Tag: Terrorism

  • FG To Prosecute 400 Suspects For Funding Terrorism – Lai Mohammed

    FG To Prosecute 400 Suspects For Funding Terrorism – Lai Mohammed

    The Federal Government is set to prosecute 400 suspects arrested for allegedly funding terrorism in the country.

    This is according to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who stated this on Tuesday during a press conference in Lagos.

    He also reiterated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in tackling the menace of insurgency, banditry and other security threats across the country.

    “The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has announced that the Federal Government is set to prosecute 400 suspects arrested for allegedly funding terrorism,” he said.

    “This is unprecedented and its a testament to the government’s determination to decisively tackle terrorism and other violent crimes.”

    The Minister also appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies, who face the added task of having to watch their backs while working to protect others.

    Mohammed also described attacks on security formations as a declaration of war against the country, condemning the assault on security operatives.

    He added, “While the government continues with these efforts to restore peace and security continues, I want to appeal to all of us to play our part in lowering the palpable tension in the polity as a result of the security challenges. The first step is to tone down the rhetoric.

    “Now, there is a growing dangerous trend which I will like to comment on. It is the practice of launching deadly attacks against the nation’s security personnel. Soldiers as well as police, customs, and other security agents have been killed and maimed in some parts of the country in this growing trend of targeting security forces.

    “I want to say, unequivocally, that any attack on our security men and women is an attack on the state and a declaration of war against the nation. It follows, therefore, that this will be countered with overwhelming force.”

    Nigeria has been experiencing a series of security threats ranging from terrorism, banditry, militancy, cultism among others in several parts of the country.

    The country has been battling terrorism for more than a decade which has killed 36,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands in the northeast.

    The Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) split from the jihadist group Boko Haram in 2016 and has since become a dominant threat in Nigeria, attacking troops and bases while killing and kidnapping passengers at bogus checkpoints.

    On March 1, jihadist fighters burnt down a United Nations humanitarian compound in the town of Dikwa after dislodging troops, killing six civilians.

    Nigeria’s jihadist violence has spread to neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and Niger, prompting a regional military coalition to fight the insurgents.

  • BREAKING: Defence Headquarters Holds Summit Over Terrorism, Insurgency

    BREAKING: Defence Headquarters Holds Summit Over Terrorism, Insurgency

    The Defence Headquarters on Monday held a summit over the terrorism and insurgency in the northeastern part of the country.

    Speaking at the National Defence College in Abuja, the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi, restated the imperative of kinetic measures to address the current security challenges in the country.

    After declaring the summit open, Magashi assured that the current government is working hard to restore stability in the country, and will continue to explore all possible approaches to making that possible.

    On his part, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor said the summit aims at promoting the buy-in of all stakeholders and creating more awareness on the use of kinetic operations among other factors.

    Nigeria has battled the insurgency for over a decade which has killed 36,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands in the northeast.

    The Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) split from the jihadist group Boko Haram in 2016, and has since become a dominant threat in Nigeria, attacking troops and bases while killing and kidnapping passengers at bogus checkpoints.

    On March 1, jihadist fighters burnt down a United Nations humanitarian compound in the town of Dikwa after dislodging troops, killing six civilians.

    Nigeria’s jihadist violence has spread to neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and Niger, prompting a regional military coalition to fight the insurgents.

    Details later…

  • PDP governor pledge support for FG’s fight against banditry, terrorism

    PDP governor pledge support for FG’s fight against banditry, terrorism

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Thursday, pledged support to federal government’s effort to stem the tide of growing security concern in the country.

    Sokoto state governor and chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Aminu Tambuwal stated this at the end of a meeting of the governors held at the Sokoto Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.

    The meeting which had in attendance almost all the PDP governors, followed quickly on the heels of a similar one held by the party’s Board of Trustees at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

    Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting which lasted over five hours, Tambuwal said the PDP governors would not politicize insecurity, hence, their resolve to join hands with the federal government to tame the monster.

    “It was a very productive meeting. We reviewed the situation of the country, the security challenges in the country.

