Stans Smith Bell

Information Analyst, Security and Pol Adviser

[China pulse 🇨🇳 @Eng_china5]

Iran is not Venezuela

The Iranian side announced two things:

1. The Iranian missile attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 200 American soldiers.

2. Iranian missiles destroyed an A/N FPS-132 Block 5 radar system, an advanced phased-array radar system deployed by US forces in Qatar. This radar has a detection range of 5,000 kilometers, and its primary mission is to provide early warning of ballistic missiles to the United States and Israel.

Didn't the kidnapping of Maduro without any casualties give Trump excessive confidence?

[Reuters Africa @ReutersAfrica]

Rwanda has exercised command and control over M23 rebels during their unprecedented advance in eastern Congo, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory, according to a confidential report by a group of United Nations experts. https://t.co/GFX2xnr7FK

[L'UE au Cameroun et pour la Guinée équatoriale @UEauCameroun]

Les ministres des Affaires étrangères de l'Union européenne et de l'Union africaine sont en réunion depuis ce jour à Bruxelles.

Objectif : faire le point sur les progrès accomplis depuis le 6eme sommet UE-UA de février 2022.

➡️Voici l’agenda de cette importante rencontre …👇🏾

[Energy Blogger @energy_blogger]

🔥🔥🔥Qatar Energy CEO polite threat to EU on upcoming policy

Are you saying you don’t want our energy?

“becaz I’m sure I’m not going to supply EU with LNG to support their requirement for Energy & then be penalized with my total revenue worldwide” #OOTT

[TankerTrackers.com, Inc. @TankerTrackers]

Now that the Assad regime in Damascus has fallen, we see that the Iranian Suezmax tanker LOTUS (9203784) has made a u-turn in the Gulf of Suez. She was due to deliver ~750K barrels of Iranian crude to Syria but is now returning to Iran. Fuel shortages expected. #OOTT

[Stans Smith Bell @stansBell]

This is a concerning trend.

[Zagazola @ZagazOlaMakama]

Concern as over 40 Nigerian Security Personnel Arrested for Arming Terrorists

By: Zagazola Makama

A shocking trend of security personnel selling arms and ammunition to terrorists has reached a boiling point in Nigeria, with over 40 mobile policemen and soldiers arrested in recent months across the country.

This disturbing phenomenon was uncovered during discreet investigations into the proliferation of weapons used by terrorists and bandits, conducted by intelligence agencies in collaboration with the Theartre Command North East Operation Hadin Kai.

The alarming revelation underscores a critical breach in Nigeria’s internal security, where individuals sworn to protect the nation are instead fueling violence and aiding criminal elements.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, had previously raised concerns over the illegal sale of arms by security agents to bandits and terrorists. Speaking at an event organized by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Abuja, Ribadu condemned the betrayal by these personnel.

“The worst human being is a policeman or a soldier who takes arms from his formation and sells them to bad people, enabling them to kill his own colleagues and fellow citizens,” Ribadu stated.

He stressed the urgent need to halt these practices, warning that they not only embolden terrorists but also exacerbate insecurity in Nigeria and the broader West African region.

The involvement of security personnel in arming terrorists not only compromises national security but also undermines regional efforts to combat terrorism.

This situation has also added to the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons(SALW) in view of the growing threat of terrorism in Nigeria, where the country is struggling to contain the infiltration of terrorists groups from countries like Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Intelligence sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama that these individuals were apprehended during discreet investigations
into the proliferation of weapons used by criminal elements, including terrorists and bandits in the North East, North West, North Central and South East part of the country.

Details of the Illicit Network

Investigations revealed that some of the arrested security personnel had amassed significant wealth from their illicit acts. A soldier was discovered to have over ₦50 million in his account from arms sales, while a mobile policeman had accumulated over ₦80 million.
AK47 riffle are holding ranging from N500,000 to N750,000 while other weapons like Anti Aircraft gun are sold from N1million and above.
These transactions highlight an organized and lucrative network of illicit arms trading between rogue soldier elements and the police.

The proliferation of these weapons has worsened insecurity in regions such as the North-East, North-West, North-Central, and South-East, where bandits, terrorists, and separatist groups continue to launch deadly attacks on communities.

Calls for Action

It is advised that DHQ should check involvement of security personnel in arms racketeering with a view to nipping the aspect in the bud while ONSA should direct the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) to investigate the arms trade and dismantle the networks facilitating these transactions.

[Zagazola @ZagazOlaMakama]

Concern as over 40 Nigerian Security Personnel Arrested for Arming Terrorists

By: Zagazola Makama

A shocking trend of security personnel selling arms and ammunition to terrorists has reached a boiling point in Nigeria, with over 40 mobile policemen and soldiers arrested in recent months across the country.

