The Nigerian Army has swiftly acted on allegations of misconduct within its ranks, as it announces the immediate dismissal of two of its personnel implicated in a reported theft at the Dangote refinery in Lagos.

Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, affirmed this disciplinary action in a statement released on Monday.

Corporal Innocent Joseph and Lance Corporal Jacob Gani have been relieved of their duties and handed over to the police for further investigation.

“As a demonstration of NA’s zero-tolerance for misconduct and criminality within its ranks, the two soldiers have been dismissed from the NA with immediate effect and handed over to relevant authorities for further prosecution,” Nwachukwu stated.

Major General Nwachukwu outlined the charges against the soldiers, citing their abandonment of duty post and unauthorized possession of materials. He noted that they were summarily tried and found guilty in accordance with military laws.

“This decisive action underscores the NA’s resoluteness in maintaining its institutional integrity and reputation,” Nwachukwu added. “The NA reassures the general public of its dedication to upholding integrity, discipline, and accountability at all levels.”

“We remain resolute in our duty to protect and serve the nation with honor and dignity,” he concluded.

Forty communities in Ogun State have been plunged into darkness following a rainstorm on Sunday.

The downpour, which began midday, destroyed electricity facilities in some parts of the state, leading to a blackout.

“Due to broken poles occasioned by the heavy downpour at Ota and Mowe, customers in the following communities: lyana lyesi, Osuke Town, Egan Road, lyana Ilogbo, Ijaba, Ijagba, Itele, Lafenwa, Singer, Joju, Alishiba, Oju Ore, Tollgate, Eledi, Akeja, Abebi, Osi Round About, Ota Town, Ota Industrial Estate, Igberen, lju, Atan, Onipanu, Obasanjo, Lusada, Arigba, Odugbe, Ado-Odo, Igbesa, Owode,” the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) said in a statement late Sunday.

“Olokuta, Hanushi, Bamtish Camp Lufiwape, Eltees Farm, August Engineering, Spark Cear Soap Ayetoro, Amazing Grace Oil, Christopher University, Royal Garden Estate, Pentagon Estate, and environs are experiencing power outages”.

It called on residents of the areas to avoid “contact with the broken poles, saggy wires or any other electrical installation affected by the rain.

“Our technical team is working to clear and replace the broken poles and installations to ensure power supply is restored as soon as possible,” IBEDC said.

A video circulating on social media showed fallen electricity poles on vehicles in a flooded Sango-Ota area of the state.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said Israel will increase “military pressure” on Palestinian militant group Hamas in a bid to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.

“In the coming days we will increase the military and political pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to free our hostages,” Netanyahu said in a video statement on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, threatening to “deliver additional and painful blows” without specifying.

Despite an international outcry, Netanyahu has repeatedly said that the army will launch a ground assault on Rafah, a southern Gaza city so far spared an Israeli invasion where more than 1.5 million Palestinians have taken refuge.

The army has said some of the hostages abducted from southern Israel during Hamas’s October 7 attack that sparked the war were being held in Rafah.

Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement later on Sunday that “the chief of staff has approved the next steps for the war,” without offering details.

“On Passover, it will be 200 days of captivity for the hostages… We will fight until you return home to us.”