Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Friday they struck an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, according to state news agency IRNA, as a British maritime agency also reported an attack.
Iran has maintained its stranglehold on the strategic strait as Washington continues pressing its counterblockade of Iranian ports during the Middle East war.
The Islamic republic wants to charge ships for passage, attacking vessels it accuses of attempting to circumvent its preferred route.
“The Togo-flagged oil tanker ‘Trend’ had been targeted and detained after a fire broke out on board” late on Thursday, the statement said, calling it an attempted “illegal passage”.
Early on Friday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a ship was hit by an “unknown projectile”, causing a fire that was extinguished.
The monitoring agency had also reported a “security incident” in Hormuz late on Thursday, without giving details.
It was unclear if the IRGC and UKMTO reports referred to the same incident.
Police tighten security in Anambra schools
Anambra State Police Command has commenced enhanced security deployment to schools and strategic locations across the state, as schools resume for the new academic session.
Spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, who disclosed this yesterday, said the operation, in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s Safe School Initiative, was coordinated under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Harrison Oruruo.
He said the exercise involved the deployment of Police personnel, sister security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to designated schools and strategic locations across the state.
“The deployment is aimed at strengthening security around educational institutions, sensitising pupils and students on personal safety and security awareness.”
assisting school children with safe road crossing, and providing other necessary policing services to maintain a safe and conducive learning environment.
“The command is also using the exercise to strengthen collaboration among the police, school authorities, teachers, parents, guardians, host communities and other stakeholders towards the early identification, prevention and prompt response to security threats around schools.
“Personnel deployed for the exercise have been directed to maintain high-visibility presence, monitor activities within and around school environments, assist pupils and students, particularly during peak arrival and closing periods, and respond promptly to security concerns,” he added.
Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has reiterated the command’s commitment to the safety and protection of children, teachers, school authorities and other members of the school community.
He urged school authorities, parents, guardians and students to remain vigilant.
and promptly report suspicious persons, activities or emerging security concerns to the Police or other appropriate security agencies.
