COVER
Face Nation’s Insecurity Headon, Nigerians Tell Service Chiefs
A broad spectrum of Nuherians yesterday heaved a sigh of relief as the presidency announced the resignation of the nation’s Military service chiefs.
Individuals and groups, had on several occasions called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the service chiefs on ground of mounting insecurity in different parts of the country.
President Buhari accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs and their retirement from service.in a statement by Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.
Those involved were the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen.
Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.In their places, Maj-Gen. Leo Irabor, was appointed Chief of Defence Staff; Maj-Gen. I. Attahiru; Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo; Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao; Chief of Air Staff.
Good Omen for Security -Lagos PDP
The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the replacement of Service Chiefs as a welcome development and victory for Nigerians.
The Publicity Secretary of the party, Taofik Gani made this remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
He said the development was a good omen for a new approach, idea and strategy in tackling the nation’s numerous security challenges.
“It is a welcome development though long awaited, however, it is victory for Nigerians.
“We expect that we should have better security now and we also urge the out gone service chiefs to be ready to give more advice.
“They have done their best, only that their best was not enough and that was why they have been changed but they remain patriots,” Gani said.
The spokesman said that the new service chiefs should swing into action to douse security tensions across the country.
“We expect the new service chiefs to be best professionals, they should not be partisan. Their allegiance should be to Nigeria State especially this time.
“They have a lot to do. They are coming at a time when banditry, kidnapping and all other security threats are at the peak.
“So, they should be very professional to douse the security tensions for their record. If they can curb all these security threats within a very short time, they will not be forgotten,” Gani added.
Expert Commends Buhari’s Courage
The Director, Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, Prof.Isaac Albert, applauded President Buhari for the removal of Service Chiefs.
Albert said that Buhari had responded to the yearnings of Nigerians, adding that the removal of the service chiefs only would not solve the security challenges facing the country.
He urged the president to move to the next stage by addressing other challenges such as inadequate equipment and military personnel.
Albert also called on the military to improve on their relationship with the community they operate.
He said that war against terrorism and banditry cannot be won without winning the minds of the the people in communities the military operate.
Also speaking, a human rights lawyer, Mr Oladimeji Adebayo, said that the security situation in Nigeria would improve with the appointment of the new service chiefs.
Adebayo said the new service chiefs would bring new ideas that would improve the security situation in the country and would want to make impact.
“I think they are going to do their best and justify the confidence imposed on them by Nigerians.
“We expect improve security situation in the country now,” he said.
Fayose Canvasses Probe of Sacked Service Chiefs
Former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose has described the sack of Service Chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari as a “step in the right direction.”
He said the development was another victory for Nigerians, but called for probe of the former Service Chiefs, accusing them of lining their pockets.
In a tweets yesterday after the announcement, Fayose said: “Though coming after persistent pressure from Nigerians, President Buhari’s removal of the Service Chiefs and their replacement is a right step in the right direction. It is yet another victory for the people of Nigeria.
“The sacked Service Chiefs only served themselves and their pockets and can at best be described as “Disservice Chiefs” under whom Nigeria became completely insecure.
“It is my call to the ICC and other relevant authorities that tenure of the “sacked” Service Chiefs should be investigated, most importantly human rights abuses and extra judicial killings under their watch and commands.”
Senators Charge New Service Chiefs on security challenges
Senators have urged the new Service Chiefs to commence work immediately by addressing security challenges facing the country.
A cross section of senators interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja lauded the appointment of the new service chiefs.
Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia), said the appointment had been long awaited.
“The appointment of new service chiefs is better late than never.
“We have been calling for this for a long time now.
“Let us hope that this team would stem the tide of insecurity,” he said.
Sen. Ahmed Babba Kaita (APC-Katsina), corroborated Abaribe’s claim saying that the appointment was in response to the yearnings of Nigerians.
“It is in response to the yearnings of Nigerians and I believe we are all good for it.
“It is a very good development and I want to believe that we are going to see a consolidation of the progress made so far because as you are all aware, in the last two months, the military have been recording successes both in the fight against Boko Haram and kidnappings.
“We are very grateful for this development and we expect nothing less from the incoming personnel. We expect them to be ready to take over and consolidate on the security gains so far made,” he said.
Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah (YPP-Anambra ) commended Buhari for the appointment of the service chiefs.
“I want to thank Mr President for yielding to the cries of Nigerians. I believe every journey has an end.
“The relieved service chiefs have done very well within their own capacity and Nigerians have for long yearned for a change which is one of the mantra of the current regime.
