My Blog

Category: Security/Insecurity

  • Media urged to champion fight against illegal mining

    …Nigeria loses N41.1bn annually to the menace

    Stakeholders in Nigeria’s extractive industry have called on the media to take the lead in the fight against illegal mining.

    The call was made, Wednesday at a media parley and workshop in Abuja.

    It was disclosed at yhe event that Nigeria currently loses an estimated N41.1 billion annually to the menace of illegal mining.

    The Media Parley and Workshop was titled Illegally, Mining: The Role of the Media, and organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council.

    Declaring the session open, the Chairman of NUJ FCT Council Comrade Grace Ike noted that illegal mining has become a national crisis, threatening not only Nigeria’s economy but also its environment, security, and communities.

    She urged journalists to see themselves as “catalysts for change” by investigating, exposing, and educating the public on the dangers of the practice.

    “As gatekeepers of truth and agents of accountability, our duty goes beyond mere reportage.

    We must investigate, expose, and educate the public on the devastating effects of illegal mining, particularly on host communities and water resources,” she said.

    The NUJ pledged to continue amplifying the voices of affected communities while working with security agencies, civil society, and government institutions to ensure accountability and promote sustainable mining practices.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, described illegal mining as not just an economic crime but a security threat that fuels banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes.

    He warned that cartels involved in the activity have links with organised criminal networks.

    “Illegal mining robs our nation of vital resources. It is directly linked to insecurity in states like Zamfara, Niger, and even parts of the FCT.

    Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has estimated losses from illegal mining and gold smuggling at $9 billion annually, draining foreign exchange and tax revenues,” he stated.

    Commander of the Mining Marshals, ACC A. J. Onoja, spoke passionately about the need for everyone to pitch in. He explained how illegal mining has cost Nigeria billions in lost money, ruined farmland, and stirred up trouble in communities.

    “The fight against illegal mining in Nigeria cannot be won by enforcement agencies alone, but through a broad coalition that includes the government, industry players, communities, and, most importantly, the media,” he said.

    Onoja praised the government’s efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Henry Dele Alake, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to clean up the sector by creating the Mining Marshals.

    He stressed that this unit is no ordinary group—it’s backed by strong laws and a strict code of conduct to ensure fairness and toughness.

    “We have dismantled illegal mining camps, arrested and prosecuted offenders, ensuring that the emerging policies of the Federal Government for the mining sector are working,” he added.

    He also warned of challenges like tough landscapes and attempts to blackmail them through the media. He urged journalists to report fairly: “When individuals under investigation run to the press to spin their self-serving sides of the story, alleging victimisation despite breaches of the law, we ask for balanced reportage that reflects the intricacy of our work.”

    In his remarks, the National President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Dele Ayanleke, lamented that legitimate investors are being discouraged as illegal operators continue to undermine the sector.

    He called for stronger enforcement of mining laws and collaboration with the media to sustain advocacy against the menace.

    The workshop pointed out the economic, social, and environmental costs of illegal mining, including: Loss of government revenue due to unreported extraction and tax evasion, Water pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, Exploitation of child labour and unsafe mining practices and Increased insecurity in mineral-rich communities.

    Participants stressed that the media has a critical responsibility to keep the issue in the public spotlight, mobilise communities, and hold both government and operators accountable.

    The parley, themed “Sustaining the Fight Against Illegal Mining: The Role of the Media”, also emphasised the need for investigative journalism, grassroots monitoring, and responsible use of digital platforms to expose cartels and protect Nigeria’s natural resources.

  • Police to investigate cruel murder of  youth by kidnappers

    Nigerian Police in Anambra state has ordered investigation into the gruesome murder of a youth in Amansea, Awka-North Local Government by suspected kidnappers.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga quoted the state commissioner of police, Ikioye Orutugu as giving the order in a statement, on Friday in Awka.

    The sister to the deceased  told the police on Thursday that their abductors were Fulani herdsmen who tried to humiliate them, but owing to the resistance of her brother they attacked him, resulting to his death.

    Orutugu said the trending video of a tragic incident involving the abduction of a young boy and his two sisters in the state, was a cruel murder of the boy by the suspected kidnappers that needed to be investigated.

    He condemned in the strongest terms the heartless and barbaric act, which was currently trending in the social media.

    The  CP condoled with the grieving family as well as the good people of Amansea, adding that operatives of the State Intelligence Department to identify the survivor to assist the police in its investigation.

    The commissioner urged members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative by providing credible information that would aid the swift arrest of the suspects.

    The CP reiterated the command’s resolve to remain firm in the war against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.

    Oturugu assured that the command would continue to prioritize the protection of every citizen in line with the constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property.

  • APGA Women Leader’s son: Murder barbaric and condemnable

    YPP candidate in November 8 Anambra Guber poll, Mr Paul Chukwuma has condemned the murder of Mr Martins Onyekesi, an Awka-based fish farmer by gunmen.

    Chukwuma made the condemnation during a condolence visit on Mrs Esther Onyekesi, mother of late Martins, her only son on Friday in Awka.

    Mrs Esther Onyekesi is the Anambra Woman Leader of APGA.

    “We must all condemn this sad development; Martins Onyekesi was a young and vibrant fish farmer contributing towards the growth of the state.

    “Kidnapping him from their family compound at Okpuno area of Awka about ten days ago and murdering him is an evil we must all condemn.

    “This sad incident, which has sparked outrage nationwide, has brought to the fore the disturbing level of insecurity in Anambra.

    “Therefore, there is the need for the Anambra government to rejig the current security architecture of the state to tackle insecurity,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo had inaugurated a security outfit, “Operation Udogachi” to complement state-owned security agencies in tackling security challenges in the state.

    The governorship candidate in the company of his running mate, Mr Uzi Okagbue said that more actions were required to reduce the spat of security challenges in the state.

    The late fish farmer was abducted on July 27 before the news of his sudden murder.

  • Yelwata Massacre: Benue Govt. confirms arrest of 50 fake IDPs

    Yelwata Massacre: Benue Govt. confirms arrest of 50 fake IDPs

    The Benue State Government has confirmed arrest of 50 fake Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the International Market, George Akume way in Makurdi, the state capital.

    The State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr Aondowase Kunde, disclosed this on Saturday in Makurdi.

    Kunde said that criminals have infiltrated the IDPs camp opened for victims of Yelwata attack.

    He said that 50 fake displaced persons had been arrested adding that people from the host community and market women have all infiltrated the camp.

    He stated that the criminals on  Friday night broke into the camp and stole some non food items while market women too have invaded the camp buying off food items distributed to them.

    “We have issues in the camp for the past two days and we discovered a lot of infiltrators in the camp.

    “We conducted investigations after the protest and discovered that criminals and people from the host community in Makurdi were behind the protest.

    “So we resolved that we have to be at the camp by 4am today (Saturday) to fish out those criminals and discovered that they stole mattresses through a collapsed fence to access the camp.

    “We discovered that some market women have started coming to the camp to buy off rice and food items distributed to displaced persons.

    “We also discovered that some women who  were claiming  to be lactating mothers went out to borrow babies from outside to be able to access the camp when they discovered that the first set of people we attended to are pregnant women and lactating mothers.

    “When these so called lactating mothers were asked to breast feed their babies, we discovered that there was no milk coming out of their breast,” the commissioner said.

  • Troops neutralise 3 bandits in Plateau, recover weapons

    Troops neutralise 3 bandits in Plateau, recover weapons

    Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have neutralised three suspected bandits in Wase Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.

    Maj. Samson Zhakom, the Media Officer of OPSH, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Jos.

    Zhakom said that the feat followed an intelligence tip, while adding that the troops also recovered weapons during the operations.

    “Yesterday , troops of OPSH, acting on credible intelligence, conducted offensive operations at a criminal hideout along the fringes of Pinau community in Wase LGA of Plateau.

    “During the operation, troops made contact with criminal elements terrorising the general area, including Pinau – Gimbi road.

    “During the exchange of fire, troops overwhelmed the criminals with superior firepower and neutralised three of the suspected bandits

    “While others ran away with wounds from gunshots, troops exploited the general area and recovered one AK-47 rifle and one AK-47 magazine,” he said.

    Zhakom said that the troops had commenced a follow-up operation to intercept the fleeing criminals. 

