News
Step Up Your Game To End Insecurity, Tinubu Tells Military, Security Agencies

Step Up Your Game To End Insecurity, Tinubu Tells Military, Security Agencies
- Inducts 2 NAF helicopters, aircraft, calls for change in mindset, strategy, tactics
By: Our Reporter
President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has implored the Nigerian military and other security agencies to intensify efforts at containing the multi-dimensional security challenges in the country.
He restated his administration’s continued support to the nation’s security forces through the modernization of fleets, training and welfare of personnel.
The President gave the charge on Tuesday during the induction ceremony of two TK-129 ATAK Helicopters and a King Air 360i Aircraft at Nigeria Air (NAF) Base, Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
President Tinubu who was represented at the event by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, recalled the commissioning and induction of four additional Diamond-62 surveillance aircraft into the arsenal of the Nigerian Air Force about two months ago, saying it is a symbol of his government’s enduring commitment to the ideals of patriotism and investment in the nation’s security.
“Indeed, our solemn commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s security hinges upon the realisation that without vigilant attention to the needs of our Armed Forces who are saddled with the maintenance of peace, law, order and stability, anarchy and lawlessness would surely prevail,” he stated.
Delivering the President’s address, VP Shettima noted that the acquisition of helicopters and aircraft had become necessary to improve the strategic use of air power in combating terrorism, insurgency and other security challenges plaguing the nation.
Urging the nation’s security forces to step up their game, President Tinubu said, “I have no doubt that the deployment of these platforms would add impetus to the combat efficiency of the Nigerian Air Force in addressing our contemporary security challenges, not only within the shores of our country but also in the West African region. We are committed to taking the right steps to achieve the desired results.
“The acquisition of these aircraft amongst other military equipment despite our budgetary constraints is an expression of our commitment. We shall ensure that every sector of our nation benefits from the change that we promised. I therefore expect discipline in operation and a strong maintenance culture that will enable the nation to derive maximum benefits from these acquisitions.”
He recalled how since it was established in 1964, the Nigerian Air Force had been playing critical roles in national security, peace-keeping and humanitarian operations globally, noting that its “contributions to the sustenance and maintenance of peace and security in places like The Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Mozambique, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Cameroun have not only been a source of pride to Nigeria but have projected the nation as a reliable regional power.
“This is indeed most commendable just as the Nigerian Air Force continues to synergize with other security agencies in curtailing the threats posed by terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements in the country,” he further stated.
Recalling his promise during his inaugural speech last year that security shall be the top priority of his administration, the President said about six months after his proclamations, “So much has been achieved due to the gallant and synergistic efforts of our various security agencies”.
He expressed delight that coordination among security agencies has improved significantly, just as he declared that “there is no room for celebrations until we put an end to the security logjam; until we can bring our troops back to their localities, and until we can free up resources for our critical economic expansion programme”.
President Tinubu assured that “professionalism, capacity building and adequate equipping of our Armed Forces and other security agencies are a major policy thrust” of his administration.
He, therefore, reiterated that under his watch, the Federal Government “will continue to re-professionalise and re-equip the Armed Forces and security agencies to effectively discharge their duties to our nation”, noting further that as Chairman of the ECOWAS, he was working diligently to enhance regional conflict management and development mechanisms.
Inducting the aircraft and helicopters, the President said, “Finally, I congratulate the Chief of the Air Staff and all the personnel of the Air Force on this occasion of the commissioning of the T-129 ATAK helicopters and King Air 360i aircraft into the Service. At this juncture, I hereby induct the 2 x T -129 ATAK helicopters as NAF 500 and NAF 501 and King Air 360i as NAF 205 into the Service of the Nigerian Air Force and our country”.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, noted that the acquisition and induction of the T129 Atak helicopter and Beechcraft King Air 360i aircraft is a testimony of the Federal Government’s unwavering resolve to equip and empower the air force and enhance its capacity to address security challenges confronting the nation, in conjunction with sister forces and security agencies.
He thanked President Tinubu for the provision to enable the Nigerian Air Force to acquire seven brand-new aircraft within six months of his administration.
The Air Chief disclosed that the Air Force is currently overhauling its operational platforms, equipment and the entire environment to improve its efficiency and service delivery.
On his part, Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, said the induction of the new platforms for the Air Force is a testimony of President Tinubu’s resolve to add impetus to the armed forces’ fight against security challenges in the country.
He commended the armed forces for the commitment to executing their assignments in line with the counter-terrorism plan of the present administration, just as he urged the military to imbibe a positive maintenance culture in utilizing platforms purchased by the government.
Also present at the event were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State; some members of the National Assembly from Benue State and members of the state House of Assembly, among others.
Step Up Your Game To End Insecurity, Tinubu Tells Military, Security Agencies
News
VP Shettima Delivers Keynote Speech At Dr. Kayode Fayemi Commemorative Symposium In Abuja

VP Shettima Delivers Keynote Speech At Dr. Kayode Fayemi Commemorative Symposium In Abuja
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has delivered the keynote address at the Dr. Kayode Fayemi Commemorative Symposium and Launch of the Amandla Policy and Leadership Institute in Abuja. The event is on the theme: “Renewing the Pan-African Ideal for the Changing Times: The Policy and Leadership Challenges and Opportunities.”
The symposium also marked the official launch of the Amandla Policy and Leadership Institute, an initiative aimed at fostering leadership excellence and policy innovation in Africa.
Dignitaries at the event included Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed; former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Governors, members of the National Assembly, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
VP Shettima Delivers Keynote Speech At Dr. Kayode Fayemi Commemorative Symposium In Abuja
News
FGM: NHRC Calls for Strengthening of Collaborations

