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Tag: Aminu Tambuwal

  • Tambuwal for NBA’s Business Law conference

    Tambuwal for NBA’s Business Law conference

    House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal will be the keynote speaker at the eighth annual Business Law Conference of the Section on Business Law (SBL) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) next week.

    The Speaker will deliver the address at the first session of the conference on May 26 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

    The conference will hold from May 25 to 27.

    In a statement, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, who chairs the Section on Business Law, said: “We are delighted at the confirmation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to deliver this year’s keynote address at the conference. Clearly, the Legislature has a major role to play in ensuring that exemplary governance principles are adhered to for the promotion and sustainability of transformational and impactful economic and human capital development in Nigeria.”

     

    Oyebode added: “The theme for this year’s conference is quite topical. This theme was derived, in part, taking into consideration the fact that the conference is being held in the penultimate year to Nigeria’s general elections. Therefore, it presents a unique opportunity for stakeholders to address the imperatives of exemplary governance as a platform for enhancing economic development in the country.”

    The Chairman of this year’s Conference Planning Committee (CPC), Mr Seni Adio, explained that Tambuwal’s speech, which will herald the event, is expected to set the tone of discussions during the two-day programme.

     

     

  • N10b cash on jet: Speaker halts probe

    N10b cash on jet: Speaker halts probe

    •Members split, discover plan to blackmail them

    A directive from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon.  Aminu Tambuwal, to the House Committee on Public Accounts  to suspend the ongoing probe of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke,  has not gone down well with some of the members.

    They want to defy him and continue with the assignment, The Nation  has learnt.

    The minister is accused of spending N10billion on chartered jet.

    Speaker Tambuwal had asked that the probe be suspended in view of the current mood of the nation occasioned by the Chibok abductions.

    The panel is said to have discovered alleged  plan to blackmail its members on phantom bribery .

    The Committee Chairman, Solomon Adeola, has sworn that neither he nor any member has compromised in any way.

    The Nation gathered that the Speaker told the Panel members that the House would appear insensitive to the plight of the abducted school girls if it continued with the probe now.

    It was learnt that apart from confiding in committee chairman and members, the Speaker also made his position known at the House plenary.

    But some members of the committee were said to have disagreed with the position of the Speaker.

    They alleged sell-out by some of their colleagues with a view to frustrating the probe.

    They said since the court had clarified that it did not stop investigation into the chartered jet, there was no basis for suspending investigation temporarily.

    The development provoked tension  with the committee chairman, Adeola,  having to swear to those casting doubt on the integrity of the panelists that  no one had compromised.

    Adeola vowed to do a good job rather than compromising in any form.

    A highly-placed source said: “The Speaker directed the committee to suspend investigation because of the pulse of the nation. Tambuwal said there was no point heating up the polity with the probe at a time Nigerians are desirous of rescuing the abducted 276 girls.

    “I think the Speaker was more concerned about the image of the House than the insinuations that he was trying to bow to pressure.

    “To show that he had no ill-motive, the Speaker justified why the probe should be halted during a plenary in the week. So, what is this noise all about?”

    A member of the committee said: “Some of us are suspicious because the search for the abducted girls has nothing to do with an investigation that was almost completed.

    “We believe we should not bow to terrorists by grounding government activities either in the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.

    “We are insisting that we should continue the probe, even if it means quietly, and come up with our findings. Or else, Nigerians will not know the truth and the personalities of some people are already painted in bad light.”

    Another source in the committee said: “We had a little disagreement on Thursday on why the investigation should be suspended. But it is one of those things in legislative business. We will resume at the appropriate time the House leadership deems fit.”

    A third member of the committee expressed sadness that some people have started blackmailing members of the panel for respecting the Speaker’s directive.

    The source added: “They have been levelling allegations against us for no just cause. They said some of us collected $3million, others $1.5million and $1million.

    “In fact, some of us had been called by our relations and advisers to find out the truth or otherwise about the phantom bribery allegation.

    “At a stage, some of us confronted the Chairman of the committee, Hon. Solomon Adeola, who almost shed tears. He swore in a hard manner that he has not compromised and will never do so.

    “No one should pre-empt the outcome of the ongoing investigation. These blackmailers should not stampede the committee.

    “We are aware that there is no legal inhibition but the Speaker’s advice is also timely. And the Speaker did not meet with the committee members secretly; he addressed the plenary on why the investigation should be suspended temporarily.”

    Disturbed by the development, the Speaker on Friday spoke with some members of the committee that he was not trying to gag them.

    He reportedly told them that the House would conclude the investigation “but the mood of the nation now is about how to rescue these innocent girls.”

    The committee had on April 28 resumed investigation into the controversial Challenger 850 aircraft.

    The Minister of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC have gone to court on some issues relating to the probe.

  • Reps reactivate probe of N10bn Chartered jets

    Reps reactivate probe of N10bn Chartered jets

    •Summon PPMC MD

    In spite of the court case instituted against the House of Representatives by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke to stop the House Committee on Public Accounts from probing the alleged N10 billion expenses on Chartered jets, the committee seems to be forging ahead with the investigation.

    To this end, the Committee on Public Accounts has summoned the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) and its Managing Director, Mr Haruna Momoh to appear before it.

    This aligns with the  declaration of the Speaker the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal that the probe is not dead.

    The House  suspended the investigation earlier meant to commence on April 28  before of the subsisting case in court.

    In a memo dated April 30  by the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee,Honourable Solomon Adeola Olamilekan and addressed to the Managing Director of the PPMC the committee gave the organization and its boss a week to submit in a written form all what they knew about the charter of the 850 Challenger Aircraft.

    The committee said it was issuing the memo because of new information from Vistaget international Limited, one of the companies involved in the transactions.

    The memo reads: “It was observed that you and PPMC played a Central role in the charter of the 850 challenger Aircraft,you are therefore requested to submit a memorandum on your involvement and that of the PPMC in the said transaction.”

    The committee in the memo requested for the following:

    “Details of the Financial transaction on the amount paid by NNPC/PPMC to Vistajel international Ltd for the Charter and maintenance of the 850 Challenger Aircrafts and other related Aircrafts such as the OE-LXR GLOBAL EXPRESS XRS from January 2012 till date.

    “Details of any Financial liabilities that may be currently outstanding on the Charter and maintenance of the 850 Challenger Aircraft and other related Aircrafts used by the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources,Mrs Allison-Madueke for both national and international trips.

    “Copies of the agreement (if any) between NNPC/PPMC and Vistajet International LtD over the Charter and maintenance of the 850 Challenger Aircrafts 0E-LXR GLOBAL EXPRESS XRS and other related aircrafts by the Minister.

    “The manifest in the custody of the Committee revealed that you have always been in the Company of the Minister while on international trips on board the said aircraft, you are therefore required to furnish details and particulars of trips (with the Minister) embarked upon by yourself with the Minister and the justification for such trips.”

  • N10b jet probe not over yet, says Tambuwal

    N10b jet probe not over yet, says Tambuwal

    House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal has said despite the legal action against the House by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, the investigation on her N10 billion alleged bill on chartered jets has not ended.

    Tambuwal spoke at plenary yesterday when he ruled on a point of order brought by a member, Omosule Eniolorunda.

    The lawmaker had called the attention of the House to the court ruling on the suit filed by the minister and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    He noted, however, that the ruling was insufficient to stop the House from continuing with its probe of the minister.

    A source told The Nation yesterday that some House members were allegedly induced to stall the probe. But the inducement was reportedly turned down.

    A member, who spoke in confidence, said the House committee had received a confidential report that “300,000 Euros” was being spent monthly on three private jets parked at an airport hangar.

    Eniolorunda said the Constitution gives the House the power to expose corruption and avert a waste of resources.

    According to him, it is not right for the leadership of the House to stop the minister’s probe because of the court order.

    Tambuwal said: “We have not closed that investigation. When we get legal advice, we will know the next line of action.”