    “As governors of the PDP, we have agreed and resolved to continue to work with the federal government with the sole aim of re-establishing peace in troubled areas of the federation.

    “We must not play politics with security and we must all work together to ensure that we bring back peace in our land. So we have agreed to continue to work with the federal government in that regard,”
    he said.

    Tambuwal also let newsmen into the heart of the issues deliberated upon by the PDP governors, saying, “on the general economic well being of the country, we are appealing to Mr President, to reconsider certain measures, and we are appealing to him to actually bring more succour and relief to the people of Nigeria and support state governments in the discharge of their mandate, by making available resources to the states.

    “That will enable us execute our mandate and ensure that we engender good governance and good condition of living in our respective states throughout the country.”

    On effort to reconcile aggrieved members of the party, the governor said the Saraki-led committee has submitted an interim report to the forum and encouraged the committee members to continue in its rebuilding effort.

    He ruled out the possibility of any governor leaving the PDP for another party, noting that “most, if not all of the governors of the PDP attended this meeting.

    “This is a very clear statement that no governor of PDP is contemplating leaving the party for any other party.

    “We are brothers and we have committed ourselves to the party and will ensure that we will continue to deliver on our mandate to the people of our respective states who have agreed to work together with the National working committee of the party for us to continue with what we started earlier on e-registration of members of the party,” he added.

    The forum, according to the governor has set up a committe on legislative matters to be chaired by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state, a committe on legal matters to be chaired by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state and a Finance committee led by the Abia state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu. The three committees, he said, have been integrated to work together in furtherance of the cause of the party.

    Speaking earlier, Saraki said the Reconciliation and Strategy Committee will continue to work with all organs of the party, including the Governor’s Forum to reposition the party for current and future challenges.

    The meeting was attended by a horde of PDP governors including Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state.

    Others were Godwin Obaseki, Adamu Fintiri, Bala Mohammed, Ben Ayade, Samuel Ortom and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, governors of Edo, Adamawa, Bauchi, Cross River, Benue and Enugu states respectively.

    Also in attendance were former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, ex-Katsina state governor, Ibrahim Shema, former Gombe state governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo and erstwhile governor of Cross River state, Liyel Imoke among others.

  • World leaders need to collectively fight COVID-19, terrorism, others – Buhari

    World leaders need to collectively fight COVID-19, terrorism, others – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday called on the international community to collectively confront the COVID-19 pandemic, corruption, terrorism and other common challenges affecting the world.

    Buhari said world leaders need increased efforts to confront the pandemic, terrorism, proliferation of light arms, among others.

    He spoke at an event to receive Letters of Credence of the new Ambassadors of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Argentina at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    A statement by Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina quoted the president as expressing his admiration for the cooperation that Nigeria and the other three countries have enjoyed in other fora.

    According to Buhari: “We have common challenges that impact so much on our countries, which include Terrorism, Insurgency, Climate Change, Population Explosion, Human Trafficking, Corruption, Poverty, and Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

    “On top of all these, the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has come with different strains that pose an additional challenge to the initial outbreak. These challenges underscore the need for the international community to work even more in concert to collectively identify appropriate ways and means to globally resolve these challenges.

    “All three countries represented here, enjoy excellent multilateral relations with us. In addition to the United Nations, the largest multilateral umbrella platform, we are also members of the G-77 and the South-South Cooperation which Nigeria, Argentina, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have used to advance our collective interests and causes. Nigeria is proud to be associated with these platforms, for they have enabled us to work closely together with the Principal Representatives of these countries.”

    The Ambassadors, who presented their Letters of Credence, are Mr Ihab Moustafa Awad Moustafa, Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr Faisal Ebraheem Alajrafi Alghamdi, the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Mr Alejandro Miguel Francisco Herrero, the Republic of Argentina.

    The President reiterated to the Ambassadors the readiness of Nigeria “to work with you all to achieve global peace, food security and sustainable environment.”

