By Diana Omueza

The Global Security Sector Reform Foundation (GS-Foundation) in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Police Reform and Transformation Office (PORTO) has trained more than 600 police officers on police reforms.

Mr Tunji Lardner, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), PORTO, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja at the end of the training programme on strengthening capacity building for police reforms.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is executed under the Supporting Police Reform Processes in Nigeria Project funded by the Federal Foreign Office of the Government of Germany.

Lardner said that the training, which was done in batches had successfully exposed the police officers to global best practices in andragogy and adult education.

“Since December 2021, the project has been actively supporting the Federal Government of Nigeria’s implementation of its Police Reform agenda and contributing to the implementation of the progressive aspirations of the Nigeria Police Force Establishment Act 2020.

“In doing so, the project has trained more than 600 police officers drawn from police training colleges on the Police Act and modern adult training with the hope of shifting the learning approach from drilling to a classroom approach.

“Furthermore, in creating a more conducive learning environment for the police, the project has renovated and equipped the Central Police Training Unit (CPTU) in Jos, Plateau State,” he said.

The CEO said that additionally, the training of 66 Police PROs had resulted in significant enhancements in communication regarding reforms within the Nigeria Police Force.

“It is important to note that the intervention carried out by the project was the result of a comprehensive needs assessment conducted in collaboration with GS-Foundation, UNDP and PORTO,’’ he said.

Lardner said that the partnership with UNDP, GS-Foundation, and the NPF played a pivotal role in the achievement of the police reform objectives.

According to him, the accomplishment sets a remarkable precedent for the future of policing in Nigeria as the training has boosted officers’ capabilities, enabling them to provide training experiences of the highest quality, as well as aligning with international standards.

“In three batches, officers participated in a week-long training experience, equipping them with practical teaching strategies designed to enhance the training of recruits at Police colleges and personnel in all commands and zones.

“This achievement builds upon the success of the project, which has trained more than 500 police officers in nine batches between June 2022 and May 2023.

“These efforts are part of a broader strategy to modernise the methods and delivery of fundamental cadet training, provide leadership development for senior and mid-level officers, and sustain the momentum of ongoing reforms, ” he

In her remarks, Mrs Annett Günther, the Germany Ambassador to Nigeria, said that the training of cadets was an essential aspect of an effective and modern police force.

She said by completing their training, the police trainees graduating would be able to carry out an effective training for cadets.

“I congratulate the police officers for having successfully completed their training as well as the Nigeria Police Force and PORTO for having facilitated the training with the help of the GS-Foundation and UNDP,” she said.

She added that the training was a significant stride towards enhancing the capabilities and professionalism of the NPF personnel.

Similarly, Mr Mohammed Yahya, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), highlighted the significance of the intervention towards a reformed police.

According to him, we are deeply gratified by the strides achieved through the Supporting Police Reform Processes in Nigeria project.

“This training milestone underscores our unwavering commitment to supporting Nigeria in the development of a police force capable of addressing the multifaceted challenges within today’s intricate security landscape.

“It reflects our global dedication to peace, development, the rule of law, equality, and the sustainable advancement of systems.”

NAN reports that the trained officers were drawn from various commands across the country and no fewer than 120 officers were successfully trained in the last batch of the programme facilitated by a team of Police trainers from GS-Foundation..(NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Isaac Aregbesola

By  Bridget Ikyado

The Federal Government has taken steps to beef up security in rural areas to curb incessant attacks on communities, Rev. Yakubu Pam, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission     (NCPC), has said.

Pam gave the assurance on Thursday when he paid condolence visit to leaders of St Raphael Catholic Church in Fadan Kamatan, Zango Kataf Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that gunmen had on Sept. 7, attacked the church in an attempt to abduct some clergies.

They however failed to gain entry into the church and while retreating, set ablaze home of the parish priest, where a seminarian, Naam Ngofe-Danladi, was burnt to death.

“Don’t be deceived, this does not have religious colorations, some people are out to steal, kill and destroy. Be on guard, pray and watch,” he added.

The NCPC boss said the visit was also to acertain the extent of damage and report back to President Bola Tinubu.

He assured that federal government was committed to ending insecurity in the country.

Pam explained that attacks and kidnappings in communities, including Southern Kaduna, Zamfara and other states, was largely to distrupt the peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

He urged various communities in the country affected by the security challenges not to be distracted.

