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•Tuggar, Tunji-Ojo, Abubakar, Gen Oluyede, Egbetokun also on the team
•Tasks them on all agreements across sectors
•Onaiyekan urges Tinubu to equip current security operatives for better performance
•PDP: Niger kidnapping a sad devt
Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode, Alex Enumah, Linus Aleke, in Abuja, Laleye Dipo in Minna and Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the constitution of the Nigerian side of the US-Nigeria joint working group as part of measures to deepen collaboration in tackling security challenges in the country.
According to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the composition of the team was part of the agreement reached during a recent trip to Washington DC by a Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
Ribadu is to lead the Nigerian side of the Joint Working Group, supported by a multi-stakeholder team comprising senior officials from relevant government establishments.
Members of the committee included Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Bernard M. Doro.
There was also Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed; and Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun.
Equally on the team were Ms Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Mr Paul Alabi of the Embassy of Nigeria in the US, who would serve as the secretariat.
Tinubu urged members of the group to work diligently with their US counterparts to ensure smooth operationalisation of all agreements across sectors.
Matawalle Denies Alleged Claim Zamfara Security Will Not Work Without Him
Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Mohammad Matawalle, dismissed a viral social media report that he told journalists the Zamfara security initiative “wouldn’t work without him”, calling the allegation a malicious fabrication.
In a statement by his special adviser on media, Ahmad Dan Wudil, Matawalle said he never granted any interview on the matter. He said the story was crafted to tarnish his reputation and undermine federal government’s efforts to address the nation’s security crisis.
He explained that his recent criticism had been directed at the incumbent Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, whom he accused of pursuing a “poor strategy” and failing to cooperate with federal authorities on security mechanisms.
Matawalle, who served as Zamfara governor for four years before his ministerial appointment, said the governor’s refusal to involve him and other stakeholders in the state’s security planning was “condemnable”.
He also had issues with Lawal’s unilateral deployment of security operatives in Zamfara without coordinating with Abuja, describing it as a “major drawback” to the broader counter terrorism effort.
“Everything should not be politicised. This is the time all hands should be on deck to tackle the security problems,” Matawalle said, warning that the media must not be used as a tool for “political mischief and mudslinging.”
He urged outlets such as Premium Times to verify statements before publishing.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to securing communities, Matawalle said displaced residents would be enabled to return safely to their farms, schools and homes.
He added that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) remained dedicated to addressing the country’s challenges and Tinubu’s focus on good leadership, peace, security and socio economic growth made his re election “assured.”
Onaiyekan Urges Tinubu to Equip Current Security Operatives for Better Performance
Former Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, told Tinubu to treat as top priority the equipping of the present crop of policemen and security operatives to combat the perennial insecurity in the country, instead of giving order for the employment of additional 20,000 policemen.
Speaking at the ninth International Conference on Love and Tolerance in Abuja, the cleric warned that the country could not afford delays in tackling insecurity.
Onaiyekan stated, “Right now in Nigeria, we have to build bridges so that all of us, Christians and Muslims, can jointly face our common enemy… Those who are killing us.
“We have finally agreed that we shall join hands and face them. And if we join hands, we can deal with them now. We should be able to deal with them.
“With all these wonderful soldiers and police, we should be able to deal with them. I’m not even sure we need 20,000 more policemen. I believe they are the ones we have right now. Arm them well, treat them well, and they will do their job.
“There is no need to deploy 20,000 policemen. We could use the policemen we have. I’m not an expert, but to train them and then deploy them, for an emergency. Let the experts tell me, how long does it take to deploy 20,000 people. I guess we are talking of one year. In one month, this country can be destroyed.”
He added, “So I’m saying we should look at a strategy that will address the issue right now. We should equip the policemen we have now, who are already trained, though, but they are carrying bags for madams. It’s good that they have been withdrawn; let them start working.
“And let there be the political will to flush the terrorists out of the forests. And we are glad that the language that our president spoke yesterday; but we’ve been listening to that since two years ago.
“What do you have police for? That’s their job. It’s not even the job of the army. It’s the job of the police.”
Onaiyekan also reflected on global religious harmony, warning that Nigeria faces increasing local polarisation, despite global unity efforts, referencing the “Abu Dhabi document” signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar.
An activist and former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, highlighted the root causes of intolerance and conflict, stating that human differences in wealth, power, race, and religion often drive dominance and resistance.
He emphasised that differences were natural and unavoidable, adding that peace and tolerance begin with recognising and accepting human diversity.
Sani expressed concern over shrinking freedom of speech, insisting that the arrests and social media scrutiny threaten open dialogue, and urged that love, understanding, and respect for differing opinions are essential for building a harmonious society.
COAS Seeks Improved Indigenous Capacity for Military Innovation, Self-Reliance
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, urged Commandant of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major-General Oluyemi Olatoye, to intensify cadet training with a strong emphasis on leadership, discipline, character, courage and strategic thinking, in order to bridge operational gaps within the Nigerian Army.
The directive was issued during a courtesy visit by the NDA commandant to Army Headquarters in Abuja.
A statement by Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant-Colonel Apollonia Anele, stated that the COAS stressed the importance of strengthening research centres, particularly the NDA Department of Military Science. He described this as a crucial step towards boosting the National Defence Industry and enhancing indigenous capacity for military innovation and self-reliance.
“A robust research framework is essential to provide the intellectual foundation for a modern, responsive and technologically advanced fighting force,” the COAS said.
Shaibu also called for a comprehensive review of the NDA curriculum to address contemporary security challenges.
He highlighted the need for enhanced night training, physical fitness, artificial intelligence integration, and other emerging domains of modern warfare.
