Headlines
Buhari Tasks Army to Remain Neutral, Professional Ahead 2023 Elections
He commended the doggedness of the Nigerian Army for returning peace not only to the northeastern part of the country but the entire country.
He expressed confidence that the renewed vigour and standard injected in operations as well as the collective resolve and improved civil-military relations would engender lasting peace and stability in the country.
The president reiterated that the provision of security to Nigerians would continue to receive premium attention by his administration, adding that deliberate actions are ongoing to provide the necessary support to enhance national security.
Citing numerous equipment and facilities provided to boost the capability of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Buhari pledged that special intervention would be made to fast-track the activation of the Nigerian Army Aviation.
‘‘Additionally, is the acquisition of platforms for the Army Aviation which has been considered in the 2023 Budget.
‘‘This modernisation drive would be vigorously sustained as efforts are also being made to reform our indigenous military industrial complex, through partnership with our allies.
‘‘I am optimistic that this objective will be achieved soon to make us self-reliant in meeting our defence needs,’’ he said.
Buhari further urged the military to maintain the tempo in all theatres and double efforts in information gathering to comprehensively defeat all forms of security threats facing the nation.
Speaking earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Faruk Yahaya, assured that the Nigerian Army would remain apolitical during the polls.
He assured that the Nigerian Army would build upon the success recorded during the recent governorship elections in Osun, Ekiti and Anambra states.
While commending Buhari for his support to its operations over the years, the army chief reassured the president and the citizens of the country of continuous loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He said the Buhari-led administration had done more than enough in assisting the security agencies especially the Nigerian Army in its fight to restore peace and tranquility to every part of the country, especially the North-East and the North-West.
Also speaking in his remarks, the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, commended the efforts of the Nigerian Army for restoring peace not only to the state but the entire North-West.
He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to continue to support the security agencies in the state to sustain the return of peace back to the state.
He said his administration had recently increased subvention support given to the security agencies in the state by 150 percent.
The Punch
China, on Tuesday, opposed US President Donald Trump’s threat to carry out military action against Nigeria over the alleged persecution of Christians, as it backed the Nigerian government in leading its people to follow a development path in line with its national conditions.
Trump Saturday said if the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the US will immediately stop all aid and assistance to the West African country, and may go for military action to wipe out the Islamic terrorists.
Asked for her comments on Trump’s threat, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told the media that the Nigerian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, stating that the US’s claims did not reflect the current realities in Nigeria, and the government had remained committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people.
As a comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people to follow a development path in line with its national conditions, Mao said.
“China opposes interference by any country in the internal affairs of other nations under the pretext of religion or human rights and opposes the arbitrary use of sanctions and threats of force,” she said.
On the reports that Venezuela is seeking missiles and drones following a dozen US strikes on the boats in the region on the suspicion that they carried drugs, Mao said China is opposed to the use of force in the name of fighting drug cartels.
China supports enhanced international cooperation in combating transnational crimes, but opposes the use of threats of using force in international relations, and actions that undermine peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean, she said.
China is against unilateral so-called law enforcement operations against vessels of other countries that exceed reasonable and necessary limits, she added.
“We hope the US will carry out normal law enforcement and judicial activities within bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks,” Mao said, without mentioning whether China will support military equipment to Venezuela.
“China’s normal exchanges and cooperation with Venezuela are conducted between sovereign states, without targeting any third party, nor are they subject to interference or influence by any third party,” she said.
Source: orissapost
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday, held a crucial meeting with service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies in the country
The crucial meeting took place at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abuja, followed reports of a directive by the President of United States, Donald Trump to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria over the alleged genocide of Christians in the country.
Security sources hinted that the emergency meeting, which began in the afternoon was aimed at assessing the implications of Trump’s statement accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militant groups.
Trump’s remarks, made late Saturday, stated that the U.S. military was being prepared to “act in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militancy” a statement that had triggered widespread concern across diplomatic and security circles in Abuja.
Reports said that the NSA convened the session to coordinate a unified national security response and review intelligence assessments on the potential fallout of the U.S. president’s pronouncement.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to be communicated through official channels from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (NWC) has suspended the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organizing Secretary, Umaru Bature for one month.
The suspension comes on the heels of the judgement of the Federal High Court On Friday, which stopped the party’s planned national convention.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, told journalists in Abuja on Saturday, that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the national working committee, which was held in Abuja.
