The Police Command in Rivers has begun disciplinary proceedings on an officer Ekawhe Thomas, over alleged negligence that led to a suspect’s escape from detention.

The spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, told journalists in Port Harcourt that the officer was attached to the Criminal Investigation Department.

Agabe said that following the suspect’s escape, the police leadership ordered immediate disciplinary action against Thomas.

“The officer has been detained and formally issued a query in line with existing disciplinary procedures of the police force,” she said.

She said that efforts were ongoing to re-apprehend the fleeing suspect while investigations into the incident continued.

The spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olugbenga Adepoju, had expressed displeasure over the development, and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to professionalism, discipline and accountability.

Agabe said Adepoju had warned that the command would not tolerate misconduct, negligence, or abuse of office by any personnel.

“Any officer found culpable after investigation would be sanctioned in accordance with extant laws and disciplinary regulations,” she said.

She assured members of the public that the command was fully committed to transparency, justice and the protection of citizens’ rights.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has called on commanders and senior officers of the Nigerian Army to continuously adapt operational strategies to effectively tackle emerging and evolving security threats across the country.

Speaking on Monday at the opening of a-three-day Chief of Army Staff First Bi-Annual Conference 2026 in Abuja, Shaibu said Nigeria’s security environment had become increasingly complex, requiring proactive leadership, innovation, and enhanced operational capabilities.

He stressed that the Army must remain flexible in confronting terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality, noting that modern military operations could no longer depend solely on conventional approaches because adversaries had continued to evolve their tactics.

According to the COAS, the conference was designed to critically assess operational realities across various theatres of operation and develop practical responses to emerging threats.

He urged participants to evaluate existing strategies, identify operational gaps, and propose sustainable solutions to improve combat effectiveness.

Shaibu also highlighted the importance of synergy among security agencies, saying no single agency could independently address Nigeria’s security challenges without effective collaboration and intelligence sharing.

The Army Chief further disclosed that the transition of Army conferences from quarterly and annual schedules to a bi-annual format since 2025 had significantly improved the implementation of operational decisions and enhanced effectiveness in the field.

He explained that the new arrangement provided formations and units adequate time to implement directives from previous conferences while improving monitoring, evaluation, and assessment of military operations nationwide.

“As we are all aware, since 2025, the Chief of Army Staff Conference has become bi-annual, transitioning from the previous quarterly and annual schedule. This change was intended to ensure ample time for implementing decisions and directives from each conference, leading to greater effectiveness and impact in the field,” he said.

Shaibu noted that the Army had recorded operational gains in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East as well as anti-banditry operations in the North-West and North-Central regions due to improved planning, coordination, and regular operational reviews.

He maintained that continuous assessment of operations remained critical to sustaining operational momentum and improving troop readiness.

The COAS reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to professionalism, discipline, and strict adherence to rules of engagement, noting that improved professionalism among troops had strengthened civil-military relations and enhanced public confidence in the institution.

He also revealed that Army Headquarters had intensified troop training, logistics support, and deployment of operational resources to formations and units to sustain ongoing military operations.

Shaibu commended officers and soldiers for their sacrifices in various operational theatres and assured them of continued support from Army Headquarters.

He equally appreciated the Federal Government for sustained support in the areas of funding, procurement of equipment, and troop welfare.

In his welcome address, the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi, said the Nigerian Army had recorded significant operational successes across several theatres under the leadership of the COAS.

Alabi described the conference as historic, noting that it was the first major event held at the newly constructed Nigerian Army Conference Centre in Abuja.

He said the Army’s operational effectiveness, strengthened by discipline and adherence to rules of engagement, had improved civil-military relations and reinforced public confidence in the institution.

The senior officer added that Army Headquarters had continued to support formations and units through enhanced training and additional operational resources aimed at building a more professional, combat-ready, adaptable, and resilient force capable of operating effectively in joint and multi-agency environments.

He urged participants to critically review ongoing operations, identify lessons from operational setbacks, and develop realistic strategies to counter emerging security threats.

Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of chegues to the wounded soldiers and next of kin to families of the fallen heroes.

The conference featured operational briefings, strategic presentations, and discussions on evolving security threats and military responses, with attendance by senior military officers, commanders, heads of military establishments, representatives of sister security agencies, regimental sergeant majors, and members of the media.

