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Killings: Lawmakers knock Buhari, President meets security chiefs

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Killings: Lawmakers knock Buhari, President meets security chiefs

Killings: Lawmakers knock Buhari, President meets security chiefs

The opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly on Thursday said there was no going back on their plan to impeach the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, if he failed to resolve the insecurity in the country within six weeks.

The lawmakers, consisting of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Grand Alliance members, contended that insecurity had reached the peak under Buhari’s regime.

They spoke about the same time that the President was meeting the nation’s security chiefs under the auspices of the National Security Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

This happened as bandits again raided Pinau village in the Wase Local Government of Plateau state and killed six persons.

But restating their six-week ultimatum to the President at a press briefing in Abuja, the opposition lawmakers said they were tired of the worsening insecurity in the country and could no longer keep quiet over the state of the nation.

Addressing journalists after a closed-door session, the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu said they were ready to fight the President ‘tooth and nail until the insecurity issues had been resolved.’

Elumelu said, “They (Senators) have given six to eight weeks for Mr. President to address the insecurity that is, of course, affecting this nation, and I want to also join on behalf of my colleagues, also to say that upon the expiration, we will proffer ways of ensuring that we will gather all the signatures.”

Buttressing his Senate colleagues, Elumelu said that the ultimatum was beyond the issue of the opposition party but a unanimous agreement between the lawmakers.

He said, “And let me make it clear. Those who are thinking that it is only the issue of the PDP or the minority caucus, no. Many of our colleagues under the bipartisanship are affected. Many of them are affected. So, they may not be speaking but we may be speaking for them. And when the time comes, everyone will come out.”

Elumelu also responded to the comment by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu on Wednesday night where he described the impeachment threat as “performative and babyish antics”, stating that time would show the President the reality.

Elumelu said, “I heard somebody this morning saying it is a laughable attempt. Perhaps, when the action starts, the person will find out that it’s not a laughable action. It’s real and we will not stand to allow this nation to collapse. We think that it is high time the insecurity of this nation is addressed.

“The nation has been awash with what happened yesterday (Wednesday) in the Senate where our colleagues had to walk out in protest as to the state of the nation as regards to the issue of insecurity in the nation. Concurrently, even though we did not do it exactly the way they did it, we also drew the House attention as to what is happening in Nigeria, most importantly in FCT.’’

Elumelu further lamented that the problems of the country were too enormous and if they didn’t rise to the occasion, the nation was on the verge of collapsing.

He said, “ And of course, we also have the issue of oil theft which has risen, now making it difficult for us to earn income from oil revenue.

“And these and many others are the reasons we are joining our colleagues in the Senate to ask Mr. President to address the insecurity of this nation within six and eight weeks. Otherwise, we will find the constitutional means to ensure that we serve him an impeachment notice.’’

Senate Minority leader

Earlier, the Senate Minority leader, Philip Aduda also noted that they were not rescinding their decision to impeach the president if he failed to meet their demands.

He said, “Our actions yesterday (Wednesday) were spontaneous from the issues that were raised on the floor of the Senate. I am sure that members of the press must have interacted with our various colleagues to know that this issue is not just about the PDP caucus but it is a bipartisan issue.

“We all agreed that the security architecture is failing and there is a need to salvage it immediately and we also agreed that we must issue; for some who do not know, the issue is to issue an impeachment notice to the President because the primary responsibility of the government is the protection of lives of the citizens. Once that is not done, then, there is a problem.”

The senator further said that they had invited their colleagues at the house to further explain things to them and know where they stand on the issue.

Also, the Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District, Gershom Bassey, said that they were committed to ending the security issues in the country, and if the President didn’t solve the challenges, they wouldn’t have a choice but to use the constitution.

“This six-week (ultimatum) is just the last straw; we have been giving this recommendation, motions, and budgetary support since 2018. We have been talking about insecurity since 2017,’’ he noted.

Also, the lawmaker representing Osun East Senatorial district, Senator Francis Fadahunsi said that the senators including some from the ruling party, had agreed on serving the impeachment notice but some people were still trying to serve their personal interest and were resisting the decision of the Senate.

The PUNCH on Wednesday reported that Senator Smart Adeyemi of Kogi West, Senator Bulkachuwa Muhammed of Bauchi North and Senators are the APC senators who have openly declared their support for the President’s impeachment.

Plateau attack

Confirming the latest bandit attack, residents of Pinau community said the hoodlums arrived in the area around 3:pm on Wednesday, shooting sporadically, which led to the death of the six persons while many others were injured.

