•Tinubu (center) with service chiefs
President Bola Tinubu yesterday charged security forces in the country to expedite action against bandits terrorizing the country, warning that the nation’s target of a $1 trillion economy would be in jeopardy should the situation persist.
He was addressing security chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies at a Presidential Security Briefing at the State House, in Abuja, reports The Nation.
He spoke on a day terrorists killed at least 17 people and kidnapped 58 others in three communities in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State; and suspected Boko Haram members killed a pastor of the Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN) in Kwari, Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State in a fresh wave of banditry in parts of the country.
A different gang of bandits struck in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), abducting seven members of a family and killing a policeman.
However, the man who succeeded Abubakar Shekau as Nigerian leader of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) has been killed in a raid by troops in Borno State.
Ba’a Shuwa was killed along with several of his fighters during an offensive by the troops on Tuesday.
Reports from Ankara yesterday said Turkish defense industry companies Asisguard and Nurol Makine are in the process of supplying Nigeria with 13 armoured vehicles to secure roads often targeted by terrorists.
Tinubu, at the security briefing, said while good progress was being made with the elimination of some security threats across multiple theatres, success would ultimately be defined by a final conclusion to the multi-dimensional menace.
“We have too many investments that we need to make now in soft and physical infrastructure, in social security, in MSME empowerment, and other growth enablers,” he said.
He added: “we are pursuing a $1 trillion economy in the next few years, and our efforts will be undermined if we do not finally wrap up our progressive onslaught against enemies of progress. Be encouraged. The confidence of our people in your capacity is rising, and they are appreciative of the sacrifices of our men and women.
“The success you are recording is undeniable. Nigerians are seeing it, but the avoidable errors, as witnessed recently in Kaduna, are unacceptable and cannot be repeated. I am pleased that coordination between all agencies has dramatically improved over recent months, but there is no room for celebrations until we can end this; until we can bring our troops back to their own localities, and until we can free up resources for our critical economic expansion programme.”
The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said his principal asked the armed forces to deliver on his objective to ensure the nation achieves a sustainable production of two million barrels of crude oil per day, including condensates, within the first quarter of 2024.
“I do not play with my intelligence reports. I have multiple lines of sight. The Navy and sister branches must step up their game to achieve our aims for the benefit of all Nigerians. All malign actors will be aggressively uprooted from our midst. Those working against the national agenda from within and without will meet justice. Your task is clear. We will sustain our momentum. Failure is not an option under my leadership,” the president warned.
The president also commended the Commander of the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF), the Commander of the Brigade of Guards (BoG), and his Chief Personal Security Officer (CPSO) for their dedication and commitment in the discharge of their assignments, which has earned them a promotion.
Speaking at the decoration of the PAF Commander, Air Commodore Olayinka Olusola Oyesola, with his new rank of Air Vice Marshal in the Nigerian Air Force; Commander, BoG, Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, who was promoted from Colonel to the rank of Brigadier-General; and the Police CPSO, Usman Musa Shugaba, who is now a Deputy Commissioner of Police after being promoted from his prior rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, President Tinubu said he was very impressed by the officers’ “loyalty and dedication to duty”.
“Nigeria calls all to serve. We are the servants of the country, not the masters as you have seen. Your stewardship as leaders in your various categories is reflected in the assignments and responsibilities you have undertaken. I hope that Nigeria will continue to recognize your service to motherland,” the President said.
The newly promoted officers were decorated by the President who was assisted by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja; and the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, respectively, in the presence of the spouses of the elevated officers.
The event was witnessed by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; the Service Chiefs; Heads of Intelligence Agencies, as well as presidential aides.
Speaking on behalf of the officers, AVM Olayinka thanked the President for the promotion of the officers and for the privilege to be of service to the nation. He assured the Commander-in-Chief of their continued loyalty and commitment to duty.
17 killed, 58 abducted as gunmen attack three Kaduna communities
At least 17 people were killed while 58 were feared kidnapped when bandits attacked three communities at Dawaki Ward in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State yesterday.
A former councilor in the local government, Aminu Khalid named the affected communities as Ungwan Sako, Kunkurai, and Dokan Kaji.
Governor Uba Sani confirmed the attacks, saying that lives were lost during the incidents, while some citizens were abducted and others injured.
Hon. Khalid said that the local vigilantes were able to rescue 20 of the abducted villagers during a gun battle with the bandits.
He said: “the terrorists invaded these communities on foot and took vantage positions to attack the villagers. The terrorists always come from parts of Kajuru and Kachia forest where their camp is. Their camp is situated at Dutsen Magunguna In Kajuru Local Government Area.
“Except for the Nigerian military raid of the terrorist camp, communities around can never experience peace,” he said.
Governor Sani in a statement posted on his Facebook wall said: “We have received information from security forces that a band of bandits attacked Dokan Karji general area of Kauru LGA and other locations in Gefe general area of Kajuru LGA.
