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Insecurity: COAS say there is need to identify, track sources of funding of insurgents, bandits
The Chief Of Army Staff Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has advocated for the sources of funding for bandits and insurgents to be identified and tracked to stifle them
He also challenged the entire country to take more than a passing interest in issues of security so that together the collective effort will put an end to all forms of insecurity
He, therefore, advocated for a need to evolve a whole of society approach for the respective security challenges confronting the nation.
He spoke recently at an interactive session with the senate committee on Army chaired by Senator Ali Ndume.
According to him the enduring solution to the security challenges is a holistic assessment of the root causes of the issues however, he lamented that unfortunately there are challenges to securing the adequate buy-in of all the stakeholders to come to the understanding that security is a whole of nations efforts.
This lack of buy-in he said has limited the flow of information to promptly identify threats to deal decisively with them.
“There is therefore the need for sustained advocacy by the respective national institutions such as the senate committee on Army and the national assembly to further awaken the various stakeholders to their responsibilities.
The COAS indicated that the current security situation across the nation remains fluid and requires a collective approach
“To this end the Nigerian army considers it expedient that enhance effort be targeted at identifying and addressing the root causes of the various security challenges across the country.
“It is equally important for the government to sustain efforts at improving the manpower challenges and equipment shortfalls in the Nigerian army while also improving the capacity of the primary responders in internal security.
“There is also the need to enhance ongoing measures to identify and track the sources of funding of insurgents, bandits and other criminal elements with a view to stifling the flow of funds.
He expressed the optimism that he has no doubt that the collective efforts of all Nigerians will be crowned with the required success.
Continuing he said, “In spite of the modest achievements it is evident that there are areas needing more interventions to enhance our operational actives.
“There is a need for additional manpower and force enablers as the Nigerian Army is far stretched beyond any other time in our history. “The plethora of security challenges imply that our troops are largely committed to one operation in one theater or the other with little respite for the culprits.
“It is increasingly becoming clear that a systematic and fast-tracking of manpower strength is imperative to be able to maintain the tempo and adequately support the police.
“Similarly the employment of other force enablers as well as further development of the capacity of the primary security agencies responsible for intra security is imperative.”
In these security challenges confronting the nation, he observed that the absence of buy-in of the various stakeholders remains a major setback as he reiterated the fact that Security remains a responsibility of every stakeholder which requires their buy-in for it to be effective.
“We have challenges really but we are working on the challenges. The Army along with other services, talking about the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force, other security agencies, and stakeholders are on it and I want to assure of our commitment and dedication to achieving the results for which we are set.
“The mandate was given to us by the commander in chief of the armed forces. We are doing that. The challenges sometimes appear pervasive but they are not insurmountable otherwise many successes are being recorded.
“The only thing is that for every event probably you have seen 10, 15, 20 others have been averted, foiled, or defeated.”
He said over the past months the Nigerian army made a concerted effort at enhancing its operations across the country which are mostly in support of the Nigerian police in order to improve the general security environment.
“In spite of our modest achievements the security situation across the country remains fluid as the Nigerian Army continues to confront security threat scenarios many of which beg for far-reaching efforts and tools other than the military to sufficiently address them.
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“It is therefore important to emphasize at this point that the enduring solution to a number of current challenges requires a holistic assessment of their root causes and emplacing multidimensional interventions to address them.
“The Nigerian Army under my command remains ever willing ready to continue to improve our operations and to act decisively. We are therefore confident that the weeks ahead portend optimistic outcomes as we are buoyed by the assurances of the Present leadership and the support of the committees like yours in driving the activities of organs of government to accomplish ongoing operations”
He said they have made remarkable strides in the Northeast theater since the beginning of the year.
The offensive operations being carried out across the theater and in conjunction with the multinational joint tax force has stabilized the situation in the region.
“Our troops have cleared and are dominating most of the hideouts in Timbuktu triangle, Sambisa Forest as well as other locations in Northern Borno.
“There have also been a lot of recoveries in terms of arms and ammunition as well as various equipment from the terrorists.
“The operations were complemented by a well-crafted non-kinetic line of efforts and other enabling activities which ensured a sustained surrender of Boko haram and ISWAP terrorists. Thus as of today over 51000of the terrorists and their families have so far surrendered.”
