Security Stakeholders to Seek Joint Solutions at NPSC 2026

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

As Nigeria continues to grapple with a range of security threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, oil theft, and communal conflicts, stakeholders are increasingly calling for innovative approaches and broader partnerships to strengthen national security.

While security agencies have recorded notable successes in combating criminal activities across various parts of the country, experts argue that the evolving nature of modern threats requires greater collaboration between government institutions, private security operators, technology providers, investors, and local communities.

It is against this backdrop that the organisers of the National Private Security Conference (NPSC) 2026 have unveiled plans for a high-level national dialogue aimed at exploring ways to integrate private sector capabilities into Nigeria’s security architecture.

Speaking at the conference’s World Press Conference in Abuja on Thursday, Chairman of NPSC 2026, Dr Charles Awuzie, described the event as a strategic platform designed to foster innovation, policy engagement, and collaboration among key players in the country’s security ecosystem.

According to Awuzie, Nigeria is at a defining moment in its security journey, where emerging threats demand not only courage and commitment but also fresh ideas and stronger partnerships.

“The security challenges facing our nation require collective action. Government institutions cannot work in isolation. We need a framework that encourages collaboration while preserving the leadership role of state security agencies,” he said.

Awuzie explained that the National Private Security Conference is an independent and non-partisan initiative established to promote dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders who share a common goal of building a safer and more secure Nigeria.

He emphasised that the platform is neither a political movement nor a lobbying group but rather a forum dedicated to generating practical solutions to contemporary security challenges.

The conference, scheduled for June 13, 2026, at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, will be held under the theme “Building a Modern Security Ecosystem: Integrating Private Sector Capacity into Nigeria’s National Security Architecture.”

According to the organisers, the theme reflects a growing global reality that effective security systems increasingly rely on partnerships with governments, security agencies, private sector operators, researchers, technology innovators, investors, and communities.

Awuzie said discussions at the conference would focus on key areas such as security policy, intelligence integration, private-public partnerships, defence manufacturing, surveillance technologies, artificial intelligence, security financing, and emerging trends that are shaping the future of national security.

He disclosed that the event is expected to attract prominent security and government officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, senior military officers, police leaders, lawmakers, defence industry executives, international security experts, investors, researchers, and policymakers.

The NPSC chairman stressed that the organisers are committed to ensuring that the conference delivers measurable outcomes rather than becoming another platform for speeches without implementation.

“Our goal is to facilitate discussions that lead to practical recommendations capable of supporting policy development, strengthening the security industry, attracting investment, and improving security outcomes across Nigeria,” he said.

Awuzie expressed confidence that Nigeria possesses the expertise, institutional capacity, and resources required to build a modern and resilient security ecosystem. However, he noted that greater coordination and collaboration remain essential for unlocking the country’s full security potential.

Therefore, he called on government agencies, security institutions, industry leaders, development partners, investors, media organisations, and members of the public to participate in the conference and contribute to shaping a safer future for the nation.

According to him, strengthening cooperation across sectors will improve public safety and protect economic investments, enhance national resilience, and support Nigeria’s long-term growth and prosperity.

EFCC Arraigns Man Over Alleged N3.5m Fake FIRS Job Scam in Gombe

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a man, Dalhatu Yahaya, before the Gombe State High Court over an alleged job scam involving N3.5 million.

Yahaya was docked on Thursday before Justice A.M. Yakubu of High Court 2 in Gombe on a two-count charge bordering on alleged intent to defraud.

According to the anti-graft agency, the defendant allegedly collected N3.5 million from one Abubakar Shuaibu Yakubu in 2025 under the pretext of securing employment for him at the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

The prosecution told the court that the representation was false and contravened provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

One of the charges alleged that Yahaya induced the complainant to part with the money with a promise to facilitate the job placement, an offer prosecutors said he knew was fraudulent.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel J.D. Tortema asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant in a correctional facility.

However, defence counsel Yusuf A. Ali informed the court that a bail application had already been filed on behalf of his client.

Justice Yakubu subsequently granted Yahaya bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in a like sum.

The court ruled that the surety must be a resident of Gombe, own landed property worth at least N5 million, and be a person of credible standing.

The judge also directed the surety to submit the original documents of the property, a valid means of identification, and an international passport for verification by the court registrar.

The case was adjourned to June 22, 2026, for commencement of trial, while the defendant was ordered to remain at the Gombe Correctional Service pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.

Yobe Police Arrest Motorcycle Snatcher, Fraud Suspect,  Alleged Cattle Rustler

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

The Yobe State Police Command says it has recorded major breakthroughs in its fight against crime, including the arrest of suspected motorcycle thieves, fraudsters, and cattle rustlers in different parts of the state.

The command disclosed that operatives attached to the Garin Alkali Division in Bursari Local Government Area arrested a suspected motorcycle snatcher identified as Abubakar Haruna, 30, from Lafiya, Lamurde, in Adamawa State.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, reported that authorities apprehended the suspect on 17 May at approximately 4:00 p.m. after allegedly stealing a red Boxer motorcycle with registration number MKD 330 QF belonging to a victim along the Gashua-Potiskum road on the outskirts of Garin Alkali.

A police spokesperson said residents and sympathisers pursued the suspect after the incident in an attempt to stop him from escaping.

During the chase, the suspect reportedly rode the stolen motorcycle recklessly and knocked down a 72-year-old man, Sabo Yahaya, at Garin Goje village in the Jakusko Local Government Area.

The victim sustained a fracture on his left leg and was first taken to the Specialist Hospital in Gashua before being referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, for further treatment.

Mr Abdulkarim said the suspect was rescued from an enraged mob and is currently under investigation.

In another operation carried out around 5:50 p.m. the same day, police operatives arrested Musa Baba, 38, of Jumbam village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area, over alleged fraud and deception.

The police said the suspect had been on their watch list for allegedly swindling unsuspecting residents in marketplaces using fake bundles designed to resemble cash.

Investigators revealed that the suspect usually arranged cut papers inside polythene bags to look like genuine currency notes before deceiving victims into handing over money.

Police said the suspect had earlier defrauded a teenager of N110,000 using the same method and was arrested while allegedly attempting another fraudulent act.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, while officers recovered several bundles of cut papers packaged to resemble money.

The command also announced the arrest of a suspected cattle rustler, Usman Isa, 28, from Yusufari Local Government Area.

According to the police, the suspect was apprehended at Garin Alkali Market while in possession of a suspected stolen cow.

The police said investigations were ongoing to identify the rightful owner of the animal and trace other fleeing members of the syndicate.

The Commissioner of Police in Yobe State, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities across the state.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support efforts aimed at maintaining peace and security.