Category: Security - Page 3 - African News Today

Defence Chiefs from 5 ECOWAS Nations Absent at Abuja Meeting

2Aug

By adminNo Comments

Africa, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Sierra Leone

Defence Chiefs from 5 ECOWAS Nations Absent at Abuja Meeting

A meeting of defence chiefs from ECOWAS nations held today at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, but the gathering is conspicuously missing the presence of some key countries. Defence Chiefs from Mali, Niger, Guinea Bissau, Burkina Faso, and Guinea were noticeably absent from the meeting, while representatives from several other nations are in attendance. Present at the meeting are Defence Chiefs from Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, The Gambia, Cote D’Ivoire, and Cape Verde. The meeting is being presided over by General Christopher Musa, the Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff. The meeting has been convened in response to the recent military coup in Niger Republic, where the Commander of Niger's Presidential Guards, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, toppled the ...

Military Intervention in Niger, Declaration of War Against Us – Burkina Faso and Mali

1Aug

By adminNo Comments

Africa, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Violence

Military Intervention in Niger, Declaration of War Against Us – Burkina Faso and Mali

The junta-led governments of Burkina Faso and Mali issued a joint warning on Monday, stating that any military intervention in Niger to restore deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would be regarded as a "declaration of war" against their two countries. This came in response to threats made by West African leaders, backed by Western partners, to use "force" to reinstate the democratically elected Bazoum and impose financial sanctions on the putschists. The governments of Burkina Faso and Mali emphasized the potential disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger, warning that such action could destabilize the entire region. They also rejected the application of "illegal, illegitimate, and inhumane sanctions" against the people and authorities of Niger. At an emergency summ...

Obi Condemns Sit-at-Home Order, Calls for Strategic Approach to Insecurity

13Jul

By adminNo Comments

Law Enforcement, News, Nigeria, Security, Violence

Obi Condemns Sit-at-Home Order, Calls for Strategic Approach to Insecurity

South-east governors promise to deal with Simon Ekpa and other troublemakers Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, has strongly criticized the sit-at-home order imposed by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), labeling it as a criminal activity that inflicts suffering on innocent people. In a series of tweets, Obi called for a more strategic approach to address the escalating violence in the Southeast, Benue, and Plateau states. He expressed deep concern over the wanton loss of innocent lives due to communal clashes, banditry, and kidnapping activities across Nigeria. "The rising insecurity in the country leading to mindless bloodletting, particularly in the North Central zone of the country, and the continued disrup...

Fulani Militias Attack Plateau Communities, Kill 15 Persons

22Jun

By adminNo Comments

Fulani Herdsmen, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security, Terrorism

Fulani Militias Attack Plateau Communities, Kill 15 Persons

At least 15 individuals have been tragically killed in separate assaults by Fulani Militias targeting the communities of Bwai and Chisu within the Mangu local government area of Plateau State. According to reports, these incidents occurred late at night on Tuesday while residents were asleep. Per investigations, the attackers simultaneously invaded both communities, engaging in acts of violence and setting fire to any structure in sight. An eyewitness named Bamshak Ishaya alleged that during the attack in Chisu village at around 11:00 pm on Tuesday, some individuals sought refuge at the house of a community leader, only to be killed by Fulani militias. It was further learned that the COCIN RCC Church in Bwai, situated along the Mangu-Bokkos Road, was also engulfed in flames, along w...

Breaking: Service Chiefs, Advisers, Others Retired; New Ones Appointed

19Jun

By adminNo Comments

Armed Forces, News, Nigeria, Security

Breaking: Service Chiefs, Advisers, Others Retired; New Ones Appointed

In a major shake-up of the nation's security apparatus, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has announced the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, Advisers, and the Comptroller General of Customs. The President wasted no time in appointing their replacements, with the newly appointed officers set to assume their roles with immediate effect. The list of the newly appointed officers was released today by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey. Among the key appointments are Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. C.G Musa as the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja as the Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla as the Chief of Naval Staff, AVM H.B Abubakar as the Chief of Air Staff, an...

