The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja on Thursday promised that insecurity ranging from kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities currently ravaging the South East region especially Isiukwuato and Umunnochi local government area of Abia state will soon end. This is as he assured that all security agencies are working round the clock to address the insecurity in the region. Lagbaja who was represented by the Deputy Director Operations Army Headquarters, Brigadier General Gabriel Olufemi Esho, made the commitment during a meeting with the House of Representative Ad-Hoc committee investigating the killing and kidnapping in Umunochi Community in Abia state. According to Lagbaja, the threat of Kidnapping remains a potent security threat, especially in the two local government areas stating that, particularly in the month of July this year, the region recorded cases of kidnapping and attacks by criminals suspected to be elements of the proscribed people of Biafra (IPOB). He said instance security network in these two local governments suffice to mention that the Nigerian police and other security agencies are also collaborating with the Army but due to certain challenges, the bulk usually lies with the Nigerian army. He said ”The House of representative through its letter dated 3rd August 2023 requested that the Nigeria Army to submit a memorandum to the ad-hoc committee to interface with relevant security agencies and stockholders in respect of incessant attacks of kidnappers, assassination and banditry and other criminal elements in and around these two local government areas, it is pertinent to state that incidence of kidnapping in Southeast region particularly in the second quarter of this year. “Recently efforts of the Nigerian army through it’s Division in conjunction with other security agencies has diminished the treat of kidnapping. He however assured the committee that all effort will be made to bring the perpetrators to book and restore peace back to the region. Also Speaking that the meeting, the assistant Commandant General, NSCDC, Philip Ayuba, who represented the Commandant General NSCD, Abubakar Audi said that part of the challenge the security agencies face in tackling the insecurity in the region is lack of cooperation from members of the community where the acts are been carried out. “I want to state that we are out in synergy with other security agencies and have been able to look around and found out that there is a very good number off the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. ” We found that the in that environment almost everybody has a weapon and there is the willful disposition of many communities to purchase locally made arms and there is lack of this cooperation by the community where we are trying to get information from them when they go there for manhunting for them to volunteer information of who and who are involved in that criminal act. “To approach them even within themselves that are afraid of themselves. In this opening remark, the Chairman of the committee, Hon Obinna Aguocha at the Public Hearing, said that the challenges face are not mere statistics or headlines; they are real-life manifestations that affect the lives of our people, disrupt the functioning of institutions, and impede the growth of the affected region. He noted that instances of criminal activities, banditry, kidnapping, assassinations, communal clashes, and threats to life have shaken the very foundation of the societies, adding that as leaders and stakeholders, it is incumbent upon them to come together, transcending differences, to find sustainable solutions that will quell these threats and pave the way for a brighter future. ” We gather here today not just as representatives of various organizations and institutions, but as concerned citizens united by a common goal to interface with the relevant security Agencies to reduce kidnapping, assassinations and banditry in and Around Isiukwuato and Umunnochi Local Government Area of Abia State, the restoration of safety, harmony, and progress in those cherished communities. “Our commitment to addressing this crisis is evident in our presence here today. We recognize that insecurity cannot be combated by one entity alone; it requires a collective, multi-faceted approach that encompasses the perspectives and expertise of law enforcement agencies, community leaders, policymakers, scholars, and citizens. “This Committee Hearing provides us with the opportunity to harness these diverse perspectives and channel them into a coherent, actionoriented strategy. “As we navigate the complexities of security concerns, it is crucial to acknowledge that no single solution can provide a quick fix. It requires a holistic approach that encompasses law enforcement, community engagement, socio-economic development, and effective engagement from goverments. We must be prepared to tackle the issues at their core and work collaboratively to ensure lasting solutions that would stand the test of time. “The cross-border dynamics of the primary focus area, brings additional complexity to the challenges of the task ahead. The common borders, shared with 3 other states connect the primary focus area to Ebonyi State via Isiagu, Enugu State via Agwu and Imo state via Okigwe. The opportunity for interstate collaboration presents itself and must be explored to foster regional collaboration. The challenges faced by one state ripple across its neighbors, and therefore, our strategies for resolution must be collaborative and inclusive. “By synergizing our resources, expertise, and perspectives, we can create a stronger front against insecurity and strengthen the bonds that binds us together. “The complex interplay or interest and non state actors within this region is compounded by the presence of armed entities such as the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) Alongside Private Security Organization like the Royal Switch Services (RSS) and others within the gap. “This intricate landscape demands a comprehensive and collaborative approach to address the multifaceted security challenges. The effort has to accommodate the concept of back-channels negotiations, which may emerge as a potential avenue for a permanent conflict resolution in the South East. “Such negotiations, when properly managed, can help bridge gaps, reduce tension and build trust between the non-state actions, state security agencies

