President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday told the quarterly meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) that he will not allow a repeat of the #EndSARS protests that culminated in the destruction of properties in the country recently.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, disclosed this while briefing correspondents at the end of the meeting presided over by the president at the presidential villa, Abuja.

He explained that in vowing to do everything within his power to prevent a reoccurrence of the #EndSARS protests, the president assured that he will carry all stakeholders, including the youth along in the process of maintaining peace in the country.

Asked whether it would include a crackdown on potential protesters, the minister replied: “On the issue of #EndSARS protests that you have raised, what we are saying is that the government will continue to dialogue, it will continue to listen and will continue to carry all stakeholders along in ensuring that there is no repeat of what happened that destroyed a lot of properties, public and private, individuals in this country.”

The minister said the council reviewed the security situation of the country and noted with concern the increasing rate of armed banditry particularly in the north-west and northeastern parts.

He stated that the council, therefore, resolved to be proactive and to take decisive actions to bring the situation under control.

The minister added that the meeting stressed the need to pay more attention to the police by supplying them with modern equipment to enable them to discharge their functions.

Dingyadi stated: “The meeting noted with concern the increasing cases of armed banditry particularly in the north-west and northeastern part of the country. The meeting agreed to be more proactive in dealing with the situation in a more decisive manner.

“The meeting noted the need to pay greater attention to the police in the discharge of its functions to maintain peace in the country, in the areas of equipment and modern technology.

“The meeting thanked the president for the concern which he has shown in repositioning the police to perform more effectively.

“In his concluding remarks, Mr President thanked members for the efforts they are making in maintains peace and assured members that he will do whatever it takes to support security agencies in providing peace in the country.

“Mr President assured Nigerians that he will do whatever it takes to ensure the repeat of #EndSARS protests does not occur in Nigeria again.

“Mr President reassured that all stakeholders will be involved in the Process of maintaining peace in the country, particularly the youth, community leaders, traditional rulers, politicians, public servants, religious leaders etc.

“The Federal Government will continue to maintain its bureaucratic, humane and just postures in handling security matters in the country.”

On what are the decisive actions the council planned to take and whether there were timelines for them, the minister remarked: “Let me say that in whatever one does, you must have a timeline, you must have your targets and you must work towards achieving those targets. We have our timelines, we have our targets and we are working towards achieving those targets.”

“Decisive action means, it’s an all-inclusive action that is going to be taken to ensure that in terms of technology, the equipment we can face these challenges head-on,” Dingyadi declared.

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has said President Muhammadu Buhari needs the support of all and sundry to overcome evil forces in the country.

Governor Tambuwal said this on Monday while receiving the Shehu of Bama who paid him a courtesy call.

“We must work together as people and as leaders and support the federal government to establish peace in troubled areas across the country.

“We will continue to support the President to overcome evil forces who are all out to destabilize our nation,” he said

The governor, however, expressed happiness over the liberation of Bama and other parts of Borno State from the hands of terrorists.

“Bama used to be an epicenter of Boko Haram. But peace is gradually returning to Bama and Borno State. But you still have a lot of roles to play. You must support your brother, Governor Babagana Zulum  and the federal government for all that they have been doing to stabilise the state and the country,” he added.

Tambuwal also commended Governor Zulum for the development strides in the state.

While praying Allah to grant his late father Jannatul Firdaus, Tambuwal appreciated the contribution of the late Shehu of Bama in the fight against polio alongside other traditional rulers.

“Your father was a great man, a statesman. He served the Bama kingdom and Nigeria very well. I will not forget his role in the fight against polio alongside other traditional rulers which culminated to the successes that led to the declaration of Nigeria as polio free nation,” he said

The governor, while congratulating the new Emir, prayed Allah to protect the traditional ruler and grant him the wisdom required to steer the affairs of the kingdom.

Earlier, the new Shehu of Bama, Umar Kyari Umar, said he was in Sokoto as part of his familiarization tour, saying Governor Tambuwal and his late father had a close working relationship spanning for years.

“We are here to strengthen the already established working relationship in order to continue to promote peace and peaceful coexistence among our people,” he said.

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi,  has inaugurated a 13-member committee to critically examine and recommend to the government the viability and economic sustainability of the planned creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) from the existing 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in State.

Governor Fayemi had hinted on the plan to create new LCDAs while delivering his State of the State address at the State Assembly last month.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the State Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s office in Ado Ekiti yesterday,  Fayemi said the move was in a bid to bring government nearer to the people and stimulate rapid development in the rural areas in line with his administration’s five-pillar development agenda.

He noted that agitations for the creation of new LCDAs continued to top the list of demands in the various consultative meetings held with stakeholders across communities in the State since the inception of his administration.

He added that the creation of the LCDAs was in demonstration of his administration commitment to justice, fair-play and response to the yearnings of the people for increase and adequate representation at all levels of governance.

Unknown gunmen have abducted five officials of Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS).

The officials were kidnapped Monday evening during an attack on the service’s inspection point in Vandeikya Local Government Area of the state, the agency said.

“Unknown gunmen today attacked the Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) officially gazetted inspection point in Vandeikya Local Government Area, destroying property and kidnapping 5 staff on duty,” a statement posted on BIRS Facebook page said.

It said the gunmen who were dressed in military uniforms, drove in a Hilux van with three motorcycles and invaded the BIRS inspection point in Vandeikya. It said the attackers set fire on staff motorcycle, shot sporadically before kidnapping five BIRS staff and hurting several others.

Calls to the BIRS’ known phone number were unanswered Monday night.

Media officer to the executive chairman of the board, Ati Terkula, said the incident happened around 6:30 p.m.

As at the time of this report the whereabout of the staff were unknown, even as the matter has been reported to the Vandeikya Divisional Police Station, the statement said.

PT