The Nation Newspaper

Tag: INSECURITY

  • We remain resolute in mobilising all military assets to eliminate insecurity – Tinubu

    We remain resolute in mobilising all military assets to eliminate insecurity – Tinubu

    President Bola Tinubu has said that the government will mobilise all military and law enforcement assets to eliminate security threats to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.

    The President said this on Monday at the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference in Lagos

    Tinubu who was represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, said that his administration was determined to restore Nigeria’s pride of place in Africa and beyond charging the military to remain steadfast, disciplined and professional.

    “We are primarily committed to the modernisation of the armed forces through improved training, modern equipment, and enhanced operational capacity to confront evolving threats.

    “Following the induction of helicopters into the Nigerian Army Aviation and the training of pilots, we have advanced the procurement of additional mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, armored vehicles, and patrol vehicles.

    “We have also refurbished over 100 armored fighting vehicles now returned to active service. These efforts reflect our clear commitment to strengthening the Nigerian Army’s operational readiness,” he said.

    Tinubu said that his administration was deepening partnerships with friendly nations to expand research, innovation, and indigenous production, steadily moving Nigeria towards a new reliance in defense and security.

    He applauded the army and the armed forces remarkable achievements in the ongoing fight against terrorism, banditry, and other criminal activities.

    According to him, the positive reports emerging from the various theaters of operations were encouraging and stand as testimony to their courage, resilience, and professionalism.

    He said that the gains recorded through joint operations with sister services and other security agencies further underscore the power of unity of purpose in our collective resolve to safeguard the nation.

    “The Nigerian Army must continue to uphold its apolitical posture and operate strictly within the framework of the constitution and the national security strategy,” he said.

    The president said that he was particularly pleased with the Army’s extensive civil-military cooperation initiatives across the country.

    “These initiatives speak to understanding that security is not only about force of arms, but also about winning hearts, restoring dignity, and improving the quality of life of our people,” he said.

    Tinubu recognised the impressive successes recorded by the Nigerian Army in its diverse operations and training activities.

    He said that the efforts had sharpened the effectiveness of troops and enhanced their capacity to operate in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous security environment, both locally and globally.

    “The nation deeply values your sacrifices and remains grateful to the officers and soldiers who paid the supreme price in defense of our fatherland.

    “Their courage is etched permanently into our national memory. As a government, we are resolved in our responsibility to care for the families of our fallen heroes, ensuring that they are supported and never forgotten.

    “Equally, we must continue to motivate and enhance the welfare of serving personnel through improved amenities and programs that reflect our appreciation for your service,” Tinubu said.

    He said that his administration would continue to provide the motivation, support, and resources required for the Nigerian army to excel in its noble duty of defending our territorial integrity.

    Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Waidi Shaibu, all officers and soldiers for the clarity of vision and sense of purpose with which they continued to lead and serve.

    The conference will end on Dec. 19.

    (NAN)

  • ISSUE OF THE YEAR (1) 2025: The huge cost of insecurity

    ISSUE OF THE YEAR (1) 2025: The huge cost of insecurity

    Nigeria has been under the siege of terrorism since 2009 when Boko Haram began its inexplicable onslaught. Since then more groups like the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Ansaru, have joined the fray. In recent months, the spate of abductions and killings has increased, resulting in the country’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern by the United States government. Deputy Editor Emmanuel Oladesu examines the cost of insecurity across the nation and renewed efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reinvigorate the anti-terror war.

    Nigeria will not forget the outgoing year in a hurry, particularly the pain and anxiety unleashed by terror.   The fear of kidnapping has been the beginning of wisdom. Everybody is a target. No Nigerian, high or low, is off the radar of abductors.  Vigilance at home, school, market, church, social events and on the road has become the watchword.

    From far-flung villages to bubbling towns bandits inflict trauma, causing deep physical and emotional wounds. The statistics are startling. As at June, this year, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reported 3,012 kidnappings and N3, 584 killings in the last 15 months.

    Also, a report by a research firm, SBM Intelligence, in August, revealed the scale of the kidnapping crisis. No fewer than 4,722 people were abducted and N2.57 billion paid to kidnappers as ransom between July 2024 and June 2025.

    The report, titled: ‘Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry’, paints an astonishing picture of a booming criminal enterprise fuelled by the motivating financial gains from horror and apparent weak law enforcement.

    Not all the cases of kidnappings and killings are captured by the media. But also devastating is the number of missing persons as more Nigerians are lost to armed conflicts, herder-farmer conflicts, inter-ethnic tensions, serial abductions and money rituals.

    According to the International Committee of Red Cross, in an October report, over 23,659 people were missing and 13, 595 families devastated.

    At a time the country is rising, like a Phoenix from the ashes of economic retardation and achieving stability under the Tinubu administration, insecurity is growing. This has given rise to fears, by observers, that some of the incidents may be politically-motivated.

    The spate of killings has thrown country into a big storm. Despite huge expenditure and the determination of security agencies to reclaim Nigeria from its tormentors, relief is still far; life is not safe; it is becoming short, nasty and brutish.

    Expectedly, the whipping boy is the government, not for lack of efforts, but due to the perception that it is its primary duty to protect lives and property. 

    In the last two months, the wave of abductions reached a crescendo. Between November 17 and 21, the country experienced four violent cases of abduction and brutal killing.

    The seizure of students in Niger and Kebbi schools, the kidnapping of Brigadier-General Musa Uba who died in captivity, and the abduction of 38 worshippers in Eruku and 11 others in Isapa in Kwara State caused general anxiety. It was a relief that the 38 victims returned home safely, like those 21 passengers rescued at the weekend in Kogi by security forces.

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    At St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger State, 303 students and 12 teachers were snatched. The number surpassed the 276 taken away during the infamous Chibok mass abduction of 2014. Although 50 have returned home, 250 are still being held.

