The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Terrorism

  • Pakistan pledges to assist Nigeria in fight against insurgency

    The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has pledged to offer necessary assistance to Nigeria in its fight against insurgence and terrorism.

    The Pakistan Defence Adviser, Col. Muazzam James stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after a ceremony to mark National Defence Day` of Pakistan on Tuesday night in Abuja.

    James said that both countries could learn from each other especially in the area of fighting insurgence and terrorism.

    “Pakistan is open to share all our experiences in terms of training, operation and other arsenal policies; we are open to share everything with our Nigerian government.

    “Pakistan and Nigeria have so many things in common, we have similar challenges.

    `We need to work together, terrorism is a global phenomenal and it cannot be handled by one country, especially developing country like Pakistan and Nigeria.

    “We need to work together, south-south cooperation is the best, I think Pakistan defence is offering its support to Nigeria; we can do so many thing together,” he said.

    He said that there had been series of exchange programmes between Nigeria and Pakistan and both countries had been assisting each other in different ways.

    According to him, Nigerian army officers have been to Pakistan on training, while Pakistan army have also been to Nigeria as part of training arrangement , assisting in different ways
    .
    While commending Nigeria in its fight against insurgence in the North East, the envoy said that the Federal Government had defeated and eliminated Boko Haram in the area.

    The Pakistan High Commissioner to Nigeria , Mr Umer Farooq also in an interview called on authorities of both countries to operationalise an already signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between them.

    “I will also want to recommend for the two countries, to put in place right policies that will help in operating these MoU’s in various sectors of our economy,’’ he said.

    According to him, both countries have a lot in common as developing nations particularly in areas of agriculture, manufacturing and industry.

    The Chief Of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Abubakar at the occasion commended Pakistan for its support to Nigeria in the fight against insurgence.

    According to him Pakistan and other friendly countries have been of help in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

    Abubakar who said that that there were a lots things Nigeria could benefit from Pakistan stressed on the need to maintain the existing relationship between them.

  • ‘Sports necessary to fight terrorism’

    ‘Sports necessary to fight terrorism’

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has said physical exercise through sporting activities is a necessary training feature for military personnel in the fight against terrorism and other security challenges in Nigeria.

    The Air Force Chief made this known during the closing ceremony of the Army Headquarters and Guards Brigade Garrison Sports Competition at the Aguiyi Ironsi cantonment, Abuja. The championship was organized to select athletes that will represent the Army Headquarters, during the Nigerian Army Sports Festival holding in October 2016 in Abuja.

    Abubakar, who was the Special Guest of Honour said sports oil the machinery of the armed forces all over the world as it promotes physical fitness, engenders team spirit and the espirit de corps among troops and improves productivity.

    He said: “Sports enables the military man to build endurance, withstand stress and it engenders good health and total well being. It remains one of the essential ingredients of building combat ready personnel. The philosophy of building friendship through sports is even more relevant to the armed forces giving its key role in the promotion of the espirit de corps.

    “This clearly explains why sports championships are a recurring feature for training activities for all the services. I am particularly happy to be part of today’s occasion which attests  to the Nigerian army professional  thrust to cope with the existing security challenges in our country.”

    The Air Marshall said the importance of sporting activities among service men cannot be downplayed giving the security challenges facing the country.” I want to commend the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) for organizing this competition, which is a prelude to a bigger sporting event in October, the  kind of challenges we face today requires personnel that have a sound mind in a sound body, so what we are having here is a demonstration of how healthy and able our personnel are to deal with some of the challenges we are facing in Nigeria,” he said.

    On his part, the COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Burutai, praised the cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force promises that such cooperation will help not only in improving Nigerian security but also help defeat terrorism.

    “This is a corporation that has been going on for a long time between the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force. One of the principles of war is corporation, so while we cooperate in the field, we also come down to the sport environment to further get our troops physically fit to continue to fight and address any challenge we have in the theater or any other area in the country.

