The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Security challenges

  • ‘Pray for solution to security challenges’

    An Islamic organisation, Jama’atu Izalatil Bidi’a Wa’iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), has urged Muslims to use the fasting period to pray for a solution to the current security challenges in the country.

    Alhaji Bashir Kashere, Deputy Chairman Council of Ulamas, Gombe state branch of the sect, gave the advice during the opening ceremony of Ramadan preaching in Bauchi on Tuesday.

    Kashere has been assigned to take charge of preaching activities in Bauchi during the Ramadan period.

    He said Ramadan was a fasting period during which God accepted prayers and also the time for spiritual reflection, sacrifice and increased devotion and worship”.

    According to him, JIBWIS is concerned with kidnappings and extra-judicial  killings going on in some states like Zamfara, Katsina, Taraba , Adamawa and Borno, among others.

    Kashere noted that the commencement of fasting had provided a unique opportunity to fervently pray for an improvement in the security situation of the nation.

    He stressed that no country would developed amidst crisis, adding the situation would only retarded development.

  • I’ll tackle security challenges, says new IGP Adamu

    President Buhari Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday decorated the new Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammad Adamu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Speaking to State House correspondents after his decoration by the President, Adamu thanked Buhari for considering him worthy to be the next Inspector-General of Police.

    He pledged to tackle the nation’s socio-political and security challenges, particularly the problems of violent crimes like armed robbery, kidnapping and abduction.

    “We know that there are security challenges that we need to tackle in the country like the issues of kidnapping, abduction and other security challenges.

    “From the strategies put in place by the former IGP, we will re-strategise and make sure that we tackle these challenges squarely.’’

    On the forthcoming general elections, Adamu said he was going to build up on the strategies put in place by the outgoing IGP to ensure a hitch-free electoral exercise.

    The Ag. IGP, who was accompanied to the villa by the outgoing IGP, also pledged to maintain neutrality and to be fair to all while carrying out his official duties before, during and after the general elections.

    “Adequate arrangement has been made to make sure that free and fair and credible elections take place in Nigeria.

    “We are going to build up on the strategies put in place to make sure that we have hitch-free elections in the country.

    “We are going to stick by the rules, we are going to do the right thing. We will not go outside the ethics of our job to do things that are untoward, everybody will be given level playing ground to play his or her politics,’’ he said.

    The outgoing IGP, who also addressed the correspondents after the decoration of the new IGP by the president, announced his retirement from service.

    “I want to inform Nigerians that today I am 60 years and I think I have reached the pinnacle of my career.

    “So, I am going to handover to my successor, the incoming Inspector General of Police.

    Read Also: 8 things you should know about new IGP Adamu

    “He is an officer I know very well. We knew each other in the past, we have worked together and I wish him success,’’ he said.

    AIG Mohammed Abubakar Adamu hails from Lafia, Nasarawa State and holds a BSc in Geography.

    He enlisted into the Force on February 1, 1986 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police

    Before his appointment as the Acting Inspector General of Police, he was a Directing Staff at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, Plateau State.

    He was Commissioner of Police in Ekiti and Enugu States and also Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 5 Police Command Headquarters, Benin, Edo.

     

  • 2019 polls: Katsina battles security challenges

    In Katsina state of northwestern Nigeria, insecurity has emerged as the major threat to next month’s general election. Unless something drastic is done to stem the growing tide of violent attacks across the state, the 2019 general election may be badly affected, reports Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor and Augustine Okezie in Katsina.

    CURRENTLY, not less than eight local government areas of Katsina state are at the mercy of bandits, kidnappers and other criminals that have been threatening the security of life and properties in the northwestern state for months now. Sources across the state says the situation is so bad today that residents of the affected areas rarely leave the confines of their homes for fear of being bobbed, abducted or killed.

    The Nation further learnt that concerns are already being expressed in many quarters across the state over the possible effect of the worrisome state of security on the forthcoming general election. According to reliable sources, chieftains of both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been speaking about the security challenges as the elections approach.

