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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

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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

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

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NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe

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NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has trained 34 Community Protection Rights Advocates to protect and promote human rights in Gombe state.

Dr Joseph Wanshe, the State Coordinator of the Commission, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Monday.

Wanshe said that the training was imperative toward achieving the mandate of the commission in the state.

According to him, the trained advocates, who are mostly in rural areas, will penetrate distant and rural communities where human rights violations are rampant.

He said that the training has started yielding the expected results as there have been increased number of reported cases of human rights violations from rural communities across the state.

He said that the advocates have been deployed to the 11 local government areas of the state.

“We are witnessing an upsurge in human rights reporting coming to the office.

“ The numbers are increasing as regards civil and political rights followed by cases of women and children, domestic violence, economic, social and cultural rights.

“ There are many factors involved in the upsurge as the NHRC within the last one month has stepped up sensitisations and stakeholders’ engagements.

“ We have trained Community Protection Rights advocates, who have been working and as a result, awareness has increased and number of complaints received have spiked,” he said.

Wanshe said that the trained advocates have been affiliated to NHRC at the local government levels toward ensuring wider coverage of the state in terms of human rights protection.

He assured residents on the commission’s effort at ensuring that it achieved effectively its mandate of protection and promotion of human rights.

Wanshe commended the people of Gombe State for their improved confidence in NHRC which has resulted in improved reportage of human rights violations

He further urged communities to support the advocates in their domains in the overall interest of human rights protection.

NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe

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Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja

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Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja

Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted 11 suspected criminals conveying materials believed to be for the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

By: Zagazola Makama

Security sources said the suspects, comprising 10 males and one female, were arrested at about 12:59 a.m. on April 27 by troops of 176 Guards Battalion deployed at Kuchiyako.

The sources disclosed that the suspects were intercepted in a vehicle along the Kuchiyako–Tipper Garage road, allegedly loaded with IED-making materials.

According to preliminary investigation, the suspects claimed they were en route to mining sites around Kabbin Mangoro in Kuje Area Council to collect mineral resources.

Items recovered from them include explosive charges and three-and-a-half bags of unidentified mineral substances, among other sundry materials.

The suspects are currently in military custody, while investigations are ongoing to ascertain their intent and possible links to criminal or terrorist activities.

Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja

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Troops repel terrorists in Zamfara, recover calm after attack on Godel community

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Troops repel terrorists in Zamfara, recover calm after attack on Godel community

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army under 1 Brigade have repelled an attack by suspected terrorists in Godel community of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 2:08 p.m. on April 27 when troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kaura Namoda responded to credible intelligence on terrorist activities in the area.

The sources disclosed that troops made contact with the attackers upon arrival, leading to a fierce exchange of fire.

According to the sources, the troops forced the terrorists to withdraw from the area following the encounter.

However, during the attack, the assailants reportedly rustled an unspecified number of cattle belonging to residents of the community.

Three civilians were also said to have sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated for medical attention.

The sources added that troops have intensified patrols and clearance operations in the general area to prevent further attacks and recover the rustled livestock.

Troops repel terrorists in Zamfara, recover calm after attack on Godel community

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