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Tag: INSECURITY

  • Senate invites Service chiefs over rising insecurity

    Senate invites Service chiefs over rising insecurity

    The Senate yesterday invited Service chiefs to brief it on the steps being taken to mitigate rising insecurity across the land.

    Those invited to appear before the Red Chamber in a closed-door session are: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

    The upper legislative chamber called on the military and other security agencies to conduct special operations to dislodge the bandits terrorising the Northwest zone and other parts of the country.

    It also urged the various security operatives to be more proactive and to ensure the immediate release of all kidnapped victims in the country, including the students kidnapped in Federal varisties in Gusau, Zamfara State and in Dutsinma, Katsina State; the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members kidnapped in Zamfara, among others.

    Read Also: Obi rejects Atiku’s invitation for ‘justice’, says I’m in court to ‘reclaim my mandate’

    The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to address the manpower needs of the police and other security agencies to enable them tackle the security situations.

    They called on the Federal Government to address unemployment and poverty in the country which it described twin evils fueling insecurity.

    It directed the police to ensure that the school protection squad demonstrates a clear commitment to protecting school children and provide a safe environment where students and teachers can engage in teaching and learning without the fear of being attacked or kidnapped.

    The Senate further directed its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure the relevant security agencies comply with its resolutions.

    These resolutions followed Senate’s consideration of a motion titled: “Kidnapping of university students in Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State on Wednesday, October 4th 2023 and the rising cases of kidnapping for ransom in the Northwest Geopolitical zone.”

    The motion was moved by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (APC – Katsina Central).

    In his lead debate, Yar’Adua said the Senate notes with serious concern the kidnap of five female students of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA) in Katsina State by gunmen from their hostel rooms in the early hours of October 4.

    He said the Senate also notes that a fortnight ago, 24 school students of Federal University of Gusau were abducted and 16 of them rescued three days after.

    Yar’ Adua said the Red Chamber is worried that “these kidnap incidents have thrown the University and academic communities into a panic mood.”

    He said that eight Youth corps members were kidnapped by suspected terrorists on their way to the NYSC camp in Zamfara State on August 21.

    He said: “The corps members were traveling in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to Sokoto State, for the one-year mandatory national service, when their vehicle was intercepted by the terrorists.”

    The Katsina senator said the Senate recalls that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, when appointed in June 2023 amongst his first set of action plans, was the creation of the school protection squad, “an initiative aimed at enhancing the safety of schools and children.”

    He quoted the police spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi,  Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), as having said: “The squad will be equipped with relevant assets and advanced training to effectively respond to security challenges facing educational institutions across the country.”

    Senators Kaka Shehu Lawan (APC- Borno Central), Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (APC – Yobe North), Solomon Adeola (APC – Ogun West), Alhaji Sahabi Yau (APC – Zamfara) and Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi) all supported the motion.

    They voted to approve the prayers of the motion through a voice vote supervised by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

    Reps to probe non-functional CCTV in FCT

    The rising cases of ‘one chance’ operators in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) also got the attention of members of the House of Representatives.

    They ordered a probe into why the Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) installed around the territory are not functioning.

    The House also demanded comprehensive review of the security measures within the FCT and develop a working strategy to resolve the cases of robbery, kidnapping and other crime to prevent further harm on the citizens.

    The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance on the need to address the rising cases on one chance in the FCT sponsored by Lukman Alani Mudashiru.

    The lawmakers called for the revival and installation of CCTV in strategic locations across the FCT.

    They also advocate a ban on commercial vehicles with tinted glasses, while commercial drivers should have commercial plate numbers and be painted in the colour of the state in which they operate.

    The Green Chamber called on the relevant authorities in the FCT to deal with private cars being used for commercial purposes and also conduct proper stop and search on all tinted vehicles at all check points.

    Leading the debate on the motion, Mudashiru said: “Sections 33 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides that every person has the right to life and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his or her life and that every Nigerian citizen is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria, and to reside in any part therein respectively.

    “The right to life, safety and security of a person which are crucial fundamental human rights, which any reasonable government must upheld are being threatened as residents of Abuja are living in constant fear and vulnerability due to the growing cases of insecurity and can no longer go about their businesses peacefully.

    “In recent times, the FCT has become a hotbed of insecurity characterised by frequent robbery, kidnapping and killing of motorists and commuters.

    “There are different tactics and daring manner used by these criminals/thieves who disguise as taxi operators (one chance) to carry out their devilish intentions by deceiving unsuspecting commuters by leaving one seat for them.

    “This deteriorating situation of growing insecurity and incessant attacks in the ‘Seat of Power’ has made motorists and commuters to become fearful and vulnerable to indiscriminate robberies and kidnapping consuming the once peaceful atmosphere in Abuja and its environment.