  •  Northern ruling elite brainstorm on insecurity, other challenges

     Northern ruling elite brainstorm on insecurity, other challenges

    Northern Governors and traditional rulers have renewed their commitment to tackling insecurity, boosting infrastructure, and empowering the youths.

    The resolutions were arrived at their joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council held on Saturday in Kaduna.

    Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, who is also the Chairman of the NSGF, described the gathering as timely, given the escalating security challenges and socio-economic pressures facing the region.

    In his keynote address, Yahaya expressed condolences to the families and governments of Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, and Yobe over the recent wave of killings.

    He called the attacks, “mindless acts of violence” that underscored the need for a comprehensive review of security strategies.

    Yahaya stressed that the resurgence of Boko Haram activities in parts of the North-East and ongoing violence in the North-Central must be confronted with renewed synergy between federal, state, and local security structures.

    On economic and infrastructural development, the NSGF Chairman called for the speedy completion of key projects.

    They include the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line, the Kano-Maiduguri expressway, and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu expressway, among others.

    NSG at the meeting in Kaduna

     He lamented the exclusion of the North-East from the Federal Government’s superhighway project and advocated innovative funding solutions like public-private partnerships and infrastructure bonds.

    The Governor said, “The state of infrastructure in Northern Nigeria remains a cause for major concern.

    “Without.an urgent intervention, our goals for agricultural expansion and industrialization will remain a mirage.”

    He also emphasized the need to restructure and reposition the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) as a hub for regional economic revival

    Yahaya called for decisive action to end the almajiri system and provide the Northern youths with education and job skills.

    “Our children must be taken off the streets and given opportunities for quality education and skills acquisition,” he appealed.

    Yahaya further called for proactive steps to prevent herder-herder clashes during the rainy season.

    The governor urged partnerships with agencies like NEMA and NIMET to develop early warning systems and support mechanisms against climate-related challenges.

    He praised the traditional institutions for their role in peace building and advocated for their recognition through constitutional means to make them more effective in governance and conflict resolution.

    “The wisdom and guidance of our traditional rulers remain indispensable as we navigate these complex times,” Yahaya said.

    Earlier, Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, in his welcome address, lauded the efforts of the NSGF and the traditional rulers council in promoting unity and consensus in the North.

    He said, “In spite of our diversity, the two bodies have found a way of forging consensus on critical issues.

    “We have made progress, but challenges remain. We must hasten the development and implementation of a regional roadmap for peace, security, and development.”

    Sani commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to Northern development, particularly for reviving the long-abandoned Abuja ,Kaduna,Zaria-Kano dual carriageway, describing it as a “lifeline for Northern Nigeria.”

    Both leaders emphasised the urgency of translating resolutions into tangible actions, with Yahaya concluding that history would judge Northern leaders not by the meetings they hold, but by the lives they impact.

    He said: “The people of Northern Nigeria are looking up to us. We must rise above individual interests and deliver results.”

    In his remarks,the Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar,  has reaffirmed the commitment of the traditional rulers to supporting efforts aimed at tackling insecurity across the country.

    Cross section of traditional rulers at the meeting 

     The sultan commended the governors for their dedication and collective resolve to restore peace, stability, and development in the region.

    He stated that the persistent killings across various parts of the North have made it imperative for leaders to unite and take decisive action.

     “Every life matters,” he declared, stressing the need for a holistic approach to restore peace and enable citizens to live freely and in harmony.

    The sultan strongly condemned the criminalisation of ethnic or religious groups, warning that such narratives only fuel division.

    He urged, “We must leave here with the understanding that a criminal anywhere is a threat to all of us,” he said.

    The traditional ruler, who also acknowledged the efforts already made to address the crisis,  emphasised that more needed to be done.

    Abubakar declared, “Much has been done, but clearly not enough.

    “As long as people continue to be killed, the perception will remain that nothing is being done.”

    He concluded  that the challenges facing the North were national in nature, and praised Tinubu’s commitment to finding lasting solutions.

    He, however, urged intensified action to end the bloodshed and to reassure the citizens that their safety remain a top priority.

    The governors present at the joint meeting included those of Nasarawa, Gombe, Niger, Kaduna, Kebbi, Katsina, Kogi, Yobe, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa, Sokoto, and Jigawa.

    Also in attendance were nineteen esteemed traditional rulers from across the Northern region under the umbrella of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council.