News
Coalition of CSOs Warn Against Faceless Attack on Non Appointment of Ambassadors
Coalition of CSOs Warn Against Faceless Attack on Non Appointment of Ambassadors
By: Michael Mike
International Relations and Affairs Alliance IRAA, a coalition of international relations practitioners has lampooned a faceless group, who is out in arms with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar over delay in appointment of ambassadors, for a lack of zero knowledge about diplomatic processes.
A statement by the Coalition of Civil Society Groups and signed by Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta had erroneously pointed accusing fingers at Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar for recalling ambassadors and not appointing new ones.
The Lagos based coalition led by Mrs. Adewusi Bakare, in a statement on Monday said Ude-Umanta should note that Ambassadors serve at the prerogative of the President of a Country and not the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and that their recall and appointment lie solely with President Bola Tinubu.
Bakare led coalition alleged that the Ude-Umanta group has shown zero knowledge of the process of recall and appointment of ambassadors and was only serving the bidding of their paymasters.
Bakare said regarding Ambassador Lamuwa’s alleged sexual excesses, if the faceless group had followed the events, they would have discovered that Ambassador Tuggar was the first to draw the attention of the Head of Service to the matter and asked that she take charge according to the extant rules of the civil service.
“However, the group has mischievously left that out and is now turning it against the Honourable Minister. In this matter, the minister has acted above board to ensure that due process was followed,” Bakare said.
On the achievements under the present Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakare said: “Tuggar has led the process of the signing of 25 International MoUs that will, in turn, be highly beneficial to Nigeria across energy, business and investment sectors, has revived several bi-national commissions, finalisation of the Basa agreement with the US, vigorous campaign of Nigeria in the inclusion of G20, United Nations Security Council and BRICS. Most importantly, a 14 billion USD investment from Indian investors across ICT, power, steel and manufacturing, agriculture and defence, real estate and hospitality.
“Other investments attracted to Nigeria through Tuggar’s economic diplomacy include a 2 billion USD Investment from Germany for the Nigeria-Siemens Power Project and a 250 million Euros investment from the Netherlands to boost existing business in Nigeria.”
International Relations and Affairs Alliance IRAA also warned interest groups to desist from tarnishing Nigeria’s image by writing outright fabrications to fight proxy wars on behalf of politicians seeking ambassadorial appointments, disgruntled foreign service officers and the disgraced and suspended Ambassador Adamu Lamuwa.
IRAA said Tuggar’s Multipolarity approach to International Relations, which dealt mainly with Nigeria’s interests while relating to the US, EU, Russia, and China, was the best deal Nigeria could have now, insisting that it shows someone who is abreast of global diplomacy and must be supported to succeed in Nigeria’s interest.
Coalition of CSOs Warn Against Faceless Attack on Non Appointment of Ambassadors
Police recover 15 rustled cows in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Zamfara says its operatives have recovered 15 cows rustled by armed bandits during an attack on Gidan Kwagiri village in Damba District of Gusau Local Government Area.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 15 when the bandits invaded the community and carted away cows and sheep belonging to residents.
According to the sources, upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Damba Division mobilised personnel alongside patrol teams from the Department of Operations to pursue the attackers.
The team was said to have successfully recovered 15 cows, which were subsequently handed over to their owners.
Efforts, however, are ongoing to track down the suspects and recover the remaining rustled animals, while security patrols have been intensified in the area to forestall further attacks.
Police recover 15 rustled cows in Zamfara
Operation Whirl Stroke arrests cow rustling suspects fuelling violence in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation WHIRL STROKE have arrested suspects linked to cattle rustling in Benue State, following two separate security incidents in Guma Local Government Area.
Security sources said that on Feb. 15, troops responded to an attack on herders at Amua Village, located between Daudu and Umenger/Ukpiam. The attack left one herder dead, while another sustained gunshot wounds and was evacuated to Keana in neighbouring Nasarawa State for urgent medical attention. The remains of the deceased were handed over to community representatives for burial according to local customs.
In a related operation on the same day, troops stationed at Ukpiam acted on intelligence provided by vigilant youths concerning suspected cattle rustling. The troops arrested a 23-year-old suspect, Terngu Aondohemba, who reportedly confessed to killing two cattle belonging to Fulani herders. He also implicated two accomplices, Akpehe and Ashinge, who are still at large.
Further investigation led security operatives to Korje Village in Daudu, where Mrs. Mercy Onban, wife of the alleged buyer of the stolen meat, was apprehended along with the recovered meat exhibits. Both suspects remain in custody pending further investigation.
The Force Commander of the Joint Task Force, Major General Moses Gara, condemned the attacks and criminality, affirming the commitment of Operation WHIRL STROKE to halting killings and cattle rustling in the Joint Operations Area.
He urged community leaders to strengthen collaboration with security agencies, stressing that timely intelligence sharing is critical to restoring lasting peace. Major General Gara also reassured law-abiding residents of the strong resolve of the Joint Task Force to protect lives and property across the region.
Operation Whirl Stroke arrests cow rustling suspects fuelling violence in Benue
Federal Government arraigns Nasir El-Rufai over alleged phone interception
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Government has charged former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged unlawful interception of phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Court documents showed that El-Rufai, 65, appeared as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme on Feb. 13, 2026, where he reportedly admitted to involvement in the interception and to knowing individuals who carried out the act without reporting them to security agencies.
The charges, filed under TABU DET CR/99/2026, include: Count One, Allegedly admitting during the television interview that he and his associates unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, contrary to Section 12 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Two, Allegedly stating that he knew individuals who unlawfully intercepted the same communications but failed to report them, in violation of Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024. Count Three, Allegedly using technical systems to compromise public safety and national security, and instilling apprehension among Nigerians, in breach of Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The case, filed by a team of Federal Government lawyers led by ME Ernest, OM Owan, UM Bulla, CS Eze, and VE G. Orubor, is set to proceed with investigations and trial proceedings.
Authorities said the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, where the accused will be required to respond to the charges.
The trial is expected to attract significant public attention given the high-profile nature of the accused and the sensitive security issues involved.
Federal Government arraigns Nasir El-Rufai over alleged phone interception
Troops intercept suspects with N37m cash in Borno
Chairman of hunters killed in checkpoint attack in Kwara
Police recover 15 rustled cows in Zamfara
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News10 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
