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Tag: INSECURITY

  • Firm equips consumers with new safety digital application to tackle insecurity

    Firm equips consumers with new safety digital application to tackle insecurity

    Limestone, a leading technology solutions provider, transforming community management, community engagement, and personal security has launched StoneCircle, a mobile safety application into the Nigerian market.

    Addressing the media during the official launch in Lagos, the firm’s Managing Director, and Chief Executive Officer, Ifeanyi Aneke said that StoneCircle which is Limestone’s flagship consumer product is designed to enhance community security and emergency response across the country.

    Mr. Aneke said the application was developed to address Nigeria’s growing security and safety challenges by equipping individuals and communities with digital tools to connect with trusted contacts during emergencies.

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     “StoneCircle comes at a critical time when the need for accessible, reliable safety solutions in Nigeria has never been greater”, Aneke said.

    “We are proud to deliver a product that not only connects people to the help they need in real time but also redefines how individuals and communities protect lives and properties. By blending cutting-edge innovation with deep local understanding, StoneCircle is setting a new standard for scalable, tech-driven security across Nigeria.”

    According to him, StoneCircle provides instant panic alerts, live tracking and real time coordination between family members, neighbors and co-workers when safety is threatened. “It allows users to create personal safety groups known as Circles for instant communication during emergencies; send real time location based panic alerts to trusted contacts; capture and share video incident reports with time-stamped updates; stay connected through built-in chats for coordination; and manage estate services such as paying dues, generating access codes, purchasing electricity and lodging complaints”.

  • Insecurity: Senate to tackle U.S. over ‘Christian Genocide’ label on Nigeria

    Insecurity: Senate to tackle U.S. over ‘Christian Genocide’ label on Nigeria

    • Violence knows no religion, says Red Chamber
    • Lawmakers to engage American lawmakers, others

    Barring any last-minute changes, the Senate will today debate a motion seeking to correct what it called “dangerous misrepresentations” of the country’s security challenges over a campaign of “Christian genocide” by some foreign media outlets and others.

    The motion, titled: “Urgent need to correct misconceptions regarding the purported ‘Christian Genocide’ narrative in Nigeria and International Communities,” is sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) and co-sponsored by Senators Sani Musa (Niger East), Magatakarda Wamako (Sokoto North), Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West), and several others.

    In the draft motion sighted by our reporter in Abuja, the senators expressed concern over what they called “increasing circulation of misleading narratives” in both local and international spaces, alleging a systematic genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

    The lawmakers acknowledged the tragic and unacceptable attacks suffered by Christian communities in various parts of the country, saying the violence in Nigeria has affected citizens of all faiths, including Muslims and adherents of other religions.

    They warned that mischaracterising the ongoing security crisis in purely religious terms “risks inflaming sectarian divisions, distorting international understanding, and undermining national unity”.

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    The motion reads: “The Senate: Aware that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious nation whose unity and stability depend on mutual understanding, responsible communication, and accurate representation of facts;

    “Concerned about the increasing circulation of narratives — both within and outside Nigeria — alleging an ongoing ‘Christian genocide’ in the country, which have been amplified by certain foreign media outlets, advocacy groups, and religious networks;

    “Further concerned that these narratives, though emotive, often fail to reflect the complex realities of Nigeria’s security challenges and may fuel sectarian mistrust, distort international perceptions, and undermine national cohesion and Nigeria’s diplomatic relations;

    “Notes that Nigeria has in recent years faced serious security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, communal conflicts, and targeted attacks which have affected citizens across various religious, ethnic, and regional backgrounds, resulting in loss of lives and property among both Christian and Muslim communities;

    “Notes that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees freedom of religion, equal protection of the law, and obliges the government to secure the lives and property of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity;

    “Recognises the critical role of accurate information and responsible leadership in preventing sectarian division and countering extremist narratives;

    “Worried about the recent events in the U.S. Senate and Congress, where they have taken initiatives to designate Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’ which is a foreign policy tool to target human rights or religious freedom violations.”

    The lawmakers are to pray the Senate to: “Reject the blanket characterisation of Nigeria’s security crises as a ‘Christian genocide,’ and affirm that the ongoing conflicts are rooted in complex socio-economic, ethnic, criminal, and terrorist dynamics which cut across religious lines.

    “Urge the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Security agencies, and relevant stakeholders, to intensify data-driven public communication by providing accurate casualty figures, context, and investigative outcomes to counter misinformation.

    “Call on religious leaders, Civil society organisations, and the Nigerian media to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public statements and reporting, avoiding language that could inflame sectarian tensions or misrepresent the national situation.

    “Encourage diplomatic missions, especially the U.S. Embassy, International organisations, and foreign media to rely on verified, balanced, and credible sources—including Security agencies, local communities, and independent observers—when reporting on religiously sensitive issues in Nigeria.

    “Mandate the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs, Information, National Security and Intelligence; and any relevant committee as may be deemed appropriate) to:

    “Work with the Executive to develop a coordinated national communications strategy to clarify misinformation on religious violence;

    “Engage the U.S. Senate and Congress; International partners and Diaspora networks through official briefings and fact-based publications to correct misconceptions;

    “Support interfaith peacebuilding programmes that emphasise shared victimhood and national unity.

    “Urge the Federal Government to ensure justice and accountability for all victims of violent attacks — whether Christian, Muslim, or otherwise — to address impunity and rebuild public confidence in state institutions.”

    If adopted, the Senate’s resolutions are expected to form the basis of a coordinated diplomatic and public information effort aimed at correcting international opinions about religious violence in Nigeria.

