Author: The Nation

  • Insecurity: PRP urges Fed Govt to integrate communities into security architecture

    Insecurity: PRP urges Fed Govt to integrate communities into security architecture

    The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has tasked the Federal Government to immediately mobilise, organise, empower and fully integrate local communities into the security architecture, insisting that grassroots human intelligence remains the most potent tool for tracking the movements, networks, and supply lines of terrorists and bandits across the country.

    The party also demanded an immediate end to all negotiations or engagements, formal or informal, between the Federal Government and any terror-linked individuals or groups, warning that such contacts dangerously undermine the authority of the state.

    In a statement on Tuesday by its National Chairman, Falalu Bello, the party said Nigeria’s worsening security crisis has reached a level where community-based intelligence and participation are no longer optional but central to restoring stability and regaining control of the country’s internal security space.

    “The communities possess vital human intelligence that the security agencies desperately need,” the PRP declared, warning that without a structured and empowered grassroots security framework, government forces will continue to operate at a disadvantage against increasingly sophisticated terror cells.

    The appeal formed part of the party’s broader reaction to what it described as Nigeria’s “rapid descent into chaos,” following a spate of coordinated attacks, mass abductions, and targeted killings across several states in recent days.

    On the call for an immediate end to all negotiations or engagements between the government and any terror-linked individuals or groups, the opposition party said the government must “take full responsibility” for all national security operations and stop actions that elevate non-state actors into “stakeholders” in the country’s security process. 

    It stressed that any private or unofficial negotiation only emboldens criminal elements and deepens Nigeria’s security crisis.

    The PRP listed the abduction of more than 315 students and teachers from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger State; the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi; the killing of police personnel and vigilantes in Kwara and Bauchi; the murder of eight Civilian Joint Task Force members in Gwoza, Borno; and the killing of a policeman in Geidam, Yobe. 

    Four rice farmers were also murdered in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    It warned that the killing of senior security officers, including Brigadier General M. Uba, alongside the spread of terror infrastructure beyond Sambisa Forest, shows a dangerous erosion of state authority, saying “Nigeria is steadily losing control of its internal security architecture”.

    The PRP accused government officials of offering “empty assurances, superficial reforms, and political theatrics” while communities suffer violent attacks and displacement. 

    It described the situation as a “national emergency” marked by a collapse of intelligence coordination, operational capacity, and political will.

    While acknowledging the reported release of some abducted worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, the party said the deaths recorded in the attack and the trauma inflicted underscore the vulnerability of even religious sanctuaries. 

    “This is not governance; it is a catastrophic dereliction of duty,” it stated.

  • Ododo mourns Etsu Bassa Nge

    Ododo mourns Etsu Bassa Nge

    The Governor of Kogi, Ahmed Ododo has described the death of Etsu Bassa Nge Kingdom, retired Brig.-Gen. Abu Ali, as a big loss which had created a big vacuum.

    This is contained in a condolence message issued by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr Ismaila Isah on Tuesday in Lokoja.

    Ododo described the late Etsu as a father figure, a stabilising force, and a pillar of support whose leadership contributed immensely to peace, unity, and development in Kogi and Nigeria.

    The governor noted that the news of the passing of the revered Etsu Bassa Nge was received with profound sadness.

    “I recall the dignified and majestic leadership the Etsu Bassa Nge whose wise counsel and unwavering commitment to the unity of our state consistently provided guidance and strength to our people.

    “His selfless service and towering presence will be deeply missed, even as we submit to the will of Almighty Allah and give thanks for a life lived in service to humanity,” he said.

    Ododo said the late Etsu was a majestic king and a symbol of exemplary leadership, noting that his reign brought stability and progress to the Bassa Nge Kingdom.

    He prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and urged his family, the Bassa Nge Kingdom, and all who mourn him, to find comfort in his enduring legacy of wisdom, humility and service.

    The late traditional ruler served as the Military Governor of Bauchi State from September 1990 to January 1992.

    He died on Monday at the age of 82.

    (NAN)

  • Troops arrest another notorious kidnap suspect in Taraba

    Troops arrest another notorious kidnap suspect in Taraba

    Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have apprehended another suspected kidnapper in Taraba.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday by Lt. Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of the brigade, said the suspect was arrested through a coordinated operation.