  The national and state house of assembly elections petition tribunal in Kano has sacked Muktar Yarima, candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), as a member representing Tarauni federal constituency. In a judgement delivered on Thursday, the three-member tribunal ruled that the primary school certificate submitted by Yarima to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to support his qualifications, was forged. Yarima was declared the winner of the Tarauni federal constituency poll after scoring 26,273 votes to defeat Hafizu Kawu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 15,931 votes. But Kawu, a one-time member of the house of representatives, seeking re-election, lodged a petition challenging Yarima’s victory on the grounds of certificate forgery. In his petition, Kawu also submitted that irregularities, including over-voting and non-compliance with the electoral act, marred the election. The tribunal in the judgment ruled that the NNPP candidate was guilty of certificate forgery. The court also said that the political party did not have a candidate in the election, adding that all votes cast for Yerima were invalid. Consequently, the tribunal ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return given to Yarima.

  Asari Dokubo, leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Force (NDPSF), says if given permission, he will invade Niger Republic with his private army and restore democracy to the country. On July 26, President Mohamed Bazoum was deposed from office in a coup led by Abdourahamane Tchiani, commander of the Nigerien presidential guard. The coupists have since defied a deadline to return power to Bazoum as issued by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), amid threats of military intervention by the regional body. Dokubo has said he has the manpower to defeat the Niger military and return victorious. In a viral video, Dokubo said he is capable of overrunning Niger Republic with his army if permitted to do so by Nigeria’s federal government. “If the government commissions me and my people to go to Niger Republic, we will go. We will defeat them and we will come back victorious. It is not a boast,” he said. “If Benin republic likes, let them go and bring anybody, they are human beings like us. We will go there, defeat them and restore democratic order.” ECOWAS has just finished a meeting in Abuja aimed at restoring democracy to Niger Republic through dialogue and diplomacy.

  The body of a man who jumped into the lagoon from the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge in Lagos State has been recovered. The male adult was suspected to have committed suicide on Tuesday, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said in a statement. “The victim’s body which was recovered this (Thursday) morning, has been bagged for onward transition and further processing by the Agency’s Response Team,” said LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu. “The recovered body has been handed over to family of the deceased.”

  The House of Representatives has ordered the arrest of a former desk officer in charge of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Haruna Kolo, over job racketeering allegations. The Chairman of the Adhoc Committee investigating mismanagement of personnel recruitment, employment racketeering and other related matters, Yusuf Gagdi, made this pronouncement during a meeting in Abuja on Thursday. The Adhoc committee had earlier summoned Kolo to appear before the panel over series of allegations laid against him but he failed to yield the call. Also, the committee has given a deadline of Monday, August 14, 2023 for the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), and other agencies who have disobeyed the call to appear before the committee.

  Twenty persons were reportedly killed with over 10 others injured by assailants in Heipang District of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State in North Central Nigeria. Residents of the community narrated that the attackers came in the early hours of Thursday and invaded the community while they were sleeping. The efforts of vigilantes in the community were not enough to ward off the attackers who had superior firepower against the vigilantes’ Dane guns. The duel with the attackers resulted in the death of four of the vigilantes as the attackers set some houses on fire, burning residents who were asleep and could not escape from the sudden attack. According to John Mark Pam, who lost five relatives comprising his brother Dung Mark, the wife and three children, the attackers invaded the compound, set the building ablaze and killed all members of the family in their sleep. Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the incident, stating that security has be reinforced in the community with personnel on the trail of the attackers.

