Security

Nigeria now a killing field – Bishop Kuka

Published

4 years ago

April 4, 2021

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah has described Nigeria as a killing field owing to the activities of bandits, Boko Haram insurgents and other criminal elements that have plunged the entire nation into hardship.

Bishop Kukua in his Easter message said after making a mockery of the security situation in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari is now ‘helpless’ over it.

The Bishop recalled that President Buhari had in 2015 described Boko Haram insurgents as a typical case of small fires causing large fires.

He stressed that the fire is now consuming under his watch.

He blamed the ruling class over the deteriorating security in the country, noting that the criminal elements were multiplying because governments “pay more attention to rehabilitating bandits and kidnappers than the victims”.

According to him, “Taunted by Boko Haram, ravaged by bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, and other merchants of death across the nation, there is collective fear as to whether Nigeria’s glory is about to depart! Retired military and intelligence officers lament over what has become of their glorious profession as they watch the humiliation of our military personnel.

“Traumatised citizens are tortured daily by bandits. The nation has since become a massive killing field, as both government and the governed look on helplessly.

“A thick and suffocating cloud of desperation, despondency, desolation, gloom, and misery hangs in the hot air. We have no message and have no idea how long this will last. Our people seek solace and protection, but frustration and darkness threaten to drown them. Is their government on AWOL?”

“On May 29, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari, at his swearing-in as President of Nigeria, said: Boko Haram is a typical case of small fires causing large fires,” Kukah said.

“Now, before his watch, the fires are consuming the nation, and in many instances, they indeed start small.

“In all, Nigeria’s troubles are growing by the day, but our hands must remain stretched out in supplication.”

Citing the killings and abduction of residents in different parts of the country, particularly the North, Kuka noted that “politicians will use religion to mobilise for elections, but they cannot use it to govern”.

According to him, the prevailing security situations has given Nigerians the impression that those elected into offices to protest the lives and properties of the citizens have failed.

Recall that the Bishop, in his 2020 Christmas message, accused President Buhari’s administration of practising nepotism.

The assertion triggered many reactions from concerned Nigerians as some, including the presidency, slammed the Bishop over the comment while others maintained that Kuka’s view was the nation’s reality.

Security

Avoid Disclosing Your NIN to Unauthorized Persons, Groups

Published

1 month ago

April 10, 2025

Sunrise

– NIMC Cautions Nigerians

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a strong warning to Nigerians against giving out their National Identification Numbers (NIN) to unauthorized individuals, groups, or platforms, especially in exchange for money.

This caution comes in the wake of arrests made by security operatives in multiple states, including Anambra, over illegal activities involving the solicitation of NINs for fraudulent purposes.

In a statement released by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, the Commission expressed deep concern over reports that some individuals in Anambra State were collecting NINs from unsuspecting residents for monetary compensation—an act NIMC described as not only illegal but also a breach of national laws.

“This illegal activity violates the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, the Data Protection Act 2023, and the Cybercrime Act 2023,” Dr. Adegoke stated. He confirmed that in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), those responsible for the criminal scheme have been apprehended and are currently undergoing interrogation. They will be prosecuted accordingly.

Dr. Adegoke emphasized that the Federal Government has not authorized any group or individual to collect NINs from citizens in such a manner, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and to avoid disclosing their NINs to unauthorized persons.

“At no time should NIN holders give out their NINs for monetary compensation. This is against the laws of the Federation. Anyone caught will be dealt with appropriately,” he warned.

He further clarified that the NIN is strictly for accessing verified government and private sector services and should only be used through authorized and secure channels.

To report suspicious NIN collection activities, members of the public are advised to contact the Commission via email at nimccustomercare@nimc.gov.ng or call 0700-2255-646 / 019-23000010.

NIMC reassured Nigerians that necessary steps are being taken to curb such fraudulent practices and protect the integrity of the national identity system.

Security

Tinubu Signs Bill Establishing National Centre for Arms Control

Published

8 months ago

September 18, 2024

Nats Odaudu

The development was made known at a workshop focused on gender mainstreaming in efforts to curb the spread of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria and the West African sub-region, held on Tuesday in Abuja.

The workshop was organized by the NCCSALW. Ribadu, represented by the Director of External Affairs from the Office of the National Security Adviser, Amb. Ibrahim Babani, described the president’s assent as a crucial step in the government’s fight against the illegal proliferation of arms.
He noted that this legislative backing would solidify the centre’s authority and facilitate more coordinated efforts to tackle the issue.

Ribadu also emphasized the importance of gender mainstreaming in addressing the arms control problem, citing key international frameworks such as the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.
This resolution underscored the need to protect women from the impacts of conflict and ensure their active participation in peacebuilding and security initiatives.

AIG (rtd) Nuhu Ribadu
National Security Adviser

He also referenced the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, which highlights regional cooperation in stopping the spread of weapons that disproportionately affect women and children in conflict zones.

“The importance of gender mainstreaming in preventing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons cannot be overstated,” Ribadu said. “It strengthens our strategies and ensures our approach to security is inclusive and sustainable.”

Speaking at the workshop, the National Coordinator of NCCSALW, retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Johnson Kokumo, detailed the centre’s recent efforts in combating illegal arms proliferation.
Kokumo mentioned that the centre recently retrieved a substantial cache of illegal arms from the Nigeria Customs Service and arrested 10 suspects involved in illicit importation. These suspects are currently being prosecuted for offenses that include the illegal importation of 544 firearms and 112,500 rounds of ammunition, in violation of Nigerian law.

Kokumo further revealed that the centre has retrieved 3,383 decommissioned and illicit small arms, along with 26,749 rounds of ammunition, from various government agencies. He also announced plans for an Arms Destruction Exercise later this quarter to ensure that recovered arms are permanently removed from circulation.

Highlighting the global implications of small arms proliferation, Kokumo said, “The control of small arms and light weapons is not only a national concern but also a matter of international importance.” He added that addressing this issue through a gender-sensitive approach is both a moral imperative and a strategic move, considering the grave impact of armed conflict on women and children.

“This workshop is a significant step in ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated into national and regional strategies for small arms and light weapons control,” he stated.

Security

IPPIS Database Safe and Secure – FG Assures Civil Servants

Published

8 months ago

September 17, 2024

Nats Odaudu

By Elizabeth Okwe

Contrary to apprehensions being expressed in certain quarters regarding the security of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), the Federal Government has reassured civil servants that the System database remains secure and has not been compromised.

The assurance came via a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, on Monday in Abuja.

A news report (not SunriseNigeria) had claimed that the ‘IPPIS Payroll Validation section on the official website of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation had been hijacked by an unknown hacker.

It also claimed that workers’ data stored on the official website of the IPPIS Secretariat, a department at the OAGF, was susceptible to attack because the secure site layer feature of the website had expired and remained unrenewed for over a year.

However, in the statement, the OAGF said the government is committed to maintaining and operating a safe and efficient personnel and payroll management system.

Checks by our correspondent showed that the IPPIS section of the website was still inaccessible when this report was filed.

Mokwa stated that “the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System database has not been compromised,” and reaffirmed that employees’ personnel data was secure.

The OAGF, which is responsible for overseeing the management of the IPPIS and other federal financial initiatives, revealed that it has implemented an ICT Security Policy aimed at safeguarding its digital assets.

According to the OAGF, this policy aligns with global best practices in cybersecurity, ensuring the continuous protection of sensitive data within government systems.

“No data is saved on the OAGF website,” the statement clarified, addressing rumours that sensitive information may have been stored or compromised through the website.

“The IPPIS uses the website only to share information, not for transactions. Neither payroll nor payments are made through the website, therefore, no data is contained in the website,” Mokwa stated.

The statement further clarified that the IPPIS Validation Portal, recently developed to update employee information, had been deployed for a specific period. Once the data validation exercise was completed, the portal was shut down permanently to prevent any further access.

“The IPPIS Validation Portal was deployed on a secure platform,” the statement read, adding that a secure database and application system were procured from HELIX-FONS, a reputable international software provider.

The office acknowledged that the IPPIS is of utmost importance to Nigerian workers, thus it became imperative to assuage the fears of any loss or breach of employees’ data in the IPPIS database.