Speaking through Major General Bamidele Alabi, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, he made these remarks during the Nigerian Army (NA) Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) quarterly media chat, which took place in Agodi Ibadan.

The event, titled “Leveraging Media to Enhance Nigeria’s Internal Security Operations,” was attended by notable figures, including Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Major General Bamidele Omozoje (Rtd), Major General Chris Olukolade (Rtd), as well as media managers and journalists representing various media outlets.

Lagbaja stressed the necessity of fostering a healthy military-media relationship, which he believed would help create a positive perception and sustain popular support for the Army’s counter-terrorism and security operations.

He recognized the media as a critical partner in the Army’s non-kinetic aspects of operations aimed at safeguarding the nation.

The Chief of Army Staff also noted that the media chat was part of civil-military cooperation activities designed to keep the media well-informed, dispel rumors, and provide accurate and timely information, as the media plays a crucial role in nation-building.

Under his leadership, Lagbaja stated that the Nigerian Army has adopted a multi-dimensional approach that requires collaboration from all stakeholders, particularly the media, in addressing the country’s security challenges.

He reassured the nation of the unwavering loyalty of Nigerian Army officers and soldiers to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Lagbaja concluded by expressing his appreciation for the dedication and service of the Nigerian Army’s officers and soldiers in safeguarding the country.

He highlighted the changing security landscape in Nigeria, where the Nigerian Army is engaged in countering terrorists, insurgents, and criminals across the nation, making a strong military-media partnership essential for success.

General Musa made this commitment while delivering a lecture titled ‘Nigeria’s Security and Defence Policies: My Leadership Concept for the Armed Forces’ to participants of Senior Course 46 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna State.

In his address, General Musa highlighted the pressing need to address contemporary and emerging security challenges posed by various threats, including terrorists, bandits, secessionists, and other criminal elements endangering the nation’s stability.

He stressed the importance of fostering synergy between the armed forces and local communities to counter these adversaries effectively, emphasizing that the enemies of the state must either surrender or prepare for total warfare.

Joint operations and synergy among the three military services, combined with effective collaboration with the civilian population, were identified as key factors in achieving a sustainable action plan for national security.

General Musa assured Nigerians that no part of the country would be occupied by criminal elements, pledging that all military operations would be conducted jointly, with active citizen involvement.

General Musa expressed confidence in the armed forces’ readiness to overcome the current security challenges by working together as a cohesive team.

This commitment to a people-centric approach aims to strengthen national security and protect the nation’s corporate existence.

The fugue was given on Thursday by Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice while delivering a speech at the seventeenth meeting of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration Scorecard Series.

“3,000 terrorism cases have been profiled to date out of which over 1,500 cases were prosecuted, with 397 convictions realised”, he said.

According to Malami, there have been 7,000 cases of maritime attacks, armed robberies, pipeline and equipment vandalism, financial crimes, cybercrime, kidnapping, and anti-corruption prosecutions.

The ministry is coordinating the next phase of terrorism-related trials in collaboration with the Federal High Court, the Legal Aid Council, and the Defence Headquarters.

A framework for cooperative terrorism case investigations has also been devised by the AGF’s office in collaboration with pertinent security and law enforcement organizations.

Malami promised he would keep offering advice and directing the administration on prosecutorial and other legal issues.

The President used his opening address at the 16th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), held at the Conference Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja to lament the situation.

According to President Buhari, who doubled as chairman of the summit, illicit weapons and fighters are already infiltrating the region from Russia and Ukraine, a trend that has been noticed to have led to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

Buhari raised the alarm that the situation calls for a reawakening of the border security of the impacted countries of the region.

The President also noted that though a lot had been done to decimate the strength of the Boko Haram terror group and other violent extremist groups in the region, terrorist threats still persist.

He stated: “Let me gladly inform my dear brothers that in keeping with that decision, the MNJTF has since then, successfully conducted three major operations: Ops‘YANCIN TAFKI (I&II) and Ops Lake Sanity I, with, the fourth one, Ops Lake Sanity II, being planned. The next phase of the operation will take into consideration lessons learnt from previous exercises and effectively consolidating the gains attained by preceding Ops.”

Sani said this in a statement obtained by in Kaduna on Thursday, The PUNCH reports.

Recall that the Nigerian Senate, in a resolution on Wednesday, gave legislative backing to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s plan to redesign the  naira notes in circulation.

The motion termed ‘Redesign Of The New Naira Notes By The CBN: A Call For Legislative Support’, noted that pulling the cash outside the banks would do well for the economy as monetary policy decision making would become easier.

The motion led to a rowdy session in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.

However, the Senate, after the rowdy session, offered to provide legislative support for the policy.

It also mandated the Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions to go on oversight to ensure that Nigerians were adequately protected from the CBN, banks and other agencies involved in the process.

Explaining the substance of the motion,  Sani in the statement said based on the arguments and deliberations by his colleagues, he presented that over 80% of naira notes were hoarded outside the banks.

The lawmaker noted that the motion sought to checkmate currency counterfeiting resulting from the prolonged use of the same notes.

“Less notes, especially outside the banking system, will curb terrorism financing. In the same vein the less cash available outside the banking system will reduce corrupt practices engendered by cash exchanges,” he said.

According to him,  the Senate consequently resolved to provide legislative support for the CBN’s policy to redesign the higher value naira notes.

“It has also resolved to direct my committee to embark on an aggressive oversight of the currency redesign process to ensure that Nigerians are protected during the process,” he added.

Sani, who is also the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Kaduna, urged Nigerians to comply with the CBN’s directive to deposit cash holdings at their respective commercial banks.

“I also urge the Senate to support the decision of the CBN given the aforementioned benefits of the currency redesign to the nation,” he added.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this on Monday during his appearance on Channels TV.

