Connect with us

News

ECOWAS defence chiefs meet on $2.6b budget for activation of regional standby force

Published

on

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

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Zulum hits the ground running on Insecurity, vows to complete Ongoing Projects before leaving office

Published

on

Zulum hits the ground running on Insecurity, vows to complete Ongoing Projects before leaving office

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling the remaining security challenges in the state.

The Governor made this pledge yesterday during the first regular State Executive Council meeting of the year, 2026, held at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri.

Addressing members of the cabinet and top government officials before the start of the meeting, Governor Zulum emphasised that 2026 would be a year of consolidation.

He noted that while relative peace has been restored in many parts of the state, the government will not relent in providing the needed security in all parts of Borno.

Beyond the security interventions, Zulum also explained that Government will focus on the resettlement of internally displaced persons by investing in medium- and long-term durable solutions to challenges on the ground.

He noted that his government will also ensure the timely completion of all ongoing developmental projects across the three senatorial zones of the state to cushion the dividends of democracy desirable for the people.

He added that his administration will strengthen the social protection net of residents stating that “social protection remains central to our agenda as we rebuild Borno for a better future.

” While we shall not relent in providing social amenities to the great people of the state, the need to provide social protection to our people cannot be overemphasised.” said Zulum.

The meeting was attended by Commissioners, the Secretary to Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, Acting Chief of State, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, and other members of the executive council.

Borno state governments have spent over 16 years of their developmental years battling insurgency which has tremendously slowed down the entire machinery of social engineering which should have taken the state to a very high level of stability if there was no security Challenges on ground.

Zulum hits the ground running on Insecurity, vows to complete Ongoing Projects before leaving office

Continue Reading

News

Rev. Dachomo accuses of Trump bias, vows to go to War

Published

on

Rev. Dachomo accuses of Trump bias, vows to go to War

By: Zagazola Makama

The outspoken Christian cleric in Plateau State, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo has called for ‘WAR’ in the state and also blamed President Donald Trump for bias in deploying United States security asserts in the campaign against the genocide of Christians in Nigeria.

In a footage circulating on social media, the cleric who is the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, made the call while addressing mourners at the burial of seven persons killed in a reprisal attack at Dorowa Babuje village in the local government.

“Rev. Dachoma was also heard declaring that residents would no longer “run away,” adding that if there was to be a “full-blown war,” they were prepared to defend themselves.

“We are not going to run away, if there will be full blown WAR it will start from today to the day that the God has placed for us. Let them continue to gather, we have chosen to die than to remain burying our brothers.

“My fellow brothers and sisters i am rounding this message so that we can go back and stay and go for war, since the Fulani said we will not rest in plateau, they are not afraid of the security from today we will not be afraid of the security.

The cleric further blamed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Sultan of Sokoto of alleged bias in security arrangements affecting Plateau State and other Christian-dominated communities in Nigeria, saying, “

In a video circulating online, the cleric questioned the deployment of U.S military in muslims dominated northern regions and alleged neglect of Christian communities.

“We have chosen to die rather than continue burying our brothers,” he said, while calling on community members to remain resolute.

“When I invited Trump to Nigeria to come and help us, when Trump responded, their blueprint was that none of the soldiers of the United States should come to Plateau State,” he said.
“They directed their attention to Sokoto, where the Muslim-dominant area the Muslims are enjoying the coming of Trump.”

He continued: “If I were allowed to say Trump is in Nigeria to protect the Muslims… another batch is in Maiduguri, another batch were deployed in Kaduna and Bauchi. In Kwara, no batch is there. Rev. Dachomo further alleged that Christian communities were being neglected, stating: “The Yorubas were allowed to be killed like chicken. Benue, no army is there.”

He also made allegations against the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, accusing him sabotaging deployment of US forces.

“Why is it that he did not allow the American soldiers to come to Plateau State? They cornered them to please his people.”

The cleric alleged that insurgents who fled military operations elsewhere had relocated to Plateau communities. The insurgents that escaped from Sambisa and from Sokoto are right here in Manda, in Fars, in Okolindiri, Lingerie,” he claimed.