    The United States recently expressed “deep concern” over the persistent violence targeting Christians and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria, urging the government in Abuja to take stronger measures to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks.

    The statement followed remarks by American comedian Bill Maher, who highlighted the growing number of Christians killed by extremist groups, including Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa.

    In a statement to Newsweek, the U.S. State Department confirmed it had repeatedly raised the issue with the Nigerian government at the highest levels.

    Maher recently cautioned Western media for ignoring what he described as the ongoing genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

    Speaking on his HBO show “Real Time with Bill Maher” on September 26, Maher accused news outlets and political elites of deliberately staying silent while Boko Haram, Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Fulani militias slaughtered Christians and raze churches across Nigeria.

    “Nigeria, the fact that this issue has not gotten on people’s radar, it’s pretty amazing,” Maher said. “If you don’t know what’s going on in Nigeria, your media sources suck. You are in a bubble.”

    The comedian, who is an outspoken critic of religion but often uses his platform to highlight uncomfortable truths, compared the violence to a full-scale genocide.

    “I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over a hundred thousand since 2009. They’ve burned 18,000 churches. These are the Islamists, Boko Haram. This is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza. They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country,” he said.

    During the show, U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Mace (Republican, South Carolina) thanked Maher for raising the alarm, stressing that the media had failed to cover the crisis with the urgency it deserved.

    Reacting to the claim, the Federal Government of Nigeria dismissed such reports, suggesting that terrorists in Nigeria are carrying out a systematic genocide against Christians, describing such claims as “false, baseless, despicable, and divisive”.

    In a statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group as “a gross misrepresentation of reality”.

    The minister stressed that terrorist groups target people of all faiths.

    “The violent activities of terrorist groups are not confined to any particular religious or ethnic community. These criminals target all who reject their murderous ideology, regardless of faith. Muslims, Christians, and even those who do not identify with any religion have suffered at their hands,” he said.

  • Tackling decades of insecurity with a new approach

    Tackling decades of insecurity with a new approach

    Nigeria’s post-independence era has been marred by a multitude of security challenges, with successive governments achieving varying levels of success in mitigating these issues. MUSA UMAR BOLOGI’s historical analysis sheds light on the evolution of insecurity in the country, underscoring the diverse approaches employed by different administrations to address these complex challenges.

    Since returning to civilian rule in 1999, Nigeria has faced numerous security challenges, including terrorism in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, farmer-herder clashes in the North-Central, secessionist agitation and armed robbery in the South-East, and oil bunkering and piracy in the South-South. While successive administrations have tackled these challenges differently, it is worth noting that Nigeria’s security crisis predates the current democratic era.

    Following independence, Nigeria’s early years were marked by political turmoil, setting the stage for future unrest. The 1960s and 1970s were characterized by military coups and civil war, including the 1966 coup, the counter-coup, and the 1967-1970 Civil War, which exacerbated ethnic rivalries and left lasting resentments among different regions. The civil war also led to a proliferation of small arms and light weapons, laying the groundwork for subsequent security challenges.

    During tumultuous period of the civil war, General Yakubu Gowon’s administration took decisive steps to address widespread insecurity by implementing key initiatives. These included creating 12 new states to replace the four regions, aiming to weaken secessionist movements and promote national unity; launching the Reconciliation, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation (3Rs) policy to mend war scars and rebuild infrastructure; establishing the National Rehabilitation Commission to restore essential services; and granting amnesty to secessionist fighters, thereby promoting national reconciliation and reintegration.

    Despite these measures, armed robbery surged immediately after the civil war, largely fueled by the proliferation of arms during the conflict. Reports suggested that some civilians and ex-military personnel exploited the availability of arms for criminal activities, including armed robbery. Successive military governments’ efforts to mop up illegal arms yielded little result. According to security experts, after the civil war, underlying socio-economic and political issues that fueled insecurity in post-independence Nigeria persisted under successive military regimes for decades. These regimes, led by military juntas, utilised the state’s coercive apparatus to suppress the populace. Scholars argue that economic marginalization and political instability, coupled with widespread underdevelopment during the military era, exacerbated the insecurity situation for decades.

    Return of democracy

    Despite Nigeria’s transition to democratic rule in 1999, underlying socio-economic and political factors persisted, creating an environment conducive to new and existing security threats. The Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgency, which emerged in the early 2000s, capitalised on existing social problems such as poverty, high unemployment, and distrust of the government in Northern Nigeria. According to reports from the United Nations and other sources, terrorist attacks in Nigeria have resulted in thousands of deaths, mass abductions, and the displacement of millions of people, despite military interventions. The administrations of Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari employed different approaches, including amnesty to repentant insurgents and military onslaught, to combat terrorism. Even though they recorded some successes with the surrendering of some terrorists, the problem persisted and spread to the Northwest, which was already grappling with banditry.

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    President Tinubu’s efforts

    President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited a multitude of security challenges, including terrorism in the North East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central, crude oil theft and bunkering in the South-South, and secessionist agitation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-East. Notably, his administration distinguished itself through the effective deployment of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to combat and defeat non-state actors. Key successes include investing in military equipment to enhance combat capabilities, leveraging diplomatic skills to secure convictions of terror sponsors, and successfully arresting high-profile terrorists, all made possible by strategic coordination – a marked improvement over previous administrations.

    The North-East has seen a marked decline in Boko Haram’s activities over the past two years, driven by effective coordination between the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the military high command, led by General Christopher Musa. The military, supported by security agencies and regional alliances, has reclaimed most territories and degraded the groups’ operational capacity through strategic operations like Operation Hadin Kai During the 50th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 18 Regular Course, the NSA disclosed that the government’s counter-insurgency operation has resulted in the neutralisation of over 13,500 terrorists and the surrender of more than 124,000 Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters and their families. “Weapons caches and thousands of rounds of ammunition and been recovered. Areas once held by insurgents in the Sambisa Forest, Lake Chad Basin, and Timbuktu Triangle are now under government control,” Ribadu had said.