    “The recent unfortunate death of Miss Greatness Olorunfemi, who was the latest victim of one chance operation in Abuja, a vibrant young lady who passed away on the 26th of September, after she was allegedly pushed off a moving vehicle by a suspected one chance syndicate on the MaitamaKubwa Road readily come to mind.

    “On September 20, an elderly women was abducted and dispossessed of all her valuables, including money and jewelries after she boarded a commercial vehicle in Zone 3 area of the FCT which unknown to her was occupied by one chance syndicate.

    “Her abductors also demanded for the sum of N500, 000 from the family members as narrated by her daughter via her X social media handle.”

    The lawmaker said further that a legislative aide, who innocently boarded a one chance vehicle on while returning from work had her mobile phone collected.

    She also lost a huge amount of money transferred from her bank account via two Point of Sale (POS) machines.

    The wife a journalist was also kidnapped in front of the NNPC Tower and taken to an unknown destination where she was dispossessed of her phone, other belongings and push out of the moving vehicle.

    Relying on multiple reports, the lawmaker listed the dark spots as being plied by the criminals in the FCT as: Area 1 Berger; Area 1; Area 10; Area 1 Lugbe; Apo Mechanic Village axis; Kubwa Expressway and Along; Jabi axis; City Gate, Area 1 Under Bridge and Across; Area 2 Plaza before VIO Office Area; Zone 2 and Zone 3, among others.

  • Why insecurity in the country is political

    Why insecurity in the country is political

    • By Mike Kebonkwu

    Terrorism, banditry, politically motivated killings, large scale abductions and kidnappings for ransoms, ritual killings by cultists, brigandage; just name it!  Sixty-three years after our flag independence, we still live in a state of insecurity; Nigeria is still not free economically and politically.  We are unable to move away from the old tribal prejudices and build a true Nigerian citizenship. Sixty-three years after independence we are still divided more than ever before and have elevated tribal fault lines to religion without any rallying national leadership.  Sixty-three years after independence we are not able to secure the lives and properties and feed our citizens; while criminals and gangsters levy taxes on communities as if there is no government in place. 

    Sixty-three years after independence, criminals kill policemen on duty and cart away their weapons, no consequences.  Insurgents, terrorists attack and ambush military patrols and convoys, no consequences.  Bandits kidnap school children and travellers daily on our roads, no consequences; families are allowed to grieve and pay hefty ransoms.  Just the other day, brigands attacked Abuja-Kaduna bound train and abducted scores, and killed many of the passengers; a government led presumably by a tough retired military general went into negotiation paying off huge ransom under cover.  

    We have lost count of number of schools and school children abducted in the northeast and northwest alone and most of them never returned or rescued. The pattern of attacks and abduction is Taliban-like campaign against the girl-child education in Afghanistan and our leaders go to sleep with two eyes closed. The spate of insecurity has become grim and frightening when soldiers are ambushed and killed on the lines of duty by brigands who share the links on social media.  

    At the end of the day, the only response from the government and military high command is the platitude that the criminals will be brought to book, ‘otan’; which book? Our rights to life and freedom of movement have been abrogated not by force of law or constitution but by the abdication of responsibility by the government that has failed to live up to its bidding to provide safety and security to citizens.

    Brigands levying war on the state and ethnic agitators for self-determination are turbaned as celebrities, heroes and freedom fighters.  These are people who are laying siege to our ways of life and attacking symbols of authority of the state.   They operate from the heartland of the communities with some of them honoured with chieftaincy titles from the traditional stools.  Politicians and clerics present these brigands as activists fighting for economic liberation of their people demanding that the federal government negotiate with them and grant them amnesty or pardon.  Political leaders and clerics cannot be holding brief for criminals and expect that the problem of insecurity will go away! 

    Sadly, the military has been misled by the wrongheaded political campaign and advocacy to embrace negotiation with these brigands and terrorists establishing dedicated units and personnel to engage in de-radicalization, training and reintegration of so-called repented terrorists.  Negotiation with terrorists and criminals just cannot be the business of the military and security forces; that is up to politicians and religious people where necessary. When soldiers are invited, the method of dialogue and negotiation will change. What I understand as a global best practice and doctrine of military negotiation with enemies of the state is through the barrels of the assault rifle.  A soldier’s dialogue with criminals and brigands should only be through the back-sight aperture of his AK-47 rifle with a view to neutralize the miscreants.  Soldiers are not trained as diplomats and arbitrators; they are trained to shoot and kill!

    The spate of insecurity is alarming almost always at this time of the year and the entire country has become a huge theatre.  We may not get to know the scale of casualties and victims in statistical exactitude but the situation is grim everywhere you go.  To live the next day in the country is counted as gain and miracle.  You have to watch your back anywhere you find yourself whether it is in the market, on the roads or in places of worship.  Even though our houses are built like correctional centres with high prison walls, the home does not offer the usual peace as a place of safety. 

