NAN Archive

Loading

NAN Archive

Tag security

Defence/Security

Security: FG sets up joint border task force in 4 geopolitical zones

Security: FG sets up joint border task force in 4 geopolitical zones
By Mustapha Sumaila
Security
Abuja, Aug. 20, 2019 (NAN) The Federal Government has set up inter-security task force to conduct joint border security in four geopolitical zones of the country to tackle insecurity.
The Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Joseph Attah, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Attah said that the joint border task force, codenamed “EX-SWIFT RESPONSE”, comprised members of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
He said the exercise would be done in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) as well as the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Attah said the affected zones were South-South, South-West, North-Central and North-West.
He said that the joint exercise was being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
According to him, it is expected that the exercise will promote interagency cooperation and increase preparedness to address trans-border security challenges.
He added that the joint task force was expected to check security problems like terrorism, armed banditry, smuggling, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, among others.
“The exercise will also involve the movement of personnel, vehicles and equipment within the affected parts of the country.
“Therefore, we call on members of the public not to panic and should continue to engage in their normal duties.
“The overall objective is to ensure a peaceful and secured country in the interest of our national security,” he said. (NAN)
MS/DE/MST
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Security: Police, NSCDC solicit public support

Security: Police,NSCDC solicit public support

By Awayi Kuje
Security
Karshi (Nasarawa State), Aug. 18, 2019 (NAN) A Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Nasarawa State, SP Ahmed Lafiya, has solicited for public support and cooperation in crime prevention and control in the state.

He made the appeal on Sunday in Karshi at the closing of a three-day training organised by the Nasarawa State chapter of Man O’ War Nigeria for uniformed volunteer organisations in the state.

Lafiya, who is the DPO of Uke division, said providing security was a collective responsibility, noting that there is very little security agencies can do without public support and cooperation.

Represented by DSP Lapshak Lenka, the DPO said citizens were key stakeholders especially in the area of provision of information about criminal activities in their surroundings.

“Policing is a collective responsibility, and that is why we take advantage of platforms like this to sensitise the public on their role,” he said.

The DPO enjoined citizens to trust the police with information, assuring that their security and anonymity remained guaranteed.

On his part, Mr Yohanna Amana, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said all hands must be on deck to ensure peace and security in the society.

Amana, who is the NSCDC Head of Operations in Karshi Division, advised youths to respect constituted authority and engage in meaningful ventures in order to become self reliant.

He also stressed the need for synergy between Man O’ War and security agencies especially in the area of information sharing to curtail crime and in the society.

Earlier, Mr Joel Attah, the Nasarawa State Commander of Man O’ War, said the programme was organised to promote community security and policing in the state.

He said the focus on the young people was informed by statistics which showed that 50 per cent of crimes committed in the country were by the youth.

“That is why we organised this training to educate the participants, who are mostly young people, on community policing.

“This is our little way of assisting government in its efforts to redirect the attention and energies of young people to productive ventures,” he said.

The commander urged the participants to take advantage of the “golden opportunity” and put into practice what they learnt at the training.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the Man O’ War, Boys Scout and the Food Hygiene Initiative of Nigeria participated in the training. (NAN)
AKW/ASS/MST
Edited by Saidu Adamu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Foreign

SADC leaders agree to address rising security threats

SADC
Dar Es Salaam, Aug. 18, 2019 (Xinhua/NAN) Leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting in Tanzania have agreed to address rising security threats facing the region, including terrorism.
The leaders said in a communique issued at the end of the 39th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in Dar es Salaam on Sunday, that they had resolved to address the gravity of security threats, especially of terrorism activities and transnational crime.
Executive Secretary of SADC Stergomena Tax read the communique on behalf of the leaders after the two-day summit.

Tax said that leaders from the 16 member states of SADC urged the bloc to prioritise the implementation of the SADC regional counter-terrorism strategy and its action plan.

He said that the leaders also agreed to jointly address maritime security threats such as piracy and maritime terrorism, drug trafficking, and illegal carrying and trafficking of weapons.