    The Speaker directed the House Committee on Public Accounts to maintain a stay of action on the investigation until the House receives a legal opinion on the matter.

    But a member of the committee, Kehinde Odeneye, gave insight into the controversy.

    He said the committee had obtained relevant documents that would aid the investigation, adding that the purpose of the probe was to ascertain if it was true the minister really incurred the N10 billion on chattered jets.

    The lawmaker criticised Mrs Alison-Madueke’s action.

    He said: “If the minister doesn’t have anything to hide, there was no reason for her to have gone to court.”

    Odeneye said it would be tantamount to usurping the statutory powers of the National Assembly, if any attempt is made to halt the investigation.

    The lawmaker said Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution empower the House to investigate and expose any person who misappropriates public funds.

    He said the Presidency was acting on faulty advice and that there is need for it “to look beyond” advice from his political aides.

    The minister’s name, he said, cannot be cleared by a court injunction.

    Also, the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed, has been summoned by Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Abuja Federal High Court.

    The lawmaker would appear on May 5 before the court for allegedly giving misleading information on the court’s ruling.

    To appear with him is the National Assembly’s Director of Legal Services.

    Addressing reporters on Monday, Zakari Mohammed alleged that the court had issued an order of interim injunction stopping investigation into the allegation that Mrs Alison-Madueke spent N10 billion in two years to charter a private jet, Challenger 850, for her trips.

    “I have seen a press release in the media, said to have been issued by the House of Representatives, that this court has made an order restraining the House of Representatives from continuing with the probe,” Justice Mohammed in his ruling.

    “As far as I am concerned and as the judge presiding over this case, no such order was made,” he added.

    According to him, the Court only ordered the defendants (National Assembly and the House of Representatives) to be put on notice after the plaintiff counsel moved an ex parte motion praying for an order of interim injunction to restrain the House of Representatives from summoning the minister.

    “This court in a ruling directed the defendants to appear in this court on April 17 and show cause why the interim order should not be made.

    “On April 17 plaintiff counsel informed the court that processes have not been served on the defendants owing to the Nyanya bomb blast and the court adjourned till today (Tuesday, April 29).

    “As the press release was issued by the House of Representatives which is the 2nd defendant in this suit, and as the House of Representatives is not represented in court today, the only fair thing to do is to adjourn this matter and issue the House of Representatives with a hearing notice to appear before the court and clear the air on whether it has been served with a restraining order issued by this court,” he said.

  • Tambuwal visits victims

    Tambuwal visits victims

    House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal visited yesterday the National Hospital in Abuja to sympathise with the victims of Monday morning bomb blast at Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja.

    The Speaker was conducted round the emergency ward by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu.

    Tambuwal, who condemned the attack, said the issue was not about any political party but an attack on Nigerians.

    The Speaker urged the nation’s leaders to stop playing politics with insecurity.

    He advised them to work together for the good of the country.

    Tambuwal said: “As leaders in this country, we must all come together and support the government in addressing this challenge.

    “We should stop playing politics with issue of insecurity. From what I have seen among the victims, I doubt if they are members of any political party.

    “We should stop playing politics, we should address the issue and it is not about any religion.

    “It is unfortunate. We must come together. We must rise to the challenge and address this challenge.

    We must all work together as a nation to address the issue of security, we should stop playing politics with security.”

    The Speaker said he had indicated interest to go the National Blood Transfusion Centre to donate blood to the victims.

     

    “I call on well-meaning Nigerians who have the capacity to donate blood to please come out and donate blood and whatever is required for the survival of the victims.”

     

    On what motivated him to donate blood to the victims, the speaker said that he was moved by “humanity in him and by what he saw’’

  • House of Reps, Tambuwal, Ihedioha appeal judgment against defecting lawmakers

    House of Reps, Tambuwal, Ihedioha appeal judgment against defecting lawmakers

    THE House of Representatives, its Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, have appealed Monday’s judgment by Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja restraining defecting members of the House from altering the current composition of its leadership.

