Carrying arms will solve the nation’s security problem – Ned Nwoko

The lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District, Senator Ned Nwoko, has defended his proposed bill allowing Nigerians to bear arms for self-defence stating that it could serve as a deterrent against criminal activities, particularly kidnappings. When asked if Nigerians carrying arms will solve the nation’s security problem, Nwoko, in an interview with Channels TV on Wednesday, said, “Oh, it will. It will.” Nwoko then shared a personal story of loss, recounting how his Senior Legislative Aide (SLA) was killed in a kidnapping incident last November. “The estate was attacked by kidnappers going from house to house. When they got to their door, my SLA told his wife to hide with the children. He opened the door to talk to them, and he was taken away. We never saw him alive again,” he said. Reflecting on the tragedy, Nwoko argued that armed citizens could discourage criminals from operating so freely. “If he had a gun, or if others in the community had guns, would the kidnappers have had the audacity to go door to door? That wouldn’t happen,” he said. However, Nwoko clarified that his proposal includes strict regulations. “For you to have the license to have a gun, you must go through a training school, a shooting school, which is a training school. You must get confirmation from two doctors that you have a sound mind. “You must get reports from the DSS and from the police. You must also be confirmed by your local traditional ruler that you are who you are,” he said, adding that only qualified individuals would be allowed to carry arms under his plan.

President Tinubu Calls for Enhanced Collaboration with FBI to Combat Cybercrime and Terrorism

President Bola Tinubu has given order for increased cooperation between Nigerian law enforcement agencies and the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He gave the order during a meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Saturday, during FBI Director Christopher Wray’s visit. President Tinubu called for greater focus on addressing cybercrime, terrorism, and related criminal activities through joint efforts. In a statement issued by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Mr Tinubu acknowledged the FBI’s sophistication and reputation for excellence, expressing honor at the Director’s visit. “The visit of Director Wray underscores the importance of our partnership in eliminating local and global crimes,” President Tinubu stated. As Chairman of ECOWAS, President Tinubu also highlighted Nigeria’s collaboration with other West African nations in combating economic crimes. “We are working closely with our regional partners to tackle economic crimes and terrorism,” President Tinubu affirmed. President Tinubu further stressed the role of education in poverty alleviation, noting its significance in addressing the root causes of criminal activities. He expressed appreciation for the diverse Nigerian agencies present at the meeting, actively involved in reducing crimes across the country. In response, FBI Director Wray praised President Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing partnerships among government agencies to protect citizens from terrorism and cyber-enabled crimes. “We value President Tinubu’s efforts in countering terrorism, which poses a threat to both Nigeria and the United States,” Director Wray acknowledged. He also highlighted Nigeria’s recent successes in countering ISIS and other terrorist groups in West Africa, crediting effective coordination among security agencies. “We stand ready to support Nigeria in various aspects, including counter-terrorism, cybercrime prevention, and intelligence sharing,” Director Wray assured. Key security figures attending the meeting included National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) Yusuf Magaji Bichi. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of mutual commitment to deepen collaboration through enhanced intelligence sharing and joint operations, reflecting Nigeria’s proactive stance in leveraging international partnerships to bolster its security efforts against evolving threats.

FG Has Undertaken Comprehensive Efforts To Curb Terrorism -Defence Minister 

The Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni has said that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has undertaken Comprehensive efforts to curb the menace of terrorism and other forms of criminalities and restore normalcy to all parts of the country, especially in the North East geopolitical zone. He disclosed this during the book launch by the Nigerian Air Force, titled: “Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in North East Nigeria: Emerging Perspectives and the Imperative of Airpower” recently in Abuja. The Minister stated that the Ministry of Defence as the vanguard of the national security has played a pivotal role in coordinating the Armed Forces and executing strategies to counter terrorism effectively. He added that there was the need for a multi-faceted approach of combining Military precision with socio- economic initiatives to address the root causes of radicalization. Speaking on the title of the Book launched, Badaru said that in a bid to pursue a whole society approach to the issue of terrorism, the book was developed by leveraging strong partnership between Nigerian Air Force and the academia. He commended the book launchers saying that it would serve a valuable resource for policymakers, Military Strategists and scholars in understanding the evolving dynamics of terrorism in Nigeria and to explore the imperative of airpower in the nation’s counter- terrorism efforts. The Minister said that the scourge of terrorism was not confined within national borders alone, but that it was a global challenge. “The Sahel region with its vast and diverse terrain, has become a hotspot for terrorist activities, posing a significant threat to regional stability. In this context, the collaboration of intergovernmental organizations including the African Union, Economic Community of West African States, the Lake Chad Basin Commission and others become imperative to address the root causes and manifestations of terrorism in the Sahel,” he said. The Special Guest of Honour, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR represented by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio in his address said that the book launch was not just an academic exercise but a call to action that would serve as a reminder that we have a shared responsibility to fight against terrorism and protect the lives and liberties of our fellow citizens. The Governor of Bornu State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum who was in attendance appreciated the Armed Forces for exhibiting professionalism, synergy and commitments to ending insurgency. The host, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar noted that the book was developed in collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and Babcock University to serve as a guiding light for policy makers, military strategists and practitioners in formulating holistic solutions that go beyond the realm of military operations.

