News Agency of Nigeria
Defence/Security

Irabor inaugurates Nigerian army think-tank centre

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, on Thursday inaugurated the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC), a think-tank for future development of the army.

The centre is located at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment Giri, Abuja.

Irabor said the centre was established to create a reservoir of competent and dedicated officers, and address Nigerian army’s peculiar challenges.

He said the centre would serve as the research establishment of the army in the formulation and development of policy frameworks.

According to him, the heritage and future center will add value to the army in terms of preserving its history and tapping from the lessons of all operations through critical analysis.

“It is pertinent for me to mention the central role research plays in providing constructive solutions to myriads of problems facing the armed forces of Nigeria.

“The dynamics of the operating environment for the armed forces of Nigeria demands that we x-ray the lenses of engagement in various thematic areas.

“It is my fervent hope that this center will provide a veritable opportunity for serving and retired officers to contribute to the Nigerian army’s future development and modernisation agenda, through focused research.

“I am happy to note that the center has a directorate dedicated to improving jointness and operations, as well as other activities with sister services.

“On the whole, I expect the center to add impetus to the system through innovative ideas to problem solving approach of the Nigerian army in particular, and the armed forces of Nigeria in general,” he said.

The CDS urged officers that would be deployed to work towards accomplishing set goals and set the tone for greater excellence from the army and the armed forces in general.

He appreciated the contributions of officers and men of Nigerian army in the defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria, in conjunction with sister services.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor inaugurating the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) in Abuja on Thursday (26/1/23)

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, said the Nigerian army had undergone significant transformation since the advent of democracy.

He stated that the major driver was professionalism toward achieving operational successes as well as improving the image of the Nigerian army.

Yahaya said that the Nigerian army had continued to consolidate on the various transformations being recorded and pledged to put in place measures that would prevent a reversal of the gains.

Yahaya said that the Army has been bringing together highly skilled, competent and senior experienced officers and others with requisite competencies to address Nigeria army’s specific and thematic challenges.

“This is to be achieved through productive research, analysis studies on suggestion of novel solutions to make Nigerian army more effective, resilient and an adaptive force.

“On this wise, I approved the establishment of the center to among other key roles, develop plan for the entrenchment and preservation of Nigerian army heritage.

“It is to provide strategic inputs for future plans and controls, modernisation of the Nigerian army as well as act as loyal opposition to Nigerian army by constantly calling out inconsistencies and flaws within the system,” he said.

The COAS said the center would also work to institutionalise and maintain novel solution to tactical, operational, training, administrative and logistic challenges of Nigerian army.

He added that accurate future forecasting based on sound analysis and research will facilitate the emplacement of frameworks that would ensure deployment of adaptable, resilient and effective forces to confront and defeat current and emerging threats.

According to him, the centre will be a factory of ideas leading Nigerian army to the future.

Yahaya commended the efforts of officers and soldiers for their commitment to ongoing operations aimed at ridding the nation of all threats. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Maharazu Ahmed

Defence/Security

NRC, Police reiterate commitment to secure Nigeria’s railways

By Lucy Ogalue/Monday Ijeh

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and the Nigeria Police Force, have reiterated commitments to secure railway facilities and passengers across the country.

Mr Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director of NRC and Mrs Yetunde Longe, the Commissioner of Police (CP), in charge of Railway Command, said this on Thursday in Abuja.

Okhiria and Longe spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The NRC helmsman said the corporation was currently engaging communities and vigilantes around the various stations to watch the tracks and provide intelligence.

“We have employed some technologies and working on the procurement process for more, to ensure that all stations are covered,” he said.

He said efforts were also being made to clear the bushes around most of the stations, to ensure that the surroundings were clear and safe for passengers.

The NRC boss said the corporation was also collaborating with states and local government areas, for the clearing of the bushes.

“The Tom Ikimi train station in Igueben for instance, the local government chairman has promised the clearing of bushes,’’ Okhiria said.

On her own part, Longe said the Railway Command of the Nigeria Police Force, had increased partnership with host communities and other security agencies, to ensure adequate security of railways in the country.

She said the command was also partnering the NRC security outfit to boost the security of railway operations.

Longe said the command had increased the number of armed police personnel attached to railways and stations across the country, to ensure adequate police presence.

She enjoined the public to continue to offer necessary support to the police and other security agencies, to secure the country’s railways. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Defence/Security

Police confirm alleged killing of 27 pastoralists in airstrike in Nasarawa

By Isaac Ukpoju

The Police Command in Nasarawa State has confirmed the alleged killing of 27 pastoralists in an ‘airstrike’ in Doma Local Government Area of the State.

