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Defence and Security

Declare full scale war against terrorists, Senate tells FG

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Banditry Gunmen
Bandits
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…raises alarm over displacement of 151,380 persons in two years
 
The Senate has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, declare full fledged war against elements involved in terrorist activities in the country.

This was just as the upper chamber called on the government to establish a military base at Shiroro and Kaima communities in Niger State to restore confidence in the security and safety of the affected communities.

According to the Senate, doing so would also safeguard the Shiroro Hydro-electric Power Dam, a National Asset located within the area.

These formed part of resolutions reached following a motion considered during plenary on Tuesday.

The motion was sponsored by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger East) and Co-sponsored by Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar (Kwara North).

Senator Musa, in his presentation entitled, “Recent Bandit attack on communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State: A call for action”, noted that on Tuesday, 11th January, 2022, 13 (Thirteen) persons were confirmed killed in an attack by suspected bandits in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to the lawmaker, on Friday 14th January, 2022, five vigilante members were killed in an attack on a local market and some communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

He lamented that during the “deadly” operation, “a lot of destruction ensued, including many people who sustained multiple gunshot injuries while many others were kidnapped and taken to unknown destination.”

He said that, “the assailants attacked villagers who were harvesting crops on their farm in Nakundna village in Shiroro council area and the inability of farmers to harvest their farm produce may likely trigger food scarcity in the State;

“Notes that the current sad reality is that there is no longer semblance of security in the whole of Lakpma axis
of Shiroro local government in Kaima village;

“Regrets that these attacks by armed groups have continued in the North-west and North-Central Niger State
despite repeated government assurance to address the escalating atrocities;

“Recalls that over 151, 380 people, mostly peasant farmers, were displaced by the activities of bandits in the last two years. The displaced persons were registered in 13 local government areas of the state, with Rafi council area neighbouring Zamfara and Kaduna topping the chart with 28, 987 displaced persons;

“Concludes that in the Shiroro council area, where the latest incident occurred, over 27, 678 persons were displaced within the period; and

“Notes that the ongoing bloodletting and destruction of public and private assets by the bandits cannot be allowed to continue.”

The Senate, accordingly, in its resolutions, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for ordering air bombardment on there area of operation.

It also called on the Federal Government to declare a full fledge war on unscrupulous elements since they have been declared as terrorists, and to establish a military Base at Shiroro and Kaima, to restore confidence in the security and safety of the affected communities and to safeguard the National Asset located within the area, such as the Shiroro Hydro-electric Power Dam.

The chamber urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials and medical team to the victims immediately.

 

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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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