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Insecurity: Government At All Levels Must Wake Up to Their Responsibility, Deploy Dire Measures- ActionAid Nigeria
Insecurity: Government At All Levels Must Wake Up to Their Responsibility, Deploy Dire Measures- ActionAid Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria has expressed worries over the surge in insecurity in the country after the end of the election, insisting that government at all levels must wake up to their primary responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of her citizenry.
The non governmental organisation (NGO) also insisted that the depth of insecurity in the nation requires deploying dire measures like the use of technology for security surveillance, crime fighting and for track and rescue.
A signed statement on Wednesday by the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria. Ene Obi, read that: “ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has been following the unfolding killings in Kaduna and Jos and recently in Anambra with keen interest and has deemed it fit to address this, in addition to other emerging insecurity trends across the nation, that have led to displacement of families and communities and economic disruption in affected locations.
“Evidently, In the weeks leading to the general elections, insecurity was a noticeable reduced across the country but now seemingly rapidly increasing again with banditry, kidnapping, and livestock rustling with most of the incidents occurring in the middle belt and northern Nigeria, which represent the country’s farming belt.
“Worthy of mention is the killing of four Consulate workers and their Police Escorts in Anambra, the disturbing massacre of about 130 women and children in Jos and the unending killings in Southern Kaduna. We cannot also forget the reported killing of about 33 persons in Zango, Kataf in Southern Kaduna on the 16th of April 2023, the kidnapping of students at GSS in Kachia, Kaduna state alongside others and the abductions in Zamfara, Kaduna and other places across the nation. Sadly, on the aggregate, it is estimated that over ₦5 billion was paid as ransom to kidnappers over the last five years according to SBM Intelligence, indicating that the country’s kidnapping industry is witnessing an ugly boom.”
Ene added in the statement that: “The continuous rise in insecurity is dangerous to the economy and a turn-off to investors. The insecurity trend, particularly as a new administration takes over will not only decrease investors’ confidence, but it will eventually lead to a decline in foreign direct investment.
“Multinationals and other foreign investors in the country may begin to redirect their investments to more stable and secure locations that offer better protection for their resources and operation. A continuous attack on humanitarian workers as seen in Anambra may also disrupt delivery of aid and limit the ability of humanitarian workers to provide essential services to those in need.”
She said: “ActionAid Nigeria therefore calls on the Federal, State and Local Governments to wake up to their primary responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of her Citizenry. The depth of insecurity in the nation requires deploying dire measures like the use of technology for security surveillance, crime fighting and for track and rescue. All tiers of Government and the security agents are also reminded that the citizens are the cornerstone of a nation’s development, and their skills, labour, creativity, and active participation in social, economic, and political spheres are essential for driving progress, fostering innovation and building a prosperous and sustainable society.”
The NGO affirmed that kidnapping is a complex issue induced by various socio-economic factors such as hunger and poverty, insisting that: “Hence a comprehensive kinetic and non-kinetic approach that includes promoting digital financial transactions with the peculiarities of the rural and excluded communities considered, increased social interventions and effective law enforcement must be deepened across the nation.
“Citizens are also enjoined to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities and individuals to the appropriate authorities while also collaborating with relevant authorities in identifying kidnapping risks and preventive measures within their localities.”
Insecurity: Government At All Levels Must Wake Up to Their Responsibility, Deploy Dire Measures- ActionAid Nigeria
National News
Nigeria, China May Head for Diplomatic Row Over Shooting of Immigration Officer at Chinese Firm
Nigeria, China May Head for Diplomatic Row Over Shooting of Immigration Officer at Chinese Firm
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria is not taking lightly the shooting of an immigration officer at a Chinese firm in Jos, Plateau State.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who narrated the story,
The federal government has threatened a serious diplomatic row with the Republic of China over maltreatment of a Nigerian Immigration Service officer shot by a Chinese company in Nigeria for asking for the company’s expatriate list.
Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who narrated the story on Thursday in Abuja at a stakeholders sensitisation workshop on the implementation of the Nigeria Visa policy 2025, said Nigeria is not handling the matter with kid gloves as it would be taken up as a diplomatic issue.
Tunji-Ojo lamented that the development alone is an attack on Nigeria. It will never be condoned.
He said the Immigration officer, who was on official duty, had visited the Chinese company in Jos, Plateau state, to check the list of the company’s expatriates, but the owner of the company ordered a security officer in the premises to shoot the government official.
Tunji-Ojo said: “I won’t go to China as a Nigerian, open a company and tell my security to shoot a government official in uniform. It’s never done anywhere in the world.
“These officers put their lives on the line. These officers serve this country with their all. And you will not come from anywhere and ask them to shoot them in their fatherland.
“It will no longer happen. We will take it up with you. Because that company, we (Nigerian government) have the power to withdraw their business permit Nigeria and declare them illegal.”