Troops Conduct Clearance Operations in Imo, Anambra, Arrest Suspected Terrorist

Over the weekend, troops from “Operation UDO KA II” launched clearance operations in Imo and Anambra, resulting in the arrest of a suspected terrorist and the recovery of materials for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), motorcycles, stored provisions, and other logistical items within the terrorists’ camps. The operations were carried out in Lilu community and Orsumoghu Forest in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo, as well as in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra. During these clearance operations, the troops encountered various obstacles and successfully detonated numerous IEDs. They also engaged with terrorists who fled into nearby forests with gunshot wounds due to the troops’ superior firepower. Several terrorist camps and shrines were destroyed during these operations. The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division in Enugu, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, urged law-abiding citizens in the Southeast region to continue providing timely, credible, and reliable information to security agencies, particularly to “Operation UDO KA II.” Such information could lead to the apprehension of individuals who escaped with gunshot wounds. Unuakhalu also called on the people of the Southeast region to disregard deceptive tweets from self-proclaimed Biafra leader Simon Ekpa. He assured law-abiding residents that the region will be rid of criminal activities, as “Operation UDO KA II” remains committed to combating crime and criminality in accordance with established rules and regulations.

Zamfara Students’ Abduction: FG Not Negotiating With Terrorists –Minister

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has described as misleading, allegation that the Federal Government was negotiating with the Zamfara terrorists to secure the release of the abducted students of Federal University, Gusau. This is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, by Mr Hope Attari, Acting Director of Press and Public Relations, MoD. Attari said that the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, was reacting to a statement credited to a governor that the Federal Government was negotiating with the terrorists to secure the release of the students. Badaru, while condemning the act and reassuring Zamfara residents, said that the Federal Government was doing everything possible to secure their release. He explained that President Bola Tinubu had given marching order to the military and other security agencies to ensure the release of those abducted. According to him, the Federal Government is not negotiating with the Zamfara terrorists to secure the release of the abducted. The government is working assiduously round the clock to ensure that the girls and others return home. “The allegation is false and misleading as the ministry has not mandated any body or group to negotiate on behalf of the Federal Government.” He reassured Zamfara residents and Nigerians at large of the progress being made for the quick return of the female students and others of Federal University Gusau. He expressed confidence that the joint security task forces was working discreetly round the clock to get the students rescued. He extended his heartfelt sympathy to the parents, the academic community, and the entire residents of the state for the tragic abduction. He, however, noted that the order of the president had started yielding result as 13 of the abducted students and 3 others regained their freedom on Monday. “This feat was achieved through the professional efforts of the military. “I condole with the families of the girls and others that were abducted; I share in your pain and strongly condemn this reprehensible act carried out by suspected bandits,” he said.

Terrorism: Absence of counsel stalls Eze Ndigbo’s trial

The trial of Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos State, Frederick Nwajagu, for alleged terrorism, was on Tuesday stalled due to the absence of his counsel. Nwajagu is standing trial before a Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square. He is charged by Lagos State Government and was arraigned on May 9 on a nine-count charge. The charges border on the attempt to commit terrorism, participating in terrorism and meeting to support a proscribed entity. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Lagos State Government had, in the suit marked LD/21505C/2023, alleged that the defendant’s acts contravened the provisions of Section 403(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Prosecution counsel, Mr. Jonathan Ogunsanya, said that other sections of the law which the alleged offences contravened included 12(a) (c), 18, 21 and 29   of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022. Nwajagu was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) over an alleged threat to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos to secure the property of Igbo people in the state. On Tuesday, the prosecution counsel announced his presence but there was no legal representation for the defendant. When asked by the court about his counsel, the defendant said that he promised that a junior counsel would be in court to represent him. Justice Yetunde Adesanya adjourned the case until Wednesday (July 5) for trial.