“In these locations, lives were lost, some citizens were kidnapped and others injured in the unfortunate attacks.
“We condemn in the strongest terms these acts of savagery. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes have no place in a civilized society like ours. We shall go to any length to hunt them down and bring them to justice.
“The sole aim of these beasts in human skin is to reverse the gains the good people of Kaduna State have made in rebuilding trust, forging understanding and reviving the economies of conflict- challenged communities.
“Our resolve to put Kaduna State on the path to sustainable peace and development is unshakeable. No amount of evil machinations will deter us.
“The Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs has been working with the security forces towards containing the evil forces that left a trail of blood, tears and pains in these locations.
“The relevant State Government Agencies have been detailed to visit the affected communities, assess the extent of damages and advise the government on what should be done immediately to bring relief to the families of the victims and the communities.
“The government sends its deep condolences to the families that lost their loved ones. We wish the injured a speedy recovery.
“Similarly, the Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs has met with the critical stakeholders from Bishini general area of Kachia LGA following bandit attacks along the Kaduna-Niger inter-state boundary. Issues highlighted have been noted to form part of the ongoing action in the anti -banditry campaign.”
Insurgents kill pastor, five others in Yobe
Killed by the suspected Boko Haram insurgents was Pastor Luka Levong.
Five other persons were killed during the attack.
The insurgents struck at about 2am yesterday,shooting Levong and the church treasurer Maina Abdullahi.
The other victims were killed in their houses one after the other before the arrival of security men, while many houses including one church and vehicles were also set ablaze.
Bandits abduct seven family members, shoot policemen in FCT
The bandits who raided Zuma 1 in Bwari Area Council allegedly went away with seven members of a family while shooting two policemen who had responded to a distress call from the area.
The incident occurred on Wednesday.
Residents said the raid was the latest in the area ,striking fear into the people.
Nigeria,Turkey sign deal on armoured vehicles to secure roads
Turkish defense industry companies Asisguard and Nurol Makine confirmed in Ankara that they have signed a deal with Nigeria for an internal security project in Nigeria.
Asisguard will procure some 13 armoured vehicle Yoruk 4×4 from military land vehicle manufacturer Nurol Makina to be used in a road safety project it will carry out in Nigeria.
Yoruk can be outfitted with weapon systems such as 7.62 and 12.7 mm machine guns, 40 mm grenade launchers, and air and anti-tank weaponry.
Asisguard’s General Manager, Baris Duzgun, said the company signed a $36.5 million project with Nigeria’s Defense Ministry.
He said the company would ensure security of a highway between Abuja and Kaduna. “We will contribute to the security of the region with our stakeholders in Türkiye, with the latest indigenous technology systems and products,” he said.
Reconnaissance and surveillance systems, sudden intervention and neutralisation systems, command and control systems, and communication and energy infrastructure systems will be provided within the scope of the project, he said.
Drones from Turkish defense firms Havelsan and STM will also be sold to Nigeria, and products of around 10 companies, including Gurbag Defense and MILMAST, will be exported.
Asisguard produces electro-optical vision and border security systems, military vehicle electronics solutions and rotary wing unmanned systems.
US firm donates unmanned ships to Nigeria
Simultaneously, a US military manufacturing company – Swiftship – donated two hi-tech unmanned water vessels to the federal government.
The equipment is S2 and S3 Swift Sea Stalkers.
The company donated during a recent visit by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
The minister had gone to the USA to inspect the facilities of high-tech military-producing hardware companies in the country.
Presenting the unnamed vessels to President Bola Tinubu, the minister noted that the equipment would help to protect the maritime environment of the country as well as other areas.
He stated that the equipment would be deployed to the Niger Delta, Lake Chad region, and other maritime regions of the country.
Troops kill ISWAP leader Ba’a Shuwa, others
Ba’a Shuwa who succeeded Shekau in 2021 reportedly met his waterloo at Kwatan Dilla, in Abadam LGA of Borno State.
Security analyst in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, said on his X account yesterday that Shuwa and scores of his fighters were killed during airstrikes by the military
Ba’a Shuwa and his group were said to be the brains behind attacks, ambushes and planting of explosives in Damboa,, Damaturu,Maiduguri, Askira, Buratai, Buni Yadi, Buni Gari, Gaidam and other part of Borno and Yobe states.
Military neutralises 43 terrorists, arrests 115
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba said yesterday that no fewer than 43 terrorists were neutralised and 115 others arrested by troops in different operations in the last one week.
Buba in a statement in Abuja said the military remained focused in their campaign against insurgents and operations against other criminals across the country.
According to him, troops are hunting terrorists in their hiding places and conducting targeted offensives to destroy them.
He said that troops had neutralised several leaders of terrorist groups and their foot soldiers as well as degraded their fighting capabilities.
“During the week in focus, troops conducted ambushes, raids ,fighting patrols and other forms of offensives against terrorists.
“These offensive actions resulted in 43 terrorists being neutralised and 115 arrested.