DSP Ramhan Nansel, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the development and casualty figure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lafia.

Nansel said that preliminary investigation revealed that the pastoralists had on Tuesday, gone to Benue to pay fines for the release of cattle impounded by the Benue Livestock Guards implementing the State’s Anti-Open Grazing and Ranching Law.

He said: “While they were loading some of the cows into vehicles on Tuesday night in Kwatiri village, a border community between Benue and Nasarawa, something like a drone or an aircraft hovered in the air and shelled them.”

Nansel said the Commissioner of Police, Maiyaki Mohammed-Baba, had visited the scene of the incident and also attended the burial of the deceased alongside the State Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe and some traditional rulers.

He said investigation was ongoing to unravel those behind the act, adding that the command had deployed policemen to the area to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

Gov. Abdullahi Sule had since condemned the dastardly act, saying that he was in touch with his Benue counterpart over the matter as security agencies continued their investigations.

He called on the people to remain calm and not take laws into their own hands.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) had also condemned the alleged killing and called for full investigation to unravel those behind the attack.

MACBAN, in a statement made available to NAN by its National Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Nura, said “this is the third time we are experiencing such happenings.”

He said that apart from the victims, livestock were also killed in the attack.

“MACBAN describes the action as not only condemnable but a war crime under
the Geneva Convention that prohibits the wanton killing of livestock.

“We call on the authorities to investigate this terror, punish the culprits and to be sure that incidents like this will not happen again,” the Nura said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abubakar Ahmed/Bashir Rabe Mani

Defence/Security

Gunmen kidnap Chawai traditional ruler in Kaduna State

Ny Ephraims Sheyin

Gunmen have abducted Chief Joshua Ahmadu, the District Head of Chawai in Kauru Local Government of Kaduna State.

Ahmadu’s abduction was confirmed on Wednesday by Mr Abel Adamu, President, Chawai Development Association (CDA).

Adamu, in a statement signed by Mr Raphael Joshua, Public Relations Officer of CDA, said that the traditional ruler was kidnapped Tuesday night “by unknown gunmen who invaded his house at Zambina”.

“It was reported that the kidnappers stormed the house of the traditional ruler in their numbers around 9:30 p.m. and took him away,” Adamu was quoted as saying.

The CDA President was further quoted as expressing dismay over the situation while assuring residents that CDA was working hard to ensure that the victim was released unhurt.

“Already, relevant authorities and heads of security operatives on special duty in the chiefdom have been duly informed and have already swung into action to rescue the traditional ruler.

“We are calling on all sons and daughters of Tsam land to pray for the safe return of the district head.”

The statement challenged youths of the chiefdom to always take communal security seriously so as to avert such breaches.

“We have to be on our feet to ensure the land is safe.

“It’s unfortunate that at this critical time, the youths, who ought to be the communal force to guarantee security across communities, are not ready to work in collaboration with security personnel to secure the land,” he lamented.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Tsam Chiefdom has suffered lots of abductions and attacks by bandits and kidnappers lately.

Some of the incidences have led to the loss of lives while large sums had also been paid to rescue kidnapped victims.

The CDA boss appealed to government to direct security agencies to ensure that the district head was rescued and released “unconditionally”.

NAN learnt that the personnel of the Police Area Command in Kafanchan had since visited the family of the victim and assured relations of its readiness to “do everything possible” to rescue the traditional ruler. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

Defence/Security

Nigeria ‘ll surmount challenges of terrorism soon – Monguno

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, says Nigeria will surmount the challenges of terrorism in the nearest future given the successes so far recorded by the military.

Monguno said this at the opening of Non-kinetic Coordination Course organised by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in collaboration with Peace Building Development Consult on Wednesday in Abuja.

He was represented by retired Rear Adm. Yaminu Musa, Coordinator, National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).

He said that aside the kinetic efforts of the military, the Federal Government had put measures in place using all of government approach to tackle the menace of terrorism in the country.

Monguno said that defeating the prevailing security threats required effective coordination or collaborative efforts of the nation’s armed forces and other security agencies.

He said that proffering analytic solution towards enhancing the national responses to emerging security threat to the country had become a key guiding principles with which to ensure national development.

According to him, from our experiences as a nation in combating terrorism, we have come to realise that kinetic means alone is not sufficient to defeat the threat.

