When last May, the South-East Governors’ Forum rejected the template of the Inspector General of Police for Community Policing, the people of the region were hopeful that a regional security outfit was in the making. This was especially after the Forum had reportedly mandated governments of the five states in the zone to commence the process to their various Houses of Assembly with a bill that would give legal backing to the initiative. Recent events and the rampant altercations between traditional Rulers and some Local Council chairmen over who would nominate members of the security committee at the community level indicate that the governors of the South-East states have effectively settled for the federal Government’s Community Policing initiative. This put paid to the expectations of many residents of the South-East who had at various fora canvassed for their own regional security apparatus. The recent resignation of Prof. Uzodimma Nwala, the President of Alaigbo Development Foundation, from the South-East Security Committee raises more questions and more concerns for the people of the region, given Prof Nwala’s passion for the Igbo nation. In Prof. Uzodimma Nwala’s resignation letter dated 25 August 2020, addressed to Gen. Obi Abel Umahi (Rtd) and obtained by our correspondent, the varsity don revealed that the South-East Security Committee was jointly established in February 2020, in a meeting involving the South-East Governors’ Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Alaigbo Development Foundation. Our correspondent gathered further that the South-East Security Committee headed by Gen. Obi Abel Umahi had timeously concluded its work on a regional security architecture for the South-East, finalized details of the legal framework for the security apparatus and had submitted their recommendations to the South-East Governors’ Forum awaiting approval for implementation. The committee did not hear from the Forum until the recent embrace of the Community Policing initiative of the Inspector General of Police. By Nwala’s resignation, Alaigbo Development Foundation would have effectively pulled out of the South-East Security Committee for reasons he outlined in his resignation letter. The letter read in part: “I write to resign formally as a member of the South-East Security Committee which was set up at a Joint Meeting of the Governors Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) since February 2020. “I do this because the purpose for which this Security Committee was set up has been made null and void with the pronouncements of the Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, abolishing the idea of a Regional Security Architecture for the South-East. “According to him, the Governors of the South East have jointly rejected the idea of a Regional Security Architecture for the entire South East and by extension, the entire Alaigbo.” Nwala argued that the fact that the ‘so-called South East Security Committee’ was set up since early 2020 and after several months nothing had been achieved, means that it was not intended to serve any useful purpose. He noted that Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) had compared the policy of Community Policing as equivalent to ‘handing over the security of chickens to the hawks’. The letter further read: “It is to be recalled that in a Press Statement issued by the ADF on February 2020, we had stated unequivocally that the “policing plan of the Nigerian Police has been in operation in the South-East while the horrors in several parts of Alaigbo including Ebonyi State as depicted in the Report of Chief Igariwey at the last Ime-Obi meeting as well as that depicted in the Report by Mr. Aduba (CP Rtd.) at the joint meeting of Ime-Obi and the Governors Forum, all those horrors rather than abating have been rising to crescendo with our helpless people wondering if they have any Government or leaders who care for their plight”. While noting that ADF is not in opposition to any workable security initiative of the Federal Government that will keep Igboland safe, Nwala stressed that “in opting out of the ‘now moribund’ South East Security Committee, ADF shall continue to work with the various pan-Igbo organizations to advance all possible and legitimate means of ensuring the Security of Alaigbo and her neighbors.” .Source: New Telegraph

The Nigerian Government has raised an alarm that Boko Haram terrorists were already in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and neighbouring states. The government said plans are in place by the terrorists to attack some areas within the nation’s capital and had already set up five camps in the area. According to an internal memo dated 20th August 2020, and signed by the Comptroller, Enforcement of Customs headquarters, H.A Sabo, all officers must be vigilant and security conscious. According to the statement, “Information reaching the Comptroller-General of Customs reveals the existence of Boko Haram terrorists camps in and around the Federal Capital Territory. Further reports have it that they are planning to attacks some selected targets within the territory.“ They are reported to have set up their camps in the following identified enclaves; Kunyam bush along airport road off DIA staff quarters – Abuja, Robochi/Gwagwalada forest, Kwaku Forest Kuje – Abuja, Unaisha Forest in Toto Local Government of Nasarawa State, Gegu Close to Idu Town in Kogi. “Consequently, you are to be at alert and security conscious of your environment at all times. Ensure wide circulation, please. The first major terror attack in the FCT was on October 1, 2010, months after ex-Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, assumed office following the death of Umar Musa Yar’adua

At least 100 armed bandits have been killed in various parts of the North West by troops of Operation Sahel Sanity in the last two months, the military has said. The Acting Director of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, disclosed this on Saturday at a press briefing in Katsina State. He explained that the operation was aimed at supporting Operation Hadarin Daji to curb the activities of armed bandits, cattle rustlers, kidnappers, and other criminals in the region. Onyeuko revealed that during the series of search and rescue operations conducted between July 1 and September 4, troops rescued 107 kidnapped victims. 100 Bandits Killed, 107 Victims Rescued In North West Since July – Military Abdurrahman Umar and Akinola Ajibola Updated September 5, 2020 A photo released by the military on September 5, 2020, shows some soldiers riding on motorbikes during an operation in Nigeria’s north-west region. At least 100 armed bandits have been killed in various parts of the North West by troops of Operation Sahel Sanity in the last two months, the military has said. The Acting Director of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, disclosed this on Saturday at a press briefing in Katsina State. He explained that the operation was aimed at supporting Operation Hadarin Daji to curb the activities of armed bandits, cattle rustlers, kidnappers, and other criminals in the region. Onyeuko revealed that during the series of search and rescue operations conducted between July 1 and September 4, troops rescued 107 kidnapped victims. He added that the soldiers arrested 148 suspected bandits and 315 illegal armed miners, as well as nabbed 20 bandits’ informants and collaborators, six arms suppliers, 13 rustled cattle marketers, and 32 bandits’ logistics suppliers. The military spokesman noted that 3,984 rustled cows, 1,627 sheep and rams, and three camels were recovered. He said a large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered, including 43 AK47 rifles, one GPMG, and 100 Dane guns, among other weapons. According to him, 81 bandits’ camps, including the notorious Dangote Triangle and their logistics bases were destroyed by troops, while 74 bandit attacks and 54 kidnap incidents were foiled withing the period under review. Read the full text of Onyeuko’s briefing below: GENERAL UPDATE ON THE ACTIVITIES OPERATION SAHEL SANITY FROM 1 JULY – 4 SEPTEMBER 2020 Sequel to the official commencement of Operation Sahel Sanity in July 2020, as part of activities of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2020 at the Nigerian Army Special Super Camp IV Faskari in Katsina State, the Operation has in no small measure affected the economic life of the people of the north-west zone of the country positively. The operation was aimed at supporting Operation Hadarin Daji to stem the tide of the activities of armed bandits, cattle rustlers, kidnappers, incessant killings, and other sundry crimes in the zone. These acts of criminalities orchestrated by the bandits have been curbed and reduced to its lowest ebb, thanks to the relentless efforts of the troops of Operation Sahel Sanity. There is no gainsaying that the hitherto crippled agricultural, social and economic lives of the people of this zone by bandits’ activities have been restored to normalcy. The above assertion was corroborated during the visits of the Chairmen of the Committees on Army in the National Assembly, Executive Governors, and a host of prominent Traditional Rulers from the north-west zone of the country during their official visits to the Headquarters of Operation Sahel Sanity at the Nigerian Army Special Super Camp IV Faskari Katsina State from 7-14 August 2020. During the visits, they lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Army in their quest to rout out all forms of criminality in the zone. They attested to the fact that normal life has indeed returned to the zone as farming, economic and social life of the people are being carried out without any form of hindrance and molestation by criminal elements. The tremendous successes achieved since the operation started could not have been possible without the sacrifice, commitment, and gallantry exhibited by the professional soldiers of the Nigerian Army, some of whom have paid the supreme price within the period under review. The gallant troops of Operation Sahel Sanity, within this period, carried out a series of clearance operations, ambushes, and other aggressive and confidence-building patrols. Also, farm and highway patrols were carried out within Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Zamfara States, thus boosting the confidence of the people in carrying out their daily activities. These operations have most importantly led to the rescue of kidnapped victims, recovery of rustled cattle, the arrest of suspected armed bandits and their collaborators, smashing of local and international illegal arms syndicates and illegal armed miners. Furthermore, there were recoveries of a large cache of arms and ammunition, as well as recovery of motorcycles and dislocation of bandits’ logistics network within the period. So far, in all the operations conducted, 100 armed bandits were neutralised, a total of 3,984 cows, 1,627 sheep/rams, and three camels recovered, 148 suspected bandits, and 315 illegal armed miners were arrested. Furthermore, a large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered, which include 43 AK47 rifles, one GPMG and 100 Dane guns, 3,261 rounds of 7.62mm (special), and 151 live cartridges of ammunition. In all the search and rescue operations carried out, 107 kidnapped victims were rescued, 20 bandits informants and collaborators, six arms suppliers, 13 rustled cattle marketers, and 32 bandits logistics suppliers were arrested. Also, a total of 81 bandits’ camps, including the notorious Dangote Triangle and their logistics bases were destroyed by troops of Operation Sahel Sanity. Relatedly, 74 bandit attacks and 54 kidnap incidents were foiled by the troops. PODCASTS 100 Bandits Killed, 107 Victims Rescued In North West Since July – Military Abdurrahman Umar and Akinola Ajibola Updated September 5, 2020 A photo released by the military on September 5, 2020, shows some soldiers riding on motorbikes during an operation in Nigeria’s north-west region. At least 100 armed bandits have been killed in