By Hussaina Yakubu

Governors of the 19 Nothern States and traditional rulers of the region are meeting in Kaduna over security challenges bedeviling the region.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day meeting, which opened on Thursday is also being attended by Senate President, Ahmad Lawal, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and Information Minister, Lai Mohammed.

Others are National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Monguno,  Inspector General of Police,  Mohammed Ibrahim and Director General, State Security Service, Yusuf Bichi.

The participants are expected to discuss current security challenges bedevilling the Northern region and youth unemployment.

Governors at the meeting, holding at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, include those of Plateau, Adamawa, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Jigawa and Katsina.

Niger, Zamfara, Yobe, Benue, Kogi, Kabbi were represented by Deputy Governors of the states, among others.

At their last meeting on Nov. 2, 2020, the Northern Governors had set up two committees to push for statutory roles for traditional rulers and another on youth and civil societies.

The committee on roles of traditional rulers is chaired by the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage, with two representative from the National Assembly, one from each of the three zones, and a minister as members.

The Committee on Youth and Civil Societies has the
Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Bamalli as Chairman, with one representative of elders, youth, women, persons with disability as members from each of the three zones.

The November meeting had also backed efforts to regulate the spread of fake news through the social media. (NAN)

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

The newly appointed Commissioner of Police for Kano State, Mr Samaila Dikko, has promised adequate security aimed at tackling crime in the State.

Dikko made the pledge on Wednesday in Kano when he paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje at the Government House.

The CP solicited the support of all residents to enable him succeed in his new assignment.

He pledged to ensure the protection of lives and property in line with the mandate of the Police.

Dikko said the command under his leadership would liaise with sister agencies to ensure a crime-free state for everyone to engage in their lawful businesses.

The police chief also promised to fight crime and criminality in the state through community policing.

“I want to assure the good people of the state that visibility and community policing will also be prioritised”, he said.

The CP commended the governor for supporting the police command in the state and also for building an ultra modern communication centre.

Dikko appealed to the governor to provide additional patrol vehicles for the command, considering the population of the state.

Responding, the governor called for synergy between sister agencies to fight crime in the state.

He said that the state government had converted parts of Dansoshia forest to grazing reserve and established a military training centre at Falgore forest.

These, he said, are in an effort to improve security and reduce crime in the state.

Ganduje reiterated his administration’s commitment to community policing in the state.

The governor assured the commissioner of support in protecting the lives and property of the citizens. (NAN)

By Kingsley Okoye

The Senate has approved N11 billion as 2020 budget for Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPFT).

This followed the consideration of the harmonised report of the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs at Wednesday’s plenary.

The implementation of the NPTF 2020 budget would lapse on April 30, 2021.

Chairman of the senate committee on Police Affairs, Sen. Halliru Jika,(APC- Bauchi) in his presentation said the joint committee observed that the budget was the first since the establishment of the fund in 2019.

According to him, only the 0.5 per cent of the total revenue accruing to the federation account and 0.5 per cent of the total Value Added Tax (VAT)were remitted to the NPTF account.

He said other revenue sources prescribed in the NPTF act did not made remittance.

He urged the NPTF to expedite action on the implementation of the 2020 budget to meet up with the deadline of April 30, 2021.

The Senate President, Dr Ahmed Lawan said the approval of the NPTF budget would help the police to increase their capacities towards providing better and improved services in the country.

“This is one of the benefits of what we have passed here – the Police Trust Fund – and I’m sure that the national assembly will continue to support our security agencies for optimal performance,” Lawan said. (NAN)

By Muhammad Nasir

The new Commissioner of Police, posted to Sokoto State, Mr Kamaldeen Okunlola has assumed duty, becoming the 45th CP in the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by ASP Sanusi Abubakar, the command’s Public Relations Officer on Wednesday in Sokoto.

The new commissioner took over from Mr Ali Janga, following his promotion to the rank of Assistant Inspector- General of Police and redeployment as AIG in-charge of Zone 10, Sokoto.

“Before his present appointment, Okunlola had served as CP, Community Policing, Department of Research & Planning Force Headquarters, Abuja; Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Operations in Akwa-Ibom and as DCP, Federal SARS FCID Annex, Lagos.

“He has attended various on-the-job courses, during his career which includes: Intermediate Command Course, Police Staff College Jos, Document Fraud Course, Working Tour of United Kingdom Border Agency Operations and Law Enforcement Executives Development Programmer.

“Okunlola is a thorough-bred professional, who distinguished himself in all the places he has served,’’ the statement read in part.

Accordingly, the CP solicited constant dissemination of credible information that will aid the command to serve better.