    Ultimately, world attention has shifted to the most populous black country on earth, now designated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by United States President Donald Trump, following persistent allegations of Christian genocide by vocal Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leaders.

    There is no reprieve for the Northeast states of Borno, Yobe and some areas in Adamawa. In the Northwest, it is almost daily lamentations in troubled spots in Zamfara and Kebbi. These are Muslim-dominated environments. In Manga, Plateau State, there is ethno-religious tension. The Regional Leader of the Church of Christ in Nations, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, complained that a church was forcefully seized and turned into a mosque. In the state, many communities were raided by marauders.

    The response to terror in Christian-dominated North-Central areas by Christian leaders contrasts sharply with reactions by their Muslim counterparts. It is not without justification, although the claim that only non-Muslims are targets paled into propaganda.

    In April, over 56 people lost their lives in a series of attacks in Benue State by suspected herders, to be followed by 42 deaths in May. Indeed, government has not kept quiet over the tragedy. Arrests of suspects were made and they were arraigned in court. The killings in Plateau State follow the same pattern.

    The incessant attacks has led to serious humanitarian crisis, particularly the displacement of over 5, 00,000 people who now sojourn in Internally Displaced Camps without access to adequate food, water, sanitation and healthcare.

    During the June 14 attack by gunmen on Yelwata, more 100 people were killed and over 3,941 fled their homes. Officials of Amnesty International who visited the scene reported the smell of decomposing bodies hung in the air, bullet shells littering the ground, and mass graves dug to bury the dead. Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camped in Gwer West, Agatu, Ukum, Kwande, Logo, Guma and Makurdi and the makeshift IDP camp at Makurdi Modern Market had tales of woes to tell. These populations are made more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

    Many traditional rulers and priests have fallen victims. Not all of them came back alive. Many soldiers and policemen have also been killed on battlefields in the course of repelling terror attacks.

    Trump has threatened military action over what he described as the “mass slaughter” of Christians, a claim the Federal Government has rejected because both Christians and Muslims are often indiscriminately killed by the terror gangs.

    The attacks cut across the six geopolitical zones in varying degrees. In fact, recent ones show that members of terrorist groups in Nigeria can crisscross the country unhindered.

    In the North, Boko Haram, ISWAP and Ansaru are consistently on the prowl. Their hideouts are mostly in the North; in forests within Sambisa in Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Zanfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger and Kaduna.

    In the Southeast are members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) who defy the law by killing, maiming, preventing free movement and disrupting socio-economic activities. The ring leader of the outlawed group, Nnamdi Kanu, was recently jailed by an Abuja Federal High Court for terrorism.

    In the Southwest and South-South are kidnappers and ritualists, who are driven by economic interests. In some instances, kidnappings are even orchestrated by family members to dupe the target.

    Many have reasoned that the baseline for defeating terror is to detect and cut off the source of funding. But bandits could now be self-sponsored through kidnapping for ransom.

    “Economic incentives like ransom money from kidnappings, livestock rustling earnings, or territorial control for extortion are often what motivate bandit gangs, said a researcher, Adeola Aderayo, in a paper titled: Conflict enterpreneurship and rural banditry in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

    Another researcher, Nsirimudu Okwuwada, said to tackle banditry, the causes should be unravelled. He attributed the prevalence of “the barbaric, horrendous, heinous, and despicable dimensions of carnage, massacres, and bloodletting orchestrated by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other organized violent crime syndicates” to unemployment, neglect of some communities in wealth distribution, lack of government visibility, lack of equal economic opportunity, uncontrolled influx of fire arms, poverty, and religious fanaticism.

    The borders remain porous and foreigners come into the country through illegal routes.

    Over 1,000 of such serve as unguarded routes for systematic invasion by foreigners who now torment Nigeria. Some of them are involved in illegal mining activities, which “threaten environmental safety, public health and security.”

    Terrorism and banditry have devastating effects. The image of Nigeria is dented. The economy is damaged through disrupted trade, leading to loss of jobs and income. Investment drive is impacted because it requires a conducive atmosphere to thrive.

    Food crisis results from the activities of terrorists and bandits who invade farmlands and prevent farmers from cultivating their land and loot stored grains. Due to food scarcity, the prices increase.

    Also, attacks on schools have led to school closure and disruptions of the academic calendar. In some areas in the North, school enrolment has dropped. Abducted students suffer from post-traumatic disorders and fear of unsafe school environment. In fact, experts have warned that children who witness these horrors need psychological assistance to avoid growing up to become adults who may perceive brutality as acceptable cultural values.

    The need to liberate the country from the criminals also constitutes a drain on government revenue and resources, which should have been channelled into the provision of public infrastructure and other essential welfare services. The budget is strained and funds are ultimately diverted from development initiatives.

    Experts say Nigerians would need more soldiers and drones to fight the war.

    However, the Federal Government is determined to end terrorism. President Tinubu has now declared total war. He has given a nod to the establishment of state police as part of measures to combat rising insurgency and banditry.

    The president, who declared a nationwide security emergency in response to the wave of violent attacks, directed the military and the police to embark on massive recruitment of personnel in readiness for a reinvigorated onslaught against terror. He said to strengthen the current federal police; the police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000.

    The president also ordered the activation of forest guards and tighter security measures for all vulnerable areas.

  • Insecurity and northern elites

    Insecurity and northern elites

    • By Kola Amzat

    Sir: Quite a number of well-meaning Nigerians, respected diplomats, as well as religious leaders have passionately appealed to President Bola Tinubu to replicate across Nigeria, the same decisiveness and spirit of urgency he deployed to abort recent coup in Republic of Benin, to tackle the challenges of insurgence, banditry and general unending insecurity across the country.

    With no shadow of doubt, the ruthlessness and breath-taking fashion of Nigerian troops in routing out Benin Republic coup plotters underscores what Nigeria armed forces are capable of doing…internally and externally, if the circumstances are right.

