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Senator Lawan tasks defense chiefs with sustaining democracy in West Africa.
Senator Lawan tasks defense chiefs with sustaining democracy in West Africa.
By: Yahaya Wakili
The President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, Ph.D., GCON. Yobe North Senatorial District, has tasked the defense chiefs of the 12 countries that are currently members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to ensure the sustenance of democracy within the subregion.
Senator Lawan disclosed this in a press statement signed by Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo, FAI, FIMC, FCP, and Fsca Media Adviser to Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, Ph.D., GCON. Chairman, Senate Committee on Defense, which was made available to newsmen in Damaturu.
The Economic Community of West African States was previously constituted by 15 countries, which included Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
However, in 2024, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali announced their withdrawal from the bloc, following their suspension from ECOWAS due to the military takeovers of their respective governments. Consequentially, the development reduced the number of ECOWAS member states to 12.
Speaking at the 42nd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staffs, which was held in Abuja on Wednesday at the Defense Headquarters, Senator Lawan commended the Defense Chiefs in attendance for ensuring the safety of member states.
He underscored the need for the respective parliaments to support ECOWAS through the approval and provision of resources needed to guarantee the security of countries in the West African subregion.
Senator Lawan, who currently chairs the Senate Committee on Defense, further tasked the Defense Chiefs with working to ensure that democracy is returned to countries taken over by military regimes.
He said, “Let me state that we need to ensure that democracy continues to flourish in our subregion. We are challenged at this time by some of our countries that have gone out of democratic administrations; we must never get tired of doing whatever we need to do to ensure that democracy is returned to those countries.”
Senator Lawan, while thanking ECOWAS for re-electing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Chairman of the bloc at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, said that the National Assembly will continue to prioritize issues of security as well as give its full support to all institutions of ECOWAS within its borders to reciprocate the support extended to Nigeria by member states.
“We, the Nigerian parliament, as always, represent our people in the ECOWAS parliament and always place security on the front burner. We will always support the ECOWAS parliament on our part because we believe that our safety and security also depend on the resources available and approved by us for institutions like this.
“Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank ECOWAS as a body for giving a second mandate to our dear President, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for an additional year. We believe that it is because of the trust that ECOWAS countries have in the president that he has been given this.
“And, for us as a parliament in Nigeria, we will continue to support Mr. President and, indeed, all institutions of ECOWAS within our borders, to ensure this one year is done successfully,” Senator Lawan said.
Senator Lawan tasks defense chiefs with sustaining democracy in West Africa.
Gunmen kill trader in Kafanchan, kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
A 42-year-old man, Shok Musa, has been killed by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in Kafanchan in Kaduna state.
Zagazola gathered from reliable sources that the incident occurred on Sunday night near the victim’s shop at Ungwa Kanikon, Gidan Waya.
Security forces rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call, and found Musa with fatal gunshot injuries on his back.
“He was taken to Anglican Hospital, Gidan Waya, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. His body was later deposited at the Kafanchan General Hospital mortuary,”said the sources.
The sources added that investigation had commenced, and efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the perpetrators.
Gunmen kill trader in Kafanchan, kaduna
Security forces fortify Kaduna–Abuja rail line, Rigasa station and highway
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces have intensified patrols and security measures along the Abuja–Kaduna railway corridor, Rigasa train station, and the Abuja–Kaduna highway.
Sources said the move was part of efforts to protect critical transport infrastructure and forestall criminal attacks.
The sources stated that area commanders in Jere and Kakuri, as well as divisional police officers along the rail corridor, had been placed on red alert in collaboration with other security agencies.
“Rigasa train main station has been fortified, while patrols along the railway line and sub-stations have been intensified. Patrol vehicles deployed on the Abuja–Kaduna highway are maintaining 24-hour visibility, with hourly situation reports rendered accordingly,”said sources.
Security forces assured the public of its commitment to ensuring safe travel and the protection of lives and property across the state.
Security forces fortify Kaduna–Abuja rail line, Rigasa station and highway
Two killed as troops repel bandit attack in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
At least two persons were killed following an attack by suspected bandits on villages in Dutsinma Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said the incident occurred on Sunday night when bandits invaded Babangida and Madugu villages.
The sources said that the military troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in collaboration with the police and local patrol teams, responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to abort a planned assault on Sabon Garin Safana village.
“However, two victims, identified as Shamsu Sani, 25, of Makera, and Abdurrashed Rabe, 25, of Tashar Mangwaro, sustained critical injuries and were rushed to the General Hospital, Dutsinma, where they were confirmed dead,” said the sources.
The sources said that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing bandits.
Two killed as troops repel bandit attack in Katsina
Gunmen kill trader in Kafanchan, kaduna
Security forces fortify Kaduna–Abuja rail line, Rigasa station and highway
Two killed as troops repel bandit attack in Katsina
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