    “Even the state government and traditional rulers are expressing concerns over the development. It is left to be seen how a peaceful election can be held in an atmosphere of utter insecurity. This is not about politics, it is about ensuring that the people feel safe before asking them to go and vote. Across party divides, the people of Katsina are calling for urgent help in this regard,” a source said.

    Speaking on the frightening security situation in the state, Dr. Mustapha Inuwa, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chairman of a 10 man Security Committee set up last week by Governor Aminu Bello Masariafter an an extra-ordinary security meeting with security chiefs and other stakeholders, told newsmen at a briefing in his office that movement of personnel and materials to especially the affected frontline state s will be hampered by insecurity.

    He further listed the affected Local Government Areas to include Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Dandume, Faskari, Sabwa and Kafur. He said “certainly the security situation will threaten the general elections especially in those affected local government areas because if you post personnel to the affected area, they may refuse to go there out of fear of their safety.’’

    He explained that most of the affected local government areas are locoed along the state’s border with Zamfara state. “We all know that Zamfara has been battling banditry and other vices for a while now. Many of these criminals being smoked out of Zamfara by the military and police operations going on therein are finding their ways into Katsina state through these border towns.

    “It is as a result of the failure of government to pre-empt this situation and prepare ahead that we now have this crisis on our hands. Katsina is a peaceful place and the current state government places a lot of emphasis on security of lives and properties. But the situation today requires help from higher quarters and it has to be urgently done so that the elections are not hampered by insecurity,” Abdulkadir Tsiga, state co-ordinator of Voters’ Right Agenda (VRA) told The Nation.

     

    Helpless govt

    Unable to keep quiet over the serious nature of the security challenges confronting it across the state, the Katsina State Government admitted that the present state of insecurity which has gripped the state may affect the conduct of a peaceful general election in the state if not properly tackled by a combined synergy of actions involving security agencies in the state through ground and air operations.

    Explaining the magnitude of the crisis on the government’s hand, Inuwa outlined several emergency measures already taken by the Masari-led administration to include reaching out for cooperation with neighboring states like Kaduna, Zamfara and Kano states, clearing the forests located especially within the urban centers which he said have become hide-outs for criminals, embarking on awareness campaign amongst inhabitants of the rural areas through traditional rulers and district heads as well as equipping security agencies.

    He said the state government also requested that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris should make available Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) and related equipment to police personnel in the state to enable them deal with the rising cases of kidnappings, banditry and cattle rustling in some parts of the state. “We discovered that the lack of synergy between the police, military and other security agencies in the state was responsible for the rise in cases of kidnappings, banditry and cattle rustling especially in council areas sharing border with the Rugu forest,” he added.

    The Nation recalled that Governor Masari had during an extra-ordinary security meeting that comprised of security chiefs and other stakeholders lamented the rise in insecurity, adding that security reports showed that one or more of the mentioned crimes were perpetuated in some parts of the state on a daily basis.    On the issue of Cattle rustling, Inuwa said government was considering the possibility of carrying out an enumeration of cattles and their owner in the affected areas.

    Earleir, citing increasing cases of armed banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling committed in parts of the state by suspected gunmen, Governor Masari had raised alarm that the state was under siege. The governor, speaking during a crucial meeting of security chiefs, traditional rulers and acting chairmen of local governments among others critical stakeholders, revealed that intelligence reports  available indicated growing cases of the menace of suspected bandits.

    He disclosed that urgent steps had to be taken at the meeting on the way out of the dangerous security threats facing the state which borders troubled communities in Zamfara State. He maintained that the prevailing situation was a serious threat to survival of the people of the state, adding that it is the responsibility of government and those steering the security apparatus to protect the lives and property of all.

    Masari stressed the need for collective efforts in addressing the challenges for the improved socio-economic activities in the state, while calling on Katsina citizens to assist security agencies with useful information to effectively tackle the situation. He equally solicited continuous prayers for God‘s intervention to overcome the security challenges facing the state and the nation.

