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Insecurity: Poor reportage could heighten tension, Peace Corps Boss Cautions Journalists
National Commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Prof. Dickson Akoh, on Tuesday admonished Nigerian Journalists on good and accurate reportage.
According to Akoh, only genuine and verifiable reportage could assist the country, especially, the security agents win the war against terrorism. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Akoh gave this charge when the Online Journalists in Abuja visited his office to honour the PCN as ‘Organization of the Year’.
“The country is passing through a whole lot, security-wise, your report will go a long way in helping the country, as efforts are being intensified to address the security concerns, anything that could heighten or instill fear should not be reported. Am not saying you should not be objective in your report, but issue of security are very sensitive that can cause high degree of disharmony or tension in the land”, Akoh said.
Stressing further, the Peace Corps Boss said, “Yesterday, I saw a scroll bar message and the message was to the effect that gunmen invaded one primary school in Kaduna, in Birnin Gwari to be specific. I was concerned that kidnapping has gone to the extent of primary school. In fact the report said so many students were picked, but when I got home, I discovered that there was no pupil that was picked, it was only three of their teachers and when the gunmen invaded the school, the pupils ran helter-skelter and in the process two went to different directions and another parent saw them, picked them and kept them until when situation calmed down and took them to the traditional ruler.
“However, it was not reported as such, all we heard was gunmen took so many pupils. So I call for objectivity and high sense of reasoning in reporting national issues as it bothers the security of this nation”.
On the Bill for an Act to establish Nigerian Peace Corps, currently before the National Assembly, Akoh charged the online media to continue bringing out the best in the Bill in their reportage, while calling on lawmakers to expedite actions on its passage.
Earlier in his address, Chairman of National Assembly New Media, Comrade Yemi Itodo, applauded the many selfless and voluntary activities of the Corps towards nation-building.
“The nomination of PCN for Organization of The Year recognition is hinged on the many laudable community efforts of the organization and her activities at ensuring peace, unity, safety and security of Nigerian people.
“We cannot forget in a hurry, the role the PCN played during the general lockdown in Nigeria in 2020, by collaborating with different security agencies and essential workers across the federation, at ensuring the security and safety of the people, while striving to get the masses to conform with the Federal Government’s guidelines at curtailing the spread of COVID-19.
“Officers of the PCN, despite being a voluntary organization and without any remunerations from the Federal Government, unlike other essential workers, staked their lives to ensure the lives of other citizens were saved. This is in addition to many community development interventions of the Corps across the country, most of which are not in the media”, Itodo said.
The Journalist used the occasion to call on the National Assembly to quickly pass the Bill before it for onward assent of President Muhammad Buhari, adding that, the Bill would give legal backing for Prof. Akoh-led Peace Corps to enable it assist in curbing insecurity in the schools.
“Nigeria is bleeding and our schools are being overrun by armed bandits who have technically become stupendously rich on account of the helplessness of the innocent school children and haplessness of the Nigerian system. We therefore call on Peace Corps of Nigeria, to come to our aide. We want the organization to step up and stand out in what they are trained to do best.
“Since its inception in 1998, we have kept tabs with the activities of Peace Corps as it relates to orientation of school children, establishment of Peace Corps Club in schools, campaigns against social vices and exam malpractices, intelligence gathering and neighbourhood watch around the school communities.
“We may not be far from the truth to declare that, Peace Corps Officers, though not trained with arms, are mentally and technically equipped to provide the needed synergy the Nigeria’s security personnel deserve to curb insecurity in our school environments.
We therefore, call on members of the National Assembly to speed up legislative actions on the passage of the much anticipated Nigerian Peace Corps Bill which is currently before the two Chambers”, he added.
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Ajia: Tunji Disu’s Leadership Offers Hope for Tackling Insecurity
By AbdulRahman Obaje
The Dan Amanan Fune Emirate of Yobe State and Nwanne Ukwu Di Na Mba of Amaba-Ukwu Item in Abia State, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, Ph.D, has congratulated the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, describing his appointment as well deserved and timely for Nigeria’s security challenges.
