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CDS Says Arrest Of Simon Ekpa Helped Reduced Tension In S/East

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2 years ago

January 15, 2025

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has said that the arrest of Simon Ekpa in Finland has greatly reduced the tension in South East Nigeria.

According to the CDS, with this development, alongside ‘Operation Udoka’ by the Defence Headquarters, peace is gradually been restored in the region.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that ‘Operation Udoka’ was established to flush out banditry and end the sit-at-home situation in the South-East.

Musa who stated this this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Defence for the 2025 budget defense on Tuesday in Abuja, assured the Nigerian military was working with the people to ensure stability in the region.

He said: “With the arrest of Simon Ekpa, it has greatly reduced the tension. Also with Operation Udoka, we’re also doing that, picking up most of the leadership that are there, taking them out, and then making sure that the place is peaceful.

“The sit-at-home on Mondays is gradually diminishing. We’re also working with the political leaders there because we understand, like I said always, we need to have the local support because without it, it’s difficult. You know, the terrain is very challenging, so we need to work together. It is improving.”

The CDS testified that the last Christmas and New Year holiday period was very peaceful because the military was proactive.

He reiterated their commitment to non-kinetic measures of addressing the security problem and this was yielding positive results.

“We had some intelligence and worked ahead to ensure that everywhere was kept peaceful. That has happened and we intend to do that and continue to do more. What we try to encourage is jointness, synergy in our operations.

“And like we always appeal for Nigerians to understand that they have to take ownership of their armed forces, they have to take ownership of the security challenges we are facing. It’s not the challenge for the armed forces alone or security agencies, it’s everybody’s responsibility to do.

“And we’re happy that we’re beginning to get that support from everywhere. Human intelligence information is coming, it’s flowing quite very well and we are taking adequate action and that’s why we see things are improving.

“What we have done is that we have established and enhanced the kinetic efforts for the three services for our operations. We have the Delta Safe, which is in the South South for Oil theft and Militancy. At least for the first time now we have been able to reach our OPEC oil quota for Nigeria and we intend to do more.

“Our target is to hit 2.2 million barrels a day for Nigeria. It’s not something that we can also do alone. We also need the other stakeholders in the oil industry to also play their own role. We are doing more, providing more security. We are close to 2 million barrels per day. We intend to do more. This year, we want to intensify our operations so that we take out.

“We have formed groups that are discussing with the locals. And we have found that that discussion has helped a lot. So we have the religious leaders, the cultural leaders, and every stakeholder is also part of it. We realize that if we carry everybody along, it makes it a lot easier. Like we said, the best general is that general that does not need to shoot. If you are able to solve the problem without firing it is better.

“So that by the time we do that, those ones are willing to move, we move them out, and those ones that are unwilling, then we go after them. But the kinetic and the non-kinetic must continue to go hand in hand. And it is working very well,” he added said.

The CDS therefore called for the improvement of border management to address the problem of smuggling. According to him, a number of children who were being trafficked have been rescued.

“We have rescued a number of children being trafficked across Nigeria to other countries. And then trafficking of drugs, small arms, light weapons. We’re working in tandem with the Customs. When we make such arrests, we call either the NDLEA or call the Customs and hand over to them. So these are extra things that we’re doing,” he said.

He reiterated the commitment of the military to ensuring peace across the country, but expressed concern about troops welfare, which he said was poor.

“Without peace, there cannot be development. And nobody is happy when things are not peaceful. Because even if you think you have, sometimes you might be the ones at the receiving end. So that has equally helped us a lot.

“Now what is our other concern? Troops’ welfare. We know generally the economy, everybody is having the heat. And we’re no more different. So we’re looking at the aspect of also improving the welfare for our troops, the RCA, Ration Cash Allowance. We’re still struggling at less than N2,000 per soldier per head to feed.

“We’re happy that Mr. President has recently increased the salaries to some extent of the junior class, which is the junior grade of personnel, which has also enhanced their ability.

“We know the country is going through so much and it’s not only the military that needs support, but I think we want to get more, we can do more.

“We also need accommodation. Every year we are recruiting almost 25,000 for all the services. And those ones going on retirement, every year they are not up to 5,000. So you see we’re getting almost 20,000 into the system. The issue of new barracks, construction, old barracks, renovation, these are issues we have to addess because now that we’re beginning to get peace.

“Gradually we’re going to return to barracks. We don’t want to go back to barracks and then we’ll start living in tents or in batchers like it was before. So it’s important that we’re able to work ahead to establish new barracks that have been established and then to be able to carry out renovation”, Musa added.

He further stressed the need to drive local manufacturing of weapons as it was difficult getting weapons internationally, this he said was a major reason the fight against insecurity has persisted.

“We also need equipment. We have also tried to increase, because we realized that, because we don’t produce what we need, it’s been very difficult. That’s one of the reasons why the warfare has continued for this long. Because we have to rely on getting hard currency to go abroad.

