News
‘Reorganise Nigeria’s Security Architecture To End Terrorism’
Security experts in the North-East have advocated proactive measures to reorganise national security architecture to tackle terrorism and other criminal activities in the country.
They also called for closer collaboration between security agencies and communities to effectively address security challenges in the country.
The experts, who spoke in Bauchi, Gombe, Maiduguri and Yola, said such collaborative effort would enhance security network in the country.
A Bauchi-based security expert, Mr Abdullahi Yelwa, said that Nigerians were largely responsible for the insecurity due to lackadaisical attitude to security issues in the society.
He said: “everyone is guilty of security situation in Nigeria”.
The expert, however, blamed the leaders for their inability to demonstrate great political commitment towards providing lasting solutions to the problems.
Yelwa, a lecturer with the Department of Crime Management and Control (CMC), Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi, said it was imperative to prioritise security ahead of the 2023 general election.
According to him, the primary essence of government is to ensure security of lives and property of the people, noting that this has not been significantly achieved over the years.
“This is having a symbolic effect. When you talk of physical insecurity in terms of kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling, banditry and others, you will also discover that people have been sent packing from their farms.
“Invariably, this would multiply what we call food insecurity because people cannot eat and if people can’t eat, they will be hungry.
“So, if people can’t sleep because they are hungry and certainly, the rich will not sleep because the poor are awake,” he said.
He noted that some states were relatively better than the others in terms of security, adding that, “in the North-East generally, you can appreciate God Almighty for what we have in Bauchi State”.
The expert said that all hands must be on the deck for a peaceful and crime free society.
He added that the masses have a responsibility to give credible intelligence, and the security agencies should use the information to resolve security problems.
“The challenge we have is that some security agents are complicit in these security issues.
“We have cases of security personnel involved in killing innocent people. So, if a security personnel would be involved in such obnoxious acts, what about others.
“We need to rework and reorganise the security architecture in such a way that it will be workable.
“We must ensure that people are employed, adequately trained and modern equipment deployed to handle security situation,” he said.
Corroborating Yelwa’s views, a public analyst, Mr Inuwa Abubakar, stressed the need for deployment of modern equipment to rejig security apparatus in the country.
“Security agencies are operating in an analogue dimension and the criminals are changing their tactics. It is important we go all out digital,” he said.
Abubakar further said it was imperative for Nigerians to understand the mandate of all security agencies, adding that their roles must be clearly defined and adhered to.
“Each and every organisation wants to convince the public that it is the most important, reliable and hardworking.
“And even those who are supposed to come at a very rare invitation such as the military, now partake in internal security operations.
“The civil defence too wants to carry arms even though they are not meant to do so, and everyone wants to poke nose into the police work because it is inadequate, ill equipped and ill trained,” he said.
Similarly; the Gombe Commissioner for Ethical Orientation and Internal Security, Adamu Dishi, attributed the relative in the state to effective synergy between the government and security agencies.
He said the feat is achieved through implementation of sound programmes and policies aimed at providing enabling working environment to security agencies in the state.
The commissioner said inter-agency rivalry was a major challenge threatening to internal security, adding that, ‘In Gombe, we do not have such problem.
‘’Gombe is situated at the centre of the North-East, and on daily basis we record influx of people from neighbouring states.
‘’Such working collaboration is imperative towards improving the security and ensuring that Gombe remained a safe haven for all,” he said.
The commissioner said the government successfully tackled communal clashes which was the only security problem, especially in southern part of the state.
“Throughout 2022, there was no communal clash in the state.
“The success recorded in tackling the issue may not be unconnected with the collaborative effort between the government, security agencies and relevant stakeholders in sensitising the parties involved,” he said.
Also; Special Assistant to Governor Inuwa Yahaya on Security Matters and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Alhaji Yusuf Danbayo, said the state governor prioritised support to security agencies which translated to relative peace in the state.
He said, “the governor has been providing support to security agencies and treated credible intelligence seriously.
“The security agencies are succeeding in the fight against crimes in view of the synergy between all the stakeholders”.
In the same vein, the Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said the command had intensified surveillance and patrol to protect lives and property in the state.
“The Police Command and other security agencies designed security rink strategies, to provide enabling environment for all political parties to move around without any challenges.
“By doing so the command engaged organising secretaries of political parties to give us time tables of their campaigns to help the Command provide security everywhere,” he said.
Nguroje further reiterated the command’s commitment to fight crimes, protect lives and property in the state.
Moreso; the Police Commissioner in Borno, Abdu Umar said the command had intensified patrols and raids against criminal hideouts to sustain the gains achieved in the fight against insurgency in the state.
He said that about 1,800 constabulary had been deployed to enhance community policing across the 27 LGAs of the state.
He said the role of constabulary would assist in crime detection and prevention, conflict resolution, intelligence gathering and dissemination to maintain law and order.
