COVER
Insecurity: After Danjuma, Northern Group, Catholic Bishop Back Self-defence
By Joel Oladele, Abuja and Nicholas Dekera, Kaduna
The Arewa Grassroot Leaders Assembly (AGLA) and Catholic Bishop of Kaduna Archdiocese, Archbishop Mathew Manoso-Ndagoso have added their voice to growing calls for citizens in Northern Nigeria to be legally empowered to defend themselves against rising insecurity, particularly in rural communities ravaged by banditry and violence.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, the AGLA President, Collins Onogu called on the government to legalise the possession of AK-47s for self-defence in rural communities. He also urged the Federal Government to deploy more security personnel to the affected areas and establish a task force to investigate and apprehend perpetrators.“This is a grim reminder of the security challenges facing our nation.“We demand that the government legalise the possession of AK-47s for self-defence in rural communities, with proper monitoring and regulation.“We propose that the government support community-led security initiatives, including community vigilante groups and neighbourhood watches.“AGLA will continue to monitor the situation and hold the government accountable for the safety and security of our people. We demand action, not rhetoric. The government must act now,” he said.Onogu’s remarks echo recent comments by retired General T.Y. Danjuma, who last week in Taraba State reiterated his long-standing call for communities to defend themselves against armed attackers, noting that the killings which prompted his warning years ago have only worsened.While some Nigerians, including former Youth and Sports Minister Solomon Dalung, have backed such calls, others have warned of the dangers.Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi described the idea of widespread self-defence as a potential trigger for anarchy, cautioning that it could worsen inter-communal tensions, especially between farmers and herders.Nevertheless, AGLA insists that decisive and immediate action is needed to prevent further bloodshed.“We demand action, not rhetoric. The government must act now,” Onogu said, adding that empowering local communities through regulated self-defence and vigilante groups could be key in reclaiming security and restoring hope in the region.Catholic Bishop backs Plateau Governor, T.Y Danjuma, others over self defenseCatholic Bishop of Kaduna Archdiocese Archbishop Mathew Manoso-Ndagoso yesterday, also threw his weight behind Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, General T.Y Danjuma and so many others who have been calling for self-defense as banditry invasion of communities persist.Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Pastoral Council/General Assembly of the Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese, Archbishop Mathew Manoso-Ndagoso said “there are a lot of communities under siege and the killing seems to have continued unabated, what will the communities do, should they sit back and watch while the bandits kill, no, they need to help themselves by organizing themselves in terms of useful information sharing, consistent patrol in their localities.Mutfwang of Plateau has called for this, General T.Y Danjuma has also reiterated this several times and I think this is the time for villagers to mobilize and help them themselves.”Ndagoso maintained that “nothing has significantly changed because banditry, insurgency, kidnappings for ransom, very high cost of living, hunger, multi-dimensional poverty are all on the increase. We are still high up on the poverty index. The renewed hope agenda of the government at the centre is yet to produce the desired result. More and more of our compatriots seem to be joining the league of those living below the poverty line.”Our country is still among countries leading the world with the largest concentration of the poorest of the poor, namely, people living below the poverty line. In point of fact recent International Monetary Fund IMF) and World reports suggest that many more Nigerians will join the ranks of those living below the poverty line by 2027. We are a people of hope. We will continue to give the government the benefit of the doubt since they repeatedly tell us that there is light at the end of the tunnel.” Ndagoso stressed.He stated that “though the situation of insecurity persisted, we took the bold decision to restart the minor seminary at the beginning of the 2023/24 academic year using the convent in Katari town near the parish house. I am happy to inform you that significant progress has been made. As I speak, we have a total number of 106 students in GSS 1, 2 and 3 and SS1. They live in the convent in Katari and attend classes in the seminary.Using the proceeds of 2024 cathedraticum we were able renovate and reconstruct all the classrooms and the admin block and put together other essential amenities. The students and staff commute each working day to the seminary for classes. We hope to admit more students to various classes at the beginning of next academic year. Our hope is that if the security situation improves, we shall use the proceeds of this year’s cathedraticum to build a hostel block and renovate other essential structures. I am grateful to the priests and faithful of Dogon Kurmi and Gujeni Deaneries for their continued support without which we could not have started in the first place.”He commended the creative and proactive leadership of the outgoing leaders of the Laity Council in the Archdiocese saying through their visionary leadership much has happened in the Council. Good legacies have been passed on. He said the report of the Council shows a sure and healthy growth with normal activities of the council carried out.”In spite of the challenges during the year under review, we had a total of 10,343 baptisms, 7,149 first Holy Communions, 2,550 Confirmations and 941 marriages out of which 756 were between Catholics and 185 between Catholics and non-Catholics,” Archbishop Ndagoso stressed.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s bilateral relations with Germany, with renewed focus on economic cooperation, investment promotion, energy partnerships, and the effective implementation of existing agreements.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, made this statement during a visit to the Ministry in Abuja on Monday by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria, Stefan Rössel.
