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Tag: Insecurity

  • Insecurity: New Service Chiefs Are Up To The Task, Says Buratai

    Insecurity: New Service Chiefs Are Up To The Task, Says Buratai

    As Nigeria continues to battle insecurity, a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has said that the new set of service chiefs are up to the task.

    He said this on Friday during a special end-of-year review programme on Channels Television tagged: Year 2021: Battles, Resilience And The New Normal.

    General Buratai who was appointed the COAS in 2015, was removed by President Buhari on January 26, 2021, after widespread calls for the removal of service chiefs due to the worsening security situation in the country.

    Read Also: Terrorists’ Surrender, Arms Purchase Among Army’s Biggest Wins In 2021, Says Gen. Usman

    When asked about his perception of the state of security since leaving office, the former Army boss said: “When you talk about military leadership, it is a continuum”.

    “These gentlemen that took over from us are in a very good state to continue from where we stopped and apart from the initial challenges that started immediately we left, I think they have found the right synergy that is required to take the country out of the insecurity that we’ve been facing. By and large, change is inevitable and there are situations whereby you must always have new hands and fresh ideas. We have played our paths patriotically, diligently and to the best of our ability.

    “We left quite proud and happy that things were stable and are still stable despite intermittent attacks here and there. But I believe that this crop of service chiefs are up to the task and they are no strangers to the security situation and of course, the armed forces,” Buratai added.

    Others who reviewed the state of security in the country were Former Spokesman of the Army, Brigadier General Sani Usman, and the Former DIG Operations, Nigeria Police, Habila Joshak.

  • Insecurity: Return Nigeria to days of Goodluck Jonathan – Northern coalition to Buhari

    Insecurity: Return Nigeria to days of Goodluck Jonathan – Northern coalition to Buhari

    The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to return Nigeria to the situation it was during former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Alhaji Ismail Musa, CNG’s Director of Strategic Communications, while featuring on Vanguard Live on Wednesday, expressed dismay with the incessant killings, kidnappings, and general insecurity across the country.

    The CNG expressed great concern with President Buhari over his handling of insecurity in the country leading to the loss of many innocent lives and destruction of properties worth billions of naira.

    He observed that what they are begging Buhari for is for him to know that human life is very important.

    According to him, “If you can do something, in fact, if you can take us back to the insecurity you met on board that will be tolerable to a large extent to say well he has taken us back to (former President Goodluck) Jonathan’s standard we are crying about. I mean the killings at that time; the statistics are there to speak for themselves.”

    Alhaji Ismail Musa lamented the type of leadership in the country with so many atrocities happening in all parts of the country.

  • Insecurity: Katsina Govt Urges Residents To Arm and Defend Themselves

    Insecurity: Katsina Govt Urges Residents To Arm and Defend Themselves

    The Katsina State Government has asked residents to do whatever it takes including prayer or even having to acquire arms to defend themselves against criminals.

    He also promised to assist security agencies in registering all the weapons illegally acquired by some of the good residents of the state.

    “Anyone interested in acquiring arms should do so as it’s not right for bad elements to acquire arms while good people are denied this right,” he said.

    Speaking during a press briefing at the Government House in Katsina on Tuesday, the governor also urged the people to support the efforts by security agencies to provide security in the communities.

  • Insecurity: Buhari will end insurgency in next 17 months – Femi Adesina

    Insecurity: Buhari will end insurgency in next 17 months – Femi Adesina

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina has said his principal can end insurgency before the end of his tenure in 2023.

    Adesina said Buhari government would take out those behind insurgency within the next 17 months remaining.

    Speaking with Channels Television, the presidential spokesman recounted how the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka was taken out after 28 years of rebellion.

    According to Adesina: “Nothing is impossible. I always refer to the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka.

    “That rebellion lasted for 28 years. But one day, the mastermind of that rebellion was taken out and that was the automatic ending of it.

    “Those who are behind this insurgency will be taken out. They are being taken out one after the other and it will get to a point that the last of them will be taken out, and then we’ll get to the end of it. It can be done within 17 months that remains for this administration.”

  • Insecurity: EODU Inaugurates 350 Akogu-Omaga Vigilante Guards/ Hunters Group In Kogi

    Insecurity: EODU Inaugurates 350 Akogu-Omaga Vigilante Guards/ Hunters Group In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    In their quest to work in synergy with government to curtail and curb criminality in the society, the Egume Ome Descendants Union, (EODU) over the weekend in Egume inaugurated over 350 Vigilante Guards, known as “Akogu-Omaga Vigilante Guards.”

    Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at Ome Community Secondary school Egume, the national President of EODU, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal Ibrahim said the task of the formation of the security committee and inauguration of vigilante group became necessary sequel to the rising insurgency and criminal activities in the area that almost made Egume a war zone.

    The President charged the vigilante group and all other security personnel to be very active in ensuring peace and security in the area at all time adding “Security is everybody business and should be the utmost concern of all citizens of the community.”

