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CDS Musa sets high bar for newly-decorated Major Generals

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.
News
SAD! ISWAP terrorists reportedly k!ll 2 sons of Police Inspector

Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) have reportedy launched a deadly attack on Buni Yadi in Gujba local government area of Yobe State, killing two children of a Police Inspector, Mallam Jibril Mohammed, setting their corpses and house on fire.
A credible intelligence source confirmed that the attack occurred in the early hours of Monday around 1am in the Shuwari Baban Layi area of the town.
One of the resident who did not want his name in print said the assailants infiltrated the town and targeted the home of Inspector Mohammed of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and started shooting sporadically.
Another security information confirmed that the terrorists set the house ablaze and killing two of the police officer’s children before escaping.
LEADERSHIP gathered that upon receiving intelligence report on the attack, troops of 27 Task Force Brigade, Sector 2 Operation HADIN KAI swiftly mobilised to the scene.
However, the terrorists fled upon sighting advancing troops, abandoning their bicycles in the process. (LEADERSHIP)
News
CRYPTO: Trump to Host Top Industry Leaders

U.S. President Donald Trump will host top crypto industry leaders at the White House on Friday, marking a significant shift in the administration’s approach to digital assets.
The summit comes as the cryptocurrency sector enjoys renewed momentum following Trump’s election victory.
The event, led by Trump’s newly appointed “crypto czar,” Silicon Valley investor David Sacks, will bring together prominent figures in the space, including Gemini founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. Reports suggest that Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Michael Saylor, the head of Bitcoin investment firm MicroStrategy, will also be in attendance.
Trump’s engagement with the industry has been personal as well as political. In January, he launched his own “Trump” memecoin in partnership with the exchange platform World Liberty Financial, following a similar move by former First Lady Melania Trump.
These ventures have drawn accusations of conflicts of interest.
During his campaign, the crypto community overwhelmingly backed Trump, pouring millions into his effort to unseat Joe Biden, whose administration had taken a more skeptical stance on digital currencies and imposed tighter regulations. Now, industry players are looking for policies that will accelerate crypto adoption and provide long-sought legitimacy.
The summit comes at a crucial time for the sector, which continues to grapple with the fallout from the collapse of FTX, once one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges. Its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, was convicted of fraud and is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence.
For advocates, cryptocurrencies represent a financial revolution, offering an alternative to centralized banking and serving as a hedge against inflation and political instability. Bitcoin, the world’s most traded digital asset, is increasingly compared to gold as a store of value.
However, critics warn that digital assets remain highly speculative and vulnerable to abuse. Law enforcement agencies have raised concerns over their potential use in money laundering, while the rise of “memecoins” – cryptocurrencies based on internet trends or celebrities rather than technical innovation – has fueled worries about market manipulation and pump-and-dump schemes.
Despite his past skepticism, Trump has now positioned himself as a champion of crypto innovation, declaring his intent to make the United States a global leader in digital finance. The upcoming summit is expected to set the tone for his administration’s policies on the industry moving forward.
The summit comes as the cryptocurrency sector enjoys renewed momentum following Trump’s election victory.
The event, led by Trump’s newly appointed “crypto czar,” Silicon Valley investor David Sacks, will bring together prominent figures in the space, including Gemini founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. Reports suggest that Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Michael Saylor, the head of Bitcoin investment firm MicroStrategy, will also be in attendance.
Trump’s engagement with the industry has been personal as well as political. In January, he launched his own “Trump” memecoin in partnership with the exchange platform World Liberty Financial, following a similar move by former First Lady Melania Trump. These ventures have drawn accusations of conflicts of interest.
During his campaign, the crypto community overwhelmingly backed Trump, pouring millions into his effort to unseat Joe Biden, whose administration had taken a more skeptical stance on digital currencies and imposed tighter regulations. Now, industry players are looking for policies that will accelerate crypto adoption and provide long-sought legitimacy.
The summit comes at a crucial time for the sector, which continues to grapple with the fallout from the collapse of FTX, once one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges. Its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, was convicted of fraud and is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence.
For advocates, cryptocurrencies represent a financial revolution, offering an alternative to centralized banking and serving as a hedge against inflation and political instability. Bitcoin, the world’s most traded digital asset, is increasingly compared to gold as a store of value.
However, critics warn that digital assets remain highly speculative and vulnerable to abuse. Law enforcement agencies have raised concerns over their potential use in money laundering, while the rise of “memecoins” – cryptocurrencies based on internet trends or celebrities rather than technical innovation – has fueled worries about market manipulation and pump-and-dump schemes.
Despite his past skepticism, Trump has now positioned himself as a champion of crypto innovation, declaring his intent to make the United States a global leader in digital finance. The upcoming summit is expected to set the tone for his administration’s policies on the industry moving forward.
News
Wike in Italy, to meet with Lombardy Region’s President, agribusiness investors

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike yesterday arrived Milan, Italy, ahead of official engagements with the President of Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana.
Wike is also expected to meet with agribusiness investors in the country.
The minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, announced this in a statement in Milan.
The statement said Wike departed Abuja on Tuesday night and arrived in Milan around 4:30 a.m. yesterday. He was received by the Charge d’Affairs of the Embassy of Nigeria in Italy, Ambassador Mustapha Mohammed.
“While in Milan, the FCT minister will hold a meeting with the President of Lombardy Region on Thursday, and also meet agribusiness investors.
“Lombardy is adjudged as the first region of Italy in terms of economic importance, with a population of about 10 million people. It is the second most populous region of the European Union (EU) and the second region of the European Union by nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“The FCT minister’s meeting with the Attilio Fontana will centre on seeking collaboration and evaluating possible prospects in the areas of Agriculture and Vocational Education, as well as strategic development partners with the Lombardy Region.
“Subsequently, Wike will meet investors in agribusiness and experts in vocational training, with a view to unlock new opportunities.
“The FCT Mandate Secretaries for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, and Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawan Geidam, as well as the Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Dr. Udo Samuel Atang, and Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Multi-Lateral Cooperation, Benedict Daudu, accompanied the Minister on the trip,” the statement said.
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