    Ribadu added that non-kinetic strategy, including the “innovative” Operation Safe Corridor in the North East, has also led to the surrender of 35 terrorist leaders. This once unimaginable, but through coordinated military pressure and community-based peace efforts, we are making real progress.” Over 300 persons have been rescued from bandits and kidnappers since the beginning of operations under this administration. In August 2025, the NSA reunited over 128 persons rescued from bandit captivity in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, with their families. The victims, comprising men, women, and children, were freed through a series of coordinated military and intelligence operations.

    The North-West, a new theatre of concern, has seen the emergence of a new terror group, Lakurawa, which has exploited the region’s existing banditry crisis. Nevertheless, notable progress has been made, with hundreds of bandits/terrorists eliminated, including 50 prominent bandit leaders, such as Ali Kachalla, Halilu Sububu and Dogo Bwari. The Lakurawa threat, which surged in recent years, has also been subdued through intense military operations in Kebbi and Sokoto states.

    The present administration has made significant strides in capturing and arresting notorious terrorist leaders. For instance, on August 16, 2024 is not mentioned but 2025 is, the NSA announced the capture of two globally wanted ANSARU leaders, Abu Baraa and Mahmuda, through months of high-risk, intelligence-led counter-terrorism operations. This achievement earned Nigeria international accolades and recognition of the administration’s commitment to ending terrorism. Shortly after, a high-profile Boko Haram commander, Ibn Ali, surrendered to troops in the North East, bringing his weapons and ammunition with him in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. Last month, Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, a notorious IPOB commander known as Gentle de Yahoo, who had been terrorizing the Southeast, was neutralised during a military operation.

    Security experts believed that, the capture of IPOB fighters and commanders, along with the arrest of IPOB financier Simon Akpa in Finland through diplomatic efforts, and enhanced community engagement in the Southeast, has brought relative calm to the region, surpassing the progress made under previous administrations. The once-observed ‘sit-at-home’ order by IPOB has significantly waned, coinciding with the arrest of many key figures. In the Niger-Delta, the government had reclaimed control of the country’s lifeblood in the region once plagued by massive crude oil theft and economic sabotage. According government authorities, oil production had increased from historic low of one million barrel per day to an average of 1.8 million, indicating a major economic boost. And in the first time in about three decades, the federal government announced resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni land.

    The current administration has made significant progress in addressing modern security threats. According to Ribadu, the federal government has achieved notable success in cyber defense and financial intelligence, disrupting illegal financial flows that support terrorism and separatism, particularly through crypto platforms. Additionally, a National Digital Forensics Laboratory and a Critical Infrastructure Protection Plan have been deployed to enhance national cyber resilience.

    Military hardware procurements

    The past two years have been a golden era for the military under this administration. Within this period, the federal government has handed over 15 aircraft to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to enhance its counterterrorism and counter-insurgency operations. The aircraft include six T-129 ATAK helicopters, two AW-109 Trekker Type A helicopters, three Beechcraft King Air aircraft, and four Diamond 62 reconnaissance planes. According to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, speaking at the 2025 Aircraft Engineering Conference in Abuja, the NAF plans to significantly expand its aerial fleet with the acquisition of 49 state-of-the-art aircraft by the end of 2026. Also, the Nigerian Army received it’s first The Nigerian Army (NA), operationalized its aviation wing with the delivery of two new helicopters. The operationalization of the aviation wing was parts of efforts to strengthen the ongoing fight against terrorism and other security threats.

    The setbacks

    Despite adopting innovative approaches to confront terrorism, Nigeria has faced setbacks in its counter-terrorism campaign, including the loss of personnel and equipment in combat operations. Nevertheless, the security forces continue to fight with renewed zeal and determination. Meanwhile, the government remains committed to supporting their welfare and that of their families through improved remuneration and allowances. For instance, in February 2025, the Nigerian Army increased the daily Ration Cash Allowance for troops from N1,500 to N3,000, while introducing housing scheme to ensure retiring military personnel have a house of their own after retirement.

  • Insecurity: Senate set to tackle US over ‘Christian Genocide’ label on Nigeria

    Insecurity: Senate set to tackle US over ‘Christian Genocide’ label on Nigeria

    …says violence, not religious

    Barring any last-minute changes, the Senate will on Tuesday debate a motion aimed at correcting what it described as “dangerous misrepresentations” of Nigeria’s security challenges being portrayed internationally as a campaign of “Christian genocide.”

    The motion, titled “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria and International Communities,” is sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) and co-sponsored by Senators Sani Musa (Niger East), Magatakarda Wamako (Sokoto North), Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), and Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West), among others.

    According to a draft copy of the motion sighted in Abuja, the lawmakers expressed concern over the “increasing circulation of misleading narratives” in local and international media, suggesting a systematic extermination of Christians in Nigeria.

    While acknowledging the tragic and unacceptable attacks suffered by Christian communities in parts of the country, the senators noted that the ongoing violence has affected citizens of all faiths — Christians, Muslims, and adherents of other religions alike.

    They warned that portraying the nation’s security crisis in purely religious terms could inflame sectarian tensions, distort global understanding of Nigeria’s challenges, and undermine national unity.