“It is only change that is permanent and haven done this, I want to thank the President and as well plead on the incoming service chiefs to commit their new posting toward the wellbeing of Nigerians.
“We need to have a better security infrastructure in our country,” Ubah said.
The New Service Chiefs
Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff
Major General Leo Irobor is from Agbor in Delta State. He was a member of the Regular Course 39 of the NDA.
He served as a Commander Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) of the Nigerian Army, Minna.
Major General Irabor also served as Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP) Defence Headquarters.
He served as the theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole and headed the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) as the Field Commander.
The trained engineer also served as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff.
Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff
He was appointed to lead the offensive against Boko Haram in the North-East in May 2017.
He was however redeployed by the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai after string of attacks by the insurgents, including after giving him a deadline in July to deliver Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau dead or alive within 40 days.
Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff
Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo was born on 22 April 1966 and hails from Nasarawa LGA in Kano State. He enlisted into the Nigerian Navy on 24 Sep 84 as a member of Regular Course 36 and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 24 Sep 88.
He is an Underwater Warfare specialist with a subspecialisation in Intelligence. The senior officer has attended several military courses which include, Sub-Technical course and Officers Long course both at NNS QUORRA. He also attended Junior Division 48/89 and Senior Course 26 both at AFCSC Jaji.
Other courses attended include the National Defence Course at the South African National Defence College. Until his recent appointment as the CNS, he was the Director of Procurement at the Defence Space Administration.
Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff.
Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao, was born on 14 September 1965 at Enugu. He hails from Oshogbo in LGA of Osun State.
He enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force on January 19, 1984 as a member of the 35 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
He had previously served as Trainee/Squadron Pilot, NAF Unit 99 ACTG Kainji (1993-2004), Instructor Pilot/Squadron Pilot, 301 FTS Kaduna (2004-2007), Air Assistance to Chief of Air Staff, Deputy Defence Adviser, Nigerian High Commission London, Assistant Director of Operation Defence Headquarters, Director of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Air Force.
Until his appointment as the Chief of Air Staff by the President, Muhammadu Buhari, AVM I. O Amao was the Commandant Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Lagos.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has announced that the country’s non-oil exported products in the half-year of 2025 were valued at 3.225 billion dollars.Director-General of the council, Nonye Ayeni, disclosed this to newsmen while presenting a report on the first half of 2025 Non-Oil Export Performance, in Abuja on Sunday.
Ayeni said that the report was aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of the council’s achievements, challenges and prospects. “I am pleased to inform you that non-oil products exported in the first half of 2025 were valued at 3.225 billion dollars.“This shows an increase of 19.59 per cent as against the sum of 2.696 billion dollars recorded for the first half of the year 2024.“The volume also increased to 4.04 million metric tonnes, compared to the 3,83 million metric tonnes for the same period of 2024,” she said.The director-general recalled that in April, Nigeria’s non-oil products exported in the first quarter of 2025 recorded a significant value of 1.791 billion dollars.She said that the figure represented a 24.75 per cent increase over the 1.436 billion dollars reported in the first quarter of 2024.Ayeni said that the volume also increased to 2.416 million metric tonnes, representing a 24.3 per cent increase from the 1.937 million metric tonnes recorded in the first quarter of 2024.She further stated that a total of 236 different products were exported in the first half of the year.This, the director-general said, represented an increase of 16.83 per cent compared to the 202 distinct products exported in the first half of 2024.She said that the products exported included agricultural commodities and extractive industries as well as manufactured and semi-processed products.“However, it is pertinent to state that the non-oil export of Nigerian products is gradually diversifying from traditional agriculture exports to semi-manufactured products,” she said.Ayeni noted that based on the data received from Pre-shipment Inspection Agents (PIAs), of the top 20 products exported in the first half of this year, cocoa beans was the highestShe said that the product had 34.88 per cent value in terms of total export compared to 23.18 per cent for the same period in 2024.“Urea/fertiliser came second with 17.65 percent as against 13.78 per cent for the first half of 2024,” she added.The director-general said that African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) had helped in providing wider market access and tariff relief for Nigerian exporters.She also said that the council had some export intervention programmes, such as capacity-building on quality and standards, packaging and labelling, export documentation and certifications.“During the period under review, the council also facilitated market access and market linkage programmes for our exporting companies, thereby, giving their products more visibility in the global market.“The growth in value-added exports improved earnings, as more exporters are now imbibing the culture of value addition to their products.“The rising demand from emerging economies, such as India, Brazil, Vietnam and Africa have, however, increased Nigeria’s non-oil export volumes and diversity,” she said.Ayeni expressed the council’s commitment to working with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and other relevant stakeholders to sustain the strong performance by increasing the volume and value of non-oil exports from Nigeria.The efforts, she said, were in alignment with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the policy drive of the ministry. (NAN)
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has pledged to sustain the demolition of shanties and parks serving as hideouts for criminals in the Federal Capital Territory.The FCT minister’s Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, in a statement yesterday said the exercise was “a targeted public safety intervention based on credible intelligence and not an act of persecution against anyone.
