Security
Marks Urges Stricter Measures to Combat Violent Crimes
Former President of the Senate, David Mark on Sunday called on the Federal Government to be more proactive in its efforts to tackle the menace of violent crimes, kidnapping and armed herdsmen devastating parts of the country.
This is contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media Paul Mumeh in Kano on Sunday.
Mark suggested that such violent and murderous groups should be declared as terrorists and should be treated as such.
In his goodwill message to commemorate this year’s Easter celebrations, Mark bemoaned the unabating violent crimes especially in the North Central states of Plateau and Benue that have claimed dozens of lives and properties.
An angry Mark stated: “We must not shy away from the truth. If they are not terrorists, why are they killing people? Why are they destroying communities? Why are they chasing people away from their ancestral homes?.
He decried the unending activities of armed herdsmen suspected to be behind killings and kidnappings stressing that “their activities are unacceptable and should not only be condemned but be prohibited in entirety as nobody has the right to take anybody’s life”.
On the unabating ferocious and murderous attacks on several communities in Benue and Plateau States, Senator Mark called on the Federal Government to proscribe open grazing in all parts of the country and, in place of open grazing, establish enclosed ranching, which is the best practices worldwide.
The former Senate President, whose Otukpo , Benue South country home has been under suspected herdsmen attacks called for more inclusive approach to tackle insecurity in all ramifications.
Mark also called for the establishment of a well-equipped Border Security Forces (BSF) to halt the influx of criminals into the country pointing out that most of these suspected herders killing our people took advantage of the porosity of our borders by streaming into the country from our neighbouring countries.
“We must not allow criminal elements to stream into our country. We must, therefore, change our strategy. Maybe, we can begin to think of fencing our borders like India, Israel, the United States and Mexico “.
When established he said that the National Border Security Force (NBSF) would not only be saddled with the mandate of policing our porous borders but would also have the mandate of fighting terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Justifying his current stance, Senator Mark, who decried the carnage going on in Benue and Plateau States, said that a debilitating disease deserves a more serious medication if it must be cured.
He commiserated with the people and governments of Benue and Plateau States and all those who lost their loved ones.
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Police Reform Project III: Kano commits to citizen-led security approach
Kano State Government says it has renewed its commitment to a citizen-led security approach as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community policing and improve public safety across the state.
Mrs Maimuna Sherif, Special Adviser on Community Policing to Gov. Abba Yusuf, stated this at the stakeholders meeting on improving police community relations organised by the Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI) on Friday in Kano.
Sherif said the administration was deepening its engagement with community structures to boost intelligence gathering and enhance collaboration between residents and security agencies.
She said Kano’s large population and social diversity require a policing model that empowers citizens as active partners in the state’s security architecture.
“Our communities know the environment, they know the people, and their support provides critical information that helps security agencies identify criminal hideouts,” Sherif said.
The special adviser also disclosed that the government was finalising arrangements to establish a Security Trust Fund to mobilise resources from the public and private sectors to support security operations.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of VAI, Mr Musa Aboki, said the Police Reform Project builds on earlier phases implemented in Bauchi and Zamfara, with similar interventions underway in two South-East states.
Aboki explained that Phase III features community scorecard assessments, intra-dialogue sessions and follow-up engagements aimed at addressing gaps in trust between the police and the public.
He said previous assessments revealed concerns such as bribery, slow police response, confidentiality issues, traffic indiscipline among some officers and reluctance by residents to volunteer intelligence.
According to him, many of the challenges undermining community policing are shared responsibilities between citizens and the police.
He added that gaps in early warning and early response systems remained key concerns, stressing the need for timely reporting of threats of violence or criminal activity.
Speaking also, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Kano State Police Command, CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa, said that the Police would partner with the Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI) to strengthen police-community relations and promote mutual accountability across the state.
He said the collaboration was part of the Police Reform Initiative Project aimed at enhancing trust and cooperation between security agencies and the public.
Represented by ASP , Muhammad Jawad, explained that the initiative involved a series of meetings and engagements with communities in Rano and Gwale Local Government Areas, focusing on improving understanding and collaboration between the police and residents.
The Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Dorayi Babba community of Gwale Local Government Area, Alhaji Auwal Garba, stated that fewer than 500,000 police officers were responsible for securing more than 220 million Nigerians.
He said the disparity highlighted the importance of community involvement in maintaining law and order.
“Community policing enables citizens to participate in the security structure. Through vigilantes and early reporting of suspicious activities, the community becomes a partner in sustaining peace,” he said.
Garba reaffirmed commitment of the PCRC to work with the government, security agencies and civil society groups to strengthen community policing initiatives across the state
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Brig.-Gen. Samaila Mohammed Uba, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR) and seasoned strategic communication expert, has assumed office as the new Director of Defence Information (DDI).
The handover ceremony, which held at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), followed a recent reorganisation within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Uba, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano (BUK), succeeded Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, whom he commended for his achievements during his tenure.
In his inaugural address, the new DDI pledged to reposition the directorate under four key priorities — unity of purpose, timeliness and transparency, digital innovation, and media collaboration.
He also lauded his predecessor for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.
Born on July 1, 1968, in Tudun Wada, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, Uba began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of Short Service Combatant Course 30 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on March 13, 1993.
He initially served in the Directorate of Army Public Relations before transferring to the Infantry Corps.
His educational background includes Tudun Wada Primary School and Saint Thomas Secondary School, Kano, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and West African School Certificate in 1981 and 1986, respectively.
He later bagged a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration in 2009 and a Master’s degree in Strategic and Development Studies from the Bangladesh University of Professionals in 2019.
Uba attended several military courses, including the Senior Staff Course at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Bangladesh.
He held several command, staff, and instructional appointments such as Officer in Charge of Administration at the Infantry Centre and School, Commander 401 Special Forces Brigade, Borno, and Public Relations Officer for the Nigerian Contingent to the UN Assistance Mission in Rwanda.
He also served as Public Relations Officer to a former Chief of Army Staff, and later as a directing staff and Chief Instructor at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji.
Uba was seconded to the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, as the Defence Headquarters Training Team Leader, where he trained customs officers in command and staff duties.
He also served as Deputy Director, Peacekeeping Operations, and Director, Personnel Services, at the Army Headquarters, before becoming Director, Department of Joint Studies, AFCSC, Jaji.
A recipient of numerous awards, Uba holds the Grand Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Field Command Medal, Passed Staff Course (Double Dagger ++), National Defence College (Bangladesh) medal, Nigerian Army Outstanding Tactical Command Medal, and Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award Medal.
He is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Nigerian Institute of Management, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, and Nigerian Society of International Affairs.
Brig.-Gen. Uba is married with children and enjoys playing squash and reading.
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