Defence/Security

June 12: Group cautions youths against undemocratic practices

Published

4 years ago

June 11, 2021

A group, Committee of Youth on Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS), has advised against violent protests and raising of unnecessary alarms by youths as the country celebrates her Democracy Day on Saturday.

The Director General, CYMS, Mr Obinna Nwaka, gave the advice in a statement made available to our correspondent on Friday in Abuja.

He described practices such as violence and raisinf of unnecessary alarm as undemocratic practices.

Nwaka said the struggle by Nigerians to achieve democracy gave it a special value and placed responsibility on all to support democratic process.

He said youths’ potentials were underutilised in the country, and stressed the need for proper engagement, giving sense of belonging and empowering them to make them enjoy the benefits of democracy.

“Its our view as a youth-based organisation that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the current security challenges in the country are addressed to enable development to thrive in Nigeria.

“We salute President Muhammadu Buhari for the giant strides recorded so far, especially in area of infrastructure.

“We urge him to please do more, especially in the aspect of security, job creation and youths inclusion in governance,” he said.

Nwaka noted that some of the country’s challenges ranging from economic development to inssecurity as seen in recent times were major concerns to the group.

He however said that the challenges should not lead to more problems, but should be effectively contained.

The director general added that the concern of CYMS was to see a process of doing things in Nigeria that was free, fair and inclusive.

“We are particularly keen to see greater participation in politics by under-represented groups, including women, young people and people with disabilities.

“It is with great pleasure that I join Nigerians all over the world in the commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day.

“In Nigeria, as in so many other countries, the right for all citizens to enjoy equal participation in the democratic process was achieved after considerable struggle and suffering.

“We remember and celebrate all those who sacrificed so much for the freedoms we enjoy today,” he said.

He said CYMS would continue to offer strong support to the Independent National Elections Commission (INEC) and welcome the technical improvements it introduced in the electoral processe.

“We encourage government and legislators to work with INEC to achieve further improvements at least six months before the elections, in line with ECOWAS protocol.

“Democracy is not only about the voting process. It also requires a strong and ongoing commitment from political actors to uphold the democratic ideal.

“We have noted with concern, recent reports of violence, intimidation and corruption, both within parties and between parties.

“We take advantage of this national celebration of democracy to urge all political parties to maintain Nigerian and international norms and support a credible process.

“It’s is the fundamental right of the Nigerian people to freely express their will now and in the forthcoming elections,” he said.

Nwaka, however, appealed to Nigerians to use this year’s democracy day celebration to sue for peace and promote the unity of the country.

Defence/Security

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

Published

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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.