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One year on: Tinubu defeating terrorism, building hopes of secure Nigeria
One year on: Tinubu defeating terrorism, building hopes of secure Nigeria
By Zagazola Makama
It is platitudinous to say that various forms of insecurity have devastated the country in all sectors heating up the polity with the most frustrating intractability since the last three decades.
The epochal menace has ravaged the Nigerian economy to a point in worsening the management scale of sustaining the country’s immense human and natural resources. This also has affected Nigeria’s leading -economy position in Africa, and its status as a country of enviable reckoning in global affairs.
Insecurity has no doubt on the verge of eroding the country’s cherished socio-political norms and values which had painstakingly created an enviable collective identity for its diverse peoples, empowering them to walk with shoulders held high across the globe as Nigerians.
The Boko Haram insurgency and, in recent years, Islamic State of the West African Province(ISWAP) terror campaigns in the North-East; the twin crimes of banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, as well as the North-Central, and sections of the South-West, South-East and South-South; farmer-herder clashes; and various other forms of gunmen menace, have continued to create a seemingly intractable criminalities threatening to the Country’s existence as a nation.
The country has, for the past two decades, been languishing and gasping for breath under this massive weight of a global-scale security crisis. This apparently appalling situation has underscored the robust provision of security as the topmost cardinal objective of every administration in the current decades of Nigeria’s democratic governance.
On assumption of duty on May 29, 2023, as the elected leader and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in line with his electioneering campaign mantra: ‘Renewed Hope’, promised to prioritize security as the bedrock of the country’s development.
This is evident with his promise to adopt a new doctrine, strategies and suitable profound arrangement of well-knit architecture to combat insecurity, thereby renewing the hope of Nigerians.
President Tinubu, as the first and foremost decisive step at combating insecurity, rejigged the country’s security architecture with new service chiefs and the desired gusto, whom he gave the matching order to immediately assume the work of re-strategizing and fine-tuning strategies to combat the country’s recalcitrant insecurity.
This move has applausively prevented the insecurity situation from intricately imploding into larger security challenges.
To reconcile this in line with the C-in-C objectives for a stable and prosperous Nigeria, the appointment of General Christopher Musa, as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), ever-readily profoundly assisted by other service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, in compliance with President Tinubu’s directive for robust synergy among top security and intelligence services in the fight against insecurity, the terror war in the Lake Chad Basin and the expansive North-East region has recorded an undisputed phenomenal achievements.
Notably; the military under the Tinubu led-administration has experienced significant enhancement in its operational capabilities, marking a notable period in its efforts to maintain national security and peace.
In the last one year, the administration has procured an additional five aircraft for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), which include 2 Diamond 62 surveillance aircraft; 2 T-129 ATAK helicopters, and a number King Air 360 ER, with plans to integrate 46 more by the end of 2024. These strategic acquisitions have bolstered the military’s capacity to conduct precise and impactful operations against various security threats across the country.
The rapid degradation of terror in the North-East is a gladdening testament to the fact that President Tinubu is keeping his promise of a ‘Renewed Hope’ to Nigerians in character, credibility and commitment to genuinely overturn the country’s insecurity to a stable and peaceful Nigeria.
This feat has been immensely achieved with the sheer commitment and competence of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, savoring sufficient support and impetus from his sister services, especially the Nigerian Air Force under the Joint Task Force North-East Operation Hadin Kai, Theater Command of the Nigerian Army; and the sheer patriotism, commitment and determination of the frontline troops.
To mention a few is the imposing catalog of accomplishments in the North-East terror war portrays an elating success story of the preceding one year.
The observable and most -spectacular moment of achievements include the neutralization of 555 terrorists; destruction of 461 terrorists’ enclaves across the theartre. They include; Gaizuwa, otherwise known as Mantari, Gabchari, Kashimiri, and Maimusari, Ukuba, Arra, Farisu, Sabil Huda, in Sambisa Forest, Lake Chad region, Yuwe and the Mandara Mountains;Markas Kauwa, Chiralia, Abirma, Buk 1, 2 and 3, Abulam, Dusula, and Abbagajiri in Timbuktu Triangle among others as well as the and the recovery of arms, armored vehicles and catch of equipment as well as the destruction of large quantity of other belongings to the terrorists in Sambisa Forest and Timbuktu Triangle.
