By Deborah Akpede

The Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Dantani Wushishi, has promised to establish examination centres for the police in Lagos State.

He made the promise during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja.

Wushishi said that NECO would consider establishing six centres for police families to access the examination.

“NECO conducts five different examinations: National Gifted Examination which is the examination for placement into Federal Government Academy, Suleja; National Common Entrance Examination; the Basis Education Certificate Examination.

“Others are Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (internal); and Senior Secondary School Certificate (external) for private candidates, this is an examination that requires students, who have not been able to make credits requirement for admission into tertiary institutions, to sit and make up the required credits.

“We conduct these types of examination in the sense that any candidate can apply; we have centres specially designated that candidates can choose as close to the residence of the candidates.

“All police families can fix into the categories of examinations,” he said.

Wushishi said that the board would send its men to the locations the Lagos State Command wanted its centres to be established.

“We will send our men to look out some of the facilities that will require such centres to be available for approval.

“By the grace of God, we are going to do that, it is very important because the Nigeria Police is serving the nation and their children must have easy access to examinations to remediate their failed subjects to be able to further their education.

“The request is very important to the police and their children and also for the nation.

“It is duty bound on the nation to take access to education very easy and this is one of the ways we can provide access to police children that have passed Senior Secondary School and waiting to mediate their results.

“As fast as we received the request from the police, we will send our men to access the area centres that the command wants us to approve for examination centres,” he said.

According to him, NECO’s challenge is funding in the area of provision of some physical infrastructure such as offices and some other things to make conductive office work easy.

He thanked the Police for carrying out security surveillance and physical security during its examinations.

“We have examination intelligence committee, this is our covered committee, it has to do with examination infringement investigation; the committee is collaborating with the police to successfully apprehend those partaking in examination malpractice,” he said.

According to him, Lagos is one of the largest states that provides the largest number of candidates.

“Lagos provides second largest candidates for Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) internal after Kano State.

“Last year, Lagos provided over 98,000 candidates for the SSCE, second to Kano that provided over 104,000 candidates.

“Our collaboration with Nigeria Police has been on for a very long time. The police have been assisting NECO to conduct examination peacefully, mounting surveillance and mounting security.

“We have a lot of places we conduct examination in Lagos and the police have been cooperating with us,” he said.

He congratulated the new CP for his new appointment and wished him the best of luck.

CP Jimoh said that the collaboration between police and NECO would continue.

“Lagos Police and NECO have been collaborating and will continue this partnership. This collaboration has been going on for years, examination security has been one of the responsibilities of the police.

“We have been working with the Intelligence Department in NECO to ensure that planning for securing examination conduct in the pre-examination period, examination period, and post-examination period has been going on smoothly.

“We will double our commitment to NECO and take it to higher level, we are ready to give NECO all the cooperation it deserves,” he said.

According to him, the six locations picked for the establishment of NECO centres are the areas of need, three centres on the Island and three on the Mainland; these locations are close to populated areas where police families are much in number.

“We know this will be granted and it will be far reaching in enhancing the police children, wards and families have access to the centres close to where they are living,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops of the armed forces on internal operations neutralised 217 terrorists and apprehended 574 others in February.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj-.Gen. Markus Kangye, also said 320 kidnapped hostages were rescued while 152 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants and their families surrendered to the troops within the period.

He said that the military also recovered an impressive haul of weapons and ammunition totalling 296 assorted weapons and 7,245 rounds of ammunition.

These weapons, according to him, comprise 159 AK-47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated guns, 36 dane guns, 19 pump-action guns, 4,836 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1,506 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 235 cartridges, along with 28 assorted arms and 668 assorted ammunition.

Kangye said that the armed forces carried out joint operations in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), other security agencies, and hybrid forces.

These operations, according to him, include fighting and confidence-building patrols, raids, ambushes, clearances, as well as search and rescue missions.

“In the course of these operations, several terrorists were neutralised, their collaborators apprehended, kidnapped victims rescued, and surrendered terrorists received.

“We also apprehended gunrunners, oil theft perpetrators and other violent extremists.