“The leaders agreed to jointly address these security threats as part of the SADC maritime security strategy,” Tax said.

He added that the leaders urged SADC member states to implement comprehensive response plans to tackle the recurrent drought and food insecurity in the region.

According to Tax, the leaders observed an overall decline in food production in the region during the 2018 to 2019 cropping season.

, said the communique issued.

The leaders noted with great concern the slow growth in the intra-SADC trade levels, saying that the region continued to export unprocessed raw materials to the rest of the world, forfeiting the potential benefits of the resource endowments.

“To this effect, the leaders agreed to accelerate the implementation of the industrialization strategy,” Tax stated.

The 39th summit was held under the theme “A Conducive Environment for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development, Increased Intra-Trade, and Job Creation.” (Xinhua/NAN)

YEE

====

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

Defence/Security

Security: Police solicits cooperation of journalists

By Awayi Kuje
Security
Lafia, Aug. 9, 2019 (NAN) Mr Bola Longe, the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, has solicited for media cooperation in order to wipe out criminal elements in the state and the country at large.

Longe called for the partnership on Friday when members of the state Correspondent’s Chapel paid him a courtesy visit in Lafia.

The commisissner of police urged the journalists to support the command with vital information that would help in preventing and curbing criminal activities in the state.

According to him, the collaboration would also go a long way in publicising the activities and success of the command to the public.

“I want to commend you for the visit and assure you of my partnership in order to tackle criminal activities in the state.

“When I came on board, I developed many templates across the state in order to tackle kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes.

“Because of that, I have recorded a lot of successes by arresting many kidnappers, armed robbers and other bad elements in the state.

“I want to tell you that we have reduced crime in the state to the barest minimum.

“I call on you to expose criminal elements by monitoring the environment as when you see something, say something positively,” he said.

Longe urged the media practitioners to adhere strictly to their professional ethics in the interest of peace and national development.

He commended the administrative and security strategies of the Inspector-General of Police for peace to reign in the country.

Longe also called on members of the public to feed the police with relevant information by exposing criminal elements in the interest of peace and for development to thrive.

The commissioner of police restated his continued committment to develop more strategies to wipe out bad elements in the state.

Mr Wilson Bako, the Vice President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), North Central zone, assured the police of their readiness to adhere strictly to their professional ethics.

Earlier, Mr Suleiman Abubakar, the Chairman of the correspondents chapel, said that the visit was to strengethen the existing working relationship with the police command.

He commended the commissioner of police for his open door policy and efforts at fighting crime in the state. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Agriculture

Food security: NGO tasks farmers, herders on dialogue

By Awayi Kuje
Peace
Lafia, July 27, 2019 (NAN) In a bid to end the perennial clashes between farmers and herders in Nasarawa State, an NGO, Search for Common Ground (SFCG), on Saturday inaugurated a platform known as Peace Architectural Dialogue (PAD) to promote peace between farmers and herders in the state.

Inaugurating the platform in Lafia, Ms Olutoyin Falade, the organisation’s Senior Programme Manager in charge of Middle-Belt, said the platform was specifically designed
towards ensuring peace in the state.

She added that the platform was also to enable the people of the state come together and discuss matters bordering on peace and security, particularly farmers and herders.

Recounting the success stories of PAD in peace building in states like Plateau, Adamawa and Benue, Falade said the organisation would use dialogue as a traditional peace tactic to bring about peace in Nasarawa state.

Falade explained that the organisation operated on common ground approach principles, which include humanity, empathy, humility, inclusiveness and neutrality in dealing with matters affecting people without undermining their tradition and religion.

“We are here today to inaugurate a platform called ‘Peace Architectural Dialogue’ (PAD), this is the first of its kind in Nasarawa state.

“This platform is to address issues bordering on peace and security in Nasarawa state, which include farmers and herders crises through dialogue.

“We have informal sector mechanism which include traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and family groups.

“These are mechanisms we want to reinforce through this platform to bring about peace,” she said.

