By Doris Esa
Alert
Abuja, Feb. 8, 2019 (NAN) The Federal Government on Friday launched the Nigeria Internal Security and Public Safety Alert System (NISPSAS) to assist the public access prompt response to emergencies and public safety.
NISPSAS is an integrated and single mobile application developed to assist citizens access prompt response to emergencies and public safety.
The Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulraman Dambazau (Rtd), who launched the System at the Ministry in Abuja, said the Mobile App is linked to all the Services under the ministry to monitor their activities.
He said the App would enhance collaboration and cooperation among security imperatives.
Dambazu said the Safety alert system is essentially to make everybody contribute towards public safety, adding “the App is user friendly, you can report any emergency”.
The minister said the app could also be used for issues relating to fire hazards, accidents on the highways and crimes as well as other issues of public concern. (NAN)
ORD/MUYI/MST
Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
By Tukur Muntari
Security
Kano, Dec. 15, 2018 (NAN) The Federal Government has renewed its commitment to strengthening national security architecture and addressing unemployment challenges bedevilling the country.
The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen Abdurrahman Dambazau, made this known at the passing-out parade of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) graduates Cadets of 43rd Superintendent Basic course in Kano on Saturday.
Dambazau was represented by at the occasion by the ACG of Immigration, Ado Jafar retired.
He said the passing out of the 652 graduates cadets from the Immigration Training School, Kano was a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to not only strengthen our national security but also to provide gainful employment to the teeming youths of the country.
Danbazau said the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) would remain committed to staff training and discipline so as to ensure effective service delivery.
He said the ministry and indeed the civil defence, fire, Immigration and prisons services board would continue to maintain absolute zero tolerance for misconduct from any personnel under its supervision.
He, therefore, urged those graduating to ensure that they are always guided by the trainings they received as well as by the agency’s rules of engagement in their conduct.
“As the supervising ministry, we shall continue to ensure that we attend to the genuine needs of all the services under our purview including NIS, for enhanced service delivery, “he said.
In his remark, the Comptroller-General of the NISS, Muhammad Babandede, tasked the graduating cadets on discipline and professional lifestyle.
Babandede said the 43rd Superintendent Basic course was the first set of cadets with first degrees.
“We are proud to state that this new NIS training curriculum is one of the best document for any training institution in Nigeria.
“It is important to inform you that you are coming into an IT-driven service that puts high premium on systems automation and professionalism, “he said.
He warned the officers to avoid what he described as presentation of high profile notes or calls for special postings or favours saying that anybody who engaged in such acts the document will be recorded in his/her secret registry file.
“The consequence of such lobby for any favour may mar your career progression in the service in future.
Also speaking, the commandant of the training school, Mr R.A. Adegoke called for the urgent rehabilitation of the school Indoor shooting range and the access road leading to the school.
He also called for the construction of additional senior and junior staff quarters in addition to hostel accommodation for cadets. (NAN)
MTM/SH
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
Justice for all critical to national security, says Supreme Court Judge
By Mohammed Lawal
Justice
Zaria (Kaduna State), Dec. 12, 2018 (NAN) Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, says justice for all is a critical element for national peace and security.
He made this known to newsmen shortly after declaring open the 19th Annual Judges’ Conference at Kongo Campus of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is: “Application of Islamic Financial Legislation in the Nigerian Judicial System: Challenges and Prospects”.
NAN also reports that the two-day conference was organised by the Centre for Islamic Legal Studies (CILS), ABU, in collaboration with National Judicial Council (NJC), Abuja.
Muhammad said: “The best path to ensure peace, stability and security of the nation is for judges to ensure justice for all irrespective of status or any other thing.
“As judges we must do everything possible to do justice between people, we must do what we are employed to do, if not we have broken our oath taken that we will be just in delivering judgment especially in Islamic Sharia law.”
On judges that take advantage of their position to harm one party in a case, the Supreme Court Judge advised those who felt cheated to report to the higher authorities for necessary action.
“We have several authorities in the judiciary whom if such a case is reported to, will definitely give orders for investigation.
“Any judge found guilty of such offence will be dealt with accordingly, if the gravity of his offence is big enough to be sacked, the judiciary will not hesitate to sack or demote him depending on the level of the offence.
