News
Banditry: Self-Defence Approach By Communities Yielding Results-N’West Residents
Residents of some states in the North-West have said that governments’ approach of encouraging people to defend themselves in the fight against bandits was yielding the desired result.
In their responses to a survey, they said this bold approach, which entailed enormous sacrifice by residents, had forced bandits to soft-pedal in their nefarious activities.
According to them, the hoodlums have realised that the battle was no longer between security agents and bandits, but now involved the ‘people’ as active participants in the fight.
In Katsina, for instance, the state government said several leaders of bandit groups had reached out to the authorities, seeking for peace.
The Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Masari on Security Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed, told newsmen that most of the hoodlums had envisaged a bleak future and were willing to make amends.
According to him, the approach adopted by government targeted at ‘building the courage’ of the people, had started yielding positive results, with the rate of attacks by bandits reduced.
Ahmed said success could be achieved easily through the combined efforts of the citizens, the state government and security agencies.
He said the state government had trained 1,100 highly volunteers to serve as members of community vigilante corps, and were ready to make sacrifices for their communities to survive.
According to the adviser, this is an effort to send a message to the bandits to embrace peace or face tough time.
In Sokoto, a security expert, Sqdr. Leader Aminu Bala (rtd), observed that activities of bandits had reduced slightly in the past few months, but called for the sustenance of the current military onslaught on the hoodlums.
Also, a resident of Sabon Birni in the state, Malam Laminu Umar, noted that the situation in the area had changed for better.
“The ongoing military operation in our area has helped in checking the activities of the hoodlums.
“Some of the bandits have been neutralized, while others have fled because they cannot withstand the military power; the military operation should be sustained for a long time,” he suggested.
Speaking, a resident of Rabah in Sokoto State, Alhaji Bello Dantsoho, also observed some improvement.
“They only storm remote areas, pick one or two persons and demand ransom before they release them.
“They have been subdued to the extent that they can no longer launch deadly operations frequently, as was the case in the past.
“This is unlike before when they attacked our people in numbers, killed, raped and stole belongings, including livestock,” he said.
Meanwhile, some religious leaders in Kaduna State have observed that insurgency had remained unabated in the state, but admitted that little success had been achieved.
One of the leaders who is also the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, Rev John Hayab, said in spite of the little success recorded, the persistence of insurgency was worrisome.
Hayab observed that the number of security agents tackling the challenge was enough but stressed that what was needed was building of the people’s confidence that would encourage sharing of useful information.
According to him, many people are still reluctant to ‘say something’ whenever they ‘see something’ around their environment.
“When you have the understanding and support of all stakeholders and the public, then you have your security beefed-up enough to unravel and tackle every security challenge.
“Only then can you proudly say you are winning the war on insurgency,” he said.
In his contribution, the Acting Administrative Secretary of Jamaatul Nasril Islam (JNI), National Headquarters, Kaduna, Malam Yusuf Bida, said enhanced welfare package for security agents in the front-line, was key.
He added that concerted media engagement efforts must also be intensified to dissuade citizens from serving as informants to hoodlums.
Reacting to recent development in the state, Zamfara State Police Spokesperson, Muhammad Shehu, said the security situation had improved, adding that apprehension and fear among people had subsided drastically.
According to him, the ongoing efforts by police and other security agencies in the fight against banditry activities had been yielding results.
However, former Secretary of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Zamfara, Malam Ibrahim Kanoma, called for deployment of more security personnel to rural parts of the state.
Kanoma also appealed to government and security agencies to ensure close monitoring of security operations in the state.
A community leader in Gusau, Mr Garba Yusuf, urged government to give priority to victims of banditry activities in the state.
Yusuf lamented that thousands of such victims, mainly women and children, had been displaced from their communities due to insecurity, and were in need of intervention from government to save their lives.
In Kebbi State, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Kontagora, said his command and sister security agencies, as well as traditional rulers, were putting heads together in confronting the lingering security challenges bedevilling the state.