The programme manager advised the Nasarawa state Government to key into the PAD platform and proffer intervention that would address incessant crises between farmers and herders in the state.

On his part, Mr Jibrin-Egwa Nagambo, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Gov. Abdullahi Sule, on Non-Governmental Organisations, said the PAD platform is in line with the federal and state government policies and determination to address security challenges in the country.

Nagambo called on farmers and herders and other relevant stakeholders to embrace the initiative to enable total peace, and by extension attract dividends of democracy to the state, adding that the state will only develop when there is absolute peace.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SFCG is an international non-profit organisation with its headquarters in Washington DC whose mission is to transform the way the world deals with conflict.

NAN also reports that traditional rulers, members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeder Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the Media and representatives of the state ministries of Agriculture and Information were in attendance. (NAN)
AKW/ASS/MST
Edited by Saidu Adamu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

NAF renews commitment to national security

NAF renews commitment to national security
By Tukur Muntari
Security
Kano, June 21, 2019 (NAN) The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Saddiq Abubakar, has renewed the commitment of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) to support Federal Government’s policy thrust of providing security in the country.
Abubakar made the remark at the handing over ceremony of three reactivated L-39 ZA aircraft held at the 403 Flying Training School of the Nigeria Air Force Kano on Friday.
He said the reactivation of the three aircraft was part of efforts to ensure that the 403 FTS School was operating at the optimum level.
According to him, it will also help achieve the purpose for which the flying school was established.
“The handing over ceremony of the three reactivated L-39ZA aircraft; NAF 352, NAF 354 and NAF 364, marks a positive turning point in our efforts to ensure that the NAF is able to sustain jet training of our potential pilots in this school.
“The support provided by the Federal Government has no doubt had a positive impact on the ability of the NAF to meet the operational needs and requirements of the Armed Forces.
“It has also enhanced our efficiency and improved provision of welfare and other services to our personnel,” he said.
He assured that the NAF would continue to provide conducive atmosphere for learning in view of the fact that it is key to ensuring that students gain the maximum benefits of passing through training institutions.
Abubakar noted that the handing over of the three reactivated L-39ZA aircraft also marked another milestone in NAF efforts to ensure that the 403 Flying Training School operates at its optimum.
“In addition, let me state that the reactivation of this aircraft and the decision to carry it out in-country is part of our overall objective to domicile all our maintenance and training activities locally.
“The domiciling of the maintenance and training locally will enable the NAF make huge foreign exchange savings which can then be channelled towards providing additional facilities to enhance NAF’s training and maintenance efforts,’’ he said.
Abubakar commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the priority given to NAF efforts to maintain its current platforms and equipment as well as the support given to the NAF to acquire new platforms.
He also appreciated the efforts and dedication of the team of technicians from Messrs Aero Vodochody for ensuring the delivery of the project within the stipulated time frame.
Earlier, the Ambassador of Czech Republic to Nigeria, Marek SKOLIL, said for 33 years now the L-39ZA aircraft had proved to be rugged, reliable and pilot-friendly platform, used for training several generations of Nigerian Air Force pilots.
He said Aero Vodochody, the company which manufactured the aircraft, celebrated 100 years of its existence and aircraft production.
“This company was able to manufacture and deliver to the world’s Air Forces more than 8,700 trainer jets, which to date logged more than 13 million flying hours and trained tens of thousands military pilots in 45 countries worldwide,” he said.
NAN reports that highlights at the occasion include the rolling out of one of the reactivated aircraft from the hanger and aerial display. (NAN)
MTM/IAA/MST
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Security: I will eliminate religious bigotry, ethnic chauvinism – Gov. Sule

