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Defence and Security

Army Says ‘No Cause For Alarm’ As Explosions Rock Maiduguri

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The army has said there was no need to panic after explosions rocked some communities in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

In a statement signed by spokesperson Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the army described the attack as a “security breach by suspected Boko Haram (BH) and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists who made futile attempt to maintain potency early this morning, 4 December 2021, with explosions in the outskirt of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.”

The explosions reportedly hit Gomari community and 1,000 Housing Estate in Maiduguri but no deaths were reported.

“This unfortunate incident has caused some level of damage and apprehension in residential areas. Although, no life was lost, sadly a minor sustained injury,” the army said.

“Ground troops in conjunction with the Air Component of OPHK responded swiftly and dominated the area with ground and air interdictions that successfully neutralized the threats and infiltration attempt by the terrorists.

“The general public are urged not to panic as troops are on ground and aggressively dominating the city to effectively take out any perceived threat.

“The good people of Maiduguri are equally enjoined to go about their normal socio economic activities and provide actionable information on the movement of these criminal elements.”

Saturday’s attack comes a day after seven soldiers were reportedly killed by ISWAP jihadists near a base at Rann, close to the Cameroonian border.

In February, at least 17 people were killed and 43 others injured when ISWAP fighters fired multiple rockets on Maiduguri.

The terrorists have also blown up electricity towers on several occasions, plunging the city into darkness for months.

On February 23, 2019, a soldier was killed and 20 others wounded when Boko Haram launched 13 rocket attacks on Maiduguri hours before voting began in Nigeria’s presidential election.

Over 40,000 people have been killed since the Boko Haram insurgency began 12 years ago and more than two million are displaced from their homes.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, visited the scene of the explosions on Saturday and sympathised with those affected.

“It seems the insurgents came very close to the town, the military has to wake up and ensure adequate surveillance,” Zulum said.

This is something that we can avert its occurrence. For the insurgents to have come such close to fire rockets, I think there is something wrong that we should have to check.

“We have to fortify Maiduguri town, we have to ensure adequate patrols on a daily basis to avert future attacks.

“It is very sad and unfortunate we have to witness this kind of attack at this time.”

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Defence and Security

Tinubu Appoints Retired General, Famadewa As Special Adviser On Homeland Security

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Major General Adeyinka Famadewa (Retired)
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President Bola Tinubu has appointed retired Major General Adeyinka Famadewa as Special Adviser on Homeland Security in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s internal security and intelligence coordination.

The appointment was announced on Monday in a statement issued by Chris Ugwuegbulam, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

According to the statement, the appointment reflects the administration’s commitment to improving security coordination, boosting intelligence-driven operations, and enhancing collaboration among security agencies to tackle emerging threats across the country.

The statement described Famadewa as a highly experienced military officer with more than three decades of service in national security, intelligence operations, counter-terrorism, and international security diplomacy.

It noted that during his time as Principal General Staff Officer to the National Security Adviser between 2015 and 2021, Famadewa played a key role in shaping Nigeria’s intelligence coordination system.

One of his major contributions was the establishment of the Intelligence Fusion Centre (IFC) at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). The centre brought together key security and intelligence agencies including the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Armed Forces.

The platform was designed to improve intelligence sharing, national threat assessment, and strategic response coordination among security agencies.

After retiring from active military service, Famadewa continued contributing to national security discussions as a Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja.

He is also the author of the monograph titled “Policing and National Security in Nigeria,” which focuses on improving cooperation between civilian institutions and security agencies.

President Tinubu expressed confidence that Famadewa’s experience and strategic expertise would help strengthen the administration’s efforts to achieve a safer and more secure Nigeria.

The President also urged the retired general to use his professionalism and wealth of experience to support the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and advance the country’s national security objectives.

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Defence and Security

Insecurity: CDS Orders Troops to Intensify Offensive Against Bandits in North-West

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CDS, Olufemi Oluyede
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The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has directed troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA to intensify operations against bandits and other criminal groups in Nigeria’s North-West region.

The directive was given during his operational visit to the Joint Task Force Headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State, where he assessed troop readiness and ongoing efforts to restore peace in the area.

Addressing the soldiers, Oluyede praised their courage and sacrifices, urging them to remain disciplined and relentless. He stressed that the safety of citizens depends on their commitment, calling on them to pursue criminal elements until they are eliminated.

He also assured troops of continued support in welfare, training, and provision of necessary equipment to enhance their effectiveness in the field. The CDS highlighted the importance of improved air support and better coordination across operations.

During the visit, Oluyede paid a courtesy call to the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, commending his support for military operations and encouraging stronger collaboration, especially in intelligence sharing.

Governor Lawal, in his response, appreciated the efforts of the Armed Forces and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security operations in the state.

The visit included operational briefings, troop interactions, and an assessment of deployments as part of ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity in the region.

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Defence and Security

Tinubu Approves ₦15bn Take-Off Grant for New Police Academy Campus in Ogun

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Nigeria Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The President also approved a ₦15 billion take-off grant for the institution. According to his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the move aligns with the provisions of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, which allows for expansion into multiple campuses nationwide.

The take-off fund will be sourced from the TetFund 2026 allocation and will support key infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and essential training equipment.

The decision followed a high-level meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission.

The meeting considered factors such as student capacity, funding, academic standards, and the long-term needs of the Nigerian Police Force. The expansion is expected to enhance policing education, institutional governance, and national security.

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