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

Published

1 year ago

January 15, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

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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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Tinubu reforms shift Nigeria from fragility to growth as global pressures mount(Photos)

Published

2 hours ago

April 20, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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Nigeria’s economic reform programme under President Bola

Tinubu is steadily moving the country away from a cycle of economic vulnerability toward a more stable and growth driven path.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, stated this during a press briefing at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C.

He explained that the policy measures introduced since mid 2023 were designed not as temporary fixes but as structural changes that can sustain themselves over time while strengthening the economy against external shocks.

Edun noted that the global environment in which the meetings are taking place remains highly uncertain, with export tensions, trade disruptions and tightening financial conditions continuing to weigh on economies across the world.

Within this context, he said Nigeria’s approach is anchored on credible and disciplined macroeconomic management aimed at building lasting prosperity.

According to him, key reforms including the move to a market reflective foreign exchange system and the deregulation of fuel pricing are beginning to restore balance and reduce long standing distortions in the economy.

He added that these measures are already improving Nigeria’s capacity to absorb shocks that originate from outside its borders.

On inflation, Edun acknowledged that pressures remain, largely driven by energy costs, food prices and logistics challenges. However, he pointed out that government is responding through targeted social protection programmes and ongoing agricultural interventions to cushion the impact on citizens.

The Minister stressed that fiscal discipline remains central to the reform effort, with a clear departure from inefficient subsidy regimes and a renewed focus on prudent resource management.

Providing an update on key indicators, Edun said economic growth has exceeded four per cent, external reserves have risen to about 50 billion dollars and inflation is beginning to ease gradually. He added that public debt remains within sustainable limits.

Beyond the numbers, he said the reforms are unlocking domestic production and restoring confidence within the private sector.

The Minister cited major investments such as the Dangote Refinery as tangible evidence of renewed investor confidence, while noting that small and medium enterprises are benefiting from improved incentives.

He stated that Nigeria is now moving from stabilisation to a phase of accelerated growth and job creation, with power, agriculture, infrastructure and digital innovation expected to drive expansion.

Edun also disclosed that development partners at the meetings reaffirmed their support for Nigeria’s reform priorities, while investor interest continues to grow across energy, agribusiness and infrastructure sectors.

According to him, Nigeria is also pushing for reforms at the global level to reduce the cost of capital for developing countries, which remains a major constraint to growth.

The Minister expressed confidence that the country’s standing in the global economy is improving as its reform efforts gain recognition, adding that the policies will ultimately deliver sustainable growth and reduce poverty.

He further commended members of the Nigerian delegation and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to attracting investment and strengthening development partnerships.

In the same vein, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, said the country remains firmly committed to sustaining reforms and preserving macroeconomic stability.

He explained that the meetings provided an opportunity to review Nigeria’s progress and reinforce institutional capacity needed to support long term economic resilience.

Cardoso noted that despite persistent global challenges, including geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures, Nigeria has been able to contain external shocks through improved exchange rate stability and stronger reserves.

The Central Bank Governor emphasised that consistency in reform implementation is critical to building long term investor confidence.

Highlighting developments in the financial sector, he said the ongoing banking sector recapitalisation has mobilised 4.65 trillion naira in new capital.

As at the March 31 deadline, 33 banks had met the new capital requirements, significantly strengthening the resilience of the financial system and its ability to support economic growth.

He added that the exercise attracted strong participation from both domestic and international investors, reflecting sustained confidence in Nigeria’s banking sector.

Cardoso expressed optimism that continued reforms will reinforce stability, sustain growth and attract further investment into the economy.

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Gov. Oborevwori, Prof. Osunbor, Sen. Dafinone, others to grace TheNewsGuru Editor’s book launch

Published

2 hours ago

April 20, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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Abuja, Nigeria – Organisers of the forthcoming public presentation of “Journalism NeXt: A Comprehensive Guide to Modern Journalism” have announced a distinguished lineup of eminent personalities expected to grace the book launch.

The book, authored by Editor of TheNewsGuru (TNG), Ediri Oyibo, is scheduled for official unveiling on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Utako, Abuja at 2:00 pm.

Leading the list of dignitaries is the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, who will attend as Special Guest of Honour, while former Governor of Edo State and two-term Senator, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, will serve as Chairman of the Occasion.

The book will be reviewed by Dr. Lemmy Ughegbe, Founder and Executive Director of the Make A Difference Initiative (MADI).

The event will also feature the presentation of research findings by the author on the state of journalism in Nigeria, with a focus on challenges faced by journalists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Other dignitaries expected at the event include Senator Ede Dafinone, Delta Central, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Delta South; Senator Ned Nwoko, Delta North; Hon. Benedict Etanabene, Member representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, and Mr. Mideno Bayagbon, Publisher of TheNewsGuru (TNG).

Others are Dr. Dili Ezughah, Executive Secretary and CEO, Nigerian Press Council (NPC); Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Comr. Alhassan Yahya Abdul, National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), among others.

“Journalism NeXt: A Comprehensive Guide to Modern Journalism” explores the transformation of journalism in the digital era, addressing issues such as media ethics, innovation, sustainability, and the evolving role of journalists in a rapidly changing information ecosystem.

Organisers say the event is expected to attract journalists, media entrepreneurs, academics, policymakers, students, and members of the public, providing a platform for robust engagement and networking.

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Oborevwori wins best gov award at Independent anniversary

Published

5 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Admin

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Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Saturday received two honours at the Silver Jubilee Awards of Independent Newspapers, in what is described as a recognition of his administration’s performance, particularly in urban development.

The awards—Outstanding Independent Governor and Best Independent Governor in Urban Renewal (2025)—were presented at a ceremony held at Eko Hotels and Suites, as part of activities marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary.

The awards were determined through a combination of public voting and rigorous assessment by a jury and the organisation’s board, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers, Steve Omanufeme, said.

He congratulated the recipients and disclosed that further activities to mark the silver jubilee would continue later in the year.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Monday Onyeme, described the awards as a reflection of the administration’s impact since assuming office in 2023.

Speaking with journalists after the event, Onyeme said, “It is very evident to all Nigerians, especially Deltans, that our governor has significantly changed the narrative since assuming office in 2023.

“Today, he stands out as one of the best governors in the area of urban renewal. The impact is visible and undeniable.”

He pointed to ongoing infrastructure development across the state, noting that Delta, as one of Nigeria’s most urbanised states, has witnessed rapid transformation within a short period.

According to him, projects such as flyovers in Ughelli, Warri, Effurun, and Enerhen Junction have improved traffic flow while enhancing the functionality of major urban centres.

Onyeme also disclosed that the administration had delivered about 300 kilometres of roads in the past year, describing it as a major step towards addressing infrastructure deficits.

“When organisations carry out independent assessments and recognise this administration, it does not come as a surprise. The results speak for themselves,” he said.

He added that the recognition would serve as motivation for the government to sustain its development efforts.

“We have not rested, and we will not rest. We were elected to serve the people of Delta State, and we remain committed to that promise. The more responsibility we are given, the more we will deliver,” he said.

The deputy governor further noted that Oborevwori remained focused on leaving a lasting legacy, driven by what he described as a strong commitment to service.

“His desire is to ensure that before he leaves office after his second tenure, the difference will be clear and undeniable. He aims to set a standard that future administrations must strive to meet or surpass,” he added.