    “No one, not even myself, is safe. So, this is the situation and that is why we are here to find a way out, which is a must. There is no option because we are thinking of the survival of our people and state. It is now a daily occurrence as no day passes without a case recorded. It is not even rustling of cows but now kidnapping of people. “Our state is currently under serious siege by armed robbers, kidnappers and armed bandits who arrest rural people at the grassroots at will and demand ransom, which if not paid, they kill their victims.

    “The Permanent Secretary was just informing me that his close relative was kidnapped and a ransom of N5 million was demanded and the person who took the money to them was shot. Some people visited me, and as they left, they were trailed and robbed of their belongings. The armed robbers could not go away with the vehicle because it has security lock on it. In the past, they carried out their activities in the middle of the night, but now, they operate at midnight, 10pm and gradually in broad day light.

    “It is not up to a month, right here in front of  Government House, five electricity poles were carted away. It is getting out of hand that we should not fold our arms. Let’s return to God, let’s pray to Him to salvage the situation.  So we must reach a lasting solution at this meeting to curtail this ugly trend.

    “The citizens are on daily basis being harassed by bandits and kidnappers that are on rampage in the state. The Katsina government organised this one-day joint security and stakeholders meeting to proffer solutions to the state’s current insecurity challenge. The people of Katsina in the 34 local governments now sleep with one eye closed and the other opened,” the Governor lamented.

     

    Help coming?

    As the government and other stakeholders continue to cry for help in tackling the insecurity challenges currently suffocating the state, Tsiga says Katsina state should be specially considered by the military “as it plans its strategic involvement in the security of the nation during the general election.” The pro-democracy activists says there can be no free and fair election without adequate security of lives during elections.

    It would be recalled that last December, the Nigerian Army says it will conduct exercise “Egwu Eke III – Python Dance” nationwide, to tackle already “observed upsurge’’ in security challenges as the 2019 general elections draw nearer. According to the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, who announced this at a news conference in Maiduguri, the exercise will be conducted from January 1 to February 28, 2019.

    Represented by Lamidi Adeosun, the Chief of Training and Operations, Mr. Buratai, a Lt.-Gen., identified those threats as stockpiling of arms by criminal groups, the formation of ethnic militia and violence induced by political activities. The army had in 2016 and 2017 conducted exercise Egwu Eke I and II to address peculiar security challenges in the South- East geo-political zone.

    “These challenges coupled with other security threats across the country such as terrorism, militancy, kidnapping and banditry portend that dissident groups and criminal elements could cash in on the situation to perpetrate large-scale violence before, during and after the 2019 general elections,’’ he said. According to the army chief, Nigerian troops need to be prepared and equipped with requisite skills in order to professionally and effectively respond to these challenges and security threats in collaboration with the Nigerian Police and other para-military oganisations.

    Responding to a question on why Egwu Eke III is being conducted nationwide and not restricted to the South-East in line with its code name, Mr Buratai’s representative said there is python everywhere. “Even in the desert of Borno, don’t forget, the Lake Chad basin is there, python can also dance within the desert.

    “In fact, we have desert python, so python will dance all over the country this time around,’’ he said.

    The army chief explained that the success of the exercise Egwu Eke I and II in checkmating security threats in the South- East informed its implementation across the country now. Buratai called on Nigerians to provide the army and other security agencies with useful and timely information to enable them to deliver on the mandate of the planned exercise. He reaffirmed the commitment of the army to fight against terrorism and insurgency in the country.

    Thus, concerned stakeholders are hoping that the exercise will promptly take off in Katsina and help end the security worries of the government and residents of the state in good time before the general elections. “It is important to note that unless people are assured of safety long before the election, the entire exercise may suffer voters’ apathy, thereby reducing the credibility of the polls,” Tsiga said.

