Defence/Security

Hunters Council rescues 186 kidnapped persons in 7 months- Official

Published

4 years ago

October 7, 2021

The Nigerian Hunters Council says it has rescued no fewer than 186 kidnapped persons across Nigeria between January and July this year.

The council has also appealed to Nigerians to be vigilant and security conscious as way of tackling the various security challenges in the country, especially during the “Ember” months.

The Commander-General of the council, Mr Joshua Osatimehin, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

Osatimehin also said: “Nigerians should not solely rely on the security agencies, but they should complement their efforts, as well as always be more security conscious”.

While restating the importance of providing credible intelligence information to the security agencies, Osatimehin emphasised the need for Nigerians to be proactive in responding to suspicious movements in their various communities.

“Insecurity is everywhere, but it is more prevalent on the roads, so what I will advise is that, if you drive some distance and you don’t see an oncoming vehicle, it may be a sign that something is happening.

“So, you have to park and wait for some minutes to be sure that nothing is happening ahead.

“Secondly, we Nigerians we like to show off when we have money. I could be your neighbour, but you don’t know what I am doing, maybe I am a kidnapper or an informant.

“You should not allow your neighbour to know your source of wealth or how wealthy you are.

“When you are invited to an occasion, you should know how you spend money, instead of spraying the notes, you can dash it secretly,” he said.

According to him, the outfit is committed to fighting banditry, kidnapping and insurgency because the terrain is more familiar to the council, but we need the legal backing”.

He stressed that internal security challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria, even as he urged Nigerians to help towards combating insecurity.

Osatimehin said “passing the Nigerian Hunters Bill 2020 into law would give the outfit the necessary legal backing to complement the efforts of security agencies in fighting insecurity.

“The bill which is sponsored by Sen. Olujimi Abiodun (Ekiti) and was presented to NASS in 2020, has passed first and second reading in both the Senate and the House of Representatives and will soon go for the third reading.

“With headquarters in Abuja, commands in the 36 states of the federation, the FCT and volunteers who are mostly youths, the council operates like a paramilitary organisation,” Osatimehin said.

He said that the council had recorded robust synergy with other security agencies in the country in the area of training, particularly on border protection.

A member of the Hunters’ Council, Anene Ogene, an assistant commander in charge of Forest Surveillance, said that their activities are strictly voluntary to safeguard forests and the communities.

“This is important because this is where these criminals majorly operate from,” Ogene said.

Our correspondent reports that the objective of the bill is to develop, empower and provide gainful employment for the youth, facilitate peace, volunteerism and surveillance, among others.

Related Topics:186 kidnapped 7 months Hunters

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Defence/Security

DSS Arrests Man Who Used Own Social Media Handle To Canvass Military Coup

Published

4 days ago

October 29, 2025

Our Reporter

The Department of State Services (DSS) has trailed to Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and arrested one Innocent Chukwuma who used his social media handle to rally the military to overthrow the current government.

Posting on his “X” handle “@TheAgroman,” Chukwuma stated that a coup was needed in Nigeria and called on the military to “suspend the Nigerian government.”

He posted, “A coup in Nigeria is needed.
Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government, and join the AES. That is all we need now.
“It will happen eventually. Nigerians, the military needs your support now! Only them can save this country.
“The bastard in Aso Rock has basically sold this country to the West, and they run our intelligence apparatus. Only the military can reset this country. Support them,” Chukwuma posted.

A source disclosed that the suspect is cooperating with DSS investigators.

Defence/Security

Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation of Newly Appointed Service Chiefs

Published

4 days ago

October 28, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting the confirmation of the newly appointed Service Chiefs.

The letter, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during Tuesday’s plenary in Abuja, listed the nominees for the country’s top military positions.

Those named include:

General Olufemi Oluyede – Chief of Defence Staff
Major-General Waheedi Shaibu – Chief of Army Staff
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas – Chief of Naval Staff
Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke – Chief of Air Staff
Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye – Chief of Defence Intelligence

In the correspondence, President Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process to enable the new military heads to assume their duties without delay.

The Senate has since referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for screening and confirmation of the nominees, scheduled to take place next week.

Defence/Security

Terrorists Threaten to Bomb National Assembly — Lawmaker Raises Alarm

Published

4 days ago

October 28, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Ibrahim Muhammad, has revealed that terrorists have issued threats to bomb the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Hon. Garba made the disclosure on Tuesday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish a Legislative Security Directorate, a new body proposed to strengthen security and protect lawmakers, staff, and visitors within the National Assembly.

“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex, and also from protesters planning to lock up the premises,” Garba stated.

He warned that Nigeria’s seat of democracy faces growing security risks, including vehicle and motorcycle theft, vandalism, infiltration by unregistered persons, and the use of fake identity cards.

According to him, failure to address these lapses could have grave consequences.
“It is clear that if proper security measures are not implemented, legislative activities could be truncated. Without sittings, there will be no representation, oversight, annual budget, or plenary — and that will destabilize both the legislature and the nation’s democracy,” he cautioned.

Garba emphasized the need for a coordinated security framework to ensure a safe and functional parliamentary environment.
“That is why this Bill is crucial. It aims to tackle these challenges and align Nigeria’s parliamentary security system with global best practices,” he added.

The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment and Functions of the Legislative Security Directorate in the National Assembly (HB 1632)”, was considered at the House Conference Hall 028 in Abuja.

While acknowledging the importance of keeping Parliament accessible to citizens, Garba insisted that public access must not compromise security.
“The need for effective security in the National Assembly cannot be overstated. This Bill is committed to ensuring the best possible security architecture to protect legislators, staff, visitors, and property,” he said.

He further encouraged state Houses of Assembly across the country to adopt similar frameworks to strengthen legislative security nationwide.

“With these few points of mine, I wish us a peaceful and productive hearing that will mark a turning point in the National Assembly’s security system,” Garba concluded.