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Terrorists use captives as human shield, says Buhari

Published

4 years ago

May 3, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari

Service chiefs should locate, eliminate criminals
IG deploys surveillance choppers

Holding on to hostages as human shield by terrorists is prolonging anti-terror war, President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday.

“The bandits are just pushing their luck; but this is only for a while before they are finally crushed. They are using civilians as human shields, thereby making it difficult to confront them directly,” the President told some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The residents, led by the FCT Minister, Mohammed Musa Bello, were at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to pay Sallah homage on the President.

According to the President, bandits and terrorists, unlike professional soldiers, do not respect the rules of engagement and therefore, could resort to harming their hostages when under threat.

Buhari said the Service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) have the responsibility of locating the bandits’ in their hideouts for elimination.

The IGP, Usman Alkali, announced the deployment of surveillance choppers yesterday.

On why caution must be applied in taking out terrorists without collateral damages to the innocent, the President said: “They don’t care about killing their hostages if they come under attack. It’s a delicate situation that requires wisdom, caution and also patience. Any rescue operation that results in the death of any hostage cannot be deemed a success.

“The government doesn’t want this kind of tragic outcome. It’s a complex situation that demands proper handling. The primary objective of any rescue operation is to free the hostages safely, unharmed and alive.

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“Let me make it clear, however, that defeating the terrorists and bandits require more than weapons; we also need human intelligence, which is necessary to frustrate terrorist plans.

“The people and community leaders should help our security officials with information about the activities or movements of criminal groups.”

Calling on Nigerians to make their communities hostile for criminals to live in, the President warned: ”By protecting criminals from exposure, you are endangering your own security and the security of your own community. No criminal can thrive in an environment where he faces the risks of exposure by the people.”

He said a stronger synergy between security agencies and communities would make a huge difference in defeating banditry and terrorism.

Allaying fears that bandits could grow to yet another big challenge in the mould of Boko Haram, the President assured his administration will not allow such to happen.

“This administration has allocated huge resources to improve the capacity of our security forces by timely giving them adequate equipment and improving the welfare of personnel to boost their morale.

“Abuja has witnessed remarkable improvements in terms of security. In the past, terrorists had made it almost impossible to conduct our normal lives. Road barricades had overrun the capital city and people had to pray in fear because of the anxiety of terrorist attacks. No place in FCT was beyond the terrorist – not the United Nations Building, not the Police Headquarters.

“But today, the situation is no longer so. We have significantly weakened and crippled the capabilities of the Boko Haram terrorists so much that they no longer have the ability to seize and occupy any Nigerian territory without being repelled by our gallant troops.

“Of course, we can’t say that the terrorists are one hundred per cent destroyed, but we have destroyed their ability to seize our territory.

“This improvement in terms of significantly weakening the enemy is necessary for finally defeating them. The rate at which the terrorists are giving up their weapons and surrendering to our troops is a significant and welcome development.”

On the steps being made to secure freedom for the remaining passengers on attacked Abuja-Kaduna train, the President said he has directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to coordinate rescue efforts from a situation room.

The passengers were taking into captivity by terrorists who ambushed the Kaduna-bound train on March 28.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said the government would ensure the rescue of the hostages alive and unhurt.

The Situation Room, the statement said, would provide more regular and detailed information to families.

He noted that even as Muslims across the country are celebrating the end of the Ramadan fasting with joy, the fact that there are many other families, whose loved one are being held in captivity by criminal elements, was not lost on the administration.

The president recalled that he had recently directed security agencies to effect the rescue of all hostages in all parts of the country.

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The statement reads: “As we celebrate this occasion with joy amidst friends and family members, we are fully conscious of the fact that many families in our country are in a state of fear and anxiety on account of the many captives held by terrorists against their will, including those taken away after the tragic bombing of the Abuja – Kaduna train.

“I have directed security agencies to ensure quick and safe recovery of all victims of kidnapping. I urge the railway management to immediately set up a situation room for the coordination of the rescue mission and for a minute-by-minute engagement with the families of the captives.”

He commended the FCT minister for ensuring the capital city is safe and attractive to prospective investors.

He said: “It’s my pleasure to welcome you all to the presidential villa. As is the tradition, people pay homage to the President as part of the events to mark the Sallah celebration.

“I value these kinds of visits because they afford me the opportunity to interact directly with the people or their representatives. I commend the FCT residents for living in peace and harmony for years since the capital officially came into being.”

THE NATION

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Yemi Osinbajo Appointed Senior Strategic Adviser to Africa CDC

Published

2 days ago

April 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo

Yemi Osinbajo Appointed Senior Strategic Adviser to Africa CDC

Former Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has been appointed as Senior Strategic Adviser to the Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), as the agency pushes forward the continent’s Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) agenda.

The appointment, announced on Monday, comes at a critical time as Africa CDC seeks to enhance health systems, boost domestic financing, expand local production of medical supplies, and strengthen Africa’s influence in global health governance. In this role, Osinbajo will provide strategic guidance on pandemic preparedness, sustainable healthcare financing, policy direction, and continental collaboration.

Director-General Jean Kaseya praised Osinbajo’s wealth of experience, highlighting his expertise at the intersection of governance, finance, law, and diplomacy. “At a time when Africa must act with greater authority on the future of health, his leadership will be invaluable,” Kaseya said. He added that Osinbajo’s appointment reflects Africa CDC’s commitment to mobilising top African leadership in service of the continent’s health security and development.

