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International  Day Of Peace: CITAD calls for Use of Technology to enhance Peace

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The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), a National nongovernmental organization using ICT to promote peace and mitigate conflict, foster development, good governance, and societal wellbeing in peace and tranquility is joining millions of people over the world in celebrating the 2020 International Day of Peace with the theme  “Shaping Peace Together”.

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September.

 

In a statement by Ag program coordinator of the center, Ibrahim Nuhu said The  UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace,  through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

Ibrahim Nuhu Said In Nigeria, this year, it has been clearer than ever that apart from enmity, religious, and ethnicity crises we have been battling with especially in the Northern part, our common enemy is a tireless virus that threatens our health, security, and very way of life.

 

According to him COVID-19 has thrown the world into turmoil and forcibly reminded mankind that what happens in one part of the planet can impact people everywhere.

Ibrahim Nuhu noted that It is a real tragedy looking into the overwhelming destabilization of peace and security in some states of North East and North West as people are deeply concerned with the daily hike of violence,  killings, kidnappings, burning of people’s properties, herder-farmer clashes, increase in rape cases, domestic violence, and so forth. To this end, we strongly condemn all acts of threatening peace and promoting violence in our dear nation.

 

 

CITAD further calls for the following measures to alleviate sufferings in human society which is subjected to untold suffering and hardships as follows.

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  1. We must endeavor to explore all the ingredients that build, sustain, and consolidate peaceful coexistence and in doing this, young people should be engaged fully to ensure sustainable peacebuilding.
  2. Government at all levels must create job opportunities to reduce youth unemployment and restiveness as unemployed youth are being used to perpetrate violence and are at risk of joining violent extremism.
  3. Young people should build a culture of peace among them by using innovative strategies and always say no to those who use them to cause violence.
  4. Violence is always evil and destructive. It is the responsibility of all patriotic Nigerians to

work collectively towards curbing the plague of insurgency, violent agitations, and hate

speech threatening the peace and corporate existence of the country.

  1. Employ the use of ICT tools will surely reduce corruption and enhance peacebuilding as

well as entrepreneurship opportunities for youth.

  1. CITAD is calling on all the stakeholders and peace actors in the interest of peace change

the strategies in converting violence and use Conflict resolution and management tools to

restore PEACE and security so that people will live in peace and the economy will boost.

  1. We are also calling on the security agencies to keep their eyes open and continue scouting

every citizen, be it a politician or not who engage in any act or say a word(s) of call to

action that may trigger violence or disturb peace in any society and bring these perpetrators

into a book without fear or favor.

The problem of insecurity in Nigeria has been further compounded by the lack of

technological know-how and its application majorly in the aspect of using information

technology as a tool in tackling insecurity in Nigeria. Therefore, the following are

recommended:

 Governments should invest more in ICT in the security sectors

  • Governments and individuals should embrace the use of Science and Technology

related research

  • There should be a proper collaboration between the information technology sector

and the Defence and security sector.

  • The federal government should ensure proper implementation of ICT tools and

training in all its agencies, departments, and parastatals; more especially in the security

headquarters and campuses, custom service commission, immigration service

offices and others. Such tools include the following:

  • Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
  • Online Vehicle Registration
  • Proper SIM Registration
  • GPS locations

Cheap and robust Drones for urban, rural and forest surveillance.

So, we are using this day to call on governments, individuals, security agencies, and Civil Society Organizations working on peace to do all we could to allow PEACE to reign.

CITAD wants to end this statement by enjoining people in the Northern states and Nigeria, in general, to shun violence and cherish peace at all times.

 

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February 19, 2026

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CDS Oluyede Honored with National Award in Sierra Leone

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has been decorated with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Rokel, one of Sierra Leone’s highest national honours. The award was conferred during a grand ceremony marking the 17th Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

In a statement released on [Date, if available], the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed that the honour recognises General Oluyede’s pivotal role in securing peace in Sierra Leone during his service with the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).

The statement highlighted that the award serves as a profound appreciation not only for General Oluyede’s personal contributions but also for the sacrifices of all Nigerian officers and soldiers who fought to restore peace and stability to the nation during its civil war.

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General Oluyede’s connection to Sierra Leone dates back to the early 1990s. Between 1992 and 1994, he was deployed as a Platoon Commander, tasked with securing the residence of the then-Head of State. During this period, he was lauded for his exemplary leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to protecting the government in a time of intense turmoil.

