NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Defence/Security

Violent extremism is complex, requires adaptable solutions- UNDP

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By Oladapo Udom

Mr Matthew Alao, the Team Lead, Governance, Peace, and Security Unit, United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, has described violent extremism as a complex, multifaceted problem that requires equally nuanced and adaptable solutions.

Alao said this at the graduation ceremony of 32 participants of Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) on Countering Violent Extremism.

The Countering Violent Extremism Course 5, 2024, which started on Oct. 26 ended on Nov. 8, at the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration (NASFA) Lagos.

Participants from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Guinea Bissau, Togo and Liberia took part in the two-week rigorous training.

The team lead called for collaborated efforts from stakeholders to address the challenge, which he said was taking its toll on humanity in general.

He urged the participants to always remember that countering violent extremism was not solely about security measures or law enforcement.

“It is about addressing root causes, fostering inclusive societies, and offering hope where despair once reigned.

“Your role extends beyond tactical responses; you are now architects of resilient communities and advocates for social justice.

“You will face challenges, setbacks and moments of doubt. However, be hopeful; be optimistic because our struggle is not the struggle of a day or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime,” he said.

Alao expressed confidence in the knowledge and skills the participants had acquired, saying that they were not just academic achievements, but the building blocks of resilient communities and sustainable peace.

“Now, you stand ready to return to your respective countries, organisations, and communities as agents of positive change,” the UNDP representative said.

Alao appreciated the Government of Japan, MLAILPKC, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, and the UNDP for their support which had been instrumental in shaping future leaders.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Farouk Mijinyawa, in his remarks stressed the need for partnership and collective efforts to eradicate violent extremism in the country.

Mijinyawa commended the seamless collaboration between MLAILPKC and the Government of Japan, through the UNDP, which resulted to the approval and conduct of the course.

According to him, the strategic partnership serves as beacon of international cooperation which needs to be sustained.

He quoted former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, as saying that the greatest weapon against extremism is collective action.

“This points to the fact that it is only through partnership and collective efforts that we can eradicate the menace of violent extremism in the world,” he said.

The GOC said that violent extremism had continued to threaten world peace and humanity in general, adding that all stakeholders must unite to counter it by addressing the root causes.

“These include support to education, community engagements and creating economic opportunities.

“The training will help to enhance capacity and equip potential peacekeepers with the requisite expertise to handle threats posed by violent extremism.

“It will also enable them to effectively perform their roles in a multidimensional peacekeeping mission,” he said

One of the participants of the training, Lt.-Col. Thomas Nimele, from the Armed Forces of Liberia, said that the course broadened his knowledge regarding peacekeeping in violent extreme situations.

“The training also gave me insight into the drivers that cause violent extremism and how to use non kinetic measures to win the war.

“Countering violent extremism is a holistic approach involving both government institutions and societal institutions, using non kinetic approach to defeat the ideology of violent extremism,” Nimele said.

Also, Maj. Felix Adongo, from the Ghana Army, said that his take home would be to employ the use of more non kinetic measures in countering the extremist agenda rather than always resulting to force.

“It is important that we tackle this menace from this angle by identifying and getting to the root causes of the extremists ideas and agenda,” Adongo said(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Defence/Security

Anti-graft: Senate pledges to increase EFCC budget allocation

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The Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes has expressed determination to increase budgetary allocation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  to effectively carry out its anti-graft obligation.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Sen. Emmanuel Udende, said this when he led the committee members on an oversight visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.

The committee chairman said in honesty, the EFCC required more funding.

“When the EFCC chairman is telling you that he needs a software that will tackle virtual and fraudulent cryptocurrency trading, valued at about N3.4billion, then, you will understand why they need more funding.

So, they really, really need a lot of money. What you can do is that through budgeting processing, you will be able to also increase their budget,”  Udende said.

He also said that the EFCC deserved a percentage of its recoveries to assist its operations just like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) gets a certain percentage of its seizures too.

“Like customs do, they are entitled to a percentage of whatever they get for the year. And if we do it to EFCC, we will be able to work from the proceeds of crime that they recover,” he said.

He also lauded EFCC and its leadership for their performance in the last one year,  stressing that the Commission  had impressively tackled the menace of economic and financial crimes, with ascertainable proofs.

While giving the Committee’s evaluation of the efforts of the Commission, Udende declared that the Committee was satisfied with the performance of the EFCC  and declared that it has done wonderfully well.