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Osinbajo served as Nigeria’s Vice-President from 2015 to 2023, during which he chaired the Economic Sustainability Committee, contributed to reforms enhancing the ease of doing business, and played a key role in implementing Nigeria’s social investment programmes. Earlier, he was Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State from 1999 to 2007. His legal and governance background positions him to offer critical insights on health policy, regulatory frameworks, and strategic partnerships.

The AHSS agenda, which Osinbajo will help drive, seeks to strengthen Africa’s self-reliance in health, improve disease surveillance, and foster regional collaboration to respond more effectively to pandemics and other public health emergencies. Experts say his advisory role will be crucial in promoting local production of vaccines and medical equipment, ensuring Africa can meet its own health needs while influencing global health decisions.

Africa CDC, operating under the African Union, aims to support member states in building resilient health systems capable of confronting future outbreaks and public health crises. Osinbajo’s appointment is expected to further amplify Africa’s voice in global health while ensuring sustainable health development across the continent.

Yemi Osinbajo Appointed Senior Strategic Adviser to Africa CDC

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Iran Lists Tough Conditions for Peace Talks with US

Published

3 days ago

April 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran Lists Tough Conditions for Peace Talks with US

By Agency Report

Iran has outlined a set of strict preconditions for engaging in negotiations with the United States aimed at achieving a lasting peace, signalling a hardening of its stance amid ongoing hostilities in the Middle East.

According to a senior Iranian official who spoke to Reuters, Tehran is insisting on an immediate halt to U.S. military strikes, alongside firm guarantees that such attacks will not be repeated, as a prerequisite for any talks.

The official also disclosed that Iran is demanding compensation for damages suffered during the conflict, underscoring the country’s position that any future negotiations must address the consequences of the ongoing war.

In a further indication of its firm posture, Iran has rejected proposals for a temporary ceasefire, maintaining that only a comprehensive and permanent peace agreement would be acceptable.

Tehran is also pushing for new arrangements regarding the strategic Strait of Hormuz, including the right to impose transit fees on vessels passing through the vital global oil shipping route. The proposed fees, according to the official, would vary depending on the type of vessel, its cargo, and prevailing conditions.

The development comes amid intensified diplomatic efforts led by regional mediators, including Pakistan, to broker a ceasefire between the two sides. A U.S.-backed proposal for a 45-day truce has reportedly been put forward as a stepping stone toward broader negotiations, though Tehran has dismissed the idea as insufficient.

Tensions between the two countries remain high, with both sides holding firm to their positions. Analysts say Iran’s demands reflect a broader strategy to secure long-term guarantees and reshape the terms of engagement in the region, rather than accept short-term de-escalation measures.

With neither side showing signs of compromise, prospects for immediate negotiations appear uncertain, raising concerns about further escalation and its implications for global security and energy markets.

Iran Lists Tough Conditions for Peace Talks with US

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Tinubu Unveils ₦3.3tn Electricity Bailout to Revive Nigeria’s Power Sector

Published

4 days ago

April 6, 2026

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu Unveils ₦3.3tn Electricity Bailout to Revive Nigeria’s Power Sector

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping ₦3.3 trillion power sector bailout aimed at clearing long-standing debts and stabilising Nigeria’s struggling electricity industry.

The intervention, implemented under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme, is designed to resolve liabilities accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025, following a comprehensive verification process.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga disclosed that the ₦3.3 trillion electricity debt settlement represents a full and final agreement to restore financial stability across the sector. He explained that the debts, largely driven by unpaid invoices, tariff shortfalls, and subsidy obligations, had significantly weakened liquidity in the power value chain.

Implementation of the power sector debt repayment plan has already commenced, with 15 generation companies signing settlement agreements worth about ₦2.3 trillion. The Federal Government has raised ₦501 billion so far to fund the initiative, out of which ₦223 billion has already been disbursed, while additional payments are ongoing.

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The Nigeria electricity sector bailout is expected to inject much-needed cash into the industry, ensuring that gas suppliers receive payments, power plants can sustain operations, and electricity generation becomes more stable. With improved liquidity, officials say the country could begin to see gradual improvements in power supply, reduced grid disruptions, and better service delivery.

Special Adviser on Energy to the President, Olu Arowolo-Verheijen, said the programme is not just about clearing debts but rebuilding trust across the industry. She noted that restoring confidence is critical to attracting investment, maintaining consistent gas supply, and ensuring that power plants operate efficiently.

She further explained that the initiative forms part of broader power sector reforms in Nigeria, including nationwide metering improvements and the introduction of service-based tariffs that align electricity costs with the quality of supply. According to her, the government is also prioritising electricity supply to businesses, industries, and small enterprises, recognising that reliable power is essential for job creation and economic growth.

The Tinubu administration believes the electricity sector stabilisation plan will reduce reliance on generators, lower the cost of doing business, and improve productivity across key sectors of the economy. Analysts say resolving the sector’s liquidity crisis could unlock new investments and strengthen Nigeria’s overall economic performance.

President Tinubu also commended stakeholders for their cooperation in addressing long-standing challenges in the industry and confirmed that the next phase of the reform programme, Series II, will commence within the current quarter. The phase is expected to deepen structural reforms and ensure long-term sustainability of the electricity market.