    In a notice of appeal filed in Abuja yesterday by their lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), the three appellants faulted Justice Ademola’s reasoning and urged the Court of Appeal, Abuja to set aside the judgment.

    The judgment was on a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/4/14, filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the House of Representatives, its principal officers and members of the House, who defected from the party to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The appellants, who raised seven grounds of appeal, with a promise to add more, argued that the judgment is “perverse and not supported by the reliefs sought by the plaintiff.”

    They added that the judge “erred in law when he granted reliefs not sought by the plaintiff.”

    The appellants contended that the judgment “is against the weight of evidence.” And that he erred “when he granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiff and “went further to hold that the 1st to 39th respondents ought to have resigned their seats as members of the 1st appellant.

    They argued that the judge erred when he held that the reliefs of the 1st respondent (PDP) were justiciable and proceeded to grant the reliefs sought without considering the provision of Section 30 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act Cap L12 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    The section provides that “neither the President nor the Speaker as the case may be, of a legislative house shall be subjected to the jurisdiction of any court in respect of the exercise of any power conferred on or vested in him by or under this Act or the standing orders of the Constitution.”

    The appellants argued that the judge wrongly assumed jurisdiction over the suit, which was predicated on the internal affairs of the House of Reps, which is protected under Section 60 of the Constitution. They further argued that the reliefs sought by the PDP were not justiciable, yet the judge proceeded to grant the reliefs.

    They contended that the PDP lacked the locus standi to institute the case because it was not predicated on any recognised legal interest; the reliefs sought were not supported by any legal evidence and that the judge failed to reckon with the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Fawehinmi vs Akilu (1987) 12 SC 136, Amaechi vs INEC (2008)1 LRECN 1.

    The appellants faulted the judge for holding that the suit was rightly commenced with originating summons, without regard to the provision of Order 3 Rule 6 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009.

    They argued that the judge was wrong to have held that the claims of the PDP do not amount to an abuse of court process when there are similar cases, involving the same parties, still pending before the court.

    They referred to suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/621/2013 between Senator Bello Hayato Gwazo and 79 others vs Alhaji Bamaga Tukur and four others and argued that the parties and reliefs sought were similar with that on which the judge gave judgment.

     

  • Tambuwal, Ihedioha appeal judgment against defecting lawmakers

    Tambuwal, Ihedioha appeal judgment against defecting lawmakers

    The House of Representatives, its Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha have appealed Monday’s judgment by Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, restraining some defecting members of the House from altering the composition of its leadership.

    In a notice of appeal filed in Abuja yesterday by their lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), the three appellants faulted Justice Ademola’s reasoning and urged the Court of Appeal, Abuja to set aside the judgment.

    The judgment was on a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/4/14 filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against the House, its principal officers and members of the House, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The appellants, who raised seven grounds of appeal, with a promise to add more, argued that the judgment is “perverse, not supported by the reliefs sought by the plaintiff”. They added that the trial judge “erred in law when he granted reliefs not sought by the plaintiff”.

    The appellants contended that the judgment “is against the weight of evidence” and that Justice Ademola erred “when he granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiff and “went further to hold that the 1st to 39th respondents ought to have resigned their seats as members of the 1st appellant.

    They argued that the judge erred when he held that the reliefs of the 1st respondent (PDP) were justiciable and proceeded to grant the reliefs sought without considering the provision of Section 30 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act Cap L12 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    The section provides that “neither the President nor the Speaker, as the case may be, of a legislative house shall be subjected to the jurisdiction of any court in respect of the exercise of any power conferred on or vested in him by or under this Act or the standing orders of the Constitution”.

    The appellants argued that trial judge wrongly assumed jurisdiction over the suit, which was predicated on the internal affairs of the House, which is protected under Section 60 of the Constitution. They said the reliefs sought by the PDP were not justiciable, yet the trial judge proceeded to grant them.

