Federal Government on Tuesday, inducted two new T-129 ATAK helicopters and a King Air 360ER Beechcraft into the Order of Battle (ORBAT) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at the NAF Base, Makurdi, Benue. This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director Public Relations and Information of NAF. He stated that the development was a major boost to the ongoing fight against counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, anti-crude oil theft and anti-kidnapping operations in the country.

To curb insecurity in Abuja, The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through its Transportation Secretariat, has issued operational licenses to Bolt and Nairaxi, as the exclusive ride-hailing operators authorized to provide on-demand transport and logistics services using mobile applications in FCT. Bolt, a leading transportation mobility company, operates in 500 cities, with over 3 million drivers and 150 million customers. On the other hand, Nairaxi is an indigenous mobility tech company that won an innovator’s competition organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission in February 2023. The granting of operational licenses to Bolt and Nairaxi aims to improve and regulate e-ride-hailing operations while elevating service excellence in the FCT.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has revealed that fundraising/crowdfunding on social media for ransom payments to kidnappers is an illegal and punishable offense. This revelation was made known on Thursday during a live TV program on Channels by the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi Adejobi said such actions demoralize police personnel, stressing that paying a ransom is criminal in Nigeria. Adejobi also condemned the use of social media for crowdfunding, stating that it hampers morale and undermines the system. Adejobi expressed concern, stating that this emerging trend, adding that it could incentivize more Nigerians to engage in kidnapping due to its perceived profitability, potentially fueling the criminal activity more.

Main opposition Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governors forum has laments the raising insecurity in the nation and has called for action. The governors insisted that the present police structure in the country must be decentralised to give way for the state police to be in place. The PDP state leaders made their position known today in Jos, the capital of Plateau sate when they paid a courtesy call to their colleague, the Plateau state governor, Mutfuwang Caleb.

Following renewed hostilities between Ifon-Orolu and Ilobu communities in Osun state, Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the areas again. The Governor had in October 2023 declared curfew in the communities as a result of the violent communal clash which led to the death of several people while properties worth millions were destroyed. Militias from Ilobu and Ifon communities had resumed fighting in villages at the border of Osun and Oyo States on Monday. Police had confirmed the death of two persons in the crisis while property was also said to have been destroyed.

The Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria and the United States (US) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the training of the commanders of the police Special Intervention Squad (SIS) which was launched to tackle the rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and other crimes plaguing Nigeria. The training programme was inaugurated on Monday by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun which is a collaboration with the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.