TheNewsGuru

Tag: Security

  • Kano Govt cancels annual traditional Sallah event over security concerns

    The Kano State Government has cancelled the annual traditional Sallah event popularly known as ‘Hawan Nassarawa, slated for Thursday, June 6, for security reasons.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Abba Anwar, the Chief Press ‎Secretary to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Kano.

    According to the statement, the annual traditional event was cancelled after security meeting held between Gov. Ganduje with heads of all security agencies, concerning all Sallah celebrations as it is usually done.

    “There was intelligence report for fear of breach of peace during the upcoming event.

    “It is clear to all that Ganduje is a peace loving leader, who doesn’t toy with safety and security of his people as well as all other citizens living in Kano.

    “For this reason, and as a result of the intelligence report, the state government is not relenting, hence its decision to declare ‘Hawan Nassarawa’ cancelled,” Anwar said.

    He added that after the security meeting the Kano Emirate Council was duly informed about the terrifying intelligence report and the cancellation of the event.

    “People of the state are advised to go about with their lawful businesses and feel free in these days of Sallah celebration and beyond, as adequate security measures for the state to remain peaceful has been taken, “ he said.

  • Lagos Supplementary poll: Heavy security at INEC collation centre as results arrive

    Lagos Supplementary poll: Heavy security at INEC collation centre as results arrive

    Security operatives on Saturday mounted heavy presence at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Collation centre for the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency Supplementary election in Lagos State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that security personnel, were strategically positioned at the entrance and within the premises of the centre, located at Local Authority Primary School, Baale St., Ajegunle.

    Several patrol vehicles were also stationed at the access roads leading to the centre.

    Only accredited people including the media, observer groups, INEC officers on duty as well as vehicles with access stickers were allowed access into the centre.

    Some of the security agencies at centre include the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps, Fire Service, Department of State Security and Police Bomb Squad.

    NAN correspondents who monitored the centre observed that INEC officials and ad-hoc staff were seen bringing results from the polling units to the centre under close watch of security operatives.

    INEC in Lagos State is conducting supplementary election in 71 polling units across eight wards of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency for the House of Representatives seat.

    The commission had declared the Feb. 23 House of Representatives election in the constituency inconclusive due to over-voting, non-complaince with the usage of smart card readers and violence.

    According to the commission, the affected areas are: Ward 02, Awodi Ora with three polling units; Ward 03, Wilmer with six polling units; Ward 04, Olodi with one polling unit and Ward 05, Tolu with 27 polling units.

    Others are: Ward 07, Ojo Road with two polling units; Ward 09, Alaba-Oro with two polling units, Ward 10, Mosafejo with 18 polling units and Ward 11, Temidire 2 with 12 polling units.

  • Soyinka to Buhari: you are a failure in tackling Fulani herdsmen killings

    Soyinka to Buhari: you are a failure in tackling Fulani herdsmen killings

    Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has slammed President Muhammadu Buhari for his “slow response” in dealing with the terror caused by Fulani herdsmen across many parts of Nigeria.

    He said Buhari has failed on the security threat posed by herdsmen, adding that he was repeating the mistakes of his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, in not dealing with the Boko Haram menace in a timely and adequate fashion.

    “The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny”, he said.

    Soyinka appeared on the BBC’s Hardtalk programme on Monday and anchored by Zeinab Badawi.

    Reacting to Badawi’s question that he backed Buhari in 2015 describing the ex-army general as a “reformed democrat”, Soyinka said Buhari “won by default” in 2015 because it was difficult to back Jonathan and which meant supporting a continuation of the corruption associated with that regime. Nigerians were caught “between the devil and the deep blue sea”.

    Soyinka criticized Jonathan’s ineffective response to Boko Haram, but placing the blame for failing to nip the problem in the bud at the feet of Olusegun Obasanjo, who was president from 1999 to 2007.

    He said; “Obasanjo contributed to the emergence of Boko Haram by not preventing the first governor in one of the northern states from establishing a “theocratic state”.

    Soyinka said that the president failed to act because he was “compromised” by his ambitions to continue in office beyond the second term limit.

    He was however silent about why Buhari’s response to the killings of the herdsmen was so inadequate and said little about how the problem could be tackled effectively.

  • Saraki: Education Crucial for Peace, Security, Rule of Law

    President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has reiterated the importance of education in ensuring peace, security and rule of law in any society.