“We have looked at the records, the budget performance, what the EFCC has done in the past one year and we are quite impressed with what they have done,”he said.

Olukoyede had earlier called on the National Assembly to support the agency  by increasing its allocation in the 2025 budget by 300 per cent.

He said that this was to enable it acquire requisite state of the art technology to fight illicit financial flows, economic sabotage.

According to him, one of the agency’s greatest challenges is inadequate funding, the agency will need about 300 per cent increment of its 2024 budget to carry out its duties effectively.

He also sought the cooperation of the lawmakers in terms of changing the negative perception of Nigerians about  the agency.

The chairman also stated that the EFCC is currently investigating the extractive industry and very soon, indicted persons will be charged to court.

Olukoyede, who lamented the effects of corruption on the general activities in Nigeria, said EFCC would investigate government agencies, who corruptly divert budgetary allocations to other things or outrightly embezzle the funds.

He announced that the commission had been granted access to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System to monitor and track all disbursements and ensure proper utilisation.

While seeking the cooperation of the senators in carrying out the agency’s duty, Olukoyede said the EFCC would also be monitoring their constituency projects.

“We now have a relationship with the Accountant General’s Office. We have been given access to the IPPIS. We want to monitor the releases and track where the money goes.

“So, I am pleased to inform you, distinguished members of the Senate, that we will be monitoring your constituency projects. I hope you will cooperate with us.

“There will be no problem. We will monitor the allocation, and I believe you will also help us champion this cause,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

Defence/Security

Nigeria needs forest guards to safeguard ‘ungoverned territories’- NHFSS DCG

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

Dr John Mecthie, the Deputy Commander-General (Intelligence), Nigerian Hunter and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), has called for transition of forest guards” into a National Security Service to strengthen the nation’s security.

Metchie, in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Abuja, said the transition of NHFSS into Nigeria Forest Guards Services (NFGS) would help to fight crimes effectively in ungoverned spaces.

He said it would serve as a potent panacea to tackling kidnapping, banditry, separatism, and other crimes perpetuated through forests, bushes, and related ungoverned territories.

According to him, the unscrupulous activities of hoodlums in and around ungoverned territories are militating against Nigeria’s economic development.

“Each time people are kidnapped and taken into the bushes, the nation continues to lose billions of naira and Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) due to bad image and negative reputation caused by insecurity”.

Metchie said that insecurity had led to many companies leaving the country while commending the Federal Government for adding greater impetus to the fight against insecurity in the country.

Metchie opposed the views conveyed by the Commandant-General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, at a public hearing on the Bill to establish the Nigeria Mines Ranger Service in Abuja.

He said that Audi’s opposition to the establishment of a new security outfit in the country was not for the overall security well-being of the nation, adding that NSCDC was overwhelmed by its tasks.

“At this age and critical time in the history of our country, we should rise above personal sentiments, selfishness, and aggrandisement to make decisions that will be in the best interest of the nation and the nation only.

“There is a strong need for more hands to come into the security architecture of the nation.

“We should not sacrifice our motivation and opportunities to bring more hands on deck and to work to curb insecurity in Nigeria at the altar of personal interest and material gains.

“Opinion leaders have long identified the huge ungoverned territories as a major challenge in combating insecurity in Nigeria.

“These are mostly in the forests, bushes, deserts, as well as in creeks, swampy areas, and other difficult terrains that are unmanned due to inadequate capacity.

“This is the capacity and gap we as Forest Guards want to fill,” he said.

Metchie said that the Nigeria Forest Guards Services, which NHFSS was transitioning to, was the missing link, gap, and lacuna in Nigeria’s security architecture.

According to him, unless incorporated into national security, the challenges will continue to overwhelm Nigeria because of the security vulnerability in bushes, forests, and other ungoverned areas.

He added that the planned metamorphosis of NHFSS into NFGS would bring all ungoverned territories in the country under the sovereign control of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Metchie said the service was structured so that its operatives exist at the grassroots among the people and work in very familiar terrain, such as bushes, forests, deserts, and creeks.

“NHFSS has a well-structured Management, Administrative, and Operations network in line with modern security architecture for the best global national security operations and services in ungoverned, unmanned difficult terrains.

