DEFENCE
Nigerian Army remains committed to curbing insurgency, terrorism-COAS

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, says the Nigerian Army under his watch remains alive to its Constitutional mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and curbing activities of insurgents and terrorists.
Lagbaja said this during the 2023 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) lecture and Book presentation on Wednesday in Ibadan.
The topic of the lecture was “Optimising Nigerian Army Administration for Successfully Countering Insurgency Operations: Strategic Options.
The COAS said that the Nigerian Army was committed to tackling the activities of banditry and other criminal activities and most importantly safe guarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for entrusting the stewardship of the Nigerian Army to him at this crucial time.
“I want to use this opportunity to pledge that under my watch the Nigerian Army shall remain loyal to do all within its power to defeat all adversaries across the length and breadth of Nigeria,” COAS said.
In his address, the guest lecturer, Retired Maj.-Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade, advised the Nigerian Army to look critically into the issue of troop’s rotation and regular payment of allowances of troops in the war front.
He also urged the Nigerian Army to provide medical attention to wounded troops for optimal performance in insurgency operations.
Oyebade, who retired as the 28th Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), said that the Nigerian Army had the responsibility to ensure its troops were provided with necessary administration and logistics to effectively deliver and tackle counter insurgency and operations.
“Over the years, effective administration for troops remained a reccurring challenge; the dynamic engagements of the Nigerian Army in different internal security and counter insurgency operations have serious administrative and logistics challenges.
“This is evident in Nigerian Army troops’ complaints of poor feeding, delay in payment of allowances, irregular issuing of protective kits among others, all these incapacitate the willingness of the troops to fight effectively,” he said.
Oyebade urged the Nigerian Army to critically assess the issue of special promotion and promote those who actually deserved to be promoted.
According to him, promoting wrong persons has an effect on the morale of the troops to fight and put in their best.
He said the Nigerian Army should take care of the families of deceased officers and ensure they get their benefits as and when due, to boost the morale of those still alive.
He also advised the Nigerian Army to invest in latest technology that would help in their operations, and be abreast of what the insurgents were doing in order to be ahead of them.
Oyebade also urged the Nigerian Army to look inward by partnering relevant industries and produce their weapons locally rather than depending on foreign countries.
During the programme, the book “Nigerian Army Participation in Ecomog Operations and Lessons Learnt 1990-2003 was presented to the public.
The idea of the book published by the Nigerian Army is to provide a pure and virtual account of Nigerian Army operations to improve on knowledge, training and subsequent operations.
Dignitaries present at the occasion included the Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale and representative of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, among other senior military personnel (NAN)
CRIME
Police Rescue 28 Kidnap Victims, Detain 10 Suspects In Enugu

The Police Command in Enugu has rescued 28 kidnap victims and detained 10 suspects in Enugu State.
The command also recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles and other exhibits in separate coordinated operations within the past 10 days.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe on Tuesday in Enugu.
Ndukwe said that the feat was part of the Command’s sustained efforts to rid Enugu State of unrepentant violent criminals.
“On May 18, at about 6:30 p.m., operatives attached to Umumba Police Division, working with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards and community members, rescued two male and two female victims kidnapped along Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
“This followed a tactical bush-combing operation.
“Four male suspects linked to the crime were immediately detained and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations,” he said.
The spokesman said that on the same day, at about 6:34 p.m., operatives from 9th Mile Division responded to a distress call and arrested a suspect.
According to him, the suspect and three others have attempted to kidnap a woman, who raised an alarm.
He said that the suspect, who was severely beaten by the mob, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being investigated further.
“Similarly, operatives from Okpuje Police Division of the Command, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards, on May 17, 2025, carried out a strategic bush-combing operation in a forest bordering Okpuje in Enugu State and Odolu in Kogi State.
“During the operation, they intercepted two men found with ₦150,000 and ₦70,000 respectively, intended for ransom payments, as well as loaves of bread and drinks requested by the kidnappers.
“Upon further incursion, the team encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers but responded with superior firepower, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds and abandon the victims, a pump-action gun, and two live cartridges.
“The victims were rescued unhurt and the exhibits recovered. Efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” he said.
Ndukwe said that earlier, on May 14, 2025, at about 5:30a.m., operatives from Igbo-Eze North Division, with the Military and Neighbourhood Watch, rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Amaka-Okpodu community in Kogi State.
He said that the victims, some of whom were returning from a traditional marriage ceremony, had been allegedly abducted on May 10, 2025, along Iyionu-Aguibeje Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA by hooded armed men.
“Five male suspects were subsequently detained following credible intelligence, and three firearms were also recovered. Additionally, a minibus and four motorcycles used by the travelling victims were earlier recovered from the scene of the crime.
“In another operation, on May 13, 2025, at about 9:45 p.m., operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, acting on credible information, rescued a kidnapped victim along the Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway and recovered his Toyota Camry.
“A white Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 703 LP used by the suspects and a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu, were also recovered.
“Operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” he said.
Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the police operatives, the collaborating security agents and law-abiding community members for their efforts in making the operations successful.
The spokesman said that the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s avowed commitment to make Enugu State safer and more secure by rooting out violent criminals and their activities.
He said that the state police boss urged residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant and cooperative with police and other law enforcement authorities. (NAN)
CRIME
Police Nab Native Doctor, Recover Arms, Ammunition From Shrine

The police operatives of the Enugu command, attached to the Special Anti–Cultism Squad (SPACS) have nabbed a native doctor, for alleged possession of fire arms and ammunition hidden in his shrine.
This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in Enugu on Monday.
Ndukwe said that the police recovered one locally-made pistol, one revolver pistol, one expended and one live .
38 special calibre ammunition and one live cartridge from his shrine located at Ugwuochie-Iwollo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.“The recovery followed the suspect’s confessional statements after his earlier arrest, as well as a subsequent raid on the shrine by the operatives.
“The suspect confessed to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity.
“He will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for their efforts and urged them to sustain the momentum, ensuring that “Enugu State remains uninhabitable for unrepentant criminals.”
The commissioner also urged members of the public to remain supportive of the command’s efforts. (NAN)
DEFENCE
FG Introduces New Online Citizenship, Business Management Platform

The Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform.
This is contained in a statement by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani on Friday in Abuja.
Ajani said that the new digital platform was designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround time and improved user experience.
The platform is aimed at managing citizenship applications, processing business permits, and administering regulations related to businesses and foreign workers.
The permanent secretary explained further that the initiative was part of the ministry’s ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency thereby significantly improving service delivery to the public.
“Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are hereby expected to access the platform through the following official channels: Ministry of Interior’s website: https://interior.gov.ng.
Direct portal access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng, candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support or inquiries.
“The ministry remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation.(NAN)