  • How Fed Govt tackling security challenges, by defence minister

    •Buhari, security chiefs meet in Aso Villa

    MINISTER of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali said yesterday that the Armed Forces in collaboration with other security agencies have been doing a lot to address the country’s turbulent security situation.

    Dan-Ali gave the assurance in a statement circulated to State House correspondents, as President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met behind closed doors with security chiefs during National Security Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting dwelled on the various security challenges facing the country.

    The minister reminded the council that the Armed Forces and other security agencies have been doing a lot to tackle the nation’s security challenges.

    He said: “In order to forestall future security incidences in Zamfara, Sokoto and Birnin-Gwari axis, ‘Operation Sharan Daji’ has been extended to cover up to the fringes of Niger border.

    “The operation has recently been reinforced with more troops from the Nigerian Armed Forces, Police and Department of State Services and is supported by the Intelligence, Surveillance and Recognisance Wing of 207 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force.

    “The joint operation has successfully arrested some suspected armed bandits and recovered arms and ammunition. Similarly, in other to checkmate the criminal activities along Abuja-Kaduna highway, security agencies have been directed to increase patrols along the axis to address cases of attacks and kidnappings.

    “There was a review of ‘Operation Safe Haven’ leading to appointment of a new Commander in the Northcentral. The Honourable minister also reiterated the need for the deployment of the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in all areas liberated by the military in the Northeast in order to consolidate on the gains of military operations as well as to enable the military push forward in its clearance operations.”

    In the Southsouth, the minister informed the council that “Operation Delta Safe” has sustained its operations against illegal activities in the Niger Delta region with resultant reduction in illegal oil bunkering, militancy and pipeline vandalism.

     

     

  • Insecurity: Buhari gives military pass mark 

    …says, Boko Haram requires multinational approach

     

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges facing Nigeria require sustained multinational security operations to finally end them.

    This was as the President gave the Nigerian Armed Forces a pass mark in its response to the numerous security challenges confronting the nation.

    Buhari stated these during the graduation of 182 Senior Course 40 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji in Kaduna State on Thursday.

    President Buhari said, “As the world shrinks into a global village with advancement in technology, nations cannot afford but work closely with each other in pursuit of their national interests. Even at the level of individuals or groups, the barriers have been broken. This has also brought in its wake an increase in international trade, commerce as well as security cooperation.”

    Read Also:Insecurity biggest threat in the north, says Emir

    He said the numerous security challenges facing the world today are trans-border in nature, involving actors in different sub-regions and regions. Adding that; “The West African sub-region and indeed the African continent are not immune to the negative impacts of globalization.”

    The President therefore said that, “to effectively combat the prevalent security threats demands that African countries continue to work together at all levels including operational and tactical levels.

    “We recognise that security challenges abound in all countries of the world including Nigeria. I am certain, with the consistent efforts of our security agencies, these challenges shall be considerably mitigated and minimised. I am sure you are aware of the collaboration of the armed forces of Nigeria, Cameroun, Niger Republic and Chad in a multinational operation to combat Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin region.”

    While noting that, capacity building remains the bedrock of combat ready for effective and efficient military which this government remain committed to, the President said, the Federal Government will continue to give priority to the training and welfare of officers and men of our Armed Forces.

    “This is not only because we salute their courage and sacrifice for the safety and stability of our country but because the Armed Forces of Nigeria have continued to be the bastion of our unity.”

    While commending the armed forces, he said, “over the years, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have provided the appropriate response to the numerous security challenges facing our country.

    “Their response to Boko Haram insurgency, militancy, kidnapping, activities of separatists and armed militias amongst others have been very commendable.

    According to him, the Nigerian Armed Forces has also committed huge resources towards stability of the West African sub-region and world peace in general.

    “Our efforts in Liberia and Sierra Leone which stabilized the West African sub-region readily come to mind, more recently, our Armed Forces have also contributed to the peace in The Gambia, Mali and South Sudan.”

