.Appeals for community support against terrorism
. Senate approves N404.07bn for Police Trust Fund
.Minimum wage for soldiers rises to N100,000
Chinwe Odita, Chris Akhabue, Edo with Agency report
The Minister of Defense, General Christopher Musa, rtd, has explained why it is difficult for the Armed Forces to fight bandits and terrorists in the country
Speaking on Thursday at Arise Television’s Town Hall on State Police, General Musa stated that the terrorists live within the communities.
According to him, if the communities are on the side of the insurgents, it makes it difficult for security forces to win the battle and if the communities are with the security forces, it makes it a lot easier.
“We’re in a democratic setting, and it’s about perception, and it is between the leaders and the led. Now, the led, are they feeling led properly? Why are they not supporting the armed forces, or why are they not supporting the government?
“So, these are areas that we need to look at. When we work together between the armed forces and the communities and the government, then we’ll make headway, and that’s why it is critical for us to keep on explaining and interacting with the communities, for them to have a better understanding that they have a role to play just as the government has a role to play.
“For us to succeed, our local governments must be up and doing, our communities must be up and doing, and we must give opportunities for traditional rulers, for religious leaders, for local governments to also contribute to the success and the security wherever they are, whatever community they operate in,” he said.
Also, Musa has disclosed that the bandits holding pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State threatened to kill the captives if security forces advanced on their location.
Musa said this in a preview clip of an interview with News Central, shared on Wednesday ahead of its broadcast on the NC Exclusive programme on Friday.
He explained that the kidnappers were using the children as leverage to secure the release of their commanders in military custody.
“For whatever reason, they are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us and they feel taking these kids and holding them to ransom will make us release their commander.
“And now they’re threatening when we wanted to take action against them that if we come any closer, they’re going to kill all the kids,” he said.
The minister’s comments come nearly eight weeks after gunmen abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and two other schools in Esinle, in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state, on May 15.
Speaking further on measures to curb banditry and kidnapping, Musa backed the death penalty for perpetrators, saying weak laws had emboldened criminals.
“I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know once you commit an offence, there must be punishment,” he added.
In the meantime, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is seeking stronger collaboration with traditional rulers across the State’s 18 local government areas to tackle insecurity and other criminal activities.
Speaking while receiving traditional rulers from Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial Districts on a courtesy visit to Government House in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo said traditional rulers remain critical stakeholders in the fight against crime because of their close relationship with their communities.
“There are so many security challenges, and the best people to help me fight insecurity are the traditional rulers. You know your communities because you know those who live there and those coming into the area,” he said.
The governor noted that several recent kidnapping cases involved local collaborators who were familiar with the movement and financial status of residents.
“Our people know those who are wealthy and those who are not. They know the movement of people within the community. If we must stop insecurity in Edo State, we must work together to achieve this purpose,” he said.
He urged traditional rulers not to encourage or shield criminal elements, stressing that young people should be discouraged from engaging in crime.
“Let nobody encourage crime. Our children should not be involved. They should understand that crime is dangerous. The President is not happy about the security situation in the country, and I am not happy as well,” he added.
The governor also appealed to the royal fathers to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the next presidential election, expressing confidence that Edo State could deliver substantial votes for the President.
Responding on behalf of the visiting monarchs, the Ojuromi of Uromi, HRM Anslem Edenojie II, passed a vote of confidence in the governor, describing his development efforts across the state as commendable.
The monarch assured Governor Okpebholo of the continued support and cooperation of traditional rulers in promoting peace, security and development across Edo State.
Meanwhile, Delta State security outfit, SafeCity Security Service, in collaboration with operatives of the state police command, has arrested a notorious wanted bandit, Abubakar Usman.
The arrest followed the kidnapping of one Mrs Blessing Chiedu, a native of Umunede Kingdom, who was abducted on 2nd July, 2026, along the Ani-Ifekide Farm Road, Ubulu-Uku. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N100 million from her family.
Spokesperson for the SafeCity Security Service, Harrison Gwamnishu, made the disclosure in a post on X on Wednesday
According to Gwamnishu, upon receiving the information, he escalated the matter, and the Delta State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Asaba, led by CSP Osakpolor, swung into action.
He said that using their Hydra Tech Surveillance System, a coordinated rescue operation was launched, Mrs Blessing Chiedu, a native of Umunede, was successfully rescued alive and unharmed along the Ubulu-Unor/Ashama Road.
After her rescue, he said the team immediately launched a manhunt for the fleeing kidnappers until the early hours of Wednesday, when their surveillance system located the gang at their hideout in the Ogwashi-Uku/Adonta Forest of the state.
“A gun battle ensued, during which our combined team overpowered the criminals. One of the most wanted suspects, Abubakar Usman, was successfully captured, while other members of the gang escaped into the forest with their firearms.
“Investigations reveal that Abubakar Usman and his gang have been responsible for several kidnapping operations across Igbodo, Umunede, and surrounding communities, where they have extorted millions of naira in ransom from innocent families,” he said.
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