns but to participate actively in the electoral process, while also seeking support for his governorship ambition.
The appeal comes amid heightened concern over violent crimes in Osun State, which recently prompted a visit by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday f2026 arraigned Mr. Ahmed Adamu Dikko, former Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd (PHRC), before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/360/2026 and dated and filed on June 22 by the Commission’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, listed Dikko and Masterpiece Projects & Investment Limited as first and second defendants respectively.
Dikko, who led the Port Harcourt Refining Company for about four years, pleaded not guilty to a 12-count charge filed against him by the Commission on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
The EFCC accused Dikko of laundering N1,322,839,112.7 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Twenty-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty-nine Thousand, One Hundred and Twelve Naira, Seven Kobo) in proceeds allegedly linked to contractors engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery, through cash property purchases, undisclosed bank retentions, third-party fund concealment and unauthorised currency conversion, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Count one reads in part: “That you AHMED ADAMU DIKKO… did directly make cash payment of the dollar equivalent of the sum of N218,375,000.00 to one Hadeija Bashir for the purchase of Plot 558, Abubakar Umar Street, Katampe Extension, Abuja without passing through a financial Institution and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 2(1)(a), 19(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.”
Count eight reads: “That you AHMED ADAMU DIKKO, former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd (PHRC) on or about the 26th of June, 2023 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court disguised the origin of the sum of N328,710,337.50 (Three Hundred and Twenty Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Seven Naira, Fifty Kobo) paid into the GTBank Account Plc No. 0123201507 operated by Masterpiece Projects & Investment Limited by OMSA Integrated Services Limited from the transactions involving NNPC Limited allocation of Vacuum Gas Oil for export when you knew that the said sum of N328,710,337.50 constituted proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary Section 18(2) (a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Count eleven reads: “That you AHMED ADAMU DIKKO between October, 2022 and May, 2025 did convert the aggregate sum of $77,080 through Ibrahim Isa Yaro which amount did not form part of your known lawful earnings as a former public officer with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
Thereafter, counsel to the defendant, Okechukwu Ajunwa, SAN urged the court to grant the defendant bail pending the determination of the suit. Iheanacho, however, opposed the bail application.
In his ruling on the bail application, Justice Ekwo granted the defendant bail in the sum of N150,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) with a surety who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and with a landed property valued at not less than the bail sum. He ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the EFCC pending when he’s able to meet the bail conditions.
The matter was therefore adjourned to October 12, 13 and 14, 2026 for trial.
Ahmed audu Musa
October 5, 2023 at 4:24 pm
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