    Buhari said the significance and importance of joint training of members of the armed forces of friendly and allied countries cannot be over-emphasized and Senior Course 40 is not an exception. “The Course would have afforded you the chance to break barriers and build bridges of friendship amongst yourselves as individuals. It would have also afforded you the rare opportunity of appreciating each other’s lifestyle, culture and doctrines.

    “This unique understanding and bond is expected to come handy in forging closer co-operation when occasions demand that you are deployed together “in multinational operations.” he said

    He called on the graduating officers to realize that the nation has made a lot of investment into their training. Likewise the nation is expecting the best from them in terms of commitment to duties and their fatherland.

    He also assured of his administration’s effort to return Nigeria on the path of peace and prosperity, saying that, “At the inception of this administration, I made 3 key promises to Nigerians. First is to address the various security challenges facing our country, second, to reposition our economy and third to fight the serious challenge of corruption which had eaten so deep into the very fabric that sustains our nation,” The President said.

     

  • Labour seek new approach to security challenges

    Organised Labour which is made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Prof. Onje Gyewado wants a change of approach to the fight against insurgents in the country, saying there can be no development in the country if the current wave of insecurity in the land is allowed to continue unabated.

    Specifically, Prof. Gyewado who is a professor of Law with the University of Jos wants the government to criminalize the current mass killings across the country, while those responsible should be treated as criminals if the killings must stop.

    Speaking at the Pre-May day lecture in Abuja, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said it was just not enough to condemn the killings going on across the country without any concrete step being taken to bring to book all those responsible for the actions.

    Wabba said the government need to adopt a new approach to the issue as it was scaring away potential investors from the country.

    He said: “There is no development that can make any impact if, as a nation, the life of any citizen is being threatened or where the continuous shedding of innocent blood will continue unabated. I just read this morning that in three months, 136 lives were lost in Zamfara.

    “The case of Benue and other states across the country is something that is known to us. The primary purpose of governance is first the security of the people. Why appreciating whatever our armed forces and police have been able to do, I think more need to be done because the safety of every citizen is very important.

    “As we celebrate this May Day, we call on all relevant agencies to be mindful of what is happening in terms of the security of the citizens. No complain or condemnation will be enough.

    “What is required is a new approach and action that will bring the issues to an end. That is what will make Nigerians happy and bring about people that would want to invest in our country. The story outside the country is that every day, people are being killed and that nothing is going to happen. So, for us to prepare very veritable ground for investors to come in and for the country to continue to develop, the issue of security must be taken seriously.”

    Delivering a paper entitled “Labour and national development: not cowards, not traitors”, Prof. Gyewado challenged organised Labour to rise up to the challenge fed posed by the current security challenges in the country and take a definite stand.

    He said: “the Nigerian state is highly militarized. Our constitution provides that the military shall provide assistance to civil authority. But they are not providing assistance to civil authority now because they are now in it, the first line of action should be the police and civil defense.

    “But there is no zone now that there is no military establishment. It is not good for the psyche of a democratic nation. We must find a way of providing the basis to curtail this situation.

    “As Labour interrogate this challenge, I think that our attitude should be that if we don’t want to declare Boko Haram as insurgents, if we don’t what to declare whoever is marauding as killers as murderers, then we have a challenge. We now need.

    “More than ever before to isolate these areas and say anybody who is involved in this is a criminal and should be treated as a criminal. If you use insurgency, it has implication in international relations and so, we must criminalist these activities because if we don’t, the government lacks the capacity to negotiate.

    “I remember that the Borno Elders Forum were always complaining that you can’t continue to kill our children and yet won’t offer any solution and yet won’t bring them for negotiation, at which point can you negotiate or play love game with those who are causing us immeasurable damages and loss of lives. Injury to one is injury to all.

    “So, for those of us who are parents, we must feel the pain of the insecurity in this country and Labour must take a definite position on this. We must take our stand because we are the only dispassionate group and are not concerned about emotive things.”

