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Tag: Abdulrahman Dambazau

  • Eid-el-Maulud: FG declares Tuesday public holiday

    The Federal Government has declared Tuesday as Public Holiday to mark the Eid-el Maulud.

    The Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd), made the declaration on Friday in Abuja in a statement by Dr Mohammed Umar, Permanent Secretary of the ministry.

    Dambazau called on Muslim faithful to align themselves with the prophet’s teachings which border on piety, charity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence, among others.

    He equally called on all Nigerians to uphold these virtues with a view to overcoming the current national challenges facing the country.

    Dambazau assured that the Federal Government remained committed to the unity of the country, and as such, would put adequate structures on ground towards ensuring that forthcoming general elections were credible, free and fair.

    He wishes all Nigerians a joyous and peaceful Eid-El Maulud.

  • Monday is public holiday

    The Federal Government has declared Monday, October 1st, 2018  as public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 58th Independence Anniversary.

    The federal government made the declaration in a statement issued by the Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, on Thursday in Abuja.

    The statement was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Mohammed Umar.

    Read Also: NGO to construct public toilets in Ekiti

    Dambazau, who congratulated Nigerians on the anniversary, urged them to sustain President Muhammadu Buhari Administration’s efforts at maintaining and strengthening the unity and peace of the country.

    He emphasized government’s commitment to promoting national unity, economic growth, social and political development based on democratic principles.

    The minister added that in the past 58 years, Nigeria had made a lot of progress and positive impact not only on the lives of its citizens but also on infrastructure development as well as international relations.

     

  • Nigerian prisons below UN standards – Dambazua

    Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau on Tuesday said the Nigerian prisons are still below United Nations minimum standard even as he revealed that efforts were being made to meet up with the UN requirement.

    The Minister who disclosed this in Abakaliki while inspecting the new prisons being constructed by the Ebonyi state government regretted that over 70 percent of prisons inmates in Nigerian prisons are awaiting trials.

    He was in the state on a two days working visit.

    Dambazau said the Nigerian Prisons Service, NPS, was working hard to ensuring that prisons are decongested across the country.

    He however, noted that the task of decongesting the prisons did not squarely rest on NPS as the Nigeria Police and the Judiciary have enormous role to play.

    “We need to get to the UN minimum standard of rehabilitation of prisoners. But one of the most important things is to make sure the prisons are decongested, because 70% of inmates in Nigeria prisons are waiting trials. We need to deal with that issue but this cannot be done by the NPS.

    “Nigeria prisons are just a ware house for inmates who are either convicted or awaiting trials. If a warrant is given to them they cannot reject it. So, they have to keep the inmates. But we are working on how to decongest the prisons.

    “To deal with decongestion, we have to work with the police and the law court. The police must have to properly investigate before charging a matter to court. Otherwise, if you charge a matter to court without it being properly investigated,it certainly hamper speedy dispensation of justice; and the law Court we have to deal with unnecessary court adjournment”.

    “But what the NPS will do is to concentrate on the issue of rehabilitation of prisoners,because it doesn’t make sense when you send one to prison and he returns worse than he came”.

    Dambazau said NPS was also working hard to improve the welfare of both prisoners and the prisons officials as especially on the areas of training and capacity building.

    “Also, we are working on the welfare of prisoners and the prisons officials. Another thing is capacity building. The issue of capacity building was a serious when we came to office and we have been able to deal with it though the challenge is still there. But we have come up with trainings and capacity building”.

    He further disclosed that the days of indiscriminate promotion in NPS was over as every promotion would now be based on merit no matter your rank.

    “As a matter of policy, now, we have said nobody can be promoted from one rank to another without certain requirements. What you find is that we have two groups of persons who form the majority of the service.  One group, you find somebody within 1-2-3 years is getting promotions up to three times without working for it; and you have another group who stay for 10 to 15 years without promotion”.

    “And you will find out that both groups don’t have motivation. The first group will say, after all I can be promoted any time, why do I need to work hard; and the other group will say, I have been there, no promotion; why do I need to work. But now, we want to remove that, so that merit will determine who gets promotion. These are some of the reforms we are doing in the NPS”.

    While commending Ebonyi state government for their cooperation and support to NPS especially for embarking on the ultra-modern prison, Mr Dambazua urged other states to emulate the state’s gesture so as to improve the living standards of prisoners in their states.