Through a robust synergy with the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai in the troubled North-East, NAF has also been instrumental in depleting terrorist ranks and disrupting their operations.
Notable strikes include the elimination of key terrorists in the Mandara Mountains and the neutralization of multiple insurgents in the Timbuktu Triangle, Sambisa Forest, Krenowa, and Kafiya Fulatari, Kwaleram, Kirta, Wulgo, Bukar Mairam and the Tumbums among others. These actions have significantly weakened terrorist capabilities, contributing to the restoration of peace in the region.
Most gladdening of all is perhaps, the military’s aggressive kinetic and non-kinetic operations led to the surrender of more than 160,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists and their families to the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, out of which 42,189 have been handed over to Borno State Government; as well as the rescue of about 81 abducted Chibok girls.
The military, by sufficiently clearing terrorists enclaves across the region, has also, over the last one year, been able to create the enabling environment for the restoration of civil administration as well as relocation/resettlement of over 2 million IDPs to their ancestral homes; as well as guaranteed sufficient security in MMC, Mafa, Gubio, Konduga, Bama, Banki, Monguno, Dikwa, Gamborun Ngala, Kukawa, Gwoza and other LGAs, for farming and other socio-economic activities.
The military guarantees the restoration of law and order in several returnee communities; conducted kinetic and non-kinetic operations against terrorists which have strangulated the logistics supplies as well as halted recruitment, sympathizers and collaborators activities, leading to the surrender of several terrorist top Commanders and secured the rescue of victims in terrorists preoccupied areas.
Also, the 7 Div of the Nigerian Army which has covered the most areas prone to terrorist attacks suffered a large percentage of terrorist campaigns. “The division’s AOR (Area Of Responsibility) is relatively calm but unpredictable due to activities of some remnant of these so-called BHT/ISWAP insurgents who scamper for safe havens in the general area of Sambisa Forest, Gezuwa, Gargash and Mandara Mountains, by taking advantage of the geography of these areas to evade troops’ operational activities,” as observed by Brig.-Gen Abubakar Haruna, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 of the Nigeria Army.
He was, until his recent elevation to the rank of the General Officer Commanding the 7 Division, the Garrison Commander 7 Division of the army.
“Nevertheless, normal activities have resumed in most towns and villages that are located within the Sector’s AOR due to troops engagement in aggressive patrols and clearance operations,” he stated, adding, delightedly, “To further consolidate the successes, the Borno Government has been returning the locals who were displaced due to the insurgency back to their ancestral homes.” Gen Haruna shed more light on the restoration of peace and security across the region. “Restoration of peace, security and the attainment of sustainable socio-economic activities in the North-East is the overall objective of Operation Hadin Kai,” he stated, explaining, “The attainment of the military objective which is primarily the obliteration of the terrorists in the region requires the restoration of socio-economic activities.”
The GOC said that: “It is in line with this that the Division has been working tirelessly under the mentorship and the Supervision of the Theartre Commander North East Operation Hadin Kai Joint Task Force, Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu to ensure that the local communities within our Area of responsibility go about their legitimate daily activities through sustained operational activities like patrols, escort duties, ambushes and other offensive operations to deny the terrorists freedom of action and ensure the safety of the people.”
General Shuaibu, Theater, Commander Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai acknowledged the unquantifiable and invaluable contributions of the COAS, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja to the Theater Command that enabled it to achieve its enviable successes in the last one year.
As stated, “First of all, you need to understand that it is the COAS who gives the direction, guidance, leadership and all the human and material resources required for us to carry out our mandate,” he acknowledged, maintaining, “So, what the COAS provides is more than ‘help’.” He emphasised that the COAS “provides excellent leadership to us and hence the successes recorded so far,” advising, “Please take a close look at his Command Philosophy which is ‘To Transform the NA into a Well-Trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment’.”
The TC maintained further: “There is a strong nexus between the Command Philosophy and what we are doing here,” saying, “Without troops that are well-trained, equipped and motivated, we cannot achieve our mandate here which is part of our constitutional responsibility.”
“We have achieved tremendous successes in our various operations within the Theater under Operation Desert Sanity III undertaken by 7 Division, Sector 2 as well as Sector 3 MNJTF. Similar operations were also undertaken in the Tumbums by the troops of the MNJTF forces, with gladdening feedback.
Gen Shuaibu reviewed the effect of the insurgency in Borno State and praised the state government for supporting the Theater Command to achieve its mandate. “One of the priorities in addressing insecurity is the restoration of civilian administration and services to conflict-affected communities,” he stated, recalling, “The years of insurgency have devastated the social infrastructures and services in the North-East region including health, education and policing among others.” He also observed: “The dysfunctional state of such services made the communities more vulnerable to extremist recruitment and other vices”.
He further praised Governor Babagana Umara Zulum: “The Governor has made distinct efforts to address these immense challenges and foster greater citizens’ trust in government by rebuilding police stations and creating a conducive environment to bring back civil servants (including judges, healthcare givers and security agencies).
The TC praised the governor for tackling pervasive sense of insecurity through the provision of low-cost housing; road construction and other infrastructural development in rural areas; provision of agricultural supports like seeds and fertilizer at subsidized rate to enable the locals return to their farms; provision of affordable transport system like the electric taxis; as well as maintaining the periodic provision of palliatives to affected communities.
Gen Shuaibu remarked: “The general public is beginning to understand and appreciate the efforts of the Nigerian Army in restoring peace and security in the North-East region and to the country as a whole.” The TC assured: “We will continue to sustain the feat achieved by intensifying our efforts in the clearance of remnants of terrorists from their camps and enclaves so that durable peace would be restored finally in the North-East region.
The onus for maintaining peace and security lies with everyone.” He called on the general public to remain vigilant and cooperate with the military and other security agencies in their efforts at restoring peace and security in the region.
“The public should always remember that the soldiers are out there denying themselves all comforts to ensure that the rest of the citizens sleep with their two eyes closed,” he advised.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region.
One year on: Tinubu defeating terrorism, building hopes of secure Nigeria
NSCDC Boss Charges Personnel on Professionalism, Integrityin VIP Protection
By: Michael Mike
The Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi has issued a stern mandate to officers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and commitment in the protection of Very Important Persons (VIPs).
The CG gave this charge during his keynote address at a three-day VIP leadership and management workshop held at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
The intensive training brought together state commandants, VIP commanders, and armorers from across the country.
Audi emphasized that the mandate for VIP protection as conferred by President Bola Tinubu is a sacred trust that must not be compromised. He warned that his administration maintains a zero tolerance policy for any form of misconduct.
He said: “This administration will sanction any personnel found sabotaging the Corps’ efforts in implementing the VIP mandate,” adding that: “This responsibility must be carried out to the admiration of the government and Nigerians to justify the confidence reposed in us.”
The workshop, organized under the Directorate of Training and Manpower Development, serves as a strategic intervention to sharpen the tactical and administrative skills of the Corps’ leadership.
Acting Deputy Commandant General Muktar Lawal, explained that the curriculum focuses on: strengthening leadership capacity and management skills.
Improving interdepartmental coordination.
Reinforcing professionalism in armory management and decision-making.
The CG underscored the importance of excellence by commending the VIP National Commander, Deputy Commandant of Corps Anyor Donald, for his professionalism and loyalty, urging others to embrace similar qualities.
The event featured goodwill messages from the Corps’ top brass, including Deputy Commandants General Zakari Ibrahim Ningi, fdc; Nnamdi Nwinyi; Pedro Awili Ideba; and Professor Tyoor Frederick Terhemba, all echoing the need for heightened accountability in the field.
NSCDC Boss Charges Personnel on Professionalism, Integrityin VIP Protection
VP Shettima Launches Vision 2050 Blueprint For South-East’s Economic Development
Says new investment company, diaspora partnerships will drive infrastructure, industrial transformation
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has launched a 25-year development blueprint for the South-East region, saying the region is a central pillar of Nigeria’s economic future.
