Defence
Coalition of civil society network advocates NSCDC merger with police
A Coalition of Civil Society Networks (CCSN), on Monday, staged a protest to advocate the amendment of the Act establishing the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and it’s merger with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), so as to eliminate duplication of duties.
A spokesperson of the CCSN, Mr Emmanuel Gyara, while addressing journalists in Abuja, on Wednesday, said there was an urgent need to reform the NSCDC, in line with global best practices.
He said CCSN had on Oct. 5, staged a similar peaceful protest at the headquarters of the NSCDC, demanding the immediate and proper reforms of the Corps.
“And today we are here at the National Assembly, Abuja, to present before the distinguished Senators and honourable members of the National Assembly the need to reform the NSCDC.
“Worried by the current insecurity in the country, the Federal Government should commence moves in amending the act setting up the NSCDC.
“There has been a public perception on the conflicting roles of the Nigerian Police and NSCDC, and this outcry by citizens demands attention and immediate actions for reforms and amendment of the Act establishing the NSCDC”, Gyara said.
He added that as a result of the multifaceted security challenges facing the country, both the Federal Government and the National Assembly should work together on the amendment of the NSCDC act, to enable it to achieve its core mandate of protecting critical national infrastructure.
The CCSN spokesperson said there was the need to clarify similarities in the security roles played by the NSCDC and the police, so as to eliminate the occurrence of clashes between them.
“Also, the ministry of the interior should ensure that there is a synergy between the NSCDC and the police while performing their official duties, to avoid unnecessary conflicts between them.”
Gyara said given the current revenue profile of the government, there was a need for the government to merge the NSCDC with the Nigerian Police force to reduce operational costs and duplication of responsibilities while improving the manpower situation of the police.
He said that if amended, the act would help the current security situation in the country, examine the level of risks to critical assets and infrastructure and find ways of safeguarding them.
Gyara also called for a proper investigation of the complaints by Nigerian youths on NSCDC’s recruitment processes, especially the alleged job racketeering in recruitments exercise in recent times.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his relentless support to security agencies, saying that this demonstrated the president’s willingness and commitment to addressing the rising security challenges confronting the nation.
The CCSN spokesperson appealed to Buhari to also provide more resources to the Military, the Police and other sister security agencies, like the Department of State Security Services, for intelligence and prompt operations.
Reacting to the call for the merger of the NSCDC with the police, its Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar, said: “We say no to the merger because once you talk about merger, you talk about unemployment and these are people that are trained in handling arms and when you merge, some people will go away and they are trained in arms, what are you doing to the society?
“Already, we are contending with issues on the streets, so, we say no to any marriage of inconvenience,” Abubakar said.
The high point of the protest was the chanting of solidarity songs by the protesters displaying banners bearing such inscriptions like, “Say no to underperformance of NSCDC”, “Reform and amend the Act of NSCDC for improved security surveillance”, among others.”(NAN)
Defence
Shettima Leads Nation to Honour Fallen Heroes at 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday led a distinguished delegation, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, members of the Federal Executive Council, National Assembly, service chiefs, and the diplomatic corps, to pay tribute to the nation’s fallen and living heroes.
The solemn occasion, held at the National Arcade in Abuja, featured a wreath-laying ceremony marking the climax of the 2025 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD).
Vice President Shettima was the first to lay a wreath, followed by Senate President Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu (representing Speaker Tajudeen Abbas), and Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Kudirat Kerere-Ekun.
Other participants in the ceremony included Minister of Defence Muhammed Badaru, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, and service chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also joined in paying respects.
Representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Nigerian Legion, and widows of fallen soldiers, led by Veronica Aluko, President of the Military Widows Association (MIWA), also laid wreaths to honour the heroes.
A traditional military salute followed, with the firing of three volleys, a symbolic act rooted in the age-old battlefield custom of pausing hostilities to retrieve the fallen.
The Vice President capped the event by signing the anniversary register and releasing ceremonial white pigeons, symbolizing peace and freedom.
The week-long celebration began on January 10 with a Jumma’at prayer at the National Mosque, followed by an interdenominational Christian service on January 12. Other highlights included a social and awards evening for military personnel, a regimental dinner and awards night for officers, and a lecture and art exhibition hosted by Defence Headquarters.
This year, the celebration, renamed Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, aims to honour both fallen heroes and serving personnel for their dedication to national peace and security.
Observed annually on January 15 in Nigeria, the day commemorates those who sacrificed their lives in global conflicts, including the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, peacekeeping missions, and internal security operations. It also serves as a platform to honour veterans and garner support for the families of the fallen.
As Vice President Shettima noted during the event, “Their sacrifices remind us of the cost of freedom and the unwavering commitment required to preserve our nation’s unity and peace.”
Defence
Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Makinde Reaffirms Commitment to Fallen Heroes’ Families
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reiterated his administration’s unwavering support for widows and children of fallen heroes, as well as the welfare of vulnerable ex-servicemen.
The governor made this pledge during the grand finale of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, held on Wednesday at the Arcade, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
Makinde emphasized that the state government would prioritize the welfare of those who had sacrificed for the nation’s unity and security.
“The fallen heroes paid the supreme price to ensure the country remained one, safe, and secure,” Makinde said.
He also commended the service commanders, officers, and men of all security agencies operating in the state for their dedication to maintaining peace and fostering economic growth.
“They are supporting this administration to maintain an environment where economic activities can thrive,” he added.
The chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Oyo State Command, Julius Ogunkojo, called on the government to address the needs of officers and men of the armed forces. He also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to assist ex-servicemen in achieving better living standards.
The event featured the symbolic firing of rounds volley, laying of wreaths, and the release of ceremonial pigeons by the governor, symbolizing peace and unity.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day, celebrated annually, honours the sacrifices of past and present military personnel for the nation’s security and sovereignty.
Aviation
NAF airstrikes destroy terrorist food depot, kill scores in Lake Chad
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, on Monday in Abuja.
Akinboyewa said the NAF aircraft carried out the operations in Nov. 23 on the strategic location, identified through meticulous intelligence efforts.
He said the location served as a critical food storage site and a sanctuary for terrorist commanders and fighters.
He added that intelligence had previously linked terrorists in the location to recent attacks, including the assault on troops in Kareto on Nov. 16.
According to him, the NAF fighter jets, in response, launched a robust air interdiction mission, destroying identified structures used as storage facilities and neutralising terrorists on-site.
“Mop-up operations using cannons ensured the complete elimination of fleeing hostile elements.
“The operation’s success was made possible by extensive Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions conducted over several days, confirming the presence of active terrorist structures camouflaged under dense vegetation.
“The destruction of the terrorist enclave, including food storage facilities, severely disrupted their logistical operations, while the neutralisation of a significant number of fighters diminished their capacity to launch future attacks,” he said.
Akinboyewa said the mission had demonstrated the NAF’s unwavering commitment to defending our nation and people, acting singly and supporting surface forces in counterterrorism operations.
He reiterated the NAF’s commitment to sustain robust independent and joint operations until all enemies of Nigeria’s prosperity and wellbeing are brought to justice.
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