Category: Security

 

The Katsina State Police Command has announced the deployment of comprehensive security arrangements to safeguard lives and property during and after the forthcoming Eid El-Kabir celebrations across the state.

 

This was disclosed in a statement released by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Katsina.

 

The statement reads: “Under the able leadership of Commissioner of Police Bello Shehu, psc, fdc, MNIM, the Katsina State Police Command is pleased to announce that, in anticipation of the upcoming Eid El-Kabir festival, adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful and incident-free celebration throughout the state. To this end, the command has deployed sufficient personnel and resources to strategic locations across Katsina.

 

“In furtherance of our commitment to protecting lives and property, we urge the good people of the state to cooperate fully with the police and other security agencies deployed for the Sallah special duty. We call on parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against engaging in activities that contravene the law. Specifically, we warn against reckless and unlawful horse riding, dangerous driving, unlawful gatherings, substance abuse, and other behaviours that may cause disorder and endanger lives.

 

“Furthermore, individuals or miscreants harbouring malicious intentions are hereby advised to abandon their plans, as the Command is prepared to take decisive action against anyone attempting to disrupt the peace and tranquillity of the state before, during, or after the festivities. In case of emergencies, the public is encouraged to use the following Command emergency numbers: 08156977777, 09022209690, 07072722539 for prompt reporting of incidents or unlawful activities, ensuring swift response.

 

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Shehu, psc, fdc, MNIM, takes this opportunity to wish all Muslim faithful in the state a happy Sallah celebration and assures them of the Command’s unwavering commitment to their safety and security,” the statement concluded.

 

The Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, has revealed that Nigeria is steadily moving from dependence on foreign military procurement to local production.

 

In a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday by Mati Ali, the Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the minister, Badaru stated that “this aims to facilitate local production, repairs, refurbishment, and supply of military hardware and ordnance.”

 

According to the minister, the shift to local production marks a significant stride towards self-reliance for enhanced national security.

 

“The shift to local production is expected to boost efficiency and reduce reliance on imported hardware,” he clarified.

Badaru made this known shortly after concluding his 2-day working tour of military institutions and facilities in Kaduna.

 

The minister visited key military institutions, including the Nigerian Defence Academy, Nigerian Army Command Engineering Depot, Buffalo Engineering Technical Services Limited, and the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology.

 

During his visit, Badaru praised the ongoing efforts in training, local production, and refurbishing military assets.

 

He emphasised that training remains a vital pillar in achieving Nigeria’s defence objectives.

 

The minister inspected several workshops and was impressed by the potential and progress on repairs and refurbishing of military hardware.

 

He noted that new combat platforms, bulletproof glasses, spare parts, and surveillance UAVs are being built at the workshops.

 

“Some of the equipment successfully constructed and repaired are made readily available for redeployment, while others are already deployed back to theatres of operations,” he explained.

 

Badaru commended the Armed Forces for their initiative and emphasised the critical roles of Training, Research, Development, and Innovation in achieving operational excellence.

 

He therefore urged continued collaborations between institutions and investment in military RDI.

 

Also, the minister highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s defense capabilities, noting the recent signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Bill into law.

 

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated three Nigerian Navy Ships – NNS SHERE, NNS FARO, and NNS IKOGOSI, and three AW109 Trekker helicopters: 501, 502, and 503 into the Nigerian Navy fleet.

 

Tinubu, speaking at the inauguration on Saturday in Lagos, said that the addition of the three Fast Patrol Boats and three maritime surveillance helicopters affirmed the country’s commitment to securing its maritime domain.

 

The president was represented by the Minister of State for Defence, Mr Bello Matawalle.

 

“The sea has remained a pillar of our nation’s economic prosperity, and for the past 69 years, the Nigerian Navy has stood as the guardian of this blue territory.

 

“These patrol ships and helicopters are force multipliers in our fight against piracy, oil theft, illegal fishing, and other maritime crimes.

 

“This inauguration is therefore a reflection of our determination to empower our institutions and protect our resources,” he said.

 

Tinubu assured the navy that his government would continue to prioritise its needs, saying, ”As a strong navy is the cornerstone of a secure and prosperous economy”.

 

He commended the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, for his leadership in ensuring that the Nigerian Navy had pursued fleet modernisation with vigour, bridging capability gaps, and restoring pride to the force.

“Today’s induction is a fruit of your strategic foresight, and I commend you, your team, and all partners who turned this vision into reality.