Garba Kasuwa, who escaped the attack, said the bandits came in large numbers on motorcycles carrying heavy guns.

He said “Before the arrival of the bandits, hundreds of residents of the community had already fled because of the fear of being attacked and that is why the casualty figure is not much. The few ones that remained, some were killed; about six of them. The bandits on arrival asked people to lock themselves in their rooms.

“They broke our shops and stole food items and other properties. They also kidnapped some people. The situation is pathetic.”

The Spokesman for the Military Taskforce, Operation Safe Haven in charge of maintaining peace in the state, Major Ishaku Takwa, however, said that troops of the taskforce had been deployed in the community to restore calm.

Before the attack , the residents of the community had raised the alarm over their safety following the withdrawal of soldiers from the area, a development that forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes to neighbouring villages.

“I will call you later on the incident because I’m right now in a meeting with the Force PPRO”, the police public relations officer of the Plateau state command ,Alabo Alfred told The PUNCH in Jos, when contacted.

In a related development, the Defence Headquarters has urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, not to panic on account of the terrorist attack on the Presidential Brigade Guards on Sunday in which eight personnel were killed.

The incident led to the hasty closure of schools by the Federal Government and the Federal Capital Territory Administration, sparking apprehension among residents.

But speaking at the bi-weekly briefing on troops’ activities on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Bernard Onyeuko claimed 30 terrorists were killed during the attack on the troops.

He added, ”Troops of 7 Guards Battalion and 167 Special Force Battalion in conjunction with the air component of ‘Operation Whirl Punch’ conducted a clearance patrol around Bwari general area between 24 – 26 July 2022. Troops successfully cleared Kawu and Ido villages.

“Consequently, about 30 terrorists were neutralized and their enclave and hideout destroyed. Ground troops also recovered six motorcycles, two AK47 rifles, one fully loaded LMG magazine, amongst others, during the mop up.”

Reacting to allegations that troops were benefiting from the ransoms paid by abducted victims, the Director, Defence Information Major General Jimmy Akpor said the military high command was unaware of the development.

Meanwhile, the commander of the Vigilance Group of Nigeria in Bwari area council, Titus Awyebemye, killed during the attack on the presidential Guards Brigade has been buried on Thursday.

CAN warns

Also, the outgoing President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, has admonished the President to holistically address the security challenges in the country.

Ayokunle, who stated this during a valedictory church service held in his honour in Abuja on Thursday, stressed that the insecurity in the country was no longer a child’s play.

Commenting on the security situation, the presidential candidate of the PDP and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has assured the people of Zamfara State that rescue is on the way.

The National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd), while speaking with journalists after the National Security Council meeting, said the President and the security agents were aware of the dire security challenges facing the country.

Monguno said, “We are in a very difficult situation and the Council understands. Mr President understands people’s concerns about the growing insecurity. But I can assure you that there’s no straight cut and dried method of dealing with this thing unless all of us embrace each other.

“I know people are weary, people are tired, people are beginning to gravitate to other places for self-help. The truth is that help is rooted in everyone working for the other person.”

According to him, the Security Council has agreed on new strategies to curtail the menace, assuring Nigerians that there will be a renewed momentum against terrorism.

He explained: “Again, the members of the armed forces have made a commitment that in the coming weeks, they have already started working on a new strategy to deal with these snippets of violence.

“And they’ve given their word, their commitment to the President that there will be a change in momentum, regardless of the fact that there might be certain institutional limitations which they face. But they understood the enormity of the responsibilities.”

The NSA also revealed that Council will soon conclude its special investigation on the July 5 Kuje Correctional Center attack and would punish those who, by neglect of duty, allowed the massive escape.

“Council is in the process of winding up the Special Investigative Panel on the Kuje incident. And the idea is to come up with recommendations, hold those who are supposed to be held accountable for their deeds and to ensure that this type of thing never ever, ever happens again in this country,” Monguno stated.

Citing last Friday night’s attack on the 7 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army Presidential Guards Brigade, the NSA argued that no country can win an asymmetric warfare without the help of its citizens.

Monguno argued that the casualties could have been avoided if citizens were more generous with information.

