AIG Assures Hitch Free Sallah Celebrations As NAOSRE President Scores Military Low On Security
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, comprising Lagos and Ogun States, AIG Adeleke Adeyinka Bode, has charged Commissioners of Police in-charge of the two States to be proactive in the discharge of their duties in the protection of life and property during and after the 2022 Eid-el- Kabir celebrations
The instruction is contained in a statement signed by SP Hauwa Idris-Adamu, Zone 2 Police Public Relations Officer which was made available to the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE.
The statement added that the Zone 2 AIG has also deployed officers and men of Anti-Cultism Section (ACS), Rapid Response Squad (RRS),Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), Quick Intervention Unit (QIU), Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD),Counter Terrorists Unit (CTU),Police Mobile Force (PMF),Special Protection Unit (SPU),State/Divisional Motor Traffic Department (MTD) including Safer Highway Operatives and all patrol and guard officers to beef up security around worship centres, market places, business plazas, highways, relaxation centres, amusement parks, motor parks, shopping malls, recreation centres, remote and rural areas to ensure free flow of traffic as well as safer environment for the celebrations.
In his goodwill message, the president, National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, Comrade Femi Oyewale rejoiced with Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-al-Adha celebrations, urging Nigerians to continue on the path of spirituality and peaceful co-existence.
He explained that the commitment of NAOSRE members at ensuring cordiality between security agencies and citizens, using their various blogs to publicize the activities of security operatives has be encouraging.
He therefore urged excos and members of the frontline security media association to imbibe the lessons of the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim and work for the unity, peace and security of Nigeria.
“This Islamic festival is a symbolic reminder to us that there will always be great rewards when we have abiding faith and patience in our beloved country Nigeria.
“Therefore, we must always strive to imbibe the patience and perseverance of Prophet Ibrahim, who held on tenaciously to his faith in Allah despite difficulties,” the NAOSRE President advised.
Oyewale however, frowns at the recurring phenomenon of insecurity that threatens and undeservingly plagues Nigeria into disquiet.
He noted that the issue of insecurity in Nigeria has become something of grave concern to all well-meaning citizens most of who continue to wonder how the country arrived at such a dastardly situation where no one is safe.
He expressed concerns that rather than abate, the problem is escalating and now totally out of control despite NAOSRE’s patriotic efforts at shoring citizens’ confidence in security operatives.
Oyewale wondered about the continued loss of confidence in Nigeria by investors who are denied exercising the constitutional privileges of going about their lawful business pursuits on daily basis.
“Across the 36 States in Nigeria, armed robbery, kidnapping, domestic crime, extrajudicial killings, herder-farmer conflicts, ritual killings and banditry have supported the growing level of insecurity and consequently retarded the country’s economic growth in the long and short terms overview.
“For the avoidance of doubt, about 1,743 Nigerians have been killed in Q1 of 2022 with Niger and Zamfara States topping the list of victims.
“Besides, as of June 1, 2022, the records of NAOSRE’s Intelligent and Research Unit, IRU, indicate that more than 35,000 human beings, residing in Nigeria have been killed since 2009 when Boko Haram launched its insurgency aimed at overthrowing Nigeria’s secular government and establishing an Islamic state.
“Yet, here is a country with about 223,000 active personnel in its Armed Forces. In addition to this statistics is the annual Global Firepower, GFP 2022 reports which ranks Nigeria, in its Power Index {PwrIndx} as 35 out of the 142 countries. The reports rated Nigeria on its 0.5745 scores which is considered good,” Oyewale stated.
But the NAOSRE President noted that in the face of all this, the country is structurally enmeshed in both vertical and horizontal crises of insecurity saying that the sheer audacity of untrained bandits to always overrun trained military personnel is worrisome.
Specifically, Oyewale emphasized that the unchallenged attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria on July 5, in which about 879 inmates reportedly escaped is the final statement that military operatives’ intervention and rescue duties have nosedived and Nigeria’s security system is all-time low.
“It makes mockery of military operatives’ celebrated gallantry at combating insurgency. This development has jeopardized the country’s economy even with approved 2022 budgetary spending of a whopping N1.52 billion on security operations,” Oyewale lamented.
Until his death, Adewole Qudus was the publisher of ebonymedisgist, an online medium which ranked amongst the most reliable news platforms in the country.