    “So it is a cooperation we cherish and I appreciate the Chief Of Air Staff for coming here personally. We look forward to more of such cooperation not only in the informal way in sports arena, but we will continue to do that as we have been doing in the various theatres of operation,” Burutai said.

    The Army chief also promised that sports competitions will not only serve to improve soldier’s fitness, but also as a channel to provide athletes that will represent Nigeria in continental and global competitions.

    “Army sports are back, we recently won the boxing championship that was held in Cameroon, our troops were also in one of the eastern countries to participate in boxing and you know recently, the Nigerian army football team, the Green Berets got the promoted to Division one in one of the leagues.

    “So this is a beginning, a restart of what we used to do before. It is unfortunate that over the years, some of these basic activities were relegated, but today the army is back as a force, we are good in all spheres, since we have started, I want to assure you that by next year we will get more laurels and we will be participating in the National Sports Festival coming up later in the year.”

    However, the Guards Brigade Garrison defeated the Army Headquarters Garrison by winning 42 gold, 50 silver and 25 bronze medals while the Army Headquarters on 39 gold, 30 silver and 30 bronze medals. The three-day event witnessed competitions in  Boxing, Judo, wrestling, taekwondo, swimming, volleyball, football, handball, tug of war, badminton, scrabble, chess, squash and table tennis. It also witnessed track and field events including combat relay.

  • Akiolu, Adebule, Gbajabiamila join forces against terrorism

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule, Lagos monarch Oba Rilwan Akiolu and House of Representatives Majority Leader Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday called for a collaborative efforts in the fight against terrorism.

    The trio spoke at Dodan Barracks Prayer Ground in Ikoyi, Lagos after Eid-il-Fitr prayer.

    Adebule said meaningful and sustainable development could only be actualised in the country in an atmosphere of peace.

    She said: “We all need to know that it is only when we have peace that government can achieve sustainable national development.

    “‘The bombing in Saudi-Arabia, Baghdad and other countries is an unfortunate and condemnable situation.

    “And we need to be reminded that Islam condemns bombing, killing and terrorism, and Islam does not uphold anything that hurts humanity.

    “As we celebrate the end of Ramadan, we as Muslims and Nigerians need to examine our essence in life, pay attention to what is happening around us and embrace peace and love for one another.

    “That is the way to achieve progress and prosperity in Lagos State and in the nation at large,’’ she said.

    The deputy governor thanked the residents for maintaining harmonious co-existence and urged them to be vigilant and report any form of strange movements and activities in their environment.

    Akiolu urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government in the fight against terrorism and corruption.

    “The Federal Government alone cannot fight terrorism and corruption which are the major challenges Nigeria is facing today. The state and local governments as well as Nigerians must be a part of this fight,’’ the Lagos paramount traditional ruler said.

    Gbajabiamila urged Muslim clerics not to relent in the teaching of the principles of Islam to curb the spread of religious extremism.

    Police Commissioner Mr Fatai Owoseni, urged Muslims to sustain the lessons of Ramadan and avoid violence and activities that could cause chaos in the society.

    “All the vices we have been able to avoid and restrain ourselves from during the 30 days Ramadan should be sustained.

    “And I advise Nigerians to avoid violence and anything that can cause chaos in the country. They should be very observant, vigilant and security conscious,’’ Owoseni said.

    Chief Imam of Lagos Sheikh Garuba Akinola Ibrahim, who led the prayer, called for love and tolerance among Nigerians, irrespective of religion and tribe.

    Sheikh Ibrahim urged Muslims not to consider the celebration as an occasion for merry-making only but that which called for sober reflection and rededication to the service of God and humanity.

    A Medical Director at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebutte-Meta Dr Munirat Jinadu, said no nation would prosper or develop without love and tolerance among its people.

    Jinadu urged Muslims to imbibe love and live in peace with people of other religion as exemplified by Prophet Mohammed.

  • Police chief counsels youths on terrorism

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni has counselled  youths to be positive change agents.