He said that recently, he and his management team had paid courtesy visits on the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Comptroller, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRS C) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), among others.
He said the visit was meant to solicit the support and cooperation of the sister agencies in making Kebbi State safe.
The commissioner appealed to people of the state to cooperate with the police and other security agencies with a view to reducing crime to the minimum.
Officers of the Nigerian Air Force have met with senior officials of the United States Government and representatives of Messrs Bell Textron to fast-track the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters.
The meeting took place during a Programme Management Review meeting led by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, from 5 to 6 January 2026 in San Diego, California, United States.
A statement by the NAF spokesperson, Ehimen Ejodame, yesterday, said the meeting focused on assessing the status of the helicopter acquisition and measures to ensure the timely delivery of the 12 AH-1Z platforms.
According to the statement, Aneke said the review was aimed at strengthening programme oversight, accountability and adherence to agreed timelines and budget.
“In a strategic move to enhance the operational capacity of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, led a Programme Management Review meeting with senior United States Government officials and representatives of Messrs Bell Textron from 5 to 6 January 2026 in San Diego, California, USA.
“The engagement focused on fast-tracking the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, a critical capability enhancement aligned with the CAS’s Command Philosophy of building and sustaining a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces for the attainment of national security objectives, ” the statement partly read.
Aneke expressed appreciation to the United States Government and Messrs Bell Textron for their continued cooperation, professionalism, and transparency in the execution of the helicopter acquisition programme.
He noted that the structured review reflects the NAF’s deliberate emphasis on programme discipline, accountability, and results.
“We deeply value the professionalism and openness demonstrated throughout this process, and we remain fully committed to working closely with our partners to ensure the timely and successful delivery of these platforms,” the CAS stated.
The CAS further emphasised that the acquisition of the AH-1Z helicopters represents more than a platform upgrade, describing it as a reflection of the enduring defence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
According to him, the programme underscores a shared responsibility for regional and global security, built on mutual trust, shared values, and a common vision for peace and stability.
“This partnership speaks to our collective resolve to confront evolving security challenges through collaboration and sustained capability development,” he added.
Reaffirming the NAF’s sense of urgency and commitment, Air Marshal Aneke assured the US team that his administration would take all necessary measures to ensure the helicopters are delivered in the shortest possible time.
He also charged the programme management team to work smartly and proactively to complete production on schedule and within budget.
“Timelines and standards must be met concurrently. We must remain focused, innovative, and solutions-driven,” the CAS stressed.
The CAS expressed profound gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, for his unwavering support to the Nigerian Air Force.
He noted that the acquisition of the AH-1Z helicopters would significantly enhance the NAF’s combat capability, operational efficiency, and mission readiness, thereby strengthening the Service’s ability to deliver decisive airpower in support of national security and stability.
He added that the advanced capabilities of the helicopters would enable the Nigerian Air Force to conduct highly precise operations, minimise collateral damage, and provide timely and effective support to ground forces, ultimately saving lives and protecting property across affected communities.
The CAS reassured Nigerians of the NAF’s unwavering commitment to eliminating terrorist and criminal threats with professionalism, restraint, and accountability, while sustaining public trust and confidence in the Service’s operations.
Recall that Nigeria’s purchase of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters was first approved by the United States government in April 2022, when the U.S. State Department, through the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, cleared a possible Foreign Military Sale of the helicopters and related equipment to the Government of Nigeria.
According to Military Africa, the formal production and delivery contract for the 12 AH-1Z helicopters, valued at $455 million, was awarded to Bell Textron on 12 March 2024 by the U.S. Department of Defence.
The Niger Delta advocacy group, the 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC), has called on the National Assembly to expedite consideration and approval of the 2025 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to enable the Commission accelerate its development programmes across the region.
In a statement issued yesterday by its Coordinator, Izon Ebi, the group said swift passage of the budget would empower the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to fully implement his renewed developmental strategy and extend projects to all target communities in the Niger Delta.