PUNCH

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PRESIDENT TINUBU AT 9TH INT’L ENERGY SUMMIT: Nigeria Stands Ready With Africa, Global Partners To Deliver Secure, Affordable, Cleaner Energy

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February 3, 2026

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PRESIDENT TINUBU AT 9TH INT’L ENERGY SUMMIT: Nigeria Stands Ready With Africa, Global Partners To Deliver Secure, Affordable, Cleaner Energy

Says energy remains central to peace, prosperity, global stability, unity among communities

By: Our Reporter

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with African nations, global partners and the private sector to deliver cleaner, affordable, inclusive, and more secure energy.

He said energy plays a critical role as the invisible force holding the modern world together, as well as the quiet architecture of balance among nations, the unseen hand that steadies economies and sustains societies.

The Nigerian leader stated this on Tuesday in Abuja when he declared open the 9th Nigeria International Energy Summit that was well attended by heads of delegation and senior government officials from across the globe, as well as leaders of international energy organizations, chief executives of global and indigenous energy companies, development finance institutions, and representatives of host communities.

President Tinubu, who was represented at the summit by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, observed that while energy remains central to peace, prosperity, and global stability, Nigeria is focusing heavily on utilizing its vast gas reserves as a transition fuel and expanding renewable energy capacity.

“Energy must unite communities, stabilize economies, and secure futures. It must power factories, illuminate homes, fuel innovation, and build trust between government, investors, and citizens.

“Nigeria stands ready to collaborate with Africa, global partners, and the private sector to deliver energy that is secure, affordable, cleaner, and inclusive,” he declared.

The Nigerian leader recalled that even though his administration inherited an energy sector that was rich in potential in 2023, the sector was “constrained by inefficiencies, uncertainty, and prolonged underinvestment.

“We set to work without fanfare, guided by the clear understanding that energy cannot be treated simply as an economic commodity if stability is our goal. Energy is a catalyst for national security, industrial growth, social inclusion, and regional cooperation,” he noted.

President Tinubu assured that his government was fully committed to “building an energy system that delivers reliability, transparency, sustainability, and shared prosperity.”

Outlining efforts by his administration to boost the energy sector, the President said his administration sustained and deepened the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, consolidating its role as the live wire of sector reform and strengthened regulatory institutions to ensure clarity of roles, transparency, and investor confidence.

He continued: “Under our watch, Nigeria’s upstream activity recorded a historic rebound. Rig counts rose from eight rigs in 2021 to sixty-nine rigs by late 2025, reflecting renewed exploration and drilling momentum.

“The sector secured Final Investment Decisions exceeding eight billion United States dollars, including major offshore gas developments involving global energy companies. Foreign direct investment into the oil and gas subsector rebounded strongly, driven by regulatory certainty, fiscal reforms, and improved operating conditions.”

Under his watch, President Tinubu said crude oil theft, which had been a major constraint on production and revenue, declined significantly due to enhanced security coordination, surveillance, and regulatory enforcement, adding that the efforts paid off, as they restored operational stability and improved Nigeria’s production reliability in international markets.

Apart from deliberate leadership appointments across key regulatory and development institutions that reinforced professionalism, accountability, and institutional effectiveness, the President stated that “early reforms, most notably fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange liberalization, repositioned the sector’s economics, improved market efficiency, and enhanced long-term investment attractiveness.

“While these measures required national sacrifice, they laid the foundation for sustainability, fiscal resilience, and investor confidence. Industry stakeholders and independent experts have described these reforms as transformational, aligning Nigeria’s energy sector with global best practices,” he added.

Formally declaring the 9th Nigeria International Energy Summit open, the Nigerian leader implored participants “to engage constructively, invest confidently, and partner purposefully with Nigeria.”

Earlier, Gambian President, Adama Barrow, observed that Nigeria’s policies have implications far beyond its borders, noting that working together through strategic partnerships is key to regional solutions and energy security.

President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, maintained that Africa must cease to be merely an exporter of raw materials and focus on processing them for the betterment of future generations.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in a speech that was read on his behalf, averred that in Africa, energy is not just about resources but about inclusive and sustainable prosperity.

He assured that the National Assembly is ready to work with relevant stakeholders through legislative backing, agreeing that when the energy system works, the economy grows more resilient.

On his part, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), said the gathering was a call to action to make energy a champion for advancement.

He commended the Dangote Refinery, BUA, and other refiners for making significant investments in Nigeria’s energy sector.

For his part, Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), noted that while collaboration is essential in building a reliable energy system, President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is already positioning gas as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy security.

He assured that the government was strengthening oil and gas stability while supporting regional integration and building on the meaningful gains recorded in the sector.

