Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Daniel Bwala, has outlined a comprehensive, multi-layered strategy the Federal Government is deploying to combat insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping across Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on The Link Up Podcast, Bwala emphasized that the administration is prioritizing the expansion of security personnel, the integration of advanced technology, and the enhancement of international and local partnerships to address current security challenges.

Key Components of the Government’s Strategy

• Manpower Expansion: Acknowledging that existing security forces are insufficient to cover Nigeria’s population and vast landmass, Bwala confirmed an immediate and ongoing drive to recruit and retrain personnel for the Nigeria Police Force, Armed Forces, Department of State Services (DSS), and marine security.

• Targeted Deployment: A specific focus of the recruitment is to deploy new personnel as forest guards to deny criminal gangs and terrorists safe havens in remote areas, where they are also exploiting mineral resources.

• Community and Private Sector Involvement: The government is actively strengthening community-based policing, encouraging neighbourhood marshals to improve local intelligence gathering. Furthermore, licenses are being granted to select private security firms to provide supplementary support, and police details are being withdrawn from certain VIPs to free up officers for mainstream duty.

• Technological Investment: The modernization of security includes significant investment in drones and electronic interception systems. Bwala noted that this technology enables intelligence-led operations designed to strike criminal targets outside populated areas, thereby reducing civilian casualties.

• International Cooperation: Nigeria is broadening its defense partnerships. Bwala cited recent joint operations and specialized training with United States special forces and increased cooperation with neighbouring Sahel nations.

• Internal Accountability: Addressing the issue of a “crisis economy” surrounding kidnapping, Bwala revealed that some perpetrators are ordinary citizens, including acquaintances of victims. He also stressed the government’s commitment to internal security sanitization, citing the recent arrest of a senior police officer linked to criminal activity.

Call for Patience

Bwala argued that insecurity often escalates pre-election due to political interests allegedly recruiting and arming criminal elements. He concluded by urging Nigerians to judge the administration’s overall security performance only after the conclusion of the current election cycle.

Is there anything else you would like to know about the Federal Government’s security initiatives or Daniel Bwala’s comments?

Legal practitioner Jiti Ogunye has cautioned against demanding the resignation of Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila regarding allegations surrounding the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), arguing that such an exit would be more harmful to the pursuit of justice than his continued service.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Lack of Basis for Resignation: Ogunye stated that there is no factual or legal justification for Gbajabiamila to step down, noting that he has not been charged with or indicted for any offense.

• Presumption of Innocence: He emphasized that the Chief of Staff is entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence and warned against the trend of convicting public officials in the court of public opinion before investigations are complete.

• Integrity of Investigation: According to Ogunye, resignation should only be considered if a public official’s presence is actively obstructing an investigation or compromising its integrity.

• Allegations of Fraud: Ogunye alleged that the claimant, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, forged government documents—including an Act of Parliament and a gazette—to create a “fictitious” agency designed to deceive investors and financial institutions.

• Defense of the Chief of Staff: He dismissed claims that Gbajabiamila benefited from the scheme, reiterating that the Chief of Staff has maintained he has no dealings with the claimant and had previously issued a public disclaimer regarding the matter.

Ultimately, Ogunye stressed that serious allegations must be subjected to due process and thorough investigation rather than resulting in forced resignations based on unproven accusations.

Activist Aisha Yesufu has voiced concerns regarding the recent forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, cautioning that “selective justice is equally injustice”. While she commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for securing the final forfeiture order on July 15, 2026, she emphasized that this action should be viewed as only the “tip of the iceberg” regarding media reports on corruption.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Call for Consistency: Yesufu urged the anti-graft agency to expand its efforts and pursue other politicians involved in financial-related cases.

• Avoiding Political Bias: She stressed that the EFCC’s capacity to investigate should not be restricted to individuals who have fallen out of favor with those currently in power.

• Upholding the Rule of Law: She argued that for the rule of law to be sacrosanct, the commission must avoid selective enforcement, which she equates to injustice.

The forfeiture order, granted by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, was based on the finding that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities rather than acquired through legitimate income. The court’s decision relied on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.