”According to him, security agencies, including the NDLEA and DSS, had identified several locations and facilities in the city as safe havens for criminal activities, notably the Banana Green Belt from the Central Mosque area towards Wuse Zones 3 and 1 and the Area 10 corridor. “In these areas, innocent citizens are assaulted by assailants who then seek refuge within the surrounding Banana Green Belt/vegetation cover to escape arrest,” he said.Olayinka disclosed that the demolition of shanties at Jazz and Blues Entertainment, Panorama Recreational Park, Wuse Zone 3, was part of the clean-up, following evidence of sustained criminal activity tied to organised networks operating within the FCT.“The intelligence obtained and verified through several surveillance and undercover investigations of these locations, amongst which was the Jazz and Blues Entertainment at Panorama Recreational Park, Wuse Zone 3, was that a segment of the park containing shanties and batchers had evidence of sustained criminal activity tied to organized networks operating within the FCT,” the statement partly read.Olayinka noted that the FCTA had issued multiple contravention notices between February 2024 and July 2025, which were ignored by the park’s management.“While the FCTA acknowledges and respects the military service of Air Commodore Balogun, it reiterates that national service is not a licence for any individual to harbour criminal elements,” he added.Olayinka stressed that the main facilities at the park, including the football field, gymnasium and viewing platforms, were unaffected.He said the city-wide clean-up, which began on August 6, would be extended to other districts in the coming weeks to build a city where residents will be safe to live, work and recreate.Police Arrest Three over 2024 Murder, Robbery in AbujaOperatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of Azubuko Nwakama, a staff member of Liberty Radio, who was attacked and robbed at Panteka Market in Mpape on June 14, 2024.The Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh disclosed in a statement that the arrests followed months of sustained investigation and surveillance by detectives attached to the Mpape Division.“Following the incident in June 2024, detectives from Mpape Division immediately launched a comprehensive investigation,” she said.The suspects reportedly robbed the victim of his mobile phone and other valuables before stabbing him. However, efforts to trace the stolen phone proved difficult for months, as the device remained switched off.According to the police, the breakthrough came on August 2, 2025, when the phone — a Redmi 13C — was switched on and tracked to one Mutari Lawal, 32, of Kano State.“Upon arrest, Mutari confessed to the crime and revealed the identities of his accomplices: Dan’Asabe Ibrahim, 22, from Zamfara State, and Danjuma Ibrahim, 18, both with no fixed address in Mpape,” the statement noted.Lawal reportedly admitted he took the phone to Kano, where he kept it powered off for over a year. He returned to Abuja and switched it on only after attempting to wipe its data and insert a new SIM card.The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao Adewale, commended the officers for their professionalism and perseverance, stressing that justice has finally caught up with the suspects.He also warned criminal elements in the territory to either “repent or relocate,” as the law will eventually catch up with them.“The long arm of the law is patient, persistent, and resolute,” the CP declared.The FCT Police Command reiterated its commitment to public safety and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities via its emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08028940883.…Nab Herder with Ammunition, Six Suspected Robbers in NasarawaThe Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a herder in possession of an AK-47 magazine loaded with six live rounds of ammunition, along with six individuals suspected of involvement in robbery and kidnapping across parts of the state.The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ramhan Nansel disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday in Lafia.According to him, the arrests followed credible intelligence from a concerned citizen, leading operatives of the Doma Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, to raid a known criminal hideout in Yelwa Ediya, Doma Local Government Area.The suspects arrested include Dardau Shehu, Yunusa Malami Hashimu, Musa Abubakar, Ibrahim Musa, and Mohammed Musa, all residents of Yelwa Ediya Village.During preliminary interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the abduction of a local councillor (name withheld) on May 26, during which two mobile phones, an Infinix Note 30 (valued at N250,000) and a Tecno phone (valued at N20,000) were taken.They also allegedly admitted to staging a roadblock along the Doma–Yelwa road on July 19, 2025, around 9:00 a.m., during which they dispossessed one Ibrahim Haruna of a Bajaj motorcycle valued at N970,000. The motorcycle was later sold, with one of the suspects reportedly involved in arranging the sale.