    They contended that the PDP lacks the locus standi to institute the case because it was not predicated on any recognised legal interest; the reliefs sought were not supported by any legal evidence and that the judge failed to reckon with the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Fawehinmi vs Akilu (1987) 12 SC 136, Amaechi vs INEC (2008)1 LRECN 1.

    The appellants faulted the trial judge for holding that the suit was rightly commenced with originating summons, without regard to the provision of Order 3 Rule 6 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009.

    They also argued that Justice Ademola was wrong to have held that the claims of the PDP do not amount to an abuse of court process when there are similar cases involving the same parties, still pending before the court.

    They referred to the suit between Senator Bello Hayato Gwazo and 79 others vs Alhaji Bamaga Tukur and four others and argued that the parties and reliefs sought were similar with those on which the judge gave judgment.

     

  • Giving Tambuwal a helping hand

    Giving Tambuwal a helping hand

    NO one perches more precariously on the horns of dilemma today than the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal. His body is in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but his spirit is in the All Progressives Congress (APC). That is not all. He has presidential ambition, but he cannot begin to explore his options either openly or even secretly, let alone exploit it, for he is constrained by his position kept gingerly by sheer political gymnastics. To worsen his predicament, he would love to defect immediately to the main opposition party, but since the APC cannot yet numerically produce the Speaker by simple ballot, he would need to wait until more defections into the opposition party can be orchestrated to strengthen his hand.

    But why should the APC leaders care? First, because he has done them immeasurable favour by keeping the lower chamber in their sphere of influence. And second, because he is one of their best bets for the presidency. He is young, modern, unencumbered, and brimming with crossover appeal. This is why he needs a helping hand. The APC should coax more Reps to defect in order to make it safe for the Speaker to cross over and begin consultations for a possible presidential race. He should not be disadvantaged by staying out of the race simply because he is watching the back of the party in the lower chamber.

    The other contenders to the APC ticket, Muhammadu Buhari, Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso are free to explore and exploit their chances. And they have done so with gusto, their initial explorations advanced by hack writers of all shades and vocal and gutsy party members such as the inimitable rhetorician, Nasir el-Rufai. Except I err gravely, Hon Tambuwal is also interested in the APC presidential ticket, the seed of which was sown perhaps last year when one of the nation’s avid kingmakers, former military head of state Ibrahim Babangida, offhandedly suggested to the Speaker to consider running for higher office on account of his stellar performance and attribute. If his ambition predates that Babangida suggestion, then I probably underestimate Hon Tambuwal’s vast and impregnable repertoire, and what insidious role power, influence and position play in helping a politician make up his mind.

  • ‘Join in the fight against corruption’

    ‘Join in the fight against corruption’

    Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal has urged quantity surveyors to join in the fight against corruption.

    He said they should expose the contractors using substandard materials and inflating the cost of construction.

    The Speaker, who was the special guest of honour at the closing ceremony of a two-day international workshop of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) in Osogbo, also enjoined the surveyors to have input into the laws about construction to arrest decay in infrastructure.

    Tambuwal, who praised Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola on good governance, said he was prominent among those who made his emergence as the Speaker possible.

    Aregbesola described as apt, the theme of the workshop titled: “Towards Sustained Growth of Emerging Economies in Africa: The Infrastructural Imperatives.”

    The governor said Osun State was first in high employment index, while Niger was in the eighth position, adding that the peace in the state was traceable to presence of huge human development in the state.

    peaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal has urged quantity surveyors to join in the fight against corruption.He said they should expose the contractors using substandard materials and inflating the cost of construction.The Speaker, who was the special guest of honour at the closing ceremony of a two-day international workshop of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) in Osogbo, also enjoined the surveyors to have input into the laws about construction to arrest decay in infrastructure.Tambuwal, who praised Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola on good governance, said he was prominent among those who made his emergence as the Speaker possible.Aregbesola described as apt, the theme of the workshop titled: “Towards Sustained Growth of Emerging Economies in Africa: The Infrastructural Imperatives.”The governor said Osun State was first in high employment index, while Niger was in the eighth position, adding that the peace in the state was traceable to presence of huge human development in the state.