    Saraki, stated this while contributing to the General Debate on the theme: “Parliaments as Platforms to Enhance Education for Peace, Security and the Rule of Law” at the ongoing 140th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Doha, Qatar.

    He noted that “education is a fundamental human right – central to the development of citizens as well as what contributions they make to society,” according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu.

    He added that the National Assembly holds strongly that with the right education, Nigerian youths would be less susceptible to the radicalising influence of terrorist groups and other societal ills, thereby “helping to birth a more peaceful, secure and just society.”

    He however regretted that the security challenges confronting the country today are traceable to – or exacerbated by – challenges in the nation’s education sector.

    He however stated that even though Nigeria has about 13.2 million Out-of-School-Children – the highest in the world – according to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the 8th National Assembly has and would continue to work with the Federal Government to address the shortfall with combined strategies to enhance peace, security and the rule of law in the country.

    Saraki said: “De-radicalisation programmes for former militants or insurgents have a strong education component, and these have proven very effective for peace-building and security.

    “The Presidential Amnesty Programme for ex-Niger Delta militants involved free local and international tertiary education for former combatants. This is in recognition of the fact that education reduces youth restiveness, which in turn promotes peace.

    “As part of parliament’s effort to ensure that education is built on solid foundation, we passed The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Amendment Act which guarantees free and compulsory education for all Nigerians up to secondary school level; while also increasing from 2% to 3% the budgetary allocation to universal basic education.

    “The law also makes it easier for states to access UBEC intervention funds, as the benchmark for counterpart funding has been reduced from 50% to 10%. This and other legislative interventions will make all the difference, we believe, in basic education in Nigeria.

    “The 8th Senate is looking to amend the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Act 2011 to include Colleges of Agriculture as beneficiaries of the fund, to improve the quality of education in those institutions. We amended the Federal Polytechnics Act to enhance the quality of learning as well as prospects of graduates in the job market.

    “The Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institution Bill, which we have also passed, aims to protect female students from gender-based violations.

    “We have acted decisively in the terrorism situation in the north with the passage of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) Act, which is all about bringing people back from internally displaced camps back to normal life in the region. Children will go back into the school system and peace will return to those areas.

    “We do affirm that the rule of law is crucial to viable democracy, and for a successful and peaceful society. Education is necessary in order for people to appreciate where a society is, and where it should be headed.

    “No society develops without sustained democracy and the rule of law, which leads to economic development. Even those who are going to invest in a country will only do so when we have sustainable democracy that guarantees stability; that also requires the rule of law.

    “Parliament’s actions must therefore be guided by these considerations when we tackle the education needs of our societies. It is only then that we can truly say that we have been able to use education for the enhancement of peace, security and the rule of law,” he stated.

    He insisted that it is important for the General Assembly of the IPU to work for sustainable democracy through Parliaments and for better oversight by parliamentarians to ensure that set targets are met.

    “Education is not a choice but a compulsory act that must be taken seriously by all citizens, as I am sure you all agree,” he stated.

  • We are equal to securing Nigeria – NAF

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has assured Nigerians of adequate security in the country, saying that NAF had the capacity to surmmont any security challenge in the country, whenever it might arise.

    Air Commodore Muyiwa Adedoyin, Commander, 671 NAF detachment, Ibadan gave the assurance on Saturday during the First Quarterly Route Match of the command in Ibadan.

    Adedoyin said his men were equal to the task and would continue to ensure that effective security for Nigerians as empowered by the Constitution.

    He said the purpose of the exercis was to keep the personnel fit “because a man behind the weapon must be fit in order to prevent accident.“

    “As military men fitness is a way of life for us and it makes sense to be fit to be able to defend the country.

    “As military men, no matter the sophistication of our weapon whether on the ground on in the air, we need a fit mind and body to be able to execute our function,” Adedoyin said.

    He called on the personnel to always engage in exercise in order to keep fit so as to avoid running to medical centre for treatment.

  • Security Printing and Minting seeks to partner with NCC in printing sensitive documents

    The Nigerian Security Printing and Minting PlC on Thursday called for collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in the printing of sensitive documents.

    The NCC Director of Public Affairs, Mr Nnamadi Nwokike made the call in a statement in Abuja.

    Nwokike quoted Alhaji Abas Masanawa, Managing Director, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting (NSPM), as making the call when he visited the commission’s office in Abuja.