    While wishing the envoys a successful tenure, he enjoined them to escalate the current level of relations:

    “On behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, I urge you, in the course of your duties in Nigeria, to build on the successes of your predecessors and enhance the existing fraternal relations between our countries,” the President said.

    Speaking on behalf of others, Ambassador Ihab Moustafa expressed appreciation to the President for receiving them and accepting their letters of credence.

  • The Armed Forces have checkmated Terrorism – DHQ

    The Armed Forces have checkmated Terrorism – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters says the armed forces of Nigeria have done well in the fight against terrorism by decimating the potency of the Boko Haram terrorists in the North Eastern part of the country.

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.

    Enenche said the initial delay in tackling the menace made it to gain momentum, taking over territories and setting up administrative structures before there were knocked off in 2016 by the military.

    He said that the open display of powers and authority by the Boko Haram members no longer exist in the North East, adding that no single district or community could be said to be under the control of the insurgents.

    “The issue of bombings that even spread to other places like Abuja, Kano, Niger and Kogi States, including their slipper cells no longer exist.

    “What about suicide bombing, which is one of the signs of terrorism? It was rife and even at our checkpoints they come and detonate bombs as well as public gatherings; all these have been nipped properly.

    “If you put all these together, I can tell you that terrorism has been checkmated.

    “However, the signs are still there with isolated action here and there; common with terrorism,” he said.

    Enenche said that history had shown that terrorism was a very resilient type of enemy activity against the people, adding that the type of terrorism in Nigeria was not a smart one, but rooted in the state of mind of a group of people.

    He said the Boko Haram and ISWAP forms of terrorism were hybrid threats that had become protracted with immediate and remote causes.

    According to him, the actual terrorism started about 10 years ago, it gained momentum and as it were, the state actors then were not clear about the motive, because of other issues that came up.

    The spokesperson said the actions of the Federal Government and the military since 2015 had greatly checkmated the intensity of terrorist activities across the country and the North East in particular.

    He urged the populace to be bold in coming out to provide information on activities of the terrorists to aid the security agencies to track their locations.

  • Buhari Seeks More Concerted Global Efforts to Fight Terrorism

    Buhari Seeks More Concerted Global Efforts to Fight Terrorism

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged world leaders to redouble efforts to ensure collective security, noting that the litany of sophisticated terrorist attacks across the globe is a harsh reality of the challenges the world is facing today.

    Buhari, who added that Nigeria is still facing extremism, called for the support of the United Nations counter-terrorism bodies to overcome terrorism in Nigeria.

    He also argued that if the UN fails to mobilise and guarantee an effective response to COVID-19 pandemic, it would have failed the world, asking the global body to ensure uninhibited access to the virus’ vaccines by all nations.

    According to him, the UN body would have failed the global community, which looks up to it to provide direction during a crisis of this magnitude.

    The president made this submission on Tuesday night while delivering Nigeria’s national statement through a video-message, on the first day of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly debate.

    He spoke on this year’s theme: “Future We Want, The United Nations We Need: Reaffirming Our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism – Confronting Coronavirus through Effective Multilateral Action.”

    According to him, ”In Nigeria, we are still facing violent extremism from the insurgency of Boko Haram and bandits.

    ”We continue to count on our strong cooperation with UN Counter-Terrorism bodies and neighbouring countries to overcome the terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel Region.

    ”We will vigorously sustain the rehabilitation, reconstruction, and resettlement of victims of terrorism and insurgency in the North-east. The North-east Development Commission has been established for that purpose.”

    He said as the global community reflects on the desired future, the UN must realise that the entire world looks up to it as the world body.

    He said: ”As we reflect on the future we want and the United Nations we need, we must realise that the people of the world not only look up to us: they count on us.

    ”If the United Nations system cannot mobilise the world to marshal out a truly effective and inclusive response to the coronavirus pandemic, then the United Nations would have failed in the core mission of giving expression, direction and solution to the yearnings of the international community.

    ”The future we want must guarantee human rights, human dignity, human prospects and prosperity. The principles of ‘Leaving No One Behind and Doing No Harm’ must be expressed through accountability, strategic growth initiatives, and elimination of threats of all kinds.”