    The motion reads, “The Senate: Aware that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious nation whose unity and stability depend on mutual understanding, responsible communication, and accurate representation of facts;

    “Concerned about the increasing circulation of narratives—both within and outside Nigeria—alleging an ongoing ‘Christian genocide’ in the country, which have been amplified by certain foreign media outlets, advocacy groups, and religious networks;

    “Further concerned that these narratives, though emotive, often fail to reflect the complex realities of Nigeria’s security challenges and may fuel sectarian mistrust, distort international perceptions, and undermine national cohesion and Nigeria’s diplomatic relations;

    “Notes that Nigeria has in recent years faced serious security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, communal conflicts, and targeted attacks, which have affected citizens across various religious, ethnic, and regional backgrounds, resulting in loss of lives and property among both Christian and Muslim communities;

    “Notes that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees freedom of religion, equal protection of the law, and obliges the government to secure the lives and property of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity;

    “Recognises the critical role of accurate information and responsible leadership in preventing sectarian division and countering extremist narratives;

    “Worried about the recent events in the US Senate and Congress, where they have taken initiatives to designate Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’ which is a foreign policy tool to target human rights or religious freedom violations.”

    The lawmakers would be praying the Senate to: “Reject the blanket characterisation of Nigeria’s security crises as a ‘Christian genocide,’ and affirm that the ongoing conflicts are rooted in complex socio-economic, ethnic, criminal, and terrorist dynamics which cut across religious lines.

    “Urge the federal government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Security agencies, and relevant stakeholders, to intensify data-driven public communication by providing accurate casualty figures, context, and investigative outcomes to counter misinformation.

    “Call on religious leaders, civil society organisations, and the Nigerian media to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public statements and reporting, avoiding language that could inflame sectarian tensions or misrepresent the national situation.

    “Encourage diplomatic missions, especially the US Embassy, International organisations, and foreign media to rely on verified, balanced, and credible sources—including Security agencies, local communities, and independent observers—when reporting on religiously sensitive issues in Nigeria.

    “Mandate the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs, Information, National Security, and Intelligence; and any relevant committee as may be deemed appropriate) to:

    “Work with the Executive to develop a coordinated national communications strategy to clarify misinformation on religious violence;

    “Engage the US Senate and Congress; International partners and Diaspora networks through official briefings and fact-based publications to correct misconceptions;

    “Support interfaith peacebuilding programmes that emphasise shared victimhood and national unity.

    “Urge the Federal Government to ensure justice and accountability for all victims of violent attacks—whether Christian, Muslim, or otherwise—to address impunity and rebuild public confidence in state institutions.”

    If adopted, the Senate’s resolutions are expected to form the basis of a coordinated diplomatic and public information effort aimed at correcting international opinions about religious violence in Nigeria.

    The United States recently expressed “deep concern” over the persistent violence targeting Christians and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria, urging the government in Abuja to take stronger measures to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks.

    The statement followed remarks by American comedian Bill Maher, who highlighted the growing number of Christians killed by extremist groups, including Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa.

    In a statement to Newsweek, the US State Department confirmed it had repeatedly raised the issue with the Nigerian government at the highest levels.

    Maher recently cautioned Western media for ignoring what he described as the ongoing genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

    Speaking on his HBO show Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday, September 26, Maher accused news outlets and political elites of deliberately staying silent while Boko Haram, Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Fulani militias slaughter Christians and raze churches across Nigeria.

    “Nigeria, the fact that this issue has not gotten on people’s radar, it’s pretty amazing,” Maher said. “If you don’t know what’s going on in Nigeria, your media sources suck. You are in a bubble.”

    The comedian, who is an outspoken critic of religion but often uses his platform to highlight uncomfortable truths, compared the violence to a full-scale genocide.

    “I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over a hundred thousand since 2009. They’ve burned 18,000 churches. These are the Islamists, Boko Haram. This is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza. They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country,” he said.

    During the show, U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Mace (Republican, South Carolina) thanked Maher for raising the alarm, stressing that the media had failed to cover the crisis with the urgency it deserves.

    Nigerian Govt Debunks ‘Christian Genocide’ Reports

    However, the Nigerian Government has dismissed reports suggesting that terrorists in Nigeria are carrying out a systematic genocide against Christians, describing such claims as “false, baseless, despicable, and divisive.”

    In a statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group as “a gross misrepresentation of reality.”

    The minister stressed that terrorist groups target people of all faiths.

    “The violent activities of terrorist groups are not confined to any particular religious or ethnic community. These criminals target all who reject their murderous ideology, regardless of faith. Muslims, Christians, and even those who do not identify with any religion have suffered at their hands,” he said.

  • Nigeria @ 65: CAN urges Fed Govt to tackle insecurity

    Nigeria @ 65: CAN urges Fed Govt to tackle insecurity

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday advised the federal government to urgently tackle insecurity.

    CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in his 65th independence anniversary message, also pleaded for a united, peaceful, and prosperous nation.

    Okoh recalled the resilience of Nigerians who have endured civil war, years of instability, and recurring economic and social crises.

    He said, despite these difficulties, people have shown remarkable courage and faith, sustaining hope in the promise of a better Nigeria.

    Okoh, in a statement, said, “The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) joins all citizens in celebrating the 65th anniversary of our nation’s independence. This milestone offers us the opportunity to reflect with gratitude to Almighty God on how far we have come, to recognise the challenges we still face.

    “We acknowledge the undeniable progress recorded in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, telecommunications, and other sectors over the decades. From a handful of schools and institutions at independence, our country today boasts thousands, producing generations of young men and women who continue to shape the nation’s future.

