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FG Says Should Europe Give Nigeria one Percent of Assistance to Ukraine, Banditry and Tourism Would be a Thing of the Past
FG Says Should Europe Give Nigeria one Percent of Assistance to Ukraine, Banditry and Tourism Would be a Thing of the Past
By: Michael Mike
The federal government on Wednesday called on the European Union to increase its assistance to the nation’s battle against insecurity, noting that should a percent of assistance going to Ukraine to ward off the aggression from Russian be given to Nigeria, the country would be free of the threats of terrorism and banditry.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar made the statement at the Road to Schuman Security Conference jointly organised by the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS and the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the ECOWAS Commission.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana noted that it is the time for the world to come together to fight terrorism, insisting that what affects one part of the world affect the others.
He said no one would have thought 25 years ago that Nigeria would ever be bedeviled by this level of insecurity, adding that suicide bombing was never thought of in Nigeria decades ago.
He said: “If Nigeria gets one percent of the support given to Ukraine to fight back Russia, we would be free of terrorism.”
He decried the recent military coups in some West African countries, particularly in Niger which is currently under a military junta, and called for the support of all to address the situation.
He noted that Nigeria had no better or bigger neighbour than Niger, and as such there was need for the forum to discuss how to put an end to coup in Africa.
He never ruled out the believe that Nigeria was planning to storm Niger to push out the military junta, stating that Nigeria has the capacity to do that but on second thought decided against it.
He said: “We have the capacity to send troop to Niger but we looked critically at the issues and followed the path of Schuman, the path of peace.”
According to him, Nigeria would continue to work with the EU and the Schuman Forum to end insecurity in West Africa, particularly those nations that are under the military junta, while also calling for good governance and job creation for the youth in Africa.
He said: “This forum is an avenue to find out the causes of coup in Africa and proffer possible solutions.”
The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Major General Adamu Laka called for conserted efforts of all stakeholders and partners to address the current and emerging security threats so as to enhance national development, he said not only in Nigeria but in the ECOWAS region as a whole.
The National Coordinator who said that the event was aimed at enhancing effective partnership in the changing security dynamics of the world, added that the crucial situation of the country in the multi-faceted security situation informed the deployment of whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches towards enhancing national responses to emerging security threats in the country.
He thanked the EU for its commitment to ensuring peace and security is maintained in Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.
Also, leader of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Amb. Samuela Isopi said the meeting was to aggregate views and assessment on the main peace, security and defence challenges threatening Nigeria as a nation and its regional environment.
Isopi stressed that in view of the evolving global security landscape, the meeting would discuss how to nourish and shape a tailored security and defence partnership between Nigeria and the EU. ‘No one can afford to work in isolation,’ she said.
In the afternoon session between EU and ECOWAS, titled Reducing Vulnerabilities through Partnerships- a Stakeholders’ Engagement on Regional Defence and Security Perspectives, the ECOWAS Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah that the coup detat and subsequent withdrawal of three countries from the sub regional body has complicated the fight against terrorism in West Africa.
He noted that $2.4 billion is planned to put in place an anti-terrorism outfit in West Africa, noting that the whole region would be in trouble if terrorism is allowed to fester.
He said the three countries would have announced their exit from the regional bloc, is still not seen as non-members, stating that “they are still considered as members of ECOWAS until January next year.”
He said we want the countries back for they are important to the Community.
Musah said ECOWAS was ready to work with EU to ensure peace return to the region.
The meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria was a prelude to the Schuman Security and Defence Forum coming up on 28 and 29 May, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium where Nigeria is expected to participate alongside 27 EU member States, 60 partner countries and international organisations.
FG Says Should Europe Give Nigeria one Percent of Assistance to Ukraine, Banditry and Tourism Would be a Thing of the Past
News
Armed bandits kill man, abduct nine in macitta village, niger state
Armed bandits kill man, abduct nine in macitta village, niger state
By: Zagazola Makama
Nine people were abducted and one man killed when armed bandits attacked Macitta village in Mariga Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State late Wednesday night, sources confirmed.
Sources said that around 11:30 p.m., a large group of armed bandits entered the community via Kotonkoro District, shooting sporadically. One of the residents, Aliyu Dan Tsohon Soja, 35, was shot dead during the attack. The identities of the nine abducted victims are yet to be confirmed.
Security forces , local vigilantes, and hunters were mobilized to the area, and the body of the deceased was evacuated to the General Hospital, Bangi, for autopsy. Efforts are ongoing to track down the attackers and ensure the safe rescue of the kidnapped individuals.
Authorities have urged residents to remain alert and report any information that may assist in the rescue operations and apprehension of the bandits.
Armed bandits kill man, abduct nine in macitta village, niger state
News
Three children die in bush fire while grazing cattle in Mokwa, Niger state
Three children die in bush fire while grazing cattle in Mokwa, Niger state
By: Zagazola Makama
Three children lost their lives after being engulfed by fire while grazing cattle in Tungan-Noma village, Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State on Wednesday, sources confirmed.
According to sources, the children Huzairu (12), Aliru (11), and Kabiru Surajo (12) went out for cattle grazing around 12:30 p.m. and entered a deep gully in the bush.
They reportedly set dried grasses on fire in an attempt to trap small bush animals. Unfortunately, the flames spread rapidly, trapping the children and preventing their escape.
The lifeless bodies were recovered and evacuated to the General Hospital, Mokwa, for autopsy. Authorities visited the scene to assess the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The incident draw attention to the dangers children face in rural areas, particularly when engaging in outdoor activities without supervision.
Parents have been urged to exercise caution and ensure children’s safety during such activities.
Three children die in bush fire while grazing cattle in Mokwa, Niger state
News
Police foil kidnap attempt on Benin-Lagos expressway, rescue 14 victims
Police foil kidnap attempt on Benin-Lagos expressway, rescue 14 victims
By: Zagazola Makama
Fourteen passengers, including four juveniles, were rescued after an attempted kidnap by armed gunmen along the Benin–Lagos Expressway at Isiuwa, Edo State, police sources confirmed on Wednesday.
The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m., when about 20 gunmen, divided into three groups, emerged from the bush and opened sporadic fire on moving vehicles.
The assailants attempted to attack policemen stationed at a checkpoint but were repelled by responding officers, who coordinated with the Operation Rescue Team, CP Intelligence Squad (Buffalo Team), and Nigerian soldiers.
Two Toyota Sienna vehicles were targeted. One, with registration number RSH 210 CH, was carrying seven passengers from Imo State to Ondo State, while the second, AME 211 YL, carried six passengers.
Police stormed the bush where the gunmen had taken the victims, successfully rescuing ten adults and four juveniles. The rescued included Frederick God Bless, Prosper Admijom, Oluyemi Bolu, Amoo Muyiwa, Ifoma Uchije, Daniel Chibuzo, Solomon Audu, Samuel Chibuke, Kemi Olayiwola, Ugochukwu Irozuruike, and juveniles Chidera Ochije, Augustine Ochije, Chukwuka Ochije, and Obiakor Chisom.
During the chaos, one Abba Adam, a conductor of a Howo truck with registration DED 638 XB, jumped out of his vehicle and was struck by an oncoming truck, dying on the spot. His body was recovered and deposited at Emiloju Medical Center, Okada Junction.
Three passengers are still missing, and search efforts are ongoing. Some of the rescued victims have since continued their journey safely.
Police foil kidnap attempt on Benin-Lagos expressway, rescue 14 victims
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