“Additionally, there were multiple close air support operations, armed reconnaissance patrols and air interdiction missions,” he said.

The defence spokesman said the troops successfully thwarted oil theft operations worth approximately N2.1 billion and apprehended 122 oil theft perpetrators.

He said that troops also recovered 1.7 million litres of stolen crude oil, 402,936 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 600 litres of DPK within the month.

According to him, all arrested individuals, recovered items and rescued hostages were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

Kangye said successes in the month of February were as a result of the tireless efforts of troops engaged in operations across the country’s troubled zones.

He assured the public that the military would continue to discharge its constitutional duty of safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

By Hamza Suleiman

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Haruna, says sustained military operations have improved security in the North Eastern part of the country.

He said this had led to return of economic activities and public gatherings in the region.

Haruna said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

He noted that the return of major agricultural activities as well as successful coronations of new traditional rulers in Madagali, Askira, Chibok, Dikwa and Bama were clear indicators of improved stability in the region.

He explained that the presence of high-profile guests at these events, including top government officials, military commanders and traditional rulers, were testaments to the improved security environment.

He also highlighted the success of last year’s farming season, which according to him, recorded bumper harvest, as further proof of growing stability in rural communities of the region.

”If you want to confirm, just visit Pulka or other farming areas. You will see that many farmers are still processing and storing their harvests,” he said.

He noted that before now, farmers were unable to access their farmlands due to persistent threats from insurgents, stressing that the military operations have created a more secured environment for agricultural activities to thrive.

He also said that the secure environment had created an atmosphere for free movement of people and goods to community markets in different parts of the region.

”Unlike in the past, residents can now travel from one location to another without requiring military escorts. That alone is a major sign that things have changed,” he said.

The GOC reaffirmed that kinetic operations remained a critical tool in dismantling insurgents’ hideouts and forcing militants to surrender.

”We are still in the field, monitoring and engaging them. Through such sustained operations, many terrorists have voluntarily surrendered because they can no longer sustain themselves in what they are doing.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult for them to operate,” he said.

He reiterated that the military would continue using kinetic means alongside intelligence-driven operations to ensure the complete eradication of terrorism in the region.

Haruna further highlighted the military’s non-kinetic interventions, which include providing security for schools, facilitating economic activities, and assisting communities affected by humanitarian crises.

”We have done a lot to win the hearts and minds of the people. One example is during the recent floods, where the military played a crucial role in rescue operations.

”In fact, we worked so closely with NEMA and SEMA that we practically became an emergency response agency ourselves,” he said.

He said that those interventions had positively reshaped public perceptions of the military, making it easier for troops to operate and engage with local communities.

”Our efforts have not only restored peace but have also encouraged economic growth, education and general development in the region,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Shuaib Sadiq/Deborah Coker

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, has inaugurated a new hostel block and solar-powered borehole built for Torrey Home for Handicapped Children in Tudun Maliki Quarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state.

Ogalla, represented by the Director, Civil Military Relations, Navy, Rear Adm. Michael Igwe, said the project was a product of a civil-military engagement aimed at fostering harmonious relations between the Navy and local communities.

He said the project was executed under the Chief of Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme (CNSSIQIPS) in honour of Rear Adm. Idi Abbas, a senior research fellow, Nigerian Army Heritage Centre, Abuja.

He said that Civil-Military Cooperation, both traditionally and globally, involves the collaboration between the military and civil society to achieve strategic military objectives and mission.

“In line with this, the Naval Chief launched the Special Quick Intervention Project in 2024.

“The initiative aims to further the Nigerian Navy’s reinvigorated Civil-Military Cooperation mandate and support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“These projects not only honour the Navy’s distinguished senior officers but also demonstrate the Navy’s commitment to serving the Nigerian people beyond its primary role of securing lives and property,” he said.

He also said that the hostel comprised four rooms with toilets, a matron’s room, and a borehole.

According to him, the project aligns with the vision of President Bola Tinubu and reflects the goals of the Quick Impact Projects initiated by Ogalla.

