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Nigeria, Ghana navies partner on maritime security, others

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The Nigerian navy and its Ghanaian counterpart, on Friday, in Abuja, agreed to partner to secure the maritime domains of their two countries against piracy and other criminal activities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, and his Ghanaian counterpart, Rear Adm. Issah Yakubu, agreed to the partnership when the latter paid a visit to the Naval headquarters, in Abuja.

Gambo noted that the partnership had become imperative due to the activities of pirates and other criminal activities in the maritime domain of the two countries.

Recalling that both countries had enjoyed long brotherly relations in the areas of economic, education, military training and cooperation, Gambo said that similar relations equally manifested in the interactions between their navies.

The CNS noted that the Gulf of Guinea was threatened by the activities of criminal elements, who were taking advantage of the limited capabilities of the navies in the region to adequately secure the area.

Gambo stressed that the threat posed by the activities of these elements constituted a major challenge not only to the littoral states, but equally undermined regional development and global trade.

“Notably the trans-boundary and transnational nature of maritime crimes makes the security of the environment a task beyond the capacity of any country acting alone.

“It is against this backdrop that this bilateral engagement was convened by the Heads of our two countries towards addressing the maritime security challenges within the region,” he said.

Gambo expressed his optimism that the partnership would foster greater collaboration and burden sharing hinged on the cooperative maritime security framework as envisioned in the 2013 Yaounde Protocol, to strategically address maritime security and enhance the economic prosperity of the region.

“I have no doubt that the partnership will further strengthen the existing cordial bilateral relations between the two countries as well as the navies,” he added.

Earlier, Yakubu stated that he was visiting his Nigerian counterpart to forge a partnership against the activities of pirates and other criminals operating in the maritime environments of the two countries.

The Ghanaian CNS noted that the only way out of the challenge was for the two countries’ navies to form a partnership to tackle the menace headlong, citing in particular the need for mutual information sharing.

“What is happening in the Gulf of Guinea at the moment is not too good for both countries maritime environment. Therefore, there is need for a partnership of this nature, to be able to tackle the ugly situation headlong,” he said.

He expressed the optimism that the partnership would go a long way in addressing the challenges and change positively change the narrative. (NAN)

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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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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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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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