Category: Daily Trust

The Senate on Wednesday resolved to summon the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to brief the lawmakers on the coordinated federal response to insecurity in Kwara South.

The Senate also urged the federal government to establish a permanent military base in Kwara South, near the forest belts of Ifelodun Local Government Area, as a rapid response hub to tackle insecurity in the zone.

The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored during plenary by Senator Lola Ashiru (Kwara South).

The red chamber also called for the immediate deployment of additional troops and special units to clear the forests and restore normalcy in affected communities in the senatorial district. In his lead debate, Senator Ashiru lamented the escalating insecurity in Kwara South, especially in Ifelodun LGA, where he said bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings have reached alarming levels in recent weeks.

He disclosed that the development has forced thousands of residents to flee their communities.

After a debate on the motion, the Senate mandated its committees on Defence, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to undertake an on-the-spot assessment of affected areas and report back within two weeks.

It also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately provide humanitarian relief to displaced persons in Ifelodun and other affected LGAs.

The red chamber equally urged the federal government to compensate families of fallen forest guards and vigilantes who died defending their communities.

Army deploys full brigade to Kwara forests

The Nigerian Army has deployed a full brigade with heavy military equipment to Kwara State to dislodge bandits operating from forests in parts of the northern and southern axis.

The deployment saw troops and armoured vehicles advancing through communities around Oke Ode and Babanla in Ifelodun Local Government Area, according to a government statement on Wednesday night.

Daily Trust reports that the affected communities had come under renewed attacks lately from the bandits, killing and kidnapping many victims in the process.

The operation forms part of the ongoing Operation Fasan Yanma aimed at neutralising armed criminal groups and restoring peace across affected areas.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the issue over the weekend in Jos, thanked the president for his swift intervention and the military hierarchy for their commitment to public safety.

‘We will not spare any resources in support of the military, DSS, police, and other security agencies as they work to strengthen the security of lives and properties,’ the Governor said in the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.

He expressed optimism that the new deployment would bring lasting relief to communities that have suffered repeated abductions and killings.

‘We are upbeat that this operation, as part of Operation Fasan Yanma, will eliminate all forms of threats in affected areas in Kwara South and Kwara North.

‘I thank the President and the security agencies for the efforts so far. As I said a few days ago, we just need to double our efforts to save the people. We are confident that the operation, under the theatre commander Major General Soyele, who is accompanied by Brigadier General A.A. Babatunde, will succeed in this important task and clear the entire area,’ he said.

The governor also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, and the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, who had earlier relocated to Kwara to oversee the operation.

Security challenges require multi-level policing – Speaker Abbas

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has called for decisive legislative action to establish a multi-level policing system to address the nation’s deepening security challenges.

Abbas made the call on Wednesday during a public hearing on the Private Intelligence and Investigation Council Bill, 2024, organised by the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

He said security sector reforms have become a national priority and must now ‘move from theory to decisive action.’

Represented by the member representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency, Hon. Muktar Shagaya, the Speaker said creating state police through a constitutional amendment remains a viable option that deserves serious national consideration.

The Chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Hon. Ahmad Satomi, said the proposed legislation would mark a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture through the regulation and professionalisation of private intelligence operations.

The name, Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed (Dangaladiman Gwandu), is one I have long been accustomed to hearing within the family circles as a growing up kid in the then modest town of Birnin Kebbi of the early 1970s.

A direct descendant of the renowned Islamic reformist scholar and first Emir of Gwandu, Sheikh Abdullahi Bin Fodio, and scion of the Ubandoman Gwandu and Magajin Rafin Gwandu families of Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Dr Bello Mohammed is an accomplished individual by any definition of the term. Back then as children, however, we used to refer to him D’an Baba, which I later got to realise was on account of his being named after his maternal grandfather and respected uncle of mine, the late Magajin Rafin Gwandu, Muhammadu Bello, of blessed memory.

Magajin Rafi Bello was an elder brother of my late father, Alhaji Usman Malami Bunza, who would go on to inherit and hold the same title for 30 years following the passing of the former in 1973. He was also a childhood friend of my maternal grandfather and namesake, Magatakardan Gwandu, Mallam Abdullahi Kakale, dating back to the period they both attended the Birnin Kebbi Elementary School in the early 1900s.