    Insurgents, kidnappers and bandits are on the rampage.  The recent kidnapping of some students at the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State is not just an isolated case where the federal and state governments are trading words over the usual negotiation and pacification of the brigands.   It is a common and daily experience of the ordinary citizen.  We get to know of this latest kidnap because of the social profile of the victims.  Nigeria now compares to Haiti because kidnapping in Nigeria is not a class war as everyone is a potential target by the gangsters.  Any target that enters their net and range is captured and ransomed; the more opportunistic the target the better.

    The insurgents, bandits, unknown gunmen and other criminal elements take on the security forces, soldiers and police as a campaign of terror and intimidation on the state.  The government has been caught almost in a helpless situation engaging in pacific method of appeasement which has driven the stake high for the criminals while the victims languish in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps scattered across country without adequate quarters and boarding. Sometimes the so-called repentant terrorists even go on street protest making demand on the state for promises not kept.

    Read Also: ‘I’m not responsible for insecurity in Imo’

    The catalyst to insecurity in the country is the ethno-cultural and filial defence of the criminals whether it is banditry in the northwest or insurgency in the northeast or ethnic agitation for self-determination in the southeast.  Banditry and kidnapping have become huge trade after oil and gas.  Again, we may never know the mafia Dons and Capone behind the cartel who appear to have connection with official bureaucracy giving them ideological imprimatur and asking for state pardon and amnesty for the criminals.

    To fight insecurity, we have to also confront the pervasive corruption that permeates the ranks and file of the security agencies under the payrolls of the cartels behind the heist both in the oil industry and the merchants driving the insurgency and banditry. Official lethargy for political correctness must also be dealt with while the military and security forces must up their game.  That these criminals are allowed to get away with the audacious attacks on the police and the military without consequences send jitters the spine of citizens that insecurity is run and oiled by a cartel with political influence. 

    Time there was in this country when the mere presence of one single soldier in a neighbourhood would send miscreants and criminals in the neighbourhood scampering for safety as they take flight for fear of the symbol of the state in their presence.  Today, criminals carry the fight to soldiers and dare our security forces even in their deployment and patrols.  The expectations from the military after these attacks should be swift and almost a scotch-earth response on the miscreants capable of permanently neutralizing the audacious bravado and temerity. The brazen attacks on security forces and kidnapping and abductions have to stop.  Sometime ago, some soldiers on patrol were brutally cut down in Shiroro in Niger State by bandits and after threat of dire consequences, we have not seen the heads of those criminals on the platter. 

    Moving forward, we should accept the fact that the insecurity crippling the country is both political and criminal in their dimensions with a seamless mix.  We must also accept the fact that you don’t win the war against criminality by pacification and patronage; criminals do not rationalize.  We should try and severe the ethnic cord and filial bonds and attachment with criminal groups and stop offering them political covers.  The security forces should build up capacity and separate their military callings from political massage and patronage. Corruption in government institutions that sustain criminality and banditry should be fought with heavy hand and conscience and dismantled.  Clerics and politicians who offer platforms and ideological protection should be dealt with without sentiments.  If we fail to stand up now to confront this behemoth of insecurity, then the picture looks bleak tomorrow.  We can still rise above the old prejudices and build a Nigeria of our dream.  Happy Independence Nigeria; viva!

    • Kebonkwu Esq is an Abuja-based attorney.
  • Obi to Southeast leaders: No economic activity can flourish with insecurity

    Obi to Southeast leaders: No economic activity can flourish with insecurity

    The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25 general election, Peter Obi has told the people and leaders of the South-East that no economic activities can flourish in the region with insecurity.

    Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, urged leaders of the region to address the security challenges of the Southeast.

    In a message he sent to the Southeast Summit on Economy and Security in Owerri, Imo State capital, Obi noted that the summit was coming at an auspicious time given the disturbing insecurity in the region which has far-reaching implications for the socioeconomic and political development in the geo-political zone.

    In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, on Friday in Abuja, Obi commended the Southeast governors for being thoughtful in organising the summit and apologised for his absence despite being duly invited due to an inevitable earlier scheduled engagement outside the country.

    Obi urged the leaders to come together and speak up on the way to end the embarrassing insecurity in the region.

    He said: “This summit which is focusing merely on security and its economic impact on the Southeast has come at the most auspicious time. It’s very necessary that as a people we come together, and put our heads together to find a lasting solution to this problem of insecurity in our homeland.

    Read Also: Strike: Labour adamant, shuns parley called by govt

    “Our mainstay as a people is business, no business and indeed any other economic activity would thrive amid insecurity.

    “If we put our minds to it and work in unity and mutual trust, we will find a way out of this problem that is alien to us.

    “Let me, therefore, commend your excellences, the governors of the Southeast for initiating the idea of the summit and working together to make this a reality.

    “Let me urge everyone at this summit and those of us who are unable to attend in person to speak up, contribute ideas, and be part of the initiatives or actions that would be agreed upon at this summit to bring an end to the problem of insecurity in our region.”

