TheNewsGuru

Tag: Security

  • G7 to announce long-term security arrangements for Ukraine

    G7 to announce long-term security arrangements for Ukraine

    Leaders of the G7 group of Western industrialised countries are to jointly announce their intentions to offer long-term protection to Ukraine, according to information from the U.S. and Britain.

    “We can never see a repeat of what happened in Ukraine and this declaration reaffirms our commitment to ensure it is never left vulnerable.

    ”Not left vulnerable to the kind of brutality Russia has inflicted on it again,” said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

    The announcement would be made by G7 leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the NATO summit in Vilnius on Wednesday afternoon.

    A representative of the U.S. National Security Council said.

    The aim of the security commitments was to build up a military capable of repelling future attacks, she said.

    “Supporting their progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral and bilateral agreements.

    “The overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe,’’ Sunak said.

    The statement is to be followed by bilateral talks between G7 countries and Ukraine on the details of the security arrangements.

    Britain, the U.S., France, Italy, Japan, Canada and Germany make up the group of seven leading democracies.

    The U.S. is ready to offer Ukraine once a ceasefire and a peace agreement are in place similar protection as it provides to Israel.

    The U.S., President Joe Biden said in an interview on Sunday.

    Israel receives 3.8 billion dollars per year from Washington, with a large share being used for air defence and military equipment.’’

  • One year after Kuje attack, hunt continues for 400 escaped inmates

    One year after Kuje attack, hunt continues for 400 escaped inmates

    One year after the attack on the Kuje Medium Security Correctional Centre, the repercussions of the incident continue to reverberate in Nigeria.

    The carefully orchestrated attack carried out by armed terrorists on midnight of July 5th 2022 caught the security personnel off guard, despite prior intelligence warnings of a potential assault.

    The attackers, armed with machine guns and improvised explosive devices, overwhelmed the officers on duty and successfully released 879 out of 994 inmates, including all 64 members of the notorious Boko Haram terrorist group.

    The smoothly executed attack left one security officer and four inmates dead, with 16 people injured.

    Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of ISIS operating in the region, but intelligence sources and researchers familiar with the groups involved suggested that Ansaru, another terrorist organization, aided ISWAP in carrying out the assault.

    Efforts to recapture the escaped inmates have been ongoing, but challenges persist. The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) said that 415 inmates, more than half of those who escaped, including terrorists, have been recaptured, while over 400 individuals remain at large.

    The attack on the Kuje prison was not an isolated incident, but was part of a broader pattern of prison attacks across Nigeria, with reports indicating that over 4,307 inmates have escaped from various correctional facilities since 2017.

    Security measures in a medium security correctional centre

    Maximum security correctional facilities are designed to have the highest level of security, with extensive measures in place to prevent escapes and ensure the safety of inmates, staff, and the public.

    These facilities are typically fortified with multiple layers of fencing, including double or even triple fences, along with additional barriers such as razor wire or electric fencing.

    The perimeter walls are constructed to be highly resistant to breaches, and the access points are closely monitored and controlled.

    In contrast, while medium security correctional facilities still maintain a level of security, including perimeter fencing, the measures are not as stringent as those in maximum security facilities, striking a balance between security and prisoner movement.

    Medium security correctional centres often have double fences to provide an additional layer of defense against unauthorized access. This dual fencing system helps to deter escape attempts and provides a buffer zone between the inner and outer perimeters.

    Despite the magnitude of the Kuje attack, some critical vulnerabilities remain unaddressed. The facility still relies on a single perimeter wall and the existing metal gate lacks reinforcement to withstand future jailbreak attempts.

    While efforts to construct a second perimeter wall are underway, progress has been slow, with the job still in the steel reinforcement stage.

    Measures to fortify Kuje correctional centre

    The attack on the Kuje correctional centre exposed significant gaps in Nigeria’s intelligence system and raised questions about the effectiveness of security measures.