“What this threat therefore demand is synergy of effort involving stakeholders across governments and across the society that includes citizens which is what we refer to as whole-of-government and whole-of-societal approaches to ensure national security.

“The splitting of Boko Haram into Islamist States West Africa Province and the reemergence of Ansaru group created additional challenges for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin countries.

“Nonetheless the less the comprehensive approach being employed our counter-terrorism effort has continued to significantly degrade the threat resulting in the mass surrender of terrorists and sympathisers in the North Eastern part of the country,” he said.

The NSA added that Transnational Organised Crimes such as illicit financial flow, money laundering and proliferation of small arms and light weapons amongst others had continued to create security challenges in the country.

He said that while illicit financial flows had linkages to terrorism and other transnational organised crime, the proliferation of small arms posed a major challenge facilitated by porosity of Nigeria’s borders.

He said that ONSA had taken several measures to tackle the threats of insecurity vis different approaches and strategies.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, in his lecture titled, “Understanding Non-kinetic Operations and Capabilities for Irregular Warfare”, said the armed forces had achieved a lot through non-kinetic means in combating terrorism.

Irabor, who was represented by the Director of Operations, Defence Headquarters, AVM Bashir Mamman, said that military force alone was not a sufficient panacea to ending violent agitations and extremism.

He added that governments often utilised soft power or non-kinetic approaches amongst other means to resolve conflicts.

According to him, non-kinetic operation, therefore, seeks to counter ideology of violence and relies on utilisation of non-military methods to achieve set objectives and by extension, consolidate peace building and security.

Irabor recommended that a review of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) was needed to ensure that actions at all levels of operations were in accordance with the information strategy.

He also recommended inclusion of non-kinetic operations doctrine in pre-deployment training as well as emplacement of planned maintenance of Infrastructure and road network in operation areas.

The Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, said that the of strategy of kinetic and non-kinetic had to be shuffled and improved upon.

Omotayo said the workshop was organised to find ways towards discussing the ever changing strategies of war and conflicts and the need to apply technology, psychology and communication in the art of warfare.

He said the course emphasised the need for proper capacity for decision makers, both military and civilian to work together towards achieving the national goal.

He said that the workshop was borne out of the fact that the nation had been using the kinetic approach to solving some of the security problems, adding that it was necessary to look at alternative approaches.

“We believe that at the end of this engagement, we will finally be able to come up with the essence of kinetic or non-kinetic approaches, and then sell it to the security agencies as an alternative to kinetic approaches.

“These approaches have been tried as well, and they have worked so we believe that Nigeria should not fail to explore other means of solving national security problems.

“The participants are drawn from all walks of Nigerian life and from all sectors, from the military, the customs, immigration and other agencies that engage with issues of national security,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Defence/Security

Minister hails military’s fight against piracy in Gulf of Guinea

Participants and guests at the opening of a Week Residency Maritime Rules of Engagement Course on Interception and Counter Piracy Operations in Gulf of Guinea on Monday in Abuja.

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba, has commended Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) toward building capacity to defeat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

Agba, who was represented by his Special Assistant, Mr  Rajab Abdulrahaman, gave the commendation at the inauguration of the Anti-piracy Course 4/23 organised by MLAILPKC, on Monday in Abuja.

The course was organised by the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Project (UNDP)  with support from the Government of Japan.

He said the centre had been recognised for providing a world class e-learning platform, focused mainly on courses related to peace support, humanitarian relief, and security operations.

Agba said that the MLAILPKC had remained a reliable training centre for leadership and peacekeeping operation in Nigeria considering the prevalence of insecurity, humanitarian crisis and displaced communities.

The minister commended the support of international organisations for their commitment to sustaining the centre.

The Director-General, Nigerian Army Resource Center (NARC), retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, urged the participants of the course to open their minds to acquiring the requisite knowledge needed to deal with piracy in the GoG.

Wahab said that maritime environment had been one of the mainstay of the nation’s economy, adding that no nation could develop without security.

He said if the maritime environment was not secured economically, Nigeria will be in crisis and so, we must find a way of ensuring that the Gulf of Guinea is secured.

“Whether we like it or not for so many reasons, we must ensure that the sea is secured and everybody must come around to assist those who are responsible, particularly Nigerian Navy,“ he said.

“It is the responsibility of every Nigerian. Nobody will come from outside, they can assist us in funding but the onus of performance is on Nigeria and other member states to ensure that the Gulf of Guinea is secured,” he said.