He said that in keeping with the tenets of civil-military cooperation, the people of Tudun Maliki and Kano State would continue to collaborate with the Navy and other security agencies to eliminate threats to the collective wellbeing of Nigerians.

Earlier, the Project Facilitator, Rear Adm. Idi Abbas, said the initiative, under the CNSSIQIPS, marked a significant day for humanity, the Nigerian Navy and, indeed the good people of Kano State.

Abbas said that the Nigerian Navy values the co-operation, support and goodwill it receives across the country in general and particularly where it operates or has bases and units.

“It is pertinent to state that the Nigerian Navy has its Logistics School at Dawakin Tofa and has many sons and daughters of this state in its service.

“As a way of saying thank you for the sacrifices of the sons and daughters of this state in the Nigerian Navy, and to particularly honour me, having reached the zenith of my carrier in the Navy, this project was approved by CNS.

“The project aligns with CNS’s vision of fostering security development and strong relationship with the civilian populace.

“This project was chosen by me to better humanity by giving children with disabilities a modest living space.

“Some of the children in this home are not only physically challenged  but also orphans with no known relatives,” Abbas said.

He, therefore, appealed for a collective support for the home “in caring for these great children”.

In a remark, Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Director-General Special Duties, retired AVM Ibrahim Umar, lauded the naval chief and the project facilitator for the kind gesture.

The governor called on individuals, philanthropists and organisations to render help and care to the children to give them the comfort and feeling that they remain part of society.

“It is my belief that all the children with disabilities have the right to have access to quality education to achieve their full potential and participate in societal development.

“Here in Kano, we make sure that these children with disabilities enjoy inclusive education, which refers to an approach that aims to provide all children, including those with special needs and disabilities, equal access to quality education,” he said.

The governor further said that plans were being concluded to inaugurate the People Living with Disabilities Commission to affirm the administration’s commitment toward supporting physically challenged children to achieve a higher quality of life. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Sam Oditah

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has charged strategic commanders across the security forces to think out of the box and act collaboratively in the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.

Musa gave the charge at the opening of the Strategic Commanders Course organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and UK High Commission on Monday in Abuja.

He said that strategic-level leaders from the armed forces and security agencies as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were at the forefront of the nation’s efforts in responding to crisis situations.

According to him, their roles will require them to make tough decisions, think critically and act decisively.

He added that the course would broaden their perspectives and sharpen their competencies with regards to responding effectively to crisis situations.

“Remember that addressing our security challenges requires a whole-of-society approach and is not
limited to the security agencies alone.

“You must therefore, think out of the box and act collaboratively. Equally, you will need to balance competing priorities, manage complexities and make tough decisions under intense pressure.

“I, however, believe in your ability to rise to the task when duty calls, as you navigate the demands of the course.

“Please note that the knowledge gained would contribute significantly to lasting peace in the Nation, the Africa sub-region and the world at large,’’ he said.

The National Coordinator, NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, emphasised the need to include non-state actors in counter-terrorism efforts since potential targets and tactics used by terrorists were evolving and highly unpredictable.

Laka said that there was need for stakeholder engagement and for them to be trained and proactive in the handling of the ever evolving tactics of the terrorist groups.

He said that managing crises provoked by terrorists involves a blend of anticipation, preparation, organisation and application.

According to him, realistic training of personnel involved in crisis management must incorporate the fact that terrorist acts do not occur at the most convenient times.

He said that the centre had continued to leverage on the cordial bilateral and multilateral relations that exists between Nigeria and the UK Government for sustainable partnerships that would improve security.

“The elements of this kind of crisis management are flexibility and the ability to adapt to fast changing situations.

“Law enforcement agencies need to learn as much as possible about contemporary terrorism. Our experience in counter-terrorism over the years has shown that kinetic approaches cannot end terrorism alone.

“Therefore, we place significant emphasis on non-kinetic approaches to counter-terrorism, focusing on addressing the root causes of terrorism and violent extremism.

“Through several initiatives, the Centre promotes a ‘whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach’ that integrates efforts across all sectors to reduce the appeal of extremism,’’ he said.