    “Yet, we must also be honest about the unfinished business of nation-building. Economic reforms, while necessary, have brought temporary hardship for millions. The rising cost of living, food insecurity, unemployment, and inflation continue to weigh heavily on households. True progress must be measured not only by statistics but by the food on every table, the security of every community, and the opportunities available to every child”.

    Okoh prayed to God to grant our leaders the wisdom, courage, and strength to drive the reforms to a point where Nigerians will rejoice.

    “And may He protect them from sycophants who do not mean well for our nation.

    “Security remains an urgent concern. Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflicts have caused deep pain and displacement. While strides have been made in restoring safety, more still needs to be done to guarantee the protection of lives and property. CAN urges sustained collaboration between security agencies, communities, and faith-based organisations to consolidate peace across the country.

    “We also recognise that young people are Nigeria’s greatest asset. Their energy, creativity, and determination hold the key to a better tomorrow. Yet, the persistent brain drain, where many of our brightest minds leave for opportunities abroad, remains a critical challenge”, he added.

    The CAN boss said Nigeria must create the enabling environment that encourages its citizens, especially the youth, to stay, thrive, and contribute meaningfully to national development.

    Okoh said, “Investment in education, innovation, and youth empowerment must remain a national priority, ensuring that no young Nigerian is left behind.

    “As a faith community, CAN believes that the challenges we face can be overcome with collective sacrifice, patriotism, and trust in God. We therefore call on all Nigerians, leaders and citizens alike to rise above ethnic, religious, and political divides, and to work together for the common good.

    “On this anniversary, let us renew our commitment to justice, equity, and good governance. Let us embrace hard work, pay our taxes faithfully, support local production, and show love to one another as one people under God.

    “The dawn of a new Nigeria is possible. With God’s help and our shared determination, we shall build a nation where peace, prosperity, and unity flourish for generations to come”.

  • Insecurity: IGP intensifies training for top officers to combat challenges

    Insecurity: IGP intensifies training for top officers to combat challenges

    Following the incessant killings in the country, the Inspector–General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has commenced training in Abuja for top police officers.

    The training, which was held on Monday with the theme, ‘Managing fast-paced security challenges in a protracted conflict environment’, was organized by the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    Egbetokun said at the event, “The theme of this workshop – ‘Managing fast-paced security challenges in a protracted environment’ could not have been more apt. It speaks directly to the paradox of our times: conflicts that stretch across years, yet change form and intensity daily. We face adversaries who are not only persistent but adaptive. Criminal syndicates exploit technology to expand their reach. Terrorist networks rebrand and reorganize to avoid defeat. Local conflicts, once contained, now spill across borders, amplified by social media and transnational alliances. This complexity demands more from us than courage alone. It demands foresight, creativity, and the agility to lead in an environment of constant flux.

    “Our leadership must combine patience with speed, endurance with imagination, and strategy with unshakable resolve. That is why this theme has been carefully chosen to prepare you, as leaders, to anticipate, to adapt, and to act decisively in an environment where hesitation is costly and speed is survival. To this end, this one-day training workshop has been thoughtfully designed to enrich your leadership journey.

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    “What we seek through this workshop is not just individual learning, but collective transformation. The Nigeria Police Force must grow into an institution that is agile in planning, bold in execution, and united in vision. Our success will not be measured by the brilliance of one commander or the courage of a few units, but by the strength of our collective capacity to anticipate threats, to respond as one body, and to deliver security that Nigerians can see and feel every day.

    “This workshop, therefore, must not end as a series of lectures and notes. It must produce a shift in mindset, a recalibration of strategy, and a renewal of commitment. The lessons gained here must echo in our policies, reflect in our operations, and be felt in the daily lives of Nigerians who look to us for safety. Every insight must become an action, and every action must strengthen the chain of security that binds our nation together.”

    Also speaking at the event, the president of SPSP, Nathaniel Msen Awuapila, said the executive capacity building programme was firmly aligned with the policing vision of IGP Egbetokun, which emphasizes adherence to legal frameworks, proactive crime prevention, technological innovation in intelligence gathering, and robust inter-agency collaboration.

    He further said, “This initiative resonates with Nigeria’s National Security Strategy, the Police Reform Agenda, and global peacebuilding frameworks. It reflects our shared commitment to institutional excellence, operational foresight, and principled governance. Through expert presentations, interactive sessions, case studies, and collaborative dialogue, we aim to equip our senior officers not only with tactical proficiency, but with the strategic insight necessary to lead with integrity and impact”.

    Speaking further, Awuapila said, “SPSP remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing peace and security through research, advocacy, capacity building, and diligent professionalism. By supporting the top leadership of the NPF, we reaffirm our belief that effective policing is not solely about enforcement-it is about foresight, collaboration, and the courage to lead with purpose.

    “It is scarcely a year since we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NPF. Within this period, you mandated SPSP to train all cadres of the Force. Thus far, we have trained members of the intermediate cadre-specifically Chief Superintendents of Police-and today. We are privileged to engage with the top echelon of the Nigeria Police Force. Furthermore, during this period, approximately one hundred officers have joined SPSP and have been formally inducted as members. We deeply appreciate this demonstration of trust and confidence. In recognition of this, today’s training is offered as a pro bono capacity-building programme”.

    Members of the Force Management Team were also part of the training.    

  • Insecurity: Balancing kinetic and non-kinetic approaches

    Insecurity: Balancing kinetic and non-kinetic approaches

    Sir: The insecurity challenges in Nigeria, particularly banditry, have defied simplistic solutions. While the kinetic approach, military and law enforcement operations, has achieved some notable successes, it has not produced the ultimate outcome of sustainable peace. Instead, it has often fuelled a cycle of violence between state and non-state actors, while local communities continue to suffer.