“Therefore, it is not an excuse for somebody to keep mute while he is cheated in a court of law; if you feel you are cheated and you keep quite, you have cheated yourself,” he said.
Earlier in the conference, the Supreme Court Judge stressed the need for more collaborative input between CILS and NJI to enhance justice dispensation in Sharia and Area Courts, and the Nigerian Judiciary at large.
He said the theme of the conference was not only topical but also timely and suitable in view of the fact that it would allow discussion of nature and constraints of judicial proceedings involving matters relating to Islamic banking and finance.
The ABU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, described the occasion as the best place that provides solutions to issues affecting the judicial system especially in Islamic Sharia.
Garba, who was represented by the Director, Institute of Administration, ABU, Prof. Ibrahim Aliyu, expressed satisfaction that the Islamic Financial System was gradually gaining ground in Nigeria.
He said the establishment and growth of JAIZ Bank had clearly demonstrated the success of Islamic Financial System, noting that the conventional banks, such as Stanbic IBTC and Sterling bank, were also operating a unit of interest-free banking system.
The Director, CILS, Prof. Muhammad Usman, lamented that there was no statutory framework for Islamic non-interest based financial transaction in Nigeria except for the guidelines drawn by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) For Non-Interest Financial Institutions.
“Another gap in the area is that of jurisdiction of courts to sit over conflicts relating to Islamic financial issues. Are the Sharia Courts empowered to do so? Are the Sharia Court Judges sufficiently educated to adjudicate over such matters?
“Are the Conventional Courts such as the High Court or the Federal High Court empowered to sit over such cases? If the answer is in the affirmative, are there competent judges to satisfactorily serve justice in the light of the objectives of Sharia?” Usman asked. (NAN)
KLM/CHOM/MST
Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
From Right President of Senegal Macky Sall, Nigerian Ambassador to Senegal Salisu Umaru; and Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama during the minister’s working visit to Senegal
Nigeria, Senegal to strengthen relations in trade, energy, security, others
By Isaac Aregbessola
Relationship
Dakar, Nov. 25, 2018 (NAN) Nigeria and Senegal have agreed to strengthen their bilateral relation in the areas of economic, trade and industry tourism, security, defence, energy, agriculture and education, among others, Senegalese Foreign Minister, Sidiki Kaba said.
Kaba said this in Dakar after a meeting with his Nigerian counterpart, Geoffrey Onyeama, who was on a working visit to Senegal to enhance the two countries bilateral relations.
While expressing concern on the inability of the two countries joint commission to meet in the last 20 years, he stressed the need to build on the existing relations between them.
“We have identified very strategic and important sectors of cooperation on which we would like to focus on.
“We emphasise on petroleum sector, security, tourism, banking, agriculture, industry, trade and investment, justice and education, to say a few.
“I will like to seize this opportunity to state my readiness to work with you to strengthen the relation between Senegal and Nigeria,” he said.
Kaba noted “the inadequacy and obsolescence” of the legal framework for cooperation between Dakar and Abuja, which has only five agreements.
“I am convinced that our two countries must and can do more, We need to work now to reverse this trend,” he said.
He called for the involvement of the private sectors of both countries in order to “pull” the Dakar-Abuja axis to a level of strategic cooperation.
Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama with his Senegalese counterpart, Sidiki Kaba during Onyeama’s working visit to Senegal
Onyeama said that his visit to Dakar was to develop a “roadmap and strategy” to strengthen cooperation among ECOWAS member countries.
“The bilateral relations between our two countries are good, strong and solid as you have correctly stated there is a lot more that we can do and we should be doing.
“The purpose of this visit is partly to reignite that relationship, we have a joint commission that have met only twice close to 20 years ago.
“We have a great opportunity and we would work together to reignite the joint commission and use that as a frame work to form stronger links and cooperation between our two countries.
“As you have identified there are many areas in which we can cooperate, in the field of textile we share a common dress sense in our `booboo’, our `agbada’ and so forth,” the minister said.
According to him, there are lot to undertake in the field of commerce which include small and medium enterprises, cooperation in the fields of petroleum, fishery, agriculture and industry, among others.
“The field is large we really can and we should do a lot more, there are so many other areas including diplomacy and sports in which our two countries excel.