    The NSPM boss was at the headquarters of the commission to seek for partnership, especially in the areas of printing sensitive documents.

    Masanawa, who was accompanied by top management staff of the company, however, said that like NCC, the company is aiming to become a world class organisation, which can attract business from outside the shores of the country.

    Responding, the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta lauded the performance of the regulatory body.

    He said the commission, aimed at beating the record platinum rating it received from a sister agency, Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR) two years ago.

    According to the NCC boss, the commission is now globally acclaimed for regulatory excellence and operational efficiency.

    He said this had helped NCC to achieve great success in the key areas of its mandate.

    “The verdict is out there on the performance of the commission as a word class regulatory agency. We didn’t pass this verdict by ourselves.

    “But it took a lot of hard work and commitment by both management and the entire staff of the commission to achieve the enviable position we are today,” he said.

    Danbatta said despite inheriting a world class organisation, he has not left any stone unturned in his efforts to add to the success story.

     

  • Security not responsible for voter apathy, says Lagos CP

    Security not responsible for voter apathy, says Lagos CP

    Zubairu Muazu ,Lagos Police Commissioner on Saturday debunked claims that observed voter apathy in some areas of the state was connected to lack of security presence during the presidential election.

    Violence sprung up in some polling units in the state during the February 23rd Presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections following the disruption of voting exercises by hoodlums.

    But the commissioner who toured the state during election, told reporters that watertight security was provided for this Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections to ensure voters’ safety.

    Muazu, alongside his boss Lawal Shehu, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone Two, toured Oshodi, Okota, Ijora, Apapa and Surulere areas of the state, said he was pleased with the professionalism of security operatives deployed for the exercise.

    “It is not true that voters did not come out because of fear or insecurity. We provided adequate security and have been assuring electorates to come out and vote. We had assured that security measures will be doubled and also ensured that armed policemen were stationed not far from polling units to wade off miscreants.

    “So far, the exercise has been peaceful. We have not had any issues. We have made adequate plans to contain any post-election violence though we do not envisage any. We also have security operatives on standby who would be deployed if the need arise.

    “We are back from convoy patrol of the polling units. The next phase will be to move from local governments to state collation centre.

    “Like I said, we have made adequate arrangement to ensure that we re-inforce those polling centers and we cannot expect any problems.”

     

  • Uganda goes tough on security breach, deports MTN’s chief executive officer

    Uganda goes tough on security breach, deports MTN’s chief executive officer

    Uganda’s security agencies and immigration department have deported the chief executive of the largest telecommunications company in the country over security reasons.

    MTN Uganda on Friday confirmed the deportation of Wim Vanhelleputte.

    “MTN has not been notified of the grounds for the deportation,” the company however tweeted.

    Vanhelleputte, a Belgian national, was deported to Belgium late on Thursday over circumstances of threatening national security, said police spokesman, Fred Enanga.

    Vanhelleputte is the fourth employee of the South African multinational company to be deported in the past several weeks, following the deportations of a French, Rwandan and Italian employee.

    MTN has appointed Gordian Kyomukama, currently chief technology officer, as acting chief executive to ensure business continuity.

    When he recently met Rob Shuter, chief executive officer of the MTN Group, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, said he had warned the company against “under-declaring calls’’ and “cheating government of revenue,” noting that the government had bought machines to track calls.

    Museveni insisted that the company must list its shares on the local stock exchange to enable Ugandans to own part of it.

  • Saturday polls: PDP raises alarm over heavy security presence in Kwara

    Ahead of Saturday’s presidential election, the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) has raised the alarm over heavy deployment of top security chiefs in Kwara State.

    Kwara is the home state of the President of the Senate and Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

    A statement Wednesday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the deployment was part of a plot by the governing All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to intimidate, harass and create fear in the minds of voters and rig elections in the state.

    “As part of the plot, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) has deployed its Director of Operations, Etteng Bassey, as well as the State Directors in charge of Ogun and Anambra States to Kwara State ahead of Saturday’s elections while the Director in charge of Kwara State has been moved to Benue. This is in addition to the deployment of hundreds of other DSS operatives from Abuja to Kwara state.

    “We also have it on good authority that soldiers will from tomorrow cordon off all entry points to the personal house of the Senate President in Ilorin as well as his late father’s compound in Ilofa Road, old GRA, Ilorin.