Security: I will eliminate religious bigotry, ethnic chauvinism – Gov. Sule
By Awayi Kuje
Peace
Lafia, May 29, 2019 (NAN) The newly sworn-in Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has vowed to eliminate religious bigotry, ethnic chauvinism, misinformation and rumour mongering in his resolve to address security challenges facing the state.
Sule made the commitment in his inaugural address after assuming the mantle of leadership as the fourth democratically elected governor of the state on Wednesday in Lafia.
He noted that security and peace constitute the very basic pre-requisite for the overall socio-economic development, hence the need to tackle the security challenges.
“As a matter of urgency, we shall place special emphasis on security of the state. Over years there has been general scenario of recurrent security issues in some parts of the state.
“The situation has undermined the development of the state.
“In the absence of a secured environment, there will be not investment inflow, local or international, for the establishment of industries.
“Industrial growth is a valuable vista for the overall human development.
“Accordingly, we will consolidate on the existing community-based conflict resolution mechanism and continue to maintain effective synergy with all security agencies in the state,’’ he said.
Sule explained that development would only occur if there is an atmosphere of peace and security.
The governor also said that he would give attention to education and skills acquisition programmes in order to tackle unemployment and reduce youth restiveness in the state. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Crime: 300 Bauchi vigilantes train to complement security agencies

Crime: 300 Bauchi vigilantes train to complement security agencies
By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
Security
Bauchi, May 19, 2019 (NAN) No fewer than 300 vigilantes have been trained to complement security agencies in combating crimes and traffic control in Bauchi State during and beyond Ramadan period.
Alhaji Bala Wunti, a Philanthropist, said this at the closing ceremony of the training in Bauchi on Sunday.
Wunti said with a well-structured neighbourhood watch security outfit, potential crimes would be detected early and prevented before maturing into full-blown crime.
“Issues of security and safety have been a major migraine in the society in view of increasing acts of lawlessness and social disorder exemplified by invasion of some hoodlums in some communities, armed robbery and kidnapping which was brought to limelight,” he said.
He said the 300 vigilante members were drawn from various vigilante organisations for the training across the state.
The philanthropist represented by his aide, Malam Isiyaka Wunti, explained that the workshop which was meant to train the participants on security and civil relations.
He said professionals from the police and other relevant organisations were invited to train the participants with a view to equipping them with security skills and crime management at public gatherings, adding that with a view to step down the training.
Wunti disclosed that each participant was given one bag of rice, clothes and a token of N5,000 at the end of the workshop.
The District Head of Bauchi metropolis, Alhaji Nuru Jumba, charged the security outfits to provide adequate security at mosques against social miscreants.
“I called on all security agencies, members of Islamic Aid organisations and other vigilante groups in the state to provide adequate security during night prayers, Sallah celebrations and other activities throughout this Ramadan period,’’ Jumba said.
According to him, criminals and thieves often steal vehicles parked by worshipers during such midnight prayers, rob worshippers and flee without being caught in some areas.
He said the aid groups and vigilante organisations have roles to play in preventing such criminals from committing their atrocities during the ‘tahajjud’ prayers.
Jumba also urged the participants to complement the effort of security agencies in crime and traffic controls on Sallah (Eid) day, saying “there are not less than seven Eid mosques in the state capital where thousands of Muslims observe prayers.
Jumba charged the Islamic aid groups to control crowd at their respective mosques to prevent stampedes at Eid grounds, advising them to cooperate with security agents to ensure hitch-free celebration.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Malam Ibrahim Mohammed of Jama’atul Nasrul Islam (JNI) aid group, commended the effort of the organiser of the training, saying this is a right step in the right direction for the aid groups and the vigilante members.
According to him, the training will go a long way in equipping our knowledge and skills on fighting crimes and crowd control, especially this Ramadan and the Sallah celebrations.
He pledged that participants would make good use of the knowledge acquired at the two-day training and would complement efforts of security agencies in the state. (NAN)
MAK/AAB/MST
Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NMA urges security for health workers

NMA urges security for health workers
By Ummul Idris
Insecurity
Abuja, May 16, 2019 (NAN) The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called for improved security and protection of health workers in the country.
Dr Francis Faduyile, the President of the association, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
Faduyile expressed dismay with the failure of both the Federal and State Governments to effectively check security lapses and incidences of kidnapping and armed robbery.
Other security lapses, he said, included cattle rustling, banditry and killing of innocent Nigerians by gunmen in the country.
The NMA president stated that health workers were being targeted in many of the areas targeted by the criminals.
“Many of them are kidnapped during the discharge of their duties, while some of them get killed by gunmen,’’ he said.
He, however, called on health workers to pay attention to their personal security in view of the security challenges in the country.
Faduyile also called on governments at all levels and security agencies to urgently up their game and stem the tide of insecurity in the country.