    For emphasis, Nigeria troops significantly contributed to the final collapse of apartheid in South Africa.   Nigerian troops were the military backbone of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) from 2003-2018, assisting to ultimately restore security and orderliness into the country that had been ravaged by brutal civil war.

    Militarily, Nigeria troops were towering and indomitable in peacekeeping efforts in Congo, Chad, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Darfur, as well as providing military assistance to Gambia and Tanzania. 

    How come it’s taking the same armed forces decades to neutralize the internal banditry, insurgency and criminality?

    How come there are discordant tunes amongst the military in the North, West, South and East of Nigeria, a challenge alien to the armed forces of that glorious time?

    For the avoidance of doubt, the problem of militating against this government is an internal challenge, rooted in the entrenched interest of the Northern group of elites.  

    In the North-west, North-east and North-central where there are preponderance of bandits, insurgents and criminals, the political leaders and traditional rulers have over decades paid little or no attention to the very powerful and stupendously wealthy men, as well as financiers of terrorists, who together hold the country by the jugular.

    Until the men in authority and power that be, in the northern regions collaborate and resolve to work in conjunction with the Tinubu government in its efforts to deal and completely neutralize the key figures and the so-called untouchables in the north who now control the bands of criminals and militias in the region, the criminals would continue to hold the nation to ransom.

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    Instructively, the identities of these men, funding terrorism were disclosed in 2017 when UAE authority arrested, prosecuted and convicted six Nigerians alongside other foreign terrorism sponsors.

    For the president and federal government to make significant headway in combating criminality, banditry and insurgency, northern authority must collaborate with the government in order to draw curtains on the activity of these agents of darkness.   

    It’s also important to emphasize the high level of frustration in the densely populated north, challenge necessitated by wide-scale poverty, low-level of education amongst the generality of citizenry, very poor health schemes, and generally non-exposure of millions of northern youths.

    With the diverse challenges highlighted above, the continually hungry teeming youths, with little or no care, coupled with scourge of illiteracy, are easily attracted and recruited into criminality and banditry.

    It’s indeed unfortunate that quite a number of northern stakeholders have continually been making reckless pronouncements drawing comparison between insurgents in the North and militants in the Niger Delta region, a deliberate attempt aimed at subjecting the government to pressure to adopt the same treatment for the two separate groups.

    The two groups are never the same. They don’t fight for the same cause! They’re obviously not driven by the same agenda!

    For Nigeria therefore to triumph in the battle against banditry and insurgency, the northern elites must arise and work in concert with the government.

    The north must dutifully accept that the region contributed to the unrest and general climate of insecurity in their region, and by extension, all over Nigeria.

    They must accept that the wide-scale insecurity in the north is what has overflown to other regions, causing breaking down of law and order.

    •Kola Amzat (FCA, FCIB),

    Lagos.

  • Insecurity: Our fears, expectations, by students

    Insecurity: Our fears, expectations, by students

    Following the security situation in the country, students in tertiary institutions have bared the minds on the issue,urging the Federal Government to double its efforts at tackling the scourge of kidnapping and banditry, and ensure the nation is safe for everyone. WONDERFUL ADEGOKE (UDUS) reports.

    Over the years, Nigerians have groaned under the weight of rising insecurity. So tense is the situation that hardly does a week pass without news of mass abductions and kidnappings across various states.

    The declaration of a nationwide security emergency, mass recruitment of police and army personnel, and approved salary hikes for security agents is only one part of the story in the stonewall attempts to change the tide; the question before us is not whether we can keep pointing fingers, but rather, what approach our government intends to take to absolve itself of the damage caused thus far.

    For Ishaq Ibrahim Olamilekan, a 200-Level Civil Engineering student at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), notwithstanding the communiqués issued in recent times to address the complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges, the government needs to double up its efforts.

    He said: “Insecurity has become a serious threat to education in many parts of the country. Learning gets disrupted when students and teachers are not in a safe environment. While education has its share of difficulties across the nation, insecurity impedes the process of imparting knowledge and skills to people in order to shape their behaviours and make them productive members of the society.”

    The truth, however, is that Olamilekan’s view doesn’t only capture a deepening neglect but also builds a foundation of understanding in different opinions, cultures, and dispositions.

    Referencing the recent relocation of staff and students at Kwara State University (KWASU) from its Ilesha Baruba campus in Baruten LGA to the main campus in Malete, for security concerns, Jafar Yahaya, a 400-Level student of Public Administration, shares a disturbing truth. According to Yahaya, the farther students go, the more they find themselves turning with questions.

    Of his plans for resumption, he said: “As I speak to you, I don’t even know when to return to school.

    “Students lose interest in learning because their attention is not with them, as efforts are turned towards being vigilant enough to defend themselves.”

    His fears aren’t unfounded. Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics makes travelling a nightmare. Of the 2.2 million Nigerians kidnapped between May 2023 and May 2024, the agency noted, majority were from Northern regions.

    Ponting at the injustice of sidelining many from their fundamental right to education, another UDUS student, who prefers to be identified as Aliyu, shares a similar perspective.

    He’s reluctant to tag the situation as a failure of leadership. But instead, rates efforts to rejig the country’s security structures as inadequate.

    Although majority of these challenges were inherited, Aliyu said, were it not for the political will surrounding accountability, President Tinubu’s administration shouldn’t be exempted from questioning. The results?

    “Some tertiary institutions in Kebbi and Sokoto states are shut down, not for academic reasons, but because of the upsurge in kidnapping and banditry. Students in these institutions now sit at home, hopeless, unsure of when their schools will reopen. Many who once craved  a better life after graduation now have their hopes on hold.

    “For this same reason, many people get discouraged, especially those from the affected states, from pursuing education,” said Aliyu.

    What makes the situation more alarming is its ripple effects on the economic condition and the cost of food stuffs. CAMPUS LIFE understands from information obtained from sources that the adverse effects rubs off on their academic performance.

