Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has offered a chance for amnesty to individuals involved in criminal activities such as kidnapping, cultism, drug trafficking, armed robbery, car theft, and other forms of criminality in the state.

Governor Soludo made the announcement on Tuesday at a briefing with journalists at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, where he addressed the state’s security situation ahead of the 2024 Christmas and New Year celebrations.

He emphasized that his administration is ready to grant amnesty to any criminal who voluntarily surrenders their weapons and repents.

He assured that individuals who choose to take advantage of the amnesty program will be rehabilitated and empowered to reintegrate as productive members of society.

Those interested in the amnesty are required to register with the office of the Governor’s Security Adviser, and the window for this opportunity will remain open until February 2025.

Governor Soludo reflected on the security challenges his administration inherited, revealing that at the beginning of his tenure, eight local government areas in the state were heavily controlled by criminal elements.

However, through coordinated efforts, including the establishment of a vigilance strike force working with federal security agencies, these areas were reclaimed.

Despite the progress, criminal activities, including kidnapping and killings, have resurfaced in some regions.

The governor identified four major security concerns currently affecting the state: kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and a growing drug epidemic.

He also mentioned the troubling resurgence of criminal idolatry, which provides a sense of protection for criminals.

To combat these issues, Governor Soludo announced the launch of a comprehensive security initiative called Operation Udo Ga Achi (meaning “Operation Peace Must Prevail”), which is set to roll out by the end of January 2025.

The plan includes the donation of 163 vehicles to security agencies, the installation of surveillance cameras in key areas, and the deployment of 20 vigilante personnel and forest guards in each community.

He also called for a shift in public perception, urging citizens to see security agents as allies, not enemies.

Governor Soludo called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, town union representatives, and civil society organizations to collaborate with the government in the fight against insecurity.

He also appealed to rural communities to stop providing support to criminals and urged residents to report criminal activities via the 5111 toll-free line.

The governor reassured citizens that efforts are underway to ensure a secure holiday season and expressed appreciation for the federal government and security commanders for their contributions to the state’s safety.

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has raised concerns about the agency’s ongoing staff shortage, which is affecting its ability to effectively carry out its regulatory responsibilities.

In an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, Adeyeye discussed the challenges faced by NAFDAC, particularly in its efforts to regulate substandard and counterfeit medicines.

While acknowledging that the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) also plays a key role in regulating drug-selling establishments and practitioners, she pointed out that both NAFDAC and PCN are struggling with insufficient staff.

“The lack of personnel is a major barrier to NAFDAC and PCN’s ability to fully perform our duties, especially in reaching all areas of the country,” Adeyeye explained.

She called on the government to address the staffing issue, emphasizing that both agencies need more resources to meet their growing demands.

Adeyeye also made a comparison between Nigeria and Indonesia, noting that despite Indonesia’s larger population of 280 million, it has 20,000 staff at its regulatory agency.

In contrast, Nigeria, with a population of 220 million, only has about 2,000 staff at NAFDAC.

Regarding the recent labor union disputes at NAFDAC, the Director-General clarified that the unions’ demands for staff promotions based on the last promotion exam were beyond the agency’s control.

She explained that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOS) determines the number of promotions, not NAFDAC’s management.

“The Head of Service has the authority to decide on the number of promotions,” she stated, adding that after discussions with the unions and intervention from the presidency, the matter had been resolved.

Adeyeye reassured the public that NAFDAC had continued to prioritize the welfare of its staff by ensuring timely payments of salaries, allowances, and other benefits. She also highlighted improvements within the agency since her appointment, noting that the staff now feels supported by the management.

“Things have changed significantly in NAFDAC. The staff knows they have a management that is always on their side,” she concluded.

Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, has taken aim at the media, accusing them of focusing only on bad news.

He lamented that positive developments, particularly in security, are often overlooked, with only negative stories being considered newsworthy.