 

“I also commend the National Assembly for its partisan commitment to funding and oversight, which are instrumental to achieving this feat.

 

“Let us sustain this unity of purpose, for the sea does not distinguish between political lines; it demands our collective vigilance,” the president said.

 

Tinubu also appreciated the international allies and technical partners for their collaboration, which underscored a shared truth that maritime security “knows no borders.”

 

“Together, we are proving that the Gulf of Guinea’s safety is not Nigeria’s burden alone but a global imperative.

 

“To the officers and ratings who will crew the ships and operate the helicopters, as you operate these assets, remember that the weight of Nigeria’s aspirations rests on your shoulders.

“Let us envision the future they herald: a future where our waters are impervious to criminality; where fishermen cast their nets in peace; where global trade flows unhindered through our ports,” he said.

 

The president said that the Nigerian Navy remained the guardian of the blue economy and urged them to sail forth with courage and know that a grateful nation stood behind them. (NAN)

 

Pro-democracy group, the Take It Back Movement, on Saturday, criticised the Federal Government over its invitation to Amnesty International Nigeria following the release of the human rights group’s report on insecurity in the country.

 

The PUNCH reports that the Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Nuhu Ribadu, invited Amnesty International for a meeting after it published a report alleging widespread violence and government inaction.

 

In the report released on Wednesday, AI raised the alarm over the government’s alleged failure to protect citizens from ongoing attacks by armed groups and bandits.

 

The organisation stated that at least 10,217 people had been killed and 672 villages destroyed over the past two years under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

 

According to AI, Benue State reportedly recorded the highest death toll with 6,896 fatalities, followed by Plateau State with 2,630.

 

In response, the FG, through a statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, rejected the report, calling it “an empty attempt at sensationalism and scare-mongering.”

 

A letter from the NSA’s Counter-Terrorism Centre, dated Wednesday, also advised Amnesty to withhold the report from publication pending a comprehensive engagement to address what it called “evident gaps and potential misinformation.”

The CTU, led by Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, in the letter, described Amnesty’s report as “misleading,” stating that “several of the figures and assertions contained therein are inconsistent with verified data available to the government.”

 

But in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, the TIB Movement described the government’s action as “an attempt to intimidate civil society organisations exposing government failures.”

 

“The Tinubu administration should focus on rescuing terror-ravaged communities rather than attacking civil society organisations like Amnesty International.

 

“Benue and Plateau states continue to suffer mass killings and forced displacement while critical infrastructure is destroyed. With all these overwhelming facts before us, it is appalling that the NSA would dare to label such a critical report as ‘misleading.’ This only underscores the administration’s blatant disregard for ending the rampant insecurity plaguing our nation,” Sanyaolu said.

 

The TIB called on the government to prioritise the safety of Nigerian citizens over public image, insisting that critics and human rights groups must not be silenced.

 

“The government of Tinubu should prioritise rescuing terror-ravaged communities, rather than attacking critics and organisations calling for an end to the bloodshed,” the statement concluded.

 

 

The Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has disclosed that there has been significant improvement in the state, as his administration has invested heavily in security to ensure lasting peace.

 

According to a statement issued to journalists on Saturday by the governor’s media aide, Sulaiman Idris, Lawal made the remarks during a “Walk for Peace” held to mark the second anniversary of his administration.

 

It was noted that the peace walk commenced at the Government House and proceeded to Freedom Square, located in Gusau city centre, the state capital.

 

The event was organised to promote peace and encourage the people to unite against all forms of criminality throughout the state.

 

Lawal, while addressing citizens, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating all forms of criminal activity in the state, with particular focus on banditry.

 

He said, “Today, we have all come out in thousands to march for peace, to let the world know that Zamfara has significantly improved in terms of security.

“My administration has invested significant efforts and resources into empowering troops, gathering intelligence, and collaborating and partnering to restore peace.”

 

The governor noted that considerable progress has been made in restoring peace to previously troubled areas, with once dangerous roads now safe and accessible, allowing residents to move freely and confidently.

 

“We have recorded tremendous success in the fight against banditry; most of the volatile areas previously flashpoints of concern are now peaceful. Roads that were once impassable and off-limits places are now open for travellers to move about freely.

 

“You can see how freely people move about their daily activities and how joyfully they have come together in large numbers to walk for peace. This clearly indicates that our people are peaceful and desire peace.

 

“It also demonstrates that the people understand and appreciate what the state government is doing to promote peace,” Lawal said.