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Boko Haram fighters are backsliding, subverting the war against insurgents, bandits – Army
Boko Haram fighters are backsliding, subverting the war against insurgents, bandits – Army
By: Our Reporter
The Nigerian Army has raised the alarm that many repentant Boko Haram fighters are backsliding and subverting the war against the insurgents and bandits.
The Theatre Commander of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, disclosed that ‘repentant’ sect members, who have surrendered to troops have ulterior motives.
Also, the Federal Government has expressed worry over the activities of terrorists, bandits and other non-state actors using the country’s non-commercial radio frequency spectrum without licence and payment of appropriate fees.
Miffed by the increasing activities of terrorists in the sub-region, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said the worsening insecurity could undermine regional integration and stability.
It was also learnt that foreign donors are sustaining the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Maj.-Gen. Musa disclosed that 20,000 insurgents have laid down arms in the Northeast. The commander, who spoke on the sidelines of the Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja, said the new challenge is what to do with the repented terrorists.
He said: “We have over 20,000 combatants and their families surrendered. This tells you there is something we are doing right. What we do with them after surrendering is our next focus. The expectation is that after all have surrendered, then, everything will fizzle out. But, that is not the case.
“Frankly speaking, for us, this is a good development.
“A lot of people have been thinking and also expressing mixed feelings; if at all the news is true. Of course, there are some insurgents who truly wish to surrender, but we cannot jettison the fact that some of them do have ulterior motives.
“Like I said, to us, this is good and if we follow it through in the right way, then, we may begin to see the end of this insurgency sooner than we actually think.”
Gen. Musa explained why the terror group has remained lethal after the death of its leader, Abubakar Shekau.
He said: “Before Shekau died, they (Boko Haram fighters) pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in the West African Province ISWAP and ISWAP gets its funding from foreign donors. It is the lust for these monies that have further emboldened them. This is why they overran Shekau. These people who are enemies of the nation, who do not want peace in Nigeria are the same people pushing ISWAP too. It has nothing to do with religion or any form of ideology, but purely driven by the quest for money.
The theatre commander dismissed the insinuation that the Nigerian military has been outstretched in the course of fighting the insurgents.
He said: “No group can outstretch the Armed Forces of Nigeria. What people need to understand is, we in the military can easily be identified because we put on uniforms. These guys go on mufti and we cannot just go into a community and start killing everybody. If we have to do this, then, this fight would have ended since.
“But, what about the collateral damage on the part of innocent civilians? If we have to shoot, then, we must target the real trouble makers and not just anyone. This is the problem. They mingle among civilians. This is why it has become so difficult. If it was conventional warfare, we would have finished them a long time ago.”
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu, who spoke in Lagos on the sidelines of a stakeholders’ forum, tagged: ‘Sensitisation on Sustainable Frequency Spectrum Management Development for non-Commercial Radio Frequency Users’, said bandits and terrorist groups using the radio frequency spectrum illegally, threaten national security and interfere in the frequency.
He said: “We are aware that some organisations and institutions that are non-commercial users are making use of the radio frequency illegally, but what baffles government the most is that terrorist groups also use the radio frequency spectrum illegally and they obtain it from online stores.
“Although the ministry has monitoring equipment to monitor those using the radio frequency spectrum illegally, the range of coverage is limited and cannot reach inside the forest and deep territorial waters. However, our monitoring equipment can detect those using the radio frequency illegally within the cities.”
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Ghanaian Foreign Affairs Minister and Chairperson of ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, Shirley Ayokor Botchwey, who spoke at the opening of the 47th ordinary session in Abuja, lamented the threat by the terrorists.
She said: “Speaking on the backdrop of continual threat to our region, which could undermine integration agenda and regional stability. Attacks by terrorist and violent extremist groups are increasing across the region, leaving no member state spared as a potential targets.
“In addition to this already difficult situation, is the military takeover in Guinea, after the one in Mali, weakening our community.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the council, the deteriorating security environment in the region is of grave concern from the Sahel region through the Lake Chad basing and beyond.
“Attacks from terrorists and violent extremists have moved with banditry kidnapping, Farmer herder dynamics and transnational organised crime leaving a trail of death and destruction.
“Indeed, the terrorist groups are currently testing border defenses of coastal nations, intending to extend their reach to the member states along the Gulf of Guinea.”
She also expressed the Commission’s worries over military gradual incursion in governance, saying it is a challenge to the community.
Boko Haram fighters are backsliding, subverting the war against insurgents, bandits – Army
National News
AT SENEGAL’S 65TH INDEPENDENCE DAY:Nigeria Hails Strategic Relationship As Key To West African Stability, Economic Growth
AT SENEGAL’S 65TH INDEPENDENCE DAY:
Nigeria Hails Strategic Relationship As Key To West African Stability, Economic Growth
** Seeks deeper cooperation in trade, security, democracy
By: Our Reporter
The Nigerian government has described its relationship with Senegal as a strategic partnership built on a foundation of shared history, democratic values and economic interdependence.
This followed Vice President Kashim Shettima’s presence at Senegal’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary held at the Place de la Nation in Dakar on Friday.
VP Shettima had represented President Bola Tinubu at the event where President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal played host to guests from across Africa and beyond.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event in Dakar, Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said there were very strong bilateral ties between Nigeria and Senegal, noting that both countries achieved independence in 1960 and have maintained shared commitments to democratic governance and regional security.
