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Tag: Insecurity

  • Insecurity Responsible For Nigeria’s Fall Among Top Investment Destinations – Minister

    Insecurity Responsible For Nigeria’s Fall Among Top Investment Destinations – Minister

    The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, on Thursday, said Nigeria’s slip in a ranking of top investment destinations in Africa was due to insecurity.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, while speaking at the Expo 2020 Dubai trade and investment forum in UAE, had boasted that Nigeria was Africa’s most attractive investment destination.

    But a report by Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) titled ‘Where to Invest in Africa 2021’ placed Nigeria in the 14th position on investment attractive nations in Africa.

    In 2014, Nigeria was second.

    “The reasons for that are various, the major one being the security problems that we have in the country,” Mr. Adebayo said on Thursday while briefing reporters at the State House in Abuja.

    “And as you are all aware, the Federal Government is making every effort to resolve the security problems, so that we will go back to the position of being the preferred destination.

    “Our position is getting better because there seems to be a big interest now in investing in Nigeria.”

  • Insecurity: Dean Advocates Nat. Repentance, Reconciliation Forum To Curb Criminality

    Insecurity: Dean Advocates Nat. Repentance, Reconciliation Forum To Curb Criminality

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Dean, Faculty of social sciences, National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja, Prof. Moses Shaibu Over the Weekend in Lokoja called for the National reconciliation and repentance forum with stakeholders to curb the rising wave of insecurity in the society.

    Prof. Shaibu who made the remarks over the weekend at the end of the year get-together and awards ceremony of ‘Ome Like Minds,’ held at Lokoja, Kogi state capital said there must be repentance by the offenders before reconciliation and forgiveness.

    Prof. Shaibu in a lecture tittles, ‘Security and Community Development’ delivered at the occasion said the security challenges of Egume deserve urgent attention to enhance peaceful and infrastructural development of Egume Community.

    He attributed the rising wave of security threats in the society to lack of employment and I don’t care attitude of stakeholders and wealthy individuals towards the welfare of youth and the people of their community.

    Shaibu stressed the need for a reconciliation and repentance forum for both political factions and criminality allegations so as to enhance socio economic development of Egume Community.

    Earlier, the National President of Egume Ome Descendants Union, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal Ibrahim who also chair the occasion stressed the need for a collaborative efforts in the area to curb Youth restiveness.

    Alhaji Ibrahim, one of the awardees reiterated his determination to put more efforts in improving the leaving standard of the people at the grassroots level.

    He attributed the rising wave of criminality in the society today to poverty, peer groups, lack of home training and lukewarm attitude of some parents towards educational training of their children.

    In his remarks, one of the awardees, Comrade Godwin Meliga promised to use his “Godwin Meliga Foundation” to empower the youth and support children’s education in his constituency.

    In order to reduce the insecurity level in Egume Community and its environs, Comrade Meliga promised to hold a pre- Yuletide stakeholders’ meeting with the youth groups, Madakis and Gagos to curb their excessiveness.

    The president of Ome Like Minds, Comrade Sunday Omale pointed out that their contributions towards the development of Egume and the growth of the Lokoja branch of EODU cannot be quantified adding “We shall not relent in our efforts to contribute towards maintenance of peace in the land”.

    He therefore appreciated the National President of EODU, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal Ibrahim and other invited guests for honouring their invitation adding that ‘Ome Like Minds’ group will reciprocate towards sustenance of their contribution to the development of Egume Community.

  • Insecurity: Bandits kill 1, Kidnap 13 in Zaria community

    Insecurity: Bandits kill 1, Kidnap 13 in Zaria community

    Bandits on Thursday night attacked residents of Kanuwar Isa and Kugu of Dutse Ward in Zaria local government of Kaduna State, killing one and kidnapping 13 others.

    A source who also lives in the community, Mohammed Danmusa told DAILY POST on Friday that the Gunmen stormed the community around 2.00pm and shot sporadically.

    He said as the shooting persisted, villagers, panicked and began to run in different directions for safety, adding that one native was shot dead while running for safety

    ” We were all asleep when the gunmen invaded the community. They started shooting immediately as they arrived. The villagers were awakened by the sporadic shooting and started running in different directions.” He said.

    At the time of filing this report, the government authorities and Police are yet to respond on the incident.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in the state, ASP Mohammed Jalige, did not also pick his calls for confirmation.

  • Buhari Deserves Credit For Tackling Insecurity – Garba Shehu

    Buhari Deserves Credit For Tackling Insecurity – Garba Shehu

    Mallam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammad Buhari on Media and Publicity, says the president deserves credit over his efforts in tackling the farmers/herders crisis in the country.

