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ECOWAS defence chiefs meet on $2.6b budget for activation of regional standby force
ECOWAS defence chiefs meet on $2.6b budget for activation of regional standby force
By: Michael Mike
The Defence chiefs of countries in Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) on Thursday, converged in Abuja to deliberate on the proposed $2.607 billion budget for the activation of the subregion standby force.
The standby force is meant to contain terrorism and unconstitutional change of government with the region planning to raise a 5,000 standby force.
The region, alternatively proposed a budget of $481,459, 335 for 1,650 standby force, with the meeting organised to decide which plan to be implemented.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar disclosed this at the opening of the meeting of the region’s Minister of Defence and Finance on modalities for financing and equipping the deployment of ECOWAS counter-terrorism force.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alliou Touray said the move has become necessary as the region has become the epicentre of terrorism.
Speaking on the meeting, Nigeria’s Defence Minister said the gathering is driven by the urgent need to consider the financing
options in the memorandum to be presented by the ECOWAS Commission for deploying the proposed regional force.
He lamented that the region is threatened by insecurity and grave humanitarian challenges.
The Minister said the standby force arrangement has the backing of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and
Government.
He said: “Our gathering here today is driven by the urgent need to consider the financing
options in the memorandum to be presented by the ECOWAS Commission for deploying the proposed regional force.
“The financial implications of these proposals are significant.
“The overall estimated cost is $2,606,695,640 per year for a brigade of
5,000 men.The alternative proposal is for a brigade of 1,650 men, with an estimated annual cost of $481,459,335.These figures
underscore the gravity of the task before us and the necessity of a robust and sustainable resource mobilization strategy.
“lt is therefore imperative that we critically review the options considering.”
The Minister while explaining the current security situation in the region, said: “As you are all aware, our region is threatened by insecurity and grave humanitarian challenges. Terrorism and violent extremism have continued to threaten our collective existence.The cross-border free movement and activities of terrorist groups in the sub-region is deepening our internal security challenges.
“To address these challenges,the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and
Government at its 62nd Ordinary Session held in Abuja, on 4th December 2022 instructed the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to urgently study and propose the options, modalities, financial and technical means for the urgent operationalisation of the ECOWAS Standby Force, including a special kinetic operations to combat terrorism.
“As part of the implementation of these decisions,the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff met twice to deliberate and
come up with recommendations,which was subsequently presented to the 50th meeting of the Mediation and Security Council,at the
Ministerial level on 5h July 2023 in Bissau.
“I am delighted to welcome you all to Abuja for this crucial meeting of the Ministers of Finance and Defence, to deliberate on the modalities for financing and equipping the deployment of the ECOWAS counter-terrorism force.
On his part, Touray decried the damages caused to the region by terrorism, which include the large scale of Internally Displaced Persons, loss of territories and others.
He noted that: “A huge humanitarian crisis with millions of internally displaced persons and refugees.
“You will all recall that some member states have lost control of important parts of their territories to terrorist groups.
“According to the 2024 Global Terrorism Index, the epicentre of terrorism has shifted from the Middle East and North Africa into the sub-Saharan African region largely in the Sahel region.
“ The Sahel is the most affected region within the Sahara, accounting for over half of all deaths from terrorism and 26% of attacks in 2023.
“ Some of our member states have become countries with the highest impact from terrorism for the first time, with fatalities increasing by 68%. with fatalities increasing by six.
“ A quarter of all deaths from terrorist attacks occurring globally were in Burkina Faso, while Mali is ranked number three most impacted country.
“Taking due consideration of the transborder nature of the menace and the need to address it collectively and in line with the directive by the Authority on Peace and Security Matters, I would like to inform this August body that the invitation to this meeting was extended to all the 15 ECOWAS member states.
“All 15 ECOWAS member states have been invited to take part in this important meeting. And the reason is certainly the authorization and the approval given to the Commission’s proposal to this effect sometime in the future.
“ In the past, it was believed that we cannot fight terrorism alone or while others are not participating.
“That is why the Commission proposed to the Authority, through of course the Council of Ministers, that although countries might be under suspension, they should be allowed to take part in meetings relating to security as well as in sectoral matters.
“That is why we have invited all 15 member states to attend this important and crucial meeting. Honourable Ministers, we have an urgent task to mobilize the financial resources to fund our Regional Action Plan against terrorism.
“Therefore, in preparing for this very important meeting, The Commission has made available two documents to facilitate your deliberations.
“The first document is the report of the Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff, containing their proposal towards the mobilization of the kinetic force to fight terrorism, which includes the logistics, personnel, and financial requirements of raising the force.
“ As for the agenda of this meeting, their proposal will be presented to you by the Chair of the Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff.
“The Commission will present the second document, which is a memorandum proposing modalities for the mobilization of internal, financial, human, and material resources on a mandatory basis to support the deployment, and the development of the regional counterterrorism force as defined by the Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff.
“Honourable Ministers, more than ever, we are at a pivotal moment in the history of our community to address insecurity and establish a more secure environment for economic growth and development of our community.”