    To break this cycle, there is a compelling need to complement kinetic measures with non-kinetic strategies such as dialogue, community engagement, education, intelligence-driven peacebuilding, and socio-economic empowerment.

    The kinetic approach is necessary but insufficient. It weakens the operational strength of criminal groups but fails to address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, social injustice, and weak community trust in government. In some cases, heavy-handed operations or errors in operations create resentment among local populations, inadvertently creating new recruits for criminal networks.

    The non-kinetic measures are designed to fill the gaps left by military and security forces’ action as well as reducing unnecessary pressures on security forces. These include: building trust through dialogue with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and local influencers, including the actors themselves; creating opportunities for youth through education, vocational training, and employment; rehabilitation and reintegration, including providing pathways for repentant bandits or militants to re-join society; intelligence gathering and strengthening human intelligence networks within communities to prevent attacks before they occur.

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    In fighting insecurity, multi-stakeholder engagement is imperative, because national security cannot be achieved by the federal government alone. A sustainable strategy requires the active participation of state governments in tailoring responses to local realities. Support from local governments in intelligence gathering and community mobilization is also essential. Engagement of traditional and religious institutions as custodians of local values and mediators in conflict resolution, as well as collaboration with civil society and development partners to address humanitarian and socio-economic needs is equally important. The government should also introduce local language media programs through the social media and other medium; it will reach and enlighten the bandits and other insurgents

    The current approach of adopting a hybrid security framework that blends military action with non-kinetic approaches to create both deterrence and reconciliation is commendable. This dialogue approach should be institutionalized through community dialogue platforms.

    Furthermore, establishing regular consultation forums where local leaders and security agencies exchange intelligence and build trust is also important. Investment in youth empowerment and the development of targeted programs for skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and agricultural employment to undercut the appeal of criminal networks should be built into the non-kinetic approach.

    Another important element is strengthening data-driven decision-making, basing security strategies on rigorous research, mapping of conflict-prone areas, and historical analysis of community dynamics. Fighting insecurity is a continuous process; any slack will have negative impact. Therefore, the creation of measurable benchmarks, as well as the development of monitoring frameworks to evaluate the success of both kinetic and non-kinetic interventions over time, will be helpful.

    No government can afford to sustain a security approach that fails to deliver positive outcomes. A purely kinetic strategy risks perpetuating violence while a purely non-kinetic approach may embolden criminal groups. The way forward lies in a carefully balanced model that applies force where necessary, while simultaneously addressing the root causes of insecurity through dialogue, trust-building, and socio-economic development. Only by harmonizing both approaches can Nigeria break the cycle of violence and build a foundation for sustainable peace and security.

    • Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja
  • Insecurity in Southeast: Woman leader laments threat to life

    Insecurity in Southeast: Woman leader laments threat to life

    A woman leader Ukachi Chinwo in Umunjanwoke Orogwe in Imo State, has lamented the unending insecurity in her community and the entire Okigwe environs.

    Speaking to our correspondent in a phone interview, Chinwo stated that since 2022, her community and surrounding communities have not known peace, citing harassment, killings, and burning down of properties.

    Just recently, she said her sister narrowly escaped attacks from unidentified gunmen, who chased and shot sporadically at their vehicle when she went out on a Monday to get some medications for her sick baby.

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    “In that attack, several people suffered injuries, as the driver, desperate to escape, drove roughly through the very bad road. Luckily, nobody was hit but a bullet pierced one of the vehicle tyres. The only thing that saved them was the bravery of the driver who refused to stop until they got to a safe place.”

    Chinwo said this has been a regular occurrence in the community for years, adding that it was for this same reason that several active young men, who were members of their community’s security committee, were forced to leave home over three years ago and have not returned.

    “As I speak, Emeka Obi, John Emeij, Uche Okafor, Sixtus Duru and Kelechi Dennis, vibrant young men in the community, have all run away and have not been seen till date. In fact, nobody knows their whereabouts since they left following threats to their lives over three years ago. From what we heard, some have even escaped out of the country. One of them was about to get married when he hurriedly abandoned everything and went away.

    “Do you know they even kidnapped a former lawmaker in Okigwe who had gone to negotiate with them for peace? I tell you, nobody is safe,” she said.

    Citing recent attacks on community leaders in the area who have openly condemned the spate of insecurity, Chinwo said: “That was how they went to attack the house of a security leader in Okigwe the other week, killing several people. Luckily the man was not at home. In May this same year, over 30 travellers were reportedly killed along Okigwe-Owerri Road during attacks by unknown gunmen.

    “On another occasion, they stormed nearby Ajana Umuna, Ezinachi, also in the Okigwe Local Government Area, killing five people, including a couple. For how long are we going to suffer this insecurity in silence? Before, it was the military and Fulani herdsmen, now it is our own people attacking and killing our own people in the name of fighting for Biafra.”

    Recall that Al Jazeerah had quoted Amnesty International as describing those May killings as “vicious attacks”.

  • Nigeria: Fighting back against banditry and insecurity

    Nigeria: Fighting back against banditry and insecurity

    • By Senator Iroegbu

    Kidnapping and banditry remain among Nigeria’s most pressing security challenges. From Zamfara to Kaduna and down to the Southeast, this scourge has disrupted lives, displaced communities, and drained the economy through ransom payments.

    Despite the grim headlines, recent coordinated security efforts are producing measurable results, offering cautious optimism for citizens, policymakers, and the international community alike.

    In a democracy that thrives on dissent and scrutiny, pushbacks from groups like SBM Intelligence and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) should be expected. Their critiques of recent incidents highlight the persistence of the problem and the human costs that statistics alone cannot capture. Still, challenges do not erase progress: security is rarely perfect; successes are incremental and often fragile. What matters is whether Nigeria is moving forward in terms of security. In many respects, it is.

    In late August, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) announced the rescue of 128 hostages in Zamfara State—an achievement echoed elsewhere. According to the Defence Headquarters, security forces in 2024 killed over 3,100 terrorists, arrested 2,500 suspects, and freed more than 1,600 kidnapped victims. Likewise, the Nigeria Police Force reported rescuing 1,581 hostages and arresting over 30,000 suspects for various offences.

    Between May 2023 and early 2025, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu disclosed that more than 13,500 terrorists and armed criminals were neutralised, while over 124,000 insurgents and their families surrendered. Additionally, more than 11,000 individuals were rescued from captivity, and nearly 3,843 illegal refineries—key to the funding of insurgent and criminal activities—were dismantled nationwide.

    Collectively, these numbers underscore a shift from defensive responses to proactive operations, with a new focus on dismantling networks of violence.

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    One of the most innovative tools in this effort is the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC), established under the ONSA and its National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in partnership with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA). The cell pools intelligence, coordinates rescue missions, and tracks financial flows sustaining kidnapping syndicates. Since its launch in late 2024, officials report an 80% success rate in anti-kidnapping operations.

    This initiative reflects an understanding that kidnapping in Nigeria has morphed into a sophisticated criminal economy, sometimes linked to terrorist financing. MAAKFC integrates military, police, intelligence, and judicial actors into a single platform. Beyond rescuing victims, its mandate is to dismantle the economic and operational infrastructure of kidnapping.

    Concrete results are evident in communities that once epitomised Nigeria’s insecurity. Southern Kaduna, long plagued by cycles of killings and abductions, is experiencing relative calm. Zamfara, under siege by bandit warlords, has begun stabilising. In the Southeast, where “unknown gunmen” once paralysed daily life through violence and sit-at-home orders, a fragile normalcy is returning.

    However, the Northwest remains the hardest hit. Banditry has killed more than 12,000 people and displaced entire farming communities. Still, gains are also visible here. The arrest of the Ansaru terrorist kingpins: Mahmud Muhammad Usman, the self-styled “Emir of Ansaru,” and his deputy Mahmud al-Nigeri (Malam Mahmuda)—and the elimination of notorious warlords such as Ali Kachalla, Halilu Sububu, and Boderi, alongside the surrender of others under non-kinetic initiatives like the “Kaduna Model,” has reduced mass abductions. While isolated attacks continue, the frequency and scale of kidnappings have declined.

    Yet, optimism must be tempered with realism. According to SBM Intelligence, Nigerians paid at least N2.57 billion in ransoms between July 2024 and June 2025, while abductors demanded as much as N48 billion. During this period, nearly 5,000 people were kidnapped, and over 760 were killed in related violence. These figures underscore the ongoing challenges and the need for continued vigilance and action.

    The NEF recently drew attention to deadly incidents. These include the massacre of 27 worshippers in a Kaduna mosque, the execution of 35 abductees in Zamfara despite ransom payments, and raids in Kauru and Kudan LGAs. Their call for a state of emergency in Northern Nigeria underscores the severity of the crisis and the urgent need for action.

    Critics are right to argue that one spectacular failure can erase the confidence built by 19 successful operations, and security gains remain uneven and vulnerable to reversal. Furthermore, the emergence of new groups, such as Lakurawa, demonstrates the fluidity and adaptability of criminal enterprises.

    Progress in Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping and banditry is undeniable, but it remains insufficient. To consolidate these gains, security operations must be sustained, and a broader focus on addressing root causes is also necessary. Security agencies should strengthen coordination and intelligence sharing by fully leveraging platforms like the MAAKFC. Otherwise, turf rivalries between agencies risk undermining years of hard-won progress and must be firmly addressed.

    Equally vital is community engagement, as local communities are the first line of defence. Gaining their trust relies on the security forces’ accountability, transparency, and respect for human rights. Simultaneously, addressing underlying drivers—poverty, youth unemployment, porous borders, and governance deficits—is essential. Otherwise, military victories will remain temporary.

    International partnerships also play a critical role. The UK-supported MAAKFC demonstrates the value of global collaboration. Building on this, Nigeria should seek to expand such cooperative frameworks with ECOWAS, the African Union, and other strategic partners. Ultimately, only robust security, community trust, structural reforms, and international cooperation can ensure that progress translates into lasting peace and stability.

    Nigeria’s battle against kidnapping and banditry is far from over. The pain of victims’ families and the ransom economy underscore the scale of the challenge, yet dismissing recent progress would be unfair. For the first time in years, momentum is building: thousands of hostages have been freed, major warlords have been eliminated, and coordinated institutions are emerging.

    The road ahead requires patience, vigilance, and collective responsibility. Security cannot be left solely to the government; it is everyone’s business, and each citizen has a role in ensuring the safety of our communities. To transform fragile gains into lasting stability, Nigeria must implement coordinated strategies, foster community involvement, and undertake structural reforms.

    Amidst the turmoil, there is hope. Our task is to turn hope into resilience, and resilience into peace. The strength of the Nigerian peoples—their ability to endure and strive for a better future—remains a source of inspiration in these challenging times.

    •Iroegbu, a journalist and security and public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja.

  • Insecurity: A defining moment for the security forces

    Insecurity: A defining moment for the security forces

    • By Mike Kebonkwu

    “I swear to Allah, wherever bandits are, we know.  I can show you on this phone wherever they are… If I had the power to give directives, this issue would come to an end in two months”. 