“The familiarity of the environment and penetration of our officers and men to the deepest hinterlands in forest and bushes, as well as creeks, deserts, and other ungoverned areas of the country are what Nigeria needs to rout out criminals from these areas.

“With requisite Federal backing and provision of necessary security gadgets, our men will further leverage on the familiarity of terrain, our large numerical strength, experience, and grassroots spread to man all territories, including the very difficult terrains,’’ he added.

According to him, NHFSS has good relationships and strong collaboration with, not just the police, but also the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and NSCDC. (NAN) (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nick Nicholas/Sadiya Hamza

Defence/Security

Police, Centre  collaborate to tackle juvenile crimes nationwide

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By Monday Ijeh

The Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with an NGO, Centre for Family Peace, have concluded plans to tackle  the increasing rate of crimes among juveniles in the country.

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Olukayode Egbetokun  said this at the inauguration of the Steering Committee on the Implementation and Execution of the Annual I-G Conference on Juvenile Crime Prevention and Control Project , on Friday in Abuja.H

He said the theme for the maiden edition of the conference is ‘Effective Family Relationship Strategies for Juvenile Crime Prevention and Control.’

Egbetokun, represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Mr Mohammed Dankwara commended the centre for the initiative.

The I-G said the Nigeria Police was aware of the devastating effect of crimes and offences, perpetrated by young people, teenagers, juveniles or adolescents on communities across the country.

Egbetokun  acknowledged the urgent need for a comprehensive approach, as well as concerted efforts and commitments to address the root causes of behavioural problems among young people.

According to him, it was on this note that the Nigeria Police approved the partnership with the centre  to join forces in tackling the ugly trend among young people.

“There is a consensus among family and child development experts that the cause of juvenile offences is the family. Hence, the solution to the problem can be found in the family too.

`This official inauguration of the conference signals the commencement of the implementation of this novel project, aimed at preventing juvenile crime and promoting positive development of young people in Nigeria.

“To deliver this conference project, there will be need for collaboration with the different extra-familial institutions like government at all levels and their agencies, the church, the school and the media,” he said.

He urged members of the steering committee to take the assignment very seriously to deliver positive outcomes that would arrest the ugly trend of juvenile crime.

In his remark, Mr Chinedum Ikogwe,  Executive Director and Founder of the NGO, said the project was borne out of the need to address the challenges of crime and criminality among juveniles.

He said the project was designed to be taken to all the states of the federation, where the governors are  expected to host it in their various states.

Ikogwe blamed the ugly trend among juveniles on failure of parents to live up to their responsibilities by engaging in the pursuit of material things and abandoning the home.

According to him, juvenile crime is a family based problem that requires family based solution because it has to do with character deficiency of children.

He said the choice of the Nigeria Police for the partnership followed the fact that the police is the foremost law enforcement agency in the country.

Ikogwe  commended the I-G for the speedy approval of the project.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Defence/Security

Curbing corruption requires capacity, collaboration of all – EFCC Chairman

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Olanipekum Olukayode, has underscored the need for collaboration and capacity building of security agencies to tackle corruption.

Olukayode said this during the graduation of the Executive Leadership and Strategic Management Course, Batch 5/2024, of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), on Friday in Abuja.

Represented by the Secretary to the Commission, Mr Mohammad Hamman-Joda, the EFCC boss emphasised the importance of training senior managers in security agencies as key to curbing corruption in the country.

He reiterated the commitment of the commission to continue to train to be ahead of the criminals, who are always trying to advance.
According to him, there are a lot of innovations in terms of crime, particularly crypto-currency.

“So, we have to up our game to catch them, if not, we will be left behind.
“We have trained a total of 100 participants from the EFCC, along with other participants from sister security agencies, Department of State Security, DSS, Defense Intelligence Agency, DIA and Nigerian Army amongst others,” he said.

Olukayode said that the training was conducted in five batches, with participants drawn from senior and middle cadres of the commission.

He expressed the hope that the knowledge gained would impact positively on operations of the EFCC while appreciating NARC for the wealth of experience they shared.

“We look forward to more collaboration in the future,” he said.

The EFCC boss expressed condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Army and Nigerians on the death of Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The Director-General of NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, said the course was designed to bring participants from the security architecture together to understand themselves and the challenges ahead.

Wahab said the training would also enhance the level of collaboration and cooperation between the security agencies saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption for better performance.

According to him, the solution to Nigeria’s problems lies with them, and the solutions must come from them.

