There were indications yesterday that the service chiefs may be kept on their toes in the next couple of months, as the federal government has given them a period of one year to put an end to any form of insecurity in Nigeria.
Accordingly, minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, has asked them to present a timeline and requirements for ending insecurity across the country.
The former Jigawa governor who assumed duties as Defence minister at the Ship House in Abuja yesterday said his job and that of his junior minister, Bello Matawalle, as well as those of the service chiefs were at stake if they don’t end insecurity in one year.
There had been growing anxiety following the recent spike in terror attacks and killings in some northern states, with most Nigerians enveloped in a mood of despondency about the capacity of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to contain the scourge.
But speaking in his office on Tuesday the new Defence minister promised to convene a monthly meeting of all security agencies and other heads to promote synergy to end insecurity.
Badaru said, “We have no reason to fail him (Tinubu). So, I want to thank all that are here and assure them that we’ll do our best. We’ll do our best to make sure we rid the country of security challenges. We owe it a duty to the president and the nation. As politicians, we cannot afford not to succeed. We hardly fail and we are ready this time and we’ll not fail.
“I adopt all the measures mentioned by the minister of State but mine is to reecho our resolve and have the promise today with all of you that within a year or so we’ll have remarkable change in the security architecture of this country, and I believe it is doable. I believe it is possible and I’ll add that we’ll cooperate with all the security agencies in the country. We’ll soon start a monthly meeting with the security agencies and their ministers to have complete coverage among ourselves on how to solve the security challenges in the country.”
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding them worthy, saying, “we are lucky all the service chiefs are being appointed by him, we the ministers are appointed by him”.
Badaru continued: “The president is a goal setter; he is an achiever and a thinker. So if you think we are going to joke with this, then we will all be deceiving ourselves. The president is a macro manager and he will be on our necks to deliver. I will do the same.
“I believe that as time goes on you will see that I engaged you as a group and as individuals. I think this is where the service chiefs will forgive me if I cross the command channel. I have to get things done. The trust that is reposed on the two of us by Mr President and indeed the service chiefs cannot be betrayed. We have to deliver and for the sake of our country, we know without security there will be no investment and without investment there will be no economic growth. Even our food security is threatened; farmers can’t go to their farms.
“The President is ready to give us all the support to do this. So, from now on, I want the service chiefs to give me a timeline and their requirements on how we will begin to solve these problems one by one.
“This time line and target will be passed on to the president and trust me, he will be monitoring us. He doesn’t have the patience to work with lazy people, so all our jobs are at stake if we don’t deliver. And indeed we have to deliver for our people; we have to deliver for the country.”
The minister pledged to review security reports on the nation’s security and come up with the best strategy to address them,
On his part, the minister of state for Defence, Matawalle, in his remarks, said despite being blessed with abundant resources, Nigeria faces numerous challenges in maintaining peace and stability within its borders.
He said, “Our geographical location, coupled with internal and external threats, demands a robust defence strategy that can effectively protect our sovereignty and preserve our national interests”.
The former Zamfara governor said members of the armed forces have demonstrated commitment to duty and sacrifice to protect the nation, which deserves utmost respect and support.
He, however, noted that the security landscape is constantly evolving, with new threats emerging, while existing ones continue to persist.
“Terrorism, banditry, insurgency, cyber warfare, transnational organized crime, and communal conflicts pose significant challenges to our national security.
“I am fully aware that the task ahead is not an easy one. However, I am confident that with the support of my colleagues, the dedication of our armed forces, and the unwavering commitment of every Nigerian citizen, we will overcome any challenge that comes our way” he stated.
Matawalle further noted that the ministers have resolved to adopt a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to effectively tackle the prevailing security issues.
“Our armed forces must be modernised and strengthened through investments in advanced weaponry, intelligence gathering capabilities, surveillance systems, and cyber defence infrastructure. We will work closely with international partners to acquire cutting-edge technology and expertise that will enhance our defence capabilities.
“At the same time, we recognise that military might alone cannot guarantee lasting security and stability. We must address the root causes of conflicts, promote social cohesion, and foster economic development. By investing in education, healthcare, job creation, and infrastructure development, we can create an environment where extremism finds no fertile ground to thrive”.
He restated commitment to collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies to implement programs that address the socio-economic disparities that often fuel conflicts.
He reiterated the need for stakeholders’ engagement including the private sector, civil society organizations, and local communities.
“We must foster a culture of vigilance and collective responsibility, where every Nigerian plays an active role in ensuring the safety and security of our nation.
“We will prioritize the welfare and training of our security personnel, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary tools and resources to carry out their duties effectively.
“Furthermore, we will work towards enhancing coordination and synergy among the various security agencies, fostering a united front in our efforts to combat insecurity.”
On regional security, he said regional cooperation is essential in combating transnational threats.
He added that the task of defending a nation does not fall solely on the shoulders of the defence forces or the government but a collective responsibility that requires the active participation of every citizen.
He, therefore, called on Nigerians to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities, and support Armed Forces in their mission to protect the country.
