The Federal Government has announced a deepening of its security partnership with the People’s Republic of China, focusing on local arms production and military training as part of a broader strategy to address terrorism and insecurity.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this during a briefing at the State House after President Bola Tinubu met with China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

Wang Yi is on a week-long tour of Africa, visiting Namibia, DR Congo, Nigeria, and Chad.

Tuggar emphasized that closer cooperation with China would help Nigeria and neighboring countries address common security threats. He noted that the goal was to domesticate the production of military equipment to avoid delays and complex regulations involved in international procurement.

The move follows comments by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who highlighted arms procurement as a significant bottleneck, particularly in getting timely supplies for frontline troops.

Tuggar also rejected the idea of relying on private military companies to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges, stressing Nigeria’s leadership role in West Africa’s security, especially in the Sahel region.

China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, affirmed Beijing’s commitment to supporting Africa’s security, announcing a CN¥1bn military assistance package. This includes training 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 law enforcement officers across various African nations, as well as supporting the African Standby Force and rapid response forces.

China also pledged to continue backing peacekeeping operations and counterterrorism initiatives in Africa, stressing that African nations should lead their own peace and security efforts without external interference.

Wang Yi also addressed Nigeria’s request to expand the bilateral currency swap agreement, which is currently valued at $2bn. President Tinubu urged China to increase this swap to facilitate trade between the two countries. The agreement, initially signed in 2018, aims to stabilize Nigeria’s foreign reserves and reduce reliance on the US dollar.

Additionally, Tinubu pushed for an upward revision of China’s $50bn aid package for Africa, highlighting the continent’s significant infrastructural needs. He also called for China’s support for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Wang Yi expressed China’s full support for Nigeria’s potential membership in BRICS and reaffirmed China’s commitment to contributing to the development of Africa, particularly through infrastructure projects such as railway modernization. He also welcomed Nigeria’s participation in issuing Panda bonds in China’s financial markets to further enhance economic cooperation.

Wang highlighted that China would continue to support Africa’s legitimate rights at the United Nations and back initiatives that promote long-term stability and security on the continent.

The visit follows the elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, aimed at enhancing cooperation in trade, agriculture, finance, and mutual prosperity.

The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has announced the detention of an officer who appeared in a viral video allegedly engaging in the abuse of the naira alongside the sons of Razaq Okoya, the billionaire industrialist.

The officer was seen holding wads of naira notes as Subomi ‘Sirheem’ Okoya, an up-and-coming musician, and his brother Wahab, danced to a tune.

The video was described as a promotional clip for Sirheem’s new song.

The clip has raised concerns about ongoing cases of naira abuse and the involvement of police officers in private ventures.

In 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intensified its efforts to address naira abuse by celebrities, referencing Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.

On April 4, Bobrisky, the social media personality, was arrested by the commission in Lagos for defacing naira notes.

The crossdresser was arraigned on a six-count charge by the EFCC.

On April 16, the EFCC filed a three-count charge against Cubana Chief Priest, the socialite and social media influencer, over alleged naira abuse.

• ‘IT’S UNETHICAL’

In a statement on Friday, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, said the officer seen in the video with the Okoyas has been detained.

He said the officer’s actions were unethical, adding that he would face disciplinary action.

“The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of the Lagos businessman, Chief Okoya, where they were abusing the naira, has been identified and detained for disciplinary action,” Adejobi wrote on X.

“The involvement of the policeman has been condemned, as it’s unethical. We will always strive hard to uphold the sanctity, credibility, and core values of the police.”

In his reaction, Subomi ‘Sirheem’ Okoya apologised to the police, adding that his actions were naive and unintentional.

“To the Nigerian people, my actions were not to cause any trouble or harm. My intentions were pure and naive,” he wrote on X.

“I ask for your forgiveness and support in this situation as I had no intention to raise such an alarm. I wasn’t fully aware of the consequences of my action.”

• WHAT THE CBN ACT SAYS

Section 21 of the act states: “(1) A person who tampers with a coin or note issued by the Bank is guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not less than six months or to a fine not less than N50,000 or to both such fine and imprisonment.

“(2) A coin or note shall be deemed to have been tampered with if the coin or note has been impaired, diminished or lightened otherwise than by fair wear and tear or has been defaced by stumping, engraving, mutilating, piercing, stapling, writing, tearing, soiling, squeezing or any other form of deliberate and wilful abuse whether the coin or note has or has not been thereby diminished or lightened.

“(3) For the avoidance of doubt, spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira or any note issued by the Bank during social occasions or otherwise howsoever shall constitute an abuse and defacing of the Naira or such note and shall be punishable under Sub-section (1) of this section.

“(4) It shall also be an offence punishable under Sub-section (1) of this section for any person to hawk, sell or otherwise trade in the Naira notes, coins or any other note issued by the Bank.”

Dogo Isah, a notorious bandit leader, has reportedly been killed during a violent clash with a rival group in Kaduna state.

Isah, “infamous for leading high-profile attacks and terrorising residents in Kachia and parts of Kajuru LGA,” was involved in a confrontation over cattle rustling in Kachia forest on January 7. He was a cousin to Tukur Sharme, another bandit leader killed in a similar fratricidal clash in September 2024.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication covering the Lake Chad region, reported that Isah and his gang attempted to rustle cattle from a camp led by Kachalla Musa, a repentant bandit leader, which led to the confrontation.

Isah died alongside two of his gang members during the ensuing gun battle. Musa and his faction had recently embraced a peace initiative from the Kaduna state government and security agencies, following a meeting with stakeholders in Tsohon Gaya village, Chikun LGA.

“The initiative, which encourages former bandits to surrender and cease hostilities, had been extended to Dogo Isah, but he rejected the offer and continued his criminal activities, including cattle rustling and violent attacks,” the report noted.

“Dogo Isah’s group has been responsible for several high-profile attacks in the region, including the deaths of members of the 305 Artillery Demo Regiment in Makaranta Forest, Kagarko LGA, and an officer of the defunct Sect 4 OPWP near Gadan Mallam village along the Abuja-Kaduna road in 2022.”

“More recently, Dogo Isah’s group attacked Nigerian Navy personnel at a checkpoint in Kujama on January 5, 2025, resulting in the deaths of two Navy personnel and the theft of their AK-47 rifles.”

Makama warned that while Isah’s death may be seen as “a setback to banditry in Kaduna state, it has heightened fears among the recently repentant members of Kachalla Musa’s group.”

The report also added that Isah’s followers are now apprehensive and may be plotting a reprisal.