“Joint training is the way forward, so that everybody will know their strengths and weaknesses and understand each other.

“Somewhere along the line, it is not possible for one agency to solve the security situation they are facing, not only in Nigeria, anywhere in the world.

“Above all, reach across boundaries and borders to make friends, socialise, network and that is one of the challenges it brings to the participants,” Wahab said. (NAN)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Yakubu Uba

Defence/Security , Features

Building Police capacity for better policing through International Alert

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By Angela Atabo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Effective policing is crucial for maintaining law and order, ensuring public safety and promoting social stability.

However, before this can be achieved, it is important for the capacity of the police personnel who are the drivers of law and order to be built through effective training.

In a significant move to achieve this, International Alert, Non-Governmental Organisation supporting peace building and conflict prevention, organised a two-day Training Needs Assessment Workshop for Police Cadets in Kano.

Dr Paul Nyulaku-Bemshima, Country Director, International Alert, said the training aimed at enhancing officers’ learning needs related to the Police Act 2020, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and Gender Awareness/Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

Nyulaku-Bemshima said the training which covered personnel from the 19 police colleges and functions and the police academy, Kano,is being executed under the UK-funded integrated security project known as the “Nigeria Reform Initiative”.

He said that training is a very good entry point for increasing understanding and ensuring that police officers are well-versed in the intricacies of the law, enabling them to carry out their duties efficiently and responsibly.

“If you want to increase learning and understanding around the Police Act, the trainers of police operatives from the police training institutions are actually the key people that you should focus on.

“We are teaching and learning with them new communication tools, training methodologies for translating very heavy information like the Police Act 2020 into very simple ways those trainees will understand and be able to apply at the end of their training.

“We will be expanding these trainings across board as the project goes on, because everything most of the police officers deployed to different parts of the country and to different divisions learn and do starts from the training institutions.

“We would outline a manual on the key elements that would go into a training manual that they could use in the different training institutions”, she said.

Nyulaku-Bemshima said that the simplified manuals when developed, would be produced and shared across board, the quarterly check would be initiated to know how well the manuals are working.

“Training is at the heart of operational effectiveness of the police.

“So we hope that key outcomes from this will be a better understanding of the Police Act 2020, as well as its application in their day-to-day lives towards enhancing public safety and security in Nigeria.”

CP Rashid Afegbua, Commissioner of Police, Training, Force Headquarters Abuja, the Police Act 2020 and the ACJA are crucial laws that regulate the police therefore, trainings are pivotal if the force is to really get it right.

“Working with International Alerts, as regards simplifying these documents, for us to have it handy, it is going to be very important and useful to us, especially for our training institutions.

“By the end of the day, when we have done all these, we will have the officers go back and cascade whatever they have learnt to the colleges”, he said.

Afegbua said the police is working on attitudinal change to increase believe in the phrase “the police is your friend” by adopting some changes so that the public would appreciate the force more.

Prof. Olu Ogunsakin, Director-General, National Institute of Police Studies Abuja, speaking on “Detailed Examination of Key Provisions for Policing” said the basic tenet of policing was about developing trust and confidence.

“What we are trying to do now is to introduce a level of competence that will assist them to be able to provide the necessary service to all Nigerians.

“Apart from the essence of the capacity building, it is a guideline for them to be able to act so they can provide a standard policing service to all Nigerians.

“The Police Act itself has 17 paths that are linked together .Majority of what we are trying to look at is how the police dispose their powers ,we need to be able to respect the lives of the people we protect and then protect their properties.”

Another facilitator, Prof. Isaac Albert, Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan, while identifying areas where knowledge is lacking, said the workshop aimed to revisit what is taught in police colleges to align it with global best practices.

“The world is changing. The Nigerian environment is changing. When the likes of the IG was recruited, we did not have terrorism, banditry and the level of insurgency that we are having across the land.

“That is to say, the curriculum that was used for training all the big police bigwigs across the country needs to be updated because the conflict environment has changed.

“Now, what we are trying to do and which the police has permitted us to do is to ask those who are managing the training schools, if there are gaps for us to fill in what in teaching the cadets and how they are taught.

“We are not the ones that will change anything in the schools, but we want to sensitise them to the fact that the security environment of today requires rejigging what we teach to be in tandem with the problems they want to solve.”

SP Julius Nwaejie, one of the directing staff attached to Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, said the training was an eye-opener, very sound, well-packaged, well-facilitated and well-delivered.

Nwaejie said: “This course, we pray, should be a continuous one because we have learned a lot and it has made us to be more prepared to offer more to our cadets and recruits as the case may be.

“We are very grateful to International Alert and we believe that they will continue to be updating our knowledge more and more so that we’ll be getting more transformed, more well-informed police officers that will serve the country in a better way.”

Asp. Faith Dadagbon, attached to National Institute of Police Studies, appreciates the enormity of the challenge ahead.

“International Alert has trained us to be good trainers by way of helping us to understand the Police Act better and to have a good knowledge and skills required to be able to cascade them to our recruits , cadets and even others officers .

“The enhanced knowledge on the Police Act, the ACJA as well as the things discussed in the course of the training concerning gender issue will really help us to carry out our assignment as trainers better”, she said.

The police officers believe that by strengthening the knowledge and skills of police personnel, International Alert seeks to promote accountability, transparency, and community trust in law enforcement.

The capacity-building initiative is expected to have a positive impact on policing standards, ultimately contributing to safer and more just communities.(NAN Features)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu
Defence/Security

Edo guber: Group petitions ICPC, demands INEC’s probe

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A Civil Society Organisation,TAP Initiative, has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences (ICPC) over alleged manipulation of Edo governorship election’s results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The group in the petition by its Executive Director, Martin Obono, urged the ICPC chairman to investigate and prosecute members of staff of INEC involved in the alleged election’s results forgery.

Obono said that the petition was submitted under Section 26 of the ICPC Act, 2000, which makes it an offence for any public officer to corruptly confer any advantage upon themselves.

He claimed that some INEC officials were involved in corrupt practices and forgery during the Edo governorship elections held from Sept. 21 to Sept. 22.

He, therefore, urged the anti-graft agency to prosecute INEC chairman and Edo Electoral commissioner for the role played in the alleged manipulation of the election results in Edo.

“We write to bring to your attention serious allegations of corrupt practices and forgery involving certain staff and members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the Edo governorship elections held from September 21 to 22, 2024.

“This petition is submitted under Section 26 of the ICPC Act, 2000, which makes it an offense for any public officer to corruptly confer any advantage upon themselves or any other person through their position.

“The recent Edo State governorship elections were marred by significant irregularities, some of which were perpetrated by all political parties without exception,” he said.

He accused the electoral body of deliberately manipulating and falsifying the results of the governorship election in Edo.

“INEC announced results that differed from the original data obtained from the IReV. A comparison between the result sheets from IReV and the Certified True Copies issued by INEC revealed discrepancies.

“Although the serial numbers, polling units, and wards matched, the results differed. In some cases, the number of registered voters was altered, and the signatures of the Presiding Officers were forged, with the signatures of Polling Unit Agents either absent or also forged.

“Additionally, a forensic examination conducted by a South African graphologist confirmed that the Certified True Copies issued by INEC were predominantly authored by a single individual,” he said

According to him, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, should be investigated  for authorizing the printing of two different result sheets.

“The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo State should also be prosecuted for overseeing these fraudulent elections, and the INEC legal officer in Benin who issued the Certified True Copies.

“What transpired in Edo State constitutes a heist orchestrated by an institution that should serve as a guardian of our democratic process. If this institution is compromised, the very foundation of our democracy is at risk.

“We hereby request that the ICPC, in line with its mandate under Section 6(b) of the ICPC Act, 2000, conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations.

“Our organization and its partners are prepared to provide further information and evidence to assist your investigation,” he said.

Speaking with newsmen after the submission of the petition, Obono said the group would also write to the United Kingdom, United States of America, European Union and other foreign donors.

The ICPC Spokesperson, Demola Bakare, said the anti-graft agency will look at the petition and take necessary action that falls within the jurisdiction of the agency

The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, faulted the petition, for singled out INEC in the its allegation.

According to him,  the Edo State governorship elections were marred by significant irregularities, some of which were perpetrated by all political parties without exception.

