Connect with us

News

PDP chieftain urges Northern leaders to take responsibility for insecurity

Published

on

Presidential aspirant and Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Dr Gbenga Hashim, has urged Northern political, traditional, and social elites to take responsibility for what he described as the region’s escalating security collapse.

He also welcomed the appointment of General Christopher Musa (retd.) as Minister of Defence, insisting that the new role must translate into “practical results, not symbolism.”

Recall that Musa, whose nomination by President Bola Tinubu followed the exit of his predecessor, Abubakar Badaru, had earlier appeared before the Senate for screening.

The Red Chamber confirmed him as the new Defence Minister, and he took the oath of office on Thursday at the State House, Abuja.

In a statement released in Kaduna on Sunday, Hashim said he watched Musa’s Senate screening and was convinced the nominee demonstrated sincerity and clarity on how to confront Nigeria’s security challenges.

“I watched General Musa’s Senate clearance session. He sounded like someone genuinely committed to Nigeria. I hope he receives the full executive support needed to succeed in this critical assignment,” he said.

Hashim, however, warned that Nigerians and international security watchers had grown weary of promises without action, stressing that the country had reached a point where citizens demanded immediate, measurable interventions to end killings, kidnappings, and the expanding activities of extremist groups in the North.

“This is not the season for symbolism. This is the season for action. Nigerians want to see immediate steps. This appointment must not become another publicity stunt. We want to see policies, programmes, and results,” he cautioned.

He urged the executive and the National Assembly to fast-track the legal framework for state and local government policing, saying no country battling complex violent extremism could rely solely on federal security structures.

According to him, sustainable reforms were impossible without building strong, community-based security institutions.

He also argued that the North must confront internal governance failures that have enabled extremist networks to recruit young people across the region.

“That extremists are finding recruits in their thousands is not accidental. It is the product of deep poverty caused by decades of governance failure at state and local government levels.

“While the Sahel crisis has contributed, poor local governance has compounded the problem,” he said.

Hashim contrasted the prevailing insecurity and leadership crisis with what he described as the disciplined and integrity-driven political culture of the First Republic.


“In the days of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Aminu Kano, Joseph Tarka, and Sir Kashim Ibrahim, the North was safer, more united, and governed with honesty and discipline.

“Today, too many of our leaders live like oil sheikhs in the midst of mass poverty,” he lamented.

He said the region urgently needed a moral and political reset and called for a new generation of leaders committed to accountability and public good.

“It is time for the North to replace leaders who live like oil sheikhs amidst poverty and continue to hold onto power through ethnic and religious manipulation,” Hashim added.

Loading

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Headline

Tinubu Hails Super Eagles For Winning Bronze At AFCON

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Nigerian national team, Super Eagles, for Saturday’s bronze medal victory at the 2025 African Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles overpowered Egypt, defeating the seven-time AFCON winner 4-2, in a penalty shootout after the regular time, in which the Nigerian team dominated.

The President, in a statement issued by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, commended the Super Eagles for putting behind them the disappointment of the semi-final loss to host nation, Morocco last Wednesday.
Tinubu stated that the Super Eagles players, through their victory, have once again demonstrated the determination, persistence, and can-do spirit associated with our country.

According to the President: “Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.

“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off.

“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco.

“Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold.”

Loading

Continue Reading

News

Troops Foil Suspected Kidnapping, Robbery Attempt In Taraba

Published

on

Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army / Sector 3, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), said they foiled a suspected kidnapping and robbery incident along the Wukari–Ikyaior road in Wukari Local Government Area, Taraba State.

A press statement issued by the 6 brigade public relations officer, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, noted that the feat was achieved when, acting on a distress call that criminals had blocked the road and were attacking civilians, troops deployed at FOB Wukari responded swiftly and decisively to the scene.

Upon arrival at the scene, he said the suspects fled into the surrounding bush on sighting the troops, abandoning their victims and escaping with their motorcycle.