    “So, we need cooperation and support from the state government. After all, if we check the prison, you will find out the majority of the inmates are Ebonyians and if you go to Kano, you will find out that the majority of the prisoners there are from Kano.

    “So, we need more of this and we thank you for this support. I have an idea of how much you spent on this project because I am also involved in this building process. That is why I know that Ebonyi state government is putting huge resources into this project and we really appreciate. I will even ask the Comptroller General to write letter of appreciation if he has not done that to Ebonyi state government”, he concluded.

  • FG ready to tackle ISIS threat – Minister

    … As Dambazau presents Immigration’s curriculum, training manuals 

     

    The Federal Government has said on Wednesday that it is taking serious the report that a terrorist group, the Islamic State was sending insurgents trained in Syria to the country as part of a terror exchange programme.

    Government disclosed that report  is going through adequate examination, adding that all that is needed to be done to protect the country is being implemented.

    Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), who disclosed this in Abuja explained that the government will not rest on its oars in securing the country no matter the situation.

    Dambazau said these while answering questions shortly after the presentation of curriculum and training manuals for Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS) training institutions.

    The minister said, “When information like this (influx of ISIS members into the country) comes, we do not take things for granted. Even if it is true or not because it is a security information.

    “Before now, we are prepared to ensure that everything we need to do security-wise is being done and such information also raises alarm and we will double our efforts towards that.”

    Speaking earlier while unveiling the training manuals, Dambazau stressed the importance of training to the security services, noting that henceforth, promotion of personnel and career progression will be tied to trainings and courses attended by the officers.

    Read Also: How Buhari is changing Nigeria, by minister

    He said, “If you travel a lot, you will see what happens in other countries. They solely focus on training and they will be sent on courses to determine your career progression.”

    “We will tie promotion to every course for every rank. There is a course that is expected that you go through for you to qualify for that rank. There is promotion exams; For progression, training is very important. It is very clear in the immigration rules. There is need for us to give that motivation. It gives you room to work hard.  This will apply to all the (security) services,” the minister added.

    The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede disclosed that the curriculum, manuals and teachers guide were prepared by over 30 university professors and professionals.

    The documents, he explained, would be used at NIS Command and Staff College, Sokoto, Nigeria Immigration Training School, Kano, Nigeria Immigration Training School, Orlu and Nigeria Immigration Training School, Ahoada.

    Babandede said: “I strongly believe that this initiative will produce well-trained and better equipped officers and men that will reposition the NIS to contribute its quota in the change agenda of this administration. Training and manpower development is a strong foundation and pivotal to the life, continued existence, efficiency of an organization, especially one like ours.

  • FG declares Tuesday public holiday 

    The Federal Government on Friday declared Tuesday, May 29 as public holiday to celebrate the 2018 Democracy Day.

    The Minister of Interior, Lt Gen.  Abdulrahman  Dambazau (rtd) declared this on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Nigerians on the occasion, and pledged government’s continued dedication to entrenching democracy in the polity.

    Read Also: What I want from Govt at 60, by Falana

    According to a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Umar,  Dambazau urged all Nigerians to trust and support the government in its commitment to building an indivisible, peaceful and greater nation based on the tenets of democracy.

    The Minister wished all Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day celebration.

  • Buhari to host ECOWAS conference on farmers/herders clashes 

    President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to declare open on April 26 a conference of the member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on farmers/herdsmen clashes across the country.

    This was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    Stressing that the meeting was initially planned for last February, he said that it was part of efforts by the ECOWAS and some other African countries towards finding permanent solutions to the persistent farmers-herdsmen clashes in Nigeria and beyond.

    He said “This is why, for instance, we initiated the conference that is to come up between April 26 and 29 under the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Goods and Services, zeroing particularly on the protocol on the movement of trans-humans which was signed in 1978 but yet to be implemented.

    “I had meetings with President ECOWAS Commission, the one that left, and we agreed to have this conference sometime last month. But because there were leaving and new set of management was coming in it was shifted to toward the end of this month.

    “So, the whole idea is to look at this issue of movements across borders. So, this month on April 26, God willing, we are going to have this conference and Mr President has graciously agreed to open the conference,’’ he said

    The conference which would also attract participants from the Central African Republic, Chad, Cameroon, Morocco and Mauritania, he said, would explore the relationship between the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, and trans-border criminal activities.

    He said “Zeroing particularly on the protocol of trans-humans which was signed in 1978 and we are yet to implement them. I had meeting with the president ECOWAS commission, the one that left and we agreed to have this conference sometimes last month but they were leaving, and the new set of management coming in, it was shifted to towards the end of this month.

