The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the forthcoming African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit is designed to unite African militaries and provide indigenous solutions to the continent’s security challenges.

Musa disclosed this in an interactive session with journalists in Abuja on Saturday.

He said the summit would be the first time African defence leaders would sit together, as brothers, to openly discuss Africa’s problems and chart practical ways forward without relying on external prescriptions.

“For too long we have been seeking solutions from outside, and that has prolonged our issues. The reality is that our challenges are within us, and it is only within us that we will create the solutions,” Musa said.

According to him, the success recorded in West Africa through engagements among ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence informed the decision to scale up the initiative across the continent.

He noted that the operationalisation of the African Standby Force, which has faced delays due to challenges of doctrine, strategy and funding, would receive fresh impetus during the summit.

“This meeting gives us the opportunity to look at it holistically and get the buy-in of all Africans,” he added.

The CDS stressed that terrorism, insurgency and violent extremism were common threats across the regions, and only collective action could address them effectively.

He further emphasised the need for a “whole-of-society” approach, noting that insecurity was worsened by unproductive populations and widespread illiteracy that made youths vulnerable to extremist ideologies.

“We must go back to the African culture of brotherliness, of a community raising a child, of not allowing anything to harm your neighbour. That is the kind of solution we must revive,” Musa said.

On the level of participation, the CDS disclosed that about 90 per cent of invited countries had confirmed attendance, describing the response as overwhelmingly positive.

He said the summit would also feature dignitaries from within and outside the continent, including senior UN officials, retired service chiefs and security experts.

“The end state is a better Africa, a more secure Africa, and an Africa where we project and work for our own development. Nobody can love you more than yourself,” he said.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

‎The Kwara State Police Command has condemned the mob action against a woman suspected to be a destitute who was mistaken to be a kidnapper.

In the ensuing melee, according to a statement by the spokesperson of the Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the woman lost her life.

She said: “Information received that a woman, suspected to be destitute, was sighted wandering around the community; misinformed members of the public wrongly suspected her to be a kidnapper. In the ensuing circumstances, an irate mob descended on the woman, inflicting serious bodily harm.
‎
‎”Upon swift mobilization, Police patrol teams raced to the scene, rescued the victim and rushed her to the General Hospital, Ilorin, for urgent medical attention. Regrettably, the attending doctor confirmed her dead as a result of injuries sustained. Her remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary, while discreet investigation has commenced.
‎
‎”The Kwara State Police Command strongly condemns the act of jungle justice, which not only undermines the rule of law but also poses grave danger to innocent lives. Security challenges cannot be resolved through mob action. Rather, they worsen insecurity and erode public safety.
‎
‎”The Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo psc, mnips urge members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and to always report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest Police formation, he appeals to the good people of Kwara to partner with the Police in upholding law, order, and justice while rejecting all forms of mob violence.”

End
‎
‎
‎

From Lateef Taiwo

Federal Capital Territory Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (FCT- MPWB) has commenced registration of Intending Pilgrims for this year hajj exercise.

Making this disclosure on Monday in Abuja, the Director of the Board, Alhaji Kadiri Edah stated that Intending Pilgrims who wish to participate in the spiritual exercise through the board ate expected to deposit a minimum of Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N8, 500,000,00) only to book for a seat with the Board.

He said prospective Pilgrims are to do this via a bank draft from any commercial bank payable to the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abuja before 2nd of December 2025.

According to the Director, the draft and the international passport of the intending pilgrims should be submitted to officials of the Board at any of the six area councils of the territory before the deadline.

The Director warned that only bank draft would be entertained as no cash payment is allowed while registration is on first-come–first–served basis in line with the principle of fairness in the services of residents of the territory.

He advised Intending Pilgrims who have made deposit and could not participate in previous hajj exercises and still have their money with the Board are to declare their intention to the board before the deadline so as to book for a seat in the forthcoming hajj exercise.

He said that the Board has resolved to redouble its effort in improving services to the registered Intending Pilgrims through the new strategies introduced for the forthcoming Hajj exercise.

The Director advised intending pilgrims to deal with the Board directly and avoid any deceit from any third party requesting for additional payment outside the hajj fare which is a complete package for the exercise fixed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)