latest
Nationwide Concerns: Nigerians Call On Federal Government For Urgent Solutions To Escalating Insecurity
The recent surge in the activities of bandits in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, and other parts of the country, has unsettled the populace…..CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Nigerians are even more worried as the identities of the criminals and their sponsors remain a subject of conjecture.
Like Senator Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker said in a post on his official X handle, there may be beneficiaries of the huge sums of money constantly paid as ransom to secure the release of abducted citizens from the captivity of the deadly kidnappers.
Curious about the activities of the hoodlums, the former Senator said the puzzle Nigerians “are yet to solve is that the foot soldiers who kidnap people and receive ransom in hundreds of millions remain poor and look wretched whenever they are arrested.
“They are mostly in their teens and twenties. There is no evidence of wealth or comfort in their lives and even the clothes they wear.
“The question is who are the ultimate beneficiaries of these huge sums of money and who supplies them with the weapons they use for their acts of criminality?”
DAILY POST recalls that a former federal lawmaker, Hon. Sani Muhammad Takori had recently alleged that banditry activities in Zamfara State were being sponsored by some selfish and powerful individuals.
According to him, when the security crisis was brewing at its warning stage, the situation was neglected by stakeholders in the state.
“When it started as a Fulani/farmers clash, all of us did not take the matter very seriously. We thought that it wasn’t something that would have lasted for so long”, he said.
DAILY POST also recalls that Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State on January 12 revealed that security agents know the financiers of the bandits terrorizing the state.
In an interview on national television, the governor, who was reacting to the recent attacks in his state, where over 200 people were killed, said the terrorists are known.
“What I can tell you about the killings in Plateau and the attacks in recent times are pure acts of terrorism.
“I believe that the sponsors of the terrorists, the financiers of the terrorists and those who arm the terrorists are known.
“And the security agencies know them or they have the capacity to know them. And that is why we are insisting that the security agencies must do their work, which is to protect lives and properties,” he said.
A security expert, Mr Akogwu John, who spoke with DAILY POST, weekend, wondered why the head of security agencies and the federal government kept mum on the claim.
“The governor of Plateau State made it clear that the security agents know these people who are causing problems everywhere.
“I have not read or seen any report anywhere that the Chief of Army Staff or the Inspector General of Police debunked this allegation. This shows that the governor’s claim was right.
“We are living in a country where everything, including security is politicized. Who are these powerful individuals that are sponsoring the killing of innocent citizens and why is the government quiet?
“Nigerians would feel better if they are told the persons behind these demonic activities. By the time one person is revealed and humiliated, others will stop, but so long as the identities of these killers remain covered, they will continue.
“The youths around where these things are happening should also step up and find out by themselves who are the people behind their problems.
“Yes, they may be wealthy and powerful but a single individual can’t defeat a whole community.
Like in Zamfara and other Northern states, those mining their mineral resources should be held responsible”, he advised.
Kidnapping in Abuja
DAILY POST gathered on Saturday that the non-state actors, who have been causing chaos in the federal capital city, and its neighbouring states, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Niger are camping in the Kajuru forest, Southern Kaduna area of Kaduna State.
Kajuru forest, which according to reports, was hitherto used by the military for training of its personnel, is currently occupied by the daredevil bandits.
Abuja, which was relatively immune to the prevalent security challenges in other parts of the country, is currently grappling with an escalating wave of criminal activities, particularly kidnapping.
According to Beacon Consulting, a local firm monitoring security issues in the country, over 200 violent attacks have been recorded across all six area councils of the FCT since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.
Reports revealed that at least 87 residents of the nation’s capital have been killed by the terrorists, while 176 were kidnapped within the period.
There have been a series of attacks, killings and abductions across the city, particularly in Bwari and Abaji Area Councils.
A few days ago, the Sagwari Layout Estate, Dutse in Bwari Area Council, was thrown into panic after the kidnappers who abducted ten persons from the area killed three of their victims.
The gunmen had on January 7 invaded the estate with highly sophisticated weapons and abducted at least ten persons.
Reports emerged last week that the terrorists killed three of the ten victims to send a strong warning to their relatives negotiating ransom payment.
Our correspondent also gathered that the assailants increased their demand from the initial N60 million per person to N100 million, now totalling N700 million, as the only condition for their release.
On Thursday, the criminal elements invaded Hilltop Phase 2 Extension of the Nigerian Army Post-Housing Estate and kidnapped a popular businesswoman.
It was gathered that despite the presence of soldiers in the estate, the kidnappers went away with the victim through the hillside.
Speaking with DAILY POST on the general security situation in the country, spokesperson of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, Kare Ajayi urged President Tinubu to urgently send out emissaries to conduct “soul-searching meetings with stakeholders in respective areas across the country with a view to coming up with mutually agreed solutions to the menace of insecurity in the areas concerned”.
Ajayi stated that an appropriate mechanism for dealing with the security crisis “must be devised and implemented”, stressing that serious sanctions for infractors or violators be agreed upon and applied accordingly without fear or favour.