The group recalled that the NDDC, on December 30, 2025, presented a ?1.75 trillion budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year to the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Explaining the proposal, Ogbuku had noted that the 2025 budget is about nine per cent lower than the ?1.985 trillion proposed and appropriated for the 2024 fiscal year.
He said the ?1.75 trillion estimate comprises ?776.5 billion as Federal Government contribution, ?752.8 billion from oil companies, ?109.4 billion as revenue brought forward from 2024, ?53.67 billion as recoveries from Federal Government agencies, and ?8.35 billion as internally generated revenue.
The group praised Ogbuku’s leadership, describing him as having transformed the NDDC into “a beacon of renewed hope” for the Niger Delta region.
The group said it was impressed by what it called Ogbuku’s charismatic leadership, grassroots engagement and developmental drive, which it noted align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the group, Ogbuku’s consultations with traditional rulers and stakeholders across the Niger Delta have helped identify priority needs of communities, strengthened collaboration in the fight against crude oil theft and contributed to a noticeable decline in criminal activities in the oil and gas sector.
The statement also highlighted the Commission’s partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) on health insurance and medical outreach programmes, improved monitoring and supervision of projects, and the deployment of solar-powered streetlights across communities, which it said has enhanced security and economic activities at night.
The group urged lawmakers to act swiftly on the budget, stressing that timely approval would further boost development, peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
It also announced that it had conferred on Ogbuku the award of “Extraordinary Leader of 2025 in the Niger Delta Region.”
Port Harcourt based media practitioners under the aegis of Port Harcourt Press, have urged the Rivers State Police Command to arrest and prosecute all suspects involved in the recent attack and harassment of Arise TV crew in Port Harcourt.
The media practitioners, at a World press conference in Port Harcourt, described as dangerous the continuous harassment of journalists by various political actors in the ongoing political crisis in the State.
The text of the briefing which was read by a former State Commissioner for information and Communications and federal lawmaker in the State, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, described as condemnable the attack on the Arise TV crew by suspected political thugs in Port Harcourt, while conducting an interview with Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa, a former commissioner in the State.
According to him, “That harrowing event of Friday, January 2, where the Arise TV crew were brutally attacked by armed men in a hotel in Port Harcourt while conducting interview with Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa, former Honourable Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, smacks of nothing but act of intimidation, threat to both the Nigerian media and human lives especially in the forceful carting away of broadcast equipment.”
The group further noted that the attack was not only an insult on the press freedom but on the larger society.
The group regretted the inability of the Police to arrest and bring to book the perpetrators of the act till date, warning that it may be forced to boycott police activities if those involved are not arrested and brought to book.
“From all indications, the police appear to be playing to the gallery. While the broadcast equipment were reportedly recovered, no definite arrest have been made. This body, therefore, demands an urgent and thorough investigation of this matter and those find culpable brought to justice within two weeks.
“Failure to address this issue with the urgency it requires and not carrying out satisfactory actions as required in their prosecution will attract sanctions such as withdrawal of coverage of all police activities in Rivers State by media organisations and journalists as we stand in solidarity with the NUJ,” the group warned.
John Bibor
-
Rivers13 hours ago
Rivers Police Commissioner Condemns Vigilante Group Over Aluu Attack
-
Business13 hours ago
Industrialism, Agriculture To End Food Imports, ex-AfDB Adviser Tells FG
-
Politics13 hours ago
Bayelsa APC Endorses Tinubu For Second Term
-
Rivers13 hours ago
KALCCIMA Inaugurates New Executive Council … Pledges Renewed Drive For Kalabari Economic Growth
-
Politics13 hours ago
Datti Baba-Ahmed Reaffirms Loyalty To LP, Forecloses Joining ADC
-
Business13 hours ago
Cashew Industry Can Generate $10bn Annually- Association
-
Politics12 hours agoEFCC Alleges Blackmail Plot By Opposition Politicians
-
Women13 hours ago
Who Is A Classic Woman?