Security
Vigilante Group of Nigeria dissociates from purported award, endorsement of GYB for President
The Vigilante Group of Nigeria has distanced itself from a purported award and endorsement of Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Another group who also named itself as The Vigilante Group of Nigeria had earlier declared their full support for the Kogi Governor to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari as next President of the country in 2023.
The group described him as a true Nigerian who has shown both in action and character his intentions to unify and secure the nation.
However, Deputy Commander,Yusuf Ibrahim Tanimola, on behalf of the National Public Relations Officer, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja described Usman Mohammed Jahun, as a serial impersonator of the Commander General of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.
The statement reads in part,
“The attention of the National Headquarter of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria has been drawn to a publication by some online portal, titled 2023: Vigilante Group of Nigeria wants GYB to be President.
“Ordinarily, the VGN would have ignored the publications as fake news but we had to pay attention to the said publications because of the photo-ops of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and one Usman Mohammed Jahun, a serial impersonator of the Commander General of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.
“In the said hatchet publication which was poorly executed and clearly aimed at extortion and cheap publicity, the said Usman Mohammed Jahun wore the uniform of the VGN and rank of the Commander General.
“The Governor of Kogi State was given an award for good governance and endorsed for the Presidency in the 2023 general elections.”
He said, the VGN is a registered paramilitary organization with a clear mandate to offer complimentary support for the Police and other security agencies in intelligence gathering, crime detection and prevention and community policing.
“In line with standard practice and behaviour, the mandate of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria does not include giving dubious awards and endorsement of politicians.
“While the VGN hold His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State in high esteem for ensuring peace and stability in Kogi State, our organization find it ridiculous that the Governor did not undertake due diligence before dealing with a man who has been evading the law and parading as the Commander General of the VGN.
“The VGN is not averse to the political ambition of Governor Yahaya Bello nor any Nigerian but the organisation prefer to be left alone to perform its statutory role of securing lives and property.
“The said Usman Mohammed Jahun is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Police to answer for criminal complain against him by the leadership of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.”
DC Tanimola said to keep records, the only recognised Commander General of Vigilante Group of Nigeria appointed by the National Executive Council and well known by security agencies is Navy Captain (Dr) Umar Bakori (rtd) Fss, Mss, Dss, psc, fndc, Msc.
“The Vigilante Group of Nigeria is a reputable organisation whose bill at the National Assembly has passed crucial stages and will soon be assented to by Mr President to enable it play its role of providing community-based intelligence backbone to overcome security challenges in the country.
“The organization will therefore not do anything to tarnish its well guarded reputation by getting involved in partisan politics or foray into giving controversial awards.
He gave the officially recognised registered address of the VGN National Headquarters to be No. 52B, Ishaya Shekari Crescent, Setraco Gate, Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja.
“We therefore WARN members of the public to be wary of the said Usman Mohammed Jahun as anyone who deals with him shall be doing so at his/her detriment.”
Security
Nigeria Fortifies Cyber Defenses with Landmark Workshop to Safeguard Critical Infrastructure
In a decisive move to strengthen Nigeria’s defenses against cyber threats, the Federal Government has hosted a Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Protection and Resilience Workshop, bringing together key policymakers, security agencies, and sector regulators at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja.
The workshop, a landmark event aimed at fortifying cybersecurity across critical sectors, saw the participation of high-profile leaders including Finance Minister Wale Edun, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Director of Information and Public Relations Muhammed Manga in a statement said the workshop underscored the growing importance of cybersecurity in protecting Nigeria’s digital infrastructure amidst a global rise in cyber threats.
The statement quoted Edun to have highlighted the urgency of safeguarding digital assets, noting a surge in cyber threats impacting government and private sectors.
“To truly understand the extent of the commitment made to cybersecurity, one only needs to look at this gathering of our nation’s foremost leaders,” Edun stated, adding that Nigeria’s cybersecurity efforts are critical for both national security and economic resilience.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu outlined the workshop’s key objectives, emphasizing a coordinated strategy to protect Nigeria’s digital landscape from cyber-attacks.
Ribadu explained that the event was integral to fulfilling an executive mandate under the amended Cybercrimes Act, which authorizes the designation of essential computer systems and networks as critical infrastructure.
This designation mandates their protection, ensuring the security of key systems that support both the nation’s security and its economic infrastructure.
The workshop attracted significant stakeholders in national security and governance, including EFCC Executive Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede, NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Audi, and Nigeria Governors’ Forum Director General Abdulateef Shittu, reflecting the priority given to cybersecurity at the highest levels of government.
The event will culminate in a strategic action plan aimed at fortifying cybersecurity resilience across Nigeria’s essential infrastructure sectors.
This comprehensive roadmap will guide efforts to implement effective cybersecurity measures to ensure the resilience
Security
Obi Condemns Rise in Violence, Insecurity Across Nigeria
Former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General elections, Peter Obi has expressed grave concern over the escalating incidents of killings, kidnappings, and violent crimes plaguing Nigeria.
In a recent statement, via his X-handle, he highlighted the continuous suffering inflicted by non-state actors, who have left countless families in grief and despair.
Obi specifically condemned the tragic ambush of Supersports TV crew members along the Ihiala-Orlu Road in Anambra State, which resulted in fatalities and the kidnapping of others. “These media practitioners were on their way to fulfill their official duties when this horrific incident occurred,” he stated, mourning the loss of life.
He also referenced a recent attack in Agatu local government area of Benue State, where several individuals were reportedly killed and others injured, further illustrating the rampant violence affecting communities across the nation.
“The violent attacks, many of which go unreported, have come to define our daily existence in what was once a secure nation,” Obi lamented. “We are gradually losing count of those who have fallen victim to this insecurity.”
Obi urged Nigerians to unite in demanding improved security for all citizens, questioning how much longer the nation would tolerate such tragedies.
He extended his condolences to the families affected by these recent attacks and called for a collective effort to ensure the safety of lives and property across Nigeria.
“We are all in this together as a nation,” Obi concluded, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address the growing threat of violence.
Security
Dangote Cement donates security facility to Kogi Assembly
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Kogi State House of Assembly has taken delivery of a Security House donated by the Management of Dangote Cement Plant, Obajana, to boost security of lives and property in and around the Assembly complex.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony on Thursday at the Assembly Complex in Lokoja, Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf commended Dangote Cement for the Security House worth millions of Naira.
The Speaker who stressed the importance of security to government and institutions as well as lives and property, said the gesture would go down well in history, saying the company had written its name in gold in the annals of Kogi State.
Speaker Aliyu Umar Yusuf described the fire incidence that previously razed down the Assembly Complex as unfortunate adding that with the intervention of the state government, the incident has been put behind.
He stated that the security House would go a long way in enhancing the security in and around the Assembly Complex, adding that the gesture would not be taken for granted.
Responding, the Dangote Cement Plant Director, Engr Hazard Nawabudeen described the gesture as one of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) initiatives towards forging a healthy relationship with host communities.
Nawabudeen who was represented by the General Manager Human Assets, Mr Adeniyi Azeez, also stressed the importance of security, pointing out that interacting with an organisation with a porous security was not safe.
The Plant Director assured that the construction and donation of the facility to the Assembly would not be the end but rather the beginning of more and better relationship for more cooperation and support for and with the state assembly.
He added that the gesture would surely engender a robust mutual relationship between the company and Kogi Assembly.
In his remark, Alhaji Ahmed Chogudo, Clerk of the House and Head of Legislative Service conveyed the gratitude and appreciation of staff and management of the Assembly to Management of Dangote Cement Plant, Obajana.
He however urged the company to look into providing furniture and office facilities for the Security House saying that the request was imperative to facilitate and enhance the effectiveness of the security personnel deployed to the complex. (Ends)
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