    “Similarly, the police have made heavy deployment of officers and men from its headquarters in Abuja to Ilorin, Kwara state capital, where they have been instructed to arrest key political players loyal to Senator Saraki.

    “We alert Nigerians that the Federal Government plots to use the same strategy in key states of the federation to subvert the will of the people,” the statement said.

    The PDP said the heavy deployment was the reason behind APC’s boasts of winning the general elections, even as the main opposition party said all indications, including the opinion polls sponsored by them, showed otherwise.

    The PDP however said that such vicious plots by the APC and the Buhari Presidency will come to naught, adding that Nigerians are ready to confront all aggressions and vote them out at the general elections.

    The party charged all its members and supporters to remain resolute in resisting what it described as the machinations of the APC. It urged them to come out enmasse to vote and protect their votes with every legitimate means available to them.

  • Obaseki unveils Edo security architecture, launches N2bn trust fund

    Obaseki unveils Edo security architecture, launches N2bn trust fund

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Monday in Benin City, the state capital, unveiled the Edo State Security Architecture, a new framework that will boost security in the state.

    The governor also launched the Edo State Security Trust Fund, with the state government committing N2 billion as seed fund.

    The components of the state security architecture include: 50 special security cars fitted with modern communication and security gadgets; 30 Toyota Hilux patrol vans; 30 patrol motor bikes and three Tropicalised Armoured Personnel Carriers; three Ambulances; Integrated Command and Control Centre and five special security check points to be manned at all the entry and exit points in the state.

    Others are Special Patrol Units (land and waterways); Integrated Electronic City Surveillance Unit; Establishment of a Special Force unit/anti-kidnapping squad; establishment of K-9 unit; establishment of paramedics unit; establishment of the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) scheme with 3000 trained and kitted workforce and a community police radio network.

    Speaking at the launch of the initiative, the governor explained that security is central to his administration’s reform agenda, noting, “Thanks to the chairman of the Edo State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede for kickstarting and donating N200 million to the fund. I call on all Edo State citizens to contribute to the Security Trust Fund.”

    Stressing that the new security architecture is a comprehensive programme, he said, “Apart from the police, Military, Department of State Security and other security agencies, we are recruiting 100 young men and women from each ward across Edo State. The first 1,000 of them have been recruited and trained by the Nigeria Police, as they will help in intelligence gathering, and monitoring of government assets across the state. We believe by involving the community, we would be able to obtain enough information as to what is going on in the state. The effectiveness of our new strategy is based on community participation.”

    The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Idris, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Inyang, applauded the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government for embarking on the ambitious project and urged the private sector to support the fund to bolster policing across the state.

    “We are very happy to witness this wonderful gesture. I want to call on all on other private and public enterprises to support this initiative so that what succeeded in Lagos will also succeed in Edo State. Gone are the days that people left policing for the police alone. I also want to thank the Chairman of the Trust Fund for deeming it fit to come and assist the state.

    “With the launch of this security architecture, Edo people and residents will now sleep with their eyes closed. I am also aware that gun boats have been procured in addition to the vehicles and other equipment we are launching today.

    “This means we will be able to cover activities on land and sea which will be augmented with aerial surveillance using the Police helicopter. With all these efforts, Edo will become very safe for everyone. The security architecture will ginger security agencies to collaborate more, and where there is collaboration there will be coordination among us.”

    Chairman of the Edo State Security Trust Fund and Chairman, Coronation Capital, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, commended governor Obaseki for his foresight and his commitment to building a strong and peaceful state with initiatives such as the Edo State Security Trust Fund and Edo State Security Architecture, codenamed “WABAIZIGAN”.

    He assured that he would join efforts with other Edo sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to replicate the success story of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, in Edo State.

    The former Managing Director of Access Bank, donated N200 million naira to the Security Trust Fund, and explained that he was instrumental to the establishment and success of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and.

    “I and the companies I represent donate the sum of N200 million to the fund. I call on citizens of Edo State to join hands with the Edo State government and all the security agencies to make the state safe and peaceful for all.”

    “This process is not for the government alone but also for the private sector, companies and individuals to join hands with the state government in pushing the agenda for a peaceful Edo State.”

    Edo State Police Commissioner of Police Johnson Kokumo commended the governor for the support he has extended to the police command, which he said has made the state safer for residents.