    Shaibu Rufai Omale, a 200-Level Pure and Environmental Chemistry Student, bears witness. Omale said: “It leads to food insecurity. In a country that doesn’t import food items, when farmers are unable to return to their farms, how do you expect to ensure food commodities are available?”

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    This, he said, goes beyond regulating the prices of commodities. “The central concern extends to how lifestyles are stringed to conform to the economic realities, even at the expense of malnutrition,” he said.

    Fortunately, all is not lost yet. According to Elom Chioma Favour, a 200-Level Medical Laboratory Science student of Alex Ekueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, the onus lies on the government.

    Chioma said, shouldn’t the lack of inclusive and equitable learning opportunities be enough to compel the Nigerian Senate to enact the Terrorism Act and other extant laws?

    Faulting the budgetary allocations to defence and security, she lamented the gross negligence captured in a 2023 report released by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) on the implementation of just 15 per cent policy recommendations from security  conferences anchored by the legislature since 2011.

    Speaking further, she said the government could make up for people losing  faith in their capacity to protect lives by being accountable.

    “The government already knows what to do. They should go after the bandits and provide security officials with adequate weapons,” she added.

    Chioma believes it’s  time to put an end to the same script: solemn faces, zero results, tough words. According to her,  civil military relations should be established to build rapport in local communities for intelligence sharing.

    “More importantly, a major way to end not only the corruption ingrained in the security forces but to reduce the possibilities of future incidents of sabotaging within the workforce could be made possible through civic engagement, public awareness, and interstate peace building collaboration,” she said.

  • Insecurity: SSANU urges govt to deploy surveillance technology in schools

    Insecurity: SSANU urges govt to deploy surveillance technology in schools

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has expressed concern over the security challenges confronting the nation.

    The union said the recent abduction of students and teachers in Niger and Kebbi States highlighted a dangerous trend that threatens education at all levels.

    SSANU therefore urged the federal and state governments to prioritise security in all educational institutions by deploying modern surveillance technology in schools.

    The union said this during its 53rd National Executive Council (NEC) at the University of Jos, Plateau State, where it reviewed the state of the nation, assessed developments in the Nigerian university system, and deliberated on issues affecting the welfare of its members.

    The union stated in a communique signed by its National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, “NEC expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity across the country, especially the spike in kidnappings targeting schools and university environments. The recent abduction of students and teachers in Niger and Kebbi States highlights a dangerous trend that threatens education at all levels.

    “The Council calls on the Federal and State Governments to prioritize security in all educational institutions by deploying modern surveillance technology, strengthening perimeter protection, and improving intelligence and community-based security systems. University security architecture must be upgraded, and staff must be covered by comprehensive health and life insurance.”

    The NEC also expressed dissatisfaction with the longstanding marginalisation of non-teaching staff in both the payment of Earned Allowances and the government’s renegotiation engagements.

    It insisted that the ₦50 billion agreed upon in the 2022 MoU/MoA must be released without further delay and that Inter-University Centres and research institutes, wrongly excluded in previous disbursements, must be fully included in the next payment.

    According to the union, the continued denial of financial entitlements to its members was unacceptable and would attract firm, coordinated action.

    “NEC further reviewed the activities of the expanded renegotiation committee and noted that the government has failed to make a substantial commitment to SSANU, even while giving preferential treatment to others.

    “This pattern reflects a deliberate and persistent exclusion of non-teaching staff. The Council resolved that if the government fails to conclude credible renegotiations and present a realistic offer by December 31st, 2025, SSANU will be compelled to initiate total, comprehensive, and system-wide industrial action in 2026 to defend the rights and dignity of its members,” the communique said.

    It added, “The 53rd NEC Meeting reaffirmed the commitment of SSANU to defend the welfare, rights, and dignity of its members. The Council calls on government at all levels to take urgent steps to address the issues raised and engage constructively with non-teaching staff who form the backbone of Nigeria’s universities.

    “SSANU will continue to pursue dialogue, but it will not hesitate to take lawful action where necessary to protect its members and secure the future of the Nigerian university system.”

  • Insecurity and hereafter

    Insecurity and hereafter

    • By Abdu Rafiu

    The trumpet of insecurity is blowing louder by the day, literally speaking. It is blowing loud enough for the deaf to hear and the accompanying air thick enough for the blind to touch. The waves are sweeping unrelentingly through the land, mostly through the Northern states. It was such that the Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas came back from end-of year/New Year Recess in January last year seething with rage, determined to give the setting up of state police unhindered and priority legislative attention. That was as far back as January, 2024. Bubbling with excitement I wrote:

    “It has been reported that top on the legislative thinking of the House of Representatives when it reconvenes on January 30 is the issue of security and the concomitant imperative of the establishment of state police. We should all applaud and support them. In the face of seeming intractable insecurity bedevilling the country, that certainly is the right step and it raises a great deal of hope. It would have been a height of insensitivity to watch on, believing that the present security architecture is all there to protect Nigerians from terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and what have you. It is said that you cannot continue to do the same thing, using the same method and expect a different result.

    “It has been the same shibboleth, the same beaten track, the same old hat since Yusuf Gobir Committee report which recommended one central policing system for the whole country in 1967. We have heard it repeatedly said and as much as possible, done—that all that is needed is increased funding, training and raising the numerical strength of the police under the current dispensation. But all that has not given Nigerians the desired protection.”

    As I have said on these pages a few times by way of a reminder, “The Gobir Committee was set up by General Aqui-Ironsi but he did not live to see the report and implement it. The recommendations were passed to General Gowon, his successor who gave them effect in August 1967. Regional police formations were consequently abolished, swallowed by the Federally-run Nigeria Police. Understandably, generals are raised under one command system. But why should the system subsist and tie the hands of states under a democratic order waving the federalism emblem going to 25 years come May?”

