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Niger governor calls for review of intelligence network

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Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger State
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Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger has advocated the review of the Nigerian intelligence network to enhance intelligence gathering and fight against crimes and criminality in the country.

The Governor gave the call during a discussion panel at the 2nd Shinkafi Intelligence and Security Summit organized by the Umaru Shinkafi Legacy Foundation, in Abuja.

The theme of the Summit was “Socio-economic Implications of kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria”.

Sani-Bello said that Niger was suffering greatly from insecurity since the inception of his administration.

He explained that the government’s reconciliatory approach was not successful because the perpetrators are mere criminals, who are not ready to change their criminal behaviours owing to its lucrative nature.

He said on that basis, his government took a decision not to pay ransom to the criminals, pointing out that the criminals have grown into a very formidable network with handy informants.

According to the Governor,  “when we have tip-off and troops are deployed, the bandits get wind of their movement and relocate.”

On the issue of State Police, he said it was an idea whose time has come because Nigeria’s population has increased tremendously.

“We can’t continue to avoid the issue of state police forever, even if it’s not now certainly sometimes to come because Nigeria’s population has gone beyond 200 million.”

He weighed-in on the role of traditional rulers and religious leaders, who he described as the best security network.

“In tackling kidnapping and banditry, the role of traditional rulers and religious leaders in our society cannot be over-emphasised.

“Traditional rulers and religious leaders should be supported to effectively check their domains and subjects. Also, our religious leader have immense influence over worshippers.”

While commending the Foundation for sustaining the legacies of Alhaji Umaru Ali Shinkafi, he described Shinkafi as a sterling Police officer, astute lawyer and professional security expert, whose footprints still radiate in our contemporary security situation.

He insisted that incorporating vigilantes in fighting insecurity is the way to go, adding that people with impeccable character must, however, be recruited.

Other participants at the event include Governors Babagana Zulum of Borno, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state and Hope Uzodimma of Imo as well as Prof. Mahmud Jega, who moderated the panel discussion.

They all stressed the need for government at all levels to ensure access to functional education, food, health and youths engagement in order to curtail insecurity in the country.

They equally highlighted that all relevant security institutions should collaborate in fighting the war against banditry, kidnapping and other 21st century crimes.

The Emir of Zauzau, Amb. Ahmed Bamali, who addressed the gathering virtually, described  Shinkafi as a man of impeccable character and commended the organizers of the event.

 

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Defence and Security

Tinubu Swears in Tunji Disu as 23rd Inspector-General of Police

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Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Tunji Disu as the 23rd Inspector-General of Police (IGP), formalising his appointment as head of the Nigeria Police Force.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, ahead of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on March 4, 2026.

Disu’s inauguration followed his confirmation by the Nigeria Police Council on Monday, March 2. He succeeds Kayode Egbetokun, who recently resigned from office.

At the ceremony, President Tinubu also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

Dignitaries in attendance included Vice President Kashim Shettima; Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume; Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Esther Walson-Jack, among other senior government officials.

Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police. Over the course of his career, he has served in several operational, investigative, and strategic command roles across the country.

Prior to his appointment as IGP, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit and the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Annex, Lagos.

He holds multiple qualifications in public administration, forensic investigation, criminology, security studies, legal psychology, and entrepreneurship, reflecting a career anchored on professional development and modern policing strategies.

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Defence and Security

Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearm at Ibadan Polytechnic

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Nigeria Police Force
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The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two suspected cultists and recovered a firearm on the campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan following a tip-off from a concerned citizen.

The suspects, identified as 31-year-old Lawal Opeyemi, popularly known as “Aiki,” and 29-year-old Olaniyan Opeyemi, alias “Bojan,” both residents of the Apete area of Ibadan, were apprehended while allegedly planning an attack on a rival cult group within the institution.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alayande Olayinka, said a Good Samaritan alerted authorities to the presence of some young men reportedly moving around the campus with violent intentions. Operatives from the Sango Division responded swiftly, leading to the arrest of the two suspects.

Items recovered from them include a locally made double-barrelled pistol, two live cartridges, and a black bag containing charms.

During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to involvement in cult activities and identified themselves as members of the Eiye Confraternity. Preliminary investigations suggest they may have been linked to previous cult-related clashes within the institution.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Femi Haruna, has directed that the suspects be transferred to the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He commended members of the public and officers involved for their prompt action and urged parents and guardians to discourage their wards from joining secret cult groups.

The Command reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on cultism and violent crimes, stressing that continued collaboration between the police and the community remains vital in maintaining security.

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Defence and Security

Tinubu Renews Mandate for NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Audi

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NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi
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Tinubu Renews Mandate for NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Audi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renewed the mandate of the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, directing him to reposition the service for a more strategic role in the nation’s security architecture.

Dr Audi will resume duties at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

The President charged the NSCDC boss to strengthen the corps’ operational capacity and play a more significant role in safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure, particularly as the Nigeria Police Force intensifies efforts to tackle banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism across the country.

Born on September 30, 1967, in Laminga Town, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Dr Audi began his educational journey in the state before proceeding to the Teachers’ College, Jengre, Plateau State, where he obtained a Teachers’ Grade II Certificate in 1987.

He later earned a Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from the College of Education, Akwanga, in 1992. In pursuit of higher education, he attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical and Health Education in 1995.

Dr Audi further obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Calabar in 2001. He went on to earn a PhD in Public Administration from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, in 2014, and a Master’s degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 2019.

He joined the NSCDC in November 1996 as a volunteer and was subsequently deployed as a Divisional Officer in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, marking the beginning of his rise through the ranks in the civil defence corps.

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