TheNewsGuru

Tag: Military

  • Car bomb attack targets military HQ

    Car bomb attack targets military HQ

    A suicide car bomb targeted the headquarters of Libya’s 444th Combat Brigade in Bani Walid, about 170 km southeast of the capital Tripoli, the brigade said.

    In an official statement posted on its Facebook page, the brigade said a suicide attacker detonated himself inside the vehicle in front of the headquarters.

    The statement, accompanied by photos showing the aftermath of the attack, said the situation is under control and that the headquarters continues to perform its duties.

    The 444th combat brigade is one of the military units affiliated with the Libyan army in the western region, under the authority of the UN-recognised Government of National Unity (GNU) based in Tripoli.

    Libya has remained divided since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.

    The country is split between rival administrations: the GNU in Tripoli and an eastern-based government backed by the Libyan National Army under commander Khalifa Haftar.

  • Military wastes terrorists, nabs 13, rescues 15 across Nigeria

    Military wastes terrorists, nabs 13, rescues 15 across Nigeria

    Troops of the Nigerian Army have wasted scores of terrorists and nabbed 15 others in a series of coordinated operations across the country.

    A military source told The Nation late Monday night that troops also rescued 15 kidnap victims during onslaughts conducted from August 29 to 31.

    According to the source, troops recovered a large cache of high calibre weapons, ammunition, explosives, and illegally refined petroleum products.

    Providing details on the successes, the source revealed that in the Northwest zone, troops of 17 Brigade in Katsina State and 1 Brigade Combat Team in Zamfara State rescued 12 kidnap victims from terrorist captivity.

    Furthermore, troops also conducted successful rescue operations in the Northcentral and Southeast regions, with Operation Whirl Stroke troops in Nasarawa State and 34 Artillery Brigade troops in Imo State rescuing three kidnap victims during a crackdown on terrorist hideouts.

    According to the source, a combined team comprising 1 Battalion Rear of the Nigerian Army, other security forces, and local vigilantes intensified crackdowns on suspected collaborators and logistics suppliers of criminal groups in the Northwest, raiding criminal hideouts in Kebbi and Sokoto States, where they arrested six suspected members of the notorious Lakurawa terrorist group and seized their logistics items and cash.

    In Kano and Kaduna States, troops recovered empty ammunition shells and other evidence after encounters with fleeing terrorists,” the source said.

    In Taraba State, three impostors posing as security personnel were apprehended and handed over to the Police for further investigation.”

    The source reported a significant success against IPOB/ESN fighters in Imo State, where troops dismantled and destroyed their sentry posts and an improvised explosive device (IED) factory, and disposed of multiple explosives found along major routes.

    They also recovered IED detonators, CCTV cameras, and metal fragments prepared for bomb-making.”

    The source highlighted successes against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region, noting that troops intercepted and destroyed large volumes of illegally refined products, arresting two suspects with over 2,500 litres of stolen petroleum products in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.

    “Similarly, in Imo State, troops discovered illegal refining sites containing more than 700 litres of crude oil and refined products, which were destroyed in line with standard procedures.”

    According to the source, troops have also intensified arms recovery efforts, “arresting two armed suspects in Delta State who were found with two locally fabricated pistols, a pump-action rifle, cartridges, and mobile phones.”

    The source stated that the rescued victims were handed over to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families, assuring that “the Nigerian Army will continue to dismantle criminal networks nationwide, creating a safer environment to boost agricultural activities and support the Federal Government’s food security initiatives

  • Many killed as military bombs terrorists at Nigeria-Cameroon border

    Many killed as military bombs terrorists at Nigeria-Cameroon border

    Troops of the Nigerian military attached with Operation Hadin Kai have bombed over 30 terrorists while attempting to cross to Nigeria from the Cameroon border.

    It was learnt that the terrorists had converged near the Nigeria-Cameroon border around Kumshe in Borno State in the early hours of Saturday with a view to attacking ground troops situated at the location and penetrate the country.

    According to Daily Trust, during the weekend that when the ground troops got an intelligence about the terrorists’ attempt, air troops were contacted and they were subsequently bombed with airstrikes.

    “On Saturday August 23, troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade stationed at Kumshe in Borno State repelled a night attack on their Forward Operating Base by large numbers of terrorists armed with assorted weapons.

    “With support from Nigerian Air Force platforms, the terrorists suffered heavy casualties during surveillance and precision bombardments,” one of the sources explained.

    He explained that both the ground and air troops’ exploitation showed that over 20 corpses of the terrorists, including dismembered parts from the bombardment, were hastily buried in shallow graves by the terrorists, while weapons were also recovered.

    Confirming the development via a statement on Sunday, the spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, Ehimen Ejodame, revealed that when the troops’ fighter jet reached the location, it was observed that the terrorists were more than 35 fighters at four identified assemblies.

    Ejodame, an Air Commodore, maintained that the air troops would not relent in dominating battlespaces, particularly in the Northeast and North West where the terrorists are wreaking havoc.

    He said, “In a precision air interdiction carried out in the early hours of 23 August 2025, the NAF neutralised more than 35 terrorists who had converged near the Nigeria–Cameroon border following an attempted attack on ground troops at Kumshe.

    “Acting on multiple intelligence from several sources, the Air Component executed precision strikes in successive passes, engaging the terrorists and neutralising more than 35 fighters at four identified assembly areas.

    “Following the operation, communication was re-established with ground troops, who confirmed that the situation around their location had been stabilised.”

    He added that the latest operation demonstrated NAF’s commitment to providing close air support to ground forces, while also disrupting terrorist logistics and movement corridors along the North East border regions.

  • Former military governor of Plateau State, Colonel Muhammad Mana (rtd.), is dead

    Former military governor of Plateau State, Colonel Muhammad Mana (rtd.), is dead

    The military administrator passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2025 after a brief illness.

    His death has drawn tributes from leaders, including Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who described it as a painful loss to his family, Plateau people, and the nation.

    Mana served as the Military Administrator of Plateau State from 1993 to 1996 before representing Adamawa North in the Senate.

    During his time in office, he was known for projects and policies that shaped development in the state and contributed to national growth.

    Governor Mutfwang praised his role in building unity, peace, and progress, noting that his wisdom and leadership would be greatly missed, especially at a time Nigeria is in search of stability.

    He extended condolences on behalf of his family, the government, and people of Plateau State to Mana’s family, praying for strength and comfort for them in this period of mourning.

  • Just in: Military nab two Ansaru top leaders

    Just in: Military nab two Ansaru top leaders

    The Nigerian military has captured two Ansaru leaders, Abu Baraa and Mahmuda, during recent operation.

    The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, revealed this during a briefing at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, in Abuja, on Saturday.

    Abu Baraa and Mahmuda were responsible for Kuje prison break and other high profile abduction in North West and North Central of Nigeria.

    They were captured during operations that began since May 2025, according to the NSA.

    Details soon…

  • Military kills terrorist commanders, rescue 37 victims – DHQ

    Military kills terrorist commanders, rescue 37 victims – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters says troops eliminated several terrorist commanders, rescued 37 kidnapped victims, and apprehended dozens of suspects in nationwide operations between Aug. 7 and Aug. 13.

    The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, said this on Thursday in Abuja during the biweekly news briefing on military activities across all theatres of operation.

    He said the operations were carried out under the Joint Task Forces in the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-East, and South-South, with combined air and ground assaults supported by sister security agencies and hybrid forces.

    “Our troops have continued to demonstrate courage, resilience, and determination to dismantle terrorist networks, defeat insurgency and banditry, and suppress all forms of criminality.

    “The terrorists’ will to fight has been shattered,” he said.

    In the North-East, Kangye said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised several Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders in Limankara, Pulka, Kareto, and other locations in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.

    He said that 16 suspected terrorists were arrested, five hostages rescued, and weapons, vehicles, motorcycles, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) recovered and safely detonated.

    In the North-West, Kangye said the troops of Operation Fasan Yamma, killed scores of terrorists, arrested 11 suspects, and rescued 17 kidnapped victims in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna States.

