Africa Security Investigation News

By Emmanuel Daudu

In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to enhance air safety and security in Nigeria, a high-powered Nigerian delegation, led by the Minister of Defence, H.E Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON mni, and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is currently in Spain for crucial discussions on airspace advancements.

According to a press release signed on the 13th of July, 2024 by Henshaw Ogubike Mnipr FCAi Fsca Fcpe, Director (Information and Public Relations), the three-day visit to Indra in Spain aims to strengthen Nigeria’s air surveillance and security capabilities through cutting-edge dual-use technology. The mission, titled “Air Surveillance for the Sovereignty, Security, and Safety of the Nigerian Airspace through Dual Use Technology (Civil and Military),” seeks to enhance Nigeria’s air surveillance capabilities, ensuring the safety of its airspace and borders.

Indra, a world-leading technology and consulting company, is the technological partner for the core business operations of its customers worldwide. The delegation received a warm welcome from Indra’s CEO, Jose Vicente de los Mozos, and senior executives, including Javier Ruano, VP of ATM, Luis Permuy, VP of International Sales, Emeric Osmont, Director of West Africa, Sergio Sanchez, Director for Institutional Relationships, and General (Rtd) Francisco Almerich, Former Chief of Air Defence Command Centre, Spanish Airforce.

During the visit, the delegation toured Indra’s Headquarters, Simulator Factory, and Academy, inspecting the latest security and safety equipment, including the Indra Defence facility. The itinerary featured a welcome and introductory speech by the CEO of Indra, followed by detailed presentations on the latest Air Traffic Control System (ACC APP TWR) Demo, Dual Project Scope Definition, Voice Communications System Demo, and a demonstration of Radar and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS).

The Nigerian delegation comprised high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Abdulfatai Buhari, Chairman, Senate Committee On Aviation, Abdullahi Idris Garba, Chairman, House Committee On Aviation, and Air Marshall Hassan Bala Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.

This strategic visit demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to advancing its air surveillance and security capabilities, aligning with global best practices. The collaboration with Indra is expected to yield significant benefits, including enhanced air safety, improved border security, and strengthened defence capabilities.

By Emmanuel Daudu

Major General Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations has disclosed that during the week under review, troops neutralised 187 and arrested 183 persons. Troops also arrested 26 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 109 kidnapped hostages.
” In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion One Hundred and Twenty Seven Million Two Hundred and Twenty Nine Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninty Naira (N1,127,229,890.00) only.”

General Edward made the disclosing on Thursday 11th of July, 2024 during a biweekly press briefing on the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria as at  11 July, 2024

While stressing further, he said, “the military is keeping up the pressure through ongoing operations in five active theatres across the country.  These  theatres are namely, the NE, NW, NC, SS and SE, with the NE and NW having the highest levels of intensity.

“These operations are complex as troops are engaged in fighting in difficult terrains as well as fighting an adversaries that adopts various forms, across the country. Clearly, we have boots on the ground and are fighting in several dimensions to crush the enemy.

” Indeed, troops are fighting on ground, air, at sea as well as in the cyber dimension in several parts of the country. The common denominator in all our operations are the terrorist.

“These terrorist are the enemy that must be fought and defeated. They are responsible for keeping the nation in an almost constant state of counter terrorism and counter insurgency.


” Furthermore, troops recovered 128 assorted weapons and 3,300 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: one PKT gun, 80 AK47 rifles, 15 locally fabricated gun, 15 dane guns, 2 FN rifles, 5 pump action guns, 2 single barrel guns, 4 locally fabricated pistols, one fabricated barretta pistol, one locally made double barrel gun, 2 hand grenades, 2 primed IEDs and materials.

“Others are: 1,941 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 729 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 377 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 191 rounds of 5.55mm ammo, 199 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 16 rounds of 9mm ammo, 26 live cartridges, 26 empty case of cartridges, 26 AK47 magazines, 6 baofeng radios, 10 vehicles, 4 motorcycles, 4 walkie-talkie, mobile phones and the sum of N102,010.00 only amongst other items.

“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 18 dugout pits, 30 boats and 49 storage tanks.  Other items recovered include 66 cooking ovens, 4 drums, 5 speedboats, 15 vehicles, 2 tricycles, one generator, 11 mobile phones and 57 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 1,l25,440 litres of stolen crude oil, 213,539 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,230 litres of PMS.

“Troops are confronted by a vicious enemy that are constantly  trying to kill citizens or have killed citizens. Indeed, these terror group are responsible perpetrating insecurity across the country and will not stop doing what the are doing, until they are stopped.

“We are aware of some of the plans to target some critical infrastructure in the country. Accordingly, we have emplaced measures to forestall such plans. Security agencies responsible for securing critical infrastructure and facilities have also been placed on alert. Accordingly, some of such  plans have been frustrated.

