The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, revealed that there is a significant decline in terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria, dropping from 2,600 persons per month to less than 200.
Speaking at the High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting in Abuja, Ribadu credited President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the notable improvement in security, noting also, the drastic increase in the price of AK-47 rifles, now fetching over five million naira.Ribadu said concerted effort are being made to curb insecurity, stating that AK-47 rifles are being actively confiscated and destroyed to prevent their availability in the market.
He commended the collaborative efforts of the armed forces, security forces, and governors in tackling security challenges across the country, as their contributions were significant to the positive change.
Ribadu also stressed that while much of the work remains ongoing and may not always be visible to the public, the results are evident in the remarkable reduction of violent crimes and the use of arms in Nigeria.
Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit (RIFU) Abuja, the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT) in Algiers and the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) in Addis Ababa.
“A Regional Standby Force that includes tackling terrorism as part of its mandate must not be abandoned. I am mindful of the funding, legal and logistical complexities that face the proper establishment of such a force.
“However, with a prudent and clearly defined mandate that accords with the international law and respects national sovereignty, such a force can serve as a rapid deployment mechanism, capable of swiftly responding to major threats and bolstering the security of our region.
“Such a force can stand as a strong deterrent to large scale and protracted terrorist operations and the capture, occupation or disruption of strategic land and resources. We must continue to make careful yet meaningful progress toward this goal.
”Besides, Tinubu proposed the establishment of “an all-inclusive African Union Ministerial Committee on Counter- Terrorism is also a high priority as envisaged in the Declaration of the 16th Extraordinary Summit of the African Union Assembly two years ago in May 2022.”
“This would ensure that a forum of high-level government officials meets regularly to assess our counter-terrorism efforts and provide guidance on how to improve,” he said.
Domestically, Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, including the new Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act and National Counter- Terrorism Centre to detect, prevent and respond to threats. He commended the courage of Nigerian security forces, declaring, “They are the best of the best.
”In his closing remarks, President Tinubu emphasised the urgency of the crisis, stating, “We must show our respective populations that we, as leaders, we must do more than speak nice words; we must leave here with real results.
”The New Diplomat reports that the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed; the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; and the Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism (UNOC), Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, are expected to deliver concluding remarks at the end of the summit.
A Kano State High Court has reversed a previous decision that upheld the suspension of Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The presiding judge, Usman Na’Abba, made the ruling on Monday, April 22, after Mr. Ganduje’s legal team presented their case.Initially, on April 17, Mr. Na’Abba had instructed Ganduje to refrain from identifying as a party member until the court made a final decision.
Furthermore, the court prohibited Ganduje from overseeing the activities of the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC).
However, Ganduje’s lawyers successfully petitioned the court to reconsider its decision, which the judge granted.
The latest judgment issued on Monday suspended the previous interim injunction and reinstated Ganduje’s status as a party member.
It directed both parties to maintain the situation as it was on April 15, 2024, regarding Ganduje’s suspension by the Ganduje Ward Executive Committee, until a final decision is made.
Recall that some members of the APC in Ganduje ward had suspended Ganduje from the party on corruption allegations leveled against him by the Kano State Government.
Haladu Maigwanjo, the party’s legal adviser in the ward, and others announced the suspension at a press conference in Kano.
Maigwanjo and an assistant secretary ward, Laminu Sani, obtained an ex-parte order from the court to enforce the suspension.However, in response to Monday’s ruling, executives of the APC Ganduje Ward have filed a petition with the National Judicial Council (NJC), where he alleged bias by Judge Na’Abba.
The Federal Government is considering raising the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions to 18, as revealed by Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during a UTME inspection in Abuja.
Mamman who made this statement said so while he cautioned parents against rushing their children into university, emphasizing the importance of maturity in managing university life.
Speaking on the issue of young applicants, Mamman stressed that some students, as young as 15 or 16, are ill-prepared for the responsibilities of university education, which contributes to challenges within the system.
While he commended JAMB for technological advancements in the examination process, Mamman noted that there is a significant decrease in exam malpractice cases, which he attributes to seamless monitoring and enhanced use of technology in the exams.
Addressing the high demand for limited tertiary slots, Mamman stressed the importance of skills acquisition for youths, stating that not all candidates will secure admission into traditional institutions.
He noted that there is also a need for skill development from primary education onward, that will ensure students have practical abilities to navigate life independently, aligning with the 6-3-3-4 educational framework.
Human rights lawyer Deji Ajare has called on the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Umar Yusuf, to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Usman Ododo. The call comes amidst allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.
Ajare’s request, made in a letter addressed to the speaker through the House clerk, stems from the use of the governor’s motorcade to transport the former governor, Yahaya Bello, away from his residence in Abuja. This action, according to Ajare, amounts to harboring a fugitive, obstruction of justice, and misuse of state resources.
The incident occurred when the EFCC sought to arrest Bello in connection with an N80.2 billion money laundering case. Following his escape, the EFCC declared Bello wanted, and the Nigeria Immigration Service placed him on its watchlist. The Inspector General of Police also ordered the withdrawal of all police units attached to the former governor.
In his letter, Ajare urged the assembly to cooperate with the EFCC and ensure all individuals involved are available for questioning and investigations. He stated that if proven true, these actions constitute gross misconduct and warrant immediate investigation and impeachment proceedings.