Faduyile called on President Muhammadu Buhari to see his re-election as another opportunity to address the various security challenges confronting the country.
According to him, the president should also address the issue of poor health indices, unacceptable high unemployment rate, hunger and starvation in the land. (NAN)
UMD/MAS/MST
Edited by Moses Solanke/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Foreign

Lake Chad water crisis, Climate Change take centre stage at Hague conference

Ms Sigrid Kaag, Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation at opening of Planetary Security Conference, Hague

Climate
By Tosin Kolade
Amsterdam, (Netherlands) Feb. 19, 2019  (NAN) World leaders have converged on The Hague, Netherlands to call on countries to take urgent actions toward reducing the impact of climate change to water, livelihoods, peace and security.

At the opening of the Planetary Security Conference on Tuesday, they insisted that the impact of climate change on water, peace and security on development had been devastating.

Ms. Monika Dhian-Ho, the Director, Clingendael Institute said that it could not be “business as usual’’ as climate change issue was at a tipping point.

She said over the last years, some researchers had found out that in 26 countries, climate change had now become the top global threat, adding that this had already resonated in the statements of world leaders.

She quoted the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel as saying that the world was living in an age where climate change affects all parts of the world.

“Against this background of increased public concern, I intend to call upon the leaders to take actions to invest in managing and preventing its effects.’’

She said that efforts were on to work through practical action and beyond awareness and also form concrete recommendations by making it doable.

She listed challenges such as regional migration, insurgency, and loss of livelihoods, especially in the Caribbean, Iraq, Mali and the Lake Chad region, calling for broader awareness on best ways to address climate-security issues.

She said that the climate change had grave consequences for global security, noting that the impact was also felt in climate security, insurgency, terrorism, proliferation of mass weapons and livelihoods.

Ms. Sigrid Kaag, the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, said that the conference was borne out of necessity, vision and determination to make climate action a global issue.

She said that the world in the last decade could be described as successful economically but that was not the case as far as global realities of inequality were concerned.

She said that the negative impact of climate change had united the world, saying this was evident with global acceleration of desertification, extreme weather events, and steady depletion of natural resources.

She stressed the need for sustainable solutions to improve ways to enhance collaboration, adding that there was the need for knowledge sharing for innovative ways to deal with climate adaption.

“How can we deal with effective integrated risk assessments and really approach conflict analysis into our alert warning systems.’’

Dr Loiuse Van-Schaik, the Head, Sustainability Research, Planetary Security Initiative (PSI), noted that climate change affects human security and could increase conflict risks.

Van-Schaik said that the institute sets out best practice, strategic entry points and new approaches to reduce climate-related risks to conflict and stability, thus promoting sustainable peace in a changing climate.

She said that the conference targets what could be done to successfully reduce security risks linked to climate change and other environmental challenges on the ground through international diplomacy.

Van-Schaik said that the conference also aimed at exploring the climate-security linkage in specific issues and regions to identify entry points and actionable areas for policy and response.

she said that this would also involve the development of ideas that would help shape policies and implementation strategies for the next 15 to 20 years.

She stressed that the conference would continue to provide an opportunity for practitioners and high-level policymakers on climate change and security to meet, exchange information and increase cooperation.

She said that journalists had a duty to develop innovative story ideas on global ideas in a local way toward seeing that actions are taken to reduce the impact of climate change on the environment.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the high level conference is organised by the Planetary Security Initiative, supported by Free Press Unlimted and the Clingendael Institute.

The conference thematic focus includes contribution of land and climate policies to peace, urban risks and instability, geopolitics of energy transition. (NAN)
TAK/GY
=======

Edited by Grace Yussuf