Babani assumes office as LCBC chief, pledges stronger regional security, cooperation

By: Zagazola Makama

The newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and Head of Mission of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Amb. Ibrahim Babani, has pledged to strengthen regional collaboration to tackle security and developmental challenges in the Lake Chad Basin.

In his inaugural address, Babani underscored the importance of strengthening the MNJTF, the regional military coalition tasked with combating insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin.

He called for increased collaboration among troop-contributing countries and greater support from international partners, noting that sustained joint operations remain essential to degrading terrorist networks operating across porous borders.

He expressed gratitude to the Chairman of the LCBC Summit of Heads of State and Government, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, President of Chad, for supporting his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as other member states for endorsing his emergence.

Babani emphasised that peace and security would remain a top priority of his administration, particularly through enhanced support for the MNJTF, a regional military coalition combating insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin.

He called on troop-contributing countries to sustain active participation in joint operations, while also urging international partners to scale up support for counter-terrorism efforts.

Babani’s emphasis on strengthening the MNJTF reflects growing concerns over renewed insurgent activities across the Lake Chad region, especially in border communities spanning Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

The new LCBC boss paid tribute to his predecessor, Amb. Mamman Nuhu, acknowledging his leadership in stabilising the commission and advancing its core mandates.

Babani pledged to sustain and build on these achievements, while introducing reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and institutional performance.

He also disclosed plans to engage member states on the recovery of outstanding financial contributions, a move seen as vital for funding regional programmes and sustaining operations of the commission.

Babani has emphasised teamwork, dialogue and collaboration as guiding principles of his leadership, expressing confidence in the capacity of the LCBC and MNJTF teams to overcome prevailing challenges.

He also pledged to uphold due process and ensure inclusivity in decision-making, noting that collective ownership of the commission’s goals would drive its success.

Beyond security, Babani pointed out key priorities of the LCBC, including sustainable management of shared water resources, environmental conservation, regional economic integration and conflict prevention.

These areas are critical to addressing the root causes of instability in the Lake Chad Basin, where climate change, shrinking water resources and economic hardship have contributed to displacement and insecurity.

Development partners, including the European Union, the African Development Bank and the German development agency (GIZ), were acknowledged for their continued support to the commission’s programmes.

Babani’s investiture in N’Djamena, Republic of Chad, signals not just a change in leadership, but a renewed commitment by member states to confront the complex challenges confronting the basin through collective action and strengthened partnerships.

The Lake Chad Basin, shared by Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, has for over a decade remained at the epicentre of insurgency driven by extremist groups, alongside the devastating impact of climate change and dwindling water resources.

These challenges have combined to displace millions, disrupt livelihoods and strain already fragile governance structures across the region.
The dual role of Babani as head of both the LCBC and MNJTF places him at the intersection of security coordination and development planning—two critical pillars for stabilising the region.

Stakeholders noted that effective coordination among member states and sustained international backing remain critical to consolidating recent gains against terrorist groups. They argue that enhanced intelligence sharing, logistics support and joint planning will be crucial in maintaining pressure on such groups.

Beyond security, Babani highlighted the need to tackle underlying drivers of conflict, including poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation and competition over shrinking natural resources. The LCBC’s mandate, which spans water resource management, ecosystem conservation and economic cooperation, is seen as critical in addressing these issues.

Stakeholders say aligning these interventions with security efforts will be key to achieving sustainable peace in the region.

As Babani takes over the reins, expectations are high that his tenure will consolidate gains in regional security while advancing development initiatives that address the root causes of instability.

The Lake Chad Basin remains a region of strategic importance, not only for its member states but for the broader Sahel and West African sub-region.

How effectively the LCBC under Babani navigates the interplay between security and development may well shape the future of millions of people whose lives depend on the restoration of peace, stability and economic opportunity.

Babani assumes office as LCBC chief, pledges stronger regional security, cooperation

NAF personnel arrested for alleged killing in Port Harcourt

By: Zagazola Makama

A Nigerian Air Force officer has been arrested following the death of a man during an incident at NAF Harmony Estate along Eliozu Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, sources confirmed on Monday.

According to sources, at about 11:00 p.m. on March 14, LCPL Oton Uba Eli of the Nigerian Air Force, attached to the 115 Special Operations Group, apprehended David Ebuka, a 28-year-old dispatch rider, over possession of suspected hard drugs.

While at the scene, a man believed to be Ebuka’s superior, Joseph Iche Johnson, arrived, prompting a confrontation. During the argument, the Air Force officer reportedly discharged his firearm, fatally wounding Johnson.

The victim was taken to a military hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His body was later deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.

Both the dispatch rider and the Air Force officer have been taken into custody by the police as investigations continue.

Police said inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

NAF personnel arrested for alleged killing in Port Harcourt

EU Parliament calls for release of Niger’s ousted president Bazoum

By: Zagazola Makama

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Niger’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, and his wife, who have remained in detention since the 2023 Niger coup d’état.

Bazoum, who was democratically elected in Niger’s historic transfer of power in 2021, would have completed his first five-year term in April 2026 if he had not been overthrown by members of his presidential guard.

In a resolution adopted almost unanimously on Friday, the European Parliament condemned the continued detention of Bazoum and his wife by the military authorities currently ruling Niger, describing their detention as arbitrary.

The lawmakers urged the military junta to release the former president immediately and restore constitutional order in the country.

The resolution warned that the international community could consider further sanctions and legal measures against members of the military leadership if the situation persists.

Bazoum and his wife have been held in confinement since July 2023 when soldiers led by Abdourahamane Tiani, the former head of the presidential guard, overthrew the government and suspended the constitution.

The coup drew widespread condemnation from the international community, including ECOWAS, which initially threatened military intervention to restore democratic governance.

However, the proposed intervention was never carried out, and Bazoum has remained in detention while the military authorities consolidated power.

Political observers say the failure of regional and international efforts to secure Bazoum’s release has raised concerns about the weakening of democratic norms in parts of the Sahel.

The European Parliament said the continued detention of the former president represents a violation of democratic principles and human rights, warning that silence or indifference toward such actions could encourage unconstitutional changes of government elsewhere.

The resolution also highlighted the deteriorating political and security situation in Niger since the coup, noting that democratic gains and human rights protections have been undermined under military rule.

Meanwhile, critics have also raised questions about the silence of Mahamadou Issoufou, Bazoum’s long-time political ally and predecessor, who some analysts say has not publicly pressed strongly enough for Bazoum’s release despite their decades-long political relationship.

The European Parliament’s move could revive international attention on Bazoum’s detention and increase diplomatic pressure on the junta to release him and return Niger to constitutional governance.

They also urged African governments and institutions to play a more active role in defending democratic norms and supporting the restoration of civilian rule in Niger.

Bazoum’s supporters continue to call for stronger international mobilisation to secure his freedom and restore the democratic mandate given to him by the Nigerien electorate.

EU Parliament calls for release of Niger’s ousted president Bazoum