    According to him, a suspected gunrunner was intercepted in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, while concealing an AK-47 rifle and ammunition in a sack of animal feed.

    In the North-Central, he said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke engaged criminal gangs in Benue, Taraba, Kogi, and the FCT, killing several, arresting 13 suspects, and rescuing nine hostages.

    According to him, two notorious arms dealers were arrested in Lokoja, while a large cache of ammunition was recovered from an abandoned extremist camp in Taraba.

    In the South-South, Kangye said the troops of Operation Delta Safe impounded 24,575 litres of stolen crude oil, 9,140 litres of illegally refined diesel, and 2,605 litres of petrol.

    He added that the troops destroyed illegal refining sites, seized boats and storage tanks, and arrested 34 suspects linked to oil theft, cultism, and kidnapping.

    In the South-East, he said the troops of Operation UDO KA, nabbed six suspected IPOB/ESN members and a kidnapper in Imo, Anambra, and Ebonyi States, recovering arms, ammunition, and vehicles.

    Kangye, however, dismissed an Amnesty International report alleging extrajudicial killings in the South-East, insisting that the military operates professionally and within the law.

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria are not involved in any extrajudicial killings. Such allegations are unfounded and misleading,” he said.

    Kangye urged Nigerians to appreciate the sacrifices of the troops in the field, adding that the “troops gave their today for a safer country of tomorrow’’.

  • We will do whatever it takes to secure Nigeria – CDS

    We will do whatever it takes to secure Nigeria – CDS

    The Military is committed to doing “whatever it takes” to secure Nigeria and the African continent against emerging threats.

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, stated this on Wednesday, while briefing newsmen on the forth coming Maiden African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit scheduled to take place from Aug. 25 to Aug. 27, in Abuja.

    He said the theme of the summit is “Combating Contemporary Threats to Peace and Security in Africa”.

    He said Nigeria had, over the years, demonstrated readiness to protect its sovereignty, support neighbours, and contribute to peace and stability efforts across the continent.

    “We have invited all 54 African countries, and I am pleased to announce that we have recorded over 90 per cent attendance.

    “This reflects our shared recognition of the need to unite against common threats.

    “Our goal is to strengthen rapid crisis response capabilities, establish joint training exercises, enhance intelligence sharing, and develop a unified continental strategy to address our security challenges,” he said.

    The CDS emphasised the importance of solidarity, mutual respect, and cultural understanding among African nations, noting that Africa’s security was directly linked to its economic growth and development.

    “A secure Africa is a prosperous Africa. We must step up, work together as brothers and sisters, and act now before it is too late. Our collective will is our greatest weapon,” he added.

    Musa commended President Bola Tinubu for his renewed commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security posture and for supporting initiatives that promote regional peace and stability.

    According to him, the summit is an opportunity to forge lasting partnerships, pool resources, and ensure that Africa is prepared to respond effectively to any crisis.

  • Delta Security Council reports drop in kidnapping, pledges safer Ember months

    Delta Security Council reports drop in kidnapping, pledges safer Ember months

    Delta State has recorded notable improvements in security, with kidnapping cases dropping sharply in recent months, the Commander of 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Abdulmoshood Shonibare, said on Wednesday.

    Addressing journalists after the Delta State Security Council meeting chaired by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in Asaba, Shonibare said the session reviewed the state’s security situation since the last ad hoc meeting and found that enhanced coordination among security agencies, traditional rulers, and local government authorities had yielded positive results.

    “Delta State is calmer than it was a few months ago, and we can all attest to this. The cases of kidnappings have dramatically reduced, and cultists no longer have a foothold here,” Shonibare said.

    He cited a recent rescue operation in which two female students and a male student, kidnapped in separate incidents, were rescued unhurt.

    The operation, conducted with the Nigerian Police Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad, led to the killing of two suspected kidnappers and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, magazines, and 16 rounds of ammunition.

    Shonibare also disclosed that security forces have been intercepting fleeing criminal elements, including members of the proscribed IPOB group, who were attempting to hide in Asaba, Warri, and surrounding areas.

    “Those who think Delta State is a safe haven should think twice. We are coming after them,” he warned.