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, represented by the Defence Adviser, Brig. Tom Harper, said that the high commission had in 2024 signed a defence partnership with Nigeria.

Montgomery said that the training package was designed to improve multi-agency command and control at the strategic, operational and tactical levels.

He noted that the participants would be taught the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JECIP) principles currently being use in the UK, and constantly been refined following terrorist incidents they had experienced.

According to him, using the JECIP principles, the course will refresh their understanding as senior commanders of each other’s respective agencies and how to best use them to prepare and react collectively to serious incidents.

“This inaugural course will set the foundations for two further planned courses that will be delivered to your action officers to prepare commanders at all levels to react effectively and efficiently in the event of a terrorist or crisis incident,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Stanley Nwanosike and Benson Iziama

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Government has announced plans to cancel its Visa-on-Arrival policy and introduce landing and exit cards, which prospective visitors will pre-fill before coming into the country.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this in Abuja during the closing ceremony of a weeklong capacity building training organised for personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

The training was on Advanced Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record API/PNR Data in National Security and Law Enforcement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FG had in 2020 unveiled the Visa-on-Arrival policy, a class of short-stay visa issued at the point of entry.

However, Tunji-Ojo had on assumption of office in 2023 said that the Visa-on-Arrival Policy would, henceforth, be based on reciprocity.

This visa is often given to frequently travelled high net worth investors and intending visitors who may not be able to obtain visas in their countries of residence due to the absence of Nigerian missions or embassies in those countries.

The Minister of Interior, however, said that the API/PNR was not optional, recalling that the system was not in place when he was made minister.

According to him, what the API, PNR gives is objectivity in decision making, objective profiling, not subjective profiling.

He added that what existed previously was subjective.

“Today, we have heard and we have sorted the API across all of our five international airports.

“We think that what we need to do is for us to be able to expand the capability of this in an adaptive manner to allow other border posts.

“The visa system that is one of the core, because I always tell people the visa is not just an approval of entry, it is a migration management device.

“It is a security device to manage migration into your country. So, the way it is at the moment is very subjective.

“We are not really too objective and that is why we are automating the whole process end-to-end.

“And the e-visa solution, we are working hard to be able to meet the March 1st or peradventure if we are unable, April 1st, we will hit it live,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo said that the system would be automated, adding that people would apply online and the service would do what it needed to do.

He said: “That solution will be integrated with the Interpol System, the criminal records system, so that we can be able to take decisions.

“We do not want foreign attachés approving and issuing visas. It is not going to be that way anymore, we want to be able to screen people more.

“Nigeria cannot be a destination for wanted criminals in the world. Nigeria is not a safe haven for any criminal and it will never be.

“Another thing we are trying to do even for our expatriates is to see how we can integrate all these our immigration solutions.

“What we are doing is to harmonise all these solutions in our data centre, harmonise the database and be able to let the solutions speak to one another rather than having solutions in silos.

“We want to have integrated solutions. So, what we are looking at is for any decision that borders on immigration into Nigeria.

“It will be impossible for approvals to be given without the clearance of Interpol, criminal records system and all background checking agencies in real time.

“Security is not a sector where you can afford to be 99.9 per cent correct. You just have to be 100 per cent. We believe that it is better for us to take decisions based on objectivity rather than subjectivity.

“And of course, that will lead to the cancellation of the visa-on-arrival process because the visa-on-arrival we understand is not a system that works, because I don’t expect you to just come into my country without me knowing that you are coming into my country.

“No, it is never done anywhere and of course, we are also introducing what we call the landing and exit card.

“We do it now, but it is manual. We are not going to be doing that anymore. This is 2025. This is not 1825. So, technology must take its place,” he said.

Speaking further, Tunji-Ojo said that people must fill the landing card which would be integrated with the visa solution, the passport solution, and to all background checking systems across the world before a visitor comes.

According to him, the ministry will be able to share this data with other agencies and across the world, to sanitise the process.

He said, “A scenario where it is difficult for NIS, on the tip of a finger, to tell me the number of foreigners who are entering into Nigeria is unacceptable.