He also announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of the South East Investment Company Limited, designed to mobilise resources from the diaspora, capital markets, and development finance institutions for the region’s development.
Speaking on Wednesday during the South-East Vision 2050 Regional Stakeholders’ Forum in Enugu, the Vice President said the gathering was a decisive break from short-term governance cycles toward a structured, multi-decade development framework.
“This forum reflects foresight, responsibility, and a shared understanding that the future is not something we wait for, but something we must deliberately design.
“In recognition of the distinctive character of the South-East, its entrepreneurial spirit, its global diaspora, and its long-standing relationship with international capital, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the establishment of the South East Investment Company Limited,” VP Shettima said.
He said the company will work in synergy with the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) to address postwar infrastructure gaps and drive long-term regional competitiveness.
Senator Shettima reaffirmed that the SEDC was conceived to focus on structural transformation rather than routine administrative activity, insisting that Nigeria is strongest when its regions thrive.
“Let me be clear. This is not another layer of bureaucracy. It is a delivery institution, focused on tangible outcomes that translate into jobs, productivity, and growth,” he stated, noting that the South-East carries a unique historical burden, which makes deliberate regional planning both urgent and necessary.
The VP praised the inclusive nature of the forum, which brought together federal and state governments, traditional institutions, the private sector, civil society, and development partners.
He also acknowledged the presence of Umu Igbo Unite, a United States–based network of over 10,000 young professionals, saying, “The future of the South-East will be built both at home and abroad, together.”
Addressing the youth directly, the Vice President insisted that development must produce concrete results.
“To the young people of the South-East and of Nigeria as a whole, let me speak plainly. You are not spectators in our national journey. You are central to it. Your energy, creativity, and ambition are essential to the Nigeria we are working to build. Development must not remain an abstract promise. It must be felt in the daily lives of our people.
Earlier, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State joined his colleagues in the region in endorsing the vision 2050, explaining that the vision is an opportunity for the South East region to tap into the national agenda tagged vision 2060.
He applauded the unity of purpose among leaders and stakeholders in the region and proposed the birthing of a South East common market, describing the moment as the awakening of an economic giant.
On reimagining the South East as an economic bloc, Governor Mbah said the focus on the unity and synergy of ideas and resources and the decision to change the thinking of leaders and the people about their development trajectory, must remain paramount.
He urged a paradigm shift in the planning and execution of projects across the region while calling on the people of the area to complement the renewed drive by the Federal Government to improve the security of lives and livelihoods as well as integrate all parts of the region’s plan for inclusive development.
He thanked the Vice President for his show of dedication and substance to the cause of the South East region, noting that his presence reinforced the principle that sustainable regional development does not thrive in isolation but on dedicated national leadership as exemplified by the presence of the Vice President.
In his remarks, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, pledged the support of the state government for the implementation of a development plan for the region, noting that the plan will close unemployment and poverty gaps, while unlocking potentials across different sectors of the region’s economy.
He said Ebonyi State, under his administration, is building on the foundation of past administration in agriculture and agribusiness, education, solid mineral development, and a roadmap for the transformation of Ebonyi state as a hub of rural development in the South East.
In the same vein, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, expressed happiness and satisfaction over the unanimous adoption and support for the South East Vision 2050 by critical stakeholders across the private and public sectors, saying the summit is connected to revolution of the region and its economic transformation.
Citing examples of transparent leadership in Abia State and abundance of solid minerals and other natural resources across the South East, Governor Otti said the task of economic transformation and industrialisation of the region was feasible and possible with committed and transparent execution of development agenda.
For his part, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, thanked President Tinubu for the creation of the SEDC, describing it as a gift to the region that has been clamoured for by stakeholders for a long time.
He said the conversation around the SEDC Vision 2050 was historic, as it was the first time the governors and other leaders across the region were united in the adoption of a framework that will guide the transformation of the area.
In a keynote address, the Resident Representative of the UNDP, Mrs Elsie Attafuah, spoke on global lessons in long-term regional planning through institutional capacity for sustainable implementation of development plans in complex contexts.
She said for genuine industrialisation to be achieved, policymakers and stakeholders must ensure that infrastructure built across the region serve domestic production.
