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Tag: Babagana Monguno

  • Kano: Lawmaker accuses Kwankwasiyya of plotting to cause mayhem

    … It’s a lie, says Kwankwasiyya

     

    The Chief Whip of Kano state House of Assembly, Hon. Baffa Babba Danagundi Thursday in Kano raised an alarm over alleged plot by the Kwankwasiyya Group led by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to unleash terror in Kano on Sallah day.

    Danagundi who is representing Kano Municipal, covering the Emir’s Palace, in a letter dated 13th June, 2018, signed by him, and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris and made available to The Nation, called on the police and other security agencies to come to the rescue of his constituency and save it on impending mayhem allegedly sponsored by the Kwankwasiyya Group.

    The letter copied to the state Governor, Dr.  Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, the Emir of Kano, His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi 11, Speaker Kano state House of Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Yusuf Attah and the state Director of Civil Defence, accused leaders of the Kwankwasiyya Group of sponsoring miscreants to cause breach of the peace in Kano Municipal during the Sallah celebration.

    Danagundi accused former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Rabiu Bichi, former Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Water Resources to ex-Governor Kwankwaso, Dr. Haruna Adamu Dangwani of hatching a new plan to destabilize Kano.

    According to Danagundi in the letter entitled ‘Notification of Illegal Activities of Kwankwasiyya People in Kano Under the Leadership of Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso,’ “I write to formally invite the kind attention of the Inspector-General of Police to recall the unfortunate incidence which occurred during the last year’s Sallah festivities at the Emir’s Palace, Kano where teeming supporters of Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso from Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi and Kano, converged at the Emir’s Palace with the sole purpose to disturb public peace which the good people and Government of Kano enjoy.

    “The Inspector-General of Police may wish to further recall that during the said incidence in which fight broke out within themselves due to failure to settle the amount promised the hired thugs.

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    “It took the intervention of the police and men of the State Security Services to rescue the victims and restore peace, otherwise, many people could have been killed in the mayhem.

    “The said former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi, former Principal Private Secretary, Dr. Haruna Adamu Dangwani (currently under investigation of an allegation of terrorism) and the former Commissioner for State Affairs, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam, are believed to be hatching new plans for organizing another illegal gathering capable of causing public disturbances during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations.

    “In view of the information available to me and as the member representing Kano Municipal where the Sallah festivities take place, I find it appropriate to draw the attention of your good offices to note that anything that might occur to disrupt peaceful atmosphere of my Local Government and the state at large as a result of activities of Kwankwasiyya people, the above identified persons should be held responsible.”

    Reacting to the allegations leveled against the Kwankwasiyya Group, former Commissioner for State Affairs under the administration of Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam, debunked the allegations, describing them as false.

    According to him, “the Kwankwasiyya movement in Kano and in Nigeria at large is known to be very peaceful. Our people are very organized. In spite of extreme provocations, we remain peaceful. We have been conducting ourselves in a peaceful manner in the last three years, even under extreme provocation by the state government and the likes of Dr. Baffa Babba Danagundi.

    “Let me place it on record that we are senior citizens and responsible citizens of Kano and will never be party to anything that will trouble in the state or breakdown of law and order in the state.

    “So, we refute the allegations and we dismiss all the claims raised in the letter by Hon. Baffa Danagundi as very untrue and false.”

  • Insecurity: Senate in closed door meeting with NSA

    The Senate on Thursday held over two hour meeting with the National Security Adviser, Gen. Babagana Monguno, over mounting insecurity in the country.

    The closed door meeting was part of the security briefing the upper chamber held with security chiefs last week.

    After the meeting, Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki said that Monguno answered questions bothering on security, insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping, coordination of the security agencies and the general killings in the country.

    Read Also: Corruption: Senate challenges Jega to mention names

    “Thereafter, we directed that he submits a funding request similar to other heads of security agencies that had come before us and to submit consideration where relevant amendments to existing laws involving security agencies need consideration,”‎ Saraki said.

  • Arms proliferation: Senate summons NSA, service chiefs, DSS DG

    The Senate Tuesday invited the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno and Service Chiefs to brief the Senate about how to halt increasing spate of proliferation of dangerous weapons into the country.