He also assured residents of the state of maximum protection of their lives and properties. (NAN)

By Ibironke Ariyo
The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has directed Commanding Officers across all formations of the Corps to commence immediate clampdown on rickety vehicles plying Nigerian roads.

The Corps Marshal’s order was contained in a statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer, (CPEO) Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Bisi Kazeem on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the clampdown was an integral part of rejigged efforts of the Corps in the year 2021 to further reduce road traffic crashes across the country.

Oyeyemi said that the riot act to operators of rickety vehicles means that the Zonal Commanding Officers and Sector Commanders have been given an express directive to commence a nationwide arrest.

This he said includes impoundment and prosecution of owners or operators of such vehicles.

The Corps Marshal stated that the operation which would be conducted nationwide, formed part of the Corps’ commitment towards enhancing the tempo of its operational activities.

He added that it was to create a safer motoring environment in the country, premised on the realisation of its 2021 strategic goals of reducing road traffic crashes by 15 per cent and fatalities by 20 per cent.

He recalled the common sight of poorly maintained vehicles on the nation highways, which often break down and result in obstructions of traffic flow.

The FRSC boss, however, urged motorists to ensure regular maintenance of their vehicles in view of inherent traffic hazards associated with abandoned broken down vehicles especially at night.

He highlighted the health, safety and economic benefits of regular vehicle maintenance.

He stated that severe punishment awaits anyone apprehended in the act, including impoundment of the vehicle, payment of fines and compulsory road safety education.

“The public is therefore called to assist the Corps by reporting any rickety vehicle sighted on the road to the spokesperson.

“This can be through the FRSC Toll Free numbers 122 or tune into the National Traffic Radio 107.1FM to report same or any other contravention seen on the road.

“The Station can also be reached through its Social Media Handles as follows; WHATSAPP 08052997848, FACEBOOK TRAFFIC RADIO 1, TWITTER @TRAFFICRADIO 1, INSTAGRAM TRAFFICRADIO 1 or Call the following numbers; GLO 08052998090, MTN 09067000015, and SMS on GLO 08052998012 and the FRSC toll free emergency line 122.

By Salisu Sani-Idris
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned that it would not spare any traditional ruler aiding and abetting criminality in his domain.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, issued the warning on Tuesday in Abuja during an emergency meeting of all the graded chiefs in the territory.

Aliyu said that with the recent security challenges in some parts of the territory, the graded chiefs should be in constant touch with the village heads.

She disclosed that FCTA would soon embark on an operation know your neighbour, stay safe, and stay alive campaign.

The minister stressed that such move would enable the administration to profile total strangers who do not have any business staying in the nation’s capital.

Aliyu used the occasion to confirm the security report recommending the suspension of the Chief of Anagada, Malam Alhassan Musa, in Gwagwalada Area Council.

“Regrettably, we are starting this gathering with security report indicting one of the royal fathers in Gwagwalada Area Council.

“I don’t know how it will end, but we must begin to look closely at ourselves or activities. Royal stools are now being bastardised by some traditional rulers.

“The security agencies in their reports indicted one of you and we tried as much as possible to see how we can get to the bottom of the matter.

“Unfortunately, it was overruled because the report is not ours. It came from one of the security agencies. Therefore, we are not in a position to look into his case.

“It is not in our character, no matter the level of poverty to betray the trust bestowed on you as a traditional ruler and the custodian of our tradition,” Aliyu said.

The minister directed the traditional rulers to liaise with their various village heads and warn them that those found wanting would not be spared.

She stated that no one had the right to accommodate total strangers or group of people especially “now that we are facing challenges of insecurity.

“You cannot accommodate strangers you do not know. The people you accommodate can betray you.

“The people you harbour in your communities can be informants or bandits. At the end of the day, we battle with insurgents,” she said.

Responding on behalf of the Chiefs, Alhaji Adamu Baba, the Chairman of FCT traditional council of chiefs and the Ona of Abaji, assured the minister that her message would be delivered to the village heads.

Baba used the opportunity to appeal to the authourities concerned to do anything possible to filling in the gaps in some chiefdom.

By Deborah Coker

The Department of State Services (DSS), Edo Command, has solicited for the support of officers and men of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in combating insecurity in the state.

The Director of DSS in Edo, Mrs Ebun Likinyon, made the call on Monday in Benin, when she paid a courtesy visit to the anti-drug agency.

Likinyon said that the support and collaboration among sister security agencies had become imperative, as they were all working towards one goal of ensuring stability in the country.

“National security is our common goal and because Edo is a volatile state, we need to collaborate in nipping security threats like drug trafficking, kidnapping, armed robbery and others in the bud.