    Nevertheless, the NCoS has taken some significant steps to fortify its facilities and ensure the safety of inmates and personnel.

    Correctional facilities have been declared red zones, and additional security personnel have been deployed to vulnerable locations.

    There has also been the installation of solar panels for power generation and enhanced night surveillance, as well as the presence of CCTV cameras in strategic areas.

    Additionally, the use of technology, such as the Corrections Information Management System (CIMS) in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has been instrumental in tracking and recapturing fleeing inmates.

    The NCoS has also provided additional training for personnel, reinforced facility perimeters, and intensified surveillance efforts nationwide.

    In response to the attack, former President Muhammadu Buhari ordered an investigation to identify the remote and immediate causes of the breach and although the investigation has been concluded, its details have not been made public due to security concerns.

    Undeterred by the magnitude of the task, the NCoS remains resolute in its commitment to track down and apprehend all remaining fugitives still at large.

    The challenges posed by extremist groups require a multifaceted approach that combines intelligence gathering, proactive measures, and swift response to threats.

    President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the importance of a unified approach to national security and has instructed service chiefs to work together to address the country’s security challenges.

    The aim is to foster collaboration and coordination among security agencies to ensure a cohesive response to threats and enhance the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security apparatus.

     

  • Analysis: Timeline of ministerial list submissions to the Senate

    Analysis: Timeline of ministerial list submissions to the Senate

    In the wake of President Tinubu’s recent inauguration and appointments, Nigerians eagerly anticipate the announcement of his ministerial list.

    As history shows, the timing of submitting ministerial lists to the Senate has varied among past administrations.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) takes a look at the historical timeline of when Nigerian presidents sent their ministerial lists to the Senate following their respective inaugurations and discovered that while some administrations acted swiftly, others took more time to finalize their ministerial nominations.

    For example, former President Olusegun Obasanjo wasted no time, swiftly sending his ministerial list to the Senate on June 4, 1999, a mere six days after his inauguration.

    During his second term, Obasanjo followed a similar pattern, submitting the list on June 23, 2003, taking 25 days.

    The subsequent administration of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua exhibited a longer delay, taking 59 days before forwarding his ministerial list to the Senate on July 27, 2007.

    Under President Goodluck Jonathan, the trend returned to a relatively shorter duration. On June 28, 2011, Jonathan sent his ministerial list to the Senate, marking 30 days after his inauguration.

    The tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, however, witnessed a significant delay in the submission of the ministerial list.

    It took a staggering 124 days for Buhari to present his list to the Senate, finally doing so on September 30, 2015.

    Considering this historical context, Nigerians are now curious about President Tinubu’s approach.

    In a significant development on Monday, President Tinubu took decisive steps to address the country’s security challenges by ordering the retirement of all military chiefs and making key appointments.

    The President’s decision to appoint major generals as new service chiefs has garnered significant attention and raised discussions about his aim to introduce fresh leadership and strategies to combat the security threats facing the nation.

    While the timeline for submitting his ministerial list to the Senate remains unknown, the red Chambers is currently adjourned until July 4.

  • N7.9bn fraud charge: Again court suspends Stella Oduah’s arraignment over security reasons

    N7.9bn fraud charge: Again court suspends Stella Oduah’s arraignment over security reasons

    Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday, June 15, 2023, again suspended the planned arraignment of a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah and others on alleged N7.9 billion fraud charges, citing security reasons.

    According to the judge, the court will not continue with the trial until it is certain and satisfied that the security and safety of the persons involved in the trial is assured.

    At the last adjourned date, Justice Ekwo had complained about receiving private messages regarding the case from persons whose identities he did not disclose, while warning them to desist from intruding on his privacy.

    At today’s proceeding Justice Ekwo voiced his anger that the prosecution failed to fish out the culprits.

