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Defence Minister Unveils New Security Strategy, Orders Troops to Shoot Armed Bandits on Sight
Defence Minister Unveils New Security Strategy, Orders Troops to Shoot Armed Bandits on Sight
Newly appointed Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), has issued a decisive directive ordering troops to engage armed bandits on sight without waiting for additional commands. The minister made this declaration during his Senate screening on Wednesday, stressing that immediate engagement is vital for frontline protection and for restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s security operations.
Responding to lawmakers’ concerns about operational delays in confronting insurgents, Musa clarified that soldiers deployed to conflict zones already possess an automatic mandate to neutralise armed criminals. He maintained that personnel must act swiftly to defend themselves, their colleagues, and vulnerable communities.
According to Musa, “Once you are deployed, you automatically have that responsibility. Somebody is aiming to shoot at you—waiting for orders from who? If any member of the armed forces tells you he’s waiting for an order, he is lying and is only a coward.”
The Defence Minister further revealed a plan to withdraw soldiers from routine checkpoints nationwide and redeploy them to more volatile operational theatres. Under the restructuring, the Nigeria Police Force and NSCDC will take over checkpoint duties, enabling military units to intensify operations in forested and high-risk regions where bandits operate.
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Musa emphasised that the shift is essential to reclaim farmlands, protect food-producing communities, and reverse the disruptions caused by widespread violence. “Farmers must be able to go back to their farms… If people can’t eat, you can imagine what will happen,” he warned.
Addressing rising mass killings across regions, Musa condemned the perpetrators as “a bunch of evil people on drugs” and urged unified national action. He stressed that lapses in coordination allow criminals to exploit weak points in the security system, calling for improved synergy among all agencies.
On military recruitment, the minister disclosed plans to intensify background checks to detect saboteurs, ensure loyalty, and balance regional representation. He noted that while over 70,000 Nigerians applied to join the military, some candidates resist postings to conflict areas, and certain states contribute fewer recruits.
Musa also proposed engaging retired military personnel with decades of experience, insisting that their expertise should be utilised to strengthen national security frameworks.
Acknowledging the pressure on his new office, Musa vowed not to fail Nigerians. He pledged to close long-standing security gaps attributed to years of inadequate coordination between communities and government structures.
Through his assertive policy shifts, Musa signalled a new era in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, banditry, and insecurity, assuring lawmakers that his leadership will deliver improved national safety.
Defence Minister Unveils New Security Strategy, Orders Troops to Shoot Armed Bandits on Sight
News
US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria
US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria
Several United States lawmakers have raised fresh alarm over alleged Christian persecution and genocide in Nigeria, urging diplomatic intervention, policy action, and international attention to the country’s ongoing security crisis.
Republican Representative Riley Moore highlighted violence by armed groups, including Boko Haram and Fulani militias, which have displaced hundreds of thousands of Christians, particularly in Benue State. Moore described the attacks as “genocidal” and has called for stronger U.S. engagement to protect vulnerable communities.
In Congress, lawmakers have introduced resolutions condemning violence against Christians in Nigeria, with some pushing to designate the country as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)”, a U.S. foreign policy measure that could trigger sanctions and diplomatic pressure. Supporters argue the move is necessary to compel Nigeria to strengthen security, while critics caution that such a designation could strain U.S.–Nigeria relations.
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The Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed the genocide narrative as propaganda and misinformation, noting that Nigeria’s security challenges affect both Christian and Muslim communities. Abuja has also hired U.S.-based lobbyists to communicate its security efforts and clarify that the violence is linked to terrorism and communal conflict, not targeted religious extermination.
Religious and civil society voices remain divided. Some emphasise the real threat to Christian communities, while others warn that framing the situation as genocide oversimplifies Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges, which include terrorism, banditry, and communal violence.
As debate intensifies, the controversy continues to influence international perceptions, diplomatic relations, and discussions on religious freedom and security policy in Nigeria.
US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria
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Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations
Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo met privately with ex-military ruler General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at Babangida’s residence in Minna, Niger State, in a closed-door meeting that has sparked widespread speculation about potential political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, drew attention as both leaders emerged as key elder statesmen whose counsel and influence are often sought by Nigeria’s political elite. Neither Obasanjo nor Babangida spoke to journalists after the session, and no official statement was released, fueling discussions about behind-the-scenes strategic planning and coalition-building for 2027.
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Political analysts note that such high-profile consultations are common ahead of major elections, as party leaders, former presidents, and influential figures explore alliances, policy priorities, and national governance strategies. Observers also link this meeting to recent PDP and APC elder consultations, signaling continued efforts by senior politicians to shape the electoral landscape.
The rendezvous underscores Obasanjo’s continuing role as a political kingmaker, leveraging his network and experience to influence party strategies, candidate selection, and national discourse. With the 2027 elections approaching, similar closed-door meetings among Nigeria’s top political figures are expected to intensify in the coming months.
Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations
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Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing
Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing
There has been widespread anger in Borno State after the All Progressives Congress (APC) omitted Vice‑President Kashim Shettima from the official banner at the party’s North‑East zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments in Maiduguri. The banner, which featured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the five APC governors from the region, and the party’s National Legal Adviser, conspicuously left out Shettima, a native of Borno State.
The omission prompted immediate backlash from party leaders, including Abdulkarim Lawan, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, who described it as “provocative and unfair,” stressing that it was inappropriate to sideline a senior party official in his home state. The speaker recalled a similar controversy at an APC event in Gombe State last year, highlighting persistent sensitivities within the party’s North‑East faction.
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Attendees of the Maiduguri hearing, convened to discuss proposed constitutional amendments, expressed support for Lawan’s remarks, with loud applause and calls for the Vice‑President’s recognition. In response, the APC Deputy National Chairman dismissed the exclusion as an oversight by organisers, insisting there was no intention to diminish Shettima’s status and affirming that the hearing’s focus remained on party reforms rather than politics.
The incident comes amid speculation about internal APC dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections, including questions around representation and leadership within the North‑East. Analysts note that repeated omissions of Shettima at high-profile events could fuel perceptions of internal rifts and affect party cohesion in the region.
Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing
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