The federal government and the European Union (EU) have expressed a commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties to combat transnational organised crimes.
This emerged on Wednesday, when Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, hosted the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, and a delegation of EU officials, who were on a courtesy visit to the ministry.
The Nigerian authorities also sought the support and cooperation of the EU on their ongoing police reform effort.
Relatedly, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA) said the deployment of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by terrorists and other criminal gangs posed a significant threat to counter-terrorism operations across all operational theatres.
That was as the Senate, on Wednesday, directed security agencies to urgently restore peace in Gyaruwa community in Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue State, following a violent youth protest ignited by incessant attacks by bandits in the area.
In Abuja, operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command killed a notorious bandit kingpin, Salisu Mohammed, alias “Dogo Saleh”, in a well-coordinated, intelligence-led counter-kidnapping operation.
Gaidam, while hosting the EU ambassador, highlighted the police affairs ministry’s efforts to enhance the effectiveness, accountability, and community engagement of the Nigeria Police.
He stated that the EU’s expertise, resources, and experience in police reform and governance would be instrumental to implementing the reforms in Nigeria.
The minister also acknowledged EU’s support for regional security initiatives, such as the West Africa Police Information System (WAPIS), which had improved coordination and helped to combat transnational organised crime.
He stressed the importance of securing continuous EU funding for the full implementation and sustainability of the WAPIS system.
Gaidam also expressed his commitment to exploring other EU-funded security initiatives and deepening collaboration in areas, such as intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism operations, and cybersecurity measures.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Anuma Nila, emphasised the need for strengthened collaboration between Nigeria and EU to address contemporary security challenges.
Nila acknowledged EU’s support in Nigeria’s security sector reforms, capacity building for law enforcement agencies, and efforts to combat transnational crimes, terrorism, and human trafficking.
Earlier, Mignot said EU cooperation with the ministry was based on shared values and interests, respect for the rule of law, human rights, and democracy. He stated that the police were key in the expression of these values.
The ambassador pledged to work with Nigeria and ECOWAS to dismantle powerful criminal networks and protect lives.
ONSA: Troops Face Threats from IEDs
National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA) said the use of IEDs by terrorists and other criminal elements posed a significant threat to counter-terrorism operations.
The centre said the growing phenomenon was one of the gravest threats to frontline personnel.
National Coordinator of NCTC-ONSA, Major General Adamu Laka, made the revelations at the Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Symposium held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Laka said, “As we may all be aware, the use of Improvised Explosive Devices remains one of the gravest threats to our security personnel across various theatres of operations.
“Their impact extends beyond the frontline to civilian populations, critical infrastructure, such as power transmission lines, and national stability.
“What makes the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) threat even more concerning is the ease with which they can be fabricated using commercially available materials, making them a persistent and evolving challenge.
“This symposium is both timely and critical, as it provides a platform for experts and stakeholders to deliberate on innovative strategies to counter this threat. Our collective goal is to enhance national capabilities in preventing, detecting, and responding to IED incidents.”
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of police anti-bomb squad, CP Patrick Atayero, said IEDs had become a weapon of choice for terrorists, insurgents, bank robbers and other malicious actors, causing devastating harm to innocent civilians, security personnel, and both public and private critical infrastructure.
Atayero said the symposium served as a critical platform and a wakeup call for state actors to share professional knowledge, expertise and best practices in countering the IED threat.
Senate Tasks Security Agencies on Benue
The Senate directed security agencies to urgently restore peace in Gyaruwa community, Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue State.
That was after a violent protest by youths ignited by incessant attacks by bandits in the area.
The red chamber also urged the Benue State government to enforce open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law to control the activities of herders operating within the state.
The resolution followed a motion by Titus Zam (Benue North-West senator) whose house was torched by the youths during the protest.
Zam, who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Businesses, expressed concerns over the persistent attacks by bandits disguised as herders in the state.
Minority Leader, Abba Moro, who seconded the motion, complained that residents of the state were attacking elected representatives.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio mandated the Senate Committees on National Intelligence, Army, Navy and Defence to visit the community.
Akpabio sympathised with victims of the attacks and urged the state government to enforce open grazing prohibition and ranching.
He said the senate would soon engage heads of security agencies in the country to discuss the insecurity.
Police Kill Notorious Bandit Kingpin, Saleh, in FCT
Operatives of the FCT Police Command killed a notorious bandit kingpin, Salisu Mohammed, alias “Dogo Saleh”, in a well-coordinated operation.
The command said the killing of the bandit followed an intense counter-kidnapping operation aimed at dismantling a syndicate responsible for violent crimes along the Kaduna-Lokoja-Enugu highway and within the FCT.
A statement by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, a Superintendent of Police, revealed that one officer, an Inspector from the FCT Anti-Kidnapping Unit, sustained minor injuries during the encounter and had since been treated and discharged.
Stating that the police recorded no other casualties during the operation, Adeh said, “On March 4, 2025, at approximately 11:14pm, leveraging intelligence provided by the arrested suspect, operatives launched a high-risk follow-up operation to dismantle his gang.
“The suspect led the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to Kwasau Forest, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State, where his gang, led by one Abdu Musa, alias “Kanabaro”, had established a major hideout.
“Upon arrival, the police team was ambushed by armed bandits attempting to free the suspect. The operatives swiftly engaged the criminals in a fierce gun battle, displaying superior tactical expertise and resilience. The bandits were ultimately overpowered and forced to flee into the forest with severe gunshot wounds.”
Adeh explained that the suspect sustained fatal gunshot wounds inflicted by his own gang during the crossfire, and was rushed to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
The police spokesperson recalled, “On March 3, 2025, acting on credible intelligence regarding the movement of bandits into the FCT, the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led operatives to block their access routes.
“After meticulous tracking, the operatives successfully intercepted and arrested Salisu Mohammed at Gidan Abe Forest while he was en route to Bwari Area Council, FCT.
“Salisu Mohammed, a 21-year-old Fulani man from Baban Saural village, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was identified as a notorious hitman for bandit leaders operating in Rijana Forest, Kaduna State.”
She said Saleh had terrorised communities along major highways, kidnapping unsuspecting victims and extorting huge ransoms.