Oyewale described Qudus as ‘irreplaceable,” adding that NAOSRE has lost one of its best hands.
“It is a personal loss to me and NAOSRE because Kudus was not just a colleague but a personal friend and a brother.”
He stated that the lively spirit with which Kudus spoke with him about 48 hours back was so assuring that he was convinced that the hardworking journalist was getting better and would vacate the hospital bed in a matter of days.
“Regrettably, he died even when I thought he was getting well,” Oyewale disclosed.
Expression his shock, the association’s Grand Patron and former Chief of Army Staff, Buratai said it was the least news he expected to receive at this time saying he recalls reading his stories as Army Chief as well as an Ambassador on ebonymediagist blog “And I was particularly looking forward to seeing him and other members soon.
“My condolences to his family, NAOSRE executives and members including the Nigerian media for this sudden death of such a promising journalist.
While the executives and members are making plans for the burial, a condolence register has been opened at the association’s Abule Egba office in Lagos.
Adewole Qudus left behind a father, mother and young family
Marwa Applauds NAOSRE As Operatives Nab Skit Maker, Others In Lagos Raids
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa, ret’d, has applauded the supportive role of the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE to his administration in the year 2021.
Speaking during an interactive session with NAOSRE President, Comrade Femi Oyewale Wednesday afternoon, Marwa noted with satisfaction that NAOSRE has been an integral part of the agency’s struggle to exterminate the activities of illicit drug agents.
“With NAOSRE, there has never been a dull moment. We appreciate the leaders and members for their patriotic supports of our activities in NDLEA,” he stated.
However, Marwa who spoke through his director of publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi sought further co-operation in the year 2022.
He stressed that President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to make Nigeria a choice country to foreign investors can only be actualized when the media plays its noble role and key into NDLEA’s fight against illicit drugs and its peddlers.
He emphasized that NDLEA’s struggle to reduce the demand and supply of illicit drugs across the length and breadth of Nigeria is a task for all patriotic Nigerians including the media.
Earlier, the NAOSRE President commended the efforts of the agency. He urged Marwa and his men to deploy more technologies in its operations.
In his overview, Oyewale projected a positive outlook in the year 2022. He reassured NAOSRE’s continuous support to security agencies so that the critical objective of a safer Nigeria can be achieved.
Meanwhile, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in the early hours of Wednesday, January 12, arrested a skit maker, Sunday Joshua, popularly known on social media as De-General, following the raid of a notorious drug joint at Orchid Estate, Lekki area of Lagos state.
Acting on credible intelligence, narcotic officers stormed the drug joint in the estate, where three suspects were arrested with illicit drugs including 200 sachets of 225mg Tramadol and 1.5kilograms of cannabis Sativa. In the course of the operation, some persons including the suspected dealer ran away with bags suspected to contain exhibits.
A trail showed they ran into a house located at 2B Saula Akinlolu way, Orchid estate, which is the residence of 22-year-old Sunday Joshua (aka De General). The young men started to make noise to prevent a search. The operatives introduced themselves as officers of NDLEA and submitted themselves for search before entry. This was done and a search was conducted.
The search led to the recovery of drug exhibits including cannabis sativa; Tramadol 225mg, and some paraphernalia for drug use. This was after the suspect had requested to record on video the search, which the officers out of sense of civility allowed. The video trending on social media was the moment the suspect and his friends decided to disrupt the bid to conduct a search of the house.
In his confessional statement in custody, the suspect admitted ownership of the drugs recovered from his house.
Investigate Disclosed Boko Haram Sponsors NAOSRE Charged President Buhari
The National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to expedite appropriative administrative measures and investigate the truth or otherwise of the list of Boko Haram sponsors in Nigeria released by the United Arab Emirates, UAE.
On the list were six Nigerians, designated as terrorism sponsors.
According to UAE, the listed individuals and entities, including their affiliates, are being monitored.
The Nigerians named are Abdurrahaman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad.
Relying on its Resolution No 83 of 2021, UAE is making good its promise to target and dismantle networks that finance terrorism and its related activities.
The resolution demands that the UAE regulatory authorities monitor and identify any individuals or entities affiliated with or associated with any financial, commercial or technical relationship and take the necessary measures according to the laws in force in the country in less than 24 hours.
In a statement he personally signed on Wednesday morning, NAOSRE President, Comrade Femi Oyewale, noted that the embarrassing disclosure by the UAE government was just an extension of the engagements of NAOSRE which has been saddled with bridging the communication gap between citizens and security agents as well as expose individuals and institutions that support terrorism.
Oyewale explained that the association is determined, more than before, to continue with its media supports to end insurgency in Nigeria
“At NAOSRE, our core responsibility has been to preach patriotism and dissuade supports to terrorism.
Our task to promote citizens’ absolute loyalty to Nigeria’s peaceful coexistences has been nothing but challenging.
“Yet, we remain committed. Therefore, we call on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Security Adviser, NSA, to leave no stone unturned in investigating current UAE’s revelations.
“We also urge the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation to take appropriate measures to ensure that justice is done for a peaceful Nigeria.
“At NAOSRE, we assure President Buhari and the international community of our association’s cooperation in the struggle to end terrorism in Nigeria,” Oyewale stated.
NAOSRE was inducted in Lagos on Saturday, August 7, as part of the activities to mark the 81st Posthumous Birthday celebrations of Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti , who was one of the founding pillars of the foremost human rights organization.
Inaugurating the Comrade Femi Oyewale led NAOSRE, Comrade Kehinde Adeoye, Lagos State CDHR chairman and Barrister Malachy Ugwummadu, former CDHR President urged NAOSRE to live up to its billing as the fourth estate of the realm adding that as a constitutionally recognized institution, the media association must redouble its efforts in internalizing and externalizing the patriotic activities of CDHR through quality publicity to birth the desired Nigeria where the rule of law and respect for human rights would define the fabrics of governance.
In his welcome address, Comrade Adeoye called on journalists “To use the pen to expose all forms of human degeneration, corruption, oppression, suppression and repression until bad governance is completely eradicated.”
He described the Beko Kuti posthumous birthday lecture themed “Any Hope For Good Governance In Nigeria?” as “Highly significant because it is in honour of a foremost, uncompromising, altruistic, irrepressible and indefatigable human rights icon who fought for the emancipation of the Nigerian people from misrule, bad governance and abuse of human rights.”
Making his remarks at the public lecture, chairman of the occasion and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr. Femi Falana enthused that all hope is not lost but stressed that all hands must be on deck to steer the Nigerian ship to safe berthing for economic prosperity, political stability and social harmony.
He pointed out the “military junta” derailed Nigeria’s growth and steady progress during the first republic.
Therefore, he questioned the impudence of former President Ibrahim Babangida who claimed to be a saint in the face of the overwhelming corrupting that has enveloped Nigeria when he planted and nurtured the seed of corruption in the country.
Falana emphasized that one of the best ways to honour late Beko Ransome Kuti is to keep the struggle for the respect of human dignity alive which Beko lived and died for.
He reminded CDHR members and all human rights advocates, including the media, that the struggle is far from over until transparency and accountability are enthroned in democratic governance.
Highlighting the litany of Beko’s struggle for democracy, Falana disclosed that during the secret trial of Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and many others by late General Sanni Abacha “One of the convicted lawyers smuggled a small note through one of the lawyers, alerting the CDHR President of government’s plans to kill them any moment from now.
“Beko Ransome Kuti immediately organized a press conference, though it was stated that no local media published it. But BBC did.
“It was on that note, Beko Ransome Kuti was arrested and taken to a military tribunal. The only question Beko was asked was whether he owned telephone number 963-9534 and he said, I own it.
“Beko had called the BBC with that number and it was on that basis that he was sentenced to life in prison,” Falana stated.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria further enlightened members on their rights including bail which he said is free.
Barrister Affiong L. Affiong, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye including Comrade Funmi Kuti who represented the Ransome-Kuti’s family added their voices as guest speakers and sued for commitment to the goals of CDHR so that Nigeria can be liberated from the grips of political buccaneers.
CDHR was incorporated in April 1989 during military rule and has, since then, provided invaluable supports to citizens in the defence and protection of their rights home and abroad.
ACG Of Immigration, Zone A, Oluremi Talabi, Sues For Efficiency As She Visits Lagos State Command
The Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, Zone A, Oluremi Ajoke Talabi, during the week, visited the Lagos Command of the Immigration Service.
Lagos Command is part of Zone A which has under it Ogun State Command, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA Command, Seme Border Command, Lagos Border Patrol Command, Idiroko Border Command, Lagos Seaport and Marine Command as well as the Passport Control Command.
In a statement signed by Jide Ogungbe, Lagos Command spokesman and made available to NAOSRE, Talabi was received on arrival by the Command’s Comptroller of Immigration Service, CIS, Bauchi Aliyu.
Addressing officers and men of the Command, Talabi commended the Aliyu led team for carrying out their duties without attracting complaints from the public.
She warned officers against revealing any official information that is meant to be treated as confidential.
She advised officers to adopt “a need to know basis principle” in managing information.
In addition, Talabi pointed out that Lagos Command has the highest number of personnel in the country, a fact that calls for utmost professionalism in the overall interest of Nigeria in line with the administrative policies of President Muhammadu Buhari and Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hammed Alli, ret’d.
The ACG mandated officers to be watchful for fraudulent documents and revealed that the Service is currently implementing electronic-powered mechanisms that’ll make it easier to identify fraudulent documents.
Earlier, the Lagos Command CIS, in his address, dutifully gave a detailed account to the Zonal Coordinator with specific regards to the challenges and developments in the Command.
He revealed that his first project from the moment he arrived was to improve the condition of LSC’s Provisional and Annex offices, a task he disclosed has been accomplished strictly through Corporate Social Responsibility, CRS, supports from friends of the Service. The CIS also revealed that he was able to construct both the Quarter Guard and Parade Ground through the same donations.
Aliyu further disclosed that there is an imminent plan of the International Organization for Migration to fully fund and oversee the construction of a Personnel Training and Resource Centre for the Lagos Command.
He unveiled plans to build additional toilet and bathroom facilities to augment the existing ones.
CIS Aliyu informed the Zonal Coordinator that he has formed a committee that is presently working on the development of a compendium that would offer a concise interpretative collection of the most frequently violated Immigration laws for the sensitization of stakeholders.
He noted that the outcome of his visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has birth the governor’s generous heart of donating land that can accommodate the construction of the Service Headquarters structure in Lagos.
He revealed that his persistent verbal and written requests have resulted in the setting up of a Security Forum headed by the Secretary to the State Government for Intel and ideas sharing amongst security agencies in the state.
He stated the proposal he submitted to the Governor’s Office for the planned mop-up and repatriation operation of irregular migrants residing in the state.
“The proposal is a direct response to the concern raised by stakeholders during the meeting chaired by the Governor to address the menace of motorbike riders operating in the state,” he said.
However, he stated that despite the positive results of his efforts, more still needs to be done.
The CIS, therefore, tabled a number of requests for the ACG’s attention to improve the service delivery capacity of the Command.
He requested the facilitation of the deployment of junior officers and drivers as well as follow-up by her office to facilitate the completion of the Command building project.
He also requested support for the proposed inclusion of the E-Migrant registration slip as a checklist for resident permit applications; the setting up of a Music Band and the renovation of the Command Holding Centre.
The ACG however, promised to support within available resources and called for more commitment to duties.
Following the heightened insecurity enveloping almost all the geo political zones in Nigeria, Femi Oyewale, President, National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, has raised concerns over cautionary comments alluding to an allegation that some leaders are plotting to overthrow the government.
The Presidency, on Tuesday, claimed it has evidence to the effect that some elements are recruiting ethnic groups and politicians to convene a conferences where a vote of no confidence would be passed on the President.
Reacting, Oyewale emphasized the patriotic efforts made by the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, who, on assumption of office, recovered all the territories previously occupied by insurgents as well as put in check suicide bombing.
Oyewale stated that during Buratai’s period, sanity was gradually retuning to the system and military personnel were pre occupied with engaging the insurgents for a safer Nigeria.
“At no time were there insinuations of attempting to overthrow government because soldiers were happy to defend Nigeria. We were not receiving DSS alert on overthrowing government during Buratai,” he said.
He however wondered how, within few months, the country has been turned into turmoil and insecurity has assumed freighting and disintegrating dimensions.
The NAOSRE President therefore called on the present Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, to deploy Tukur Buratai’s strategies and sustain his efforts even as he concurs with Philip Agbese’ submissions, reproduced below
Combating terrorism or insurrections are acknowledged globally as quite arduous assignments. Soldiers who command such warfares must be necessarily be brave, courageous and determined combatants of the trenches. It’s not a task for the faint- hearted!
The ex-Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and leader of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria, retired Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, remonstrated these rare qualities abundantly when he scored the shots on the podium of terrorism combats in the country.
But a very honest verdict on the ex-COAS, as the honcho of anti-insurgency operations in the country from May 2015 to January 2021 can only be gleaned from the enduring whirlwind of his exploits, long after he quitted active service.
Even unpatriotic misanthropes can sight the legacies of Buratai which have refused to be fogged by the thickness of billowing smokes; whether of partisan and ethno-religious flavors, as peculiarly Nigerian.
Buratai’s successor, the incumbent COAS and ombudsman of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt.Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru might not be caught unawares by the new assignment. But its certain, his predecessor, Buratai left a big-sized shoe, quite uneasy to wear effectively.
An introspection of what constituted the defining principles and convictions, Gen. Buratai weaponized to wilt the storm of insurgencies and insurrections in the country for six long years would certainly prop up the image of a strong leadership character in his persona.
Even dispassionate outsiders attested loudly to Buratai’s palpable, unshaken and unfractured patriotism and loyalty to Nigeria. He could be jovial with his subordinates to a fault; but upheld the sacred military doctrines of professionalism, loyalty and discipline.
He dispensed himself to soldiers generally as a father, blood brother, welfarist, amiable boss, compassionate leader, trustworthy compatriot and courageous warrior in the trenches. Boko Haram factional leaders, both Abubakar Shekau and the ISIS-backed Musab Al Barnewi, in alliance with Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky of the IMN or Shiites in Nigeria, another terrorist’s sect, wished Buratai dead for his uncompromising stand.
Leaders of these sects operating in Nigeria, vigorously pursued the agenda of eliminating Buratai through terrorists’ ambushes of his convoy in the Northeast and the assassination plot hatched against him in Zaria by IMN. Though he faced death multiple times in the trenches, but remained resolute and undeterred.
Buratai’s NDA course mate and friend, who retired much earlier, Major Daniel Banjo (rtd), recalled when he requested for a thanksgiving service in his home state for the ex-COAS; “I remember, about three times, he (Buratai) called me in the middle of the night. He was at the warfront. He would call and say things are happening here and Nigerians are not appreciative of what we are doing…He wouldn’t sleep for weeks. He was ambushed three times and he jumped into the bush with his men, with Kalashnikov (AK-47 rifles) and they would be able to kill some and arrest some.”
Hate or love him, but it never escaped the sight that Buratai was relentless and untiring. His troops often chortled among themselves whether this boss ever slept or thought of a beloved family which also needed his attention.
He sprung surprises of a talisman with his presence everywhere in the warfront, day and night, from North to South. He constantly visited troops and supervised Army units and formations to ensure planned Internal Security (IS) operations or projects progress smoothly and unencumbered. He tolerated no excuses for failure from troops on any assignment.
And to bolster performance and unalloyed loyalty, Buratai also, religiously fulfilled his own part of the bargain by ensuring troops legitimate entitlements and allowances were promptly delivered to them, even in the frontlines. It was one of the many things Buratai got right and it really worked for the Nigerian Army, especially for the troops in the frontlines on terrorism combating expeditions.
He treated the families of troops like his cherished assets and personal family. Buratai paid frequent visits to Army barracks, interacted with wives of soldiers, listened to their problems and remedied them immediately. Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) explored new frontiers in economic empowerment of wives of soldiers through various multi-purpose cooperative investments initiatives.
The ex-army chief further boosted the morale of his troops with packages such as the COAS special allowances and incentives, like special recognitions’ and instant or accelerated promotion of troops who demonstrated proven gallantry, courage and exceptional excellence in the frontlines.
The expansion and re-equipping of the of the Nigerian Army was another was a focal policy of retired Buratai’s leadership. He relaunched the Nigerian Army on the path of manufacturing its own small and light weapons in the combat of terrorism, innovatively using home-grown technology and human resources’.
Under his reign, the Nigerian Army established two new Army Divisions 6 and 8, in Borno and Rivers states; a dozen Forward Operations Bases (FOBs) and Special Task Force units across the country in strict compliance with the new Order of Battle (ORBAT). The initiative brought security closer to Nigerians, boosted troops rapid responses to distress calls from entrapped Nigerians and the operational effectiveness of soldiers in operations.
Nigerian soldiers were endeared to Gen. Buratai and performed their official assignments with glee because he prioritized the building of infrastructures for soldiers and officers of the Nigerian Army. He had stringent focus or absolute belief in the welfare of troops in multiple ways and he knew, soldiers deserve at least minimum comforts to function splendidly. So, he erected new office and residential accommodation for soldiers.
Therefore, Buratai aggressively relaunched the Nigerian Army on the path of its lost glory in revolutionary style. The former army chief embarked on ambitious projects such as the massive construction of new army barracks, renovations of dilapidated barracks and army formations, their upgrade and re-equipment with state-of-the-art facilities; resuscitation of moribund Army training institutions and the building of new ones, namely, the Army War College, the Army Aviation School and the Nigerian Army University, Biu.
Buratai garnished it with the generous renovations/upgrades of existing, but outdated army hospitals and the building of new Army Referral hospitals to carter for the Medicare of soldiers, their families and members of Army host communities. These were legacy projects, signposts of focused leadership, the pillars and inerasable footprints of his leadership that publicized a reformed Nigerian Army in conduct and performance.
The former army chief understood clearly that the success of Nigeria’s anti-insurgency combats basically depended on the assistance of foreign nations in weaponry and technical support. He was conscious of the prohibitions on human rights abuses by soldiers as enshrined in the Leahy Act amendment law. Besides, as a humane and compassionate leader, Buratai was conscious of the human dignity of all Nigerians. He never shirked from punishing erring soldiers.
Consequently, records of his observance of human rights were unequalled in the history of the Nigerian Army. He established the novel Human Rights Desk in the Nigerian Army, manned by a desk officer, and structured in an accessible manner to all Nigerians by its replication in all major Army formations throughout the country. The Army human rights desk handled, redressed and dispensed hundreds of cases between soldiers and civilians.
The Nigerian Army was under the plague of meagre budgets for its operations, even in the age of consuming insurgency. Therefore, Buratai imbibed the spirit of transparency, accountability and judicious application of Army resources for maximum effects. Lack of transparency in the administration of Army resources’ engendered distrust, dissension and rebellion among officers and soldiers.
Foremostly, Buratai resolved the problem by switching over to e-governance in consonance with the policy of the federal government. He established the Army Procurement Department; migrated the Nigerian Army into the IPPIS payment system, and halted the culture of table payment of allowances/entitlements to troops in the warfront, which often led to avoidable complaints of diversion.
The former leader of counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria was a famed Military strategist, tactician and foresighted leader. Therefore, his clairvoyance pricked him of the looming threat of Cyberspace terrorism in combating insurgency in Nigeria. In order to clip the wings of cyberspace terrorists, who were largely Boko Haram sympathizers’ and agents, Buratai built and launched the Nigerian Army Cyberspace Warfare Command. Its mandate mainly is to secure Army’s classified information from leakage to enemies and certify the preservation of sensitive documents.
Added to it, Buratai upgraded and re-equipped the Department of Army Public Relations (DAPR)) to handle fake news and propaganda syndrome on the counter-insurgency operations in the country. The DAPR operated 24hours a day and proactively deflected terrorists’ propaganda which previously caused unnecessary public anxiety and panic.
To this end, good leadership examples are worthy of emulation. The onus falls on Gen. Attahiru, who is also an old horse in the game to sustain and improve on these legacies of Buratai by moving a notch higher to turn the table against Boko Haram. It is the necessary antidote the incumbent Army leadership has to adopt, if it wants to really succeed to finally cripple insurgents.
It’s no longer news that Nigerians are unwittingly beginning to celebrate the Buratai days. But Nigerians want to celebrate the Army at all times and the only alternative is to kick harder, harder than Buratai ever did. Attahiru should be mindful of news of Boko Haram dreadful presence in Niger state and predictively, Abuja is now donated to the mercy of terrorists.
But fundamentally, all the incumbent Service Chiefs have already clocked 100 days since their appointment on January 26, 2021. Quite unimpressively, media reports are awash with news that 741 Nigerians have been killed by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, armed bandits, herdsmen and arsonists across the country. Neither is it exciting that the southern part of the country is also contending with lethal kidnapping syndicates and killer herdsmen conundrum. Nigerians are no longer singing joyful songs which heralded the new service chiefs and there is need to redouble the efforts.
The national leadership and members of the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, have commended Brigadier General Sagir Musa, the immediate past Nigerian Army spokesman for his commitment to duties and seamless synergy with the media in promoting military operational understanding with the public.
The association President Mr. Femi Oyewale stated this in a statement on Saturday.
In the statement, Oyewale noted that managing the communication functions of an institution like the Army could be challenging but added that Sagir displayed professionalism and maturity in handling obviously vexatious issues whenever they arose.
“Overtime, there were renewed bashings from both local and international media in equal measures, yet, you remained unwavering and continued in a most commendable fashion.”
Continuing, Oyewale emphasized that General Sagir assumed office at a period classified as one of the most trying in Nigeria’s history, stressing that Sagir’s basic understanding of the nuances of Nigeria which translated into balanced people-oriented information, at a time of confidence loss, deserves commendation.
“NAOSRE recognized this and never waved in its vision of supporting the patriotic efforts of security operatives. We were particularly hooked on the Nigerian Army by publishing Army stories to keep the public informed.
“We salute your courage and requisite compassion to soldier on by keeping eyes on the ball. However, the task of securing Nigeria remains ongoing. We therefore, admonish you to deploy same energy, zeal and intelligence in the execution of your assigned duties wherever you are deployed,” Oyewale stated.
He stated further that “I must not fail to use this medium to convey the association’s profound appreciation to the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. NAOSRE had a harmonious working relationship with you for a safer Nigeria.”
Oyewale promised to oil the association’s firm conviction on media role in promoting national security. He added that NAOSRE is committed to work with the new Army leadership by enhancing trust between security agents and citizens through factual and professional reportage for a safer Nigeria.
The National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, has joined millions of groups and individuals worldwide to condole with His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and media industry on the demise of a renowned journalist and first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande who died on 11 February at the age of 91.
In a statement conveying the condolences, the association President, Mr. Femi Oyewale extolled the visionary leadership of Jakande which birth, among other things, the establishment of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and other developmental strides in governance.
“NAOSRE condoles with the family of Alhaji Lateef Jakande and His Excellency Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the executive governor of Lagos State on the death of the first executive governor of the State. Jakande’s legacies in the media and democratic governance are evergreen. The Nigerian Institute of Journalism he envisioned has been the pool for harvesting resource persons to drive the media industry.
“As an association, NAOSRE will continuously strive to sustain the vision of Jakande in media professionalism in line with global best practice as well as build sustainable trust between security operatives and citizens through balanced reportage for a harmonious co existence,” he promised.
On Saturday, January 30, came a resounding verdict of pass mark for the security dinner discourse organized by the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, from Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, Group Director of News, Television Continental, TVC.
The NAOSRE dinner which attracted security operatives across military circle, first class traditional rulers, corporate players and top notch civil society, held at Oriental Hotel in Lagos on December 11, 2020.
Making the remarks during a cooperation conversation between NAOSRE President, Femi Oyewale and Otitoju, the former Editor of The News Magazine stated that “What you guys have done so far is encouraging and nationalistic especially your dinner conference. The dinner was a huge success. It was a success not because of the high profile venue but because you were able to bring the military together to talk about Nigeria’s security situation.”
Continuing, Otitoju emphasized the importance of such dialogue in Nigeria’s match towards safer country saying “I am also a strong believer in Nigeria. We are all playing our respective roles to promote unity and ensure the country is safe. Therefore, I share in your association’s vision,” he said, adding that he is willing and available to support anything that will engineer peaceful Nigeria.
Earlier, Oyewale hinted Otitoju the desire of NAOSRE to have access and tap into his reservoir of knowledge in pursuing the noble objectives of the online media association which he described “As national in contents and scope.”
The on-going conversation however, is expected to birth a strengthened curve in the pursuit of NAOSRE’s national security goals in the days ahead