He wondered how it had become an offence for an Immigration officer to visit a foreign company and demand to see their expatriate list.
He said: “It will not happen again. So we’re going to be very hard. We will not stop your business. We will not overburden your business. But don’t make us inferior in our own land. No, please.
“And we’re going to be very tough on this. Because talking to you, I’m not just talking with passion on this topic, I’m talking with a lot of anger, because that guy that was shot is a Nigeria that we all swore to protect by virtue of the laws of Nigeria, by the constitution. That Immigration guy was not shot by a terrorist, is a father, he is a son to somebody. He is a husband to somebody. That cannot happen anywhere in the world.
“We will not tolerate it. Please, no agent, no company is above the law,” the Minister declared
Nigeria, China May Head for Diplomatic Row Over Shooting of Immigration Officer at Chinese Firm
Nigeria Explores CNG Technology to Power Defence, Industrial Vehicle Fleets
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar has led a high-level delegation on a tour of UROVESA—a renowned Spanish manufacturer of military and industrial vehicles.
The visit focused on exploring potential collaboration in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technology for powering Nigeria’s defence and industrial vehicle fleets.
The minister was accompanied on the visit by key figures including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo; Presidential CNG Initiative representative, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi; Engr. Henry Oki; and the Special Assistant for Gas Business and Investment to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), where they all engaged in detailed discussions with UROVESA executives.
During the visit, Tuggar emphasized the longstanding trade ties between Nigeria and Spain, noting that Spain remains one of Nigeria’s top trading partners, with Nigerian crude oil exports reaching $3.64 billion in 2023.
He lauded UROVESA’s innovative approach to producing all-terrain, armoured, tactical, and logistical vehicles, and expressed Nigeria’s growing interest in and implementation of CNG-powered solutions.
Tuggar also highlighted Nigeria’s business-friendly economic reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which have positioned the country as a prime destination for investment in clean energy technologies. The discussions provided a valuable platform for further exploration of future collaborations between UROVESA and Nigeria’s Ministry of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) in CNG-powered vehicle production and supply.
According to a statement by the foreign affairs minister spokesman, Alkasim AbdulKadir, the engagement not only reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to a green energy future but also laid the groundwork for modernizing the nation’s defence and industrial fleets with environmentally friendly and cost-effective energy solutions.
He said the promising outcome of the discussions sets the stage for a strategic partnership that is expected to foster sustainable innovation and drive economic growth for both Nigeria and UROVESA.
Nigeria Explores CNG Technology to Power Defence, Industrial Vehicle Fleets
ECOWAS Hands Over Drug Rehabilitation Centre to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has handed over a drug rehabilitation center to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in North West Nigeria to enhance drug related treatments.
Handing over the facility, the Director Humanitarian and Social Affairs, ECOWAS Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, represented by Head of ECOWAS Drug Prevention and Control Division Dr. Daniel Amankwaah expressed the commitment of ECOWAS in fostering regional cooperation and providing technical and financial assistance to member states in tackling substance abuse.
He explained that, the renovated and equipped facility stands as a symbol of ECOWAS shared responsibility to protect public health, promote human dignity, and offer a second chance to those struggling with drug dependence.
He said: “As ECOWAS officially hand over this facility which was funded through ECOWAS own resources, we reaffirm our commitment to expanding access to quality drug treatment services and strengthening the resilience of our communities across West Africa.”
According to him, the ECOWAS Commission, under its drug prevention and control programme launched the support to its Member States to build or renovate their drug treatment centres.
He said: “the project targets all Member States to have at least one national drug treatment centre. So far, 8 centres in 6 Member States have been completed. Additional 12 centres are currently at various stages of construction. In Nigeria, 4 centres have been completed and additional 3 are at various stages.”
He expressed confidence that, the the facility will contribute to improving social functioning, by reducing the harmful effects of substance use, and enhancing the quality of life for people who use Drugs (PWUDs).
The Chief Medical Director Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Professor Abdurrahman Abba -Sheshe while thanking ECOWAS for the projects, described drug addiction and substance abuse as a pandemic that requires the support of the regional body.
He expressed confidence that, the well equiped facility will transform lives of addicts.
“I commend the NDLEA for their efforts in the fight against drug abuse not only in Kano state but the entire country. It requires all to achieve the desired results.”
The Commander of Narcotics National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency NDLEA Kano State Ahmad Idris, informed the gathering that, the Kano command successfully counseled and rehabilitated over 100 in clients in 2024 representing a 43% increase from 2023 with significant increase in the campaigns against drug abuse
He noted that, the intensified War Against Drug Abuse WADA activities have contributed to the growth in the rate of client counseling.
“As ECOWAS continues to work towards its vision of a united, prosperous West Africa, its efforts in combating drug addiction will be critical in creating a brighter, healthier future for the region.”
ECOWAS Hands Over Drug Rehabilitation Centre to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
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