Aeesha's Blog

Category: Security

  • Plateau Crisis: Kogi Moves to Evacuate Indigenes Studying in UNIJOS

    Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has ordered the evacuation of Kogi indigenes studying at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) following the recent wave of violence in Plateau State.

    The directive comes in response to heightened insecurity in Jos, which prompted the university management to shut down academic activities and direct students to vacate campus as a precautionary measure.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismail Isah, the governor said the decision was taken to ensure the safety of students, particularly those living off-campus and in vulnerable areas.

    Ododo noted that the government could not afford to expose its citizens to avoidable risks amid the deteriorating security situation in parts of Plateau State.

    He disclosed that the Special Adviser on Youth and Students Matters, Mr Oladele Nihi, had been mandated to lead a delegation to Jos to coordinate the evacuation process and ensure that all affected students return safely to Kogi.

    According to him, necessary logistics, including transportation and security arrangements, have been put in place in collaboration with relevant agencies to guarantee a smooth and secure operation.

    The governor urged the students to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperate fully with officials handling the evacuation.

    Ododo also commended the Federal Government and security agencies for their ongoing efforts to restore peace in Plateau, expressing optimism that normalcy would soon return to the affected communities.

    He further reassured parents and guardians that the safety and welfare of Kogi students remain a top priority for his administration.

    The evacuation directive follows recent attacks in parts of Jos, including the Angwan Rukuba area, where several lives were reportedly lost, leading to heightened tension across the state.

    Authorities say the situation is being closely monitored, with security agencies intensifying efforts to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

  • U.S. Troops in Nigeria on Training, Intelligence Support Mission – Defence Minister

    The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has confirmed the presence of United States soldiers in Nigeria, explaining that their deployment is strictly for advisory and training purposes in support of Nigeria’s security operations.

    Badaru disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, following rising public concern and speculation over the activities of foreign troops within the country.

    According to him, the U.S. military personnel are not engaged in direct combat operations but are assisting Nigerian security agencies through intelligence sharing, capacity building, and technical support aimed at strengthening counter-terrorism efforts.

    “The presence of U.S. soldiers in Nigeria is not new, and it is not for fighting on our behalf,” the minister said. “They are here to provide advisory support, training, and intelligence cooperation to help our armed forces improve their operational effectiveness.”

    He stressed that the collaboration is being carried out under clearly defined agreements that respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and national interest.

    Badaru noted that Nigeria has long-standing defence partnerships with several countries, including the United States, as part of efforts to address evolving security threats such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency.

    “The security challenges we face today require international cooperation. No country can successfully fight terrorism in isolation,” he added.

    The minister further explained that the U.S. support focuses on enhancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as improving logistics and operational planning for Nigerian forces.

    He assured Nigerians that all foreign military activities in the country are conducted with the full knowledge and approval of the Federal Government, adding that such partnerships are subject to periodic review.

    Badaru also commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria for recent gains recorded in operations against terrorist groups across different parts of the country, attributing the progress to improved coordination and sustained capacity building.

    He urged the public to disregard misinformation and unverified reports surrounding foreign military presence in Nigeria, emphasizing that transparency remains a key priority of the Ministry of Defence.

    The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace and security nationwide, assuring that all measures being taken are geared toward safeguarding lives, property, and national sovereignty.

  • Burial Turns Tragic as Bandits Kill Two, Burn LG Chairman’s Vehicle in Kaduna

    Suspected bandits on Monday killed two persons and set several vehicles ablaze, including the official vehicle of the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, during a burial ceremony in Ugom community, Kaduna State.

    The incident occurred at Dogon-Noma area of the community while residents and sympathisers were attending the burial of the late father of a local political figure.

    Eyewitnesses told Source that the assailants, who arrived on motorcycles, stormed the venue and began shooting sporadically, causing panic and forcing mourners to flee for safety.

    Two residents, identified as Bitrus David, 25, and Goma Idi, 40, were reportedly killed during the attack.

    Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Ugom Progressive Union, Mr Onnusim Alhaji Ishaya, said the gunmen also set at least four vehicles on fire, including the official vehicle belonging to the council chairman.

    “The attackers came suddenly and started shooting. Two of our youths were killed, and vehicles were burnt at the burial ground, including that of the local government chairman,” Ishaya said.

    He added that the scale of destruction had thrown the community into mourning and fear, noting that some residents were still unaccounted for as at the time of filing this report.

    Residents described the attack as unprovoked, lamenting the recurring insecurity in the area despite repeated appeals to security agencies for increased protection.

    Efforts by the Source to obtain official comments from the Nigeria Police Force in the state were unsuccessful, as calls to the command’s spokesperson were not answered as at press time.

    The latest incident adds to the growing list of violent attacks linked to banditry in parts of Kaduna State, particularly in rural communities where armed groups have continued to target residents, public officials and social gatherings.

    Community leaders have renewed calls on the Federal and Kaduna State Governments to deploy more security personnel to vulnerable areas to prevent further loss of lives and property.

  • FG Seeks Stronger Coordination in Defence, Security Operations

    The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national security through enhanced collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, as top government officials met on Thursday in Abuja to review ongoing security strategies and inter-agency coordination.

    The working session, convened at the Ministry of Defence headquarters, brought together senior officials from relevant security and defence institutions to assess current security challenges and explore measures for improving intelligence sharing, operational synergy and policy implementation across the country.

    Speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Defence said the Federal Government was determined to deepen cooperation among security agencies in order to effectively address emerging threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of organised crime.

    He noted that sustained collaboration between the defence sector and other government institutions remained critical to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that security was a collective responsibility requiring coordinated efforts at all levels.

    According to him, the ministry has continued to work closely with the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies to enhance operational readiness, logistics support and capacity building, in line with the administration’s broader security agenda.

    The minister also highlighted the importance of regular strategic engagements, saying such working sessions provided an opportunity to review progress, identify gaps and align policies with current realities on the ground.

    In his remarks, a representative of the Federal Government commended the Armed Forces for their sacrifices and professionalism, assuring them of continued government support through improved funding, welfare packages and modern equipment.

    He said the government was committed to ensuring that security agencies were adequately equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to security threats, while also upholding the rule of law and respect for human rights.

    The session also featured briefings on ongoing military operations across various theatres, as well as discussions on strengthening civil-military relations and enhancing cooperation with state governments and local communities.

    Participants at the meeting agreed on the need to sustain dialogue and information exchange among relevant stakeholders, noting that a united approach was essential to achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.

    The working session ended with a resolution to intensify collaboration between the Federal Government and the Ministry of Defence, with a focus on proactive security measures and long-term strategic planning.

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