    “The whole idea is to look at this issue of movement across borders. The protocol provided for instance, that any of such movement, of trans-human should be received at the reception center by the host country and there international trans-human certificate are supposed to guide them. And not only that, they should also go along with international health certificates for the cattle they are going with.

    “So, if somebody comes in with 10 cattle for instance, and if he is going out with 20, you have to ask him questions because of the issue of cattle rustling. We will also be able to know that the animals he is bringing do not carry disease. We also want to be sure that they obey the laws of the country to the latter.

    “And the issue of carrying of arms because it is a no go area, we have zero tolerance to that because it is not part of the protocol. So, these are the issues that will be discussed at a high level ministerial conference which involves all ministers responsible for internal security and agriculture in all these countries, the fifteen ECOWAS countries plus some of these countries in Central Africa, particular, Chad, Cameroun and Central African Republic. And also, it will involve Mauritania and Morocco. Mr. President has graciously agreed to open the conference on 26th, so it is of great concern to us,” he said

    On threats by Shiites to continue attacks in Abuja, he said “Well, I’m not sure of where that alert is coming from. You know that these days, you have to be very mindful of these things in the social media. It is like I saw one yesterday saying that there is going to be nuclear attack in the United Kingdom and this was broadcast by the BBC, and it is fake.

    “So, you have to be very careful with that. But I want to reassure you that law and order exist within the society and the FCT minister is very aware and is on top of it because of what happened recently. The commissioner of police is aware and is part of it.

    “About some people attacking or not, I think is something that we have to be cautious of where such information is coming from. If there is anything like that, you will get it from official sources. As at now, there is nothing like that because the police is handling that. You must have listened to the news last night and this morning, the commissioner of police FCT came out to speak and he assured all residents of FCT of security of lives and property,” he stated.

    Read Also:Buhari to restore study of history in schools

  • Easter: FG declares March 30, April 2, public holidays

    The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 30 and Monday, April 2, as Public Holidays to mark the Good Friday and Easter Monday.

    The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement issued by Mrs Julie Ejiofor, Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary.

    Dambazau enjoined Christian faithful and Nigerians in general to employ the spiritual ethos of Easter, which include; love, peace and sacrifice, in contributing to the unity and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

    He also urged Nigerians to remain supportive of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari in its efforts toward building a peaceful, united and prosperous nation.

    He implored all Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for the peace and unity of the country.

    The minister wishes all Nigerians a Happy Easter celebration.

    NAN

  • Dambazau directs relocation of IGP, NSCDC boss to North-East

    Dambazau directs relocation of IGP, NSCDC boss to North-East

    The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau, has directed the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Ibrahim Idris, and the Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), Abdullahi Muhammadu Gana, to relocate to the North-East to ensure the deployment of their personnel to all schools in the liberated areas in the three states.

    The minister gave the directive in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Ehisienmen Osaigbovo, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to Osaigbovo, the minister also directed that the I-G and NSCDC Commandant were to liaise with the Theater Commander of “Operation Lafiya Dole”, to carry out the task.

    The statement quoted Dambazau as saying that the I-G and Gana were also to liaise with the governors of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa to ensure the deployment of their personnel to all schools in the liberated areas in the three
    states.

    ” This directive is sequel to the recent visit of the Federal Government delegation led by the Ministers of Interior and Information and Culture to Dapchi in Yobe.

    ” Where the Interior Minister, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau then directed the Commissioner of Police and the Commandant of the NSCDC in Yobe to ensure security presence in all schools in the liberated communities,” he said.

    Osaigbovo also quoted Dambazau as saying that the directive had become necessary to forestall a re-occurrence of attack on innocent school children.

    Dambazau said that the government was making efforts aimed at rescuing the Dapchi school girls and other Boko Haram captives, as evidenced by the commencement of 24-hour air surveillance by the Nigerian Air Force.

    Osaigbovo said the Minister had also condemned the recent clashes that resulted in loss of lives and property in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The minister in the statement urged security operatives to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.

    NAN

  • Saraki, Dambazau, EU back Edo’s fight against Human Trafficking

    Saraki, Dambazau, EU back Edo’s fight against Human Trafficking

    The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau and the European Union have thrown their weight behind the Edo State government’s efforts at combating the scourge of human trafficking and illegal migration.