”We are determined to have a strong framework in which we can develop strong relations and full potentials of our people, and we are determine to achieve this together,” he said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama (R) with his Senegalese counterpart Sidiki Kaba during Onyeama working visit to Senegal
Onyeama noted that the two countries which also cooperate in the framework of ECOWAS, sub-regional cooperation, also share a common vision of greater integration.
He said that two countries should not allow artificial boundary to be a barrier in promoting integration between them.
“Our relation and ECOWAS is an initiative to promote integration among ourselves, integration that has always been there before the period of colonialism.
“We are working very closely together in the framework of ECOWAS to promote and achieve that integration, single monetary union, economic integration, ultimately political integration, building the infrastructures, road.
“Also in putting off the obstacles and hurdles to free movement of our people among ourselves and the right of doing business in the sub-region,” he said.
He commended the country efforts in assisting Nigeria to fight Boko Haram.
“We appreciate very much the positive roles our countries are playing in the region to promote democracy and good governance and to fight terrorism.
“We appreciate very much the support of your country in our fight against Boko Haram,” he said. (NAN)
IAA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Attacks: Ex-Speaker urges improved security along Toto-Nasarawa axis
By Awayi Kuje
Security
Lafia, Nov. 20, 2018 (NAN) The former Speaker of Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, has called on security agencies to increase surveillance around Nasarawa-Toto axis of Nasarawa State to prevent further attacks and acts of criminality.
Speaking to newsmen in Lafia on Tuesday, he said that the recent abduction of health workers and other criminal activities in the area was affecting socio-economic activities.
Mohammed, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Nasarawa-Toto Federal Constituency in the 2019 general election, said the people of the area have been leaving in fear and needed the assistance of security agencies to restore normalcy.
He explained that the axis is among one of the most economically viable areas in the state that has more people in the urban and rural centres.
The ex-speaker however urged the security agencies and residents of the state to collaborate to ensure safety.
“Our people are constantly leaving in fear and needed the support of security agencies and other stakeholders to bring an end to the activities of criminal elements in the area.
“There should be more surveillance around the area and if possible collaboration between vigilante groups and security agencies, we are in need of serious security presence.
“The rate of kidnapping and other attacks by unknown gunmen in the area is becoming alarming which is very alien to our people because our people are peace loving citizens that go about their normal business activities across the state.”
The PDP candidate promised to present the challenge before relevant authorities as he called on the people of the area to report any suspicious person or movement to security agencies.
Besides, the former speaker enjoined the people of the area to embrace peace and tolerate one another irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that unknown gunmen abducted three officials of the Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency along Nasarawa-Toto road on Nov. 1.
The area is also witnessing incessant kidnapping and other criminal activities. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
FCT Minister assures newly sworn-in corps members of security, welfare
By Yashim Katurak
NYSC
Abuja, Oct. 25, 2018 (NAN) The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has assured the newly sworn-in corps members for the 2018 Batch ‘C’ Stream I service year that their security and welfare needs remain top priority to the Federal Government.
The minister gave the assurance in Abuja on Thursday, while addressing corps members during the Swearing-in Ceremony at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp, Kubwa.
Bello, who was represented by Mr Bashiru Mohammad, the Acting Chairman, NYSC FCT Governing Board, said adequate arrangements had been made to ensure presence of security operatives within and outside the camps.
He said the federal government was on top of its game in ensuring the welfare and security of corps members, adding that these remained top priority to government.
Bello, however, said despite the presence of security operatives, corps members should see the issue of security as the collective responsibility of all.
“I want to inform you that hate speech and fake news are serious threats to national security and nascent democracy.
“Indeed, the FCT Administration, the federal government and every patriotic citizen frowns at it.
“You must join hands with government to disarticulate, condemn and exterminate this dreaded virus from becoming entrenched into the norms and values.
“You must learn to do things differently in keeping with the change mantra of this administration; after all we all admit that ‘change begins with me’.
“There is an extant ban on the promotion of tobacco and alcoholic beverages in NYSC orientation camps and all stadia nationwide.
“I therefore charge you to eschew all acts of immorality and criminality; you must make the camp drug-free.”
Mr Bello Ballama, the NYSC FCT Coordinator, had earlier said that all necessary resources had been mobilised to address the security and welfare needs of the corps members.
