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UK Government Hosts Stakeholder Meeting on Serious and Organised Crime

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UK Government Hosts Stakeholder Meeting on Serious and Organised Crime

By: Michael Mike

The United Kingdom Government has hosted a multi-stakeholder meeting in Abuja to discuss how its Serious & Organised Crime (SOC) Prevent Programme is making significant strides in deterring vulnerable young people from joining Organised Crime Groups in Nigeria.

Launched as a three-year pilot in December 2021, the programme is designed to disrupt Nigerian Organised Crime Groups by redirecting at-risk youth towards positive alternatives in Bayelsa, Edo, Zamfara and Lagos states.

In select local governments of these states, the SOC Prevent Programme has established robust structures and delivered various interventions, including Back-to-School Initiatives, Digital Skills Acquisition, Dance and Drama Workshops and Sports Interventions.

Collaborating closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the programme has trained 83 officers in the Prevent methodology, reinforcing the commitment to institutionalise this approach in tackling SOC, and to date, approximately 1,500 beneficiaries across the four states have been diverted from potential involvement in organised crime.

Speaking at the meeting, the Acting British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever said: “Serious & Organised Crime is a priority for both Nigeria and the UK, and can take many forms. Ranging from online focussed activities like cybercrime to the physical movement of illicit commodities and people in the form of trafficking.

“Our results in Nigeria have proven that the Prevent methodology works, and it has been successful in diverting young people from choosing a life of crime. I believe that the valuable discussions that took place today will smoothen the way for Prevent to be fully institutionalised in Nigeria.”

The meeting included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Police Affairs, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), INTERPOL, Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), Ministry of Police Affairs, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and others.

The Prevent programme is an approach to tackling SOC. Others are Pursue, Protect and Prepare. Prevent methodology looks to prevent or deter people from engaging in SOC by raising awareness of the consequences of SOC and developing techniques to deter people from continuing in criminality.

UK Government Hosts Stakeholder Meeting on Serious and Organised Crime

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VP Shettima, Governor Buni attend Zulum’s children’s wedding Fatiha in Maiduguri.

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VP Shettima, Governor Buni attend Zulum’s children’s wedding Fatiha in Maiduguri.

By: Yahaya Wakili

Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Kashim Shettima GCON; His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudden Abbas; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin; governors; emirs; and other dignitaries attend the wedding Fatiha of the children of Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State became the Wali of the groom, Muhammad Idi Barde Gubana, the son of the deputy governor of Yobe State, while Alhaji Muhammad Indimi was the Wali to the bride, Aisha Babagana Umara Zulum, the daughter of the governor of Borno State.

The marriage contract was finally sealed after the confirmation of the presentation of the medical certificate of fitness and 12 gold coins, and it was officiated by Imam Shettima Mamman Saleh, the chief imam of the Borno State Emirate Council, who offered prayers to Almighty Allah for the success of the marriage.

Also in attendance were the governors of Gombe, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa states as well as the deputy governor of Imo state.

Other dignitaries in attendance include the minister of budget and economic planning, former secretary to the Yobe state government Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali MNI, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, Speaker of the Gombe state House of Assembly, Yobe state Head of Civil Service Alhaji Abdullahi Musa Shehu, and heads of agencies and parastatals.

The wedding Fatiha also witnesses the royal highnesses and fathers included. His Highness, the Emir of Fika and Chairman of the Yobe State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Dr. Muhammad Abali Muhammad Idriss, CON, CFR; Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammadu Ibn Grema II; Emir of Machina; Damaturu; Gudi; Fune; Jajere; Ngelzarma; as well as over thirty emirs from Borno State

VP Shettima, Governor Buni attend Zulum’s children’s wedding Fatiha in Maiduguri.

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Troops conduct clearance operation in Borno

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Troops conduct clearance operation in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have carried out a clearance operation targeting suspected insurgent enclaves in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the operation was conducted on April 19 at about 1000 hrs by troops of 29 Task Force Brigade in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

The troops, mounted on Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers and gun trucks, advanced from Benisheikh through key routes including Qwayari, Karnakasari, the Camel Route and Mainok axis.

According to the sources, the operation was aimed at clearing suspected Boko Haram enclaves and denying insurgents freedom of movement within the corridor.

However, for now, no contact was made with insurgents during the operation, as the operation continues.

Military authorities said the exercise was part of sustained clearance and domination operations across the North-East theatre.

They added that the overall security situation in the region remained calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and operational efficiency remained high.

Troops conduct clearance operation in Borno

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Troops arrest four Berom criminal youths involved in causing havoc in Barkin Ladi LGA

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Troops arrest four Berom criminal youths involved in causing havoc in Barkin Ladi LGA

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 4 (Sub-Sector 41) under Operation Safe Haven have arrested four suspected criminals during a raid operation on an identified hideout in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau state.

Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 2115 hrs on April 18 at the NTV Mazat area in Gashish District, following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected criminal elements in the locality.

During the raid, troops stormed the location and apprehended four suspects identified as Aaron Joshua, 21; Ernest David, 21; Ishaya Haruna, 19; and Kyenshak Yakubu, 28.

It was gathered that the suspects were involved in several atrocities and part of the wider network of youths causing havoc in several communities.

The suspects were reportedly taken into custody and subjected to preliminary profiling as part of ongoing investigations to determine their involvement in criminal activities within the area.

Security sources said the raid was part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks and deny them freedom of action in the general area.

Troops arrest four Berom criminal youths involved in causing havoc in Barkin Ladi LGA

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