Ajare also called on the Kogi State House of Assembly to conduct a thorough inquiry into the allegations as per Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution. He stressed the need for accountability and cooperation with law enforcement agencies to facilitate a smooth investigation.
The alleged misconduct according to the lawyer, is of considerable impact on the people of the state and calls for swift and decisive action from the House of Assembly. He expressed trust in the assembly’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and laws of the land for the betterment of the state and its people.
However, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mohammed Yabagi, stated that neither the Clerk nor the Speaker had received Ajare’s letter. Yabagi noted that the House had not found valid reasons to begin impeachment proceedings against the governor, as there was no evidence that Ododo prevented security agencies from arresting Bello.
Reacting to this, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, equally refuted reports that Ododo helped Bello evade arrest. Fanwo said the governor is committed to upholding the country’s laws and respecting its legal processes.
Renewed gunmen attacks in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau state on Friday have claimed about 18 lives.
The gunmen attacked the Tilengpan community in Mangu Local Government area of the state, killing 12 people, with an additional six persons murdered in four Bokkos communities, along with a university student last night.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Mangu local government area, Monday Kassam, said the gunmen launched deadly attacks on four communities.
Kassam said the gunmen invaded the communities, including the off-campus hostel of the Students of Plateau State University, shooting sporadically into the air to announce their arrival.
A statement by the chairman reads: “The following morning, the students came out in their large numbers; they were demonstrating when one of them was shot again based on the information I heard from the eyewitness account
“And the militias, not satisfied, had to come in again this morning despite the presence of security. They were given a chase but I don’t know the number of casualties but as of yesterday six persons were reported dead.”
Global pop icon, Rihanna openly expressed her desire to collaborate with Grammy-nominated Nigerian sensation, Ayra Starr.
She made the suggestion at a recent Fenty event, where the two stars met on the black carpet, hinting at a potential musical collaboration
Rihanna says her fascination with Ayra Starr’s musical talent sparked after a cousin from Barbados who is a fan of Starr introduced her to her music. This exchange followed Ayra Starr’s declaration of her deep affection for Barbados, which she called her “favorite place in the world.
”Ayra Starr, openly admiring Rihanna, often credits the Barbadian icon as a major source of inspiration. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Starr shared Rihanna’s advice on the need to be authentic.
“Rihanna always advises staying true to oneself. What works for one may not work for another, and that’s okay,” Starr had revealed.
Starr also hinted at existing musical ties with another renowned artist, Tems, suggesting a likely collabo projects in the future.
CEO of X (formerly known as Twitter), Elon Musk has issued a stern warning against the practice of engagement farming” on the social media platform as defaulters now risk suspension of their accounts.
The practice of engagement farming involves activities that will inflate the interaction metrics without actually providing meaningful content.
Musk addressed the issue directly on Friday via his Twitter handle, stating that any accounts found engaging in such practices would face suspension. He emphasized that the platform will start identifying and penalizing those involved, stating, “Any accounts doing engagement farming will be suspended and traced to the source.
”This announcement is part of twitter’s recent efforts to maintain the integrity of its platform and ensure that users engage in genuine interactions rather than resorting to artificial means to boost their metrics.
In a show of support for Nigerian Chess master, Tunde Onakoya who is attempting to break a Guiness World Record for longest chess marathon without losing a game, human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, visited the Times Square in New York City on Thursday alongside other teeming supporters
Sowore who said he came to back his fellow Nigerian Tunde Onakoya in his ambitious attempt to break the Guinness World Record (GWR) stated that the effort to set a new world record is not just a personal milestone but a reflection of the resilience and brilliance that Nigeria can showcase to the world
“It is an honor to support him as he places our nation on the global stage in such an intellectual pursuit.” He said Onakoya, who is challenging the limits of endurance and skill by playing chess for an unprecedented 58 hours straight, expressed his appreciation for the support and morale boost
“Having Mr. Sowore here in Times Square cheering me on is incredibly uplifting. This record attempt is for every chess enthusiast and every Nigerian, showing what we are capable of achieving,” said Onakoya.
The feat continues to draw attention and encouragement from around the globe, as spectators and media gather to watch Onakoya’s historic attempt, as he inches closer to breaking the world record
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the money laundering charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Mohammed Adoke, the former Attorney-General of the Federation.Justice Inyang Ekwo, presiding over the case, made the ruling following Adoke’s no-case submission. He stated that the EFCC failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the charges outlined in counts one to four of the 10-count indictment against Adoke and his co-defendant, Aliyu Abubakar.
The judge found the evidence presented by the EFCC to be unreliable, leading to the dismissal of the case against Adoke. However, he noted that the anti-graft agency was able to establish a prima facie case against Abubakar in counts five, six, eight, and nine.
As a result of the ruling, Adoke has been discharged and acquitted of the money laundering charges, bringing an end to a legal battle that has spanned seven years since the case began in 2017.
The court proceedings saw the EFCC accusing Adoke and Abubakar of various money laundering offenses, culminating in a lengthy legal process that has now concluded and Adoke, exonerated
Despite Adokes’s acquittal, the trial will continue for Abubakar, as the court scheduled further hearings for his defense on April 22, April 23, and April 24.