    The former Anambra State governor finally prayed for “God to guide us, grant us the wisdom, strength, and courage to take the necessary steps to end insecurity in our homeland so that we can continue to work with our God-given talent and energy to restore peace, tranquility in the South East and indeed our dear country Nigeria.”

  • Fed Govt steps up action against rising insecurity

    Fed Govt steps up action against rising insecurity

    • President gives marching order
    • Ohanaeze, ACF raise dust over killings, kidnapping

    The Federal Government at the weekend stepped up action against rising insecurity in parts of the country.

    Last week, security operatives were killed in an ambush by suspected terrorists in Imo State.

    In Gusau, capital of Zamfara State, bandits invaded the campus of Federal University Gusau  and kidnapped an unspecified number of people including students, non-teaching staff members, and construction workers.

    The military went after the kidnappers and rescued seven people. The whereabouts of the others are unknown.

    Read Also: Imo and the ugly face of insecurity

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo urged the government to secure the Southeast from recurring attacks on innocent people and security forces.

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), asked government to make public its road map to securing the country.

     Yesterday, the Presidency ordered security to go after criminals. A statement by Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, said: “President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to rescue the remaining female students of the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, who were recently abducted by terrorists.

    “Condemning the reprehensible act of abduction, the President says there is no moral justification for such heinous crimes against innocent victims whose only “offence” was their pursuit of quality education.

    “While the President wholeheartedly commiserates with all families directly impacted by this sad incident, he affirms that his administration has a solemn duty to protect every Nigerian citizen and in line with this commitment, assures the families of the abducted students that no effort will be spared in ensuring their safe return.

    “Furthermore, the President pledges that the Federal Government is determined to ensure that educational institutions remain sanctuaries of knowledge, growth, and opportunity, and totally free from the menacing acts of terrorists.”

    Read Also:

    ACF demands strategy to end banditry

     ACF urged the Federal Government to rejig the country’s security architecture and come up with strategies to eradicate banditry.

    The organisation,  in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, said Nigeria required a new multi-pronged containment strategies against insecurity and other threats to schools and communities.

    Condemning the attack on the private hostels,  ACF lamented that, the attack by bandits on female hostels represented a set back to the cause of girl-child education in the country.

    The statement reads: “It is with utter consternation that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) received news about the abduction of mostly female students of the Federal University Gusau (FUGUS), from their private hostels, at Sabon Gida Village, Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    “Although official information about the incidence is scanty, relative to the enormity of the incidence, personal testimonies from witnesses to the disturbing incident suggests that the attack was well planned, coordinated and executed by the bandits/terrorists.

    “Evidently, female students were specifically targeted, and the bandits were at the crime scene fully prepared. Efforts to repel the bandits by elements of the Nigerian Army neither deterred nor stopped the bandits from going off with a yet-to-be fully ascertained number of hapless victims.

     ”ACF condemns the abductions in the strongest of terms. It is very disconcerting that such a most unfortunate criminal incident is not the first of its kind in memory but it certainly is one abduction far too many to occur in any community in Nigeria, nor elsewhere in the world.

    “For ACF, the incident is even more worrisome, being of far reaching negative implications, among many others, for access to education which, especially for the girl-child, is subject to many formidable challenges in the best of times.

    “A pointer to the unfolding tragedy is in an apparent voice note on social media where a girl was heard stating that her father had called her home, ordering that her pursuit of a university degree be abandoned; another was heard advising intending candidates for admission not to select this particular institution as place of choice. This is an absolutely and highly regrettable development to be condemned in all its ramifications.

    “ACF therefore commiserates with the victims of the attack, their parents and FUGUS;

    *Calls for and prays for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted students unharmed; and

    *Commends the security forces for their gallant response, even if ineffective in stopping the bandits in their sordid mission.

    How to halt insecurity,  by Ohanaeze

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo urged the Federal Government to adopt a non-kinetic approach to restore peace and end the incessant killings in the Southeast.

    The group also appealed to those causing violence in the region to embrace peace.

    The President-General of Ohanaeze, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, spoke in Enugu on the grave security situation  during a news  conference to announce the programme for the September 29 Igbo Day celebration.

    The elder statesman said he was tired of the killing of Igbo by Igbos.

    He said: “I don’t want us to be crying all the time. As a father, I am tired of the death of my children. Igbos have given me the responsibility of leading them at this time.

     ”Each time I hear anybody killed, I feel very sad because some of them are doing what they are doing because of hunger and unemployment.

    “I am not saying that hunger or unemployment should make somebody become a criminal. But not everyone has the capacity to endure hardship or hunger.

    “We have been using kinetic approach before now. I think, we’re going to adopt non-kinetic approach.