    “I want you to find out who that character is, arrest him and bring him to court on the next date. I am not going to go on with this trial until I am certain and satisfied that the security and safety of all the persons involved in the trial is assured,” he said.

    Justice Ekwo produced a publication wherein his life was severely threatened over his involvement in the trial. He urged the EFCC to fish out the culprits and bring them before the court, even as he ordered the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court to liaise with the Corporate Affairs Commission to obtain the identities of the promoters of the offending publication.

    Before the case was adjourned, counsel to the seventh defendant, intimated the court of a letter wherein he informed the court that his client, Crystal Television, had entered into a plea bargain with the EFCC and already paid One Hundred Million, (N100, 000, 000.00) as part-payment for compounding the offence contained in the charge.

    Part of the letter reads: “Sequel to our letter dated 22nd May 2023, on the above matter, we hereby forward, under the covering of this letter, a Zenith Bank Manager’s Cheque (Bank draft) Nos. 00009061, 00009063, 00009065, 00009066, 00009068, 00009070, 00009071, 00009072 and 00009073, all dated May 2023, in the sum of N100, 000,000.00(One Hundred Million Naira) only as part payment for compounding of offenses contained in the above charge”.

    The letter further stated that, “Pursuant to all previous payments and the one referred to herein, our client has the sum of N280, 000,000.00 balance payment and the same shall be paid as soon as possible.”

    The judge however adjourned the matter till July 17, 2023 for the CAC to report on the owners of the organization, and the EFCC to fish out the culprits.

     

  • Heavy security at Ogun assembly as inauguration is postponed

    Heavy security at Ogun assembly as inauguration is postponed

    There was heavy presence of security personnel at the entrance of Ogun House of Assembly on Tuesday, as the planned inauguration of the 10th assembly is postponed.

    Newsmen reports that armed police officers and personnel of the Department of State Security (DSS) were present at the entrance of the assembly, screening those allowed into the assembly complex.

    Speaking to journalists at the entrance of the assembly complex, a member-elect, Olalekan Adeleye (PDP- Odogbolu), expressed shock over the postponement of the inauguration.

    Adeleye lamented that no letter was issued to members on the postponement, rather a WhatsApp message was said to have been sent to members-elect.

    “What is happening here this morning is strange. We have been in high spirit, hoping that we will resume here at 9am for our inauguration.

    “To our dismay, we are locked out and when we asked questions, someone called my attention to a WhatsApp message purportedly sent by the Clerk of the House that the inauguration has been postponed to June 20.

    “If at all this is going to happen, there are appropriate ways of communication.

    “The notice of this inauguration was sent via a proclamation letter written by the governor that the 10th assembly would start by June 13.

    “And if there is going to be a postponement, such proclamation letter should be withdrawn and followed by another proclamation letter conveying the new date,” he said.

    The member-elect who spoke on behalf of other eight PDP members-elect, who were also on ground, added that the sudden postponement was not the best way to start the present legislature.

    He noted that no senior management staff of the Assembly was around to talk to them on the reason for the postponement.

    Reacting, the immediate past Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, urged opposition party members-elect to keep calm over the postponement of the inauguration.

    Oluomo, who is representing Ifo-I, said that the news of the postponement was sent via the platform created for both the newly-elected members and the returning ones.

    The former speaker urged the members-elect not to be disturbed by the postponement, advising all members to wait for the new date.

    NAN reports that currently, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has 17 members-elect while the PDP has 9 members-elect.

  • Roads closed, security tightened in Abuja ahead of May 29

    Roads closed, security tightened in Abuja ahead of May 29

    As inauguration of a new administration is around the corner, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been busy with preparations, tight security and closing of roads in strategic place in the Metropolis.

    Our reporter observe that, more checkpoints have been mounted around the Eagle Square, venue of the expected inauguration, as well as along the airport road and significant reduction in the number of motorcycle operators on the highway.

    Recall that the Federal Government has also informed citizens within the FCT that it will shut down areas around the federal secretariat, Abuja, from 2pm on Friday and will until Tuesday morning.