Aside from Nigerian CDS, other distinguished personalities from Nigeria, Guinea, United Kingdom, United States and Kenya, among others, were equally awarded medals during the ceremony.

They included former Nigerian CDS, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), Lt. Gen. Daniel Opande of Kenya (rtd), Lt. Gen. Ibrahima Sory Bangoura of Guinea, Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers of USA and
Brig. Gen. Edward Butler (rtd) of the UK.

The Armed Forces Day event also served as a solemn tribute to the courage and sacrifice of regional forces. Special recognition was reserved for the Nigerian Armed Forces, whose steadfast commitment under the ECOMOG banner was described as being at the forefront of regional peace enforcement.

The Nigerian contingent was particularly commended for its distinctive bravery, resilience, and dedication to the protection of civilians during Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war, cementing the nation’s legacy as a cornerstone of peace and stability in the West African sub-region.

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Troops Kill Senior Boko Haram Commander, Arrest Drone Supplier in Zamfara Operation

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28 minutes ago

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February 19, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, operating in coordination with local vigilantes and hunters, have killed a senior Boko Haram commander during a mission in the Madagali axis of Zamfara State.

Security sources confirmed that the neutralised terrorist, identified as Abdullahi Mafa, was a former hybrid commander of the insurgent group. He was killed in a targeted operation on Thursday following a fierce encounter with security forces along the Visik River corridor.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the troops came into contact with suspected Boko Haram fighters while laying an ambush in the area, leading to a gun battle that resulted in Mafa’s death.

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In a separate but related operation within the same Madagali Local Government Area, troops also arrested a suspected logistics and drone supplier linked to the terrorists. The suspect, Dauda Usman Gubula, was apprehended during a raid at the Madagali Motor Park.

Makama, citing official sources, revealed that security operatives recovered several items from the suspect, including two aerial drones and 20 solar power banks believed to be destined for terrorist use. Gubula is currently in custody as investigations continue.

The military has maintained sustained offensive operations across the region as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle Boko Haram cells and restore normalcy to affected communities.

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Legal Troubles Mount for El-Rufai as ICPC Takes Him into Custody

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February 19, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The legal challenges facing the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, intensified on Wednesday as he was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The anti-graft agency confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday, signed by its Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey.

“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to state that Malam Nasiru El-Rufai the former Governor of Kaduna state is in our custody as at close of work, Wednesday the 18th day of February, 2026,” the statement read. “Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the Commission in connection with investigations.”

While the ICPC did not disclose the specific details of the allegations, his detention marks a significant escalation in the scrutiny of his eight-year tenure and follows a recent high-profile arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

El-Rufai’s transfer to ICPC custody comes immediately after he spent two nights with the EFCC over allegations of large-scale corruption and embezzlement. Those allegations stem from a Kaduna State House of Assembly ad-hoc committee report, which indicted his administration for allegedly siphoning approximately ₦432 billion through questionable contracts and money laundering.

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Sources revealed that while the EFCC had granted the former governor administrative bail, the process was derailed under controversial circumstances. The bail conditions reportedly required a Permanent Secretary and a Director in a federal ministry to stand as sureties. However, after one of the proposed sureties—a Permanent Secretary—arrived at the EFCC office to complete the formalities, the agency allegedly hesitated and later declined to proceed.

Further compounding the issue, it was learned that the Permanent Secretary subsequently withdrew from the process, citing alleged threats. This has raised concerns about possible intimidation and interference in the case.

El-Rufai was scheduled to appear before the ICPC on Wednesday for questioning over separate corruption allegations, leading to his transfer to the commission’s custody.

In a parallel legal front, the Department of State Services (DSS) has filed charges against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges, filed under suit number FHC/CR/99/2026, allege that the former governor unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

According to court documents dated February 16, 2026, the prosecution’s case hinges on comments El-Rufai made during a televised interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on February 13, 2026.

In the first count, the former governor is accused of unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications, an offense said to be contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

The second count alleges that El-Rufai admitted to knowing individuals involved in the interception but failed to report them to relevant security agencies, an offense under Section 27(b) of the same Act.

In the third count, prosecutors allege that El-Rufai and “others still at large” used technical systems to compromise public safety and national security by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations leveled against him, describing them as politically motivated “witch-hunts.” However, with the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS all pursuing separate investigations, the former governor now faces an unprecedented multi-agency legal offensive.

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