Category: Security

Special Assistant on Security to the Kwara State Governor, Honourable Moshood Gobir, in a session with NAOSRE’s Rowland ‘Shuwa, explains governor Abdulrazaq’s intelligent unification of ethnic diversity in Kwara to achieve harmony

Amid the security challenges ravaging the country and the seeming helplessness of the Chief Security Officers of each state of the federation, the Special Assistant on Security to the Kwara State Governor, Hon. Moshood Gobir, has described Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq as the most proactive governor on security matters in the North central Nigeria.

In a press release personally signed by Hon. Gobir and made available to National Association of Online Security Reporters, (NAOSRE), Kwara state chapter, the Special Assistant on Security lauded the leadership qualities of the state governor especially in the area of security.

He said, “Nigeria is presently facing serious security challenges on all fronts ranging from Boko Haram menace in the northeastern states to the cattle rustling and banditry in the north central states and the horror of herdsmen kidnapping in the southwest, but as the Special Assistant on Security to His Excellency, the Governor of Kwara State, I make bold to say that Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is the most proactive Governor on security matters in the whole of north central states and one of the best in this regard in the whole country. His efforts have ensured that Kwara State indeed remains the State of Harmony.

“Just yesterday, (Monday) there was a serious high level security meeting at the instance of His Excellency, where all the stakeholders in security affairs in the state were present. Issues like how to make “Operation Harmony” joint taskforce more effective and efficient day and night, and other sundry efforts that will ensure that Kwara State continues to enjoy the peaceful status quo for which we are widely known were discussed.”

He stressed that all and sundry can see and feel the impact of the Governor’s commitment to security in Kwara state and urged all Kwarans and residents of Kwara to join hands and compliment the efforts of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq by being law abiding at all times in order for Kwara State to live up to its repute as the State of Harmony.

Hon. Gobir however, warned trouble makers and criminally minded individuals to steer clear of Kwara State as all the security agencies in the state are at alert to respond adequately and appropriately to any attempt to breach the security of lives and properties of Kwara residents.

He further stressed that Ignorance of the law is not a tenable excuse where the security of the people is being infringed upon.

The Governor’s aide also commended all the security agencies in the state for the cooperation enjoyed so far in the efforts at securing lives and properties of Kwara residents.

The Police operatives attached to Satellite and Aguda Divisions of the command have arrested two suspected traffic robbers each at different locations in their areas.

The Satellite Division arrested two suspected traffic armed robbers along Agboju-Alakija on Lagos-Badagry Expressway on 19th February, 2021 at 1035pm. The two suspects, 26 years old Solomon Ayuba and 20 years old Manase David, were caught in the act by the police when they were attacking unsuspecting commuters in the area, while other members of the gang took to their heels.

The police operatives had placed suspected armed robbers under surveillance for some days before they were eventually arrested. Items recovered from them include one locally-made pistol, some cartridges and 2 face Masks.

In the same vein, the operatives attached to Aguda Division on 20th February, 2021, at about 1.35pm, arrested two suspected traffic robbers while attacking and robbing a Toyota Siena Bus with Reg. No AAA 30 AZ, driven by one Apele Mohammed on transit at Olatunji Onimole Street by Brown Junction.

The suspects are 24 years old Ismail Abayomi, and 25 years old Seun Akinbunu.

The suspects and others at large attacked the bus, broke its side screen and robbed one Atinuke Adisa of her Infinix-8 phone.

In another development, the operatives attached to the office of the Area Commander, Area E Festac, arrested two suspects with some vandalised rail tracks belonging to the Nigerian Railway Corporation on 20th February, 2021, at about 4pm. The policemen that were on routine check stopped the vehicle driven by one 21 years old Victor Akpanof Ijora, Lagos and his accomplice, one Adesina Folorunsho at No 36, Biefield Apapa road and discovered the vandalised rail tracks in the said vehicle.
They could not give any satisfactory account of the vandalised items but claimed that they got them from some miscreants .

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu has ordered that the suspected traffic robbers be taken to State CID Panti for thorough investigation while the Area Commader Area E Festac works with his DPOs and intensify efforts to trace the fleeing traffic robbers and carry out thorough investigation on the vandalised rail tracks.

The police boss also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to continually flush out the criminals and hoodlums of Lagos State.

“A multi level and intercontinental foresight on Nigeria’s insecurity may not be far fetched, among the reasons, why President Buhari has decided to appoint immediate past security chiefs as non career ambassadors. With their deep knowledge of the international network of Boko Haram and ISWAP, these retired service chiefs would be able to collaborate with the international community in their respective assigned countries, to check the supply of arms and ammunition including funding to the insurgents.”

The above were part of the remarks by Femi Oyewale, President, National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE at a Business Outlook Summit organized by Concerned Citizens Network, CCN which held in Ogun State during the week.
Oyewale’s submission was a direct response to the growing concerns by public affairs analysts who have expressed reservations on the decision of President Buhari to appoint the retired service chiefs as ambassadors.
“At the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE which I lead, our pre occupation has been to continuously admonish Nigerians to believe in their government and security agents. Once that confidence and trust exist, the issue of insecurity would be minimized. Therefore, I am of the belief that government’s decision to re absorb the retired service chiefs as ambassadors was not taken in emptiness. We need the experience of these generals in certain parts of the world where Boko Haram and ISWAP draw their strength,” Oyewale said.

In like manner, Yakubu Shendam, a national youth president and a security analyst, in a write up, concurred with Oyewale on the decision
of President Buhari.
According to Yakubu Shendam, the retired service chiefs demonstrated utmost loyalty and hard work in the discharge of their duties so much so that they have earned the confidence of Buhari who is assigning them to strategic countries in the overall interest of Nigeria’s security goals.
For the service chiefs especially Lt. Gen.TY Buratai to have risen through the ranks to the enviable height of a Chief of Army Staff, one of the longest serving COAS in the history of Nigeria is not a mere feat. He had paid his dues and used all the talents given to him to make the country proud. Posterity is already smiling at him and has singled him out for honour. His loyalty to his Commander in- Chief and indeed to the nation has paved the way for him to soar higher and the sky will not be his limit but his starting point. Nigerian Army, under Gen Buratai has proved its point professionally as they struggled to combat insurgency and Armed banditry in nigeria. The defence of our democracy at a tempting period like during the ENDSARS protest is a commendable feat by the army and her leadership.

The above opening quote narrates an account of an excited master bestowing higher responsibilities to servants who distinguished themselves with exceptional patriotism, talents, hardwork and selflessness. This analogy describes Lt. General TY Buratai’s stewardship as the COAS in his services to the nation and his loyalty to his Commander in- Chief. From taking over a country that was hijacked by terrorists to a demoralised and ill equiped Army, Buratai fought hard to turn the tides around in less than one year in office. He didn’t just stop there but sustained the tempo throughout his stay in office to the admiration of all. This explains why an excited President Mohammadu Buhari has deemed it fit to invite him into higher service, to enter into the joy of his master. To continue where he stopped with his good work of building and salvaging the country where it matters most.

Recall that on the 4th of February, 2021 President Buhari had done what was unprecedented in the history of Nigeria and indeed the whole world. In less than 1 week after the resignation of the service chiefs following many years of meritorious and unblemish service, and before the confirmation of the new service chiefs, President Mohammadu Buhari nominated Lt. Gen. TY Buratai and his colleagues as non-carrier ambassadors. What else is more rewarding than to be found worthy of service to your motherland and even before you’ve found time to rest after retirement? This can only happen after a successful and selfless service to ones’ fatherland.

The nomination of Buratai and his colleagues has indeed put paid to those who, out of selfish desires wanted to crucify a man who has put more than 40 years of his adult life into serving his country. Putting his life on the line all through. It is now clear that the plots, propaganda and character assasination of mischief makers and jealous individuals and groups did not, in any way stop the President from seeing the work, sincerity and loyalty of Gen Buratai and the other service chiefs. Thus, their nomination as non career diplomats is a victory, a sign of appreciation and a reward which is vindication not just for the former service chiefs but to all patriotic Nigerians who discharge their duties patriotically and diligently.

This new feather to Buratai and his colleagues’ cap of honour should serve as a motivation to the new service chiefs and a wake up call to those who have relaxed in the exercise of their duties to the country. Everybody must know that hard work pays and there’s no room for laziness and disloyalty in the government of president Mohammadu Buhari. The new service chiefs must remember to build solidly on the legacies left behind by their predecessors and never return the country to the state of anarchy it once was.

It is worthy to state that public office is a trust. Buratai who distinguished himself as a perfect gentleman and won the trust of his master and Nigerians is today being celebrated and will forever be celebrated. The judicious use of funds meant for the prosecution of the war against terror contributed to the successes he recorded while in office. He used the little resources at his disposal to achieve something tremendous for the army and his country and hence the honour done to him among others by mr President.

Let the new service chiefs be reminded that there’s zero tolerance for graft and misappropriation of funds meant for the security and well being of Nigerian citizens under President Muhammadu Buhari.