She urged cutting edge execution of Vision 2050 by stakeholders across the region and noted the importance of catalysing the comparative advantages of southeastern states in ensuring sustainability of the gains recorded in the years to come.
In his remarks, the Minister of Regional Development, Engr Abubakar Momoh, said the event was a crowning moment in the development of the South East region, especially in fostering a united and prosperous future.
He said the creation of the SEDC by the administration of President Tinubu reflects an institutional commitment to the coordinated and targeted transformation of the region through the revitalisation of critical infrastructure such as the rail sector and the commodity ecosystem, among others.
For her part, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, underscored the significance of aligning resources and efforts, which she said had been prioritized through the South East Vision 2050 programme.
Dr Oduwole pledged the support of her ministry and announced the ministry’s launch of a nationwide trade facilitation tour to boost the export potentials across the country, describing the South East region as the springboard for Nigeria’s industrial transformation.
In a goodwill message, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo World Wide, Sen. Azuta Mbata, commended the Federal Government for its efforts in prioritizing regional integration and development through the summit.
He said the integration of the South East in the broader national development agenda is key, and pledged the support of the people of the region for the aspirations of the vision 2050 and the Renewed Hope Agenda of administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
On his part, Chairman of the South East Development Commission, Sir Emeka Wogu, thanked President Tinubu for his commitment to the progress and development of the South East region and its people.
He said the South East vision 2050 is unique and designed to ensure continuity in the execution of development agenda for the region and the synergy of efforts by the respective state governments.
For his part, the Managing Director of the SEDC, Mr Mark Okoye, thanked President Tinubu for the creation of the commission as a special purpose vehicle to champion the economic transformation of the region.
He said the SEDC will seek the partnership of state governments, diaspora community and the organised private sector in implementing the 2050 vision aimed at charting a shared path to sustainable prosperity for South East Nigeria focusing on infrastructure, power, peace building and connectivity, among others.
There were also goodwill messages from representatives of corporate bodies, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), faith-based organisations, youth groups, diaspora community and development partners, among others.
The Vice President, accompanied by governors of the southeast region and other dignitaries, toured the exhibition gallery mounted by the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture.
VP Shettima Launches Vision 2050 Blueprint For South-East’s Economic Development
Zulum Receives Seven Ambassadors, UN Officials on Humanitarian Visit to Maiduguri
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has received ambassadors from seven countries alongside senior United Nations and federal government officials during a high-level humanitarian visit to Maiduguri.
The visiting diplomats represented India, Egypt, Indonesia, the Philippines, Turkey, Malaysia and Qatar. They were accompanied by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bernard Doro.
The visit was organised to give the international partners an opportunity to directly assess the humanitarian situation in Borno State and observe ongoing recovery and development efforts following years of conflict.
During the visit on Tuesday, the delegation was taken on a tour of key projects implemented by the Zulum administration in the areas of education, healthcare and human capital development. The tour was led by the Acting Governor of the state, Umar Usman Kadafur.
Addressing journalists after the tour, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator praised Governor Zulum for what he described as visible and impactful infrastructure development across the state. He noted that the projects showcased a different narrative from the usual focus on security challenges in the region.
According to Fall, initiatives in education, vocational skills training, girl-child education and malnutrition treatment demonstrate deliberate efforts to improve the lives of residents and address the underlying causes of the humanitarian crisis. He stressed that sustained investment in education remains critical to long-term peace and development in the state.
Also speaking, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded in Borno despite more than a decade of conflict. He commended the governor’s leadership, describing the facilities visited as practical tools for empowering residents and lifting them out of poverty.
The minister added that the vocational centres, comprehensive schools and other social infrastructure reflect a strong commitment to recovery, resilience and inclusive development in the state.
Zulum Receives Seven Ambassadors, UN Officials on Humanitarian Visit to Maiduguri
NSCDC Boss Charges Personnel on Professionalism, Integrityin VIP Protection
VP Shettima Launches Vision 2050 Blueprint For South-East’s Economic Development
Zulum Receives Seven Ambassadors, UN Officials on Humanitarian Visit to Maiduguri
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