“The federal government will partner communities to ensure more patrol teams are deployed to provide security,” he added.

He advised the communities to live peacefully and unite to build back southern Kaduna.

Pam also appealled to the communities to report suspicious movements to the authorities for proper monitoring and action.

In a remark, the Chief of Atang Chiefdom, Mr Adamu Alkali appreciated the federal government delegation for the visit.

He solicited for the deployment of more patrol teams for timely interventions and elimination of criminals elements in the area.

The chief prayed for the success of the present administration in working for the good of the country and its citizens.

While narrating his experience, the parish priest, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Okolo said all his valuables were burnt, but assured that would not be deterred from preaching the gospel.

He thanked God and the host community for maintaining peace “and not blindly carried away by rumours that the attack was a religious war.”

The priest called for prayers and more action by the state and federal government to bring back peace across the country.

NAN reports that Pam accompanied by the Southern Kaduna Joint Peace Committee, also met with the Muslem community to solicit for peaceful coexistence. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Abbas Bamalli

The Katsina State Safety and Roads Traffic Authority (KASSROTA), has warned commercial road users against overloading and reckless driving.

The Director-General of KASSROTA, retired Maj.-Gen Garba Yahaya-Rimi, gave the warning in a statement in Katsina on Friday.

The statement was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), by the Public Relations Officer of the agency, Malam Marwana Abubakar.

According to him, the DG gave the warning during a meeting with various unions of commercial road users across the state and also block makers in an effort to sanitise them.

Yahaya-Rimi while addressing the gathering solicited the support and cooperation of their leaderships and members of the unions towards achieving the desired success.

The KASSROTA boss also called on them to caution their members against overloading and any form of reckless driving to avoid unnecessary accidents.

He noted that the agency will no longer tolerate all forms of reckless driving by some erring drivers, therefore any one found wanting would face the law.

The block makers were also cautioned by the KASSROTA DG to always abide by the rules and regulations and avoid doing their businesses on roads to avoid accident.

Yahaya-Rimi also advised tricycle riders to avoid overloading or underage driving among other offences.

Some of the unions in attendance are: Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO),

Others include; Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Tippers drivers, Motorcycle Union Associations and Tricycle Union Associations among others. (NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has charged operational commanders of the Nigerian Army to recalibrate their strength to deal scientific blows to the enemies of the nation.

Lagbaja said this at the closing of the Combined Second and Third Quarters COAS Conference, on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the briefs and deliberations by the commanders during the conference depicted that the task ahead was not an easy one.

The COAS said the army was competent and remained committed to ensuring synergy with sister services and other security agencies to create enabling environment necessary for good governance and economic prosperity.

“Let me reitrate that we cannot afford to show any form of weakness because the adversaries we fight are emboldened by weakness.

“We must recalibrate our strength to give the scientific blows to the adversaries within and without appropriately.

“Therefore, the decisions arrived at during our deliberations will help refine our training and operational activities toward realising desirable outcomes,” he said.

Lagbaja said the conference provided the army top brass a veritable platform to brainstorm and appraise the army’s activities so far in the year.

He said the conference also afforded them quality time to review their training, operational and administrative activities that directly relate to security issues crucial to Nigeria and external environments.

According to him, formation commanders leading the various operations across the country’s geopolitical zone briefed the house in line with the conference programme.

He assured President Bola Tinubu of the unflinching loyalty and commitment of the Nigerian Army to the defence of the nation’s flourishing democracy and upholding of the constitution.

“In this regard, the Nigerian Army remains unwavering in its commitment to setting good examples for other armies to emulate,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some Next-of-Kins of personnel  who died defending the nation were presented with cheques as payment of Group Life Insurance claims of the deceased. (NAN) (www.nannews.Ng)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says  troops of  Armed Forces of Nigeria,  have in the last two weeks eliminated a total of 151 terrorists and apprehended 456 others in different operations across the country.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, stated this while giving update of military operations across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 44 terrorists, arrested 21 and rescued four kidnapped hostages during the period.

He said the troops recovered 17 AK47 rifles, three locally fabricated rifles, three locally made guns, one berretta pistol, three Dane guns and 116 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.

Also recovered according to him, are five rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo, 20 rounds of 7.62 mm x 54 ammo, 42 empty and cases of 7.62 mm x 54 ammo.

Others are 12 magazines, 50 jerry cans of PMS, three vehicles, five mobile phone, six motorcycles, three cutlasses and the sum of N3.18 million.

