• As govt refutes allegation, says no govt has power to arm anyone with AK-47

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the state government of complicity in the spate of kidnappings and banditry in the state.

The opposition party specifically hinged its allegation on a viral video of the confession of arrested bandits in far away Edo State.

The suspects had alleged that officials and agents of the state government supplied them with arms to carry out attacks in parts of the state.

Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, on Monday, the PDP Chairman, Isa Adamu, said: “We are deeply disturbed by the widely circulated video and reports of arrested criminal bandits apprehended by men of the Nigerian Army in far away Auchi, Edo State.
In the said video, the criminal suspects categorically alleged that officials of the Kwara State Government supplied them with AK-47 rifles and a government-crested operational vehicle for their criminal activities.

“This video evidence without any iota of doubt clearly indicates that the Governor of Kwara state, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and many of his agents, including local government chairmen, have a lot on their sleeves about criminal banditry, terrorism, and other deadly attacks that have ravaged communities in Kwara North and Kwara South for quite some time.

“This development places an enormous burden of explanation squarely on the doorstep of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who is not only the Chief Executive of the state but also constitutionally the Chief Security Officer of Kwara State.

“This is a direct allegation of state-sponsored criminality that must not be swept under the carpet. We therefore call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to treat the situation in Kwara State as a matter of urgent national concern.

“A comprehensive federal investigation must be carried out into the confessions of the arrested criminals, particularly their claims that the Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq–led Kwara State Government sponsored and supported their criminal activities.

“In the interest of justice, morality, and public safety, it is reasonable to demand the declaration of a state of emergency in Kwara State, including the suspension of the Governor, to enable an independent, transparent, and interference-free investigation into these allegations.

“We further urge the Office of the National Security Adviser to immediately advise all Service Chiefs and security agencies to suspend any official engagements or interfaces with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq or his representatives pending the conclusion of these investigations, as he can no longer be trusted with sensitive security details.

However, the state government had earlier debunked the allegation, adding that “no State Government has the power to arm anyone with AK-47.”

A statement by the Commissioner for Communication, Bolanle Olukoju, said: “Neither did the individuals mention that Kwara State Government gave them any weapon.

“The Ifelodun Local Government Authority, for its part, has clarified that the security van was given to the vigilantes initially deployed in Ifelodun to strengthen existing security. These vigilantes have since left Ifelodun.

“However, the LGA had repeatedly complained to relevant authorities that its van was not returned to its pool.

“To win the war against banditry and other violent crimes, we urge enhanced interagency coordination, intelligence sharing, and cooperation amongst the security agencies.

“As the security forces are probing the development, we urge people, especially online media platforms and bloggers, to avoid biased assimilation of information or misrepresenting things, because such behaviour poses existential threat to human life and public peace.”

End

.. tasks FIRS N35trillion revenue in 2026
.. As FG laments N30trillion shortfalls from N40trillion targeted revenue for 2025

The Senate Monday through its committee on Finance , expressed displeasure with multiple budgets implementation in a fiscal year by the federal government as experienced in 2025 .

It consequently tasked the Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS) , to increase its projected revenue target for 2026 from N31trillion to N35trillion even as the federal government lamented shortfalls of N30trillion from N40trillion revenue target for 2025 .

Displeasure of Senators on multiple budgets implementations in a fiscal year , came to the fore during interactive session the Finance Committee , Chaired by Senator Sani Musa ( Niger East), had with leading Managers of the Nation’s economy on the 2026 – 2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework ( MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paoer ( FSP) .

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy , Wale Edun , had in his contextual explanations on projections for 2026 budget and implementation of the 2024 and 2025 budgets , informed the committee that while revenues for 2024 budget have been met, that of 2025 have not been met .

” Funding for the capital components of the 2024 budget have been met through realization of the total projection of N26trillion revenue but that of 2025 have not been met .

” Out of projected N40trillion revenue for 2025 fiscal year , only N10trillion have been realized, leaving a shortfall of N30trillion and consequently , making the federal government roll over 70% of capital projects captured in 2025 fiscal year to 2026 “, he said .

Worried by the submission , some members of the committee like Senators Danjuma Goje ( Gombe Central ) , Olalere Oyewumi ( Osun West) , Victor Umeh ( Anambra Central ) , Aminu Iya Abbas ( Adamawa Central ) etc , expressed displeasure with multiple budget implementations in a fiscal year .

Specifically , Senator Goje in his remarks said the practice of implementing multiple budgets in a single year is unacceptable to Nigerians .

” This ugly situation we found ourselves on multiple budget implementations should please end by this year . It is not acceptable. Things must be normalized from next year “, he said .