    He said this while delivering a lecture titled: “Youth and terrorism” to pupils of over 50 schools at a career guidance and counselling programme organised by Goge Africa Foundation (GAF) and the Federal Ministry of information and Culture at the National Theatre, Lagos.

    Owoseni said: “We need to guide our youths, who are vulnerable citizens so that they will not be used as agents of terrorism. All of us can be change agents. Make the right choice when people are in distress.”

    Condemning last week’s Maryland violence in the state, he said: “Take an example of what happened at Maryland, even after one of the street hawkers had been knocked down by a vehicle, rather than people helping the security agents to quickly remove the corpse from the road, the street urchins seemed to be jubilant, going on the streets to destroy things, including BRT buses that were provided by government for the good of the people.”

    The Commissioner also blamed the economic downturn, including electricity failure, unemployment, and inflation, among others, on acts of terrorism.

    He said: “Why do you think your mothers use the money they should use to buy you new clothes and other things to buy fuel, and some parents don’t have jobs, and we are experiencing so many economic setbacks? It is because terrorism leads to economic and infrastructural setbacks.”

    Owoseni counselled the pupils to embrace education, fear of God, parental guidance and moral values to become productive adults.

    Meanwhile, co-founder of GAF, Mrs Nneka Isaac Moses, said the annual event was meant to build innovative and creative spirit in children from a young age.

    She advised parents to guide but not choose careers for their children, rather harness and enhance their God-given dreams.

    On creativity and innovation, Nollywood actor and comedian, Basorge Tariah Jnr, charged the pupils to shun procrastination, time wasting and laziness, but embrace hardwork and be entrepreneurially minded.

    Other topics discussed at the event were digital media and youth education; and Nutrition and your health.

  • Don’t link religion to terrorism, Sultan warns

    Don’t link religion to terrorism, Sultan warns

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has advised Nigerians against giving a religious ‘toga’ to negative happenings in the country.

    The revered monarch spoke at a meeting with religious leaders, security agencies, communities, journalists and NGOs at his palace.

    He blamed the elite for most negative trends, saying their selfishness and uncompromising attitude were the cause of the major problems in the country. “Whenever one loses power, he creates problem, and the masses are always at the receiving end,” he said.

    Abubakar noted that everything had been politicised, and that Muslims feel more marginalised “only that they were not complaining”.

    He lamented that anything negative is always attributed to Muslims, Fulani (herdsmen) and Hausa, though when crimes are committed elsewhere, it is not linked to religion, ethnicity and region.”

    The monarch, however, said Nigeria remains a beautiful country and its people love one another.

    He advised leaders, particularly the elite, to desist from setting innocent people against themselves.

    “Let them bring issues that cause debate but don’t carry weapons against one another. Life lost never comes back; let us sit together, discuss our problems and see how to overcome them,” he said.

    Sultan Abubakar urged the people to stop blaming Fulani for every attack, saying “criminals are found anywhere, in any religion and tribe.

  • Appeal court affirms 25 years jail for Boko Haram convicts

    The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, has affirmed the September 30, 2015 judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos which convicted three men of participating in terrorism and belonging to outlawed Boko Haram sect.
    In a judgment delivered by Justice Y.B. Nimpar, the appellate court upheld the decision of the lower court which sentenced Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi and Ibrahim Usman, to 25 years imprisonment each.
    They had been arraigned in November 2013 along with 14 others before Justice Ibrahim Buba, who found them guilty as charged in September 2014.
    Displeased with their conviction and imprisonment, the convicts subsequently approached the Court of Appeal seeking to overturn the judgment.
    But the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, which charged them to court and secured their convictions, said in a statement on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Bola Akingbade, that the appeal was dismissed for lacking in merit.
    According to the ministry, the convicts had contended that they were charged and convicted under an inapplicable law.
    They had also contended that the 25 years’ imprisonment imposed on them was excessive and urged the higher court to reverse their conviction.
    But the appellate court refused their prayers.
    Mohammed, Karumi and Usman were arraigned on eight counts in November 2013 before Justice Buba along with 14 other suspected Boko Haram members.
    Those charged with them were Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala and Kadiri Mohammed and Mustapha Daura.
    Others were Abba Duguri, Sanni Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya and Musa Audu and Mati Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdullahi Azeez, Ibrahim Bukar and Zula Diani.
    But in the course of trial, the then Lagos State, Attorney-General, Mr. Ade Ipaye, entered a nolle prosequi, discontinuing criminal charges against 13 of the suspects, leaving only Mohammed, Karumi, Usman and Haruna.

