Security

Fund relevant agencies properly to tackle using children for terror acts – Cleric

By Web News 434

Government at all levels have been called upon to ensure proper funding of relevant agencies saddled with the responsibility of sensitizing the public on the need to discourage the recruitment of child soldiers for terrorism. 

The Missioner, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Osogbo Osun State, Imam Muhammad Adeniran made the call when the Management team of the State Chapter of National Orientation Agency, NOA, led by the Director, Mr Oluropo Ibikunle during an advocacy visit to the society. 

Imam Adeniran said the Holy Quran described children as gifts, trust, trials and comforting the eyes, hence the need for parents to expose them to religious values from a tender age for them to impact society positively.

The cleric condemned the situation where young children were being lured into carrying out acts of terror, including the use of hard drugs.

Imam Adeniran, who commended the activities of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, emphasized the continuous sensitization of stakeholders who would disseminate the message to people in remote areas across the nation. 

Speaking on the purpose of the advocacy, the State Deputy Director of Human Resources, NOA, Mrs Kikelomo Ahmed explained that reports from some countries indicated that some people engaged in false religious teachings to lure the mind of children into terrorism. 

Earlier in a remark, the State Director, National Orientation Agency, Mr Oluropo Ibikunle, who explained that religious Leaders have a grip on public opinion, emphasized that the fight against terrorism and banditry must be collective efforts of all and sundry.

Mr Ibikunle cautioned parents and guardians against releasing their children and wards to unknown persons under the guise of offering them a better life. 

He reiterated the commitment of the agency to promoting the policies of the government and sensitizing the public on them. 

Other members of the NOA team included the Deputy Director Planning and Resources, Mrs Bukola Morgan, Deputy Director Programmes Prince Adebiyi Adefarasin, Deputy Director Account, Prince Oluwasegun Adelani, Assistant Director Special Duties, Mr Alaba Afolabi and Internal Auditor, Mr Yisau Akinlabi.

Moji Abey

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Politics

Mattawalle’s firearms advice came out of frustration – Okowa

By Web News 403

The Delta State governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, says the party is poised to take back the governorship seat in the July 16 Osun State election.

Governor Okowa, who spoke to State House correspondents shortly after he met Vice President Yemi Osinbajo , at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

He also faulted the proposal by his Zamfara State counterpart, Bello Matawalle, that state residents should bear firearms to defend themselves from terrorists.

Fielding question on how prepared his party, the PDP was in the forthcoming Osun governorship election, he said “A lot is being done. We look forward to the elections. I’m sure the APC would expect a stiff competition. We agree that they are the government in power in that state but they will be definitely expecting a very stiff competition from us. We are poised to take back that state.”

On Matawalle’s proposition for state citizens to take up arms, he faulted the idea saying, though birthed out of frustration, it would have telling consequences for the overall security of the region.

Okowa said, “I think they need critical thinking because you have to also be in a position to examine the recommendations being made. When recommendations are made and you have not thought through it in full about the consequences of such, then it is also a problem.”

The governor argued that with the insecurity biting hard, the government must address insecurity holistically, with a long-term strategy in mind.

Vanguard/Maxwell Oyekunle

Judiciary

Court Frees Kanu of Eight Terrorism Charges

By Web News 514

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, struck out eight of the 15 terrorism and felony charges brought by the Federal Government against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Justice Murtala Nyako, while ruling on a preliminary objection filed by the IPOB leader, freed Kanu on eight counts.

In this instant preliminary objection application, I have read the counts and come to the conclusion that counts six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12 and 14 have not disclosed any offence against the defendant.

“‘Counts one, two, three, four, five, eight and 15 show some allegations, which the defendant has to answer.

“The court shall proceed to try the defendant on those counts,” Justice Nyako said.

Newspeak/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Security

NSCDC Begins Counter Terrorism Training For Officers

By Web News 1310

Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Oyo State Command has begun training of over one hundred and fifty personnel in counter terrorism bedeviling the country. 

The two-day training was led by counter terrorism unit commander, of NSCDC, Mr Akintoye Akande.

Radio Nigeria reports that, in recent times, Nigeria has been battling with numerous securtiy challenges ranging from terrorism, banditry,  kidnapping,  robbery to herders and farmers clashes.

In view of this, securtiy agencies have at different times come up with various mechanisms to ensure that they collectively nip crime in the bud.

Also, government at all levels have put in various measures to bring crime and criminalities to the barest minimum.

The NSCDC counter  terrorism commander in Oyo State, Mr Akintayo Akande said the training and retraining of officers became imperative as the issue of banditry and terrorism have become things of worry.

Mr Akande stated further that the training was key and timely to situate NSCDC in a position of readiness and quick action to put an end to crime AMD criminalities. 

Two of the  participants, Christiana Unuofin and Ajayi Olanrewaju said the training would further enhance their knowledge and put them on the cue so as to be able to tackle the issue of terrorism,  banditry and others social vices.

Declaring the 2-days training open, NSCDC commandant in Oyo State, Mr Iskilu Akinsanya, said training and retraining of officers and men on the job would definitely go a long way as the nation and entire global world is battling against securtiy challenges. 

Mr Akinsanya noted that there was the need Corps NSCDC to develop a robust internal policy to train her counter terrorism unit personnel to meet with the crises.

The NSCDC Boss in Oyo State said the training would include insurgency and mechanisms, visible terrorism, combating terrorism and attacking the terrorist bandit camp as well as basic psychology on self defence. 

Rasheedah Makinde