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  • Troops eliminate 5 terrorists, rescue 11 victims – Army

    Troops eliminate 5 terrorists, rescue 11 victims – Army

    Troops of the Nigerian Army in theatres of operations have  neutralised five terrorists, rescued 11 kidnapped victims and arrested  21 criminal suspects in series of coordinated and intelligence-driven operations.

    A credible source, who made this known to NAN on Wednesday, said the troops also recovered cache of arms, ammunition, and other items.

    The source revealed that the feat was achieved in series of operations conducted between July 12 and July 14.

    According to him, troops of the 82 Division Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force and hunters, neutralised a terrorist during an ambush at Ngoshe–Agapalwa in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.

    “Similarly, troops of I Brigade on patrol in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara also neutralised one terrorist and recovered a motorcycle.

    “In a separate operation, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised two extremists and recovered arms ammunition, and a motorcycle in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau,” the source said.

    The source also revealed that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke rescued 10 kidnapped victims in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba.

    He added that another victim was rescued by troops of Defence Headquarters Special Operations Battalion and Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

    “Troops of the Nigerian Army also arrested 21 suspects across various states for terrorism, kidnapping, illegal bunkering, arms dealing, and cult-related activities.

    “This includes three suspected extremists’ collaborators in Kwara, two suspected kidnappers in Edo, an arms dealer in Kaduna State, and 11 suspected cultists in Rivers.

    “Additional arrests were made in Yobe, Rivers, and Bayelsa States, linked to logistics supply, illegal oil refining, and bunkering activities.

    “Notably, troops recovered a significant quantity of arms and logistics, including three AK-47 rifles and multiple magazine; 108 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition; one Baofeng radio; several mobile phones and motorcycles, and materials linked to insurgent logistics,” the source added.

    He also revealed that troops of 34 Artillery Brigade and 197 Special Forces Battalion uncovered and destroyed several illegal refining sites in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Imo, recovering over 370,000 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined products, cooking drums, reservoirs, and other tools.

    According to him, these operations highlight the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army to dismantle terrorist networks, protect citizens, and defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

    “The Nigerian army continues to call on the public to support security agencies with credible information to sustain the momentum in the ongoing fight against criminal elements,” he said.

  • Army warns youth against social vices

    Army warns youth against social vices

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has cautioned Nigerians against social vices including cultism, drug abuse, and related behaviours.

    He issued the warning on Saturday during a public speaking event at Community Secondary School, Odo-Ape, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi.

    The event was part of activities marking the 2025 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).

    Brig. Gen. Kasim Sidi, Commander of 12 Brigade, Lokoja, represented the COAS and emphasised the need for positive values among young people.

    In his speech, delivered by Major Azi Izang, the Brigade Education Officer, Sidi expressed gratitude for the Army’s progress in recent years.

    Sidi reaffirmed the Army’s dedication to national resilience and the advancement of security efforts across the country.

    He highlighted the COAS’ vision to transform the Nigerian Army into a motivated, combat-ready force capable of handling diverse challenges.

    The commander urged students to be patriotic, embrace honesty, and avoid all forms of criminal activity.

    He encouraged them to apply knowledge and skills towards personal growth, community development, and national progress.

    Sidi also stressed the COAS’ commitment to strengthening operational strategies through continuous engagements and reforms.

    He reiterated the Army’s dedication to national security, the rule of law, and supporting Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

    Lieutenants Gbemisola Ojowa and Hassan Abdullah held interactive sessions, explaining Nigerian Army career paths and entry requirements.

    They advised students to avoid bad company, cultism, drug use, and other behaviours with destructive consequences.

    Mr Alfred Obayelu, the school principal, thanked the COAS and 12 Brigade for choosing their school for the 2025 NADCEL event.

    He said the Army’s presence serves as a warning to criminal elements in the community to desist or relocate.

    Students’ representatives, Great Adeyanju and Dorcas Adeboye, said the programme improved their knowledge of Army careers and dangers of drug abuse and cultism.