    The president’s media adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement, said Buhari in his submission canvassed uninhibited supply of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to all.

    The president also pledged Nigeria’s continuous partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and some countries to ensure accelerated development and manufacturing of the vaccines.

    The statement said the president pledged Nigeria’s commitment to working with member states in the spirit of global cooperation and solidarity to promote human health and general well-being.

    He described this year’s theme of the General Assembly as most appropriate and timely, saying it captured the common desire for a renewed and revitalised organisation in need of multilateral approaches to many challenges facing the world.

    Buhari told the world what Nigeria had done in its quest to provide a future of hope and prosperity for all citizens.

    He added that his administration had also embarked on measures aimed at ensuring national resilience.

    ”We intend to achieve this through the implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan and the Medium Term National Development for the period 2020-2025 and 2026-2030,” he said, explaining: ”We expect that these ambitious initiatives will deliver sustainable economic growth and development to Nigeria.”

    The president admonished the global community on necessary measures to consider in confronting COVID-19, suggesting the need for effective multilateral actions.

    He expressed concern on the level of devastation the pandemic had done to the world economy, including straining the capabilities of the health systems of many countries such as Nigeria, and how the country is coping with the situation.

    ”In the aftermath of the Coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria, we prioritised vulnerable groups, including women, children, older persons, and the unemployed, in our efforts to provide medical and social assistance to cushion the socio-economic effects of the disease.

    ”Accordingly, we have expanded our National Social Register, to include an additional one million Nigerians. Our National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) has been the vehicle for reaching out to the poor and vulnerable members of the Nigerian population, as well as providing cover for over 12 million households,” he said.

    He commended the efforts of the UN and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in combating the pandemic, noting with appreciation the $2 billion Global Response Plan launched by the UN Secretary-General to fund the coronavirus response in the poorest countries.

    The president also commended the Secretary-General’s call for a cease-fire in conflict areas to enable humanitarian assistance to reach groups vulnerable to the virus.

    Buhari also spoke on poverty eradication in Nigeria, saying in order to mitigate its impact, his administration had commenced the disbursement of N10.9 billion to households on the platform of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises as palliatives.

    He said the government is also implementing a N500 billion fiscal stimulus package and sustained delivery of humanitarian and social interventions to poor and vulnerable households.

    According to him, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had launched a N3.5 trillion-stimulus package to boost manufacturing and facilitate import substitution.

    He urged the international community to cooperate together in the effort to address the scourge of poverty, particularly in developing countries.

    Buhari also commended the President of the 74th General Assembly, Prof Tijjani Muhammad-Bande of Nigeria, for launching an Alliance for Poverty Eradication in June.

    He enjoined global leaders, particularly from the global North, to support the alliance at a time when the COVID-19 is reversing gains made in the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and pushing an additional half a billion people into extreme poverty.

    On disarmament, international peace, and security, Buhari said Nigeria remained deeply concerned over the illicit trade, transfer, and circulation of small arms and light weapons, particularly on the continent of Africa.

    He called on the international community to renew efforts to stem this traffic and promote the Arms Trade Treaty with a view to codifying accountability in the battle against trans-border crimes, including terrorism and acts of piracy.

    On illicit financial flows, the president said the global aspiration to recover from the impact of COVID-19 would not be fully met without addressing structures that make it more difficult for countries to generate and retain their financial resources.

    The president again thanked Muhammad-Bande as well as the immediate past President of the Economic and Social Council, Ambassador Mona Jul, for jointly launching the High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity (FACTI) for Achieving the 2030 Agenda.

    Buhari also addressed other issues of interest to Nigeria including sustainable development goals (SDGs), nuclear disarmament, climate change, and migration to human rights, women empowerment, and gender parity, quality education and the UN reform.

    On climate change, he reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the revitalisation of Lake Chad.

    ”We are convinced that recharging the Lake will improve the living conditions of our people in the area, promote inter-state cooperation, strengthen community resilience and assist in addressing environmental and security challenges threatening the region and its resources,” he said.