    Alhaji Ibrahim stressed that members were recruited from all the three political wards within Egume environs stressing that the gesture is to curb harbouring of criminals and prompt arrest of any possible escapee.

    He pointed out that the activities of kidnappers in recent times scared personalities from visiting their country home during festive season despite the efforts of some security agencies.

    The President further disclosed that the Union has spent over #2 million
    on the uniforms, Personal ID cards, NIN data capturing, torchlight and other working tools for the group to enhance their performance.

    Alhaji Ibrahim who attributed the current economic woes and food insecurity in the society to insecurity on the farms, however, appealed to Government to rise to its challenges by doing the needful to encourage agricultural production, protection of lives and property.

    The president therefore commended some individuals and branches of EODU for their financial support and exemplary leadership, especially the facilitating of four hospital bed units to Egume general Hospital by the Lokoja branch recently.

    He lamented over the security challenges, especially kidnapping and incessant attack on farmers in Egume area in the recent times that has posed a lot of threats to low food production and development of the community adding that the formation of Herdsmen/ security we committee has enhanced peaceful coexistence between farmers and Fulani herdsmen.

    Alhaji Ibrahim who was unanimously re- elected for the second term as the President of EODU reiterated his commitment to ensure sustainable peaceful coexistence among the people of the community so as witness progress in the land.

    In his remarks, the Onu Egume, Alhaji Etila Ajeka who was represented by the Amana- Attah Ojikpadala, Chief Mohammed Atogijo Onu stressed that the fight against insurgents is a collective efforts and called on the rural people to always expose crliminal elements in Curbing Criminality.

    He commended the national body of the Egume Ome Descendants Union for their zeal and determination to work in synergy with the government in fighting criminality in the society.

    Alhaji Ajeka therefore advised parents to always caution their children to be ware of bad company that could lure them into social vices and other source of criminal activities that is ravaging the society today.

    Highlight of the ceremony was the distribution of uniforms, identity cards, working tools and other accessories to group members to commence their job.

  • We’re winning fight against insecurity in Imo – Hope Uzodinma

    We’re winning fight against insecurity in Imo – Hope Uzodinma

    The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has assured residents that his administration is winning the fight against insecurity.

    The governor, who urged Imolites in Diaspora to ignore the propaganda and fabricated social media publications about the security situation in the state, said the state is truly safe.

    He also said his administration would continue to protect, defend the citizens of the state, especially during the festive season.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy; Declan Emelumba, he stated this while delivering his speech during the grand finale of the 2021 Press Week which was held at the council’s new secretariat, Owerri, Imo State capital.

    The governor thanked Imo journalists for being partners in progress with the reconstruction, recovery and rehabilitation of the present administration.

    He charged media practitioners in the state to always adhere to the ethics of the journalism profession in their reportage; urging them to be wary of social media blackmailers.

    The state Chairman of NUJ, Imo chapter, Chief Chris Akaraonye, in his opening speech commended planning committee members of 2021 press week for the arrangements that made the ceremony a successful outing.

    Akaraonye described the theme: “Media Participation In Security & Economic Development” as timely especially now Imo is being bedevilled with security challenges; and therefore applauded the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Rabiu Hussain for exclusively doing justice to the topic.

    In her vote of thanks, the chairperson, Imo NUJ 2021 Press Week Organizing Committee; Dr. (Mrs) Dorothy Okafor-Nnaji, thanked the Governor for his friendly disposition to the media sector in the state.

    Recall that the 2021 Imo State Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Week with the theme: Media Participation in Security and Economic Development which started on Monday 13th December has come to an end with a Thanksgiving Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church Aladinma.

  • Insecurity: Schools Shut Down In Niger Over Planned Banditry Attacks

    Insecurity: Schools Shut Down In Niger Over Planned Banditry Attacks

    The Chairman, Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State, Danjuma Suleiman Nalango, has ordered the closure of all public and private primary, secondary and tertiary schools in the local government area over a planned banditry attack on schools to abduct school children in Zungeru and neighbouring communities.

    The Council Chairman told our correspondent via telephone that there was an intelligence report by the security agencies that armed bandits in their numbers were planning to strike in the day at Niger State Polytechnic and Government Girls Day Secondary School, both located in the outskirt of Zungeru town.

    He said the measure was to avoid a repeat of what happened in Tegina where Islamiyyh pupils were abducted.

    “The decision to close the schools was as a result of banditry activities in the local government.

    “The security agencies brought to my notice and even that of the governor that they have intercepted communication on a plan to abduct school children in my local government.

    “And the communication they intercepted particularly pointed to Zungeru as the area of the planned attack.

    “Although yesterday (Saturday), I was told that the kingpin had been arrested. The communication was highly classified. But they intercepted that communication and even the time that they were going to strike.

    “So, it was duty-bound for us as representative of the people, we sat down myself in my capacity as the council chairman, the security agencies and we resolved that proactive measure should be taken before any damage is done.

