NIGERIANS were yesterday assured that the war against terror
will be won by the State Security Service (SSS).
Director-General of the Service, Mr. Eke Young Ita, who spoke while declaring open a media training in Abuja, stated that with its dedicated 12,000 work force in the country, activities of insurgent groups in the country are numbered.
He called on the media to partner with security agencies to expose insurgent groups and also properly educate the public on counter insurgency measures.
He explained that in spite of the seeming devastations of insurgent groups in the country, security agencies are not backing off and can never be overwhelmed.
He argued that the primary intention of such groups, apart from causing division and disaffection in the society, was to create fear among the civil populace, stressing that with the successes so far recorded by security agencies, the war against terror will soon be over.
Providing insight into the successes recorded by the SSS, Ita noted that of the three persons declared wanted, one of them is no more, one other whose true identity is under proper scrutiny for "thorough confirmation of identity" is under custody, while security agencies are building a web around the third person.
"I can assure you that very soon, we shall have him as our guest. We are not overwhelmed; we will never be and we can never be. We are on top of the situation. The situation is not out of control".
On the theme of the training programme, "Media and National Security," the SSS boss explained that it was the intention of the agency to partner with the media and educate them on the best way of assisting to expose the insurgents. According to him, there should be a thorough investigation of the information dished out by such groups, pointing out that their information to the media was mainly to create chaos, fear and division and hate among the civil populace.
He enjoined media houses to always contact the spokes persons of the various security agencies and Joint Task Forces for clarification, emphasising that "the intention of this programme is not to gag the press or teach them what to publish, rather it is to partner with the media so as to collaborate with them to do their job better and also to enable the Service understand how to approach media issues better".
He noted that the media remained paramount in informing the public about events, stressing that it is this pivotal role of the media that insurgent groups capitalise on to dish propaganda and half truths with which they attain their objectives.
The DG recalled that as a former journalist, he owes the media the responsibility to carry them along in the task of reporting violence and also to reduce areas of conflict between the media and security through better understanding of the inner workings of both organs.
He stated that being aware of the vulnerability of the public when their security is curtailed or breached, insurgent groups embark on false publicity "because the only thing that makes them thrive is publicity and we all have a duty to stifle that".
Stressing the need for journalists to partner with security agencies in the task of ridding the society of such undesirable elements, he stated that "those terrorists you see masquerade religion to carry out their nefarious activities. They are not what they claim to be and has no relationship with either Christian or Islamic religion".
Also speaking while delivering the keynote address, the Director-General of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Maiyaki Maiyaki, urged the media to de-emphasise sensational headlines on acts of terrorism, as he stressed that such headlines provides greater impetus for such groups to continue to thrive.
The DG also called for restraint on information that could hamper security investigations or that can lead to the escape of a wanted person.
Maiyaki stressed the need for journalists to exhibit high level of patriotism in reporting terrorist activities, stressing that Americans would never report any issue that can compromise their national security as such would embolden terrorists.
Meanwhile, a surprise bomb blast yesterday rocked the ancient city of Kano, injuring three para-military personnel at their duty post.
An eyewitness account told our Correspondent in Kano that unknown persons planted Improvised Explosive Device (IED) beside the wall of the Juma’at Praying Ground at Kofar Mata, where the para-military personnel usually take shelter from the sun.
According to our source, no sooner the three para-military personnel, who were from Hisbah Guards, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Kano Road Traffic Department (KARODA), settled down at the spot than the IED exploded, injuring the trio and a passer-by.
The three officials, who suffered varying degree of injuries, were immediately rushed to the Emergency Ward of the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital by sympathisers for prompt medical attention.
Shortly after the incident, security operatives arrived and cordoned off the scene, which was in a state of confusion, as people were scampering for safety at near-by shops within the vicinity.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations officer (PPRO) of the Kano State Police Command, ASP Magaji Majiya, who confirmed the incident, however, said that no life was lost.
Majiya, who disclosed that security operatives are in firm control of the situation, said investigations to unravel those who planted the bomb has begun and appealed to members of the public to assist the Police with valuable information that will lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspects.
As at the time of filing this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, while the police is yet to make any arrest.
Also in Maiduguri, Borno State, there was another bomb explosion.
"There was a very heavy explosion this morning that shook the entire city," a resident said.
In a related development, the Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, yesterday lamented the deteriorating security situation in the region.
Aliyu, who spoke in Abuja, enjoined the people from the northern part of the country to stand against terrorism.
The Niger State Governor, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, insisted that the region must stand against terrorism “because investors are already scared of investing in our region”.