    Prof. Gyewado said one of the biggest problem we have in our security architecture is lack of synergy among the various security outfit, saying “they are in competition with themselves against this country because they are not working for this country.”

    He said that the struggle of organised Labour is to reposition Nigeria and this has come over time, right from the colonial time, adding that “Over 70 percent of those in governance are not ready for governance. We do not understand what the issues are and by the time you want to tell a story, they perceived it as if you are coming from a foreign land. I do know that as unions, we do not want to go outside our regimes. I have been there and so. I also take responsibility of some of the policies that has affected our Labour.

    Labour, he said must continue to be the vanguard of the struggle. It is organised Labour that can co tenure to play that role and we won’t have challenges because it is already intrinsic in Labour to continue to show leadership.

    Read Also: New minimum wage: States must pay, says Labour

  • Nigeria confronted with security challenges, says Buratai

    Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has stated that the Army and the country are confronted with security challenges.

    He identified the challenges as terrorism, insurgency and so on, which had brought untold hardship to innocent citizens and contributed negatively to the economy.

    Gen. Buratai spoke a special guest of honour during the combined 6 Division end-of-the-year West African Social Activities (WASA) at the Port Harcourt Barracks, Bori Camp, Rivers State at the weekend.

    He noted that WASA was a regimental event, carried out yearly, as a means of bringing officers and soldiers together with their families to celebrate the end of the training year and usher in the activities of the new year, a tradition which he said was handed over to the Nigerian army by the colonial masters, but being sustained to foster esprit-de-corps and command the confidence of soldiers.

    The chief of army staff, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. S.N. Chikwe (rtd.), added that the 6 division, which is responsible for curtailing militancy, illegal oil bunkering, cultism, pipeline vandalism and other vices in the Niger Delta, had recorded tremendous successes since its establishment, while also performing satisfactorily in the areas of training and regimentation.

    He said: “Since the assumption of office of President Muhammadu Buhari, we have all begun to see tremendous change in the approach towards the military action. The security situation in the country has improved significantly, while other important sectors have taken good shape.

    “I am pleased to inform you that our gallant troops in the Northeast are doing fantastic job. Let me urge you to continue to imbibe and uphold the Nigerian Army’s core values of integrity, loyalty and discipline. Always place service interest above personal interest. I want to assure you that hard work, innovation and creativity will certainly be rewarded.”

    Gen. Buratai also described WASA as an important aspect of regimentation.

    The guest of honour, Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, lauded the officers and men of the Nigerian army, who she said were making sacrifices to unite Nigeria, while supporting the WASA with N5 million.

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 division, Maj.-Gen. Musa Yusuf, stated that WASA had become an age-long tradition in the Nigerian army, usually marked with display of cultural dances and costumes.

    Gen. Yusuf said: “Let me use this opportunity to thank the Chief of Army Staff for his purposeful leadership, commitment to training and the welfare of officers, soldiers and their families.

    “Your (Buratai’s) passion for training and welfare of the troops made it possible for us to record all the successes in 2017.

    “We have started 2018 with great enthusiasm and good hope of further actualising your (Buratai’s) vision by consolidating on the gains of the past year, through improved discipline and sustained training to meet the Nigerian Army’s constitutional roles.”

    The GOC also reassured the chief of army staff and pledged the unalloyed loyalty to Gen. Buratai’s leadership, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and Nigeria.

  • NBA to Fed Govt: address security challenges

    NBA to Fed Govt: address security challenges

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged the Federal Government to find new means of addressing security challenges in the country, asking the government to rise up to its responsibilities.

    Its President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), made the call in an address during the association’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

    He said: “In the last few months we have witnessed the terrible events in Taraba, Benue and several states that have caused loss of hundreds of human lives and property arising from heightened conflict between herders and farmers that has assumed a  dangerous dimension threatening national security.

    “To demonstrate our concern and to bring our knowledge and skills to bear in the search for solution to the herders/farmers conflict, I led the NBA on a fact finding mission to Benue State early in February. In Zamfara State, we witnessed heightened banditry which is inexplicable in any modern state.

