Insecurity in Northwest threatens to 2023 polls, census – El-Rufai

Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has warned that the security challenges in the North-West and Niger State are far more serious than what is happening in the North-East, saying that, it poses clear danger to the conduct of the 2023 general elections and population census if not immediately nipped in the bud.

Governor El-Rufai who stated this while receiving the 2022 second and third quarter security report at the Government House in Kaduna,said that the best way to quickly end the security challenges posed by bandits and insurgents is, the establishment of a Theatre Command, similar to the one in place in the North-East.

Earlier in his report, the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said, a total of 285 and 160 citizens were killed as a result of banditry in Kaduna state in second and third quarter respectively, while figures of kidnapped victims stand at 985 and 804.

The figures according to Aruwan are indications that the various security operations launched by the military and other security agencies were yielding positive outcomes.

Speaking at the event which had in attendance the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, traditional rulers, heads of security agencies and government functionaries, El-Rufai said, the challenges in the region requires a comprehensive and consistent sweep, across the Northwest and Niger states for sustained success.

According to the governor, “We have just seen the presentation made by Samuel Aruwan, our Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs. In stark terms, it demonstrates the continued severity of the security challenges and the unfortunate toll in killings, kidnappings, injuries and threats to the livelihoods of our people. We regret the pain and losses. We pray for the repose of the souls of those killed, pay tribute to the victims of various crimes and reiterate our solidarity with them.

“The figures show a pattern of reductions in the gravity of security incidents in the second and third quarters of 2022, compared to the first quarter. This is a consequence of the intensification of offensive security operations against the bandits in recent months. We have for years called for a comprehensive and sustained assertion of the prerogatives of the state, through combined air and ground military and police operations. This is the most effective way to protect our people, uphold law and order and enhance the ability of our people to the peaceful pursuit of their livelihoods.

“We thank the Federal Government for finally authorising the launch of these military and police offensives. We commend the military and security forces for their efforts and sacrifices as they work to uproot the criminals. I wish to stress that in this region, this vital mission requires a comprehensive and consistent sweep, across the Northwest and Niger states for sustained success.

“For us, that is the abiding lesson of the security operations that were launched in 2015/2016, as a collaboration between the states in the area and the Federal Government. The initial success that the operation recorded in the Kamuku-Kuyambana forest ranges was not consolidated through continuous operations, and the criminal elements were thus able to recover, regroup and resume.

“That lesson and the continued nature of the cross-state operations of these criminals inform the view of the Kaduna State Government that a Theatre Command, similar to the one in place in the North-East, is required. Effective security operations in the seven states of the North-West and Niger State which have continuous and contiguous forest ranges, require this approach.

“We wish to repeat this appeal which we have made in public and in private for many months. A North-West Theatre Command will enable a holistic approach to counter-insurgency operations across the affected states and the enhanced coordination of the resources of the Armed Forces, the Police, the SSS, our respective State Vigilance Services, hunters and other local volunteers to fight the insurgents.

“It is our opinion that the insurgency in the North-West is not only more serious than what exists now in the North-East, but presents a clear danger to the holding of the 2023 elections and census if not nipped in the bud now.

“On our part, the Kaduna State Government will continue to do everything within the powers of a state to enhance security. We have invested considerable resources and energy in managing security to the extent that the constitution permits a subnational. Our interventions since 2015 include supporting the federal security agencies deployed in our state with vehicles and other logistics, collaborating with other frontline states to fund military operations in the 2015-2016 period and investments in security infrastructure and technology. The lessons learnt in the 2016-2019 period informed our decision to establish the first sub-national Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs at the beginning of our second-term in 2019.

“The mandate of the Ministry is to manage the state government’s relationship with the federal security agencies deployed in the state and to coordinate their activities towards securing our people in an atmosphere of unprecedented challenges. This entails building strong relationships with these agencies. Through the Ministry, the state is deepening intelligence gathering from communities. It also runs the 24-hour Security Operations Room.