    I was rounding off this column on Wednesday when my attention was drawn to President Bola Tinubu’s statement undoubtedly made in response to the nation’s recent experiences. The statement is commendably action-packed. It is no longer an indication of intent and all heat, but no motion. He had said in June this year that the setting up of “state police is no longer an option but an imperative”. Now, he is walking his talk. He has called on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them. That is how it should be.

    Two months earlier, March 14, 2024, there was a clear hope-filled development on the subject as it had become clear that the Federal and State governments had reached an agreement of minds that the establishment of state police was the way to go in order to tackle the hydra-headed insecurity challenges in the land. Picking the vibes, most people must have found it enheartening that both tiers of government had come to the same page, hearkening to the outcry across the landfor the establishment of state police. But then time was of the essence. It is must be given bite immediately. It is quite a pity that it has taken such a long time to see that the solution to the insecurity bedevilling our land is the establishment of state police.

    Something so simple to see and so commonsensical to contemplate and perceive! Because of the lackadaisical attitude of certain leaders criminals were let loose on the country. Citizens have been exposed to mindless attacks and destruction of properties. It is already 11 years since 276 Chibok school girls in Borno were kidnapped from their dormitories; no fewer than 96 of them remain in captivity till date! On February 19, 2018, terrorists broke into another girls’ school, Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, running away with 110 girls. Five of them died that same day. Boko Haram released 104, except Leah Sharibu who refused to deny Christ and change her faith.

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    Not long after, a new wave of kidnapping returned to Borno State when about 400 persons were kidnapped. It was followed by the abduction of 287 school children again in one go in Kaduna State. And to muddle the situation, on Tuesday, 60 more persons were kidnapped in the already menaced axis of Kajuru, bringing to more than 300 kidnapped in the state within a week. Sokoto lost 15 persons in the earlier wave in which two persons were killed.

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    The heightened state of insecurity got to a choking frustration at a stage that the then Governor of Zamfara State, who doubled as the national chairman of Governors’ Forum, Mr. Abdullaziz Yari, threw up his hands in resignation. He washed off his hands being decorated as the chief security officer of his state. He saw his position, not having operational control over the police in his state, as a joke.

    After the Northern Establishment raised the nation’s hope a notch higher, throwing their full weight behind the establishment of state police, President Tinubu cemented the hope: It is a done-deed. He said creation of “state police is no longer optional but a national imperative.” The Northern Establishment, comprising state governors and traditional rulers, met in May and unanimously endorsed the urgent need for the creation of state police in the country.

    Given the renewed waves of kidnapping of school children, first in Kebbi State where 25 students were victims, and vice-principal killed; Niger State where 303 students of St, Mary’s Private Catholic School were abducted and an attack in Kwara during thanksgiving worship and 38 worshippers were seized and taken away, Bola Tinubu’s response on Wednesday could not have been timely. The country was headed toward state failure, chaos and collapse.

    Before President Tinubu’s Wednesday statement, I was mulling the idea of an urgent and drastic step that could be taken to halt the embarrassing and frightening mess. Given the burning heat and indignation with which the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas,came back from his holiday with his colleagues one would have thought the Legislature would act promptly, put everything else on hold, then go the extra mile and evoke the Doctrine of Necessity because of its emergency nature; and the President, would issue Executive Orders to put presidential stamp on the decision of the Legislature, and if still necessary, take steps to regularise it later, dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s! As elders in the South-west would say: Eni t’o kan l’omo! That is, what does not touch you is hardly yours! Until Tinubu’s response declaring a state of emergency on security, the legislative fuss bogged by foot dragging was going to amount towhat William Shakespeare Macbeth might want to describe as “a tale… full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”! Otherwise, where are we today? Within a week, the bandits sent cold shivers down our spine with a renewed wave of kidnapping from schools and a raid in Eruku town, Kwara State.They were attacked during a thanksgiving worship in their church.

    Other steps President Tinubu announced in his statement included urgent increase in the numerical strength of the Army and the police. The police are directed to recruit an additional 20, 000 officers. The Department of State Services are directed to send trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits living in the forests and using them as attack launching bases. Officers being withdrawn from VIP guard duties are to undergo crash training to debrief them so they can operate efficiently in police duties when they are deployed to their core duties as policemen and deployed to security challenged areas of the country. Tinubu said he had approved upgrade of police training facilities nationwide and authorised the use of various National Youth Service Corps camps as training depots.

    He went on: “States should rethink establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security. Mosques and churches should constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, especially in vulnerable areas.”

    The issue of the security challenges has been of grave concern to state governments for quite a while and they have been pressing for the laws to be amended to permit them police operational control in their states through the establishment of state police. They always speak with one voice to drive home their points from the time Babatunde Fashola was chairman of the Governors’ Forum; also when Abdulaziz Yayi was leader of the Forum. Only a few days ago South-West Governors Forum pressed for the establishment of state police. On Wednesday, the Southern Governors Forum which met in Ogun State did the same.

    Former leaders have added their voices, making convincing cases for the establishment of the state police. Former President Ibrahim Babangida, for example, was unequivocal on the imperative of state police in the land. He went as far as allaying fears on the possible misuse of the institution by governors. He said the fear is “unfounded” and “exaggerated.” It is one subject from which he did not shy away. In his words: “Added to this desire,” referring to the issue of restructuring, “is the need to commence the process of having state police across the states of the Federation… The initial fears of state governors misusing the officers and men of the state police have become increasingly eliminated with renewed vigour in citizens’ participation in and confidence to interrogate power. We cannot be detained by those fears and allow civilisation to leave us behind. We must as a people with one destiny and common agenda take decisions for the sake of posterity in our shared commitment to launch our country on the path of development and growth. Policing has become sophisticated that we cannot continue to operate our old methods and expect different results.”

    Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo even while in office had spoken in the same vein as Babangida: “Securing Nigeria’s over 923, 768 square kilometres and its 180 million people requires a continual re-engineering of our security architecture and strategies. We cannot realistically police a country of the size of Nigeria centrally from Abuja. State and other community policing methods are the way to go.”

