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Eight Terrorism Signs Nigerians Should Be Aware Of

Published

3 years ago

December 31, 2021

It is important for all Nigerians and African countries hit by insecurity challenges to recognise that when terrorist attacks occur, it affects everyone. So, Nigerians, as well as citizens in terrorist-hit countries, need to work with law enforcement agencies by always informing and alerting them of any suspicious activities. All Nigerians and all Africans need to recognise the eight signs of terrorism. As an adage says, “prevention is better than cure.” If you see something, you say something!

I am going to educate my Nigerians and other Africans on the eight signs of terrorism. Before I do, it is very important to state categorically that the term terrorism has no generally-acceptable definition. It is equally important to know that military action alone is not enough to defeat terrorism, as some of the objectives of the terrorist groups are to create fear and disunity within and among the victims of their activities to achieve their objectives. It is vital that Nigerians participate actively and collectively in the fight against terrorism.

The eight signs of terrorism recognised by experts that Nigerians should be aware of are surveillance; elicitation; testing security; funding; acquiring supplies; impersonation; rehearsal, and deployment.

During surveillance, terrorists will try to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the targeted area, while gauging emergency response times. Sometimes they use vision-enhancing surveillance, acquiring floor plans or blueprints, showing interest in security, or obtaining information to access facilities. If you notice any of these activities, you should report them to your local authority.

Elicitation is the period when terrorists are trying to gather information about their targeted area. This information might be about operations and the security of their target. Examples include a power plant station, schools, shopping malls, a populated marketplace, and even a sports stadium. They can do this by phone, email, in person or even by gaining employment at the targeted location. If you have observed this, or think something is not right, you need to report it to your local authority immediately.

Terrorists examine security in a planned way at this stage – they try to see if their planned attacks would work properly. This is the testing security phase. They may use various methods. For instance, they may leave an unattended bag to see how security personnel will react to it. Often, terrorists intentionally perform break-ins in restricted areas to determine how security will react to it. If you think something is not right, report it to the local law enforcement agencies.

It is expensive to run terrorist operations, therefore, their operations involve raising and transferring money, and spending in a way that does not bring attention to them. Examples include large transactions and donations to unknown charities. Raising funding might involve human trafficking, drugs and kidnapping for ransom, and other related crimes. Recently, some have observed that corrupt politicians should be scrutinised. If you observe any signs related to this, you will need to report it to your local authority.

Terrorists need a lot of supplies to carry out their attacks. For instance, they need weapons, transportation, and communications. Vehicles in a strange area, someone buying a number of “burner” cell phones, bags filled with trash in an unusual place, fertilisers, and explosive chemicals in a garage or in a compound may imply signs of terrorism. You need to report these signs to your law enforcement agency as it might be a sign of terrorism funding.

If someone’s behaviour is suspicious because of what they say or do, this could be a red flag. Impersonating a law enforcement officer or an employee of a company might signify terrorist activity. Suspects may have on ill-fitting uniforms that may appear bigger or smaller than normal – this might be a sign of terrorism. If you feel that something is not right, you will need to report it to the appropriate authority.

Terrorists will often rehearse several times to make sure their operations run smoothly. They may monitor police radio transmissions and measure emergency response times. You need to report it to the appropriate authority.

During deployment, terrorists are constantly arranging their assets, getting into position, or in the means of attack. If you notice any related suspicious activities, you need to report it to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

In summary, all hands must be on deck in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities and Nigeria, the Sahel and Africa at large. But the military and citizens have roles to play in the fight against terrorism.

Ramon Oseni, a US service member, writes from Columbia, Maryland, USA.

Related Topics:#US Maryland Ramon Oseni Terrorism

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Netanyahu Says Israel’s Strikes On Iran Have ‘Clear Support’ Of Trump

Published

21 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Editor

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel’s air strikes on Iran had the “clear support” of US President Donald Trump.

“Our enemy is your enemy… We’re dealing with something that will threaten all of us sooner or later. Our victory will be your victory,” Netanyahu said in a video statement addressed to Trump on the US leader’s birthday.

