Security
Tinubu to Armed Forces: Engage our adversaries with gallantry, sophistication
President Bola Tinubu, has charged the Armed Forces to engage the nation’s adversaries with more military gallantry and sophistication.
Tinubu gave the charge on Saturday in Kaduna at the combined passing out parade of the 71 Regular Course, Army, Navy and Air Force.
The graduands also included: Direct Short Service Course 28 (Army) and Direct Short Service Course 32 (Air Force) Cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 823 officers were commissioned into the nation’s armed forces.
Tinubu was represented by Dr Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker, House of Representatives.
He also charged the members of the armed forces to remain focused in their operations, emphasising that elite militaries remained professional in democratic dispensations.
According to Tinubu, this is with the belief that the individuals charged with the nation’s leadership will do their job.
“We are the giant of Africa and must remain so,”he said.
Speaking further, Tinubu lamented that Nigerian as a country was faced with multiple challenges that have attempted to destroy the nationhood.
He said the economic challenges and deterioration in the standard of living, as well as unemployment and insecurity top the list of problems that were besieging the nation.
Tinubu, however, said more than ever before, his administration was determined to do all it takes to ensure that Nigeria is united, secure and repositioned for development.
“Based on this, the present government remains resolute in its mandate to create better living conditions for Nigerians and to do this, it has begun taking several steps,”the president added.
As a responsible government, Tinubu said, they were able to identify the crux of the nation’s problems, which was centered on some fundamental issues.
“As a government, we are working hard to confront these problems, including associated ones, to make our beloved nation more secure and improve the quality of life of the Nigerian citizen.
“We need the cooperation of all Nigerians for better answers in our interest,”he said.
Tinubu equally said that each time the government cast an eye into military barracks, what strikes its most was the number of widows and their children whose husbands sacrificed their lives for the survival of the nation.
He, therefore, directed leadership of the Nigerian armed forces to work out a robust policy proposal to the government.
This is with a view to alleviating the suffering of families of soldiers and officers affected by the trauma of the loss of their loved ones who paid the supreme price.
Yinubu equally lamented that since independence, Nigeria has had a mixed history of turbulence and fortune.
He said that his administration would change the course of history as it was determined to unite the country, where no one should be an exception.
Tinubu said the cadets of the NDA would not be an exception to this noble course, emphasising that Nigeria has spent a lot to train them.
“The nation requires loyalty, commitment, dedication. resilience and service from you.
”Be aware that wherever and whenever the nation comes calling, you will answer,”he said.(NAN
A student of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has been abducted by unidentified gunmen following an off-campus hostel attack.
Channels reports that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Istijaba Villa in Unguwar Jeji area of the state.
Witness accounts said five armed men entered the hostel to demand money from students who were taking a walk outside.
But the students refused to give in to their demands, which led to an assault from the attackers.
A resident, who was said to have attempted intervention, was shot dead while a final-year student of economics, simply identified as Madubiya, was whisked away by the assailants.
Responding to the incident, Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, the vice-chancellor of FUBK, visited the scene in the company of the officers from the Kalgo police division and Department of State Services (DSS).
Addressing the students, Zaiyan-Umar said the university is committed to ensuring their safety and security.
It is understood that the VC has communicated the incident to Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi state, through the secretary to the state government and the director of security services at the cabinet office.
As of this reporting, the Kebbi state police command has yet to respond to enquiries about the incident.
In 2021, rumours soared of a planned attack by bandits after a heavy security presence was observed on campus.
At the time, the management of FUBK dismissed the claims.
The National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding a lasting solution to the incessant attacks and killings in Plateau State.
Speaking at Operation Safe Haven headquarters in Jos during an operational visit in the aftermath of attacks in some communities of the Bokkos Local Government Area LGA) of the state, Ribadu promised to end the killings.
Over fifty persons were killed within a week in attacks over five communities that left over three hundred houses burnt by suspected herdsmen.
The Plateau State Government, through the Secretary to the Government Samuel Jatau, also visited some of the affected communities to ascertain the extent of damages and also donate relief materials to affected victims.
Adu expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding solutions to the incessant attacks and killings.
Also, speaking about the killings, the District Head of Manguna wants the government to provide more security personnel in the affected communities to curb rural-urban migration.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed sadness over the recent frightening attacks by terror groups on defenseless communities in Plateau State, which resulted in the tragic deaths of several people, including children.
The forum calls on the federal government to be constitutionally responsible for the protection of the lives and properties of citizens. It said this will ensure that such renewed attacks and killings on the Plateau and other communities in the Northern region and other parts of the country are stopped immediately.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, it asked the Federal Government to declare a state of security emergency on vulnerable and banditry-prone communities and to initiate effective early-warning and early-response strategies that incorporate the participation of community members.
“ACF reiterates its long-standing stance that every new such experience is one too many. Clearly, the people are in great pain, with their situation compounded by existential economic challenges. The killing spree on the Plateau must be stopped immediately, and peace must return to the State,” it said.
It also called on intensified efforts in actionable intelligence gathering, processing, and deployment by all relevant security agencies to establish the immediate and remote causes of the latest skirmishes, as well as for security agencies to investigate, identify, arrest, and prosecute perpetrators and enablers of the attacks.
Furthermore, ACF demanded full compensation for the victims of the attack and the extension of relief to those injured by the attackers.
“ACF deeply mourns the dead and unequivocally condemns the attacks. The Forum particularly extends sympathy and condolence to the affected communities, the Government, and the people of Plateau State,” part of the statement read.
“The Forum identifies with the deep pains of families of the victims, prays to God to grant the deceased eternal rest, for surviving victims to be fortified with strength to bear the losses and for quick return to full health for all who suffered injuries.”
It also asked the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government to empower community leaders, elders, clergy, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to embark on community dialogue for conflict resolution, reconciliation, and cooperation.
“Citizens should avail the security agencies with credible information on the activities of insurgents and criminals; and members of the National Assembly to do more to hold the FGN and the national security agencies to account and to demand concrete evidence of a firm resolve to exterminate the current terror on citizens,” the statement added.