Buba said the troops arrested some suspected terrorists’ collaborators in Jere and  Biu in Borno, as well as Gujba Local Government Area in Yobe.

He said that troops also ambushed and raided suspected terrorists’ hideouts in Konduga and Gwoza Local Government Areas of Borno.

The director said that the offensive resulted in elimination of terrorists and recovery of arms and ammunitions.

In North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised 16 terrorists, arrested 16 and rescued one kidnapped hostage within the period.

He said they also recovered 12 AK47 rifles, two pistols, five locally fabricated rifles, six dane guns, 32 rounds of 7.62mm special, 15 magazines and three motorcycles.

Under Operation Whirl Stroke, he said the troops neutralised 15 terrorists, arrested six and rescued one kidnapped hostage as well as recovery of arms and ammunition.

In North West, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch, neutralised 35 terrorists, arrested eight and rescued 17 kidnapped hostages within the period.

He added that the air components of the various operations had continued to annihilate the terrorists from their various hideouts with series of air interactions. (NAN)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Retired Rear Adm. Yaminu Musa, the Coordinator, National Counter-Terrorism Centre in the Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), says proceeds of kidnapping is being used to partly finance terrorism.

Musa said this on Wednesday in Abuja during the `Anti-Kidnap Multi-Agency Fusion Cell Media and Communication workshop’, organised by ONSA in collaboration with the British High Commission.

“Kidnapping for ransom is also identified as one of the means of funding terrorism.

“Thus, carnage unleashed by kidnappers in affiliation with terrorist groups all over the world leading to loss and disruption of lives and properties, is a major concern.

“Hence the need for collective efforts in advancing measures to check the threat.

“Evidently, the menace requires concerted and sustained efforts by every citizen, government at all levels, international community and the media which of course is the Fourth Estate of the Realm.

“You will agree with me that proceeds of kidnap for ransom enterprise have continued to serve as a platform for financing terrorism not only in Nigeria but across the Sahel,” he said.

Musa said the workshop was pertinent to the overall success of the government’s effort to curtail the menace of kidnapping.

He added that the media would help to build the kind of relationship the NCTC-ONSA desired on the efforts of security agencies in the protection of lives and properties in the country.

According to him, the agenda setting role of the media cannot be over emphasised in the fight against terrorism and other associated crimes like kidnapping.

“In an increasingly interconnected world, where information spreads at an unprecedented pace, the media has the power to either amplify or mitigate the impact of security-related news events.

“The consequences of inaccurate or sensationalist reporting can be detrimental to public trust, exacerbate fear and anxiety, and even hinder counterterrorism efforts,” he said.

The coordinator said it was vital that the government and the media work together to establish a framework of synergy and standardisation for reporting on security-related matters.

He said that such collaboration would not only enhance the accuracy and quality of news reporting but also contribute to national security.

The Programme Manager, National Crime Agency UK, Mr Chris Grimson, said the workshop was a fall out of a number of agreements between Nigeria and the UK to create a multi-agency kidnap fusion cell.

Grimson said the purpose of the workshop was to identify and explore what was needed to create the fusion cell or whatever it turns out to be.

One of the facilitators of the workshop, retired Rear Adm. Leye Jaiyeola, said “the fusion cell workshop was designed to come up with a joint decision model to allow for an effective multi-agency use and conflict resolution’’.

Jaiyeola said the workshop was meant to set up principles that would provide participants with an agreed framework to support decision making, and develop appropriate legislation for effective management and resolution of kidnapping issues.

He said that kidnapping had become a major threat in Nigeria, hence the need to develop an agreed national kidnap fusion and coordination mechanism.

“Our focus is to make sure that we maintain a strategic national kidnap operation posture, get all the agencies involved in doing it, so that we will be able to put our feet at the right spot and come up with a set of principles so that the commanders will be able to deliver.

“We have looked at coming up with standard operating procedure, looked at developing the doctrine itself and this session of workshop is the session that involves relating with the public so that they will build trust and confidence in the security.

“Before now that is missing. As to what the security agencies are doing and in some instances, it is assumed that the security agencies are not doing anything, which in most instances is informed by lack of knowledge of what the security agencies are doing.

“So the essence of this phase of training is for us to develop what we call a clear and effective information sharing strategy and an effective information sharing platform,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop has participants drawn from the media, military, security agencies, ministries, departments and agencies. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Maharazu Ahmed

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Coalition for Peace, has commended President Bola Tinubu and his National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu for the improved security across the nation.