    Former Governor, now Senator Henry Dickson and ex-Governor Jonah Jang who shared their experiences while in office came to the same conclusion as Professor Osinbajo. They argued that the prevailing security situation and the need for an effective challenge had made the establishment of state police mandatory. Dickson’s conviction was anchored on the fact that the personnel would be drawn from the locality that makes up the state. Such personnel would be able to access valuable information required to track criminals. It is a position also shared by Major-General David Jemibewon, although he did not expressly press for state police. His thoughts are contained in his book, The Nigeria Police in Transition: Issues, Problems and Prospects.

    TheAssociation of State Assembly Speakers also called for the establishment of state police.

    As of February 2018, Nigeria was host to the sixth largest IDP population in the world. That year, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states had the largest number of IDPs. Together with its outskirts, Maiduguri saw its population almost doubled from one million to nearly two million. From incessant mayhem, Benue as of 2018, had 160, 000 displaced persons.

    The idea of different communities and zones establishing their own police preceded the coming of Nigeria Police established in 1930. The Egba United Government had muted the idea of setting up its own police in 1900 and members of the hunters’ society constituted itself into a force. By 1903, the thought crystallised and was put forward by the Alake and the Order-in-Council of Egba United Government to Governor MacGregor in Lagos but the nod to go ahead came in 1905. Ibadan followed suit in 1906 and Oyo in 1907. The North also decided to have its own policing system between 1900 and 1906. It resented what it called the centralising tendences in Lagos.

    This is why the agitation for state police is loudest in the South West. It was already used to a three-tier policing system—native Authority, Regional and Nigeria Police fondly called OlopaEko, smart and well attired. The East did not have local or regional police in the First Republic. Tinubu deserves praise and support for holding the bull by the horns and courageously setting the ball rolling to change the narrative of the nation’s security challenges. The primary purpose of a government is security of the citizens, the protection of lives and property. Tinubu has given the green light; the ball is now in the National Assembly’s court!

    • This article was culled from www.radiatingthetruth.com
    • Abdu Rafiu is a renowned editor, newspaper manager and respected elder of journalism.
  • Insecurity: Our goal is to overwhelm the enemy – Musa

    Insecurity: Our goal is to overwhelm the enemy – Musa

    • Says reward, discipline will drive tenure as Defence Minister

    • Troops crush kidnappers, rescue 10 victims in Kaduna

    Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, assumed office as Minister of Defence yesterday, promising to improve staff welfare, enhance rewards, and maintain discipline.

    General Musa took office nearly 24 hours after being sworn in by President Bola Tinubu at the State House on Thursday, and was received by the Permanent Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, directors and staff of the Ministry of Defence.

    Addressing the Ministry’s staff, General Musa, emphasized zero tolerance to corruption, indiscipline, or indolence, stressing that the loyalty of every staff should be to the country and her people.

    He said the goodwill he received since his appointment reflected Nigerians’ collective belief in turning the tide against insecurity. He, however, stressed that such belief should not be met with rhetoric, but with action.

    He said: “First and foremost, we as Nigerians must take ownership of our national challenges. No one else will solve our problems for us.

    “When we decide together that we are capable of addressing these issues, then we will succeed. God has already given us the capacity; the responsibility now rests on us to act.”

    Musa acknowledged the leadership and support of his predecessor and the ministry’s staff during his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff. However, with his new role, he has a different focus.

    “Returning now as Minister, my focus is to do even more, especially concerning welfare, administration, and strategic direction,” he said.

    “I strongly believe in reward and discipline. Those who excel will be rewarded, and where corrective measures are required, they will be taken. We must consistently assess what we do and find ways to improve.

    “I expect every member of this ministry to put in their best without waiting to be reminded of their responsibilities. If each of us does our part, the nation’s burden becomes lighter.”

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    The Minister emphasized that the core philosophy guiding the ministry is anchored on three key pillars: operational effectiveness, unified action, and strategic foresight.

    In line with this, he noted that silos have no place in the ministry, and gaps between policy and execution must be eliminated, thereby positioning the Ministry as a powerhouse of strategic direction, providing support and ensuring accountability.

    According to him, the ministry must serve as the strategic brain of our defence architecture, leveraging technology for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and strengthen partnerships with our allies and other security agencies, while using data to guide decisions.

    The Minister emphasized zero tolerance to corruption, indiscipline, or indolence, stressing that the loyalty of every staff should be to the country and her people.

    “I expect the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and urgency; we do not have time to waste,” he said.

    “We must respect human rights, avoid mistakes where possible, and when they occur, correct them decisively. I will always welcome candid advice and robust debate, but once a decision is made, we must move as one team.”

    General Musa stressed that, even though his life has been defined by uniform, an ethos of service, and a sacred covenant to defend the country, he came into the ministry “not as a stranger to our security challenges, but as a comrade who has been in the trenches”.

    He noted that he had witnessed the courage of our troops, the complexity of our threats, and the importance of strategic coordination, and would continue to emphasize that no individual or service can achieve success alone, but must work together as one.

    He said: “Our troops are out there, day and night, in rain and storm, risking everything so that Nigerians can sleep in peace. We must support them, pray for them, and work with other ministries, departments and agencies to ensure they succeed.”

    According to the Minister, President Bola Tinubu had assured them of his full support, and he expected results. He noted that in the coming weeks, they would demonstrate a renewed commitment from within the ministry and across all theatres of operation.

    “We will begin with a rigorous review of all theatre commands and inter-service operations,” Musa said.

    “My door will remain open for frank discussions on equipment, training, welfare, and strategy. Our aim is seamless jointness.”

    Speaking on troop welfare, General Musa noted that welfare is not just an administrative issue, but a strategic and morale-boosting factor for force multipliers, which he would implement with utmost seriousness, pledging to prioritize the welfare of troops and their families.