    Commuters have been directed to use alternative routes to ease traffic as dignitaries are being expected from several countries to grace the occasion.

    The Eagle Square, where the inauguration ceremony will be held, is currently under lock and key. In the last few days, security officers were seen rehearsing for the inauguration parade.

    The military and other security agencies had assured Nigerians that the ceremony will go smoothly; adding that any plans to disrupt the process will be dealt with decisively.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the Department of State Service (DSS) warned the citizens against unruly behaviours and non-adherence to protocol during the swearing-in ceremony, admonishing strict compliance to security measures for seamless activities.

  • NSA assures of adequate security ahead of May 29

    NSA assures of adequate security ahead of May 29

    The National Security Adviser(NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno has assured Nigerians of adequate security during the Presidential Inauguration ceremony.

    Monguno gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja at a World Press Conference, organised to mark the commencement of activities for the May 29 presidential inauguration.

    The NSA, who heads the Security, Facilities and Intelligence Committee of the Presidential Transition Council (PTC), said necessary measures had been put in place to provide all-round security.

    He said security would be beefed up at the Eagle Square, venue of the May 29 presidential inauguration and its environs.

    Monguno also said there would be tight security in and around hotels to ensure safety of guests coming into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from within and outside Nigeria.

    According to him, membership of the committee, which is drawn from various security agencies have been collaborating to ensure a seamless transition.

    “It is perhaps the most critical of all the committees by virtue of the nature of its own task.

    “That is why membership of the committee comprises of representatives or heads of agencies at the highest level.

    “The Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, Director-General of the SSS.

    “The Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency(NIA) and the Governor of Kebbi State, who sits in as representative of the incoming government,”he said.

    Monguno further said, “our main function and primary concern is provision of both overt and covert security cover for all the venues where the programmes will take place.

    “As well as hotels in which invited guests and dignitaries will be staying for the period up to the inauguration and immediately after.”

    On restriction of movement, Monguno said there would be restriction of movement at a certain range around Eagle Square.

    He also said there would be traffic diversion and provision of alternative routes for motorists and pedestrians.

    While assuring Nigerians of a peaceful inauguration, he urged them to steer clear of anything that would threaten the peace of the nation.

    “The committee has concluded arrangement for accreditation and issuance of tags, passes and identity documents for all security agents.

    “If you have no business with security you need not be near the vicinity of the programme especially on the inauguration day.

    “We do not envisage anything that will be negative on that day, so, I urge everybody to be calm.

    “The people who use the social media, please understand this till our visitors, especially those who come from other countries disperse,” he said.

    Sub-committees like Transportation Sub-Committee, Venue, Parade and Swearing-in Sub-Committee, Media and Publicity Sub-Committee also assured of adequate preparation.

    Also, the Medical Sub-Committee, said adequate arrangement had been made for over 100 medical doctors, nurses and other medical personnel to be on ground within the period.

  • Security: Presidency renders stewardship on achievements in eight years

    Security: Presidency renders stewardship on achievements in eight years

    The Presidency has highlighted some of its proud achievements in the area of security over the last eight years, despite Nigeria’s rating as the third worst country with insecurity in the world, according to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI).

    In a 90-page document released by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina,  the Presidency said remarkable interventions implemented had impacted positively on the level of security in the country.

    The building and completion of 17 Command Offices Complexes of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), with another four ongoings (Rivers, Kogi, Bauchi and Ondo) and launch of 16 new Forward Operation Bases (FOBs) across Nigeria were listed as initiatives that had impacted positively on security.

    This is addition to the deployment of a more efficient National Border Management Strategy and global Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) at five International Airports and 17 Border Crossing Points.

    MIDAS is a global real-time border management system developed by International Organization for Migration (IOM) and is linked to INTERPOL and other watchlists.