    “Only on February 14, the nation was rudely awakened with the massacre of 41 persons in Birane village in Zurmi Local Government Area, representing a significant deterioration of the security situation and incessant killings in that part of the country.”

    The NBA decried the killings, saying more needs to be done to secure the country.

    “NBA condemns these killings very strongly and calls on the Federal Government to do all within its powers to address these security challenges and do more to secure lives and property in all parts of the country.

    “We must not allow the country to creep into anarchy which will be the consequence of massive loss of confidence in the ability of the state to protect its citizens. These killings are unacceptable and must be brought to an end,”Mahmoud said.

    The Association said it acknowledged the progress made in addressing the security situation in the Northeast.

    “It was, therefore, with shock and great sense of disappointment that we heard the tragic news of the abduction of the nearly 105 school girls of Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State.

    “This dastardly act of kidnap by terrorists has grave impact not only on national security, but also on girl child education. I am not sure any of us here can easily relate to the security implications of such heinous crime,”he said.

    Mahmoud restated his position in an address at the Valedictory Court session in honour of retired Supreme Court Justice, Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, on February 27.

    He said: “I had this to say: ‘My Lord the Chief Justice, it may not be out of place to seize this opportunity to comment on somewhat tangentially related national event: the abduction a few days ago, according to press reports, of about 105 girls at the Government Girls Secondary and Technical School Dapchi Yobe State, the same region where Hon. Justice Ogunbiyi hails from.

    “It is indeed, a matter of great tragedy that the part of the country that produced such eminent women is now perhaps one of the unsafest parts of the world for female children to attend school.

    “Who knows how many Clara Ogunbiyis are amongst those innocent young girls now in captivity? The least that any country owes to its generation of young children is a safe place to learn.

    “The NBA, therefore, wishes to use this opportunity to condemn very strongly the abduction of these young girls and calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to use all means within its powers to secure the safe return of these children to their parents and communities.

    “We further call on the Government to as a matter of urgency review the security of all schools, especially boarding schools for girls in the region and if necessary, suspend for the time being, the boarding system until the safety of all such schools can be fully guaranteed.’”

    Mahmoud said the recent events represent perhaps one of the greatest failures of the Nigerian State – its failure to guarantee a safe learning environment to its most vulnerable segment of the population.

    “It is even more tragic against the backdrop of the failure to secure the release of the more 100 Chibok girls still in captivity nearly four years since their abduction. The pain and agony of these parents can only be imagined.

    “I want to, therefore, reiterate my call early on Monday that the Federal and State Governments should as a matter of urgency suspend the boarding system in the affected states of the Northeast region, especially for girls until the safety and security of the children can be guaranteed.

    “We urge the government to do whatever is necessary including seeking appropriate international assistance to secure the release of these girls and reunite them with their families,” Mahmoud said.

    Kwara State Governor Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed said the meeting came at a time of great national economic challenges, but flourishing prosperity in the  state.

    He said: “While these national challenges have stimulated renewed agitation for an amendment of our constitution, we prefer to focus on the endogenous opportunities available to us.

    “As a result, we have not only achieved economic stability and guaranteed the entitlement of workers,we have also implemented radical revenue reforms that are today funding our rapid development programs.

    “Having brought all inherited projects to fruition, our administration established the innovative Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund (IF-K) to fund new medium and large scale infrastructure.

    “For instance, we are constructingthe Geri- Alimi Split Diamond Interchange in response to the rapid influx of people.

    “This influx is due to our reputation for harmony, growing infrastructure and unique location as a gateway to the north and south.”

    The govenor said in a bid to reduce road accidents, improve safety and boost the night economy, the state introduced Light-Up Kwara (LUK), a solar street light project, powered through the Solar Farm tunnels across the metropolis.

    “Through LUK, we are also taking the lead in stimulating a green economy in Kwara State as we prepare to extend the scheme across the state, including rural areas.