    The event featured the distribution of educational materials to students and presentation of souvenirs to dignitaries.

    The week-long celebration marks the 162nd anniversary of the Nigerian Army with prayers, church services, and public speaking sessions.

  • Sad: Nigerian Army confirms ambush on military base, says terrorists k!lled soldiers

    Sad: Nigerian Army confirms ambush on military base, says terrorists k!lled soldiers

    The Nigerian Army has confirmed that bandits ambushed its military base in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State on Tuesday.

    The army stated this in a Facebook post on Wednesday, saying scores of bandits were “eliminated” by land and air component forces.

    It noted that a similar attack was carried out in neighbouring Kaduna State.

    “On 24 June 2025, forward operating bases in the general areas of Kwanar Dutse Mairiga and Boka Niger State, and Aungwan Turai Chikun LGA in Kaduna State, were attacked by bandits in a 3 pronged attack,” it posted.

    “In response, land and air component troops launched several counter-attacks that eliminated scores of bandits in the encounters.

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    PREMIUM TIMES reported that the bandits attacked the military base around Kwanar Dutse, killing 20 soldiers and injuring others.

    Although the army did not state its casualty figures, it said four officers were injured and hospitalised.

    “Sadly, some gallant warriors paid the supreme price in the day-long battles while four wounded in action troops are currently receiving treatment for their gunshot wounds,” it said.

    When contacted, the army spokesperson, Onyechi Anele, said she would get back to our reporter.

    At press time, the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Abdullahi Garba, had not responded to an inquiry about the incident.

    The attack came a few hours after bandits killed about 15 residents of Tofa village in Magami district of the Gusau Local Government Area in Zamfara.

    That same day, a similar gunfight between notorious bandit Bello Turji’s gang and security forces claimed at least 100 lives near Cida village in Shinkafi LGA of Sokoto State.

    The army is yet to issue a statement about the incident in Zamfara and Sokoto.

    Armed groups in Niger State do not usually claim responsibility for attacks they carry out, but our reporter understands that the area where the incident happened is partly controlled by the bandit group of Dogo Gide and the remnants of late Ali Kawaje’s gang.

    Like in other terror-ravaged states, Niger suffers incessant attacks from armed groups, including the Mallam Sadiku-led Boko Haram faction.

    These groups target civilians, military personnel and local miners. They also engage in cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom and violence against women.

  • Army Troops halt another bandit attack in Karim Lamido, Taraba

    Army Troops halt another bandit attack in Karim Lamido, Taraba

    The Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have halted a bandit attack in Jen village, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

    Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops, responded to a distress call at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, prompting a swift deployment to the area.

    On sighting the advancing troops, the suspected bandits fled the scene. The soldiers pursued and successfully crossed a nearby river to clear the bandits’ suspected avenue of approach on the opposite side.

    The general security situation in the area is calm and stable as troops have intensified dominance within the general area.

  • Army raids bandits’ camps in Benue, destroys notorious kingpin’s hideout

    Army raids bandits’ camps in Benue, destroys notorious kingpin’s hideout

    Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with other security agencies, have launched a successful raid on bandits’ camps linked to a notorious leader in Konyo Gbise, near Akwaza in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

    According to a statement from the Nigerian Army, the operation conducted on May 18, 2025—was part of a broader campaign to eliminate criminal elements across the OPWS operational zone and to secure the state ahead of the farming season.

    “Troops of the 72 Special Forces Battalion, in close coordination with other security units, carried out a decisive raid on camps associated with a known bandit leader in the Konyo Gbise area,” the statement said.

    During the operation, troops recovered a cache of arms and equipment, including one submachine gun (SMG) with a magazine, a locally made rifle with a magazine, 7.62mm special ammunition, and a rifle butt and barrel. Other items seized include 9mm ammunition, three POS machines, two generators, a mobile phone, electrical cables, a painting machine, seven solar panels, and a half bag of suspected cannabis sativa (Indian hemp).

    Troops also discovered several framed portraits of bandit leaders, suggesting the hideout’s significance within the criminal network.