    “We wouldn’t want what happened in Tegina to repeat itself. So, we closed down even private schools,” the council chairman said.

    He, however, noted that: “We know the inconveniences considering the importance of education, especially now that schools were about to write their promotion examinations. But having analysed that particular threat, we believed it was better for us to close the schools temporarily to allow security operatives to continue to conduct their operations because we don’t know when they will strike because they even said they will strike in the afternoon, about 300 of them will strike precisely at 4pm.

    “For bandits to tell you that they will strike in broad daylight, that tells you the magnitude and the number at which they will enter Zungeru and overwhelm everybody. So, we are trying to avoid what happened in Tegina.”

    Nalango said Zungeru in particular had been threatened by bandits in recent times.

    One of the incidents was the abduction of the Permanent Secretary, Niger State Ministry of Transport.

    While pointing out that “no school is safe in Zungeru, they can enter anywhere,” he said the schools would be reopened if the security situation in the area improves, and appeal to parents and school proprietors for understanding.

  • Army Admits 4,800 More Soldiers To Combat Insecurity

    Army Admits 4,800 More Soldiers To Combat Insecurity

    The Army on Saturday admitted 4,800 new soldiers at a passing out parade ceremony held in Kaduna State.

    The new recruits are expected to contribute to the army’s ongoing operations in various parts of the country, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, said.

    “They commenced their training in August and they have been trained as professional soldiers in line with our training directives, taking cognisance, of course, of the current environment,” the army chief said.

    “We hope they will deliver as they are deployed across all the theatres.”

    He said the army portal has been opened for a new set of recruits who are expected to commence training in January.

    “The drive as mandated by Mr. President is to increase our strength and have more feet on the ground in addition to all the things we are doing,” he said. “And he has provided all the resources for this.”

    He added that there is also provision for specialised training being given to those already in the service, to enhance their capabilities.

    Lieutenant-General Yahaya, while urging the newly inaugurated soldiers to apply the mental, physical and moral training acquired over the past few months as well as those they will be exposed to at their respective formations, warned them to uphold the Nigerian Army’s core values of Loyalty, Selfless Service, Courage, Discipline, Integrity, and Respect for Others.

    He also asked them to remain loyal to constituted authorities at all times and place the interest of the nation ahead of their personal convictions, even as he reminded them to be ready to go wherever ordered to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria at any cost.

  • Insecurity: Why Bandits started killing victims – Sheikh Gumi

    Insecurity: Why Bandits started killing victims – Sheikh Gumi

    Popular Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has disclosed that something made bandits start killing their victims.

    Gumi said bandits were out to avenge the killing of their family members by the military through airstrikes.

    Speaking at a retreat on inclusive security organized by the Global Peace Foundation and Vision Africa in Abuja, the Kaduna-based Islamic scholar said that the bandits were victims seeking justice.

    He noted that it was important for the federal government to meet with bandits urgently before they become uncontrollable.

    Gumi said: “We all know that bandits initially don’t kill people. They only kidnap people to get money, but something has metamorphosed and turned them into a Frankenstein monster that kills people just for the pleasure of it.”

    Gumi, who is a known advocate for bandits, recently vowed to stop meeting with them.

    The Islamic scholar took the stance following the prescription of bandits by an Abuja Federal High Court.

  • Insecurity: Nigerians urged to complement security agencies’ efforts

    Insecurity: Nigerians urged to complement security agencies’ efforts

    Amid growing security challenges in the country, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has appealed to well-meaning individuals and Nigerians not to abandon security matters in the hands of the security agencies alone.

    Dr. Audi made the appeal at Edidi town in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State, where he urged well-meaning individuals to assist security agencies in the provision of necessary equipment and logistics.

    Spokesman of the NSCDC in Kwara State, Babawale Zaid Afolabi, said in a statement in Ilorin on Friday that the Commandant-General, who was on a working visit to the state, lauded the donor of the NSCDC office, Dr Olatayo Abikoye, for the great achievement and for deeming it fit to provide security for his people and the entire state.

    “Today I specially want to appreciate the philanthropist who donated the office and I want to promise you all that we will make good use of the office.

    “I will seize the opportunity to reiterate the fact that government and the security agencies are always ready to partner with any well-meaning individuals and corporate organizations determined to assist in combating security challenges that we are facing in the country,” the NSCDC CG disclosed.

    In his own remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib M. Belgore, also appreciated the good people of the Edidi community especially Abikoye, charging other well-meaning individuals in the state to emulate the giant stride.

    Present at the occasion were the NSCDC Commandant in Kwara State, Iskilu Ayinla Makinde, the donor Dr Tayo Abikoye, Isin LG TIC chairman Hon. Tunde Fadipe, Eledidi of Edidi land Oba Gabriel Kolawole Aboyeji, representatives of sister security agencies and community leaders among others.