    The upper chamber also invited the Director General, Department of State Service (DSS), Director General Nigeria Intelligent Agency (NIA), Comptroller General Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Comptroller General Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for the same briefing.

    Also invited for the same purpose is the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idirs.

    The resolution to invite the security chiefs followed the unanimous adoption of a motion entitled “Proliferation of Dangerous Firearms in Nigeria,” sponsored by Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North)

    Senators took turns to decry what they described as the reign of terror in parts of the country due controlled proliferation of firearms.

    The lawmakers warned that unless drastic action was taken to halt sweeping proliferation of firearms the country was likely to be the worse for it.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, noted that briefing by the security chiefs would surely go a going way to enable the Senate articulate the way out of the problem.

    Hunkuyi in his lead debate noted that tribal, communal, religious, and other sectarian clashes; including the farmers/herdsmen crises were more devastating due to wrongful and easy acquisition of firearms in violation of due process as laid down by the enabling laws and regulations in the country.

    He said that the ugly trend has contributed to the colossal loss of lives and wanton destruction of property of Nigerian citizens.

    The Kaduna North lawmaker said that he is aware that the situation is attributable to the inability to control the proliferation of firearms within country; “as well as negligence from the departments of government entrusted with the responsibility to control how individuals, corporate entities can acquire and maintain firearms in Nigeria, but particularly the free access by hoodlums to acquire firearms easily.”

    Hunkuyi said that he is disturbed that online, electronic and print media carry chilling reports confirming the proliferation of firearms in Nigeria.

    He cited a report which said that the Inspector-General of Police, on the 24th February 2018, ordered a nation-wide mop up of illegal firearms to sanitize the country and another report which said that the Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State had ordered all indigenes to surrender firearms to embrace peace and yet another which said that the Police Commissioner for Zamfara State had given directives to all citizens in that state to drop their firearms in the interest of peace.

    He said that there were similar reports, part of which was that the Inspector-General of Police ordered his officers and men to harvest arms in Bauchi, Imo, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Zamfara, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna and others.

    He expressed worry that “despite the killings in Benue, Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara and other parts of Nigeria, (which occurred within a spate of a short period of February to April 2018!), and of course, the Boko Haram mayhem in the North-East, coupled with the daily nationally spread cases of sophisticated killings, deadly clashes, armed robberies, kidnappings, cattle rustling and other heinous crimes, where hitherto unavailable firearms are used, meaningful effort is not seen to be done on the part of the government to curtail the proliferation of firearms in Nigeria.”

    He lamented that “the situation has worsen to the extent that some opinion leaders are calling on Nigerians to stand up and protect themselves. These prodding at self-defence, if not checked through action by the government, would certainly get to the extent that firearm would be secured by every household either in the name of protection or for some other purposes.”

    He noted that from the observation of the United States experience, the prevailing scenario will not augur well for the country

    Hunkuyi further expressed worry that “the spate of unrest due to illegal proliferation of firearms has negatively impacted on economic and agricultural activities to the extent that due to fear of attacks, many law abiding citizens fear going to the market as well as  attend to their farms (this is Noma Haram; and very soon, we shall have Kasuwa Haram).”

    “The loss in the economy occasioned by this problem is better imagined,” he said.

    According to him, a closer look at the fallout of the incessant attacks by firearm bearing criminals would reveal the unprecedented devastation to the country’s economy and agriculture.

    He continued, “The well-known cattle and the peaceful herdsmen in parts of Zamfara, Kaduna and other areas are no longer there. Many of the guinea corn, millet, rice and yam producing areas of Borno, Yobe, Zamfara Kaduna, and Benue now lie waste due to the murderous activities of gangs carrying illegally acquired firearms;

    “Alarmed that if this situation is allowed to further deteriorate, unprecedented famine and diminishing economic output, as seen in nations plagued by war and crises will pervade Nigeria. As the most populous country on the African continent, the nation’s GDP would certainly be affected adversely;

    “Regrets that the various departments of government entrusted with the responsibility of checking and regulating the influx of firearms into Nigeria have failed woefully in the discharge of this all important duty. The combined effect of sections 3 and 4 of the Firearms Act respectively, restricts the possession of firearms among persons. Section 3 of the Firearms Act specifically mentioned that no person should possess the category of firearms as seen with these heartless persons, unless that person is granted a license by the President. Section 4 of the Act gave the Inspector-General of Police the power to issue license for people with less lethal firearms.