According to him, these measures will equip young officers with the warrior ethos, operational competence, and leadership skills necessary to implement his Command Philosophy: “To Advance the Transformation of the Nigerian Army into a More Professional, Adaptable, Combat-Ready and Resilient Force Capable of Decisively Discharging its Constitutional Responsibilities Within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment.”
The COAS pledged his full support to the NDA commandant in achieving the objectives, reaffirming his commitment to producing officers capable of meeting Nigeria’s evolving security needs.
In response, Olatoye congratulated the COAS on his appointment by President Bola Tinubu and expressed gratitude to the military leadership for the trust placed in him to lead the country’s premier military training institution.
He described NDA as the “training factory” for the armed forces’ future officers.
PDP: Niger Kidnapping Sad development
National Working Committee (NWC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, said it regretted the tragic incident of the kidnapping of school children at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Niger State, describing it sad development and unfortunate.
The reaction was contained in a statement after a sympathy visit to the state by PDP’s NWC following the recent abduction of school children and other citizens in the state.
The delegation, which was led by PDP’s National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, and other members of the NWC, was received at Government House, Minna, by Governor Mohammed Bago.
During the visit, the PDP NWC expressed deep pain and anguish over the rising wave of insecurity in Niger State and other parts of the country, particularly the heart-breaking abduction of innocent school children.
PDP said it believed in the sanctity of life and the right of every Nigerian child to education without fear, saying it strongly condemns the attack and all acts of terror against Nigerians.
Turaki commended Bago for his prompt response and ongoing efforts, in collaboration with security agencies, to secure the release of the abducted children and restore peace in the affected communities.
He assured the governor and the people of Niger State of PDP’s unwavering sympathy, prayers and support at this difficult time.
Turaki said the party remained committed to the safety and welfare of all Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation.
In a related development, PDP called on the APC-led federal government to stop the politicising security issues in the country and guarantee the safety of life and property.
The call was made by the newly elected National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Comrade Ini Ememobong, during an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
According to the spokesman, “National Bureau of Statistics shows that banditry, kidnapping and terrorism is a trillion Naira economy.”
While decrying a situation where government now issues orders for bandits and kidnappers to release victims, Ememobong called on the federal government to simply “issue the order that there must be complete cessation” of insecurity across Nigeria.
Leverage Diplomacy and International Friendships, Boss Mustapha Advises Tinubu
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, urged Tinubu to leverage diplomacy as well as friendship globally. Mustapha stated that this was not the first time the US government would be declaring Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), recalling how the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari handled the situation then.
He spoke with journalists, yesterday, in Abuja, at an event kick-starting the 45th Anniversary Reunion Gala and Lecture of the Nigerian Law School (NLS) Class of 1980, scheduled for November 27 to 30 in Abuja.
The theme for this year’s event is, “The Nigerian Legal Profession at Crossroads.” It will feature keynote lecture, with the topic, “Reassessing the Nigerian Legal Profession in the 21st Century – A Cry for Urgent Reforms,” to be delivered by Professor Andrew Chukwuemerie (SAN), with Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) and Professor Koyinsola Ajayi (SAN) as discussants.
Responding to question on Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, the former SGF stated that no country on earth was currently free from crisis. He said it was incumbent on every country to evolve its own means for addressing its challenges.
Mustapha said, “Well, because of the experience I have, this is not the first time we have been declared a country of particular concern. In 2000, and 2020, the same Trump put us there, but without the drama that this one followed. There was no tweet. It was just at the level of a policy decision.
“And, I remember then, we engaged, we dispatched a team to Washington, made up of technocrats. We applied soft diplomacy in terms of reaching out to friends within the global diplomatic community. And we leveraged the advantage of the stature of President Buhari to talk.”
While stating that a lot of things happened in the diplomatic clime behind the closed doors, the former SGF expressed confidence that the current administration was engaging in the diplomatic circle.
He stated, “President Buhari will always remind me that America has a big stick and if they hit your head with it, the headache will never disappear. In his lighter moods, he would always remind me that caution in dealing with superpowers is important.
“Constant engagement, political back-end engagements, and leveraging friendship globally is equally important in the resolution of the issues now. We will resolve it. Nigeria is a great country. We have 230 million people.”
The ex-SGF said it was not in the interest of anyone that the country should disintegrate in view of its consequences for the continent.
Mustapha stated that the reunion marked 45 years of friendship, integrity, justice and values instilled during law school and carried into distinguished careers.
Experts: We Can’t Operate in Silos Anymore
Security experts in Nigeria called for stronger collaboration and innovative approaches to reinforce national efforts aimed at tackling rising insecurity across the country.
At a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, Chairman of the Interim Caretaker Management Committee of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), retired Major-General Elvis Njoku, outlined the association’s readiness to work more closely with conventional security agencies.
Njoku highlighted the importance of structured information-sharing, enhanced community surveillance, and technology-driven interventions.
He said, “We cannot operate in silos anymore. Collaboration is the future of national security. Private security practitioners are positioned to complement the police, military and intelligence agencies, particularly at the grassroots where many threats first emerge.”
He added that ALPSPN was pioneering the deployment of drones, AI-assisted monitoring systems, and digital neighbourhood-watch platforms to improve early threat detection.
“Innovation is no longer optional. We are developing systems that enable real-time reporting and rapid escalation of incidents, which are essential to closing intelligence gaps exploited by criminals,” he stated.
On regulatory matters, Njoku urged government agencies to harmonise operational frameworks and expand opportunities for credible private security firms to integrate into both national and sub-national security networks.
Secretary-General of ALPSPN, Dr Dauda Ageni, emphasised that improved collaboration would help unify Nigeria’s fragmented security architecture and build trust at the community level.