“But the extent of interventions in security by the State Government is constitutionally limited. The Federal Government has to more vigorously exercise its constitutional powers and urgently spearhead a national effort to strengthen our security forces. The Federal Government has to sustain the effort to promptly address the needs of the SSS, military and police for modern technology, advanced armaments, equipment and more boots on the ground,” he said.

Speaking on the concerns raised about political thuggery as the country approaches the 2023 general elections, El-Rufai said the concerns must be addressed in a proactive manner, through profiling of political actors, mapping of their thugs and bringing them to justice immediately.

He said, “those engaged in propagating injurious falsehood and incitement need to be vigorously prosecuted. The case of the Birnin Gwari lynching and the statement that followed needs to be followed with prosecution and conviction.”

Earlier, the Security Commissioner said, 258 persons were injured in the 2nd quarter while 156 in the 3rd quarters,with 5,999 rustled animals for 2nd Quarter and 1,133 in the 3rd Quarter.were reported to have been rustled by bandits within the same period.

He noted that arms and ammunition intercepted in the 2nd quarter includes 52 AK-47 ,1,654 live rounds of ammunition and five locally made riffles among others while 22 AK-47 and 3,744 live rounds of ammunition and 11 pump action magazines were intercepted in the 3rd quarters within the period under review.

Aruwan said 59 bandits were neutralized by the ground force for the 2nd quarter while 109 were neutralized through various operations in the 3rd quarter and identified bandit camps within the zone.

US terror alert set Nigeria on panic mood, yet we won’t run away – Lai Mohammed

Speaking at the event, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed again reacted to the recent security alert issued by the United States Embassy in Nigeria, saying that the public exposure of the alert has done nothing but terrorised Nigerians and set the country in a panic mood.

He however said that Nigerians will not run out of their country despite the alert, but fight to ensure that their country becomes safe, stable and prosperous.

The Information Minister stated categorically that, Nigerian military, working in concert with the government, has what it takes to handle the security situation in Nigeria.

Mohammed reiterated that the Federal Government, like any other responsible government, will not swallow hook line and sinker any security alert from any foreign country.

The Minister also condemned what he described as de-marketing of “their own country”, by a section of the Nigerian media, challenging the media to rather help rectify the trust deficit between the government and Nigerian citizens.

According to him, “what I have witnessed today is a validation of my position that the Nigerian military, working in concert with our government, has what it takes to handle the security situation in Nigeria. And this brings me to the most topical issue today, which is the security alert sent by the United States of America as regards the security situation in Abuja in particular and in Nigeria as a whole.

“I want to say very categorically and without mincing words that, whatever is the intention of this security alert or this travel advisory, what it has done is that, it has terrorized our people and it has set the nation in a panic mood.

“No doubt, the American government has a right to issue travel advisory to its citizens, but that should not go to the extent of scare mongering.

“What the Federal Government has said is that, yes, this particular advisory was meant for the American citizens, but when it was leaked to the media, it caused a lot of panic to our people. And no responsible government will swallow hook line and sinker the security alert from any other foreign country, especially when we have confidence in our own military and other security agencies to gather intelligence and act upon it.

“Since this controversy, people have been asking questions, as soon as we responded that the federal government is in full control, and that we do quite understand the situation, and that we are on top of it, some people have rushed to the media, some even having editorial criticising the federal government. We make no apology that, we said that our military are on top of this situation, that our military are competent and even in some cases pay the supreme sacrifice to keep this secured.

“When the US issued the security alert, what did they expect us to do? To tell Nigerians to run away? No! We did what any responsible government will do, which is to reassure Nigerians, to let them know that the security agencies are on top of this matter and that they are doing everything every day, including laying down their lives, to ensure that me and you sleep peacefully. And this is precisely what has been confirmed by the meeting here today.

Terror alert, insecurity making life difficult for Nigerians —CAN

Expressing concern about the terror alert by the US, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh on Friday said terror scare, insecurity is making life difficult for Nigerians.

Okoh urged all to seek God’s intervention and also pray for a peaceful 2023 general election.

He gave the advice at a ‘day of prayers’ organised by CAN at the Christian ecumenical center, Abuja.

