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 Insecurity: Senate To Hold National Security Summit

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President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio
Senate-President-Godswill-Akpabio
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The Nigerian Senate is set tp hold a national security Summit to address the current security charges headlong.

This was also done during the 8th and the 9th National Assembly , the Senate resolved to hold a two – day National Security Summit for lasting solutions to the myriad of problems of insecurity bedeviling the country .

Those to attend the planned National Security Summit shall include delegates from the Federal, States, and Local Governments as well as the Traditional Institutions to propose legitimate solutions to insecurity and its challenges in the country.

It also resolved that the Federal Government should use resolutions from the proposed summit to rejig the country’s security architecture through formulation and implementation of very proactive and pragmatic policies .

The resolutions were sequel to a motion sponsored for that effect by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim ( APC Ondo South) and co – sponsored by Senators Zam Titus , Senator Peter Onyeka Nwebonyli, Onyeka Peter, APC, Ebonyi North and Senator Ngwu Osita, PDP, Enugu West.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim in the motion titled : ” Urgent Need for a National Security Summit” said that high level of global insecurity is driven by events in Russia and Ukraine and compounded by tensions between the global north and global south which according to him ,
have worsened food insecurity and affected the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs).

He posited that the growing impact of the tariff war in America and the rising emphasis on balance of power by various countries, are reflected in the new international order, concerning immigration and the cancellation of visas by the new regimes, which has necessitated some countries to raise funds by selling citizenship, intensifying economic conflict, and undermining globalization, which the investment the global space has pursued over the last sixty years;

He further notes the significance of power, influence, and authority at the geo-centric level, as such, Nigeria must clarify its strategic engagement in the international arena and the roles of the Senate in advising the executive to help the government achieve substantial value for Nigeria and uphold its sovereignty, as the next world war may not even require the fanfare of militarism, but the i dible growing ic war is gaining ground with destructive innovation in security globally.

The Senate he added, is aware that recent events in our region have led to feelings of discomfort and insecurity, which has placed the past accomplishments of our security forces at risk even though, our military and its partners are striving to address these challenges, they do not have solutions to the global economic conflict or the effects of new American tariffs and tensions with China.

“As a result, insecurity across Nigeria has become pervasive, impacting on both urban and rural areas, where banditry, ransom kidnappings, and terrorism are pressing issues, across the country as well as other violent crimes”, he stressed .

According to him, the historical trajectory of political crises, such as the Kano riot of 1953, the Eastern Region constitutional crises of 1953, the census crises of 1962-63, and the Action Group crises of 1962 and 1967-70, the Federal Election of 1964, the Western Nigeria Election of 1965, the General Election of 1979, the executive versus legislative crises of 1981 in Kaduna, and the general election 1983, cannot be forgotten as the election approaches.

He explained further that National Security Summit was very necessary for expertise ideas to compliment President Bola Tinubu’s seriousness on the peace of Nigeria, saying “there is need for some fact-finding intelligence support for Mr. President’s efforts even of the fact that most military strategies and languages such as Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliet, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, are no longer exclusive to the military.

“No country will allow its citizens to understand security by living with insecurity, therefore, the ideology of peace for all, as outlined in the executive policy leg of the Renewed Hope Agenda should be upheld and promoted.

See also External Debt: Buhari’s theory of servicing debt with scarce revenue destructive; I won’t sustain it: Tinubu “Can we continue to service external debts with 90% of our revenue?” Mr Tinubu asked. “It is a path to destruction. It is not sustainable.”
“To address the challenges highlighted above, it Is imperative that empirical fact-finding National Security Summit is organized by the Senate to assist in providing the requisite platform for exhaustive and far reaching deliberations on the way forward”, he said .

Defence and Security

TINUBU SWEARS IN GEN. CHRISTOPHER MUSA AS DEFENCE MINISTER

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, New Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa and others dignitaries at the Oath taking ceremony in Abuja
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President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday swore in retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Musa’s appointment follows the resignation of former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on December 1. His nomination was sent to the Senate on Tuesday and swiftly confirmed.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1991. He served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until his retirement in October 2025, during which he promoted stronger cooperation among the armed forces.

With his swearing-in, Musa is expected to immediately take charge as the Tinubu administration intensifies security reforms and seeks to consolidate recent gains toward lasting peace nationwide.

Dignitaries at the ceremony included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Information Minister Mohammed Idris, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and senior military chiefs. Also present were Musa’s wife, Lilian Oghogho Musa; Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; and retired Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs.

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Defence and Security

Senate Confirms Former Defence Chief Christopher Musa as Minister

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General Christopher Musa Rtd
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The Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa (rtd), the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence.

Musa’s nomination was approved on Wednesday after a screening session in which senators examined his military credentials and asked questions on national security challenges.

Addressing the lawmakers, Musa pledged commitment to diligent service and emphasised collaboration in tackling insecurity.

“The challenges we are facing are Nigerian challenges, not just for the armed forces or security agencies,” he said. “We will win if we work together as a team.”

He highlighted gaps in security operations and called for a unified national database to support intelligence gathering. Musa also urged stronger roles for local governments and the judicial system.

Rejecting ransom payments to kidnappers and terrorists, he warned that negotiation only emboldens criminals. “They use the money to buy more arms,” he noted.

Responding to claims of religious targeting in violence across the country, Musa said terrorism affects all citizens. “We must stop the killings. Nigerians should not be killed. We must unite,” he stated.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised Musa’s performance during the screening, describing him as the most thorough nominee since 1999. He encouraged the new minister to immediately visit defence industry facilities.

Musa’s nomination was subsequently approved through a unanimous voice vote.

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Defence and Security

Senate Backs Death Penalty for Kidnapping, Moves to Redefine Crime as Terrorism

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In a decisive move to stem rising insecurity, the Senate has approved key amendments to the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, prescribing the death penalty for kidnappers and anyone who aids kidnapping operations.

During Wednesday’s plenary, senators across political lines overwhelmingly supported the bill sponsored by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. The amendment seeks to classify kidnapping, hostage-taking, and related offences as acts of terrorism, granting law enforcement broader powers to dismantle criminal networks.

The bill has now been referred to the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, National Security and Intelligence, and Interior for further scrutiny, with instructions to report back within two weeks.

Presenting the proposal, Bamidele said kidnapping had evolved from sporadic activity into organised violence affecting all regions of the country. He argued that the severity and scale of the crime now bear the hallmarks of terrorism, warranting the strongest punishment.

> “Kidnapping has instilled fear in communities, disrupted economic activities, ruined families, and claimed countless innocent lives,” he declared. “Our legal framework must reflect the magnitude of this threat.”

The amendment prescribes capital punishment not only for perpetrators but also for financiers, informants, logistics suppliers, harbourers, and anyone who knowingly supports kidnapping operations. Attempt, conspiracy, or incitement would attract the same penalty.

The Senate leader explained that reclassification under terrorism laws would enable intelligence-led operations, asset tracing, inter-agency cooperation, and disruption of funding channels.

Backing the proposal, Senator Adams Oshiomhole dismissed existing deradicalisation programmes as ineffective, arguing that some offenders return to crime after release.

> “Even Scriptures acknowledge that those who kill cannot be allowed to continue living,” Oshiomhole said. “If convicted for terrorism, the penalty should be death.”

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu lamented the suffering inflicted on Nigerians, citing cases of widows, traumatised families and victims of sexual assault.

> “Everyone involved in this criminal enterprise must face consequences,” he maintained.

Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro described kidnapping as a business venture for criminals and endorsed the bill as a necessary measure to deter offenders.

Also speaking, Senator Victor Umeh condemned the killing of victims after ransom payment and called for sanctions against facilitators, including complicit financial institutions.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, welcomed the bipartisan support and mandated the lead committee to expedite consultations and present recommendations at a public hearing.

The proposed amendment marks one of the strongest legislative responses to Nigeria’s worsening kidnapping crisis, signalling a toughened stance on national security and criminal justice.

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