National News
Nigerian military capable of containing banditry like insurgency – Marwa
Nigerian military capable of containing banditry like insurgency – Marwa
By: Michael Mike
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has commended the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their professionalism, patriotism and daily sacrifices in their efforts to curb banditry in the North West and other security challenges in parts of the country.
Marwa gave the commendation on Tuesday when the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka paid him a courtesy visit at the NDLEA’s National Headquarters in Abuja to seek collaboration of NCTC and NDLEA.
He said there is need to support and encourage the Armed Forces following a viral video of bandits celebrating the ‘capture’ of a military armoured vehicle stuck in a mucky path in Kwashabawa, Zurmi local government area of Zamfara state, adding that the Nigerian military is well placed and capable of containing banditry like they already contained insurgency in the North East.
He urged Nigerians to stand with the military and other security agencies in the ongoing efforts to end all security challenges facing the country. According to him, “man for man, officer to officer, soldier to soldier – the Nigerian Armed Forces personnel are an equal or better match to any of their colleagues anywhere in the world.”
Marwa said this explains their success in peacekeeping operations even before independence and the reason why they are well sought after by the United Nations, adding that the exploits of our armed forces under ECOMOG are still fresh in memory. “I recall that during my tenure as Defence Adviser in our Permanent Mission to the UN, Nigerian troops were always sought after for their professionalism and effectiveness”, he stated.
The NDLEA boss harping on the need to appreciate the sacrifices being made by personnel of the armed forces, said: “We must always remember that our men and women in uniform left their families and went to the bush these past 15 years, fighting an asymmetrical warfare in ill-defined territories and an amorphous enemy that easily mixes with the rural population.”
He said if the same security forces have been able to contain the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, which was once far worse than the present banditry in the North West, they will in a matter of time end the criminal activities of non-state actors in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and other parts of the region.
Marwa said rather than fall for the propaganda of criminal elements, the Nigerian public should stand up for massive and unequivocal support to the armed forces and other security agencies in diverse ways. “Our support and goodwill towards our security forces can come in the form of encouraging words, scholarship for their orphaned children and other empowerment grants to their widows and families, all of which can be channeled through their Service Headquarters”, he added.
He commended Gen. Laka for the visit while expressing confidence in his ability to succeed on his task at the NCTC.
Speaking earlier, Laka said he came on the visit to seek collaboration between the NCTC and NDLEA because of the strong nexus between drugs and crimes. He noted that with over 50,000 arrests in three years, the activities of NDLEA have disrupted crimes, and struck a significant blow to the criminal organizations as well as activities that thrive on illicit drugs and substances.
According to him, “we all know the nexus between drug abuse, crime and terrorism. We know that drugs fuel various forms of criminality, including terrorism by providing financial resources and impairing judgment, thus contributing to violent extremism. This nexus underscores the importance of a holistic approach to combating these threats.
“We have state-of-the-art laboratories at the centre. We have toxicology lab, DNA lab, fingerprint lab, data extraction lab, and so on and these labs are open to you. I would like a situation whereby we can collaborate with the NDLEA to fight threats of terrorism in the country.
“Additionally, there is a need for strategic communication and sensitization campaigns on the nexus between drugs, and crime. So, we would also like to collaborate with the NDLEA to organize sensitization workshops, seminars, and so on to enlighten the public on the danger of the use of drugs.”
Nigerian military capable of containing banditry like insurgency – Marwa
National News
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has restated the Federal Government’s resolve to defeat terrorism, declaring that those behind recent attacks in the country will be decisively confronted.
He noted that beyond the presidential directive to security chiefs, the Federal Government was investing more in equipment and other logistics to boost the fight against terrorism across the country.
Senator Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he visited victims of the bomb blast who are receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Condemning the gory multiple explosions in Maiduguri on Monday in which more than 100 people were affected by the incident, with over 20 confirmed dead, he described the perpetrators as barbaric, stressing that no cause justifies the killing of innocent people.
The Vice President said his visit was to sympathise with the injured and families affected by the tragedy, assuring of government’s support through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the North East Development Commission, and the Borno State Government.
The Vice President was accompanied by Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur; NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar; Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahijo, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebration.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who congratulated Muslim faithful across the country on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Federal Government, the minister urged Muslims to uphold the core values of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice, which define the Ramadan period. He emphasized the need for Nigerians to reflect on these virtues beyond the fasting season as part of efforts to build a more harmonious society.
Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, regardless of religious affiliation, to use the festive period to pray for national peace, unity, and sustained progress, noting that collective responsibility remains key to the country’s stability.
He further encouraged Nigerians to celebrate responsibly and extend kindness to the less privileged, in line with the spirit of the season.
The declaration underscores the government’s continued commitment to promoting unity and peaceful coexistence in the country, as millions of Muslims prepare to celebrate one of the most significant festivals in the Islamic calendar.
FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr
Nigeria–UK Investment Surge to Generate Jobs, Deepen Economic Ties
By: Michael Mike
A new wave of multi-million-pound investments by Nigerian and British firms is set to create hundreds of jobs in both countries, reinforcing growing economic ties and positioning Nigeria as an emerging driver of global innovation and capital.
The investment push comes ahead of the state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom, where both nations are expected to consolidate gains under the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), a framework aimed at boosting cooperation across key sectors.
At the centre of the development is an aggressive expansion by Nigerian banks and fintech companies into the UK market, alongside renewed commitments by British firms to scale operations in Nigeria.
In a major boost to Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, Twinings Ovaltine has unveiled a £24 million production facility in Lagos—its first on the African continent. The plant is projected to create over 100 direct jobs while strengthening export capacity across West Africa.
Nigeria’s financial institutions are also increasing their global footprint. Zenith Bank has launched a new branch in Manchester, with plans to generate dozens of jobs and deepen trade links between Africa and the UK. The bank is also considering a future listing on the London Stock Exchange as part of its long-term expansion strategy.
Likewise, Fidelity Bank is expanding its UK presence following the rebranding of Union Bank UK to FidBank UK, with plans to significantly grow its workforce and capital base. Other players such as FCMB are leveraging the UK as a strategic hub to roll out cross-border payment platforms aimed at facilitating trade between Africa and the global market.
The fintech sector is driving a substantial share of the new investments. LemFi has committed £100 million over five years, designating London as its global headquarters, while Moniepoint plans to expand its UK workforce to 100 employees by 2026. Digital bank Kuda Bank is also scaling up its UK operations as it eyes broader international growth.
Beyond finance and technology, the creative industry is emerging as another pillar of collaboration. EbonyLife is set to establish EbonyLife Place London, a move expected to create new jobs while amplifying African storytelling on a global stage.
Officials say the growing investment flows highlight increasing confidence in both economies. UK authorities point to the country’s stable regulatory environment and access to global capital, while Nigeria’s expanding digital and creative sectors continue to attract international interest.
Education and skills development are also receiving attention, with new partnerships between institutions such as the University of Birmingham and the University of Lagos focusing on cutting-edge fields including artificial intelligence, digital technology, and healthcare innovation.
With bilateral trade now estimated at £8.1 billion annually, analysts say the latest round of investments signals a shift in UK–Nigeria relations—from traditional trade to a more dynamic partnership driven by innovation, talent, and shared economic ambition.
The coming days are expected to yield further announcements as both governments seek to unlock new opportunities capable of delivering long-term growth and job creation for their citizens.
Nigeria–UK Investment Surge to Generate Jobs, Deepen Economic Ties
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