  The United States has said China has the potential to influence the Nigerian government through Chinese loans. This was stated in the Integrated Country Strategies document by the US Department of State, which was obtained by The PUNCH. The document was originally approved on April 6, 2022, but was reviewed and updated on June 23, 2023. According to the document, China offered sub-prime financing for various infrastructure projects in the country. The Corporate Finance Institute described a subprime loan as a loan offered to individuals at an interest rate above prime, who do not qualify for conventional loans. The document read in part, “Meanwhile, China offers sub-prime financing for a range of infrastructure projects, with the potential to add unnecessarily to Nigeria’s debt burden and increase Chinese influence over the Nigerian government.” Checks by the PUNCH showed that Nigeria owed the Exim Bank of China $4.34bn as of March 2023. The PUNCH reported in January 2022 that a Chinese company, Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, handled the majority of railway projects in Nigeria worth over $25.51bn (N10.5tn), according to the United States-based Fitch Solutions’ latest report on Nigeria’s railway system. The report, titled ‘Nigeria Rail: Near-term focus on Northern region with long-term upside for Southern projects’, said Chinese financing had enabled CCECC to handle most rail projects in the country. The report, however, listed other companies that were major players in the Nigerian railway sector. It read in part, “China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation has dominated the railway construction sector in Nigeria, supported by Chinese financing.” The breakdown of the top rail projects handled by CCECC showed that the approved Lagos-Calabar coastal railway project covering 1402km was awarded to the Chinese company for $11.10bn. Also, the Abuja-Itakpe-Warri rail line project with a contract value of $3.90bn, sponsored by China Railway Construction Corporation and EXIM Bank of China, was awarded to CCECC, Julius Berger and Sinohydro Corporation, another Chinese company, alongside General Electric. The project is still at the planning stage. The Federal Government had sought loan facilities from Chinese lenders to implement several infrastructural projects, including standard gauge rail lines. In a document titled, ‘Status of Chinese loans as at September 30, 2021’, the DMO disclosed that 15 projects were funded with Chinese loans. Four of the 15 projects were rail-related. The US, in its Integrated Country Strategies document, also faulted the political and economic system in the country. The document read, “Nigeria’s fundamental problem is patronage-based political and economic decision making, with little to no coordination between relevant ministries, and a disempowered civil service that does not sufficiently advise the Federal Government or sustain policy objectives over multiple administrations. “Political and economic elites lobby for policy decisions that favour their short-term personal interests rather than the longer-term stability and unity of the state.”

  The military leaders in Niger who seized power in a coup last month have formed a new government, according to a decree read out on national television on Thursday. Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine will lead the 21-member government, with generals from the new military governing council heading the defence and interior ministries. Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, the head of the mutineers who took control of Niger, has issued a decree establishing a new transitional administration. The ActuNiger news portal states that Tchiani signed the order on Wednesday and that the new interim administration now has 21 ministers. A very small percentage of the new government’s members are listed as serving in the military. President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown and detained on July 26 by his own guards, led by Tchiani, who proclaimed himself the new president of the nation. The country’s borders were then shut down by the interim National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, disregarding security pacts with France, Niger’s former colonial power. The Economic Community of West African States froze the assets of the rebels and suspended all financial help to the nation on July 30. The sub-regional union also blocked all borders and forbade commercial flights into and out of the nation. Subsequently, ECOWAS warned that if Bazoum was not reinstated and order was restored, it would turn to military action and gave the coup leaders one week to do so. However, Sunday marked the end of the deadline Meanwhile, ECOWAS leaders are currently meeting in Abuja, to discuss the Nigerien issue. (NAN)