    “But one does not need to ask whether all the firearm bearing elements, ranging from kidnappers, armed robbers, armed herdsmen, cattle rustlers, cultists et all, got their license from these appropriate quarters, because the answer is an emphatic no. Then the question goes to the effect that why the proliferation?;”

    He noted that “by virtue of section 24 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, the Nigerian Customs could be directed to prohibit the importation of any specified goods. Section 8 of the Act gives Customs the power of police officers in the discharge of their duties. By implication, it is also the responsibility of the Customs to ensure that no single firearm comes into the country without due authorization. By its establishment Act, the Department of State Services Act is likewise empowered to detect and prevent any crime within Nigeria. What is obtainable on the whole is that the colossal system collapse of these organizations to live up to the minimum level of expectation in this regard is most glaring.”

     

  • Boko Haram: NSA inaugurates Helipad in Borno

    Boko Haram: NSA inaugurates Helipad in Borno

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, on Wednesday inaugurated a helipad set up by the Nigerian Air Force in Monguno, Borno to enhance its operation against the Boko Haram insurgents in the Lake Chad region.

    Monguno also commissioned an office complex and residential accommodation built for officers and airmen at the newly- established 171 NAF Detachment in the area.

    The NAF 171 detachment was set up in the 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Monguno in Monguno Local Government Area, Borno.

    Monguno said the new Air Force unit would add value to the counter-insurgency operation, restoration of peace and stabilisation process in the troubled region.

    He described the projects as significant milestone in NAF’s drive to enhance air power in all the nooks and crannies of the country.

    The NSA added that the project was designed to provide additional military options in conducting aerial surveillance on the border with Cameroun, Chad and Niger Republics to check terrorists’ activities and cross border crimes.

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique  Abubakar, explained that the service detachment was designed to enhance the endurance limitations of air power in the counter-insurgency operations in the North-East and the Lake Chad region.

    “The establishment of the unit will expand and increase the reach of the service platforms in operations around border areas,” Abubakar added

    The projects include: a block of 11-rooms for airmen and a block of flats for officers and a helipad.

    NAN

  • FG not unmindful of unemployment, poverty – Minister

    FG not unmindful of unemployment, poverty – Minister

    The Federal Government is not unmindful of unemployment and poverty situation in the country, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said on Tuesday.
    Such problems among others structural conditions which are responsible for violent extremism in the country are being addressed on daily basis by the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari, the Minister added.

    The Minister made the remarks at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, while delivering a keynote address at the public presentation of Policy Framework and National Action Plan For Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA.

    Alhaji Mohammed said for instance the Anchors Borrowers Programmes has created over 6.3 million jobs for farmers through rice farming.

    Listing the achievements of the present administration, the minister said the federal government served no fewer than 246.4 million meals to primary school pupils across 20 states under the National Home Grown School feeding programmes.

    He said 10.27 million children have been enrolled in schools in the Northwest and North Central zones of the country in the last one year.

    He said the N-Power programme which has engaged and deployed about 200,000 Nigerians would increase with about 300,000 this year following the steps of government to expand the programme.

    Read Also: Minister  to face House panel over breach of waiver policy

    According to the Minister the Boko Haram terrorist group has been decimated and put on the run by the nation’s military due largely to President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership and political will which served as morale booster for the troops.

    Said he: “Thanks to the leadership and political will demonstrated by President Muhammadu Buhari, which has served as a morale booster for our gallant men and women in uniform, Boko Haram has been decimated and put on the run by our gallant military.

    “The record of success is there for all to see: At least 30,000 hostages kidnapped by Boko Haram extremist group, including women and Children, have been rescued by the military. More than 100 Chibok girls have so far been rescued.