  • House to probe spending on soldiers’ welfare

    House to probe spending on soldiers’ welfare

    House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal hinted yesterday that a probe into the utilisation of military funds was on the way.

    Tambuwal said there were complaints that funds meant for the welfare of military personnel and procurement of equipmemt were being mismanaged.

    While linking the morale of the soldiers to the possible turnaround of the challenging security situation in the country, the Speaker said the House would take bolder steps to stem the tide.

    Tambuwal spoke while receiving members of the Unity Schools Old Students’ Association (USOSA).

    But a military spokesmen warned against inciting comments by politicians on military men’s welfare.

    President-General of USOSA Muhammadu Kabiru Nuhu-Koko praised the Speaker for his concern for the fate of Nigerian children amid the security situation.

    Tambuwal said: “A situation whereby we appropriate funds for our men to be well taken care of, to be well kitted and for them to have the best of arms and somebody somewhere is playing politics or is not implementing and applying those funds judiciously is not acceptable and we are ready to take on whoever is involved in that.

    “Very soon, by the time we come back, we are going to have some motions that are talking about welfare of our men on the field.”

    The House, he said was not reacting on assumptions. “We have received several complaints from soldiers that they are not getting what is due to them on the field.

    “How do you take someone that is less motivated to the battle field? I believe that we need to be more serious and I believe that those responsible should be responsible enough to cater for these troops,” he said.

    Tambuwal said the situation on ground required radical legislative approach.

    “The legislature has its limitations. We cannot commandeer troops, we can only pass resolutions; we can only appropriate funds.

    “Of course, we can perform oversight, but we have our limitations in following the money, in following appropriated funds.

    “That is why I said in my speech that even as parliamentarians, we may have to find new ways of improved oversight so that we ensure that what is meant for the welfare of our soldiers who have surrendered their lives to this country should be improved.”

    “We are committed to that, we shall give government every support. And we have taken extra steps to support the government to support the people that are being affected by this crisis.

    “We are amenable, we are available; we are ready to do everything possible to bring this to an end,” he added.

    Security agencies warned politicians against making disparaging comments capable of undermining the ongoing counter insurgency operations in the Northeast.

    The Joint Security Information Committee (JSIC), comprising spokesmen of the various security agencies, at a news conference, said such comments by politicians and other commentators would no longer be tolerated.

    The head of the committee and Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said henceforth “anyone that undermines our operations would have themselves to blame”.

    Said he: “We don’t need spokesmen of terrorists to tell us how to carry out our operations.” Such comments by a section of the political elite constitute a frontal attack on the morale of the troops, Gen. Olukolade said, adding: “They make frivolous and unfounded claims and allegations on the welfare of soldiers under the pretext of being more caring for the welfare and condition of Nigerian soldiers, but their intention is to encourage indiscipline and ultimately mutiny.

    “This set of Nigerians has taken up every available media platform to disparage efforts of the leadership of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against terror.

    “Indeed, the tendency is propelled by nothing altruistic other than to curry undue political capital out if the unfortunate crisis in the Northeast. They have not only accused the military and security authorities of denying the soldiers and other security personnel of their entitlements.

    “They have been spreading the sick rumour that the gallant Nigerian soldiers are grumbling over inadequate resources and lack of motivation to take on the insurgents.

    “These unfounded allegations and outright rumour mongering are, to say the least, callous, mischievous and inimical to the well being of our national security.”

    Gen. Olukolade, however, added that despite the orchestrated campaign of calumny, the troops are determined more than ever before to bring terrorism to an end in any part of the country.

    According to the committee, operations are going on simultaneously nationwide to address every form of insecurity threat, including insurgency, oil theft, kidnapping, vandalism, communal clashes, cattle rustling, trafficking in arms and persons among others.

    The security spokesmen also stated that interactions with the diplomatic community had been initiated as part of efforts to curtail insurgency in the land.

    They also said operations are to recover firearms from unauthorised persons and groups across the country.

    Present at the briefing were spokesmen of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and the National Security Agency.