DSS Raises Alarm Over Plans to Disrupt Handover Ceremonies in Nigeria

25May

By adminNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria, Security

DSS Raises Alarm Over Plans to Disrupt Handover Ceremonies in Nigeria

The Department of State Services (DSS) has raised an alarm over plans by some subversive elements to disrupt the handover ceremonies in some parts of the country. The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, disclosed this in a statement released on Thursday, May 25, 2023. The DSS stated that these elements plan to undermine the efforts of the security agencies as well as cause panic among the citizens. The DSS has urged citizens to adhere to the laid down protocols for the events across the country to ensure a peaceful and successful ceremony. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Transition Council had announced activities for the Presidential inauguration on May 29, 2023, in Abuja. On the same date, new Governors will also be inaugurated in m...

<strong>Umahi Explains Why FG Deployed Surveillance Aircraft In Ebonyi</strong>

25Feb

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria, Security

Umahi Explains Why FG Deployed Surveillance Aircraft In Ebonyi

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has said that the Federal Government deployed a helicopter to the state to provide aerial surveillance during Saturday’s elections. He disclosed this on Friday in Abakaliki, the state capital, noting that the deployment of the helicopter was intended to augment security measures already put in place in the state. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Umahi said the helicopter would be flying at low altitudes and asked residents to go about their activities without fear. The governor gave assurance that the exercise was intended to scare away insurgents or bandits from disrupting the election in any part of the state. See Also: Eight Students Travelling Home For Election Die in Auto Crash He said, “We got a surprise package from...

<strong>Court Orders Evans To Pay Kidnap Victim €233,000, N50m</strong>

17Feb

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Crime, Finance, News, Nigeria, Security

Court Orders Evans To Pay Kidnap Victim €233,000, N50m

Billionaire kidnap mastermind, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, was on Tuesday ordered by a Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square to refund the sum of €233,000, he received as ransom from one of his kidnap victims, Chief Donatus Dunu. Justice Olukayode Ogunjobi, also mandated Evans to pay the sum of N50m as general damages in favour of the claimant. The victim, a pharmacist, was abducted on February 14, 2018, and held hostage with ransom collected from his family, he escaped from where he was held. Dunu, a Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceutical Company, later filed a civil suit, praying the court to order Evans to return to him the €233,000, paid in ransom. The claimant asked for an additional N50m in general damages. But Eva...

<strong>Court Declares Ebube Agu Operations Illegal In Ebonyi</strong>

15Feb

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Human Rights, Judiciary, Justice, Law Enforcement, News, Nigeria, Security

Court Declares Ebube Agu Operations Illegal In Ebonyi

An Ebonyi State federal high court in Abakaliki has declared the activities of the south-east security outfit, Ebube Agu, illegal in the state. Recall that the south-east states governors had in April 2021, announced the establishment of the security network as part of measures to curb insecurity in the region. The court while ruling on Tuesday, ordered the Department of State Services, DSS, and police to retrieve all the weapons in the possession of Ebube Agu operatives in the state. The presiding judge, Riman Fatun, said the grounds for disbandment were connected to human right abuses, extortion, and illegal arrests. The judge held, “I hereby declare the Ebube Agu outfit illegal and therefore, it ceases to exist as the Ebonyi state house of assembly has no powers to appr...

<strong>Police Free 15 Abducted Corpers In Anambra</strong>

15Feb

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Security, Youths

Police Free 15 Abducted Corpers In Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has freed 15 members of the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, kidnapped along the Isseke, Ihiala road, in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. This was contained in a statement issued by the state police spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga on Tuesday. Ikenga said the abducted corps members were from the NYSC Orientation Camp in Eziama-Obaire, Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State. The police spokesperson stated that the corps members were heading to Lagos after their orientation on Tuesday when gunmen yet-to-be-identified in an unmarked white Toyota Hilux, intercepted their vehicle in Ihiala, and diverted them to Isseke, Ihiala-Orlu expressway, where they were held hostage. He said, “The Anambra State Police operative...