    Buhari also renewed his call for international support for the regional efforts to raise $50 billion required to actualise this initiative.

    On quality education, the president announced that Nigeria would be hosting the 4th International Conference on Safe Schools in 2021.

    ”Quality education for all is the cornerstone of sustainable development.

    ”I invite you all to Nigeria to participate in the conference which aims to advocate for the protection of education from attack as we work together towards the future we want,” he said.

    The president ended his speech at the virtual event by reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to promoting international peace, security, and sustainable development as well as strengthening partnerships and cooperation with international organisations.

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  • Fighting terrorism a common responsibility of international community

    Fighting terrorism a common responsibility of international community

    By Li Wei

    The United Nations (UN) Office of Counter-Terrorism recently launched a series of activities during the 2020 Virtual Counter-Terrorism Week, held from July 6 to 10.

    During the event, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the international community to work together, keep up the momentum in the fight against terrorism and harness the power of multilateralism to find practical solutions to combating terrorism.

    Thanks to the joint efforts of the international society, terrorist activities across the globe have been effectively curbed.

    Iraq and Syria have reclaimed many towns and areas that were once occupied and controlled by the Islamic State (IS), and member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have made great progress in counter-terrorism and greatly contained regional terrorist activities.Besides, results have also been achieved in international counter-terrorism cooperation.

    However, it should be noted that terrorist activities still pose a major threat to the world. The IS hasn’t been wiped out and many supporters of it in Iraq and Syria are still a huge risk and serious danger, and the continuously expanding Al-Qaeda organization is particularly active in Syria, Yemen, North Africa, East Africa and South Asia.

    Meanwhile, some terrorist organizations in the name of secession have become an increasing hazard to the security, stability and development of certain countries and ultra nationalism-driven terrorist activities have significantly increased along with the emergence of populism.

    Even worse, Internet further encouraged the spread of global terrorism. For starters, Internet has served as a platform and tool for terrorist organizations to pass on methods of terrorist attacks, recruit new members and raise funds.

    By spreading extremism on the Internet, terrorist organizations have given rise to many lone-wolf terrorist attacks.

    It is more than likely that terrorists will target at the Internet, a platform more and more indispensable in the modern society, to cause more serious harm and panic.The international society should also stay alert to the emerging terrorist attacks of mass destruction.

    The major cause of the rampant international terrorism lies in the widespread extremism.It is in the name of religion, racialism or blatant “white supremacy” that many terrorist organizations have gained a foothold.

    In essence, terrorism means to seek political interests for a minority of people by employing extreme violence. It takes advantage of contradictions, problems, and conflicts concerning politics, economy, society, religion and nationalities from the past and present to incite hatred and attract supporters and followers.

    Although international anti-terrorism cooperation has advanced continuously, major issues hindering its development still remains.

    Western countries such as the U.S. only target at terrorism that has threatened their own countries and employ double standards in counter-terrorism, which has greatly hampered international cooperation in the field.

    Still, some countries aim to seek political interests through terrorist activities, which has encouraged terrorism.

    Combating terrorism simply through military action tend to backfire and bring about more contradictions and conflicts that may stimulate terrorism.

    Besides, international anti-terrorism cooperation hasn’t been complemented by fighting and containing extremism, which makes it less effective.

    Terrorism is a common enemy of all mankind and fighting against it is a common responsibility of all countries.

    The international society needs to maintain the momentum in the fight against terrorism as well as keep a close eye on the trend of terrorism.

    It is necessary to promote multilateralism and support the leadership of the UN in international counter-terrorism. Efforts should be made to achieve economic and social development by facilitating employment and education, in a bid to eliminate the root cause of terrorism.

    China has made remarkable achievements in fighting against terrorism and extremism, which sets an example to other countries.It has been engaged in promoting the building of a community of shared future for mankind, where people around the world, regardless of their races, nationalities, religions and cultures, share weal and woe, which will truly help eliminate terrorism.