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Ajia also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he called a bold and thoughtful decision in appointing a highly experienced and celebrated police officer to lead the nation’s police force.
In a statement signed by his Director of Communications, Mallam Abdulrahman Aliagan, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday , Ajia praised Disu’s impressive educational background, professional training and operational experience, noting that Nigeria and Nigerians are fortunate to have him at the helm of the Nigeria Police Force at this critical time.
According to Ajia, the new IGP has built a reputation for professionalism, discipline and dedication to duty, qualities he said are necessary to reposition the police and strengthen internal security across the country.
He noted that the appointment has raised renewed hope that the country can decisively confront insecurity, insurgency, kidnapping and banditry if the police leadership fully deploys its experience, training and operational capacity.
Ajia, a celebrated retired Police Officer, however, advised the new police chief to prioritise the welfare and concerns of officers and men particularly the rank and file who carry out the bulk of policing duties across the country. He stressed that listening to their “yearnings and cries” would significantly improve their morale and operational effectiveness.
He urged the new IGP to see to the end of final exit from the Pencom system to an improved police pension system . Also to address structural imbalances within the force, particularly the growing disparity between senior officers and the rank-and-file personnel who are responsible for frontline policing.
According to him, the police system must return to a proper pyramidal structure that allows for balanced growth, professionalism and efficiency.
The security expert further called for the recruitment of more rank-and-file officers to strengthen community-level policing, noting that the current structure has too many officers in higher ranks while the operational base remains understaffed. He encouraged the new police boss to ensure that recruitment becomes a real and transparent exercise rather than routine announcements.
On welfare, Ajia urged the police leadership to work towards the realignment of police salaries with those of other internal security agencies. He recalled that approval had been granted during the administration of president Goodluck Jonathan but requires only full implementation.
He also advised the new IGP to work closely with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund to ensure that projects and interventions are based strictly on the operational needs assessment of the force . According to him, the National Assembly should also strengthen the legal framework guiding the Trust Fund so that it functions purely as a professional support institution rather than a political structure.
Fune Emirate title holder emphasised that with the establishment of the Trust Fund, funding for policing in Nigeria should no longer be a major challenge if properly managed.
Speaking on insecurity, he expressed confidence that Nigeria can significantly reduce insurgency, kidnapping and banditry if the police rise fully to the responsibility of internal security. He urged Disu to deploy his experience, networks and training to confront criminality decisively.
He also recommended the establishment of a special force counter-terrorism unit within the police, stressing that the Nigeria Police already possesses a model that can be strengthened into an effective national response unit for violent crimes
Ajia concluded that Nigerians are optimistic about the future of policing under Disu’s leadership and expressed confidence that with courage, strategic reforms and commitment to officers’ welfare, the new Inspector-General of police will leave a lasting legacy in the nation’s security system.
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Rev. Fr. Barkindo of the Kukah Centres highlights 2 points to tackle insecurity, at the Ashraaf Islamic Foundation Centre Ramadan Lecture
By AbdulRahman Obaje
The Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of The Kukah Centre (TKC), and Head of Secretariat for the National Peace Committee has identified two cogent points to tackle insecurity in Nigeria.
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He revealed this during the 9th Annual Ramadan Lecture and Prayer for the Nation, presented by Ashraaf Islamic Foundation in Abuja, Nigeria.
While answering questions from journalists at the event, Rev Fr. Barkindo highlights misrepresentation of religion as the first problem.
He said, “I think for me, the first thing is to understand where is this problem coming from? Number one, we cannot keep denying that this thing has nothing to do with Islam or has nothing to do with Christianity. I think if you make this denial, you have not understand.
“If you have ten children and one of them becomes a thief, are you saying that that thief is no longer your child, is your child.”
“So, the first thing is that people are exploiting religion, they are misrepresenting religion and we need to get religious leader who understand the situation, who have the influence, the respect in order to proffer solutions and to help us to stop the exploitation and the misrepresentation of religion.
He further revealed that education is the second key element in the equation.
“And the second element for me actually is education. People are really not very educated and it is difficult for you to practice democracy in a context of illiteracy. So there has to be proper education that can offer jobs, meaningful jobs to people. And I think once people have this job they are likely going to leave atrocities and concentrate on their work.”, he continued.
While reacting to questions on why he is part of Muslim gathering, he said, “God is God, where are the human beings trying to make distinction, God has absolutely no problem.”
“The Christians are fasting, Muslims are fasting, there is nothing wrong for me to come and grow from the Islamic perspective. If I get to heaven and there is no Christianity, I have Islam, I will enter heaven; If I get to heaven and there is no Islam, I have Christianity, I will enter heaven; so, I am pretty very much okay with it.”
“My biggest interest was actually to look at the Islamic jurisprudence, either supporting or making illegitimate terrorist activities in this country. Does Islam support terrorism through jihad or does Islam prohibit terrorism and condemn jihad rather than personal effort and I think for me this is really an interesting aspect and I think this will afford the government in developing some very strong strategic policies recommendation from lectures of this nature.”
“To see how they can work with religious leaders particularly Islamic groups in supporting the justice system, the judicial processes that will hold perpetrators of atrocities accountable.”
“And at the same time, what sort of mediation, conflict resolution, reconciliation platform can communities create in their local area in order to mitigate the violence across this country.”
“We don’t have to wait for another country to come into Nigeria and tell us what is happening. We can all see for ourselves. It’s not Christians, it’s not Muslims, Nigerians are dying literally from every part of this country; in Sokoto, in Zamfara, in Katsina, in Benue, in Plateau, in Adamawa, Christians, Muslims, atheist; at the end of the day, Nigerians are dying.”
“And I think for me we should look at it from that perspective. Death is about Christians or Muslims. It is about the fact that Nigerian citizens are being killed and what can we do to stop the killing together?”.
The Ashraaf Islamic Foundation is always striving to tackle the socio-economic problem bedeviling the nation with its Annual Ramadan Lecture and Maolid Nabiyy. This year edition of the Annual Ramadan Lecture had gathered notable Nigerians focusing on the Islamic perspective on banditry and terrorism with theme “Faith & Justice, The Islamic Judicial Perspective on Terrorism, and Banditry in Nigeria.”
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Ashraaf Islamic Foundation Tackles Insecurity with 9th Annual Ramadan Lecture
By AbdulRahman Obaje
Many people, especially Nigerians were not happy when on October 31st, 2025, the United States of America led by Donald Trump had again designated Nigeria a country of particular Concern (CPC), citing severe systemic and ongoing violation of religious freedom.
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This is because Nigeria insiders know that impact of insecurity in Nigeria does not only affect a particular religion or sect or tribe or state as claimed by outsiders. The version of insecurity that Nigeria as a nation is currently experiencing has recorded significant blow to properties and loss of lives to Christians, Muslims, traditionalists and atheists alike; from the northern, southern, eastern, western and even the middle-belt parts of the country. So, concluding that a particular religion, sect or tribe is being targeted at might revealed that such does not actually understand the true nature of insecurity in Nigeria.
Notable among those that truly understand the real calculus of insecurity in Nigeria is the Founder/Chairman, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation, Imam (Dr) Sharafudeen Abdulsalam Aliagan. So, it is not surprising that the 9th edition of Ashraaf Islamic Foundation’s Annual Ramadan Lecture and Prayer for The Nation focused on assisting the government in tackling insecurity by bringing stakeholders together under one roof of discussion so as to channel a course of action for the nation.
This year Ramadan Lecture which theme is “Faith & Justice, The Islamic Judicial Perspective on Terrorism, and Banditry in Nigeria” gathered stakeholders from across the board; the judiciary, the executive and the legislative arms of government; religious leaders, politicians, business moguls among other notable Nigerians.
Those that speak with journalists among guest speakers at the event expressed enthusiasm hoping that outcome of the event will boost the fight against terrorism and banditry in no small measure.
Salisu Abubakar representing the grand cardy of the sharia court of appeal of FCT, Abuja while interacting with journalists at the event said, “the grand cardy had wanted to attend however, other engagement prevented him from doing so. And he sends his appreciation and congratulations to the organizer, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation, especially for coming up with a very timely topic on the issue of Islamic judicial perspective on terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.”
“This topic could not have come at a better time than now especially considering what the country is with lately presenting, Nigeria has been designated as a country of a particular concern by the United State of America.”, he continued.
“It is our belief that Islam has provided solution and prescription on how to fight terrorism and banditry. Allah clearly says in the Holy Quran in chapter 5, verse 33 on how bandits and terrorists should be dealt with. Incidentally and fortunately the terrorism prohibition acts in Nigeria has borrowed a leaf from most of the punishment prescribed in the Quran. So, what is left is the will to prosecute bandits and terrorists.”
“All hands must be on deck, the judiciary, the executive and the legislature to see to the end of banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.”, he charges.
“Fortunately, the organizer is able to empanel the right stakeholders to this program, the representative of Mr. president, the person of honourable minister of state for health and social welfare was here; a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria is here and the judiciary is represented by us.”
“So, all the three arms of government are here and we hope that this program will come up with solutions on how to implement the laws that we already have; both in the Quran and the Nigeria constitution and other relevant legislation
Also, a security expert and politician, Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim Ajia commending the organizer of the Annual Ramadan Lecture event while emphasizing its importance to the modern-day challenges bedeviling us as a nation said, “I must say to you that this Ramadan Lecture is a very unique one, the topic borders about typical issue that is confronting our nation.”
“The guest lecturers and all the speakers are looking at the perspective on how to assist the country in tackling the problems of insurgence, kidnapping and all sort of senseless killing that is going on across Nigeria. And from here today, we are going to deduce that if you go back to faith, if you go back to Islamic perspective on dealing with high level of crime, I can tell you the society will be free of such heinous crimes.”
While proffering solutions to the insecurity, Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of the Kukah Centre (TKC), and Head of Secretariat for the national Peace Committee highlights two cogent points as a take-home if we must get it right about the insecurity.
Fr. Barkindo said, “I think for me, the first thing is to understand where is this problem coming from? Number one, we cannot keep denying that this thing has nothing to do with Islam or has nothing to do with Christianity. I think if you make this denial, you have not understand.
“if you have ten children and one of them becomes a thief, are you saying that that thief is no longer your child, is your child.”
“So, the first thing is that people are exploiting religion, they are misrepresenting religion and we need to get religious leader who understand the situation, who have the influence, the respect in order to proffer solutions and to help us to stop the exploitation and the misrepresentation of religion.
“And the second element for me actually is education. People are really not very educated and it is difficult for you to practice democracy in a context of illiteracy. So there has to be proper education that can offer jobs, meaningful jobs to people. And I think once people have this job, they are likely going to leave atrocities and concentrate on their work.”
All hands must be on deck so as to see to the end of banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.
Imam Aliagan, the visionary founder of Ashraaf Islamic Foundation, has continuously worked towards educating and awakening the consciousness of Muslims and non-Muslims alike on topical issues of national concern. For years, his efforts have been showcased during the Annual celebration of his Foundation’s Maolid Nabiyy and Special Ramadan lectures and prayers.
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PoliticsMarch 5, 2026Ajia Congratulates Kwara APC Exco , Gov. AbdulRaham Others Over Successful State CongressNewsMarch 3, 2026Ajia: Tunji Disu’s Leadership Offers Hope for Tackling InsecurityNewsMarch 3, 2026Rev. Fr. Barkindo of the Kukah Centres highlights 2 points to tackle insecurity, at the Ashraaf Islamic Foundation Centre Ramadan LectureNewsMarch 3, 2026Ashraaf Islamic Foundation Tackles Insecurity with 9th Annual Ramadan Lecture