    Shehu disclosed this on Friday while presenting a paper, tagged ‘Fake news: Challenges of information management’, at the 10th year anniversary of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), in Katsina State.

    “It is a fact that the Buhari administration is the only government of Nigeria that has put forward a workable solution to the herder-farmer challenge in all the years since independence.

    “The threat to civilians and peaceful co-existence between different ethnic and religious groups from farmer-herders clashes, banditry and land disputes are of serious concern to the Buhari government.

    “It is incorrect, however, to assert that the government has or is doing nothing to address the threats.

    “Firstly, there are ongoing efforts for the establishment of cattle ranches to prevent or curtail open grazing, the practice that brings herders and farmers into conflict.

    “This is an age-old problem facing Nigerian Governments since the colonial days. However, matters of land distribution are dealt with at state level.

    “This means willingness has to be shown by state governors to drive the process forward. The Federal government launched a plan last year to work with states to address these issues together.

    “Unfortunately, this has been lacking in some states, and with regards to the long and determined battle waged against Boko Haram, Nigerians are aware of the efforts made by this Government.

    “When the government came to power, the terrorist group held and administered an area the size of Belgium. Now they hold none. The terrorists are hiding out amongst remote forests and across borders.

    “This makes it difficult to extinguish the final flames of the insurgency, and the government has no illusions of the potent threat still posed.

    “Recent statistics have shown that over 14,500 boko haram members have voluntarily surrendered.

    “However, the progress made cannot be denied. In the face of rising crime and insecurity, the government’s new community policing initiative was launched.

    “Some 10,000 new constables were recruited and the process is on for another 10,000 to be recruited from the areas they will safeguard as opposed to past practice.

    “The government hopes this will bring policing closer to local communities. N13 billion was earmarked for the initial initiative. Going by the plan, every year will see an additional 10,000 policemen.

    “It is an opinion that the president’s comments on IPOB, which led the banning of twitter in Nigeria was controversial. For many it was not.

    “President Buhari has therefore been warning against social media disruptive and divisive influences, and the government’s action is not a knee-jerk reaction to Twitter’s preposterous deletion of his tweet which should have been read in full.

    “The tweet was not a threat, but a statement of fact. As a terrorist organisation, IPOB poses a significant threat to the safety and security of Nigerian citizens.

    “When the President said that they will be treated “in a language they understand,” he merely reiterated that their force shall be met with force. It is a basic principle of security services response world over.

    “This is not a promotion of hate, but a pledge to uphold citizens’ right to freedom from harm. The government cannot be expected to capitulate to terrorists,” according to Shehu.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University, Prof. Armaya’u Hamisu-Bichi, said it is a great pleasure to witness a decade of existence of the institution.

    According to him, “it is not an easy task to develop an institution from the scratch to its present level, saying it is the best among other universities FUDMA was established together with.

    He also narrated the challenges the university’s management has passed through in the past 10 years before it attained its present status.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the university, during the event, rewarded some of its staff for their commitments and dedication to duty.

  • Insurgent: Capital Funding For Army ‘Grossly Inadequate’ – Sen. Ndume

    Insurgent: Capital Funding For Army ‘Grossly Inadequate’ – Sen. Ndume

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, has reiterated calls for increased funding for the army.

    The Senator made the call on Monday to members of the appropriations committee before submitting the final 2022 budget proposal of the Nigerian Army.

    Ndume said the increased funding was critical as the army was engaged in unconventional war across the country.

    “Because of the situation we find ourselves in this country these days, where the army is drafted into unconventional war everywhere in 32 states, there is the need to really properly fund them,” Ndume said.

    “And therefore there is a tremendous increase in their overhead personnel. But the capital aspect of it is grossly inadequate. No matter what you do, if they don’t have the arms and ammunition, then the war cannot be effectively prosecuted.

    “So, in summary, we are here to ask for increase in the capital component of the Nigerian Army, so that they will have the necessary resources and tools to prosecute the unconventional war they are engaged in everywhere.”

    While defending the army’s 2022 budget proposal on November 11, the Chief of Army staff Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya said the N579 billion earmarked for the army is not enough to carry out its constitutional responsibilities, particularly the fight against Boko Haram.

  • Insecurity: Niger Govt Bans Sale Of Motorcycles Across State

    Insecurity: Niger Govt Bans Sale Of Motorcycles Across State

    Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, has ordered the immediate ban on the sale of motorcycles across the state.