    “Their operational allowances must be paid promptly. Accommodation, medical care, and support for injured personnel and families of the fallen must be priorities.

    “Those on the frontlines watch how we treat their colleagues. If they feel abandoned, they cannot give their best. Anyone who risks his or her life for Nigeria deserves nothing but utmost respect,” he said.

    While emphasizing that the shedding of innocent blood and kidnapping must end, and farmers return to their farms, the Minister noted that the issues require both kinetic and non-kinetic solutions, justice, equity, fairness, and good governance, which should be pursued comprehensively, and with a balanced approach.

    He assured the Service Chiefs of full support, but expected their unwavering cooperation.

    “To the Permanent Secretary and our civil service cadre, you are the institutional memory of this ministry. Your diligence is essential to translating military objectives into actionable policies.

    “The road ahead will be tough. Let us not underestimate that. But we are Nigerians, resilient, determined, and capable. The threats we face may be adaptive and complex, but our spirit is stronger. With the support and prayers of Nigerians, we will not fail,” he said.

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, said they were glad to have General Musa back as the Minister of Defence, and promised full cooperation and support to achieve their mandates.

    He said: “In the meeting we had earlier, I made it clear that we must be sincere and collective in our approach.

    “To achieve meaningful results, we must get the full buy-in of the Minister to drive the process, and the government must continue to demonstrate the political will required to support our efforts.

    “I want to assure the Minister that collectively, we will support this cause and strengthen the confidence of Nigerians in our Armed Forces. I am convinced that, going forward, Nigeria will be better,” he said.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwa, I reaffirm their collective commitment to supporting the new leadership.

    “As you have always emphasised, service to the nation requires professionalism, integrity, discipline and accountability.

    “We stand ready to work diligently under your guidance to uphold these values,” the Permanent Secretary said.

     Meanwhile, at the heel the new defence chief’s appointment, troops of Sector 5, Operation PEACE SHIELD, have achieved a major breakthrough in Kaduna State with the rescue of 10 kidnapped victims and the recovery of arms, ammunition and ransom money. The development comes days after the appointment of the new Chief of Defence Staff.

    The operation was launched following the abduction of several women from their farms at Ungwan Nungu in Sanga Local Government Area on November 29, 2025. Troops immediately initiated a coordinated search-and-rescue mission across the area.

    According to military sources, the troops made contact with the kidnappers at about 06 40hrs on December 5, 2025, as the criminals attempted to collect ransom from relatives of the abducted victims. The soldiers engaged the kidnappers with “superior firepower,” forcing them to flee into the surrounding forests and abandon the captives.

    All 10 victims — one adult male, three male children, three elderly women and three female children — were rescued unharmed. They have since been debriefed and reunited with their families.

    Troops also recovered one fabricated AK-47 rifle, a round of 9mm ammunition and ₦1.6 million, identified as part of the ransom money the kidnappers had attempted to collect.

    The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to protecting citizens and denying criminal groups the freedom to operate, assuring communities of continued operations to enhance safety and security nationwide.

  • Insecurity: Again, how did we get to this pass? (2)

    Insecurity: Again, how did we get to this pass? (2)

    A school of thought contends that Nigeria’s current crisis is rooted in three interrelated factors: the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, the expansion of Sharia law in several Northern States, and the abandonment of Sir Ahmadu Bello’s vision of a secular penal code. Proponents argue that this shift coincided with a period in which some strands of international Islam turned towards militancy. A good example was the emergence of Osama bin Laden and the broader “war on terror” that reshaped global alliances.

    This school of thought, which includes figures like Ayo Osunloye, also points to the perceived alignment of NATO members with Israel’s policies towards Arab and Muslim peoples. They suggest that such external dynamics have reverberated within Nigeria’s borders. According to this view, the 1999 Constitution imposed a largely unitary system that concentrates power at the centre.

    =Furthermore, they argue that the dominance of a particular religious and ethnic bloc in government, the weakening of independent intelligence institutions, and the absence of egalitarian principles have further eroded the social contract. The result, they say, is a cascade of symptoms – insurgency, poverty, religious intolerance, ethnic oppression, and discrimination – that have failed to – and cannot – be solved by security measures alone.

    The tragedy of our situation is a complex one, as it finds expression in the failure to address key allegations, such as the “clear sabotage” claim raised by Governor Bello Idris of Kebbi State regarding the Maga matter. This silence forces a deeper question: Are we content to remain paralyzed by inaction?

    Well, those whose flexible heels have been oiled by the speculative notion that Donald Trump’s ultimate interest was Nigeria’s oil exhibited their hypocrisy by overlooking the fact that our country was a disaster waiting to happen. Trump, in fact, merely drew attention to the calm before an inevitable storm. Had Nigeria acted with the required political will years ago, we would have already tackled the social miasma currently threatening the national fabric. Now that the consequences have materialized, the focus must shift entirely to domestic defense and reform, not to seeking external saviours or breeding scapegoats.

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    In his Farewell Address on January 17, 1961, former President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned against the military-industrial complex – the immense, intertwined power of the defense industry and the military establishment. Eisenhower cautioned that its unwarranted influence could threaten democratic processes and liberties. He urged an alert and knowledgeable citizenry to maintain balance between security and freedom.

    After Eisenhower’s speech, John F. Kennedy, who succeeded him, decided that the only way the country could have an effective Defence budget was to bring in Robert McNamara from Ford Motors as Secretary of Defence. McNamara was not a General in the American Army, but he was one of the best managers of his generation. At that time, leaving Ford Motors as President/CEO to become the Secretary of Defence (a post he held from 1961 to 1968) was a pay cut of around 99%. But McNamara accepted the offer. 

    Remember also General Sir Frank Kitson, formerly the Commander-in-Chief, UK Land Forces, who authored the influential book, Low Intensity Operations. This work details the complexities of guerrilla warfare and describes the various functions the British Army employed to contain insurgencies in different theaters. Because of its practical insights, the book is strongly recommended reading for Ministers Christopher Musa and Bello Matawalle, and, indeed, the entire rank and file of the Nigerian Defence Forces.