“A scenario where somebody comes into Nigeria, disappears and becomes untraceable is unacceptable. A scenario where there is abuse of immigration policies and processes is unacceptable.

“A scenario where somebody needs to come to Nigeria, stay for six months, waiting to regularise their residency in Nigeria is unacceptable. It is not done anywhere in the world.

“So, we are going to bring these massive reforms and these reforms start between March 1 and April 1.

“Why we are trying to do these is to be able to safeguard our people, it’s for us to be responsible in the comity of nations, and for us to be able to contribute our fair quota to international peace,” he maintained.

Earlier, the NIS Comptroller-General, Mrs Kemi Nandap, said that the programme originated from discussions held with the United Nations Organisation on Counter Terrorism in Bangkok, Thailand in 2024.

“We recognise the need to fully maximise the administration’s investments in this project, and so we must engage in a lot of capacity building.

“We have successfully trained over 100 officers drawn from critical areas,” she said.

Nandap said the service had a crop of well-trained and patriotic personnel who were ready to give their best to the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says troops have in the last one week eliminated a total of 82 terrorists, nabbed 198 others and rescued 93 kidnapped hostages.

This Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made this known while giving an update on the operations of the military in Abuja.

Kangye said the troops also recovered 152 assorted arms and ammunition as well as five magazines among others.

He added that troops recovered 86 and 2,040 assorted weapons and ammunition comprising 46 AK47 rifles, 18 locally fabricated guns, 19 dane guns, three pump action guns, 1,165 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, and 128 rounds of 7.62mm NATO.

He added that troops also recovered 600 rounds of 7.62 x 12.7mm ammo, 51 cartridges as well as other three assorted arms and 96 assorted ammunitions.

Kangye said the troops apprehended 22 perpetrators of oil theft in the South South region and foiled oil theft estimated to the tune of about N587m.

According to him, the breakdown includes: 366,530 litres of stolen crude oil, 117,320 litres of illegally refined AGO and 600 litres of DPK.

“Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 38 crude oil cooking ovens, 27 dugout pits, 22 boats, teo speedboats, 60 storage tanks, 34 drums and 32 illegal refining sites.

“Other items recovered include three pumping machines, one tricycle, three motorcycles, five mobile phones and two vehicles among others,” he said.

The defence spokesman said the troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the surrender of 41 terrorists comprising 10 adult males, 12 adult females and 19 children within the North East theatre of operation.

He said the terrorists surrendered with one PKT gun, one AK 47 Rifle with two magazines, one AK 101 Rifle with two magazines, 135 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 59 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo and 28 rounds of 5.56mm ammo.

According to him, gallant men and women of the armed forces will continue to carry out constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of all Nigerians in line with our constitutional roles. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

By Monday Ijeh

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has appealed for the repatriation of proceeds of crimes belonging to Nigeria, held by some countries of the world.

Olukoyede made the appeal on Friday in Abuja during the handover of recovered proceeds of crime to the Embassies of Spain, Switzerland and the United States of America on behalf of the victims.

According to him, the handover of the items to the victims is in line with the commitment of the Federal Government to international cooperation and synergy.

The EFCC boss said it was also to prove to the world that Nigeria was not a safe haven for financial crimes.

“We are doing this to demonstrate to the countries involved that it is within the confines of international treaty, legal process and convention.

“Once properties or assets are recovered on behalf of a country, it is important to expedite action for restitution.

“We are demonstrating this to the world, and we expect that the rest of the world will also reciprocate the same gesture towards Nigeria.

“We are using this opportunity to appeal to those countries that are holding the proceeds of crimes, recovered on behalf of Nigeria not to continue to sit on those assets,” he said.

Olukoyede said the assets were properties of Nigeria, adding that, within the purview of the law, a recipient of proceeds of crime that sits over it is an accessory to the crime.

The EFCC boss said it was important to note that once proceeds of crime are recovered, the most responsible thing to do is to restitute the victims.

Representatives of the embassies who received the items on behalf of the victims commended the EFCC for the gesture.

The Acting Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, Maria Velasco, said the handover of the recovered assets was a demonstration of the long-standing collaboration between Nigeria and Spain. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh