Category: Defence/Security

NSA cautions media managers against promoting terrorists’ propaganda

Terrorism

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has cautioned media managers against promoting terrorists’ propaganda and ideologies through reportage of security issues.

Ribadu gave the advice at a 2-Day training on “Effective Reporting: Towards Strengthening Alternatives to Terrorist Ideology”, on Tuesday in Abuja.

It  was organised by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre – Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA

He was represented at the training by the National Coordinator, NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka.

The training was organised in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR).

The NSA said the kind of information being processed and passed could be functional with positive expectations, or dysfunctional with negative and life threatening consequences.

He said that the media as a conveyor belt of information could influence either positively or negatively.

According to him, the press is capable of exercising power in favour of the state or in favour of the enemies of the state.

“Media practitioners must always be mindful of this in the discharge of their responsibilities in order to expose societal ills and suspicious characters and activities.

 “Terrorist groups have continued to provide dysfunctional information through social media platforms, networking sites, and online propaganda including mainstream and traditional mediums of communication.

“This is a situation that we must jointly combat to attain a safe and peaceful society that will guarantee sustainable socio-economic development.

“To achieve this,  media practitioners must produce content that would counter or prevent the appeals of terrorism and other non-state armed groups.

“Indeed, there is the need for robust media campaigns against terrorism, violent extremism and all other forms of organised crime threatening our corporate existence as a country,” he said.

Ribadu said the training was part of efforts in response to the call by the UN Secretary General’s Plan of Action for member states to develop and implement a national communication strategy.

This, according to him, is to ensure the dissemination of positive content across a wide range of media, both traditional and digital platforms to counter terrorist appeals and violent extremist narrative.

He said that media contents could change people’s perception and attitude; galvanise solidarity, mutual trust, patriotism and national cohesion.

“The media is also expected to mobilise support to government and national security efforts, and strongly help to dissipate ignorance that makes some persons vulnerable to terrorist appeals.

“This training is to build your capacity to be able to process and disseminate appropriate narratives (counter, alternative and positive) to address extremist ideologies.

“I urge you to avail yourselves of this opportunity to learn from the vast experiences of the resource persons drafted to interact with you.

“It is our hope to develop the capacity of a reasonable number of journalists and media practitioners in the country, in order to evolve a development and peace journalism orientation in the Nigeria media space,” he added.

The  Director, National Peace Academy (NPA) in IPCR, Dr Bosede Awodola, said the IPCR believed that peace was an all-inclusive process, hence the need for partnership with NCTC to organise the workshop.

Awodola said that Nigeria’s democracy was being seriously challenged and her peace constantly threatened by the activities of terrorist groups.

She said the problem was increasingly pervasive with associated criminality that was heightening the fear and insecurity in the country.

“Realising the importance of the soft power approach, the IPCR understands the pivotal role of the media in this instance.

“We must take into cognisance that the media and its agencies are capable of reducing and transforming these conflicts through  their reportage.

“The media in Nigeria and indeed globally, remains the most credible source of news and information for the majority of people.

“It is therefore essential that this training is conducted for media personnel working in relations with the NCTC to enable an improvement in the reportage of events.

Awodola expressed confidence that the engagement would upscale the skills of the media personnel in their techniques, on reporting that will change the way terrorism ideology and activities are reported. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OYS/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Police recruitment: Okiro urges PSC, Police to work in harmony

Recruitment
by Joseph Edeh

Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN) Former Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Mike Okiro has called on the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force to work in harmony for national security.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Police had alleged irregularities and corruption in the recruitment of Constables by the PSC during the 2022/23 batch into the Nigeria Police Force.

But Okiro in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the fight against insecurity would remain a mirage, unless the commission and the police worked in harmony to policing Nigeria with vigour.

According to him, what Nigerians desire now is how the country will exit the ravaging insecurity pervading the land.

“I implore both parties to eschew whatever be their perceived bitterness and embrace the fact that their jobs go hand in hand.

“Their focus should be how to meet the overwhelming yearnings of the Nigerian people that can only happen when mutual respect exists between both parties.

“I am very concerned that a minute issue that can be resolved through robust dialogue was allowed to fester to the level of washing dirty linens in public,“he said.

He said that the lingering problem had done collateral damage to their public image, and ridiculed the international standing of Nigeria.

Okiro said that the powers of recruitment, discipline and promotion of police personnel other than the I-G, was vested in the PSC.

“It is not right for any police personnel to contemplate engaging in any misconduct in the course of performing assumed official duties,“he said.

The former chairman of the PSC urged the commission to avoid over-flogging certain issues in the public domain.

“To move forward, it is imperative to work quickly and assiduously to address the real challenges facing Nigerians; else, the goodwill enjoyed by both parties will soon dissipate.

“This will further erode the fabric of confidence of Nigerians in our democratic process, which will spell doom for our economy too,“he said.

He urged the leadership of the commission and police to meet and resolve their differences, and give peace and national security a chance.

Okiro appealed to both parties to put the matter behind and rekindle the much needed cordial relationship for the successful candidates to start training on time.(NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)

JPE/KOO/SH

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Sadiya Hamza

VIO Chief seeks urgent completion of 13.125km Apo-Karshi road

Road
By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja, June 25, 2024(NAN)The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) has urged the Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike to complete the 13.125km Apo-Karshi Road project for safety and security of lives and property.

Dr Yusuf Suberu, FCT Squadron leader, Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) Mayors of the Federation made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Suberu said that commuters, who come into Abuja from the neighbouring Nasarawa State on a daily basis, face excruciating pains, caused by the traffic gridlock on the AYA-Nyanya -Mararaba Expressway.

He said that thousands of people who reside in Karshi, Orozo, Gidan Mangoro, Kurudu, Waru, Madalla, Wassa, Kyami, Takushara, Chorin and other communities, would be direct beneficiaries of the road project if completed.

He also said that the congestion on the road had caused several incidents and unfortunate occurrences where many lives and property were lost.

He added that the incidents occurrence, particularly during rush hours alone, was enough reason for the government to complete the road construction.

He urged that the government should also consider the condition and health of the motorists by ensuring the road construction was completed soon.

“The pressing issues faced by the residents of Karshi have prompted this call for intervention from Wike as the FCT minister.

“Road network is a crucial incontrovertible infrastructure for the socio-economic and agricultural development of a nation, providing unhindered access to places of opportunities and services.

“In many of the developed countries, transportation plays a significant role in the ease of doing business and the government plays an integral role in the implementation and administration.

“The completion of the Apo-Karshi road is seen as crucial not only for alleviating the suffering of the residents of Orozo-Karshi but also for enhancing the restoration of the Abuja master plan.

“Numerous abandoned projects in the Kurudu-Orozo-Karshi axis, owned by Abuja residents, have been left incomplete due to the lack of accessible roads to the FCT, “he said.

Suberu affirmed that with a reputation as a no-nonsense leader, there was optimism that the FCT Mnister would overcome any challenges and ensure the early successful completion of the Apo-Karshi road project.

He however, acknowledged the impact of the minister’s previous visit to Bwari, which reportedly led to improved security.

He said “this is also a call for him to visit the Apo-Karshi road site to witness the challenges firsthand.

“It is believed that his visit can bring relief to the residents, similar to the positive outcomes observed in the Bwari axis.

“The collective hope is for an end to the suffering of the Orozo-Karshi axis residents and the emergence of smiles on their faces through the minister’s intervention,”he said.

The Apo-Karshi Road project was inaugurated to Kakatar Limited, an indigenous company, in 2011, with a completion period of 20 months. Meanwhile, it’s been over 13 years, and the project is yet to be completed.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

ICA/BEKl/SH

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Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Sadiya Hamza

Buni, Zulum, Fintiri tour Pakistan to understudy post-insurgency disaster mgmt

Insurgency
By Nabilu Balarabe
Damaturu, June 24, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, his Borno and Adamawa counterparts, Prof. Babagana  Zulum and Umaru Fintiri, respectively, have toured Pakistan to understudy post-insurgency disaster management.

Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, Buni’s Director-General (DG) Press and Media Affairs, disclosed this to journalists in Damaturu on Monday.

The tour was organized by the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) of the World Bank and coordinated by the North East Recovery and Stability Programme (NERSP) Programmes Management and Coordination (PMC) CELL, North East Development Commission (NEDC).

Mohammed said the tour would deepen the governors’ understanding of international best practices in crisis management, disaster resilience and urban development.

“ The visit aims to : understand best practices and solutions relevant to MCRP AF and NEDC/BAY mandates. Strengthen institutional capacity for planning, recovery, and stabilization.

“ Enhance implementation of infrastructure, services, and social cohesion. Improve planning for post-NEDC phases and Increase MDAs’ capacity to design and implement sustainable projects,” he said.

The director-general said the team had so far visited Punjab Municipal Development Fund Corporation (PMDFC, LGCD) and Punjab Planning and Development Board (PnD Board).

Mohammed said the Governors were expected to visit Punjab Disaster Management Authority, PMDFC Municipal services projects, Islamabad Disaster Risk Management Portfolio and Khyber Project for Rural Investment and Institutional Support.

He said the team would meet with Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, UN agencies, among others, during the visit.

“ Gov. Buni will have bilateral discussions with heads of donor organisations and private sectors for resource mobilisation,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NERSP PMC Cell, is a World Bank-funded initiative supporting recovery and peace-building in the Northeast States of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.(www.nannews.ng)

NB/BRM

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

FG mulls relocation of old Keffi Medium Correctional Centre

Relocation
By Yahaya Isah
Keffi (Nasarawa State), June 24, 2024 (NAN) The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the Federal Government is considering the relocation of the old Keffi Medium Correctional Centre to the new place for efficiency.
Tunji-Ojo, who stated this during an inspection tour of the facility in Keffi, Nasarawa State on Monday, said that urbanisation had already caught up with it which would inform the relocation.
He recalled that the centre was established in 1820, which was well over 200 years ago and that at the moment the facility was even sharing fences with civilian buildings.
The minister said that the two correctional centres had over 1,500 inmates which was a huge number considering there size, especially the old one, adding that the development was not sustainable and not good enough for a correctional centre.
“The old centre now finds itself within the civilian buildings. To me, it is a serious security risk, especially for the people around the facility.
“Perhaps, we will be putting everything in motion so that we can relocate it and move it to the new correctional centre and use the facility for other purposes.
“May be as a muster institution for younger generations. So, overall we are trying to make our correctional centres not as business as usual,” he added.
Tunji-Ojo, who also inspected the ongoing construction of 3,000 capacity correctional centre at Karshi in Abuja, expressed satisfactions with the level of work done so far, urging the contractors to speed up for timely delivery.
He expressed optimism that by the time the project becomes functional, no doubt it would go a long way to address the problem of overcrowding and other problems experienced in other smaller facilities.
“This is the era of paradigm shift in ideology, from a place of incarceration to a place of transformation, from a place of reformation to a place of correction.
“Mind you, the 3,000 capacity is to be built across the six geopolitical zones in the country with the aim of decongesting the nation’s correctional centres and with a more fortified security measures,” he said.
He said this would address the external attacks on some nation’s correctional centres experienced in recent times by criminals. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
YI/OJI/IKU
Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Tayo Ikujuni

NDLEA arrests149 suspects, seizes 1.49 tonnes of illicit drugs in Kogi

Drugs

By Thompson Yamput

Lokoja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 149 suspects with over 1.49 tonnes of illicit drugs between Jan. 1 and June 24 in Kogi.

The Kogi NDLEA Commander, Umar Yahuza, made the disclosure on Monday, in Lokoja at a news conference heralding a week long United Nations Day against drug Abuse and trafficking in the state.

Yahuza, who said that programme was organised by the agency in collaboration with Kogi Government, said 29 out of the 149 suspects arrested had been convicted, while cases against others were still pending at Federal High Court, Lokoja.

“The drug menace in Kogi and Nigeria is so disturbing and demands urgent action to arrest it before it destroys our youths and future leaders.

“This is because the ugly situation has serious implications on security, economics and the general wellbeing of the citizens.

