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FG deploys military retirees to secure ungoverned spaces

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The Federal Government has unveiled plans to deploy military veterans to help secure Nigeria’s ungoverned spaces as part of strategies to strengthen national security and drive economic activities in conflict-affected areas.

This followed the inauguration of an 18-member committee by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), tasked with reclaiming ungoverned spaces for economic viability and repositioning the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans.

A statement on Wednesday by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Information, Enderline Chukwu unbehalf of the Director Information and Public Relations, said the committee was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Ministry of Defence headquarters, Abuja, with the minister represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwa.

Speaking at the event, Musa said the deployment of veterans into ungoverned spaces would complement ongoing military operations by bringing experienced personnel into local security and development efforts, particularly in areas where state presence remains weak.

According to the minister, the initiative reflects a strategic shift from an over-reliance on military offensives to a more inclusive and sustainable approach to security that tackles the socio-economic drivers of insecurity.

“The Minister of Defence Gen. Christopher Musa (retd) has inaugurated an 18-man membership committee on “Reclaiming Ungoverned Spaces for Economic Viability and the Repositioning of the Nigerian Legion corps of Commissionaires and Veterans” as part of a renewed effort to strengthen Veterans welfare and ensure active participation of military veterans in strengthening national security.

“The Minister reeled out the three terms of reference of the committee to include: (1) To reposition the veteran community to support national economic development. (2) To deploy veterans to secure Ungoverned Spaces and ensure that the areas are brought under effective oversight and development.

“(3) To reposition the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires, strengthen operational effectiveness, facilitate veterans reintegration and promote their contribution to national security.”

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Musa stressed that the initiative was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that veterans who served the country with honour are empowered to live productive lives after retirement, while still contributing to national stability.

“Deliberate integration of veterans into security and development initiatives would enhance local ownership, improve intelligence gathering and foster trust between communities and the state,” he added

He urged committee members to adopt innovative and forward-looking approaches that would produce actionable recommendations capable of supporting a holistic strategy for securing ungoverned spaces, promoting inclusive growth and sustaining peace.

Members of the committee were drawn from the Joint Services Department of the ministry, the Nigerian Legion, Defence Headquarters, the Defence Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as the offices of the Ministers of Defence and State for Defence.

Before now, there have been growing calls for the integration of military retirees into Nigeria’s security architecture, as a way of reducing the heavy reliance on overstretched serving personnel deployed across the country.

With this recent move by the Defence Minister,  if fully implemented, the prevalence of criminal activities in our ungoverned spaces across the country could be significantly reduced, while easing operational pressure on frontline troops and strengthening community-based security efforts.

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Nigeria, Switzerland deepen ties, agree on return of Benin artefacts

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Nigeria and Switzerland have strengthened bilateral relations with renewed commitments on trade, security, immigration and cultural cooperation, alongside concrete steps toward the return of looted Benin artefacts.

The agreement was reached during a high level meeting in Abuja, where Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yusuf Tuggar, hosted Switzerland’s Foreign Minister, Ignazio Cassis.

Speaking after the meeting, Tuggar said the renewed partnership reflects a shared commitment to mutual growth and respect.

“Nigeria and Switzerland enjoy long standing relations, and today’s engagement has opened new pathways for cooperation in trade, security, migration and cultural exchange,” he said.

On the planned return of artefacts, Mr Tuggar described it as a significant step toward justice and cultural restoration.

“The return of Benin artefacts taken during the Benin Expedition of 1897 is not just symbolic but a recognition of our history and identity,” he added.

Also speaking, Cassis reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria across multiple sectors.

The foreign minister said “We are deepening our collaboration with Nigeria, particularly in economic development, security cooperation and migration management,”

Both countries agreed to boost trade and investment by encouraging private sector partnerships, while enhancing cooperation to tackle transnational crimes and promote safe, orderly migration.

The engagement is expected to further strengthen diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Switzerland, while advancing cultural restitution efforts.

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Police IG redeploys AIGs, CPs, See details

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The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered the posting of senior officers to various strategic positions across the Nigeria Police Force as part of efforts to strengthen operational efficiency, enhance leadership capacity and improve service delivery nationwide.

The postings, according to a statement on Tuesday by the  Force spokesman, DCP Anthony Placid, are in line with the police commitment to an effective command structure and strategic deployment of personnel across commands, formations and departments.

Under the new arrangement, he said AIG Ado Emmanuel was posted to Research and Planning, Force Headquarters, Abuja; AIG Joseph Eribo to the Department of Armament; AIG Miller Dantawaye to the Department of Operations; AIG Henry Ifeanyi Uche to the Department of Training and Development; AIG Olanrewaju Peter Ogunlowo to Police Accounts and Budget; while AIG Dahiru Mohammed was deployed to Zone 15, Maiduguri.

“Similarly, AIG Dankombo F. Morris was posted to Zone 4, Makurdi; AIG Bello Shehu to Zone 14, Katsina; AIG Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba to the Department of Legal Services; AIG Ahmed Musa to Community Policing; AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh to Zone 2, Lagos; AIG Simeon U. Akpanudom to FCID Annex, Lagos; and AIG Haruna Olufemi to the Special Protection Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja,” the statement added.

The IG also redeployed several Commissioners of Police to state commands and other formations.

CP Haruna Yahaya was posted to Jigawa State Command; CP Betty  Otimenyin to Welfare, Force Headquarters; CP Olugbenga Abimbola to Oyo State Command; CP Yemi John Oyeniyi to Delta State Command; CP Olubode Ojajuni to Ogun State Command; CP Michael  Falade to Ekiti State Command; and CP Yakubu Dankaro to Adamawa State Command.

Others include CP Muhammed Ahmed to the Federal Capital Territory Command; CP Olatunji  Fatai to Lagos State Command; CP Morkwap  Dongshal to Taraba State Command; CP Ahmed  Bello to Zamfara State Command; CP Umar Fagge to Katsina State Command; and CP Hayatu Shaffa Hassan to Sokoto State Command.

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In further postings, CP Akan Ezima was named Director, NPF-NCCC, Abuja; CP Abbas Sule to the Special Protection Unit; CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue to INTERPOL, Abuja; CP Mnwadiogbu Cletus as Deputy Commandant, POLAC; CP Danjuma I. Yahaya to General Investigation, FCID Annex, Kaduna; CP Sheikh M. Danko to FCID Annex, Lagos; and CP Moses Ashu Otta to SWAT, Abuja.

Additional redeployments include CP Abdulrahim A. Shuaibu to Eastern Ports Authority; CP Sarah Ehindero to Administration, FCID Abuja; CP Edwin Ogbegbghagha to Provost, Force Headquarters; CP Preye R. Egbe to INEC, Abuja; CP Adebisi Bola Lateef to Master Printing, Lagos; CP Bolou O. Etete to Community Policing, Research and Planning; and CP Ojugbele E. Adebola to General Investigation, FCID Alagbon, Lagos.

Also affected are CP Fidelis N. Ogarabe, posted to INTERPOL Annex, Lagos; CP Theodore C. Obasi as Deputy Commandant, Police College, Ikeja; CP Eloho E. Okpoziakpo to Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi; CP Kayode Uthman Magaji to K9, Dei-Dei; CP Markus Ishaku Basiran to Courses, POLAC; CP Mohammed Babakura to Administration, Department of Operations; CP Silas Bamidele Aremu to Safer Highway, Department of Operations; CP Magaji Ismaila to Community Safety and Crime Prevention; and CP Rebecca Uchenna Okereke as Director of Music, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

“Tunji Disu charges the officers to bring their wealth of experience to bear in their respective assignments and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and service in the discharge of their duties,” he said

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Afenifere Diaspora faults APC over security, election concerns

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The Afenifere Diaspora USA has criticised the All Progressives Congress over what it described as worsening insecurity in the country and alleged attempts to weaken Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general election.

The group, in a statement made available to The PUNCH, dated March 20, 2026, warned that the continued escalation of violent attacks across parts of the country could lead to deeper national crises if urgent measures were not taken.

The statement, jointly signed by the Chairman, Prof Sikiru Fadairo, and the Secretary, David Adenekan, stressed that national security remained a constitutional obligation of the government, noting that failure to adequately address the situation could threaten the unity of the country.

The group said, “The current escalation of insecurity across the country is a dangerous trend that may plunge the nation into a sectarian war if not properly managed and nipped in the bud.”

It emphasised that the protection of lives and property remained a core responsibility of the government, as clearly stated in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The section provides that “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

It further referenced provisions contained in Chapter IV, Sections 33 to 46 of the Constitution, which guarantee fundamental human rights, including the rights to life, dignity, personal liberty, and privacy.

Afenifere Diaspora USA also condemned the activities of armed groups operating in parts of the country, alleging that recent attacks in the North-East had resulted in significant casualties and displacement of residents.

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The group said, “The recent violent attacks by terrorist groups degrade the status of Nigeria as a sovereign nation. It was widely reported that in March 2026, militants linked to the Islamic State West African Province launched coordinated attacks in the North-East, overrunning several military formations in Borno State, including communities such as Delwa, Goniri, Kukawa and Mainok.”

It added, “An intolerably high figure of 65 military officers were reportedly killed in the attacks, while about 300 persons were said to have been kidnapped. Are acts of killing people in thousands and sacking those fleeing from their villages not tantamount to genocide or ethnic cleansing?”

The group also questioned what it described as attempts to influence international narratives regarding the security situation in Nigeria, alleging that public funds were used to engage foreign lobbyists.

It stated, “Is the current administration not always quick to change the narrative that the killings in Nigeria are merely ‘normal’ incidents that occur in any society, including the unjustifiable expenditure of a whopping sum of nine million dollars from taxpayers’ funds to hire lobbyists in Washington DC to promote the position that there is no genocide or ethnic cleansing in Nigeria?”

On electoral matters, the group criticised the reported removal of the requirement for a candidate to possess a secondary school certificate as part of the eligibility criteria in the Electoral Act, describing the move as detrimental to democratic development.

The statement read, “The decision by members of the National Assembly to expunge from our electoral law the requirement to possess a secondary school certificate is seen as a political charade capable of undermining democratic values and lowering leadership standards in the country.”

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Citing Section 131 of the 1999 Constitution, the group noted that one of the requirements to contest for the office of the President is that a candidate must be educated to at least secondary school certificate level or its equivalent.

“In a digital age driven by information technology, Nigeria must not slide backwards into the abyss of ignorance where leadership competence is compromised. Leadership capacity and skilled knowledge are critical in managing the affairs of a modern state,” the statement added.

The group also called for mandatory electronic transmission of election results, insisting that credible elections remained vital to strengthening democracy and ensuring good governance.

It said, “Every lover of democracy, including the international community, must support a system that guarantees mandatory electronic transmission of election results in real time without optional conditions.

“A free and fair general election in 2027 is sacrosanct and must not be negotiated if Nigeria is to deepen its hard-won democracy and ensure accountable leadership.”

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