Defence/Security
Insecurity: OPCI seeks legalisation of firearms for Nigerians

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The President of the Oodua Progressive Care Initiative (OPCI), Dr. Maruff Olarewaju, has lamented the growing security concerns across Nigeria, saying the situation has reached a critical point, necessitating a comprehensive and innovative approach to ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the OPCI President said the current state of affairs is alarming, troubling and unacceptable despite the humongous allocation of funds to the three tiers of government to tackle insecurity head long.
He said: “In our annual budget, allocation of funds to tackle the menace of banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery continues to escalate. The constitutional prohibition on firearm ownership by citizens appears to be ineffective in preventing the proliferation of illicit arms. It is evident that a rethink of our security paradigm is long overdue.
“Several questions remain unanswered. How do armed groups and individuals acquire firearms despite the legal restrictions? What are the lapses in our border control and customs procedures that allow for the smuggling of arms and ammunition? Where are our intelligence agencies, and why have they failed to provide actionable insights to combat these security threats? The disconnect between the huge sums allocated to security and the tangible results on the ground is stark.
“Communities in Plateau, Kwara, Niger, and Borno states have been ravaged by insecurity, forcing residents to flee their homes in fear of bandits and kidnappers. The presence of governors in these states has not mitigated the situation, raising questions about the efficacy of our current security architecture.”
In light of the foregoing, the OPCI President has proposed a radical shift in the approach to security,advocating We advocate the legalisation of firearm ownership to every citizen, as, according, to him, this measure would go a long way in empowering communities to take charge of their security, thereby reducing the vulnerability that has been exploited by armed groups.
“By granting citizens the right to bear arms, we can potentially create a deterrent effect against potential aggressors.
“Our proposal is grounded in the belief that an empowered citizenry can be a crucial component of our national security framework. By arming law-abiding citizens, we can enhance community security and reduce the incidence of crime;
provide citizens with a means of self-defense against armed aggressors, and potentially reduce the success rate of banditry and kidnapping operations.”
According to him, security challenges facing Nigeria demand bold and innovative solutions, adding that the OPCI proposal to legalise firearm ownership for citizens is a call to action aimed at addressing the current security impasse.
He added: “We urge President Asiwaju Bola Hammer Tinubu GCFR, and all other arms of government to consider this proposal and engage in a national dialogue on the way forward.”
End
Defence/Security
Gunmen abduct 20-year-old herder kill 33 cattle in Adamawa

A 20-year-old herder, identified as Manu Mamuda, has been declared missing after suspected gunmen attacked a grazing field in Labau village, Wuroyanka District of Shelleng Local Government Area in Adamawa.
Community sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when the victim went out to graze his family’s cattle and failed to return home.
Family members and local hunters later organised a search party, which led to the discovery of Mamuda’s blood-stained cap and shoes at the grazing area.
Residents said the attackers also killed about 33 cattle, injured six others, and rustled 18 during the attack.
Items recovered from the scene included two arrows, an empty cartridge shell, and an empty shell of AK-47 ammunition.
As of the time of filing this report, the missing herder had yet to be found, while efforts were ongoing by local vigilantes and hunters to trace the perpetrators and recover the missing cattle.
Defence/Security
US Mayor Slams Nigeria: “You Reject Our Views on Terrorism but Still Want Our Money”

By: Fabian Apechihin
The Republican Mayor of Blanco, Texas, Mike Arnold, has criticised Nigeria for condemning U.S. comments on terrorism while continuing to seek financial aid from Washington.
Speaking on Arise Television on Monday, Arnold said it was hypocritical for Nigeria to reject America’s stance on its internal security issues yet expect the U.S. to provide financial support.
“I don’t understand why a nation as rich in minerals as Nigeria has to beg for help to save its own people,” Arnold said.
“Nigeria has abundant resources to provide stability for its citizens. People are displaced, their homes are destroyed without warning — it’s horrific. You don’t want America to speak on terrorism, but you want America’s money. That makes no sense whatsoever.”
His remarks come amid renewed diplomatic friction between Nigeria and the United States following discussions about religious persecution and terrorism in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, dismissed claims that the violence in Nigeria is driven by religious persecution.
Sowore argued that the country’s crisis stems from bad governance and insecurity, not from animosity between Muslims and Christians.
Reacting to calls by some U.S. lawmakers for Nigeria to be designated a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged Christian persecution, Sowore described both the Nigerian and U.S. governments as hypocritical in their handling of the issue.
“There’s genocide against the poor — Muslims, Christians, and children alike,” he said.
“Trying to separate it by religion is dishonest. Nigeria doesn’t check who carries a Bible or a Quran before counting the dead.”
He also accused the U.S. of selective outrage, saying Washington ignores similar or worse situations elsewhere.
“Why is the U.S. silent about Gaza, where Muslims are being killed by Israel? That’s international hypocrisy,” Sowore stated.
According to him, insecurity in Nigeria cuts across all regions and religions, with most attacks happening in the North, affecting both Christians and Muslims.
“Gunmen even attack mosques — 35 worshippers were recently killed, and the attackers were likely Muslims too,” he noted.
Sowore warned that framing the crisis as religious only helps Nigerian leaders evade accountability.
“When the U.S. says it wants to protect Christians, that’s not a solution. Even if all Christians were taken away, people would still be killed,” he argued.
“The problem isn’t religion — it’s failed leadership and chronic insecurity,” he concluded.
Defence/Security
Police foil bandits’ attack in Abuja.

▪︎▪︎▪︎ recover AK-47 rifle in.
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have foiled an attempted kidnapping by a notorious bandit gang and recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition during a midnight operation in the outskirts of the territory.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation followed credible intelligence from the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) of the Force Headquarters about a planned attack led by a gang leader identified as Idrisa, also known as Mai Duna.
Acting swiftly, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit laid an ambush between 9 p.m. on Oct. 10 and 1 a.m. on Oct. 11 along the rail track near Grow Home Estate, a location bordering the FCT and Niger State.
The armed gang, divided into two groups targeting Grow Home Estate and Royal Champion Church in Chikakore, Byazhin District, was intercepted by the police team.
A fierce gun duel ensued, lasting about 20 minutes, after which the bandits were subdued, forcing many to flee with suspected gunshot wounds.
During the search of the area, police recovered an AK-47 rifle with a defaced breech number, one magazine, and a live round of 7.62mm ammunition.
Reinforcement from the military, DSS, and local hunters was deployed to the area to secure the communities and block escape routes.
Sources said that the Commissioner of Police assured residents of continued security presence and renewed commitment to maintaining peace and safety in the FCT.
The Anti-Kidnapping Unit has commenced further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
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