ECOWAS defence chiefs meet on $2.6b budget for activation of regional standby force
Bego shares Buni’s achievements as journalists take a tour in Yobe
By: Yahaya Wakili
Yobe State in Northeastern Nigeria is one of the states that suffered from the Boko Haram insurgency, but with the support and effort of the security agencies, things are improving a lot.
However, one of the effects of the insurgency was to destroy the local community; the people have suffered, their lives and their livelihoods were destroyed, and many have lost their loved ones.
The State Commissioner of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Information, and Culture, Hon. Abdullahi Bego, disclosed this to a team of journalists who embarked on a media tour organized by the Yobe State government across the state. The tour started with the Kannama modern market, the headquarters of the Yunusari local government area.0
Bego further said that. His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni thought that there is a need to rebuild communities to reinvigorate economic activities to ensure that people can go back to their farms and their markets to ensure that they can rebuild their lives.
“Governor Buni is providing a lot of support in terms of agriculture inputs, equipment, and fertilizer, among others, adding that when people finish from their farms, they will come to their market. That is why Governor Buni decided to establish such markets so that we have control where people can transact business.” He said.
Also briefing the journalists, the commissioner of Housing and Rural Development, Architect Ahmed Buba, said since the coming of Governor Buni on board, he has constructed 9 markets and completed five ultramodern markets across the state; these include 4 modern markets that were also constructed in Yunusari, Ngalda, Machina, and Buni Yadi.
He said Yunusari, a befitting market, comprises 96 shops, 146 open stalls, and 46 stalls, where there are houses, meat shops, an administration block, a police station, a fire service station, and a banking hall, and it will boost cross-border regional trade.
The team of journalists also visited the Machina modern market, the Gashu’a-Masaba road, and the 30-kilometer Bulanguwa-Kummagana road, and the Director of Civil Engineering, Alhaji Garba Umar, said the 30-kilometer Bulanguwa-Kummagana road will be completed in the next 10 days, inshallah.
Alhaji Garba Umar revealed that a contractor has completed clearance of one hundred percent of the space and literate base, and now the execution of asphalt for about 20 kilometers is only remaining 10 kilometers.
Malam Madu Ibrahim Yunusari has commended Governor Mai Mala Buni for constructing them a befitting modern market; these, he said, will boost their businesses as well as cross-border regional trade markets with their neighboring countries.
Bego shares Buni’s achievements as journalists take a tour in Yobe
Police neutralise two bandits, recover arms in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Kaduna State has neutralised two suspected armed bandits and recovered arms and ammunition during a security operation in Giwalga area of Bayan Kogi District.
Sources said the operation followed credible intelligence that a bandit syndicate, allegedly led by one Kachalla Sanusi Bajira, had mobilised its members to attack Idissu Village after the community failed to meet an imposed levy.
According to the sources, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with local vigilantes from Idissu Village, were deployed to the area to forestall the attack.
The police said that upon sighting the operatives, the bandits laid an ambush and engaged the security team in a gun duel.
However, the combined team reportedly overpowered the bandits with superior firepower, leading to the neutralisation of two suspects, while others fled into surrounding bushes.
Two AK-47 rifles and five rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the scene during the operation.
The police said the surrounding areas had been cordoned off, while concerted efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
Investigation into the incident has commenced, the command added, as it reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the fight against banditry and other criminal activities across the state,”said the sources.
End
Advocacy Group Demands Proof of NBMA Chief’s Eligibility
By: Michael Mike
A civil society organisation, Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), has formally requested access to the academic and professional records of Bello Bwari, director-general of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), raising questions about his eligibility to occupy the position.
The request was submitted under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to the Federal Ministry of Environment.
CASER said the move was prompted by concerns that the current head of the biosafety agency may not meet the qualifications required by law.
According to the group, the NBMA Act provides that the director-general of the agency must possess at least a master’s degree in biological sciences or a related field, while noting that Bwari is widely known to be a legal practitioner, a background the organisation argues may be inconsistent with the statutory requirements for the role.
In the FOI application, CASER called on the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, to confirm the director-general’s credentials and make the information available to the public. The organisation stressed that transparency in appointments is essential for maintaining confidence in regulatory institutions.
CASER further warned that failure to clarify the issue could weaken public trust in agencies responsible for biosafety, environmental protection, and biotechnology oversight.
The group added that the matter goes beyond one appointment and reflects broader concerns about compliance with enabling laws in public offices.
Founder of CASER and a human rights lawyer,!Frank Tietie, criticised what he described as the lack of response from professionals in the scientific community. In a recent opinion article, he argued that leadership of a biosafety agency without strong scientific grounding could undermine effective regulation.
Tietie said adherence to the law must be non-negotiable, warning that overlooking statutory provisions risks eroding accountability and institutional integrity.
End
Bego shares Buni’s achievements as journalists take a tour in Yobe
Police neutralise two bandits, recover arms in Kaduna
Advocacy Group Demands Proof of NBMA Chief’s Eligibility
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