  • FG to inaugurate advisory council on cyber security 

    FG to inaugurate advisory council on cyber security 

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has said the Federal Government will inaugurate a Presidential Advisory Council on cyber security to be headed by the National Security Adviser (NSA).

    Osinbajo disclosed at the 2016 Cyber Secure Nigeria that the council, which would include major stakeholders in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector, as well as the Nigeria Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is expected to counsel the President on measures to protect national critical infrastructures and address cyber threats.

    The VP spoke at an event organized by the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN), Wednesday in Abuja. It was titled ‘Emerging Cyber Security Threats and Counter-measures.

    Osinbajo said terrorism could take several avenues to attack critical infrastructures in the country, adding that there was need for more partnership between the public and private sectors to secure the nation’s cyber space.

    The Vice President (VP), who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Rule of Law, Mr. Akingbola Adeniran, emphasized the sector is capable of creating jobs for the unemployed youths, especially with the right partnership.

    He added that the Office of the NSA and NITDA already setup emergency response teams in respect to cyber threats.

    Osinbajo said: “If it is in the area of terrorism there are threats. Terrorism can take several forms on critical national infrastructures and through that, you can commit terrorism. In areas of financial crimes, we already have that happening. When you look at the threats this poses to the country, this is something we should be discussing and discussing seriously.

    “We have a cyber-crime act which came into law last year and one of the provisions establishes cyber-crime advisory council, which is to be headed by the NSA. I am happy to inform you that in the coming weeks, that council will be inaugurated under the chairmanship of the NSA. This is the premiere cyber-crime fighting or coordinating body for the country and so many agencies, including the private sector that is part of this council. The idea is that every aspect of cyber security is discussed so that they can take decisions, to advise Mr. President on how to improve our cyber security.”

    In his remarks, CSEAN President, Remi Afon said the conference was organized to call government’s attention to the need to train Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on cyber security.

    He advised government to create more awareness on impact of cyber-crime, adding that research and investment in cyber security are essential to responding to cyber threats.

     

  • Terrorism: African leaders need to work closer, says Buhari

    Terrorism: African leaders need to work closer, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said ending insurgency in Africa would require stronger collaboration and commitment from governments, financial institutions and security agencies in tracking sponsors of terrorist activities.

    In a farewell audience at the State House with the High Commissioner of Kenya in Nigeria, Mr. Tom Amolo, Buhari said terrorist attacks in Africa bear similar trademarks of intense planning, strong alliances and proper financial sponsorship, which must be thoroughly investigated and reversed.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari said: ‘‘Terrorist activities always have financial sponsorships and this can be seen in their acquisition of weapons, their movements and other logistics.

    ‘‘Here in Nigeria, we saw that Boko Haram had strong material resources and they had a close link with ISIL,’’ he said.

    The President said African governments must make efforts to dissuade the younger generation from joining the terrorist groups, which explore youthful minds for suicide bombings.

    ‘‘We need cultural orientation to succeed against terrorism,’’ he added.

    The outgoing high commissioner said he enjoyed his stay in Nigeria and looked forward to returning to the country.

     

  • Pope seeks use of’ weapons of love’ to fight terrorism in Nigeria, others

    Pope Francis yesterday urged the World to use the “weapons of love” to combat the evil of “blind and brutal violence”, following last week’s attacks in Brussels, the Belgian capital.