    “During a carefully coordinated operation on November 23, 2025, troops apprehended a suspect, identified as Alhaji Abubakar Bawa who is believed to be a close associate of Mr Umar Musa.

    “Umar Musa is another notorious kidnapping mastermind who was arrested by 6 Brigade troops on November 22 2025 in Wukari.

    “Preliminary investigations have established strong links between the two suspects and a wider criminal syndicate responsible for multiple kidnappings, violent attacks, and coordinated criminal activities across the Southern Taraba region,” the statement added.

    Brig. Gen. Kingsley Uwa, the Commander 6 Brigade has commended the troops for their professionalism, resilience, and operational precision.

    “The arrest of Bawa is a clear indication that Operation Zafin Wuta is achieving its intended objective of dismantling criminal syndicates and restoring security to affected communities.

    “This latest success reinforces the resolve of the Nigerian Army to rid Southern Taraba of all criminal threats and restore lasting peace to the area,” Uwa said.

    He urged residents to remain alert and provide credible information that will further assist security agencies in their ongoing efforts.

    (NAN)

  • DSS DG releases suspected IPOB member detained since 2022

    DSS DG releases suspected IPOB member detained since 2022

    The Director General, State Security Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the release of one Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor, arrested in July 2022, for alleged involvement in the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). 

    This comes barely one month after ordering the release and compensation of one Abuja-based business woman, Mrs. Chineze Ozoadibe.

    The DG also awarded Nwafor, who hails from Isuikwuato LGA of Abia state, N5 million as compensation for the wrongful arrest and free medicare.

    A credible security source revealed that detailed investigation conducted by personnel of the Service exonerated Nwafor. 

    The source noted that the release and compensation are in line with the Director General’s directive that all the cases he inherited be reviewed to ensure due process and prompt dispensation of justice.

    “The DG directed his investigation officers to conduct detailed review of all pending cases and they have been dutifully doing that. Nwafor’s case is one of such cases’,” the source offered. 

    “The gesture, one of the several by the DG, is a testament to his resolve to comply with the rule of law and 

    adherence to the service standard operating procedure,” he stated, adding, three Abia men, Udemba, Onyedikachi and Eze, suspected of belongings to IPOB, were equally released. 

    “Mr Tosin Ajayi acknowledges that as humans, we sometimes make mistakes. He also believes that when such mistakes are made, the right thing is to make amends. That is why he has established a culture of accountability and humanly makes efforts to remedy the mistakes of the Agency,” added the source. 

    “Remember he paid N20 million as compensation to one Jos- based businessman who was erroneously shot on the leg in the course of a security operation in 2016. Even when the court awarded N10 million in damages against the DSS, the agency refused to pay until Ajayi became DG. He doubled the money. 

    “Nwafor isn’t the first Igbo to be released and compensated under similar circumstances. Some months ago, the DG ordered the release of three young men wrongfully detained for belonging to IPOB. 

    “Last month, he paid N10 million as compensation to the Abuja-based Igbo businesswoman arrested by a sister security agency for alleged illegal oil bunkering. The DG added N10 million for five others to share, explained the source, adding, “this has become the trend since the new DSS leadership.”

  • Ex-Oyo Commissioner Afonja dump PDP

    Ex-Oyo Commissioner Afonja dump PDP

    Former Commissioner for Works and Transport under Governor Seyi Makinde, Prof. Abdul‑Rahman Raphael Afonja has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Afonja said his decision to leave the party followed extensive consultations with stakeholders and political associates across the State.

    A statement by Afonja explained the decision stems from a lack of recognition for loyal members and the party’s failure to address internal injustices. 

    He said: “I hope this act will prompt meaningful reflection and reforms before others feel compelled to follow my example.”

    He noted he set aside a senior academic appointment to serve with integrity and drive progress. 

    According to him, during his tenure as Commissioner, he instilled discipline, encouraged professional development, prioritised staff welfare and championed teamwork as well as innovation, focusing on projects that would benefit Oyo State.

    He said: “Even after my removal from office, i continued to support PDP, personally funding campaigns, mobilizing security agencies for free elections, and safeguarding ballot materials.”

    He cited the 2023 general elections and the 2024 local government polls as examples, particularly his role in protecting the electoral process in Ogbomoso at personal risk and expense.

