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Tag: #Security

  • Tinubu Nominates Gen. Christopher Musa as New Minister of Defence

    Tinubu Nominates Gen. Christopher Musa as New Minister of Defence

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence.

    In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu announced the appointment of General Musa as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned from the position on Monday.

    General Musa, 58, who was born on December 25, 1967, is a distinguished military officer who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025.

    He is a recipient of the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering (2012).

    Born in Sokoto, General Musa attended primary and secondary schools in the state before proceeding to the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria.

    He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991.

    Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1991, Musa has held several key positions in the Nigerian Army, including:

    • General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations, HQ 81 Division
    • Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion
    • Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans
    • Infantry Representative and Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps

    He later served as Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations) at the Infantry Centre and Corps Headquarters, and as Commander of Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole, and the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region.

    In 2021, Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, and later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being elevated to Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023.

    In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed confidence in General Musa’s capacity to lead the Ministry of Defence and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

  • Bianca Ojukwu Urges Peaceful Action Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Imprisonment

    Bianca Ojukwu Urges Peaceful Action Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Imprisonment

    Owerri, November 26, 2025 – The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has called on the people of the South-East to respond to the imprisonment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with dialogue and peaceful engagement, rather than anger or violence.

    Speaking at the 14th Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Memorial Day at the Ojukwu Memorial Library in Owerri, Mrs. Ojukwu emphasized that hope for Kanu’s release remains through patient and organized efforts.

    “The solution is not knives, guns, or fighting among ourselves,” she said.

    This Christmas, we should meet with our National Assembly members, governors, and even President Bola Tinubu to discuss a peaceful way to secure his freedom.”

    She also urged the South-East to learn from other regions in solving challenges peacefully and called on parents to teach children the Igbo language to preserve culture and values.

    Highlighting the impact of insecurity on the region, she said kidnappings and violence have driven away investors, both local and foreign.

    She cited her late husband’s unconditional pardon after the civil war as an example of what dialogue and patience can achieve.

    Chief Ugwunna Ajaelu, chairman of the occasion, echoed her call for calm and diplomatic efforts to ensure Kanu’s release.

  • Tinubu Hails Rescue of 24 Kebbi Schoolgirls, Orders Tougher Security Action

    Tinubu Hails Rescue of 24 Kebbi Schoolgirls, Orders Tougher Security Action

    President expresses relief as freed girls reunite with authorities; vows increased security in vulnerable areas

    Abuja, November 25, 2025: President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the release of the 24 schoolgirls abducted by terrorists from the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, on November 17.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President expressed relief that the girls, who were kidnapped shortly after a military detachment left the school premises, had been safely reunited with the authorities.

    Tinubu noted that the Kebbi abduction appeared to have triggered similar incidents in Eruku, Kwara State, and Papiri, Niger State.

    According to reports, all 38 victims abducted in Eruku were released on Sunday, while the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State confirmed that 50 missing students from a Catholic school in the state had also returned home.

    Commending the security agencies for their sustained efforts, the President urged them to intensify operations to rescue those still in captivity.

    “I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must, as a matter of urgency, put more boots on the ground in vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping,” Tinubu said.

    “My government will offer all the assistance needed to achieve this,” he vowed.

  • Kebbi, Niger Abductions linked to killing of Terror Commander

    Kebbi, Niger Abductions linked to killing of Terror Commander

    Fresh intelligence has linked the recent abduction of schoolchildren in parts of Kebbi and Niger States to the killing of a notorious terror commander, Babangida, during Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrikes in Niger State.

    A credible security source told the Nigerian Anchor that residents of communities along the riverside axis of Shiroro have been celebrating after confirmation of Babangida’s death.

    According to the source, the slain commander was a key lieutenant to the feared bandits’ kingpin, Dogo Gideh.

    “Babangida died on November 18 while receiving treatment for injuries sustained during an air interdiction mission at the outskirts of Kurebe community, where several terrorists were neutralised,” the source revealed.

    The source added that the recent abductions were likely orchestrated by loyalists of the late commander as a retaliatory show of force, intended to reassert their relevance after suffering heavy losses from sustained military offensives.

    NAN gathered that following Babangida’s death, community leaders from Kwaki, Buresidna, Chukuba, Buwidna, Kuchidna, Banda, Shalupe and other surrounding villages visited the Palleli home of Gideh’s mother on November 19, where she was seen mourning her son’s fallen ally.

    A senior intelligence officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described Babangida’s death as “a significant blow” to the terror network but warned of possible reprisal attacks targeting vulnerable communities, schools, and security personnel.

    “Security agencies are on heightened alert,” the officer said. “Operations have been intensified to prevent further attacks and ensure the safe rescue of abducted students.”

    Residents in Shiroro expressed relief over the commander’s death, saying it had rekindled hope for reduced bandit activities in the area, which has been plagued by insecurity for years.

    Military authorities assured that coordinated land and air operations would continue until the capabilities of terror groups are fully degraded across the region.