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ECOWAS Needs to be Kept Intact to Fight Threat of Terrorism in West Africa, Insists Kofi Annan Institute
ECOWAS Needs to be Kept Intact to Fight Threat of Terrorism in West Africa, Insists Kofi Annan Institute
By: Michael Mike
The Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Maj.-Gen. Richard Gyane has said that should dissatisfied members of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) allowed to exit the economic bloc, the growing terrorism in the subregion may become more difficult to manage.
He also said the threat of terrorism has made it imperative to build the capacity of women and youth to tackle the menace in the subregion
Gyane raise the alarm at the opening ceremony of a Mobile Training course on Women, Youth, and Violent Extremism and Terrorism, organised by KAIPTC in collaboration with the Norwegian Government, on Monday in Abuja.
According to Gyane, the training aims at building the capacities of women and youth in Nigeria to be more resilient against the threat of Violent Extremism and Terrorism (VET).
Gyane while explaining that ECOWAS has done remarkably well in tackling the threat of terrorist group, insisted that to squarely deal with the threats of extremists and terrorists, a multi-faceted approach is needed with everyone contributing in the mix.
He said that it would be more difficult to tackle terrorism should the Sahel state allowed to exit ECOWAS since terrorism groups are more pronounce in the Sahelian states, they would have easy passage into other parts of the subregion as collaboration to wage war against them would be severely affected.
He explained that heavy-handed tactics by security forces have sown distrust among and within local communities in some countries, making women and youth more vulnerable to exploitation and recruitment by terrorists.
The commandant said that terrorist groups exploited latent ethnic animosities, mistrust of security forces, and the absence of state presence in certain parts of the littoral countries to enhance their agenda.
He explained that the training developed by KAIPTC for women and youth, which was the sixth edition, would equip the beneficiaries with requisite knowledge skills and resilience against VET.
He said: “As we gather here today, it is clear that VET continues to escalate at an alarming rate in coastal states of West Africa.
“This is terrifying for citizens, especially women, youth, and children, although what we see is just the tip of the iceberg.
“As such, there is a need for partners to remain committed in this fight against VET by building the resilience of their main targets (women, youth, and vulnerable communities), to prevent and counter the recruitment processes of these VET groups.
“It is obvious that there is a critical need to build the resilience and capacity of women and youth to also support the efforts of security practitioners in achieving this unity of purpose.
“KAIPTC collaborates with its key and strategic partners to organise VET-related courses both at the centre and as Mobile Training Teams (MTTs), because the fight against VET is not only for security practitioners but for all,” he said.
Gyane said that as security responses to the threat of VET ramped up, the ability of governments in the littoral countries to avoid the mistakes of their counterparts in the Sahel (Mali and Burkina Faso) was critical.
He explained that KAIPTC preferred to teach participants through collaborative problem-based learning methodology and based on peer learning.
Gyane urged them to be actively involved in the training and offering informed suggestions to address the VET threat regionally.
The Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) Dr Joseph Ochogwu, who declared the training opened, said the institute was glad to identify with KAIPTC, adding that the strategic course was timely.
Ochogwu said that women and youth were the worst hit by the menace of violent extremism and terrorism particularly due to their high level of vulnerability.
“My presence here today to join forces with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and Norwegian Government in the swift conduct of this strategic Course, is a testament of our resolve to achieving a nation and continent devoid of violent extremism and terrorism.
“It is my earnest belief and the belief of the entire team at IPCR that working together, we can create a safer and more secure future for our nation and the entire West African region.
“I have no doubt in my mind that this five-day event will achieve its overarching goals of equipping the participants with the requisite knowledge and skills to combat Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Nigeria, Sahel Region and Africa as a whole,” the IPCR DG said.
He added that the array of experienced resource persons participating in the course was proof that all stakeholders were determined to stamp out VET for regional stability, integration, sustainable development and global peace.
ECOWAS Needs to be Kept Intact to Fight Threat of Terrorism in West Africa, Insists Kofi Annan Institute
Ayomide Adeleye in Our Custody, Says
NCoS
By: Michael Mike
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has said Ayomide Adeleye, an inmate awaiting trial is safe and detained at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison in Lagos.
A statement on Monday by the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service. Abubakar Umar, a Deputy Controller of Corrections, said there was no truth to the story in media that the whereabouts of the inmate was unknown
The statement read: “A misleading report in some sections of the media concocting that an Awaiting Trial Person, Ayomide Adeleye, ‘is not in prison,’ has come to the attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
“To set the records straight, the said inmate aged 23 years with Custody Number: S-1995/24 was remanded at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kiri-kiri, Lagos, for offence of kidnapping and murder on the 26th September 2024 by Magistrate Court 13A, Ogba, Lagos state, and was produced to same court on 16 December, 2024.
