‎*Outrage as wanted terrorists kingpin engages Katsina communities in peace deal

*ONSA-NCTC, PAVE network move to strengthen local ownership, capacity in Nigeria

*NAF expedites procurement process for 12 new ah-1z viper attack helicopters 

Michael Olugbode, Linus Aleke in Abuja and Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has reiterated the need for a whole-of-society approach to combating terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminalities in the country.

The CDS also urged Nigerians to contribute to the fight against criminality by sharing intelligence with security agencies, promoting patriotism, and loving Nigeria.

Also, yesterday, there were anger and resentment in Katsina State following the engagement of a wanted terrorists kingpin, Ado Aleru, in a peace deal with residents of Danmusa Local Government Area of the state.

At the same time, in a bid to deepen the domestication and implementation of the Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PF-NAP) across Nigeria, the PCVE Knowledge, Innovation and Resource Hub (KIRH) is hosting a Training of Trainers (ToT) in Kano and Sokoto States.

This was as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it was expediting the procurement process for 12 new AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from Messrs Bell Textron, a United States manufacturer, to ensure their delivery in the shortest possible time and enhance air interdiction against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements across Nigeria.

Speaking at the 7th edition of the Silent Heroes Award in Abuja on Saturday, General Musa appealed to all Nigerians to contribute their quota in the ongoing fight against insecurity in the country.

Represented by Chief of Defence Civil-Military Affairs, Rear Admiral O. A. Bankole, the CDS expressed worries over the increasing numbers of citizens at Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

The Special Guest of Honour recalled visiting an IDP camp 20 kilometres from Makurdi, housing over 12,607 people and about 6,000 children.

“I need to mention that at this point in time, Nigeria needs silent heroes. Nigeria needs patriotic citizens. Nigeria needs dedicated citizens, more than ever before. 

“Now we need people that are committed. We don’t really need people that you need to blow their whistle and whatever, but in the silent corners of your room, in your office, let us love Nigeria, let us be patriotic.

“Last week, the CDS sent me to an IDP camp. There is this IDP camp about 20 kilometres from Makurdi, and when I got there, we counted 12,607 people in that IDP camp. It says a lot of things. 

“It’s not that we have a full-fledged war; we have insecurity. I agree. But if you have 12,607 people in a camp, about 6,000 children, it says a lot. So we need to love ourselves, and that is why gatherings like this is important.

“Let us all know those who are heroes. But just like I mentioned, all of us are heroes in our own respective places. Let’s shine the light. Nigeria has a lot of prospects. Let’s radiate whatever God has given us. Nigeria is a blessed country,” he said.

In her address of welcome, the Project Coordinator of the Silent Heroes Awards Initiative, 7th Edition, Mrs. Ozioma Sonia Odita-Sunday, said the “Silent Heroes Awards identify, honour, and celebrate those whose contributions to humanity are both significant and selfless and often made in the absence of recognition, applause, or acclaim.