    “In line with our commitment to expanding access to education, we are currently constructing campuses of the Kwara State University in Osi, Ekiti and Ilesha- Baruba, as well as a Post Graduate School, here in Ilorin.

    “These projects and others too numerous to mention here are funded throughIF-K under which a cumulative N10b has been disbursed so far.

    “The projects cut across the road, education, energy and media sectors in the two years since IF-K’s establishment in 2016. IF-K, and the strides it has made possible, testify to our resourcefulness and determination to thrive despite current challenges in the national economy,” Ahmed said.

     

  • Army dealing with security challenges, says Buratai

    Army dealing with security challenges, says Buratai

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai has said the Army is dealing with rising security challenges.

    Lt.-Gen. Burutai spoke yesterday at the groundbreaking of the Army Barracks, Camp Buratai, at Elebele, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    He explained that following the nation’s challenges, President Muhammadu Buhari desired the Army to spread its footprints to confront threats in partnership with sister agencies.

    The COAS said the 6th Division and 6th Brigade in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, were part of the expansionist project.

    He said the 16th Brigade in Yenagoa, was made operational on February 28, adding that he was in Katsina 10 days ago to operationalise the 17th Brigade under the  8th Division, with headquarters in Operation Lafia Dole in Monguno.

    But he said its headquarters in Monguno would be relocated to Sokoto once insurgency is fully contained.

    The groundbreaking was attended by Governor Seriake Dickson; his key exco members; Founder/President of Belema Oil Producing Ltd Mr. Jack-Rich Pein (Jnr); and the Chief Executive Officer of Azikel Refinery, Dr. Azibapu Erani.

    General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6th Division Maj.-Gen. M.S. Yusuf; Commander 16th Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, and other security commanders; traditional rulers and host communities were also present.

    Gen. Buratai said: “The establishment of 6th Brigade  in Port Harcourt, 6th Division in Port Harcourt and the 16th Brigade in Yenagoa forms an important part of Mr. President’s desire to have a balanced and widespread footprints of the Nigerian Army to deal with the myriads of security challenges facing the country in conjunction with other security agencies.

    “As you may be aware, I was in Katsina about 10 days ago to operationalise the 17th Brigade under the new 8 Division whose headquarters is currently in Operation Lafia Dole, the theatre of operation specifically in Monguno but will soon relocate to Sokoto after the menace of the insurgency has been fully contained.’’

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Buhari: we’re battling security challenges (Video)

    Buhari: we’re battling security challenges (Video)

    •President, service chiefs, others meet

    President Muhammadu Buhari met yesterday with security chiefs for two and half hours at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting ended with none of the official willing to speak with State House correspondents on the meeting.

    But posting on the President’s Twitter handle reads: “Today, I presided over a meeting of the Security Council. We fully understand the seriousness & urgency of Nigeria’s security issues, and are determined to implement carefully considered solutions that will not only earn the confidence of Nigerians, but also stand the test of time.”

    “One of the resolutions from our security meeting today is that all our law enforcement agencies must take intelligence-gathering and sharing much more seriously. The Police and Department of State Services (DSS), especially have been charged to step up their efforts and capacity in this regard.

    “Our law enforcement agencies must at all time stay ahead of bandits and criminals, wherever they are across the country, by efficiently gathering, sharing and acting on credible Intelligence. I am assuring that we will give them all the support needed to succeed.

    “Let me also assure that all persons arrested so far, including those arrested for illegally possessing arms, will be duly prosecuted. I urge judicial officers to be alive to responsibilities in this regard, to enable the speedy dispensation of justice.”

    The meeting, which was an enlarged one with heads of Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Prisons Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    At the meeting was the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, Minister of Defence  Mansur Dan-Ali, Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Danbazzau, Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama and National Security Adviser Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd)

    Others are: Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) Lawal Daura, Director of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ahmed Abubakar and Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris.

    The service chiefs at the meeting included Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas and Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar.

    [jwplayer 6mkQXdLs]