“When you go there to buy, again, you don’t get this thing off the shelf. Sometimes you have to pay. And now with the Ukraine-Russian war, it has made it extremely more difficult. Because America particularly is paying off most of the items. So when you go there, they say it’s already been booked. So to get it is a problem. So we realize thatWe need to also start producing what we need.

“And that we have started with the DICON bill that Mr. President signed. We are doing a lot together to try and bring for regional equipment manufacturers to come and produce in Nigeria With the DICON, what we are doing again is we have a number of local manufacturers of weapons.

“They have the talents, but they don’t have anywhere to showcase it. So the tendency is if they are not used positively, they will go because they want to survive, they will go negatively. And that’s why in some areas we have identified some people that produce very good weapons, automatic, but local.

“So what we are doing is we are trying to get them, bring them in, give them the platform so that they can come and legitimately produce this thing. And gradually, Nigeria can start producing its own kind of weapon. So we don’t have to rely on foreigners to get our own weapon.

“We are doing that and looking at experts. What we are doing, we are talent hunting them all over the country and then bringing them in to be able to produce this item for us”, he stated.

In his remarks the Chairman Committee on Defence, Rep. Babajimi Benson, said as representatives of the people, it was their duty to ensure that every Naira is judiciously spent to strengthen the operational capacity of the Air Forces and deliver tangible results.

Rep. Benson explained that this year’s budget defense was particularly significant as it comes against the backdrop of evolving global and domestic security threats.

“These recent developments highlight the need for heightened vigilance and inter-agency collaboration.

“We must leverage intelligence, technology, and best practices to neutralize emerging threats and safeguard our citizens. As we deliberate on the 2025 budget, I urge all defense agencies to prioritize strategic initiatives that align with national security objectives,” he said.

Related Topics:chairman Naira Ndlea Nigeria Nigerian

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Oborevwori Urges Investors To Explore Opportunities Beyond Oil

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1 hour ago

August 5, 2026

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Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has called for a shift away from over-reliance on oil revenue, urging both local and foreign investors to take advantage of opportunities in agriculture, energy, transportation, the blue economy, solid minerals and digital innovation.

Speaking at the close of the second day of the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, the governor said the state must broaden its economic base to achieve sustainable growth, create jobs and improve living standards.

He said discussions at the summit highlighted Delta State’s vast but largely untapped potential across several non-oil sectors, including agriculture and livestock, energy, transportation, the blue economy, solid minerals, digital innovation and investment-friendly legal reforms.

“We can no longer depend on one source of revenue. We must diversify our economy by attracting strategic investments into sectors where Delta State has a clear comparative advantage. That is the pathway to creating jobs, growing businesses and improving the quality of life of our people,” Oborevwori said.

The governor explained that the summit was designed as a private sector-led initiative, with government playing the role of facilitator by connecting investors with viable opportunities capable of delivering long-term value.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a conducive business environment through investor-friendly policies, infrastructure development, improved security and stronger collaboration with the private sector.

Oborevwori also disclosed that the state had acquired suitable land and taken other strategic measures to attract investments into priority sectors. He added that investment promotion missions had already been conducted in countries including China and Brazil to market Delta’s economic opportunities.

According to him, the summit has gone beyond policy discussions to become a practical platform for linking investors with viable projects and converting investment interests into real business ventures.

He expressed confidence that the partnerships and commitments made during the summit would translate into concrete investments capable of driving industrial growth, generating employment and positioning Delta among Nigeria’s leading investment destinations.

During the technical sessions, resource persons identified agriculture, livestock development, mining, the blue economy and investment-friendly legal reforms as key sectors with strong potential to attract long-term investments.

Speaking at the agriculture, agribusiness and agro-industry panel, former South-South Vice President of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Chief Eta Enahoro, urged the state government to invest more in fish and poultry production, describing both industries as major drivers of job creation and economic transformation.

He said that with the right support, many young people seeking political appointments could become successful entrepreneurs through commercial poultry and fish farming.

Brazilian agribusiness investor Roberto Fonseca announced plans to collaborate with the Delta State Government on an integrated cattle and beef value chain covering breeding, ranching, abattoirs, meat processing, cold storage, refrigerated logistics and distribution.

Fonseca said Delta’s climate and environmental conditions closely resemble those that helped Brazil become a global leader in cattle and beef production, adding that the partnership could position the state as a major livestock hub for Nigeria and neighbouring African countries.

At the session on the blue economy and transport infrastructure, Dr. Uche Igwe called on the state government to tackle illegal and unregulated fishing in order to maximise the economic potential of its waterways.

Managing Director of Mosra Energy, Ramos Olukayode, disclosed that Delta State has more than 200 million tonnes of coal deposits in Obomkpa, Ugbodu and Ukunzu, which he said exceed the reserves found in Enugu and Kogi states.