    “In fact, on the Igbo Day celebration, I’m likely to announce a non-kinetic approach. I will, as a father now, call everybody because Igbos have made me their leader. As a father, it’s my duty to call everybody to peace; to make peace among everybody. So, we’re initiating a non-kinetic approach to restore peace in Igboland.

    “What we’re doing now (Igbo Day celebration) is to ensure that when people finish school here, they would have opportunities. We have tried to get a lot of things done”.

    Iwuanyanwu appealed to the leaders of the unknown gunmen to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

    He said that Ohanaeze will soon send a delegation to Finland and other places to beg those causing bloodshed in the region to give peace a chance.

    Iwuanyanwua dded: “I will beg all these people (unknown gunmen). I will even give them my life if that’s what it will take to bring peace back to Igboland, I’m ready to surrender.

    “The National Executive Council (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has given me the approval to set up a committee that will go abroad to dialogue with the funders of these people.

    “We will go to Finland and other places and beg them. We’re not going there to arrest them. We’re not going there to kill them. I don’t want to kill any of my children. All these unknown gunmen are my children. That’s why we’re going there to beg and appeal to them to give peace a chance. Tell us what we should do and we are doing it already. I’m sure even those who are hungry, we can find what to do to make them happy.

    (Igbo separatists leader Simon Ekpa leaves in Finland from where he has been giving directives to those carrying out terrorism)

    “But you see, the shedding of blood should stop. My new resolution is: ‘enough of bloodshed’.

    “I have noticed that these people are determined. It’s not easy to stop a hungry person who probably has been getting his livelihood through the use of guns. But, I’m sure, if I as a father go and cry to them, we will see what will happen.

    “I trust in God. My parents were very good Christians and they taught me from cradle to trust in God. So, I believe God will do this for me.”

    The Igbo leader said the non-kinetic will work if it has the joint backing of the Federal and state governments.

    His words: “It will be good for the Federal Government to have peace in the Southeast. It won’t pay anybody to have bloodshed anywhere because nobody is benefiting from it.

    “So, whatever sacrifice they (Federal Government) make to make the non-kinetic approach work and end bloodshed, killings and violence, and so on, will be useful. That’s what I want to do.

    “In our constitution, the Federal Government has a duty to protect the lives and property of every individual.

    “So, I want to call on the Federal Government to put a stop to people stopping its citizens from going about their normal businesses.

    “Otherwise, if some aspect of our laws are activated, the Federal Government maybe paying compensation to those persons who are forced to stay at home. This is because he is staying at home because of insecurity which the Federal Government could not contain”.

    Iwuanyanwu also appealed to the Federal Government to assist the zone with the reconstruction of railways, creating seaports and more international airports to ease their businesses.

    He said: “I want to appeal to the Federal Government. Many people have been coming, be it service chiefs and all of that. We’re not looking for guns. We’re looking for opportunities for our youths.

    “Now, they are talking about palliatives. These things don’t affect the lives of a normal Igbo person because it does not change his poor condition. What you can do for an Igboman is to give him an opportunity to make a living for himself.

    “What the Federal Government can do for us is to ensure that we have the same job opportunities others have. We want them to create job opportunities here.

    “Also, we want the Federal Government to support our governors. If they can increase the funding for the five Southeast governors because they’re spending a lot of money on security. You know this security is actually supposed to be federal responsibility, not state responsibility.

    “There are other areas that the Federal Government can help us. For example, our people are traders, commercial people. Now look at the transportation problems. In the whole of Southeast, we have two international airports: Enugu Airport and Imo Cargo Airport. Up till today, Imo Cargo Airport has not started working in terms of bringing cargoes. Our people are traders. It will save them money if that cargo planes are landing in that airport.

    “Even in Enugu that’s already operating international flight, only one airline which is an African airline belonging to Ethiopia that is operating there. We need European, Asian and American-bound airlines to be operating there.

    “All these will make life  very easy for us. Take for example, railway lines are important for our kind of business. Studies have shown that if we create rail lines in the capitals of the five states, it will be a profitable business. We are going to propose it to the governors and we need the Federal Government to support it.

    “I want to use this opportunity to thank the Federal Government for the dredging of Oguta Lake. We commend Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State who got the Federal Government to do that.”

  • Insecurity: IGP to review firearms licensing, regulations

    Insecurity: IGP to review firearms licensing, regulations

    The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, is set to establish an ad hoc committee tasked with the comprehensive review of firearms licensing and regulations by the Nigeria Police Force.

    The development, Egbetokun said is in line with the Firearms Act and other extant laws, in the interest of public safety and general security.

    The committee’s mandate would encompass a thorough assessment of current firearms licensing procedures and regulations, with the aim of enhancing their effectiveness, transparency, and accountability.

    According to a statement issued on Monday, September 11, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said: “The Police will engage with relevant stakeholders, including legal experts, civil society organizations, and experts in the field, to ensure a holistic and well-informed review.

