Security
Insecurity: Group commends NSA, says bill seeking arms bearing in self-defence is invitation to doom – CSO
A Civil Society Organisation has commended President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu for the approach to tackling insecurity in the country, noting that the level of attack was gradually whittling down.
Operating under the aegis of Civil Coalition for Credible Election, CSCCE, its Convener, Hon. Aminu Usman, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday decried the massive illegal circulation of arms, weapons and explosives in the system, stressing that if Nigerians are allowed as suggested by the bill, Nigeria will transit to doomsday.
The reaction was at the backdrop of a bill seeking Nigerians to be able to defend themselves against bandits and terrorists, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North Senatorial District.
The group pointed out that the alarming number of weapons in circulation has made it impossible for the bill to sail through, hence, they called on lawmakers in the upper and lower legislative Chambers to reject it.
The group said: “We are also quick to object to the proposed bill lying in the National Assembly proposing for citizens to bear arms in self-defence.
“Without mincing words, the bill which was sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North Senatorial District which has passed first reading is an invitation to anarchy and perdition and should be rejected.
“In a survey carried out by a Swiss-based non-profit organisation in 2020, said Nigeria had an estimated 6.2 million arms, excluding explosives in hands of non-state actors, a number far more than the Nigerian military with 586,600 guns and light weapons.
“The non-state actors and some civilians have used illegal arms to wage war against the State and legalizing the use of weapons as captured in the “general principles” of the bill as it were would not be in the interest of the nation.
“Therefore, the Civil Society Coalition for Credible Election is calling on the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and lawmakers of the upper and lower legislative Chambers to reject the bill as soon as it is due for debate.”
According to the group, residents of communities in Katsina State who deserted their homeland due to terrorists invasion have returned home, while they called on government to intensify effort towards full restoration of peace across the nation.
The group which has strong interest in election, security and economic wellbeing of Nigerians, applauded the Federal Government and Security Agencies for raising to the ocassion of tackling banditry and terrorism in the country, insisting that Tinubu took over governance, when insecurity was at its peak.
They said: “We can effectively say, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over governance at no ‘peace time’, given the massive insecurity of banditry, kidnapping, abductions and communal crisis at a high scale level across the country at the time.
“Statistics of Nigerians killed due to banditry, kidnapping, abductions and wanton attacks on communities, particularly in the Northern part of the country stood at 63,111 in eight years of the former President Muhammadu Bulari-led alone as reported in Vanguard of May 20, 2023 shortly before he handed over to President Tinubu.
“Also, in four years, i.e. from 2019 to 2023, which was the last four years of Buhari, the figure of Nigerians killed stood at 35,800, a well-researched figure published by Vanguard on May 20, 2023 and many other national and online media outlets in the country.
“Our commendation will not only go to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or head of Security Chiefs who are leaving no stone unturned to change the trajectory, but to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who has been relentlessly galvanizing and advising Mr President in a frankly manner on approach to tackling modern day terrorism and all forms of criminalities.
“Nuhu Ribadu’s capability to identify, isolate and process different causes of crises, arising from terrorism, banditry, religious, social, political, economic and communal has made the approach to tackling insecurity in the last nine months effective, moreso, that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) as it is currently has become completely apolitical and is facing the task of advising Mr President on security in a professional and objectively manner.
“The combined effort of security agencies have decimated activities of terrorists across the country and this is no gainsaying.
“As we speak, communities in about seven Local Government Council Areas in Katsina State, the home state of the immediate past President in the North West that have been under siege of bandits for years have been liberated and residents are back to those communities preparatory for farming season.
“One among many residents of communities that have returned is Shimfida in Jibia Local Government Council of Katsina State. Shimfida is located a kilometer from the dreaded forest that is a hideout for terrorists, but with the efforts of the government, life has returned.”
As public outrage continue to trail the killing of travelers in Uromi, Edo State on Thursday 27th March, 2025, the Nigerian Police authorities in the State has announced the arrest of 14 suspects in connection with the killing.
The victims said, to be hunters were travelling to the Northern part of the country when mob swooped and killed them on suspicion that they are Fulani kidnapper.
The Police said, they are 16 powers and all of them were killed.
The Spokesman for the Police Command, Moses Yamu said some persons have been arrested in connection with the attack.
“In the course of investigations, fourteen (14) suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime, while an emergency meeting was convened with stakeholders and members of the community to address the situation,” Yamu said in a statement on Friday.
Narrating how the incident happened, the Edo Police Command said it occurred when a “truck with registration number KKF 225 XA coming from Port Harcourt, conveying 25 travellers from Elele, a suburb of Rivers State, was accosted by some vigilante group members at Uromi, and some of the travelers who found in possession of locally made dane guns were arrested”.
“While this was ongoing, some vigilante members raised an alarm of them being suspected kidnappers, which led some members and passersby in the community to attack and lynch sixteen (16) of the occupants while the truck conveying them was equally burnt.
“Police operatives attached to the Uromi Division got wind of the incident and swiftly stormed the scene where ten (10) of the travelers were rescued, two of whom sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital where they are currently positively responding to treatment.”
Yamu said a unit of Police Mobile Force personnel with other command tactical teams had been deployed to the area to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
The police said “investigations continue” over the incident and cautioned “against any form of reprisal attacks”.
The new Commissioner of Police in Niger State, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman has sent a strong warning to criminals operating in the State and vowed that his tenure as a Police boss would change the tide for them or else they should relocate elsewhere.
He sent this warning after he assumed office upon his posting to the State, insisting that criminal elements should stay clear of the State or be ready to incur the full weight of the command.
He said the command under his watch will engage a high level of professional standards in effectively policing the state calling on well meaning individual and critical stakeholders to partner with him in ensuring crime free Niger State.
According to the CP, he is already aware of the activities of youth restiveness and other criminal activities in Minna the state capital assuring that he will make the state unbearable for them.
Speaking through the Command Public Relation Officer (PPRO), while Fielding Question from Journalists at the Police headquarters in Minna Friday, Wasiu Abiodun,SP insisted that the command will not fold its hands to watch some disgruntled elements engaging in an act that will breach the security of the people.
He underscores his command preparedness to ensure the maintenance of law and order in policing the command through community related policing appealing to officers and men of the command to leave above board in making Niger State unsafe for criminal minded elements.
In his words,” as you know, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman just took over the mantle of the command on Thursday the 27th, of March 2025.
“He addressed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and other sectional heads of the Command. He assured them of building on the legacy of his Predecessor CP Ebenezer Shawulu Danmaman.
“He also requested that they should extend their hands of fellowship to him for him to succeed in chasing and curtail the activities of these miscreants to the barest level in Minna the capital of Niger State.”
Speaking on the Command’s preparedness to ensure crime free eid ul-Fitr celebration, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman disclosed that the command will deploy enough personnel to all praying grounds across the state. This according to him is to ensure the safety of worshipers.
He warned parents and guardians in the state to monitor the activities of their wards and children to guard against any act that will bring them to face the wrath of the law.
While appreciating men and officers of the Command for their professional resilience in the maintenance of law and order, CP Abdullahi Elleman warned that he has zero tolerance for any act of unprofessional conducts that will bring the Command to ridicule.
In a bid to strengthen security of lives and property and to foster peaceful coexistence in Ijumu Local Government Area, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command CP Miller G. Dantawaye, convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders, within the Local Government, to address pressing security concerns and enhance community Policing efforts.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ovye Aya, made available to CAPITAL POST on Tuesday, said, the meeting was attended by prominent dignitaries, including the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara, Rtd, the representative of the Department of State Services (DSS); the member, representing Ijumu, at the State House of Assembly, the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, the Chairman of the Local Government, the Olujumu of Ijumu, as well as members of Miyetti Allah.
In his address, the CP emphasized the importance of collaboration in tackling insecurity. He called for intelligence-sharing between residents and Security Agencies, stressing that law enforcement alone cannot ensure safety without community support. He called for the effective collaboration between the Police and their host community.
He further assured of involving immigration agencies to monitor and regulate movement as well as Proper documentation that will enhance accountability and reduce security threats within the Local Government.
The meeting also addressed land ownership rights, the role of traditional institutions, and the need for structured conflict resolution. The CP urged all parties to respect existing leadership structures and seek peaceful resolutions through dialogue.
Reaffirming the Police unwavering commitment to professionalism and human rights, the CP warned against lawlessness, stating that Security Agencies are fully prepared to take action against any individual or group threatening the peace in the area. He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly.
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