    “The implementation of MIDAS at the International Airport in Abuja was described by the IOM as “the largest deployment of MIDAS at any airport globally, to date,” Adesina said.

    According to the document, there are now more than 97 million unique records in Nigeria’s digital identity database (NIN), as of March 2023, up from 41.5 million three years ago.

    The National Policy on NIN-SIM integration has been a major reason for this surge, and the National Identification Numbers (NINs) given to both Nigerian citizens and legal residents, provide useful insights that has helped with identity management, improved security and strengthened the economy.

    Also, the administration recorded huge achievement in efforts to clampdown on drug abuse which is widely believed to propel insecurity, when it arrested about 24,000 drug traffickers, including 29 barons between 2021-2022.

    In addition, the presidency disclosed that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)  had secured the conviction of more than 3,400 offenders and seized more than 5,500 tons (5.5 million kilogrammes) of assorted illicit drugs.

    “The value of drugs and cash seized came to more than N450 billion, while 772. 5 hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed,” the Adesina said.

    In 2016, President Buhari launched the National Social Investment Programme, currently the largest such programme in Africa and one of the largest in the world. The National Social Register (NSR) of poor and vulnerable Nigerians (NSR) now contains more than 50 million persons from more than 12 million poor and vulnerable households, identified across more than 150,000 communities in the 36 States of the country and the FCT.

    From this number, close to 2 million poor and vulnerable Nigerian households are allegedly currently benefiting from the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, which pays a bimonthly stipend of N10,000 per household.

    In addition, about 355,000 vulnerable persons have received a special one-off grant of N20,000 each in the 36 states and the FCT. The establishment of the Survival Fund, the National Youth Investment Fund, and National Special Public Works Program (774,000 beneficiaries across 774 LGAs nationwide), and the Central Bank’s Covid-19 300 billion Naira Targeted Credit Facility (TCF), have reportedly given support to millions of small businesses, households, and young people.

    The Buhari Administration’s Survival Fund has provided grants (Payroll Support, Artisan and Transport Sector grants, and General MSME grants) to more than 1.2 million beneficiaries, since the last quarter of 2020. It has also provided free business registration to 250,000 MSMEs across the country.

    The metrics used in the GTI ranking include: leadership and foresight, robust laws and policies, strong institutions, financial stewardship, attractive marketplace, global influence and reputation as well as helping people rise.

    Nigeria, which is the most populated African nation, did not score up to 0.50 in any of the indices, with zero being the lowest and one the highest.

  • May 29: Why Tinubu must be given increased security – MURIC

    May 29: Why Tinubu must be given increased security – MURIC

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called for enhanced security for the President-Elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, due to rising security threats and treasonable utterances from the opposition camp.

    The Executive Director, MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola stated this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    “We find it necessary to alert the nation, particularly the security agencies, concerning ominous signs on the Nigerian political horizon. Too many threats have emerged over the approaching inauguration of the winner of the presidential election held on Feb. 25.

    “We have never had it so tense. The tension in the air is so thick that it can be cut with a knife. This is probably the first time open threats will be issued against a president-elect after he has been declared winner of the presidential election. Serious threats hang over our heads like the sword of Damocles. The signs are too open to be ignored.

    “An Abuja-based pastor, Sarah Amaku had the effrontery to say publicly that Tinubu was not the president-elect. She said Tinubu was the president-elect for the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the ruling party.

    “Controversial Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, also declared yesterday that there was no president-elect.

    “An indirect call for interim government and an undisguised attempt at derailing the swearing-in of the president-elect has also emanated from Chuks Ibegbu, the former National Publicity Secretary of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide,’’ he said.

    Akintola added: “Ibegbu wants the National Assembly to extend President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration by three months, beyond May 29.

    “A few followers of one of the presidential candidates who lost the election, Peter Obi, have also converged in front of the Nigerian Army headquarters in Abuja, begging the military to take over power.

