DEFENCE
Insecurity: Dialogue, Reconciliation way Forward – Matawalle

Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara says dialogue and reconciliation remain most plausible solutions to banditry and other security challenges.
Matawalle told reporters on Thursday in Abuja that dialogue and reconciliation of bandits had yielded alot of results since he assumed office as the governor of Zamfara.
He said that the state had recorded a year of zero incidence of bandits’ attack in the state following the adoption of dialogue with the bandits.
He said that insecurity was the major problem in the country, especially in the north western part of the country where gunmen could attack at will.
“As I have mentioned earlier, the issue of insecurity is not just one man’s business, it is for all of us.
“Whether you are a security agent, a normal citizen or anybody, what is important is for all of us to come together and make this issue our own and confront it squarely.
“When I assumed duty as the Zamfara governor, I know that before the first 100 days, we have achieved alot on our part which was not been achieved for the past six years.
“This was achieved because I called everyone to be involved and issues were discussed.
“Stakeholders were invited who were political leaders, traditional institution and other security heads.
“We put heads together and that is why we initiated the issue of dialogue and reconciliation with the bandits and this yielded alot of results in the state.
“Every state needs to adopt this initiative to have a peaceful country, ” he said.
Matawalle emphasised that the issue of insecurity is for all to come together and find lasting solutions to it.
He said other parts of the country would need to key into this initiative.
“Once we come together as one and have one stand, I believe it will work for us.
“Although, we have been discussing among us all and I can assure you that very soon we will have a lasting solution to this issue.
“I also want to appeal to Nigerians that God does not make mistakes and he made Nigeria for us to live together.
“Lets find out what the problem is first, that is, let us find out the root of this problem then, we can now know how to solve this problem.
“Nigeria is very versatile, someone cannot just come in a day and say let us break out. Not possible!
“What we will do is how can we understand ourselves, because we are together.
“If you go to my village, you will see Igbo people there with their stores, the same thing with the Yoruba.
“They have so many things they are selling in my place. We are one already.
“The only thing we need now is to sit down and analyse what the problem is.
“This is better than saying we should divide, ” he said.
Matawalle emphasised on the need for one another to tackle issues bedeviling the country rather than divide, saying , ” it is important for all to preach peace and coexistence of the country.”(NAN).
DEFENCE
FG Introduces New Online Citizenship, Business Management Platform

The Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform.
This is contained in a statement by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani on Friday in Abuja.
Ajani said that the new digital platform was designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround time and improved user experience.
The platform is aimed at managing citizenship applications, processing business permits, and administering regulations related to businesses and foreign workers.
The permanent secretary explained further that the initiative was part of the ministry’s ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency thereby significantly improving service delivery to the public.
“Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are hereby expected to access the platform through the following official channels: Ministry of Interior’s website: https://interior.gov.ng.
Direct portal access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng, candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support or inquiries.
“The ministry remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Road Construction: Gov Mbah Meets UN Road Safety standards- FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says the ongoing road reconstructions in Enugu State by the Gov Peter Mbah led administration, meet the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals on road safety.
The Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, made the observation on Wednesday in Enugu during a press briefing for the commemoration of the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week in the state.
The theme for the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week is: ‘Make Walking Safe, Make Cycling Safe’, and it runs from May 12 to May 18, 2025.
Agbakoba noted that with the spacious walkways and putting other necessary road furniture such as well-designed bus stops and lighting, the Gov.
Mbah led administration had achieved one of the major goals of the UN.According to him, with new road design with spacious walkways and other furniture made compulsory in all roads, Gov. Mbah has prioritised the safety and security of pedestrians walking in all major roads within the state.
Agbakoba noted that during the event, the FRSC stakeholders and the Command awareness would be focusing on education that dealt with safety of vulnerable road users, who were those walking and cycling within roads in cities and communities.
He explained that the event was meant to reinforce collective responsibilities in making road safer for everybody as
established in 2007 by the UN General Assembly as efforts would spotlight the need to prioritise non-motorised transportation safety.
“As a Corps, we have continued to generate strategies to meet these glaring challenges. We have intensified our public enlightenment campaigns both in the state and nationwide.
“The establishment and sustenance of road safety clubs in schools to catch-them-young and ensured walkways, Zebra Crossing and cycling lanes are incorporated into new and existing road projects.
“FRSC is also monitoring drivers’ behaviour in high-risk routes, enforce speed limits and also ensure well-structured safety education for children and youths to imbibe positive road culture and habits,” he said.
He urged road safety stakeholders in the state to sustain the call for action meant to build a road environment and culture where pedestrians and cyclists were protected and where no life was lost needlessly on the roads.
“As a lead agency in road safety administration and traffic management, FRSC will continue to drive interventions to save lives, but we cannot do this on our own; we needed everyone’s support and cooperation,” he added.
The week long event included: a press briefing, sensitisation rally and distribution of fliers, strategic visit to selected schools for safety education and Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association (ROSOWA) visit to fleet operators.
Others are: commemorative juma’at prayer on Friday, ROSOWA visitation to orphanage homes and commemorative church service on Sunday among others. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Fatal Road Accident Claims Lives Of 4 Pedestrians in Port Harcourt

At least four individuals lost their lives, and two others sustained life-threatening injuries in a fatal road accident that occurred along G.U Ake Road in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The spokesperson for the Police Command in Rivers, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed this development in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Iringe-Koko attributed the collision, which occurred at about 11:42 p.
m. on the day, to excessive speeding, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.“The driver of a Toyota Camry, with registration number ABJ 10 EM, lost control and struck six pedestrians.
“Tragically, four of the pedestrians died at the scene, while two others sustained injuries and were immediately taken to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) for medical attention,” she explained.
She further stated that the vehicle had another occupant, identified as Benson Michael, aged 36.
According to the police spokesperson, the driver was promptly arrested and is currently undergoing interrogation.
“The accidented vehicle has been recovered and taken to the police station.
“The case will be transferred to the State Traffic Department for further investigation,” she noted.
She added that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) mortuary.
Iringe-Koko extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that justice would be served. (NAN)