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Emulate IBB’s approaches to address banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria – General Akilu

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Retired Brigadier General Halliru Akilu

 

The former Chief of Defence Intelligence, Retired Brigadier-General Halliru Akilu, has called on leaders in Nigeria to emulate the security approaches adopted by former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida to address the security challenges facing the nation, especially banditry and kidnapping that are currently bedevilling Nigeria.

General Akilu made the call while contributing to a Virtual International Colloquium on the Legacies of President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in Ghana over the weekend.

Organized by the Africa Islamic Education Forum, the event attracted eminent participants, including former Presidents and Heads of State, political leaders, academia and researchers from across the continent.

General Akilu said the eight-year rule of President Ibrahim Babangida went through a tough terrain of turmoils and uncertainties capable of derailing the country but always took decisive steps to restore peace and order.

He said it was a leadership shaped not only to direct Nigerian affairs but also to guide the West African sub-region and Africa as a whole.

“The government firmly believed in laying the foundation of stability, promoting regional integration and economic reforms throughout the continent.”

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General Akilu advised leaders in the sub-region to take a closer examination of the IBB reforms in the sector which resulted in the splitting of the defunct Nigerian Security Organization( NSO) into three new security outfits namely the Defence Intelligence Agency( DIA), the National Intelligence Agency ( NIA) and the Department of State Services( DSS).

He emphasized that “with the current spate of banditry, kidnappings and general insecurity in the region, now is the time for leaders to replicate the ECOMOG model enunciated by the Babangida government to restore peace and economic freedom.”

On human development, General Akilu told participants that IBB deeply connected with the people he served, citing the founding of the famous Better Life for Rural Dwellers by his late wife, Hajiya Maryam Babangida; and the establishment of the Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure ( DFFRI) which littered the national space with roads, water, health and other essential amenities for the benefit of the rural populace.

A member of the Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum, General Akilu profoundly thanked the former Mauritius President for her kind compliments on General Babangida and the legacies he put in place.

He said the participation of President Ameenah and other contributors had gone a long way to further enlighten the world about the IBB government’s accomplishments.

The former Director of Military Intelligence described the holding of the Colloquium as an honour to President Babangida and the people of Nigeria.

In her keynote address earlier, the former Mauritius President, Dr Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib- Fakim noted that the IBB era was a period of giant reforms and the intensification of Infrastructure building.

She hailed the establishment of the two political parties, SDP and NRC during the regime, saying it was a good move to foster lasting democracy.

Dr Ameenah advised West African heads of government to emulate the resilience IBB had shown during ECMOG operations, stressing that there was a serious need to rejuvenate the security of the region in all ramifications.

The daughter of General Babangida, Hajiya Aishatu Babangida expressed gratitude to the former Mauritius President and other speakers, saying that the forum was a great honour to the family of the former Nigerian leader.

Hajiya Aishatu who had taken over as head of the Better Life Project after the demise of her mother, reaffirmed her resolve to execute with rigour all the key objectives of the programme through massive empowerment of local communities.

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Wike Kick-Starts Campaign for 2027 Election, Urges Rivers Electorates to Vote Tinubu

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike on Tuesday urged the electorate in Rivers to support President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027 to sustain the progress being recorded in the state.

Mr Wike made the appeal during his “thank you” visit to Degema Local Government Area of Rivers.

He cited the unprecedented attention Tinubu is giving to Rivers ranging from development projects, appointments, and human capital development.

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The minister, who said that the Rivers people ‘never had it this good’, urged the people to continue their support for Tinubu to sustain the gains.

He noted that although the due attention given to Rivers was attracting envy from every quarters, supporting the reelection of Tinubu would take Rivera to greater heights.

He explained that the visit was to thank the people for the continued support, urging them to replicate the gesture in 2027.

Earlier, Peter Abe, member representing Degema LGA in the State Assembly, thanked Wike for providing the needed leadership in the state.

Mr Abe said that all communities in the state were witness to what the minister did in 2023, which was beneficial to all people in the state.

He thanked Wike for steering the state to progress, assuring him of the readiness of the people to follow his directives in 2027.

The Chairman of council, Michael Williams, assured the minister of continued support, adding that all the community structures in the LGA would support the reelection of Tinubu.

Williams noted that Wike initiative to support the election of Tinubu in the state in 2023 has brought progress in the state, stressing that supporting his reelection bid would sustain the progress.

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2027: Ex-DSS DG, Lawal Daura to Contest Katsina Governorship

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

Former State Security Service Director-General, Lawal Daura, has announced his plans to run for the 2027 governorship election in Katsina State. He criticized the current administration’s performance and highlighted ongoing security issues as key reasons for his decision to enter the race.

During an interview with DCL Hausa on Tuesday, Mr. Daura stated that he has finished consulting about his political aspirations and will soon reveal the political party under which he plans to run.

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He said, “I have been making consultations on the platform to use to contest, and the consultations have been concluded. Very soon, I will make the platform known.

“Why do people serve for one or two terms? If they get it right, fine. But if the reverse is the case, then there is no point in seeking re-election. It is obvious the current governor is not capable.

“It is like putting a load on somebody and adjusting it. If he complains that the load is too heavy, you have to take it down to avoid destroying fragile items. For the current administration, we can say thank you for your efforts, but you should take a break because you can’t continue.

“I never saw myself coming out to contest. I admire politics, but I only participated from the background.”

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Court reverses dissolution of NNPP executives

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Kano high court has invalidated the dissolution of state, local and ward executive Council of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano, amounting the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) null and void.

In an exparte order granted by Justice Nasiru Saminu on Tuesday, the equally restrained the National Working Committee of NNPP from taking any further step regarding the leadership structure of the party in Kano until the hearing and determination of motion on notice filed by the plaintiff.

In a suit No. K/06/2026 instituted by one Abdullahi Zubairu Imam and five others (plaintiffs) on behalf of the executive Committee of NNPP at 44 local government areas of the state was filed against the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) as defendant, challenging their dissolution.

In the interim injunction, Justice Saminu also directed all parties to maintain Status-Quo-Ante as at 30th December, 2025, prior to the purported dissolution directive issued by the NWC of the party.

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“After hearing on the matter filed by K.K. Njidda Esq with S.A. Muhammad Esq counsels to the Applicants the court hereby order an interim injunction restraining the Defendant/Respondent either by himself, his agents, privies cohort, ad-hoc Committees, National Working Committee or any other persons acting on its Instruction howsoever described from appointing Caretaker Committees for the State, Local Government and Ward levels Executives of Kano State or taking any further step In respect of the subject matter of this suit pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice filed before this court.

“An order of interim injunction mandating the Defendant/Respondent maintain STATUS QUO ANTE as at 30 December, 2025 prior to the purported dissolution of the Kano State, Local Government and Ward levels executives pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“AN ORDER of this Honorable Court granting the Plaintiffs/Applicants to issue and serve the process in this suit on the Defendant at its National Secretariat situate at 11 Mahatma Gandhi Street, Area 11, Garki Abuja, Nigeria which is the outside the jurisdiction of this court”. A copy of the order as signed by Abba Sa’ad, registrar read.

Recall that the NWC of the NNPP declared the dissolution of the executive Council of the party across the party structure in Kano following the suspension of Hon. Hashim Dungurawa as Chairman of the party in the state. Dungurawa has been replaced by Abdullahi Abiya in acting capacity.

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