    Commander of JTF OPWS, Major-General Moses Gara, praised the troops for the successful mission and urged them to maintain relentless pressure on criminal elements undermining peace and security in the region.

    He also appealed to residents of Benue State to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing credible intelligence on the activities of criminals in their communities.

  • Nigeria’s enemies’ll soon be brought to their knees — Army chief

    Nigeria’s enemies’ll soon be brought to their knees — Army chief

    The Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said the enemies of Nigeria would soon be brought to their knees, assuring that peace and stability would be restored across the country.

    Oluyede stated this at the closing ceremony of the Nigerian Army Inter-Formation Ball Games 2025 , held at the old site of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Ribadu Cantonment, Kaduna.

    NAN reports that the week-long  sporting events had 250  athletes who competed in handball , basketball, football and volleyball.

    The athletes were drawn from 1 Division, 2 Division, 3 Division, 6 Division, 8 Division, 81 Division, 82 Division, Army Headquarters Garrison and the Special Forces Command.

    He vowed, “As an Army, we shall continue to discharge our constitutional responsibilities to the best of our ability, and with bright prospects that the enemies of our country will soon be brought to their knees.”

    The COAS, who was represented by the academy’s Commandant, Maj.-Gen. Abdul Ibrahim, commended the participants for the sportsmanship and team spirit displayed during the games.

    He stated that the objectives of enhancing physical fitness and companionship among participants had been achieved.

    Oluyede charged the participants to take the attributes of team spirit, respect, discipline, courage, and esprit-de-corps to their formations and units.

    He congratulated 1 Division for coming tops and encouraged the losers to put up a fiercer battle in subsequent competitions.

    The COAS said, “I believe  that the Directorate of Army Physical Training has identified talents that can represent the Nigerian Army and the country in ball game events.”

    He expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Kaduna State, the Commandant of the academy, and other officials for their invaluable support.

    Oluyede also commended  President Bola Tinubu for his untiring support to the Nigerian Army.

    NAN reports that 1 Division emerged winner of the competition with five golds, Army Headquarters Garrison came 2nd with two golds and 6 Division came 3rd with  one gold.

  • BUNKERING: Army, Tantita Security nab truck laden iIlegally with extracted crude oil in Delta

    BUNKERING: Army, Tantita Security nab truck laden iIlegally with extracted crude oil in Delta

    A joint team comprising officers of the 181 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Oleh, and personnel from Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. has arrested a vacuum truck involved in illegal crude oil extraction at Well 3, Olomoro, in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

    According to reports, the truck, which previously belonged to Engr. Daniel Omoyibo, also known as Damotech, was gifted to the driver, Mr. Matthew Ojomikre, who is currently being detained at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), 181 Battalion, Oleh.

    Upon interrogation, the driver confessed that his company had been contracted by Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd. to evacuate sludge from Well 3, Olomoro. However, he was unable to provide any formal approvals or documentation authorizing the activity, as was previously the norm.

    Until recently, Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd. had consistently provided crude and condensate trucking permits to officers of the Nigerian Army and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. for proper monitoring from the loading point to the discharge location.

    Officers of Tantita Security Services, in collaboration with a team from Heritage and the Nigerian Army, have collected samples from the vacuum truck for laboratory testing and analysis.

    The preliminary confessional statement from the driver indicates that he illegally collected crude oil from Well 3 under the pretense of evacuating sludge from the wellheads.

    Authorities have reported that the same truck has previously been involved in unauthorized crude oil evacuations within the Isoko axis.

    The driver, the truck, and its contents remain in custody at the 181 Battalion Base in Oleh for further interrogation and possible prosecution.

  • Soldier in custody over alleged assault – Army

    Soldier in custody over alleged assault – Army

    The Nigerian Army says it has taken into custody Pte. Christopher Emmanuel, who allegedly assaulted a female vendor, Doshima, in Kula, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue.

    This is contained in a statement by the Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 401 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi, Capt. Abdullahi Osabo, on Sunday.