“We have made a series of arrests and seizures of assorted drugs such as codeine, Methamphetamine, Diazepam, tramadol, Cannabis sativa, Pentazocine among others.

“In fact, statistics and empirical facts from the agency’s operations indicated clearly that the drug problem is mutating into a colossal social problem.

“It has become an issue linked beyond doubt to the escalation of insecurity and its attendant effects on peace and economy across the country, ” he said.

The commander attributed the effects of armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, rape and other violent crimes against humanity in the country to the use of illicit drugs.

He said that illicit drugs were mostly the catalyst for these vices, adding “anywhere there is drug, there is crime and vice versa.”

According to him, Kogi, being a microcosm of Nigeria, and a federating unit, cannot stand alone in the face of this ominous threat of drug abuse and trafficking.

Yahuza further said that from Jan. 1 to date, the command had engaged in various operations, sensitisation, courtesy/advocacy visits in an effort to curtail the menace.

He, however, called on government, corporate organisations and spirited individuals to collaborate with NDLEA to eradicate the menace of drugs in the society.

The commander commended Gov. Usman Ododo’s administration for the enormous support offered to the agency in its discharge of duties in the state.

Also speaking, the commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Monday Anyebe, commended NDLEA for its resilience in the fight against illicit drugs within the Kogi and the country at large.

The commissioner said that Ododo had genuine interest in the wellbeing of Kogi youths and desired that the youth and the entire populace to be sensitised on the harmful effects of this killer habit, believed to be primarily practiced by the younger generations.

“It’s evidently clear that investing in prevention is the most effective way to address drug abuse and addictions in society .

“By investing in preventive measures, we can empower the younger generations with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to make informed decisions about their health and well-being as well as the growth and development of the country, ” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
TYC/KOO/IAA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Isaac Aregbesola

We won’t allow insecurity to define our region – Radda

Insecurity

By Abbas Bamalli

Katsina, June 24, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State says the North-West Governor’s Forum will not allow insecurity to define the region.

The Governor said this at the opening of a two-day North-West Peace and Security Summit in Katsina on Monday, with the theme: ‘Regional Cooperation for Securing Lives and Livelihoods in NorthWest Nigeria’.

He added, “Banditry has cast a shadow over our communities. It has disrupted lives, stifled economic activities and instilled fear among our people.

“We cannot allow this menace to define our region. As leaders, we must adopt a multifaceted approach that includes robust intelligence gathering, community policing, and deploying advanced security technologies.

“Furthermore, we must enhance the capacity of our national security forces through continuous improvements and adequate resources.

“To effectively combat banditry, we need to strengthen our intelligence networks.”

According to Radda, this means improving the region’s surveillance systems, investing in modern technology such as drones as well as satellite imagery and enhancing coordination among various security agencies.

He pointed out that the leaders must also establish more efficient communication channels to ensure timely responses to threats.

“However, addressing banditry is not solely the responsibility of our security agencies.

‘We must engage with local communities, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to foster a culture of cooperation and trust,”Radda said.

He added that community engagement was crucial in gathering actionable intelligence and building resilience against criminal activities.

“Most states in the region have already established community security initiatives where local outfits work hand in hand with formal security forces to protect their communities.

“In Katsina, we launched the Community Watch Corps, Zamfara and Sokoto states have equally launched successful programmes, while Kaduna already had an existing programme in place.

“Most states in the region have now established full-fledged ministries for internal security and have made security a focal part of their administrative duties at the state level.

“In addition, we must address the root causes of banditry, which often stem from economic deprivation and lack of opportunities,” Radda said.

He revealed that vocational training, job opportunities, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises could  help divert vulnerable individuals from criminal activities.

The governor said, “Our region has the potential to be the nation’s breadbasket, yet we face significant challenges in achieving food security.”

According to Radda, the path to peace, security, and prosperity for the Northwest lies in their hands, therefore they must act with urgency, determination, and unity of purpose.

“Let us build a region where every citizen can live in peace, agriculture thrives, socio-economic justice prevails, and poverty is a thing of the past,” Radda appealed. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AABS/CHOM/BRM

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Bashir Rabe Mani