The assessments of the Russian military were inaccurate, as often Western analysts seek to discredit Russia’s military capabilities. However, with its effective campaign in Syria, Moscow has once again proved these experts wrong, the Brookings Institution said.
The New York Times even pointed out that the Russian Air Force conducts as many airstrikes in a typical day as the US-led coalition did in a month.
“Almost none of our NATO allies could match what Russia has done so far in the skies,” the Brookings Institution said in their article.
The Su-34 Strike Fighter
By firing missiles at ISIL-targets in Syria from ships docked in the Caspian Sea, the Russian military showed an unprecedented ability to launch long-range cruise missiles from corvettes and frigates.
“Using small-sized, inexpensive, technologically simple, and easily-produced ships, the Russian navy is displaying a unique capability and is highlighting the results of its naval modernization efforts, much of which are unknown,” the Brookings Institution report said.
The launch of cruise missiles isn’t that big of a deal by itself, but it’s the combination of this type of guided rocket and small-size armed corvette warships that fired them makes military experts stand in awe. The fact that surprised many US experts was that Russia armed its Buyan-M class ships, which displace only 950 tons, with firepower comparable to the much larger US Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class missile cruisers.
On September 30, Russia launched a multinational aerial campaign aimed at assisting Damascus-led forces in their fight against terrorist groups, which are trying to oust President Bashar al-Assad. The operation was authorized by legitimate Syrian authorities.
The 17 individuals from the Indigenous People of Biafra Separatists (IPOB), who were captured by the Anambra State Police Command, have been discharged.
They were captured a week ago to protest the capture of the leader of Pirated Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. Police representative Ali Okechukwu said those discharged were 13 ladies and four men. They were cautioned by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma, not to breach the public peace again.
A statement by Okechukwu after the arrest said: “The Anambra State Police Command has been drawn to the spurious publication on police action in the dispersal of a crowd of misguided protesters on Tuesday, Ocotober 20, at Awka.
“It is evident that on that day, some misguided youths took to the Onitsha/Enugu Expressway, harassing people and obstructing traffic, causing hardship for innocent and unsuspecting citizens as well as commuters.
“On receiving calls from well-meaning people, the police command, oblivious of what and who were behind the protest, despatched officers to the scene.
“The police presence and professional handling of the crowd dispersed them and eased up traffic.
Only a few were arrested, cautioned and released immediately same day.”
The Nation.
Nnewi—Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons, PRESCOM, stakeholders’ sensitization forum, held at Enugu for South East zone, has uncovered that around 60% of the unlawful arms in the zone are made locally.
Professor Aloysius Okolie, who is the South East coordinator on House Survey, of PRESCOM, made the disclosure amid a two-day stakeholders’ sensitization forum on the far reaching national Small Arms and Light Weapons, SALW, overview in Nigeria,at Villa Toscana Hotel, Enugu
He said that 60 per cent are fabricated locally in Nigeria and “some communities are known for their natural fabrication of arms,” adding that politicians were part of arms proliferation in the area and most of the political leaders helped in the importation and fabrication of arms. The sensitization forum tagged, ‘All Hands on Deck,’ also revealed that “40 per cent of the arms are imported by the political leaders and the rest 60 per cent fabricated within the zone.”
According to him: “The essence of the survey is not for the government to embark on disarmament, but to find out those factors that motivate people into acquiring such arms and sources of the arms.”
Earlier, the PRESCOM coordinator, Mr. Dickson Orji, stated that the essence of the forum was to give room for information and interaction on how to curtail proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.
“It will create awareness on the socio-economic impact of illicit small arms and light weapons proliferation in Nigeria and sensitize the Nigerian populace on the proposed comprehensive SALW survey in Nigeria.
“The forum will galvanize support for the survey team and enumerators to ensure collaboration at the grass roots for the success of the project,” he stated.
Vanguard.
The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal filed by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to upturn the decision of a Tribunal that nullified his election.
Mr Wike had gone to court, saying the Tribunal had no jurisdiction to nullify the April 11 election, as its sitting was held in Abuja instead of Rivers State.
The Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on October 24 nullified the election of Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the Governor of Rivers State, on grounds that his election did not comply with electoral guidelines.
The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Suleiman Ambrosa, ordered INEC to conduct fresh elections in the state within 90 days of the ruling.
The petition challenging Mr Wike’s victory was filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Mr Dakuku Peterside.
After the Judgement was delivered, the PDP and Mr Wike said they would appeal the judgment of the Rivers State Governorship Tribunal.
Addressing journalists after the judgment, counsel to the PDP, Chris Uche, said that “Governor Nyesom Wike remains governor until the appeal processes are exhausted”.
He added that the nature of the judgment delivered by the Justice Ambrosa-led tribunal made the appeal vital, as the new position adopted by the Tribunal must be tested in the interest of justice. (Channels TV)
President Buhari toward the beginning of today departed Nigeria for India on a 4 – day official visit. While in India, Buhari will take an interest in the third Summit of the India-Africa forum, a stage set up for the progression of mutually-beneficial relations between India and African countries. He is expected back to Nigeria on Friday October 30th. See more photographs bellow.