“The command deployed 10 policemen across the 27 LGAs, to augment sister security agencies in combating terrorism and crimes,” he said.
For his part, a Counter Insurgency Expert in Borno, Babangida Musa, advised the security agencies to sustain the gains recorded in the counter insurgency campaign.
Musa said that reports indicated that terrorists were fleeing Borno to other parts of the country.
He called for synergy between security agencies in Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon Republics, and urged them to be on alert to monitor terrorists fleeing the region.
“We are told that they have been migrating to the North-West and North-Central to join forces with bandits.
“This analytic alert recommends a proactive state and regional intelligence, security engagement, absolute local vigilance and sustained regional collaborative effort as part of a joint strategy.
“In fighting terrorism all hands must be proactively unified towards a common positive goal,” he said.
He urged security agencies, local and the international communities to adopt a bottom up civil-military approach to effectively end terrorists’ violent activities in the country.
The Rivers State Government has commended the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) for its outstanding contributions to the development of Rivers State, particularly in the areas of peacebuilding, education, healthcare, and moral development.
Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, stated that the Church has remained a dependable partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, moral discipline, and social harmony across society.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, made the remarks during the thanksgiving service marking the 30th Anniversary and First Session of the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Sunday.
Governor Fubara described the Synod’s theme, “Kingdom Advancement: The Priority of Every Believer,” as timely and relevant, considering the prevailing realities in society.
According to him, the Church continues to play a vital role in shaping societal values and inspiring hope among citizens.
“The Church remains a vital partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, and moral discipline. Its role in shaping values and inspiring hope cannot be overemphasized,” he stated.
The Governor further acknowledged the Anglican Communion’s contributions in education, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, humanitarian services, and spiritual guidance across communities in Rivers State.
“The Rivers State Government appreciates the invaluable contributions of the Anglican Communion in education, healthcare, youth development, humanitarian support, and spiritual guidance. Your impact across communities in Rivers State continues to strengthen families and promote peaceful coexistence among our people,” he added.
Governor Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a peaceful, united, and prosperous Rivers State where all citizens can thrive irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or social background.
He also urged the Synod to continue praying for sustainable development and progress in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
Earlier in his sermon, the Guest Minister, Joseph Olushola, spoke on the topic, “Kingdom Investment and Internal Rewards,” urging Christians to remain faithful stewards of God’s blessings and committed to advancing God’s kingdom through service and generosity.
The cleric emphasized that believers are custodians of the virtues and resources entrusted to them by God, stressing that divine rewards are based on faithfulness and impact rather than material possessions.
The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.
The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.
Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.
He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.
“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.
Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.
He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.
Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.
He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.
According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.
Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.
He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.
The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.
By; Kevin Nengia
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has charged newlywed couples to build their marriages on the virtues of love and submission as taught in the Word of God.
Prof. Odu gave the charge at the wedding ceremony of Amblessed Favour Sunny-Cookey and Samson Jesuganji at Lifegate Power Ministries, Dominion Cathedral, in Port Harcourt on Saturday, 16th May 2026.
The Deputy Governor congratulated the couple on beginning a new phase of life together and prayed for God’s blessings upon their union, noting that the couple had been raised by godly parents and encouraged them to uphold the Christian values instilled in them.
Referring to the sermon delivered during the ceremony, Prof. Odu emphasized that the principles of love and submission remain fundamental to a successful marriage.
According to her, genuine love reflects the nature of God, stressing that love should remain the foundation of the couple’s relationship as they journey through life together.
Prof. Odu further prayed for enduring peace, happiness, and progress in the home, expressing confidence that the marriage would continue to flourish under God’s guidance.
The Deputy Governor also commended the families of the couple for their support and upbringing, while urging the newlyweds to always remember the significance of the day and the commitment they had made before God and witnesses.
In his sermon at the wedding, the Founder and Presiding Pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, stated that marriage did not originate from Western culture, traditions, or human ideas, but from God, whom he described as the “manufacturer” of marriage.
According to the cleric, couples seeking lasting and peaceful homes must rely on biblical principles rather than societal trends or assumptions.
He explained that many marital crises and rising divorce rates stem from ignorance and failure to apply scriptural teachings in family life.
Drawing from the biblical parable of building a house on a rock, Pastor Ibiyeomie said the Word of God remains the only solid foundation capable of sustaining marriages through challenges and difficult times.
He noted that marriage naturally comes with unexpected realities and pressures, stressing that religious ceremonies or cultural practices alone are not enough to sustain a home without proper understanding of God’s instructions.
The pastor further warned that ignorance of scripture remains one of the greatest weapons against believers, urging Christians to study and practice the Word of God rather than merely attending church services.
It would be recalled that the bride is the daughter of Pastor Sunny Cookey the Founder and Presiding Pastor of Lifegate Ministries. The Ceremony had lots of Ministers in attendance which includes Apostle Zilly Aggrey, Pastor George Izunwa, and Bishop Winston Iwo
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