Top 20 Security Related News to know Today 27 May, 2021
By Olayemi Esan and HS Abdullai
1. TROOPS NAB BOKO HARAM SUPPLIERS OF FUEL, PRODUCTS IN YOBE.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai on Tuesday, May 27, 2021 raided a suspected Boko Haram logistics stockpile in Kurkareta town, Yobe State. Items recovered during the raid operations by troops in conjunction with local vigilantes include 62 jerrycans loaded with Premium Motor Spirit popularly called petrol, hidden in different houses and shops. Three vehicles belonging to the terrorists’ suppliers with registration numbers DAL 626 YE (Kano), GBK 413 GR (Benue) and XA 390 SHN (Borno) were also impounded. The successful raid was undertaken following credible intelligence that some members of the community are suppliers of fuel and other products to insurgents.
2. REPENTANT BANDITS RELEASE 53 KIDNAPPED VICTIMS IN ZAMFARA STATE.
The Zamfara State Police Command under the leadership of CP Hussaini Rabiu psc, in Collaboration with the state government Committee on peace and amnesty programme headed by the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed Dauran and some repentant bandits today being 26th May, 2021 facilitated the unconditional release of Fifty three (53) Kidnapped victims, who were kidnapped on Sunday 23rd May, 2021 by suspected kidnappers. The release of the victims was a fulfilment of pledge made by some repentant bandits to actively key into the peace agenda of the state government under the leadership of His Excellency Dr Mohammed Bello Matawalle MON and also collaborate with the security agencies to fight their kinsmen who refused to renounce criminal activities and turn to a new life. The Commissioner of Police applauded the synergy of the repentant bandits for assisting the police and the state government in facilitating the unconditional release of the victims. He called on them to redouble their commitment in collaborating with the police and other security agencies to deal decisively with the recalcitrant bandits who refused to embrace the culture of peace in the state.
3. TERRORISTS AND BANDITS INFLICTING UNTOLD HARDSHIP ON NIGERIANS, CHADIANS, OTHERS: BUHARI.
President Muhammadu Buhari has again lamented that bandits, ISWAP, and Boko Haram terrorists inflict untold hardship on Nigerians and other citizens across the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.Mr Buhari decried the deterioration of insecurity in the region at the opening of the summit of heads of state and government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) in Abuja on Tuesday. “Our region is faced with difficult, several challenges that need the support and engagement of all to overcome. “While transnational crimes and rebellion cutting across our region continue to evolve in scope, the attendant conflicts also continue to retain their distinct form of inflicting untold hardship and difficulty on the lives of our citizens,” said Mr Buhari. The summit was convened to discuss the recent developments in Chad after rebels killed President IdrisDeby.
4. YOUR SPIRIT SHOULDN’T BE DAMPENED, CDS TELLS MILITARY.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, yesterday charged bereaved armed forces personnel mourning the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, to remain steadfast in spite of the tragic event of last weekend. Speaking at the beginning of the three-day prayer for the late army chief at the Staff Flag House, Niger Barracks, Asokoro, Irabor charged the members of the armed forces to remain steadfast in their duties.“You should be steadfast in this trying period. Your spirit should not be dampened.“I encourage the armed forces to remain steadfast”, he said.
5. ARMY PROBES ALLEGED KILLING, EXTORTION BY ITS PERSONNELS IN KATSINA.
The Nigeria Army authority has commenced investigation into the alleged involvement of its personnel in the murder and extortion of a woman in Katsina State. It was alleged that the yet to be identified woman was arrested in a commercial vehicle with the sum of #420,000 by vigilante’s group on Wednesday 7 May 2021 at about 10:00 PM, in Yankara village along Funtua-Gusau road and was handed over to the troops in order to interrogate the source of the money. A few days later the woman was said to be killed by the troops. In a statement by The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima said the Army would not tolerate any act of misconduct and unprofessionalism from its personnel. Brig. Gen. Yerima appealed to the general public to remain calm as it is determined to get to the root of the matter. He assured the public that anyone found guilty in connection with the allegation would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
6. NIGERIA TO GET SIX FIGHTER JETS FROM US IN AUGUST – EMEFIELE.
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, on Tuesday, said Nigeria will take delivery of 12 fighter planes from the United States of America to strengthen the war against insecurity in Nigeria. Emefiele disclosed this during a question and answer session at the end of a two-day Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja. The apex bank governor, who lamented the crippling effects of insecurity on the economy, stated that the arrival of the planes is in line with a pact made between the Nigerian and US governments three years ago. The CBN governor said, “If you want an economy to grow, the level of insecurity must be low because if there is a high level of insecurity like what we see today, the economy will suffer.
7. SCRAPPING OF NYSC: CORRUPTION, INSECURITY, OTHERS ALLEGEDLY TAKE OVER SCHEME.
The future of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is in the balance as the House of Representatives considers a bill to scrap the scheme. The scheme will be 50 years old in 2023, but it may not get to celebrate the 50th anniversary if the bill becomes law. Awaji Abiante, a lawmaker from Rivers State on Wednesday sponsored a bill to repeal the act establishing the scheme and to also amend the 1999 constitution accordingly. The future of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is in the balance as the House of Representatives considers a bill to scrap the scheme. The scheme will be 50 years old in 2023, but it may not get to celebrate the 50th anniversary if the bill becomes law.
8. FIVE BANDITS LIQUIDATED BY POLICE IN KATSINA, APPREHEND 16 OTHERS – PPRO.
The Police in Katsina State have neutralised five suspected bandits, arrested 16 others and recovered 69 rustled cows and some quantities drugs from them. Police spokesman in the state, SP Gambo Isah, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Katsina. Isah said that the five bandits were neutralised when the police engaged them in a gun battle in Kafur, Danja, Dutsinma, Safana, Batsari and Makera in Funtua. He said that 15 others were arrested during the encounter, while, Musa Shamsudin, 25, was nabbed for allegedly going into the forest to treat “sick and wounded bandits’’. According to Isah, three locally fabricated rifles with 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and locally made pellets were recovered from the bandits. (NAN)
9. POLICE INAUGURATE WAPIS TO FIGHT TRANSNATIONAL CRIMES.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, together with the acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba; representatives of INTERPOL, European Union (EU) and the Economic Community of West African States on Wednesday in Abuja inaugurated the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) Centre. The Centre is situated at the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) office, Force Headquarters, Abuja. Speaking at the event, the minister noted that the Centre would provide an integrated platform for national, regional and global police data exchange. He gave assurances that the Centre would address security threats, including transnational organized crimes and terrorism in ECOWAS member states and Mauritania.
10. WHY BUHARI DIDN’T ATTEND COAS ATTAHIRU’S BURIAL – GARBA SHEHU.
Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, has explained why his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari didn’t attend the burial of his late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, in Abuja on Saturday. According to Shehu, the President stayed away from the burial because he didn’t want to inconvenient road users. The Presidential aide spoke on Tuesday while featuring on an Arise TV programme. The President was under fire last weekend when he was conspicuously absent from the burial at Attahiru. The COAS and ten other military personnel died when a Nigerian Air Force Beachcraft 350 jet crashed near the Kaduna International Airport on Friday. But while the President’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari; governors and other dignitaries travelled from their states to attend the funeral of Attahiru and the other military personnel, Buhari was absent from the burial. He was, however, represented by the Defence Minister, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd.). Many Nigerians including an ex-aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, had flayed the President, saying it was said that he travelled to Paris recently but did not attend the burial of the fallen heroes. But responding to a question on the television programme on why the President was not at Attahiru’s burial, Shehu said, “I was in Europe myself on assignment and I have not spoken to the President on this but let me give you just one example: The President is somebody who is so concerned about the safety and wellbeing of ordinary Nigerians on the streets.
11. THERE’S NEED TO REVIEW PROCUREMENT PROCESS FOR SECURITY AGENCIES — SENATE PRESIDENT.
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has called for a review of the procurement process for security agencies. Lawan made the call on Wednesday at a Special Summit on National Security organised by the House of Representatives. The Senate President said it was a very worthwhile Summit, adding that the essence of the summit was to look for ways of improving the performance of the Armed forces and other security agencies in the country. He said: “While the National Assembly should work hard as it has always done to provide more resources, I also want to say we must review procurement processes by the security agencies.
12. ADDRESSING SECURITY CHALLENGES REQUIRES JOINT EFFORTS – BUHARI.
President Muhammadu Buhari says addressing Nigeria’s security challenges requires the joint efforts of all Nigerians. Buhari said this at the opening of a four-day special summit on national security organised by the House of Representatives in Abuja on Wednesday. The President commended the House for creating the forum to allow stakeholders to brainstorm on issues affecting the country and the way forward. Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr Boss Mustapha, said security had become a major concern at global, regional and national levels.
13. NINE CULTISTS ARRESTED IN OGUN DURING SUPERIORITY CLASH.
Nine members of two rival cult groups – Eye Confraternity and Alora Confraternity – were arrested on Monday May 24, 2021 in the Ajegunle area of Ibogun, Ogun State, during a supremacy battle between them. The public relations officer of the state command of the Nigeria Police, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, gave the names of the suspects as: Sodiq Olabisi, Oluwatosin Andrew, Oladimeji Oyedele, Wasiu Raheem, Oyedokun Lekan, Yusuf Ajetunmobi, Busari Taoreed, Bolaji Raphael and Salami Toheeb. “While we are not going to open up how they do these things to the public, but as parliamentarians who approve the funding, we must understand how these procurement processes are undertaken.