    This was the lamentation of the governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal the chief security officer of the state.  This is virtually the plight of all the governors across the country without exception: watching helpless citizens groan under the burden of marauding band of criminals and kidnappers.  

    There is rising tide of insecurity across the country; troops are still attacked in their bases, while patrols and convoys come under ambush with casualties. Travellers are abducted and kidnapped wholesale on the roads, north and south of the country with relations paying heavy ransoms. The criminals even kidnap soldiers and get away with it; things are not just normal in the country. The people in government want to mute everything about the state of insecurity preferring exaggerated improvement without evidence on the ground.  

    Insurgents, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements have taken over the ungovernable space of the country where there is no government presence. This is a defining moment for the Nigerian military to prove their mettle with their track record. 

    We may never know the whole truth about the elements behind the insecurity in the country because those who have information about them are under oath of Official Secret Act.   What is not in doubt now is that those behind the insecurity threatening to destabilize the country are the untouchables and owners of Nigeria parading as prominent politicians and religious clergies. They are the ones telling the government not to apply military force but to negotiate, dialogue and offer amnesty to the criminals as freedom fighters.

    These elements have also deliberately engaged in negative propaganda to de-incentivize the military campaign, accusing soldiers of targeting civilians and violating their rights when on the heels and pursuit of these criminals.   What would innocent civilians be doing in frontline of active conflict with bandits and insurgents?  They use unverified reports of some international NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations), aid groups and their local collaborators to justify their campaign against the military operations to deal with these criminals.   

    It must be understood that anybody or group found within the frontline and precinct of the insurgents and bandits is an active collaborator, sympathizer or a member. 

    We hear reports and press briefings of the number of insurgents and bandits that have been neutralized or killed in the media space, but their ranks swell in the bush.  We don’t want them to be killed on the pages of newspaper and televisions alone; please kill them for real and remove their weapons. Don’t even bother to give us statistics and figure of those killed or neutralized; we will feel it, if we can travel in safety without being kidnapped on the roads, and if troops are no longer ambushed on patrol or attack at their bases. The government is increasingly becoming unable to provide security to the population but the people are not equipped to protect themselves.  Indeed, they cannot; how can they confront the criminal gangs that are bold enough to take the fight to the soldiers in their bases, and attack patrols and convoys of troops?   

    Just last week, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) lost about six of its operatives in Edo State.  Again, this is not an isolated incident; it is happening with brazen frequency across the country. 

    Where do we go from here, state police?  There are fears of abuse, and the fear is real enough because we may just be equipping some local tyrants and emperors that may find their way into government house as chief executive officers. We already have all manners of vigilantes established by state governments with little or no improvement.  We have only succeeded in militarizing the civil space without commensurate improvement in the security of lives and property.   

    Security experts have reduced the tackling of insecurity to textbook analysis of security theories without solution in sight. They favour pacifist method because they are reading the lips and body language of government.  They justify why kinetic method and use of force cannot stop banditry, insurgency and other criminality across the country.  They are dead wrong! Negotiation and dialogue with criminals on their own terms is an admission of weakness of the state.  The criminals should be disarmed unconditionally, and if the military or combined forces of the security architecture cannot achieve that, then we should interrogate the basis of their relevance. 

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    A former Chief of Army Staff was once quoted as saying that “it would take about 50 years to defeat the insurgency in the northeast”!  He was at the helms for about four years or more as the Chief of Army Staff and he hails from the epicentre of the state ravaged by the insurgency. 

    As the Chief of Army Staff, his pre-occupation was to establish an Army University in his village in the midst of war against terrorism and displacement of the population in the northeast.  He did not procure surveillance equipment and training aids for his soldiers in the frontline.  He did not think of building a tool factory to manufacture munitions for his soldiers. Is building a university a priority for a military that has suffered reversal of fortune in combat efficiency?  To the shame of the National Assembly, they approved a bill for such frivolity instead of directing that the resources should be ploughed back to procurement of equipment, weapons and welfare for troops. It soon became a competition between the service chiefs with all building universities in their villages, without building their men and their fighting capacity.  This is not to talk about defence procurement that became a bazaar of heist, no audit, and no accountability!

    Governor Lawal is saying that the hideout of the bandits is known.  The communities and villages know where these criminals are operating from, just the same way the security agencies cannot deny knowledge.  However, the security agents give one thousand and one reasons why they cannot access the terrain.  How do the bandits manoeuvre to the place and get their logistics and replenishment?  Who supplies them weapon and how are the weapons brought into the country?  These are questions that the intelligence community should address and also see it as a huge failure. 

    Negotiation, dialogue and rehabilitation of insurgents, bandits and other criminal elements is preparing a nursery bed for handing over the state to terrorists which the government cannot afford and cannot contain.  The military should not be part of any rehabilitation of insurgents and bandits that have killed security forces and displaced population.  Modern warfare is not about talking peace, but intelligence, technology and heavy armament.  There cannot be peace in the world, let us not delude ourselves!  Forward looking countries are building capacity for improving their defence industries and military technology.

    National intelligence should be directed at tracking criminals to their hideouts not activists and opposition leaders.  The coating of insecurity is quite complex; you cannot run with a hare and hunt with hounds.  This is the state we have found ourselves.  If we have to fight insecurity, people who have links and are connected with the bandits and insurgents should not be the ones leading the charge. The military has to rejig, re-calibrate and recharge to rid the country of banditry, insurgency and other forms of criminality in the country. 

    • Kebonkwu Esq is an Abuja-based attorney. He writes via mikekebonkwu@yahoo.com