Says combating insecurity requires a whole-of-society approach 

NSA hands over 58 rescued kidnap victims to Kaduna govt

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has accused unnamed individuals of attempting to sabotage the government’s efforts to address insecurity in the country.
Speaking yesterday when he handed over 58 rescued kidnap victims to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for a formal handover to the Kaduna State Government, Musa stated combating insecurity would require a whole-of-the society approach.
Ribadu yesterday handed over the 58 kidnapped victims who were rescued following a joint operation led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 1 Division, Kaduna, Major General MLD Saraso, in the Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna State to the state government.

The victims were first handed over to Ribadu by the CDS, Musa.
The NSA subsequently handed over the rescued victims comprising young men, women and children to the Chief of Staff, Kaduna State government, Alhaji Sani Liman Kila who represented Governor Uba Sani at the handover ceremony.
Speaking at the handover, Musa said: “It’s a joint effort. We’re able to do that through non-kinetic means of getting across. No penny was paid for these individuals.

“I want Nigerians to understand that if we do not come together to work, it will make it extremely difficult for us to succeed. Success depends on all of us working together. It’s a whole-of-society approach.”

“You can see from these people — the women, the children, both girls and boys and even the little ones. The question is: why would anyone kidnap such vulnerable individuals? These are people barely surviving.”
He said the kidnappings, particularly of farmers in their farms, “is to tell you that there are individuals that on their own, are trying to make it impossible for the government to succeed.
“They are doing everything possible to sabotage the efforts of the government. That will not happen”.

He continued, “Today is Saturday, the 16th of November, 2024. Part of the operations, as we have always said, is we are doing the kinetic and the non-kinetic. The kinetic being carried out by the military.
“The non-kinetic is a combined effort by all. And we have told you, for us to succeed, we need all Nigerians to take ownership of this operation, and that is what is happening. What we are seeing out of this number is the success of the collaboration right from the top, from the presidency, from the Office of the National Security Advisor, Ministry of Defence to the Defence Headquarters – all agencies working together, including Kaduna State.

“The governor has been very, very supportive and very helpful. It is this collaborative effort that has made it possible for us to be able to rescue these individuals. I know the question is how were they rescued?
“It’s a joint effort. We were able to do that through non-kinetic means of getting across. No penny was paid for these individuals.
“This is what has made us achieve this success. You can see from the people, the women, the children, both girls and boys, and the little one.
“The question you want to ask is why would somebody kidnap these kinds of people? If you see them, they are barely just providing.

“And that is to tell you that there are individuals that on their own are trying to make it impossible for the government to succeed. They are doing everything possible to sabotage the efforts of the government. That will not happen.”
 “I urge Nigerians to understand that we can only succeed by working together. Combating insecurity requires a whole-of-society approach.”
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, revealed that preliminary investigations indicated the victims were kidnapped by suspected armed bandits under the command of a notorious leader known as JANBROS.
He explained, “During the kidnapping, the victims were forced to trek hundreds of kilometres to the thick forest of Birnin Gwari.

“The government provided them with all necessary support for their stabilisation, including rehabilitation and medical check-ups. Six victims were admitted to hospital but have since recovered and joined the others for the handover to their respective families.”
The Chief of Staff to the Kaduna State Governor, Sani Limankila, expressed gratitude to the security agencies.

Indications of another dirty political battle for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2027 emerged at the weekend as a two-time Director of Youth Mobilisation in the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign in 2019 and 2023, Hon. Dimeji Fabiyi, has said that age cannot stop the former vice president from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Fabiyi, a known associate of Atiku, also described the remarks by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on the criteria for presidential candidates as portraying the governor as a poor student of history.

 Governor Makinde had insinuated that age was a limiting factor for presidential hopefuls in the party.

Though Atiku’s name was not mentioned by Makinde, Atiku, who is still nursing presidential ambition in the next general election, will be 81 years old by 2027.

But Fabiyi, who is a leader of the PDP in Ogun State and pioneer financial officer of the PDP, in his response to Makinde, admonished the Oyo State governor “to take a lesson from the just concluded presidential election in the United States where the President-elect, Mr. Donald Trump, won overwhelmingly against a much younger opponent, Kamala Harris.’’

He stressed further: “Politics is a marketplace of ideas. It is a place where experience and age are undeniable assets.  President Trump is Atiku’s contemporary in age.

‘’But it is clear by the convincing win he secured for the Republicans that the electorate in the United States acknowledges more leadership assets in him than his main opponent.”

Fabiyi also noted that ‘’Atiku is of sound mind and body, with the intellectual firmament that measures far ahead of Makinde.”

In a press statement he personally signed, Fabiyi noted that while Atiku may be older than Makinde, he has the experience and a cosmopolitan ability to solve problems.

 He said: “As a matter of fact, I challenge Seyi Makinde to an intellectual contest with Atiku, and we shall see how his arrogance and presumed youthfulness will be humbled.

 “I have known Atiku for almost three decades, and I can tell you for free that he’s an avid reader. When Seyi Makinde is in town, he should seek out how resourceful and flourishing Atiku’s library is.

 “Atiku is not a connoisseur of expensive wines and doesn’t keep the company of cringe drinkers. Rather, he’s a lover of books who reads widely.

 “Unless Makinde believes that leadership is determined by aerodynamic strength, he should have been more guided before making a comment that makes him look like a clown,” Fabiyi said. 

“It is on this note that I will admonish Governor Makinde to devote more time to reading good books and familiarise himself more with intellectuals, instead of keeping the company of alcoholics, so that when next he speaks, he won’t be mistaken for someone who prides himself for drinking 40 years old whiskey,” Fabiyi said.

Nigeria’s external debt stock is projected to rise to $45.1bn by the end of 2024 as the Federal Government seeks additional funding to bolster the economy, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO).

The DMO revealed in its latest report that the country’s external debt increased by $780m in the second quarter of 2024, climbing from $42.12bn in March to $42.9bn in June.

In a new development, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) last Thursday approved a $2.2bn external borrowing plan to finance the Federal Government’s 2024 Appropriation Act.

The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, announced the approval during a briefing with State House correspondents at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

He disclosed that the borrowing plan included a mix of Eurobond and Sukuk offerings, valued at $1.7bn and $500m, respectively.

“These funds are expected to bolster Nigeria’s fiscal stability amid ongoing economic reforms,” Edun stated, adding that the allocation between the instruments would depend on market conditions and advice from transaction advisors.

He further noted that the borrowing plan is subject to approval by the National Assembly, emphasizing that the funds would play a key role in addressing fiscal challenges and supporting critical infrastructure projects.

“The first (memo) was to complete the borrowing programme of the FG in terms of the external borrowing with the approval of the $2.2bn financing programme made up of access to the international capital market for some combination of the Euro bond offer and the Sukuk bond offer.

“A Euro bond of about $1.7bn and Sukuk financing of another $500m the actual makeup of the financing which will be done as soon as the National Assembly has considered and seen fate to hopefully approve of the borrowing plan and the external borrowing approval is given, it will be done this year, as soon as possible after approval.

“The actual combination of instruments that will be raised will depend on what the advisors, the transaction advisors, the commercial advisers, and what they say about market conditions at the time we decide and we want to enter the market,” Edun explained.

In its report, the DMO noted that Nigeria’s external debt experienced a notable increase in its naira valuation between March 31, 2024, and June 30, 2024, due to naira devaluation.

On March 31, 2024, the total external debt was valued at $42.12bn, equivalent to ₦56.02tn, using an exchange rate of ₦1,330.26/$1.

By June 30, 2024, the external debt rose marginally to $42.90bn but surged to ₦63.07tn in naira terms due to a higher exchange rate of ₦1,470.19/$1.

This represents a 12.59 per cent increase in the naira valuation of external debt within the period, largely driven by the naira’s depreciation.

While the dollar-denominated debt grew by just 1.87 per cent, the significant devaluation amplified the burden of external debt in local currency terms, further emphasising the exchange rate’s critical role in Nigeria’s debt sustainability.

Justifying the borrowing, Edun said the external financing initiative aligned with the administration’s broader economic recovery plan, which focused on stabilising macroeconomic conditions, adjusting market pricing for foreign exchange and petroleum products, and supporting local production.

He added that, earlier in the year, Nigeria’s successful domestic issuance of dollar bonds highlighted the growing resilience and sophistication of the country’s financial market, attracting both local and international investors who showcased confidence in the Federal Government’s economic reform agenda.

Ondo State Governor and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Lucky Ayedatiwa, is so far leading in 15 local government areas as the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the results of Saturday’s governorship election.

The State Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, formally opened the state collation exercise around 12:10 a.m. on Sunday

In the results of the 15 local government areas declared so far, Ayedatiwa won in all, including Idanre Local Government, where Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship running mate, Mr. Festus Akingbaso, hails from.

In Ifedore LG, APC got 14,157 to defeat PDP which polled 5,897 votes.

In Ondo East LG, APC got 8,163, defeating PDP that garnered 2,843 votes.

In IleOluji/OkeIgbo LG, APC, 16,600, PDP, 4 442, in Idanre LG, APC, 9,114, PDP, 8,940.

However, in Idanre Local Government Area, a PDP agent alleged that there was no voting in Ofosun Oniseri.

He also alleged a case of ballot snatching at Alade.

He said votes from the ward should be expunged from the LG’s votes.

In Irele Local Government, APC got 17,117 while PDP polled 6 601. In Akoko South West, APC got 29,700 to defeat PDP which garnered 5,517.

The result from Owo Local Government Area indicated that APC polled 31,914 to defeat PDP which garnered 4,740.

In Ondo West LG, APC polled 20,755, while PDP got 6,387 votes.

In Akoko South East LG, APC polled 12140, while PDP got 2692 votes.

In Akoko North West, APC won with 25010, as PDP got 5502.

APC also won Ose LG with a total of 16555, while PDP got 4472. In Akure South LGA, APC polled 32969 votes against PDP’s 17926.

In Akoko North East, APC won with 25657 votes against the PDP’s 5072.

Akinwumi, after the results of the 15th LG, said the commission would go on reccess to resume by 12noon when results of the last three local government areas, Ilaje, Ese Odo and Odigbo, would be released.

See the breakdown of the LGs announced so far:

1. Ifedore LGA:

APC: 14157

PDP: 5897

SDP: 21

2. Ondo East LGA:

APC: 8163

PDP: 2843

SDP: 15

3. IleOluji/OkeIgbo LGA:

APC: 16600

PDP: 4442

SDP: 08

4. Idanre LGA:

APC: 9114

PDP: 8940

LP: 24

APGA: 25

5. Irele LGA

APC: 17117

PDP: 6601

LP:15

APGA: 30

 6. Akoko South West LGA

APC: 29700

ADP: 87

PDP: 5517

APGA:23

SDP: 11

7: Owo LGA:

APC: 31914

ADP:140

PDP: 4740

AAC: 16

APGA: 36

LP: 42

8: Ose LGA

AA: 03

AAC:08

APGA:19

ADC:141

APC:16555

LP:06

PDP: 4472

9: Akure South LGA:

AA: 08

AAC: 58

APGA: 95

ADC: 630

APC: 32969

PDP: 17926

LP: 238

SDP: 138

ZLP: 252

10: Akoko North East:

AA: 03

AAC: 19

APGA: 36

APC:25657

LP: 14

PDP: 5072

SDP:03

11. Ondo West LGA

A: 31

AA: 09

AAC: 30

ADC: 415

ADP: 143

APC: 20755

LP: 181

PDP: 6387

SDP: 123

12. Akoko South East LGA

A: 02

AAC: 04

ADC: 81

ADP: 28

APC: 12140

APGA: 19

PDP: 2692

SDP: 03

13. Akoko North West LGA

A: 06

AA: 04

AAC: 14

ADC: 130

ADP: 51

APC: 25010

APGA: 21

LP: 23

PDP: 5502

SDP: 05

14. Akure North LGA

A: 9

ADC:180

APC: 14451

LP: 238

PDP: 5787

PRP: 6

SDP:46

15. Okitipupa LGA

A:5

ADC 284

APC: 26811

LP:27

PDP: 10233

PRP: 17

SDP: 18