By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

Former Military President of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has described the theme of this year’s study tour by participants of Senior Course 48 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, titled “Community Engagement for Enhanced National Security and Prosperity,” as timely, apt and highly relevant to Nigeria’s current security realities.

General Babangida made this known when he received the delegation at his uphill residence in Minna, Niger State, noting that the theme reflects the urgent need for stronger collaboration between communities and security agencies in addressing contemporary security challenges.

The elder statesman, who hosted the delegation alongside former Sole Administrator of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, emphasized the importance of study tours in enhancing the knowledge base and operational capacity of senior military officers, particularly in areas relating to national security and community engagement.

He commended the Armed Forces Command and Staff College for sustaining a culture of strategic learning and professional military development, urging participants to maximize the opportunity presented by the study tour.

In his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Air Commodore O.O. Obasa highlighted the enduring legacy of General Babangida, particularly his pivotal role in the establishment of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

He recalled that the former Military President laid the foundation stone for the establishment of the Department of Air Warfare on July 3rd, 1986 and commissioned it on July 4, 1987, describing the initiative as a landmark contribution to military training and national development.

The visit was facilitated by the Niger State Government, with the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, leading the delegation of participants to the residence of the former Military President. The SSG was represented during the visit by the Director of Administration in his office, Alhaji Abdullahi Uregi.

The visit also formed part of activities lined up for the one-week study tour of the senior military officers to Niger State and further underscored the State Government’s commitment to strengthening civil-military relations, promoting national security and supporting strategic leadership development initiatives.

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of a College souvenir to General Babangida as a mark of honour and appreciation, as well as group photographs with members of the delegation.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

The Niger State Child Right Agency,(NSCRA), has reiterated its readiness to partner with the Niger State Command of National Agency for Prohibition and Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Child trafficking and molestation in the state.

The Director General of NSCRA in Niger State,Barrister Umul Khaltume Mohammed stated this wr shile rectetaeiving the management of NAPTIP during a courtesy visit to the agency’s headquarters in Minna led by the state Commander Mr. Emmanuel Awhen.

She noted that the partnership has become imperative in view of the increasing rates of child molestation,abuse and trafficking of girl child for all sorts of labour and other inhuman treatment to girl child in the state.

According to the Director General of NSCRA, the Child Right Agency was established through an enabling legislation by the Niger State House of Assembly saddled with a legal framework to bring offenders to face the consequences of going against the established law.

She pointed out that since the establishment of the agency, it has arrested and prosecuted substantial numbers of offenders “and we are still going after any offenders”

She expressed concerned on the way and manner some parents allowed their girl child to be subjected to all forms of child labour,outside the state describing the trend as unacceptable.

Barrister Umul Khaltume Mohammed noted with disturbed that some parents deliberately send their children particularly the girl child for domestic labour,warning that the agency under her watch will continue to go after such parents with the aim of bringing them to face the full wrath of the agency.

“ I will go after any parents that engage their girl child in domestic labour. I will not fold my hands to allow such a trend in Niger State. I have a duty to ensure the protection of girl child at all times.

“ Let me sound this warning to parents that are in the habit of sending their children, particularly the girl child, for domestic labour outside the state. They should desist or they should be ready to face the full wrath of my agency” the DG declared.

While appreciating the state Commandant of NAPTIP for the visit, the Director General of NSCRA assured of the agency’s willingness to partner in ensuring Niger State free from all forms of trafficking and violence against girl child.

Speaking earlier,the State Commandant of NAPTIP Mr Emmanuel Awhen outlined the NAPTIP core duty which include employing under-12 as domestic workers which he said is a crime

The Commandant further disclosed that exploiting under-18, human organ trafficking,promoting sexual exploitation through foreign travel and human trafficking as all crimes which NAPTIP as an agency established by enabling law is saddled with the responsibility to ensure the enforcement and prosecute offenders.

He solicited for the support of Niger State Child Right Agency to collectively synergize to bring the culprits to face the law “ so that victims will get the needed Justice”

By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

In its ongoing sensitization and advocacy programme for Corps members across the North Central states, the North Central Zonal headquarters of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), has taken the advocacy and sensitization for Corps members at the NYSC Batch “A” Stream 2 Orientation Camp in Keffi Nasarawa state.

. The programme, led by ACP Adamu Usman Abini, Zonal Assistant Director Operations, was organized to raise awareness on the dangers associated with the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) and to educate Corps Members on their critical role in prevention, peacebuilding, and community security.

A total of 2,600 Corps Members drawn from Nasarawa state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), attended the sensitization programme with the full presence of key officials of the Centre and the Camp Commandant,Capt. S.J Galadima, and the head of Lectures,Mr Ubah Chimeze.and the Camp Director Mr Osheshi Muhammed.

Addressing the Participants at the event, the Assistant Zonal Director of the Centre,ACP Adamu Usman Abini highlighted participants with an overview of the establishment,mandate,objectives,and core functions of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Explaining that the Centre was established to prevent and control the proliferation of illicit SALWs through strategic collaboration with security agencies, relevant stakeholders, and members of the public, including Corps Members.

He further enlightened participants on the distinction between Small Arms and Light Weapons, noting that Small Arms are weapons operated by a single individual, such as pistols, rifles, and AK-47 rifles, while Light Weapons require operation by a small group and include machine guns and grenade launchers.

According to the ACP, the portability, ease of concealment, and widespread use of these weapons in criminal activities and armed conflicts make them a major threat to national security and public safety.

ACP Abini emphasized that the uncontrolled spread of SALWs has contributed significantly to insecurity across the country, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, communal clashes, and ethnic violence.

He identified illegal arms smuggling, theft from security agencies, illicit local production, and persistent conflicts as major drivers of weapons proliferation. He warned that the continued circulation of illicit weapons undermines national unity, weakens sustainable development efforts, and exposes young people to recruitment by violent groups.

Addressing the Corps Members directly, the presenter stressed that youths occupy a strategic position in society and can either become vulnerable to manipulation by violent actors or emerge as agents of peace and positive change.

He encouraged Corps Members to actively sensitize members of their host communities on the dangers of illegal arms possession and to support security efforts by reporting suspicious activities or movements through appropriate channels without exposing themselves to danger.

He also advised Corps Members to promote peaceful coexistence in their communities, avoid involvement in violence or communal conflicts, and refrain from handling or attempting to recover weapons under any circumstance.

Instead, they were urged to work closely with security agencies and NYSC Local Government Inspectors in support of national peace and security initiatives. ACP Abini further called on them to serve as ambassadors of peace in their various Places of Primary Assignment (PPAs) by discouraging violence and encouraging lawful conduct within their communities.

It was observed that the lecture session was highly interactive, with Corps Members demonstrating keen interest and active participation throughout the programme.

During the question-and-answer session, some participants expressed concerns over their safety in the event of giving out critical information.

Responding to a question ACP Usman Abini stated that the Centre operates strictly on the principle of source protection .

This means that the identity of all informants are absolutely protected from exposure. Participants also recommended the establishment and publicization of a secure online platform through which citizens could anonymously provide information to the Centre without fear of exposure.

To encourage sustained collaboration and intelligence sharing, handbills and flyers containing the Centre’s contact information were distributed to all participants at the end of the programme.

The sensitization programme concluded with a collective acknowledgment that although the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons remains a major security challenge, coordinated efforts among stakeholders, government agencies, communities, and responsible citizens can significantly reduce the threat. Corps Members were particularly recognized as important partners in grassroots peacebuilding, public enlightenment, and the promotion of national security.