FGM: NHRC Calls for Strengthening of Collaborations
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for strengthening of collaborations to end female genital mutilation (FGM) in the country.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu made the call in his message on the Day of Zero Tolerance for the Practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Ojukwu reminded the citizens, healthcare workers and other duty bearers of the need to strengthen their collaborations to end FGM in Nigeria.
The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Stepping Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM” and it is observed on the 6th of February every year.
He noted that the Commission has always been at the forefront of eradicating the painful, unhealthy, harmful and degrading practice of FGM right from time.
Ojukwu observed that NHRC in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) had in 2017 produced a training Manual on human rights and other related issues of FGM in Nigeria to stem the tide of this human rights violation in various communities across the federation.
“The Manual provides a general background analysis of women’s human rights and Female Genital Mutilation, which is a type of violence against women and girls. The Manual also provides a guide for reporting FGM in line with the prescribed standard”, the Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria added.
In the same vein, the NHRC Boss disclosed that with the support of UNFPA/UNICEF, the Commission undertook a joint programme on elimination of FGM, conducted training for stakeholders on the use of the developed Manual in five programme focal states namely- Imo, Ebonyi, Osun, Oyo and Ekiti and available statistics have indicated positive changes geared towards eliminating, FGM in the country. The use of the manual and training will be replicated in other endemic states in the Country depending on the availability of resources.
“The participants at the training in the aforesaid states were drawn from relevant MDAs, CBOs, FBOs, Media, Security Agents, Traditional Rulers and CSOs/NGOs and at the end of the exercise, thereafter participants prepared independent and shadow reports”, the Executive Secretary stated.
According to the Executive Secretary, apart from the aforementioned effort to eliminate FGM in the country, the Commission with the support of EU-UN Spotlight Initiative in 2019 established the defunct Special Independent Investigation Panel on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
The panel which was headed by the Executive Secretary sat in the six geopolitical zones of the country, successfully heard and determined complaints of SGBV, and provided empowerment for victims including supporting women to acquire skills and engage in various forms of business activities to earn a living and assist their families instead of depending solely on their husbands who may lack the capacity or willingness to cater for their families.
He used the occasion to urge Nigerians to report all cases of FGM and other human rights violations to the Commission who will in turn take appropriate actions to ensure the protection of the rights of the victims in accordance with municipal, regional and international laws.
He urged citizens to leverage the NHRC toll-free line 6472 to report any case FGM and other cases of human rights violations to the Commission.
FGM: NHRC Calls for Strengthening of Collaborations
Military
NSCDC Arrests Four for Illegal Possession of Firearm, Gunrunning, Banditry, Job Racketeering

NSCDC Arrests Four for Illegal Possession of Firearm, Gunrunning, Banditry, Job Racketeering
By: Michael Mike
Four suspects who were allegedly involved in illegal possession of firearm, gunrunning, kidnapping, banditry and Job racketeering have been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
A statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi said the arrest by the NSCDC Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad in its ongoing effort in combating economic sabotage and fighting Insecurity across the country.
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He said the CG’s SIS also recovered two automatic riffles with three magazines; an AK47 with 15 live ammunition, one FN riffle with two live ammunition, one live cartridge with nine locally fabricated pistols, one bionet, two pair of Nigerian Forest Security Services uniform among others items.
Babawale said three among the suspects all male gave their names as Umar Ibrahim, 35 years, Nura Abubakar, 20 years and Mohammed Sule 20 years. They were all arrested at Ukoso Komva Ward, Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
He added that upon Interrogations three of the suspects claimed that they were deceived into the crime by one Ali who is currently at large as he earlier invited them to assist him with the sales of fire arms in his possession.
He said: “They were however apprehended on their way to deliver it to the buyer”.
The spokesman said, in their separate but similar confessional statements, they called on those with intention to indulge in the dastardly act to desist as they pleaded for mercy.
He added that a volunteer with the Nigerian Forest Security Services, Lar Changkur was arrested in Bauchi State over allegedly involvement in gunrunning.
He noted that the suspect equally called on those with such thoughts to desist forthwith while pleading for leniency.
Babawale said the CG’s SIS has also arrested a 62-year-old called Felix Clerkson for his involvement in job racketeering.
He noted that during preliminary Investigation, over 120 fake letters of appointment into the NSCDC. were recovered.
Clerkson, who was picked up at Nasarawa Eggon in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State following a tip off, admitted to have defrauded desperate and unsuspecting victims to the whopping sum of over N26 million.
Babawale said: “Our ongoing investigation however revealed that the suspect has swindled his victims to the tune of fifty-five million Naira (N55,000,000:00) part of which he shared with his accomplices currently at large but are being trailed by our men.
“All the suspects are to be charged to court on completion of investigation.
He noted that the CG SIS was established by the CG Audi-led administration and headed by Commandant Dandaura Appollos, the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad has so far made significant successes in the fight against oil theft by confronting illegal bunkering, power and telecommunication vandals, Railway vandals, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements involved in nefarious acts across the federation.
NSCDC Arrests Four for Illegal Possession of Firearm, Gunrunning, Banditry, Job Racketeering
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