The federal government has recruited elite foreign military experts to train its soldiers in special operations, focusing on counterterrorism and hostage rescue.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, during the launch of a training program for 800 soldiers in Kaduna State.

Abubakar stated that beyond training, the government will equip the troops with modern technology and weapons to strengthen their ability to combat security threats.

For the first phase of the program, 800 soldiers will be trained, with another 800 scheduled to follow. The minister explained that the decision to engage foreign experts was necessary to counter the ever-evolving tactics of terrorist group.

Although he did not reveal the specific countries supplying the military experts, he confirmed that they were drawn from seven different nations.

“In the initial phase alone, 2,400 Nigerian soldiers will receive the specialized training before the program moves into its second stage”. He revealed

The minister further noted that the government’s security efforts are yielding positive results in some areas, citing Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State as an example where peace has been restored.

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy, has described the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, as a failed politician.

Bwala claimed that Obi does not even know the meaning of democracy.

The statement comes after the former governor claimed that democracy in Nigeria had collapsed.

While speaking at the 60th birthday colloquium for former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja on Monday, Obi stated that the progress made since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999 had been eroded.

However, responding to Obi’s remarks, Bwala, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, said that Obi doesn’t have a history of democratic activism from his school days to the present.

He said: “It is funny how failed politicians are trying to redefine democracy. @PeterObi said democracy has collapsed.

“Does he even know the meaning of democracy?

“When people were fighting for democracy, Gregory was buying and selling.

“He doesn’t have a history of any democratic activism from his school days to date.

“His expertise lies in instigating hate speech and vitriol.

“Talk is cheap.”

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Shehu Gabam, has told President Bola Tinubu that anyone can lose the 2027 presidential election, insisting it is not about individual brilliance or strategy.

He stated this while revealing that top political dignitaries are moving into the party, joining in droves across Nigeria.

The SDP Chair made this known during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, adding that the party is open to welcome more of such personality.

Ekwutosblog reported that a former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai recently joined the SDP from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

He said, “Virtually every day we receive decampees to SDP, every state of the federation, including today, I received some in my office, these are dignitaries.

“If you google you will see there are over 300 resignation letters from VIPs, some of them were Senators, some of them were Ministers that are joining the party.”

He went further to state that the party is focus on taking over the Presidential Villa in 2027.

“I am a leader of a political party; my mission is to take over the government, the mission of APC is to retain power, the mission of PDP is to take over power,” Gabam said in reply to whether his party wants to take over power from the APC.

He said his party is sure of victory in 2027 since the party presently in government is not listening to the cry of Nigerians and risks losing the election for this reason.

“Anyone can lose the election; it’s not about individual brilliance or strategy. If there is brilliance, if there is efficacy in power, they wouldn’t have been making the mistakes they are making today.

“We believe that there are surplus of talents untapped that can deliver leadership in Nigeria. No individual has monopoly of quality of leadership that is not available anywhere else,” he added.