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Governor Sani Visits Army Headquarters, Seeks Increased Military Intervention In Southern Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has visited the Army headquarters Abuja seeking for more military presence in tackling insecurity.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has visited the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Maj Gen Taoreed Lagbaja at the Army Headquarters, seeking more military presence in Southern Kaduna to tackle banditry and other criminal activities.
Governor Uba Sani, the esteemed Governor of Kaduna State, paid a visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
The purpose of Governor Sani’s visit was twofold: to extend his congratulations to Maj. Gen Lagbaja on his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff and to express his appreciation for the Nigerian Army’s exceptional performance during the General Commanding Officer (GOC) I Division NA’s tenure.
During the visit, Governor Sani emphasised that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of Gen Lagbaja was a testament to his remarkable accomplishments in previous assignments. The Governor also commended General Lagbaja for effectively combating banditry and other criminal activities along the Abuja-Kaduna road and the Birnin Gwari general area while serving as the GOC 1 Division.
Governor Sani’s Plea For Increased Military Intervention In Southern Kaduna
In his meeting with COAS Maj. Gen Lagbaja, Governor Sani urged for further military intervention, particularly through the deployment of additional troops, in Southern Kaduna.
This region falls under Operation SAVE HAVEN (OPSH) and requires enhanced efforts to combat the growing menace of bandit activities and other criminal elements. Recognising that security is a collective responsibility, the Governor affirmed his commitment to supporting the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in securing the state.
Governor Sani highlighted the importance of building upon the solid foundation laid by Gen Lagbaja in Kaduna to restore peace in the troubled areas. He expressed his desire for consolidated efforts to combat banditry, ensuring the safety and well-being of the affected communities.
COAS Maj. Gen Lagbaja’s Response And Call For Collaboration
COAS Maj. Gen Lagbaja welcomed Governor Sani’s visit as an opportunity for the Nigerian Army to receive first-hand feedback on the security situation in Kaduna State. This valuable information would enable strategic military operational engagements in the area.
Gen Lagbaja acknowledged the support and positive relationship between the Nigerian Army and the Kaduna State Government during his tenure as the GOC 1 Division, which greatly contributed to restoring peace and stability in the state.
The COAS called for the mobilization of critical stakeholders, including traditional rulers and the clergy, to collaborate with the military in combating insecurity.
He emphasised the significance of information gathering in military operations and urged the Governor and other influential figures to actively participate in this effort.
Furthermore, Gen Lagbaja expressed gratitude to Governor Sani for the infrastructural support provided by the state to the Army.
He assured the Governor of the Nigerian Army’s readiness to restore stability not only in Kaduna State but also in the adjoining states.
The meeting between Governor Sani and COAS Maj Gen Lagbaja exemplified the importance of collaboration between government officials and the military to address the pressing security concerns in Southern Kaduna.
Their discussions centred on the need for increased military intervention, consolidation of achievements, and the involvement of key stakeholders in restoring peace and stability.
By working together, they aim to create a safer environment for the people and foster long-lasting security in the region.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.