    “The government is committed to the safe return of the remaining Chibok girls while rehabilitating and reuniting them with their families and communities. Sambisa Forest has become too hot for Boko Haram and they are now escaping to neighbouring communities.

    “Boko Haram is no longer able to carry out organized attacks. They hold no territory and their flag, which they were flying in Bama and other territories they used to occupy, has become a shroud”.

    The Minister assured that his ministry would parner with all critical stakeholders to ensure the smoth implementation of the policy framework and action plan against violent extremism in the country.

    He said as a soft approach towards tackling the current security challenges in the country, the administration would engage critical stakeholders in dialogue aimed at finding lasting solutions to the problems of herder/farmer conflicts, among others.

    He added that government is taking a bold step to recharge the Lake Chad Basin which has shrunk by 90 percent since 1963, stressing that the holistic approach of government on the Basin would make lives more bearable for people within the area whose economic activities have been affected negatively.

    In his remarks, the National Security Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, Major General Babagana Monguno , said following President Buhari’s directive on the implementation of the framework on the 24 August 2017, it was therefore expidient to make a public presentation of the document to enable key stakeholders and principal actors key into its goals and objectives.

    He said the framework which is in tandem with international laws and best practices adopted a whole-of-government and a whole-of-society approach for maximum benefits.

    “Accordingly, it encourages the active participation of line ministries, departments and agencies as well as critical stakeholders from the different sectors of the civil society such as reliogious actors, youths, teachers, women and community based organisations.

    “It provides a National Plan of Action at Federal , States and local government levels to ensure the delivery of targeted intervention that are both PCVErelevant and PCVE-specific”, General Monguno said.

  • Buhari presides over first FEC meeting of 2018

    Buhari presides over first FEC meeting of 2018

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday presided over the meeting of the Federal Executive Council with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and cabinet ministers in attendance.

    The meeting is the first this year and has in attendance the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha and Head of Service, Mrs Winifrey Oyo-Ita.

    Others attending the meeting included the National Security Adviser to the President, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno and Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari.

    Read Also: Herdsmen crisis: Buhari orders IGP Idris relocate to Benue

    The heads of agencies of the Federal Ministry of Transportation are expected to brief the council.

    The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu, was also at the venue of the meeting.

    NAN

  • Buhari meets members, leadership of CAN in Aso Rock

    Buhari meets members, leadership of CAN in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met with members and leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was being attended by
    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, National Security Adviser (NSA) Retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno and Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita.

    The meeting, being held behind closed doors at the Council Chamber of Aso Rock, was also being attended by cabinet ministers, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)
    Boss Mustapha, was represented by Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office (EFO) Hajiya Habiba Lawal.

    The President would also meet with representatives of the Muslim community in Nigeria at same venue by 2 p.m.

    Read Also: Buhari backs local govt autonomy

  • Angry Oyo-Ita confronts Kyari in FEC over leaked memo 

    Angry Oyo-Ita confronts Kyari in FEC over leaked memo 

    The Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, showed her anger on Wednesday when she reacted in a very unusual manner at the Council Chambers apparently over her leaked memo to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    This happened before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council ( FEC ) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Her angry reaction was witnessed by all those who were in the Council Chambers for the swearing-in of the new Secretary to the Government or the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and the launch of the 2018 armed forces emblem.

     Many Council members were also in the hall for the Federal Executive Council meeting.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari were seen questioning Oyo-Ita, shortly before the commencement of the event which started at 10:55am.

    Oyo-Ita, who has never lost her cool in the public, was seen angrily gesticulating while trying to make her point in what was obviously a heated argument with Kyari.

    The Head of Service went back to her seat and then rose again and headed straight to Osinbajo, who also engaged her in a tête-a-tete over the issue.

    The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, later joined the conversation after which the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation was seen calming the Head of Service.

    She was later asked to return to her seat by the Deputy Chief of Staff Femi Ipaye, when it was now obvious all eyes were fixed on them.

    The drama, which lasted about 10 minutes, was witnessed by Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Chief of justice of the federation, Walter Onnoghen, the Governor of Adamawa, Jibrila Bindu, All Progressives Congress National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, chief of defence staff, service chiefs, Inspector General of Police and other heads of paramilitary service among others.