    This follows the incessant security challenges in parts of the state, in addition to the demands for motorcycles as ransom by bandits and kidnappers in recent times.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Matane, announced the ban in a statement on Saturday in Minna, the state capital.

    He explained that the state government announced the additional measure to eradicate the activities of criminals and tackle bandits and kidnappers who have continued to attack innocent residents in the state.

    The government, Matane stated, has condemned in strong terms the degree of carnage and pandemonium bandits and kidnappers have caused in some parts of the state and reiterated its continued determination to rid the state of any security threat.

    “Government is aware of the inconveniences the measure would cause the people, but the decision was taken in the overall interest of the state and appeals to the dealers of motorcycles across the state to cooperate with the directive,” he said.

    The SSG also called on the people of the state to cooperate with the security agencies on the measures put in place to put an end to the activities of criminal elements, saying it was for the benefit of all and sundry.

    He said the government has also ordered security agencies in the state to ensure effective and strict compliance and enforcement of the ban.

    Similarly, Matane reaffirmed that the activities of commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as okada or Kabu-Kabu in Niger, as well as the operation of illegal garages, remained banned in Minna metropolis and its environs.

    The ban comes after the state government restricted the movement of all motorcycles from 6pm to 6am – a directive that is still in force.

  • Insecurity: House of Reps Approve Bill to Establish Vigilante Group

    Insecurity: House of Reps Approve Bill to Establish Vigilante Group

    The House of Representatives at the plenary yesterday approved a bill seeking to establish the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), charged with responsibilities to among others, provide community policing, maintenance of law and order and community service for Nigerians.

    The approval followed the consideration and adoption of 29 out of the 30 clauses in the bill’s report presented by Hon. Kabiru Idris.

    Presenting the report, Idris explained that the bill was earlier stepped down from consideration due to various concerns raised by members, including, but not limited to the cost implication of running the vigilante system on the federal government’s purse.

    According to him, one of such concerns, which include the use of firearms and lethal weapons, has been expunged from the bill.

    He further said the aspect of financial obligations from the federal government to the group has been removed, adding that the group should stand on its own or generate contributions from federal, state and local governments.

    The lawmaker said: “Concerns raised by various stakeholders during deliberations on the bill has been addressed. Another area is the overlapping functions of the proposed group with other agencies, where some auxiliary services are provided under the functions of the group where found to be in other agencies. The review took note of that and at the end of the day all those areas where removed and in place of them, what was actually mentioned on the bill is that the Vigilante Group of Nigeria can only provide support services to assist those agencies.

    “The most important aspect that was challenged during the last deliberation was the issue of funding. The earlier bill sought funding from the federation account, which means the federal government is supposed to take care of the budget-the financial activities of the group. The ad hoc committee deliberated on this and agreed that all aspect of financial obligations from the federal government should be removed and that the group should stand on its own and generates contributions from federal, state, and local governments.”

    In his contribution, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase, who presided over the session, was of the view that funding should be sought for the group so that they can be properly guided.

    He stated that it would be unfair to ask the vigilante to source for funding for themselves, after already volunteering their life service.

    The lawmaker, therefore, appealed that clause (11) in the bill should be suspended till next week for further legislative deliberation.

    Wase said: “Security is everybody’s business. My only reservation to this bill is still on the issue of funding. I think since we are enacting a law, there’s nothing bad in seeking funding for them so that they can be also be guided properly. We have seen their efforts and work from the Northeast, and North-central, Northwest, and we can attest to the work of vigilance groups. I want to believe that the funding aspect should be looked into, so when we get to that point, we do the consideration. Help us suspend that aspect so we can look into it again, maybe by next week, we can come back and conclude on it. My plea is for us to look at the funding, include organisations, and make it specific to avoid those who will like to fund terrorism from getting into it.”

  • Buratai’s Purported Comments on Insecurity False -CSO

    Buratai’s Purported Comments on Insecurity False -CSO

    A rights group, Civil Society for Peace, Justice and Development has described the statement in some section of the media credited to Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic and former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai as a desperation of enemies of Nigeria to create friction between the nations leaders in their efforts to end insecurity.

    Gen. Tukur Buratai (Rtd) had stated on Friday at the 24th, 25th and 26th convocation lecture of Modibbo Adama University in Yola, that the Northeast lack development attributing it as one of the factors fuelling insurgency in the zone.