And it would be unfair for the group to single out the Commission as the target of its alleged petition.
He said  that at the moment, the Commission is “functus officio” on the matter.
 ”I am aware that the outcome of the Edo State Governorship election has been challenged in court by those that have the locus to do so.
”Therefore, I cannot comment on a matter that is obviously sub judice,” he said.(NAN)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

Defence/Security

Minister, NMA hail NSA, security forces over rescue of Kaduna doctor

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

Dr Tunji Alausa, former Minister of State for Health and Social Development, has commended the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), for rescuing Dr Ganiyat Popoola and her nephew.

Alausa also commended the military and other security agencies for the safe rescue of the kidnapped victims after 10 months in captivity.

Alausa, now Minister of Education, gave the commendation when the rescued victims got reunited with their family by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. on Friday in Abuja.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to the safety and security of all citizens, as well as the NSA for facilitating the release of Dr Popoola without ransom.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu has invested so much resources in making the country safe.

“As we can see, security is significantly better all across the country but we are not there yet but it is going to continue to get better.

“I will also like to thank the entire armed forces for working so hard to secure the release of Dr. Popoola.

“More importantly, the NSA, who continuously reassures us that Dr. Popoola is alive in spite of being in captivity for about 10 months,” he said.

Alausa said that Popoola and her nephew have been released without any bad occurrences.

“This shows the skills of our armed forces, they did this without paying ransom and they secured the release of  Popoola and her nephew.

“The country Nigeria is forever grateful to them,” he said.

The minister also thanked the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) for their perseverance, trust in the government and persistence in ensuring the safe release of their colleague.

He urged all Nigerians to join hands with the security forces to fight insecurity in the country, adding that the challenges should be seen as Nigeria’s.

On his part, the President of NMA, Dr Bala Audu, described the rescue of Popoola along with her nephew as a miraculous outcome that all Nigerian doctors and indeed all Nigerians were happy with.

Audu acknowledged the specific efforts and persistence of all Nigerian doctors through NARD and the persistence of the Minister of Health in reaching out to the ONSA.

Also, the President of NARD, Dr Tope Osundare, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the support and concern for all the doctors all over the country.

Osundare said the collaborative efforts of the government agencies and institutions in synergy with NMA, ensured the release of Dr Popoola.

“We were emotionally traumatised as a body, we had our meetings, we had our protests and we had the reassurance.

“That is why our thanks go to the President and the NSA for all that they have done to ensure the release of Dr Poppola out of captivity.

“Today we are celebrating and we are happy that she is out of this captivity because I can imagine what she has gone through within that period of over 10 months.

“Today we want to appreciate God and appreciate everyone that has been involved,” he said.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had earlier in the day confirmed the rescue of Popoola and other victims through non-kinetic operations in a series of operations with other security agencies.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement, said that the details of their release had remained classified due to ongoing operations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Yakubu Uba

Defence/Security

Japan committed to peace, stability in Nigeria – Envoy

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By Dapo Udom

The Defence Attaché to Embassy of Japan, in Nigeria, Lt.-Col. Morita Tatsuya, says Japan remains committed to peace and stability in Nigeria and Africa.

Tatsuya said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos

He spoke on the sideline of the opening of the Counter Violent Extremism (CVE) Course 5/2024 at the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration (NASFA).

The course was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) in conjunction with the Government of Japan.

According to Tatsuya,through human resource development in partnership with UN agencies, Japan will deploy every necessary support to ensure peace amd stability in Nigeria and the continent of Africa.

“Over the years, Japan has consistently shown its commitment to supporting essential training for African-led peace support operations and capacity building.

“Japan recognises the significant role of African-led Peace Support Operations in maintaining peace and stability in Africa.

“In Nigeria, we have been supporting the Peacekeeping Operation (PKO) training in partnership with the UNDP and PKO training centres for the past six years, including this one,” he said.

He said that the friendship between Japan and Nigeria in the area of defence had been strengthened ever since the first Defence Attaché was posted to their embassy in 2015.

“Although direct defence cooperation between Japan and Nigeria is yet to be realised, we will like to work towards a stronger partnership,” he said.

The Japanese officer expressed optimism that the training would provide participants with the necessary knowledge to combat violent extremism and to protect Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.

He commended the organisers of the course and thanked them in their efforts to provide the participants with the essential skills and knowledge to counter violent extremism in the ECOWAS region.

Also speaking, the Commandant, MLAILPKC, Maj.-Gen. Taiwo Adedoja, said that to tackle the scourge of violent extremism, governments, civil society and international organisations must collaborate towards ending the scourge.