“Officers recovered N100,000, identified as proceeds from the sale, which had been concealed in the bush. A Bajaj motorcycle was also recovered during the operation,” the PPRO stated.In a separate incident, officers from the Keana Division arrested a herder accused of discharging a firearm during a dispute with local farmers at Gidan Zaki Hassan, Kuduku, in Keana LGA.The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Suleman Mohammadu, was arrested with support from community members. An AK-47 magazine containing six live rounds was recovered from him.The Commissioner of Police, Shettima Jauro Mohammed, has directed that all suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and possible prosecution.CP Mohammed reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring public safety across the state and called on residents to remain law-abiding and cooperate with law enforcement by providing timely and credible information.CAS Vows to Crush Emerging Security ThreatsThe Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar yesterday reaffirmed that protecting the lives and property of Nigerians remained a non-negotiable priority for the Nigerian Air Force and vowed that the security forces would crush the emerging security threats in the North-West and the country in general.This was contained in a statement in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.According to the statement, the Air Chief made the declaration on Sunday during his operational assessment visit to Kebbi.This includes high-level engagements with senior military commanders, heads of other security agencies, and an inspection of key military infrastructure, underscoring the Nigerian Air Force’s readiness to respond swiftly and decisively to emerging threats in the North-West.“Our commitment is clear: we will locate and root out all criminal elements threatening the peace and safety of law-abiding citizens. Nigeria must be secure for development to thrive,” the CAS declared.The CAS, who also held a meeting with the State Governor Mohammed Nasir Idris and members of the Kebbi State Executive Council, emphasised the strategic importance of Kebbi in Nigeria’s security architecture.According to him, “Kebbi shares international borders with the Republics of Benin and Niger and has vast rural terrains that demand heightened security vigilance, what affects Kebbi affects the entire North-West, and by extension, the peace and stability of our nation.”The CAS further praised the readiness of troops and effectiveness of security infrastructure in the state, saying, “I am highly impressed with what I saw on the ground”.“Our platforms are well-positioned and capable of reaching every part of the state swiftly. Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations will be intensified.”The CAS also commended the inter-agency synergy among security outfits operating in Kebbi, saying, “I commend the dedication of our colleagues in the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and others”.According to him, “Their tireless efforts are making a difference, and we will continue to support them with air power and strategic coordination.”The statement added that Governor Mohammed Nasir Idris, expressed profound appreciation to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies for their tireless commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state and pointed out that despite emerging threats and the complex security environment in the North-West, Kebbi had remained largely peaceful, an achievement he attributed to the vigilance and sacrifices of the nation’s security forces.Governor Idris reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering support for the Nigerian Air Force and all sister agencies, stating, “We are fully committed to working hand in hand with our security institutions to ensure Kebbi remains a bastion of peace and stability.”It stated that the operational visit reaffirmed NAF’s strategic commitment to national defence through the employment of air power, intelligence, and partnerships with stakeholders at all levels to ensure the protection of lives and properties of Nigerians.
By David Torough, Abuja
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has come under heavy criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, over the alleged withholding of a discharge certificate from Lagos-based corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as “Raye.
”Raye, who completed her one-year service in Lagos, claimed she was denied her certificate after officials accused her of missing April clearance. She insisted she was present for the exercise but was repeatedly told to wait by her Local Government Inspector (LGI), who eventually seized her file and refused to clear her.Atiku, in a statement on X, described the situation as “Unacceptable” and warned that punishing citizens for criticising government policies would erode public trust in national institutions.He urged the NYSC to act swiftly, questioning whether the action was politically motivated given Raye’s previous viral criticism of economic hardship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.Falana also condemned the decision, calling it an “Illegal act” not sanctioned by any court, and likened it to past abuses under military rule. Citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, he reminded the NYSC of the President’s Democracy Day speech encouraging constructive criticism and urged the immediate release of Raye’s certificate.However, NYSC has denied any political motive. Spokesperson Caroline Embu said Raye was one of 131 corps members sanctioned for failing April biometric clearance, leading to a standard two-month service extension in line with NYSC by-laws. The scheme maintained the measure was procedural and not targeted at silencing dissent.The standoff has sparked fresh debate about the NYSC’s disciplinary process, freedom of expression, and whether the system is vulnerable to political interference.
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