Adamawa, Taraba Govts urged to take ownership of UNICEF’s interventions

By Ibrahim Kado

The UNICEF has tasked state governments to take leadership and ownership of its various interventions for the well-being of children.

Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, made the call on Tuesday at the 2025 review meetings in Yola.

“Looking at the horizon of financing globally coming to the different countries, my request is that governments should take more leadership and ownership”, she said.

Rafique said the meeting remained UNICEF’s standard procedure to review the whole annual work plan at the end of the year with the counterparts.

“So this process enables us to plan better for 2026 and have more innovative approaches to achieve more results and reach the hardest to reach areas and the last child.

“The state governments are the leaders leading the whole implementation in all sectors.”

She said UNICEF will continue to ensure that ownership and the leadership remains in the hands of the state governments, particularly in areas like health, nutrition, WASH, education, child protection, and social policy.

According to Rafique, wherever support is needed for data analysis and reports, UNICEF provides technical support to states.

Dr Tukura Nyigwa, Executive Secretary, Taraba Primary Healthcare Development Agency, appreciated UNICEF intervention and assured continued collaboration towards ensuring children receive better treatment.

“For us in Taraba, UNICEF has engaged all the stakeholders to impact the children’s life in the areas of immunisation, nutrition, child protection, education, among others.

“So UNICEF is at the forefront in these key areas and others that I didn’t mention”, he said.

Dr Garba Pella, Adamawa Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, also acknowledged the contribution of UNICEF as regards children’s well-being in the state.

He said the government and all partners are working together to ensure that no child is left behind.

“That is why the government introduced free healthcare for children in public facilities, free education and comfort for every child among others”, he said.

Pella further described the UNICEF template for collaboration as excellent and urged other NGOs to take a cue.

Adamawa, Taraba Govts urged to take ownership of UNICEF’s interventions

NSCDC TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CYBER CRIME PROHIBITION, PREVENTION ACT 2015 IN INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION OF OFFENDERS

By: Michael Mike

The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu has disclosed that henceforth, investigation and prosecution of offenders of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) would be carried out under relevant provisions, protection of CNII order, 2024.

Odumosu made the disclosure during a one day internal workshop to acquaint personnel of relevant department and units of the Command, such as ICT, Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, Intelligence and Investigation, Legal unit and personnel from the Area Commands and Divisions, with the provisions of the cybercrimes Acts and Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) order.

The workshop was convened in line with the directive of the Commandant General (CG), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni OFR, following the directive of the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on the application of the cyber crimes prohibition, prevention etc Act, 2015, in the prosecution of offences relating to Critical Information Infrastructure (CNII) as contained in the designation and protection of CNII order, 2024.

He said some individuals apprehended for vandalism or stealing CNII, like fiber optics cables, transmission towers, communication bases and switching stations with other ICT – related infrastructure are still being charged under conventional laws applicable to theft or malicious damage which has failed to address the National Security, Economic and Strategic implications of tampering with CNII.

The FCT Boss hinted that it was imperative to note that CNII comprises of Networks, systems, and facilities especially in telecommunications, finance, energy, transportation, and Defence whose disruption could compromise National Security, Economic and Public Safety.

The Commandant said CNII remains one of the core mandates of the Corps and all hands must be on deck to ensure that Critical National Assets and Infrastructure remains secured and capable of supporting the nation’s growth in this digital era.

“This gathering is not just a response to security threats but a proactive step towards fostering collaboration, innovation and strategic planning to safeguard our cultural heritage from vandalism”

“It must be clear that the Cybercrime law underscore the fact that attacks are no longer just physical – cutting cables, vandalizing installation but also digital or hybrid system interference, unauthorized access, data tampering”.

He urged all the participants to cascade the knowledge they have garnered to officers under them to ensure that vandalism is completely obliterated from the Capital Territory.

NSCDC TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CYBER CRIME PROHIBITION, PREVENTION ACT 2015 IN INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION OF OFFENDERS

NSCDC Arrests Kidnap Syndicate Along Zaria-Kano Highway

By: Michael Mike

Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a five-man syndicate who specializes in kidnapping, extortion, theft and criminal conspiracy and operate along Zaria-Kano road.

Briefing the journalists in Abuja, the Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad Commandant; Apollo Dandaura narrated the encounter with the notorious gang nabbed for committing brigandage and forcefully attacked one Sani Ahmad driving along Zaria to Kano and was flagged down by the gang on the account that there was danger ahead.

He said the victim, Sani Ahmad was compelled to stop the vehicle unknown to him that he was already in the hands of kidnappers who subsequently extorted valuables from him.

Sani Ahmad from his statement hinted that he is a journalist and on the said day, he was travelling with his friend, Mallam Haruna, his wife and child but the unfortunate incident happened after he dropped his friend and family in Zaria and continued his journey to Kano.

He said: “After insisting that I stopped the Car, they invaded my vehicle and picked my travelling bag, took 2 IPhones 12 Pro max, Techno Camon 40 pro and compelled me to transfer ₦300,000 through my Opay Account to an Opay account 9026238691 with the name Abdullahii Lawan Garba which was provided by one Ibrahim Abubakar after firing a gun to threaten my life”

Dandaura said the names of the suspected kidnappers are: Ibrahim Abubakar Garba, Umar Fulani, Aliyu Mohammed, Murtala Salisu and Imrana Hassan all male and have volunteered statements admitting their individual involvement in the heinous crime committed.

He said the following were recovered as exhibits from the suspects: 6 mini Smart phones, 1 IPhone 12 Pro max, 1 Techno Camon 40 Pro similar to the ones stolen from the victim at gun point already sold to Imrana Hassan; First Bank, Guarantee Trust Bank and Opay ATM cards, 1 Samsung Galaxy A15, 1 Infinix X6531B, 1 Itel keypad phone, Wrist Watches, Ear pods, Bangle, Rings and many other personal belongings.

He affirmed that thorough investigation is ongoing on the case and all suspects would appear before the Court of competent jurisdiction; he however warned travellers to be wary of late night movements noting that criminal minded persons are on rampage to extort innocent citizens most especially as the Yuletide season is very close.

NSCDC Arrests Kidnap Syndicate Along Zaria-Kano Highway