metro
Nigeria investigates Gulf of Guinea as major arms trafficking route – NSA
Nigeria investigates Gulf of Guinea as major arms trafficking route – NSA
The National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, says the Federal Government is investigating Gulf of Guinea, GoG, as a major route for arms trafficking into Nigeria.
Mr Ribadu made this known at a two-Day Seminar on Climate Change and the Changing Dynamics of Arms Proliferation and Insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea: Nigeria in Perspective, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The seminar was organised by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, NCCSALW, Office of the National Security Adviser in Collaboration with the Global Network for Human Development.
Mr Ribadu was represented by the Director of External Affairs, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Ibrahim Babani.
He said the GoG had abundant natural resources and underground mineral deposits boasting of an estimated 24 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, contributing roughly five million barrels daily to global crude chain.
According to him, the region constitutes of 16 countries including Nigeria, spread along its roughly 6,000 kilometres of unbroken coastline.
“It is the maritime gateway between Africa and the rest of the world.
“However, the lucrative nature of the GoG in terms of natural resources, movement of ships and related economic activities attracts strange bedfellows and men of the underworld with ulterior motives pursuing nefarious activities in the GoG.
“Organised crime syndicates are involved in various devastating crimes, notably; drug trafficking, human trafficking, oil theft, kidnaping & hostage taking of ship crews, piracy, smuggling of contraband goods.
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“In this category lies the smuggling of Small Arms and Light Weapons by international crime syndicates.
“Though there have been reports on the proliferation of SALW through the Maritime Sector, the government is interested in further interrogation of the GoG as a major route for arms trafficking,’’ he said.
The NSA said there was need for additional interrogation of the nexus between climate change, armed violence and the proliferation of arms within the countries of the GoG.
He said that SALWs had long been identified as both a root cause and enabler of insecurity globally.
According to him, the threat posed by their availability in the hands of non-state actors and international crime syndicates have left countries grappling with finding solutions to combatting the challenges.
He said that all 14 reported kidnappings of crew members and 75 per cent of crew members held hostage in 2023 happened in the GoG.
“Additionally, two crew members were injured, reinforcing the GoG’s reputation as treacherous waters for seafarers.
“According to the same report, this maritime threat has evolved from the looting and hijacking of oil cargos to the kidnapping of seafarers, bringing the root cause of the problem sharply into focus,’’ he added.
The Director-General of NCCSALW, retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, said that the impact of climate change had become a significant contributor to displacement and instability in various regions, particularly the Gulf of Guinea.
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Mr Kokumo said it was also a significant driver of instability and conflict in vulnerable regions across the world with criminal networks exploiting the situation.
According to him, this instability has in turn fuelled the demand for arms, contributing to the rise in the proliferation of small arms and light weapons
He said the 2-Day seminar would provide an invaluable opportunity to examine the complex linkages.
“We must reflect on how the changing climate exacerbates insecurity, weakens governance and allows the illegal arms trade to thrive.
“Furthermore, we need to explore how we can respond to these emerging threats more effectively by fostering stronger national and regional frameworks for arms control, environmental resilience and conflict mitigation.
“I assure you of the Centres commitment and resolve to ensure the menace of SALW is curbed,’’ he said.
The guest lecturer, Dr Dickson Orji, who is the President of GOLHD Centre, said that bulk of illicit armed in Nigeria were moved through the maritime domain.
Mr Orji urged the government to pay more attention to the maritime arena in the fight against the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the country.
He added that the larger percentage of goods coming into the country were through the maritime, adding that more attention be given to the sector to ensure that all ships were properly inspected and certified.
He recommended continuous advocacy and stakeholder engagements, empowerment of the relevant agencies responsible for maritime security and building synergy between the security agencies in the sector.
NAN
Nigeria investigates Gulf of Guinea as major arms trafficking route – NSA
metro
Ekiti court sentences 2 men to death for robbery, kidnapping
Ekiti court sentences 2 men to death for robbery, kidnapping
A High Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, has sentenced two men to death by hanging for their involvement in armed robbery and kidnapping.