Adedoja said that in recent time, violent extremism had become a gateway to terrorism, fuelling devastating attacks, destabilising communities, spreading hatred and claiming countless innocent lives.

“This course is designed in line with the UN’s training standards and qualifies participants to be deployed in integrated peacekeeping operations under the auspices of UN, AU and ECOWAS.

“By the end of the course, participants would be empowered to impact positive change and contribute to enhancing peace, security and safety of the citizens in Nigeria and Africa,” he said.

The UNDP representative, Mr Williams Tusma, said that violent extremism posed a serious challenge to the realisation of SDGs and Agenda 2030 in the sub-region.

Tusma urged participants to dedicate themselves to the course and acquire the needed knowledge that would engender contributions to the socio-economic development of our region.

“We must be unified, pungent, swift, and borderless in our response to this threat.

“This requisite knowledge will also help in the achievement of SDGs and Agenda 2030, as well as African Development Agenda 2063.

“I thank the MLAILPKC, the Government of Japan and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning (MBNP) for their continuous strong partnership with UNDP and for making the event a reality,” he said.(NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Defence/Security

EFCC recovers N248bn, $105m, secures 3455 convictions in 1 year

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered over N248 billion, 105 million dollars and secured 3455 convictions in its fight against corruption in the last one year.

The Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, announced this on Thursday in Abuja, at a news briefing to mark his one year in office.

Olukoyede, who spoke through the Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, said the commission had also charged four former governors to court over corruption allegations.

He noted that the remarkable achievement was recorded from Oct. 18, 2023 to Oct. 18, 2024, when he came on board as the chairman.

According to him, the commission within the year, recovered N248, 750,049,365.52; $105,423,190.39; £53,133.64; €172,547.10; T1,300.00 Indian Rupees and CAD $3,400.00 Canadian Dollars.

”It also recovered ¥74,859:00 Chinese Yuan; AUS $ 740:00 Australian Dollars; 170:00 UAE Dirham; 73,000:00 Korean Won; CFA 7,821,375:00 and R 50:00 South Africa Rands.

”On asset recovery and return, the EFCC on Sept. 6, handed over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) the sum of $180,300 and 53 vehicles, being assets recovered for Canadian victims of Nigerian fraudsters,” he said.

Olukoyede said 164,000 dollars of the recovered cash assets was for a victim, identified as Elena Bogomas, while 16,300 dollars belonged to a victim, known as Sandra Butler.

“The recovered 53 vehicles were stolen over a period of time in Canada, freighted to Nigeria and distributed to multiple locations in Nigeria by the criminal elements,” he said.

The EFCC chairman revealed that within the year, the commission also charged four former governors to court over corruption allegations.

According to him, the former governors are; Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba).

”Yahaya Bello is charged in two different courts; one at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, before Justice Emeka Nwite on 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246,470, 088.88.

”The former Kogi governor alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu is also answering to 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110.4 billion before Justice Maryanne Anenih.

”Ishaku, the former governor of Taraba State and former permanent secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero, are facing prosecution before Justice S. C Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a 15-count charge bordering on alleged N27 billion fraud,” he disclosed.

Olukoyede also said ex-Kwara governor, Ahmed, alongside Ademola Banu, former Commissioner for Finance, are facing prosecution on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering and mismanagement of public funds to the tune of N10 billion.

On his part, former governor Obiano, was on Jan. 24, arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, where he was arraigned on nine counts bordering on money laundering, diversion of funds, stealing and corruption to the tune of N4 billion.

In the same vein, he said two former Ministers of Power, Saleh Mamman and Olu Agunloye have been arrested and facing prosecution by the commission.

”Mamman is being prosecuted before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja on 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73.

”Agunloye, the Minister of Power in the President Olusegun Obasanjo government is being prosecuted on seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambilla Power Project contract to the tune of six billion dollars.

”Also, a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika is currently standing trial before two different courts – Justice S.B. Belgore of the FCT High Court, Garki, and Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court, Maitama,” he said.

He said Sirika was being prosecuted alongside his brother, Ahmad Sirika and two companies, Enginos Nigeria Limited and Samahah Integrated Investment Limited on 10 counts bordering on alleged N5.8 billion fraud.

Olukoyede said Sirika was also standing trial before Justice Oriji for six counts alongside Fatima Sirika, Jalal Hamma and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited over alleged N2.8 billion fraud.

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