    Osabo said the Headquarters Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) took cognisance of the incident which occurred on May 6 and reported on May 8.

    He said the incident might have stemmed from a dispute over an unpaid debt, with allegations suggesting that the soldier claimed the woman insulted him during a phone conversation.

    According to him, it is further alleged that this confrontation may have escalated into a physical altercation, which is now under investigation.

    “Private Christopher Emmanuel is currently in custody, and a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    “The Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for human rights abuses and will take disciplinary action based on findings of the investigation.

    “The leadership of the Nigerian Army assures the general public and the victim that justice will be served in line with the military’s high standards.

    “OPWS strongly condemns any form of indiscipline or human rights abuse by its personnel,” he said.

    Osabo urged members of the public to report any instances of abuse by Nigerian army personnel to the Human Rights Desk helpline instead of using the social media.

    He gave the assurance that all reports of infractions by army personnel were viewed seriously, investigated and sanctions applied where personnel were found culpable.

    “We appreciate your understanding and cooperation,” he added.

  • Insecurity: Army raises alarm over Influx of cattle into Plateau

    Insecurity: Army raises alarm over Influx of cattle into Plateau

    Maj.-Gen. Folusho Oyinlola, the Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), has decried the influx of large number of cattle into Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.

    Oyinlola, who doubles as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, said this on Tuesday during an engagement with stakeholders in Barkin Ladi.

    He noted that the influx of the cattle was constituting a major security threat to the locality and the state in general.

    According to him, the isolated attacks, farm destruction, and other illegal activities are as a result of the unhealthy development.

    “I must express the concerns of security agencies about recent developments in parts of Barkin Ladi.

    “There is a growing unease about the influx of large number of cattle into farming communities.

    “While the movement of livestock in Barkin Ladi and indeed Pateau in general is not unusual, the scale and timings of this new influx raise legitimate security concerns.

    “Unfortunately, this development has already resulted in adverse outcomes, including farm destructions, isolated attacks, and attacks on livestock.

    “The impact of this action on food security, economic stability, and social harmony cannot be over emphasised,” he said.

    The commander, who also expressed deep concerns over the recent killings in the locality, called on the stakeholders to unite and fashion out ways to end the violence.

    He, however, promised to fish out the preparators of the heinous crime, who would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    Oyinlola explained that the stakeholders’ engagement was aimed at ensuring a successful and peaceful farming season in the locality.

    “The faming season is already ongoing, and for many families, this is a period for securing their livelihood.

    “Therefore, any disruption of farming activities now will have dire consequences for the rest of the year and beyond.

    “To this end, this engagement is convened to hear from you, all stakeholders, to listen to your concerns,” he said.

    NAN reports that the meeting had in attendance heads of security agencies, government officials, traditional and religious leaders, among others.

  • Range exercise: NDA warns residents to steer clear of training area

    Range exercise: NDA warns residents to steer clear of training area

    The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has advised residents to steer clear of a Range Classification Exercise scheduled for Nigerian Army personnel serving at the Academy.

    This announcement was made in a statement issued by the Academy’s Public Relations Officer, Maj. Mohammed Maidawa, on Sunday in Kaduna.

    According to Maidawa, the exercise is scheduled to hold from May 5 to 8 at the NDA Open Range in the Afaka area.

    He stated that the primary objective of the exercise was to further enhance participants’ proficiency and efficiency in weapon handling.

    “To ensure public safety throughout the period, the NDA urges members of the community—especially herders and farmers in surrounding areas—to avoid entering the range area during the exercise.”

    He added that strict safety protocols would be enforced, and unauthorised persons would not be granted access to the firing range.

    “Media outlets and community leaders are kindly requested to disseminate this information widely to ensure all stakeholders are aware of the exercise and the necessary safety measures.

    “The NDA appreciates the cooperation and understanding of nearby communities during this essential training.

    “The Academy remains committed to fostering strong relationships with local residents and prioritizing the safety and security of everyone around our training areas,” Maidawa said.