    On grassroots security, the Brigade Commander said measures were underway to tackle drug abuse and trafficking, describing them as major drivers of crime.

    He noted that recent visits by senior military officers, including the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General E.E. Emeka, and engagements with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Delta State, had strengthened anti-drug operations in Ughelli, Abraka, Warri, and other hotspots.

    On his part, Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, highlighted the police command’s achievements in collaboration with other security agencies.

    These included the neutralization of several kidnap suspects, recovery of multiple firearms including AK-47, pump-action rifles and the seizure of ₦5.7 million in ransom money from kidnappers.

    Olufemi assured residents and investors of a peaceful festive season, noting that preparations for the ember months were already underway.

    “Last year, Delta had one of its most peaceful Christmas celebrations. This year will be even more peaceful. Deltans can return home to celebrate with their loved ones without fear,” he said.

    Governor Oborevwori, during the meeting, reiterated his administration’s commitment to infrastructural development, empowerment programmes, and strengthened security as the year draws to a close, assuring that all necessary measures are in place to protect lives and property.

  • Kano in panic mode as military bomb explodes killing five, injures 15

    Kano in panic mode as military bomb explodes killing five, injures 15

    There is confusion in Kano community on Saturday morning following a deadly explosion believed to have been caused by a military-grade mortar bomb. At least five people have been confirmed dead, while 15 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

    The blast, which occurred in the early hours, triggered immediate response from security agencies and emergency medical teams. The scene was cordoned off as ambulances evacuated the injured to nearby hospitals.

    Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, who visited the scene shortly after the incident, said preliminary findings point to a suspected military ordnance that may have been improperly handled or transported.

    “I received a distress call and upon arrival, discovered it was a suspected explosion—possibly from a military mortar bomb. Fifteen people were injured and, tragically, five lives were lost,” Bakori confirmed.

    According to the police, the explosive device may have been in transit aboard a trailer allegedly originating from Yobe State. It is unclear whether the vehicle was operated by military personnel, civilian contractors, or private individuals.

    “The situation remains under active investigation. We’re yet to determine the exact source and ownership of the explosive material,” the Commissioner stated, urging residents to stay calm and await verified updates.

    This latest incident has sparked fresh concerns over the movement and storage of military-grade weapons within civilian areas, raising questions about safety protocols and regulatory oversight.

    As investigations continue, security agencies have tightened surveillance across key routes into the state, while bomb disposal units have been deployed to inspect the area for any secondary threats.

  • Benue killings: DHQ opens up on internal sabotage claims

    Benue killings: DHQ opens up on internal sabotage claims

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed the allegation suggesting that internal sabotage within the Nigerian military contributed to the tragic events in Yelwata, Benue.

    The Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement on Tuesday, said the claims were unfounded and not supported by credible evidence.

    Gusau said the Nigerian military had consistently denied any involvement in the massacre.

    According to him, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has publicly stated that the military was not responsible for the killings in Yelwata.

    “Furthermore, the Nigerian Military has emphasized its commitment to protecting civilians and upholding the rule of law.

    “There is no credible evidence to substantiate claims of internal sabotage within the military related to the Yelwata incident.

    “Investigations by independent bodies, including human rights organizations, have not found any links between the military and the perpetrators of the massacre.

    “The violence in Yelwata is part of a broader pattern of intercommunal clashes in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, primarily between farmers and herders.

    “These conflicts are driven by longstanding disputes over land and grazing rights, ethnic tensions, and competition for resources,” he said.

    Gusau said that while the military had been deployed to maintain peace, the root causes of the violence lied in complex socio-economic and political factors.

    He added that attributing the Yelwata massacre to internal sabotage within the Nigerian military was misleading and detracts from the real issues at play.

    According to him, it is essential to focus on addressing the underlying causes of intercommunal violence and to support efforts aimed at fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and sustainable peace in the affected regions.

    “The CDS has only called for a holistic approach and the need for the cummunities and the security agencies to work closer to address the issue.

    “He also call on the communities not to hide criminals and also assure them the military ans other security agencies are there to protect lives and properties of law abiding citizens,” he added.