Former Kaduna State Governor and ex-National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a national emergency on insecurity, describing Nigeria’s worsening security challenges as a situation that demands extraordinary measures and close collaboration among all levels of government.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has approved the appointment of CSP Anietie Edem Iniedu as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force. The new Police image maker takes over from Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, who is being redeployed to Lagos State with immediate effect. Though no official statement has been issued on the development as of press time, it was gathered that the changes were part of IGP Disu's concerted efforts to reposition the Force.
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians in South Africa that all citizens who have signified interest in returning home amid ongoing anti-migrant violence will be evacuated before June 30. This is as the government warned that it may review options against South African businesses operating in Nigeria, including MTN, MultiChoice, and Stanbic, as the situation has taken a particularly troubling dimension. This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze.
As Nigeria continues to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other evolving security threats, efforts to strengthen the nation’s security framework have gained momentum through proposed legislative reforms, enhanced intelligence funding mechanisms and renewed advocacy for state police.
The National Economic Council on Thursday approved N83.21 billion to implement an Anticipatory Action Task Force to mitigate the impact of flooding and other climate-related disasters nationwide.
This came as the Council held its 158th meeting, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, who briefed State House correspondents alongside other governors, said the Council approved N83.21bn after receiving an initial request of N166.42bn tabled by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu. He said the council ultimately resolved to approve only half of what was requested, while committing to revisit the framework at subsequent meetings.
Retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has advocated a tougher and more coordinated approach to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, insisting that negotiations alone cannot bring an end to banditry and terrorism. Tsiga made the remarks on Thursday in Kaduna while speaking with journalists during a press briefing organised by colleagues, friends, and associates of the late retired Major General Abubakar Rabe.
