Rev Kukah Urges Dialogue, Not Weapons, to Tackle Nigeria’s Insecurity

At a national security dialogue in Abuja on Thursday, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev Matthew Hassan Kukah, cautioned against the growing calls to arm communities as a response to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, warning that weapons could create new dangers rather than solutions.

“There is a growing belief that communities can defend themselves by arming up. But arms will not solve our problems. They offer a false sense of security. And when peace returns, where will those weapons go?” Kukah said.

The event, themed “A whole-of-society approach to the prevention of violence and conflict in Northern Nigeria,” was convened by the National Peace Committee (NPC), The Kukah Centre, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). It brought together religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society actors, security professionals, and policy experts to explore strategies for strengthening peacebuilding efforts in Northern Nigeria.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and stabilizing the country. He highlighted progress under the Tinubu administration, including intelligence-driven operations, security reforms, and expanded community-based early-warning systems, which have led to thousands of insurgents surrendering and over 775 terrorism-related convictions.

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“We will defeat terror. We will restore order. We will not give up, and we will not surrender,” Ribadu declared, emphasizing that those attempting to destabilize the country would face decisive action. He also urged practical outcomes from the dialogue, stressing that sustainable peace requires actionable measures that strengthen resilience, rebuild trust, and improve security across the North and beyond.

Rev Kukah rejected arming communities as a solution, describing Nigeria’s security crisis as a symptom of deep social and moral decay. He cited underlying issues such as unstable homes, fragmented communities, and weakened moral foundations as factors enabling banditry and terrorism.

“The scale and depth of our insecurity show that we have reached the lowest point. The good news is that the only direction left is upward,” Kukah said, urging the country to embrace its diversity as a strength rather than a liability.

He emphasized that peacebuilding is a collective responsibility, beginning with individuals, families, and communities. Kukah also highlighted the importance of including women in peace processes, noting that despite forming the majority of the population, many women lack representation in decision-making.

“Women make up the majority of our population, yet many lack a voice. We cannot build peace while excluding half of our population,” he said, calling for humility, justice, and active participation from the government, religious, and traditional authorities.

Rev Kukah Urges Dialogue, Not Weapons, to Tackle Nigeria’s Insecurity

Sheikh Gumi Links Foreign Powers to Nigeria’s Escalating Security Crisis

Prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Mahmoud Gumi has raised concerns about possible foreign involvement in Nigeria’s prolonged security crisis, suggesting that powerful external actors may be supporting armed groups operating in the country.

In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, monitored in Kaduna, Sheikh Gumi pointed to recent attacks across Nigeria, noting that the patterns of violence contradict earlier signs of improvement in national security.

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He highlighted the Abuja–Kaduna highway, historically one of the deadliest routes for commuters, which had become safer in recent months before the resurgence of violence. Similarly, farmers in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, who had abandoned their lands due to persistent threats, had started returning to cultivate their farms, signaling temporary stability before the recent spike in attacks.

Gumi said the sudden reversal in security progress raises critical questions about possible external support for insurgent activities.

He urged the Nigerian government to intensify intelligence operations, strengthen diplomatic engagements, and thoroughly investigate all external links that may be fuelling the country’s insecurity.

Sheikh Gumi Links Foreign Powers to Nigeria’s Escalating Security Crisis

VIO to Challenge Court of Appeal Ruling Barring Vehicle Impoundment

The Department of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), also known as Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), has announced plans to take its legal battle over vehicle impoundment and fines to the Supreme Court following the Court of Appeal’s affirmation of a ruling prohibiting the agency from seizing vehicles or penalizing motorists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Acting Director of DRTS, Deborah Osho, stated in an interview on Thursday that the appellate decision has worsened traffic indiscipline in Abuja. She warned that despite relying on ticketing as an alternative enforcement mechanism, unpaid penalties have exceeded N409 million.

Earlier, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in a judgment delivered by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, upheld the October 16, 2024 ruling of the Federal High Court, which barred VIO officials from stopping, impounding, or levying fines on vehicles. The three-member panel dismissed the DRTS appeal as lacking merit.

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Osho expressed frustration over motorists’ disregard for traffic rules, citing chaotic conditions on Airport Road, and criticized the inability of the agency to enforce compliance. “Have you ever seen anywhere in the world where traffic is well coordinated without enforcement?” she asked.

The original suit was filed by public interest lawyer Abubakar Marshal (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) after his vehicle was seized by VIO officers in Jabi on December 12, 2023. Marshal argued that the officers acted unlawfully, infringing on his rights, including freedom of movement and ownership of property.

Federal High Court Justice Nkeonye Maha ruled in favor of Marshal, declaring that no existing law empowered DRTS officers to stop, impound vehicles, or impose fines. The court issued a perpetual injunction restraining the agency from further infringement and awarded N2.5 million against the DRTS, its Director, the Abuja Area Commander, team leader Solomon Onoja, and the FCT Minister.

Dissatisfied, the DRTS appealed, but the Court of Appeal on Thursday confirmed the lower court’s ruling in full, prompting the agency to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.

VIO to Challenge Court of Appeal Ruling Barring Vehicle Impoundment