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Tag terrorism

  • Mar, Wed, 2020
Metro

Good governance is antidote to insurgency, says international relations expert

Good governance, antidote to insurgency, says international relations expert

Terrorism

By Busayo Onijala/ Tinuade Adeshiyan

Lagos, March. 11, 2020 (NAN)A Professor of International Relations, Osita Agbu, has called on government at all levels to provide good governance and maintain a united front in the face of insurgency ravaging some parts of the country.

Agbu, Dean, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Baze University, Abuja, made the call at the maiden annual memorial lecture in honour of late Prof Ogaba Oche at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs(NIIA), Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the paper was titled, “The Complex Phenomenon of Terrorism and Nigerian Foreign Policy”.

“With good governance, many of the grievances that lead to frustration and violence causing terrorism are reduced,” Agbu said.

According to him, terrorism is a constant occurrence in the 21st century post-cold war era that can not be understated.

He said that terrorism had been one of the negative aspects of globalisation which frequently arose as a local problem and assumed international dimensions.

“Nigeria is today, a victim of domestic terrorism with international dimensions.

“Combating terrorism is undoubtably one of the most serious security challenges to the Nigerian State today,” he said.

Agbu added that the Boko Haram attacks in various northern states of the country indicated that terrorism had indeed arrived and required urgent response.

“Failure to tackle terrorism has sent wrong signals to domestic demands international terrorists, as well as the international community about the country’s fragility.

“There is generally little consensus on the root causes of terrorism and very little agreement has been reached on possible remedies at all levels,” he said.

He noted that some terrorist tactics included suicide bombing, the use of biological and chemical weapons, cyber-terrorism and threat of nuclear terrorism.

Agbu further stated that terrorism could be characterised by four essential features.

“First, the act must be violent, the direct targets of such an attack are usually non-combatants who are usually without influence on the motive of such act.

“The act takes place in an environment of relative peace, then its ultimate motive for the resort to violence is to cause fear.

“Nowadays, terrorism is characterised by mass suicide attacks and even the use of lethal gas.

“Such was the case of the February 1993 explosion at the World Trade Centre’s parking garage which killed six people.

“Also, the September 11, 2011 attacks on the twin towers in New York that killed about two thousand innocent people is another sad example,” he said.

He also said that terrorism had violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country .

“Terrorism, as manifested in Nigeria has implications for Nigeria’s foreign policy, and generally for national stability and security,” Agbu said.(NAN)

OMB/ TAL/WOJ

Edited by Wale Ojetimi

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Defence/Security

Participants laud military on building relationship to combat terrorism

Participants laud military on building relationship to combat terrorism

By Mohammed Mamman
Insurgency
Damaturu, Nov. 1, 2019 (NAN) Participants at the counter insurgency and violent extremism seminar organised by the Nigeria Army said the programme had strengthened the synergy for collective participation in the fight against terrorism.
The participants told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Friday in Damaturu that the seminar had also strengthened civilian military relationship in the state.
Imam Musa Aliyu, a Muslim cleric, said: “Initially the relationship between civilians and the military was weak.
“Until recently, there was no trust between civilians and security, the relationship was full of suspicion but such platforms provide room for the building of trust.’’
Malam Bukar Mustapha, another cleric, said with the new development, the populace now see the fight against insurgency as a collective responsibility.
Alhaji Sani Abubakar, an Islamic scholar, said “the people are now carried along and are willing to provide useful information in the counter insurgency programme”.
Malam Muhammad Musa, a teacher, said the military has evolved a healthy relationship based on mutual trust to collectively combat terrorism.
Mr Tanimu Ishaku, a student, said “with this trust and understanding, l am willing to cooperate and volunteer information to the security without fear of molestation”.
NAN reports that office of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Thursday organised a one-day sensitisation for religious leaders and students on Counter Insurgency and Violent Extremism in Nigeria through authentic religious enlightenment. (NAN)
MM/ASS/MST
Edited by Saidu Adamu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Chemists expresses worry over misuse of chemicals for terrorism

Chemists expresses worry over misuse of chemicals for terrorism

By Mustapha Sumaila
Chemicals
Abuja, Nov 7, 2018 (NAN) The Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON) on Wednesday expressed concern on misuse of chemicals as instruments of terror to perpetuate evil in the country.

Mr Jwalshik Wilford, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the institute, said this at a workshop, membership induction and investiture in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ICCON is a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Health established by ICCON act of 2004.

It is charged with the responsibility of regulating the teaching, learning and standards best practice of the chemistry profession in the country.

Wilford however noted that it was sad that chemicals which were meant to be substances of immense benefit had become instruments of terror and wanton bloodshed in the country and across the globe.

He said that it was a sad reality that the dearth of adequate chemical education had contributed immensely to the wave of “chemical terrorism” that had pervaded the country in recent time especially the North-East.

He charged chemists to play their roles in bringing the much needed chemical knowledge to bear on a largely chemical ignorant society.

“It is our desire and hope that this workshop will not only help in addressing what is obviously an issue of urgent national and global concern, but will draw attention to the neglected role chemists can play in tackling societal challenges.

“From industries, to agriculture to medicines, we rely on chemicals to improve our lives but also those chemicals have the potential to cause tremendous harm to us and the environment.

“Poor chemical security is a threat globally and we are committed to helping chemists and other related professionals improve their abilities to safely and responsibly handle chemicals to reduce their potential negative impacts,” he said.

The registrar disclosed that the institute would soon carry out a National Chemical Personnel Audit to entrench professionalism and standards.

NAN also reports that 42 members were conferred with fellowship award while Dr Abubakar Jimoh, Director, Public Communication Affairs of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) bagged honorary fellowship award of the institute. (NAN)
MS/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola