Security – Advent Cable Network Nigeria

Anambra Polls: FG May Impose State Of Emergency To Tighten Security

ACNN ADMIN — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 20:16:54 +0000

The Federal Government has said it will impose a state of emergency on Anambra State to tighten security ahead of the November 6 governorship election in the state.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, announced this on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Malami said the government will do everything possible to ensure the protection of lives and property adding that where there is evidence of failure of the state government to ensure democratic order and security of lives, the Federal Government will prevail and will not rule out the possibility of imposing a state of emergency.

This comes amidst the wave of insecurity ravaging the state and the south-east region in general.

In the last couple of weeks, at least 10 persons have been killed in various attacks across Anambra.

On Tuesday the South-East Governors Forum said the ‘Ebube Agu’ security outfit will be established in all five states before the end of the year.

The governors said this as part of their eight-point agenda during a meeting that took place at the Enugu State Government House.

“The meeting agreed that the South-East Ebube Agu security outfit be launched in all the southeast states and laws passed in various southeast states before the end of 2021,” the communique read.

The security outfit was established in April as part of plans to checkmate the rising unrest in the region.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum David Umahi, has decried the degeneration of what started as a cry against marginalisation into violence in the region.

He, however, described the agitations for Biafra as madness, saying that most elites in the region do not want it.

According to him, all they want is to be treated equally like other regions in the country.

“Every elite in the south-east is not desirous of Biafra. We don’t want Biafra. We only want to be treated equally like other regions in Nigeria,” Governor Umahi said Wednesday, on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

“So, this idea of Biafra, Biafra is madness”.

ChannelsTV

Angry Residents In Sokoto Community Set Ablaze Six Suspected Bandits

ACNN ADMIN — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 11:52:57 +0000

Some angry community members in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State have set ablaze six suspected armed bandits said to have been involved in an attack that took place on Friday.

A source who pleaded anonymity told Channels Television in a telephone interview on Saturday said that the bandits were apprehended by security forces with the help of some local vigilante members in the area.

The bandits were said to have attacked the community, killing two people and abducting four others.

But according to the source, after the attack, angry members of the communuity chased the bandits and caught them in the nearby bushes.

While the police were planning to transport the suspects to the command headquarters in Sokoto, the angry community members overpowered them and forcefully snatched the suspects from the security personnel.

Thereafter, all the six of them were set ablaze.

When contacted the Sokoto state police command Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Sanusi Abubakar confirmed the incident but refused to give any further comments.

Source: ChannelsTV

Two Officers Killed, One Abducted As Bandits Attacks NDA

ACNN ADMIN — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 08:59:17 +0000

The Nigerian Defence Academy permanent site in Kaduna State, has been attacked by Bandits and have killed two officers and abducting one other officer.

Major Bashir Muhd Jajira, who is the Spokesman for the academy in the state confirmed that the incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday.

“The security architecture of the Nigerian Defence Academy was compromised early this morning by unknown gunmen,” Jajira said in a statement.

“We lost two personnel and one was abducted.”

The bandits were said to have invaded the NDA territory in a vehicle and were said to have passed through the security gate into the academy, disguised in military uniforms, after which they proceeded to the officers’ quarters.

They began shooting sporadically and in the process, killed two officers (a Major and a Squadron Leader), and later on, took another Major away through the nearby bush inside the academy.

The troops of the NDA Quick Response Team became alerted at the sound of the gunfire. At their arrival to the scene, they were unable to rescue the kidnapped officer as the bandits were already gone with the victim.

With respect to this, a combined team of security operatives has now launched a manhunt of the bandits inside the bush including air surveillance with a view to arresting them and rescuing the kidnapped officer.

The Nigerian Defence Academy is located few metres away from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization Afaka, in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where 39 students were abducted by bandits in March.

Presidency Strongly Condemns Hoodlums Attacks On Travelers

ACNN ADMIN — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 12:15:11 +0000

The Presidency condemns the attack earlier Saturday on travellers from a religious event in Bauchi, passing through Jos, the Plateau State Capital and regrets the reported deaths of at least twenty-two persons with several others injured in that ambush on their travelling party.

It is widely known that Plateau State has been one of the states affected by herder-farmer clashes, which have, in a significant way, been curtailed following the intense peace-building efforts of the administration of Governor Simon Lalong.

However, to be clear, this is not an agriculturalist-on-pastoralist confrontation – but rather a direct, brazen and wickedly motivated attack on members of a community exercising their rights to travel freely and to follow the faith of their choosing.

With the evident preparedness of their attackers, it is clear this was a well-conceived and prearranged assault on a known target, location and religious persuasion of the travellers not an opportunist ambush.

The Presidency offers condolences to the families of the victims and continues to liaise closely with the local authorities – including security, the police, and governmental agencies.

These kinds of attacks on our country’s citizens are unacceptable, heinous, and stand in complete contradiction to the teachings of the great religions of our nation.

The Presidency stands steadfast with both Christians and Muslims at this time in condemnation of this latest attack and expects and insists that justice is swiftly – but fairly – delivered to the perpetrators.

“Make no mistake about it: in line with my commitment to protect all Nigerians, I have ordered our security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of this gruesome massacre of innocent travellers and bring them to justice,” President Buhari said.

As the facts of the sad incident continue to unfold, the Presidency commends the ongoing efforts by the Governors of Plateau, Bauchi, and Ondo; the Sultan of Sokoto His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar III and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi as well as a number of notable Christian and Muslim leaders as they intensify efforts to calm down the situation.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 14, 2021

Gumi Accuses Security Agents Of Colluding With Bandits

ACNN ADMIN — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 12:39:58 +0000

The Islamic cleric and self-acclaimed banditry negotiator, Ahmad Gumi on Wednesday, accused security agents of colluding with bandits who are veraciously terrorizing the northern part of the country.

The cleric, who is known to have access to bandits, made the allegation in a chat with Arise TV on Wednesday.

Against this background, the cleric called for immediate overhaul of the nation’s security architecture if the issues of insurgents and banditry must come to an end. Gumi alleged that a lot of bad elements in the nation’s security forces are in collusion with the bandits. According to him, the bandits have been able to access assorted weapons that they use against Nigeria due to the undue cooperation of the security agents with bandits.

He alleged that the security agents were doing business with the security and lives of Nigerians Gumi said, “These bandits, if you don’t know, are cooperating with a lot of bad elements in our security system. This is a business. So many people are involved, you’ll be so surprised.

“They were caught in Zamfara, they were caught everywhere. How do these big weapons cross our borders? How can these big weapons cross our borders and get into the forest without the cooperation of some bad elements of the security operatives assisting them? It is not possible. If I give you the same amount of guns, can you take it to the UK? You can’t, because the security is on the alert. Part of fighting this banditry is to overhaul our security system.”

However, the High Command of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday dismissed the statement credited to the Islamic scholar. In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, it declared that “the sweeping allegation peddled by the scholar is not only sad and unfortunate, but a calculated attempt to denigrate the Nigerian military and undermine the sacrifices of our patriotic troops, who are working tirelessly to restore peace and stability across the country.”

The statement faulted Gumi’s claim and insisted that “contrary to Sheik Gumi’s claims, the Nigerian Army remains a bonafide symbol of national unity that has conducted its constitutional responsibilities in the most professional manner in line with global best practices of adherence to the rules of engagement and protection of the fundamental human rights of the citizenry.”

According to the statement, “It must also be pointed out that while the military is very much receptive to constructive criticism it should not be perceived as a gateway for derogatory comments that have the potential to embolden criminals. “It is also necessary to reiterate that patriotism must be taken to a trajectory where subversive conversations on the state are brought to the barest minimum.

“Opinion leaders are enjoined to demonstrate patriotism in building the peace, rather than being agents of destabilization, thereby aggravating the current security challenges facing the nation.”

Source: Nigerian Tribune

NAF Holds Safety Seminar For Personnel To Minimize Air Crashes Involving Them

ACNN ADMIN — Mon, 31 May 2021 12:57:46 +0000

A safety seminar has been organized for Officers, Airmen /Airwomen attached to the operational, engineering, medical and other support arms and units under the Special Operations Command (SOC), Bauchi of the Nigerian Air Force.

The seminar was organised in a bid to forestall air crashes involving the Nigerian Air Force in recent times that have led to the loss of several lives and properties.

While speaking during the opening ceremony of the Seminar, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Special Operations Command, Air Vice Marshal Charles Ohwo, disclosed that the theme of this year’s Safety Seminar is, ‘Good Domestic Safety Culture, a Panacea for a Behavioural Change towards NAF Operational Efficiency’ saying that it is indeed very timely and apt.

Charles Owho said that: “The objective of this Seminar is to expose those errors that can lead to accidents so that we as an organisation can implement specialized training, auditing and safety measures to preserve our personnel and materiel.”

He added that “The resources involved in the training of our personnel and procurement of the Nigerian Air Forces assets are huge. It is on this premise and the recent incidences that the NAF has witnessed of late, that the CAS directed that we should first look at our homes and environment hence this seminar on Domestic Safety.”

The AOC of the SOC then charged the participants to be innovative and go beyond the normal norms to ensure that the safety of Officers of men and women personnel was guaranteed.

Charles Ohwo further said that the Command is equipped with Air platforms and crew as well as Regiment Force Protection (FP) and Special Operations Force (SOF) elements amongst other trades, adding that the air and ground combat elements are involved in critical and precision operations that necessitate the highest of safety standards and measures.

He opined that “Studies have shown that when a safety culture is developed in an organisation, employee productivity significantly increased, and organisational costs noticeably decreased. The obvious and the main benefit lies on enhancing operational efficiency which is in line with the Chief of the Air Staff’s Vision.”

According to him, the Safety Seminar 2021 is the third since the inception of the Command in 2016 and has grown to 17 units spread across 13 locations in the area of its coverage.

In his welcome address, the Command Operation Officer and Acting Command Evaluation Officer, Air Commodore Francis Ankeli, said that the Seminar was intended to encourage Commanders to seek a practicable approach in ensuring best practices while in the field of operations.

Francis Ankeli said that “Likewise, Pilots, Engineers, Regiment personnel, technicians, Medical, Air Traffic Controllers and all other support personnel are required to acquaint themselves with the best global practices in enhancing safety standards and fostering safety culture.”

The Acting Command Evaluation Officer added that “This Seminar is designed primarily to expose us to those errors that could cause domestic accidents and invariably impede the productivity of pilots, operators, maintenance crew, Regiment and support personnel.

“When we know the sources and causes of accidents, we would protect ourselves and our assets against accidents and thus enhancing our safety and operations in the NAF,” he further stated.

As he puts it, “According to the United Kingdom Health and Safety Commission, organisations with a positive safety culture are characterized by communications founded on mutual trust, by shared perceptions of the importance of safety and by confidence in the efficacy of preventive measures.”
Source: Nigerian Tribune

Lawan, Gbajabiamila Identify Challenges, Seek Solutions At The National Security Summit

ACNN ADMIN — Wed, 26 May 2021 13:09:08 +0000

Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila at the National Security Summit held on Wednesday, March 26, 2021. Photo Credit:@HouseNGR

The National Security Summit commenced on Wednesday with leaders of the National Assembly seeking urgent solutions to insecurity confronting the nation.

Speaking at the summit which was held at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Abuja, Senate President Ahmed Lawan said the procurement processes by security agencies must be reviewed by the National Assembly.

Senator Lawan said the security architecture of the country must be reviewed, for better results.

The lawmaker noted that there is no better investment than investing in security right now, maintaining that the non-functioning local government system and traditional system, are major challenges for the country.

While the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, in his address, admitted that insecurity threatens the foundation of the country, he said previous and current approaches have been unable to fix it.

He fears that Nigeria is a nation under attack but believes that we will pull through.

“I assure all Nigerians that the House of Representatives remains committed to doing our part to enhance the government’s efforts at securing our country/protecting the lives and investments of Nigerians and all those who believe in our country,” Gbajabiamila who represents Surulere I Constituency of Lagos State, said.

President Muhammadu Buhari was represented at the event by the Secretary-General of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.

The SGF believes Nigeria will overcome the security challenges and urged Nigerians to commit to a common endeavor in the national interest.

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi who was one of the monarchs at the event, noted that the country cannot continue to do the same thing repeatedly and expect a different result.

According to him, youths are neglected, hungry and angry and that is why they are actively involved in crime and contributing negatively to the insecurity in the country.

The Chief of Defence Staff in his address promised that the Armed Forces would take every measure necessary to restore peace to Nigeria and will defend the constitutional order at all times.

Source: Channels tv

Final Farewell: Army, Family Disagreement Slightly Delays COAS Burial

ACNN ADMIN — Mon, 24 May 2021 09:34:11 +0000

There was a slight disagreement on Saturday between the family of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, and the Nigerian Army over the COAS’ burial.

The disagreement led to a short delay of the COAS’ interment as his family insisted that he must be buried without a coffin in accordance with Islamic injunction.

But some senior army officers argued that Attahiru’s remains would be buried according to military traditions.

After some time, the family was convinced by the superior arguments and the grave was widened to accommodate the coffin.

Attahiru and 10 other military officers were involved in a crash on Friday at the Kaduna International Airport.

It was reported that the aircraft conveying the military officers, with registration number 5N-R203, was billed to land at the Nigerian Airforce Base in the Mando area of Kaduna but diverted to land at the civil airport due to inclement weather.

Apart from Attahiru, other victims were Brigadier Generals Ahmed Kuliya, O Olayinka, and MI Abdulkadir; Majors N Hamza, LA Hayat; Sergeants O Adesina, and Umar; as well as Aircraftman OM Oyedepo, Flt Lt TO Asaniyi, and Flt Lt AA Olufade.

Deceased’s wife, sister collapsed amid untimely farewell

It was a sombre moment as the remains of the COAS, Attahiru, and 10 others were interred at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on Saturday, in full military honours 24 hours after the incident.

Military officers in ceremonial dress with black band tied around their arms trooped into the cemetery to pay their last respects.

The burial ceremony was overseen by the Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army, led by its Commander, Brig Gen Takuti Usman.

It commenced with the arrival of senior retired and serving officers and other government officials, including a former COAS, Lt Gen Azubuike Ihejirika; Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.

Meanwhile, as the ceremony was underway, a sister of one of the deceased officers collapsed around 4.12pm and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance with registration number, NDC160.

The wife of one of the late officers who also fainted was revived and whisked away in a sport-utility vehicle.

The remains of the Beachcraft 350 aircraft occupants were buried at the National Military Cemetery located on the Shehu Yar’Adua Road (also called Airport Road), in the Federal Capital Territory.

The deceased officers’ final journey on Saturday started from Kaduna, where the crash occurred.

Their corpses were airlifted and received at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 11am by senior military officers.

The remains were thereafter conveyed in ambulances amidst tight security to where funeral services were held for them.

The corpses of victims who were Muslims were driven to the National Mosque, Abuja, where Salāt al-Janāzah prayer was held in their honour, while the bodies of the Christian victims were taken to the Nigerian Air Force Protestant Church located inside the Air Force Base for their funeral service.

Lawan, Sultan, others bid Attahiru, others farewell

Hundreds of family members, friends and sympathisers, as well as serving and retired military officers stormed the National Mosque, where prayers were said for the repose of the souls of Attahiru and five other officers who were Muslims.

Among those present at the ceremony were the Yobe State Governor and Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress, Mai Mala Buni; Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum; and former governors Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi) and Kabiru Gaya (Kano).

Others included the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami; Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen; and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar.

The event, which was initially scheduled to start at 10am, was delayed till 12.30pm.

The bodies of the deceased officers, e conveyed in six ambulances, arrived at the mosque at 12.25pm.

The Janazah prayer, however, did not hold until 1.45pm after the Muslims said the regular 1pm prayer in the mosque.

While the people waited, family members were allowed to see the bodies of the slain officers in the vehicles.

Some of them were seen wailing while others said prayers.

The Janazah prayer was led by one of the four imams of the National Mosque, Sheikh Ahmad Onilewura.

The six bodies, which were in caskets draped in the national flag, were laid on the floor as the prayers were said. The prayer took place at the southern side of the mosque.

After the prayer that lasted less than 10 minutes, the caskets were taken back into the ambulances, and driven out of the premises shortly after.

Speaking to journalists after the prayers, Lawan said, “I really feel so sober, that this is how life is. The Chief of Army Staff particularly was someone who was attending a function that could have taken place today (Saturday). Now, this is what has happened to him and his colleagues. Anyone of us could die at any time. So, we should always prepare for that kind of a day. May Almighty Allah grant them Aljannah Firdaus.”

Onilewura, who also spoke to journalists, described death as a leveller, warning Nigerians, especially the elite, to be godly in their dealings as no one could escape death.

Family members weep at church

At the NAF Protestant Church, the mood was initially pensive as bereaved family members arrived.

The palpable silence on the premises, however, changed when the siren of the ambulances conveying the remains of Brigadier General Olayinka of the Nigerian Army; and Flt Lt Olufade, Flt Lt Asaniyi, Sgt Adesina and Aircraftman Oyedepo of the Air Force rented the air.

Sympathisers had a hectic time consoling the grieving family members as the caskets, draped in national colours, were being moved one after the other into the church hall.

At the service, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Isiaka Amao, admonished friends, families and colleagues of the deceased officers not to allow the sacrifices of the deceased to be in vain.

Amao said, “As members of the Armed Forces and citizens of this great nation, we must be consoled that the legacy they left behind is the ultimate sacrifice they have paid in service of our motherland.

“We must, therefore, continue to remember them and not let their sacrifices be in vain. I appeal to you, however, to take solace in God, who is the greatest comforter.”

Amao also encouraged members of the Armed Forces who were present to emulate the selflessness, courage and commitment shown by the deceased military men.

Also, the Director of the Chaplaincy, Group Capt Dogo Gani, asked the bereaved to put their confidence in God who knew best and would comfort them in their down moments.

Special prayers were offered for the deceased’s families while the victims’ remains were thereafter driven to the National Military Cemetery for burial.

Buhari absent at burial site

The President, Muhammadu Buhari, was conspicuously absent both at the National Mosque and the National Military Cemetery where dignitaries paid their last respects to the Chief of Army Staff and others.

According to the programme of events at the cemetery, Buhari was assigned to deliver special remarks as the Commander-in-Chief.

But he was, however, represented at the event by the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd.).

The President returned to the country on Thursday after a four-day official visit to France.

Magashi had on Friday evening led a delegation of top government officials to the Presidential Villa, Abuja to formally inform Buhari of the crash.

In his remarks on Saturday, Magashi, speaking on Buhari’s behalf, urged members of the armed forces and all Nigerians to uphold the virtues the late COAS and the other deceased officers.

He said, “The late Attahiru was an icon of professionalism, bravery and discipline. And he aptly demonstrated these attributes through his national and international military assignments which culminated is being the Chief of Army Staff.

“The late COAS inspired courage and confidence in the Nigerian Army, which informed the successes recorded under his watch.”

At the burial, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor, assured Nigerians that Attahiru’s death had not halted the war against insecurity in the country.

He said, “The sting of death, you have not stopped the fight against all forms of insecurity.

“To my fellow Nigerians, the challenges are for a moment. The armed forces of Nigeria remain undaunted. We are unmovable; the war against insecurity must be won, truly must be won.”

Army flag flies at half-mast at headquarters

Meanwhile, gloom enveloped parts of the FCT from early morning on Saturday.

The flag of the Nigerian Army was seen flying at half-mast at its headquarters within the Armed Forces Complex in Garki, Abuja at about 10.30am when one of our correspondents visited.

Osinbajo mourns

The Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday joined other Nigerians to mourn the late COAS and others.

His condolence message was contained in a statement made available to journalists by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, titled ‘Death in service of Army Chief, Attahiru, others reflect depth of sacrifice.’’

Source: PUNCH

Afenifere Knocks Northern Govs Over Stance On Southern Colleagues’ Position: Asaba Declaration

ACNN ADMIN — Wed, 19 May 2021 09:23:13 +0000

The pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, on Tuesday, found errors in the claim by northern governors that their southern counterparts are not meant to have taken another resolution on restructuring and total ban on open grazing, having decided upon the issues already at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of the group, reacting to the position of the Northern Governors’ Forum, as stated by its chairman and Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, said there was nothing wrong with the call by southern governors who met in Asaba, Delta State, to ban open grazing, while also demanding for restructuring of the country.

Reacting to the positions of the southern governors, their northern counterparts expressed disappointment over resolutions of the meeting, saying the ban on open grazing had been resolved at the meeting of NGF and passed to the presidency. Speaking on “Radio Now 95.3 FM Lagos,” Lalong said most of the issues raised by the southern governors, especially the banning of open grazing had been discussed.

“Many of the issues raised are not new to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum because we had raised the issues before, particularly the issue of open grazing. Northern governors met on this issue and raised a communique. That communique led us to convene Governors’ Forum meeting. It was adopted and we took the resolutions to the president that we are against the current system of open grazing,” he said.

He added that in view of the growing urbanisation and population of the country, all the governors agreed to sensitise herdsmen on the need to adopt new method of herding which was ranching or other acceptable methods.

He queried: “As I am talking to you, many of the states have put up the process of establishing ranching law. Plateau State has sent a bill to the state assembly on ranching, Kaduna is already doing that, Nasarawa is preparing to do that. So at what stage did we say we are encouraging open grazing?”

The Plateau State governor said if the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) has been well accepted and put on ground by now, the country would not be talking of farmers/herders clashes. “To me, there’s no need for southern governors to begin to bring it up as an issue again because all of us have adopted the banning of open grazing. After the northern governors’ meeting, we presented it to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and tabled it before the president. It is not a new thing,” he stated.

He said the position of the southern governors had not helped the collective decision, adding that it was out of place to take the same issue to the region for discussion.

On restructuring, Lalong said the northern governors had set up a committee on it, headed by the governor of Sokoto State with Plateau State deputy governor as the secretary. He also said herdsmen are the major reason for insecurity in the country, as he cited the militancy in the South-South and call for secession by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Carpeting his stand, Adebanjo, speaking on telephone with the Nigerian Tribune, said the 17 southern governors did nothing contrary and never escalated any issue. He said, they rather emphasised the urgency of the matters, as no action had been taken by the presidency to which, according to Governor Lalong, earlier resolution of the NGF had been submitted.

“That is their decision, there is nothing wrong about it. If it is true that all the governors had decided on the issues, what is wrong with that? They have not done anything contrary to what they had decided upon earlier, rather, what they are doing is emphasising on those matters because of the urgency,” Chief Adebanjo said.

“After they had taken the decision on the issue at the NGF level, has government acted on it? Once there has not been any action on it, the governors have the right to repeat it,” he further stated.

World’s Spotlight Will Be On Nigeria In 2023 – British High Commissioner

ACNN ADMIN — Wed, 19 May 2021 08:22:09 +0000

Catriona Laing, the British High Commissioner To Nigeria during her meeting with Governor Nysome Wike on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.

British High Commissioner To Nigeria, Catriona Laing on Tuesday says there will be a spotlight on Nigeria in 2023 as the country holds its general election.

She made this statement will speaking with journalists after her meeting with Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Laing affirmed a better relationship with Nigeria to consolidate the existing gains from the bilateral association and improve the nation’s electoral system.

She said the 2023 general elections is not only important to Nigeria but crucial for the advancement of Africa’s democracy.

Speaking, she said the UK government is committed to partnering with Nigeria to tackle the security challenges across the country to specially, guarantee the smooth conduct of the 2023 general elections.

On the issue of insecurity, the British High Commissioner said the UK government, through its military presence in Nigeria, is sharing and comparing notes with the Nigerian security forces on its counter-terrorism operations in other parts of the world, including Northern Island, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Laing, however, warned that these kinds of security challenges are not solved by military actions alone.

She noted that the solution to the challenge will include the rebuilding of trust with the Nigerian people and “tackling the underlying economic driver”.

She also said mentioned the concern of the British Government on the issues bordering on environmental safety and protection following complaints by the civil society groups, particularly the ongoing Clean-up exercise in Ogoni Land.

The British Envoy said her discussion with Governor Wike also bordered on the prospect of the state’s economy and the creation of jobs.