    Delivering his Easter homily at St Peter’s Basilica, after a week of sombre religious events commemorating Jesus’ death and resurrection, Francis, speaking under tight security for tens of thousands of people, spoke of violence, injustice and threats to peace in many parts of the world.

    “May he (the risen Jesus) draw us closer on this Easter feast to the victims of terrorism, that blind and brutal form of violence which continues to shed blood in different parts of the world.

    He mentioned recent attacks in Belgium, where at least 31 people were killed by Islamist militants, as well as those in Turkey, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Iraq.

    “With the weapons of love, God has defeated selfishness and death.

    The 79-year-old pontiff urged people to channel the hope of Easter in order to defeat “the evil that seems to have the upper hand in the life of so many people”.

    The pope condemned the Brussels attacks several times during the past week, including at a Good Friday service where he said followers of religions who carried out acts of fundamentalism or terrorism were profaning God’s name.

    Francis expressed the hope that recent talks could resolve the conflict in Syria in order to end the “sad wake of destruction, death, contempt for humanitarian law and the breakdown of civil concord”.

    He urged Europe not to forget those men and women seeking a better future, including many children fleeing from war, hunger, poverty and social injustice.

    The European Union and Turkey have agreed to stop the flow of migrants to Europe in return for political and financial concessions for Ankara.

    Turkey and The Aegean islands have been the main route for migrants and refugees pouring into Europe in the past year.

    Francis called for dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, and resolutions to conflicts and political tensions in Yemen, Iraq, Libya, Burundi, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Ukraine

    Terrorism was a dominant theme Sunday, from the scores of police and military personnel checking bags and scanning crowds to the pope’s message of rebirth, which he said he hoped would “draw us closer to the victims of terrorism, a blind and brutal form of violence.”

    The Vatican and Rome have attracted repeated threats from extremist groups in recent years, something Francis has tried to confront in part by reaching out to other faiths. On Good Friday, for example, he washed the feet of Christian, Muslim and Hindu migrants.

  • Pakistani president vows to eliminate terrorism

    President, Mamnoon Hussain, has promised in his speech at the military parade in Islamabad on the 76th Republic Day to rid his country of terrorism.

    The Pakistan Day is celebrated on March 23 every year, to mark the passage of a resolution that called for the establishment of a separate homeland for the Muslims of British India in 1940.

    The resolution was adopted in the meeting of All-India Muslim League in Lahore, now the capital of eastern Punjab province.

    He told the military parade that terrorism and extremism had emerged as a new enemy bent upon creating hurdles in the way of development.

    Hussain commended the armed forces and the nation for rendering unprecedented sacrifices to defeat terrorism and make Pakistan a peaceful country.

    He referred to the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan tribal region against the armed groups and said the operation codenamed “Zarb-e-Azb” is now in its final phase.

    “The military operation in North Waziristan against terrorism will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated.

    “I am hopeful that the area will completely be cleared of terrorists very soon,” he said.

    Hussain paid homage to security personnel who have laid lives in fight against terrorism in the country and also mentioned Pakistani military’s role in the UN peacekeeping in several conflict-stricken countries.

    The President said in reference to India, that Pakistan needed peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute and the country did not want arms race in the region.

    Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, services chiefs, ministers, diplomats, members of the parliament and thousands of people witnessed the parade under tight security measures.

    Mobile phone service was also temporarily suspended in Islamabad over security concerns as officials believe terrorists used mobile phone for activities on such occasions.

    Foot columns of Army, Navy, Pakistan Air Force, Frontier Corps, Girls Guide, Boys Scouts, Special Service Group from three Services and President’s Body Guard among others, took part in the parade.

    Fighter aircraft of PAF, aircraft of Pakistan Navy and helicopters of Army Aviation also presented flypast.

    Aerobatics of PAF Sherdil team and JF-17 thunder and F-16 were also part of the parade.