This disturbing phenomenon was uncovered during discreet investigations into the proliferation of weapons used by terrorists and bandits, conducted by intelligence agencies in collaboration with the Theartre Command North East Operation Hadin Kai.

The alarming revelation underscores a critical breach in Nigeria’s internal security, where individuals sworn to protect the nation are instead fueling violence and aiding criminal elements.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, had previously raised concerns over the illegal sale of arms by security agents to bandits and terrorists. Speaking at an event organized by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Abuja, Ribadu condemned the betrayal by these personnel.

“The worst human being is a policeman or a soldier who takes arms from his formation and sells them to bad people, enabling them to kill his own colleagues and fellow citizens,” Ribadu stated.

He stressed the urgent need to halt these practices, warning that they not only embolden terrorists but also exacerbate insecurity in Nigeria and the broader West African region.

The involvement of security personnel in arming terrorists not only compromises national security but also undermines regional efforts to combat terrorism.

This situation has also added to the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons(SALW) in view of the growing threat of terrorism in Nigeria, where the country is struggling to contain the infiltration of terrorists groups from countries like Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Intelligence sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama that these individuals were apprehended during discreet investigations
into the proliferation of weapons used by criminal elements, including terrorists and bandits in the North East, North West, North Central and South East part of the country.

Details of the Illicit Network

Investigations revealed that some of the arrested security personnel had amassed significant wealth from their illicit acts. A soldier was discovered to have over ₦50 million in his account from arms sales, while a mobile policeman had accumulated over ₦80 million.
AK47 riffle are holding ranging from N500,000 to N750,000 while other weapons like Anti Aircraft gun are sold from N1million and above.
These transactions highlight an organized and lucrative network of illicit arms trading between rogue soldier elements and the police.

The proliferation of these weapons has worsened insecurity in regions such as the North-East, North-West, North-Central, and South-East, where bandits, terrorists, and separatist groups continue to launch deadly attacks on communities.

Calls for Action

It is advised that DHQ should check involvement of security personnel in arms racketeering with a view to nipping the aspect in the bud while ONSA should direct the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) to investigate the arms trade and dismantle the networks facilitating these transactions.

[Gérard Araud @GerardAraud]

Là, je crois que vous ne connaissez vraiment pas les États-Unis.

[The Africa Report @TheAfricaReport]

African leaders attend the 79th UNGA with a long list of demands for a fairer international system.

From sustainable development to mpox, backroom diplomacy to investment forums, here are 10 things to look out for.

By @JulianPecquet 👇

https://t.co/Xr9tvgdkLn

[Le Monde Afrique @LeMonde_Afrique]

Mahamat Idriss Déby à Budapest au moment où la Hongrie prend pied au Sahel https://t.co/QhnKh30HQs

[POLITICOEurope @POLITICOEurope]

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has made her name as a fierce anti-corruption fighter — but has been less transparent about her home life. #TomorrowsPapersToday

[Louis.Saillans @LSaillans]

Pourquoi les forces spéciales ressemblent à des sans-abris en opération?

[Dr. Sally Sharif @Sally_Sharif1]

🚨 New dataset alert 🚨
One PhD and two post-docs later, I have completed a global dataset of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs (1980-2020).
Here are some data features and findings: 🧵
https://t.co/ZnvCKCVSkY

[Stans Smith Bell @stansBell]

When I took my TV out, it broke 🤦🏽‍♂️😅, but nothing will stop me from watching the Olympics and #SnoopDoog coverage
#FollowtheDogg
#Olympic2024
#OlympicGames

[Collin Rugg @CollinRugg]

JUST IN: CNN host loses it after former US Army sn*per Cory Mills suggests the July 13 assas*ination attempt on Trump *could have been* a setup.

Holy sh*t.

Mills explained how everything about the incident made no sense.

CNN anchor Kate Bolduan was visibly stunned and desperately tried to combat Mills' statements.

Mills made it *very* clear that he was simply examining all options for what may have happened.

Let me say that again: Mills made it very clear that he was not asserting the incident was a setup but said it should be considered during an investigation.

Cory Mills served in the U.S. Army as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division and Joint Special Operations Command.

[Stans Smith Bell @stansBell]

Wow 😯
This is America.
#Trump

[John Cardillo @johncardillo]

This looks really bad.

This looks like the counter sniper team had eyes on the shooter, let him fire first, then returned fire.

[African @ali_naka]

We are concerned about the levels of Political violence in America. We urge the Americans to resolve their differences peacefully. We will be deploying observers to monitor the volatile situation. All Africans in America should keep in contact with their respective Embassies. We advise Africans to stop traveling to America during this period.