Speaking on behalf of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Aradel Holdings Plc, Adegbite Falade, said gas production in Nigeria has grown significantly since 2025, with indigenous producers increasingly allowed to thrive.

According to him, under the leadership of Mr President, requisite reforms and executive orders have been approved, thereby increasing local ownership in the sector.

The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd. (Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited), Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, also lent his voice, stressing that Africa is at a turning point in the energy sector.

He said Nigeria is well positioned to lead this charge, with over 37 billion barrels of oil potential, making the country an emerging global energy powerhouse.

PRESIDENT TINUBU AT 9TH INT’L ENERGY SUMMIT: Nigeria Stands Ready With Africa, Global Partners To Deliver Secure, Affordable, Cleaner Energy

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Marwa Seeks Nationwide Backing for Alternative Development to Curb Illicit Drug Cultivation

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11 hours ago

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February 3, 2026

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Marwa Seeks Nationwide Backing for Alternative Development to Curb Illicit Drug Cultivation

By: Michael Mike

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), has called for a coordinated national response to illicit drug cultivation, urging broad support for Nigeria’s newly introduced alternative development programme.

Marwa made the appeal at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, where he highlighted the need for sustained collaboration among government institutions, communities, development partners and the private sector to ensure the success of the initiative.

The alternative development programme, the first of its kind in Africa, was recently launched as a pilot scheme in three cannabis-producing communities — Ilu Abo, Ifon and Eleyewo — in Ondo State.

According to Marwa, the initiative is designed to address the root causes of illicit drug production by providing lawful and sustainable economic opportunities for affected communities.

Explaining the strategy, the NDLEA boss said the programme extends beyond replacing cannabis with other crops, adding that it promotes rural economic growth, strengthens agricultural value chains, improves food security and reduces the pressure on law enforcement and the criminal justice system. He noted that the approach also contributes to peace and social stability in areas previously linked to drug-related crime.

Marwa, while describing the pilot phase as encouraging, said the level of acceptance by host communities and traditional leaders demonstrated the effectiveness of community-driven solutions. He explained that residents have embraced the programme as a dignified pathway to improved livelihoods, reduced poverty and enhanced local security.

Marwa stressed that Nigeria’s drug challenge, particularly cannabis cultivation and use, necessitated a shift from enforcement-only measures to development-focused interventions endorsed by the United Nations.

He cited findings from the 2018 National Drug Use Survey, which indicated that over 14 million Nigerians had used psychoactive substances within a one-year period, with cannabis accounting for the highest level of use.

He further revealed that cannabis remains the most prevalent illicit drug in Nigeria, with millions of users nationwide and thousands of hectares of land under cultivation, particularly in forested areas of the South-West. According to him, these cultivation sites are often linked to organized criminal networks that supply both local and cross-border markets.

The NDLEA chairman warned that widespread cannabis production and consumption pose serious public health, social and security risks, especially for young people. He disclosed that more than three-quarters of all illicit drugs seized by the agency in the last five years were cannabis, underscoring the scale of the problem.

Despite the challenge, Marwa expressed optimism that the alternative development programme could significantly reduce illicit cultivation if backed by strong political will and sustained stakeholder support. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of security, agriculture and community development.

Marwa commended both local and international partners for supporting the pilot project, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, agricultural research institutions and development organizations from several countries. He also acknowledged the support of the Ondo State Government and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

He called on communities affected by illicit drug cultivation to work closely with the NDLEA in building legal, productive and secure livelihoods, describing the programme as a people-focused intervention aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s future.

Marwa Seeks Nationwide Backing for Alternative Development to Curb Illicit Drug Cultivation

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Army troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack, recover rustled animals in Sokoto

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16 hours ago

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February 3, 2026

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Army troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack, recover rustled animals in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with other security agencies, have foiled an early morning attack by armed bandits on Gandu Village in Wamako Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Feb. 1, 2026, at about 4:00 a.m., when a large group of bandits armed with sophisticated weapons invaded the community, firing sporadically.

The sources said troops from a nearby Army Forward Operating Base (FOB) and tactical teams were immediately deployed to block entry and exit routes to the village, while combing the area for suspects.

“Two suspects, identified as Aliyu Abubakar and Malam Garba, were arrested in possession of two rustled cows and a pickup vehicle,” the source said, adding that all neighbouring units have been alerted to watch out for fleeing bandits.

Army troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack, recover rustled animals in Sokoto

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