Ballama assured that all collaborating security agencies as well as medical personnel were available to deal with any and all issues that arose during the orientation.
He advised corps members to utilise the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme (SAED) by learning one or more skills to equip them towards self reliance during and after the service year.
The coordinator said that as at 12 midnight of Wednesday, 2,675 corps members had registered to participate in the 2018 Batch ‘C’ Stream I service year.
The orientation course which commenced simultaneously on Oct. 23, at various orientation camps nationwide will run till Nov. 12, 2018.
The orientation course was designed by the scheme to address each participating corps member’s competence and readiness for the service year.
The corps members were sworn-in by the Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Ishaq Bello, represented by Justice Kayode Adeniyi. (NAN)
KRY/MO/MST
Edited by Omolade Michael/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Nigeria advocates African Standby Force, Security Fund
By Isaac Aregbesola
Security
New York, Sept. 25, 2018 (NAN) Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama says Nigeria has pushed for the take-off of African Standby Force (STF) to be deployed in times of crisis in various parts of the continent.
Onyeama said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the African Union (AU) Security Council meeting at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.
The minister said that Nigeria also stressed the need for AU to find African solutions to African problems rather than depending on external interventions.
Nigeria, he said, urged the organisation to have the African Security Fund to have the capacity to intervene in the conflict on the continent instead of relying on external partners.
According to him, the meeting is a review of security situation of the continent and what needs to be done, noting that one of the challenges of the AU is funding.
“Nigeria acknowledged a lot of what has been done because the aspiration of the African countries in the agenda for 2063 is silencing the gun by the year 2020.
“So African leaders have committed themselves that by 2020 all the crisis should end and also that there should be African solution to African problem.
“I talk about steps to take to achieve the goal of African solution to African problem; one of the points that I made was the importance of having African standby force in place,’’ said the minister.
According to him, this will be a force that will be rapid deployment force to go to wherever part of the continent that there are security issues.
He noted that at the moment AU was a bit too dependent on the outside partners for security on the continent and had to wake up in funding its operation.
“We talked about our support also for the African Security Fund set up and for member states to contribute to that fund for countries in the AU to have the capacity to intervene in the conflicts and not just wait for the external support.
“As we are seeing now the UN is not willing to intervene in a number of the conflicts on the continent.
“And, we now see that other non-African countries that are supporting us are now reducing the funding so we have to find our own solution and we offer some form of advice,” he said.
He noted that the UN was only supportive at present in some of the areas of conflicts on the continent but not the one that involves terrorism.
“The UN Secretary General is supportive of the idea of greater direct UN support of funding but is not having at the moment.
“So the Africa Union has to devise innovative strategies in raising the funding to addressing some of the security challenges on the continent especially ones that are terrorism related.
“So this is basically members of Security Council of the AU coming together to review what the organisation has been doing and what more to be done; we work about greater cooperation,” he said. (NAN)
IAA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Photo caption: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama with South African Delegation advisors, Mr Ntshing Ndumiso and Mr Charles Nqakula at the AU Security Council meeting/UNGA 73rd in New York.
Ondo traditional rulers task Gov. Akeredolu on security, infrastructure
By Ayodeji Alabi
Security
Ikaramu Akoko (Ondo state), Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) Some traditional rulers in Ondo on Saturday called on Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to improve security and provide better road network across the state.
They made the appeal in a communiqué made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by Oba Raphael Oyedele, the Olu of Igbobini, and Secretary of the 130 Crowns Club.
In the communiqué, the traditional rulers said: “We request the government to see to the improvement of our roads and provide more security to some parts of the state where kidnapping is rampant.
`We also pray for the sustenance of the current peace being enjoyed in the state,’’ it said.
NAN reports that the request was among other issues deliberated upon at a meeting held by the monarchs at Ikaramu-Akoko, Akoko North West Local Government Area of the state.
They however applauded Akeredolu’s move at making the learning environment more conducive for students, pupils and teachers.
They appreciated the state government for being responsive to the yearnings of traditional rulers through interactive meetings with the governor.
The communiqué explained that “this noble Club is not political, not a trade union nor a pressure group.
“We stand as a bridge between the grassroots and the government, being the voice of the people and foot soldiers of government for the purpose of translating government’s activities to the people”.