The convicts identified as 42 year old Onileowo Rotimi, 42 year old Adetola Ayodele were brought before Justice Bamidele Omotoso, on Monday, April 14 on charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
The charge read, “The convicts on 7th October, 2016 at Abuta Omuo Ekiti did conspire to commit armed robbery, when they robbed one Mrs Ajibola Oyelola and on the same date and place, also conspired to kidnap the victim.
“The offences are contrary to sections 516, 402 and 403 (A) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, also Section 3 (a)(b) of the Ekiti State Kidnapping and Terrorism (prohibition) Laws, 2015.”
The victim gave a detailed account of what transpired while testifying in court.
She said, “I was cooking in the kitchen around 8.30pm, suddenly I saw five gunmen in the living room, they asked of my husband, they said he offended their boss and they are here to kill him and since he was not at home, they collected my car key and a sum of N78,000 I have at home.
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They blindfolded me and also tied my hands, I was ordered to lay face down at the back seat. Before I entered the car, I saw my gateman where his hands and legs were tied with rope. I was taken to an unknown place inside bush, I was with them for eight days.
“They called my husband on the fourth day and demanded for a ransom of N40m, but my husband was able to raise and pay N600,000 gathered from friends and families before I was released.
“They were not masked throughout the time in the bush, I saw their faces clearly.”
To support his case, the prosecutor, Akinola Abon, presented four witnesses and submitted the defendants’ statements as evidence.
The defendants, speaking through their attorney, admitted that they met and became friends while in prison before committing the alleged crimes.
They did not call any witnesses.
While delivering the judgment, Justice Bamidele Omotoso said, “The prosecution has fruitfully proved the case of conspiracy, kidnapping and armed robbery against the defendants.
“Consequently, the defendants are found guilty of all the offences as charged.
“For kidnapping, the defendants are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment and for armed robbery, the defendants are to be hanged by the neck until they are dead, may God have mercy on your souls.”
Ekiti court sentences 2 men to death for robbery, kidnapping
metro
Troops rescue 16 kidnapped passengers in Plateau
Troops rescue 16 kidnapped passengers in Plateau
Troops of the 3 Division Nigerian Army and Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have successfully rescued 16 passengers who were kidnapped along the Jos-Mangu Road in Plateau State.
The rescue operation began when troops, conducting Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A, discovered an abandoned vehicle on the roadside at Mararraban Kantoma in Mangu Local Government Area. Suspicious that the vehicle had been used in a kidnapping, the troops launched a search in the surrounding bushes.
Their swift action led to the rescue of the 16 victims, who were found unharmed.
He explained that the kidnappers, on sighting the troops, opened fire, but the troops overwhelmed the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon the victims and fled.
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The statement added that troops exploited the general area and rescued all 16 abducted passengers, which included six children.
OPSH further maintained that troops administered first aid to some of the rescued victims who sustained minor injuries during the incident.
He pointed out that the Troops escorted the victims to safety to continue their journey to Jos metropolis.
Meanwhile, OPSH troops were on the lookout for the fleeing kidnappers suspected to have sustained gunshot wounds during the gun duel.
OPSH reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property within the Joint Operations Area, while troops remained motivated to deny miscreants freedom of action.
Troops rescue 16 kidnapped passengers in Plateau
metro
Court remands Portable over inability to meet bail conditions
Court remands Portable over inability to meet bail conditions
Controversial Nigerian musician, Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has been remanded in the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State, after failing to meet the stringent bail conditions set by an Upper Area Court in the state.
This follows Portable’s appearance in court on Monday where he faced charges of defamation of character, filed against him by veteran Fuji musician Akorede Saheed, widely known as Saheed Osupa.
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The singer’s legal troubles stem from allegations that he made insulting remarks against Osupa, which the latter claims have tarnished his reputation.
The ‘zazoo-zeh’ crooner, however, received bail of N1 million and other stringent bail conditions, including providing two sureties in like sum.
According to the court’s directive, one of the sureties must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, while the other must be a property owner within a Government Reserved Area in Ilorin, supported by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
Court remands Portable over inability to meet bail conditions
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