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• September 5, 2025
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We negotiated with bandits during my tenure in Sokoto – Tambuwal

Sokoto South Senator Aminu Tambuwal on Friday confirmed engaging bandits through backdoor channels when he was governor of the state. Tambuwal disclosed this while noting that banditry in Nigeria is a combination of both foreign and Nigerian elements. He made the remarks while appearing on Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today. According to Tambuwal: “We did
We negotiated with bandits during my tenure in Sokoto – Tambuwal

Sokoto South Senator Aminu Tambuwal on Friday confirmed engaging bandits through backdoor channels when he was governor of the state.

Tambuwal disclosed this while noting that banditry in Nigeria is a combination of both foreign and Nigerian elements.

He made the remarks while appearing on Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today.

According to Tambuwal: “We did engage bandits through back door channels.

“Bandits are a combination of foreign elements and Nigerians. With the problems in the Sahel, particularly in Libya downwards, we have been having this problem and people don’t remember that this problem did not start today.

“Remember when Chad was like a state, there was an influx of arms into the country as far back as the 80s, so this problem has been there for a long time in the Sahel.

“Our borders are not properly manned, so you can’t say that there are no foreign elements in this banditry, there are, it’s criminality, it’s business to them and they are making money out of it.

“Boko Haram, you can say that they have a command structure and they are ideologically driven but banditry, yes they have some leadership but even among them, they fight themselves, so it’s hard to understand.”

We negotiated with bandits during my tenure in Sokoto – Tambuwal

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• September 5, 2025
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Abia assures citizens’ needs will shape 2026 budget

The Abia State government has assured its citizens that their inputs, rather than the preferences of the elites, will shape the 2026 budget proposals. The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Kingsley Anosike, gave the assurance on Friday during a citizens’ engagement forum to prepare Abia’s 2026 budget. He explained that residents drawn from different
Abia assures citizens’ needs will shape 2026 budget

The Abia State government has assured its citizens that their inputs, rather than the preferences of the elites, will shape the 2026 budget proposals.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Kingsley Anosike, gave the assurance on Friday during a citizens’ engagement forum to prepare Abia’s 2026 budget.

He explained that residents drawn from different communities, civil society organisations, and government agencies were invited to articulate their needs for the forthcoming budget, stressing that their inputs would be reflected in the plans.

“We build the budget from the ground, not the other way round.

“The budget is meant to be citizens’ budget, it is supposed to be a budget that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the people, not the preference of the elites,” Anosike said.

He recalled that citizens’ contributions in 2024 influenced the 2025 Abia State budget by about five per cent and, therefore, urged residents to prioritise their most pressing needs.

In his remarks, the chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mbah, commended Governor Alex Otti for tackling insecurity and providing agricultural inputs to farmers.

Eze Mbah called for increased budgetary allocations to agriculture and community security initiatives, as well as more medical personnel in rural areas. He further emphasised that engaging youths in agriculture would contribute to addressing insecurity across the country.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Planning, Eric Egwuibe, also assured citizens that their inputs would be considered before the 2026 budget proposal is finalised and presented.

Abia assures citizens’ needs will shape 2026 budget

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• September 5, 2025
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Nigerian Army warns officers against using enhancement drugs in promotion exercise

Authorities of the Nigerian Army have warned its officers and men against taking enhancement supplements or drugs to boost their physical performance. The Chief of Personnel Management, Maj. Gen. Adewale Adekeye, gave the warning during the opening of the Nigerian Army Warrant Officers to Master Warrant Officers promotion exercise 2025 at the 2 Division Nigerian
Nigerian Army warns officers against using enhancement drugs in promotion exercise

Authorities of the Nigerian Army have warned its officers and men against taking enhancement supplements or drugs to boost their physical performance.

The Chief of Personnel Management, Maj. Gen. Adewale Adekeye, gave the warning during the opening of the Nigerian Army Warrant Officers to Master Warrant Officers promotion exercise 2025 at the 2 Division Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ibadan, on Friday.

He stressed that the promotion was not a do-or-die affair and advised officers not to engage in any unwholesome practice that could endanger their lives.

Adekeye noted that the use of enhancement supplements and drugs could be dangerous and urged participants with medical challenges to inform the medical screening committee for prompt attention.

According to him, their lives are precious not only to the Nigerian Army but also to their families.

“I urge you to have confidence in the system as represented by the board members that justice will be done, such that only those proven qualified and seen to be qualified will be promoted.

“I am confident that all the participants have put in personal efforts to prepare adequately for this exercise and I look forward to seeing warrant officers display the highest standard of discipline expected of their calibre,” he said.

Adekeye further urged them to shun cheating in any form, warning that attempts to induce anyone to gain favour during or after the promotion exercise would jeopardise their chances and lead to automatic disqualification.

He also urged the board members to remain objective, diligent, and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

Adekeye said the responsibilities of a Master Warrant Officer are enormous, noting that the board had the rare privilege of selecting those who would best fit into the role.

He added that participants would undergo a compulsory medical examination to ascertain their mental and physical fitness for the rigorous activities outlined in the exercise.

The activities for the promotion, he explained, would include weapon handling, drill, current affairs, and general service knowledge.

Adekeye disclosed that about 490 warrant officers from different formations and units of the Nigerian Army had so far registered for the promotion exercise, with more still joining.

In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for finding the division worthy to host the exercise.

Nnebeife told the participants that they would undergo a two to three-week rigorous but fair selection process within the cantonment and urged them to put in their best to attain the Master Warrant Officer rank.

He said the board would test their abilities, technical skills, and experience acquired over the years, in the context of evolving security challenges, as well as their leadership and mentorship qualities.

Nigerian Army warns officers against using enhancement drugs in promotion exercise