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Stakeholders express concern over new security threats in North-East
Stakeholders express concern over new security threats in North-East
Stakeholders at the opening of the 12th North-East Zonal Conference of State Directors of Security have expressed grave concern over emerging security threats and criminalities capable of igniting Boko Haram-style crisis across the region.
The three-day conference, holding at the Borno State Command of the Department of State Services, began on Monday, August 21.
The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Kanemi, who spoke first over the emerging criminalities and security threats in some communities in Borno State, recalled that such threats gave birth to the Boko Haram crisis because they were neglected.
“Security chiefs should, therefore, identify and nip in the bud all such criminalities and security threats to avoid a recurrence of Boko Haram,” the monarch, represented by one of his title holders, Alhaji Hassan Boguma, the Zanna Boguma of Borno, charged.
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“Criminalities by the traumatised youth population are emerging from the rubbles of the Boko Haram insurgency,” the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Lawal Yusuf, observed.
Citing the example of a growing group of miscreants called Malians, unleashing terror in the Maiduguri metropolis, the CP called for strengthened synergy and cooperation among all security agencies across the region to identify and nip in the bud all such criminalities.
The Commander of the 7 Division Garrison, Brig. Gen. Timothy Opurum, expressed reservations on the ongoing repentance and surrender of Boko Haram insurgents.
“They (repentant insurgents) surrender and lay down their arms, but who knows if they are up to some pranks?” he queried, suggesting, “so the post-insurgency period should even be more important to us the security agencies in terms of intelligence gathering and sharing to nip all threats in the bud.”
Declaring open the conference, Governor Babagana Zulum, represented by the Borno State Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, concurred with all earlier speakers, expressing grief that new crimes and criminalities are emerging from the rubbles of Boko Haram.
Stakeholders express concern over new security threats in North-East
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), says a comprehensive investigation is in progress to ascertain the veracity of reports of loss of civilian lives in the course of recent airstrikes in Zamfara.
The Director, Public Relations and Information of NAF, AVM Olusola Akinboyewa, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Akinboyewa said that the NAF dealt a decisive blow to bandits terrorising villages in the area in recent airstrikes at Tungar Kara in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.
“The operation successfully eliminated several bandits and led to the recovery of some kidnap victims, the NAF viewed with grave concern reports of the loss of civilian lives in the course of the operation.
“As a responsible and professional custodian of airpower for the security of the nation, the NAF believes in the absolute value of the life of every Nigerian.
“Accordingly, a comprehensive investigation is in progress, to ascertain the veracity of the reports, the outcome of which will be duly communicated to inform and re-assure the public.
“Please rest assured that, while our mission in the North West remains to combat banditry and restore peace, the safety and well-being of all Nigerians are of utmost importance.
“We will therefore work closely with all relevant authorities to unravel the facts and take appropriate steps, as part of our unwavering commitment to prevent, minimise and mitigate any harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure in the course of our operations,” he said.
The Federal Government has approved four airlines as official air carriers to transport intending pilgrims for the 2025 hajj pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Executive Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman, made this known in a statement by the commission’s Assistant Director, Information and Publication, Mrs Fatima Usara, on Sunday in Abuja.
Usman explained that the four airlines were selected out of the 11 companies that submitted applications to transport Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Muslims pilgrimage.
According to Usman, the four approved airlines are Air Peace Ltd., Fly-Nas, a Saudi Arabia designated airline, Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Ltd.
The NAHCON boss stated that the airlines were screened and shortlisted by a team of 32 members that were inaugurated by the NAHCON on Nov. 26, 2024.
He said that the composition of the Aviation Screening Committee included representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, three members from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and one member each from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
He also said that some members of the committee were drawn from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Similarly, Prof. Usman said that one member each was drawn from Nigerian Customs’ Service (NCS) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
Others, he listed, were NAHCON Board members representing each geo-political zone of the country, NAHCON Heads of Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, and Special Duties as well as Board Member representing the Aviation industry.
The NAHCON boss also disclosed that three excess cargo carriers were selected for the hajj operations.
He named them to include; Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd, Cargozeal Technology Ltd and Qualla Investment Ltd.,
The Chairman, who congratulated the successful companies, urged them to fulfil their responsibilities as promised during the screening.
Meanwhile, Prof. Usman signed the 2025 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on behalf of the Nigerian Government.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was represented by the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Abdulfatah Masahat, at the signing ceremony.
The event was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to formalise this year’s Hajj engagements.
Some health stakeholders have said that Nigeria’s Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), which serve as the backbone of the country’s healthcare system, are in dire need of revitalisation.
The stakeholder said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, (more…)
NAF investigates reports of vigilante losses in Zamfara airstrikes–official
FG approves 4 airlines for 2025 hajj operation – NAHCON Chair
Nigeria’s primary healthcare centres in need of urgent revitalisation – Stakeholders
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