The minister welcomed the ambassador and his delegation, expressing Nigeria’s appreciation for Germany’s longstanding partnership and support for the country’s economic reform programme, particularly in the early stages of implementation.
He recalled that when German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Nigeria, the Federal Government was pursuing significant economic reforms that required support from international partners, including Germany, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.
The minister said Germany’s support has contributed to Nigeria’s progress in its reform efforts, adding that the country remains grateful for the cooperation and assistance it has received from its development partners.
He also acknowledged Germany’s role in facilitating high-level engagements between the two countries, particularly in trade, investment and energy cooperation, noting that discussions during the Nigerian President’s visit to Germany advanced talks on key energy agreements.
Senator Bagudu further commended Germany’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and international engagement, emphasising the importance of sustained partnerships to address evolving global economic and political challenges.
He noted that Nigeria and Germany had built a strong foundation for bilateral cooperation over the years, with significant opportunities to expand their partnership in areas that support economic growth and development.
The minister disclosed that discussions had covered cooperation involving €25 million and €300 million in export credit guarantees, identifying these as important areas for continued engagement as Nigeria seeks to expand investment opportunities and strengthen its capacity to utilise available resources effectively.
According to him, Nigeria’s reform efforts have created an opportunity to place greater emphasis on attracting investment, strengthening productive capacity, and translating international partnerships into tangible economic outcomes.
He assured the German ambassador that the ministry was prepared to work closely with the German government and its relevant institutions to deepen bilateral relations and broaden areas of mutual interest.
Earlier, Ambassador Rössel expressed appreciation for the warm reception he received, describing the relationship between Nigeria and Germany as strong and longstanding.
The ambassador, who arrived in Nigeria a few weeks ago, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to building on the partnership’s achievements and to exploring opportunities for further cooperation.
He acknowledged that both countries were operating in an increasingly complex global environment characterised by evolving strategic, political and economic challenges.
Despite these circumstances, Ambassador Rössel expressed confidence that the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Germany would provide a solid foundation for addressing emerging issues and sustaining mutually beneficial cooperation in the years ahead.
He also welcomed the ministry’s readiness to continue working with Germany, noting the importance of maintaining established partnerships while adapting to evolving circumstances.
In her remarks, the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, congratulated Ambassador Rössel on his appointment, welcomed him to Nigeria, and expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with him and with relevant German agencies.
She emphasised the importance of translating bilateral agreements and shared commitments into practical outcomes, noting that effective implementation remained critical to achieving the partnership’s objectives.
Dr Uzoka-Anite assured the ambassador that the ministry would continue to facilitate collaboration and support efforts to ensure joint initiatives progressed efficiently and delivered meaningful results.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Deborah Odoh, also welcomed the German delegation, describing Germany as a reliable partner whose technical expertise, knowledge exchange and experience had contributed to Nigeria’s development.
She said the ministry expects the ambassador’s tenure to create further opportunities to strengthen cooperation and to advance the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
The courtesy visit reaffirmed Nigeria and Germany’s shared commitment to sustaining bilateral engagement, deepening economic cooperation, and exploring opportunities for expanded investment and development collaboration.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils.The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
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