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Defence and Security

Niger governor calls for review of intelligence network

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4 years ago

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Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger State
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Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger has advocated the review of the Nigerian intelligence network to enhance intelligence gathering and fight against crimes and criminality in the country.

The Governor gave the call during a discussion panel at the 2nd Shinkafi Intelligence and Security Summit organized by the Umaru Shinkafi Legacy Foundation, in Abuja.

The theme of the Summit was “Socio-economic Implications of kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria”.

Sani-Bello said that Niger was suffering greatly from insecurity since the inception of his administration.

He explained that the government’s reconciliatory approach was not successful because the perpetrators are mere criminals, who are not ready to change their criminal behaviours owing to its lucrative nature.

He said on that basis, his government took a decision not to pay ransom to the criminals, pointing out that the criminals have grown into a very formidable network with handy informants.

According to the Governor,  “when we have tip-off and troops are deployed, the bandits get wind of their movement and relocate.”

On the issue of State Police, he said it was an idea whose time has come because Nigeria’s population has increased tremendously.

“We can’t continue to avoid the issue of state police forever, even if it’s not now certainly sometimes to come because Nigeria’s population has gone beyond 200 million.”

He weighed-in on the role of traditional rulers and religious leaders, who he described as the best security network.

“In tackling kidnapping and banditry, the role of traditional rulers and religious leaders in our society cannot be over-emphasised.

“Traditional rulers and religious leaders should be supported to effectively check their domains and subjects. Also, our religious leader have immense influence over worshippers.”

While commending the Foundation for sustaining the legacies of Alhaji Umaru Ali Shinkafi, he described Shinkafi as a sterling Police officer, astute lawyer and professional security expert, whose footprints still radiate in our contemporary security situation.

He insisted that incorporating vigilantes in fighting insecurity is the way to go, adding that people with impeccable character must, however, be recruited.

Other participants at the event include Governors Babagana Zulum of Borno, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state and Hope Uzodimma of Imo as well as Prof. Mahmud Jega, who moderated the panel discussion.

They all stressed the need for government at all levels to ensure access to functional education, food, health and youths engagement in order to curtail insecurity in the country.

They equally highlighted that all relevant security institutions should collaborate in fighting the war against banditry, kidnapping and other 21st century crimes.

The Emir of Zauzau, Amb. Ahmed Bamali, who addressed the gathering virtually, described  Shinkafi as a man of impeccable character and commended the organizers of the event.

 

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Defence and Security

Senate Confirms Appointment Of Oluyede As COAS

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3 months ago

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December 3, 2024

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Major General Olufemi Oluyede
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The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for appointment as Chief of Army Staff.

The confirmation today followed the consideration of reports by the Chairman of the sense committee on Army, Sen. Yar’ adua, Abdulaziz Musa (Katsina Central).

The committee’s recommendations were unanimously adopted by the upper chamber.

Lieutenant General Oluyede was appointed to act as the Chief of Army Staff following the illness and subsequent death of Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.

 

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Defence and Security

Tinubu Appoints New DG for NIA, DSS

Published

6 months ago

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August 26, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
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President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of new Directors-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed is the new Director-General of the NIA.

Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi is the new Director-General of the DSS.

This is contained in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President, Media & Publicity

The statement reads : “Ambassador Mohammed has had an illustrious career in the foreign service since joining the NIA in 1995.

He had served in various roles, culminating in his promotion to the rank of Director and his subsequent appointment as the head of the Nigerian mission to Libya”

“The 1990 graduate of Bayero University, Kano, had served in North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, and at the State House, Abuja”

“The new DSS Director-General, Mr.

Adeola Ajayi, rose through the ranks to attain his current post of Assistant Director-General of the Service. He had, at various times, served as State Director in Bauchi, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Kogi”

“The new appointments follow the resignation of the previous NIA and DSS chiefs”

“President Tinubu expects that the new security chiefs will work assiduously to reposition the two intelligence agencies for better results and charges them to bring their experience to bear in tackling the security challenges bedeviling the country through enhanced collaboration with sister agencies and in surgical alignment with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The President thanks the outgoing Directors-General of the two pivotal intelligence agencies for their services to the nation while wishing them success in their future endeavours”

 

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Defence and Security

Army Has No Desire To Truncate Nigeria’s Democracy — COAS

Published

12 months ago

on

March 5, 2024

By

Chief of Army Staff
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja
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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, on Tuesday, restated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to defend the nation’s choice of government, democracy.

Addressing participants at a seminar on career planning and management organised by the Army headquarters, the COAS said the Army has no plans to truncate democracy in the country.

He charged officers of the Nigerian Army to remain above board in the discharge of their professional duties.

“Permit me to seize this opportunity to reiterate that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, particularly the Nigerian Army has come to terms with the country’s choice of democracy as the preferred system of governance,” he said during his address to officers.

“We are therefore agents of democracy and have no desire to truncate it. The Nigerian Army will continue to defend our constitution and not suspend it for whatever reason.

“It is the duty of our elected leaders to lead while the military does its job as enshrined in our constitution. Nigerian Army personnel must therefore remain professional and be above board as they discharge their constitutional duties.”

The commitment by the COAS followed the series of putsches in West and Central Africa which have experienced at least seven military takeovers in the last four years.

Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and most recently, Niger Republic — all members of the Economic Community of Western African States ( ECOWAS) — have pulled out from the regional bloc in last four years. Outside of West Africa, Chad and Sudan also experienced military coups in 2021.

 

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