He said their multiple interventions in the theater in terms of the procurement and the induction of needed platforms, equipment, and other logistics, the number of theater nations, specific training for the troops as well as targeted welfare initiatives including the emplacement of the routine welfare to boost troops morale were also emplaced.
“All these efforts have contributed to the successes being recorded in the Northeast theater.
He expressed the optimism that by the end of the ongoing operation greater normalcy would have been returned to the Northeast leading to the return of more internally displaced persons and restoration of civil authority across the area.
“Now armed banditry manifesting in the form of terrorism, cattle rustling, and abduction for Ransome has become one of the main issues in the North West region.
“There were concerted efforts and interventions in Zamfara and Katsina States which were earlier identified as hotbeds for the criminals by the number of operations by 8 division Nigerian Army with the support of other services and agencies which helped to improve its overall presence with laudable successes.
He said the actions however led to a noticeable drift in bandit’s activities in some areas in Kaduna and Niger States.
“Furthermore the relocation of some elements of Boko haram and ISWAP terrorists including IED experts to the North West with the ongoing operations in the North East as well as economic gains further exacerbated the threats in the region.
“This transboundary movement of the terrorist has unfortunately led to the surge in incidents recorded in Kaduna and Niger States including a recent attack on the Abuja -Kaduna train service on 28th March 2022 as well as those on isolated villages particularly in Kachia, Zangon Kataf Local Government areas and others. “Expectedly efforts are ongoing with services and agencies to expand our operations to clear the terrorists from their hideouts and rescue the abductees.
“There are also ongoing efforts at improving synergy and cooperation with other services and security agencies for holistic and enduring interventions against criminals.
“In the North Central, the security issue is a blend of banditry in Niger State and farmers/herders crises and ethnic clashes in plateau and Benue States. “These necessitated several interventions that have seen an improvement in the situation across the zone, although with some challenges, especially in Niger.
“In Plateau and Benue States a deep combination of Kinetic and non-kinetic efforts were driven by ‘Operation Safe Haven’ and ‘Operation Wild Stroke’ which has curtailed the farmers/herders’ crashes in Plateau, Benue, and the Nasarawa States, though one-off incidences are still being recorded.
“On the other hand, Niger State witnessed a surge in banditry activities particularly in the month of January and February in 2022 largely due to the southward movement of the criminals in operations in Zamfara and Katsina States
“These necessitated several interventions including the operationalization of a new army unit in Bida. The resultant improvement in the situation is being monitored even as greater stability is being envisaged in North Central in the weeks ahead.”
In the southwest, he said the security situation has remained largely calm with isolated cases of armed robbery and kidnapping in addition illegal oil bunkering activities continue to receive the required attention. “Equally the activities of criminals around old Oyo National Park are being decisively dealt with.”
He said their contingency plans are undergoing the much-needed reviews to support the police as the electioneering period kicks in with the gubernatorial election in Ekiti and the Osun States scheduled for 18th June 2022 and 26th July 2022 respectively
“Consequently our formations are being resourced and efforts are ongoing in concert with other security agencies to insulate the zone from politically induced security problems. “Security threats in Southeast continue to revolve around the activities of the proscribed indigenous people of Biafra an eastern security network. In this regard, intelligent-driven operations have led to the arrest and neutralization of a special number of criminals and domination of their hideouts and camps.
“In spite of the gains made the criminals have shown some resilience with IPOB and ESN trying on piece mill deployment of security agencies Although with very limited success.”
The COS observed that the criminals have also continued to invest in the development and deployment of IEDs with a number of such IEDs being recovered since the beginning of the year.
“Nevertheless deliberate operations have continued to the senate. leading to special recoveries and improvement in the security situation.”
For the south South geopolitical zone, he said it has remained largely calm although with the limited incidence of kidnapping cultism, and militancy being the main security threat. “Significantly oil theft in the region continues to constitute severe economic losses to the nation and provides criminals with funds for their illegal enterprises.
“Accordingly the Nigerian army has stepped up offensive operations targeting oil thieves with significant results.
“The efforts have been complemented in some states of the region through an improved buy-in of the local authorities against the menace of illegal oil bunkering.
“This has expectedly led to direct attacks on troops intended to dissuade troops from further anti-illegal bunkering operations.
“The Nigerian army will continue to further deepen synergy with other security agencies in order to enhance the flow of intelligence on major oil thieves with a view to countering their actives. In respect of releases for the fiscal year”
Earlier the Senate committee chairman Senator Ali Ndume said they invited the army to the interactive session because of rising insecurity
He said it is an opportunity to boost the confidence of the general public that information you will want to share with them because Nigerians have been looking forward to the interactive session due to the worrisome security situation.
He cited the escalated one recently
Starting with the event in the northeast, ‘that is what you have been battling with for a decade now and then the recent daring attack on the train last two weeks that led to the death of about 8 or more people and the kidnap of an unconfirmed number of people and an unaccounted number of passengers
“The most recent one again is in the Northwest and also in the north-central. What happened recently in Wase in Plateau and even now in the last 71 hours over 31 people have been killed in the South East.
Southwest is relatively calm.
“That is why we want as a committee overnighting the army to share or to get information about what you are doing about this and what is the level of your achievement and what level of confidence you will build on Nigerians
“The second one is the issue of funding the committee has been crying out on your behalf.
“We want to know how far these funds have been released overhead and recurrent, what challenges and also we will go for oversight and see for ourselves the level of implementation or utilization of the fund allocated. “Basically that is the reason why we invited you here today to have an interactive session so that we will know what we would do in order to support you as you continue to do that to achieve what you set out and to overcome the numerous challenges that the Nigerian Army is facing.”
He said the senate knows that most of the issues are internal which is more of policing but the army is now engaged in war and policing at the same time.
“We want to know the challenges and the expectations so that we can interact with other committees especially that of police and security services to overcome this worrisome situation
Oil prices soared and stock markets slid Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was over, following renewed strikes in the Middle East.
The latest bout of fighting was sparked by Iranian attacks on ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping route.
Trump said at a NATO summit in Turkey the ceasefire was “over” but left the door open to more talks.
International benchmark Brent North Sea crude jumped more than five percent to around $78 a barrel.
The main US contract, West Texas Intermediate, also rallied five percent.
In Europe, Paris and Frankfurt shed around two percent while London was down nearly 1.5 percent around midday.
“Geopolitical risks are rising” for markets, noted Kathleen Brooks, research director at trading group XTB.
The US launched extensive strikes on Iran this week following attacks on ships in the strait, triggering a wave of reprisals against American bases in the Gulf.
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Washington also revoked a temporary sanctions waiver for Iranian oil.
Brooks added that “for the Brent crude oil price to extend gains above $80 per barrel, we would need to see another US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which would stop Iran from selling its oil and cause a major escalation in tensions”.
Equities in Asia also suffered, with the geopolitical tensions coming on top of a retreat from the tech sector on concerns over the eye-watering sums being invested in AI.
Seoul’s Kospi — which has been Asia’s poster child for the tech rally — sank more than five percent and has lost more than 20 percent since hitting a record high last month.
Samsung took another hit following a rout Tuesday that came despite the firm forecasting a roughly 19-fold jump in second-quarter operating profit from a year earlier on the back of strong AI chip demand.
The company and rival SK hynix both tumbled around six percent.
“Investors have been spooked in recent weeks by fears of excessive spending in the AI world and rich valuations in parts of the tech space, causing widespread profit-taking,” said Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell.
There were losses also in Tokyo and Shanghai.
However, Hong Kong rose three percent as traders chased beaten-down Chinese tech stocks, with Alibaba piling on more than 12 percent, and JD.com and Tencent each up almost four percent.
The dollar gained against its peers as the prospect of another hit to Middle East oil supplies fuelled concerns that inflation could remain elevated for longer than feared, putting pressure on the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates.
Key figures around 1100 GMT
Brent North Sea Crude: UP 5.1 percent at $77.93 a barrel
West Texas Intermediate: UP 5.0 percent at $73.95 a barrel
London – FTSE 100: DOWN 1.4 percent at 10,516.16 points
Paris – CAC 40: DOWN 2.0 percent at 8,265.75
Frankfurt – DAX: DOWN 2.1 percent at 24,929.06
Seoul – Kospi: DOWN 5.4 percent at 7,246.79 (close)
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 2.1 percent at 66,819.05 (close)
Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 3.0 percent at 24,199.46 (close)
Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.5 percent at 3,970.88 (close)
New York – Dow: DOWN 0.3 percent at 52,925.15 (close)
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1406 from $1.1415
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3344 from $1.3360
Dollar/yen: UP at 162.49 yen from 162.09 yen on Tuesday
Euro/pound: UP at 85.49 pence from 85.44 pence
AFP
Indigenous oil producers have warned that Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector is being weighed down by more than 270 different taxes, fees and statutory levies.
They maintain that the multiplicity of charges is beginning to erode the investment gains recorded under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) despite renewed investor confidence in the industry.
The warning came on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 NOG Energy Week in Abuja, where industry leaders also celebrated Nigeria’s admission into the International Energy Agency (IEA) as its newest Association Country, describing the development as a major endorsement of the country’s ongoing energy reforms and growing influence in global energy diplomacy.
The 25th edition of NOG Energy Week, marking the conference’s silver jubilee, is themed, “Advancing Energy Ambitions for Competitive & Resilient Economies.”
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Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), Adegbite Falade, while delivering the industry’s keynote address, said the country’s fiscal regime had become one of the biggest threats to sustaining investment inflows into the oil and gas sector.
According to him, although President Bola Tinubu’s administration has introduced sweeping reforms that have restored investor confidence and improved crude oil production, the burden of over 270 taxes and levies imposed by different government agencies risks offsetting the benefits of the PIA.
Falade said, “A Shift in Government Posture: From Collector to Catalyst, as we chart a path forward, we must confront a challenge that continues to erode industry-wide competitiveness – the sheer weight and multiplicity of fees, levies, and statutory charges imposed across the value chain.
“Today, the Nigerian oil and gas industry remains the most taxed and levied in the country, and perhaps globally, with over 270 separate fees, taxes and levies. These fees from multiple agencies and the cumulative burden threaten to outpace fiscal incentives introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act to attract and retain investment.
“For smaller producers and operators of mature assets with thinner margins, this burden is a direct threat to project viability, investment decisions, and in some cases, asset abandonment. We therefore urge the government to undertake a comprehensive harmonisation of all fees and levies across all agencies to eliminate duplication, ensure transparency in how these charges are computed and applied, and align the overall fiscal burden with the incentive-driven spirit of the PIA.
“A predictable, streamlined, and globally competitive cost environment is a prerequisite for the very growth, job creation, and production gains this administration seeks to achieve.”
Despite the concerns, the IPPG chairman commended the Federal Government for implementing reforms that have revived the industry’s investment outlook.
He said Nigeria had recorded a remarkable recovery in crude oil production from levels below one million barrels per day a few years ago to an average of about 1.6 million barrels daily between January and May this year, noting that May production exceeded Nigeria’s OPEC quota for the first time in almost one year.
Falade added that the administration had attracted more than 5bn Bonga North project; the 18.2bn were approved in 2025 alone, unlocking about 1.4 billion barrels of crude oil and 5.4 trillion cubic feet of gas.
“Mr President, on behalf of indigenous producers, thank you for your unyielding commitment towards building a sustainable oil and gas industry. The collaborative efforts of government, regulators, security agencies, host communities and operators are yielding the desired results,” he stated.
Falade, however, cautioned that Nigeria had repeatedly failed to take full advantage of geopolitical disruptions because of inadequate production capacity and delayed investments.
He recalled that the Russia-Ukraine war created huge opportunities for alternative gas suppliers to Europe while the recent tensions involving the United States, Iran and the wider Middle East pushed global crude prices significantly above Nigeria’s budget benchmark.
According to him, Nigeria could not maximise the resulting revenue opportunities because of production constraints. “The lesson from both crises is the same – the next geopolitical shock is not a question of if, but when. We must borrow a leaf from the Dangote Refinery by prioritising upfront investment in potent capacity.
“We must see infrastructure not just as an economic asset but as a strategic national shield. It is therefore imperative to build the partnerships, capital and readiness today that enable us to seize tomorrow’s opportunity rather than watch it pass us by once again,” he added.
The IPPG chairman also called for a comprehensive review of the PIA five years after its implementation, arguing that the law should be strengthened by incorporating the various presidential directives and executive orders introduced since its enactment.
He also warned that the industry was facing a growing manpower crisis following the retirement of experienced professionals and the wave of international oil company divestments, stressing that operators must significantly increase investments in training the next generation of industry professionals.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, described Nigeria’s recent admission into the International Energy Agency as one of the country’s biggest diplomatic achievements in the global energy sector.
According to the minister, the country’s admission as an Association Country on July 2 makes Nigeria the first member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to establish such a partnership with the IEA and the sixth African nation to attain the status.
Ekpo said the development reflects growing international confidence in Nigeria’s reform agenda and strengthens the country’s position in shaping global conversations on energy transition.
He said, “Complementing this, on July 2, 2026, the International Energy Agency officially admitted Nigeria as its newest Association Country. As the first OPEC member to partner with the IEA and its sixth African Association member, Nigeria is uniquely anchoring a balanced global dialogue, ensuring equitable energy transitions while defending the right of developing nations to responsibly harness their gas assets.
“Our progressive steps have recently resonated on the global stage, elevating Nigeria to the pinnacle of global energy diplomacy. Nigeria has proudly assumed the Presidency of the 2026 Gas Exporting Countries Forum Ministerial Meeting alongside the election of Nigeria’s Dr Philip Mshelbila as the GECF Secretary-General. This dual leadership reflects international confidence in our technical expertise and policy vision.”
The minister said the Federal Government’s reforms, backed by the PIA and subsequent executive orders signed by President Tinubu, had created a more stable, transparent and competitive investment climate for gas development.
He noted that the reforms had shortened contracting timelines, introduced targeted fiscal incentives for non-associated gas projects, removed bureaucratic bottlenecks and restored the commercial viability of deep-water gas developments.
“Our message to the global investment community is unified and resolute: Nigeria is open for business, and we have established a stable, competitive and highly predictable investment environment,” Ekpo stated.
He added that the government’s long-term strategy was to transform Nigeria from a country that merely possesses vast gas reserves into one powered by natural gas, saying the Decade of Gas initiative was driving investments in gas processing, pipelines, fertiliser production, petrochemicals, power generation and compressed natural gas transportation.
According to him, major infrastructure projects, including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano and OB3 gas pipelines, alongside the expansion of Nigeria LNG through Train 7, would strengthen domestic gas utilisation while expanding Nigeria’s footprint in the global liquefied natural gas market.
“The defining question before us is not whether the world will need more energy – it will. The question is who will provide that energy responsibly, reliably and competitively.
“Nigeria is prepared to answer that call. We possess the resources, we are implementing the reforms, we are building the infrastructure, we are strengthening our institutions and, above all, we are creating an environment in which investment can flourish and shared prosperity can be realised. Nigeria is ready. Nigeria is open for business. Nigeria is investing in the future,” the minister declared.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has disclosed that some politicians may be connected to the 30 alleged politically motivated killings recorded in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Anietie Iniedu, made the disclosure on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, saying investigations into the killings are ongoing.
According to him, several suspects have already been arrested, while some have been paraded by the police and charged to court.
Iniedu said the police could not rule out the involvement of politicians based on complaints received during the investigation.
“From the complaints received, we cannot rule out the involvement of some politicians in the killings,” he said.
However, he declined to disclose the identities of the suspects or provide further details, explaining that doing so would amount to sub judice and could prejudice ongoing court proceedings.
He assured Nigerians that more information would be made available after investigations are concluded and the cases before the courts are determined.
Responding to allegations that the police were complicit in the political crisis in the state, Iniedu insisted that the force would not shield anyone found culpable.
“The police will never be part of any cover-up and will not shield any person involved in any crime,” he stated.
He added that while election periods often come with accusations and counter-accusations against security agencies, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has directed officers to ensure every suspected criminal is tracked, arrested and prosecuted.
The police spokesperson recalled that the IGP recently visited Osogbo, the Osun State capital, where he met with Governor Ademola Adeleke and other political stakeholders to address rising political tension ahead of the governorship election.
According to him, the IGP warned all political actors against sponsoring violence and stressed that the police would not tolerate any breakdown of law and order.
He also urged parents to caution their children and wards against being used as political thugs.
On allegations of partisanship against the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, Iniedu said the IGP had already addressed the matter with the commissioner and warned against actions capable of undermining public confidence.
He further disclosed that the police have deployed specialised tactical units, drones and helicopters across Osun State to strengthen security and improve intelligence gathering ahead of the election.
Iniedu also revealed that the Nigeria Police Force currently has more than 400,000 active personnel nationwide.
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