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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
Army troops rescue 11 kidnapped victims in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army have rescued 11 kidnapped victims in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State following a coordinated operation along the Kaduna–Abuja road axis.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the rescue was carried out late on Jan. 26 after troops deployed at a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Doka, after sighted armed terrorists moving with captives along a bush track between Gidan Duna and Amale in Kachia LGA.
According to the sources, the troops immediately mobilised and pursued the suspects.
“On sighting the approaching security vehicles and motorcycles, the terrorists abandoned the victims and fled into the surrounding bush.
The troops secured the victims and fired probing shots in the general area, but no further contact was made,” the sources said.
The sources added that a total of 11 victims were rescued, comprising five adult males, three females and three children.
The rescued persons reportedly told the troops that they were kidnapped from Gada Mallam Maman community in Kachia LGA on Oct. 26, 2025.
The victims were subsequently conveyed back to their community and reunited with their families.
Security operations and patrols have been intensified in the area to prevent further attacks and track down the fleeing suspects, the sources said.
Army troops rescue 11 kidnapped victims in Kaduna
The Borno State Government to Repatriate over 3,000 Refugees from Cameroon after 11 Years
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Government has finalised arrangements for the voluntary repatriation of more than 3,000 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon republic to their ancestral homes after 11 years.
This is in fulfillment of Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum’s commitment to repatriate and resettle all Nigerian refugees from Borno who are sheltering in neighboring Chad, Cameroon and Niger republics.
The operation is being conducted with the support of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
Chairman Borno State Sub-Committee on Repatriation and member of the Presidential Committee on Repatriation, Engineer Lawan Abba Wakilbe, on Monday met with a Government delegation from Cameroon’s Far North Region and officials of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at the Minawao Refugee Camp in Maroua.
The purpose of the meeting was to finalise logistical and other arrangements to ensure the refugees’ safe and dignified return.
During a visit to the camp in December 2025, Governor Zulum assured refugees willing to return that they would do so in a safe and dignified manner, marking a new chapter for families displaced by insurgency over 11 years ago.
The refugees, predominantly from communities in central and southern Borno, fled to Cameroon more than 11 years ago during the peak of the insurgency, which devastated villages, displaced families, and disrupted socio-economic life across the North-East.
During their stay, Cameroonian authorities and humanitarian partners provided shelter, healthcare, education, and other essential services. Many refugees were also allocated farmland to support agricultural activities, reducing aid dependency and allowing them to sustain their families with dignity.
With improved security in several parts of Borno and ongoing state-led reconstruction efforts, many refugees have expressed their readiness to return home voluntarily.
The Borno State Government has already provided buses and other logistical support for the movement of the refugees while the National Commission for Refugees will oversee and coordinate the repatriation mission in collaboration with Cameroonian authorities and humanitarian agencies.
“This is the fourth phase, which began in 2020. The process is going on smoothly in accordance with the tripartite and technical working group agreements,” Engr. Wakilbe stated.
“His Excellency, Governor Zulum, was here on 8 December 2025 and made commitments. As soon as they return home, all commitments will be fulfilled,” he assured.
In a related development, Engineer Wakilbe led a high-level delegation to the office of the Governor of Cameroon’s Far North Region, Midjiyawa Bakari.
During their meeting, Governor Bakari commended the Borno State Government for sustaining the longstanding and cordial bilateral relationship, noting that cooperation between the two countries has been instrumental in ensuring the protection, welfare, and orderly return of displaced persons across the border.
End
Three soldiers killed in IED attack near Niamey, says Niger army sources
By: Zagazola Makama
At least three Nigerien soldiers were killed and 10 others injured on Sunday after an army patrol vehicle hit an improvised explosive device (IED) in Bartchawal, Tillabéri Region, about 20 kilometres from the capital, Niamey.
Sources said that the incident occurred late in the day along the Niamey–Filingué road axis when the patrol was returning from routine operations in the area.
According to the sources, the IED detonated as the military convoy passed, killing three soldiers on the spot and injuring 10 others, who were evacuated to medical facilities in Niamey for treatment.
The attack was later claimed by the Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), a jihadist group affiliated with Al-Qaeda, in a statement released on Monday.
“This is the first attack claimed by JNIM in this area so close to the capital,” the sources noted.
They added that the Nigerien Armed Forces had reinforced security along the Niamey–Filingué corridor, with additional patrols and surveillance measures deployed to prevent further attacks and reassure residents.
Tillabéri Region, in western Niger, has in recent years faced persistent security challenges linked to insurgent activities spilling over from the tri-border area of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Three soldiers killed in IED attack near Niamey, says Niger army sources
Army troops rescue 11 kidnapped victims in Kaduna
The Borno State Government to Repatriate over 3,000 Refugees from Cameroon after 11 Years
Three soldiers killed in IED attack near Niamey, says Niger army sources
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