“Most criminals hide under the influence of drugs and that is why NDLEA is topmost in our stakeholder cooperation,” she said.

Likinyon expressed delight at the level of cooperation existing at the management level between both agencies, adding that such understanding should be extended to the junior cadre.

In his remarks, Mr Buba Wakawa, the NDLEA Commander in the state, thanked the DSS boss for the visit and promised to sustain the cordial relationship between both agencies.

Wakawa, who noted that illicit drug use had been linked to crime, said Edo was a major cannabis producing state.

“It is, therefore, important for law enforcement agencies to collaborate in the fight against security threats,” he said.

Wakama promised to share actionable intelligence with the DSS toward reducing security threats in the state. (NAN)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, has described the crash of the Nigerian Air Force King 350 plane as an unfortunate national disaster.

Magashi stated this in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mohammad Abdulkadri, on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that that all seven air force personnel on board died in the crash on Sunday.

The minister said he was pained by the tragic accident, adding that the death was an unfortunate depletion of the national human capital asset.

Magashi said the death of the officers and airmen in the line of duty would never be forgotten in the annals of the military’s efforts to end the nation’s insecurity.

The minister commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari, the nation and Nigerian Air Force in particular, as well as the families of those who paid the supreme price while serving the nation.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and the fortitude to bear the national calamity. (NAN)

By Mohammed Tijjani

Suspected bandits have killed a herder and truck driver in Kajuru, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna state, according to Mr Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs.

Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Friday, in Kaduna, Aruwan said bandits escaping an offensive in a forest on the outskirts of Doka village in Kajuru local government area, killed the herder on Friday, after opening fire on him and carting away his motorcycle and other valuables.

He explained that security operatives were on the trail of the bandits, while his corpse had been retrieved and handed over to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

”The assailants are responsible for the killing and kidnapping in the Kasuwan Magani and Doka general areas, and other locations in nearby Kauru local government area.

“Similarly, one truck driver was killed by bandits in Giwa local government area, ”  Aruwan said.

He said a security report sent to the ministry stated that  the incident happened about 48 hours ago, when bandits blocked the Garawa village road and opened fire on a truck carrying sugarcane from a weekly market in a neighboring state.

“The driver of the truck, died instantly following the gun shots by the  bandits, while his assistant sustained bullet wounds and was rushed to a hospital where he is receiving treatment.

The commissioner said that Gov Nasir El-Rufai, had expressed sadness over the reports and condoled the families of the slain herder and the truck driver, while offering prayers for the repose of their souls.

He also wished the injured victim a quick recovery. (NAN)

By Chukwuemeka Opara

The Ebonyi government has called for strict enforcement of herders’ profiling to check the incessant clashes between them and farmers in the state.

Gov. David Umahi made the call on Friday in Abakaliki during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Commissioner of Police in the state to evolve ways of permanently checking the clashes.

Umahi, represented by Mr Stanley Okoro-Emegha, Commissioner for Border, Peace and Internal Security, expressed disappointment that the government’s directive on herders’ profiling was not strictly enforced.

The governor said that not more than three local government areas in the state enforced such directive and this had made monitoring of herders activities across the state difficult.

“Enforcing the profiling policy would assist in determining herders’ locations, when they migrate from one location to another and their activities.

“The state government banned grazing on the roads and herding by under-age herders but such directives are frequently flouted.

“The fact is that those grazing in the hinterlands are not attending this meeting and unfortunately, their leaders do not relay resolutions of such meetings to them,” he said.

He also urged leaders of the herders offered various appointments in the state to see such as call to service and not political patronages.

“The appointments were offered to make them monitor their subjects’ activities at the hinterlands and ensure that they live harmoniously with farmers in their host communities.

“This objective is, however, not being actualised because government’s directives to ensure such harmonious existence are constantly flouted,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi (CP), Mr Aliyu Garba, urged relevant stakeholders to strive toward creating a peaceful and condusive environment for both herders and farmers to operate across the state.

“The Nigerian constitution allows citizens to move from one part of the country to another and engage in various businesses.

“This meeting resolved that concerned parties should adhere strictly to the laws guiding herders and farmers in the state.

“The executive of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association should monitor and ensure strict adherence of herders to the laws of the state,” he said.

Chief Eni Uduma, Chairman of Afikpo South local Government Area of the state, called for checks on hate messages spread by some groups in the state which pitched the citizens against herders.

Alhaji Umar Adoro, State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) urged traditional rulers among other stakeholders to check activities of illicit drug users who mostly perpetuate violence in their domains. (NAN)