    “Such utterances and actions have emboldened at least one real and palpable threat as a member of the opposition, Obiajulu Uja, disrupted an Ibom flight from Abuja to Lagos on April 1. He reportedly delayed the flight for more than one hour.

    ‘’It is obvious that Obiajulu would do more than that if he has the chance. These are ominous signs and only the uninitiated will fail to read the handwriting on the wall. We therefore call on the security agencies to double guards for the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima. Nothing must happen to them.’’

    “We remind those plotting to truncate the presidential inauguration billed for May 29 of the dire consequences of their actions. The whole of Africa is enveloped in crises. Sudan cannot breathe. It is presently torn between government soldiers and the militia. M23 and the ADF are at war with government forces in DR Congo.

    “Peace has eluded Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad. Anti-inauguration elements should remember Nigeria’s humongous population of 210 million which will have nowhere to go in case of a conflagration since all the countries surrounding us are already engulfed in one conflict or another.

    “We therefore call on the opposition to exercise restraint in its conduct as it contests election results. Those who fight and run away live to fight another day. Those who did not win in 2023 have another chance in 2027. Remember the words of Paul Tibbets who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, ‘My God! What have we done?’ But it was too late. The damage had already been done. A word is enough for the wise.”

  • MURIC wants increased security for president-elect, Tinubu

    MURIC wants increased security for president-elect, Tinubu

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called for enhanced security for the President-Elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, due to rising security threats and treasonable utterances from the opposition camp.

    The Executive Director, MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola stated this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    “We find it necessary to alert the nation, particularly the security agencies, concerning ominous signs on the Nigerian political horizon. Too many threats have emerged over the approaching inauguration of the winner of the presidential election held on Feb. 25.

    “We have never had it so tense. The tension in the air is so thick that it can be cut with a knife. This is probably the first time open threats will be issued against a president-elect after he has been declared winner of the presidential election. Serious threats hang over our heads like the sword of Damocles. The signs are too open to be ignored.

    “An Abuja-based pastor, Sarah Amaku had the effrontery to say publicly that Tinubu was not the president-elect. She said Tinubu was the president-elect for the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the ruling party.

    “Controversial Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, also declared yesterday that there was no president-elect.

    “An indirect call for interim government and an undisguised attempt at derailing the swearing-in of the president-elect has also emanated from Chuks Ibegbu, the former National Publicity Secretary of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide,’’ he said.

    Akintola added: “Ibegbu wants the National Assembly to extend President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration by three months, beyond May 29.

    “A few followers of one of the presidential candidates who lost the election, Peter Obi, have also converged in front of the Nigerian Army headquarters in Abuja, begging the military to take over power.

    “Such utterances and actions have emboldened at least one real and palpable threat as a member of the opposition, Obiajulu Uja, disrupted an Ibom flight from Abuja to Lagos on April 1. He reportedly delayed the flight for more than one hour.

    ‘’It is obvious that Obiajulu would do more than that if he has the chance. These are ominous signs and only the uninitiated will fail to read the handwriting on the wall. We therefore call on the security agencies to double guards for the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima. Nothing must happen to them.’’

    “We remind those plotting to truncate the presidential inauguration billed for May 29 of the dire consequences of their actions. The whole of Africa is enveloped in crises. Sudan cannot breathe. It is presently torn between government soldiers and the militia. M23 and the ADF are at war with government forces in DR Congo.

    “Peace has eluded Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad. Anti-inauguration elements should remember Nigeria’s humongous population of 210 million which will have nowhere to go in case of a conflagration since all the countries surrounding us are already engulfed in one conflict or another.

    “We therefore call on the opposition to exercise restraint in its conduct as it contests election results. Those who fight and run away live to fight another day. Those who did not win in 2023 have another chance in 2027. Remember the words of Paul Tibbets who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, ‘My God! What have we done?’ But it was too late. The damage had already been done. A word is enough for the wise.”