Oba Olusegun Akinbola, the Aladeokun of Alade and President of the club, told NAN after the meeting that the present administration is doing well on some projects.
Akinbola listed the projects to include sinking of boreholes in some communities and renovation of public schools in the state.
Also, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, the Olu of Igbokoda and the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the association, said that they came together in view of the negative influences of western civilisation on Yoruba cultural values.
Odidiomo assured that the body would restore the dignity of Yoruba cultural heritage and provide opportunities to deliberate on ideas that would move their various communities forward. (NAN)
AYOD/JTJ/MST
Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
ICRC trains security agencies on compliance to International Humanitarian Laws
By Talatu Maiwada
Security
Abuja, Sept. 1, 2018 (NAN) The International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC) says it has trained personnel of Nigeria security and defence agencies on compliance to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL).
Ms Eleojo Akpa, the Communication Officer, ICRC, said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.
Akpa said the four-day meeting was organised by the ICRC in partnership with the National Defence College.
She said the workshop brought together no fewer than 25 personnel from various security and defence agencies across Nigeria as well as civil society organisations and members of the academic community.
She explained that the workshop was aimed at strengthening participants understanding and application of laws guiding armed conflict and internal security situations, and the protection of vulnerable people during conflict times.
Mr Eloi Fillion, Head of Delegation ICRC, said that the sanctity and safety of civilians should be a priority in any security situation at all times, the statement said.
“The knowledge of fundamental human rights such as the right to life, to dignity, to freedom, to legal representation and to a fair trial is very important.
“It is also more powerful when such rights are respected and enforced in the heat of action and I hope that this meeting expounded such knowledge.
“The ICRC advocates respect for the rights of people affected by armed conflict and violence by reminding authorities and security agencies about their legal obligations under IHL and IHRL.
“Since the beginning of this year, nearly 3,000 officers of the armed forces, police and security forces had been trained on such principles with the ICRC’s support,’’ he said.
Fillion stated that protecting the lives and dignity of people affected by armed conflicts and other situations of armed violence was core of the ICRC’s neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian action.
He disclosed that ICRC also provided humanitarian assistance that offered access to healthcare, food, water and shelter for the most affected populations.
Fillion added that the organisation also visited places of detention and supports the authorities in incorporating humanitarian and human rights principles into the trainings and operations of armed and security forces. (NAN)
TIM/GOM/MST
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
NAPTIP trains officers on intelligence, security
By Mustapha Sumaila
Graduation
Abuja, July 30, 2018 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has graduated its first set of 97 officers from Basic Intelligence and Security Course.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr Julie Okah-Donli, disclosed this on Monday while addressing newsmen to mark the 2018 World Day Against Human Trafficking in Abuja.
The United Nations in 2013 adopted a resolution that every July 30, should be marked as the World Day Against Human Trafficking to raise awareness on the situation of victims and for the promotion and protection of their right.
Okah-Donli said that the officers were trained in the Staff Development Centre of the State Service in Kaduna to widen the scope of surveillance, intelligence gathering and enforcement on trafficking in persons in the country.
She said that the agency was in the process of deploying them to identified endemic areas within the country, mostly along routes known for human trafficking and irregular migration.
According to her, some of the newly trained officers will also be assigned to the various IDP camps in order to forestall any act of exploitation in the camps.
“In the years ahead, Nigerians should look forward to a reloaded NAPTIP with renewed strategies and proactive service delivery in the areas of combating human trafficking.
“We shall intensify advocacy to relevant stakeholders with a view to enhancing a clear understanding of issues and the enormity of human trafficking,” she said.
She said that the agency would spread to the hinterlands, settlements and other locations reputed for human trafficking with comprehensible enlightenment messages to reduce their vulnerability.
“We shall design our surveillance apparatus with special attention on those suspected orphanage operators, travel and tour agents as well as other service providers with nefarious intentions to protect our children from trafficking,” the NAPTIP boss said.
According to her, the uttermost desire of the agency is to protect Nigerians from all forms of human trafficking and with the support of all stakeholders in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that director-general also launched an app for the agency, known as “NAPTIP ireport App”, to enhance seamless and prompt reportage of issues relating to human trafficking. (NAN)
MS/JIE/MST
Edited by Julius Enehi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