    “Similarly, in furtherance of his zeal to tackle all forms of insecurity in the country, the IGP has issued a stern warning to all individuals involved in the wrongful possession of arms and light weapons, reiterated that illegal proliferation of firearms and light weapons poses a significant threat to the peace and stability of our nation.

    “In light of this, the Nigeria Police Force is resolutely determined to combat the illegal fabrication, sales, possession and use of arms emphasizing that possessing firearms without the appropriate licenses and permits is not only a violation of the law but also a grave danger to society.”

    Read Also: Oyo to Oke-Ogun elders: join hands to address insecurity

    Ogunjobi assured that the Nigeria Police Force will spare no effort in pursuing and prosecuting those engaged in these illegal activities to the full extent of the law.

    The police boss also charged all State Commissioners of Police and supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in charge of Zonal Commands, and tactical squads to commence a total clampdown on the illegal fabrication, sale, possession, and use of prohibited firearms in the country.

    He urged all Nigerians to report suspicious activities related to firearms to their local police divisions or via the various NPF social media platforms for prompt response.

  • Insecurity: Global rights advocacy group asks Nigeria to embrace dialogue

    Insecurity: Global rights advocacy group asks Nigeria to embrace dialogue

    A global rights advocacy group, the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), has asked the federal government to deploy dialogue and other peaceful engagement mechanisms in its efforts to address the lingering security challenge in the country.

    The IHRC said the country would achieve more if it engages those behind terrorism, banditry, agitations, and related activities in dialogue as against relying solely on force.

    While noting that the government has recorded measurable achievements in its efforts at curbing insecurity, the IHRC sought the enhancement of the capacity of the security agencies and their prompt deployment to troubled areas.

    IHRC’s Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, Hezekiah Duru expressed the group’s view while speaking in Abuja about a symposium on “International humanitarian law and conflicts: An African perspective,” being planned by the group for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on September 8.

    Duru added: “At IHRC, we believe in the need for increased peace advocacy to protect the rights of people globally and to promote the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights amongst countries.

    “It is critical and requires the support of all stakeholders to be sustained, particularly in Africa which has experienced some escalation of armed conflicts.

    “The one thing that is common to the conflicts, however, is that the civilian population is often subjected to gross human rights violations and humanitarian disasters. The dire consequences of these events spin off into adverse international humanitarian crises which we now have in our hands in parts of the world including Africa.

    “These myriad circumstances and complexities, as we currently witness across the African continent are precisely the issues that create a problem and challenge to International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

    “Like most laws, however, international humanitarian law needs and tends to respond to the challenge,” Duru said, adding that this realization informed the planned symposium.

    Read Also: Farmer-Herder clash: ‘Tinubu ‘ll tackle insecurity’

    Duru added:  “The essence of this symposium is to focus on the justification and promotion of humanitarian intervention and peace-building in Africa, particularly in countries which unfortunately are experiencing armed conflict, either in the form of terrorism, wars, coup d’états, insurgencies, banditry. militancy, etc.

    “The symposium is strategically set up to stimulate discussions, consult, and harvest the opinions of critical actors and successful experiences to help develop a logical action plan and strategy for a broad-based humanitarian engagement in conflict areas in Nigeria and Africa.

    “Other unique highlights of this symposium include the presentation of the International Humanitarian Service Awards, which are designed to honour deserving citizens globally by the Secretary-General of the International Human Rights Commission in Switzerland as a major feature of his inaugural visit to Nigeria.”

  • How we intend to tackle insecurity – NSA

    How we intend to tackle insecurity – NSA

    The Federal government has reiterated its resolve to tackle the security challenges with vigour and the buy-in of Nigerians.

    The National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu said the government will birth a new security apparatus where inter-agency collaboration will take the centre stage.

    Ribadu, while presenting a lead paper on Crafting a Strategic Blueprint for Security and Prosperity at the 2023 conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja, also assured the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) will be better equipped with trained workforce.

    According to him, the government will take tough decisions on security because it has seen l the most significant threat to Nigeria’s socio economic well being is from terrorist groups and other non-state actors operating in various parts of the country.

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    The NSA however stressed that in relation to the approach to security, the national security structure needs to operate as a system rather than a collection of separate components.

    “This is aimed at establishing a unified effort among government agencies to maximise all available resources in a collective effort.

    “More so today’s security challenges have increased the demand for interagency collaboration in order to deliver kinetic and non kinetic efforts needed to address these challenges”, he noted.

    Citing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s resolve on tackling insecurity, he said: “We must focus on one tune, coordinate, share information, share intelligence and work harder.

    “This administration will spare nothing in ensuring smooth synergy between all within all ministries departments and agencies to foster a whole of government approach to the nation’s security intervention”.

  • Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic debunks reported insecurity

    Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic debunks reported insecurity

    The management of Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, Oyo State has refuted reports of insecurity inside the institution by some online platforms. 

    It described the news as misleading and targeted at tarnishing good image of the Institution.