    The country has also proposed the Belt and Road Initiative and a path of common development and prosperity, which will fundamentally narrow the divide between the rich and poor and thus remove the causes of terrorism.

    (The author is a researcher at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations)

  • African Union plans to send 3,000 troops to Sahel region

    African Union plans to send 3,000 troops to Sahel region

    “I think this is one step in the right direction,” Chegui said, speaking in Addis Ababa, noting that African solutions must be found for African problems.

    “This decision has been taken because as you see and recognize yourself the threat is expanding and becoming more complex. Terrorists are now even brining a new modes operandi from Afghanistan and Shabab,” Chegui said.

    Numerous armed groups are active in the Sahel zone, which stretches from the Atlantic coast south of the Sahara to the Red Sea, and some of the groups have pledged to support Islamic State and al-Qaeda.

    France has more than 5,000 troops in the region fighting jihadist groups.

    Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria in particular have suffered attacks in recent months.

    Earlier on Thursday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised the AU support in resolving conflicts on the continent, including Libya.

    “You have us at your side because this is of utmost importance for the development of this continent,” said von der Leyen during her visit to the AU in Addis Ababa.

    The conflict in Libya was a good example for how well the EU and AU could collaborate on finding resolutions to conflicts, von der Leyen said, adding that Libya was also a good example for how difficult it is to implement these solutions.

    Von der Leyen – who travelled to Ethiopia with a 20-member delegation including EU foreign affairs representative Josep Borrell – made the comments in response to the AU warning that Libya’s ongoing civil conflict, which began in 2001 after the fall of long-term ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi, could destabilize Africa.

    The conflict had caused an influx of insurgents and weapons to the Sahel region, according to AU Commission President Moussa Faki Mahamat.

    “The region is at great risk,” Mahamat said in reference to the numerous Islamist terrorist and rebel groups active in the region.

    Von der Leyen is also expected to discuss security, migration and digitization during her visit to the AU.

  • Aregbesola tasks security agencies on war against terrorism

    Aregbesola tasks security agencies on war against terrorism

    The Minister of Interior, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola has called on security agencies in the country not to give up the fight against terrorism, banditry and all forms of crimes and criminality.

    The minister urged them to embrace the spirit of patriotism, commitment and love for fatherland in order to ensure a peaceful nation.

    A statement by Mr Mohammed Manga, the Director Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Interior, quotes Aregbesola as making the call at a patriotism advocacy programme on Monday in Abuja.

    The event, which was tagged “Do the right thing: Fall in love with Nigeria”, was organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

    The minister said love for one’s country was “undoubtedly a good trait that imbued people with a sense of loyalty and a desire to coexist peacefully with one another, regardless of religion, political affiliation and cultural background”.

    Aregbesola said that in view of the on-going battle against the spate of insecurity, crime and criminality, as well as corruption in Nigeria, commitment of all the security agencies was imperative.

    The minister stressed that Nigeria was in dire need of positive values, peace, security, national integration and change of attitude at all levels, with a view to overcoming all threats to internal security.

    He said this would improve socio-economic development, which is in line with the policy thrust of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    The minister urged Nigerians and the security agencies to continue to demonstrate high level of patriotism to the country by ensuring that all enemies of the state were stopped from gaining entry through the country’s borders.

    Aregbesola, who unveiled the “Fall in Love with Nigeria” campaign banner made by the NOA, commended the security agencies for their doggedness towards curtailing the activities of the insurgents, bandits and other criminal elements.

    He said that the damage to the country would have been devastating without the security agencies.

    The Director-General, NOA, Mr Garba Abari, noted that the promotion of peace and security was a task for every Nigerian.

    Abari said that all hands must be on deck in supporting government’s effort at sustaining peace and security in the country.

    “As the nation waits with bated breath and great expectations for the celebration of our 60th independence anniversary, come Oct. 1, it is indeed time to cast our minds back to our long journey to ultimate nationhood as a people from diverse cultural, social and political backgrounds,” he said.

    The NOA boss therefore urged all Nigerians to remain resolute “in our march towards greatness”. (NAN)