Speaking during a debate on an urgent motion about the banditry and killings in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State, Akpabio highlighted how security agencies successfully thwart numerous criminal activities, but these victories rarely make headlines.

“Security agencies often intercept criminals before they commit their acts, but these successes are rarely reported. Only the bad news is highlighted,” he said.

Akpabio’s remarks came in response to a motion moved by Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro (PDP, Gombe South), who raised concerns about the ongoing security crisis in Gombe.

In his comments, Akpabio emphasized the need for collective responsibility in maintaining security.

“It is true that state governments play a vital role in security. The responsibility should not fall solely on the federal government; every Nigerian must contribute to peace and harmony,” he added.

Earlier, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) had questioned the role of state governors in ensuring security, noting that they receive substantial security votes to support law enforcement.

He stressed that, according to the constitution, governors are the chief security officers of their states and must take responsibility for the safety of citizens.

In the wake of rising insecurity, the Senate has urged the federal government to fund the establishment of modern ranches nationwide, believing this would improve safety and boost the productivity of both herders and local communities.

The Senate also called for clearer laws to regulate economic activities under the ECOWAS treaty and safeguard the rights and security of Nigerians.

The Senate also called on key security officials, including the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, to investigate the recent attacks in Gombe, arrest the perpetrators, and ensure their prosecution.

Furthermore, the Senate called for the immediate formation of a joint police and military taskforce in Billiri to prevent further violence and requested that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, NEMA, and the North East Development Commission provide relief materials to those affected by the attacks.

Senator Yaro, who introduced the motion, condemned the recent attacks in Billiri, particularly the brutal killings and destruction of property by suspected herders on December 11, 2024.

He urged for swift action to prevent further bloodshed.

Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) supported the idea of creating government-funded modern ranches, which he believes would improve safety and economic opportunities for both herders and the wider community.

He called for a comprehensive approach to the ranching plan, taking into account the challenges faced by herders who travel long distances in search of grazing land.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) reminded the Senate of a prior agreement to hold a national public hearing on security issues related to economic activities and movement.

He called for a balance of individual rights and collective security, especially within the ECOWAS framework.

Justice Benedict Kanyip of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja, recused himself on Tuesday from hearing cases filed by 62 former staff members of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) who were recently dismissed from the bank.

The judge, who is also the President of the NICN, withdrew from the cases after it was revealed that one of the lawyers representing the CBN’s legal team, Mr. Damian Dodo, SAN, is his in-law.

The 62 claimants, all ex-CBN staff, had filed individual lawsuits against the bank, challenging their recent disengagement. One of the lawsuits, marked NICN/ABJ/26x/2024, was filed by a team of lawyers led by Ola Olanipekun, SAN.

The claimants are seeking to have their termination letters nullified, arguing that the CBN’s action violated the provisions of the CBN Act 2007 and the bank’s Human Resource Policies and Procedure Manual (HRPPM).

The claimants are also requesting that their employment contracts be declared valid, and they seek an order for reinstatement to their previous positions or higher ones.

Additionally, they are asking for back pay, including salaries, allowances, and other entitlements that would have been earned if their employment had not been wrongfully terminated.

On Tuesday, 31 of the 62 lawsuits were listed for hearing, with the remaining cases scheduled for Wednesday.

Counsel for the claimants also filed a motion to consolidate the cases.

During the hearing, Olanipekun informed the court that the case was scheduled for mention, and CBN’s lawyer, Obafemi Agaba, announced that several law firms, including D.D. Dodo, SAN & Co, would represent the bank.

It was then that Justice Kanyip noted that Damian Dodo, SAN, was his in-law and expressed his discomfort in continuing the case.

After seeking the counsel of the claimants’ legal team, Justice Kanyip decided to recuse himself from the matter, and ordered the case, along with the other related suits, to be reassigned to a different judge for further proceedings.

Both Olanipekun and Agaba expressed confidence in the judicial process, with Agaba emphasizing that justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.