    Students of the institution on Monday protested alleged repeated cases of armed robbery and rape in communities around the school but some blogs reported that the robbery attacks mostly took place within the premises of the Institution.

    A statement by the acting Registrar of the institution, Mr. Oladele Oladipo, urged the public to disregard such misinformation because the incident happened outside the school premises.

    Parts of the statement read: “Eruwa is the host community of the Institution and we can’t ignore the fact that some of our dear students were victims of the occurrences, and the Management of the Institution is not happy about it.”

    “Since the outbreak of the insecurity challenges in the community, the Management held a series of security meetings with relevant stakeholders within the community, including  security personnels and necessary measures have been put in place by concerned authorities, all in a bid to put an end to the menace.”

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    “We should not shy away from the fact that there are insecurity challenges in every part of the country but as management of the institution and in conjunction with relevant community stakeholders, we are putting adequate measures in place (and relating with various government quarters) to put an urgent end to the prevailing challenges. It’s also significant to inform the general public that none of the incidents happened within the premises of the Polytechnic, as the school environment still remains peaceful.”

    “Our decision as management in asking students to proceed on two weeks’ mid-semester break, effective from yesterday Monday 28th August to Monday September 11th, 2023, is to avoid possible misunderstanding between the students and indigenes of the host community. At the same time, we aim to use the period to engage necessary stakeholders in finding lasting solution to the challenge.”

    “We equally use this medium to appreciate the security personnel and all relevant stakeholders within and outside the community who have been actively and positively involved in the fight against insecurity in our area. We also encourage the public to ignore misinformation from agents of fake news.”

  • Timeline to end insecurity

    Timeline to end insecurity

    It does appear we are about to witness renewed momentum in the fight against the unceasing insecurity that has kept the country on its knees for some years now. 

    Last week’s demand by the new Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru on service chiefs to furnish him with timeline and requirements to end insecurity seems to reinforce this indication. Its prospect can also be gleaned from the assurances of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa that all issues of conflict of interest which they had in the past have now been put behind with a pledge to do everything it takes to ensure success.

    They spoke when the minister assumed office last week. Badaru underscored the primacy of security: “We’ve to deliver and for the sake of our country, we know without security, there will be no investment, there will be no economic growth, and even our food security is threatened”.

    The timeline and requirements for ending insecurity according to Badaru are for President Tinubu to monitor the success of the renewed onslaught against all forms of insecurity. But the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle apparently drawing from his experience as immediate past governor of Zamfara State was quick to add they recognize that military power alone cannot guarantee lasting security and stability. Zamfara is one of the states notorious for the insurgency of the ‘bandits’.

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    It is heart-warming the federal government is seeking a timeline and requirements to enable it wage decisive war against all forms of insecurity. Nigerians who have borne the brunt of the near state of anarchy unleashed by a coterie of non-state actors cannot wait for the day they will sleep with their eyes closed.

    The prospect that insecurity will someday be tamed should gladden the hearts of our citizens who have over the years, suffered the debilitating effects of multifarious security infractions that have continued to question the authority of the Nigerian state. With set timeline and appropriate tools, the government should be able to effectively prosecute the war by monitoring the performance of our security agencies against set targets. This will be in sharp contrast with several orders and deadlines issued by the last regime that were neither monitored nor enforced. It was little surprising the security situation refused to record substantial improvement.

    But extreme care must be brought to bear in setting such timelines. The nature and character of the war against insurgency should instruct just that. Our experience in the fight in the last few years should also serve as a veritable guide.

    Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Edward Gabkwet’s position on the complexity of an insurgency war should be instructive. Apparently unhappy with media reportage of the unfortunate incident in Niger State, he had said: “we are fighting an insurgency and if anybody thinks insurgency is something that is tackled in such an easy manner, he should go back to history books and find out how other nations have been facing the same problem”.

    We have seen overambitious and exaggerated deadlines that ended up a mockery of themselves. There have been bogus claims of successes and achievements in the war that have continued to haunt those that made them many years after.

    So as eager as our citizens are to see substantial decrease in the festering insecurity, it is important to set realistic and achievable timelines. Sufficient provisions should be made for non-military options that are also potent in addressing the factors that incubate insecurity. There are structural and systemic obstacles to the efficiency and effective performances of our security personnel. This is not the time for wishful thinking, bogus and unrealistic promises.

    A few months in the first tenure of the Buhari administration, the former president had gleefully declared that Boko Haram had been technically defeated. He claimed the insurgents had been so degraded that they were incapable of mustering sufficient fire power to confront military formations. Not a few Nigerian and foreign observers were taken aback by that claim coming at the time it did.

    It soon dawned on everyone that Buhari’s claims bore no semblance with the realities of the war. It was rather an expression of hope as the insurgents continued to be active and daring, extending their influence to areas their activities were hitherto alien.

    Severally, Buhari issued directives to security chiefs to wipe out the insurgents. But not much changed. A national newspaper chronicled 29 instances of such directives in the last three years without any respite in sight.

    The matter got to a head towards the end of last year compelling the National Assembly to issue a six-week ultimatum to Buhari to end insecurity or face impeachment proceedings. Though nobody saw the possibility of the former National Assembly impeaching Buhari, but the ultimatum showed how degenerate the security situation had become.

     In turn, Buhari issued a fresh deadline to the military to end insecurity by December 2022. That did not happen such that he again vowed to end all forms of insecurity before leaving office on May 29.

    He has since left office even as the country continues to battle the festering security challenges. A new set of people are at the topmost security echelon of the country following their appointment by President Tinubu. The president now demands a fresh timeline and requirements to enable him end insecurity in a country listed by the Global Terrorism Index as the sixth most terrorized country in the world.

    The fight against insecurity is not a tea party. Not with recent events in Niger State that culminated in the killing of 36 officers and soldiers by the insurgents. The fallen military men according to Defence Headquarters were killed in an ambush by terrorists in the Zungeru general area of the state and the crashed Nigerian Air Force helicopter that was evacuating those killed and wounded in the attack.

    Sad as the casualty level is, that singular attack is stunning given that Niger State is not generally recorded as a serious theatre of the war against insurgency. To have recorded such a high level of casualty in both officers and soldiers in one fell swoop shows how daunting the task of taming the monster has become.

    But signals of the insurgents’ occupation of some local government areas of the state have always been there. The immediate past governor of that state Abubakar Sani had in April 2021 raised the alarm that Boko Haram hoisted its flags in the two local government areas of Kaure and Shiroro.

    “I am confirming that there are Boko Haram elements here in Niger State, here in Kaure. Their wives (of the villagers) have been seized from them and forcefully attached to Boko Haram members. I am confirming that they have hoisted their flags here, they have taken over the territory”, the former governor had alerted.

     He further lamented that despite his efforts in engaging the federal government to halt the intrusion, this was allowed to end in vain even as Abuja, the seat of power is seriously threatened given its proximity to the local governments. The frustrations of the former governor illustrate the unsatisfactory manner the former regime at the centre responded to security infractions across the country.

    Had the federal government taken decisive measures to address the warnings from the state government on the incursions of the terrorists, Boko Haram may not have been so entrenched in the area such that it could levy mortal harm on our officers and men. So the challenge before the new regime in the fight against all forms of criminality is really daunting given the wide spread of the malfeasance.

    It is unfortunate despite all the claims of success in the war that insecurity has now cascaded to areas that were hitherto considered safe. So in setting the timeline to guide performance, the government must be methodical and painstaking in identifying the various dimensions the phenomenon has assumed.

    More fundamentally, insecurity will be effectively decreased when the government realistically addresses such incubating factors as poverty, injustice, alienation and all forms inequities in statecraft. That is the task before the new administration. How the president proceeds on these irreducible decimals, will make a difference between him and his predecessor.

  • ‘Fed Govt should tackle medicine insecurity’

    ‘Fed Govt should tackle medicine insecurity’

    The Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) has urged the Federal Government to initiate urgent measures to address medicine insecurity in order to ensure the availability of drugs and enhancement of the public healthcare system in the country.

    Speaking during a briefing to kickstart its 24th annual national scientific conference themed:  “Medicine Insecurity: A major threat to Public Health”, yesterday in Lagos, AHAPN’s National President, Olabode Ogunjemiyo, noted that scarcity of essential drugs is inimical to the delivery of healthcare service in the country.

    ‘’We all know the important roles medicines play in the detection, prevention, and treatment of diseases among the populace. Have you ever imagined what the world would be like without medicines? In order to guarantee the health of the nation, medicine security must be of the essence. However, what we see happening is the non-availability of essential medicines in our health institutions for avoidable reasons. This conference seeks to look at the challenges with medicine security and proffer solutions to them.

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     Ogunjemiyo attributed the non-availability of essential drugs for the treatment of patients to reasons for the exodus of pharmacists to Western countries in recent times.

    ‘’The Pharmaceutical sector is one of the most important sections of the health sector as it guarantees the availability of affordable, effective, and quality drugs to care for the health needs of the population. It is no longer news that healthcare workers especially Pharmacists are leaving the country in their numbers.”

    ‘’ Some of the reasons why the Japa (leaving the country) syndrome is high among Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists are poor implementation of the Drug Revolving Fund Scheme, the prevention of pharmacists from providing direct pharmaceutical care to patients. outright refusal by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Chief Executive Officers of hospitals to implement the newly approved call duty allowances and entry point for pharmacists with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD.) Degree, pathetic and unfavourable working conditions of pharmacists, discriminatory  and poor welfare packages for pharmacists in Nigerian public hospitals and non-implementation of circulars and policies that favour pharmacy practice.’’