    However, some news platforms especially, https://gazettengr.com
    reported to the contrary that the Ambassador blamed the Buhari led federal government’s failure to develop Nigeria as fuelling the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry and other security challenges across the country.

    The CSO in a statement reacting to the reports maintained that it was disturbing that some persons have devoted their whole being to discrediting every effort to end insurgency and other forms of insecurity for reasons difficult to comprehend.

    “Our attention has been drawn to twisted media reports over an unambiguous statement made by Ambassador Tukur Buratai at the 24th, 25th and 26th convocation lecture of Modibbo Adama University in Yola .

    “Buratai, who was the Guest Lecturer, made a statement that all well meaning Nigerians and observers of the nation’s affairs are in agreement with that the underdevelopment of the North-East was the major factor fuelling insurgency and insecurity in the geopolitical zone.

    “But to our chagrin, some persons twisted the comments to suit their purpose. For the records, what the former Chief of Army Staff said is the universal truth.

    “It is ridiculous that anyone would desperately try to fault the statements made by Buratai. Who is in doubt that any country that does not ensure the development of its people would have security challenges?

    “Who is in doubt that we cannot rely on the military option as the only way to resolve our security challenges. Is it new to the promoters of falsehood that security is the duty of all citizens?

    “It is saddening that instead of commendation for the former Army chief who has demonstrated capacity as a fine soldier and gentleman in acknowledging the
    need to address the ideological, economic, social, and political factors of insecurity rather than relying on brut force, he is being condemned”, the group argued.

    The CSO further maintained that it stand by the argument of the Ambassador that the security situation requires synergy, political will, sacrifice and commitment of government, civil society, traditional rulers and all stakeholders to curtail the sporadic attacks and bring the conflict to a permanent conclusion.

  • Insecurity aimed at Islamizing Nigeria – Ex-ABU VC, Prof Saror

    Insecurity aimed at Islamizing Nigeria – Ex-ABU VC, Prof Saror

    Professor Daniel Saror, a former Vice-Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has alleged that Nigeria’s current security crisis is a well-coordinated agenda to spread the caliphate across the country.

    The university don made the allegation on Sunday at a thanksgiving service in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, organized to mark his 80th birthday anniversary.

    Professor Saror explained that the insecurity in Benue and other parts of the country is not an accident but deliberate, stressing that terrorist groups including Boko Haram are “highly connected” to stakeholders in the country and some other parts of the world.

    He said: “the insecurity we are experiencing in Benue and Nigeria today is not an accident. It is a planned programme. Boko Haram does not consist of miscreants. They are intelligent people; they are highly connected in Nigeria and other countries in the world.

    “Their mission is simple: they want to conquer and Islamise the nation. The Jihadists that you hear about in the North West are also not miscreants. They are highly connected, highly motivated, and highly experienced in their own ideas and what they want. They want to spread the caliphate throughout Nigeria”.

    He further alleged that the armed Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram insurgents have contacts that extend to the Middle East, Asia, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia among others, stressing that they are funded in billions of naira to execute the conquest agenda of the caliphate in the country.

    Governor Samuel Ortom, who also attended the thanksgiving service, while giving a remark, described the Professor as a detribalised Nigerian who had recorded milestones in academia, politics among others, stressing that he deserved to be celebrated.

  • INSECURITY: Troops Repel ISWAP Attack On Military

    INSECURITY: Troops Repel ISWAP Attack On Military

    By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto

    …..elimates scores of terrorists

    Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in conjunction with other security agencies, successfully repelled an attack by suspected Islamic States for West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists and bandits on the Forward Operation Base (FOB) at Burkusuma in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

    This was contained in a release signed and issued to newsmen in Sokoto by the army’s Director Information Service, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyer.

    The failed attack, which took place at about 5:30am, 26 September 2021, in the remote border settlement with Niger Republic was swiftly repelled by troops.

    The aggressive operations of troops of the FOB as witnessed in recent months in the North West region, has been a thorn in the flesh of ISWAP and bandits. The attackers came in large numbers using telecom network provided from neighbouring country, capitalised on the lean rear area protection force when the main troops were out conducting offensive operations within their area of responsibility.

    However, the swift reinforcement by own troops helped to counter the attack as many of the ISWAP fighters were eliminated while some scrambled with various degrees of injuries, resulting to their pursuit to Bassira in Niger Republic.

    Unfortunately, there were some level of casualty recorded on the part of own troops during the encounter.

    Meanwhile, Nigerian and Nigerien forces in a collaborative operation are currently trailing the remaining ISWAP fighters. The general security within the FOB and its environs has been stabilized.