Mallam Abdullahi Kakale would subsequently assume the title of Magatakarda, following the appointment of his bosom friend as the Magajin Rafi on March 26, 1940. Ubandoma Sa’ad Haliru Abdu, Dangaladima Bello Haliru’s paternal grandfather was also a longstanding friend of both Magajin Rafi Bello and Magatakarda Kakale, resulting in several intermarriages amongst the three families. I have always held Dr Bello, as he came to be addressed following his graduation with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1973, in reverence and awe anytime I got the chance to set eyes on him as a kid. He has always been a mentor to me from my childhood, even though he may not have been aware of it; so much so that I subconsciously modelled after him, down to adopting his style of dressing. Such that even the way I wear my cap today was copied directly from him, with the only difference being that while he pushes down the top of his own cap on the left side, I push mine down on the right, so it wouldn’t be so obvious that I copied him.

I was also influenced to apply for the same course he studied after my IJMB at the then School of Basic Studies, ABU, Zaria. Although I managed to secure admission at the same University, my name somehow miraculously disappeared from the faculty list upon resumption, after I had earlier confirmed that I was listed among the newly admitted students. Such was the level of influence he has always had on me, and I am happy to seize the occasion of his 80th birthday on Thursday, October 9th, 2025, to finally make this open confession.

Dr Bello would later go on to marry my beloved elder sister, Hajiya Aisha, back when I was still in primary school. That further increased our level of interaction when I regularly visited them during my traditional exeat days on Fridays and Sundays, as a boarding student at the then Government College Sokoto in the early 1980s; the same secondary school he attended several years previously.

I have countless childhood memories of my interactions with him during that period and can vividly recall one funny incident he may probably have long forgotten. It happened during one of those exeats visits to their home on Anka Road, Sokoto, as a 12- to 13-year-old junior student in my early years. I was so tired on a particular Sunday afternoon that I fell asleep in one of the rooms immediately after lunch, only to be discovered by the maid around 9pm, long after I should have returned to school at 6pm. On recognising how late it was, I broke down crying, knowing the fate that awaited me in the hands of my seniors back at school.

Dr Bello requested that I should proceed to have my dinner as he watched the day’s NTA Network News broadcast, following which he would drop me off at school. When it dawned on him that I wouldn’t stop crying, he promptly cut short his daily NTA News viewing routine and drove me straight to school. Along the way, he sought to understand why I was still crying, and amidst intermittent sobs, I explained how our seniors typically punished us for any such, or even far lesser infractions on our part.

He offered to personally hand me over to our House Captain to explain why I was late, but I pleaded that he dropped off me at a safe distance, instead, from where I would then sneak into the hostel unnoticed. At one point, Dr Bello then proposed meeting the School Principal to report on how junior students were being maltreated in that manner. That idea elicited even more sobs and pleas from me, knowing full well that it would fetch me even more punishment, as the seniors did not take such reports and the resulting reprimand they elicit lightly. They would likely target you once they noticed that you had people of influence that could intervene on your behalf. In the end, he reluctantly dropped me off some distance away from the hostel as I had pleaded and left.

Dangalidama has no airs about him and would freely discuss with you despite your obvious age difference. I particularly enjoy my personal interactions with him, which always leave me better informed about the issues, regardless of the nature of the topic we may be discussing. At close quarters, it is also surprising to discover that he likes to joke a lot despite any previous assumptions to the contrary.

Just over three and a half years ago, our already sufficiently close interactions became even more frequent when I visited his house daily over an extended period of well over three months, following an unfortunate sad incident that befell my brother at the time. We hurriedly converted his house into an emergency Command and Control Centre of sorts where we gathered daily, and I have nothing but abiding respect and appreciation for the way he expertly handled and calmed that delicate situation.

A onetime Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria Students Union Government President (1970 – 1971); former lecturer at ABU; two-time Commissioner (Agriculture and Education) in the old Sokoto State; Deputy General Manager, National Livestock Production Company, Kaduna; General Manager, Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA); former Director and later Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (1988 – 1993); member, Board of Directors of the now defunct NAL Merchant Bank (1999 – 2001); Federal Commissioner in the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission; Chairman, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company (2005); Federal Government delegate at the 2005 National Political Reform Conference (2005); National Vice – Chairman (North West), of the People’s Democratic Party (2004 – 2008); Deputy National Chairman, PDP (2008 – 2011) and PDP National Chairman (2011); Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Railway Corporation; Minister of Communications and Minister of Defence during the Obasanjo and Jonathan administrations, respectively, amongst many others, Dangaladima, or Sabbene, as we fondly call him, has been there, done that and seen it all.

I would like to use the occasion of his 80th birthday on Thursday, October 9, 2025 to express my profound gratitude to the Almighty Allah SWT for the gift of his eventful and impactful life. I beseech Allah to grant him good health and many more years of positive contribution and impact to his immediate and extended family, our state, and the nation at large.

Happy birthday and many more happy returns, Sabbene!

The Forum of National Women Leaders of Political Parties in Nigeria (NWLFPPN) has urged the National Assembly to urgently pass the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, describing it as a historic step toward gender inclusion, equity, and stronger democratic governance.

The reserved seat bill seeks the creation of additional seats exclusively reserved for women in the federal parliament and at the state assemblies.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, the forum’s president, Mrs. Amina Darasimi Bryhm, said the time for promises was over, emphasising the need for immediate legislative action.

‘The time for action is now. We urge the National Assembly to rise to the occasion and pass this Bill without delay. It is not just a women’s issue; it is a national imperative,’ Bryhm said. She further appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate leadership and stand with Nigerian women by assenting to the Bill once passed. ‘This is the moment to make history,’ she said.

The forum criticised the persistent gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political structures, calling on political parties and government institutions to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete legislative steps toward inclusivity.

‘How can you have 50 percent of the population underrepresented? How does it look when only four women sit in a 109-member Senate, or just 16 in the 360-member House of Representatives?’ Bryhm asked.

According to the forum, the Bill represents a crucial constitutional amendment that would not only enhance women’s visibility in governance but also strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, deepen representation, and promote sustainable national development.

The women leaders insisted that Nigerian women possess the capacity, competence, and integrity to lead and must be provided with the platform to do so.

‘Before you ask what women will do with the seats, we must first sit at the table. Women’s presence ensures that issues affecting not only women but also children, youth, and people with disabilities are addressed. We bring accountability to the table,’ they said.

They stressed that the advocacy was not about filling quotas but about ensuring that qualified, credible, and capable women occupy leadership positions.

Addressing questions about past setbacks, including the failed presidential bid of Sarah Jibril, the forum said today’s generation of women is more prepared, coordinated, and supported than ever before.

‘Sarah Jibril broke the chain. Today, we are intentional. We have a structure, we have strategy, and we are not backing down. This time, we will get it right,’ the forum affirmed.

They called on women’s organizations, youth groups, civil society, traditional rulers, faith leaders, and the media to rally behind the Bill.

The forum also appealed for continued support from development partners to provide technical assistance and amplify the advocacy.

The family of the late Olu Ere of Ere, His Royal Highness Oba J.I. Ipinyemi, has announced the schedule of events for the celebration of his life and legacy.

According to a statement signed by HRH Isiaq Ajibola, the Akogun of Ife Olukotun, the ceremonies will hold from November 27 to 29, 2025, in Ife Olukotun, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.

A commemoration service will precede the main events on November 27, 2025, at the Methodist Cathedral, Ilorin, beginning at 10 a.m.

The family also announced the constitution of a central committee and several subcommittees to coordinate the burial activities.

The Central Committee will be chaired by Mudasiru Oseni, with Dr. Peter Adelaiye as co-chairman and Mr. Mutiu Ekundayo as secretary.

The subcommittees include: Budget and Finance Committee, chaired by Hon. Ahmed Amodu; Venue and Protocol Committee, chaired by Hon. Moshood Hassan; Security Committee, chaired by Chief Agbana Alaiyegbami; Food and Beverages Committee, led by Mrs. Rukayat Mohammed; Wake-Keeping/Service of Songs and Burial Committee, chaired by Chief Toba Johnson; Traditional and Cultural Matters Committee, chaired by Chief Dele Atanda; and Media and Protocol Committee, chaired by Dr. Rasheed Yusuf.

The statement concluded with a prayer for the peaceful repose of Oba Ipinyemi’s soul, noting that the revered monarch joined his ancestors on August 14, 2025, after a brief illness.

A Nigerian corrections officer serving with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Olukemi Ibikunle, has been named the recipient of the 2025 UN Trailblazer Award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers.

The award, now in its third year, recognises the exceptional contributions of women in justice and corrections roles within UN peace operations.

According to the statement from the UN House in Abuja, Ibikunle, who serves as the MONUSCO Corrections Unit Engineer, has led transformative prison infrastructure and rehabilitation projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Her work focuses on aligning prison conditions with international standards and strengthening national institutions, especially in traditionally male-dominated technical roles.

‘Peace begins behind prison walls,’ Ibikunle has often said – a reflection of her belief that safety, dignity and rehabilitation within detention settings are critical to broader peacebuilding efforts.

Reacting to the announcement, she said, ‘More than an award, this moment represents visibility and recognition of the countless women and girls whose voices are often silenced and whose dreams are constrained by societal expectations.’

Ibikunle’s tenure with MONUSCO began in 2020, continuing through 2022, and she returned to the mission in 2023. Among her key achievements is the construction of an advanced security prison block in Kabare designed to house high-risk detainees, including members of armed groups.

She also developed a model prison blueprint for the country, intended to guide efforts in standardising prison design and improving overall detention conditions, the statement added.

In addition, she spearheaded the Biogas initiative at Uvira Prison, a sustainability-focused project that converts waste into clean energy. The initiative not only improved environmental conditions and prison hygiene but also offered vocational training to inmates, enhancing their prospects for rehabilitation and reintegration.

The Trailblazer Award was established in 2022 by the Justice and Corrections Service of the Office for the Rule of Law and Security Institutions under the Department of Peace Operations.

Six varieties of rain-fed wheat under field experiments by the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) have shown strong prospects on the Jos Plateau, raising optimism for large-scale wet-season wheat cultivation in the region.

The development could see more farmers embrace rain-fed wheat farming, a potential game-changer in a region long known mainly for vegetable production.

Plateau State is one of three sites identified as capable of growing wheat throughout the rainy season. The other two are Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State and Obudu in Cross River State.

Dr. Zakari Turaki, Director of the LCRI Station in Jos, explained that the six varieties, which are likely to reach farmers soon, are among the entries already showcased to policymakers. He said the institute has also completed the Farmer Participatory Variety Selection (FPVS) process, which is a key requirement for the release of new varieties. He noted that four of these varieties are disease-resistant and are due for release this year or next. They have demonstrated strong resistance to Fusarium blight, Septoria and Rust, which are common wheat diseases.

According to the breeder, the institute will release one variety each addressing the prevalent diseases in the area, in addition to two other varieties currently on trial that focus on improving nutrition through high iron and zinc content.

‘Iron and zinc are particularly important because zinc is an essential nutrient for health. There’s something we call ‘hidden hunger’ – many people eat enough food but still lack vital minerals and vitamins. These biofortified wheat varieties are rich in zinc, and we plan to release two of them to farmers for cultivation,’ he said.

In a move to support continued research, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, attended the Second National Rain-fed Wheat Farmers’ Field Day held in Kuru, Jos, over the weekend.

The LCRI has been developing several wheat varieties that can adapt to wet-season climates across Nigeria’s three major ecological zones.

Governor Mutfwang announced the allocation of 50 hectares of land to the research institute for further trials and expressed concern over the generally low crop yields per hectare across the country. He called for bold reforms and scientific approaches to boost productivity and food security.

‘We have to come to a point where we decide that enough is enough of all the wastage of opportunities. At this point, we must be deliberate, intentional, and scientific, and ensure we key into global best practices. That is the only way we can help ourselves,’ he said.

Reacting to what he observed on the experimental fields, Senator Abubakar Kyari said the new climate-resilient rain-fed wheat varieties would help increase domestic production, reduce import dependence, and enhance food and nutrition security while guaranteeing better financial returns for Nigerian farmers.

‘Through strategic partnerships with development agencies, private-sector investors, and state governments, we are scaling up rain-fed wheat cultivation from pilot fields like this to hundreds of thousands of hectares nationwide. Farmers will have access to certified seeds, modern mechanization services, and reliable market linkages-making wheat production both profitable and sustainable,’ the minister stated.

He added that the successful cultivation of rain-fed wheat in Kuru is transformative for Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.

‘It means that wheat production is no longer confined to irrigated zones. Farmers in the highlands of Jos, Mambilla and Obudu in Plateau, Taraba, and Cross River states respectively can now grow wheat during the rainy season-naturally, sustainably, and profitably.

‘This innovation opens the door to a future where Nigeria’s wheat demand can be met by our own farmers and grown on our own soil,’ he said.

Construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has held its annual Cultural Day celebration across its corporate offices, regional headquarters, and project sites nationwide.

The event highlighted the company’s commitment to promoting Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity as a vital tool for fostering unity, peaceful coexistence, and socio-economic development.

This year’s Cultural Day was marked by colourful displays of tradition, as staff turned out in vibrant attire representing Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups. The celebration featured traditional music, dance performances, cultural exhibitions, and a showcase of indigenous cuisines, all reflecting the depth and richness of Nigeria’s heritage.

In Abuja, the Head of Human Resources, Olorunfemi Ojomo, welcomed everyone and spoke about the importance of unity in diversity. He said that the company values the strength found in different cultures and will continue to promote it. Ojomo said, ‘I can see some beautiful dresses this evening. I’m really impressed. Thank you very much for the effort. Definitely it is going to be a beautiful outing. Like I always say every year in year out, it’s one of those moments where we get to celebrate our diversity. Yes, it’s a period for some fun.

‘However, the most important thing here is we try as much to recognise that we’re from different parts of the world, different parts of the country because we are as a company and that’s our strength. It’s very important to appreciate ourselves and so little things like this do matter a lot.’

The Presidency has rejected the World Bank’s recent report estimating that 139 million Nigerians are living in poverty, saying the figures do not reflect current realities under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the data quoted by the World Bank must be properly contextualised, noting that it is based on historical and modelled estimates rather than real-time assessments.

According to the statement, the World Bank’s estimate was derived from the global poverty benchmark of $2.15 per person per day, set in 2017 under the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) framework. Dare explained that the figure, when converted to today’s exchange rate, equals about ?100,000 per month-an amount that is above Nigeria’s new minimum wage of ?70,000.

‘The measure is an analytical construct, not a direct reflection of local income realities,’ he said. ‘The poverty assessment under the PPP methodology relies on outdated consumption data, with Nigeria’s last major household survey conducted in 2018/2019.’

He added that the estimate does not account for the informal and subsistence sectors that sustain millions of households across the country.

The Presidency maintained that the figure should be regarded as a global model estimate, not an empirical representation of conditions in 2025, and emphasised that the country’s poverty trajectory is now one of recovery and inclusive reform.

Dare listed a range of government programmes aimed at reducing poverty and improving living standards, including:

Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT): Expanded to reach 15 million households nationwide, with over ?297 billion disbursed since 2023.

Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RH-WDEP): Covering all 8,809 electoral wards, providing micro-infrastructure and social services at the community level.

National Social Investment Programmes (NSIPs): Strengthened initiatives such as N-Power, TraderMoni, MarketMoni, FarmerMoni, and the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.

Food Security Measures: Including distribution of subsidised grains and fertilisers, mechanisation initiatives, and the revival of strategic food reserves.

Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund (RHIF): Financing key energy, road, and housing projects to reduce living costs and boost job creation.

National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC): Expanding access to affordable credit for small businesses, women, and youth.

The Presidency said the government is addressing long-standing structural challenges such as overdependence on imports, productivity constraints, and regional disparities.

It noted that reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies, exchange rate unification, and fiscal redirection toward productive sectors are part of efforts to tackle the root causes of poverty and promote sustainable growth.

Dare said the World Bank itself has acknowledged that these reforms are contributing to macroeconomic stability and renewed growth momentum.

The statement added that the administration’s medium-term focus is to ensure that macroeconomic stability translates into tangible welfare gains for citizens through affordable food, quality jobs, and reliable infrastructure.

It said ongoing investments in agriculture, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and power reliability are expected to create employment and lower living costs.

According to the Presidency, Nigerians are expected to begin seeing improvements in food prices, income levels, and purchasing power as these programmes continue to take effect.

The recent arrest of notorious armed robbery kingpin John Samuel in Epe, Lagos State, underscores the crucial role of surveillance in modern policing. CCTV footage showed Samuel shooting at victims before robbing them, proving once again how technology can make the difference between impunity and justice.

This is not an isolated case. On January 14, 2021, CCTV cameras in Lekki captured a thief breaking into a home and carting away valuables, from electronics to a car. Yet, in many parts of the country, crimes go unrecorded, unreported, and unanswered.

Precisely, on September 23, 2025, gunmen riding 50 motorcycles attacked villages in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State. They killed a pregnant woman, abducted six others, and operated freely for four hours without resistance. Such incidents highlight the consequences of ungoverned spaces and delayed responses by security forces.

Across the nation, criminals have become emboldened, ambushing security personnel and inflicting heavy losses. According to Daily Trust, at least 50 security operatives were killed in the last two weeks alone. Citizens cannot continue to live at the mercy of these attacks. Protection must extend to every Nigerian life, not just the elite. Globally, CCTV installations and surveillance drones have proven vital in combating terrorism and organized crime. These technologies can deter crime by making offenders think twice when they know they are being watched. Identify suspects through recorded evidence and prevent attacks by enabling pre-emptive surveillance and swift response. A surveillance drone retrieves vital information from criminals hibernating in the forest, mountain, and savannah areas, and further analysis would enable seamless arrest.

The Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPV) can fulfil a variety of roles, offering superior safety and blast protection for the occupants against direct and indirect weapons, mines, and improvised explosive devices to protect personnel.

Unfortunately, Nigeria still lags. Only a handful of states-Lagos, Edo, Oyo, and Akwa Ibom-have functional Command and Control centres, and coverage is far from state-wide. Drone deployment remains inadequate, leaving criminals free to exploit unmonitored areas.

In the present digital age, criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in organized crime or cyber threats and rely on false identities to operate undetected. However, identity tracking is one of the most powerful tools at the disposal of the country that can monitor and verify individuals and reduce opportunities for crime.

To be fair, government interventions have strengthened the Nigeria Police Force in recent years. The Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) has provided over 200 Buffalo patrol vehicles, protective vests, helmets, and renovated police stations and barracks. Between 2021 and 2025, the NPF also received 328 operational vehicles, thousands of ballistic vests, 50 Sudanese horses, and advanced training for over 10,000 personnel in counter-terrorism, cybercrime, and hostage negotiation.

The Ministry of Police Affairs has added tactical vehicles, vests, and other equipment. These efforts reflect genuine commitment-but they are not enough to match the scale of Nigeria’s security challenges.

A mere trip through roads from Abuja to Sokoto, Lagos, and Calabar manifests the contribution of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund through the buffalo patrol vehicles on our highways in Nigeria. Also, reflecting is renovation of barracks and new pilot smart divisional police stations in Mpape-Abuja, Akaeze-Ebonyi, Ekinrin-Adde-Kogi, renovation of 57 police stations and 14 barracks across the country.

The way forward for a meaningful change, Nigeria must:

Expand CCTV coverage across states and local governments.

Deploy surveillance and attack drones mounted on Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPVs), to enable proactive operations in forests, mountains, and highways without resorting to endless roadblocks.

Equip Divisional Police Stations with advanced gear for preemptive action.

Integrate identity technologies such as the Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Database Centre (NPCIDB), WAPIS, and Interpol i24/7 for tracking false identities and cyber threats.

Promote collective security by partnering with the federal, state, and local governments, the private sector, and citizens to install cameras in public places and areas without governance.

As Nigeria pursues the devolution of powers to local governments, especially financial autonomy, it must accompany this with the empowerment of local government chairmen to take responsibility for security in their domains and the improvement of the capacity of Divisional Police Stations to be accountable in the discharge of their responsibilities.

All criminals in the country must be on the run from the continuous onslaught of the well-kitted security personnel backed up with deployable surveillance and attack drones mounted on Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPVs) simultaneously in the states in the country to curb the migration of criminals.

In conclusion, Nigeria has the manpower and the will, but it lacks the surveillance infrastructure to stay ahead of criminals. Investing in CCTV, drones, and modern command centres is no longer optional-it is urgent. The time has come for all tiers of government to work together, patronize local manufacturers of Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles, and empower our police with the tools they need to deliver Renewed Hope Policing.

Bolaji Oladimeji Kazeem is the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Police Affairs

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