“On the said date he was produced in court, the presiding magistrate ordered that he remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending advice by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP). The Service wishes to categorically state that the said inmate is still in the custody of the MSCC Kirikiri, Lagos, as ordered by the court, against the information being peddled by the mischievous report.
“To further clarify, there was an inmate that has a similar name that was admitted at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos State on 6 March, 2024, upon a warrant issued by Magistrate Court 15A Ogba, Lagos state, for the offence of theft. The inmate was discharged on 4th April, 2024 by the order of the court on the mentioned date.
“It is clear that the report was targeted at misleading the general public and bringing the image of the Service to disrepute. Media reporters are advised to confirm their information from appropriate quarters before going to press, to avoid dishing out falsehood to the public.”
Umar added that: “The Service wishes to request the general public to discountenance the said report as it is written by arm-chair reporters who could have done due diligence by confirming their information before publication.”
He noted that: “The Acting Controller General of Corrections (Ag. CGC) Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche MFR, mni, therefore assures that the Service is working tirelessly to ensure safe and humane custody of all legally interned persons, while ensuring they are properly reformed, rehabilitated and resettled back to their various communities.”
Ayomide Adeleye in Our Custody, Says
NCoS
Yobe: Governor Mala signs persons with disabilities law
By: Yahaya Wakili
The Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, CON, COMN, has signed into law the bill that establishes the Yobe State Commission for Persons with Disabilities passed by the state legislature.
This was contained in a release issue and signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, Alhaji Buba Garba. Lawan shares news with newsmen in Damaturu.
“Governor Buni’s establishment of the commission for persons with disabilities will ensure the effective coordination of the needs and activities of the group.
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He said the commission will cater to the welfare of persons with disabilities, so as to enable them to contribute their quota towards the progress and development of the society, adding that, in every society, “disabilities are abilities.
The establishment of the commission expressed Governor Buni’s show of concern over the plight of the persons with disabilities so as to give them a sense of belonging as members of the large society.
Meanwhile, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has put smiles on the faces of pensioners in the state.
The administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni will continue to provide welfare packages to civil servants to enhance productivity in service, and retirees will reap the fruit of their labor.
The governor gave the assurance at a public forum in Damaturu. He said the increment in pensioners take-home pay by #32,000 has put smiles on the faces of retirees in Yobe state.
He explained that the payment of the new minimum wage in the month of December, 2024, has raised upwards the purchasing power of pensioners to cushion the effects of the current economic realities in the country.
Governor Buni further said that the increment in the wage enjoyed by retirees is the first time since the creation of Yobe state. Noted that the gesture extended to retirees is to improve the living standards in their retirement life.
Yobe: Governor Mala signs persons with disabilities law
Three Nigerian Nationals in Saudi Arabia Detention for Alleged Drug Trafficking Released
By: Michael Mike
Three Nigerians arrested and prosecuted for drug trafficking on 5th March 2024 in Saudi Arabia has been released after spending 10 months in detention.
The trio are Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah and Fatima Kannai Gamboi and were at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Azeez International Airport Madinah, Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking.
Announcing their release in a statement on Sunday, the acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that three Nigerian nationals, Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah and Fatima Kannai Gamboi, arrested and prosecuted for drug trafficking on 5th March 2024 at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Azeez International Airport Madinah, Saudi Arabia, has been released after spending 10 months in detention.
“The arrest of the three women was a result of the earlier arrest of two Nigerian nationals who were found in possession of 80 capsules of cocaine weighing 900.28 grammes and 70 capsules of cocaine weighing 789.5 grammes, respectively. The women were detained by the Saudi authorities on suspicion of being accomplices and abating the trafficking of the banned substance found on the aforementioned arrested Nigerians.”
The spokesperson added that: “The Ministry wishes to recall that the trio’s arrest attracted much attention in the Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. Their successful release was achieved after prolonged diplomatic and legal engagements, which culminated in their discharge and acquittal, as well as subsequent handover to the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Jedda.
“The ladies were received by Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, the Honourable Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah and currently awaiting relevant immigration processes for their return to Nigeria to reunite with their families.”
Three Nigerian Nationals in Saudi Arabia Detention for Alleged Drug Trafficking Released
Governor Zulum Decorates ADC With New Rank of Superintendent of Police
Ayomide Adeleye in Our Custody, SaysNCoS
Yobe: Governor Mala signs persons with disabilities law
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