“In this fight, citizens must understand that, we must never compromise on security, otherwise everyone’s security will be compromised. This is a situation that cannot be over emphasized for us to live in safety and security.

“Meanwhile, the military is doing what is needed at this time. We force the terrorist to pay a price for every act of aggression against citizens of this country. We recognise and have included this as part of our strategy to win the war.

“Overall, we have no choice but to fight for the safety and security of our citizens. We also fight to safeguard our nation and preserve our way of life as a people. For us a force, Defence is the essence of what we do as an armed forces. Accordingly, we would defeat the terrorists on the battlefield and help our nation flourish again.”

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Honourble Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON has applauded the Supreme court judgement on Local Government Autonomy, describing it as a significant milestone in promoting grassroot development, good governance, and democratic decentralization in Nigeria.

According to a press release signed on the 12th of July, 2024 by Henshaw Ogubike Mnipr FCAi Fsca Fcpe, Director (Information and Public Relations), the Minister expressed his support for the Supreme Court’s decision to grant autonomy to local governments in the country. He applauded the seven-justice panel of the apex court in the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, that ruled that the 774 local government councils in the country should independently manage their own funds.

According to Matawalle,
the verdict will enable Local Governments to make decisions and take actions without needing approval from State Governments adding that local governments can now manage their finances, collect revenues, and allocate resources without state government interference. “This will boost their independence and direct accountability to the electorates. They can now focus on delivering services and development projects that will lead to better governance and accountability,” he said.

Furthermore, the Minister said that henceforth, grassroot development would be enhanced by this decision.
Local governments can now prioritize projects and programs that benefit their communities thereby promoting grassroots development.” Equally the local Government should be able to solve some security challenges in their locality” .

“It will also reduce political interference and urbanization,State governments can no longer influence local government decisions and this will  promote local autonomy,” he emphasized.

The Minister commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for providing the enabling environment for the historic judgement that will empower local government leaders to take charge of their territories, making them more responsible and accountable.

“This will also Improve service delivery. The local governments can now focus on delivering essential services like healthcare, education, Sanitation and infrastructural development to the people without interference from State Government,” the Minister said.

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Independent Petroleum Marketers (IPMAN) has commended the visionary leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General; Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni, OFR who was also lauded for the visible transformation and remarkable achievements of the Corps within 3years in office.

According to a press release signed on the 8th of July, 2024 by Csc Babawale Afolabi National Public Relations Officer
NSCDC National Headquarters Abuja, Dr Audi hosted the IPMAN National President Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi Shettima and his Executives at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja during a courtesy call premised on the need to establish a vibrant collaboration aimed at combating pipeline vandalism, smuggling and adulteration of petroleum products and oil theft across board.

“Your visionary leadership as the CG of the NSCDC has continued to transform the Corps into a robust, efficient and one of the modern security institutions in Nigeria”

“This leadership instinct has been noticed both locally and in the international terrain. There are living testimonies attesting to the giant strides and remarkable achievements of the NSCDC especially in discharging the statutory mandate”.

“The Agro Rangers Squad, Special Female Squad, CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Antivandal Squad, Mining Marshall and other special forces are doing greatly well in safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure, fighting illegal dealings in petroleum products, illegal mining activities, pipeline vandalism, abduction and kidnapping of school children amongst others”.

“All these and many other reasons have informed our visit to you with the delight to strengthen collaborations between IPMAN and NSCDC because our passionate goal is that Nigeria would upscale her crude oil production most especially for local consumption’.

The NSCDC Boss gladly expressed the readiness of the Corps to partner with reputable organizations and institutions that have passion for the security of lives and protection of government facilities to boost the Nation’s economy and enhance its security architecture.

He noted that the nation relies on the mainstay of the economy which is Oil. He further relayed that though the government has made remarkable efforts to diversify into other sectors, the richest part of the nation’s economy hinges on Crude oil.

The CG however set the record straight by naming specific exploits made by the Corps in the discharge of its mandate stating that over 450 illegal bunkering sites and local refineries have been dismantled while over 300 oil thieves and their sponsors have been arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“There is an emerging trend of mode of conveyance called “Cotonou Boat” which can contain about 150 drums. If you multiply that number by five to six Cotonou Boats caught with stolen crude oil: you would see how much is siphoned per time”.

“Facing court judgment are suspects arrested for pipeline vandalism and illegal dealings in petroleum products while others were caught after they already vandalized an oil well head tap into in and siphoned crude loaded in tankers with the of transporting to would-be buyers.

“We have also arrested a suspect who paved the way through the sea, punctured the Pipeline, and connected pipes through the valve directly to his residence where about 3 Trucks are loaded daily; these are reasons we should consciously make concerted efforts to salvage the nation’s economy from ruthless saboteurs”.

The Commandant General further appreciated the bold step taken by the IPMAN executives and assured them of stronger collaboration while seeking credible intelligence and actionable information which he affirmed would be treated with utmost confidentiality and secrecy.