The UNDP Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security, Mr Matthew Alao, in his remarks said that the activities of pirates in Gulf of Guinea (GoG) had persistently been in the downward trends in the past

Alao said the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) of the International Chambers of Commerce (ICC) 2022 annual report indicated that 115 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships and seafarers were recorded globally in 2022 compared to 132 recorded in 2021.

He said the report stated that the GoG continued to experience desirable reduction in maritime crimes in 2022 as the region accounted for 19 incidents as against 35 incidents recorded in 2021.

The feat, according to him, was achieved through unrelenting efforts, partnerships and investments against piracy by the Member States particularly Nigeria.

(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

===========

Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/ Joseph Edeh

Defence/Security

Military has eliminated fears over general elections – CSO

 

By Sumaila Ogbaje

A civil society organisation, Socio-Economic Analysis Group (SEAG), says the ongoing military operations across the country has eliminated fears associated with the 2023 General Elections.

The group said this in a statement by its Convener, Mr Olatunde Morayo, and co-signed by Co-coveners, Hajara Abubakar and Obidi Ifukoon, Monday in Abuja.

They said that a study conducted by SEAG, showed that the military had significantly reduced the capacity of bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements that could undermine the conduct of the general elections.

The group said it embarked on the study after a promise by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would work with other security agencies to ensure peaceful conduct of the elections.

They said the group had discovered that the military had continued to deepen its loyalty to the constitution of the country, while conducting in-house education for its personnel, on the benefits of total respect and support for democratic processes.

It said it was now left for Nigerians to cooperate fully with the armed forces to ensure a peaceful transition process.

“SEAG study of the situation was prompted by the promise made by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), that the armed forces of Nigeria will fully support the democratic process to a logical conclusion.

“Though some skeptics wanted to raise dust where there is none, our study reveals that the armed forces is fully prepared for the elections.

“A critical study of the security situation reveals that we are winning the war in all the troubled spots. Using kinetic and non-kinetic approach, normalcy is gradually returning.

“Though there are still traces of the security challenges, but we say the capacity of the military to deal with them is not in doubt.

The group commended the CDS, for constantly reminding Nigerians that the military had fully keyed into the democratic process, adding that it was a morale booster and assurance.

They urged Nigerians to support and cooperate with the armed forces, and other security agencies, to ensure peaceful and credible elections. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Defence/Security

C/River: NSCDC impounds 8 trucks, arrests many suspects in 2022

 

By George Odok

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Cross River Command, impounded 8 trucks laden with suspected adulterated petroleum product in the state in 2022.

Commandant of NSCDC in Cross River, Mr Samuel Fadeyi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on his achievements in office in 2022.

Fadeyi told NAN on Sunday in Calabar that over 10 suspects were arrested in connection with the crime during the period under review.

According to him, the trucks were conveying premium motor spirit and suspected adulterated diesel.

He told NAN that the cases were charged to court in line with the Corps mandate.

Fadeyi explained that NSCDC has the mandate of providing protection to federal, state and local  government infrastructure including petroleum product, energy and telecommunications facilities nationwide.

“In the year 2022, we impounded 8 trucks conveying suspected adulterated petroleum products and we arrested over 10 suspects.

“The trucks were conveying premium motor spirit and suspected adulterated diesel.

“We also arrested 13 suspects for vandalising the Portharcourt Electricity Distribution Company cables and other facilities.

“Also in 2022, we arrested some suspects for attempting to vandalise the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation pipeline at Esuk Utan community in Calabar Municipality.

“During the period under review, NSCDC officials were also involved in rescue operations of most kidnapped cases in the state,” he said.

On capacity building, he told NAN that over 25 officers were trained on Safe School Initiative which was geared towards the protection of secondary schools against insecurity.

Similarly, he said that the command trained all divisional officers in the state and over 30 desk officers on gender based violence.

“Also in 2022, we launched operation flush on trailer parks in the state in line with the Commandant General’s directive to flush out illegal bunkers in the state.

“The teams carried out raids in various trailer parks in Biase, Akamkpa, Calabar South and Municipal local government areas which led to the discovery and destruction of adulterated petroleum product.

“During the period under review, the private guard department monitored, supervised, trained and inspected some private guards companies in the state at their various beats.

“The department aided the internally generated revenue of the federal government arising from license issuance and renewals with about N5million despite the lull in the industry in the state,” he added.

He gave assurance that the command under his leadership would continue to employ new strategies targeted towards crime prevention and control in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Defence/Security

AIG urges Abia Govt to provide jobs to curb cultism, other vices

 

By Leonard Okachie

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police,(AIG) Zone 9, Umuahia, Isaac Akinmoyede, has called on government to generate employment for youths and provide an atmosphere conducive for investments, to curb cultism and other vices.

He made the call when the Abia chapter of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) paid a courtesy and advocacy visit to him in his office on Friday.

Zone 9 comprises Abia, Imo and Ebonyi commands.

According to Akinmoyede, one of those conducive atmospheres is security.

He said that Police were trying all within their means to ensure the society became secured.

The police boss, who decried the rising cultism, said it had gone beyond the higher institutions and came down to secondary schools.

 

AIG Zone 9, Isaac Akinmoyede flanked by Abia Chairman of POCACOV, Mrs Adanma Odefa-Wachuku and her counterpart in Imo, Mr Kennedy Onwunali, during the visit.

 

The former Commissioner of Police in Plateau and Imo, expressed regrets that even artisans were now involved in cultism, saying “it is really a big headache”.

Akinmoyede said that incessant strikes and other circumstances that kept students away from school, had always led to the rise in street cultism.

He said: “But thank God the schools are up and doing again, and it is believed that when schools are kept busy, there will be reduction in vices in the society.

“Policing is not an easy task, all what is required is continued support from members of the public and POCACOV, to ensure that we are able to do our job in the best possible way.”

The AIG who commended the group for doing a lot for the police and the society, pledged his support “and in any way I know I can contribute towards the growth of POCACOV I will do so.”

Earlier, the Abia Chairman of POCACOV, Mrs Adanma Odefa-Wachuku, who led the delegation, lauded the Inspector-General of Police for setting up POCACOV.

Odefa-Wachuku described community policing as the present and future of policing “because all the criminals, cultists and others who engage in other vices are from families and communities”.

According to her, POCACOV has the same objective with the police, which is to curb cultism that is worsening on the streets.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that POCACOV is a community-driven initiative of the Nigeria Police to sensitise different stakeholders to the dangers of cultism and other vices. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Idris Abdulrahman

 

Defence/Security

Scouts begin nationwide campaign against organ harvesting, drug abuse

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Scout Association of Nigeria has revealed plan to embark on a nationwide campaign to educate the youth about the dangers of organ harvesting, drugs abuse and their negative effects.

The Chief Scout Commissioner of Nigeria and Chief Executive Officer of the association, Mr Dave Padopads-Awunah, made the disclosure at a news conference on the forthcoming Nigeria Scout Parade and Presidential Award, on Thursday in Abuja.

Padopads-Awunah noted that with about 70 per cent of Nigerian population, the youth has enormous roles to play in contributing to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on a sustainable basis.

“The Scout Association of Nigeria will take campaign to the nook and crannies of the country, recruiting the youngsters and grooming them to learn about the dangers of drug abuse and its negative effects on human capital development.

“We will also educate them on negative effects of drug abuse on the health of the nation at large as well as train them as peer influencers against drug abuse.

“Other areas on our strategic plan to the youths of Nigeria include campaign against human organ harvesting, trafficking, prostitution and child abuse, terrorism, fraud and criminality,”

He stressed the need for the Federal Government to make a policy for compulsory participation in scout activities in all public primary schools in the country.

The Scout Commissioner also urged the government to reinstate the policy of monthly subvention and grants to the 36 states Scout Councils and National Scout Organisation which was stopped almost three decades ago.

He lamented that scouting has over the years diminished to the disadvantage of young people and the nation.

According to him, the clear absence of the role of scouting in tailoring the minds of young people is clearly shown in the inexplicable crisis of youth mismanagement.

“Vices like secret cultism, terrorism, fraud, trafficking of vital human organs, drug abuse, trafficking of persons and prostitution have reduced Nigeria to a land of the unknown.”

On the forthcoming scout parade and presidential award, Padopads-Awunah explained that the event was the brainchild of the present scout administration to enhance cohesion among members.

According to him, the event will give the youth a window towards peace and capacity building, networking and synergy for the growth and overall development of the country.

“At the same occasion, we shall be launching two important projects of our administration.

“The Kit a Scout programme designed to attract our leaders in all areas of endeavor to provide uniforms for less privileged scouts in their respective communities.

“The Kit Scout programme is also designed create three million new young scouts across the length and breath of Nigeria by 2025.

“Secondly, is the Nigeria Scout Smart City Abuja with a design to seat on 1,000 hectares of land along Abuja Airport-Kaduna road,” Padopads-Awunah said. (NAN)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email