He also urged the president to give a Presidential Order empowering states and local government areas that are willing to set up local police services.
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on January 17, reassured residents of Abuja and its surroundings that the prevailing security challenges in the territory would be decisively addressed in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The former Rivers State Governor stated this after a town hall meeting in Bwari, Bwari Area Council, in response to the escalation of kidnappings and violence in the nation’s capital.
“President has approved of me to provide everything required to the security agencies. And just like Etsu-Bwari and Sarkin-Bwari said, it is not by merely talking; we are serious.
“Security agencies will not have any reason to say they are not equipped; we will provide everything required”, he said.
Bamidele Kehinde, Director of Dynamic Ambassadors for Social Orientation Initiatives and the City Transformation Project, has expressed appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria for its efforts in securing the release of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who was reportedly held in detention in the Republic of Benin for over two years under difficult conditions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Pastor Egbaji, a Nigerian cleric, was said to have endured harsh treatment during his detention, including prolonged confinement. His release followed a presidential pardon granted by the authorities in Benin Republic under President Patrice Talon.
Speaking on News Central TV, Dr. Kehinde praised the diplomatic efforts that led to the cleric’s freedom, describing the process as lengthy and challenging. He noted that significant progress was achieved after Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
He stated that although there was no personal connection or financial influence involved, the minister actively engaged Benin Republic authorities through diplomatic channels. According to him, her visit and negotiations played a key role in securing Pastor Egbaji’s release.
Dr. Kehinde also commended all individuals and institutions that contributed to the advocacy efforts, including Moses Eyo, Dickson Umu Unung, the Cross River State Government, CP Alobi Lawrence (rtd), Joseph Bisong Ayi, Blessing Harrison, Eze Sampson, and Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo.
He said their combined efforts were instrumental in achieving the cleric’s freedom.
He added that while Egbaji’s release is a major relief, the cleric now faces the task of recovering and rebuilding his life after years of hardship. He called for continued support to help him reintegrate into society.
Dr. Kehinde also urged stronger government commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens abroad and enhancing diplomatic engagement across West Africa to prevent similar cases in the future.
The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has provided an update on its ongoing nationwide recruitment exercise.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The board stated that 1,120,491 applications were successfully completed and processed, allowing candidates to proceed to the computer-based test (CBT) stage.
It also disclosed that 432,935 applications were left incomplete, while 360,923 applicants were disqualified during screening and shortlisting for failing to meet the required criteria.
In total, the recruitment exercise recorded over 1.8 million applications across the country.
The exercise covers agencies under the board, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service, and the Nigeria Correctional Service.
CDCFIB also released a breakdown of CBT performance, showing that 221,996 candidates scored between 0–40, 229,155 scored between 41–60, 278,543 scored between 61–80, while 142,697 scored between 81–100.
The recruitment process is now expected to move to the next stage, which includes physical screening and document verification. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted with details of their screening venues, dates, and required documents.
The board reiterated that the entire process is free of charge and advised applicants to rely only on official communication channels for updates, warning against misinformation and unauthorized messages circulating online.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that its Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted precise airstrikes in the Yuwe axis of the Sambisa Forest, resulting in the elimination of several terrorist elements on Monday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who noted that military operations in the North-East continue to maintain strong pressure on insurgent groups.
He explained that the operation was based on credible intelligence, supported by Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) activities, which identified active terrorist presence within fortified positions and underground hideouts.
According to him, NAF air platforms successfully engaged the targets using precision-guided munitions, destroying the structures, neutralising multiple terrorists, and dismantling key logistics facilities. This was later confirmed through battle damage assessments.
The statement added that sustained air operations have continued to weaken terrorist networks, disrupting their activities and forcing them into more defensive and unstable responses.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, also reiterated the Air Force’s commitment to maintaining continuous, intelligence-driven operations aimed at completely neutralising terrorist threats.
He further assured that the NAF remains focused on protecting its personnel, safeguarding national security, and ensuring the safety of citizens, while continuing precision operations in line with strict rules of engagement to minimise civilian impact.
-
latest8 months ago“Social Media Erupts As Jim Iyke Declares Rita Dominic Nollywood’s Most Beautiful”
-
latest2 years agoEdo Political Showdown: Oshiomhole Appears At Presidential Villa As Tinubu Hands APC Gubernatorial Flag To Okpebholo (Photos & Video)
-
entertainment2 years agoLove Knows No Age American Woman Defends Marriage To Young Nigerian Man “I’m Not 70”
-
latest2 years agoOlumide Akpata Strikes Again: Drops Killer Track, Sends Edo State Into Frenzy!(Video)
-
Politics2 years agoNigerians React As Pastor Adeboye Foresees Passing Away On A Sunday After Enjoying A Satisfying Meal Of Pounded Yam
-
latest2 years agoFG Identifies 31 States At Risk Of Heavy Flooding In 2024: See Full List
-
Politics2 years agoBREAKING: Inspector-General Of Police Summons Top Police Commanders For Crucial-Security Challenges
-
latest2 years ago5 NYSC Corpers Perish In Fatal Road Accident Returning From Camp