Also on Nigeria’s delegation was Hon. Oluwole Oke, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
“Senegal and Nigeria have very strong bilateral ties. This has been as a result of our shared history and circumstances—both countries attained independence at about the same time in 1960,” the Minister stated.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasised the need for continued collaboration in democracy, trade, and security between the two countries.
She said, “Both countries have remained committed to deepening democratic governance, values, and constitutional governance in the African continent. We have also jointly remained committed in the fight against terrorism and building strong regional institutions.”
The Minister revealed that Senegal accounts for 68.7% of Nigeria’s exports within the ECOWAS market—an indicator of Nigeria’s central role in regional trade.
“Senegal takes 68.7% exports from Nigeria within the ECOWAS market,” she disclosed, describing the statistic as a reflection of “mutually beneficial economic cooperation.”
The Minister also pointed to sustained high-level engagement, noting that “the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye was in Nigeria last year to meet with our President, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to talk about areas of collaboration and cooperation.”
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed optimism about the future of the Nigeria-Senegal partnership, expressing hope that both nations will “continue deepening this economic relationship and enhance” their relationship across all sectors.
The event was attended by several foreign dignitaries, including Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, The Gambia’s President Adama Barrow and Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani.
In his national address at the event, President Faye applauded Senegal’s democratic maturity, reaffirming his commitment to deeply transforming the country.
“Now more than ever, we must harness this driving force to correct what needs fixing and to give shape to the aspirations of our people and the hopes of our youth,” Faye said.
These reforms, he said, include optimizing local finances, ensuring budgetary transparency, rationalizing public spending, and managing debt efficiently to safeguard fiscal sustainability.
AT SENEGAL’S 65TH INDEPENDENCE DAY:
Nigeria Hails Strategic Relationship As Key To West African Stability, Economic Growth
National News
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the country’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations.
Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4 each year, commemorating its freedom from French colonial rule in 1960. The day is marked by national pride, with ceremonies, parades and cultural events.
The Vice President’s attendance at the annual event is in honour of an invitation extended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, following the strong mutual relationship between Nigeria and Senegal.
The independence Day celebrations will be held at the Place de la Nation in Dakar, with President Faye playing host to Vice President Shettima and other distinguished guests from across Africa and beyond.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria tomorrow after the one-day event.
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
President Tinubu Laying Foundation For A Better Nigeria, Says Hajiya Nana Shettima
- Tasks Nigerians on constructive criticism of government actions, policies
By: Our Reporter
Wife of Nigeria’s Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, has scored the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu very high, saying the President is building a better Nigeria for Nigerians through his laudable economic policies, various empowerment initiatives and investments in key sectors of the economy.
And to help the President secure a better future for all Nigerians, the VP’s wife also encouraged the citizens not to relent in giving very useful advice to the government, urging them to be more constructive in their criticism of the administration instead of just attacking for political reasons.
Hajiya Nana Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, during the annual Ramadan feast, which had in attendance women groups and students
Emphasizing the determination of the Tinubu administration to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come, she said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is baking a new cake for us that are alive today, and for the Nigerian children and grandchildren that are coming behind us. It is who he is ably supported by our lovely First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.”
Hajiya Nana Shettima noted that the President means well for the people of Borno State as well as Nigerians in all parts of the country, even as she urged the citizens to always pray for President Tinubu and members of his cabinet.
“I can tell you that he (the President) means well, not only for Borno people but for the entire nation. We should not forget him and his subordinates in our prayers,” she added.
She further commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her contributions towards actualizing the agenda of the administration, especially through the Renewed Hope Initiative which she said has impacted many lives, including women, children and people with disabilities.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of Maryam Babangida Centre for Women Development, Abuja, Dr Asabe Bashir, admonished women and the people of Borno State to imbibe the teachings of the just concluded Ramadan.
She also sought the people’s support and prayers for President Tinubu, thanking the President for picking his deputy from Borno State.
She said, “I always reiterate the importance of prayer because without prayers we can do nothing in life. We have just come out of Ramadan; let us imbibe that culture and lessons we received during the 29-day fast. We need to continue with the spiritual reflection.
“We should thank God and President Bola Tinubu for remembering the people of Borno State again by bringing the seat of the Vice President, not just to the North-East region but to Borno State after Ambassador Babagana Kingibe was elected along with the late Chief MKO Abiola so many years ago.
“We must continue to pray for the administration of President Bola Tinubu because if it succeeds, we succeed,” Dr Bashir added.
On his part, the Speaker, Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Tijjani Abubakar, thanked President Tinubu for his support to Nigerian youths through various youth empowerment initiatives.
Also, Dr Martins Ekunke, who spoke on behalf the South-South, Yoruba and Igbo communities residing in Borno State, commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for galvanizing support for people living with HIV/AIDS through her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Among those that attended the annual Sallah feast hosted by Hajiya Shettima, were the wife of the Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Hajiya Maryam Lawan; wife of the Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Hajiya Laure Musa-Askira; female Commissioners and political appointees.
Also in attendance were women groups, members of the Borno State chapter of the Nationals Association of Nigerian Students, as well as the leaders of South-South, Igbo and Yoruba communities residing in Borno State, among others.
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