By David Torough, Abuja

Operations
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has recorded major operational successes across the country between 8 and 14 May 2026, neutralising terrorists, rescuing kidnapped victims, arresting criminal collaborators, and recovering weapons and stolen petroleum products in coordinated military offensives.

In a press briefing issued on Friday, the Defence Headquarters said troops operating under various joint task forces sustained aggressive land and air operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves, and separatist groups across the North East, North West, North Central, South-South, and South-East regions.

In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai intercepted a terrorist logistics convoy crossing from Cameroon into Borno State along the Banki-Kumshe Road, forcing insurgents to abandon supplies including fuel, medications, motorcycle parts, and communication equipment.

Troops also repelled a large-scale attack on a military camp in Buni Gari, Yobe State, killing five terrorists and recovering heavy weapons and ammunition. However, three soldiers were killed during the encounter.

The military further disclosed that 12 abducted women and children from Ngoshe community in Borno State were rescued during clearance and air interdiction operations around the Mandara Mountains and Amuda-Gava corridor. Troops also arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and gunrunners in Yobe and Taraba states.

In the North West, Operation Fansan Yamma recorded several victories against armed groups in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto states.

Troops rescued 32 kidnapped victims, including women and children, during an offensive in Katsina State, while multiple terrorists were neutralised in ambush and clearance operations.

Security forces also confirmed the rescue of additional kidnap victims who escaped captivity following air strikes on terrorist hideouts in Zamfara State.

Troops arrested suspected logistics suppliers and collaborators linked to terrorist networks in Kaduna State, while another patrol in Sokoto State thwarted an attempt by terrorists to destroy Nigerian Immigration Service infrastructure near the Niger Republic border.

In the North Central region, troops under Operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace, and Whirl Stroke intensified operations across Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, and Kogi states.

The Defence Headquarters said troops repelled attacks on military positions in Niger State, recovering weapons, motorcycles, radios, and ammunition from fleeing terrorists.

Security around the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline remained “effective and uninterrupted,” according to the military.

Several suspected kidnappers and terrorist collaborators were arrested in Nasarawa, Plateau, and Kwara states during intelligence-led raids and surveillance operations.

In Kogi State, troops ambushed suspected terrorists along the Obajana-Jakura-Tajimi Road, killing one suspect and recovering rifles, ammunition, medical supplies, and cash.

Troops in Benue State also rescued a senior police officer, ASP Usman Ogbobi of PMF 44 Force Headquarters Abuja, alongside another victim abducted along the Ochumekwu-Ugbobi Road.

In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe rescued a kidnap victim in Edo State after suspected abductors fled upon sighting troops responding to a distress call near a hotel. Troops also recovered about 1,500 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil traced to Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited in Akwa Ibom State.

The military said anti-illegal oil bunkering operations in Rivers State uncovered equipment and stolen crude oil valued at hundreds of millions of naira, including galvanised pipes suspected to be part of a crude oil theft network and nearly 7,800 litres of illegally refined crude oil.

In the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka intensified operations against suspected IPOB/ESN elements in Abia and Anambra states.

Security operatives arrested suspects in possession of firearms and recovered weapons during raids and clearance operations.

Troops also arrested a suspected kidnapper linked to the abduction of a resident in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State after pursuing the gang across the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway.

Authorities recovered N830,000 and a mobile phone from the suspect, while efforts to apprehend other gang members continue.

Beyond combat operations, the Armed Forces also expanded humanitarian and civil-military initiatives.

The Nigerian Air Force conducted a medical outreach programme in Maiduguri, providing free healthcare services, medications, and relief materials to hundreds of residents, including displaced persons and flood victims.

Similarly, the Nigerian Army donated 400 bags of fertiliser to farming communities in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State to support food production ahead of the 2026 farming season.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, resilience, and sacrifices in ongoing operations nationwide.

He also paid tribute to personnel who lost their lives in active service and assured Nigerians that the military remains committed to defeating terrorism, kidnapping, separatist violence, and oil theft across the country.

The Defence Headquarters urged citizens to continue supporting security agencies with timely intelligence, stressing that community collaboration remains critical to sustaining operational successes and restoring lasting peace nationwide.