The President spokesman noted that for kidnapping to stop and become a thing of past in the country, Nigerians must stop paying ransoms and allow the security agents to do their job.

He said, “You are mentioning all of these about kidnappers and the people that have been taken and the President even in his Sallah message mentioned an appeal he was making to fellow citizens to expose them (the criminals), tell the security agencies where they are and sometimes you also can sympathise with the family members in that highly emotive situation.

“The first priority for most of them is to get their family back and they are willing to pay, and they’ve paid and these payments, whether anybody likes it or not, will continue to fuel terrorism, we have to learn from experiences in other lands that when you pay, you are fuelling terrorism, you are fuelling the hijack and kidnapping of fellow citizens and it will go on and on until simply people call off the bluff and be prepared to allow law enforcement.”

Shehu also spoke on the recent Kuje Prison attack by suspected Boko Haram members.

He said, “I’m a Nigerian, I have family members that live in the society, I don’t come from the moon, I feel it and I have never in any way suggested that there’s no hardship in the country, I have never in any place or position indicated that there’s no criminality.”

The government, however said it was more interested in bringing the “malefactors” to justice.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Muhammadu Buhari stated this on Monday evening, when he appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’.

Recall that the United Arab Emirates (UAE). United Arab Emirates named and prosecuted six Nigerians and 32 others for allegedly financing terrorism.

But the Presidential aid when asked if Buhari would comment on the issue of terrorism at the United Nations General Assembly, following the UAE action,” he replied: “Naming and shaming won’t be the motive. Rather, bringing malefactors to justice would be it.

“Nigeria is not interested in naming and shaming anybody. Rather, it wants to bring them to justice.

“You will see that the UAE has given some names, and the Attorney-General of the Federation(Abubakar Malami) has responded to that matter, saying that in due course, all these people will have their days in court.

“Rest assured that these people will be dragged before justice and justice will have its way.”

This followed a motion on a matter of urgent national importance moved by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (representing Niger East).

Senator Musa’s motion was titled: “The activities of bandits and Boko Haram terrorist in Shiroro, Munya and Rafi Local Government Areas of Niger State has taken a dangerous dimension: Urgent need for Federal Government to deploy troops and other security apparatus to immediately bring an end to the menace of insurgency and terrorism in Niger State and other parts of Nigeria.”

Part of the motion reads: “I can authoritatively confirm that the Boko Haram terrorists have mounted their flags in many of the villages they have captured such as Kaure, Alawa and Magami.

“Inhabitants of these war-torn parts of the State have been abandoned and left to their fate thereby compelling them to wallow in perpetual agony and abject misery.

“Furthermore at this moment primary schools in Gwada, Kuta, Pandogari and Minna have hurriedly been turned to IDP camps following the sacking of nearly 5600 villagers from their ancestral homes in Shiroro, Rafi and Munya local government areas in the last few weeks by bandits who raided the towns and villages. And what this means is that if they can launch attacks without hindrance in Niger East Senatorial District then I don’t see how we can be safe Abuja anymore.

“Again notes before the recent Bandits struck Kagara headquarters of Rafi Local Government, Madaka-Gari, Maikujeri, Magami, Zangouru, Bassa, Gusoro, Galadiman Kogo and Kokki villages where all attacked with casualties as more than 46 people were killed. And between March 2021 to date same terrorist have launched serial attacks on daily basis to adjoining villages of Alawa, Shakodna, Chiri, Kwaki, Ajatayi, Gwassa, Barden Dawaki and Gyammamiya communities in Munya and Shiroro local Government Areas of Niger State killing many innocent people which also resulted to the loss of more than 25 gallant soldiers, mobile policemen and other security personnel, while more than 16 civilians were killed, many others unaccounted and leaving over 2300 displaced, while over 1500 are now sheltered at Primary Schools turned temporary camps at Erena, Galadima-Kogo and Zumba. The number of persons said to have been killed by bandits in Niger East are over 475 between January 2020 to date.

“Further aware that confirmed reports emanating from those affected areas of Allawa and Bassa towns in Shiroro local government, Niger State indicated that the Joint Security Task Force stationed there has been withdrawn.

“However, no reason has been advanced for the withdrawal but observers believe it will not be unconnected with the casualties suffered by the JSTF during last unfortunate invasion and ambushing of the troops stationed at Alawa by the heartless, venomous and hydra-headed terrorists.

“If this menace is not drastically addressed, the attacks will continue and the danger is that it may escalate further to other communities, which are mostly farming communities and they are farmers, may desert their farms this season and this will negatively affect the food sufficiency and economic diversification policy of the Federal Government.”

Buratai noted this, while stating that Nigerians generally misunderstand what insurgency and terrorism mean, hence the chances that terrorism will be over anytime soon is not certain.

Buratai made the remark on his verified Facebook handle few days after Boko Haram massacred rice farmers in Borno State.

Recall that over 40 rice farmers in Zabarmari, Jere Local Government Area of Borno State were beheaded on Saturday, November 28.

“There is general misunderstanding of what insurgency and terrorism entail. There is likelihood of terrorism persisting in Nigeria for another 20 years.

“Citizens responsibility is equally important and imperative. All must cooperate to contain the lingering insecurity. Let there be collective action and responsibility,” Army boss said.

The document declared that any coronavirus carrier now caught purposely exposing himself with the intent to infect others will now be treated as a terrorist by law enforcement agencies.

The third-degree terrorism charge carries a sentence of three to five years in state prison.

The document, signed Wednesday by Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen declares that: “coronavirus appears to meet the statutory definition of ‘biological agent’ under 18 U.S.C., [which means that] such acts could implicate the Nation’s terrorism-related statuse. Threats or attempts to use COVID-19 as a weapon against Americans will not be tolerated”.