Troops Arrest 39 Over Plateau Attacks, Other Crimes
Meanwhile, troops of the military taskforce, “Operation Safe Haven (OPSH)”, maintaining peace in Plateau State and parts of Bauchi and Kaduna States, have arrested 39 suspects for banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery in one week.
Among the suspects are two persons held in connection with the killing of 21 people in Plateau communities.
Media officer of the OPSH, Capt James Oya, stated yesterday in Jos, the state capital.
He said the suspects were arrested between August 14 and August 21, 2023.
He added that the troops also recovered arms and ammunition, and illicit drugs from the suspects.
“The suspects were arrested at different locations within the Joint Operation Area of OPSH and 3 Division of the Nigerian Army’s area of responsibility. Two of the suspects had been on our wanted list for their involvement in several armed robberies and kidnaping.
“We recovered one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action Magnum gun, one AK-47 magazine, 14 rounds of 7.62mm `special’ and a mobile phone from the suspects. Among the suspects is a kidnapper and arms dealer, who was captured at Kuba village in Bokkos local government area of Plateau,’’ he stated.
Oya said two members of the militia gang that attacked and killed 21 persons at Heipang, Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau on August 10 were among the suspects arrested.
He added that two AK-47 rifles, seven fabricated rifles and four pump action cartridges were recovered from the two suspects.
“Members of a drug syndicate operating in Bassa local government area of Plateau were also nabbed during a sting operation and seven peddlers were arrested with a large cache of drugs.
“Troops also impounded 307 cows for grazing on farmlands belonging to locals at Kubat and Mabel communities of Mangu and Bokkos local government areas, respectively.
“In the period under review, we responded to 37 distress calls and rescued 17 kidnap victims. We also foiled many cattle rustling attempts and repelled attacks on vulnerable communities, especially in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Riyom, all in Plateau,’’ Oya stated.
He reconfirmed OPSH’s commitment to ensure that sustainable peace returned to all parts of the Plateau, assuring that officers and men of the operation would continue to be swift in responding to threats to lives and property.
Tinubu Will Tackle Humanitarian Crisis With Clear-cut Policies – Betta Edu
Meanwhile, the new minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has assured that President Tinubu is ready to end humanitarian crisis occasioned by terror attacks and banditry Nigeria with a clear-cut policies of government.
LEADERSHIP reports that insurgency in the North East, banditry the North West and farmers/herders clash in the North Central had devastated the lives of civilians, rendering millions of women, men and children homeless and in acute need of help and protection.
But the former All Progressives Congress (APC) women leader who assumed duties as minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation said it is a “renewed hope” for all Nigerians because President Tinubu came very prepared.”
Dr Edu had during maiden meetings with the chief executive officers of the agencies under her ministry on Monday expressed the federal government’s commitment to lift 133 million Nigerians out of poverty.
She assured Nigerians of her determination to ensure transparency and accountability during her tenure as Minister.
Speaking in her office yesterday, she restated that with Tinubu’s clear-cut policies, the ministry will achieve the target through different interventions and initiatives aimed at lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
The minister who was received by the permanent secretary, directors, heads of agencies and a huge crowd at the ministry, thanked and commended the permanent secretary and his Staff for being steadfast, hardworking and dedicated thereby keeping the Ministry running.
She assured them of a transparent and result oriented administration while charging them to get ready for the task ahead.
She said, “Indeed it is a ‘Renewed Hope’ for all Nigerians as President Tinubu came very preparedThe Humanitarian Ministry seeks to ease human suffering and maintain/reestablish circumstances that honor and protect human dignity with a mission to develop good humanitarian policies and provide effective coordination of National and International humanitarian interventions that will benefit Nigerians and remove them from poverty.
“The task ahead of us is enormous but must be surmounted. We’ll put smiles on the faces of about 136million poor Nigerians by creating at least 10 million jobs, unveiling the renewed hope agenda for poverty alleviation , among other things”.
She promised that in a few months Nigerians will begin to see results, as the team President Tinubu has put up is very capable, resolute, determined, and desperate for results.
“We will also be working on President Tinubu action plan to pull 136 million Nigerians out of poverty. The journey to achieving this great feat has just begun. Nigerians will get results soon”.
Addressing the entire staff and management of the Ministry, Edu said, “It is very necessary that we get to work immediately. President Tinubu came very prepared and has given us a charge during the inauguration to get to work and hit the ground running as he won’t accept any excuses or failure.
“Nigerians are desperate for a renewed hope and that hope has to come now. There’s a lot to be done, hence the importance of my making sure that we begin this journey just few minutes after my inauguration.
“I operate an open door policy as such they won’t be room for excuses. I am a team player and a good listener, it is therefore expected of us to work in synergy, speed and determination as that is the only way we can meet up with the huge expectations of millions of Nigerians, yes we owe them that.”
The permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, who briefed the minister on the activities of the ministry in the past 4 years, officially handed over documents as well as the entire affairs of the ministry and sector to her in the presence of directors of the ministry.
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