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Audi: Nigeria’s Security Challenge Requires Octopus Solution
Audi: Nigeria’s Security Challenge Requires Octopus Solution
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria’s security challenge requires “Octopus” solution, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi has said.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja at the opening of a two-day seminar on promoting interagency collaboration for heads of security agencies in Anambra, Borno, Enugu, Imo and Sokoto
He said: “The prevailing asymmetric warfare bedeviling the nation requires on octopus’ solution in mitigating the myriads of security threats targeted at Nigerians,
Residents and Public assets. The reality calls for a continuous evaluation of security strategies that can pull resources and expertise together in tackling this menace.”
He noted that: “This seminar for heads of security is one that fit into such strategy as it is aimed at ensuring seamless synergy among security stakeholders in Nigeria. It is my delight to observe the presence of state security heads drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, The Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service and State Security Service representing Anambra, Borno, Enugu, Imo, and Sokoto States.”
Audi explained that the seminar is aimed at ensuring that all stakeholders across-board are carried along on this mission. He told the participants that: “Your participation in this programme is an indication that we are making progress towards this quest, with outcomes that will have far reaching impact on the nation’s security architecture.
He said: “The previously held seminars and workshops were targeted at three geopolitical zones namely: North East, North West and South South. I officially sent a request last year to our partner, Konrad Adenaeur Stiftung, for the activation of other zones in the face of the increasing security challenges across the country and the need for all agencies to work together across board, the request was graciously approved resulting into the incorporation of North Central geopolitical zone in this year programmes. I strongly believe that other zones will come on board in due course.”
On his part, the Resident Representative of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Nigera, Ms Marija Peran in her opening remarks, said the seminar was organised in cooperation with the Nigerian House of Representatives, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.
Peran, who was represented by the Deputy Representative, Lukas Laible said since 2016, KAS has been supporting the Security Sector Reform in Nigeria, and has cultivated progressive partnerships with relevant frontline institutions and has collaborated both with the executive as well as the legislature.
She explained that two years ago, KAS mandated a survey on the mandates of security agencies, adding that the survey revealed that overlapping mandates among these agencies contribute significantly to rivalry among security personnel
She noted that: To address this issue, KAS collaborated with experts in the field and government agencies to review and propose amendments to the Acts that establish these agencies.
“On the basis of this survey and in collaboration with the Office of the Speaker, seven bills were drafted addressing the identified issues; six of them are currently on the floor of the House or Senate.”
She noted that: “In partnership with all security agencies we provide trainings with a focus on fostering interagency-collaboration and conflict-resolution among security agencies.
“To amplify information sharing, surveillance, and to forge a harmonious relationship with personnel of security agencies, we also work with civil society groups, communities, and opinion leaders at zonal and state level.
“The project’s goal is to create a unified curriculum and a trainer’s guide. The development of this curriculum has been successfully completed and endorsed by all the training colleges and institutions.
Audi: Nigeria’s Security Challenge Requires Octopus Solution
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
By: Michael Mike
The European Union has pledged €22 million in grant funding to support Nigeria’s large-scale fibre-optic expansion, reinforcing the Federal Government’s drive to transform the country’s digital backbone.
The grant, announced in Abuja on Wednesday, will be channelled through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and on-granted to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for implementation of the government’s Project BRIDGE initiative.
The EU funding will sit alongside an €86 million loan from the EBRD’s own resources, pending final approval. The operation represents the EBRD’s first major sovereign financing in Nigeria since the country formally became a shareholder of the bank last year.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani described the agreement as a decisive step toward delivering the BRIDGE project within schedule, noting that Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda depends heavily on robust and inclusive broadband infrastructure.
He said the partnership reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s digital roadmap and expressed optimism that 2026 would mark a year of tangible progress in cooperation between Nigeria and the EU.
EBRD President, Odile Renaud-Basso, who is on an official visit to Nigeria, said the bank was proud to collaborate with the EU to expand digital infrastructure in Africa’s largest economy. She noted that the technical cooperation embedded in the financing is structured to crowd in private capital while ensuring secure, resilient and inclusive connectivity.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, underscored the strategic importance of digital networks to both Nigeria and the EU, stressing the need for trusted, high-integrity infrastructure built to international standards.
Project BRIDGE aims to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cables nationwide through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will be capitalised with sovereign loans and private sector participation. In addition to the EBRD financing, the Federal Government is expected to receive support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
The EU’s €22 million package combines technical assistance with investment support to speed up project preparation and strengthen implementation capacity. It will fund low-level design work for about 40,000 kilometres of the planned network, including route mapping, crossing surveys, digital planning, quality assurance and security risk assessments aligned with global best practices.
Officials said this groundwork would provide the SPV with a ready-to-execute blueprint, enabling immediate rollout once financing arrangements are finalised and the vehicle is established with at least 51 per cent private sector ownership.
Beyond infrastructure, the grant is expected to deepen Nigeria’s digital skills base. About 2,000 technicians will receive specialised training, while small subcontractors will gain access to pooled procurement systems and equipment subsidies designed to reduce entry barriers.
Authorities estimate that these measures could lower deployment costs by between 20 and 30 per cent, while promoting adherence to Nigerian and EU quality standards and encouraging participation of European technology suppliers in the fibre supply chain.
The intervention forms part of the EU’s broader Global Gateway strategy, which supports investments in digital infrastructure, public services and human capital development across partner countries.
For Nigeria, the partnership signals renewed international backing for its ambition to build a resilient, open-access broadband network capable of driving economic growth, innovation and digital inclusion nationwide.
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled suspected insurgents and neutralised a suspected informant during operations in Ngamdu area of Borno.
Military sources said the action followed signals intelligence indicating that suspected Boko Haram elements were massing.
At about 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 18, troops carried out a fire mission on the identified area, forcing the insurgents to disperse and abort their suspected plan.
Shortly afterward, at about 3:45 a.m., troops engaged and neutralised a suspected insurgent informant who attempted to breach the trench defensive position in Ngamdu.
Sources said the troops immediately conducted a search of the surrounding area after the encounter but made no further contact with fleeing suspects.
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have disrupted a suspected terrorist gathering and arrested five suspected arms smugglers during separate operations in Yobe State.
Security sources said that at about 6:21 p.m. on Feb. 17, troops conducted a fire mission following credible intelligence that terrorists were converging in large numbers on motorcycles at Mangari, about 10.6 kilometres from the location of the 135 Special Forces Battalion in Buratai.
The swift action forced the insurgents to disperse in disarray, effectively disrupting their suspected plans.
In a separate development, troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Potiskum apprehended five suspected arms smugglers and abductors at about 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 18 at a checkpoint along the Gombe–Potiskum road.
Those arrested included a 41-year-old suspect, Baba Abare, who was found in possession of an AK-47 rifle, alongside four others identified as Idris Zakari, 33; Nasiru Aliyu, 25; Abdullahi Sulaiman, 35; and Mohammed Idris, 34, all said to be indigenes of Potiskum town.
The suspects were intercepted in two Golf Wagon vehicles bearing registration numbers Borno NGL-506XA and Kaduna DKD16-01.
They were disarmed and handed over to appropriate authorities for further investigation.
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
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