14. WHATEVER HAPPENS IN LIBYA AFFECTS NIGERIA – BUHARI.
President Muhammadu Buhari has said happenings in Libya have implications for Nigeria and other countries in the Lake Chad Basin. He said this when he hosted Mohammed Younis Menfi, Chairman, Presidential Council of Libya, on Wednesday. Buhari noted that the Republics of Chad and Niger have extensive borders with Libya. “Whatever affects them affects us. The stability or instability of Libya will directly affect us”, he said. Buhari said Nigeria’s security is his top priority, noting that “unless a country or institution is secured, there’s no way you can efficiently manage it.” He thanked Menfi for personally attending the Summit of Lake Chad Basin Commission held in Abuja on Tuesday. Menfi, in his remarks, stated that Libya was fast evolving with an active government.
15. POLICE OFFICER ‘ACCIDENTALLY’ SHOT BY COLLEAGUE – POLICE.
The police in Ebonyi State have confirmed the accidental shooting of an officer by his colleague in front of the old Ebonyi Government House, Abakaliki. The state Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview on Tuesday. Mr. Garba said the injured officer was responding to treatment in a hospital. A resident of Abakaliki, who is familiar with the incident, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that both officers manned the entrance of the old Government House, Abakaliki. “The officer who accidentally shot his colleague was reported to be servicing his gun but accidentally released bullets from its chambers which hit the victim. “The officer was immediately demobilized by other officers and taken to the command while the wounded officer was immediately attended to.
16. NIPR MOURNS ATTAHIRU, SAYS ‘HE BELIEVE IN NIGERIA’S UNITY’.
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has expressed sadness over the death of Ibrahim Attahiru, the late chief of army staff, and 10 other officers in an air crash. Attahiru and the military officers died on Friday in a Beechcraft 350 aircraft that crashed near Kaduna International Airport. They were buried at the national military cemetery in Abuja on Saturday. In a statement on Wednesday, Stanley Ogadigo, special adviser on media to Mukhtar Sirajo, NIPR president, said the tragic incident has robbed the nation of one of its finest minds in the military. The NIPR chief said Attahiru exhibited a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of his duties, noting that a few months of his leadership in the nation’s army brought change in strategy that gave hope to the citizens.
17. INSECURITY: SOKOTO STATE GOVERNMENT TO RESTRUCTURE, REPOSITION VIGILANTE GROUPS.
Sokoto State government has reiterated the need to restructure and reposition the vigilante groups in the state so as to enable them strengthen and assist the subsisting federal government security outfits in the state. This, according to Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, becomes necessary in the face of pockets of security breaches being experienced recently in Rabah local government axis in the Eastern flank of the state. Gov. Tambuwal disclosed this policy thrust in the offing on Monday at Gandi town in Rabah local government area of the state, where bandits clashed with some local vigilante groups leading to the death of 21 people.
18. MAN KILLS ROOMMATE, SELLS BODY PARTS TO FAKE PASTOR FOR RITUALS – POLICE.
A 34-year-old man, Okpegboro Avwerosuo, has allegedly killed his roommate in Sagbama Town, Sagbama Local Government Area, SALGA, of Bayelsa. Mr Okpegboro was alleged to have sold the deceased’s vital organs to a pastor in Port Harcourt, who is currently at large, for ritual purposes. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the story. Mr Butswat said that the suspect, who hails from Ugheli North Local Government Area of Delta, was being detained at the state Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
19. ABDUCTED 4-YEAR-OLD BOY RELEASED AFTER PAYING N50,000 RANSOM IN ZARIA – POLICE.
The Police have confirmed the abduction and subsequent release of a four-year-old boy in Zaria, Kaduna State. This followed the payment of N50,000 ransom by his father, Ismail Musa of Layin Mahauta, Tudun Jukun, Zaria, Kaduna State. The state police spokesperson, Muhammad Jalige, confirmed the incident on Tuesday in Kaduna. Mr Jalige, however, said that further investigation into the matter was ongoing, as a suspect was already in police custody and helping with the investigation. One Sani Uwal-luwa of Layin Mahauta, Tudun Jukun, was arrested by the police as the alleged mastermind of the act.
20. EFCC NABS POLITICIAN FOR EMPLOYMENT SCAM.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arrested one Mohammed Umar, a Bida, Niger State based politician and businessman, for alleged employment scam. Operatives from the Cybercrime Section at the EFCC headquarters, Abuja arrested Umar on May 18, 2021 following a petition from a victim whom he allegedly defrauded through a fake employment offer with the Nigeria Customs Service. Umar allegedly requested for the sum of N750, 000 from the victim to facilitate the employment. However, the victim gave him a deposit of N200, 000 and promised to pay the balance when he gets his appointment letter. The victim was issued an appointment letter, but upon presentation it was discovered to be fake. The distraught victim consequently petitioned the EFCC, leading to the arrest of the suspect.