    A lasting solution, Nigerians argue, requires a new constitution that guarantees equal citizenship regardless of religion or ethnicity and that fully embodies federalism – not in garb but in reality; both in letter and in practice. Such a framework, they claim, would address the underlying structural imbalances rather than merely treating the outward manifestations of the crisis. Even at that, the nation must seek, first, superior strategic thinking to manage the ongoing security crisis.

    ● Concluded.

  • Insecurity: Rivers council vows to install CCTV cameras, upgrade vigilante operational equipment

    Insecurity: Rivers council vows to install CCTV cameras, upgrade vigilante operational equipment

    The Obio/Akpor Local Government Council has vowed to deploy CCTV cameras across strategic locations and upgrade the operational tools for vigilante groups as part of measures to improve surveillance, deter crime and support community safety efforts.

    The council also rolled out a comprehensive framework aimed at improving administrative efficiency, strengthening regulatory systems, and accelerating infrastructural development across the area.

    The council Chairman, Dr Gift Worlu spoke  at the 2025 Economic and Investment Summit titled, “Obalga Arise, Building a Sustainable Economy for Obio-Akpor LGA” in Port Harcourt.

    He said that the council was working closely with security agencies, community leaders, and youths to improve surveillance, response capacity, and intervention time.

    The council boss noted that his administration was committed to uniting communities, addressing root causes of conflict, combating drug abuse, curbing land grabbing, and promoting non-violent dispute resolution, adding that the summit represented a turning point for economic transformation in the LGA.

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    He said, “We are working hand-in-hand with the police, DSS, Civil Defence, and most importantly with you our community leaders and young people. We are putting eyes in the sky (cameras) and giving our vigilante groups better tools.

    “But more than that, we are giving our young men and women skills and jobs so that crime stops looking like the only option and normal.

    “Peace is priceless. We are uniting our people, removing conditions for conflict and resolving disagreements among our people. We are fighting ignorance, drug abuse, land grabbing etc.

    “We are building and sustaining meaningful relationships with businesses and Institutions within and outside our LGA. We are also creating inter-local government collaborations to tackle common problems, challenges and opportunities alike.”

    The council chairman further announced plans to introduce digital levy payments, online permit processing, and stricter standards for staff conduct to improve public service delivery in Obio Akpor.

    He explained that the council had finalised measures to simplify business procedures, eliminate obsolete regulations, and strengthen transparency in approvals and fees to attract more investment.

    Worlu emphasised that the council would partner the state government to expand internet connectivity, build new markets, upgrade schools and health centres, as well as enhance street lighting.

    He said, “I am tired of hearing people say if you go to Obio Akpor Local Government, you will suffer, that pains me. So we are changing the narrative, very soon, you pay your levies using your phone in minutes. You will apply for permits online and track them like you track a Bolt ride.

    “No more missing files, no more come back tomorrow. We are training our staff to treat you like family (because you are). When you walk into our offices, I want you to feel proud, not frustrated.”

    In his keynote address, the General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development at Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Igo Weli, called on investors and business owners to work with the council to build a more robust local economy.

    He said the ARISE agenda provided a clear pathway for creating wealth that would serve both current and future generations.

    He said, “This summit is the first of its kind, for me it’s something that should be commended, we need to really key into the ARISE agenda driven by the local government chairman honourable Gift Worlu.

    “As a corporate organization Renaissance Africa, we key into the ARISE agenda and we are hoping that in a few years to come, we will see the fruits of the ARISE agenda in terms of more development in Obio Akpor, Rivers State and Nigeria.”

    The highlight of the summit was the unveiling of the OBALGA ARISE scheme and the official launch of the Obio-Akpor LGA digital revenue platform.

  • Fed govt reaffirms commitment to tackling insecurity in Nigeria

    Fed govt reaffirms commitment to tackling insecurity in Nigeria

    The federal government has restated its determination to address rising security challenges across the country, especially in the northern region.

    This assurance was given by Alhaji Muhammad Auwal Amin, representative of the Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Abuja, during a two-day capacity-building workshop on Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE).

    The workshop, held at the Manpower Development Institute in Dutse, was organised by the Partnership Against Violence and Extremism (PAVE Network) with support from the North-East Youths Initiative for Development (NEYIF).

    Amin disclosed that the NSA’s office, in collaboration with PAVE Network, has begun the process of domesticating the National Action Plan on PCVE in Jigawa State as part of renewed efforts to combat insecurity and enhance peacebuilding and community resilience.

    The forum brought together key security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, media professionals, civil society organisations and youth groups under the theme, “Stakeholders’ Roles in Community Resilience and CB-RRR.”

    Amin reaffirmed that the NSA’s office remains committed to assisting states in developing practical frameworks to counter violence and extremism.

    “We are in Jigawa to support the state government in domesticating the PCVE National Action Plan to produce a state-specific Action Plan (SAP) that will help curb violent extremism,” he said.

    He commended PAVE Network for leading the initiative and urged participants to cascade the knowledge gained to their communities to foster lasting peace.

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    In his remarks, the state chairman of PAVE Network, Comrade Muhammad Musbahu Basirka, said the initiative aims to strengthen community resilience and deepen collaboration among critical stakeholders. 

    He disclosed that the Jigawa State Government has already constituted a PCVE Steering Committee that will soon draft the State Action Plan for government approval.

    Basirka praised the state government’s commitment to enhancing security and promoting peaceful coexistence.

    Also speaking, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jigawa State chapter, Rev. Maurice Koli, represented by the Association’s Secretary-General, Rev. Pemos Gideon, commended the NSA’s office and PAVE Network for the initiative. 

    He described the project as timely and called for the commitment of all stakeholders to ensure lasting national peace and stability.