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Insecurity: Double Your Efforts, Buhari Charges Security Chiefs …As IGP Gives Marching Order To SARS, Commanders

Published

7 years ago

May 10, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, directed security agencies in the country to double their efforts in making sure that Nigerians are more secured. President Buhari gave the directive after meeting behind closed doors with heads of security agencies in the country at the Presidential villa, Abuja.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas said that the number of kidnappings across the country has dropped.
He said that he and the other security chiefs at the meeting briefed the President on the proliferation of small arms and what the various agencies are doing to curtail the consequences of the development.
He said the President directed them to ensure that security agencies “do much more to ensure that Nigerians go to bed and wake up feeling healthy and confident that their security is guaranteed.”
On kidnappings that have been on the increase, the Navy chief recalled that during the last Security Council meeting, the Inspector-General of Police was directed to ensure and consequently various operations were set up.
He said, “‘Puff Adder’ was one of the strategies. With the set up of that operation there has been a remarkable drop in the number of kidnappings. What normally would attract attention is when a key person in government perhaps is kidnapped.
“On the whole, the number of kidnappings has dropped and generally I think the security situation is improving.”
On the kidnapped District Head of Daura, the President’s home town, Ekwe-Ibas said that “serious efforts are being made, key suspects have been arrested and it is hoped that in a short while, those behind the heinous crime will be brought to book.”
The district head is also the father-in-law of the President’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC).
Other security chiefs at the meeting with Buhari were Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonishakin; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai and the Director of National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar were represented.
Also present were the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; Director-General of the Department of Security Service, Yusuf Bichi; Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu; the Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulraman Danbazzau, and the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali.
Meanwhile, the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has warned Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and Anti-Kidnapping Squad Commanders against extra-judicial killings and abuse of office.
Adamu gave the warning at a meeting with zonal commanders and state commands across the country, yesterday, in Abuja.
He warned that the police would not hesitate to dismiss and prosecute any officer involved in extra-judicial killing and abuse of office in the course of carrying out his duty.
Adamu said that supervising officers of erring officers would also be held responsible for the actions of their subordinates.
“Furthermore, you as the line supervisors of such erring officers shall be held vicariously liable for supervisory negligence by being similarly sanctioned.
“Let me re-emphasise here that our primary responsibility is to protect the lives and property of the citizens we were engaged to serve.
“This is a sacred duty and no level of justification should underscore our being engaged in any act that negates this responsibility.
“It is our sole responsibility as the lead internal security agency to make the country safe for all citizens,” he said.
The IGP said that the unprofessional actions of some policemen had led to lack of confidence and trust in the police and had impacted crime prevention capacity of the force.
He said that the meeting was aimed at reviewing the existing security strategies and to evolve new architecture towards addressing the challenges.
Adamu added that the meeting would review the security challenges and engage the officers on challenges that may be inhibiting their performances on the field.
“Your performance, sense of commitment to duty, and professional competence in this instance remain critical to the ability of the police to prevent or optimally respond to these crimes.’’
He said that the police would soon fully resuscitate, re-organize and expand the operations of the ‘Safer Highway Patrol’ Scheme.
“This is with intent to enhance visibility policing within the public space and particularly, at vulnerable areas across the country.
“We are also exploring the concept of Safer City where CCTV technology will be optimally engaged to support our operations,” he said.
Adamu said that the police was also exploring the possibility of establishing a National Crime Analysis Centre to collate analysis and dissemination of criminal intelligence to support operations.
He called for the cooperation of the citizens to enable the police provide adequate security for them.
“We need the support of the citizens, for it is only when we present a common front that we can defeat a common enemy that threatens our communal values,” he said.

Featured

Tinubu Hails NGX N100trn Milestones, Urges Nigerians To Invest Locally

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.

Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.

He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.

“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.

He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.

The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”

Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.

He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.

“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.

The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.

Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.

Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.

Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.

Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.

“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.

He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.

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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.

?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.

?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.

?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.

?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.

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Fubara Redeploys Green As Commissioner For Justice

Published

2 weeks ago

December 30, 2025

The Tide

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.

Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.

The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.