The National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (retd.), quoted the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), as directing the nation’s service chiefs to identify masterminds of banditry and kidnapping as well as the sponsors with a view to taking them out.
The NSA told State House correspondents that Buhari handed down the directive at a meeting he had with the service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He quoted the President as saying that a situation where the armed forces are reactionary rather than being proactive will no longer be tolerated.
Buhari met the service chiefs ahead of his trip to London for routine medical check-up.
Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde has said God will redeem Nigeria from its current challenges of insecurity, ethnic and religious tension starting from Oyo State.
The governor, who dwelt on the uniqueness of figure seven, said that God will use the seventh election in the Fourth Republic coming up in 2023 to get Nigeria to perfection.
According to him, the fact that Oyo State currently produced the Seventh President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), as well as the Worldwide President of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) is a sign that God loves Oyo State and would redeem the country starting from the state.
This is as the governor also challenged Nigerians to consistently pray for the country and its leaders, noting that there is the need to be clear-headed about the country’s challenges and how to solve the challenges.
Makinde added that the emergence of Bishop Oke as the seventh PFN President at the same period that the 7th Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, His Eminence, Rev. Dr. Supo Ayokunle, is also from Oyo State, showed that the redemption of Nigeria will begin from Oyo State.
The kidnapped schoolgirls of Government Secondary School in Jangebe , Zamfara State have been released and are currently in the palace of the Emir of Anka waiting for transportation to Gusau, the state capital .
A very competent source had informed newsmen that negotiations with the bandits who kidnapped the schoolgirls had reached a very advanced stage, saying “ they may be in Gusau today . ”
The Senate has asked the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd ) , to declare a state of emergency on security without further delay .
The red chamber made the call following a point of order by Senator Sani Musa (APC , Niger East ), on the abduction of students and staff of the Government Science Secondary School in Kagara , Niger State in the early hours of today .
Musa said the terrorist who whisked their victims away were dressed in military uniforms .
He said the actual number of students abducted was not known but that the school had over 1000 students .
The Senator said security agencies had explained that they were on the trail of the criminals .
The Senate demanded the implementation of its ad hoc resolution on security and urged the combined team of military and police to set up an operation to destroy criminal camps across the country.
Senator Sabi Abdullahi , also from Niger State , said the kidnappers and bandits were emboldened by the successes being recorded in the state in recent time as about 100 people had so far been kidnapped in the state .
He said the forest from the FCT which extends to Niger up to Zamfara State was being used by the criminals .
He said the fact that the bandits have invaded Niger State was an indication that the safety of lives and properties of FCT residents is being threatened .
Senator Bima Enagi , also from Niger State , declared that the Buhari regime was incompetent to handle security challenges in the country .
He said , “ We need to amend the constitution so that governors should be chief security officers of their states since the government at the centre had failed to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians .
No fewer than 42 people, including 27 students , were kidnapped when bandits attacked Government Science Secondary School , Kagara in Niger State .
The Niger Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Muhammad Idris , who made this known , also said the whereabouts of three teachers are unknown .
According to him , 12 family members of the teachers were also abducted during the attack .
Idris added that one student , whose identity is yet to be given , was killed .
“ They kidnapped 42 people from the school . They took away 27 students , along with three teachers . They also kidnapped 12 family members of the teachers , ” Idris told AFP by phone.
This is coming barely two months after over 300 students were kidnapped in nearby Katsina State .
On his part, the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , in a statement , condemned the abductions and ordered a rescue operation but did not confirm how many students were missing .
“ The President has directed the Armed Forces and Police , to ensure immediate and safe return of all the captives , ” presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said in a statement .
Nobel Laureate , Prof . Wole Soyinka, says he does not believe the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , is in charge of the captaincy of the nation.
Soyinka spoke on Arise TV programme monitored by newsmen .
He said if the Commander – In – Chief of the Armed Forces were indeed in charge, the insecurity situation in the country won ’ t have degenerated to the present state.
The South – West region has been in the eye of the storm lately over the activities of herdsmen who invade farmlands with their cattle , harass farmers , and in some cases kill them. Some herdsmen have also been accused of kidnapping , rape and other vicious crimes .
Some herdsmen also trespassed on the compound of the respected academic with their cattle despite repeated warnings .
Many Nigerians including the Nobel Laureate had urged the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , to address Nigerians and make it known publicly that he does not support the criminal activities of some herdsmen in parts of the country.
“Buhari does not appreciate the situation, he doesn ’ t understand, I see no evidence that he understands how grave the situation is.
“ I have said it again and again . I don ’ t believe he is in charge because it is not possible in my view for a head of state , a commander – in – chief of the armed forces to say he is presiding over a nation and things get to this level .
“ Something is critically wrong within the leadership of this nation and that is where we civilians must come in , we must pick up the slack for our own situation, for our own salvation .
The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , has assured the newly appointed service chiefs of his prayers as they lead the fight against terrorism, especially in Nigeria ’ s North – Eastern states of Borno , Yobe and Adamawa .
He also advised the service chiefs to give responsibilities to trusted hands , while charging them to be loyal and patriotic .
The Special Adviser to President on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina , stated this in a piece titled, ‘ Inside PMB ’ s First Meeting With New Service Chiefs ’ .
