Connect with us

Uncategorized

Tuggar Calls for Peace and Stability in West Africa

Published

on

Tuggar Calls for Peace and Stability in West Africa

By: Michael Mike

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who is the Chair of the Mediation and Security Council (MSC) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on governments and citizens of West Africa to work for peace and stability of the sub-region, stating that political stability remains the foundation of development.

Speaking at the 53rd Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ministerial level convened in Abuja on Thursday, which focused on the pressing challenges confronting the West African region, Tuggar In his opening remarks, said: “Without stability, the aspirations of our people for prosperity and progress will remain unfulfilled. We must strengthen governance frameworks and promote inclusive, peaceful political transitions,”

Tuggar also celebrated the successful elections in Ghana and Senegal as exemplars of democratic consolidation in the region.

He emphasized the growing threats posed by terrorism, violent extremism, and organised crime, urging member states to redouble efforts in collective security.

On the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on the Fight Against Terrorism concluding this year, Tuggar called for a forward-looking strategy to sustain regional security.

In his remarks, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, painted a picture of both progress and challenges.

He said as the regional body prepare to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of regional integration efforts, it is faced with the impending withdrawal of some member states.

He said that the act calls for a re-commitment to shared values of democracy, constitutionalism, and good governance.

Touray highlighted achievements, such as the absence of piracy incidents in 2024, credited to enhanced maritime security operations led by Nigeria, Benin, and Togo.

He also commended the progress in operationalizing the ECOWAS Standby Force, which is set to enhance the region’s capacity for rapid response to security threats.

Both leaders stressed the dire humanitarian situation, with millions displaced due to food insecurity, climate-related disasters, and political instability.

They called for the operationalization of National Early Warning and Response Centres and measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, essential for fostering resilience.

The meeting also deliberated on the establishment of a Special Tribunal in The Gambia for prosecuting human rights violations and the need for greater unity against external influences and disinformation campaigns.

The discussions resonated with a common call for regional unity. “Our unity as a region and strong partnerships with the global community have been the bedrock of our success,” Dr. Touray emphasized. He proposed a “Summit of the Future” to address geo-political challenges and safeguard ECOWAS’s collective identity and values.

As deliberations continue, the leaders remain optimistic that the outcomes of this session will further cement ECOWAS’s role as a beacon of peace, stability, and progress for the region. “Let us reaffirm our collective commitment to a peaceful, secure, and united West Africa,” Tuggar urged as he declared the session open.

The 53rd MSC session marks a pivotal moment for ECOWAS as it navigates complex regional and global dynamics while striving to secure a prosperous future for its people.

The meeting underscored the region’s commitment to collective security, democratic governance, and economic development amid increasing political, security, and humanitarian crises.

Tuggar Calls for Peace and Stability in West Africa

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Uncategorized

Bauchi Polytechnic students protest after 20 armed robbers raid campus hostel

Published

on

Bauchi Polytechnic students protest after 20 armed robbers raid campus hostel

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed robbers on Monday at about 4am invaded male students’ hostels at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, dispossessing occupants of mobile phones and valuables, and stabbing two students in the process.

The attack, which took place in the early hours of Monday, occurred within the Gwalameji campus of the institution, located about four kilometres from the city centre.

Eyewitnesses told Zagazola Makama that the robbers, numbering between 15 and 20, broke into several hostel rooms and threatened students with weapons, including knives.

“They moved from room to room, collecting phones, laptops and money. Two students who resisted were stabbed before the attackers fled,” said a student who requested anonymity for security reasons.

Zagazola gathered that the incident sparked outrage among students, who later blocked the Bauchi–Dass highway near the school gate to protest what they described as recurring security lapses on campus.

The protest was dispersed by security operatives using teargas, while the institution’s management promptly suspended academic activities and ordered students to vacate the campus within two hours.

Troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade, police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel were deployed to restore order.

Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, who visited the campus, addressed the students and assured them that efforts were underway to apprehend the perpetrators and strengthen campus security.

A security source told Zagazola that the targeted attack on male hostels point to the gaps in intelligence and emergency response, particularly given the proximity of the school to the state capital.

“The robbers operated for some time without interruption, which suggests that security patrols and outposts in the area need to be more proactive, especially since Gwalameji has a history of criminal incidents,” the source said.

The students, citing lack of security personnel, poor medical facilities and other welfare issues, staged a protest after being addressed by school officials.

Following a tip-off later in the day, police arrested three suspects, Mansur Yakubu, also known as Chasu; Abbas Auwal, 20; and Musa Bala, 20, alias Babannani all of Lushi area, Bauchi.

The suspects confessed to the crime and named their accomplices, identified as Kalifa Danboda of Birshin Gandu, and others known as Dady, Soja, Baki, and Sunusi, alias “Ba Su Aikin Allah,” who are currently at large.

Authorities says efforts are intensified to apprehend the remaining suspects.

Bauchi Polytechnic students protest after 20 armed robbers raid campus hostel

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Massive Bandit Attack in Kwara Police station, Leaves Police ASP Dead, Market Looted

Published

on

Massive Bandit Attack in Kwara Police station, Leaves Police ASP Dead, Market Looted

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits numbering about 200 stormed Babanla town in Kwara state on motorbikes at around 1:00 p.m. on Friday, killing a police officer and looting a local market.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the assailants, who fired sporadically, attacked the Babanla Police Station, where ASP Adejumo Wasiu attached to the ACPOL Offa was shot dead. His AK-47 rifle was taken by the attackers.

Sources said that the station was ransacked, though no additional arms were lost, as all other weapons were on charge at the time.

After the assault on the police facility, the gunmen moved to the town’s market, seizing large quantities of foodstuffs.

A joint force comprising military, police, vigilantes, and local hunters mobilized swiftly, repelling the attack and restoring order.

The number of civilian casualties remains unknown as at the time of filling this report

Massive Bandit Attack in Kwara Police station, Leaves Police ASP Dead, Market Looted

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Eight Suspects Escape from Police Custody in Gona in Bauchi One Rearrested

Published

on

Eight Suspects Escape from Police Custody in Gona in Bauchi One Rearrested

By: Zagazola Makama

Police in Gona in Bauchi state are on a manhunt after eight suspects in custody for various offences escaped from their cell in the early hours of August 8, 2025.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 12:20 a.m. on Saturday when the detainees broke out of their cell and forcefully opened the nearby exit door before fleeing to an unknown destination.

It was gathered that a rapid response patrol and divisional surveillance teams were deployed immediately. One of the escapees, identified as Abdullahi Haliru, has since been rearrested.

The sources said that authorities have circulated alerts to aid in the capture of the remaining fugitives

Eight Suspects Escape from Police Custody in Gona in Bauchi One Rearrested

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights