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It’s time to end Boko Haram- Al Mustapha tells new COAS, Faruk Yahaya
Al Mustapha, who is a former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late Gen. Sani Abacha, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.
He said the new army chief must ensure speed in ending the insurgency which had led to massive destruction of lives and property.
“Delaying the fight against Boko Haram will be a great disservice to Nigeria. The earlier we crush them, the better.
“Speed is very vital, because we are not fighting a conventional war, speed matters a lot because Nigeria should recover from this speedily as much as possible.
“I know this is possible because I have done some homework,” Al Mustapha said.
The former CSO congratulated the new COAS on his appointment.
“He is our younger brother, I have prayed for him and wished him well on the appointment.
“I spoke with him and what I sent to him in a text message were prayers for him to succeed.
“There are different ways for him to succeed in overcoming the numerous security challenges bedevilling the country, ” he said.
Al Mustapha advised the new army chief to work in synergy with other security agencies to ensure success.
“My advice is that the army should not be alone because it is not a military affair alone.
“Boko Haram for example has been on for more than 20 years from my account, that is from conception to its maturity.
“If you want to contain an insurgency, every single detail of its activities should be on your palm, that is when you can say am on top of the situation.
“You have to get their sources of logistics, their electronic support and capabilities, what they do on daily basis and how they get information among others, ” he said.
Al Mustapha said the army chief must also trace the sources of arms getting into Nigeria resulting in arms proliferation.
“Our security challenge also has its root in the grand design by some powerful countries as far back as 1972 to retard Nigeria’s development.
“That’s why the country is facing security challenges from all facets at the same time.
“Our past mistakes have to do with viewing issues from narrow perspectives and that is why we must be very wide and open now,” he said.
Al Mustapha said the military must hasten its pace in tackling security challenges facing the country so it can return to barracks as soon as possible.
“We need to end all these challenges as quickly as possible, so that the military can go back to the barracks to face its primary role of protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
“Internal security operation has reduced the value of the military because they are taking over the role of the police, which is a disservice.
“We have to end these crises so that the police can effectively take over their function, train and expand their capacity, ” he said. (NAN)
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BREAKING: Tinubu, Starmer Meet as £746m Port Investment Deal Set for Signing
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President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a high-level bilateral engagement aimed at strengthening ties between Nigeria and Britain.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, said the meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The statement said the meeting reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations, attracting foreign investment, and modernising key infrastructure to support economic growth.
It added that a major highlight of the visit was the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
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The statement said the deal will fund the refurbishment of two key maritime infrastructures — the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The President and the First Lady had earlier been the guests of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
Tinubu was accompanied by a high-profile delegation, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
Other members of the delegation include Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
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Breaking: Senegal Lose AFCON Crown as CAF Declares Morocco Winners
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Morocco have been officially crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the CAF Appeal Board overturned the result of the final against Senegal. The decision comes after extraordinary scenes in Rabat where the Lions of Teranga walked off the pitch in protest, leading to a retrospective 3-0 forfeit victory for the host nation.
In a detailed statement, the CAF Appeal Board confirmed that the appeal lodged by the FRMF was “declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.” This landmark ruling effectively strips Senegal of what would have been their second continental crown, rewarding the hosts for a match that descended into chaos during extra time.
The roots of the controversy lie in a heated moment deep into stoppage time when Morocco’s Brahim Diaz went down in the box. While the referee initially waved play away, a VAR review resulted in a spot-kick for the hosts. This sparked a furious reaction from the Senegalese bench, with head coach Pape Thiaw instructing his players to return to the dressing room in a protest that lasted several minutes.
The CAF Appeal Board found that “the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.” By leaving the field of play, Senegal was deemed to have infringed on the regulations, leading to the administrative 3-0 defeat. The ruling sets aside the previous CAF Disciplinary Board decision and confirms that the protest lodged by Morocco has been fully upheld
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NRC Confirms 26 Injured in Mid-Route Train Incident, Says Opeifa
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No fewer than 26 passengers and onboard personnel sustained varying degrees of injuries following a train incident along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor on Monday.
The incident, which occurred at about 9:16 a.m. near Asham Station, involved the KA-2 service travelling from Rigasa to Idu. According to an interim report released by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), a loud bang was heard as the power car and a trailing locomotive collided with one of the coaches.
Preliminary findings indicate that the incident may have been caused by a fault in one or more couplers, leading to a possible disconnection within the train formation. However, authorities confirmed that none of the coaches derailed.
The train had earlier departed Rigasa Station at 7:15 a.m., arriving at Jere slightly ahead of schedule before departing a few minutes later after an additional locomotive was coupled to improve operational resilience.
Following the incident, affected components—including a locomotive, power car, and one passenger coach—were detached from the train to allow the journey to continue safely.
A total of 481 people were onboard at the time, including passengers, crew members, security personnel, vendors, cleaners, and other service providers. Of the 459 passengers booked for the trip, 429 were confirmed to have boarded.
Despite the disruption, the train resumed movement at about 9:42 a.m., arriving in Kubwa at 10:10 a.m. and terminating at Idu Station at 10:39 a.m., with an overall delay of approximately 38 minutes.
The NRC stated that injured persons included passengers, staff, and security personnel, although details of the severity of injuries were not fully disclosed.
Train services on the route were later restored the same day, with subsequent trips resuming operations, albeit with delays. The Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, was onboard one of the recovery services to monitor the situation.
The corporation assured the public that a full investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident and to prevent future occurrences.
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