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CPPE Estimates War In Niger ‘ll Cost Nigeria $2bn annually, Citing ECOMOG 

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CENTRE For The Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has estimated that war against military junta in Niger Republic to restore constitutional democracy in that country would cost Nigeria a minimum of $2 billion annually.

Dr. Muda Yusuf, the CEO of
the Lagos- based CPPE (an economic pressure group), therefore, called on the ECOWAS leaders headed by Nigeria ‘s President Bola Tinubu, to contemplate the colossal effects military intervention would have on  countries of the sub region and their citizens.

He said that the financial cost of a military campaign could be quite staggering and unpredictable.

Profiles of Nigeria Military Operations In ECOWAS
” There are valuable lessons to learn from the Nigeria’s military operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone over two decades ago.

Nigeria was the arrow head of the then Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group [ECOMOG], the intervention force at the time. 

We lost over 500 soldiers during the Liberia war with hundreds sustaining various degrees of injuries. The war became protracted, lasting for about 7 years, [1990 to 1998]. 

At the peak of the war, there were 16,000 ECOMOG troops in Liberia, 80% of them were Nigerian troops.  The cost to Nigeria of the Liberia war was an estimated $8 billion dollars.

Shortly after the Liberia military operation, Nigeria led another military intervention in Sierra Leone to restore democracy in that country following the coup that toppled the then democratically elected President, Tejan Kabbah.

The story of Nigeria’s military campaign in Sierra Leone was not different.

Nigeria spent over $4 billion and lost about 700 soldiers. The war lasted about five years from 1998 to 2002.

The lesson here is that the cost of military interventions can be very prohibitive.

Similar military operation at this time may cost considerably higher, given the inflationary trend over the past 25 years. 

At the very minimum it would cost Nigeria a minimum of $2 billion annually to prosecute a military operation in Niger, taking into account the prevailing geopolitical dynamics in the Sahel.

It will be difficult to accommodate such huge financial commitment at this time without putting a serious strain on our fiscal operations and foreign reserves.

With the benefit of hindsight, it is doubtful whether Nigeria got any significant benefit from the military interventions in both Liberia and Sierra Leone. 
Yet the operation was a huge financial burden on Nigeria.

The costs to Nigeria were colossal. Military spending in a war situation is largely in foreign currency. 

It could therefore be a major drain on the Nigeria’s reserves.

The loss of lives was also a tragic outcome of the war.

At the end, there was no concrete benefit for Nigeria for expending so much of its financial and human resources,” he said. 

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NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Baron, Seizes Tons of Skunk in Raids

NDLEA further confirmed that it seized $11,600; ⁠2,000 British Pounds; 2,200 Euros and 50 Canadian dollars all in cash from the suspect at the point of his arrest.

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a wanted drug baron, Frank Ibemesi, alias Chisco Bee.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that Chisco Bee who operates under the cover of being a businessman and hotelier, is the MD/CEO of Franc CJ Ibemesi Nig Ltd.

Babafemi disclosed that Chisco Bee was arrested at his Daisy Garden Hotel, in Ago palace way, Isolo Lagos.

He was then taken to his warehouse where 42 jumbo bags and four cartoons of Loud were recovered.

NDLEA further confirmed that it seized $11,600; ⁠2,000 British Pounds; 2,200 Euros and 50 Canadian dollars all in cash from the suspect at the point of his arrest.

NDLEA also confirmed that operatives foiled attempt by a drug syndicate in Osun state to load and distribute large quantities of processed skunk, across the country.

Two trucks used to transport the illicit consignment were seized and seven suspects arrested.

The peddlers are Lucky Abiodun; Julius Amos; Victor Ngbikili; Sunday Oduegwu; Ibrahim Akanni; Eze Godstime; and Fred Ifeanyichukwu.In Edo State, NDLEA said it recovered a total of 1,902.1 kilograms of skunk.

While 184.1kg was recovered along a bush path in Igbanke, in Orhionmwon LGA , 672kg was evacuated from Utese forest, Ovia North East LGA with 494kg recovered along Benin-Akure road where a suspect, 45 year old Felix Edah was arrested.

The NDLEA also confirmed the arrest of four suspects: Micheal Okoh; Offor Agada; Raphael Nkemjika and Nwabueze Franklin for being in possession of 68kg skunk and 3.150kg methamphetamine.

They were arrested along Ijebu-Ode expressway in Ogun state just as Danjuma Tukura, was nabbed with 172kg skunk at Sunkani area of Ardo Kola LGA, of Taraba state and Wisdom Titus was nabbed with 84kg of same substance at Takum area of the state.

NDLEA made several other similar arrests in Adamawa, Kwara States even as it intensified its fight against drug crime in Nigeria.

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Crime

DSS Cracks Down on Plateau Violence, Arms Recovery

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The Department of State Services has recorded another breakthrough, arresting a man believed to be a major supplier of weapons to armed groups.

This comes Three months after arraigning suspects in the Yelwata and Plateau massacres.

In a significant breakthrough, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Musa Abubakar, a suspected arms manufacturer, in a targeted raid on November 12th.

The operation took place at his workshop in Mista Ali, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The arrest followed weeks of meticulous surveillance and the gathering of credible intelligence.

According to investigators, Abubakar confessed to manufacturing and distributing high-caliber weapons and ammunition.

These weapons were allegedly supplied to groups responsible for the recent violent attacks in Plateau State and other northern states.

Authorities seized a cache of evidence during the raid, including components of improvised explosive devices, various chemicals, and equipment used in the manufacturing process.

The DSS is continuing its investigation, aiming to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the arms supply chain and bring them to justice.

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JUST IN: Governor Mutfwang Disassociate Self From Motion Expelling Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, others From the PDP

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….Fintiri Abandons Convention after Wike’s Expulsion

The Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has formally distanced himself from the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike; former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; Samuel Anyanwu alongside other leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

In a press statement, Governor Mutfwang clarified that the subject was neither discussed by Governors Forum nor at NEC before the motion was presented. He emphasized that the proposal does not reflect his position on the matter.

Governor Mutfwang further noted that expelling the party leaders at this crucial time is not a strategic step toward resolving the internal challenges currently confronting the PDP.

He reiterated the need for unity, dialogue, and collective effort in rebuilding and repositioning the party.

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