    “I only not contributed to the 2023 and 2024 elections in Ogbomosho but also campaigned for Governor Makinde in the Hausa‑speaking communities of Sabo—both in Ibadan and Ogbomosho—thanks to his fluency in Hausa.”

    According to him, despite the efforts, he received no meaningful recognition—no political appointments, civil‑service placements or routine party slots—while others who engaged in anti‑party activities or accepted money from the opposition were rewarded.

    He added that attempts at reconciliation and open dialogue were ignored.

    The former commissioner however noted that he will decide his next course of action.

  • Court stops police from further arrests in Mburubu Igweship dispute

    Court stops police from further arrests in Mburubu Igweship dispute

    The High Court of Enugu State on Monday, November 24, 2025, issued a restraining order against the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, the Commander of the Special Weapons and Tactical Squad (SWAT), CSP Anosike Nduwuisi, and other security operatives over alleged unlawful arrests and intimidation of youths from Mburubu community in Nkanu East Local Government Area.

    Justice C. O. Ajah, presiding over the matter, granted the application filed by ten youths of the community: Eze Cletus Elija, Joseph Ani Ezeoha, Evaristus Okonkwo, Friday Ani, Ani Monday, Orji Emmanuel, Ozo Emmanuel Aniobi, Patrick Okonkwo, Aniobi Ambrose and Imeka Godswill Chukwuemeka, who appeared in court representing themselves and other Mburubu youths.

    None of the respondents, including the Commissioner of Police; the SWAT Commander, CSP Nduwuisi; IPO Emmanuel Uchenna Ogazi; and community member Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe, was present in court.

    In the Suit No E/1093m/25, ounsel to the applicants, Barr. Ike Ozor, told the court that the youths were being persecuted for resisting what he described as an unlawful attempt by Onuokaibe to impose himself as the Igwe of Mburubu in violation of existing court orders.

    Ozor explained that an earlier court judgment in Suit No. HAMA/1/2024, delivered on January 12, 2025, had disqualified Onuokaibe from contesting the Igweship stool based on the rotational provisions of the community’s constitution.

    A subsequent order in Suit No. HAMA/24/2025 also restrained him from holding a new yam festival scheduled for November 1, 2025.

    “Despite these clear court orders, he went ahead to hold the festival and has continued to parade himself as Igwe-elect,” Ozor told the court.

    He added, “My worry is that he connived with the police, particularly the SWAT Commander, to arrest ten youths of the community on November 3. They were tortured, brutalised and detained for weeks simply because they opposed his unlawful claim to the stool.”

    The counsel alleged further that the police, acting on Onuokaibe’s influence, compiled a list of about 70 community leaders and ordered them to report at the SWAT office, raising fear of more arrests.

    He added that after detaining the ten youths for nearly three weeks, Onuokaibe allegedly took them from the SWAT office to his house and forced them to address him as Igwe before they were released without conditions.

    “This shows the police knew they committed no offence,” he said, adding that the complainant himself stood as surety for their release.

    Ozor said the situation had become life-threatening for the applicants and warranted urgent judicial intervention.

    After listening to the submissions, Justice Ajah held that the applicants had provided “sufficient and compelling facts” showing that their lives and liberties were at risk.

    He thereafter granted the motion, restraining the police and other respondents from further arresting, detaining, harassing or intimidating the applicants or any other member of Mburubu community pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    The judge thereafter announced that he would return the case file back to the Chief Judge to reassign same to any judge of his choice for continuation.

  • Security: APC backs S/West govs’ renewed call for state police, urges swift establishment

    Security: APC backs S/West govs’ renewed call for state police, urges swift establishment

    The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared support for the renewed call by South West governors for the  creation of state police, urging President Bola Tinubu to use his office to  hasten its establishment.

    The party said the proposal was timely and aligned with long-standing demands by stakeholders in the region for a more responsive security framework.

    The party chapter  expressed the suppport  in a statement issued on Tuesday in  by its spokesman, Mr Seye Oladejo.

    Oladejo said the call by the governors reflected a deep understanding of the evolving security challenges confronting communities in the South West and other parts of the the country.

