The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has urged 35 newly decorated Major-Generals to make 2025 a determining year in the fight against terrorism and insecurity across the country.

Gen. Musa, who spoke at the decoration ceremony of the Major-Generals at the Command Officers Mess in Abuja, said their elevation indicated that there is always a reward for hard work in the Armed Forces.

He said: “We have been dealing with insurgencies, terrorism, and banditry for 15 or 16 years and still counting. I think it is high time we dealt with it finally. I know we can do it. So, I want to call on all of us to put on our thinking caps and make that great sacrifice that 2025 should be a determining year for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“Having reached the peak of your careers, always remember that the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces will continue to rely on the leadership and expertise of individuals like you to safeguard our country and its people. Nigeria is looking up to us. We must do everything to defend democracy in Nigeria and across the sub-region. It is a duty and a task for all of us to perform.

“Our nation is going through so much and it takes men of steel and character for us to succeed, and that is what we aim for. The rank of Major-General signifies not only a high level of responsibility but also a deep sense of duty towards our country and its people.

“I, therefore, congratulate you and your families on achieving this laudable feat. Today is, however, not only a day for celebration but also a clarion call to the tasks ahead.”

The CDS urged the newly decorated Major-Generals and other officers of the Armed Forces to remain committed in the task ahead, not thinking of self but the nation, and uphold democratic governance and loyalty to constituted authority.

The COAS, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, reminded the newly promoted Major-Generals that with higher rank comes higher responsibilities.

“From now onwards, more accountabilities will be required and demanded of you. As Major-Generals, what you do or fail to do matters a lot to the system, and particularly the national security.

“Therefore, I charge you all to always keep your new status in mind to avoid embarrassing the military establishment and profession and particularly to justify the confidence that has been imposed in you,” he said.

Also, the Federal Government has said it disposed of 1,743 terrorism cases and secured 742 convictions in the past four years.

It said 880 suspected terrorists were discharged or acquitted by the court, while 92 cases were adjourned within the period.

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) and that of the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Mohammed Baba Doko, gave the update at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) yesterday in Abuja.

The director said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration had made significant progress in the trials of suspected terrorists.

He said: “Between the year 2017 and till date, a number of suspects were prosecuted at Wawa in Kainji (Niger State). At the first phase of the trial, 282 cases were disposed of, 50 of which got convictions, 203 discharged for want of evidence, and 28 adjourned to Abuja for continuation of trial.

“At the second phase of the trial in 2018, a total number of 804 suspects or cases were disposed of, out of which 203 got convictions, 582 were discharged for want of evidence, and the other cases were adjourned to Abuja for continuation of trial.

“At the third phase of the trial, between July 9 and 12, 2018, a total number of 224 cases were disposed of, out of which 113 got convictions, 97 were discharged for want of evidence, five were acquitted, and nine other cases were adjourned for continuation of trial.

“At the fourth phase of trial in December 2023, a total number of 25 cases were listed for trial, 14 got convictions, one was ordered to be sent to Operation Safe Corridor for DDR rehabilitation and reintegration, and 10 cases were adjourned for continuation of trial.

“At the fifth phase of the trial in July 2024, a total number of 253 cases were disposed of, out of which 125 got convictions, 85 were about terrorism financing cases, 22 were related to International Criminal Court (ICC) criminalities; that is, crimes against humanity; and 22 were adjourned for trial.

“Now, at the sixth phase of trial, two weeks ago (December 2024), a total number of 237 cases were disposed of, about nine were adjourned for continuation of trial.”

According to the DPP, some of the cases include acts of terrorism, terrorism financing, ICC criminalities, for which some of the defendants were sentenced to terms of imprisonment.

“Now, it’s important to note that within the last one year of this administration, about 515 cases were disposed of, and over 800 clients – we call them clients. Those that have served terms or were discharged or acquitted at the final stages of trial were moved to Operation Safe Corridor for rehabilitation and reintegration in accordance with the orders of the court and the policy of the Federal Government.

“So, all of these steps were taken in conjunction with relevant stakeholders to ensure accountability for the crimes committed by violent people across the country, not just Boko Haram.”

He said the suspect kept and tried at the Wawa military cantonment in Kainji in Niger State was due to security considerations.

Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ has arrested 94 suspected smugglers and seized goods worth over N18 billion in the last two weeks of the month.

Addressing reporters in Lagos, its Area Controller, Kola Oladeji, said: “These achievements underscore our determination to protect the  economy and security against illicit cross border trade and movement around our borders.

“We have been working relentlessly to improve smuggling detection methods, leveraging on intelligence to stay ahead of smugglers and prevent the importation of prohibited and harmful products.

“The newly inaugurated “Operation Swift Sting” has recorded remarkable success in the fight against illicit cross border trade with smuggling with an impressive arrest in just two weeks.’’

Through this operation, he added, “we arrested a significant amount of cannabis sativa, 4,010 bags of foreign parboiled rice in 50kg bags each, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), along with other contraband items’’.

