• Kebbi mulls death penalty for bandits’ informants
Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru, has urged the military to ensure that troops’ training aligns with national security objectives.

He insisted that addressing the country’s security threats requires the military to adopt forward-looking strategies based on rigorous training, inter-agency coordination, and real-time adaptation to emerging doctrines and technologies.

Meanwhile, following renewed attacks by armed bandits in parts of Kebbi State, the state government has announced plans to review existing laws to impose capital punishment or life imprisonment on convicted bandits’ informants.

Governor Nasiru Idris stated this, yesterday when he paid a condolence visit to Tadurga village in Zuru Local Council and Kyebu in Danko/Wasagu Local Council.

Speaking at the Defence Training Conference 2025 themed ‘Performance-Oriented Training and Trends in the Contemporary Operating Environment’, Badaru said the conference’s theme was timely and resonates deeply with national security imperatives.

According to him, we are in an era where threats to national security are no longer confined to traditional state actors or conventional battlefield engagements, but asymmetric threats, hybrid warfare and other non-traditional challenges that demand more than just tactical responses.

He said: “To address these threats effectively, the Armed Forces of Nigeria must adopt forward-looking strategies grounded in rigorous training, inter-agency coordination and real-time adaptation to new doctrines and technologies.”

The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the military in overcoming the nation’s security threats.

The Kebbi governor’s visit followed the recent bandit attack in Tadurga and Kyebu, which claimed 30 lives.

The governor, who described informants as deadly in society, said his administration would never play with security issues and would handle them with seriousness.

According to him, arrangements have been completed to establish an army operational base in the Zuru Emirate to enhance security in the area.

He also disclosed that he has facilitated the immediate deployment of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and other security equipment from Abuja to the state.

Governor Idris, while expressing concern over the tragedy that resulted in the loss of lives, affirmed his administration’s commitment to giving top priority to security.