According to him, the troops rescued two victims identified as Mr. Terso Kerso (48 years) and Mr. Udongu Terbo (42 years), both from Ikyaior Community in Wukari LGA.

The victims, who were unconscious at the time of rescue, were immediately evacuated to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari (FUTHW) for urgent medical attention.

In the aftermath of the incident, troops said they have intensified robust patrols and surveillance within the general area to forestall further criminal activities and reassure residents and road users of a sustained security presence.

Commending the troops for their swift response and professionalism, the Commander 6 Brigade Nigerian Army / Sector 3 OPWS, Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised their vigilance and commitment to duty, noting that their timely intervention prevented possible loss of lives.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s resolve to sustain proactive operations across the area of responsibility, and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies in support of ongoing security efforts.

Loading

Continue Reading

News

Trump Threatens Europe With Tariffs Over Greenland As Protesters Rally

Published

on

US President Donald Trump on Saturday escalated his quest to acquire Greenland, threatening multiple European nations with tariffs of up to 25 per cent until his purchase of the Danish territory is achieved.

Trump’s threats came as thousands of people protested in the capital of Greenland against his wish to acquire the mineral-rich island at the gateway to the Arctic.

Thousands more protested in Copenhagen and other Danish cities.

The US president aimed his ire at Denmark, a fellow NATO member, as well as several European countries that have deployed troops in recent days to the vast autonomous territory with a population of 57,000.

If realised, Trump’s threats against Washington’s NATO partners would create unprecedented tension within the alliance.

From February 1, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland would be subject to a 10-per cent tariff on all goods sent to the United States, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network.

“On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland,” he wrote.

“These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.

“Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation ends quickly and without question,” Trump said.

Trump added that he was “immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these Countries.”

‘Make America Go Away’

In Nuuk, thousands of people, including the territory’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, waved Greenlandic flags, chanted slogans and sang traditional Inuit songs under light rain.

Many wore caps with the words “Make America Go Away”, a riff on Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.

“We don’t want Trump invading Greenland; that is the message,” 44-year-old nurse Paarniq Larsen Strum said at the Nuuk rally, calling the situation “nerve-wracking”.

“We demand respect for our country’s right to self-determination and for us as a people,” added protest organiser Avijaja Rosing-Olsen.

In Copenhagen, charity worker Kirsten Hjoernholm, 52, said it was important to show unity with Greenlanders.

“You cannot be bullied by an ally. It’s about international law,” she said.

Around her, demonstrators waved the flags of Denmark and Greenland while chanting “Kalaallit Nunaat!” — the vast Arctic island’s name in Greenlandic.

Some also held placards saying “USA already has too much ICE,” referring to Trump’s deployment of federal immigration officers in US cities, while others chanted “Greenland is not for sale.”

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the United States needs Greenland for US “national security.” He also claims that Denmark is incapable of ensuring the territory’s security, notably from China and Russia.

France said the military exercise in Greenland was designed to show the world that they will defend the territory.

Denmark said the US had been invited to join the drill.

It was not immediately clear what authority the US president would invoke to impose the threatened tariffs of up to 25 per cent.

Since returning to the presidency, Trump has unleashed sweeping tariffs on goods from virtually all trading partners to address what Washington says are unfair trade practices and as a tool to press governments on US concerns.

Washington and the European Union struck a deal last summer to lower US tariffs on key European goods, with the deal currently being implemented.

Also on Saturday, a delegation of US lawmakers was wrapping up a visit to Copenhagen for talks with Greenlandic and Danish politicians.

The group, led by Democratic Senator Chris Coons, told reporters that Trump’s stance was misguided and not backed by the majority of Americans.

It is also roundly rejected by Greenlanders, 85 per cent of whom — according to the latest poll published in January 2025 — oppose the territory joining the United States. Only six per cent were in favour.

Loading

Continue Reading

Recent Posts

 


<im




JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

Trending