    According to him,the security challenges facing the country require multi-layered policing solutions, and the time for state police is not just ripe, it is overdue

    The spokesman said the South West had consistently championed reforms aimed at decentralizing policing and strengthening community-based security structures.

    He noted that regional initiatives such as the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, had demonstrated the benefits of localised response mechanisms to crime and emerging threats.

    Oladejo said the introduction of state police would enhance intelligence gathering, strengthen response capabilities and improve coordination between security agencies.

    He added that a multi-layered policing architecture was becoming increasingly necessary as criminal activities grow in sophistication.

    The spokesman said the governors’ position reinforced President Tinubu’s commitment to modernising Nigeria’s security system.

    He said the party believed that state police, if professionally regulated and federally coordinated, would complement ongoing national security efforts.

    Oladejo urged Nigerians to approach the conversation with objectivity and avoid politicising an issue he described as central to national stability.

    He said fear-driven narratives would not help the country address pressing security concerns.

    The spokesman called on citizens to engage constructively on how the proposed policing structure could function effectively within Nigeria’s federal system.

    Oladejo reiterated the party’s confidence in President Tinubu’s capacity to deliver far-reaching security reforms to protect lives and property.

    Read Also: ‘Osun APC needs to put its house in order before poll’

    He also expressed solidarity with the South-West governors for what he described as their continued commitment to the safety and welfare of residents in the region.

    He said the unity demonstrated by the governors underscored the urgency of adopting modern strategies to confront insecurity.

    The spokesman affirmed that Lagos APC would continue to support policies aimed at strengthening national resilience against crime.

    Tbe News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that South-West governors, under the aegis of the South-West Governors’ Forum, on Monday at its meeting in Ibadan, renewed their call for the creation of state police to tackle the security challenges bedeviling the region and the country in general. 

    (NAN)

  • Police to Kogi residents: Ignore false alarms, reports of attacks by bandits

    Police to Kogi residents: Ignore false alarms, reports of attacks by bandits

    The Kogi Police Command has urged residents to disregard false alarms and reports circulating on social media regarding imminent attacks by bandits in the eastern part of the state

    The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Kankarofi, gave the charge in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, CSP William Ovye-Aya on Monday in Lokoja.

    “Such reports are unverifiable and did not constitute any elements of truth.

    “The command has taken security matters very seriously and has put measures in place to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state,” he said.

    The commissioner said that he has ordered the deployment of tactical teams, including Police Mobile Force, counter terrorism, Quick Response and intelligence units, to strategic locations across the state…

    Read Also: ADC faults Tinubu’s police redeployment directive

    “Additional security assets have also been deployed to carry out operations and meet any unforeseen situations in critical areas.

    “We, hereby, urge the public to remain calm and verify information through official sources before sharing.

    “This is necessarily because false claims can cause unnecessary panic and fear among residents, ” he said.

    Kankarofi, however, appealed to the residents to work together with the police and other security agencies to keep the state safe.

    He added, “If you notice anything suspicious, please report without hesitation. Security is a shared responsibility.”

    (NAN)

  • W’Cup Mishap: Green passes vote of no confidence in  administrators

    W’Cup Mishap: Green passes vote of no confidence in administrators

    stakeholders call for reforms at Big Sports Dialogue :

    Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Barr. Chris Green,  has delivered  a damning verdict  on the state of Nigerian football , saying incompetence at the heart of Nigerian football administration.

    Green, a former chieftain of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) , said as much in Lagos yesterday at The Big Sports Dialogue-a high-level forum that examined the nation’s declining sports systems and proposed strategic reforms- where majority of the stakeholders  have called for total reforms.

    In  attendance  at the event  are some of the bigwigs  in  the society and sports  including former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), the Chairman of the  National Sports Commission (NSC) Shehu Dikko  and the commission’s  Director General , Bukola Olopade, as well as the Chairman of  National Institute Sports , Comrade Philip Shaibu, NFF board member, Aisa Falode , immediate past NFF President  Amaju Pinnick, Sports marketing expert, Mike Itemuagbor, top basketball promoter,  Igoche Mark , Dr. Reuben Abati of Arise TV and a host of other personalities.

    Convened by  broadcast journalist , Aron Akerejola of Arise TV , the dialogue was described as a bold response to the painful realities exposed by the Super Eagles’ recent World Cup Playoff collapse — a moment that laid bare deep cracks in governance, structure, leadership and athlete welfare.