    A national daily had quoted Oyo-Ita, in the leaked memo, as saying that Buhari was aware of the reinstatement of the former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina.

    Oyo-Ita was also quoted to have stated that she had warned the president against the controversial recall of the embattled former pension boss.

    President Buhari had ordered last week the immediate disengagement of former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdullahi Abdulrasheed Maina.

    Maina was in 2013 recommended for dismissal by the Federal Civil Service Commission following a recommendation by the Office of the Head of Service.

    In 2012, Maina was accused of leading a massive pension fraud scheme amounting to more than N100 billion.

    He was drafted by the Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2010 to sanitize a corrupt pension system.

  • Buhari lauds Jordan for military donation

    Buhari lauds Jordan for military donation

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in New York lauded the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the donation of hardware in support of Nigeria’s campaign against terrorism and insurgency.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Femi Adesina.

    He said that Buhari made the commendation at a bilateral meeting with Femi AdesinaII of Jordan on the sideline of the ongoing 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    Adesina said the President was delighted with the pledge by the Jordanian government to further supply helicopters to Nigeria.

    He quoted Buhari saying that “the very expensive donation of about 200 Armoured Fighting Vehicles reflects true concern for Nigeria’s security situation and genuine goodwill towards a friendly nation.’’

    The presidential aide said Buhari also reassured the King of Nigeria’s commitment towards the proposed Aqaba Process with countries in the region.

    Aqaba is the only coastal city in Jordan and the largest and most populous city on the Gulf of Aqaba

    “Nigeria is willing to play a leading role in bringing together countries in the West African sub-region into this collective security arrangement.”

    He said the president pledged Nigeria’s continued desire for enhanced bilateral ties with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

    The Jordanian King had earlier informed Buhari that his Government was in the process of opening an embassy in Abuja in the next few months.

    He, therefore, expressed appreciation over the support being extended to his country by the Nigerian government in this regard.

    He told Buhari that his National Security Adviser ( NSA ) would soon be working out the finer details of the Aqaba Process with his Nigerian counterpart.

    The President was accompanied to the bilateral meeting, the third of its kind since the inception of the current administration, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and the NSA, retired Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno.

    Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Tijjani Bande also attended the meeting.

    The statement recalled that soon after President Buhari took office in 2015, the Jordanian King had offered a hand of friendship, cooperation and support for Nigeria in its fight against terrorism and insurgency.

    This resulted in the NSA undertaking two visits to Jordan to follow up on issues previously discussed with the King, and the donation of military hardware and pledge of further support.

    These gestures were aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s operational capabilities in the fight against terror both within the country and the Lake Chad Basin.

    The security situation in Nigeria affects neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger where the Multinational Joint Task Force is engaging the Boko Haram insurgents and terrorists.

    The NSA’s second trip to Jordan on the invitation of the King in January 2016 to attend the 3rd Aqaba Process also resulted in a renewed commitment between the two countries to consider multilateral action in confronting the menace of terrorism.

    The Kingdom of Jordan has similar Aqaba arrangement with the East African countries battling protracted terrorist menace.

    Nigeria has agreed to work with countries in the region on a similar arrangement with Jordan.

    “It is anticipated that the first Aqaba Process for Nigeria and sister countries within the sub-region with Jordan will be held in late November or early December 2017,’’ the statement said.

  • Buhari meets security chiefs, others

    Buhari meets security chiefs, others

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with members of the National Security Council in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting, which started around 11.15a.m., was still ongoing as of the time of filing this report.

    It is being attended by all the service chiefs, National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno and Director-General, Department of State Security, Alhaji Lawal Daura.

    It would be recalled that President Buhari on Monday in a broadcast to the nation charged the security agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months in the fight against insurgents “be a sign to relax”.

    He said in the broadcast that “terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety.”

    Buhari also pledged “to reinforce and reinvigorate the fight not only against elements of Boko Haram, which are attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets, kidnappings, clashes between farmers and herdsmen, in addition to ethnic violence fuelled by political mischief makers.

    “We shall tackle them all.”