“It is from Lingerie that they came and killed those people, because the real training ground of terrorists is Lingerie.”

Rev. Dachomo also referenced the Sultan in his remarks, alleging what he described as a broader agenda against Christians. “That is Sultan road map to wipe out Plateau Christians and other Christians in Nigeria,” he said.

Despite his strong accusations, the cleric acknowledged the efforts of local security operatives in preventing greater casualties during the recent attack.

“This could have been more than 100 corpses, but God used the security to give us enough protection when they saw the security move quickly,” he said.

Also, Barrister Solomon, President of the Berom Youths, was also heard in a related video expressing the same threat against the existence of Fulani in plateau state. “We can no longer guarantee peace and security on the Plateau if Fulani continue grazing on our land.”he said.

Solomon declared that the Fulani should awaits their response. “Fulani you have taken credit, Fulani You have taken credits,”he said.

Meanwhile, in a subsequent clip, however, he appeared to temper his earlier tone, saying: “Even some security have tagged me for the comments we made yesterday. My life is not more precious than this city. “I will not incite any violence in Plateau, but we deserve to be protected. We deserve it.”he said.

“I’m using this opportunity to call on our people let’s remain calm. Let’s continue as law-abiding citizens. We are not praying for similar things to happen. We are not at war with anybody.”

“The hausa of the Yoruba, the Igbos, and any other person that comes to Plateau should have it at the back of his mind that he will settle peacefully.”

“A Plateau man has never been known for any act of terrorism. But the Fulani have declared war on us, and it is so unfortunate that some people are falling victims of circumstance.”

He also appealed to federal authorities, stating:
“We are calling on Mr. President and the security governor. Please sir, since having security in our domain cannot guarantee our safety, why will it not be relocated to where the bandits are settled? So we will then know when they will come to attack us.”

Zagazola Makama report that Plateau State has witnessed recurring communal and banditry-related violence over the years, with security agencies continuing operations to curb attacks in vulnerable communities.

Rev. Dachomo accuses of Trump bias, vows to go to War

Continue Reading

News

Forensic Team Exhumes 105 Bodies in Probe of 2025 Yelwata Killings

Published

on

Forensic Team Exhumes 105 Bodies in Probe of 2025 Yelwata Killings

By: Zagazola Makama

A team of federal medical pathologists has exhumed 105 bodies from mass graves in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue, as part of ongoing investigations into the June 13, 2025 attack on the area.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the team, led by Prof. Saad Ahmed from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abuja, arrived in Yelwata on Feb. 23, 2026, alongside operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abuja.

The sources said the delegation included members of the Presidential Medical Delegation and worked in collaboration with officials of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

According to the sources, locations of the graves were identified on the same day under adequate security provided by the Benue State Police Command.

The exhumation exercise commenced on Feb. 24, during which seven bodies were recovered.

The team continued the exercise on Feb. 25 and Feb. 26, exhuming additional remains, bringing the total number of corpses recovered to 105 from 13 mass graves located in and around Yelwata community.

The exercise was concluded on Feb. 26.

Police sources said the exhumation was conducted to facilitate forensic inquests and strengthen evidence in the ongoing prosecution of suspects linked to the killings.

“Seven corpses were initially exhumed by the IRT-led federal investigators for inquest. The exercise continued and further development will be communicated,” a security source said.

The deployment of forensic experts followed proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where nine suspects were arraigned on Feb. 2, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in connection with the Yelwata attack.

The court had emphasised the importance of forensic evidence to ensure a fair trial and proper determination of culpability.

Security officials said adequate measures were put in place to ensure the exercise was conducted peacefully and without disruption.

The June 13, 2025 attack on Yelwata community reportedly resulted in the deaths of several residents and displaced many others, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for justice.

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation had earlier commenced prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with the incident.

Authorities said further updates would be communicated as investigations progress.

Forensic Team Exhumes 105 Bodies in Probe of 2025 Yelwata Killings

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights