Protests over creation of another Security Agency, duplicating the work of Police, Navy
Protests over creation of another Security Agency, duplicating the work of Police, Navy
Hundreds of activists, including youths and women from different parts of the country, stormed the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday to express their strong opposition to the Coastal Guards Establishment Bill.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Wasiu Eshilokun (APC-Lagos), seeks to create a dedicated Nigerian Coast Guard responsible for securing Nigeria’s maritime zones.
However, stakeholders, including the Nigerian Navy, have opposed the bill.
Some civil society organizations, CSOs, had argued that the bill is an attempt to amend the Nigerian Constitution through the backdoor by creating another arm of the Armed Forces.
The CSOs warned that the bill would lead to proliferation of armed forces in Nigeria, a situation which they said could escalate insecurity in the country.
Further opposition hit the bill on Thursday as protesters, under the umbrella of Concerned Citizens of Nigeria, stormed the National Assembly to ask the lawmakers to reject the proposed legislation.
The protesters carried placards and banners with inscriptions such as ‘No to Coastal Guards Bill’, ‘Don’t Waste Our Resources’, among others.
They chanted slogans and sang songs, demanding that the National Assembly reject the bill.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Adamu Matazu said the Coastal Guards Bill is unnecessary and will only duplicate the functions of existing security agencies, such as the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Marine Police, and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
Matazu argued that the bill is a waste of resources and will create confusion and conflict among the various security agencies. He also pointed out that Nigeria’s security agencies are already highly rated and acclaimed internationally, and therefore, there is no need to establish a new agency.
Urging the National Assembly to reject the bull, the protesters urged the lawmakers to instead focus on strengthening and bolstering the functions and capacity of existing institutions.
Addressing journalists, Matazu said, “Let us state unequivocally that members of the Nigerian Coastal Guards will not and cannot better protect Nigerian’s maritime interest and further regional coastal security, an additional agency will do nothing to improve these situations.
“Profoundly repetitive and reoccurring is the problem of duplications. For instance, what will the responsibility of the Merchant Shipping Act and NIMASA Act be if the Coastal Guards are saddled with the same functions of the training of seafarers?
“Another duplicative role is the involvement of the Coastal Guards in the performance of the responsibilities of monitoring and security surveillance of Nigeria’s waterways and also in hydrography since both the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Navy are already involved in both duties. This has been further compounded by the presidential approval for the conversion of the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office into the National Hydrographic Agency, and the designation of the Nigerian Navy Hydrographer as the Hydrographer of the Federation.
“The bill has been further rendered null and irrelevant considering the functions and responsibilities of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), which constitutionally is to enforce laws and regulations within Nigeria’s inland waters.”
According to him, rather than solve any problem in the maritime sector, the bill, if passed into law, will only provoke fresh challenges.
“This is so because the establishment of coastal guards will complicate the coordination of the maritime sector, initiate unnecessary competition and undermine cohesion, leading to anarchy.
“These will be taken advantage of by criminal elements and conspirators enhancing negative ratings and culminating in the re-enlisting of the country into the Maritime Piracy Index, which it exited in 2022.”
He insisted that establishing the Nigerian Coastal Guards will lead to jurisdictional conflict and operational inefficiencies, with consequential negative exploitation of our economy.
“Nigeria does not need a Coastal Guard. We strongly believe that this broken record will henceforth never be played again. It is in our collective interest to kill this Bill. It is in the interest of democracy’s future and even the future of our children to kill this Bill once and for all.
“This Bill does not address any of the fundamental problems of Nigeria, rather it is on the voyage of adventurism. This bill is of no business in the first instance and needs to die now without more waste of time and public funds,” Matazu added.
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JUST IN; Vice President Shettima reveals what’s disturbing President Tinubu
JUST IN; Vice President Shettima reveals what’s disturbing President Tinubu
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is seriously worried by the frequencies of tanker explosion incidents on public roads and residential areas.
Shettima stated this on Monday in his condolence message to the Enugu State Government and families of those who lost their lives in the recent fuel tanker fire incident in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a fuel tanker had on Saturday veered off course and burst into flames along the Ugwu-Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
The Vice-President said that it was time to put an end to avoidable tanker accidents and explosions.
Shettima noted that President Bola Tinubu is very concerned and disturbed by the incident and other tanker explosions in recent times.
” It was with a heart full of sadness that I received news of the fuel tanker explosion that occurred on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Ugwu Onyeama local government area of Enugu State.
” I am deeply saddened that another tanker accident would lead to the loss of lives of Nigerians, leaving others injured in the gory incident.
” His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seriously worried by the frequency of these tanker explosion incidents on public roads and residential areas, which are ordinarily avoidable, he said.
The Vice-President reassured Nigerians that the government would stop at nothing to put an end to tanker accidents on our roads.
Shettima promised that following Mr President’s directive, the government will engage relevant agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to prevent future occurrences.
He also said that government would look at possible ways the road traffic authorities, as well as federal and state Transportation Ministries could cooperate to urgently forestall further tanker accidents.
” I express my profound condolences to the government and people of Enugu State, particularly the families that lost their loved ones and those that are undergoing treatment for various degrees of injuries in the hospitals.
“While my thoughts and prayers are with you, I pray Almighty God to grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed and quick return to health for the injured,” Shettima said .(NAN)
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BREAKING; Police foil alleged terror plot in Kano State, recover explosives, weapons
BREAKING; Police foil alleged terror plot in Kano State, recover explosives, weapons
The Kano State Police Command said it has recovered explosives and dangerous weapons allegedly planned to be used during the just-concluded National Tijjaniyya Maulud in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Salman Dogo-Garba,told the News Agency of Nigeria( NAN) in Kano on Monday that the explosives were reportedly recovered at Tokarawa village of Gezawa Local Government area.
He said that the command had made a significant breakthrough in maintaining peace and security in the state.
Dogo-Garba explained that the recovered explosives and weapons were allegedly planned to be used during the just-concluded event.
He said that the police, in collaboration with state agencies, foiled the terror plot and recovered the explosives reportedly intended for use during the Maulud.
Dogo-Garba started the police have commenced an intensive investigation to identify those behind the alleged botched plot.
” This proactive measure demonstrates the commitment of the Kano State Police Command to ensuring the safety and security of residents and visitors alike,”the CP said.
Dogo-Garba said the command had also arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged kidnapping and killing of Alhaji Atiku Mu’azu, a 64-year-old resident of Janbulo Quarters, Kano.
The suspects, Abubakar Hassan, aka Captain, Adamu Adam, and Alhaji Hamisu aka Bakin Bross, were nabbed after a sustained follow-up and intelligence-led operation.
He said in another incident, armed men invaded the residence of Alhaji Auwalu at Sabuwar Unguwa Garo, Kabo LGA, Kano, robbing him of N8 million and kidnapping his 16-year-old daughter, Zainab Aliyu.
Dogo-Garba said that the police had launched an investigation to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators.
In a separate operation, he said,the police arrested 17 suspected armed robbers who stormed Hotoro, Kawu Quarters, Kano, breaking shops and motor vehicles, and attacking innocent people.
“Three additional suspected armed robbers were also arrested for attacking two innocent people and robbing them of 200 mobile phones at Yankatsari Quarters, Kano,” Dogo-Garba said.
He urged the residents of the state to continue to support the command with credible intelligence information to prevent future threats.
The commissioner urged the members of the public to remain vigilant and cautious.
Dogo-Garba called on them to promptly report any suspicious activities or individuals to the nearest police station or through the command’s contact numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926.(NAN)
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JUST IN; Sowore rejects police bail conditions, chooses to remain in Police custody
JUST IN; Sowore rejects police bail conditions, chooses to remain in Police custody
Omoyele Sowore, a former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and activist, has declined to accept the terms of the Nigerian police’s bail and chose to stay in detention.
The decision was made after he was told that he would have to give up his international passport and furnish a Grade Level 17 officer, which is the equivalent of a permanent secretary, as surety in order to be released on bail.
Sowore had arrived at the police headquarters in Abuja early Monday morning after being summoned for questioning regarding a viral video he posted, which accused police officers of extorting motorists at a checkpoint in Lagos.
As he made his way to the Force Intelligence Department (FID), the area surrounding the Force Headquarters was heavily barricaded, with roads blocked from both ends.
The police had issued a formal invitation to Sowore, outlining several charges against him, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobeying lawful orders, cyberstalking, and actions allegedly aimed at preventing arrests.
After his questioning, Sowore posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, revealing that the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Dasuki Galandachi, had informed him that he would be granted bail pending the conclusion of the investigation.
However, Sowore made it clear that he would not accept the bail if the conditions were unreasonable.
“I have been informed by the DIG of FID that my bail has been approved, but if the conditions are unreasonable, I will remain in detention until I am charged to court,” Sowore wrote.
“I know there is no defined crime to investigate—it’s just the impunity of the police hierarchy.”
Later, Sowore reiterated his stance by rejecting the bail conditions outright.
“The Nigeria Police Force has requested that I deposit my International Passport and provide a Level 17 civil servant as a guarantor for bail, but I have declined these conditions and opted to remain in police custody,” he declared.
Sowore, who had arrived at the Force Intelligence Department at around 9:56 a.m., was accompanied by his lawyers and supporters, including members of the Take It Back Movement.
The group had earlier circulated a flier on social media, calling for a protest against police extortion at the Force Headquarters, urging supporters to “Occupy Force Headquarters.”
In the official invitation from the FID, Sowore was informed that he was being investigated for multiple offenses, including obstructing public officers, cyberstalking, and preventing arrests.
He was instructed to attend an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police at the Force Intelligence Department at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025.
Outside the FID premises, members of the Take It Back Movement gathered, waiting for updates on Sowore’s situation, as the activist continues to challenge what he views as the unjust actions of the police.
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