COVER
Insecurity: Badaru Assumes Office, Gives Marching Orders to Service Chiefs
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammed Badaru Abubakar, has directed the service chiefs to phase out terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, farmers-herders conflict, oil theft, secessionist agitation, cultism, and other emerging violent crimes in no distant time.
The Minister also pledged to ensure that the nation’s Armed Forces in collaboration with other security agencies, worked in sync to rid the country of security challenges, saying they owed this as a duty to the president and Nigerians.
The Minister of Defence, gave the charge at a brief ceremony marking his assumption of office together with the Minister of State, Alhaji Bello Mohammed Matawalle at the Ministry’s headquarters (Ship House) in Abuja on Tuesday.
“The president is a go-getter, an achiever, and a thinker. The president is a macro manager, and he would be on our necks to deliver on security and I will do the same. As time goes on, I will engage you as individuals and groups.
“As we all know, without security, there would be no investment, and without investment, there would be no economic growth. Even though our food security is threatened, farmers can not farm in their farms because of insecurity in the land. The president is ready to give us all the support to do this. From now on, I will ask the service chiefs to give me a timeline and requirements on how we will begin to solve this problem of insecurity” he stated.
The timelines and the targets, he said, will be passed to the President, adding, “he will be monitoring us, and he doesn’t have the patience to work with lazy people. So, all our jobs are at stake, we must therefore, deliver for the country. ”
The Minister said “we resolve and promise that within a year or so, we would have remarkable change in the security sector.”
The Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, said they will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to build a strong defence apparatus that can effectively counter emerging threats.
He noted that the armed forces must be modernized and strengthened through investments in advanced weaponry, intelligence gathering capabilities, surveillance systems, and cyber defence infrastructure.
“We will work closely with international partners to acquire cutting-edge technology and expertise that will enhance our defence capabilities. At the same time, we recognize that military might alone can not guarantee lasting security and stability.
“We must address the root causes of conflicts, promote social cohesion, and foster economic development. By investing in education, healthcare, job creation, and infrastructure development, we can create an environment where extremism finds no fertile ground to thrive. We will collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies to implement programs that address the socio-economic disparities that often fuel conflicts” he said.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa in his remarks said the armed forces were willing to support the ministers to succeed in their tour of duty.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana said that the president carefully selected the ministers to address the security challenges confronting the country.
Nigerian Army Reiterates Commitment to End Terrorism – COAS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Tuesday, reiterated the army’s determination to eliminate terrorism, insurgency and other forms of criminalities in Nigeria.
Lagbaja said this at the Opening Ceremony of the 24th Combat Service Support Training Week at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps (NAOC) in Lagos State
The ceremony has its theme as: “Sustainable Logistic Support System for the Nigerian Army Towards Achieving Constitutional Responsibilities Within A Joint Environment”.
Lagbaja represented by the Nigerian Army Engineers Corps Commander, Maj.-Gen. Philip Eromosele, said that the elimination of insurgency and criminalities would be achieved in collaboration with other sister services.
He said that logistics remained the pivot on which the four pillars of military operations revolved and was one of the major determinants of the successes of all military operations.
“Our nation is faced with a myrad of security challenges which include terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, farmers-herders clashes, separatism among others.
“This has resulted in the deployment of personnel in almost all the states of the federation, thus overstretching our manpower and the demand on the combat service corps for logistics support.
“However, we remain passionately determined to eliminate terrorism and all forms of criminalities in the country,” the COAS said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the army displayed some sophisticated equipment locally developed to combat insurgency and criminalities in the country.
Troops Foil IPOB-ESN Attack in Imo, Eliminate Terrorists in Zamfara
Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, operating in 82 Division Nigerian Army, have foiled an attack by gunmen of Indigenous People of Biafra on its Forward Operating Base at Ukwuorji, along Owerril-Onitsha expressway in Imo.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Nwachukwu said the irredentist group attempted the attack on the troops on Aug. 20, but met their waterloo, when they came under the superior firepower of the vigilant troops.
He said the troops neutralised one of the gunmen, apprehended two while others fled.
According to him, items recovered at the scene of the shootout, include one vehicle, a mobile phone, machete, nine empty cases of expended 7.62 mm Special Ammunition and one empty case of expended 12.7mm Ammunition.
The Army spokesman also said a Boko Haram fighter and his wife surrendered to troops of 26 Task Force Brigade Garrison in Gwoza area of Borno following troops’ aggressive combat operations against insurgents in the North East.
He said the troops recovered one AK 47 Rifle and 10 Live rounds of 7.62 mm Special Ammunition from the surrendered terrorist.
In the North West, Nwachukwu said the troops of 1 Brigade Garrison operating under 8 Division, on Monday ambushed insurgents at Bobo village in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara
He explained that the troops, acting on actionable intelligence, ambushed the insurgents who were on a mission to attack the village.
Nwachukwu added that two terrorists were killed, and two AK 47 Rifles and four motorcycles were recovered.
“The Nigerian Army enjoins all law abiding citizens to support its operations to enhance security across the country,” he said. (NAN)
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.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face a team of interrogators at its office daily throughout December.A credible source in the EFCC said on Monday that the daily appearance was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged 490 million dollars Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request.
The source said that Malami, who was summoned for interrogation by the EFCC on Saturday, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next one month.According to the source, one of the conditions for his release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.The source said Malami would have to appear daily at the anti-graft office due to the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st.He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him,” the source added.According to the source, a fact sheet on the former minister revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.“We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”The commission cited the large volume of documents he must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.The source said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, on Monday in Abuja, however, described the EFCC investigation as a political witch‑hunt.He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on Nov. 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical and devoid of substance, insisting they collapse under factual scrutiny.
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