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Military Power Alone Cannot Defeat Terrorism – US
R-L. Former Prime Minister of Spain, Jose R. Zapatero, Special United Nations Envoy, Mohamed Ibn Chamber, former Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Ian Bowles, former President of Ghana, John Kufuor, Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, MP, House of Commons, Eric Joyce, former Prime Minister of France, Francois Charles Fillon, former President of Poland, Lech Walesa and Consul General, People Republic of China, during the Energy Evironment and Investment Forum in Port Harcourt, recently.
The United States of America has said that it wants Nigeria to win the war against terrorism in the North-Eastern part of the country and other areas where Boko Haram is disrupting the socio-economic life of the citizens.
It stated that defeating terrorism required more than just military power, noting that it entails protecting civilian populations despite terrorists’ disregard for human life in their campaign to wage war on the state, working to develop impoverished areas where extremism takes root, and making education accessible to all.
The US also insisted that winning the war against terrorism required empowering a free and fair press to report openly and without fear of reprisal, among other things.
Speaking at the 238th Independence Day anniversary of the US in Abuja on Friday, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, described Nigeria as America’s long term partner, adding that the US will continue to support Nigeria to succeed against insurgency and insecurity.
He said, “Defeating terrorism required more than just military power. It requires protecting civilian populations despite terrorists’ disregard for human life in their campaign to wage war on the state; It requires working to develop impoverished areas where extremism takes root.
“It requires ensuring that education is accessible to all, it requires empowering a free and fair press to report openly and without fear of reprisal. And, perhaps most importantly, it requires engaging the growing youth populations that are being swayed towards extremism due to lack of economic opportunities, education, and trust in government.”
The envoy explained that security partnership was at the forefront of its assistance to Nigeria against the backdrop of the recent spate of kidnappings, bombings, and other despicable acts of terrorism by Boko Haram.
Speaking further, he averred that winning the war against terrorism required a comprehensive, “whole-of-government approach and the work we’re doing with the Nigerian government and people addresses all of these needs.”
He said, “Let me be clear, we want Nigeria to win its war on terrorism. And we are here to support you in that effort. It may seem that we suddenly sprang to Nigeria’s aid in the wake of the Chibok kidnappings, but the truth is we’ve been providing support for a long time. You’re our partners, and we’re going to continue this journey together.
“As we stand with Nigeria on its democratic journey, I want to make it clear that the assistance that we have offered over the years is in the same spirit as that offered to us by other nations as we began our democratic journey.
“You have many friends and partners who want Nigeria to succeed, and the United States stands at the front of that line.”
He added that his country was deeply committed to helping Nigeria ensure that elections, particularly the national ones in 2015, are free, fair, peaceful, and credible.
According to him, the Ekiti elections were an excellent example of what happens when all players, the government, citizens, security forces, and political parties commit to ensuring respect for the electoral process and for one another.
The ambassador expressed optimism about the unity of Nigeria, saying he was struck by the fact that what united Nigerians was more than what separates them, adding that every citizen wanted to participate in a strong, active democracy, they all want better roads, better schools, and more access to basic services like clean water and electricity, as well as more economic opportunity for themselves and their families.
Entwistle identified the role of partnership in improving democracy stressing that the democratic experiment in the United States would not have been possible without the influence and support of its international partners.
He said when America’s Founding Fathers authored their Declaration of Independence, they were inspired by British and French philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Charles Montesquieu with the building blocks of their democracy derived from the thoughts of individuals from other nations.
“As our fledgling democracy grew, we relied on security assistance from a number of international partners. As time went on, our democratic ideals began to inspire the rest of the world. Through diplomacy and cultural exchanges, an idea took root that changed human history,” Entwistle said.
He added that the idea that humans are all created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, combined with the belief that governments derived their authority from the consent of the governed, became a source of inspiration to the world.
The envoy also pointed out that the US did not get to where it is by itself but took international partnership, diplomacy, an effective military, and government representatives who responsibly exercised their power to develop and improve their democracy with some coming from within the character of the American people while some came as inspiration or direct support from their partners.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.
The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.
Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”
He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.
Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”
He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.
“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.
According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.
He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”
The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”
He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.
The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.
It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”
The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.
The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.
Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.
According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”
Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.
“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.
Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”
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