    Dwelling on the  shoddy state of Nigerian football, Green argued that the current leadership lacked  the technical depth required to drive progress, saying many administrators “do not have the capacity, that cannot perform, that cannot hold their own.”

    He noted  that  football development has been restricted to a small circle of individuals, preventing qualified professionals from contributing.

     “The space is not open, if you open the space, people that are competent, people that have capacity can come in and help salvage what we have remaining in our football,” he noted.

    Read Also: W’Cup 2026: Toro hails NFF, stakeholders for Super Eagles’   playoff spot

     He also condemned the continuous recycling of the same personnel in key technical roles, noting: “If you are doing the same thing the same way, you still get the same result.”

    Meanwhile, former Lagos State Governor, Mr, Fashola  urged sports administrators to return to intentional planning and structural coherence.

    He referenced a previous Lagos policy that linked sports participation to school enrolment, noting it helped monitor talent and curbed age-cheating.

    “If you are not in school, you don’t  do sports,” Fashola said, even as he  emphasised the need for upgraded infrastructure, integration of sports science and nutrition and a functional connection between physical education teachers, state sports commissions and national programmes.

    Over all, participants agreed that Nigerian sports require urgent restructuring guided by professionalism, competence and long-term planning. They emphasised that only deliberate reforms—free of political interference—can restore Nigeria’s competitive edge on the continental and global stage.

  • Show dignity to fallen heroes in your reportage, Minister urges media

    Show dignity to fallen heroes in your reportage, Minister urges media

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has appealed to journalists to always treat fallen military and security personnel with dignity in their reportage.

    Idris made the appeal, on Monday, at a National Symposium on Digital Innovation in Crisis Communication, organised by Centre for Crisis Communication, Abuja.

    The Minister noted that every combatant who pays the supreme price is not just a statistic, but someone’s child or spouse.  

    “The media should always rally around the national flag in moments of crisis,” Idris said. 

    The Minister, who was represented by the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Ndace, also urged the media to utilize emerging technologies to transform crisis communication in ways that protect public safety and uphold national security.

    He highlighted that technology introduces vast opportunities, but also presents serious challenges that can undermine stability if left unregulated.

    “As digital platforms evolve, propaganda, disinformation and harmful online narratives continue to escalate during emergencies, posing a grave risk to public order and national security,” he said.

    Idris emphasised that the construction of narratives in the media, whether internally or externally, directly shapes national perception and influences the country’s image globally.  

    “It is not only the insecurity that we battle, but also the narrative that frames the insecurity,” the Minister said.

    He added that the way issues about insecurity are reported carries significant impact, emphasising the necessity for the media to adopt technological strategies to enhance early warning systems, improve interagency coordination, and ensure accurate dissemination of life-saving information.  

    He commended the Centre for Crisis Communication for organising the symposium, describing it as timely and strategic, particularly in today’s fast-paced information ecosystem. 

    The Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication, Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd), stated that crisis communication is no longer a supportive function but a strategic national security asset, warning that modern crises now unfold in real-time and demand equally rapid and reliable communication responses.

    Gen. Olukolade noted contemporary crises are more frequent, complex and unpredictable, driven by climate change, public health emergencies, security threats, cyberattacks, industrial incidents and social tensions amplified online.

    He emphasised that digital platforms have significantly reshaped how emergencies evolve and how institutions must respond, noting that the survival of affected populations increasingly depends on rapid access to verified information, institutional coordination and public response speed.

    He stated that communication tools of yesterday can no longer address the emergencies of today, stressing that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, mobile alerts, big data and real-time monitoring systems offer unprecedented opportunities to detect early warning signals, counter misinformation and improve interagency coordination.

    Olukolade further highlighted that inconsistent messaging, fragmented information flow and distrust in institutions weaken national resilience during emergencies.

     He called on stakeholders to embrace innovation, strengthen collaboration and transition from traditional systems to technologically enhanced crisis communication frameworks.

    The Chairman urged participants to engage critically, collaborate openly and contribute ideas that will shape the country’s future communication strategy. 

    “The future of crisis communication depends on our ability to embrace innovation, strengthen collaboration and move decisively from traditional approaches to technology-enhanced solutions,” he said.