He continued: “It is clear that ‘Operation Swift Sting’ is delivering unbearable heat to the smuggling cartel at the same time ensuring facilitation of compliant trade with an impressive outcome.

“Ninety-four defendants were arrested in connection with some of the seizures, and six persons have been convicted for various offences.’’

This, he further said, “demonstrates their quest to bring perpetrators to justice and also ensure deterrence from illicit Trade; 707 seizures worth a total Duty Paid Value of N 18,710,143,801.24 were intercepted from January 2024 till date.

Prominent among the seizures, the Controller said, “are 48,912 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each,191,975 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 7,861 kg of cannabis sativa; 6,168 pieces of dry donkey skins, 37,630 sachets of Tramadol, 207 units of motor vehicles. Some of which were arrested for short payment of duty and later cleared after payment of outstanding Duty; 6,755 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products; 1,433 bales of used clothes; 1,773 units of used refrigerator compressors and 317 cartons of illicit medicament.’’

“In addition to the seizures,” he added, “so far, in 2024 we collected revenue through careful documentary checks and issuance of demand notices to consignments that were found to have underpaid customs duty.

The sum of N1, 012, 783, 437.21 was generated through these efforts. This also underscores the importance of careful monitoring and intelligence at preventing smuggling and ensuring that all imports are properly declared and taxed.

“Smuggling operations that employ ingenious concealment methods could have significant impact on the Nation’s economy and security if not checked with modern intelligence tools. Hence, the Service is calling on citizens to support its anti-smuggling efforts by providing useful and timely information on illicit cross border trade.

“In the course of fighting the menace of smuggling, we also raised awareness about its dangers and the importance of complying with Customs regulations. We remain resolute in protecting the nation’s Economy, Security and Health through coordinated synergy with relevant stakeholders.

He commended security agencies, media practitioners and other stakeholders, and the public for providing timely information, support and advice and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his Management for their support. “Your effort is making a significant impact,” he added.

Southern governors have paid a condolence visit to one of their members, Seyi Makinde, over the death of 35 persons at a funfair for children in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Also yesterday, former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed sadness over the Ibadan stampede and those that happened in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) and Okija, Anambra State on Saturday. He expressed sadness over the tragedies and called for prayers as well as support for the victims’ families.

Police in Anambra State put the death toll in the Okija incident at 22 while reports had  it that 10 lives were lost in that of the FCT.

The victims were among thousands of people that thronged venues of cash and rice distributions by private charity organisations.

During the visit to Makinde in Ibadan, the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum(SGF) Dapo Abiodun, said that he was sure that the stampede on Thursday would not have happened if the state government had been carried along by the organisers.

Abiodun said: “I am here on behalf of myself, the government, and the good people of Ogun State and the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) to commiserate with the governor of Oyo State and the people on the unfortunate incident where a good initiative turned sour.

“It is most unfortunate that, in response to the current realities, an NGO(Non-Governmental Organisations) decided to share the joy of the season with children, which led to the loss of 35 lives.

“I think that we’ve seen this trend in Anambra and Abuja during this Yuletide.’’

The SGF chairman, who is also the governor of Ogun State,  described the stampede as unfortunate and advised that governments and relevant stakeholders should always be carried along by organisers of events requiring large crowds.

His words: “I believe that what we must also take away from this unfortunate incident is that when private sector players, non-governmental organisations, and charities want to embark on such initiatives, they should try to work with the government.

“As a responsible government, we carry out such initiatives, and it doesn’t end like this because we have people who are charged with such responsibilities.

“They planned it to ensure that it is well implemented. So, one must admonish others who have such initiatives that a lot of lessons must be learned from what has happened, and we must ensure that we avoid such mishaps in the future.”

He stated that the SGF was pained by the loss of loss and that as the chairman of the forum, his visit was to condole with Makinde and all Oyo State people  .

He prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and for their families to bear the loss.

Governor Makinde said the visit by Abiodun provides an opportunity for the cross-fertiliSation of ideas that would benefit the two(Ogun and Oyo) sister states.

He revealed that leaders of the two states would meet next year to see what they could learn from each other.

In his Christmas message, former President   Jonathan urged governments and other relevant authorities to implement measures to prevent incidents that could lead to deaths in the future.

He said: “The unfortunate incidents have left all of us in shock and sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends who have lost their loved ones and with those who have been injured.

“I urge the authorities to provide the necessary support to the victims and ensure that measures are put in place to prevent such occurrences in the future.

“As we navigate through this painful period, I encourage all Nigerians to show compassion and solidarity, especially during this festive season.

“Christmas is a time of love, unity, and hope. It reminds us of the importance of caring for one another and working towards peace and harmony in our communities.”

Jonathan also urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of Christmas by extending love to those in need and fostering unity across all divides.

Jonathan prayed that the season would rekindle Nigerians’ collective resolve to build a nation founded on justice, fairness, and mutual respect.
thinking that the economy was healthy.’’.