The CAN boss said: “this is a very difficult time for our nation, particularly when we talk about insecurity. You know, it appears that it is increasing every day, with all kinds of rumors, causing all kinds of uncertainty in the minds of people. And even here, you know, when you hear rumors that even the electrons we are preparing for maybe truncated by some elements in the society but we may not know where they are, but God who is a spirits, and the owner of the word and its fullness, knows where they are and where they’re preparing their weapons of war from and He only is able according to what he tells us in the Book of Isaiah, that he is able to disable all the weapons of war, and all the weapons of destruction.

“And now that our country is preparing for the next elections, one of the major things we should do to support our nation to have a peaceful and nonviolent election is to come together and pray. And we are people of faith. We believe that anytime we call upon the name of our Lord, with sincerity, He answers us. And so, CAN decided that it would be a good thing for us to gather, particularly at this time of electioneering campaigns, so that the Lord would grant us a very peaceful electioneering campaign and very peaceful elections.”

Critical election materials already arriving Nigeria -INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Friday, said the critical materials for the 2023 general elections have started arriving in the country.

The commission assured that it will deliver the election materials to all locations nationwide in good time.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure at the inauguration of the Electoral Logistics Committee (ELoC) to oversee the distribution and protection of the election materials.

The committee has a 9-point Terms of Reference and 27-point Duties.

According to Yakubu, “the establishment of the committee is borne out of the commission’s effort to ensure the speedy and safe delivery of huge quantities of sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the 2023 General Election”.

He added that, “the logistics for the clearance, handling, custody, delivery and distribution of enormous quantities of election materials is the biggest operation Nigeria undertakes every four years. For effective coordination, the commission believes that every national asset must be mobilised.

“The establishment of the committee is borne out of the Commission’s effort to ensure the speedy and safe delivery of huge quantities of sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the 2023 General Election. The logistics for the clearance, handling, custody, delivery and distribution of enormous quantities of election materials is the biggest operation Nigeria undertakes every four years. For effective coordination, the Commission believes that every national asset must be mobilized.

“For the movement of election materials and protection of personnel nationwide, Section 27(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 empowers the commission to seek for the support of the armed forces. Accordingly, the three armed services (Army, Navy and Air Force) are members of ELoC.

“Similarly, the Nigeria Police Force, being the lead agency in election security, is also a member as well as the sister security agencies. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) are also members pursuant to their statutory responsibilities for the clearance and release of materials at seaports and other entry points into the country.

“At our various airports, aviation agencies such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Air Space Management Agency (NAMA) play important roles, including the facilitation of access to all airports nationwide for shuttle services for elections as the need arises.

“So too are the aviation handling companies – Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO)- in the provision of ground facilities for loading and offloading of cargo at airports. Furthermore, in 2019, some of the flights conveying essential electoral materials could not land at some airports because of poor visibility.

“Accordingly, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) is a member of ELoC to provide expert advice on weather-related issues to facilitate proper and efficient planning and delivery of materials.”

NPC presents localities documents to communities for census, partners electoral commission

Ahead of the 2023 census by the National Population Commission(NPC), a compendium of localities has been presented to Osun State communities for easy exercise of population and house counting.

This is just as the commission partnered the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and the National Orientation Commission(NOA) for seamless exercise as NPC presented Compendium Of Localities to community leaders and chairmen of 30 local government areas across Osun State after a 2-day workshop held in Osogbo on Friday.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Commission, Nasir Isa-Kwarra reiterated commitment in delivering a reliable and acceptable census in 2023 that will drive sustainable national development.

Isa-Kwarra, who was represented by Senator Mudashiru Hussien said that the commission organized the workshop with other National Stakeholders to finalise and present to the grassroots the final list of localities for the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

He admonished Nigerians to join hands with the commission in the bid to have reliable demographic data through the forthcoming 2023 census.

Also speaking, the Deputy Director of the commission Mrs. Yetunde Adebayo explained that the aim of the workshop is to let the stakeholders know the concept of localities according to the commission in preparation for the 2023 population census.