His words: “North must stand against terrorism because investors are already scared of investing in our region. The situation (insecurity) has reached a situation whereby members of the State Executive Council in Yobe now run away to nearby Jigawa State for their safety. What is happening now is very scaring.
“This is indeed a moment of sober reflection for all of us; a moment that we should ponder to find out where we got it wrong almost half a century after Sardauna left us and how it was possible for one person (the Premier) to achieve so much for the entire Northern Region and to unite the people to live in peace and harmony while providing quality leadership.”
He recalled that security of lives and property in the past was almost taken for granted as people went about their normal lives without any hindrance.
According to him, “In the North (then), murder, kidnappings and extreme criminality were abomination”.
Aliyu declared history would forever be kind to the late Sardauna, who he described as a colossus, a quintessential philanthropist and a selfless and revolutionary aristocrat and humanist.
In his lecture entitled “Leadership and Good Governance in Nigeria: Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Ghost of 1914 and the Audacity of Hope for Nation-Building,” the Guest Lecturer, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, wondered why the country had deteriorated to the level it finds itself.
Gambari stated that to find peace in the country, the present crop of leaders must pay “attention to social justice,” adding that “too many Nigerians have fallen below the poverty line while a few are swimming in stupendous wealth.”
He said private jets “are increasing on the tarmacs of our airport at almost the same rate as that of the increase in misery and criminal poverty.
“While the current estimate of the GDP in terms of purchasing power parity for Nigeria in about $414 billion, the unemployment rate is 21 per cent, while 70 per cent of the population live below poverty line.”
This, he said, was not only unjust; he said it was also unsustainable.
On Boko Haram, Gambari, who was a former United Nations Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs and a former Nigeria’s Minister of External Affairs, called in the Federal Government to embrace dialogue to solve the problem.
He warned that there would be consequences for Nigeria, Nigerians and its foreign relations if the sect was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation by the United States (U.S.).
Gambari said it was unfortunate that many promises made to end the menace of the sect had not been fulfilled.
He, therefore, appealed to the government to approach capable and credible Nigerians to mediate and lead a dialogue with the group.
He suggested the establishment of what he called a ‘core group of Nigerians’ who have led peace-making, peace-keeping efforts in Africa and other parts of the world to lead the dialogue.
Director-General of the Service, Mr. Eke Young Ita, who spoke while declaring open a media training in Abuja, stated that with its dedicated 12,000 work force in the country, activities of insurgent groups in the country are numbered.
He called on the media to partner with security agencies to expose insurgent groups and also properly educate the public on counter insurgency measures.
He explained that in spite of the seeming devastations of insurgent groups in the country, security agencies are not backing off and can never be overwhelmed.
He argued that the primary intention of such groups, apart from causing division and disaffection in the society, was to create fear among the civil populace, stressing that with the successes so far recorded by security agencies, the war against terror will soon be over.
Providing insight into the successes recorded by the SSS, Ita noted that of the three persons declared wanted, one of them is no more, one other whose true identity is under proper scrutiny for "thorough confirmation of identity" is under custody, while security agencies are building a web around the third person.
"I can assure you that very soon, we shall have him as our guest. We are not overwhelmed; we will never be and we can never be. We are on top of the situation. The situation is not out of control".
On the theme of the training programme, "Media and National Security," the SSS boss explained that it was the intention of the agency to partner with the media and educate them on the best way of assisting to expose the insurgents. According to him, there should be a thorough investigation of the information dished out by such groups, pointing out that their information to the media was mainly to create chaos, fear and division and hate among the civil populace.
He enjoined media houses to always contact the spokes persons of the various security agencies and Joint Task Forces for clarification, emphasising that "the intention of this programme is not to gag the press or teach them what to publish, rather it is to partner with the media so as to collaborate with them to do their job better and also to enable the Service understand how to approach media issues better".
He noted that the media remained paramount in informing the public about events, stressing that it is this pivotal role of the media that insurgent groups capitalise on to dish propaganda and half truths with which they attain their objectives.
The DG recalled that as a former journalist, he owes the media the responsibility to carry them along in the task of reporting violence and also to reduce areas of conflict between the media and security through better understanding of the inner workings of both organs.
He stated that being aware of the vulnerability of the public when their security is curtailed or breached, insurgent groups embark on false publicity "because the only thing that makes them thrive is publicity and we all have a duty to stifle that".
