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Defence and Security

National Defence College alumni association advocates security for nation’s forests

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The Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) on Monday in Abuja advocated for concerted efforts to secure the nation’s forests.

The association also advocated for the deployment of technology by the military and other security agencies in tackling insecurity across the country.

AANDEC made the calls at a news conference addressed by its president, retired Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi, to herald its 12th national security seminar.

The seminar, with the theme: “Application of Technology as Force Multiplier in Enhancing Peace and Security in Nigeria’’ holds in Abuja on Tuesday and Wednesday.

AANDEC organises the seminar annually in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Defence College, to address, contemporary national security issues.

Abdullahi said the call for adoption of technology in fighting insecurity became necessary owing to the issue of uncovered spaces and number of forests being used by criminals as hideouts.

He said that AANDEC believed that it was time to consolidate on the successes already achieved by applying some force multipliers, considering the spread of criminal activities.

He added that there was the need to leverage on technology to adequately enhance security operations and put an end to terminologies such as “ungoverned spaces’’ and “unknown gunmen’’.

According to him, there is a limit to which the military can continually increase the physical strength of the security services.

Abdullahi noted that the association’s suggestions would, however, not replace good governance as a means of ensuring that Nigerians are adequately catered for and given a sense of belonging.

He commended the research and development efforts of the armed forces of Nigeria and those of other security agencies.

He suggested that the efforts could be increased through the consideration of private sector participation in the funding and management of the Nigeria Defence Industrial Complex.

He added that the efforts must be developed with a business model supported by state protection and aggressive regional marketing focused on local resources such as in technical education.

“The need to develop or review a Military Technology Development Strategy for the nation, especially the defence industrial base, deserves more attention now to aid self-sufficiency in defence equipment production.

“This can be achieved by developing clusters of interrelated value chains within category-based technological specificities such as the production of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles,’’ he said.

He noted that Brazil adopted the approach to prevent proliferation of research institutes.

He said also that AANDEC chose theme of the seminar to aid the development of a robust national defence industry, it’s funding and administration.

“This is considering all we have gone through in trying to manage or resolve conflicts and dealing with terrorists, insurgents, and cyber criminals, bandits and unknown gunmen,’’ Abdullahi explained.

 

(NAN)

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Defence and Security

Police Rescue 75 Kidnap Victims in Kaduna

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The Kaduna State Police Command has rescued 75 persons abducted by bandits in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state.

The victims, comprising men, women and children, were reportedly travelling in commercial buses when they were attacked and abducted at Folwaya Village, near Birnin Gwari, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

The Command’s spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, disclosed in a statement that the rescue operation followed timely information received from the Birnin Gwari branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

According to him, the armed kidnappers, who were reportedly carrying AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons, took the victims into a forest and concealed them inside a cave in a mountainous area.

Hassan said operatives from the Birnin Gwari Area Command were immediately deployed to the location following the report.

He explained that the abductors fled into the forest after sighting the heavily armed security operatives, abandoning the captives, who were subsequently rescued unharmed.

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Rabiu Muhammad, commended the NURTW for providing the timely intelligence that facilitated the operation.

He also praised the Birnin Gwari Area Commander and his personnel for their swift and professional response.

The Commissioner, however, urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, warning against taking the law into their own hands, as such actions could endanger innocent lives.

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Defence and Security

Troops rescue 16 kidnapped victims in Dekina LG of Kogi State

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Troops have rescued 16 kidnapped persons after engaging suspected bandits in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The victims comprised six males, six females and four children, according to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

The report said the victims were abducted on Saturday, Aug. 9 along Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.

It said the operation followed intelligence that the victims were sighted around Adumu community in Dekina.

According to the report, the search-and-rescue operation involves troops of 21 Battalion and Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, the police, vigilantes and Hybrid Forces.

“The security forces eventually made contact with the suspected kidnappers and engaged them, forcing the criminals to abandon their victims and flee.

“However, one member of the Hybrid Forces was killed during the encounter, while one police personnel sustained injuries.

“The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the police in Ajaokuta for further action,” it said.

The military said the operation highlights the continued collaboration among the military, police and local security groups in tackling kidnapping and rescuing victims in Kogi

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Kano Multi Agency Task Force Arrest 28 Illicit Drug Suspects

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The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested 28 suspects and recovered assorted illicit substances in Rimin Gado and Doka communities of the State.

This is contained in a statement  by the Chairman of the Task Force, Mr Muhuyi Malawi and issued by the Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Garba-Muhammad on Sunday in Kano.

Magaji, who led the operation, said it was aimed to tackle drug-related criminality and protect communities from the effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

“On Aug. 7, the task force raided five drug joints in Rimin Gado and Doka in Tofa Local Government Area of the state.

The targeted operation was aimed to demonstrate the task force’s impartial enforcement mandate and to send a clear message that no one is above the law.

“We are treating every community equally and enforcing the law without bias.

“Our guiding principle is Kano First and we are determined to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and drug-free state inline with the vision of Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf,” he said.

Magaji said the task force recovered various assorted illicit substances during the raids.

He said  that he commenced the operations from his hometown Rimin Gado saying it was deliberate and symbolic.

“Sanitising my own community is the first step to a wider campaign,” he added.

He said that the campaign would be extended beyond Kano Metropolis to all  44 Local Government Areas of the state.

The chairman noted that the operation combined kinetic interventions to disrupt criminal activities with coordinated follow-up.

He said the task force would also adopt a balanced approach that would combine enforcement with prevention and recovery.

“While kinetic measures continue to dismantle illicit drug networks, non-kinetic efforts are being intensified through engagement with community leaders, regulatory bodies, health services and educational partners to raises awareness.

“We’ll also strengthen supply‑chain controls and expand rehabilitative support to those affected by substance use” Magaji said.

He stressed that lawful and legitimate businesses were not the target of the operations.

“Our aim is to protect honest traders and create an environment in which businesses and communities can thrive free from the effects of drug trafficking and abuse” he said.

Magaji said investigations were ongoing and suspects found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He urged members of the public to support the ongoing operations by reporting suspicious activities and provide relevant information on drug trafficking and abuse.

The Chairman reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to sustain its operations, uphold professional standards and safeguard the health and security of residents across the state.

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