“This is what Israel is doing with the support, the clear support of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, and the American people and many others in the world.”

Headline

US Lawmaker Shot Dead, Another Wounded In Targeted Attack

Published

21 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Editor

A gunman shot two Democratic state lawmakers in Minnesota early Saturday, killing one and her husband and wounding the other, in what the northern US state’s governor said were politically motivated attacks.

The shootings came at a moment of deep political divisions in the United States, as thousands took to the streets in protest at the policies of Republican President Donald Trump.

The suspected assailant was still at large, officials said, with a massive manhunt underway.

Trump and US Attorney General Pam Bondi decried what they called “horrific violence” and said the perpetrators would be prosecuted to “the fullest extent of the law.”

State representative Melissa Hortman — the former speaker — and her husband Mark were killed at their home near Minneapolis, Governor Tim Walz told a press conference.

State senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot and wounded, the governor said, his voice breaking with emotion. He said officials remained “cautiously optimistic” they would recover.

“This was an act of targeted political violence,” Walz told reporters.

“Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint.”

Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said Hoffman and his wife were shot first, and as police investigated, Hortman and her husband were shot about 90 minutes later.

The suspected gunman was able to escape during an exchange of gunfire with officers near Hortman’s residence, Evans told reporters.

“We’re actively searching for that individual right now,” he said.

– Impersonating law enforcement –

In both cases, authorities believe the assailant was impersonating a law enforcement officer.

“The suspect exploited the trust that our uniform is meant to represent,” said Bob Jacobson, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

An anti-Trump rally in Minneapolis — part of the national wave of “No Kings” protests planned for Saturday — was canceled after police issued a shelter-in-place order because of the shootings.

Flyers for the protests were found in the suspect’s car, as well as a manifesto that named numerous politicians and state officials, police said.

Police are looking for a white man with brown hair, wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants, local TV station KSTP said.

“We do have the suspect’s car. Suspect is on foot,” said Mark Bruley, the police chief in Brooklyn Park, where Hortman lived.

The United States has been deeply divided since Trump returned to the White House in January.

The Republican president has drawn criticism from Democrats over his harsh deportation policy, his assault on universities and the media and a perceived flouting of limits on executive power as he pushes his agenda.

“At this precipice moment we’re on, this tragic act here in Minnesota should serve as a reminder to all of us,” Walz said.

“The democracy and the debates in the halls of Congress, in state houses, in school boards, is a way to settle our differences peacefully and move society to a better place.”

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar remembered Hortman as a friend who entered politics at the same time as her and dedicated her life to serving the state, working on issues such as women’s rights and clean energy.

“Let me be absolutely clear: this was an act of targeted political violence, and it was an attack on everything we stand for as a democracy,” Klobuchar said in a statement. “We must all condemn it.”

Minnesota’s other US senator, Tina Smith, also issued a statement condemning the shootings.

Former House member Gabby Giffords, who survived a shooting to the head in 2011 and is now a prominent advocate for the prevention of gun violence, described herself as “devastated” by the death of Hortman.

“We must protect our democracy from those who try to destroy it with a gun,” Giffords wrote on X.

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Diplomat, Wife Injured In Iran Strikes On Tel Aviv

Published

22 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Editor

Croatia’s consul in Israel and his wife were lightly injured in Iran’s missile strikes on Tel Aviv, Croatia’s Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman said on Saturday.

“I am shaken by the news that our consul and his wife were injured in the attack on Tel Aviv. The building they live in was hit,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.

“I spoke with them and, fortunately, their injuries are minor and they are not in any life-threatening condition.”

Grlic Radman added that his ministry was in constant contact with the Croatian embassy in Israel and was taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its staff.

“We strongly condemn attacks on civilians and diplomatic facilities. We call for immediate de-escalation and restraint,” Grlic Radman said.

Israel on Friday launched an unprecedented attack on Iran, hitting scores of targets across the country, including nuclear and military sites and residential buildings.

Iran said 78 people were killed and 320 wounded in the first wave of Israeli strikes.

Iran retaliated with barrages of drones and missiles at Israel, killing three people and wounding dozens.

AFP