Stressing the need for journalists to partner with security agencies in the task of ridding the society of such undesirable elements, he stated that "those terrorists you see masquerade religion to carry out their nefarious activities. They are not what they claim to be and has no relationship with either Christian or Islamic religion".
Also speaking while delivering the keynote address, the Director-General of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Maiyaki Maiyaki, urged the media to de-emphasise sensational headlines on acts of terrorism, as he stressed that such headlines provides greater impetus for such groups to continue to thrive.
The DG also called for restraint on information that could hamper security investigations or that can lead to the escape of a wanted person.
Maiyaki stressed the need for journalists to exhibit high level of patriotism in reporting terrorist activities, stressing that Americans would never report any issue that can compromise their national security as such would embolden terrorists.
Meanwhile, a surprise bomb blast yesterday rocked the ancient city of Kano, injuring three para-military personnel at their duty post.
An eyewitness account told our Correspondent in Kano that unknown persons planted Improvised Explosive Device (IED) beside the wall of the Juma’at Praying Ground at Kofar Mata, where the para-military personnel usually take shelter from the sun.
According to our source, no sooner the three para-military personnel, who were from Hisbah Guards, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Kano Road Traffic Department (KARODA), settled down at the spot than the IED exploded, injuring the trio and a passer-by.
The three officials, who suffered varying degree of injuries, were immediately rushed to the Emergency Ward of the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital by sympathisers for prompt medical attention.
Shortly after the incident, security operatives arrived and cordoned off the scene, which was in a state of confusion, as people were scampering for safety at near-by shops within the vicinity.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations officer (PPRO) of the Kano State Police Command, ASP Magaji Majiya, who confirmed the incident, however, said that no life was lost.
Majiya, who disclosed that security operatives are in firm control of the situation, said investigations to unravel those who planted the bomb has begun and appealed to members of the public to assist the Police with valuable information that will lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspects.
As at the time of filing this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, while the police is yet to make any arrest.
Also in Maiduguri, Borno State, there was another bomb explosion.
"There was a very heavy explosion this morning that shook the entire city," a resident said.
In a related development, the Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, yesterday lamented the deteriorating security situation in the region.
Aliyu, who spoke in Abuja, enjoined the people from the northern part of the country to stand against terrorism.
The Niger State Governor, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, insisted that the region must stand against terrorism “because investors are already scared of investing in our region”.
His words: “North must stand against terrorism because investors are already scared of investing in our region. The situation (insecurity) has reached a situation whereby members of the State Executive Council in Yobe now run away to nearby Jigawa State for their safety. What is happening now is very scaring.
“This is indeed a moment of sober reflection for all of us; a moment that we should ponder to find out where we got it wrong almost half a century after Sardauna left us and how it was possible for one person (the Premier) to achieve so much for the entire Northern Region and to unite the people to live in peace and harmony while providing quality leadership.”
He recalled that security of lives and property in the past was almost taken for granted as people went about their normal lives without any hindrance.
According to him, “In the North (then), murder, kidnappings and extreme criminality were abomination”.
Aliyu declared history would forever be kind to the late Sardauna, who he described as a colossus, a quintessential philanthropist and a selfless and revolutionary aristocrat and humanist.
In his lecture entitled “Leadership and Good Governance in Nigeria: Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Ghost of 1914 and the Audacity of Hope for Nation-Building,” the Guest Lecturer, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, wondered why the country had deteriorated to the level it finds itself.
Gambari stated that to find peace in the country, the present crop of leaders must pay “attention to social justice,” adding that “too many Nigerians have fallen below the poverty line while a few are swimming in stupendous wealth.”
He said private jets “are increasing on the tarmacs of our airport at almost the same rate as that of the increase in misery and criminal poverty.
“While the current estimate of the GDP in terms of purchasing power parity for Nigeria in about $414 billion, the unemployment rate is 21 per cent, while 70 per cent of the population live below poverty line.”
This, he said, was not only unjust; he said it was also unsustainable.
On Boko Haram, Gambari, who was a former United Nations Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs and a former Nigeria’s Minister of External Affairs, called in the Federal Government to embrace dialogue to solve the problem.
He warned that there would be consequences for Nigeria, Nigerians and its foreign relations if the sect was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation by the United States (U.S.).
Gambari said it was unfortunate that many promises made to end the menace of the sect had not been fulfilled.
He, therefore, appealed to the government to approach capable and credible Nigerians to mediate and lead a dialogue with the group.
He suggested the establishment of what he called a ‘core group of Nigerians’ who have led peace-making, peace-keeping efforts in Africa and other parts of the world to lead the dialogue.
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