He described the deposits as a significant resource that could support industrial expansion and revealed plans to establish a 600-megawatt power plant in Obomkpa, noting that more than 200 hectares of land had already been secured for the project.

Olukayode added that the area also has substantial deposits of kaolin and clay that could support manufacturing activities within the proposed industrial cluster.

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Nigeria seeks closer ECOWAS, Sahel ties to fight terrorism

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1 hour ago

August 5, 2026

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Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has called for stronger security cooperation between the Economic Community of West African States and the Alliance of Sahel States to combat terrorism, insurgency and transnational crimes across the region.

Musa made the call on Tuesday during a three-day working visit to Cotonou, Benin Republic, where he is holding talks aimed at harmonising regional defence strategies and strengthening security cooperation.

According to a statement by his media aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the minister said West Africa’s complex security challenges required an inclusive and coordinated regional response.

He urged the leadership of ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States to find common ground to curb the spread of insurgency across land borders and improve maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

“There is a need for a unified security alliance between the ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States to defeat terrorism, dismantle cross-border criminal networks, and restore regional stability. ECOWAS and AES leadership should find a common ground to insulate land borders from insurgent spillover and strengthen maritime security along the Gulf of Guinea., ” he was quoted as saying.

Musa who was received at Cotonou International Airport by Benin’s Minister of National Defence, Gildas Agonkan.

Agonkan commended Nigeria for what he described as its leadership role in promoting peace and stability in West Africa, citing the country’s interventions in support of democratic governance in the sub-region.

He also praised the performance of the Nigerian Army contingent that participated in Benin’s National Day parade on August 1, describing Nigeria as an indispensable partner in the fight against transnational crime.

During the visit, Musa met with Nigerian troops stationed at Togbin, where he conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving troop welfare, enhancing operational effectiveness and strengthening the capacity of the armed forces.

The minister also visited the Nigeria House in Cotonou, where he was received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Mopelola Ibrahim.

The ambassador said Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement with Benin remained focused on expanding bilateral trade and strengthening joint border surveillance to tackle emerging security threats.

The Alliance of Sahel States comprises Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, three military-led countries that withdrew from ECOWAS after disagreements with the regional bloc over sanctions and the timeline for returning to civilian rule.

The three countries formally exited ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, and have since deepened military, political and economic cooperation under the AES framework.

Despite their political differences, both blocs face common security threats, including terrorism, violent extremism, insurgency, arms trafficking and other cross-border crimes, particularly in the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea.

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FG orders varsities to dismiss students involved in kidnapping

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1 hour ago

August 5, 2026

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The Federal Government has directed vice chancellors, rectors and provosts of tertiary institutions across the country to dismiss any student found culpable, after due investigation, of involvement in kidnapping or related criminal activities.

Minister of Education, Dr.Tunji Alausa, issued the directive during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council and Management of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) in Abuja.

He also ordered heads of tertiary institutions to strengthen internal intelligence systems and deepen collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to improve campus safety.

Alausa said the directive followed concerns over reports that some students were allegedly involved in kidnapping operations carried out outside their campuses, stressing that tertiary institutions must not become safe havens for criminal elements.

“If you tolerate bad behaviour for too long, it becomes a culture. Any student found culpable, after due investigation, of planning or participating in the kidnapping of fellow students has no place in our tertiary institutions. Such individuals must be dismissed. Our campuses must never become safe havens for criminal elements,” the minister said.

While noting that Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education remain largely safe, Alausa said recent isolated incidents involving students outside campuses underscored the need for stronger intelligence gathering and closer collaboration with security agencies.

He disclosed that he recently met with the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), to develop a coordinated strategy aimed at strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative and improving the protection of learners across the country.

The minister also reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that no government institution should negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers, warning that such actions only embolden criminal groups and undermine efforts to tackle insecurity.

Beyond disciplinary measures, Alausa directed governing councils and managements of tertiary institutions to establish effective internal intelligence mechanisms, maintain close ties with the DSS and other security agencies, and promptly address threats to the safety of students and staff.

He announced that the Federal Government would support security enhancement projects in tertiary institutions through the 2027 intervention programme of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), including perimeter fencing and other critical security infrastructure. Institutions were urged to submit proposals early for consideration.

The minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the Energising Education Programme in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power to improve electricity supply to tertiary institutions through additional solar generation and battery storage.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Lola Akande, commended the Federal Government for its support to the institution but identified student accommodation, electricity supply to the university’s second campus and insecurity as major challenges.

She disclosed that some students of the university were suspected to have been involved in kidnapping activities carried out off campus, adding that the institution strongly opposed the payment of ransom, saying it would only encourage more criminality.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Mohammed Isa Kida, also praised the minister’s reforms in the education sector and appealed for the extension of the Energising Education Programme to the institution’s second campus, as well as additional office accommodation and staffing support.