Senator Oyelere in his comment told the Minister that since budgetary proposals were not given to the government by the governed , government should please present realizable proposals to avoid non – implementations which usually dove tailed into multiple implementations in subsequent years .

Senator Victor Umeh and Ireti Kingibe in their remarks , wondered why the federal government did not fill the missing gaps in revenue targets , with borrowings approved for it from time to time by the Senate and by extension, the National Assembly .

Senator Sani Musa in his capacity as Chairman, however came to the rescue of the Minister by assuring his colleagues and by extension, Nigerians that the required normalization in budget projections and implementation shall be done from 2026 .

He added that 3 – man ad – hoc committee shall be set up by the committee to laise with the Minister and the Accountant – General of the Federation on payment of local contractors for projects executed in 2024 before expiration of the budget on 31st of this month.

For FIRS , Senator Sani Musa tasked its Chairman, Zacch Adedeji , to work towards realizing N35trillion as target revenue for 2026 fiscal year and not the earlier projected N31trillion mentioned by the Chairman.

The FIRS boss had in making the projection said the agency under him, realized N20.2trillion revenue in 2024 and N25.2trillion in 2025 .

He however said that the huge revenue being realized by FIRS and other agencies like Customs , are being swallowed and made insufficient by multiple budget implementations in a fiscal year.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning , Senator Atiku Bagudu and Minister of State ( Petroleum ) , Senator Heineken Lokpobiri in their submissions , defended the parameters set for the N54. 4trillion 2026 budget .

The parameters are 1.84million oil production per day , $64.85 oil price benchmark , N1, 512.00 to 1USD as exchange rate etc .

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has called for a decisive shift from discussion to action in addressing Nigeria’s complex security challenges, stressing that the country’s gains against terrorism, banditry, and other criminal networks can only be sustained through joint operations, inter-agency collaboration, and collective national effort.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 10th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference 2025 in Lagos, on Monday, General Musa described the gathering as a critical forum for assessing the operational posture, readiness, and professionalism of the Nigerian Army while aligning the service’s priorities with the nation’s strategic security objectives.

“The importance of this conference cannot be overstated,” General Musa said. “Nigeria continues to face a combination of terrorism, banditry, criminality, and other asymmetric threats that demand sustained focus, strategic clarity, and adaptive leadership. The Army, together with other security agencies and the society at large, must operate in unison to confront these threats effectively.”

The Minister highlighted that the operational capacity of terrorist groups, insurgents, and criminal networks has been significantly degraded across multiple theatres, attributing these gains to the courage and professionalism of the troops, improved planning, education, and coordinated joint operations conducted within a multi-agency framework.

“The truth of the matter is that no single service, no single individual, can achieve this alone,” he said. “Success in today’s security environment requires the whole of society working together in synergy.”

General Musa emphasized that inter-service cooperation and intelligence sharing are no longer optional but fundamental to effective national defense. He urged the Army leadership to ensure that the recommendations from the conference are implemented through concrete operational actions, stressing that strategic discussions must translate into measurable tactical outcomes.

“While we celebrate our successes, we must never lose sight of the human dimension of service,” he added, paying tribute to fallen soldiers, wounded personnel, and the families who bear the enduring cost of national service.

He commended the families of the late Lieutenant General Tariq Lagbajan and Brigadier General Oba for their sacrifices and underscored the government’s continued commitment to the welfare, medical care, and long-term support of personnel and their families.

General Musa also lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for his professional trajectory, from battalion and brigade commands in the North East to theatre command, culminating in his appointment as the Army Chief. “Your leadership exemplifies operational excellence and a deep understanding of the challenges on the ground. The challenge before all senior commanders is to evolve new strategies to defeat the enemies of the state,” he said.

He further highlighted that security remains central to the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reiterated the Federal Government’s unwavering support for the Armed Forces.

According to the Defence Minister, strategic direction, policy support, and capability development provided by the Ministry of Defence will ensure that the Armed Forces remain professional, responsive, and future-ready, while reinforcing institutional accountability and operational effectiveness.

“The Nigerian Army and indeed the Armed Forces have stabilized this country and will continue to do so. We must take these security challenges as our own and contribute individually and collectively to winning this war,” General Musa stated.

The 10th COAS Annual Conference, themed “Examine the Correct Landscape of Terrorism Through the Lengths of Diplomatic and Military Action: Strategies for Long-Term Prevention and Stabilization,”brings together senior commanders, security stakeholders, and resource persons to reflect on lessons learned, examine emerging threats, and propose practical measures to enhance operational readiness and effectiveness in the year ahead.

The Defence Minister concluded by thanking Nigerians for their support and the Governor of Lagos State for hosting the conference, noting that collaborative engagement between the government, security agencies, and citizens is key to sustaining national peace, security, and stability.