    At a Senate Round-table on Migration and Human Trafficking held in Benin City, the Edo State Capital, on Monday, Saraki commended the effort of Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, in the fight against the menace.

    He said that the effort by the Edo State Government was the beginning of many steps to be taken in halting illegal migration.

    He canvassed for renewed efforts in stemming the tide, noting that it was regrettable that youths save funds to leave the country and, in the process, fall prey to predators that sell them as slaves.

    Saraki urged stakeholders to join forces to fight the menace, noting, “The government has been doing its best to liberate Nigerians from slave trade in Libya, as many lives have been lost in the cause of irregular migration. The time is apt to end the scourge.”

    Noting that the summit is expected to provide direction on how to improve collaborations to tackle human trafficking, he said that some of the resolutions will lead to improved legislation, funding to agencies such as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and accelerating pending treaties.

    In his address, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, said the incidence of irregular migration and human trafficking has become critical, noting that its magnitude wasn’t fully grasped before.

    Obaseki said the Edo government considered the menace at variance to the culture and value of the people, which led to the establishment of the taskforce to handle the issue.

    He added that the taskforce has “worked assiduously to achieve its objectives, as it has coordinated the receipt and reintegration of returnees, led the prosecution of offenders, and managed public perception to tackle stigmatisation.

    “Edo State Government under my watch considers modern day slavery, a practice that is at variance with our rich cultures and values.”

    Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, expressed concern over the trend, noting that it was unpalatable for youths to risk their lives across difficult terrains to Europe.

    The European Union (EU), Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ketil Karlsen, said it has recorded no fewer than 10,000 cases of irregular migration within the last two months.

    Karlsen said that EU’s illegal migration registration of the 10,000 took place in 2018, as the records were taken between January and February.

    He said that in 2017, EU registered about 187,000 cases, while number of deaths registered so far was 411, as against 116 reordered in 2017.

    He said that of the figure, Nigeria accounts for about 60 percent, adding that in view of this, there was need to correct the worrisome error.

    “What should be of worry and concern was the irregular migration and the conditions the victims were being migrated. We should also look at the causes for such migration,” he said.

  • Shettima lauds military for crushing Boko Haram

    Shettima lauds military for crushing Boko Haram

    The Governor of Borno, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, on Monday commended the Nigerian military for the successes recorded so far in the war against Boko Haram.

    The News men reports that the commendation comes amid latest claims by the military authorities that the insurgency has been total crushed.

    Boko Haram, which is seeking the enthronement of a strict Islamic code in Nigeria, launched its deadly insurgency in 2009, killing thousands of people and leaving the economy of Nigeria’s northeast in ruins.

    Shettima, who was speaking in Maiduguri at the inauguration of a special town hall meeting for military and security agencies in the northeast, hailed the military for demonstrating high patriotism and professionalism.

    He said that the military made huge sacrifices to facilitate the restoration of peace and security in the northeast.

    Shettima noted that the military had successfully defeated and over-ran the insurgents in the past few weeks.

    He said that the military had through its counter-insurgency campaign, facilitated a return to normalcy and the resurgence of social and economic development in the northeast.

    “In the past three years, Boko Haram insurgents took over 20 Local Government Areas of Borno State. Maiduguri faced serious threats. We were in a state of siege.

    Read Also: Shettima presents N170bn budget for 2018

    “Thousands of people were killed, maimed and displaced, due to the insurgency.

    “The ugly situation changed for the better because of the hard work and commitment of our gallant troops,’’ he stated.

    According to him, Boko Haram, having been decimated, resorted to suicide bombing, targeting soft targets, “a clear sign of cowardice and weakness on their part”.

    The governor noted that the successes recorded in the war against the insurgents were made under military commanders of southern Nigeria extraction.

    Shettima called on Nigerians to complement the efforts of the military in the restoration of peace by living harmoniously, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences.

    He also lauded the Federal Government for its efforts in ending the war as well as its initiative in addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by the insurgency.

    The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that the meeting was designed to enable the government to interact with the populace.

    Mohammed said that the Federal Government accorded priority to ending the insurgency and boosting security in the country.

    He commended the troops for their gallantry and for defeating the terrorists.

    The Ministers of Defence and Interior, Mannir Dan-Ali and Abdulrahman Dambazau as well as the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmad, were at the meeting.

    Also in attendance were members of some states houses of assemblies, emirs and developments organizations, drawn from six states.

    NAN