The group gave the commendation In a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, signed by the its President, Malam Adamu Haruna and Secretary, Jonah Simon.

The group said it recognised the inter-agency collaboration initiated by the two which had improve peace and security across the country in the last few months.

It attributed the improved harmonious working relationship to why terrorists and criminals are currently on the run.

In commending the efforts of Mr President and the NSA, it said that such had instilled confidence in the minds of the farmers who are now returning to farm this rainy season for planting.

It said that was a departure from the previous administration when insecurity was the nightmare of everyone; as farmers and vulnerable residents in communities got killed, kidnapped and their women raped.

“This administration has been responding swiftly to distress calls, particularly acting on intelligence reports leading to attacks and arrests of criminals.

“The inter agency cooperation and harmonious working relationship have led to improvement in security across the nation.

“There is no doubt about this fact which President Tinubu and the NSA should be commended for.

“It is worth of saying that farmers are back to farm because they have confidence in government’s prompt response to security threats obviously lessening security challenges.

“Last week, the revelation of the high number of terrorists killed by this administration reflects the seriousness of government in tackling insecurity,” the group added.

It went further said that ‘there can not be anything equal to prompt security response and taking action on intelligence, a development that led to killing of large number of terrorists since Tinubu took over power on May 29.

“The increased security at the nation’s borders has also reduced the incidences of kidnapping in the North West and North East geopolitical zones of the country.”

The group therefore urged the security agents not to relent, assuring them that Nigerians are willing to give them maximum support and encouragement.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, says the Nigerian Army will upscale its operations against all threats in all zones of the federation to bring the much desired peace, stability and relief to law abiding citizens.

Lagbaja gave the assurance at the opening of the Combined Second and Third Quarters COAS Conference, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that attention would be focused on banditry, kidnapping and other sundry crimes in the North West; insurgency and terrorism in the North East; farmers-herders clashes and kidnapping in the North Central and the insurrection in the South East.

Lagbaja added that economic sabotage and associated crimes in the South-South region would also receive serious attention.

According to him, the army will not leave any zone unprotected.

The COAS said the Nigerian army would upscale its manpower and equipment in all the theatres of operation.

He said Operation Hadin Kai in the North East had effectively curtailed Boko Haram and other terrorist activities in the region resulting in large-scale surrender of members of terrorist groups and submission of large cache of arms and ammunition.

According to him, the good people of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa are steadily picking up their livelihood as the military, in collaboration with the government, is helping to restore governance to hitherto ungoverned areas.

Lagbaja also said the operational activities of troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch, had greatly checkmated banditry and insurgency in the North West and North Central regions.

“We have equally heightened our efforts in containing criminalities perpetrated in the South East Region by the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network.

“Through Operation UDO KA, our troops have, in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, put an end to the infamous sit-at-home order that has almost crippled socio-economic activities in the region.

“Law-abiding citizens of the region now go about their businesses and everyday life.

“Similarly, our joint efforts with various government agencies have quelled attempts by criminals to disrupt economic activities in the South West Region.

“Our troops’ upscaled anti-illegal oil bunkering operations in Operation Delta Safe in the South-South Region, which have also yielded tremendous outcomes.

“Although we are not there yet in terms of the level of success we hope to achieve in our anti-illegal bunkering operations; there is no denying the fact that we have seen appreciable improvement in the country’s daily crude production,” he said.

The COAS said the military had suffered some painful setbacks and paid for their successes in blood and treasures.

He however assured that troops have remained resolute in the drive to deny all criminal elements freedom of action and have intensified onslaught against them.

Lagbaja said the Nigerian army had established Special Forces units specially trained to tackle various criminalities across the country and further enhance the army’s operational efforts.

According to him, the special forces units have continued to record impressive performances through intelligence-led operations and use of special equipment.

“As we continue to procure and induct more sophisticated platforms and equipment into the various theatres as force multipliers, I charge field commanders to ensure the maintenance of these platforms and equipment to prolong their life span and enable the nation to optimize its investment.”

Lagbaja said the quarterly conference was designed to provide veritable platform to review the conduct of the army’s administrative, training, logistics, and operational activities, as well as other key issues relating to the service.

He urged the senior officers and commanders to brainstorm and holistically review all operations and related activities carried out by the army in and outside Nigeria within the period under review. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Maharazu Ahmed

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