Adesina said the President assured the new service chiefs of his prayers and support, adding that “ victory comes from the divine powers ” .
“ In terms of equipment and other logistics , we are doing our best , and will do more. Give officers you can trust command , and support them. Respect seniority and intellectualism , but also use people who can deliver , those who show courage and leadership qualities .
“ I will be praying for you . I assure you of that . ”
The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of nine Commissioners of Police to Assistant Inspector – General of Police .
It also elevated nine Deputy CPs to CP and 20 , 356 officers who were promoted to their next ranks .
This was contained in a statement by the PSC spokesman , Ikechukwu Ani , titled, ‘ PSC promotes 20 , 356, nine CPs to AIG and nine DCPs to CP. ’
The promotion was one of the decisions of the 11 th plenary meeting of the commission held in Abuja on Wednesday , and presided over by its Chairman , Musiliu Smith , a retired Inspector – General of Police .
The new AIGs are : Aminu Pai , former Commissioner of Police Kwara and Bayelsa States Command , former Force Quarter Master General and currently the Executive Secretary , Police Multi – purpose Cooperative Society , Lagos ; Dasuki Galadanchi , former Commissioner of Police /Executive Secretary, Police Multi -purpose Cooperative Society , Lagos and presently acting AIG, Force CID Annex , Lagos ; Okon Ene , former Commissioner of Police Benue and Abia State Commands , CP SARS and currently CP Explosive Ordinance Disposal , Force Headquarters and Abang John , former Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State Command and presently Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command .
National Assembly Others are Joseph Mukan , former CP, Airport Command , Lagos and currently CP Rivers State ; Aji Ali Janga , former CP Kaduna and Kogi State Commands and currently CP Sokoto ; Mukaddas Garba , presently CP Benue State Command ; Habu Ahmadu , former CP, IGP Monitoring Unit; CP Intelligence , Force Headquarters and CP Bauchi State Command and presently CP Kano State and Imohimi D. Edgal , former Commissioner of Police Lagos and Akwa Ibom States Command .
The nine DCPs promoted to CPs are Abubakar Alhaji , presently DCP Operations , Rivers State ; Benjami Okolo , currently at the National Defence College , Abuja ; Abdul- Yari Shuyamu , presently DCP, Finance and Administration, Taraba State Command ; Oyediran Oyeyemi , DCP State CIID Ebonyi; Samaila Dikko , DCP State CIID Adamawa and Jimwan Dazong DCP Zonal CIID , Zone 12 Bauchi .
Others are Monday Kuryas , DCP Operations , Ondo State ; Hussaini Rabiu , DCP, Operations Imo State and Rabi Umar, former Assistant Force Secretary and presently DCP, Force Education, Force Headquarters , Abuja .
The commission also approved the promotion of three Chief Superintendents to Assistant Commissioner of Police , 1 , 5177 Deputy Superintendents to Superintendents of Police and 2 , 293 Assistant Superintendents to DSP .
It also approved the confirmation of 7 , 283 unconfirmed ASP II to ASPI , 9 , 072 Inspectors to ASPII and promoted 110 Inspectors to Senior Inspectors .
The three Chief Superintendents of Police promoted to ACP are Gotom Richard, Joseph Kaide and Giade Abubakar .
“ Chairman of the commission called on the newly promoted officers to see their new positions as a call to more commitment to duty, ” the statement said .
The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ), has finally appointed new service chiefs for the country.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina , disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘ President Buhari appoints new service chiefs ’ .
It read , “ President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs , and their retirement from service .
“ Those involved are the Chief of Defence Staff , General Abayomi Olonisakin ; Chief of Army Staff , Lt -Gen. Tukur Buratai ; Chief of Naval Staff , Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas ; and Chief of Air Staff , Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar .
“ President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he calls their ‘ overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country, ’ wishing them well in their future endeavours .
“ The new Service Chiefs are : Major -General Leo Irabor , Chief of Defence Staff ; Major – General I . Attahiru , Chief of Army Staff ; Rear Admiral A. Z Gambo , Chief of Naval Staff ; and Air -Vice Marshal I . O Amao , Chief of Air Staff .
“ The President congratulates the new Service Chiefs , and urges them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities. ”
The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , has sacked the service chiefs in the country with immediate effect .
He also appointed new hands to take over the batons of piloting the security affairs of the country.
Special Adviser On Media and Publicity to the President , Femi Adesina , made this known in a tweet .
Adesina wrote , “ PMB appoints new Service Chiefs . Maj Gen LEO Irabor , CDS (Chief of Defence Staff ), Maj Gen I Attahiru , Army, Rear Adm AZ Gambo , Navy , AVM IO Amao , Air Force .
“ He ( Buhari ) congratulates outgoing Service Chiefs on efforts to bring enduring peace to the country. ”
The outgoing service chiefs are General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin ( Chief of Defence Staff ); Lt . Gen. Tukur Buratai (Chief of Army Staff ); Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas ( Chief of Naval Staff ); and Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar ( Chief of Air Staff ) .
The move by the President comes after several demands by Nigerians that the President replace the service chiefs and rejig Nigeria ’ s military apparatus to effectively combat the security challenges confronting the nation in recent times .
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